Chapter 25: Housekeeping

Korra knew that Asami had been busy while she was away getting Firelord Izumi, but she could hardly believe the mountain of stuff outside their house! Seeing that Korra was speechless, Asami just started pointing items out, first pointing at a large green box on wheels with tall steel spires sticking out the top. Asami said, "That's a modified generator and battery that Zhu Li 'bribed', shall we say, Varrick into parting with. Lin removed the gas tank and bent those steel electrical conductors on top. Since you can generate lightning, we don't need gas, and may not even need to be hooked into the electrical grid with this contraption - apparently, the batteries are very powerful, able to store a charge large enough to run anything for roughly 36 hours. They are something Zhu Li had been tinkering with on and off - she always did love chemistry."

Korra picked up one of many lightbulbs next to this generator, saying, "Yes - I overheard Zhu Li telling Varrick that his antics with Meelo were going to cost him tonight. I assume these lightbulbs and switches were also Zhu Li's handiwork?" Asami sighed slightly, saying, "Yes - and speaking of Zhu Li, once we get this stuff inside, I have something I want to talk to you about." Not quite sure what Asami was driving at, Korra pointed to a very large obnoxious purple mat beneath the stash of housewarming gifts, asking, "Is that just a rubber mat, or do you have a use for it in mind later?" Asami blushed wildly, saying, "That's not for now! Here - look at this wonderful bed Pema got Bolin and Opal to help haul from Upper Air Temple Island. It's brand new, never slept on, and is apparently a luxury model." Asami laughed before continuing, "Pema told me she caught an Air Acolyte making an overly profitable business deal behind her and Tenzin's backs a while ago, and they kicked him out of the Air Acolytes. They kept the 'excessive' bed he bought with a good portion of his profit, using it as a display to teach the other Air Acolytes a lesson." Korra said, "That doesn't seem very fair - he bought the bed, after all." Asami shrugged, saying, "I said the same thing to Pema. She just shrugged and said 'Tenzin's orders. Plus, I agree with his decision - avarice should not be tolerated, much less in an Air Acolyte.' You can't look a gift ostrichhorse in the mouth, though. It even still has the cloth covering it had in the store." Pointing to a lump of blankets, pillow covers and pillows at the foot of the luxury bed, Korra said, "I assume those were confiscated as well." Asami let out a sigh, saying, "Yes - I don't think those airbenders are quite as virtuous as they think they are. And Tenzin's treatment of Meelo didn't exactly help that impression."

Korra laughed at Asami's quip, then pointed at what appeared to be a motorboat, bobbing in the sea where water met house plateau. She asked Asami, "Is that another 'gift' from Varrick? I hope you didn't tell anyone what it was for, if you asked for it." Asami laughed, saying, "Of course I didn't tell anyone about your idea for a secret basement and water inlet! I actually bought the boat from Varrick - I managed to get a good price, since Zhu Li was staring at him intently." Asami walked over and picked up a rug, and as she held it aloft, Korra realized with a start that it was of Water Tribe make! Asami could see the happiness in Korra's eyes, as she said, "I figured you might like this. I got two more as well - I bought them from some of the Water Tribe soldiers that came to help defend Republic City. Jinora helped me transport them on Oogi's back. We had to make multiple trips - I got more than just rugs. For some of the largest items, we needed Opal and Juicy's help. While I was in the camp, I also bought a tea set from the shop in Ba Sing Se that Uncle Iroh opened, making sure to give the seller a good price. He was from a company of Earth Kingdom loyalist soldiers who stood ready to fight Kuvira, and he told me of how his family was suffering under Kuvira, and he needed money more than the teapots." Korra ran over to Asami, hugging her lightly, saying, "That was awfully sweet of you. I assume there are similar stories behind the furniture?"

Asami put her hand on top of a solid wood cabinet, saying, "Yes - I was surprised by how many officers in the camp were willing to trade family heirlooms to feed hungry mouths. They were basically refugees at heart, even if they wanted to fight - Kuvira displaced a lot of people. We're going to have our work cut out for us in the Earth Kingdom, Korra - everything would be so much simpler if it weren't for that stupid Spirit Civil War!" Asami stamped the ground with her heel in frustration, causing her chest to move up and down. Korra shook her head suddenly - she noticed she had been staring in rapt attention, waiting for Asami to stamp her heel again. Asami said, "The sooner we get all this stuff in, the sooner you can see more of that. It's a good thing you made the front doors wide." Not wanting any further delays, Korra began helping Asami move items into the house, grunting under some of their weights, especially the wooden furniture. She made sure to bend the walls carefully to let them move in the larger pieces, including a massive circular table that she would have liked to take a better look at, if she weren't so tired. Why couldn't she bend wood again? Toph had managed to bend metal, after all. Anything with metal in it was very easy to move, at the very least.

Asami pointed to the two remaining items - the strange purple mat and the generator. Korra used her metalbending to move the generator away from the house, and she had seemingly read Asami's mind, as the next thing out of her mouth was, "Why don't you charge those batteries up? Your extremely sturdy house without windows is going to be very dark without lights." Using the Avatar State to save energy and make the process faster, Korra sent a steady stream of lightning into the coils, stopping when she heard a loud shriek from the green metal box. Asami said, removing her hands for her ears, "It's a good thing I got Varrick to install an alarm in that thing - had you kept going, the batteries would have exploded, and there's some pretty nasty stuff in them from what Zhu Li told me." After they both went inside, Korra inserted the legion of lightbulbs into their sockets with metalbending, then asked Asami for assistance with installing the light switches and controls. As she watched Asami fiddle with the copper in the walls, Asami said, "You might want to use some of that rubber mat to cover these wires - I don't want to accidentally touch one and get electrocuted."

Noticing that the purple rubber mat was still outside, Korra asked Asami, "Is this thing coming in too? It's too large to fit in anywhere." Asami said with a calm voice, as though she were restraining herself, "That, you need to slice up, use to cover the wires and then put on the floor in the main room. I have something else in mind for it later." Puzzled what Asami wanted with such an obnoxious purple rubber mat besides wiring insulation, Korra ripped a chunk off the remaining ore. She formed a blade she used to tear into the mat, finding the shredding satisfying. She made to toss the metal aside, but Asami held up a hand, saying, "Now that I think about it, you'll need that metal later as well." Korra shrugged, turning the metal mass into a ball and using bending to place it into a large ceramic bowl. After Korra covered the metal wires using her firebending and metalbending with Asami's directions, she noticed there was still a lot of rubber left. Purple rubber, metal - just what was Asami planning, making a rubber mannequin?

Feeling tired, Korra joined Asami at one of the large wooden tables she wished she could have woodbended - the largest. Asami got up and returned with the tea set she had bought and some tea packets, saying, "If you go outside and purify some seawater, we can have some tea and rice crackers. I figured you might be tired or hungry. Here - just bend that metal into a jug, get some water, and let me do the rest." Korra barely managed to manipulate the metal and purify the water without yawning. Seeing that Korra was in no mood for any hard work, Asami walked Korra through the steps to make some purple rubber tongs. Korra had no idea why she needed to make tongs until Asami asked her to make a small blue flame to heat the tea with. Korra smiled weakly as she saw what Asami was doing - she held the teapot above the flame with the odd purple implement. Korra was half asleep when she heard a piercing whistle - apparently, the tea was done. Korra withdrew her hand and crossed her arms under a heavy head.

Asami woke her later, saying, "Here - heat this tea again, and eat some crackers. It should help you wake back up - you'll need to be wide awake for what I have planned later." Asami patted Korra on the back as she heated the tea, saying, "You're probably going to need to bend us a stove, or let me install one - I like to cook, and we can't rely on your bending for food or drink apparently. You were exhausted." Korra's eyes opened wide as a wonderful energy woke her back up - apparently brought back in anticipation of this mysterious plan Asami had. As Korra drank the tea, she noticed something odd - it tasted sweet! At first, she wanted to spit it out, but found she quite liked it. Korra said, "That tea - it's sweet! Did you put some sugar in it? I've never heard of 'sweet tea' before." Asami said, after taking a drink of her own 'sweet tea', said, "I got the idea from the man who sold me this tea set - apparently, it's some new sensation in Ba Sing Se from Uncle Iroh's tea shop. The Jasmine Dragon! That's the shop's name. It's supposed to give you a lot of energy, and you'll need plenty of that in a while." Not entirely sure why, Korra felt sparks course through her body again - the suspense was starting to kill her! She almost asked Asami what this plan was, but then decided not to - the wonderful feeling below her stomach had returned, and she figured it might vanish if she knew Asami's plan. And she did NOT want it to vanish.

Once Korra and Asami had consumed two pots of tea, at Asami's insistence, Korra remembered a comment Asami said earlier about Zhu Li. Korra extended a hand to Asami's arm, caressing its form before asking, "You said you wanted to talk about something involving Zhu Li earlier. Care to discuss it?" Asami let out a sigh, saying, "Yes - I slapped Zhu Li when she was insinuating that I was against using tuber-vines for civilian power because it would make the price of oil crash, ruining the profit potential of your oil find this morning." Asami took a deep breath, continuing, "I even physically fought with her, driven by some strange rage. While I don't mind a fight with bad guys, afterwards, I just felt sort of shaken up about it. No, guilty is the better word." Korra could see that Asami was truly upset - she even pushed Korra's hand away so she could put both her fine hands to her chin, moping.

Korra pried Asami's morose pose apart, put her hand on Asami's chin and said gently, "Asami, we've all been through a lot lately, nobody more than me and you. Within a three day time span, you saw your father killed and your home city devastated, dealt with deep emotional hurt and a serious threat against your own life from a powerful spirit, found out that you're pregnant through extraordinary means, that said pregnancy was the igniting event for the Spirit Civil War, found out that Toph had an evil son who is now in charge of the remnants of the Earth Empire, and found out Long Yumao's horrible plan and the possibility of the end of the world - 'Sudden Death'. Just saying it all is hard… The fact that you didn't just whip out your electroglove and use it on Zhu Li after that rude comment says a lot of things about you - all of them good." Satisfied that she had comforted Asami well, as was Asami no longer on the verge of crying, Korra continued with a laugh, "Plus, as we spend more time together as lovers instead of friends, I think some of my attributes will wipe off on you, and vice versa. That's what my parents told me a committed relationship is like when I was little."

Asami gave a contented sigh, happy to let Korra's hand just lie on her face. Korra noticed a sudden rush of energy enter her system, and given Asami's widening eyes, she must have been experiencing the same thing. After a while, Asami said, "You're right, Korra - but I'm still going to apologize to Zhu Li tomorrow. About what you said about 'lovers' - you should have felt the same energy rush that I just did. Let me draw you a picture of what I want you to make using the same technique you created those tongs with. Given your sheltered upbringing, I doubt you will know what the items are, but that will just add to the surprise. After I draw the schematics, I will have some… preparations of my own to make."

Asami took out a pencil and a sheet of paper, drawing two odd forms that Korra didn't recognize. Korra said, with a frown, "Those look like they're going to be a lot harder to make than tongs, and you're right - I have not a clue what they are. I've never seen those odd bumps on any object, and it might take me a while to make them." Asami laughed, giving Korra a sultry look, saying, "You'll know what they are for shortly, beautiful. You need to make two of the smaller ones. Just try your best - the only hint I'll give you is you better make sure they're smooth aside from the bumps. Good luck!" As Asami left the room sloooowly, Korra noticed her pick up an indistinct bag, then unbutton her jacket, letting it fall to the ground outside their bedroom door. As a shirtless Asami shut the bedroom door, Korra's eyes darted around the room looking for some metal and the shredded purple rubber mat, her beating heart and the now intensified feeling below her stomach driving her on.

Korra's first attempt at making the smaller objects ended in disaster, with molten rubber escaping the form and dropping onto the marble floor below, her earlier success with the wires apparently not counting. Asami wasn't there to offer suggestions, after all. Bending a piece of metal, Korra scooped the excess rubber off the tile before it had a chance to solidify. Trying a different approach, Korra made a one-piece form using metalbending, carefully melting the rubber that had not fallen on the floor into it. After the rubber had cooled, she bent the metal away from the purple object, seeing that she had made a perfect copy of the schematic. She easily formed the next identical object, plopping it next to its brother on the wooden table. When she tried to make the next new object, she had to restart three times until she figured out she would need to use firebending to fuse the two halves together. While this technique succeeded in making the two halves one, she noticed that the border between the two halves left something to be desired. Remembering her earlier success with a one-piece form, Korra grumbled as she made the metal bend to her very specific will. Finally satisfied with the form, she again melted rubber with firebending into the form. Still hearing Asami shuffling around in their bedroom, Korra made a second copy of the larger object.

Korra grabbed the four purple thingies and brought them with her to the bedroom door, rapping on the sheer marble surface with her free hand. Asami said, "Just a minute!" and a short time later, she said, "Come in - I'm ready!" Korra opened the door and stepped forward, initially confused - all she could see on the bed was a bottle of high-quality sake and the flames of some aromatic candles at various points in the room. Asami said, "Close your eyes and hold out those three… thingies, Korra. No peeking or using your earthsense!" Korra obeyed eagerly, and as she took a deep breath, the aroma of the candles hit her. Seemingly as soon as her brain processed the smell, she felt an uncontrollable desire to… grab Asami's butt?

Asami tapped Korra on the shoulder, and after Korra went through with her impulse - noticing that she grabbed a fur coat, much to Korra's own disappointment - Asami said, "You can open your eyes now, and given that sudden grab, I take it the candles are having the desired effect. But we're not going to go through with those desires just yet - first, we need to drink some sake." As she opened her eyes, she saw Asami was wearing a heavy fur coat, and not much else - wide expanses of skin showed below Asami's shapely hips. The coat didn't even fully cover Asami's underwear.

Not wanting to spoil Asami's clearly intricate plans, Korra joined Asami on the bed. She removed her own shirt as well as her heavy pants, leaving only her bra, underwear and underpants on - she always dressed warmly, even when not at the South Pole. Asami poured them both a glass of the sake, asking Korra to use her waterbending to cool the alcohol in the bottle and glasses. After she finished, Korra took a drink of the alcohol, making sure not to take too much - she had never tasted it before. At first, she felt as though someone had poured scalding tea down her throat and she let out a cough, but she soon felt a warm sensation spread through her being. Loving the combination of this and the other ongoing sensations, she made to down the whole glass, but Asami stopped her, saying, "Whoa there, stunning - given that cough, this must be your first taste of alcohol. You're likely feeling as big a buzz as you need, or want - I don't want a drunken Avatar in my bed, and given what you showed me of Raava's behavior at the Avatar Party, I don't think you want that either."

Part of Korra felt like drinking the whole bottle, just to see what being roaring drunk felt like - Raava seemed to be having a lot of fun at the party. Korra gave her glass to Asami, saying, "I'll have to see what being drunk is like some other time - we've got that big meeting on Ember Island tomorrow as well, and if I were to act like Raava did there, that would be very bad." Asami laughed lightly, saying, "I guess it really is your first taste of alcohol - if you get really drunk, you have something awful called a 'hangover' the next morning, not more being drunk. Believe me, they aren't pretty - I used to raid my father's liquor cabinet whenever I was feeling down about his iron grip over who I thought was sexy." Although curious what this "liquor" was, Korra asked, "Surely you didn't have me make those thingies for them to just sit there. What are they for?"

Asami replied with a quick smile, "Later." Korra groaned, irritated with Asami's noncommittal answer. Asami laughed, saying, "I need to drink my own drinks anyways - it might take me a bit of even this high grade sake to feel a buzz, given my youthful indiscretion." Asami quickly drank her own drink, moving on to Korra's almost full glass, finally stopping after a third glass. Korra said sappily, "I didn't know you had that rough a childhood," making Asami giggle and say, "Not really - this is only slightly above what a normal person would take to get a buzz." Korra felt an extremely bizarre sensation, and something told her Asami was lying - and badly. Noticing that her hand had crept onto Asami's outer thigh over time, she realized with a start what had happened - she had sensed a change in Asami's heartbeat subconsciously! Remembering Toph and Tonga's "talent", she couldn't help but wonder if she was really Toph's fourth child.

No, silly - you're just really talented. Remember, even that scumbag Aiwei could read people. Now quit thinking and start… groping!

Quite sure what word Raava had intended to put last, Korra took her command literally anyways, which apparently pleased Asami to no end. Asami moaned as Korra's hands wandered of their own volition, "I see somebody must have told you about foreplay, at least." While still feeling Asami's wonderful body, Korra asked seriously, "What's that? I just started 'groping', like Raava told me." Asami snorted, "Wait, what? I never thought a spirit would be teaching the Avatar about sex!" Despite hearing the word "sex" making Korra even more tingly, she continued running her hands over Asami, who eventually held up a hand, saying, "Now it's time for me to return the favor."

Asami pushed Korra aside, pushing her against the soft bed. As soon as Asami began expertly tracing her hands over Korra's exposed body, Asami laughed, saying, "I never thought those stupid 'dating classes' would be of any real use. Prepare to have your mind blown." Asami deftly placed her hand on Korra's ear, and began tracing some invisible pleasure line. When Asami began playing with Korra's heaving chest, she felt her eyes glow strongly. Asami continued, saying, "Oh my - the Avatar State already! You're just going to love the thingies." Korra wasn't quite sure what could be better than this, but a disturbing thought occurred to her - what if she inadvertently bended and hurt Asami?

Aang never did it, and neither will you. More feely, less thinky!

Asami actually managed to make Korra cry "Yes! Oh, more!" with just her hands and adrenaline pulsed through her body. After Asami finished and Korra resumed breathing normally, she asked, still winded, "So now can I see what the thingies are for?" Asami laughed, getting up off the bed, saying, "I won't tell you - I'll show you. Now get ready." Asami threw off her coat with a dramatic flair, and Korra felt a rush of blood in her head. Before she could say anything, Asami told Korra, "These undergarments are special - they have metal in them. I inserted the strips myself, not wanting to make Lin, Su, Bolin or Kuvira uncomfortable. Good, good - I see you have removed those stupid pants and started on the other remaining pieces of cloth between you and me. Now, bend these off, and I'll show you what the thingies are for - real good." Korra's hands moved of their own, and she simply stood still, admiring Asami's raw beauty, everything feeling right. Asami chuckled with flushed cheeks, saying, "I never figured you for a romantic, Korra - I thought you'd just fly at me." Korra gave a surprised Asami a big hug, relishing the feel of her skin again Asami's - especially her chest, but not for the most obvious, lewd reason. It was what lay beneath that Korra found so pleasurable. Her heart was beating rapidly, a wonderful feeling gripping it tight. She felt the same sensation of oneness she felt whenever infobending Asami, but with undercurrents of a strong love. Some tears escaped her eyes from the pure bliss.

Korra felt a light thwap across her back after a minute or two, though it was clearly not made by a hand. Asami said, "Wow - you really are a lover. Mako made a big mistake, I can tell you that much. This is by itself very nice, but I want to use these thingies - and once we start, so will you."

Asami was right - Korra did love the thingies.

Korra couldn't even count the number of times she flashed in and out of the Avatar State over the next hour and a half, the spiritual power seemingly giving her superhuman stamina. Korra felt a wonderful, constant mix of love, lust, sparks - the list seemed endless. The time of her life finally ended when an exhausted Asami said, shaking her head, "I can't do any more - I need to talk to Katara about the Avatar State, your stamina is just… mind-boggling!" Asami tossed aside the thingie in her hand, collapsing onto the bed. Remembering the earlier embrace, Korra crawled in beside her, wrapping her body around Asami's side. Smooth, soft skin… warmth… as one. As she drifted off to sleep, she saw Asami's jade green eyes appear in the darkness that engulfed her like a warm, welcome mist.