Author's Note: Well, I'm a day later than my proposed posting schedule, but in my defense, this was a difficult chapter to get through. It demanded to be written from Asami's POV, and finagling the right tone out of it was tricky. But I worked through it, and I'm pretty happy with the results. Enjoy!
There was a definite chill in the air of Republic City, even at high noon. Though the sun did provide some warmth, Asami Sato was still glad for the thick lining of her driving outfit. She glanced over at the Avatar, whose visage was half hidden, turned away from Asami to watch Bolin walking off in the distance, and couldn't believe that the girl wasn't freezing in her sleeveless blue shirt. Then again, she was from the South Pole. Korra probably considered this weather to be warm, even though winter was just around the corner.
Really, Asami should have had a harder time believing that she was on a first name basis with the Avatar. She was about to spend the afternoon with the most important person in the city and she was uncharacteristically uncertain. Because of her father, Asami moved in high class circles. She was comfortable talking to Councilmen, to Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, and Water Tribe nobility, and to the sons and daughters of the wealthy industrialists of the city. Yet somehow, she was still unsure of how to act around the bender by her side.
Truth be told, Asami expected the Avatar to be solemn and serious – someone who carried the weight of their responsibility and who was well aware of their rank. She expected someone subtle, who spoke the double language of politics and was at ease among aristocrats and kings. Those expectations had changed over dinner last night. Korra wasn't anything like the Avatar that Asami imagined. She was clearly uncomfortable in a restaurant like Kuang's Cuisine; she didn't seem interested in status, and only mildly concerned with politics. She didn't even know about the powerful families and wealthy elite of the city, or else she would have instantly recognized the Sato name.
Instead of the Avatar that Asami anticipated, she found Korra the person to be straight-forward and down to earth. She was passionate about Pro Bending and her training, and she had a great sense of humor. Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was that Asami liked her.
So when Korra finally turned to Asami, grinning eagerly, borrowed helmet tucked under one arm, the socialite couldn't help smiling back. "Have you ever been on one of these things before?" she asked, indicating her moped.
Korra's grin turned sheepish. "Actually, the only thing I've ever driven is a polar bear dog," she admitted. Asami smiled wider at that. The Avatar was so unlike the people she usually associated with. Those spoiled rich elitists went around with their noses in the air, acting like they'd seen it all – even when they hadn't – and like they couldn't care less. Even if Asami hadn't known it, she would have been able to tell that Korra wasn't from the city. But the Avatar's willingness to admit when she didn't know something was refreshing, and oddly endearing – almost as endearing as her effort to remain ignorant about the significance of the Sato name.
"Well, mopeds are a little bit different from polar bear dogs," Asami teased as she put her helmet on.
"I bet they both hurt just as much when they're crashing into you," Korra replied slyly.
"Ouch!" Asami put her hand to her chest as though injured. "Well, I was going to go easy on you, seeing as how this is your first time and all, but just for that, you're not getting any mercy." She swung into the driver's seat of her moped.
"Ooh, I'm so scared!" Korra mocked, pulling on her own helmet. Asami just smirked and patted the seat behind her.
The Avatar rolled her eyes very obviously and then climbed into the second seat. As confident as she was acting, it was fairly obvious how unfamiliar she was with mopeds once she actually sat down. She moved around a bit, and after a long moment, rested her hands on Asami's hips, her grip tentative.
Asami turned back to look at her passenger, a wicked gleam in her eyes. "I would hold on tight if I were you," she advised archly, pulling her green tinted goggles into place. She must have scared a bit of the bravado out of Korra, because her blue eyes widened and she wrapped her arms around Asami's waist.
Asami felt a strange thrill go through her at the contact. She still couldn't quite believe that the Avatar was riding with her on her moped. Asami wasn't one to get star struck, but something about Korra made the normally unflappable socialite nervous. It was probably because Korra was more than just the Avatar – she was a member of the Fire Ferrets, Asami's absolute favorite Pro Bending team. Not only that, she was the one responsible for seeing them into the tournament. Well, almost. There was still the money issue to deal with. The Avatar didn't know it yet, but Asami had her own plans to fix that problem.
She started up the engine, feeling Korra move slightly so that she could look over the socialite's left shoulder. It was odd having another person behind her. Korra radiated heat, and Asami could feel it each time she shifted behind her. The moped may have had seating for two, but this was the first time that the second seat had been put to use. Driving was something that Asami didn't normally share, because who would she have shared it with? Certainly not any of her snobbish cohorts.
Having a passenger would take some getting used to but… it was kind of nice.
She revved the engine once, feeling Korra's arms tighten around her in anticipation, and shot off into the city.
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Fifteen minutes later, Asami pulled into the lot outside of the compound that housed her father's main factory and several of his warehouses. The grounds were enclosed by a thick stone wall that was twice as high as she was. The front gate was visible from where they were, along with the two guards posted there. The factory itself loomed over its surroundings – a giant metal behemoth that was many times longer than it was tall in order to accommodate the assembly lines. One side of the structure was lined with chimneys that constantly coughed out thick grey smoke. The Future Industries factory was at the heart of Republic City's industrial district and it backed right up against the docks along the river. Although a clean breeze generally blew in from the water, the air always smelled slightly acrid from the smog.
Korra leapt off the back of the moped before Asami was even finished parking. "You drive like a maniac!" She cried out. Asami couldn't tell if that was a compliment or an accusation. She shut down the engine and turned to look at the Avatar and was met with an exhilarated grin. Korra had removed her helmet, and Asami could see the excitement shining in her eyes. It went well with the slight wind burn flushing her cheeks. Just as Asami decided it must have been a compliment, Korra shouted "It was awesome!"
Asami chuckled as she took off her helmet and shook out her hair. "I should have expected that from someone who caused four traffic accidents their first day here." She arched an eyebrow. "I believe only three of them were polar bear dog related?"
Korra winced. "Ah. You heard about that."
Asami stood and leaned casually against her vehicle. "I read the papers," she explained offhand. She didn't mention that she had only read them after she crashed into the Avatar and invited her to dinner. Rule one of high society mingling was to always know as much as possible about the other guests at the party.
"I was just doing my Avatar duty," Korra defended herself, trying to sound reasonable. "Those thugs would have gotten away if I hadn't intervened."
"Oh is that what they call it when you throw a car though a shop window? Intervening?" Asami was having great fun teasing the younger woman.
"Thugs? Triad? Escaping?" Korra repeated throwing her hands out for emphasis. "Why doesn't anyone take my side in this?" she grumbled, crossing her arms.
"I believe you had the best intentions," Asami offered, trying to mollify her. She put her helmet on the moped, and after a moment, Korra did the same. "Are you ready to go?" The socialite asked. "My dad is waiting for us."
"Uhh… sure." Korra looked around as if noticing her surroundings for the first time. "Where are we exactly?" The Avatar asked, puzzled.
"We're outside Future Industries' primary factory and storage complex." Asami waited for the 'ah ha' moment. Apparently that wasn't enough, because the Avatar didn't appear to be any less confused. "Future Industries?" Asami prompted after a moment. "You know, founded, owned, and operated by Hiroshi Sato?"
"Is that… your dad?" Korra asked hesitantly, still apparently not getting it.
Asami almost shook her head at how sheltered the Water Tribe girl was. "Ok, let me put it this way… Why do you think a Satomobile is called a Satomobile?" Finally, Asami saw understanding dawn in Korra's eyes.
"Wait, you're telling me that the 'Sato' in Satomobile stands for Sato as in your last name Sato?" She exclaimed.
Asami could see the impression her words had made. Korra was just as awestruck as everyone else always was. She looked away, trying to hide the sudden wave of disappointment that came over her. "Yep, my dad invented them," Asami confirmed evenly, working to keep her emotions from showing in her tone. She couldn't escape the feeling that the Avatar would treat her differently now. Everyone always did once they found out. It was like she couldn't be Asami without being Asami Sato.
She glanced over and saw that the Avatar was looking right back at her, studying her, expression unreadable for once. Asami braced herself for the switch, for the gesture or the word that would mean... What? That Korra was going to stop talking to her? Please. Everyone wanted to talk to her. That was the problem. Everyone wanted to talk to Asami Sato, and be friends with Asami Sato, and climb the social ladder via Asami Sato. It had been nice being just Asami for a day, but that was over. It was funny, for all that Korra was the Avatar and had to be concerned with politics and status, Asami could have sworn that she wouldn't care about her last name. Well. She had been wrong befo-
"You know, I'm pretty hungry right now," Korra remarked suddenly, breaking into her thoughts. The bender was still watching her. Asami's brows drew together in confusion. "How about we skip this and go grab some lunch?" The Avatar proposed. Asami opened her mouth to speak, but for once, she couldn't think of what to say. Everyone – everyone – jumped at the chance to meet her father. Korra pressed right on as though she couldn't see that Asami was completely speechless. She sighed gustily. "I'd suggest somewhere, but I've got to admit, I don't know any of the good places to eat in this city. Kuang's was the first restaurant I've been to since getting here. I swear Tenzin is worse than all of the White Lotus guards I've had watching me over the years put together. It's one thing to get away for Fire Ferret practice. It's flat out amazing that I've been able to meet with you the past two days," Korra continued rambling, giving Asami a much needed moment to get her bearings.
Something about Korra's demeanor said that she knew exactly what was going on. Or at least, she could see that Asami was uncomfortable, and was trying to help her out somehow. Or maybe she was just hungry and didn't realize she was passing up an opportunity to meet the most powerful, wealthy, and influential industrialist in the city. Either way, what it said to Asami was that she was more important to Korra right now than her father. And that was…
"Wait!" Asami cut her off, suddenly remembering why they were here. "We have to meet him, there's…" Should she give away the surprise? "There's something he wants – well, we want – to do for you. For the Fire Ferrets."
Korra shrugged. "Can't you just tell me about it over lunch? I mean, is it really that big a deal?"
Asami smiled, almost overwhelmed by the rush of gratitude that Korra's words were causing. Korra was either the sweetest or the most naïve person she had ever met. But it didn't matter, because this time, the only reason they would be going to meet her dad was because Asami insisted on it. And she wouldn't forget that.
She met Korra's eyes, wondering if the other girl knew what this meant to her. "Come on," Asami urged softly. "It'll only take a few minutes, and then we can go get some food."
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Her father was waiting for them, predictably, in the main assembly room. From the ground floor of the main room, the assembly lines stretched on almost farther than the eye could see, disappearing at one end into the depths of the factory, and at the other end into the brightness of the afternoon sunlight. Three of the lines were occupied, completely full of Satomobiles at various stages of construction, and two more stood waiting to handle the frequent increase in demand that occurred whenever a new trade line opened or a new city became paved. Elaborate piping covered both walls, and still more Satomobiles stood on raised platforms where they were put through a series of standard quality control tests. Asami knew that her father was a good man – for a wealthy industrialist who had built an empire from nothing – but she also knew that this was a ploy to make the loudest statement and the biggest impression.
A glance at Korra told her that it was working. The Avatar was looking around at everything with wide eyes, and she kept jumping each time the compressed air that powered the assembly lines equalized with a violent hissing. Asami hardly noticed it anymore, but she understood. The sound used to terrify her when she was a child.
Korra would have been even worse off if it wasn't lunch time. With most of the workers away, the level of noise inside the factory was actually bearable. When everything was running, you could hardly hear yourself think. There was the constant cranking of the lines, the sound of metal on metal, the crackling of soldering guns, and the shouts of the workers on top of the rest of the din.
"Ah, there's my girl!" Her father called out when he spotted them. "And I see you've brought the Avatar as well! It's a pleasure to meet you," he greeted, bowing to her.
"Dad, come on, you could at least wait for me to make the introductions!" Asami reprimanded him lightly.
"My apologies," he replied, appearing suitably contrite. "Go ahead, Asami."
She went over to stand next to her father and put a hand on his shoulder. "Korra, I'd like you to meet my father, Hiroshi Sato. Dad, this is Avatar Korra."
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Sato," Korra addressed him formally, bowing.
"Please, call me Hiroshi!" Her father invited amiably. "So, what do you think of my little operation I've got going on here?" He asked, gesturing to indicate the whole of the factory. Asami resisted the urge to roll her eyes. He was bragging again.
But Korra didn't seem to realize it. She looked around at everything once again and shook her head. "It's incredible!" She exclaimed. "Honestly, I've never seen anything like it. This place must be as big as the Bending Arena!"
"It's about a Bending Arena and a quarter," her father corrected, laughter in his voice. "And speaking of the Bending Arena, my daughter tells me you and your Pro Bending team are in the middle of a financial crisis."
Korra blinked at the sudden change in topic then glanced at Asami, who looked away, hiding a smile. "Well… yeah, we are. Asami told me that the two of you want to do something for the Fire Ferrets? I don't mean any disrespect, but I don't see how you could help us out unless you paid… our way… into…" She trailed off as Hiroshi's pleasant smile grew into a huge grin. She looked at Asami again, who nodded. "You can't be serious!" She cried out, disbelief plain in her voice. "That's thirty thousand Yuans! That's way too much money!"
"Avatar Korra, you may find this hard to believe, but I know the power of a single generous act," her father began importantly. This time Asami did roll her eyes. She'd heard the 'selfless loan' speech a thousand times. "When I was your age," he went on, "I was a mere shoe shiner and all I had to my name was an idea. The Satomobile. And I was fortunate enough to meet someone who believed in me and my work ethic. He gave me the money I needed to get my idea off the ground and I built the entire Future Industries Empire from that one selfless loan!" Her father turned dramatically and raised his arms to indicate the factory in front of him.
"Dad, stop bragging," Asami called him back to the present. "Tell Korra what you've decided to do."
He turned back around with a chuckle and stepped forward to place his hand on Korra's shoulder. "Young Avatar, when my daughter passionately told me all about your team's hard earned success in the Pro Bending Arena and about your… financial stumbling block, I realized that I would hate to see you lose your chance at winning the championship just because you're short a few Yuans. That's why I decided to sponsor the Fire Ferrets in the tournament!"
"That's… really amazing! I don't even know what to say," Korra admitted. She looked past Hiroshi to Asami herself, and Asami could see her uncertainty.
"Just say 'You have a deal,'" the heiress to the Sato Empire advised. "This is something we want to do. And think about how much it would mean to your teammates!" Asami continued to smile reassuringly, but a part of her wavered in its resolve. Getting the Fire Ferrets the money they needed had seemed like such a good idea the night before when she'd broached the idea to her father. She'd had to do some fast talking, but getting the Fire Ferrets into the tournament was worth it. The fan in her still wanted to help her favorite team. But now in the face of the fragile beginnings of a friendship she had with Korra, it almost seemed like… a bribe. Was Korra hesitating to take the money because it was such a large amount, or was she reevaluating Asami, and deciding that she didn't want someone who bought friends in her life?
"There's just one catch," Hiroshi added in, "You'll all have to wear the Future Industries logo on your uniforms!"
"Well, I shouldn't decide for the whole team," Korra hedged. She thought about it for another moment. "But I have a feeling I know what they'll say. So, Mr. Sato – sorry, Hiroshi – you have a deal." She reached out and shook his hand. "And really, thank you both so much." She reached over to Asami as well and shook the socialite's hand. . Asami took it, meeting Korra's eye, searching for some sign that the Avatar was disappointed in her. Then Korra grinned. "Mako and Bolin are never going to believe this," she predicted easily. If she was bothered, Asami couldn't see it.
Just then, a bell rang from somewhere deep in the factory, signaling the end of lunch. The clamor of workers returning from their break intruded in from the direction of the cafeteria. "I'm afraid that's my cue as well," Hiroshi sighed, looking over at the stream of workers trickling back onto the floor. "Where are you off to now?"
"Lunch?" Asami guessed, looking to Korra and raising an eyebrow in question.
"Yes!" Korra confirmed eagerly.
Hiroshi laughed. "Well, make sure you go somewhere nice. Maybe eat in the park! It's a bit chilly, but it's going to be too cold to eat outside soon," he recommended.
"That's a good idea! Thanks, Dad. I'll see you at home later." Asami took Korra's arm and started leading her out as various workers began coming up to Hiroshi with questions and problems for him to look at.
"It was nice to meet you, Hiroshi! And thanks again!" Korra called out as she was pulled away.
"Of course, Avatar Korra. Enjoy your day!"
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Lunch was an undeniable success. Asami took Korra to one of her favorite noodle bars by the park, and the two of them brought their food over to the grass and stretched out together to eat. The spot they chose was some distance from the surrounding pathways on a shadeless hillock above a small pond. In the sun, it was just warm enough to be comfortable, although Korra didn't seem to be bothered at all by the chill in the air.
Their talk ranged from personal stories, to Pro Bending, to an impromptu lecture on how to operate a clutch. Korra seemed mystified by the whole process and eventually concluded that 'you don't need to operate a polar bear dog, so I'll just stick with that.' Asami privately decided to offer to teach her sometime in the future, because she just couldn't imagine not being able to drive. Riding a polar bear dog was probably nice enough, but there was something about the absolute control you had over a vehicle that made driving – and especially racing – so exhilarating.
They talked together in the park for over an hour. The shadows were beginning to get longer when Korra finally heaved a sigh during a lull in the conversation. "Asami," she began reluctantly, "I'm having a great time with you, but if I don't leave now, Tenzin will never let me out again. I'm already going to be kind of late for airbending training."
"No problem," Asami replied easily, masking her own disappointment. "I can get you back in no time."
"Could you drop me off outside of the Bending Arena?" Korra asked as they stood and began picking up the trash from their meal. "I still need to tell Bolin and Mako the good news."
"Of course." They walked back to the road that wound lazily through the park. Asami's moped was waiting for them, and she and Korra climbed on and were off.
It took until they were turning out of the park onto the main roadway for Asami to realize that she didn't want her day with Korra to be over yet. She knew that Korra had certain responsibilities, but… maybe the Avatar would want to meet up with her again tomorrow? Korra had probably never been to the racetracks, or to the zoo. And she probably had never been to Sang Fei's Smoothies either… Asami smiled as she thought of all the places in the city that she wanted to show to Korra.
She was so lost in her own thoughts, she didn't even realize she had pulled up outside of the Bending Arena until she felt Korra unwrap her arms from around her waist and get off the moped. The Avatar unbuckled her helmet and held it out.
"I had a great time today," Korra said with a grin. "Thanks for everything."
Asami reached out and took the helmet. But when she tried to invite Korra to hang out again tomorrow, she suddenly couldn't decide if she wanted to ask her to come to the zoo or the racetrack or the modern art museum, and the words stuck in her throat. "You're welcome," she found herself saying, years of ingrained manners taking over. "I had a good time too."
Korra suddenly looked hesitant, "So… I'll see you soon, right? I mean… if your father is sponsoring the Fire Ferrets, he's going to have to get the uniforms to us somehow."
"Yeah, I'm sure we'll see each other soon," Asami answered, trying again to ask to see Korra tomorrow, and failing for a second time. She just couldn't make herself say it. She had never had a problem making her wishes known before. She was a Sato. She was used to people falling all over themselves to do what she wanted. But there was just… something about Korra that made it impossible for her to ask.
"Well then… goodbye." Korra turned and began walking towards the Arena.
"Bye." Asami watched her leave, furiously fighting against the strange mental barrier that kept her from speaking. But it didn't work, she couldn't speak. Korra was getting farther and farther away, and Asami's chance was going with her, and she couldn't say anything.
And then, almost at the door, Korra stopped and turned around again. "Actually," she called out, "I was wondering… would you like to get lunch again tomorrow? I'm usually free around now, and… well, I really like hanging out with you."
Asami couldn't suppress the huge grin that worked its way across her features. "I'd love to!" she called back, a warm feeling settling in her chest.
"Great!" Korra shouted. "Same time and place as today?"
"Sounds perfect!" Asami agreed, feeling strangely giddy.
"Ok! See you tomorrow!" Korra waved. Asami waved back, then the Avatar opened the main doors to the Arena and slipped inside.