AN: Hi! After almost a three month break, I'm back. Expect more regular chapter updates in the coming days.

"Hey," Asami whispered. "Ready to get up yet?"

Korra groaned and wrapped herself more tightly around Asami, still refusing to open her eyes.

"Somehow I never would have guessed you were such a cuddler," Asami said, brushing the top of Korra's head softly.

"M'not," Korra mumbled into Asami's shoulder. "You just smell nice."

"Well, I'm sure the press will be shocked to learn the Avatar is actually twelve. Come on, it's time to get up."

Korra groaned again, but finally detached herself from Asami and rolled onto her back. "Fine. I hope you plan on making this up to me, though."

"For what? Taking you to see your parents, or having the gall to wake you up?"

"Both!" Korra sat up and stretched. "I don't see why we should do either right now. We more or less have the entire Spirit World to ourselves; who knows when we'll get an opportunity to be alone like this again."

Asami's eyebrow quirked suspiciously. "Alone, huh?"

Korra cleared her throat. "You know. Now that there are three Spirit Portals and all," she said nonchalantly.

Asami let it slide. "We should do both because it's important that your parents understand. And because I'm a morning person with a good internal clock who can't go back to sleep once she's awake." She paused, then added sheepishly, "Just so you know."

"Sorry sweetie, that's definitely going to be a dealbreaker. I like to sleep in."

"Gee, I hadn't noticed," Asami said, giggling. "If only I'd read the signs..."

Varrick stepped up to the bow of his yacht and shielded his eyes from the sun, spotting the towering beacon of the Southern Spirit Portal. "There it is! Ah, home sweet home at last. Bolin, tell me. Have you ever seen a Southern Water Tribe party?"

"I guess," Bolin said, shrugging. "I was here for the Glacier Spirits Festival, wasn't I? That was pretty fun."

Varrick wheezed and thumped Bolin on the back. "You thought THAT was a Southern Tribe party? Boy, you've still got a lot to learn. I don't know if you've heard, but it can get a little chilly around here. You know what keeps the chill off your back? Strong drinks, hot food, music, dancing...and let me tell you, when Water Tribe gals start dancing, you do NOT want them to stop."

"No offense, sir, but don't you think you should be careful saying that kind of stuff now that you're married?" Bolin said, glancing behind them to make sure Zhu Li wasn't nearby.

"Married, shmarried! Do you really think I'd agree to spend the rest of my life with a woman who doesn't know how to dance? Heck, it was the only reason I hired her in the first place!"

"Zhu Li's lucky to have a guy like you," Bolin said, rubbing his temples.

"Luck's got nothing to do with it, kid," Varrick said, prodding Bolin's chest. "It was fate that brought me to Zhu Li, it was fate that brought the only known lavabender in the world to me, and it was fate that brought all three of us here, where we can finally put your talents to good use!"

"Really? I thought it was your yacht," Bolin said sardonically.

Varrick chuckled and leaned onto the bow's railing. "Don't worry, it's easy to mistake careful planning for coincidence. I've rented the biggest, fanciest dinner hall in town, invited all the big-shots from both Tribes and even a few from the other Nations, hired six different catering companies to prepare traditional delicacies from all over the world, lugged an impressive prototype all the way from Republic City for the demonstration, and I'll top it all off with a business proposal too good for anyone with even one pinky toe in finance to refuse. Trust me; one way or another, tonight's going to be a fateful night, or my name isn't Iknik Blackstone Varrick!"

"You know, I've been meaning to ask about that. How could that possibly be your real name? It doesn't make any sense!"

"It's a long story that my parents told better than I ever could," Varrick said. "No more time for chit-chat, kiddo. It's almost showtime!" Varrick pulled a radio transmitter from his pocket and spoke into it. "Zhu Li, do the thing!"

Zhu Li's disgruntled voice came through the other end. "Ricky." Bolin snorted at the unexpected pet name. "You can't keep ordering me around like that. Especially not when I've already done all the things. Including several which you've forgotten to do yourself, by the way."

"That's why you're my better half, darling," Varrick said sweetly.

"It took you more than long enough to admit it," she quipped back.

"Ha! I still have the rest of my life to make it up to you, my dear," Varrick said. He replaced the transmitter in his pocket.

Bolin found the whole exchange slightly embarrassing, but Varrick just winked at him and said, "There's only one person in the world who can prove me wrong, and I carved a betrothal ring for her. Charm is an art few have practiced and fewer have mastered. I hope you're paying attention, 'cos you might just learn a thing or two."

"I can still hear you," said Zhu Li with admirable patience.

"Oh, right." Varrick pulled the device out once more and turned it around in his hand, squinting. "Uh...Zhu Li, remind me. How do I turn this thing off again?"

"You can't, Ricky. You forgot to design that portable transmitter with an off switch. By the way, I only learned how to dance because I'd heard it would impress you. I hate dancing."

Bolin finally cracked, and Varrick could do nothing to quell Bolin's fits of laughter until the ship docked at the main Southern Water Tribe port several minutes later.