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Movement in the bed woke Korra from her sleep. The morning sun hit her eyes, and she quickly closed them and rolled onto her side. Korra's hand felt around and located Asami curled up close, their heads sharing the same pillow.
Korra put her hand to Asami's hair and absently stroked it. Silky tendrils slipped through her fingers with ease. Asami began to rouse and inched her face closer. Their eyes opened for a few seconds to meet before closing again. Sleepy lips found each other. At that moment, everything else disappeared. Korra sighed and let her body effortlessly slide closer to Asami's.
"Where did Jinora go?" Ikki asked the room in a small and sleepy voice.
Korra and Asami's eyes widened as their mouths separated. Asami reeled back her hand so quickly from under Korra's shirt; the fabric fluttered.
"I-uh. I bet she went to get some breakfast," Asami managed to eke out.
"Yeah, you go on ahead, and we'll catch up. I need Asami's help with my uh, you know thing."
"Her cast," Asami corrected.
Ikki's bare feet padded on the wooden floor towards the door. She had to pass by their bed to leave the room. She dared a look. The older girls were still a bit entangled. Korra was on the outside of the bed and had her back to Ikki, so Asami peered over Korra's body to give a reassuring smile to the young girl.
Ikki darted her eyes to the floor, and a blush darkened her cheeks. "Okay, byeee…"
"We're right behind you!" Korra called out as she heard the sliding door bang shut.
"I forgot they were in here." Asami sat up and crawled onto Korra's middle, straddling her hips, but still mindful of the broken leg. "She knows we were up to something."
Korra moaned. "Do we have to do anything about that? Have a chat or something?"
"No, I don't think there is anything that needs to be said."
"Oh good," Korra sighed, reaching out a hand to each of Asami's thighs. She rubbed her hands over the supple skin, lost for a moment. "Can we stay here for a little while? Pretend for a few minutes that Ikki didn't catch us, nothing happened to Rohan, and our private life isn't being discussed on the radio?"
"Were you able to catch the broadcast?" Asami asked.
"Yeah, it was fine, I guess. Some positive, some skeptical. Lin even called in and scolded Shiro for doing it."
"Really?"
"Yeah, she was kind of awesome in her Lin way," Korra replied with a small snort. She imagined Lin at her desk, a no-nonsense scowl across her face as she dialed the number to Shiro's hotline.
Asami played with the fabric of Korra's nightshirt as she considered her next words. "I'm having second thoughts… about Bumi and Meelo."
"What do you mean?"
"When I take the girls to the hospital today, I want to tell Tenzin and Pema they left."
Korra turned her head to the side and let out a breath. Her fingers flexed on Asami's thighs, and then she drummed them nervously.
"They're going to find out anyway. I want Tenzin and Pema to have the opportunity to make that kind of decision for Meelo as a family, you know?" Asami urged.
"I know, you're right," Korra murmured, closing her eyes. "I didn't challenge Bumi about it because... I get where he's coming from. I've been in that headspace where you need to just get away to figure out how to deal."
Korra thought back to her time alone, wandering the Earth Kingdom. It felt so long ago like it was a different person—one who welcomed sleeping on the hard ground because they didn't care. Swollen knuckles and aching shoulders were badges of honor. The echo in her mind repeating, you deserved this , her only companion.
Asami moved her hands to Korra's. "I know."
Korra opened her eyes and turned back to Asami, the person she had been thinking around during that time. Like a dream, you recalled having when waking, but couldn't remember any of the details. Now Korra knew it was a willful ignorance. She wasn't allowing herself thoughts of a happy future.
A small smile had formed on her face. "Well, then we better get our day going so you can get to the hospital."
Prince Wu looked out into the courtyard as he munched on his afternoon snack of shrimp-eel crisps. Between meetings, Wu often drifted towards one of the palace's many large windows. He had learned that having a birds-eye view of the courtyard and other outside corridors gave him insight into who spoke to each other in a friendly manner and tried to talk away from prying eyes.
He and Suyin were currently in pursuit of allies for Suyin's upcoming political move. It was decided that they would use Avatar Korra and Asami Sato's article as an opportunity for one way to feel people out. Their method was not to bring it up but wait to see who would and how favorably they spoke of the announcement.
The general climate around it was not great. Wu couldn't say he was surprised, but he had hoped that maybe the Avatar could give Earth Kingdom citizens a pause before the knee-jerk reactions of disapproval and even disgust.
Wu was learning more and more that the Earth Kingdom's opinion of Avatar Korra couldn't catch a break. Her dating a woman was one more thing on the list of disappointments. There was still a lot of resentment over his aunt's death from three years ago and the fallout that came from it. Wu only heard about what happened second hand, but many people felt the Avatar's pilgrimage around the Earth Kingdom, and a visit to the Queen invited the danger that was the Red Lotus.
Wu was starting to wonder if bringing her out here was not the best idea after all. Potentially becoming King had taught him to develop a trick he liked to call 'selective hearing.' He'd lick his wounds in private, but at the moment, Wu to hold his head high and brush cruel remarks off.
Could Avatar Korra ignore the whispers behind her back?
Suyin slid up next to Wu, checking his shoulder.
"I think I've made a few friends."
"Who?" Wu asked before popping a few crisps in his mouth.
"The representatives from Omashu, all of them," Suyin said, barely containing her excitement. "I caught the whole group with the magazine right on the table while they were having lunch. I joked I could get it signed for them, and then I was offered an empty seat. I even brought up marriage, and apparently, it's something that has come up there before. Omashu is a pretty forward-thinking state."
"That's one way of categorizing it."
Suyin held up a finger. "Once ruled by a long time friend of Avatar Aang-"
Wu cut her off. "It's the wealthiest state on our side now, next to Zafou."
Suyin used her up-turned finger to poke at Wu's shoulder. "We're going to need that. There is a condition; they want to toss a hat in the ring. They don't know who among them it will be yet, but I think I could live with any of them getting elected, worse case. They'll back us for holding an election, then support me if their candidate does not flourish and vice versa."
Wu rooted around in his crisp bag, trying to pick out the few remaining pieces. "We can only make that deal once, you know."
"I think of all the states, Omashu is the best to use it on; well, except Gaoling."
"Those people are intense. I wish Mako were still here. He did some detective snooping after the 'incident,' trying to sniff out who was involved. He must have formed a profile on every statesperson."
"Why didn't you say something sooner? Get that boy on the phone."
Wu moved a few steps away from Suyin. "Yeah… we can do that."
"Am I hitting a sore subject?"
"No, no." Wu held up his hand.
Suyin shrugged. "Well, even without Mako's insight, we are almost close to having enough support for an election. I think we should act soon."
"What about Avatar Korra?"
"I don't think we can wait for her, she didn't give me a date, and I do not want to push her injuries. Might be better if she comes out after the announcement anyways, less conspiratorial."
"I've been thinking, do you think it's wise to bring her at all? The feedback hasn't been too favorable."
"Korra is a big girl; she can handle it." Suyin cocked her head to the side and eyed Wu. She moved a few steps closer, making up the ground Wu had put between them. "Now that you mention it, worrying if Korra can cope? Rich states on our side a reason to be concerned? This isn't like you. Has something been bothering you? You've seemed a bit muted lately."
Wu raised his hands before cupping them over his face. "I haven't heard from Tu since we discovered the magazine. I can't help but think…"
Suyin nodded to herself. "He'll come around."
"And if he doesn't?"
"You can't force people to accept things they don't want to accept. My sister Lin and I didn't talk for thirty years over a disagreement. People need to get there in their own time."
"He doesn't know about me, at least I didn't think so. I've tried to make no secret of it. It might just be all in my head... There could be another reason-"
"You need to stop worrying about it because there is nothing you can do or could have done. Focus on the big task we have in front of us. I need you to make this all happen."
"You're right, you're right." Wu nodded dramatically. "I am with you, and I am ready to schmooze some more politicians."
"Atta boy. Tell them all about those salad wraps you like to get at the spa, or even better, bring some of those hold-outs with you!"
"It's a seaweed wrap, and you really should get one. We should go now, the two of us."
"But the - meeting," Suyin protested.
"No one will miss us. I'll be sure to get us back before the cocktail party the reps from Gaoling are throwing. We've been working really hard, and we need to look our best if we're going to nab them."
Asami found herself once again in the hospital lobby. How many times in a few short weeks had she walked through these doors? Ikki and Jinora dashed off ahead of her once inside. Fortunately, a receptionist stopped the girls from going too far.
"They are Master Tenzin's children," Asami called out, catching up to the girls.
"Let me just go check in and see if it's a good time. Rohan has a few tests in progress," the receptionist said before darting down the hall.
"Thank you. C'mon girls, let's take a seat," Asami said, steering the girls towards the sitting area.
They didn't wait long before Tenzin rushed into the lobby. Ikki and Jinora jumped out of their seats in unison to meet him.
"Daddy!" they cried.
"Girls!" Tenzin uttered as he choked back a sob. His daughters crashed into him, and he squeezed them close. "I've missed you."
"We missed you too," Ikki murmured, tightening her embrace.
Jinora pulled back a bit to look up to her father. "Can we see Rohan?"
"And Mommy?" Ikki added.
Tenzin nodded and ushered them towards the critical care unit. Ikki looked back and waved to Asami. "You can come too."
"I'll be right behind you. I just need to make a phone call," Asami said back. It was a small lie, but she wanted to give the family a few moments alone.
Asami leaned back into her seat and let her mind drift. She started plotting out her day, but soon she was back in bed with Korra. Both half asleep, they instinctively sought each other's mouths. Her stomach fluttered as she remembered the feel of the Avatar's lips on hers. The encounter was not unlike waking from the many dreams she had about Korra while she was away, but now she was still there when her eyes opened. Asami hated to complain, given all that has been going on, but they barely had an intimate moment alone since Korra broke her leg.
"Asami," Tenzin called out, lurching her from her thoughts.
Asami's cheeks pinked as she met his gaze. "Tenzin."
"Thank you for bringing the girls. Do you know why Meelo didn't come? Neither would tell me why."
Asami rose from her seat to be closer to eye level with Tenzin. "Bumi left with Meelo yesterday." She reached into her satchel and pulled out the folded letter from Bumi. She had taken the opportunity to swipe it from Tenzin's office before leaving the island.
"Did he say when they were coming back?" Tenzin asked, opening the letter. His eyes scanned the words written in Bumi's crude handwriting.
"No. It doesn't sound like any time soon. Bumi didn't tell us where they were. It sounded like they might still be somewhere in the city, but I know he's planning on taking Meelo out of town. I think you need to find them right away."
"I don't know. I shouldn't leave Pema and…"
"You might not get another opportunity," Asami urged.
"Understood," Tenzin said with a heavy sigh. "I have a feeling I know where they've gone. Bumi used the word discipline three times in the first couple of sentences. Let Pema know I will be back as soon as I can."
The sun was dipping closer to the rusty mountains looming just above the small farming village of Pen, outside the capital of New Gaipan. The glow cast a long shadow over the single-story structures, almost tricking Kai into thinking it was later than it was as he silently made the trek to the room he and the other boys would be all sharing for their stay.
They had agreed to meet back around three to discuss their findings. Kai opened the door to find he was the last to return.
"We were about to send a search party for you," Yanten, the oldest of the group, called out to him.
"And that's why you all look so relaxed?" Kai retorted, taking a seat next to Yung on the floor.
Yung cleared his throat as Kai settled and addressed the group. "So now that we finished our rounds of interviews with the townies, I figured we could go over our notes and share."
"Ugh, you're almost worse than Otaku," Yanten groaned.
"I don't know why you all aren't writing down at least some notes from your discussions with people. How are we supposed to remember everything when we get back to Air Temple Island? This is only our second town, and I don't see us slowing down anytime soon."
Kai tapped his forehead. "It's all up here."
"Yeah," Mu concurred. "Mental notes are just as good."
"None of you can write, huh?" Yung asked in a deadpan tone.
The other boys looked at each other sheepishly.
"I can write a little bit," Yanten offered. "I had to write a ransom note or two in my day."
Yung held up his hands in disbelief. "The only writing experience amongst you five is gang-related."
"If you're so concerned about getting it all down, you can take notes for us," Yanten offered.
Yung pulled on the hairs of his soul patch. "I guess that is my new plan, so if you all want to tell me what you heard from the locals, I can start jotting it down."
"I dub Yung the official note-taker of the group!" Kai called out, slapping a hand on Yung's back. The force knocked his pen from his hand. It rolled into the middle of the small circle their bodies formed.
The five boys started to clap for Yung. He scowled, but it eventually softened, and he took a bow to accept his title. Yung used his bent-over position as an opportunity to collect his pen.
"It's our first mission together. We're going to figure out all this stuff as we go," Kai said, looking around the group. The boys nodded, except Yung, who was face deep into his notebook.
Yanten used a hand to smooth back the long hairs of his freshly shaved mohawk and then held it up to get the group's attention. "I got an interesting piece of information; a celebration is starting tonight. I guess some kind of harvest festival will be going on for a couple of days. We picked the perfect day to arrive here, my boys."
"Really? A podunk town's festival?" Cheng muttered.
"C'mon, festivals mean local girls dressing up cute and hanging around hoping to meet eligible bachelors like ourselves," Yanten said, pulling at his collar and puffing out his chest.
"I'm following you now," Cheng murmured with an exaggerated nod.
Cheng was seated next to his brother Chang. They both had shaggy sand-colored hair and looked similar enough they often got mistaken for twins. Chang gave Cheng a nudge and then held out his hand "Giiiiirls."
"Giiiiils," Cheng repeated and slapped his brother's hand. After they made contact, Cheng looked over at Kai. His grin widened. "Except little Kai-Kai. No girls for you."
"That's right, there is one non-bachelor among us," Chang added mournfully.
"Let's not get into it," Kai murmured, shifting in his seat.
"I thought you broke up with Jinora before coming out here?" Yanten asked, leaning towards the younger man.
"We had a bit of a fight before I left, that's all..." Kai started. He paused for a moment to think about their conversation. "I don't even really understand why we were fighting."
Cheng let out a huff. "She started it?"
"Yeah," Kai agreed.
"Typical," Chang said, finishing for Cheng.
"Jinora is not your typical girl," Kai argued.
"I always thought it was brave of you to date Master Tenzin's daughter," Mu said thoughtfully.
Yanten put an arm around Kai. "Our fearless leader here is a brave and bold kinda guy. So don't hesitate to turn to him tonight when you need a wingman or an excuse to ditch a girl that's not working out for you."
"Hey, I thought you were gonna say something nice!" Kai moaned as he attempted to wriggle out of Yanten's grip.
Yanten chucked and gave Kai's shoulder a shake. "We used to have a fall guy back when I'd go out partying with the Red Monsoons. Usually, it was me because I was the youngest."
"How many eligible girls do you think are in this town?" Kai asked.
"Let's go find out!" Yanten shouted, jumping up from his seat. Cheng and Chang quickly followed. Mu eased up from his seat, using the wall to brace himself.
Kai rolled his eyes but rose as well.
The boys hooted as they stormed out of the room, leaving Yung alone.
"What about the notes?"
The harvest celebration that night was a surprisingly festive affair. Kai and his group were welcomed and fed like guests of honor. All the vendors pushed back any coins offered for their street foods. This, of course, sent Mu into a frenzy, sampling from all the food stands. He had to leave the party early, sick from so many different fried foods. Yung offered to bring him back to their room and should have returned by now to Kai's estimation, but he was starting to get the feeling the responsible Yung had probably also decided to call it a night.
Kai stood alone to watch Cheng, Chang, and Yanten flirt with the local girls. They were all a bit older and taller than Kai. Their lanky forms towered over the small gaggle of girls chatting with them by the town center's bonfire. Circling the fire was about eight or so Earthbenders, pushing and pulling the ground in some sort of ritual or dance. Kai wasn't sure which it was where he was standing.
"How come you aren't with your friends?" a female voice asked, startling Kai from his thoughts.
He looked over to see a young woman in her teens standing beside him. She was wearing a pale green knee-length dress with flowers embroidered along the bottom. On her head was a pale flower crown that all the young women at the festival seem to be wearing. She was holding a cup full of fruit slices. She poked at a piece with a small pick and popped it into her mouth. She saw his eyes go to her fruit bowl, so she held it out towards him.
"Want one? We only get guava melons during the harvest festival. A rare treat."
Kai waved the bowl away. "I'm stuffed, but thank you. What are they doing exactly?"
The girl turned her attention to the fire and benders. "It's the harvest dance. They reenact the steps of the growing cycle, from planting to harvesting. They even bend the earth into the shapes of the different foods we grow. It's pretty impressive and takes years to perfect."
Kai nodded. "That's kinda cool, never heard of such a thing before. And I'm from the Earth Kingdom originally."
"Where from?"
"All over."
"It's been a while since we had airbenders check in on us. After Avatar Korra took Kuvira down, we didn't think your people would be making any more rounds," the girl said with a shrug. She selected another slice of guava melon and nibbled on it.
"We know that removing Kuvira wasn't going to make everything suddenly better for the Earth Kingdom. We had a little cleaning up we needed to do in Republic City after the attack, but we're now able to spare some of us to do what we can."
"I'm envious. I wish I could travel around the Earth Kingdom."
"It's no vacation," Kai countered.
"I know." The girl turned to meet Kai's gaze. "I wish I felt like what I was doing mattered. Hard to feel that way in some little village where the big thing to happen to you is the guava melon vendor comes by."
"I'm sure there is something you could do. We airbenders can travel farther faster, but we don't stay in one place for very long. You could get a group of people together who would be able to stay in places longer and make lasting changes."
"I guess that's true…but how would I even start something like that?"
"You just have to start asking around, see if other people feel the way you do. Me and the guys can ask around too at the next couple of places we go. Send them to this village to find you."
The girl held out her free hand to Kai. "My name is Yenay, by the way."
"I'm Kai," he said, taking her hand. "What you want is totally possible. You just gotta take the chance and do it."
Yenay blushed and took her hand back. "I want to take a chance."
Tenzin was relieved to see the naval base in Dragon Flats become visible below him as he cleared a small cluster of clouds. He ramped up his speed, gaining a boost of adrenaline from seeing his destination before him.
Tenzin wrapped his cloak tightly around his body as he maneuvered his way through the base. His traditional Airbender garments at times made him feel a bit out of place, but never more so than around the military. The organization had always made him a bit uneasy; he couldn't remember the last time he was around so many soldiers.
Fortunately, he didn't have to look long to spot his brother sitting at a dock with two large baskets, prying at something in his hands.
"Bumi."
The scrappy older man looked up from his shucking at the sound of his name.
"Tenzin," he gasped, dropping the oyster from his mitts. It fell into the sea with a plop.
Tenzin stepped closer. "Where is Meelo?"
"Choring elsewhere," Bumi said, fishing another oyster from the basket.
"What are you doing here?" Tenzin asked.
Bumi looked up at his younger brother. His eyes were squinting from the midday sun. "I couldn't leave the boy there to sit around with his guilt. I remembered what got me out of my bad place; hard work, discipline, and the open sea." Bumi hoisted himself up from his seat. He tossed the oyster back into the basket, unopened. "Let me take Meelo away for a bit. There is a cadet program for minors. I'd be with him, never let him out of my sight."
"You can't just take my son away from his home."
"I'm not trying to steal your son Tenzin. I'm trying to help him. How can you not see the boy is restless? He needs purpose and structure. The United Forces can harness all of that," Bumi pressed.
Tenzin took a step closer, so he was almost nose to nose with Bumi. "Meelo is an airbender, not a soldier."
"Tell me, how do you see things going for Meelo; day after that looking at his little brother, crippled, knowing he's the cause?"
Tenzin stepped back. "So it was Meelo…"
"It was an accident."
"Meelo needs to be with his family, so we can all heal together."
"Dad?"
The men turned around to find Meelo slowly approaching. He had an oversized United Forces jacket around his shoulders.
Bumi patted Meelo on the back as he passed by. "Leave it up to the boy. I won't take him away against his will. I want what's best for him."
"Dad, I… I'm sorry," Meelo muttered as he stopped in front of his father.
Tenzin bent down to be eye level with Meelo. "Tell me what happened?"
"I wanted to... I dunno… help Rohan's airbending come out. I tried all these things in your airbender book, but nothing worked. So I flew with him, I think it was working, but I… he slipped and…" Tears started to well at the corners of Meelo's eyes. He quickly rubbed at them with the back of his hand. Harshly rubbing his face, his head shaking back and forth.
Tenzin used every core muscle he had to control his breathing. "But why would you do that? You know bending happens when it happens."
"I was worried he wasn't going to be an airbender…"
"Why didn't you talk to us about it?" Tenzin asked, leaning in closer.
"I dunno, I wanted to show you I was a capable airbender. If I could teach Rohan, maybe you'd finally let me do something again!" Meelo hollered, taking his hand off his eyes. "You never let me do anything anymore!"
Tenzin's head began to spin. He clutched it and stood back up. "What book were you reading?"
"How to find airbenders…" Meelo said, clutching the oversized jacket closer around him.
"That book is Fire Nation…" Tenzin trailed off. "Fire Nation filth" was what he wanted to say, but his father would never let him speak ill of the Fire Nation. His father had forgiven them. It was not Tenzin's grudge to hold. Aang held onto those books as a reminder of the past, so it would never be repeated. Forgive, but not forget. Yet here it was still causing harm.
"You know you're not supposed to go into my study Meelo."
"I know," Meelo whispered, wilting.
"If you know better than why did you-" Tenzin's thoughts drift to Rohan. His tiny little body hooked up to so many machines.
"Dad, I'm sorry!" Meelo wailed.
"I know, I know," Tenzin moaned back.
"He'll be okay. Rohan will be okay right?"
Tenzin shot a questioning look at Bumi. Bumi gave a quick shake of his head. He didn't have the heart to tell Meelo the diagnosis yet.
"Rohan will…" Tenzin started, but the words died in his throat. He had not yet uttered the words aloud, even to himself. Last night he let the large dark-haired medic advise Opal and the other well-wishers in the lobby. When the doctors delivered the formal diagnosis to Pema and himself this morning, they only nodded, accepting what they feared was going to be true. He recalled Pema's small hand seeking out his own. At that moment, he was grateful Pema was going to be by his side for this journey.
Bumi waited for Tenzin to finish what he started, but he could see that the news was too difficult to speak all over his face. "He's paralyzed," Bumi said, turning to Meelo. He felt the weight of the words as they left his lips.
Meelo bowed his head. "That means he can't walk. He'd be like Korra when she was hurt."
"But he won't get better as Korra could," Bumi added.
"I broke my little brother…"
Tenzin grabbed his temple and rubbed it a few times before seeking out his son's gaze. "Meelo, let's go home. We can keep talking, and we will get through this together."
Meelo violently shook his head. "I want to stay here!"
"Meelo."
"I…" Meelo started, but the words escaped him.
Bumi put a hand on Meelo's shoulder. "I promise I'll bring him home as soon as he's ready. We'll be shipping off to the Fire Nation tomorrow. I'll write when we get there."
"Meelo, you don't have to go. You still belong with the family, no matter what."
Meelo shrunk away from his father and hid behind Bumi. "Just for a little while…"
Tenzin looked to Bumi and repeated. "Just for a little while."
Asami checked her watch after stepping into her Satomoblile in the hospital parking lot. She had a meeting with Hong at the family home in twenty minutes and was just barely going to make it in time. Ikki and Jinora were resistant to leaving their mother alone with Rohan since Tenzin had not yet returned from his search for Meelo and Bumi. A plan was made that Asami would go to her meeting and then return to the hospital to pick the girls up and bring them back to the island. Usually, the girls would just fly home themselves, but things still felt shaky and unpredictable in the city. Everyone felt more comfortable if they all traveled together.
Once into the city's downtown area, passing Future Industries corporate tower, Asami's vehicle was on a very well worn path towards the family home. How many times had she driven from the office to the mansion? When she first moved out and into an apartment, she often started back this way before catching herself and having to turn back around to the opposite side of town. Asami could easily walk to work from her apartment, but she preferred the sufficiency of driving.
A left onto Willow's Ridge and then the fourth driveway on the right, and she was cruising up the long driveway to the Sato family mansion. As Asami made it up to the parking area, she could see Hong outside waiting. He had a lawn chair and table set up in front of his small cottage annexed to the main home.
"Good afternoon Miss Sato," the older gentleman greeted, rising from his seat.
"Hi Hong, thank you for taking the time to do this with me," Asami said, offering a hand. They shook briefly and began to move towards the main entrance of the mansion.
Hong shrugged. "With no occupants, I've got all the time in the world."
"Cherish these last few days of calm. It's going to get really intense around here. I think it might be best if I put you up in a hotel during the construction. I want this up and running as soon as possible, which will mean three shifts of workers. Early morning and into the evening."
"I would appreciate that."
Asami stopped in front of the door and turned to Hong. "And you are sure you are still up for keeping the grounds. It will be like the time Bolin and Mako's family were living here, but exponentially more hectic."
Hong straightened out his stooping shoulder. "I'm up for the challenge."
"I don't want you to think this is the only opportunity for you. You have a job with me no matter what. I will make sure you are taken care of."
Hong fidgeted with his hands. Noticing his age starting to show in the small brown spots speckled across his knuckles. "To be honest, I can't see myself anywhere else. I took this job an odd twenty years ago. I'm in my mid-fifties. At this point, tending this home is really all I know."
"Alright, then let's do the walkthrough," Asami said, grasping the large handle of the main door. She pushed it open with a bit of exertion, and the pair entered the home. "I'm glad you've been with us for so long. I hope you can confirm what parts of the architecture I should be sure to preserve or at least have removed in full to be repurposed elsewhere. I know my father mentioned importing many 'expensive' wood from the Fire Nation for my mother. What I want to know is whether it was salvaged from some antique home or just fresh lumber from twenty-plus years ago."
"I know of a few ornate fixtures, but you might need to have an expert come by," Hong said, scratching at the back of his head.
Asami let out a sigh. "We don't have the time to ship someone out here, so I guess we'll just have to do our best. The only two people who would care if I threw out an antique at this point are dead."
Hong pursed his lips, feeling a twinge awkward. "Miss Sato, I-"
"It is what it is. We're giving this place purpose. It's a way to honor my mother," Asmai paused thoughtfully. "And father. That is a good thing. Good things are going to happen here."
Hong nodded. "Yes, Miss Sato."
They moved into the main sitting area and took a look around.
"The furniture is all imported. I would recommend putting that into storage for now. I think that Earth Kingdom family pushed it to its limits. Most of it is more decorative than functional," Hong offered.
"I agree. I want people to feel comfortable living here. Right now, it looks like a museum. Speaking of museums, I have one room that I do not want to be touched."
Asami started up the stairs, and Hong trailed behind her as fast as he could to keep up. She led them to her parent's bedroom door.
"I can't bring myself to do anything to this room," Asami said, opening the door for Hong. He peered inside but didn't enter.
"As your mother last left it," Hong muttered, followed by a heavy sigh. "One day, if you should ever return to this home, consider making this your room. It is the master bedroom."
"How could I? At this point, it's been left this way for so long would it be even more disrespectful to occupy the space?"
"I don't think your mother would have wanted you to make a shrine of her possessions. Had she gone at her natural time, you would have inherited her things because she wanted you to have them and enjoy them. You honor heirlooms by getting the same use and enjoyment as the family members before you, not by letting them collect dust."
Hong held out his left arm and pulled back his sleeve, revealing a small silver wristwatch. "My father's watch. He was enthralled by the mechanical genius of them when they first came out. Can you imagine? He saved up for a long time to buy it. First, in his village to own one."
"I don't know if there is anything here like that…"
"Well, think about it. Nothing you have to address anytime soon. I reckon you and the Avatar are a ways from settling down."
Asami's face quickly flushed. "You read the article."
"I don't know if Hiroshi is turning in his grave over it. May he rest in peace. But I'm sure Yatsko would have been happy for you."
Asami gave a small nod, contemplating her thoughts on her father's feelings on the matter. And she had no idea what her mother would think, but it was nice to hear something say she'd be okay with it.
"I'm happy for you too," Hong said with a squeeze of Asami's shoulder, catching her attention.
"Thank you, that means a lot to me." Asami closed her parent's bedroom door. Her hand ran over the soft, wood panels. "I plan on having a secret door created. So anyone walking by will have no idea anything is here."
"And your room?"
"I'll have my things moved out, and it will get turned over into a functioning room like the rest."
Hong gave her a nod. "Understood. I believe all the bedroom doors are salvaged."
"I wondered that since they are all different," Asami said thoughtfully. "We can have them all taken out and salvaged again. I think each room should have an individual lock for privacy and security anyway."
Asami moved from her parent's room and down the hall. "Alright. I've got a tough one for us, Dad's office…"
Hong chuckled. "I believe if you sold off the contents of that room, it could very well cover the cost of the construction."
Korra looked down at her feet as they dangled over the edge in the women's bath. Her left foot looked four times the size of the other with the big white cast on it. She had an appointment with a waterbending healer this afternoon and figured it would be easier to bow out of going to the hospital. That way, the girls didn't have to hurry back, especially with the extra time it took her to get around.
Korra felt a twinge of frustration with her circumstances. She wished she could get around like she used to. She wished she could visit Rohan, Pema, and Tenzin.
"This is only temporary. I will walk again," Korra whispered to herself.
"Avatar Korra," a woman's voice called out.
Korra looked up to see a woman of Southern Watertribe heritage. She had one long dark braid that rested on her shoulder. Her eyes were like many natives, blue, but slightly lighter than Korra's, almost like ice. The woman was maybe a few years older than herself.
"Hello," Korra replied shyly.
"My name is Tapeesa. I'll be treating you today. Shall we get into the tub?" The healer asked, extending a hand to Korra.
Korra hesitated to take it. "What about the cast? I've never had a water treatment with one before. Won't it get too wet?"
"I will be sure to bend all the water off once the session is over."
Korra grinned. "I guess I could give it a little blow dry too, just to be sure."
Tapeesa chuckled. "What am I saying? You could bend the water off yourself. I'm surprised you're not managing your own healing. You have the ability, right?"
"Yeah, I wasn't sure with it being a break and the cast is kinda weird to work around," Korra explained as she let Tapeesa guide her into the water.
"It won't be a problem. I've healed many bones in casts before."
Korra eased herself into the warm water and tried to let herself relax. "I'm just relieved Xaiver was able to set this up. There are not enough of you in this city. What's with that?"
Tapeesa considered Korra's question as she began to bend the healing waters over her leg. "I hear that this job in the Fire Nation pays exceptionally well because it's such a rare treatment there. And then, I'm sure you can attest, not a lot of people tend to leave the tribe."
Korra's mind drifted to the snowy woods, cold wind, and deep silence. She didn't get to share any of that with Asami. Their trip was cartoonishly short, and when she was there because of the Tigerpillar spirit, even shorter.
"I miss the cold sometimes, but more often than not, it's the food…" Korra sighed. "Hardly anything that you can fish there, you can fish here. I've tried some of the so-called Southern Water Tribe restaurants, but it's not the same if the catch isn't fresh."
Tapeesa nodded vigorously. "Ugh, I know. I moo-sow-out when I go to visit my parents. I feel like I have to waddle back on to the ship home."
"I was just there," Korra mused. "Twice, but neither time long enough to really enjoy it."
"Official Avatar business?" Tapeesa asked, keeping her eyes on the water.
Korra's hand fidgeted on the railing of the large bath. "Sorta, this damn Spirit is guarding the portal entrance. We got into the Spirit World, but then he blocked us from getting out. Had to go to the Southern Portal and then back to Republic City via ship."
"Sounds stressful."
Asami didn't see Korra waiting in the courtyard, so she assumed she must still be in her healing session in the women's baths. As she got closer, the sound of Korra and an unknown woman gave Asami confirmation on her theory. She entered the baths unnoticed and decided to stand back to make sure she didn't interrupt the healer's concentration or chi-flow. Asami wasn't a hundred percent on the mechanics of what a healing session involved.
"What's the Spirit World like? I'd love to see it." Asami heard the healer ask. She moved out of the doorway and more into the bathing area to view the session.
Korra clicked her tongue as she considered the place in question. "It's beautiful. Hard to describe because it's a whole other world in itself. There are different regions with their own climates, just like our own."
Asami stopped moving closer once Korra and the healer came into view. She almost rubbed her eyes in disbelief. Did she see double? The healer had her back to Asami. Her muscular arms and shoulders were effortless bending the bathwater. With her dark skin and Watertribe inspired clothing, she could only remind Asami of Korra.
"Will us average schmucks ever be allowed in someday?" the healer asked playfully.
Korra smirked. "For the moment, only if you're spiritual enough to meditate inside. You're a healer. You've never tried?"
"I meditate plenty. It's just never taken me beyond my yoga mat," Tapeesa replied with a chuckle. She rose from her spot in the bath, the water. "The break is healing nicely."
Asami felt herself feel a bit relieved the woman could not meditate into the Spirit World. It only dawned on her now that she and Korra could take mini trips to the Spirit World if she could master that ability herself.
"It got set right after I fell. I don't know if that makes a difference," Korra said with a shrug.
"Usually, you wait until the swelling goes down before setting, but it seemed to work out for you all the same," Tapeesa said, patting Korra's unbroken leg. "I think it would be best if I came back a few more times."
Korra nodded. "I may have to go to the Earth Kingdom here pretty soon if needed. Would you be able to make a recommendation for a healer over there? I'd be in Ba Sing Se."
"Aww, hopefully not too soon." Tapeesa thought for a moment. "I think someone I trained alongside ended up moving there. I can see if I have their contact information."
"Your session going well?" Asami asked, crossing her arms as she made herself visible to the other women.
Tapeesa waved, looking beyond Korra. The Avatar careened her neck to see who it was.
"Asami!"
"All finished for the day," Tapeesa announced, holding a hand out to Korra.
Korra moved to rest her arm on Tapeesa's shoulder, and they walked her out of the tub. It was slow and awkward goings hopping through water, but they eventually managed to get Korra up and out. She eased down on her butt onto the tile and allowed Tapeesa to bend the water from the cast. Korra was surprised by how much water came off.
"Do we need to pay you directly, or does it go through the hospital billing?" Asami asked, taking a few steps closer to where Korra was sitting on the floor.
Tapeesa thought for a moment. "I don't think the hospital is charging the Avatar for her care."
"Does this mean you won't be compensated for your time?"
"It's no problem." Tapeesa turned and flashed Korra a smile. "It's an honor to heal the Avatar."
"I'll make sure you get taken care of," Asami said, reaching into her satchel. She pulled out her business card and passed it over to the healer. "Send the bill to my office. "
Asami put an arm on Tapeea's shoulder and guided her towards the door of the women's baths. "I can see you out."
"I'll see you in a couple of days Avatar Korra," Tapeesa said with a small wave.
"Sounds good! Thank you!" Korra called back.
After a few minutes, Asami returned to the bath and took a seat next to Korra, who was still on the tile.
"Is she the only waterbending healer available?" Asami asked dryly.
Korra cocked her head to the side. "Why? She's really good."
"She's gorgeous, and she likes you."
Korra snorted. "Aww, c'mon. She's just being professional." Asami didn't respond. "You're jealous?"
Asami looked away. "A little, yeah."
"Come here," Korra said, waving Asami to her. "You've got nothing to worry about."
Asami chuckled as she scooted closer to Korra. "I'm not worried. It's just been a minute since I saw someone look at you that way that many people do."
"Huh?"
"I told you, you have this effect on people. I need to appoint someone to keep an eye on you while you're in Ba Sing Se," Asami said, dipping a finger into the warm bath waters.
"Um, you're a gorgeous woman who will be unaccompanied here in the city. Who am I going to have watching after you."
"We did make it pretty public that the two of us are off the market."
"That's right! I'm sure Tapeesa knows that", Korra offered.
"Using her name?"
"C'mon…" Korra moaned, giving Asami a playful nudge.
Asami took in a deep breath. "While we're on the subject, there is something I should tell you. I saw my ex at the hospital yesterday. I want you to hear this from me; she's the one making the mover that Bolin is going to be in."
Korra blinked a few times. "I don't know if I care much for that."
"This is the first time I've seen her since we broke up. I only knew Bolin was working with her when I saw the name on the script he brought to the temple."
"But now you're going to see her more often, right?"
Asami shook her head. "No. She was just looking for some closure. We don't want to be a part of each other's lives."
"I see..." Korra said with a couple of slow nods. Then she suddenly flinched and slammed her fits on the tile. "Ugh! I feel jealous now. Jealousy sucks." She pouted her lip and looked to Asami.
Asami tried to mirror Korra's melancholy mood but found her lips twerk upwards into a smile, then into laughter. Korra's pout didn't last long. Soon she too was laughing.
When their laughter finally settled, Korra rested her head on Asami's shoulder. "I love you so much," she whispered.
Asami smiled and moved her head to kiss the top of Korra's.
Suyin couldn't remember the last time she felt this good. Between the spa trip and very productive schmoozefest, Suyin had the rest and confidence she needed to make her pitch to the state representatives. She checked her watch before looking around the empty halls. They planned to be at the meeting room first to get seats facing the door, so they could watch everyone as they entered.
"Suyin Beifong!" Wu called out as he strolled down the hallway. "You look dressed to take on all of Ba Sing Se!"
Suyin gave Wu a once over. He was in a suit made entirely of mossy green crushed velvet. Amber epaulets that had long golden cords adorned his shoulders.
Wu twirled. "You like it?"
"I'd say you're the one dressed to conquer."
"Who doesn't love a little drama? Let's snag seats at the head of the table."
Suyin took a look around the room, taking in the calm before it dissipated. Their weekly all representative meetings were housed in a dining room that the Queen once used to entertain intimate gatherings of a mere hundred or so guests. Suyin hated to admit it was perfect. A room with a very long table with enough seating for all the representatives was hard to come by.
"I hear them coming," Wu muttered, sitting up straight in his seat.
"Let's stand to greet them," Suyin replied, patting Wu on the back.
The pair watched the room fill with men and women from all over the Earth Kingdom. Statesmen held side conversations until Chin, a statesman from Chixu elected as the foreman for these meetings, banged the gavel.
"Welcome, everyone. As we begin this meeting, does anyone have any new business they would like to bring to the table?"
Wu's hand shot up in the air. A few other statesmen raised their hands, tentatively after seeing the sureness of Wu.
"Prince Wu, why don't you start things off."
Wu rose as Chin sat. "As you all know, I have stepped aside as heir to the Earth Kingdom's throne to disband the monarchy and make our nation one of democracy. I believe that the states should have their own elected leaders because it is the citizens of those states who know who and what is best for them. However, after observing this amazing process of detangling the monarchy's system, I have come to realize that there is a need for oversight. Elected rulers of the states need to be held accountable if there are imbalances. I no longer want Ba Sing Se's rings to reflect the Earth Kingdom. I do not want states to operate as the upper, middle, and outer ring of the Earth Kingdom. I want all states to have the same opportunity and access. I believe this would be best upheld if we had one elected official, a president of the Earth Kingdom's states, making us the United Earth States. And this president would not be elected by us here today but by every citizen. Every voice in this Kingdom matters. Any state may have a representative run for this highest position of office."
"And the term?"
"Three years?" Wu offered.
"Would there be a limit for the number of candidates per state?"
"For local elections, no, but for the general election, one candidate per state and no states are obigated to offer a candidate."
"Any further questions?" Chin asked the room.
"If my motion is approved, we can hash out all the details as they come up."
Chin held up his gavel. "All in favor of the motion?"
Suyin raised her hand and dared a look down the table. The representatives she and Wu had spoken with were all holding up their hands. For a moment, Suyin doubted it was enough. She shot a look back to Chin, who was whispering the count to himself.
He made a note on some paper in front of him. "And all opposed?"
At the very opposite end of the table, several hands rose. Many Suyin and Wu had avoided talking to, many from states right outside of Ba Sing Se, on the border of the outer ring.
"With a count of fifty-four to thirty-seven, the motion is passed," Chin called out as he banged the gavel.
Suyin and Wu turned to each other, both giddy from relief. Suyin snuck a hand under the table to squeeze the young man on the knee. "We did it!"
"Now that the motion is passed, Prince Wu we will need a formal proposal written submitted for the record. All statemen will have an opportunity to review the written statement and submit questions and changes, which we will discuss at next week's meeting. Now, does anyone else have any new business?"
Kai's eyes shot open as he felt hands upon his chest. Groggily his eyes came into focus to see Yung inches from his face.
"Come quickly. It's Kuvira! They found Kuvira outside the village!"
Kai shook his head as he processed and saw the rest of their small crew's anxious faces in their shared room.
"But how can this be?" Mu asked the room, but no one looked his way.
"They're bringing her into the town square now. Let's go!" Yanten shouted, motioning Kai and the others to follow.
The boys all filtered out the room, Kai the last to leave, not bothering with even closing the door.
The sun was already oppressively hot. Kai, still in a daze, looked around for his companions. The alleys bloated with people screaming and jeering. Yanten whistled, getting Kai's attention. He and the other four boys were on the roof of their building. Kai nodded and used a small burst of air to propel himself up to join them.
Once he landed, the group started hopping roofs, following the crowd below towards the center of town.
Kai was still trying to wrap his head around what was happening. He had heard some talk of Kuvira during this trip. A lot of people expressed mixed feelings. She was a tyrant but had made some small corners of the kingdom just a little bit better. He had heard people in this village murmur such things, but there was no love for her right now, as Kai watched a Kuvira being escorted in a mosh of Earth Kingdom guards and vigilantes through the streets.
Cheng waved the others from the roof. "We can see better up here!"
Kai collected the air around him and shot himself to the local grocer's roof, and followed Cheng to the side facing the square. There were so many people around Kuvira she looked like she was one misstep away from sinking below them.
"How can this really be her?" Yung asked no one in particular. "She's supposed to be dead."
Kai felt a sinking feeling wash over him. Avatar Korra… Jinora… Chief Beifong… did they lie?
To be continued...