The Fair was louder than Asami had been expecting. The all-pervading hum of hundreds of voices rising through the brisk southern air was mellowed slightly by the music - always something different, dozens of musicians playing for money in the busier thoroughfares through the tents and stalls.
Korra and Opal led them confidently through the labyrinthine streets, obviously familiar enough with the Fair to know exactly where they were going. "Do you come here very often?" Asami asked Korra.
"Fairly," Korra said, and then grinned, distracted by her own joke. "Heh. Fairly."
Asami rolled her eyes.
"Katara's like family, so we come to visit her a lot," Opal offered helpfully. "And whenever we visit Katara, we come to the Fair."
"They have the best food here, Asami," Korra said excitedly, grabbing Asami's hand and pulling her toward a row of food stalls. "You have to try sea prune stew - and there's one guy who does the most amazing blubbered seal jerky in the world. You haven't lived until you've tried it."
"What's arctic hen?" Bolin asked curiously, peering up at a menu board.
"In a word? Delicious," Korra sighed.
Asami laughed, giving Korra an affectionate nudge with her shoulder. "Anybody would think you like the food here," she teased.
Though the southerner's cheeks flushed, she beamed. "I live for the food here."
Asami smiled. Though she knew Korra's thoughts weren't likely to have drifted far from Senna, she was at least happy to have distracted her from her worry at least a little. "Come on, then," she said, lacing her fingers with Korra's. "Let's eat."
The Fair had much more than just food to offer, and as they ate they wandered through the brightly coloured tents, playing games and browsing through the wares on offer. Before too long they came upon a large, open area, almost like a town square, with one large, low tent in the very centre.
Korra and Opal exchanged a baffled look. "This is new," Korra remarked.
"Yeah," Opal agreed, frowning a little. "Really new. I was just here a couple of weeks ago."
"What do you think it is?" Bolin asked. "Another food stall?"
Asami laughed. "You're going to single-handedly eat this whole Fair out of business at this rate, Bolin," she teased.
Bolin shrugged. "I'm a growing boy."
"I don't know what it is, but I want to find out," Korra said, grabbing Asami's hand and pulling her toward the tent.
The tent's flaps were closed, but a small sign by the door invited visitors to let themselves in.
"Well, we have no choice now," Bolin said, pulling one of the flaps aside to let the girls in ahead of him.
Inside the tent was almost pitch dark, save for a single brazier lighting a stage in the centre of the room. Either side of the brazier stood two figures in typical southern outfits, save for deep hoods shrouding their faces in shadow. As Asami and the others moved nearer to the stage, a third figure emerged - dressed much like the other two, but with his hood draped around his shoulders, revealing his shaved head and letting the firelight reflect eerily in his dark, intense eyes.
"Welcome," he said in a deep, smooth voice, "to the Red Lotus." As he spoke, the two figures either side of the fire reached out and dropped a handful each of red powder into the brazier, and a puff of smoke billowed up from the flames, forming what was unmistakably a lotus bloom before dissipating almost as fast as it had appeared.
Bolin's impressed "oooh" went largely unnoticed. "What do you do here?" Korra asked.
The man smiled, and for some reason, that expression set Asami on edge. "We provide entertainment, much like many of our neighbours."
"What kind of entertainment?"
"Why don't one of you join us on the stage and find out?"
It was a challenge, that much was obvious - as was the possibility that there was much, much more that the strange man wasn't telling them. The four hesitated, and the man's lips pulled into a knowing smile. For some reason, that expression irked Asami, and she did something she probably shouldn't have.
She let go of Korra's hand and stepped up to the stage.
"What are you doing?" Korra asked, startled.
"Finding out," Asami said, facing the man across the brazier. She didn't smile, didn't blink, and this seemed only to amuse him further.
"Brave volunteer," he said, "do you wish to challenge the Red Lotus?"
"I'm here, aren't I?" She ignored her friends hissing at her to get down. It was far too late to back out now.
The man's grin was wicked. "As you wish."
"I can't believe it was just a game of fucking pai sho," Asami said as they returned to the village, filing into Korra's home.
"You destroyed him, though," Opal pointed out, gesturing to the enormous polar bear dog plush Asami had hefted back with her.
"Yes, but all that show for pai sho? I thought he was going to start spitting fireballs at me or something."
"I think I ate too much," Bolin groaned, flopping down onto the middle of the floor.
"No such thing as too much," Korra said, though the way she dropped onto the couch, rubbing a hand over her stomach, spoke volumes.
"At least some of us were able to exercise some self-control," Opal teased, casting Asami a small grin.
"But how could you when there was just so much awesome food?" Bolin whined.
"Iron-fisted determination," Asami laughed, dropping her prize on top of Bolin and lowering herself to sit beside Korra. The southerner's hand found her knee and she couldn't help the warmth that crept into her cheeks.
"Well, I should probably head home," Opal said, glancing almost reluctantly at Bolin's spread-eagled figure. "I'll come by first thing in the morning."
"Night, Opal," the three others intoned sleepily. Asami's eyes had drifted closed and she listened as Opal's footsteps moved toward the door.
"Oh!"
Opal's startled voice made Asami look up. She had stopped in the doorway, holding the heavy furs aside, and blocking her way was the last person Asami had expected - or wanted - to see.
"Korra." Kuvira stepped inside without invitation, all but ignoring Opal. "I need to speak with you."
Korra arched an eyebrow at her. "You came all this way to talk with me? Don't you have better things to do - running a small town while dad's away, for instance?"
"Su's there. It'll be fine." Kuvira's expression was somehow harder than usual. "Now, Korra."
Asami glanced at Opal, who lingered by the doorway, her gaze flickering between Korra and Kuvira. Then those soft green eyes found her own, and there was no denying the guilty, knowing look in them.
"Not sure when it became okay for you to give me orders, Kuv," Korra said flatly.
Kuvira's hard expression faltered - it was only for a moment, but it was unmistakable. "Please."
Though Korra's hand tightened a little over Asami's knee, she sighed and rose to her feet. "Fine. But make it quick - I don't have all night." With that she strode past Kuvira and out the door. Kuvira cast Asami a look that was pure venom before following.
Opal apparently decided against leaving. She dropped the flap closed behind Kuvira and moved to take up Korra's vacated seat. "I'm so sorry about that," she said.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, Opal," Bolin said quickly, pushing himself into a sitting position.
Opal chewed nervously on her bottom lip. "I didn't really expect her to come all the way out here," she murmured.
Asami stared at her. "What do you mean?"
Opal shifted awkwardly. "I just… I knew Kuvira would have words for Korra when Tonraq's announcement reached her, but I thought she'd at least wait until we got home."
Distantly, the sound of raised, angry voices floated back to them. "Kuvira's never been very tactful," Opal added.
Though Asami knew it would be inappropriate to listen, it was almost impossible not to hear what was being said. The three of them fell into an awkward silence as the argument reached their ears.
"I don't owe you a damn thing, Kuvira!" Korra was shouting. "Of all the arrogant, presumptuous -"
"Arrogant? That's rich, coming from the woman who said she needed 'space' and then came back with a fucking fiancee on her arm!"
"It wasn't exactly planned in advance," Korra said wryly.
"My ass it wasn't," Kuvira spat. "You've been all doe-eyed over that silly little princess almost your entire life! And here I thought it was just a stupid crush that wouldn't ever go anywhere!"
"How was I supposed to know she'd even be there? Besides, it isn't her fault that you're absolutely fucking insufferable -"
"That's not what you were saying all those times I had my head between your legs."
Asami's face burned as she listened and tried to avoid meeting Opal and Bolin's worried stares. It probably shouldn't have surprised her that Korra had loose ends to tie up - the whole thing ihad/i been rather rushed - but why hadn't she said anything before now? She did her best to clear those thoughts away and listen.
"This isn't something you can change, Kuvira," Korra was saying. "We were done long before I went to Air Temple Island, and whatever you might believe, I do love Asami. There is literally nothing you can say to make me change my mind about this. Especially not when the lives of our people are at stake."
A stony silence ensued. "Fine," Kuvira said finally. "Have fun with your little northern whore."
There was the cracking sound of a fist meeting flesh and Asami, Opal and Bolin scrambled for the door as one, pouring out into the crisp night air. Korra stood over Kuvira, her hands balled into fists and her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. "Leave," she said, her voice trembling. "Now. Or I swear to all the spirits that ever lived, I will kill you."
Kuvira glared at her, an angry bruise already rising on her cheek. She spared a brief glance for Asami before rising to her feet with surprising grace and turning to mount the snowmobile parked nearby.
Korra continued staring after Kuvira even as the lights of the snowmobile started to fade into the darkness. Finally, Asami found the courage to approach her. "Hey," she said gently, touching her fingers to the back of a still shaking fist. "Are you okay?"
Korra's eyes closed and she drew in a deep breath. "I will be," she said, her voice still strained, but steadier. "I'm sorry about that."
"It's okay," Asami said, but Korra shook her head.
"It isn't. I should've told you about her sooner. I just… I was hoping it could be sorted out a little more quietly."
"Come back inside," Asami said, gently grasping Korra's arm. "We can at least talk where it's warm."
Korra nodded and allowed herself to be led back inside, but she avoided Asami's gaze.
Bolin and Opal were already inside, and they looked up as Korra and Asami entered; but Korra largely ignored them, making her way straight to her bedroom. Asami cast the two an apologetic look before following after her.
Korra started pacing as soon as she was inside, and after closing the door behind her Asami immediately moved to her. "Hey, calm down," she urged gently. "It's done now."
"I know, I'm sorry," Korra said, pushing her hands back through her hair. "I just… she really knows how to get to me, you know? It's why I broke things off in the first place. Obviously she didn't think I was serious about it."
Asami was silent for a moment. "You knew she'd react this way."
Korra's nose wrinkled. "I suspected she would, yeah."
"So you knew, on some level, that you hadn't been… thorough in breaking it off," Asami said carefully.
Korra averted her eyes. "I guess so."
"And you didn't say anything sooner because…?"
Korra spread her hands in a helpless gesture. "Like I said, I thought I could sort it out a little more quietly. I didn't expect her to come banging down my door like that. She never really was one for public altercations - not personal ones, anyway."
Asami moved to sit on the edge of Korra's bed, fingers curling into the blankets a little. "You don't think this complicates things?" She probably shouldn't have been surprised that something like this had happened - it would be more than a little unreasonable to assume that nobody had been interested in Korra before her. But no matter how she turned it around, no matter what angle she viewed it from, she couldn't convince herself to not be hurt by it.
"Why should it?" Korra asked. "Kuvira's not the easiest person to deal with, but there's not a lot she can do."
"Isn't there?" Asami asked rather sourly. "She might not be willing to hurt you, but I'm not exactly her favourite person in the world."
Korra's brow furrowed. "No," she said firmly. "She wouldn't hurt you. She may be upset, but she isn't vengeful."
"She sounded pretty vengeful to me."
"Because you know her so well, right?"
Asami's eyebrows shot up.
"What?" Korra said. "I grew up with Kuvira, Asami. I know her, like you know Mako and Bolin. She's a handful when she's pissed, but she won't do anything crazy, okay?"
Asami was dubious, but she couldn't really argue with that. She'd likely react the same way if Korra accused Mako of planning to hurt her. "Okay," she said finally. "You're right. You know her better than I ever could."
Korra moved to sit down beside Asami. "Would it help if I said I'm sorry again?" she asked almost sheepishly. "Because I really am."
Asami rolled her eyes a little, but couldn't help her smile. "Really? I wasn't exactly getting that vibe from you. Maybe you should say it a few more times."
Korra grinned, leaning in to brush her lips to Asami's cheek. "Does my Princess want me to grovel?"
Asami only straightened her back slightly, lifting her chin high, though her skin tingled warmly where Korra's lips had touched it. Though she wasn't looking directly at her, Asami could see Korra's grin, but she wasn't expecting the southerner to slide off the bed and kneel in front of her, hands resting on Asami's knees.
"Beautiful, gracious, intelligent Asami," she started in a fawning voice, and Asami immediately laughed.
"Spirits, please don't," she said.
Korra whined, though that grin remained firmly in place. "I didn't even get to start yet! You're not putting up much of a fight here, your highness."
Asami swatted at Korra and the southerner ducked, laughing, before leaning up to steal a kiss. "What makes you think I want to put up a fight?" Asami murmured against Korra's lips, pulling back just enough to peer at her with half-lidded eyes.
Korra met her gaze, the grin falling slowly from her lips. Instead of replying verbally, she leaned in again, and this time her kiss was slow and deep and lingering. Asami's heart hammered, her pulse roaring in her ears, as Korra slowly rose again, urging Asami onto her back.
Asami's fingers curled into the front of Korra's shirt, pulling her down with her. The weight of Korra's firm body settling on top of her sparked something all too familiar inside Asami and she hesitated, hands sliding up to Korra's shoulders as she met the southerner's gaze uncertainly.
Korra held her gaze firmly, those stunning eyes carrying a look Asami hadn't seen before. "I'm not going to pull away from you," Korra said firmly, a hand sliding down to grasp Asami's thigh and drag it up alongside her hip. "Not this time."