Amethyst

A/N: Gyah, last chapter was a total hit and miss. Sorry about that. :/ I hope this one is better. ): For those of you who asked, the prompts I use are from a thread going around on tumblr under the name "30 Days of Writing: A Drabble a Day Challenge." The person who posted it put up a list of 30 one-word prompts that I'm taking in order.

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Formal

Every year, on the anniversary of the founding of Republic City, the elites and people of importance would gather for an expensive, very well-known party. It was a fluffed-up parade of wealth and power where the most prestigious people would boast about their accomplishments throughout the year while the reporters gushed about their outfits and companions. It wasn't really Asami's favorite thing to go to, she really just went for the fine foods in the past years, but this year she had an agenda. With all the high power people gathered in one place, she could promote the new line of Satomobiles that she'd been diligently working on in the past couple months. She was certain that this would be a great stepping stool for giving the company the economic boost that they'd been needing. After all, it was hard to turn somebody down when they were standing right in front of you.

She debated about whether or not she should come with a partner, but ultimately decided that arriving by herself would give more of the strong, independent woman impression that she was looking for. She wore one of her favorite dresses: a floor-length black number that stuck to her curves and shimmered with the light. Like she was hoping for, her appearance really made a stir with the reporters present at the party. She gave them a pleasant smile as the cameras flashed and the reporters crowded in. She answered their questions, vaguely answering the ones about General Iroh, and made a classy escape into the party itself.

The atmosphere was a nice one. Soft music played in the background, accented by the chatter of the people already there. Buffet tables of hours d'oeuvres lined the back wall of the ballroom. White cloth covered tables sat scattered around the room for the dinner that night, waiters moving quietly around to light the candles placed in the center of each. She noticed Tenzin up near the stage at the front, dressed in traditional Airbender formalwear, speaking to the men in charge of setting up the stage. Near the back of the room, Asami noticed Korra. She stood by herself near the hour d'oeuvres table looking a little uncomfortable in her traditional Water Tribe garb. Asami walked over to her.

"Hey," she greeted. Korra jumped.

"H-hey," she responded.

"Are you okay?" Asami asked. Korra glanced away, debating whether or not to tell the truth before sighing in defeat.

"Not really," she said truthfully. "Tenzin said that they want me to do a speech tonight. I know I've done it before, but for some reason I'm just feeling really… nervous."

Asami gave her an encouraging smile. "You'll do fine. You're charismatic, and they already like you for getting rid of Amon."

"I know. It's just…" Korra met Asami's eyes with a worried look.

"Seriously," Asami said, keeping her gaze. "It's going to be fine."

Korra searched her confident look for a while before nodding reluctantly in agreement. "I hope you're right," she said. "Thank you, Asami."

Asami smiled. "No problem, Korra," she said. "Now, I suggest you go out there and act like you're enjoying the party. The crowd will seem less scary if you get to know the people behind the faces."

Korra grinned, feeling a little more confident. "Okay. Thanks again!"

Asami smiled again and waved as Korra made a beeline for the group of nobles standing nearby. Sure that she was going to be okay on her own now, the young owner of Future Industries turned her attention back to the table of food on display beside her. She picked up a few things before making her own dive into mingling with the crowd. She put on her best "business woman" smile and greeted every guest there that night.

Her father always told her that she was able to talk her way into getting anything she wanted, and Asami made good work of her skill that night. It was far to easy to sweet talk the older men in charge of big name businesses, and even easier to mingle with the women that came with them. She practically grew up going to these parties and she knew these people almost as well as she knew herself. It was nearly effortless for her to insert a few lines about the new Future Industries products and convince old family friends to help fund the new projects. She was speaking with the mayor and his wife when Iroh arrived.

"Oh my," the mayor's wife had said. "Is that the General…?"

Asami caught her look and glanced towards the entranceway. Her breath caught slightly at the sight. Iroh made it a point to always dress immaculately, if not always in his uniform. He was once again wearing his United Forces uniform, but this time it was fully decorated with the pins and metals that qualified him as a general. The Fire Nation Royal Emblem was pinned directly over his heart, and it gleamed in the light as he walked. He always held an air of authority around him, but for the first time since she met him, he held himself like the prince he was. He caught her eyes from across the room and started toward her. She had to take a sip of the drink in her hand to wet her suddenly dry mouth.

"Good evening," he greeted them with a polite bow. The mayor and his wife gave bumbling imitations of the polite curtesy. He met Asami's eyes with glowing gold. "Miss Sato, you look…" He paused to give her a praise worthy once-over. "Absolutely stunning."

Asami couldn't resist the flattered blush that rose to her cheeks. "And you look handsome as well, General."

He gave her a smile that melted her heart. "Thank you, my lady," he said before turning back to the mayor and his wife. "I'm sorry to interrupt like this. May I join your conversation?"

"By all means," the mayor's wife perked up. "Please do!"

Iroh gave her a pleased smile, glancing over at Asami who had to hide her own smile behind the rim of her glass.

Talking with Iroh was easy. He had a surprising quick wit and his manners never failed to impress the people he spoke with. It was easy to forget that he was of royal heritage, especially with how simple it was to relate with every person he met. Asami was continuously impressed with him, especially when he started to compliment her work with Future Industries. She hadn't asked him to help her promote her company, but he did it anyway, and that brought a smile to her face that she couldn't keep off.

He joined her at her table for dinner, the two of them laughing about the events that had occurred since their last meeting, and they shared a pleasant meal together, purposefully ignoring the suspicious looks and whispers directed their way. They watched the speeches with pleasant attitudes and encouraged Korra with smiles when she gave her speech. The girl Avatar appreciated their encouragement and pushed through her speech with a sense of courage that made her speaking come naturally. At the end of the Avatar's speech, the crowd cheered and the music started up again, people standing up to start dancing. Korra ran down from the stage to give Asami a quick, happy hug.

"Thank you for helping me," she said with a wide smile. Asami couldn't resist giving her a smile in response before she ran off to join the rest of the people in dancing. She caught Iroh staring at her and she glanced away shyly.

"What?"

He shook his head, keeping his thoughts to himself. Instead, he stood from his seat and extended his hand towards her. "Miss Sato, would you do me the honor of being my dance partner for the evening?"

Asami grinned, placing her hand in his. "Why, General. I thought you'd never ask." He mirrored her teasing grin and led her out to the gradually crowding dance floor.

She really had to count herself lucky. Not only did she have a wonderful man to dance with, but he was exceptionally skilled in the art of dance. All those dance lessons as a child really paid off for this moment. It was so much easier to lose herself in the moment when she didn't have to focus on whether or not she was going to trip over her own feet. There was something really wonderful about the way his golden eyes would light up every time she would laugh when he led them in a spin around the dance floor. She was so happy that she felt like she was dancing on air.

When the end of the fifth song came around, Iroh finally convinced her to take a breather. They walked arm-in-arm to the breezy outdoor gardens just steps away from the dance floor. A few other couples were enjoying the nice night air and the beautiful scenery. Iroh led them down a small wooden path that crossed over a small koi pond glittering in the moonlight. Surrounding them were a couple weeping trees and wispy maples of beautiful red colors illuminated by a few hanging lanterns scattered throughout the garden. The dim lighting cast sharp shadows across their skin, accenting the sharp edges of his cheekbones and the curve of her nose.

"It truly is beautiful out here," Iroh commented, looking up at the moon through the breaks in the trees. Asami followed his gaze and took a look at the moon herself. She knew the tragically romantic stories about the goddess of the moon, and the moon seemed all the more beautiful to her.

"I'm sure it is beautiful in the Fire Nation at night as well," she said. He smiled at her.

"It really is," he agreed. "It's never as cool in there as it is here, but the warm nights are perfect to go out and watch the ocean on the beach. The earth feels alive as it meets the ocean and you can practically feel the power of it moving beneath you. You can see the volcanic island chains glowing in the distance and it just reminds you of how powerful nature really is."

Asami stared at him, entranced by the animated tone his words took on as he spoke about his home country. "That sounds amazing."

He turned to look her in the eyes, lightheartedness gradually fading into seriousness. He gently lifted his hands up to place them upon her shoulders, his warm palms giving her shivers where they touched her chilled skin. She stared up at him, unsure what was going to happen next.

"Miss Sato, you will have to forgive me for my forwardness," he said bluntly. "But in the months in Republic City that we have spent together, I have found myself most enamored by you." His face turned the slightest shade of red, but he kept his eyes firmly on hers. "I mean not to scare you by my words, but I cannot possibly keep this to myself any longer."

Asami blinked, a surprise before giving him a small, delighted laugh. He looked confused, if not a little uncomfortable, but his eyes were drawn to her as the most beautiful smile crossed her face.

"Thank you, General," she said, a light blush coloring her cheeks. "I feel the same way."

His eyes lit up in that way that made her chest grow warm, and he let those words linger between them as they finished their walk around the gardens. Her face felt hot and her cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling so widely, but for the first time in a long time, she felt happy. So very, very happy.

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A/N: Please review, friends! :)