A New Age
Avatar Korra sat atop the horn of a mountain, meditating. From above on the aerie, one could see what resembled a valley. It was steep and harsh and stretching out the land before plummeting it deep into the ground. And in the middle it gave way to a central glen. A small forest or natural garden, a green fleck among the icy blues of the high palisades. The sharp plateau Korra was on dove right off into the hollow. The other side of the summit which she had climbed was gentler like a hill that tricked anyone who wasn't at least a half-spirit to fall inside this massive crater-like landscape.
She had stopped Asami right before the woman plunged into the depths, having been too busy being mesmerized by the breathtaking view. The Avatar spirit, after saving her girlfriend, decided this was a perfect place to practice deep concentration. It called on her. The company owner took a seat behind Korra, having been told that it was too dangerous being close to the looming edge. Korra explained and reassured that she could sit at the brink without dropping over the side.
So Asami Sato rests on a rock nearby, relieving her shoulders of the heavy packing they'd been carrying. She pulls a journal out of the bag. While her love settles into a focused, unconscious state, Asami flips open the book. She passes pages of notes and writings and scribblings, all work-related. Nearing the middle of the booklet, the content slowly changes and shifts from Future Industries, to a person. They make an appearance on many of the pages, in different poses and situations. Sometimes they're drawn in near-perfect detail, and other times they're just a scribble off-hand. The shining olives of the genius raise their attention to the entity – of which she had depicted many times – on the lip of the peak. She needs to keep her eyes on Korra. Even though she trusts her girlfriend, she doesn't trust anything else near her girlfriend that seems threatening. Sitting, balancing on the edge of a precipice, is one of those threatening things.
With nothing better to do (not that she complained), Asami begins drawing the image in front of her on two empty pages of the journal. It is a gorgeous, once in a lifetime vision, and she wishes she had a camera to better capture this unforgettable picture of beauty. Small blue spirits sit perched atop Korra's wide shoulders, and one of them come to stand on the emerging image of the same girl in Asami's book. She swipes it away and finds herself staring again.
Oh yeah, and the scenery is pretty great, too.
She starts with the arms like always. Powerful and harboring great strength. She draws in peace, like she has never drawn before. In the past it was always out of stress that she began to sketch the Avatar, because Korra wasn't around. Yet despite that fact the drawings always came out scarily accurate. The CEO often caught herself with how much detail she seemed to recall about the young multi-bender, even after several years. Eventually she concluded that she still definitely loved the tribeswoman. As if she needed any proof... perhaps just reassurance. That was all she had after all; memories and the ability to remember.
This she will surely remember for decades. The unknown amount of time she's had the fortune of spending with the Avatar in the Spirit World will certainly hold a special place in her heart for the rest of her life. It was no wonder Bolin and Mako had basically fallen in love with the woman at first glance, only one of them took a while to admit it to himself. She thought the new Avatar was interesting and there was something that made Asami drawn to her, besides her being very attractive. As Asami thinks about this while drawing the woman and constantly peeking at her muscled back to take in details, she blushes. She has taken the chance to marvel at Korra before, volunteering to watch over her body while she meditated. Things are different now, in more ways than one. The engineer knows what the tanned beauty looks like under that teasing, skin-tight tank top. None of them wear undergarments anymore for the benefit of getting closer together sooner. Her flushed expression is probably a permanent one by now. It's way too new and Asami loves Korra's body. She is a very skilled martial artist herself with years of experience under her belt, but the flexibility of the shorter woman is impressive. Performing leaps and flips like nothing, as if she's spent half her life walking on her arms. That might be true in hindsight, Asami thinks while again hypnotized by the bulk of those biceps. She can openly stare now because they're alone and finally a couple, and she'll only maybe get teased about it later, or she'll receive a small show from Korra where the woman goes into splits that look like they're about to tear her apart from the middle. This is the kind of stuff you can do when you train your whole life, the business woman deducts.
Asami finishes drawing the amazing backdrop to the meditating Avatar, and as soon as she does they both break out of their reveries. Korra blinks back to awareness from the coma-like state induced by meditation, and rises – finally leaving the edge to Asami's relief – walking over to her artist girlfriend and placing a chaste kiss on the woman's red lips. The cross-legged inventor eagerly responds by tilting her face upwards to the leaning Avatar and holds her face in un-gloved hands. The kiss grows deeper and lovelier and even more precious. They break apart for Asami to return her journal in her bag, shouldering it again, and grabbing her love's hand. She's ready for a new adventure.
"Where to next? I mean, this spot was pretty amazing too, but every place we go to outshines the next."
"I was thinking of going to Xai Bau's Grove."
"No way! That was the place we tried looking for on the map of Misty Palms Oasis before, right?"
Korra giggles at Asami's excited expression, not commenting on how she must have applied a somewhat more intense shade of rouge on her cheeks today. "Yes, that place. Is there something special about that area?"
"No. Well I've always wanted to see it after trying so hard to find it. We've seen a lot of really cool things, but this one is on my personal wishlist I guess."
"Let's go there then!"
"Hang on!" Asami laughs at the excitable, child-like woman. "How are we supposed to get there?"
Korra stops jumping and smiles at Asami, who's laugh she has come to love more than anything, promising herself to make Asami do it more often and grace the worlds with her beautiful voice. "I thought about that. Hold on to me."
Korra offers her other hand. Asami grasps it too and they stand just like they did when first entering the world of the spirits. The Avatar closes her eyes and inhales deeply. The taller woman doesn't know what to expect. Suddenly, Korra's chest lights up in a pattern Asami has only ever seen depicted in old parchments. Those documents were found in libraries of which she rummaged through when searching for any information about the Avatar, in case it could help Korra fight the depression she was then currently living while in a wheelchair. Without her past lives... anything could help. She read about the spirit living inside Korra. Raava. That's who or what is manifesting in front of her at this very moment. The holiest of spirits. Korra opens her eyes to give way to the light. There's a surge of energy spurring in the palms of her hands that are still enclosed in the Avatar's. The ground beneath them shifts as the background blurs into colors and lights, all while the wind picks up significantly in speed. She can see it in Korra's bob and feel it on her own flowing locks. Then it stops. Just as quickly as it began. They're here at Xai Bau's Grove. Korra stops channeling the energy of Raava and the ancient essence disappears within the tribal woman, as does the otherworldly glow. Korra's back again.
"So, what do you think, babe?" she says and turns her head to see the small islands with strange trees jutting up from the ground, and a river splitting around the mini-peninsulas.
Asami still hasn't had time to survey their surroundings because she is still busy watching her girlfriend. "Amazing."
"I know right?" Korra tugs on Asami's hand to pull her close as they walk. "It's so much more beautiful than I remembered it."
"I can think of a couple reasons why that is," Asami says and finally tears her eyes away from the brunette. "What did it use to look like?"
Korra forces her heated face to calm down. "Uh, well the whole place was a lot less lively."
"Oh, so it isn't normal for…" The non-bender stops and sees what look like whalesharks floating in the sky. "What even is normal in the Spirit World?"
At Asami's musing Korra chuckles. "That's a good question. What do you think is?"
"I should know shouldn't I? How long have we even been here actually?"
"I..." Korra begins. "I guess we should find that out. What if we've been gone for months already?"
"Don't say that, love."
The engineer decides to find a tree-shade to bask under. Korra follows suit and cuddles up to Asami. The taller woman begins to play with strands of the Avatar's hair.
"Your hair is growing out." Maybe they have been gone for long.
"Do you think I should cut it?"
"No, no," Asami shakes her head as Korra looks up from leaning on her chest. "That's not what I meant. Do you want to though?"
"I don't know. It did get in the way sometimes, when it was longer."
Asami can certainly testify for that. Long hair is a nuisance (which is why she puts it in a tail), and she's recently found out that her scalp is very delicate, thanks to Korra who likes to pull on or just get her fingers stuck in it.
"Hey," Korra says. "Can I braid your hair?"
"I didn't think you liked that kind of stuff," she says instead of admitting that she's afraid of what might become of the top of her head if she lets Korra near it.
"What, I'm a girl too!"
"Of course, but I've never known you to be into this sort of thing."
"It's dangerous to assume, Sato. I would never have guessed that you can pilot every single form of transportation in the universe before I saw it myself. But you're right..." the muscular woman sighs. "I never was interested in being a girly-girl. Always focused on being the Avatar."
"I don't think you would have fit being a girly-girl. You're perfect as you are. Besides, I do enough of being a girl for the both of us," she laughs.
Korra smiles briefly then sits up from Asami's arm around her shoulder, and pulls her knees to herself. Oh no, Asami thinks. "Korra I didn't mean..."
"What? No, it's okay," she says, and nothing more. Asami waits patiently and puts a loving hand on Korra's shoulder. The bender frees a soothing breath through the nostrils. "Do you really think so? A-About me not fitting as a girl?"
"Korra, like I said, you are perfect to me. Nothing else matters. Don't try to be someone you're not," she says and feels relief flooding over her at the beginnings of a heartfelt smile tugging on Korra's lips. She feels proud over herself for finding the source of uncertainty. "I didn't peg you for being insecure either. Seems we're finding out all sorts of stuff about each other."
"We are, but I like it. Thank you."
"Anytime. By the way, you are definitely a girl, Korra," Asami says. She refrains from biting her lip as she remembers the woman's alluring and feminine curves, her amazing muscles granting another layer of pure sex. "A beautiful girl too, and I love you. Don't ever think for one second that I don't."
Korra's smile is of genuine happiness. "No one has ever called me that. Beautiful."
"Well you are. How no one else has claimed you before eludes me."
"Don't talk about other people," Korra says, finding herself thinking the same about the engineer, how no one else has claimed the brilliant, gorgeous, amazing Asami before her. She doesn't want to think about that, because knowing she's lucky is enough. "I just want you."
"Aren't you sweet." Asami kisses her girlfriend on top of the head as they hug each other tightly. "I can help you be more of a 'girly-girl' if you want... just for fun though. Who knows, you might discover something about yourself that's new or that you like." Asami's excitement isn't hidden. Korra can't say no.
"Okay. But for now, let me do your hair."
As Korra kisses her back on the nose lovingly, and proceeds to turn her wavy locks into something Asami guesses is a traditional Water Tribe hairstyle (it doesn't hurt after all), the non-bender ponders how different and unconventional of a couple they are. They have nothing in common. They are complete opposites. Yet no one has loved the other like they love each other. Regrettably, her thoughts turn to regret, of what they could have done differently. Could they have ended up together earlier? Could she have saved her father? At the same time, the Avatar shares these doubts just by looking into the grove-water's reflection at Asami's somewhat troubled face. Could she have stopped her past lives from being taken away? Could she have come home earlier? Could destruction of the city have been prevented? They lock gazes in the water. Korra freezes the stream so it is clearer. In it, Asami can see Korra's work. Her dark hair is in two wolf tails that frame her face, and one more is on the top of her head. She can't hold back a tear. Suddenly those gloomy thoughts don't matter. They are grateful for everything that lead them here to where they are now, with one another, and they'll protect each other.
The inventor rests under their tree with her Korra-hairstyle and journal in hand again, drawing as the Avatar skates. The scene is quite beautiful with the newly frozen water and strange trees that look like the roots are upside down, above ground, at the top. The Avatar slides around and stands stable on the cracked surface of her native element. Asami doesn't know how to skate. Instead of being envious, she appreciates her talented girlfriend. She teaches Korra make up. Korra suggests that Asami should hold back on her rouge in the future, to which Asami's cheeks go even darker. The taller woman manages to highlight her girlfriends features, but in the end the tribal woman doesn't need it. The elemental master keeps the makeup on though, and carries her lover on her back effortlessly. She likes the way Asami wraps her arms around her neck and rests her head against the back of her own. The woman's lighter skin is flawless and amazingly smooth against her throat. Neither minds taking this little ride. Asami revels in the feeling of protection she gets from being huddled up against her girl's strong and invigorating back, who lifts her like she's weightless. Looking to the past was inescapable, and seeing the future was for once not a terrifying experience. New memories, new world, new love. There are no limits to what they can do and what they can overcome, together.
…
Asami wakes to droplets of water.
"Korra? It's raining." She gently shakes the woman beside her. Korra is crawled into herself and facing outwards. The engineer grows worried as the skies go duller. She hears pained whimpering. A hand shoots up to grab her arm and Asami yelps in surprise at the grip. A dark body follows, abandoning the covers and throwing herself at the shocked woman. Violent sobs rack her frame so hard and Asami has never seen anything like it from Korra and she's scared. Not this bad. It was never this bad. Before she can even ask what made this happen, a small voice utters the explanation.
"I lost my legs."
Asami doesn't know what to do and just holds the crying girl as hard as she can, as if to protect against whatever is out there. Her naked skin becomes wet with both downpour and tears from Korra.
"You didn't though. You can walk, and run, and fight." Asami delicately kisses Korra's forehead.
It's an uncomfortable thought. Korra mentioned hearing someone say they might have had to amputate her legs back when she was recovering. Korra has confessed so many things now that it's just the two of them, things Asami would never have known. Asami has yet to open up and Korra doesn't push.
…
They stand in front of the Tree of Time.
"So this is where Vaatu was imprisoned?" Asami asks.
The Avatar nods.
"Where is he now?" she continues.
"In me," Korra replies simply.
The inventor raises both brows.
"But he's harmless," she explains. "Do you trust me?" Korra says.
"When have I not?" she says, masking the trepidation more for her own sake.
They walk hand-in-hand into the hollow opening of the eons old tree. Her mind is empty as the tree's insides fill with her memories. First, there's the death of her mother. Her engineering degree achieved at the age of fourteen. Asami's very own moped. Going to her first (and definitely not last) probending match. The betrayal. Mako. The Avatar's death, and revival. Standing at the broken Korra's bedside with her hands clutched to her chest in silent admiration, concern... but not pity. A caring first kiss to the temple of the sleeping, troubled woman (when is she not?). Then the second death of someone in her life, and no revival. It feels like yet another piece of her has been ripped away, not leaving enough parts to mourn the loss. She gazes at these images like they were someone else's, and they leave no usual impact of emotion. This tree has granted her a deeper understanding.
"Thank you," she utters, and Korra nods thoughtfully.
"I can show you more."
The master of all elements places herself cross-legged in the center of the tree as Asami's recollections disappear. Korra pats the ground beside her casually and gives a meager sincere smile. The couple grab a hold of each other again and Asami watches Korra move her other hand to touch the rough surface of the hollow tree.
They still hold hands when the vision hits her, and it looks like they are travelling down a tunnel not unlike a train passing through a mountain. It stops moving at the site of another, much larger tree than the one they are in, but it is like looking through a lens. You are not actually here. Roots spread from its trunk into a maze of greenery – a huge swamp to cover miles. There are people here, clad in leaves and vines and probably smelling of sewer. They scatter, trying to mend the base of the massive tree which is damaged beyond repair, cut into arbitrary pieces by reckless saws.
Kuvira's work, Asami recognizes before Korra takes their minds elsewhere on this surreal spirit trip. This time they are back in Republic City, more specifically on Air Temple Island. All wedding decorations have been taken down and the place has a comfortable, harmonious, quiet energy. The halls are empty, no shouting from the airkids or Bumi. A voice suddenly confronts them: "Korra?" Jinora says from the dining hall. Even though they are not there, the young airbending master must feel them. The whole family stare gaping at her as if she's crazy, calling out the Avatar's name randomly during their lunch.
Immediately, Korra escapes the scene, but not before they can both note that none of their friends seem to have aged, so they can't have been gone for years. Next visit is Zaofu. The genius innovator feels there should be a tour guide on this world adventure, especially to explain this. Surprisingly, the Metal Clan have decided to leave the torn down domes open. Perhaps they haven't received back the platinum from the Colossus yet? Then she and Korra really have not been gone for very long. There are still banners of The Great Uniter in a few places. Before her girlfriend can take them away she can make out Lin in green apparel standing next to a shorter, grayer and bare-footed woman.
The pair are shot out of their shared vision. Taking a deep simultaneous breath they calm down for a moment, now reassured that Spirit World time cannot be moving faster than their world. Maybe this world moves slower even, sometimes. Asami returns gradually to real life, or the reality of this place, feeling her lover stroking her hand with a caramel thumb. She smiles fondly at the action.
Korra picks up her small, green backpack which is almost empty it seems, and puts it in her lap. Begins to search for something, and pulls out a green parka. The short-haired woman tosses it over her body and looks over at Asami who is busy buttoning up her own fancy coat. As the business woman finishes preparing, they stand to exit the tree. The Northern and Southern Portals are looming in both directions, giving off a luminescent ice cold blue and orange light. This place, no matter the Avatar's emotions, will always be somewhat cruel.
"I've never seen you wear that ever before," Asami points to Korra's choice of winter clothing.
"It's kind of a souvenir. Besides, it matches your eyes."
"You are so corny, and only around me," Asami says with mock annoyance.
Korra giggles and wraps herself around Asami's arm possessively. "Let's go see my parents."