AN: Okay another chapter, I'm not entirely happy with this one, I just feel like I rushed it even though that's probably because the reviews from the last chapter (thank you all who reviewed) motivated me so very well, oh well this is closing in the end of this story, but don't worry, I have other ideas for this little continuity I've got going. Enjoy.
After a short drive we arrived back at my place, I parked the car quickly and shuddered a bit on the walk up to the front door with Korra in tow, missing the warmth of my car seat. I was thankful to get in the door as I'd started rubbing my arms, I was also thankful for the perky greeting I received upon entering.
"Welcome home Ms. Sato, I trust you had a pleasant evening?" Arika had a way of just brightening up a person's mood.
"Yes, quite, thank you." I noticed that Korra seemed to be inspecting Arika when I suddenly realised something, "Oh right, I almost forgot," I shook my head at my forgetfulness before mentioning to Arika, "Korra this is my new maid, Arika."
"Oh, uh, hi." I loved how Korra looked when she got all flustered, very cute and adorable. Arika did the standard bow to show respect to her employer's friend, I kind of missed how giddy and excitable she used to be, but she insisted on learning proper manners.
"Arika Yumemiya, honoured to make your acquaintance Avatar Korra." though I was thankful for her good manners right now, I got to see Korra's rare and adorable flustered side.
"Umm thanks..." very thankful indeed. I realised that I'd forgotten to call ahead and have Arika prepare a room for Korra.
"Arika, Korra will be staying tonight, please prepare one of the guest bedrooms for her." Arika gave the standard bow of acknowledgement before asking if refreshments were required as was expected of her.
"At once Ms. Sato, would you like tea first?" I smiled in anticipation, she was pretty good at brewing tea, her grandmother had taught her she said once before.
"Yes, thank you, we'll take it in the parlour; come on Korra." I lead Korra to the parlour whilst Arika headed to the kitchen, after we'd sat down at the coffee table Korra asked the question of the hour.
"So whatever happened to your old butler?" my expression grew sombre as thoughts of my imprisoned father came to mind at the mention of my estate's previous butler.
"Oh, he was in cahoots with my father." the atmosphere became tense as the still sensitive subject of my father came up, I looked forward to the day when just mentioning him didn't kill any and all good moods. I could see Korra's awkward expression with a dose of guilt mixed in; then she raised an eyebrow slightly and asked...
"'Cahoots'?" I couldn't help but burst out laughing at Korra's confusion, which seemed to be growing from my reaction. I sometimes forget about Korra's somewhat sheltered upbringing and that the white lotus may have focused her education a little too much on bending.
"'Cahoots' to collude or conspire together secretly." I effected my best school teacher voice as I educated her, probably didn't sound very good, considering I was still giggling.
"Oh sure, laugh at the country bumpkin not knowing all your big words." my favourite water bender rolled her eyes at my joke at her expense accepting it with good form; I was glad that the tension was gone and Korra was smiling again, I liked it when she smiled.
"Ms. Sato, Avatar Korra, your tea." the scent of Arika's jasmine tea was always welcome. After setting down the tray she left to get a room ready for Korra. I poured the tea myself, I'd never been one to be waited on completely hand and foot. I handed Korra her tea before taking a quick sip of my own. Ah, that's the stuff.
"So where did you find her?" a question that was bound to come up, though it was too late to tell the full, bizarre tale.
"Passed out in the desert." I'd guess that Korra expected something a little less unusual and more informative.
"I think that needs to be explained some." Korra mentioned toward me, curious at the full story, before sipping from her cup, she seemed to enjoy it
"Long story, like you wouldn't believe" it'd be half a dozen chapters at least " ; so how do like the tea?" I gave a slight wave to move things off of my first encounter with Arika, before raising my cup to ask about the tea.
"It's good, but I expect to hear that story some time." Korra took another sip, licking her lips a bit before growing a sly smirk. I saw an opening and took a chance.
"Maybe... over breakfast?" Korra looked thoughtful, eyes cast upward, slight pout, a sight I just loved and had to restrain myself before I grabbed, her she was so cute sometimes; suddenly she gave a shrug and answered.
"Sure, I look forward to hearing that story." the lovely avatar took another sip as I couldn't help but smile in anticipation of the next morning.
"I look forward to telling it." I raised my cup and Korra matched the motioned as we both took a sizeable drink of our tea.
"Pardon my intrusion," and there was my ninja maid again, I'd gotten used to Arika popping up like this, but Korra still jumped at her sudden arrival, "but there is a call for you Ms. Sato and I'm afraid it seems to be urgent." I just let out a sigh, it was always something, I wondered what it was this time. as I gulped down what was left of my tea, savouring the searing heat as it slid down my throat. That thankfully woke me up a bit as I forced my weary and tried self up.
"Well I'll have to take this quick I guess, is Korra's room ready?" I was so sick of late night calls, but far too tired to get angry about it.
"Yes Ms. Sato."
"Then please show her to it, Arika." I was a bit worried I would seem like a snob if I ordered Arika around too much. I turned to see Korra's expression, hard to read right know. "I'll be up in a few minutes to wish you goodnight."
"Okay." I received a small nod from Korra as I turned towards the door to go answer the phone. Once in the downstairs office I sat down at my desk and picked up the receiver, rubbing the bridge of my nose as I prepared myself.
"Good evening, Asami Sato speaking." I did my best to clear my voice of tiredness as I spoke
"Good evening Miss. Asami..." that voice, " this is councilman Tenzin, I'm calling to ask if you've seen Korra recently, she's not returned yet and her parents are beginning to worry." I was relieved that I wasn't going to have to deal with any problems with the company or annoying opponents of the chi-blocking school. Too bad I was already in business mode and responded very businesslike.
"Oh don't worry, she's staying at my estate for the night, I'm sorry we didn't call you sooner, it was never our intent to cause any unintentional worry for anyone." did that sound too formal.
"Oh, I see, any particular reason she has decided to stay at your estate tonight?"Tenzin seemed to have slipped into his own politician mode in response, I had a small inward chuckle at that.
"Did Korra's parents mention what happened this evening?" first step, ascertain how much the other party knows.
"Something about a falling out with Mako; who is also conspicuously absent." I wondered to myself if he had come to yet.
"Suffice to say, Korra was reluctant to deal with a lengthy explanation to her parents, and Mako; so I offered to let her stay at my estate for tonight, I assume that is acceptable." second step, establish your own advantages
"Of course, though I expect her back at the air temple in the morning for training." trying to maintain a position.
"I'm afraid she may be late, I invited her to breakfast and she's accepted the invitation." third step, reveal previously hidden advantage.
"Very well," other party concedes position, "I suppose that Korra deserves some time off, but I'll expect her by midday at the latest." make a meaningless demand to try and maintain image.
"Of course, good evening Master Tenzin." concede meaningless demand to allow other party to feel like they've won something.
"Good evening, Ms. Sato." and at that he hung up. I felt somewhat guilty about using my 'ruthless business tactics' on Tenzin, he was a good guy, just strict with Korra's training; and becoming and ruthless heartless business woman trying to control everyone around her through nefarious tactics was not something I wanted to become. Especially considering what my family had already shown itself capable of. I stopped that train of thought, not wanting to bring myself down after such a great day, and marvel at the fact that I was calling the day Mako proposed to Korra as a great day.
I let out a yawn as I left the office, the day's events having taken their toll. As I came to my own room I heard activity in the restroom next door to the opposite room, I guessed it was Korra, I knew that Arika would set Korra up right across from my own bedroom; I swear her and Lin were such busybodies.
I went into my own room to get changed quickly, it was a warm night so I decided to wear something light to bed. After getting changed I sat down at my vanity to brush my hair before bed when I heard the powder room door across the hall and quickly dashed out the door to catch Korra, hairbrush still in hand.
"Korra." the startled avatar turned speedily with a shocked squeal-esque sound of shock, making jump a bit and drop my hair brush, "Sorry, I wasn't planning on attacking you, I just wanted to wish you a good night." I gave an eye roll in response, didn't she feel safe here?
"Right, sorry and thanks, you have a good night too." I gave the jumpy avatar a nod before bending down to pick up my brush after which I noticed Korra with a shocked expression, as if she'd just seen something horrifying and just staring into space.
"Korra?" I was getting a bit worried now.
"Huh?" not the best response.
"Are you okay?" I took a few steps forward, concerned that something was wrong with my dear friend, her reaction was disconcerting to say the least; fumbling for the door handle behind her.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine, g-g-good night, sweet dreams!" why was she stuttering? Then she got the handle and slammed the door shut, quick as she could. Now I was certain something was wrong.
"You sure?" I was pretty worried right now, had I done something?
"Yeah! I'm sure! Good night!" I was still worried I'd done something, but it seemed Korra didn't want to talk about it right now, I guessed I could ask her tomorrow at breakfast.
"Okay then, good night then, see you in the morning." and with that I went back into my own room and sat down at my vanity to finish brushing my hair as thought over what had just happened, apprehensive about the next morning.
I put my brush down as I let out a yawn, the day's events catching up with me, it had been quite a day. I sighed as my thoughts drifted to one nagging problem I was afraid to face concerning the girl sleeping across the hall. When I saw Mako get down on one knee, I felt as if I couldn't breathe as though my chest was being crushed.
All this time I thought it was just a crush, a mere infatuation that would pass with time, I mean it was crazy; Korra'd never shown any sign of attraction to women, but my reaction tonight did not feel like a simple crush.
As I sat down on my bed, getting ready to go to sleep, I realised just how deep these feelings went and it terrified me more than I could imagine.
I was in love with Avatar Korra.
AN2: Well there we go now both girls have had their little moments of clarity, next stop, getting them together; but both think that the other isn't even so inclined... Oh this is going to be fun. Also to anyone wondering about whether or not any other Mai:Hime/Otome characters will appear I just have to say, why would I limit myself? Once again, please review, you ungrateful jerks (not you guys who do review, I'm just talking about the ones who never review).