Author's Note: You all might notice that I've stopped using direct, italicized thoughts. After much consideration, I've decided that they made certain things too difficult. If you're sad/glad/mad about that, please feel free to leave some feedback! I welcome everyone's input on it.
Sorry for the lateness of the update. This chapter was kind of a beast to get through. That being said, a thousand thank yous to my new beta Mossu. Her tireless effort and assistance helped me get through the mountain of editing that this chapter took to be presentable.
EDIT: The wonderful and talented starbuckviper has taken up the task of creating some cover art for me! Book cover will be up in the next few days!
Happy reading!
By the time Korra made her way to the Southwest tower, her heart had slowed back to a normal rate. She paused at the base of the stairs to take a huge, steadying breath. She couldn't believe how nerve-wracking it was asking to see Asami again the next day. Korra had wanted to ask her the entire time they were eating lunch at the park, during the whole ride back, and while they were saying goodbye. Yet her normal leap-before-you-look way of handling things didn't seem to be working. Each time she tried to ask, she started thinking about how foolish she would look if Asami said no. It wasn't until she was almost inside the Arena that she was finally able to throw caution to the wind and blurt it out.
Korra smiled, remembering how quickly Asami had agreed. Maybe the socialite had been waiting for Korra to bring it up the whole time. Whatever the case was, Korra was really looking forward to tomorrow. But right now, she had to tell Mako and Bolin the good news!
Korra began her ascent up the stairs. About halfway up she called out, "Hey, Bolin, Mako, you guys up there?"
Mako's "Yeah." and Bolin's "Present!" came floating back down to her, and she sped up a bit. When she came out of the stairs in the floor, she instantly spotted Bolin in his undershirt and shorts playing with Pabu on the couch. The afternoon sunlight slanted in through the windows, falling on the earthbender and the remains of a simple lunch sitting on the small table near the couch. She glanced around, spotting a long jacket and red scarf thrown over a crate on the other end of the room, but no Mako.
"Hey Korra!" Bolin greeted, waving Pabu's paw. "How'd it go?"
Korra was about to reply when she heard a creak of wood behind her. "How did what go?" Mako asked, appearing at the top of one of the ladders. He was also in his undershirt and a pair of shorts, and from the look of things, he had just gotten back from work.
"Remember I told you about that girl who hit Korra with her moped and then invited her to dinner?" Bolin questioned, looking past Korra to his brother.
"Sure," Mako replied, climbing down the ladder. "You're ok, right?" He turned his attention to Korra.
Yeah, fine, thanks for asking. Actually-"
"The girl who hit her is Asami Sato," Bolin broke in, heavily emphasizing Sato and giving Mako a significant look.
"Sato?" The firebender got it instantly, and his eyes widened. "You don't mean…"
"Yes, uh huh, that's exactly what I mean!" Bolin confirmed. Once again, Korra was reminded that she really was the only one who wouldn't have recognized Asami's last name. "Only we're not supposed to let Korra know." Bolin stage whispered, picking up Pabu. "Miss Sato wants to stay in-cog-ni-to," he continued, emphasizing each syllable with alternating flops and flourishes of Pabu's paws.
Korra laughed at Bolin's antics. "No, it's ok," the Avatar explained, "She told me today when we went to meet her dad at his factory."
"Hang on, you met Hiroshi Sato today?" Mako exclaimed, in time with Bolin's equally amazed, "No way!" Korra remembered the look on Asami's face when she had suggested meeting Hiroshi another day. The surprise and gratitude that she saw there made more sense if this was the usual reaction Asami received.
Korra crossed her arms and grinned. "Yeah, I did," she answered casually. "But that's not the best part!" Mako and Bolin shared a look when Korra paused for dramatic effect. "Hiroshi told me that he wants to sponsor the Fire Ferrets! We're back in the tournament!"
"That's awesome!" Bolin cried out, even as Mako frowned.
"That's a lot of money," Mako commented cautiously. "Did he say why he was doing it?"
Korra should have expected Mako to be difficult. "Well, he said it's because he knew 'the power of a single generous act,'" she replied, a little defensively. "And Asami is a big fan of the Fire Ferrets, so I think she asked him to help us get into the tournament. Why?" she challenged.
"Well, first of all, I don't know either of these people," Mako explained, working to keep his tone level and calm, "And second of all, it seems a little bit too good to be true. Remember what happened when Bolin found some easy cash?" he reminded her pointedly, gesturing at his brother. Bolin cringed and then busied himself with Pabu, making the fire ferret dance around on his knees.
"This isn't like that," Korra argued, "Future Industries isn't a Triad. Asami and her father just want to help. And I have met them. Shouldn't you be able to trust my judgment?" She held his gaze until Mako looked away and sighed.
"I guess you're right," he agreed grudgingly, rubbing at the back of his neck. "It just seems… I don't know, too convenient somehow. But you already said yes, didn't you." It was a statement, not a question.
"Yeah, I did. We're going forward in the tournament, we're going to wear Future Industries uniforms, and we're going to win the championship, whether you like it or not," Korra informed him, smiling a bit to defuse the edge of tension between them.
Mako laughed a little at that. "Alright, you win." He put up his hands. "I guess I was being a little paranoid."
"You think?" She said dryly. "Besides," she added, "I bet if you were the one meeting Hiroshi, you would have said yes in a heartbeat."
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The next week quickly fell into a routine for Korra. She would drag herself out of bed for morning meditation with Tenzin and the kids and then swim across to the Bending Arena for Fire Ferret practice. Mako switched to the evening shift at the power plant, so the whole team was finally training together, getting ready for the first round of the championships that would begin in just a few short weeks. After practice, Korra would head outside to meet Asami for lunch. The socialite took her to a different restaurant each day, and made sure to get her back to the ferry docks in time for Korra's afternoon airbending training with Tenzin. The Avatar was only late once, the first day, when Asami tried to show her a place to have fun along with a place to eat.
That day Asami brought her to the Republic City Speedway to watch an automobile race at the huge, open-air track. The racing cars were nothing like the personal cars that Korra had seen on the streets and in the park. They were long and sleek, painted in bright, eye-catching colors and they only had enough room for the driver. The moment she saw them, Korra knew that they would make Asami's moped seem like a child's toy. She wasn't disappointed. Asami got the two of them seats in the front row, so close that Korra could smell the exhaust from the pipes and the burning of rubber as the cars sped around each turn. With each pass of the cluster of vehicles, the spectators were buffeted by the wind of their wake. The speeds the racers reached were mind boggling. At one point, Korra leaned over to Asami and shouted over the cheering crowd: "I would love to try that out someday!" Asami just grinned at her enthusiasm.
They ended up completely losing track of time and staying for several races. By the time Korra realized how late it was, she had already missed practice, even though Asami drove her back as fast as she could. For her truancy, Tenzin gave her a blistering lecture about responsibility and the duties of an Avatar. He reminded her that, whatever else happened, he expected her to attend her daily lessons, and that it was the least she could do considering the freedom he gave her.
It hurt. Korra already felt guilty for turning down the Task Force. Tarrlok might be a sleaze-bag, but his Task Force did have the potential to do some good. Wasn't it her Avatar duty to protect people from threats like Amon? What, exactly, was she accomplishing by spending all of her time at the Bending Arena and Air Temple Island? Tenzin might disapprove of Tarrlok's methods, but at least the other councilman was doing something.
Staying out of the Task Force and focusing on her airbending felt suspiciously like hiding, which Korra had never done before in her life. She had always faced her challenges head on and had come out on top. But Amon was different. He was in the shadows, in the rumbles of discontent of the non-benders in the city – he was in her dreams. Korra had no idea how to fight an enemy who wouldn't stand and face her. So all she could do was go about her routine while her emotions chased themselves around in circles, from frustration, to fear, to shame, and then back again. It was maddening.
Tenzin probably hadn't meant to imply that Korra was hiding from Amon. In fact, he was probably just stung by the comment Tarrlok made about 'allowing' Korra to 'run around the city at all hours.' Korra told herself that the airbending Master just lost his cool; Tenzin even apologized later that night. Privately, however, she still thought that he had a point.
She started receiving gifts from Tarrlok every day, and they became more and more extravagant as the week progressed. Each one was a reminder of the responsibilities she was shirking. Korra's mood plummeted noticeably whenever she was on the Island, to the point where Tenzin started hovering over her like a mother arctic hen. He kept offering to talk and telling her that it was ok to be afraid, but Korra couldn't stand the idea of admitting her fear to the airbending Master. She could hardly admit it to herself, but she couldn't lie to herself any longer.
When Korra was away from the Island, away from Tarrlok's bribes and Tenzin's overbearing concern, she breathed easier. Fire Ferret practice kept her too busy to brood, and lunch with Asami was arguably the best part of her day. The two of them talked about everything but Amon and the Equalist movement, although Asami had to be aware that Korra had clashed with them before. It was easy to forget her troubles when she was with the Sato heiress.
But eventually, Korra realized that she needed to talk to someone about Tarrlok and the Task Force. There was too much she didn't know about the councilman and too much she didn't know about the games played in politics. Even if not joining the Task Force felt like the wrong decision, that didn't mean that joining with Tarrlok was the right one. She needed someone unbiased, someone who would understand the politics of the situation. Asami was the perfect person to talk to about her problems, even though Korra hesitated over breaching their unspoken 'don't bring up Amon or the Equalists' agreement.
However, the perfect opportunity presented itself on the sixth day of the week when Tenzin informed her that he would be late for practice due to Council business. After their usual lunch, Korra told Asami about the extension, and the socialite suggested smoothies.
Sang Fei's Smoothies was a semi-permanent stand located just inside the south entrance to Republic City Park. It was one of several booths that bordered the park's southern plaza, nestled between the White Dragon Tea stand and the park taxi service. The plaza was paved with unornamented stone and had a simple fountain at the center. Smooth stone benches were interspersed between the booths, and the plaza connected to two of the park's walking paths.
It was another warm and sunny day, one of the last few before winter set in, and plenty of people were also enjoying an afternoon in the park. Enough so that Sang Fei's had a bit of a line out front. But the wait wasn't long, and the pair soon had their treats – banana and leechi for Korra and moon peach and mango for Asami. The girls then took their smoothies to one of the few unoccupied benches and sat down to eat.
As they sipped at their slushy desserts, Korra tried to come up with a good way to initiate the conversation. It was tricky, especially because she didn't know how Asami felt about the Equalist movement. As big a fan of Pro Bending as the socialite was, Korra knew she couldn't fully agree with the movement. But Asami was a non-bender. It was very possible that she sympathized with at least some of what Amon preached.
She abruptly ran out of time when Asami gave her a sidelong glance and said: "You're quiet today. Yuan for your thoughts?"
Korra let out a breath and leaned back against the bench, looking down at the half-finished smoothie in her hands. There was no sense dancing around the subject. She might as well attack it directly. "What do you know about Councilman Tarrlok?" She asked, jumping right in. She looked up at her companion to gauge the other's reaction.
Asami raised one slim eyebrow in confusion over the apparent non sequitur. "Well, he's the representative from the Northern Water Tribe," the socialite began slowly, watching Korra in turn, "And a few years ago, he was elected chairman of the Council. He's also the youngest member of the Council. Is this what you wanted to know?"
"Sort of." Korra hesitated. "What's he like as a person?"
"Umm… well, I've only talked to him a few times," Asami admitted, perplexed by Korra's questions, "But he always seemed… polite. Friendly. Very interested in what you have to say. He throws good parties." Asami paused, thinking about it. "I get the sense he's a little full of himself though," she continued after a moment. "And my dad says that he's the real power in the Council. From what he's told me, Tarrlok's vote is the only one that matters."
Korra nodded. That was probably the reason why he frustrated Tenzin so much. "He came to visit me last week," the Avatar explained. "After I got back from our dinner, he was waiting for me at Tenzin's house."
"That's surprising," Asami commented, "My dad tells me that they don't get along well."
"Oh they don't," Korra assured her. "I heard them before they saw me, and it was pretty obvious that they hated each other."
"So what was he doing there?" Asami wondered.
"He came to ask me to join his Task Force," Korra divulged. Asami had to have heard about the Task Force. It had already broken up several Equalist hideouts and rallies, and it was all over the news.
The socialite didn't disappoint. "Considering I haven't seen your face in any of the papers lately," she reflected, "I'm guessing you turned him down?"
"I did." Korra agreed shortly, experiencing another moment of guilt that caused her to shift uneasily on the bench.
"That's also surprising." Asami put her smoothie down on the bench next to her, and turned slightly so that she was facing towards Korra. "So why did you?" The socialite asked. She met Korra's eyes, and the Avatar didn't see any reprehension or accusation. All she saw was curiosity.
For a moment, Korra wanted to tell Asami everything. About how scared she was, about her nightmares, and about how she felt like she was failing in her responsibilities as the Avatar. She looked into Asami's green eyes and, for just a moment, felt sure that she would only meet compassion and understanding. Of everyone she had met so far, Asami would know what it meant to be handed a title and expected to live up to it. But... that also meant that the heiress knew the shame of failing to meet those expectations better than anyone. Korra could just imagine the look in Asami's eye if she found out about her fear – her weakness. The look of disappointment that the other girl would try to hide, for Korra's sake, would be... unbearable. The Avatar looked away.
"Tarrlok... seemed really fake to me," she offered half-heartedly, wishing it were the whole truth, and not just a partial one. She would have left it at that, but she could feel Asami's eyes on her. The socialite's green gaze compelled her to go on, and an explanation tumbled out of her: "One minute, he's insulting Tenzin to his face in his own house, the next – once he sees me – he's acting like the nicest guy in the world, complimenting me, flattering me, telling me how the city really needs my kind of direct action right now…" Even though she hadn't really done much of anything. She grimaced. "To be honest I don't trust him at all. I told him I needed to focus on airbending and turned him down."
"That's not everything, though, is it?" Asami prompted gently, placing her hand on Korra's shoulder empathetically. The Avatar glanced over at her and nearly spilled her secrets a second time at the look in Asami eyes – so sincere, so sympathetic. A strange, fluttery feeling blossomed in the pit of her stomach, and Korra cleared her throat and looked away, trying to pull her wits together again.
"I don't know if I made the right decision," she finally managed to get out. "Sure, Tarrlok can't be trusted," and sure, she was scared, "But... I saw Amon take away someone's bending with my own eyes," Korra's voice became troubled as she relived the memory. "Shouldn't I be siding with the people that are trying to stop him? Even if I don't fully trust them? Even if Tenzin doesn't think the Task Force is the right way to go about things, isn't it better than doing nothing? I mean, even you were surprised that I didn't say yes. Shouldn't I-" She broke off, stopping herself before she could reveal anything else. She took a deep breath and let it out in a frustrated huff, shoulders set and tense.
After a few moments when it became clear she wasn't going to continue, Asami squeezed her shoulder encouragingly. "I was surprised," the socialite explained reasonably, "Because, even though I've only known you for a week, it didn't seem like you. Not because I thought you should have made the other choice, but because I thought you would have made the other choice. But you had your reasons, and they sound like good ones to me. If something about Tarrlok doesn't seem right to you, and if something about his Task Force doesn't seem right to Tenzin, you should be careful. You shouldn't just accept because that's what's expected of you." Asami paused as though choosing her next words carefully and pulled her hand away.
"Tarrlok is a very powerful man," she continued, a touch of warning in her tone. "He's always seemed nice enough to me, but that doesn't stop me from thinking – no, from knowing – that he's playing some very big games. He has to be, to have power like that. I don't know if trying to get you onto his Task Force is a publicity stunt or what, but you shouldn't let him manipulate you into a corner. Maybe telling you that the city needs direct action was just a ploy to make you feel obligated to join." Korra looked up, eyes wide. "Maybe not!" Asami added quickly. "I'm just saying that anything is possible. I don't know enough about Tarrlok to know if he's that subtle, but he's the chairman of the Council. I wouldn't put it past him."
Korra took a deep breath, feeling suddenly lighter. Asami's words had caused the heavy burden of guilt to lessen slightly. The socialite didn't think that she was shirking her Avatar duties. It was a huge relief to actually hear that from someone. Korra still didn't know how to reconcile her fear, but... she didn't have to join the Task Force. Maybe Tarrlok was the one who made her feel like she had to in the first place, maybe he wasn't, but Korra knew what her answer would be if the Councilman tried to recruit her again.
She wondered what Asami thought about the Task Force itself. The socialite had neatly managed to avoid addressing that topic directly. The Avatar considered just asking her, but she had already come too close to breaking their 'don't talk about Amon or the Equalists' agreement. Korra didn't really think she was ready to know what Asami thought.
"Thanks for the advice," she said instead, knowing that the socialite wouldn't understand how grateful she actually was. Korra then laughed ruefully and shook her head. "I don't know how you do it. This whole 'looking for double meanings in everything a person says' thing is complicated."
Asami chuckled. "It's not as hard as it seems. It just takes practice."
"Hah! Just practice? I wouldn't even know where to start!" Korra exclaimed. She stirred her smoothie and spooned up another mouthful of the thick, sweet slush.
"Next time Tenzin takes you out to mingle, pay attention to the people around you," Asami suggested. "Listen to how they speak to each other, and listen to how they speak to you. Listen to the different ways Tenzin greets everyone, and how he introduces you, and try to think about what that says about each person. It's all about observation and intuition," she explained sagely, "That, and remembering the number one rule: everybody wants something."
"Ok… I'll try," Korra agreed hesitantly, "But Tenzin seems to want to keep me on the Island and away from politics. I doubt I'll be going anywhere to 'mingle' anytime soon."
"You never know," Asami pointed out, finishing off the rest of her own smoothie and standing. "He can't keep you hidden away on Air Temple Island forever." She nodded at the nearly empty cup in Korra's hands. "Are you finished?"
Korra took one last sip. "Yeah, I'm done." Asami reached for Korra's cup and the Avatar handed it over and stood as well. "And... I guess you're right," she allowed, as they started walking towards the exit. "Next chance I get, I'll try all that out."
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As it turned out, the opportunity came sooner than Korra anticipated.
The following evening, just after sunset, Korra was leaning against one of the beams on Tenzin's porch watching Jinora and Ikki play each other in a game of Pai Sho. Jinora was clearly winning. Ikki just didn't have the patience for the kind of long-term strategizing that Pai Sho required and Korra could sympathize. She knew how to play the game – after all, she was around White Lotus members practically her whole life – but she had never enjoyed it that much. She would take bending lessons over Pai Sho any day.
The sound of approaching footsteps caused her to look up and frown in annoyance. It was the Council Page again. He was probably there to deliver an even more extravagant gift than the brand new Satomobile Tarrlok had sent the day before.
"Avatar Korra!" The page called out in his reedy voice, "I have something for you!"
Korra narrowed her eyes, suddenly and completely disgusted with Tarrlok's efforts to bribe her, and more than done with his ever-present errand boy. Asami had helped her to see that it was ok to not join the Task Force, and she was tired of Tarrlok making her feel guilty for that decision. After a week of making herself sick with her own guilt and fear she was finally done.
She leapt down from the stairs, and put her hands on her hips. "It doesn't matter how many gifts Tarrlok sends," she snapped out, stomping one foot to rotate a circle of earth under the man's feet, "I'm not joining his Task Force!" She emphasized her final decision by kicking the flailing man in the back, experiencing a certain satisfaction when he stumbled away. Jinora and Ikki watched the whole exchange with wide eyes.
Korra scowled and turned to go back into the house. "It's not a gift!" The harried Page called out. She glanced back over her shoulder. "It's an invitation!" The man revealed, pulling an elaborately decorated piece of paper from his breast pocket.
"To what?" Korra asked cautiously, interested in spite of herself. She moved over to him and snatched the paper from his hands.
"Tarrlok is throwing a gala in your honor," the Page explained with a deferential bow. "All of Republic City's movers and shakers will be there. The Councilman humbly requests your attendance."
Korra scanned the invitation quickly and frowned. This felt like another ploy. Still, she didn't really think she could refuse, not when she was the guest of honor. Lots of people would be there, people who didn't know about Tarrlok's efforts to recruit her, and she would just look callous if she didn't show up. She thought back to Asami's warning about not letting Tarrlok trap her. Well, it was too late now. The gala began in just two hours. She didn't really have time to think of a way to get out of it.
"Fine. I'll be there," she promised.
"Excellent. I shall inform Tarrlok immediately." The Page bowed again and turned smartly. Korra sighed as he walked off. She was about to go mingle. Asami had been right after all. Good thing they hadn't made a bet out of it.
"We're going to a party?" Ikki squealed, leaping to her feet and clapping her hands. Pai Sho was already forgotten.
"Yeah, it looks like it," Korra affirmed, resigned.
"Yipeeeee!" The girl cheered, dancing around in a circle.
"I agree, a party would be most entertaining," Jinora added.
"Well, come on then," Korra motioned them back towards the house, "Let's go tell your dad."