"Date Night" Preparation

Back at Air Temple Island Korra bounced through the corridors and halls, her feet making soft tapping sounds on the wooden floors. She couldn't help it, but for some reason she felt so happy. She left to the fact she was getting a free night out. The food at the Air Temple was always good, the White Lotus cooks always made sure of that, but a vegetarian lifestyle wasn't really Korra's thing.

"I wonder where the Chief is going to take me tonight? I hope they have some water tribe food." She missed the dishes her mother used to make before she left the South Pole.

"Is that you Korra?" Came a familiar voice.

"Huh? Oh, hey Pema!" Korra said rather hurriedly. "I didn't see you there."

"I didn't expect to see you home so soon, is something wrong? Has Tenzin got you running errands on your day off?" Pema had a look of genuine concern on her face.

With a reassuring look Korra diffused any possible events involving Tenzin getting a lecture from his wife. "Don't worry, I did have a little bit of an unexpected encounter earlier, but I can assure you Tenzin had nothing to do with it."

Pema let out a long sigh. "Good, sometimes that husband of mine doesn't understand what relaxing is. He's always running around doing something productive or for the greater good of Republic City."

Korra couldn't help but laugh a little. It was true, Tenzin always kept busy.

"So why are you back so early?" Said Pema bringing the conversation back to the original topic.

"I'm going out tonight, so I need to get ready."

"Oh really?" A knowing smile came across Pema's face. "So do you have something to wear?"

"Uh, not really, I was just going to go like this."

The Air Acolyte gave off a look of horror. "Absolutely not! That will never do."

"Hey, what's wrong with this?" Korra said while gesturing towards her clothes. "They are just fine."

"Okay, that settles it. You can't be left alone to handle your wardrobe." Pema grabbed Korra's hand leading her to the Avatar's room. "It's time for a make-over!"

...

Lin had just gotten after the tiresome task of booking the two thugs that broke into her apartment.

'Honestly, how ignorant can you be to break into my apartment?' Lin thought to herself while putting back all the items that the thieves had taken. She walked over to an old dusty shelf. Brushing the dirt aside she placed her most cherished item on top of the shelf, her gramophone. As long as she can remember she had always loved music. Her mother, Toph, used to play old jazz records whenever she got home from a long day at the precinct, it helped ease off the day's stresses.

'I wonder what she's doing now?' Lin wondered while sticking on her favourite record. 'I know we weren't exactly on speaking terms, but she could've at least told me where she was going before she left, or left a note, or something!' she found herself getting angry.

Meanwhile on the other side of the planet in a swamp lay a sleeping Toph Beifong being woken up by a shiver going down her spine. "Someone's talking about me. Ha, probably Twinkle Toes Junior."

Lin let out a long sigh clearing her thoughts. 'Enough of that, I need to think of a place to take the Avatar tonight.'

Only one place came to mind. 'I don't really want to take her there, that place is really high class; I doubt that kid will even appreciate it.' She reasoned. 'But it's the only place I know that has anything near good live music performance.' Lin pinched the bridge of her nose contemplating if it was a good idea taking such a boisterous girl there.

The Chief gave in. 'Ugh, I guess I'll have to. If she embarrasses me I'm going to bury her ass.'

...

"I don't know Pema this looks a little too uhhhhh... extravagant." said Korra while eying herself in the mirror.

"What are you talking about? You look elegant and beautiful." came Pema's reply.

"I just think it's a bit much for this evening. Can I at least keep my arm-band?" pleaded Korra.

Pema looked at Korra. She couldn't resist those polar-bear dog puppy eyes. "I guess it's okay."

"Yes!" cheered Korra spinning on her heels.

"Try not to mess up your hair." chided Pema. "Anyways, you better get going it's nearly time for the ferry to leave."

"What?! Thanks Pema!" Korra shouted out as she ran out to catch the ferry that was sounding its horn as a warning for final departure.

...

Meanwhile Lin was mulling over the clothes in her wardrobe. She never was the kind of woman to wear a dress.

She used to think to herself. 'What's the point of a dress? It's just a flappy bit of cloth that hinders me when I'm bending.'

If Lin had it her way she'd never have to wear such stupid clothing, but with her being the Chief of Police she had to attend many galas and ceremonies that involved formal attire.

But for some reason she was giving her attire for the evening quite a lot of thought. Well, a lot more than she ever had.

'Ugh. Why I do I even care about what I'm wearing? It's not like I have anyone to impress.'

Her thoughts were betrayed by her actions as she reached out to pick the dress she bought while still in Zhao Fu. Opal, Lin's niece, having noticed the Chief's lack of fashion sense had decided that a much needed "girl's day out" was in order. Not wanting to upset Opal, spirits knows she's done enough of that, she gave in to the young girl.

"I guess this is actually going to get used." she said holding up the item of clothing.

It was a dark green Chinese dress with a black trim and an ornate pattern of lotus flowers embroidered in black along the bottom.

Having noticed the time, Lin quickly had a shower and changed.

"I guess I'd better get going or that girl will never let me hear the end of it." Lin locked the apartment door behind her ready to get the evening started.

...

Night fell and an unusually nervous Avatar sat waiting outside the main entrance of the Chief's headquarters.

'I hope I didn't get here too early.' Korra uncharacteristically thought.

'At least it's a nice night.'

The weather had thankfully cleared up. The overcast and grey sullen afternoon sky had been replaced by the beautiful black expanse of the night sky. Stars dotted the sky, gleaming as if they had come to life. It reminded Korra of her home in the South Pole and all the times she spent with her parents just staring into the sky.

'I really miss Mom's cooking. I should go pay them a visit sometime.'

A Sato Mobile tore Korra out of her daze as it pulled up next to her. She gathered that it was the Chief.

"I never took you for the kind of person to arrive early, Avatar?" Came a familiar voice.

"Chief? Is that you?" Korra squinted into the darkness

"Who else would it be?" Lin affirmed as she walked over to the young girl.

Lin was actually a little grateful to Korra's inability to see her because of the look of surprise she had across her face. Lin hadn't expected Korra, the rough, stubborn headed, punch first; ask questions later kind of girl, to be so...so... radiant. Lin had to do all she could not to drop her jaw. Her dress showed off more than she had ever seen of Korra. It was strapless light blue high-low with a hem that started above the knee in front and ending halfway down her calf at the back. Her muscular toned arms and legs did nothing to subtract from her beauty, if not it made her look even more stunning. Making her way up Lin came to Korra's hair. The loose flowing brown hair that just came shy of her shoulders, her dark skinned face was flawless and the way her blue eyes captured you was just unfair. Catching herself gazing a little too intently Lin tore herself away from Korra's eyes as she came into the light. Lin Beifong couldn't help but appreciate the visible effort the Avatar had put into her outfit.

So to say the least, Lin was surprised. She'd never admit it though.

"I heard you always had to arrive early for these. I never really had the chance or time to go out and do these kinds of things." The Water Tribe girl looked down hiding a small blush.

Lin completely understood being the Avatar had its perks but also came with a tremendous amount of responsibility and duties. Even Lin couldn't remember the last time she just sat down and enjoyed a cup of tea let alone actually having a day off.

Having noticed how Korra was fidgeting Lin suggested that they get going. Walking to the Sato Mobile Lin complimented Korra.

"You look nice by the way, Avatar."

Korra was a bit surprised at the sudden words of the Chief.

'Huh... A compliment?' Korra's mind didn't know how to process kind words from the Chief.

"A...Uh...T-Thanks." Korra smiled sheepishly.

'Compliment her, you idiot!' Korra's brain finally caught up to the situation as they sat down.

"I-I like your dress. It suits you." 'Wow that was amazing.' Her brain chastised sarcastically. She hid her tan face by looking down at her feet. If only she hadn't, Korra would have seen the mighty Chief Beifong sporting a blush of her own.

Pulling the Sato Mobile into gear they both set off to the restaurant.

I hope this chapter was okay. I wasn't too sure on how to handle the change from Korra's to Lin's view. I'll be uploading as soon as I can. So stay tuned. :D