Hi readers! I forgot to mention last chapter was a purely fluffy, transitioning chapter that took place during the six months between Book 1 & 2. Sorry for any confusion that may have caused. Anywho, here's the new chapter that officially kicks of Book 2!

Future Industries was, despite Asami's best efforts, drowning. Which made her accompanying Korra south for the Glacier Spirits Festival a bit more somber than they'd originally planned. A trip that was supposed to be filled with showing Asami around her home under non-Avatar-related problems was now a desperate mission to find a financial patch to staunch the money bleeding out of Republic City's biggest company. And Korra was just along for the ride.

Asami was far more serious than Korra had ever seen her, pouring over files in her cabin on the ship rather than socializing. She'd missed out on some of Mako's great one-liners he came up with to say to criminals when he arrested them. And on one of the rare occasions she broke from the papers, she told Korra she'd probably be spending a lot of time in meetings if Varrick agreed to a shipping contract. "But if he rejects me like the thirty other businessmen and women before him, then I guess we'll have a ton of time to hang out together." She'd laughed after that though there was nothing funny about it.

So after Korra hugged her parents, welcomed her uncle and cousins, and helped her friend settle into the guest huts, she insisted on accompanying Asami to Varrick's business meeting, which took place that very afternoon. "Maybe being escorted by the Avatar will impress him," Korra said as Asami adjusted her earmuffs. It comforted Korra to see Asami decked out in much warmer clothes this time around.

Clearly Asami was weighing Korra's words, as she took a while to respond. "It's not that I don't appreciate the offer, I just don't want to use you or your status as the Avatar."

"You've been fighting for Future Industries for six months and I don't want all that work to go to waste. Let Varrick see the Avatar backing your company. Besides, it's not using if I'm offering, right?"

With a sigh of defeat, Asami nodded. "Okay. Thank you. It feels good to know I've got my best friend on my side no matter what." She stared at the snowy ground beneath their feet but Korra could see the hint of a smile on Asami's face. "Bolin's coming, too under the guise of my assistant, so we should probably grab him and get going. I've never met Varrick, but if he's like any of the other men I've had to deal with, he won't tolerate tardiness."

Except Varrick didn't look like an intimidating, professional, billion-yuan businessman to Korra (not that she'd ever seen one aside from Hiroshi Sato). She, Asami, and Bolin boarded Varrick's ridiculously large, lavish ship ten minutes later, and walked into the main room to find over a dozen heavily jeweled, silk and fur-clad ladies and gentleman sitting on cushions around a man with a thin, styled mustache who looked like his head was about to explode, his face strained, his fingers at his temples.

This was Varrick? Korra had heard a bit about him—he was Southern Water Tribe, after all—but he looked more like a rich idiot, especially when his face slackened, his wild eyes snapped open, and he bragged about successfully levitating when his body never even twitched, let alone floated in the air.

What was more surprising was Asami's reaction. Asami had a fake stunned look on her face as she clapped along with the rest of the eccentric people seated around Varrick. Was she really sucking up to this guy? Maybe that's what she had to do to get a deal, though Korra couldn't imagine Asami liked stooping to that level. Then, Bolin said what Korra was thinking: Varrick hadn't in fact been floating.

The stunned look on the man's face made Korra snort. She might've even laughed but Asami groaned and looked like she wanted to run as Varrick glared in their group's direction. Panic wriggled in Korra's gut. Crap, did Bolin just ruin the deal for Asami? But then Varrick snapped out of it, suddenly praising Bolin's honesty as he swept towards them.

He ran eyes up and down Asami's form, which Korra didn't like. At all. Without meaning to, she shifted closer to Asami. Varrick didn't notice. "You brought your tigershark and the Avatar! I see you don't mess around, Miss Sato. Sit!" He gestured to three empty pillows on the floor and waited for them to be seated. "I've got to show you my newest venture. Moving pictures!" An assistant appeared and scurried about, filling all of Varrick's demands.

Varrick might be weird and frustrating, but when the lights in the room dimmed and an actual, moving picture of an ostrich-horse appeared on the screen, Korra couldn't help but lean forward a little and gawk. Beside her, Asami giggled, so Korra turned, only to see her friend staring at her, not the screen. Heat shot up Korra's neck and spread across her face. "It is pretty cool," Asami whispered, nodding to the screen, though she kept looking at Korra.

Before Korra could respond, the light came back on and Varrick launched into some spiel that Korra didn't really care about. Her mind wandered, barely paying attention as Varrick introduced Ginger, a voluptuous woman with bright, red hair. The color was intriguing but Korra didn't share in Bolin's drooling reaction; she'd seen prettier hair. Like Asami's. It was so soft and wavy and this intense, dark black. Korra found herself envious of it at times when she struggled to pull her own tangled, brown hair into her wolf tails.

Suddenly, Asami was speaking and Korra felt guilty for zoning out in what could be the biggest meeting of her soul mate's life (so far anyways). Varrick and Asami were trying to work out some shipping deal…maybe. Ugh, she really should've been paying attention. Maybe then she'd understand why the man and her friend weren't talking anymore but instead locked in a weird stare down, their noses touching.

Any hesitancy trickled from Asami's face as she stared back at Varrick, her green eyes narrowed, jaw set. Korra hoped she was never on the receiving end of that look. Then, Varrick jumped up, knocking Asami backwards and straight into Korra's lap. Her back pressed into Korra's legs and her hair fanned out in a dark arc. Her green eyes flicked up to Korra and her red, painted lips dropped open in surprise, or maybe to say something, but she was cut off.

"We've got a deal!" Varrick shouted.

The room of people cheered and suddenly drinks were being passed around. Korra, however, couldn't tear her eyes from Asami, who was grinning so wide it made Korra's face hurt. Bolin coughed on the other side of Asami, so she started to get up and Korra helped pull her into a sitting position, trying not to blush or think about how she kind of missed the weight settled across her lap.

"We did it!" Asami practically tackled Bolin into a hug before pulling back and ruffling up his hair. She turned to Korra and hugged her, too. "You guys are the best assistants ever!"

"I think we know who the real star is, though," Bolin said, puffing out his chest.

"Of course," Asami said with a laugh, though the side-look she gave Korra showed a clear appreciation of her presence. Which made Korra ridiculously happy because…because she helped Asami make a company-saving deal. Yeah, that was it.

For an hour, the three friends celebrated Varrick-style before Korra had to leave. "I wish I could stay," she practically shouted into Asami's ear over the roar of the party around them. She really wished she could, especially because Asami kept grabbing her arm, drawing her close, and talking right into her ear as she pointed out other captains of industry in the crowd. More than once, she caught herself leaning into the touch. But she knew Tenzin and her father would be upset if she continued to bale on her pre-festival duties. "I have to help my parents make sure everything's ready for the opening feast and entertain my uncle."

"I understand," Asami yelled back, though Korra liked to think her friend looked disappointed. "I'll see you at the feast? Bolin and I will probably be at Varrick's table."

"Yeah. I have to sit with my uncle and my dad and make sure they don't kill each other. But after…" Suddenly, the question she wanted to ask seemed heavier. Korra tripped over her words as she asked, "Would you want to go to the Glacier Spirits Festival with me? If you're not busy."

Korra couldn't be sure, because Asami's face was already flushed from the hot, crowded room, but her face might've grown rosier at the question. "Sure." Asami smiled. "That sounds like a lot of fun."

"Great!" Korra felt like dancing even though Asami hadn't agreed to anything outside of walking around the carnival booths with her. "I'll see you after the welcome feast?" Asami nodded and Korra felt something better than excitement bubble up in her chest. The feeling carried her across the snow, away from the ship, and all the way back to the grand room where the feast would take place. Even Tenzin's grouchiness at her lateness couldn't ruin her mood.

Varrick was telling another tall tale—it was becoming clear he was a never-ending source of them—but Asami couldn't help tuning him out and glancing up at Korra, who was talking with her uncle, the hint of a frown on her face. Part of Asami wondered what was wrong, but mostly she thought of what Korra asked her before this lavish dinner.

Asami sighed, which drew Bolin's attention, but she waved him off. He'd been engrossed in Varrick to be concerned with her internal debate. So she was surprised when he nudged her foot with his thick boot. "Psssst, Asami!" Bolin was terrible at whispering. "What's up?"

A quick glance around the table revealed many of Varrick's guests were in their own hushed side conversations, so Asami didn't feel rude for leaning in closer to Bolin. "It's…" Where to begin?

"Korra, right?" He waggled his eyebrows. "Is it because she asked you to go to the festival with her? Yeah, I heard," he added as Asami raised a questioning eyebrow. "And I'm a little hurt she didn't invite me, too."

"I'm sure she'd love it if you came, too," Asami hedged.

"Right, but Korra didn't ask me to go with her. Sounds like you two have got a date." Bolin elbowed her playfully.

Asami chewed on the inside of her cheek as she thought out loud. "Do you really think so? She didn't explicitly say it was a date, but the way she asked me could be construed as…No, Korra doesn't mess around with words, so if it was a date, she would've come out and said 'This is a date,' right?" Plus, aside from occasionally blushing at awkward brushes, Korra didn't seem to like Asami as anything more than a friend. Yet.

Bolin rubbed his chin. "You're not wrong. Korra tends to blurt out her feelings. Why don't you just ask her about it?"

"I don't want to freak her out," Asami said, pushing around what little food remained on her plate. "Just because I'm starting to like her as more than a friend doesn't mean she's ready for those feelings to be put on her."

The boy beside her clapped a hand to her shoulder. "So you like her." It wasn't judgmental and Bolin had a soft smile on his face. "That's great! My amazing friend is falling in love with my other amazing friend."

Asami started. "Woah, I didn't say anything about love, Bolin."

The boy rolled his eyes and actually tsked at her. "Fine, whatever. Go not fall in love on your not-date tonight," he teased. Asami swatted his arm lightly but couldn't stop from chuckling.

"What're you guys talking about?"

Both Asami and Bolin turned to the source of the voice behind them. Asami felt all the blood drain from her face. Standing behind them was none other than the woman they'd been discussing. "Nothing! Hey, Korra. What's up?" Please tell me she didn't hear anything.

Korra's eyebrows rose but she didn't press. "I was going to head down to the festival now. Are you ready to go? Or do you have more business stuff?" She eyed Varrick across the table and Asami noticed how taut her friend's jaw was. Something was wrong.

Varrick noticed the Avatar's presence and paused in his story to lean across the table and shout, "Avatar Korra! Just the woman I've been meaning to speak to! I wanted to talk to you about starring in one of my movers!"

"Actually, I'm just here to steal Asami away." Bolin pouted, so Korra added, "And Bolin. Important Avatar business." It was a lie, but there was a hint of something in the words that tickled Asami's brain. "Maybe another time?"

"Say no more! Miss Sato, we'll draw a contract up first thing in the morning." With that, he turned back to his captive audience.

Asami and Bolin stood and exited the feast with Korra. Once they were out in the hall, Asami's heart sank. Mako was leaning against the wall but he pushed off the wall and walked towards them. "You guys ready?"

"Yep." Korra stuffed her hands in her pockets. "Let's go, guys." Korra trudged ahead and led them out of the central building into the cold night air. The festival glittered and glowed just down the hill.

So this wasn't a date. This was a friend hangout. Bolin shot her a sympathetic look, but she forced a smile and caught up to Korra, who was ahead of everyone else, her eyes straight ahead. The feeling of something being wrong struck Asami again, so she dropped her voice and asked, "What's up?"

At first, Korra shrugged, but a moment later, she kicked at the snow and peeked at Asami from the side. "You heard my uncle's speech at dinner, right? The spirits are out of balance in the south. They're attacking ships and people."

So there really was an Avatar problem. "And you're worried because you're not really connected to your spiritual side?" Asami guessed.

"Exactly. My uncle offered to train me in the ways of communing with spirits and, well, I'm not sure I like what he was saying about the south being in decay and how he wants to do something about it, but if innocent people are getting hurt, shouldn't I master my connection to the spirits?" Korra's fists balled. "I've been training with Tenzin for six months now and I've made no progress in that area. I feel like he's holding me back. My dad, too."

Slowly, Asami reached out and touched Korra's right hand. The effect was immediate; the muscles unclenched and Korra's shoulders dropped. She wasn't even aware of the change. "Hey, Tenzin and your father mean well. They love you." Guilt shot across Korra's face. "That wasn't a jab at my dad. I'm just saying they want what's best for you and it sounds like they might be a little overbearing at the moment."

Blue eyes flashed to her face. "A little?" Korra snorted. "My dad told me I'm not allowed to pick who teaches me. Aang did and he was twelve. When my dad bans me from stuff like this, I know he has a reason but a part of me feels like he doesn't trust my judgment as the Avatar." Korra's eyes dropped to the ground.

"Hey." Asami linked her arm through Korra's. Her friend looked like she needed some comforting contact. "He does, but I think he has a hard time seeing you as the Avatar and not his daughter. He wants to protect you, Korra. So does Tenzin."

Korra leaned into Asami's side. "What do I do, then? I'm frustrated with both of them and I really don't feel like touring the air temples will do anything for me spiritually. I'm not Aang. I learn differently."

"Maybe that feeling is your Avatar instinct?" Asami felt so far out of depth here. She was probably the least spiritual person to talk to about this kind of thing. "Why don't you talk to your uncle and see exactly what he wants to teach you before you commit to anything?"

Korra blew out of hard breath. "I guess that's better than arguing with my dad." She turned to Asami. "Thank you for helping." They were entering the carnival grounds now. "What do you say we play some games and eat some food to celebrate your big business deal?"

Asami smiled. "I'd love to." She was going to say something else but Bolin jumped between them, pointing to someone ahead of them.

"It's Eska! I'm going to go introduce myself." He shoved through them, splitting Asami and Korra apart.

"Wait, Bolin!" Korra cupped her hands around her mouth to shout after him. "Eska's really creepy and—he's gone." She shook her head.

"Well, it looks like it's just the three of us," Mako said, stepping up beside them. "Unless you guys wanted to continue your private conversation?" He looked uncomfortable, fiddling with the end of his red scarf. Times like this made Asami wonder if Mako knew about her and Korra and was too polite to say anything.

"No, we're done," Korra said. "Let's go check out the game booths."

So it wasn't a date, but Asami still had more fun than she'd had in a long while. She played a water game with Korra and Mako, who ended up being so competitive with making each other mess up on getting the water to hit the target that she was able to beat the both of them and win a plush sky bison which she totally didn't rub in their faces. Then, Korra dragged her and Mako over to a cotton candy vendor and made Asami try a bite of the pink, sugary treat. Asami had to pluck the offered piece from Korra's fingers so she didn't accidentally lick Korra's fingertips (because that was not something you did to your best friend). Several more games were played before the friends decided to head back to their rooms for the night. Korra looked far happier now, which only added to Asami's mood.

They were nearing the exit when a man called out to them. "Are you in a passionate romance, or is your love life nothing but a sputtering spark? Test your love connection here!" The man waved to a machine with two handles on top of a box, where a plastic tube fed up out of it. A vertical scale with marks propped the tube up. Each mark had some reference to fire or love. Asami accidentally met his gaze, so he beckoned to her. "Come on over, Miss. Don't you want to know if your beau's love is as bright as the fire he bends?" He pointed to Mako, who'd been warming his hands with a small flicker of fire.

"What do you say, Mako? It's just a silly game." Asami didn't care one way or another if they played.

"Sure. Why not?" He tried to sound indifferent, but Asami could see the amusement in his eyes.

"Oh, I've gotta see this." Korra laughed.

The three made their way to the machine and the man told Mako and Asami to each grip a handle. When they did, there was a hiss of air and a small piece of metal shot up the central tube, up to the fourth tick mark. "Wooooo, looks like you two are Burning Up!" the man said.

Mako and Asami shared a laugh, both remembering their brief stint as a couple. "Let me try," Korra said. Asami gave up her handle and let her friend take her place.

Korra and Mako squeezed the handles and the metal barely went up at all, not even making it to the first mark. "Oooooh, sorry kids. Looks like you can't even Fizzle!"

"It's her fault. She probably dragged my rating down. How else could I go from Burning to Fizzle?" Mako crossed his arms and smirked as Korra grit her teeth.

"Excuse me?" Korra stomped forward. "I'm way more passionate and loving than you. Maybe you brought me down!"

Mako just rolled his eyes while Asami tried not to laugh. "Korra, it's just a game. Come on."

"I bet you'd get another Fizzle if you tried it with anyone else." Mako's teasing tone was clear to everyone but Korra.

"You're wrong," she said, jabbing a finger into his chest.

Mako smirked again. "Prove it. Do it with Asami."

Korra pulled back slightly but she looked no less determined when she faced Asami. "Want to?" Her voice was surprisingly hesitant.

This was some stupid game anyways. It's not like it was going to predict what their future relationship may or may not be like. "Okay." Asami took Mako's place and wrapped her hand around the handle. Korra mimicked her. Then, they both squeezed hard.

The metal shot up all the way to the top of the tube before dropping back down. Mako scoffed as the man shouted, "Hot! Hot! Hot! Looks like you ladies are the picture of compatibility and passion!"

Okay, that was kind of exciting, even though the game was probably rigged. They'd both squeezed hard, which would increase the force of air and cause the metal to shoot farther up the tube, that's all. It was logical. But Korra and Mako practically mangled the handles when they played together and the metal had barely moved. There was no way a simple game—a simple machine—could measure love: that was unquantifiable. Maybe there was an internal mechanism inside the base, where the metal came from, that randomized the outcome regardless of pressure exerted on the handles.

Asami looked over at Korra to tell her as much, but found her friend completely red-faced. Asami's throat suddenly went dry. So Korra put a little more stock into the outcome of the game than she did. "Looks like you're a passionate lover after all," Asami teased, making Korra blush harder.

"Ha! Yeah. That's me. A l-lover." The poor woman looked like she was about to combust.

Then Mako cut the tension by saying, "It was a fluke."

The comment revived cocky Korra and she shot back, "You're just jealous." The banter, to Asami's amusement, continued all the way back to the guesthouses. So she and Korra didn't go on a date, but she got to act her age with her friends, and that was the next best thing.