Chapter 37: From Dusk to Dawn
Korra was absolutely exhausted. With Mako's help on the boat, they had arrived back at Ember Island much earlier than expected, but Korra didn't think any amount of food, tea or cold ice on her face would help. Korra half felt like groaning when she saw how many people were still in the conference room as Mako collapsed into a chair - she had hoped to just find Asami, but Jinora, Kai, Bumi, Kya, Lin, Su, Shiro Shinobi, Meelo, Kuvira, Varrick and Zhu Li were all there, as well as some large metal forms, most of which she didn't recognize. Even what must have been Asami's Reach was radically different - she loved the new skirt and smiled when she looked at its chest, too weak to laugh.
At first, Korra didn't even want to speak, forming the characters for "Need tea and food. Too tired," in the air with ice, politely turning down Kai's offer for something he called Jang Hui kelp tea on Varrick's advice. Korra was shocked to hear Jinora say, "I'm still hungry, but only a little - I'll take a third of a shark whale steak, please." As Kai approached Jinora, Korra let out a weak surprised gasp when Jinora looked at her boyfriend mischievously and apparently grabbed Kai's butt, Kai saying, "Hey! Stop that, or you'll ruin the surprise for Korra after this." As Jinora ate her small bit of shark whale meat and Korra slowly ate her own food, Korra could feel her strength beginning to return. Korra finally leaned back in her chair, putting her feet on the table much as Toph might have, saying, "Ahhhh… just what I needed. It's amazing what a little food can do." Lin laughed, saying, "After my earlier stunt and your own little bending-assisted relaxation, Korra, Zuko's going to need to re-do this floor."
Looking around the room in confusion, Korra noticed there was a hole in the floor near the table. Looking at it and Asami, back and forth, Korra said loudly as she could, "Why does the hole in the floor almost exactly match Asami's lovely hips in diameter? Why do you have that guilty look on your face, Lin - did something happen here?" Lin sighed deeply, saying, "Let's just say I had more in common with Tonga Beifong than any other family member for a little while, crazed anger and irrational hurt and all." Korra shook her head, stopping when she saw Asami waving at Korra the second time. Given how everyone aside from Korra and Mako in the room, didn't seem phased, Korra asked Asami, "Asami, can you come over here, please? I get the feeling that whatever happened while I was in the Fire Nation capitol, it's long and complicated, and I don't feel like listening right now."
As Asami walked over, she closed her eyes temporarily and said, out loud, "No, not right now! You're a surprise for later. Now go to your womb!" Seeing everyone else laugh hysterically with the notable exception of Mako, Lin laughing just as well as anyone else, Korra said, "Did someone spike my tea with cactus juice or something? Or is everyone but Mako and myself going crazy?" Asami giggled, saying, "Why don't I show you - and no peeking at the surprise!" As Korra placed a somewhat tired hand on Asami's forehead, Korra took in the braintrust meeting in full. Somehow, Asami managed to block a good portion of it, humming loudly as she did so, saying, "I said, no peeking!" Korra removed her hand, saying with a slightly raised voice, "Asami, why don't you just tell me the parts I can see - I can take the rest later." Korra's eyes glowed momentarily and she saw a white-haired girl appear in the edge of her vision, Raava saying, "Why don't I do it then, in full, and only give you the relevant details until Asami is ready to tell you what else happened to her, old fashioned style."
After Raava had finished with Asami, she placed her small hand on Korra's head, and it actually felt like some information was being erased from her mind as Raava said, "Don't worry - you'll get it back later, Korra. I'm going back to my home - hopefully Vaatu won't be a little terror like he was earlier." After hearing Jinora cough, Korra turned to the young… airbender? Korra didn't know what or even who Jinora was anymore - she seemed more like a mix of Opal and Asami now than the goody-two shoes Korra knew for four years. Jinora must have seen the confusion on Korra's face as Jinora said, "I had hoped to explain everything that happened to me and Kai today right now, but you look really tired, Korra," walking over as she did so. Jinora whispered into Korra's ear very quietly, "Kai and myself have something to show you and Asami tomorrow. We need to get up early, so no one else sees us." Jinora stepped back, saying much more loudly, "Almost everything that happened to Kai today was good and uplifting, while a good portion of what happened to me - or rather, what I was shown and learned - is disturbing in nature. I'm not going to share any of it with you right now, but let's just say some of it is connected to Raava's comment about Vaatu."
Sick and tired of feeling confused, Korra said, "I need a little bit to make sense of what happened with Lin - my head still isn't screwed on straight just yet. I need something else for my stomach." After drinking some rice milk Korra practically froze with her bending, she felt much better, and said, "I wondered how long it would take someone other than Katara to figure out Jinshu Kuangmai's identity, and given your background in police work, I didn't find it very surprising that Lin was the one to figure it out." Lin must have anticipated Korra's next question, given her nervous look as Korra asked, "Just where did all that aggression and bottled-up emotion come from, Lin? If I had been in the room when you pulled your armblade out towards Asami, I might have just hurt you - badly." Lin sighed deeply, saying, "I'm exhausted too, Korra, and I want to explain my behavior to everyone tomorrow. I'm just glad you aren't angry right now, or too tired to act on it." Korra stood up, hugging Lin deeply, too tired to cry as she said, "I'm just glad everything turned out more than fine, Lin - you seem a lot happier after you surrendered to peace." Jinora said, with a choked voice, "And I'm glad Jinshu Kuangmai didn't decide to pay Lin and Toph a visit, like he did Kai - that would have been very bad."
As everyone but Jinora said "What?!" loudly, Jinora said, "Sorry - I keep forgetting I haven't told everyone what happened. I need to step outside with Kai, Korra and Asami for a little bit, then probably head to bed. I guess the Jang Hui kelp tea is starting to wear off." As Asami and Korra left the room slowly in Jinora's footsteps, Korra smiled as she heard Mako talking animatedly with Kuvira. The last thing Korra heard from the room was Kuvira saying, "You'll have to get Korra to show me everything, Mako - I want to see and feel what changed your mind."
When they were finally outside, Jinora asked Asami to take out a map of Ember Island and a source of light. Figuring she could one-up a map, Korra slammed her fist into the ground as her eyes glowed, illuminating the darkening night around them much more than the full moon did. Korra sensed a good meeting place - a volcanic cave, much like the one she had created under the house back in Republic City. When Korra suggested the cave, Jinora shook her head, saying, "We're going to need a lot of room. That's all I will say for now. I think I found a good place - right here." Korra laughed, saying, "Great minds think alike, Jinora - you remember how your grandfather Aang was stuck in an iceberg?" Jinora shook her head, saying, "Yes - but you can just call him Aang around me. I talked to him earlier today." Korra said, her smile illuminated by her still glowing eyes, "Asami and I made a little private one of our own in that spot, and had some fun - I mean, had sex, inside of it." Jinora smiled, saying, "Thanks for remembering I'm not four, Korra. Anyways - that's where we will meet, at 3:00 AM." Korra nodded her head, fascinated by the headlight effect of her eyes, saying, "That's awfully early, Jinora - how are we going to see?" Jinora laughed, saying, "This is the last hint I'll give - the light of the moon will be more than enough…we won't need to see very well. Only feel, and not just in the emotional sense of the word." Hugging Kai in the moonlight and Korralight, Jinora finished, "Kai and I are going to go to bed - together." Seeing Korra's half-frown, half confused look in the dim light, Jinora laughed, saying, "Not naked, of course, or even on the same bed - Kai and I had a… unique opportunity today and decided to decline it, wanting to take our relationship slowly and not rush it." Asami coughed, prompting Jinora to say, "Not that there's anything wrong with rushing, Asami. Neither of us is as physically mature as Korra and you, and you were bottling up your desire for almost a decade."
After Jinora and Kai ran off quickly, somehow not stumbling over any rocks in the dead of night with only the light of a full moon and some stars to go by, Korra noticed something odd - she hadn't heard any footsteps. Figuring this had something to do with the surprise that required getting up at 3:00 AM in the morning, Korra grabbed Asami's hand and walked at a brisk pace towards Zuko's summer home. When they were both back inside, Korra was surprised to see Mako, Bolin and Kuvira fussing over a blueprint, with the object depicted on it nearby in a mock-up.
When Korra got close enough to see the blueprint more accurately, she recognized their form, but as though from someone else's eyes. Figuring which Avatar's memories were surfacing, she projected Aang out, who looked at the odd swords and said excitedly, "Are those dual dao swords, Mako? I didn't know you liked swords, Mako - I've never seen you use anything but bending!" Mako laughed, apparently not tired any more as he said, "I accidentally formed a small sword made of blue fire earlier today when I was particularly angry over what Firelord Izumi did to the Fire Nation's heritage. Kuvira was going to try and give me a bracelet of some kind as a parting gift, but I wanted something more practical." Bolin said proudly, "I want to help my brother make it - tomorrow. I figure we need to start making spiritwire-based weapons sometime. My brother finally decided that he wanted to give Kuvira a chance - something about a vision he had of two orphans." Kuvira pushed Bolin aside, saying excitedly, "Do you think you could show me his vision, Korra?" Remembering how easily Aang's life transmitted to Eska and Desna, Korra said, "Sure - but I have something I want to show him first. I don't know if you knew this, Mako, but infobending information from my past lifetimes is very easy. I'm going to show you what the Fire Nation looked like before Firelord Izumi modernized it."
Ignoring a tapping on her shoulder, Korra recalled Aang back in, quickly imparting both Aang and Roku's experience with the Fire Nation. Taking what Mako had felt during his visit to the Fire Nation took a bit longer - but not by much. Tears in her eyes, Korra said, "Awww, Mako - that vision was so sweet! Two orphans, holding hands, both hurt, in different ways…" Figuring that Asami would like to see what Mako had felt as well, Korra placed a hand on an eager Kuvira's forehead and above a pleasantly surprised Asami's brow. When she was done with Kuvira, who was now hugging Mako tightly, she heard Asami think "Why don't you show me the Fire Nation, too - I've always wanted to see that part of my heritage." When she was finished, Korra heard a voice that seemed very familiar somehow say excitedly, "Wow, mommy Asami! That was cool! Can I infobend?"
Korra wanted to ask who this second being was, but shook her head, saying to Asami, "The sooner we help these three with the sword, the sooner we can go to bed." Asami said, with a little disappointment in her voice, "Sure - I thought you would want to know what I thought of the old Fire Nation, but I guess not." Korra frowned, saying, "I'm sorry, Asami - let's just say I heard something I wasn't supposed to at the end." Asami smiled broadly, saying, "Oh, right. Even Raava can't restrain… that. Let's help with Mako's dual dao swords - I'll help with the design while you transfer Piandao's knowledge of the swords to Mako. If I remember correctly, Piandao trained Zuko in the use of them."
As Korra took Mako aside, she felt an odd tug - and it wasn't Raava. Figuring out who it might be, she told Mako, "Just give me a minute - I think Sokka and Piandao want something," sitting on the floor and meditating on their energies. When she came to in Xai Bau's Grove, she was stunned by what she saw. Sokka and Piandao's appearance didn't take her by surprise - it was the black form in between the two that shocked her! Picking up on Aang's memories and her own of what that horrible bird helped Unalaq do with Jinora three years ago, Korra said politely, "Hello, Wan Shi Tong. I never expected you to be here. Why do you have blue lines? I thought you hated humans." The ancient spirit answered, his now blue eyes shimmering slightly, "During the start of the Spirit Civil War, I was torn between Long Yumao and Raava. What the young airbender named Kai showed me about the power of human love and passions, along with his defense of one of my most incompetent knowledge seekers, won me over." Seeing Korra's confused look, Wan Shi Tong continued, "I let him in to my library, a decidedly earthy airbending technique being one of the greatest contributions I have had in thousands of years." Chuckling slightly and turning to Sokka as he swelled to a much larger - but still blue - form, he groused, "Much, much better than your silly little knots, Sokka. I still remember that - especially how that trick helped win over other spirits to immortalize you." Wan Shi Tong made to peck at Sokka, who whipped out his meteorite blade and lightly smacked Wan Shi Tong, saying, "No! Bad owl! You're just mad because I tricked you!"
Wan Shi Tong laughed and shrank back to normal size… laughing? Korra was utterly baffled, saying, "Neither Aang nor I remember you as… playful, Wan Shi Tong. What's the deal?" Wan Shi Tong pointed one of his massive wings - now with blue lines for central feather vanes - at Korra as he said, "I have found since I switched sides that Raava's human-y nature is rubbing off on me. I have to say, now that I have actually bothered to look, humans are fascinating. They have patterns, but are still highly unpredictable. I should create a new wing in the library, once it is outside Republic City: psychology. I do not think there would be many books or scrolls written by humans to place in it just yet, as even humans don't understand how humans work emotionally or mentally at a scientific level."
Figuring that Kai must have won over Wan Shi Tong - somehow - and that Korra could "ask" him about it tomorrow, Korra said, "Thank you for all the information, Wan Shi Tong, but I don't think He Who Knows Ten Thousand Things would be here just to say hello. I assume your presence here has something to do with why I came here: Piandao and Sokka." The large owl nodded, saying, "Since I am one of the wisest spirits, I may be able to help you extract almost all of Sokka and Piandao's knowledge, particularly on swordfighting and forging blades. From what Raava has told me here and there, you mortal allies of hers will be making many, many blades soon - some designed so they can kill spirits." After Korra nodded and explained her armblades to Wan Shi Tong, he exclaimed, "My, my - I did not know of any use beyond the spirit weapons Kai told me about for spirit vines, or these 'tuber-vines' you speak of. That is something for another time - let me assist you in this… 'infobending'. Which, I may add, I accept as a valid pass to my library - including the war section." Now it was Korra who delayed, saying, "Wait - what? I thought you hated letting humans in there!" Wan Shi Tong nodded, saying, "Yes - I almost kicked Kai out because he went to that portion of my library, until he told me that humans were using the spirit's power as their own in war already. I was hesitant at first, but now I just look at it like this: humans have managed to far outstrip the technology level in that wing anyways, and if they are not allowed in, it will never be updated. I look forward to getting a copy of the myriad of blueprints Raava has told me about." Korra nodded, saying, "When things settle down a little bit, I will do my best to get you new information about human technology, Wan Shi Tong. Just a warning: under no circumstances are you to allow Koh, Long Yumao or Jinshu Kuangmai, also known as Tonga Beifong, into your library." Wan Shi Tong looked vaguely annoyed as he said, "Very well - I shall honor your request. I had hoped to learn more of this 'dark meditation' what must have been a very tiny Vaatu's voice was bragging to me about, but from the tiny bit Raava told me about it, it's not something I'd want to keep out in the open anyways." Sighing deeply, Wan Shi Tong said, "I still regret not hiding the scroll about Tui and La better - perhaps it should have been in a special vault."
Forgetting that all this was taking real time, Korra said, "I think I could help you with that - the vault. There are barriers around the Spirit Portals that I created with Eska and Desna's help in the North that block any spirits except those aligned with Raava or those that are neutral from entering or leaving. After the Restoration, which I can see from your nod you already know about, a similar technique was used on the Great Banyan tree that let it judge an individual's intentions and worth, and incinerate them if they mean harm to the Great Banyan tree." Wan Shi Tong flapped his wings angrily as he swelled to full size, accidentally knocking Sokka and Piandao down as he yelled, "What happened to the tree that it needed re-growing? All I managed to find out about the Restoration was that your restored your link with your past lives!" Korra ran over and placed her hand on Wan Shi Tong's feathers, showing him what Kuvira had done to the tree, as well as the little trap she had set for Jinshu Kuangmai. The great owl hooted angrily, saying, "I hope his entire army is turned to ashes! I knew that the tree was hurt - but not that badly!"
Not liking how strongly the new lines on Wan Shi Tong were pulsing, nor that they looked rather purple, as though a mix of red and blue. Korra said, "It looks like there's a lot you don't know, Wan Shi Tong, and I think it's more important to just 'tell' you everything than get what I need from Sokka and Piandao." Wan Shi Tong shook his head, which now thankfully had blue eyes once more, saying, "I think you should be able to do both at once, Avatar Korra. Let's get this over with - I'll even try and throw my own knowledge into the mix." Korra felt almost overwhelmed as she gave out information to Wan Shi Tong and took information in from the large owl, Sokka and Piandao. As she processed the information, apparently with Raava's help, Korra laughed, saying, "So that's what thingies are called? Who told you that, Wan Shi Tong?" The wise owl grumbled, "A young Admiral Zhao. He shared all sorts of human sexual information with me, desperate to be let into the library. I'm glad that was the only bit that slipped. Though, I must admit, I like the name 'thingies' better - it's more… subtle."
Korra remembered her earlier promise to Wan Shi Tong, saying, "If you will show me where the library is, I can go ahead and make the barrier around it." After seeing Wan Shi Tong shake his head, Korra was surprised to hear him say, "If you make the barrier now, you'll just have to re-do it later. I will be getting a large amount of books made soon - about humans, who I foolishly ignored until now. After seeing what Kuvira did to the Great Banyan tree and Republic City, I know mortals are no longer ants, to be ignored lightly."
Korra closed her eyes anyways as she said, "It shouldn't take that long - now let's hurry, before Jinshu Kuangmai finds out a way to 'dark meditate' there." Given the smell of books and scrolls, they must have been in the library now. Remembering another recent human innovation, Korra took a deep breath, opened glowing eyes and used her tight connection with Raava to create a new wing labeled "Movers and Audio Tapes." Wan Shi Tong flew over to the new wing excitedly, saying, "I hope this wing will be filled with all sorts of knowledge. Why are you laughing, Sokka?" Sokka howled, "I doubt Varrick is going to be producing any movers worthy of your library - from what I know of Nuktuk, Hero of the South, it's not exactly educational." Korra howled in laughter, saying, "Sokka's right - for the most part. There's going to be five Avatar interviews produced at some point -Aang, Roku, Kyoshi, Kuruk and Yangchen, as well as interviews with homosexual Avatars like myself, about their lives." Wan Shi Tong didn't look disturbed, saying, "I look forward to seeing your own 'SpectroMovers', Avatar Korra. Now why don't you do what we came here for - sealing the library."
Remembering what she had done with the earthen walls in Republic City, Korra took a deep breath, her eyes glowing once more as she pumped Raava's energy into the seemingly endless library. At first, she was surprised at how short a time it took, but Korra remembered Raava telling her that Korra was at her strongest in the Spirit World. As she walked around the main square, admiring her work, she jumped - she saw a ghost! A blue form was hovering over a skeleton, saying, "Finally - I can start looking at books again! I don't know what you did, Avatar… uhm, sorry, I don't know your name. I've been dead since Aang's time, but my spirit came back just now - a combination of what must be Raava's energy, and the fact that Wan Shi Tong isn't trying to peck your eyes out." Wan Shi Tong said, "I've never heard of someone's spirit being brought back like this, even if Professor Zei's body is… no longer suitable for use." What must have been Professor Zei's ghost shrugged, saying, "I guess I can help Wan Shi Tong now, even if I am not immortalized quite like Sokka or Piandao apparently were."
Content her work was done, Korra said, "Good luck, and happy reading, Professor Zei!" Before she left the Spirit World, she focused on Xai Bau's Grove, teleporting there and making a mock sword from the earth. Korra swung it around, testing to see if the knowledge transfer had been a more complete success. At first, nothing seemed as though it had changed, but after about five minutes, something strange happened - the sword felt like an extension of her body! Shouting, "Yes!" in excitement, Korra turned around and flung the sword on some instinct, and laughed when she heard a familiar cursing. Not wanting to deal with Long Yumao right now, she just meditated out.
Long Yumao came out from the bushes, shaking his head violently as he tried to dislodge the earthen sword from his mane, cursing. Once he got it out, he sighed in irritation at the sound of many feet on rocks. Turning to Koh, he yelled, "What do you want, slowpoke? If you had been here when I was, you might just have an Avatar's face!" Koh didn't even bother cackling, instead saying softly, "You really need to stop being so bad at your job, Long Yumao. You're a lot smaller than when I last saw you - you're only twice my size now, and you're about to be smaller still!" Long Yumao hissed angrily, demanding, "What do you know, Koh? Is it something about humans converting another spirit?" Now Koh bothered to switch to one of his favorite faces, cackling through the face of a savage monkey, "Yes - but I'm not going to tell you!" As Long Yumao cursed Wan Shi Tong, the savage monkey's face smiled - even if it was his ally's loss, Koh still loved harassing beings.
When Korra came to, she stood up, glad to see Mako and Kuvira hugging intently - though not as intently as Jinora hugged Kai, she realized with a laugh. Mako, Bolin and Asami turned to Korra, Asami asking, "Is everything all right? You were in there a long time!" Korra shook her head, saying, "Why don't I just show you instead of explaining, then I need to get to bed after you show me the dual spiritwire dao swords. I'm exhausted." As Korra placed her palms to Mako and Asami's foreheads, she told Bolin, "You're getting a reduced version - Wan Shi Tong told me a lot of things, and I needed Raava's help to process it all." Korra jumped just before her hands were in place as she heard Opal's voice say, "Bolin may be dense sometimes, but he isn't dumb! Can you show me what happened as well?" Korra said, yawning, "Okay - I'm just really tired, and don't know how blade knowledge will help you, Opal." Korra ignored her response, getting the first of two infobendings over with. When Korra was done, she made sure to go slow with Bolin, finishing with Opal rapidly - and not because she thought Bolin was dumb. Korra wanted to make sure he got the updated sword knowledge the best.
Korra smiled weakly when she was done as Bolin said, "So that's what thingies are called!" laughing as she said, "Yes - but I like thingies better, and given Asami's laughter, she does as well. Even Wan Shi Tong doesn't like their real name." Knocking a curious Meelo away with a blast of air, who was way up past his bedtime, Korra said, "Okay - dual dao swords, Asami's surprise, bed. I'm so tired, I'm half considering drinking that Jang Hui tea." Bumi laughed in the background, saying, "Meelo got in it, and nobody touched it after that. He might need some metal restraining cuffs - he's gone around the room on an air scooter dozens of times already!"
Returning Bumi a weak laugh, Korra looked at the dual spiritwire dao swords, noting they looked exactly like Zuko's, except for a few spiritwire lines from the grip towards the end of the blades, along with an odd detail. Pointing at what closely resembled electrical coils, Korra said, "Are those things running along the blunt edge of the blade for what I think they are - storing lightning?" Mako nodded, his eyes sleepy as he said, "Yes - I got the idea from the lightning stick one of the guards had out when I was being angry. It's not meant to hold a huge amount of lightning - just enough for one jolt. The spiritwire should let me generate and control lightning with the sword - hopefully. I guess we'll find out tomorrow. Whatever Asami's glove was she told me about and its ball lightning, I want these instead - no offense." Before he could leave, Kuvira pointed to one of the flat surfaces of the dual dao swords, saying, "These are more than just swords, Mako - I hope the dual Earth and Fire symbols on them will help while I'm away." Mako's eyes widened as he said, "You're the one who's going to need reminding the most, given your sentence. We'll make a bracelet for you tomorrow, Kuvira - together." After Mako and Kuvira went their separate ways, Kuvira walking towards a snoozing Lin and Su, Mako heading to his room, Bolin and Opal held hands tightly as they left the room.
Korra felt Asami tugging on her own shoulder, saying, "Come on - I want to tell you about the surprise, then we can just be with each other." Korra nodded, saying, "It'll have to be quick - I'm exhausted. Wish I didn't have to get up at 3:00 AM… what is it, 11:00PM? Guh."
Once Asami was inside the room with her, Korra closed the door tightly, asking Asami, "What's the surprise, Asami? Whatever it is, it must be what Raava removed - I can't remember anything other than a slipup while I was infobending you Mako's experience. Something about mommy Asami." Asami must have previously unbuttoned her vest, as she took it and then her shirt off with two motions, leaving her standing with just her betrothal necklace, bra, skirt, pants and boots on. Remembering she still had the heavy dress on, Korra took it off, saying, "I don't see what's surprising about you wanting to have sex, but I'm good for a quickie." Asami nodded her head side to side, Korra staring at her beautiful dark hair as she said, "No, silly - I'm tired too. It's about Atokara." Korra smiled broadly, asking, "Was that Atokara's voice I heard earlier - 'Wow, mommy Asami!'?" Asami nodded, saying, "I knew Atokara was going to be precocious, but until I had a weird experience, I had no idea just how. Originally, I wanted to tell you everything manually, but I'm very tired as well… and I do like the feeling of oneness I get when you infobend me. Why don't we both take off these clothes and just curl up together naked while you take it out of me." Asami laughed, saying, "Apparently, Raava has taught Atokara some words - and not on accident. Atokara just asked if we were going to 'screw each other silly'."
As Asami removed her boots slooowly, Korra felt like doing just that, and Asami must have noticed Korra's look, given how she removed everything else except her betrothal necklace much quicker. Asami actually hopped into bed rather than letting Korra get a better look, making Korra feel slightly betrayed. After she had taken off her own clothes and was wearing only Asami's jade necklace, Asami said, "Atokara says you look much prettier in person, especially without any clothes on. Apparently, she thinks clothes are some kind of horrible sin." Korra chuckled, saying, "I bet she wants to run free in the polar wind as well. After seeing Aang's life when I infobended Eska and Desna and how free their swimwear was, I think I agree. Modern swimming suits are ridiculously modest, aside from the ones you managed to find." Asami laughed, saying, "I just took underwear and put swimsuit cloth on top, like I modified those bra and panties with a metal strip." Asami's face blushed as she said, "I don't think we should talk anymore for now. Atokara's questions are making me a little uneasy."
As Korra took in what happened after she broke the projection from Asami, at first she was very concerned by the odd hunger pangs and "morning" sickness, but by the time Korra got to Atokara's little admonishment and the gift box part, her heart was melting. Korra recognized the twin white hair braids and froze their image for a moment, knowing just who was to thank for them - Raava. Korra interrupted the infobending to ask Raava directly in her head, Korra's hand still on Asami's forehead, "Seeing these twin white hair braids reminds me of Yue, human turned Moon spirit. Is Atokara similarly touched, but with increased power?" Korra laughed as she heard Atokara's voice protest, "That hair was supposed to be a surprise, momma Korra!" and to her dismay, Raava replied In line with Atokara's wishes, I'm not going to tell you, and not just because I am not entirely sure myself. Korra just accepted the uncertainty and moved on back to infobending, laughing along the way, especially at Atokara's diet assistance offer. Korra paused, telling Asami, "You know I like curves, Asami - if only there were some way to be fit to fight well but still have nice curves…" Asami laughed, saying, "You can only have such big curves before they're just plain inconvenient. If my boobs were as big as they are on Asami's Reach, I think I'd topple over." Korra sighed, saying, "I guess that's what imagination and art is for," ignoring her body's pleasurable pleas for satisfaction.
Korra was shocked to find out how "old" Atokara was - roughly three times older than her natural age of around four to five days. Chuckling, Korra said, "I guess we know the delivery date - about three months from now. I hope Long Yumao doesn't get in the way - I want to be present when Atokara is born." Korra's eyes glowed temporarily and she was surprised to hear Raava say from the bedside, "At the rate Team Avatar is going, Long Yumao won't be a huge threat for much longer. Bumju was the first, then the Painted Lady, then Wan Shi Tong of all spirits - I never expected that, given his siding with Unalaq. The next two on the list are Yue, the Moon spirit, and Hei Bai - both of whom can provide concrete battle assistance, Yue being the most powerful and Hei Bai being able to help in both the Spirit World and the physical world." As much as it pained her to no longer touch Asami's lovely naked body, Korra turned around and pointed at Raava's teapot, saying, "Don't forget Sudden Death, and the potential for spirits flocking to Long Yumao if Jinshu Kuangmai can cause enough ruckus. Now, get back in here - I don't want to talk about fighting right now, even if we are winning." Raava let out a sigh, walking towards Korra as an incorporeal form.
Korra was glad to shift back to Asami, doubly so because she could now enter the Avatar State and keep Raava shushed. Korra laughed as she finished infobending Asami, a feeling of love in her heart so strong it was almost painful - but in the best way possible. When Korra was finished, her eyes dimmed as she said, "She sounds like quite the character already, Asami, and you're handling it very well. Given how spunky she is, I'm certain she'll be a looker. It's not like she could inherit anything else from either of us." Asami smiled, saying, "Atokara won't show me what she'll look like - not even at four. From what little I have seen, she should be beautiful - in heart and soul. I can't wait to see how she grows up." Growing up reminding Korra of another funny detail, she said "I think it's cute she wants to wear lipstick." Asami laughed, saying, "Apparently, she's dead serious about it, given her reaction just now. She said, 'If I can see momma Korra naked and feel what her skin is like, I should be able to wear lipstick!'" Korra sighed deeply, saying, "Yeah - I forgot that detail about how she can feel and see what you do, Asami, like Raava does with me, except a lot more directly, apparently."
Asami laughed, saying, "I'll be right back - Atokara just realized she doesn't know what mommy Asami looks like without clothes. I'm hoping she might tell us more about her appearance." Korra idly played with the sheets around her until Asami came back, grinning as she said, "Atokara says she has my long legs, and should end up with my overall lower figure's shape." Asami blushed as she said, "She also said she has my butt, just a little bigger." Korra laughed, saying, "It's a shame she'll never get to pass all this wonderful stuff off if she follows in momma Korra and mommy Asami's footsteps," internally cursing basic biology.
Love finds a way.
Asami gingerly approached Korra, saying, "I'm just glad to be with you, Korra, let alone be having a child with you. You can't live in the future - you used to, and I don't want you to start again." Ignoring the earlier odd internal comment from Raava, Korra turned with tears in her eyes as Asami explained, "Your job as Avatar requires you to think that way at times, but it goes beyond that, Korra. I remember when I first met you, Korra. You wanted to airbend so badly you wouldn't listen and do what Tenzin told you to. That desire ended up being counterproductive, from what I heard after the fact... it was only when you saw mortal danger that you finally managed to airbend, after all your other bending had been blocked by that monster Amon." Korra just wanted to have some "family" time, but listened to an intent Asami as she continued, "There was nothing to do around Harmonic Convergence but wait for the future - we had no idea what Unalaq's scheme was at the time until it was too late. After Harmonic Convergence, you got more than a bit better about it, being quite in the moment for the search for airbenders and then chasing Zaheer." Asami wiped her eyes, smudging some of her makeup as she said, "I wasn't there for your rehabilitation, but I can imagine that further broke you of living in the future."
Korra nodded her head, saying, "It was one painful, excruciating day at a time, Asami, and I didn't want to think much about the future. The possibility of being crippled, then a mental case, was too terrifying. Not to mention the future if Kuvira had won… There was a reason Dark Korra was able to harass me so much then, even if not in her true form." Unable to restrain herself any longer, Korra got out of the bed and gave Asami a huge hug, their twin necklaces touching as Korra tightly pressed her chest against Asami's, savoring both the sweaty softness and the far more pleasurable feeling of oneness. Korra said, with a contented sigh, "If we had just started off like this, I think a lot of the things I went through over the past four years would have been a lot easier." Asami said nothing, instead pressing her body against Korra's, making her head swim. Korra felt light as a feather, feeling her own heart beat rapidly next to Asami's own fluttering heart. Korra said, laughing, "After this, I definitely like the twin spirit cannons on Asami's Reach," yelping "Ooh!" in surprise when Asami grabbed her butt.
The following exclamation had nothing to do with pleasure, and everything to do with shock. Finishing her expletive curse, Korra grumbled, "Not again! My head hurts… at least I know that floating crap is replicable." Asami giggled, saying, "Arousal makes for a nice painkiller. I guess this is what that bump was that I heard before you actually left - I heard you 'practicing' your passion. Out loud."
The touchdown was much smoother this time - not slamming the floor. Remembering Jinora and Kai's odd behavior, Korra said, "This might have something to do with what Jinora and Kai wanted us at 3:00 AM for. Let's get some sleep - maybe if I keep together with you like this, Atokara can talk to me in my sleep." Korra ended up placing one hand over Asami's left breast and the other over Asami's stomach, hoping Atokara might want to "talk" to Korra in her sleep.
Soon after falling asleep, Korra was visited by someone - but not anyone she had seen directly. In her lifetime, at least. An ethereal teenager turned spirit she recognized as Yue, the Moon spirit, idly played with one of her long hair braids, saying, "I'm glad someone shares my fashion sense. Your daughter wants to wear her twin stripes of Raava-touched hair much as I wore my own." Korra knew Yue wasn't here for personal business and was not surprised as she continued, "Eska and Desna finally got around to asking for my help in the Spirit Civil War, and I obviously accepted. La took a little convincing at first, but when I mentioned what Eska and Desna had said about Jinshu Kuangmai's ambitions, he readily accepted, remembering what the Fire Nation almost did 170 years ago." Korra asked, not able to see her own body, "Then why aren't you blue like Wan Shi Tong?" Yue laughed, saying, "Myself and La are major spirits - we can't just wear Raava's colors like they're a uniform. The Painted Lady and Hei Bai are another story, though." Remembering something Jinora had mentioned earlier, Korra said, "One last question, Yue. What is 'dark meditation'?" Yue's face looked distressed as she said, "Let's just say it's something a human can do to turn even that little runt in Raava's teapot that calls himself Grand Dark Spirit into a menace - and not because of Vaatu's energy. Because of their own evil energy." Laughing nervously, Yue said, "It's a good thing Admiral Zhao or Princess Azula never found out about it, let alone Firelord Ozai."
Seeing Yue's look, Korra knew she didn't want to talk anymore, so Korra bowed, forgetting she had no body in this particular vision, saying, "Thank you for your support, Yue. I look forward to finding Long Yumao encased in ice the next I see him." Seeing Yue's confused look, Korra added as Yue dissipated to mist, "I meant it as a joke, not seriously - I know you cannot use your moon powers to help in the spirit world portion war. 'Tui' and La crossed over many eons ago." Korra laughed - she never thought she'd see mist smile and giggle.
Korra waited, still obviously asleep, waiting for Atokara. Korra was vaguely annoyed when she didn't appear physically, but only as a voice that said, "Don't worry, momma Korra - even I don't know who I like yet. Boys, or girls… Maybe both, like you…. Do? Did? Momma Korra, how does that work?" Korra laughed, saying, "I still have a slight physical attraction to men, but my love for Asami overrides any urges my body has. Lust is a purely physical attraction. Think if mommy Asami only liked me and had sex with me because she liked how my body looked and felt, but didn't have an emotional bond with me." Atokara laughed, asking, "How will I tell the difference between the two when I feel them?" Korra said calmly, "It's hard to tell, sweetie - I still don't know what I had for Mako, but if it was love, it wasn't strong enough to withstand hardship." Korra didn't know what to make of it when Atokara said, "When you and mommy Asami were embracing earlier, I could feel you focusing on your love for mommy Asami, while mommy Asami was savoring your body. Does that count as lust?" Remembering Asami's repression, Korra answered, "Mommy Asami has always liked women, sweetie - she is a lesbian, while I am bisexual, like you said. Her daddy kept her from expressing her true feelings for almost a decade, and didn't feel comfortable making advances on me until recently. I'm sure it's just pent up desire, something you will start feeling when you enter something called puberty."
At first, Korra thought a lot of this would go over Atokara's head, and said the last bit to re-assure herself to a slight degree. Korra remembered how Asami's necklace had been almost purely sexual energy at first. Either Atokara was lying or she really was extremely precocious, as she said, "Okay, momma Korra. I think I understand. Wanna talk about something else? Ooooh! How about bending! I won't show you my whole body yet, but I want you to critique my waterbending form, momma Korra." Korra was happy to see Atokara's body aside from her head appear, and Korra said, "Oh, look! Looks like you got my cute little four-year old gut, Atokara." The headless form crossed its arms, saying, "I'm not cute, I'm capable. Here - watch!" Korra watched in amazement as she saw Atokara take water from the "air", despite never having been told about any waterbending form, let alone this advanced concept one. Atokara's limbs flowed like a Sifu's might have, making the water form a large ice scythe. An image of what Atokara must have imagined Jinshu Kuangmai looked like appeared, Atokara slicing the bloodless image clean in two after entrapping its feet in icy restraints and pinning its hands behind its back. Atokara asked, as the image vanished in a shimmer, "Was that good, momma Korra? Was it? I wanna be good - I wanna fight!"
Korra was torn - she remembered one child prodigy all too well from a past life. Then Princess Azula had shown similar amazing abilities, as well as amazing ruthlessness, making Korra ask Atokara a question before she told her that her form was impeccable. Korra asked gently, "Why did you slice the image of Jinshu Kuangmai in two, Atokara?" Atokara answered without hesitation, "Because he's a bad, evil man, momma Korra! If I didn't, he would blood-iron bend me!" Liking this answer but still having some reservations, Korra asked, "Would you do that to one of his soldiers, or a random bandit?" Korra breathed a huge sigh of relief figuratively when Atokara said, "Only if I saw the soldier do something evil or about to kill someone. I'd just encase the bandit in ice - he might be trying to feed his family." Korra said, glad she wasn't going to have a latter-day Azula on her hands, "Momma Korra thinks your waterbending forms and stances are practically perfect. The most important thing is good as well - how you would use them."
Atokara must have forgotten for a moment she was trying to hide her body, and she saw full lips with Asami's lipstick on them smile above a chin that was rounded like Korra's own. Apparently, this was no accident, as Atokara said, "Do you like my lips, momma Korra?" Seeing that Atokara was serious about wearing lipstick, Korra said, "Yes, I do - I'm sure many boys and girls will find them pretty, whichever you end up liking more." Atokara giggled, asking, "Why can't I like and see both at once, momma Korra? Would that be considered lust?" Korra didn't have any idea what to answer at first - she had never heard of a loving multi-partner relationship. Korra said gently, "You can't have a boyfriend and girlfriend at the same time that you love, Atokara. If you profess love to two people at once, it's called cheating, and that can hurt people badly." After Atokara said, "Okay - but how can I ever know what having sex with a boy feels like if I don't like them more than girls when I finish puberty?" Korra answered confidently, "If you're really curious when you get to that age, I can infobend either my own experiences with Asami or Katara's experience with her husband, Avatar Aang. If you like girls, I'll show you Katara's point of view, if you like boys, I'll show you mine." Atokara said, cutting straight to the point, "Given how much mommy Asami loves you and I can see and feel what she does, I don't think I'll need your experiences." Korra laughed as Atokara said, "Okay! I think I'm done now, momma Korra. I'm going to go think about everything you said. Bye!"
Remembering something she needed to tell Atokara, Korra focused on her energy once again before returning to real sleep. Atokara's partial body appeared again, Korra noticing for the first time how muscular it was for a four-year old. Figuring Atokara would be upset with what Korra had to say, Korra sugarcoated it by saying first, "Oh, my, Atokara! What big muscles you have!" Korra laughed as the lipsticked mouth moved, saying, "Thank you momma Korrra - and I wanna use them too!" Knowing that last comment would make what she had gotten Atokara's attention to say sting all the more, Korra said, "About that, sweetie - I don't want you fighting with Team Avatar until you're at least eight or nine years old physically, like Meelo." Atokara had the expected reaction - and yet, she didn't. Atokara's mouth moved into a pout, hands on her hips as she said, "I'm not like Meelo - I have Raava inside, remember! But since you've both been so nice to me so far, momma Korra and mommy Asami, I'll wait. It's not like it will take me long to grow to the size of Meelo anyways once I am born. I'm going to need a lot of food."
With that, Korra said goodbye, part of her glad that Atokara would rapidly be safe from outside aggression after birth, the other part crushed that Korra would likely never be able to even raise a four-year old child to adulthood. Korra was mainly crushed, until Korra remembered her unique ability - infobending. She could watch the childhoods of Bumi, Kya, and Tenzin from Katara's point of view, and all the childhoods of Tenzin's children from Pema's point of view.
It seemed like Korra got a whole two hours of real sleep before Asami's accursed watch began beeping, waking both from their slumber. Asami mumbled something about Korra's beautiful skin as Korra wiped her eyes, sitting up straight in bed, legs crossed. She did not feel like getting up at 3:00 in the morning - not after yesterday and last night. Closing her eyes, she focused on Jinora's energy, almost awake. When she saw Jinora, she had her back turned to Korra's projection. Jinora was sitting next to Kai with her arm around him, staring up at the stars that were visible through the moonlight. Korra grumbled, "Hello, Jinora and Kai. I do not feel like getting up at three in the morning." Ignoring Kai's stare and Jinora's rapt look when they turned around, Korra continued, "I think me and Asami already figured out part of what you wanted to show us, so I can wait another three hours. Given how wide your eyes are, you must have drank some Jang Hui kelp tea." Jinora laughed, saying, "That's not the only reason - you're buck naked!" Bobbing her small, arrowed head up and down, Jinora continued, "I really regret not drinking from Sharktar's pool now - I can't wait to look like you do! I loved what I saw in that vision. Some of my curves were bigger than yours." Korra didn't quite process what Jinora had said fully, mumbling lowly as Kai reminded Jinora about something involving a road and steps. Korra mumbled, almost falling back asleep and breaking the connection, "Whoever Sharktar is, I can wait three hours to find out. I don't really care what you do while you wait - I'm too sleepy. Goodbye." Before she broke the connection, she saw Jinora cupping her small wingsuit-bound breasts with a pout on her face, making Korra laugh herself back awake - but only partially.
When Korra was back in her room, she finally shut the accursed watch up, setting it for 6:00 AM. Seeing that Asami was awake, Korra said, "Yue and Atokara talked to me when I was asleep. I'm going to infobend you real quick, then get up at 6:00 AM for our new meeting time with Jinora and Kai." Once Korra was finished, Asami said, "You've got to be more careful with your projecting, Korra! Technically, that's indecent exposure - you're lucky Jinora and Kai took it so well!" Korra grumbled, "I was barely awake enough to project in the first place, and didn't remember to pull up a blanket. Goodnight, Asami." As Korra fell back asleep, she remembered something that had shaken her slightly while infobending her own interactions with Atokara - Asami's heart had been beating awfully fast during the part about love versus lust. Korra dismissed it as the nothing it was - Korra felt like Asami was a better person than she was, in many ways.
Korra slept soundly enough that she didn't curse the alarm when it blared. Flicking on a light, Korra got dressed as she woke back up - this time, likely for good. Asami was a little slower to get up, staying in bed, apparently morose about something. Korra grabbed her arm and said, "Come on - we've got to go. You can tell me whatever you're thinking about later."
Korra busied herself with helping Asami get dressed, not wanting to think about what Asami had just said: "Love and lust." As they walked out the door, Korra told Asami sternly, "I know you love me, Asami - just because you're a sexual firecracker doesn't mean you're a bad person. I happen to like the feeling in my chest best, and as long as you're happy, I don't care if it's mainly in your vagina. Now let's go." Asami cried slightly, saying, "Thank you, Korra - and not just for finally saying vagina. Maybe Jinora and Kai can help me - I'm not the trouble-free person you think I am."
As Korra picked Asami up, eyes glowing, using blue fire jets to propel them both, Korra wondered what Asami could possibly have to be ashamed of.