Korra was poor. No need to sugar coat it because that's just the way things were. A majority of the money she made from her measly job at a music shop went straight to Republic City University and their ever-increasing tuition rates. The rest was soaked up by rent, cup noodles and instant mac and cheese. Living from paycheck to paycheck was never really an issue to Korra since she didn't mind living the simple life and didn't have too many possessions. It really only just started to irk her for the first time.
Ever since her encounter with Asami the Mysterious, Incredibly Sexy, and Beautiful Stripper, Korra's head had been a jumbled maze of confusion. The rational part of her mind was scoffing and telling her that Asami was only doing her job. She probably made hundreds of suckers like Korra fall in love with her every night to have them come back and spend more money for dances. And that made perfect sense sure. Then there was the other half that swore the dance Korra received was different than Bolin's. Asami was way more intimate with Korra and actually gave her name. If that even was her name at all.
That's why this whole "poor as dirt" situation was becoming ever more frustrating. The money Korra spent just to get into the strip club had set her back in food money for at least a week. She tried to get extra shifts in the music shop to maybe earn a little extra but the boss always shot her down, saying they were overstaffed. Whatever that meant. Korra wondered if it was insanely creepy to be so desperate to see Asami again. Would she even remember her?
"You're making that face again." Bolin remarked from across the room.
"What face?" Korra grunted, pausing mid-punch in front of their worn out punching bag.
"Y'know that weird scrunched up face you make when you're thinking too hard." Bolin said, trying to mimic his description.
"I'm just trying to straighten out a few things." Korra said, turning back to the bag, "And that face makes you look constipated."
"Is this about that stripper from a couple weeks ago?" Bolin asked smugly. Korra gave the bag a particularly rough left hook.
"No Bolin," She said crossly, "Stop bringing her up, it's ancient history."
"I've been meaning to ask," he said, tapping his chin, "What did she whisper in your ear after the song ended?" Korra punched the bag again, making a tuft of yellowing foam spill from the seam. Was she supposed to tell Bolin the truth? He would probably never let her hear the end of it.
"She told me to come back any time I wanted." Korra said with a shrug, wiping a drop of sweat off of her cheek with her thumb, "She was just trying to get my money Bo."
"Your knuckles are bleeding Hoss."
"Well maybe if I didn't spend my entire savings on a strip club, I could've bought those protective gloves." Korra said, squeezing the slight tear on her knuckle. Bolin grumbled angrily but disappeared behind his comic book without another comment. Korra knew her gut feeling was right. She didn't need to go back to that stupid strip club to see a girl who didn't want to see her. Korra had been duped into thinking that a stripper had some inkling of feeling for her and now Korra felt extremely stupid. As she tended to her sore knuckles in the bathroom, she vowed to stay away from the club and everything associated with it.
A few days later, Korra found herself standing outside of Zolt's Gentleman's Club feeling like a complete failure. Her vow didn't even last a week. The same bright pink neon sign buzzed and the muffled sounds of music echoed in Korra's ears. The temptation had been too great to ignore and just wanted to see Asami so she could clear this whole mess up. If she got a confession that it was all just an act of business, Korra would be able to rest easy and and her money would stay in her saving's account, not the waistband of Asami's lacy underwear. Since it was a Tuesday night, the line to get in the club was much shorter than it had been before, but the bouncer was still looking at everyone like they were scum on his boot. Korra handed him her ID, trying not to look completely nervous as he held his flashlight over the card.
"Don't think I won't be watching you just cuz you's a girl." He growled, handing her back the plastic card, "This is a hands off establishment."
"No I understand crystal clear," Korra said, scooting around him to get inside, "Sitting on hands. Promise." He gave her one last sneer before the door swung shut. The doorman welcomed Korra with his scratchy voice and requested the twenty yuon entrance fee. Almost reluctantly, Korra fished around in her pocket and handed him the crumpled, pink bill.
"Ah thank you girl," he chuckled in a seedy tone, "Enjoy the merchandise." She walked into the large room and immediately looked around. Asami was nowhere in sight. Korra's stomached dropped when she realized that the dancers probably didn't work every night of the week and she hadn't even bothered to look up a schedule. She cursed under her breath and headed for the bar, feeling discouraged.
"Hey I remember you!" The bartender said, "Where's that obnoxious friend of yours?"
"Busy," Korra said shortly, "I came solo. Can I get a double whiskey, no ice?"
"The only cure for a bad day yeah?" The bartender said with a crinkly-eyed wink. He poured the bronze liquid into a glass and slid it across the counter. Korra swirled it around before taking a large sip, grimacing at the sizzling burn it left in her throat. She really wanted to ask the bartender about Asami. Really really wanted to ask him but she also really really didn't want to be completely let down if she wasn't on the clock that night. She turned with her drink in hand to watch the main stage dancers who were in the middle of a song, sliding their bodies up and down the polished poles.
Piles of yuons rained down from all directions while men hooted and whooped at the girls. Korra finished her drink, feeling the knot in her chest loosen considerably. The bartender wordlessly refilled the glass and nudged it towards her. Korra downed it in one gulp, smacking her lips appreciatively (and maybe a little drunkenly) while still admiring the main stage dancers.
"I've been meaning to ask you," Korra said, swiveling her chair back towards the bar counter, "Is that dancer you recommended last time possibly working tonight?"
"Ah don't tell me she's got you under her spell too?" The bartender said with a good-natured shake of his head.
"What do you mean?"
"She's got this way with customers," he explained, "Somehow she knows how to get them just right and have them coming back every time with their wallets full. Kind of like you right now."
"Oh." Korra looked down at her empty glass, feeling like a complete fool.
"Don't take it to heart kid," The bartender said, "They're all just trying to make a living you know." Korra nodded, understanding but unable to suppress that dark feeling of disappointment that coiled in her stomach. What a waste of money. She stood up, thanking the bartender for his time before slouching away and deciding that she was completely done with the strip club scene.
"Back so soon?" That honey dripping voice made Korra stop dead in place. A hand weaved it's way across her shoulders and up her neck. Asami, in her same skimpy uniform, stood in front of Korra and gave her a flirtatious smile.
"I was just leaving actually." Korra said in slight disbelief, eyes skittering across the carpeted floor, "I'm just too poor for this place."
"You don't want a dance before you leave at least?" Asami purred, pushing Korra slightly back toward one of the private booths. For a split second, Korra was very tempted to just lay back and let Asami violate her as she pleased but rationale kicked in rapidly.
"No, no." Korra said firmly, "I don't want to get caught up in your stripper mind games okay? I don't have the money or the time. Especially the money because this place is so goddamn expensive." It came out a little harsh yes, but Asami only raised an eyebrow at the outburst.
"Stripper mind games huh?" She asked with an amused smirk. Korra scowled and crossed her arms.
"Yes, stripper mind games," Korra repeated hotly, "You do that thing where you act all interested to get stupid guys to fill your bra with hundreds of yuons and then keep them coming back week after week."
"You mean like you're doing right now?" Asami said, also crossing her arms. Korra spluttered angrily, trying to find a way to defend herself but was coming up empty handed. Asami definitely wasn't dumb. She played her game and she played it well. Even if it was at the expense of Korra's ego.
"I bet your name isn't even Asami." Korra said, "Don't you all change your names like every week?"
"Every other week." Asami corrected, "But I wasn't lying about my name if that changes anything." Korra narrowed her eyes in confusion. This girl was sending completely mixed vibes that Korra just couldn't make heads or tails of.
"So why give me your actual name?" Korra asked.
"I can tell you're not like the others that hang around this place." Asami said somewhat quietly, "You treated me like a person instead of some walking sex doll." Korra was about to reply when the DJ cranked up the volume of the speakers, electronic synths ripped through the room and made the floor and walls rattle. Asami grabbed Korra's shoulders and forced her down into one the booths, straddling her waist to keep her from getting up. She ran the tips of her fingers over Korra's neck and across her lips, moving her hips in time with the heavy bassline. She popped open the first couple buttons on Korra's black, button down shirt, revealing a good bit of her tan chest. Korra stuttered in shock as Asami leaned over and left wet kissed across the exposed flesh. This definitely wasn't standard lap dance protocol.
"Touch me," She breathed into Korra's ear somewhat desperately. She reached down and grabbed Korra's hand, placing it on the soft skin of her waist. Korra, somewhat timidly, ran her hand up Asami's back.
"The bouncer-" Korra said back urgently but was silenced by Asami's hand clamping over her mouth.
"-Is out for a smoke." She said, moving Korra's hand back onto her waist, "Now touch me." Korra began to rub her hands across Asami again, groaning when Asami moved her thigh back between Korra's legs like last time. Korra became completely lost in the moment, her brain taken over by the blissful feeling that Asami was giving her. Their eyes met and Korra was momentarily confused by the look Asami was giving her. Then she felt the button on her jeans pop open.
"Asami-!" she started, but luckily the song ended and she was able to hastily refasten her pants before anyone got the wrong idea.
"Want to go back to one of the private rooms?" Asami asked in a slightly winded voice, fingering the hem of Korra's jeans, "I can get you there for free." Korra stood up abruptly, leaving Asami still sitting in the booth, looking puzzled.
"I have to go." Korra said quickly, her face burning deep red, "I've got...homework and my class is early...yeah." She swore that she saw something like a flicker of disappointment cross Asami's heavily made up face. The dancer stood and began to button the front of Korra's shirt.
"Well then we wouldn't want your roommate to get the wrong idea now would we?" She said softly, "I'm sure you lied to him about where you are right now."
"That would be correct." Korra sighed in relief, smoothing out the front of her pants. Asami smiled and straightened Korra's shirt collar.
"When will you come back to see me?" she asked.
"Do you mean that sincerely?"
"Judging by the fact that I haven't charged you for any of those lap dances, I would say yes." Asami laughed softly, brushing Korra's bangs from her face.
"I wish I had the money to come back more often." Korra said sadly.
"I'll talk to the doorman," Asami said, "I can get you in free."
"If you have a lap dance waiting for me, I'll be back as soon as I can." Korra grinned.
"Deal. I'll see you soon Korra." Asami blew a seductive kiss and strode away, leaving Korra standing in utter disbelief. One thing was for sure: Bolin had been right all along, Korra really had fallen in love with a stripper.