1.

Asami Sato owned a large variety of satomobiles.

Most of her private collection were kept in a parking garage on the Sato estate. But her favorite was parked in the underground lot of her apartment building; a navy blue model with black leather seats littered with ink stained blueprints and crinkled maps.

It was her favorite, but at times the color felt nauseating, and she couldn't stand to look at the vehicle for too long, much less ride in it. All things blue reminded her of… sometimes it was best just to avoid them.

Tonight, she instead wheeled out her banana yellow moped, long dark waves of hair bundled into a red helmet, large goggles strapped around her head just beneath it. She liked the pressure on her face, the helmet a little too tight, digging into her scalp. A little physical pain was good, distraction was good. Something to tide her over until she wheeled the moped out of the lot, into the street, swung one leg over the side of her metallic steed and revved up the engine.

Machines spoke their own language. A hum of comfort, an excited grunt or snarl puffing out of the smoke clogged pipes. Hissed expletives sliding through the gears, as if they were grinding their teeth on silver spikes.

They were hard to hear under normal circumstances, for those lacking an affinity for machines, but especially when the metropolis was overrun by a major parade. But for Asami, there was no clearer sound.

A sea of masks and lanterns were bobbing through the streets, towards the sunset, its dying amber light splashing against the base of skyscrapers. Visitors from outside Republic City were coming in from Central City Station, marching towards the Silk Road Bridge, merging with the march coming in from the Fire Nation Cultural Center. Asami hadn't any plans to attend prior to Bolin inviting her out. Now, she found herself allowing the tide of fire jugglers, parade floats and dragon puppets to sweep her out the penthouse and carry her through flame soaked streets.

Many of the parade floats featured statues of famed firebenders and Fire Nation nationals. In the wake of the 100 Year War, there were few to be proud of. But Avatar Roku was there, his long white beard made of felt. Fire Lord Zuko, a vibrant scar painted across the left half of his wooden face. Recognizable by the wide, toothy grin carved into another statue's face, and distinctive patterned robes, was Tom-Tom, the famed acrobat, monkey trainer, and all around entertainer. There were a few others, the pack all led by the current Fire Lord, her severe expression captured perfectly in bark.

Asami cruised in their shadow, the creak of the wooden wheels beneath them carving paths in the crowd, cutting across the black pavement. In between each float, were dozens of red satomobiles, groups of grinning soldiers from the United Forces on leave sticking their heads out to wag both their hands and tongues at the throng of Fire Nation nationals and descendants marching on either side. Many of them honked in celebration of the descending night, combatting the drums and horns which a band of school children played, hand picked by the former Fire Nation councilwoman.

There was a narrow lane for vehicles not officially part of the parade; Asami swerved out of the way of cycle rickshaws carrying awestruck tourists, turning into one of the side streets. She recognized it as the Dragon Flats borough, where her father had grown up. Here, the fire escapes practically dripped with alcohol, rattling beneath the weight of private parties, factions of the march receding into the back alleys of the city, their tiny apartments bursting with laughter soaked in music. Bamboo sticks spiked with shots of sake were punched into watermelons and passed around, the heat of the strong drink provoking underage firebenders into leaning out the windows and coughing out flames, their heads reeling and juice dripping down their chins.

Asami narrowly avoided the downpour and slid neatly out of the alley. The longer she rode through the city, the more its frantic melody bled into the whooshing metropolitan landscape. Dotting the periphery of her vision always was the parade, winking at her in between stretches of alleyways. Above the skyscrapers were airships belonging to various companies advertising their products, and a little below them were hot air balloons where small groups leaned over the wicker edge and waved down at the crowds.

Yue Bay cushioned the sun's dying rays, golden liquid spilling across the surface, rippling onto the shores of the metropolis.

There were flowers in the Spirit World the exact same shade. Asami remembered waking up to them nuzzling her cheeks come morning, their honeyed fragrance mixing with the Avatar's natural scent, creating a dizzying aroma that had left her languid, kept her lazy, punch drunk on her own intoxicating contentment.

(The petals are edible.

I don't believe it. Asami had teased, her body flushing when the Avatar's response was to push the petals, wet with dew, past the barrier of her lips.)

Darkness cut across the city, the bay swallowing up the sun in one sunken gulp of blackness. Visions of the Avatar were snuffed out, and all Asami was left with was the veering road and a sleek black Cabbage Car honking desperately at her as her moped sped down what was evidently a one-way passage.

"Spirits!" Asami jerked hard to the right, her full weight forcing the moped to tilt sideways while still speeding forward, the unforgiving walls of the passageway scraping hard against one shoulder as she and the Cabbage Car slid past one another.

The opposing vehicle's wing mirror jabbed her in the side of her gut, nearly knocking the wind out of her, but Asami's weight merely fell forward, the moped slapping back down on the pavement, just outside the alleyway. Skidding to a halt, she swung off without killing the engine, letting the moped fall to the ground as she whirled around to face the potential catastrophe.

Wedged diagonally between tightly enclosed walls, the Cabbage Car seemed to be quivering as the nervous engine calmed down. "I'm so sorry!" Grateful for no other oncoming traffic, everything redirected towards the downtown parade, Asami rushed over, the leather soles of her boots slapping onto the trunk and roof of the onyx model as she bounded onto the other side.

"Are you okay?" Asami slid off the hood of the car, turning to land directly in front of it. Other than its inadvertent diagonal parking, the damage didn't look too bad. Well, besides the wing mirror crushed against the wall, glass shards sprinkled onto the dirty pavement, winking in the darkness, like stars had fallen onto the city. And she could see there was a dent on the driver's side door. "Is everyone alright?"

It was dark, but she could see the outline of more than one passenger in the vehicle. As all of them attempted opening their doors, the driver's window slowly rolled down, and a strangely familiar voice, tinged with irritation, asked her to move out of the way. The driver's voice was like words trying to cut through butter, his tongue thick beneath their weight.

"Oh, but, I can help!" Asami insisted, ignoring the (rightfully so) angry grumblings inhabiting the Cabbage Car she stood in front of. Reaching up to tug pull off her helmet and push up her goggles, lengthy raven tresses spilled off the top of the skilled engineer's head, cascading over her shoulders.

The driver let go of the wheel and unbuckled his seatbelt, doing his best to stick his upper torso through the tight enclosure of window and wall. "Is that - ?" His amber eyes narrowed in recognition, reaching up to comb the dark strands out of his face as he squinted through the darkness at her.

Not entirely clear how one was supposed to greet a crown prince after forcing him to crash, Asami bowed her head a little and offered an apologetic smile. "I was really hoping that wasn't you, General Iroh."

"Miss Sato!" The irritation in his voice slowly bled away, replaced with simple amazement. "I'm just relieved I held back on roasting you alive. Tell me, do you try and run all your old friends off the road?"

A voice from the backseat of his vehicle huffed with impatience. "You know this maniac, Roh Roh?"

"Yes." Iroh neglected to elaborate, his gaze fastened on the young woman before him. His eyes were the color of the setting sun, that same golden hue melting into the bay. "So, you think you can help? We've no metalbenders in our party, unfortunately, but we can blast our way out if necessary."

Asami's cheeks were tinged pink, but she gave a determined nod and backed up a few paces, waiting for Iroh to slip back behind the wheel before issuing him instructions on how to squeeze his way out of the passage. "A little further… a little further… stop, back up - back… okay, come forward again, to the right this time…"

It was like a dance. Asami stepped forward and Iroh rolled the Cabbage Car back, then they would each turn a little, angled toward one another, and she'd step backwards with Iroh pressing his small advantage. The parade's noise provided the melody; its marching musicians and the approving roar of the crowd. Finally, the Cabbage Car jolted forward, out of the tight alley, no longer at a diagonal.

All four doors burst open, the general's entourage spilling out of their seats, one of them evidently car sick and bounding away to hurl his dinner behind some trash cans.

Wincing, Asami clutched the helmet tucked beneath her arm a little tighter as the crown prince of the Fire Nation climbed out and approached her. He wasn't exactly smiling, but his entire countenance was relaxed, his gait easy. In stark contrast was his companion, moosefox fur wrapped around her shoulders, dark auburn ringlets spilling out of her previously elegant bun, a scowl dipping her bright red lips as she followed after the prince.

"Did I hear the prince call you Sato?" The woman demanded. "As in Satomobiles? As in - you ought to know how to actually drive the damn things!"

"I'm really very sorry."

"She's usually very good at it." Iroh offered, the compliment almost sounding patronizing to Asami's reddened ears. "In any case, nobody got hurt." His friend continued to retch in the background, the other uniformed men giving him a wide berth. "I am going to very late though."

"For what?"

"The parade," Iroh's companion snapped at her, drawing out the syllables so it sounded like puh-ray-duh. "What do you think? Li," She barked at the sweat soaked man hunched over a puddle of his own vomit. "Stop messing about, we have to go."

Iroh offered Asami a shrug and a half smile. "Let's make sure your vehicle isn't damaged."

"It's fine, I don't want you to be any later than you already are."

"Please, I insist."

Ignoring his companion's withering glare, they edged around the Cabbage Car, passing through the dark alley. Iroh lifted the moped off the ground and checked the tires for any signs of deflation.

"You're good to go," He held the moped steady for her as she climbed aboard once more. "I'm surprised you're not going in our direction. No love for your fellow countrymen?"

"Actually I didn't feel like being around anybody - Fire Nation or otherwise."

"Ouch," Iroh smiled at her. "Sure this was just an accident?"

Asami rolled her eyes, but found herself smiling as well. "Since nobody got hurt, I consider it a happy accident. It's… nice to see you when there isn't…"

"When there aren't any metallic giants, spirit monsters or chi blockers trying to kill us?"

Asami laughed, the sound immediately drawing the ire of the prince's impatient companion, her heels clicking their way down the alley. "Exactly."

"I feel the same way." Iroh pulled back a little from holding up the moped when his companion neared close.

"Roh Roh, we must get a move on." She spared a glance for Asami, dark eyes and curled lips freely exhibiting their contempt. "To think my papa actually was considering investing in Future Industries. Well, I'll have to write him before he squanders the family fortune away."

"Jinghua." Iroh snapped, his brow furrowed, but before he could say anything more, Asami was rising off her seat a little, jade green eyes flashing in the darkness.

"The satomobile has better control and dexterity than a Cabbage Car. I could drive circles around every single one of my competitors. There's no better driver in Republic City."

"Then Republic City must be besieged with accidents daily." Jinghua sneered.

"Think you can do better?" Asami demanded.

"Better than driving the wrong way on a one-way road? Yes."

"Enough to put your money where your mouth is?"

Jinghua's smile was razor sharp. "Let's talk terms."

The last traces of her fight with Korra had centered in the middle of Asami's chest, creating a tight knot. But now, they were loosening up, first from the sweeping madness of the parade, then the shock of the near-crash, and now this challenge had the hairs on the back of her neck standing up, her heart beating faster and easier.

The terms were simple; Jinghua would get behind the wheel, and due to the Cabbage Car extra baggage, get a headstart. Whoever got to City Hall first won the race, so long as they obeyed traffic laws and accrued no additional damage. If Jinghua won, the CEO was handing over whichever exclusive satomobile model she desired for free. If Asami won, Jinghua would encourage her father to invest in her company.

"To be clear, you're paying for this damage either way." Jinghua motioned at the dent, scratches and broken side-mirror. "Come along, Roh."

"Actually," He spoke up for the first time since they'd hashed out the deal, quietly amused throughout all of it. "I'll hang back with Miss Sato, if she doesn't mind. It'll provide extra weight to even the two of you out, and I can ensure she's driving safely as well as fast. If I'm damaged in any way, she loses."

This idea in no way seemed to appeal to Jinghua, who, after an unpleasant pause, decided to mark her territory by grabbing the General's white ascot and pulling him in for a hard kiss, muffling the General's surprised mmmph. They separated with a loud smack of the lips, Jinghua spinning on her heel and stalking back towards the bruised vehicle without another word.

Asami let her tongue hang out in disgust, but quickly retracted it when Iroh turned to her, panting slightly and smiling embarrassingly. "Your girlfriend's charming."

"Well, you did do your best to provoke her." Iroh nodded at the moped's small seat. "I didn't actually ask - may I join you?"

"Are you sure you want to provoke her?"

"I just want to get there on time, and despite you nearly driving me off the road, I have complete faith in you, Miss Sato."

Asami slid the goggles back down, the bands straining forward and then released against her eyes with a resounding slap of plastic. "Climb aboard then." She tried to downplay the small flicker of pleasure to hear him say that, but caught a self assured half smile playing on his lips in the mirror just off to the side of her handlebars when he seated himself just behind her.

It was easy to forget, sometimes, how much older the General was. His face was unblemished, unmarred by creases, by any wrinkles that would have fit naturally on a man of forty. It wasn't until he climbed aboard, the weight of him sinking onto the banana colored moped, his strong arms wrapping around Asami's waist, anchoring her to the crispness of his pressed uniform and the clean cologne which freshened the air around him, did it fully hit her. This was a man behind her.

"This is the first I've been on one of these," Iroh's warm breath tickled the curve of the young woman's ear. "Anything I should know?"

Asami revved up the engine, her heart starting to thud with excitement. "You'll want to hold on tight." She could feel his smirk against her ear, as potent as the infuriated stare of his companion from the car window.

She could feel something similar spreading across her lips as well; as the ten minute head start was winding down, when they shot forward out of the alley, the night wind trying its best to blow them both backwards. Spreading into a full blown smile as his body curving alongside hers, speeding across the avenues paralleling Main Street - largely free save for themselves and the sleek black car - pulling up to the inferior model just a few minutes later, then pulling ahead, leaving a trail of dust in their wake for Jingua and her party to follow.


2.

A carnival atmosphere had consumed Avatar Korra Park, its main statue now crowned in cherry blossoms and sporting a crimson sash with the Fire Nation insignia stitched in gold. Young children were climbing onto the Avatar's shoulders and dangling off her arms, their sticky hands leaving watermelon stains on the exquisitely carved stone.

In the thick of the celebration, in the middle of the freshly cut grassy field, was a temporary wooden platform. A podium was set up in front of Kane Sakamoto and the Crying Comets, an up and coming band, where the Fire Nation councilwoman was preparing to introduce the next performer.

Bolin waited beneath the stage, his dark hair brushed up against the wood, where a table filled with cups of water and orange slices were set up for the performers. Already there had been fire jugglers, magic acts, masked dancers and puppetry. As the Comets stretched out the final notes of their popular melody, Bolin knew he had only a few minutes left before ascending the stage.

"Hey, Bolin," One of the stagehands ducked beneath the platform, shoving a teenager out in front of him, fisting the collar of the boy's shirt. "We caught this kid pick-pocketing the crowd, but he says he knows you?"

The boy had grown a few inches, but his brown hair was still shaggy, dark eyes still squinty and beady, sporting an inherently suspicious expression.

"Scmoomphy!" Bolin spat out the orange wedge stretching his lips, and bounded towards them. "How've you been, buddy!" Uncaring of how it might have looked to the assistants and performers milling beneath the stage, Bolin grabbed the little tyke and engulfed him in a tight bear hug.

Skoochy grinned up at the former street urchin, nothing much changed in his own appearance. He still wore his cap down low over his eyes, and generally appeared malnutritioned but getting by. "Doing great, Bo."

"He'll be doing time if he's not careful." The stage hand grunted, beefy hand letting go of the boy's collar now that the Avatar's friend had him in custody. "I assume you can guarantee him staying out of trouble?"

Bolin swiftly covered the teenager's mouth before Skoochy could smart off, and gave the stagehand a cheerful promise. Above their heads, the band finished playing to the ear-splitting shrieks of preteen girls and appreciative applause of the rest of the crowd. Dragging the boy away from the rest of the group and the strung up lanterns, Bolin released his mouth only to settle his hands on the boy's slim shoulders.

"What're you doing here?"

"Shady Shin paid me to send you a message."

"What is it?" Bolin sighed when the boy rubbed his fingers together. "If he paid you to send the message, why do I have to pay to hear it?"

"I guess I'll just be on my way," Skoochy turned to leave but was lightly yanked back by his collar, a few coins dropped into his hand. "That's it? I thought you were living large."

"They're paying me more after the event." Bolin's voice tinged with some defensiveness.

Skoochy gave him a skeptical look, then just shrugged, pocketing the coins. "He wants to know if you've thought anymore about his offer."

"Tell him Korra's willing to meet him, but only if he gets us an invitation."

"To what?"

Bolin lowered his voice, the wooden panels above their heads creaking with the shifting weight of the band receding and the former councilwoman stepping forward to speak into the megaphone. Skoochy nodded in confirmation of the message, and after a few more coins were trickled into his palm ("But what am I paying you for?" Bolin whined. "You'll only deliver the message after Shin pays up!") he backed out from beneath the stage and disappeared into the crowd.

"You may know him as Nuktuk, Hero of the South," The former councilwoman was saying, her introduction received with excited cheers. "But in actuality, this young man was born right here in Republic City, the son of an Earth Kingdom national, and a woman from the Fire Nation. Less than a century ago, this union would not have been possible."

While she weaved his multiculturality into a narrative, Bolin lightly swung his arms around, warming up his muscles.

"Please, give a warm welcome to the Master of Lava… BOLIN!"

The crowd roared with applause when the celebrity hero emerged by launching himself from the ground and somersaulted through the air, onto the stage. Beaming at the energy pulsating through the park, he shouted his own greetings, most of it lost in the ensuing cheers which rippled backwards through the city, through the parade which was forced to seep onto the edges of the park now that it was filled to capacity.

Children were hoisting themselves into the trees, alternatively aided or impeded by intrigued spirits that were already hanging out on the branches, peering down from all sides as Bolin prepared to open his show.

Stomping his foot into the wooden platform, a corresponding block of earth, slightly bigger than the size of his own head, jutted out of the park and flew towards him. Tapping his arms together in a cross, he swiftly uncrossed them just before the rock hit, splitting it into several pieces, all hovering in mid-air, awaiting command. Bolin rolled one palm over the other, and the small pieces began to circulate, the air around him heating up as they sped faster and faster, the beginnings of a faint glow emitting from the center.

The crowd had quieted down during the strictly earthbending portion, but now they began to ooh and aah as the lanterns strung about the park began to dim, and the rotating pieces of earth joined together in a glowing sphere of rapidly heating magma.

Bolin had combed his hair back, even the stubborn cowlick, causing him to look rather dapper, but now the sweat from his craft began to shine on his forehead as he began launching small spurts of lava out of the spinning orb, the wooden planks sizzling around his shifting feet. A surprised shriek preceded the hasty evacuation of the small party beneath the stage.

Encouraged by the crowd's response, Bolin gathered more earth, and formed a circle of rock around him, laid down a base of cooling magma, and then launched a wave of lava from the front side, his whole body curving with the bright orange wave, threatening to drown the screaming crowd in a tsunami of liquid fire, his fists tightening and feet sharply twisting in their stance to catch it just in time, hardening it into a crisp, dark, sloping statue.

The crowd roared with manic laughter, the kind of sound only achieved after someone's come face to face with the potential of their own untimely demise, and ravenously demanded more.

Sweating in his clothes, a red tunic with a gold sash tied simply around his waist, Bolin happily gave the people what they wanted, spinning around and launching bigger wave after bigger wave at the crowd, the surrounding trees and buildings behind them glowing with intermediating flashes of angry firelight.


3.

The president's balcony overlooked a good portion of the parade which flowed through the square on its way towards the carnival that was set up in the park. From this distance, remnants of the lava show and the ripples of awe it provoked were felt. The entire city seemed to cook; the lantern-lit skyline swimming in heat, basking in the sultry labyrinth of intoxicated fire worship.

Lounging in the lava's glow were the President's honored guests, Princess Rina among them.

Like her brother, she possessed narrow amber eyes, but that was where the resemblance ended. (So different did they look, in fact, that there were rumors the princess had been sired by a dragon. One who had taken the shape of a man in order to seduce Fire Lord Izumi, some twenty odd years ago.) Where Iroh was fair and tall, she was short and had copper colored skin, the kind that seemed to have soaked and sizzled in oil. Her lengthy dark hair was held up by a royal headpiece, but several strands were allowed to spill free and frame her face.

Dressed in crimson finery, her skintight dress was wrapped snug around every curve, a golden dragon coiled possessively around her hips, its bright scales traversing just beneath the swell of her breasts, its head resting upon her heart.

Everything from her shoes to the red glitter on her bare arms proclaimed her devotion to the nation which her family had ruled over for centuries. Everything except for the navy blue choker wrapped around her neck, a small medallion of a lighter baby blue shade hanging off it, the water tribe symbol delicately carved into the flat surface. Rina tugged on it self consciously as she continued gazing out at the parade.

Catching the motion out of the corner of her eye, her escort turned towards her. "It's not too tight is it?"

"No, Korra," The princess sighed, dropping her hand.

"You sure? I can easily adjust it." Korra was already reaching for the back of Rina's neck, but found her hands being slapped away.

"I'm fine." Rina rolled her eyes. "Will you quit fussing over me? You're acting worse than mother."

"Fine, excuse me for caring." Korra turned back to the balcony, not to look down at the parade floats or the acrobats cartwheeling through the crowd or to wave at the small hot air balloons trailing through the metropolis, but to continue scanning the surrounding rooftops. Other than a beach ball being passed around from one building to the other and the wafting scent of barbeque, they didn't have much exciting visuals to offer in the darkness.

"You can show me you care by having some fun." Rina huffed, reaching up to drag her painted nails across the line of the Avatar's jaw, trying to redirect her attention. "Where's that happy go lucky adventurer that arm wrestled giant lemurs - "

"It was a spirit and it was trying to possess you."

" - or challenged pirates to drinking contests - "

"Our cups were poisoned, I was just trying to get us out of there without letting on that I knew."

" - or took me racing through the streets of Ba Sing Se..."

"Rina, the authorities were after us, I just didn't want to get arrested before we could explain ourselves to the prince!" Despite those genuinely aggravating trials, Korra found her sour mood lifting just a bit, and judging by the playful lilt of the princess' lips, it did not go unnoticed. "Look, you're at a parade in your nation's honor. It's fun."

"Yes, it is, but you're not having any." Rina chided. "You've been fussy and anxious ever since we arrived here, and it's only gotten worse since you came back from wherever you disappeared to earlier. Now, tell me what's going on."

Korra couldn't help but lean into the gentle yet commanding caress, her eyes closing as a deep sigh seemed to deflate her entire body. "It's nothing you have to worry about. But I promise I'll tell you when it's all finished. When we leave the city."

For a moment, Korra hoped that this had actually appeased the princess, who fell quiet for almost a full minute. Lost in thought, gently caressing the Avatar's jaw, as if stroking the fur of a treasured pet. But then - "Does this have anything to do with Asami Sato?"

"What?" Korra immediately reared back, bright eyes grown wide. "What makes you say that?"

The princess sported a decidedly unhappy expression, her own eyes drifting towards the glass doors which separated the balcony from the interior office, where her laughing older brother had just appeared, a beautiful woman with windswept hair tumbling off one shoulder amicably grasping his arm. "Because I think she's just arrived."

Korra turned around, something small and sharp slowly sinking into her heart, a faint glow of power dancing around the edges of her vision. A steady breath exhaled through her flared nostrils calmed her down.

It wasn't the absolute last person Korra would have wanted to see her ex-girlfriend with. Or whatever the proper term was for what she and Asami had briefly been.

The absolute last person was Mako, because Korra would really hate to have to kill a good friend.

But seeing Asami come sauntering onto the balcony, flushed with good cheer, windswept and just a little grimy, but too beautiful and too wealthy and too exhilarated to care… with the crown prince of the Fire Nation laughing beside her, usually politely detached demeanor now relaxed and enthralled with the woman practically dripping all over his arm… it wasn't the last person Korra would have wanted to see her with, but the sight did nothing to make her happy.

Korra watched as President Raiko greeted his top general and the woman who was evidently his plus one.

"I recall you declining my little invitation," She could hear Raiko saying, as he addressed Asami. "Glad to see General Iroh managed to change your mind."

Many of the notable citizens of Republic City were there, all of them with some amount of relation to the Fire Nation. Korra watched Iroh and Asami move around the balcony, their synchronized greeting charming the warm, dark air, floating lanterns capturing the outline of a perfect couple. Both tall, both brilliant in their separate fields, him much older but youthful, her much younger but quite mature. Korra could have gagged at the sight, and couldn't even fake a smile when Iroh turned and caught sight of her first.

"Avatar," His voice was naturally thick, like his tongue was wading through melted butter. "I'm glad to see my little sister hasn't made you tear your own hair out yet." He pulled Asami along with him, and Korra watched the way some of the color instantly drained from Asami's stricken face the moment those ivy colored eyes made contact.

There was an entire group with Iroh, but Korra struggled to take note with them. The world had shrunk to just accommodate the unsteady thump of her heart and the piercing green of Asami's gaze. It was a fog of motion. Korra felt herself bow and be bowed to in return, heard (from a long distance) herself give and receive polite greetings. It was like struggling against a tidal wave of white noise, oceanic static.

Rina placed a palm on her lower back, and she felt her ears clear up with a soft pop.

"I've heard so much about you," Rina was saying. "I didn't realize you'd be my brother's date."

One of the women in the party swiftly broke in to correct the princess. "She's not his date."

"Rina, quit trying to embarrass me." Iroh extended a hand towards his sister. "The president wants us to join him, shall we?"

"Yes, don't act like I'm not the one who's been waiting for you to show up. Is this why Republic City nearly fell? You slept in the morning of the occupation?" Rina took her brother's hand, turning to Korra before he led her off. "Darling, I'll find you afterwards. Nice meeting you, Miss Sato."

The small party of royalty and high ranking soldiers receded back into the balcony crowd. The people around them seemed to press in closer, forcing Korra and Asami to move towards one another, into a new gap of space.

"Asami," Korra didn't even know what she was going to say beyond that, but before she could even think of continuing, Asami was turning away from her.

"Excuse me," The taller brunette slid from her presence, through another narrow gap of invited guests, swallowed by the music from the small orchestra, and the darkness which gathered in the spaces between lantern light.

Again, without fully thinking anything through, Korra pushed forward and followed after her.


4.

"I feel like it should go without saying that you work for me, Detective, and not the Avatar."

His spine fully erect, Mako hesitantly lowered his hand from its respectful salute. "Actually, Chief, until the princess leaves Republic City, I answer to her."

"And did she put you up to this?"

"Well… no…"

"No, that would be Korra, wouldn't it." Lin Beifong released an aggravated sigh, briefly closing her eyes to the sea of proud nationals passing below them. Her metalbending task force was swinging from building to building above the crowd, following their flow towards the park, keeping a eye out for any potential fires that needed to be put out.

Mako came to stand next to her on the rooftop of one of the downtown precincts, largely uninterested in the festivities, even if his brother was performing. When tasked with a mission, that was what held his undivided attention. "She just wants to borrow a couple of officers and one confiscated vehicle."

"Two confiscated vehicles. I'm not letting one of our police cars get wrecked for an asinine stunt like this."

"Is that a yes, Chief?"

Lin grunted, pale green gaze sweeping the city spectrum, the metallic soles of her uniform boots retracted, allowing her feet to feel the rumbling vibrations of the downtown area. "I will ask for volunteers to aid the Avatar, but I'm not giving out any orders. As for the vehicles, we were going to auction off a bunch, at the end of the season, anyway. I suppose you can get first pick. Two hundred yuans a piece seems fair."

"Uh…" Mako balked. "We were kind of hoping you'd… just give it to us for free…"

"Too bad. When you have a millionaire on your team, get used to be getting hit up."

"Asami isn't apart of this."

"Oh no?" Lin seemed almost mildly interested in that. "Another lover's spat?"

Mako blinked at her, mouth agape. "You know?"

"I am a detective." Lin rolled her eyes. "Though I didn't realize it was a secret you're nearly as good at finding a girlfriend as you are fighting with them."

Mako's cheeks colored. "No, it's not - "

"Listen, kid," Lin finally turned from the parade, the perpetual frown which seemed to have been carved into her face somewhat softened in firelight, from the bobbing lanterns floating towards the night sky. Shadows of sympathy passed in diagonal shapes across pale features. "This job can be really isolating, I get it. But I don't want to see you end up like - well - " She broke off, huffing in frustration, and clapped him a little too hard on the shoulder, gripping him there. "You can have the vehicles. If they get wrecked, well, take them to Asami. Use it as an excuse to work things out."

"Chief - " Mako tried again, his entire face burning red hot, but abruptly the radio on her hip crackled to life, and she waved him off.

"Go, I'll radio you if we have volunteers." She lifted it to her mouth, summarily dismissing him. "Beifong here."

"We've got a 10-80 heading Downtown. Black vehicle trailing after a yellow bike."

Exiting the rooftop, Mako heard the chief copy before the zip of her metallic extensions flung out, and caught a glimpse over his shoulder of the silver haired woman diving off the building to supervise the arrest before the rooftop door shut close behind him.

He took the elevator down the rest of the way; a cramped metal box that reminded him a little too much of his apartment. Getting over the humiliation of his boss pitying his love life was a lot like redirecting lightning. Noisily inhaling through his nose, he closed his eyes and filled his lungs with the burning need to scream, the elevator roughly shaking all around him. By the time the elevator touched down onto the lobby, he was exhaling jetstreams of steam, fists uncurling as he exited.

Bad enough the princess has been trying to set me up with her royal bikini waxer. His bachelor lifestyle seemed to hang around his neck, beckoning all those in happy relationships to swiftly meddle and thrust him in the arms of any available female.

He wasn't opposed to being with someone. It was just hard to fit dating into his schedule. Unless his one night with Wu counted (and, he was determinedly not counting that) it had been a good four years since he'd had the semblance of a romantic connection with anyone.

It also didn't help that the most incredible women he knew were either his ex-girlfriends, much too old, or already spoken for.

The officer behind the front desk bid him farewell but Mako took no notice, pushing through the revolving glass doors which let out onto the wide avenue.

The festival's collective noise had played like a melody on the rooftop, but now there was just the hustle and bustle of sweat soaked patriots and drunken idiots lagging on the sidelines of the receding march. Mako avoided the bits of trash rolling down the street, and the grown men relieving themselves in alleyways, the huddle of teenage girls forming a semicircle around one of their friends crouching miserably in between two parked satomobiles so she could go to the bathroom, the bits of cans and bottles and half-eaten dumplings, komodo sausages and red pepper flake popcorn dropping from the sky (rooftop parties, airships and hot air balloons careening around the city) to plop onto the heads of unsuspecting citizens.

Throughout the city ran tracks for the trolley lines. One of the downtown stops rested beneath Kolau bridge. Mako's hair blew out of its carefully combed construction, spiking up in the back and front, as the trains shot across the bridge above his head. It didn't take long for the trolley to come, and he piled in along with several other passengers; all conspicuously not of Fire Nation descent. The green and blue threads made up most of the trolley, and in his crisp blue police uniform, he failed to stand out.

The trolley took off again, sparks spitting out of the tracks from where the rusted wheels scraped against the railings. Keeping an eye out for his City Hall stop, Mako held onto the loop of the straphanger while his body swayed right to left and back again, inevitably bumping against the other passengers, each of them a slave to the trolley's whim.

A brilliant hue of orange light periodically flooded the windows of their little trolley as they careened through the crowded streets.

"...just so excessive," One of the blue vested passengers was muttering to his wife, both of them swinging against one another. "You don't see the rest of us carrying on this way."

"They act like thugs." His wife sneered through the window. "You know I think the world of Mei, and - and Shoji is the sweetest boy, really… but the majority of them…"

The man nodded, one arm slinking protectively around her waist, steadying her as they prepared to get off on the next stop. "Animals."

As the trolley slowed, Mako moved back to give them some room to inch forward and get off on his side. The man politely tipped his hat at the detective as they passed, and Mako gave him a one finger salute in return, a small flame erupting at the end of his fingertip. "You two have a nice evening." He smirked at the way their faces colored.

What sounded like a squawk burst from the man's throat as he pushed his wife forward, the two of them leaping off the trolley steps, more embarrassed than anything else.

Mako took hold of the straphanger again, ignoring the way the rest of the trolley shuffled away from him as best they could. He went back to looking out the window, narrow amber eyes glowing like a cat in the darkness.

Only a few minutes later, City Hall burst into view, the massive tree which grew out of the president's office strung up with bright red streamers, lanterns carrying blue fire hanging off the thick branches. Most of the trolley let out, with Mako among them, carefully stepping over both metal tracks and wild vines that were easier to trip over in the dark, even with the glow of lanterns; orange and blue light cast across the street.

"Look, guy, I don't wanna tell you how to do your job," Mako's ears perked up at the sound of his brother's exuberant blend of playful authority and boisterous pleading. "But you're going to get into a lot of trouble with the Avatar if you don't let me through."

In the middle of the staircase leading up to City Hall was Bolin, his previously polished outfit now marred by scorch marks, his sleeves ripped off to reveal his prominent muscles, one shoe seemingly melted off, his socked toes sticking out of the floppy leather. Chirping angrily on his shoulder was Pabu, his tiny black nose twitching at the large security guard that stood in Bolin's way, his arm muscles about as thick as Bolin's whole body.

"Not on the list." The security guard grunted. Behind the man was an endless row of guards filling in the gaps between columns. Trained to appear expressionless, they only looked out onto the street or observed the distant skyline. But as Mako drew closer, he swore he caught a few of them struggling to stifle their grins as his little brother continued to loudly protest not being allowed in.

"What list? Why do I need a list? I'm Bolin! I was the featured presenter of this whole shindig not ten minutes ago!"

"You said your name was Nuktuk."

"I played Nuktuk. Hero of the South? For spirits' sake, don't you go out to the movers? I'm famous!"

"Guess the president's not a fan. You're not on the list."

"Alright then, but I am a concerned citizen, and this is a public building, so…" Bolin made to stomp forward but several of the guards tensed and squatted into a fighting stance, and the steps around him suddenly shifted to wrap around his feet, nearly managing to topple him over.

"Woah," Mako hurried up the steps in case he had to catch his little brother, a little amused by his wild flailing to keep steady. "It's okay, Chen, he's with me."

"Hungh." Chen made an annoyed sound, but signalled to the guards to stand down. "He better not cause problems."

"Mako!" Bolin pitched forward to hug his older brother, dizzy from the sudden catch and release around his ankles, and from whatever had visibly gone wrong during his lava demonstration.

"What happened to you?"

"Oh, it was so great. I lost a little tiny bit of control near the end, but the crowd ate it up." Bolin happily tossed one arm around his older brother's shoulder as they made their way up the staircase together, the guards parting to make way. "I'm a star again, bro."

"Fantastic. Did you remember to meet with Shady Shin?"

"Yes. I happen to be a great multitasker. It's all set up on my end." Bolin stuck his tongue out as he hobbled up the stairs, Pabu mimicking the expression from where the fire ferret was settled atop his messy head. "Did you get what we need from Beifong?"

"Actually, I did. And without stripping off my clothes."

"See that's where you and I differ. I'm always willing to go that extra mile."

Mako grinned down at his brother. "Yeah, well, I'm sure the crowd appreciated it, but I'm not letting you meet the princess looking like this. It's in my job description to keep unsavory characters from bothering her."

"I could use a bath too," Bolin sniffed himself, cringing at the scorched flesh scent.

"I can think of at least one waterbender who might be willing to help."


5.

A beacon of emerald domes and towers, disrupted by branches and vines strung with blue lanterns, emerged from between the looming skyscrapers and the march of Fire Nation nationals which coiled throughout the city.

Grip tightening around the handlebars, Asami's focus was split between the finish line, the strong grip around her midsection, and the Cabbage Car bearing on her back tire. Jinghua seemed determined to win this race by any means necessary, even if it included forcing the crown prince off the road.

"Where did you find this girl?!" Asami shouted over her shoulder, the wind comabatting her words, the traffic beeping and honking in her ears as she swerved in and out to try and dodge Jinghua's relentless pursuit.

Iroh's laughter flooded her ear, sounding more carefree than she'd ever heard from him. "I attract extreme personalities!"

"You attract sociopaths!" More than once, they had felt the hard bump of his date's Cabbage Car resonating against the moped's back tire.

"She's no more competitive than you or Korra. Hey! Watch the road!"

Asami's brief loss of control was swiftly corrected, the racing vehicle steadying beneath their gripped bodies. But there was no time to take a breath before a sudden swarm of metallic officers were swinging above their heads. Asami made a hard right turn to avoid colliding with one of the officers who had landed in the middle of the road, only to have several metal wires shoot out and grasp the bike.

"What the - mmph!" Iroh's mouth collided with the back of Asami's shoulder as they were jerked forward, their bodies continuing in motion as the bike was forced into a sudden standstill.

Groaning, Asami flipped her hair out of her face to see the circle of metalbenders closing in on them. Twisting in her seat, she saw that the Cabbage Car was also taken captive, Jinghua furiously slamming on the horn as if the power of its sound would drive the officers away. Sighing, Asami twisted the key of her moped, cutting off the engine, turning back in her seat to face -

"Lin?" Asami blinked as the silver haired woman strode into view, a scowl ever present on her harsh features.

"That's Chief Beifong to you." She scowled even harder, one of her lower ranked officers hurrying behind her, pulling out a citation notebook.

Iroh leaned over the side to smile at her from behind Asami's back. "Hello, Lin." He brought his fist and palm together, bowing respectfully to the woman who had once changed his diapers.

The chief's expression didn't change. "Is there a reason I shouldn't throw both your butts in jail for disobeying the speed limit and reckless endangerment of the city?"

Iroh continued to smile at her. "Not unless you count the fact I outrank you."

"We're not on a military base, General Iroh. Here you obey the law, and I am the law." But the weight of her words were underscored by the scribbled indentation of a traffic citation rather than handcuffs. The lower ranked officer hastily ripped out a page from her notebook and handed it to Asami before hurrying to do the same for Jinghua behind them.

"Um…" Asami squinted at the number blazing at her. "Is this the usual rate for a speeding ticket?"

"Consider it an extra tax for wasting my time." Lin snapped at her. "We had to chase you lot under the assumption you were about to barrel straight into City Hall. If we didn't have to go back out on patrol - and if I knew you two wouldn't just buy your way out - I'd lock you two up on the grounds of stupidity. You're both usually more level headed than this. I expect better from you both." Abruptly, she fastened her steely gaze on Asami. "And you. Relationships are tough, I get it. But not every fight has to mean you just call it quits. That kid's an idiot for letting you walk away, but you're an even bigger idiot for doing the walking in the first place. What? Doesn't anybody try and stick it out anymore?"

Asami's head was reeling. "I - what?" Had Korra discussed with Lin Beifong of all people about their relationship?

"And you," Lin was barking at Iroh now. "Can't you see she's just on the rebound? Leave the kid alone, she's much too young for you."

Asami felt the general gently scoot back on the bike so that his groin was no longer quite as nestled into her ass as it had been during their whirlwind ride.

"That is not - " He began to say, but Lin was already dismissing him with an aggravated wave, the metallic wires shooting from her outstretched arm and latching onto the nearest rooftop.

After issuing a furious Jinghua her own citation and releasing her car from the gleaming silver bindings, the chief's officers followed suit, raising their wrists and grappling towards the rooftops, swinging from building to building, in search of more greater trouble to occupy themselves.

"It's been a good twenty years since I've been lectured like that from Auntie Lin." Iroh shook his head, a rueful smile on his lips. It made him look even younger.

Asami neatly folded the citation and tucked it away inside the breast pocket of her light jacket. Her body felt flushed. The idea of anybody knowing what had happened between her and Korra… of course, even the Avatar did not truly understand. Asami's throat burned to explain herself, but keeping Korra safe would always be more important. To even cling to their friendship, what tattered shreds of it remained, was dangerous enough.

She remembered being in that cave. The echoes of that waterfall, interspersed by the Avatar's soft breaths. The cinnamon scent of Korra's skin, the delicious crushing weight of her body. The way her neck arched towards her lips when Asami was on top, pulse beating frantically, yearning to be bitten into, feasted on, claimed in a sweetly lasting bruise of affection.

Asami swept her tongue across her bottom lip. She could almost taste it. But visions of Korra were sparking out, Iroh's voice coaxing her back onto the street, in front of City Hall where the lanterns dangled off the gigantic tree, like the Avatar's bright blue eyes were illuminating her every movement. She blinked and they were just lanterns again, blue flames.

"I'm sorry?" She turned to Iroh who had already swung his leg off the moped and was waiting for her to do the same.

"I said you can go lock up your bike, I'll wait. You are coming up with us, yes?"

Asami cracked a smile, the expression weak. "Haven't we pissed off your girlfriend enough?"

"Probably." He admitted. "But we are friends, and you look as if you could use some company."

Asami wasn't sure if it was his company she wanted. Her body had craved the contact of few people in her life: the warmth of her parents, that instantaneous desire for Mako, and the slow surge of want for the Avatar which had crept on her like small waves building upon one another, a tsunami crashing on the shore.

"Come on," Iroh said again. "If not for me, then for the fireworks. It'll be the best view in all the city. You'll want to see it."

Asami felt a smile creep across her face, softening her breath. "Alright. For the fireworks."

Chaining her moped to the nearest streetlamp, Asami watched out the corner of her eye as Iroh finally made his way to his friends who were piling out the car. All of them save for Jinghua seemed sweaty and discomforted by the race, no more so than Li who was hunched over again, over a green trash can.

Asami straightened up from her crouched position when Jinghua stomped over to her. "Do you need a stamp?"

"What?"

"For that letter you're writing your father." Asami gave her a smug smile. "Urging him to invest in Future Industries, remember?"

"The police interfered, it wasn't a fair race." Jinghua snapped.

"Alright," Asami waved it off. "It's not like we actually need his business. Just admit I'm the better driver."

Jinghua could hardly contain her sneer, her red lips brightened under the lamplight strung along the thick, gigantic branches outstretched above their heads. "I'd rather honor the deal." Her eyes rolled to the dark sky, a long suffering huff escaping her lungs. "I will write my father that Cabbage Corp must make inferior models, since there's no other explanation for you beating me here, though perhaps I would have gained on you were it not for the interference."

Hands on her hips, Asami smiled at that. "Good enough for me."

"You're still paying for the damages done to my car."

"Of course." Between that and the speeding ticket, it was turning out to be an expensive night.

Jinghua's dark eyes scanned her from head to toe before snapping back up to her face. Asami was used to women doing that to her. Korra had done the same when they first met. It looked like Jinghua was going to say something more, but Iroh and the rest of their group joined them and her bright red mouth sealed itself shut.

"Shall we?" Iroh offered both ladies his arms, Jinghua snaking hers immediately through, and led them towards the staircase where the security guards blocked off the entrances to City Hall. Each of them sporting a sash around their waist which identified them as either water or earthbenders.

"Invitations?" One of the security guards stood apart from the others.

Still looking pale and sickly, dark hair plastered on his brow, Li spoke up for the first time since the crash. "Here… somewhere…" He patted down his own body, before a fellow soldier reached into the breast pocket of his uniform jacket and pulled it out for him.

"These are five invitations… I see six people."

"Oh well," Jinghua spoke in a sing-song voice. "It was very nice getting to know you, Miss Sato, but - "

"Oh," The security guard checked the list that was in his hand. "Asami Sato? Go right on in."

Asami held back a laugh, only nodding politely at the guard as the group walked inside. A quick glance had showed Jinghua looked as if she'd accidentally sucked on a particularly sour lemon.

"You were already on your way here?" Iroh asked.

"No, Raiko had invited me to attend, but I declined. I guess he kept me on the list anyway."

"I'm glad he did."

They all piled into the elevator lobby, most of the room taken over by Jinghua's large moosefox fur which made her shoulders look far more slender than they were beneath the lavish weight.

"By the way, I don't think I've properly introduced you." Iroh named the three commanders and one colonel (Li, who never had sea sickness, but couldn't stand to drive) in his party. "And of course, my companion, Lady Jinghua."

"Is 'girlfriend' too pedestrian for a prince?" Asami teased.

"It is inaccurate." Jinghua spoke from the other side of the prince. "I am his companion."

"Oh." The elevator lurched to a stop, the doors opening before Asami could really puzzle out what they were telling her.

The ginormous tree which grew out of City Hall had erupted inside the president's office. Over the past few years, interior decorators had successfully adapted to the sprawling vines and thick branches. Occasionally, Raiko had to deal with Cat Owls flapping inside or Elephant Rat droppings, but tonight the office was spotless, a wild ceiling of bright lanterns and the rich perfume of earth sweeping the group's senses as they emerged from the elevator.

"General Iroh, Miss Sato." The president greeted them all personally, very little warmth in his voice or pale blue eyes, his spine fully erect as he barely inclined his head. His wife, Buttercup, smiled a little but was equally detached in her greeting. "I recall you declining my little invitation. Glad to see General Iroh managed to change your mind. Welcome, welcome. General, you're cutting it a little close. I'll do the introductions in a moment, the princess is already on the balcony."

Princess? Asami's grip on the general's arm tightened out of reflex. She'd assumed that Korra had cancelled the group dinner because she'd be holed up in a royal love nest, snuggling up to the princess. Not here, at a party they could have attended together.

The balcony was crowded. Some of the faces were blurred with unfamiliarity, some of them sharpened into brief focus as Asami caught the flash of familiar greetings. Natsuo, one of her father's first investors, dressed in brilliant red ruffles and covered in giant ruby gems that tugged her earlobes down low, as if attempting to anchor them to the floor. Osamu, one of the city's most successful art dealers, loudly pontificating amongst a group of young artists who surrounded him, ravenous for his patronage. Shintaro, a well known philanthropist, who was quietly sipping his sake-spiked watermelon juice and listening to the small orchestra commissioned to play for the party.

Asami vaguely enjoyed the symphony of strings, a subtle mourning tugging at the night air. But the music stuttered to a stop and died in her ear, when abruptly the Avatar came into view, bright blue eyes connecting with her own. Korra. Then, something equally blue grabbed her attention. More devastatingly beautiful in color than its printed out version in black and white, crinkled between the engineer's ink stained fingers.

The exquisitely carved betrothal necklace wrapped around Princess Rina's throat. Asami felt something in her chest crack like glass and struggled not to let a sound escape her.

Not even to respond to the princess who addressed her directly.

"I've heard so much about you. I didn't realize you'd be my brother's date."

"She's not his date." Jinghua immediately broke in, barely able to contain herself.

There was some more back and forth, but Asami could barely keep focussed. It's real. Her gaze was latched onto the necklace, still. It's there. It's real. This is… be happy for her. This is something good.

"Nice meeting you, Miss Sato."

Asami's gaze was ripped away from the necklace, a vein in her temple throbbing. "Princess," Her voice was low as she bowed respectfully, straightening up again as Iroh led his sister and friends away. It took her a moment to realize that meant she was now alone with the Avatar.

The shorter woman stepped forward, her presence looming larger than her stature. Asami felt a well of resentment and longing surge up her throat.

"Asami," Korra's lips parted to say more, but whatever it was, Asami couldn't bear to hear it.

"Excuse me," She turned away and slid into the crowd, her feet on autopilot. The back of her neck was burning, and her cheeks felt scalded with hot water. You're happy for her. Be happy for her. What did you want her to do? Pine after you forever?

The president's balcony stretched in front of the entire top floor of City Hall, on the outside slope of the emerald dome which capped off the building. Beneath a stretch of lantern adorned branches which exploded out of the green glass, a bar had been setup complete with traditional Fire Nation beverages.

Asami ordered a tall dragon fruit cocktail, its flavor so fruity it masked the alcohol sloshing its way down her system, burning a path to her stomach, where her heart had plunged. In the time it took Korra to catch up to her, Asami had already drained its contents and ordered a second.

"Asami - " Korra seemed to have expected to be interrupted again, her thoughts not fully formed, hovering awkwardly at the bar.

Feeling that intense cerulean gaze trained on her, Asami only stirred her drink with the tiny paper umbrella sticking out the glass.

Seeing Asami wasn't going to say anything, Korra finally spoke again. "You didn't mention anything about being here.

"Neither did you." Asami said. "Is my being here a problem?"

Korra didn't answer that, sucking lightly on her teeth as she glanced back at the party. "I didn't realize you and Iroh had stayed such close friends."

There was a sharp pang in those words. Asami heard it, the possessive jealousy coiling inside the column of the Avatar's throat. A large part of her longed to feed it. Tell Korra that she was more than just friends with Iroh. That his handsome looks, military rank and royal stature had easily seduced her into his bed. Why shouldn't Korra think her happy?

Asami knocked back at least half her drink, washing down her pettiness with alcohol. "The last time I saw him was about two years ago, at a function similar to this. I just happened to run into him tonight and he invited me to tag along. I wouldn't call that particularly close."

Looking much too pleased about that for an engaged woman, Korra visibly relaxed beside her at the bar, and ordered some watermelon juice.

Asami studied the softened features above the rim of her own glass and wondered if it would have been to Korra's benefit if she'd lied after all. It wasn't like when they were kids, each tugging on Mako's arm. Korra was about to get married. Korra was about to have a wife. She needed to have moved on from Asami, like, yesterday, and Asami needed to let her.

"Is that any good?" Korra broke through her thoughts, nodding at the drink.

Asami's finger had taken to idly tracing the glass rim. It paused, hovering on the edge. "It might be a bit… adult for you."

"I'm an adult."

"You're sipping juice."

"Asami," Korra growled, and she laughed in response, slowly sliding her drink over.

A rouge lip print stained one side of the cocktail. Asami watched as Korra covered it with her own mouth, some of the stain rubbing onto the Avatar's nude lips. Her eyes flickered at the sight, dark pupils dilating when Korra glanced up at her, the cocktail washing over her tongue.

"S'good." Korra passed the drink back, cheeks visibly warm.

"Better than my tea?"

"Nothing's better than your tea."

Asami despised herself for the small pulse throbbing in her tummy, the telltale sign her body thrilled at the Avatar's words. Let her go. Let her be happy.

"I think I'll rejoin the party." She pushed off the bar counter and moved back into the clumps of crimson adorned guests. She could sense Korra just behind her, following her easily through the labyrinth of body heat and intoxicated chatter.

DING!

Asami startled at the sound, pausing her slow flight from the Avatar.

DONG!

The bell tower struck midnight. The balcony came to attention, as well the courtyard below, splashes of red occupying patches of the city. The president's guests began to clump together as they all took several steps back from the balcony edge. Asami and Korra found themselves brushing up against one another, the back of their hands colliding. There was a painful spark, like an electric current hopping from the surface of Korra's dark skin to Asami's. She heard the Avatar's sharp intake of breath, and then felt a soft apology murmured against the curve of her ear, the accidental contact of the tip of Korra's tongue on that tiny half-inch of flesh.

Assembled on the edge of the balcony, on either side of a podium, were two dragon shaped fireworks; one blue and one red.

Beckoned forth by Wenyan, the president's chief of staff, Raiko and his wife stepped up to the podium and each spoke a few words into the microphone.

"And now," The president intoned, "without further ado, General Iroh, and Princess Rina!"

The two royals stepped forward, Iroh taking the red dragon, and Rina the blue. Their smiles shining in the face of the cheers rising from the flooded courtyard below, they ignited tiny flames on their index fingers, and gently lit the long string matches.

POP!

POP!

POP POP POP!

The dragons were launched, exploding into the night sky, brightening the city. Their tails coiled around the stars, their necks wound around the other, a dangerous tango made of red and blue fire.

The rest of the city swiftly followed suit, launching their own blazing spectacles amidst roaring cheers that consumed all of downtown and the neighborhoods where Fire Nation descendants were largely concentrated.

Her eyes illuminated, momentarily blinded by brightly hued explosions, Asami didn't know if it was her hand finding Korra's, or the other way around, but she turned to see the Avatar smiling at her, and a sound like something happy was bursting from her throat as well.

"It's so beautiful." Her voice was swept off by the rising cheers of the balcony, the courtyard below, the entire city beaming beneath the barrage of multiple fireworks being launched from rooftops, the bridges, and the parks.

Korra's eyes were fastened on her lips, as if trying to make out what they were saying. Feeling self conscious, Asami swept a tongue across the bottom lip, and then promptly blushed when she imagined what that might have looked like to the younger woman holding her hand. Gently, she pulled away, and the Avatar's grip loosened reluctantly, allowing her to go.

Both of them turned to look back up at the sky. The night shone blue, then red, then back again.


Next: Korra, Mako and Bolin finally reveal and move forward with their plan.