Asami

"Miss Sato." My butler, Edward, bows graciously. There's really no need, I've told him countless times that I'm not one for formalities.

"Edward, thank you for coming," I say, figuring it's easier to let him play his role today, if that's his wish, "I was hoping you may know where my father is..."

Edward looks away, which is odd. He's never hidden anything from me… never. Dad's been gone over a day, without calling. I'm really not sure what's going on, but there's a board meeting in two hours, and he's expected to be there. Sure, I can fill in for him, I'm more than capable by now. But… where is he?

"Miss… Have you not seen the news?" Edward stammers.

What a strange question! I usually do keep abreast of current affairs, granted, but these past two days I've been busy reviewing the schematics from our engineering department. I've finally satisfied myself that the design is sound, and that my crew have taken my original idea and enhanced it to a point where it's production ready.

We've been working on cybernetic limbs, cheap to produce but reliable, with multiple pivot points, as close to the original body part as possible and easily controllable by a human brain. I'm lost in thought a while, feeling proud at our achievement.

"Asami?" Edward calls me by my first name, something he hasn't done since I was a child. For some reason, it sends a chill down my spine.

"No, I haven't…" I answer, moving into the spacious living room and switching on the plasma screen. I change channels, flicking through the news, until I see something that shocks me to my core.

My Dad's face. It's not the most flattering image of him, looks like he's ten years older. As I read the scrolling headline at the bottom my breath catches in my throat, and my heart feels as though it may stop beating.

SATO INDUSTRIES CEO FOUND GUILTY OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS DEAL

"N… nuclear weapons!?" I turn to face Edward, who's gone rather pale.

"I am as shocked as you, miss. We all are." He says. I can see from his eyes that he's being honest, "From what I understand, he's been selling to any interested parties, friend or foe."

"Are… are you serious?" I ask, and I'm struggling to breathe.

Edwards's eyes soften, and he's looking at me with nothing but sympathy. That's new. I guess I don't need to worry about the board meeting… this will… it will ruin us.

I cough, and the movement forces me awake. I'm thirsty, but thankfully there's half a bottle of water left thanks to my pretty, blue-eyed visitor from yesterday. I fumble in my pocket, pull out her card. It's a really unique name, one I don't think I'll easily forget. Korra.

Suddenly I'm aware that I need to pee, and empty my bowels, quite badly actually. Where's Earl when I need him?

"Morning, miss." I smile, hearing his familiar voice. He's here as usual, with his little hotdog cart trailing just behind as he moves to his destination.

"Hey Earl. Mind holding my spot?" I smile as he nods, meaning I can visit the nearest restroom, take care of my bodily needs, and have a quick wash in the sink if it's quiet.

I hurry away, grateful to have at least one friend in the world, and feeling little guilty that I'd allowed depression to take hold yesterday, that I'd let myself believe I have no one. I have Earl. He's an apron-wearing, greasy smelling son of a bitch sometimes, but he puts up with me, and he holds my spot, and I love him for that.

Hell, he even defended me from the new woman yesterday, from Korra. He'd hung around in case she was a threat. Bless him. Bless his soul.

I take care of my un-pleasantries, and start to scrub away in the sink, making the most of the free soap. Whilst getting myself somewhere close to clean, trying to ignore the frizzy black-haired monster I see in the mirror, I find myself thinking back to how I met Earl… how I'd randomly given him advice on how he could increase his hotdog sales by changing his spot a little, and by knocking five cents off. My advice had worked… of course it had.

Earl had fed me every night since, made sure I didn't lose my spot. I like my spot. I've nothing left in the world, but that one thing. It's mine.

I finish up in the washroom and hurry back. Sure enough, he's there, whistling away. He winks, hands me a fresh dog, and scoots off to his business.

I never thought a hotdog could taste so good. Hot food… it's a luxury now. It's the one thing that keeps enticing me to try the nearby shelter, the one on Korra's card. But I've heard bad things, that it's no place for a woman. I'm surviving fine just where I am, just as I am. I just wish I could formulate some plan to get out of this mess.

I draw a blank, as always. To get a job, I need a home. To get a home, I need a job. Even my so-called genius mind can't work a way out of this, and the problem's further compounded by the fact that anyone who recognises my name, my face, will instantly dismiss me.

I sink my teeth into the hotdog, snuggle into my blanket, and get ready for another slow, cold, day.