This chapter is the companion for chapter 5.
Wing, Wei and Meelo entered the dining hall and ran over to Asami.
"We were wondering when you would join us," Pema said.
"Asami we need a favor," Wing said.
"We know you're busy but we're really hoping you could to make something for us,"
"What is it?"
"A metal version of the air ball," Meelo held out the ball for her.
"This is for your hybrid game," She said taking the ball and examining it.
"We're calling it power air ball,"
"Wouldn't a metal ball be too heavy for airbenders to move properly?" Korra asked.
The boys looked at each other, "Will it?" Wing asked Meelo. He rubbed his chin in thought.
"The light weight isn't the main thing that propels the ball," Asami said, "I've seen you play I think it's the design of the ball, and the way you can bend air into it,'
"So you can make it?" Wei asked.
Asami nodded, "And I'll see how light I can make the ball but still have it durable enough to take hits,"
"Thanks Asami,"
The radio in the room stopped playing music and familiar voice came out of the set, "Good evening Republic City. I'm Shiro Shinobi-"
"Ikki would you turn that up, I want to hear the news,"
"Sure thing daddy," Ikki leaned back to reach the radio. The dinner table became uncharacteristically quiet for a moment as the conversations stopped while they listened.
"Finally Fire Lord Izumi announced a charity gala-"
"Oh a gala, sounds fancy," Kai said.
"You want to go?" Jinora asked.
"Really? I can go? Don't you have to specially invited and super rich?"
"Most of us were invited," Jinora gestured to those still around table, which consisted of her family, the Beifongs and Team Avatar, "You can be my date,"
Tenzin coughed pointedly.
"Daddy," Jinora sighed.
"We haven't discussed if we're going or not,"
"Oh don't be like that Tenzin," Su said, "You should go. It will be fun. It will be the first time the six of us have gotten together in years,"
"Six of you?" Wing aske, "Mom, who are you talking about?"
"Lin and I, Tenzin, Bumi, Kya and Izumi."
"It will be fun to have to old gang back together. It will be like old times" Bumi said.
Lin snorted, "As I recall when we all got together things tended to break a lot,"
"Guys, guys, be quite for a moment I heard something about pro-bending," Bolin said.
"…While the pro-bending ring is being repaired. Yumi what dirt do you bring us…"
"That's the Late Night Rumble," Mako said recognizing the voices, "I think they were talking about Tahno,"
"…One of those poor souls now calling the Elements home is Ginger."
"Ahh, the mover beauty. Now there's…"
"Hey they're are talking about your ex," Opal nudged Bolin playfully.
"You have to date someone before they can be your ex and Ginger and I…I'm still not sure what we were,"
"Oh, I don't know bro. Those front page pictures you had kissing her sure made it looked like you were together," Mako teased.
"Everyone at this table knows at this point that the newspapers can't be trusted,"
"But while we're on the topic of the late night activities of lovely ladies we have to talk about the Avatar and Asami Sato with Mako and Bolin,"
Everyone's head spun towards the radio.
"The bet!" Kai said leaping up to get closer.
"Oh yes. They had that date with the bending brothers."
"What are they saying?" Bolin asked, moving next to Kia, "They couldn't have figured it already,"
"Oh come please." Kai crossed his fingers, "Say something,"
"Hold up. I don't think it was a date."
"Someone who gets it," Korra said.
"Wait! We didn't include radio broadcast in the bet," Wei said.
"It's not going to count even if they say something," Wing said.
"It has to count!"
"That will only be half the bet then," Ikki said, "We only bet on magazines and newspapers,"
"It's still going to count for the time part of the bet," Kai said.
"We can't hear if you're all talking," Jinora said.
"Why don't you tell us why you think they're not dating?"
"For one Bolin is already dating the young Beifong. He's taken. Off the market."
"That lady knows what's what," Bolin said.
"Shhh!"
"But there is still Mako. He's supposed to be very single."
"Right. He's on the market."
"Ah. But don't forget. He's already dated them both."
"People can get back together."
"Yes, but I don't think they will. It's been what? Three- four years since they first dated. And while yes the Avatar was gone during that time Asami and Mako were both still in the city and nothing happened. I don't think anything is going happen now."
"If only those tabloids had the sense she does," Korra snorted.
"I still wonder how that guy screwed it up. And not once, but twice."
"I don't know why be broke up with the Avatar. But I heard he left Sato for her."
"Is that true?" Wei asked.
"It was more complicated than that," Mako said. "And I don't want to get into it,"
"That right there. I heard that rumor too and I can't really believe it. Now, I can't say anything about their personalities. And everyone has their own taste, maybe Korra was more to Mako's. But I'm just saying that if I bended that way I would never leave Asami for Korra. Not that I'm saying Avatar Korra isn't good looking, because she is. But have you seen Asami Sato."
The table erupted with laughter. Asami blushed.
Laughing Korra said, "I think I should be offended, but I have to say I agree with her," She kissed Asami's cheek. Asami rolled her eyes, pushing Korra playfully.
"And I think if they were dating we'd see them around more."
"But they've all been busy with work."
"Yeah, but there still glimpses of Korra and Asami during what had to be their free time. If either of them were dating Mako I'd think they'd want to spend time with him."
"But couples don't have to spend all their time together."
"Yeah, but at the beginning isn't that all you want. To be together. Even if they were restarting a relationship."
"Mmm, yeah. You have point."
"Okay, so then we're saying the dinner wasn't a date."
"A friendly date, but that's it."
"Alright, we have to take a break and when we come back we'll be talking about the hottest news from the Fire Nation so stay tuned."
"YES!" Kai punched a fist in the air, "At this rate it won't be long before they figure it out,"
"How much money is on the line here?" Asami asked Korra in her ear.
"A surprising amount," Korra laughed.
"No, but they haven't said anything yet," Wing said.
"Sorry my friend but it seems like you made the wrong call with your six month time line," Bolin said.
"Man what happened to the press being incompetent,"
Nardragon~ until the next page.