Authors Notes: Thank you for your patience!
Jinora had been waiting in the gazebo for Korra for quite some time. The gentle lapping of the waves against the rocks below had a lulling effect that made her often forget how much time had passed. Only the ascension of the sun kept pace. A combination of fuchsia and amber, pinkening a few wisps of cloud hovering above the horizon. A red dawn, a bad omen Uncle Bumi would mutter if he was with her. Jinora was curious why sailors were such superstitious people. Was it the boredom, or did the mind play tricks on you when there was nothing but endless water to look at? She found the crimson morning sky beautiful.
Jinora wasn't technically waiting for Korra until about dawn. She arrived hours ago because she couldn't sleep. A letter arrived for her yesterday from Kai. Her father had absent-mindedly stashed it in his pocket after accepting it, only to remember to give it to her after dinner. Jinora now had it in her own pocket. She patted the outline through her fabric absentmindedly.
Korra was now officially late. The sun is halfway through its journey to the top of the sky. The temple bustled with activity, and Jinora regretted not going to breakfast because if Korra showed up now, they wouldn't be back from the Spirit World, likely till lunch or even after that. It's not that Jinora couldn't fast, she was an Air Master, but it did make meditating more difficult. Her father would tell her to focus on the empty pangs of hunger. Her father also couldn't meditate into the Spirit World until a few years ago, so maybe needless self-torture wasn't the best meditative aid.
Jinora steps out of the gazebo and heads towards the temple to get a little something from the kitchen. If Korra was this late, she had better have already eaten. She passes by Zhou Rhen, sitting in the courtyard, hunched over his notebook. This is how she saw him most of the time. He was feverishly drafting his report before the wedding and planned departure to the White Lotus the following day. Zhou Rhen was going to let her read it. He stressed he wanted to do right by Korra and wanted her to make sure he interpreted all events with Korra's feelings in mind. Jinora, of course, isn't a mind reader, but she's always felt she had a pretty good understanding of Korra, except lately.
"I thought you were supposed to be with Korra this morning," Pema chirps as Jinora enters the kitchen.
"Korra has been completely unfocused since she got back from Ba Sing Se," Jinora moans to her mother as she sneaks a pastry from the kitchen counter. She takes a few steps back and leans against the wall to nibble at the flaky bread puff. "And now that she doesn't live here, I'm stuck waiting around, wondering when she will show up."
Pema snickers as her daughter bemoans her situation. She turns her attention back to her food preparation; A bowl of dough balls, a bowl of roasted and chopped vegetables, and a small rolling pin. She plops a dollop of dough on the counter and begins to roll it out into a circle. She then spoons a serving of vegetables in the center. She folds it in half and starts to pinch at the edges. "I think Korra might be in what people call 'the honeymoon phase."
"But they didn't get married," Jinora snorts. "Korra acted like a puppy when they first got together, then mellowed out. She's regressed and seems somehow worse now."
Pema ladles more veggies onto a new flat dough circle. "Moving in together can have a similar effect."
"I feel like I'm the only one taking the anomalies in the Spirit World seriously anymore. Everyone else is too focused on this one."
Pema releases her rolling pin and turns around to face her daughter. "I think your grandfather would be very proud of your dedication to the Spirit World. I think it takes a special person to care about that place."
Jinora wraps her arms around herself. "You're just saying this to make me feel better."
"I'm serious. And if what you say is true, all the better you remain vigilant in your monitoring of the Spirit World. A time may come when your expertise is greatly needed."
"Maybe."
"Jinora!" Korra's voice calls out from down the hall.
Pema turns back to her dumplings. "There she is," Pema says with a wink.
No sooner mentioned, Korra appears in the door frame. "Did I miss breakfast?"
Jinora furrows her brow. "Yes."
"There are a few pastry's on the counter by Jinora, but only take one. It's almost lunchtime!"
Korra spies them and helps herself to the biggest. She shoves half in her mouth in one bite. "Ready, Jinora?"
An hour or so earlier…
Korra's eyes follow Asami's porcelain form as she slips from their bed. She collects a slinky red robe from the chair by her vanity and slides her arms through the sleeves. She ties it closed as she heads to the bathroom.
Once out of sight, Korra flops onto her back and starfishes on the mattress. Her eyes absently roam over the ceiling as she recalls the night they shared. Since moving in, things between her and Asami have heated up. She feels thirsty in a way she can't ever get enough. She wishes to show Asami her love in every way possible as much as she can. Korra would have been scared had it not made her feel so good, like something wild and restless inside her was finally being tamed.
After moments, Asami reenters the room and starts towards her closet.
"Don't get dressed," Korra whispers.
Asami stops reaching for the closet door and turns around. Korra is now sitting up in bed. Her chest completely bare, and the blankets pooled carelessly in her lap, barely covering her torso.
"I'm not the only one who has someplace to be. You need to get ready to meet up with Jinora."
Asami tries to muster a stern face, but as Korra slips out of bed and strides towards her, any resolve she has slipped away. Once in front of Asami, Korra scoops her arm around the back of her head to bring it down for a soft kiss. Unexpectedly so. Korra presses and drags her lips agonizingly soft and firm at the same time into Asami's. Asami finds herself to be the one deepening it with her tongue.
Asami didn't notice when her robe slipped off, she should have felt a chill standing naked, but Korra's warmth enveloped her.
"Maybe," Asami starts between breaths. "We can…" Korra's lips leave hers and begin to explore her neck. "Be a little late."
"Sorry I was late." Korra jogs to keep up with Jinora. She stretches out her arms over her head and groans. "Beautiful day, though, don't you think?"
"I guess," Jinora mutters. It was a beautiful day, but it wasn't penetrating the dark cloud she felt encased around herself.
"So, where do you want to go today?"
"I was thinking we could go to the Wan Shi Tong Library. He's not allowing humans in, but maybe he'd make an exception for you."
"I'd love to see it. Though I'm learning more and more, I have minimal clout in the Spirit World."
The girls assume the lotus position in the courtyard, just outside the gazebo, and their consciousness quickly passes to the Spirit World. Korra wakes up in Xai Bau's Grove. Despite the bad memories, it had become one of the few places they could say the Tigerpillar hadn't caught them. She waits a moment to sense Jinora. Since the younger girl had been there before, she could land her spirit right at the library. Jinora's energy will act as a fixture point for Korra to connect with and move herself to. After a few moments, she could feel Jinora and was surprised to find her energy quite dark.
Korra could tell Jinora was a bit cross with her for being late but couldn't imagine it being the source of such negative energy. She closes her eyes and follows the trail of Jinroa's spirit. When she arrives, Jinora stands beneath a large tree, looking at its branches. It appears there used to be a large structure there, an extensive section had depressed branches, but it was empty now.
"He moved it again."
"That must be quite the chore," Korra grumbles, stepping beside the younger girl. She reaches out her hand to one of the tree's massive roots and palms the bark. Her eyes close, and she searches for traces of the spirit.
There is a flash of light behind Korra's eyes, and the image of a giant black bird appears. He looms large over the small foxes at his feet. He waves his enormous wings in grand gestures as if telling a story to them. She couldn't make out anything the beast was saying. It was like she was underwater. Everything was garbled, but it became clear for one moment Wan Shi Tong's voice utters, "on the solstice."
Korra's eyes shot open as she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Sorry, you were doing that for a very long time."
"I could see Wan Shi Tong, I think. He's a monstrous bird spirit?"
"That's him."
Korra mimics Wan Shi Tong's gestures. "He was talking to these foxes, and I could only hear one bit. He said 'on the solstice.'"
"That must have been when he wanted to move by. The solstices are a very spiritual time. But that's typically because the Spirit World is technically closer to us then."
Korra punches a fist into her other palm. It made a smacking sound. "He must have used that boost to move his library.
"And no mention of where to?"
Korra hops onto one of the tree's roots and looks up into the branches. "No, those were the only words I could hear." She spies a vine dangling within her reach and jumps out to grab it. She uses it as an aid to climbing the trunk.
Jinora follows, jumping onto the branch, then climbs with the vines closely behind Korra. When they reach a large branch, they walk a little way along it.
"So up here?" Korra looks around. "I think this would've been fine for hiding out. Doubt anyone would come up here."
"There was another human, I think, using the library." Jinoa thinks back to the last time at the library. She chased a fox for a while and spied a small desk. "They had an area reserved for a Yorru."
Korra rubs at her chin. "I don't know any Yorru's."
"When I went back again, Wan Shi Tong said he closed it all down for this Yorru."
"Could be a spirit."
"When I challenged Wan Shi Tong on closing it down, he didn't correct me when I assumed another human."
Korra takes a seat on the branch, crossing her legs and resting her chin on one of her hands. "Maybe they're like Iroh. A human spirit. Maybe Iroh knows him?"
"It doesn't even matter. The library's gone, not that I could go in anyways. Something is happening here, but I can't figure out what."
"Perhaps it's just changing." Korra picks at some of the bark. A little bit chips off and blows off the end. "Everything changes with time. Perhaps even the Spirit World isn't immune."
"I got a letter from Kai." Jinora reaches to touch the pocket at her hip but remembers the letter is still with her body and lets her hand fall lamely to her side. "It's over."
Korra scrunches her face. "What? Did I miss something?"
"We haven't quite been getting along recently."
"Is this about Kuvira?"
"A little."
"He confronted us in The Earth Kingdom about getting left out of that secret, but we tried to explain why we had to keep the circle small."
Jinora lets out a long sigh. "You didn't do anything wrong. I could have told him when we first became aware. As his girlfriend, I maybe should have. I could have asked him to keep it a secret. I trust him. He wrote me a letter; he said we're on different paths right now." Jinora wipes her eyes with her sleeve. "He's not wrong, but I don't think it's something we need to break up over."
Korra sees Jinora's arm move to her face and goes to her side. She puts an arm around her shoulder and tugs her closer. "You want to go home?"
Jinora nods. They close their eyes and slip back into their bodies. Jinora is startled to find she is crying in the physical world. She quickly dabs the tears with the sleeves of her wingsuit.
"Can I read the letter?" Korra asks.
Jinora reaches into her pocket and passes it over. Korra slides the note out of the envelope and unfolds it.
"Jinora, I feel my work in the earth kingdom is far from over. I know I can do the most good on the road, spending extended periods in each town. I think I will learn so much more out here. I know you can't won't join me. For the time being, I think it might be best if we take a break from things and just be friends. So we can both focus on what we want to achieve. Miss you, love Kai."
Korra closes the letter. "I'm sorry, Jinora."
The younger girl nods her head slightly.
"You never know. When he gets back, both of you might be in a better place and can revisit things. Sometimes you've met that right person, but it's just not the right time."
"What do I want to achieve? Do I really want to stay on the island for my entire life and become my father someday?"
"You don't have to know the answer now, Jinora. You're so young. I know that the life you have lived may make you feel old, trust me, but you've got so much more time to answer that question. More than you think."
Korra and Jinora are about ready to get up and head to the main building when they spy Suyin Beifong and Wu casually walking toward them. Wu gives the girls a little wave.
Suyin clears her throat. "Korra, I hoped we could catch up on a little business before the wedding."
"We just want to keep some of the heavy stuff out of the Opal and Bolin's big day, ya know?" Wu saunters closer and takes a seat next to Korra.
"Mind if Jinora sticks around?" Korra asks, untucking her legs and stretching them out to sit more comfortably.
"Not at all."
At Suyin's confirmation, Jinora relaxes into her own seated position.
"How are things going at the palace and your campaign?"
Suyin sits down on the gazebo steps. "I'm feeling quite confident about my chances."
"After the trial, a good number of people dropped out. I think they caught a glimpse of how messy things can get in Ba Sing Se." Wu nudges Korra with his elbow.
"And that Gao Ling guy?"
Suyin lets out a long breath. "Oh, he's still running."
"He's running a nasty campaign." Wu fusses with his ascot. "Called me all sorts of unsavory things. Telling people, we're going to make all their children queer. Dragging Bataar Jr. into conversations whenever possible."
"He's fear-mongering, and it's working with some demographics," Suyin grumbles.
"But you're feeling confident about your chances," Korea repeats.
Suyin waves a hand. "Yes, because most people are sane and want the circus that's been going on in their government to stop. I've also built a good relationship with Serpent and the Dai Li. Collaboration and cooperation with the Dai Li is now a big part of my campaign."
"Are you sure that's wise? Can the Dai Li be trusted?" Korra asks. "Based on my experience, I can't give the organization glowing reviews."
"That was my aunts," Wu bows his head. "May she rest in peace, abuse of their power."
"The Dai Li have provided some important information to us. The organization had some major internal conflicts during Kuvira's time. A splinter group broke off, and they have been unable to track them down or know exactly what they are up to."
"Wu, when we were attacked leaving the palace, those were Dai Li, right?"
Wu nods. "Serpent confirmed they left to join the splinter group. Whether or not they were successful, he doesn't know."
"But it was Serpent and his Dai Li that kidnapped Wu." Korra gestures to the prince.
"Yes, he assured us it was his branch of the Dai Li and his alone who were involved in that plot."
"Which was really just about getting back into power in some capacity in Ba Sing Se," Jinora says, breaking her silence.
Wu and Suyin nod.
"So these other Dai Li, how concerned should we be?" Korra asks, cocking her head to one side.
"Serpent says they became disillusioned with the power structures and government after the fall of my aunt. Felt some of Zaheer's logic made sense."
Suyin looks between the two younger women and fixes her gaze on Korra. "We're looking at a likely terrorist group, possible assassination attempts of influential public figures. They will look and act like Dai Li, which makes them especially deadly in the Earth Kingdom because its citizens are groomed to yield to their authority."
"So perhaps all the better if you have a relationship with the real group," Jinora adds.
"Precisely. I'm working with my colleagues from Omashu to develop better verification methods for all Earth Kingdom government employees besides a uniform. People need security in Ba Sing Se and the Earth Kingdom now more than ever."
"With you two there, I'm not concerned everything will get handled." Korra thinks for a moment. "Maybe I can come by sometime to check in after the election."
Wu pats and Korra with child-like enthusiasm. "Tu and I's engagement party will be a few weeks later. You should come then!"
Korra takes a moment with the new information. "Wait, you two are getting married?" The Avatar tries to calculate how long it had been since Kuvira's trial and conceivably the moment the two got together unless there was something they weren't aware of before the kidnapping.
Wu flashes his left hand, and the ring glistens in the late morning sun.
"Congratulations," Korra and Jinora chirp in unison.
Jinora holds up a finger. "But…"
"One of my main campaign promises." Suyin leans in, a hand over her heart. "Once it becomes legal in the Earth Kingdom, I'm confident The United Republic will quickly follow suit."
"That's exciting," Korra mutters. The idea was still working its way through the corridors of her mind. This news was something relevant to her and Asami's possible future. It wasn't that marrying Asami hadn't crossed her mind when she thought about their life together. The fact that they really couldn't hadn't sunk in.
If Korra was honest with herself, she had never considered marrying anyone since she was little. But that was children's play, imagining your life as a sequence of these big moments. Then a pessimism crept in, triumphs in her career as Avatar that always felt like it took more from her than she achieved. An uncertainty about the future, did she even have one? Would her actualization as the Avatar, the thing she was so excited to be, be her life and nothing else?
Korra remembers a feeling she had when she was wandering through the Earth Kingdom, allegedly trying to find herself. Given her choices of the last few weeks, she leaned more towards destruction. She recalls herself sitting in a town square at night. It was the heart of the place, bustling with people and vendors, long after the sun had gone down. There were a good amount of teenagers flirting and showing off. They reminded her of those easy times between her, Mako, Bolin, and Asami, but that gave way to thoughts of the messy times. But before her last fight with Zaheer, they were good again. Really good. She had, for the first time in her life, close friends who had all been through something and come out the other side stronger. So why the heck was she thinking about bending a fireball right in the center of it with these strange thoughts about Asami?
Her stomach tightened in this weird way, as it did every time she thought about Asami back then. Maybe Avatar's shouldn't date the people in their team. Besides Aang, who got lucky, she couldn't think of another Avatar who notability had. Not that she paid much attention to the names of past Avatar's spouses during classes in her compound. Her teachers didn't dwell much on that anyways and likely should have. Any guidance on navigating romance as the Avatar would have been greatly appreciated! Korra would have shouted that thought to the cosmos if she had been alone. But she didn't need this town to know she was the Avatar or think she was utterly insane.
Her attention focused back on the youths, likely a few years younger than herself. Maybe her person was somewhere other than Republic City. In all likelihood, she hasn't met the person she was meant to be with. And the darker thought was, or never will.
What was she even thinking about? She was lucky to be alive. Some Avatar's marry their duty. The time they are given is just too chaotic for anything more than that. Korra was starting to feel like her tenure as Avatar would likely go that way. This is why she had to get these crazy thoughts out of her head and focus on becoming the Avatar the world needed her to be. But the world doesn't need you, Korra.
"How are things in the Spirit World?"
Korra jumps from her seat, startled by Suyin's question. She had no idea how far in her thoughts she had been. She glances at Jinora, relieved someone was here to carry on the conversation, while Korra was back in her dark place in the Earth Kingdom.
Jinora had noticed Korra's mental departure but was more strained on how to best answer the question. The younger girl calculates her options; should she be honest? Will it alarm Wu and Suyin? They have enough on their plate with the election and stabilizing the Earth Kingdom. With no real answer to the question if something was genuinely wrong, Jinora figures. "Strange and complicated" was her best answer.
Korra glances back at Wu and Suyin and gives a reassuring nod. "Jinora is Republic City's official Spirit World Task Force Leader or something like that. Now that we have a portal in town, we want to better understand the other world we are very close to."
"I think that is an excellent position to take. Jinora, you are so proactive for your age."
Korra grins and turns her head to make contact with the younger girl. "We're all proud of her."
The afternoon before Bolin and Opal's wedding, Korra's parents arrive in Republic City. Korra and Asami dropped them off at their hotel and planned to grab them in a few hours to go out to dinner to make up for that breakfast she had never met them at. Around seven, they made the quick drive to the Sunset Lounge.
Korra made sure they all wore their second finest traditional water tribe garments, their best saved for the wedding. Korra could not risk dribbling sauce on her collar or splash of wine on her pant leg. Even Asami's Kaftan was Water Tribe inspired.
As they approach the Host, Korra can see the cogs of recognition churn in his brain. His tightly trimmed beard cheek twitches as he forces a big smile. "Welcome back, Miss Sato and Avatar Korra." He bows slightly. "And welcome, err, Mr. and Mrs. Chief Tonraq."
He dips deeper into his bow and then gestures into the dining area. They follow him to a private booth. Korra is pretty sure it was where they had sat the last time.
The four scooch into the seats. Korra's parents' eyes roam over the lavish furnishings in the Sunset Lounge. The place has more red decor than they've likely seen in a lifetime.
"I don't think I've ever had fire nation food before," Senna comments as she brings the small menu closer. "I don't even know where to start."
"With the wine menu, of course." Tonrak reaches for the list from the table caddy.
Korra perks up. "Asami's pretty good at picking out wine."
"Great," Tonrak pushes the menu in her direction with a grin. "I can only pretend I know what I'm talking about."
"Pretending to know what good wine is, is half of it," Asami confesses. "It's all about seeming assured in your selection. Even when the waiter cocks their eyes brows at what you pick." She slides the menu back to Tonrak. "Honestly, this place is so posh they wouldn't carry a bad bottle. You go ahead and pick one out."
Tonrak happily resumes control of the wine list.
Their waiter appears from behind their privacy curtain. "Are we ready to start with some drinks or appetizers?"
Asami quickly glances at the menu. "Could we get an order of green onion potato fritters?" She then gestures to Tonrak.
"Yes, and we'd like a bottle of the Kamakura Family Vineyard Red."
Asami's eyes bulge at the name.
"Excellent choice. The vineyard is located next to the family coal mine, and the soil's acidity makes for a tart but flavorful grape."
"You look like you saw a ghost," Korra whispers, touching Asami's leg.
"I'm actually partnering with a few other investors to buy the Kamakura coal mine."
"What a coincidence," Senna mutters thoughtfully.
"The patriarch of the family died and insisted the new owner must continue mining by hand. His kin doesn't like the conditions, so they're selling it off. I guess the family wanted to hang onto the vineyard, but I am not sure what stipulations that come with it. I would have been much more interested if the vineyard was the one for sale."
"All the free wine you could want." Tonraq dreamily leans back in his seat, thinking of the possibility. "I guess you get a deal on coal now, then?"
"Not worth it to ship it all the way out here. Besides, my apartment has electric heating."
"These potato fritters," Senna starts, looking at the item on the menu and seeing its ridiculous price. "Not to seem rude, but that doesn't sound particularly fancy."
Asami smiles. "These are the over-the-top fancy version. Fried in truffle oil, and then served topped with bonito flakes that look like they are dancing as they react to the heat."
Not long after Asami's description, the waiter appears with the plate of steaming fritters. Senna bends close to the plate and sees the bonito flakes quivering like little flames.
"Look at that."
She is startled from her daze at the cork popping from the bottle. The waiter pours a splash in each glass and then leaves the bottle on the side of the table.
Asami dainty pinches the stem of the glass and lifts it to eye level. "Alright, now for the tasting."
Korra and her parents mirror the action.
"Swirl a few times. Note the color as it steaks down the glass." Asami brings the rim of the glass to her nose. "Take a few sniffs. And then, Korra!"
Korra sniffs her glass and then takes a big sip, draining it. "It's pretty good."
Senna and Tonraq hold their glasses, waiting for further instructions.
" I guess we can taste it now," Asami says, clinking her glass on Tonraq's, then Senna's.
The three take a more reserved sip.
"Delicious," Tonraq mumbles between sips.
"It tastes like wine," Senna says with a giggle.
Korra cheers her mother's glass with her empty one. "That's what I think too. It's wine. It all tastes like wine. Not a bad thing. I just can't taste the difference."
"I think I can," Tonraq says proudly, returning for another sip. This has some notes of citrus. Could be the acidity from the soil."
"I'm getting that too." Asami sips some more. "Perhaps barreled in cedar."
"I'm getting a little hint of tobacco."
Senna swirls the remaining red liquid in her glass. "I think they're pulling our leg Korra."
"I'm not," Tonraq insists. "I taste the tobacco."
"He's going to do this all the time at home now. After your visit, he couldn't stop discussing the treats you brought him. You're spoiling him, Asami."
Asami smiles shyly. "I'm happy to do so. I don't…."
Korra drums her fingers nervously on the table, debating on butting it to help."I don't know if you know this, but both of Asami's parents are now deceased."
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry." Senna sets her wine glass on the table. "You mentioned your mother but nothing about your father before."
"It's still difficult to talk about, and sometimes I forget he's actually gone." Asami looks at her glass and gives the remaining crimson liquid a few swirls. It was soothing until the wicked part of her brain reminded her its the color of blood. "My father and I were separated because he was in prison, so I don't always notice his absence. What I meant to say is, Tonraq, I appreciate your interest in Pai Sho and wine. These were things my father was also interested in."
Senna slides a tentative hand across the table and touches the tips of her fingers to Asami's, still clutching her glass. "You really have been through so much, dear. I had no idea."
"Asami is one of the strongest people I know." Korra turns to Asami. " I admire the inner strength you have. Outer too, but most importantly, the strength that comes from inside you."
"Korra, you know that's exactly how I feel about you," Asami leans and little closer and in a whisper. "I've you don't stop talking like this. I'm going to kiss you in front of your parents."
A grin blooms on Korra's face, and she steals a kiss.
Tonraq scotches back in his seat and places a hand on Senna's knee. She turns to her husband at the touch. His blue eyes twinkle. He doesn't have to say anything, and Senna knows what his tender look is conveying. She also finds herself leaning forward, pecking her husband on the lips.
"So what kind of affair can we expect tomorrow?" Tonraq asks, slapping his big paws on the table. "The Beifongs of Zaofu are known to be well off."
In the heart of downtown, the Four Elements Hotel still proudly stood, surviving the attack on the city. It was a point of contention. When the evacuees returned, the wealthiest of the displaced quickly took over any unoccupied rooms, many of which were suites. Because they were rented before the city's government made a concerted effort to rehome its displaced citizens out of the camps, there was nothing they could do. So many of these large and luxurious spaces were occupied by only one or two people.
The richest of Republic City's homes were quickly rebuilt, and the city forgot about the hotel as a relocation option, so it was a stroke of luck for the Beifong family to be able to book a few suites to lodge in during the wedding. Suyin and Bataar Senior booked a suite for Bolin and his family to get dressed and spend the night after the ceremony in, so they were closer to the event space.
"I can't believe my little brother is getting married today," Mako says softly as he fixes the top two buttons of Bolin's dress shirt that peek out from his royal green tang suit jacket.
Bolin smiles warmly and grasps one of Mako's wrists, giving it an affectionate squeeze.
"I can," Grandma Yin's creaky little voice calls out from across the hotel room. "He's a romantic, just like your father was. You, Mako, must take after your mother."
Bolin gives Mako's wrist another clench and a wink before letting their hands drop. "You're right, Grandma, Mako is a little more like our mother, but he's a romantic too."
"You're fickle, Mako, like a woman."
Bolin marches over to the chair Grandma Yin is observing from and offers a hand. "Alright, Grandma, how about you go and make sure the rest of the family looks presentable?"
"You're right," Grandma Yin concedes. She reaches her head and pats her bun. "I should recheck my hair. I need to look my best if I'm going to sit at the same table as Prince Wu!"
Bolin closes the door behind her as she leaves and turns back to his brother. "You know she's not trying to be mean."
Mako shrugs. "Forgotten already. It's your big day."
The two brothers look at each other briefly, a few feet apart in Bolin's bedroom in the junior suite. They both know they are thinking about the same thing, perhaps not the same moments, but how far they have come. They were no longer scrappy orphans but two adults with family and community and the one thing they could always rely on, each other.
Bolin starts sniffling. He opens his arms, beckoning Mako to him. They move toward each other and then come together in a thunderous hug.
"C'mon, you can't start crying," Mako groans.
"I saw your tears. You're crying too!"
"Damnit, I know! I'm feeling very sentimental."
Bolin tightens his hug. "I love you, bro!"
"I love you too!" Mako utters as the last of his breath is squeezed out.
Later that afternoon, Mako and Bolin drove to the newly rebuilt Watertribe Cultural Center building. It was one of the few event spaces not still commandeered by recovery efforts or evacuees. Varrick let them use the space as his gift to the bride and groom.
After parking Mako's police vehicle, they approach the main entrance, and several guests mingle out front. It was a beautiful early summer day. Bolin, at that moment, wished they had gambled on an outdoor wedding because it would have paid off.
As the brothers approach the door, Varrick steps outside and spies them. He lifts his arms over his head and grins. "Bolin, my boy! We need to get you into place before your beautiful bride arrives."
Mako watches as Varrick steals Bolin away inside. He sticks his hands in his pockets and turns around to nearly collide with Korra and Asami. The two women giggle as he recovers.
"Hey Mako, you want to come sit with us?" Asami asks. "Or do you have a special spot as the groom's brother?"
The three step aside so they don't block the doorway. Mako quickly glances at the sunny sky, enjoying the warmth on his cheeks. "No, I'm just planning on sitting on his side."
Korra crosses her arm and brings her right hand thoughtfully under her chin. "We thought about it all morning and determined since we met Bolin first, we should sit on his side."
"For me, it kind of feels like my brother is getting married today, too," Asami confesses, her cheeks pinken.
"I know Bolin feels the same way. After all we've been through, the four of us are family."
Asami jabs an elbow into Mako's side. "Mako!"
Mako recoils and holds his wounded side. "What's that for?"
"Saying something so sweet!" Asami replies, gently nudging him again.
Mako takes a few steps closer to Korra to get some distance from Asami. "I was expecting something more like a hug than a poke for that sentiment."
Asami smiles warmly in Korra's direction. "Should we give him what he wants?"
Korra grins widely and opens up her arms. Asami moves closer to the two, spreading her arms too. Mako shrinks and takes a few steps back but is engulfed in the two women's arms.
The event hall at the Watertribe cultural center was large enough to set up the ceremony in one half and the dining tables in the other. The hall is decorated in a playful combination of Air Nation and Earth Kingdom motifs; paper lanterns of different sizes and colors hang from the ceiling at different lengths. When you looked up, it was almost like gazing at the night sky on a clear night. It gave the hall a romantic glow. It was the only lighting besides small candles as centerpieces at the circular dining tables. The two's earth kingdom heritage is represented with green tablecloths and tapestries. A particularly garish badgermole tapestry hung by the entrance, an early wedding gift from Prince Wu.
Mako was surprised he was able to tear his grandmother away from it to witness the ceremony. Asami and Korra are to his right, and Grandma Yin is seated on his left. She took his hand at the start of the ceremony and still held it tightly as they watched Opal say her half of the vows.
Varrick's officiation of the ceremony is more restrained than he feared it might not be. Opal's condition to Bolin to allow Varrick to do it was that he had to keep it about them: no rants or side notes. And with only a few minor side comments, Varrick succeeded.
Varrick motions to Bolin and Opal, and the young couple come together for a brief kiss. The room breaks out in applause. Opal moves to look at the crowd, but Bolin turns her head back to his for another kiss. Mako hears some whooping noises and sees it's Tu and some of his many other male cousins. As the couple breaks apart, Bolin is grinning wildly. Opal gives him a playful shove and then links her arm with her new husband.
After some mixing and mingling, everyone sits down for dinner. Bolin and Opal share a large table with her immediate family, Prince Wu, Tu, Grandma Yin, and Mako.
"So, not to steal your thunder, but check out my engagement ring," Wu sticks out his left hand to the center of the round table and shows off the jewel-encrusted jade band. He flutters his fingers like a wave for emphasis."
"There is no way Tu could have afforded that!" Bolin shouts, leaning from his seat for a better view.
Wu makes a clicking sound with his teeth. "No, obviously, but he designed it." He rescinds his hand and places it on top of Tu's.
Bolin points to Tu's left hand. "Let's see yours, cuz."
Tu raises his hand, the back of it to the table. His is a much simpler jade-green band.
"Can you two get married?" Bolin asks.
Suyin clears her throat. "That's where I come in."
Opal rolls her eyes and grabs her champagne flute for a big swig. "So they are going to be your poster children."
"Precisely."
"I'll have to tell Korra and Asami. They'll be relieved the pressure is off them."
"That's not why you're engaged, is it?" Mako asks, joining the conversation. "A political stunt."
Wu swats a hand at Mako. "Course not. We had an amazing friendship before we started dating. And now that we are, things are even better. I've sampled enough. I need to lock this wonderful man down."
Mako dares a look at Tu and is surprised he appears just as confident. Mako wasn't sure what to think after his cousin's very public declaration at the trial, but it was apparently all sincere. Mako's eyes move to his Grandmother. She seems equally excited, if not more. One of her grandchildren is marrying royalty, a dream come true.
"We're ready for it." Tu squeezes Wu's hand. "Besides, it will take a while to legalize same-sex marriage. So that will be our engagement period."
"Our date is the day it's legal, so keep your calendars open because we won't be giving you too much notice." Wu points around the table for emphasis.
Opal watches her husband contort as he appears to flip through his mental schedule. She pats his hand, bringing him back. "It'll be fine. We'll make it."
"They asked me to officiate," Suyin giggles, putting a hand to her chest in a flattered gesture. "An honor I'd take more seriously than the Presidency if elected."
"Mooooom," Opal groans.
Suyin scowls. "What?"
"You can be so cringey sometimes."
A glass loudly starts to clink, catching the bride and groom's table's attention. At the table over with Asami, Korra, her parents, Lin, and a few other prominent republic city figures, Varrick rises from his seat. He puts down this glass and pulls a microphone from his suit pants pocket.
"Hello again. I was strictly forbidden from making any grand speeches during the ceremony, but they didn't say anything about dinner! So without further ado, my official speech."
"Where'd he get that microphone?" Opal mutters, bracing herself for the incoming blatherings of Varrick by holding her glass out for a waiter to top her off.
Mako shrugs. "He owns the building, remember?"
"Opal," Varrick starts. "I want to say you are a lucky woman because Bolin is one of the truest friends and companions on the face of this earth. Loyal, but more importantly forgiving."
Opal looks over to her now husband. He's got a big goofy grin as he watches Varricks, whose opinion honestly meant very little to her, but she couldn't help but agree with this moment. Bolin is loyal and forgiving almost, almost to a fault. It was so frustrating in the moment, but it explained his choice to assist Kuvira. He was just being loyal to the cause he felt was originally in the spirit of Korra's mission. He wanted to help because his friend couldn't and because helping people was the right thing to do. It was just deeply unfortunate Kuvira was at the helm of that mission, with the sketchy person Varrick also involved. But Bolin's forgiving nature let him trust that lunatic again.
Opal's eyebrows furrowed as she mulled over her thoughts. She didn't need to dissect that time because people's choices don't always make sense, but the sentiment of Varricks words rings true. Bolin is by her side today because he has a good heart and is loyal and forgiving. These are excellent qualities in a partner. Opal could look at her parents and see a similar dynamic. Her father is devoted to her mother. Opal could only scratch the surface of what he may have had to forgive with her moo-sow-headed mother.
As she compared her and Bolin to her parents, she could see that perhaps she was more like her dad in the relationship. Quieter retrained. Bolin is a big personality, the former and now current mover star. Would it get to his head? She had a small glimpse of big-headed Bolin when they first met. Mako had commented once that Bolin had become a bit full of himself the first time he was acting. But that was four years ago. He's matured a lot.
"How do I confidently know Bolin possesses these qualities? Why was it during our darkest moment, stranded alone in the wilderness somewhere in the Earth Kingdom. He, of course, swiftly forgave me for accidentally building a death ray, and he was basically working for Kuvira too. Though by that point, it really was more of a hostage situation. What am I even doing, bringing up Kuvira at a wedding? Anyways, the point of this story was, as we faced our deaths in the wilderness, we promised to officiate each other's weddings if we made it through our darkest hours. And we did! I married the woman of my dreams, and Bolin got to marry his. Now that we've crossed our marriage pact off the list, what say you come back and work for me again? Resurrect the Nuktuk franchise! It'll be killer! I have loads more ideas. Like Nuktuk verses-"
Sensing where the speech is going, Mako gets out of his chair and sneaks up on Varrick. He pulls the microphone from the entrepreneur's grasp. Mako walks it back over to his seat next to Wu, being mindful of the cord, and looks to the rest of the room. "Let's hear it for Varrick."
A few awkward claps.
"As most of you know, I'm Mako, Bolin's brother. We've been through a lot over the years, we lost our parents at a very young age, and we were the only family each other had. Recently we've reconnected with our father's family and found friends who feel just as close. And now all you Beifongs are a part of our family. If you asked me back when we were first on the streets that we'd have so much love in our lives one day, I wouldn't have believed you, but I think Bolin would have. Brother, I may be a fire bender, but you are so much warmer. Maybe that's why you can bend lava."
Mako turns to Opal. "Opal, I'm excited to call you sister because recently you've been acting like one to me. You know the times I'm talking about."
Suyin raises her hand as if asking for the microphone, but Korra is faster.
"Anyways, congratulations to you both. May you enjoy a lifetime together."
Mako nods and hands off the power to speak to the room to Korra.
"Hey everyone, I'm not a great public speaker, but I wanted to give a little love to Opal too. I remember when we first met at Zaofu. You were so much shyer than you are today. I think that was only because you had spent your life in the same place, kind of like I had. It's been fun watching you grow into a confident bender and fifth member of Team Avatar, and the answer to the long-standing question, who can handle dating Bolin? Since it began, I've privately admired your relationship. Your ability to communicate and respectfully disagree sometimes. Things I've never been the best at. And most of all, the tenderness you share. I don't hope, I know, you'll have a long and happy life together. I can't wait to see what this next chapter in your lives brings."
"Enough speeches. Let's party!" Someone shouts from the crowd.
After dinner and the speeches, the lights dim, and the music takes off. The young and old cut loose on the dance floor, but eventually, the older slip away to rest and chat.
Pema and Senna find themselves seeking refuge at the same table again. They exchanged pleasantries until the conversation naturally died off, and they fell into a comfortable silence watching the dancefloor.
Pema remembered to get a dance with her husband in early because he seemed to get swept up easily at these affairs. Many people wanted to bend his ear or, worse, pour him another drink. They should leave soon. Katara and Kaya offered to sit this affair out and watch Rohan. She didn't want to be out too late. The main problem would be getting Ikki to leave the dance floor.
Pema had lost track of her other daughter but figured she had found a quiet spot to wait for the family to be ready to leave. Her eldest daughter seemed more pensive than usual these days. Pema wondered if she should press her daughter or let it go for the moment. Jinora is a teenager. It does come with the territory.
"Well, here we all are again," Suyin exclaims as she approaches the table. She takes the free seat next to Pema.
Pema grins. "That's right, we toasted to the next wedding, and I was right about who it was."
"I don't think we need to spend much time guessing who is next," Suyin says, taking a swig of her drink and eyeing Senna playfully.
Pema, recalling how quiet Senna became the last time they spoke of the topic Suyin was skirting, dares a look at the mother beside her.
"Perhaps," Pema starts. "Remember, they haven't actually been dating for all that long."
"True, but I see it happening down the road someday." Suyin takes a sip of her champagne. The crisp drink almost burns. She smacks her lips and lets out a little breath in relief.
"Do you think it will ever be legal?" Senna asks, breaking her silence since Suyin joined. "I know you're trying in Zaofu."
"One of my first orders of business, when I get into office, is getting it on the ballot."
"I never thought…." Senna shakes her head. "It hasn't been a part of my world, so I never gave it any real thought, you know? It just never crossed my mind that Korra could be like that. I hadn't mentally prepared myself like you have, Pema. That you would love your child no matter what. Your concerns are just how the rest of the world would treat them. I knew that was right, but I just couldn't feel it myself."
Pema tries not to feel a bit defensive from Senna's words. "How do you feel now?"
"I still don't quite fully understand, but I think it's when I try to put myself in that situation with another woman. Like how could you, as a woman, look at another woman and want them that way? But when I think about them outside of that and see how they complement each other in a way you'd want with your partner. When they visited, Asami confided in me how she worries about Korra, and I could relate to worrying about my daughter and my own husband in that way. When Korra talks about Asami, her eyes light up in this special way, the way I remember my friends would talk about their boyfriends."
"Well, that's the thing of it, if your child finds a partner who cares for and brings out the good in them, that's all you should want as a parent. Gay or straight relationship, you shouldn't be considering what goes on in the bedroom." Suyin chuckles. "Just hope they are happy there too."
Pema watches Senna's body posture entirely relax and unclenches a little herself. Then a giggle erupts from Senna.
"I've been holding on to this for what feels like so long now. This concern for Korra, my adult child who nearly died and suffered a severe injury that took three years of her life. Which I watched her be miserable through. Yet somehow, I fret over something that makes her genuinely happy." Senna looks down at her hands. She nervously rubs them together. "When Korra told us Asami was her girlfriend, my husband told her that was wonderful. And isn't it? But I couldn't see it."
Pema puts her hands over Seena's fidgeting ones, and they settle. "But you see it now."
Senna nods. Her eyes start to sting with tears at the corners. She slips a hand free and starts to wipe at them.
Suyin notices and moves to the empty seat on Senna's side. "Senna, you don't need to beat yourself up over this any more than you already have. As a parent, accepting things about your child is a journey. And with something like this, some parents never get to where you are. They shut their children out and never see them again. You should be proud of your capacity to love your child for something that doesn't matter, but much of the world thinks it does."
"Suyin's right," Pema adds. She leans around Senna to catch Suyin's eyes. "And we didn't get to where we are overnight."
"No, and I apologize if I came off a bit harsh the last time we spoke to both of you. Once I accepted Wei, I became his fiercest defender. I think I forgot how it can feel at first as a parent…." Suyin pauses for a moment. "I need to emphasize with people who are maybe just a little unsure. That's how I am going to win them over in the Earth Kingdom."
"Looks like Suyin may have gone off on the campaign trail," Pema whispers to Senna. "How are you feeling?"
Senna sniffs a few times and regains her composure. "Better. It feels good to talk about this with someone other than my husband. Pema, you seem to be speaking from experience. Is one of your children also..."
"She might be. She's a little young, so I don't know. She might not know. But she's particularly interested in your daughter and Asami's relationship in a way that my other children aren't."
"I see."
"Airbender teachings are to be non-judgemental of same-sex relationships. The people who wrote them also lived isolated in temples far away from the rest of the world. We live in Republic City, which is a melting pot of people. You're a product of your environment. I spent time in the South. There wasn't a lot of talking about your feelings down there."
"No, there isn't. Korra wears her heart on her sleeve. I don't know where that came from."
"Maybe that's a little Aang in her."
Senna smiles. "Perhaps.
Shey takes the last swing of her third drink and debates getting a fourth as she rests it on the table, partially obscuring her view of Varrick because she was slumped so low in her seat. He had been talking her ear off about her mover. It was hard to tell if it was more complimentary or accusatory. Either way, Shey knew she had reignited his fire to get back into picture-making, and they would undoubtedly be bumping into each other more.
Izzi appears at the table, an apologetic look on her face. "Hi, I'm sorry, but could I steal Shey here for a moment?"
Varrick jerks his head to look up at the young woman.
Izzi's eyes brighten, and a giant fake grin flashes across her face. "Oh my goodness, you're Varrick!"
Any bristling Varrick was feeling melts away, and he smirks. "The entrepreneur, industrialist, two-time prison escaping master, AND the original mover maker."
I am such a fan," Izzi says, touching her chest. "You'll have to tell me a few tales when I return Shey to you."
"Of course, you kids go do whatever," Varrick holds up his glass to them. "I'll be camped out right here."
Shey doesn't hesitate to follow Izzi away from Varrick. They pass through the main event hall and into the smaller sitting parlor. It was empty, so the two women sat down and picked a sofa.
Shey sprawled out in her seat, relieved to be away from Varrick. "Thank you for saving me."
Izzi giggles. "And here I thought watching your ex partying with her new girlfriend would be the worst part of the night for you."
Shey ponders the statement. She had made a conscious effort not to let herself focus on them this evening and surprisingly found it wasn't too hard. The few moments she did spy them, and they were together, they looked so comfortable, even in this big crowd of people. They weren't afraid to be a couple. Shey felt oddly encouraged by it.
A hand waves in front of Shey's face, breaking her concentration. "Hey, where'd you go?"
"Sorry," Shey smooths back her hair. "I think I had one too many while enduring Varrick's rambling."
"Sorry, I brought them up."
"No, don't be. It's okay now. I'm ready to move forward."
Izzi tucks a stray lock of dark hair behind her ear. "I'm relieved to hear that." She scoots a little closer. Shey turns and is startled by her proximity. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you."
Unbeknownst to the pair, Lan is watching them from the doorway. "Finally, girl," she snickers to herself and takes a little sip from her champagne flute. Nearly six months ago, Izzi had confided in her about her feelings for Shey. Lan discouraged her from saying anything at the time, knowing Asami Satoi still plagued her mind. Shey getting the truth about why they broke up finally gave her the closure to move on.
"And moving on, she definitely is," Lan whispers as the two girls lean in for a quick explorative kiss.
"Seriously?" a male voice groans.
Lan turns around to see she is no longer alone, lurking in the doorway. Mako is at her side, quickly deflating.
"Something wrong?" Lan asks, cocking her head curiously.
Mako motions to Shey and Izzi, but he is unable to form a sentence. He wanted to bemoan the fact that he had just caught a little crush on Izzi after speaking with her at the premiere, but now he clearly had to put that out of his mind.
"Seriously hot in here," Mako says, fanning himself. "I was hoping this room was cooler, but it's not. Guess I'll go outside."
Mako puts his eyes to the ground so as not to stare at the couple as he passes.
"Let me join you!" Lan calls after him, catching up to his side. "I could use some fresh air too."
"Sure." Mako brightens a little. "You worked on the mover, too, right? So, how do you feel the premiere went?"
"Smoother than I could have imagined. We were really worried about getting a lot of pushback on the romance."
The two step outside, and immediately the cool air washes over their faces. Lan didn't realize how hot she was until that moment. Small groups gather outside, seeking fresher air than inside the hall. The only available seat is a small stone bench, so they quickly snatch it.
Mako paws out his beard, which has finally filled out on his face. "Besides my cousin, who just recently started dating a man, I have never seen two men interacting like that before."
"And it's your brother!" Lan squeals. "He does such a good job, though."
Mako bows his head. "He had me believing for sure."
"Bolin is an amazing actor." Lan murmurs in a wistful sigh. "But who knows if he'll continue now that he's married.
"Sounds like Varrick won't be letting him quit."
"So, you're a detective yourself. How'd you feel about our representation?"
"Weeeell." Mako looks to the side and grins.
Lan gives him a playful check on the shoulder. They end up spending the rest of the evening talking in the patio area. They are so absorbed in conversation that they miss the bouquet tossing.
Tenzin also finds his way to the outside courtyard. The sun had set, but a slight pinkish hue remained, warming the cool tones of the rock and concrete walls.
"Hi, Dad."
"Jinora," Tenzin whispers, straightening himself up as she approaches. "Seeking respite from the crowd too?"
"I'm partied out," Jinora says with a little nod. She leans against the same wall as her father. "To be honest, I'm burnt out on many things."
"You're too young to feel that way," Tenzin sighs. "But I remember having similar feelings when I was around your age. The burden of being the second to last Airbender, the future leader of my nation, son of the Avatar…."
He looks out to the yard, a few curious spirits hovering near the open door, casting a gentle glow in the dusk. A drunken partygoer, what appears to be someone from Bolin and Mako's family, tries to shoo them away. They playfully flit around just out of the man's uneasy reach.
"Dad, I think I want to get away for a little bit."
Tenzin closes his eyes and waits for his daughter to continue.
"I've been thinking a lot about what I want for myself and where I want to put my focus. I know you want me to be prepared to lead the Air Nation one day, but that's so far off, despite your worries. And Korra. I actually learned a lot about working with her through teaching Zhou Rhen. It was all there. I just had to remind myself. Right now, she seems to be in another place that's a little less focused on being just the Avatar. I'll always be there if she needs me, but not right now."
"And so, what is it you want?"
"To study the Spirit World. I want to travel there, not just meditate."
"So you'd go to the Southern Portal?" Tenzin murmurs, his heart dropping to his stomach. Everything in him wanted to tell her no, but he resists the urge to give it some real thought. It felt like she had just tugged on the last thread holding the fabric of his family together. Meelo's gone off with Bumi. Ikki will never be as invested in Airbender now that she's tasted the limelight, and little Rohan's path is altered forever. Jinora, he had taken for granted as his rock, the child that would always stick around.
No, Tenzin scolds himself. He's looking at this wrong. He's been looking at many things with fear in his heart. Perhaps if he had paid attention to Meelo's needs, his son's energy would have been focused, and the accident would never have happened. If he tries to discourage Jinora's natural curiosity and ambition. Would one day she resent him and leave home forever?
Tenzin could now see he was keeping his children in cages. He needed to start letting them free. "You'll come back, won't you?"
"Of course, Dad. I just need something for me. I thought everything I needed was at home, but it's not. Nothing has made me think otherwise until the Spirit World. It's calling to me, and I want to understand it."
"It may take a lifetime to understand that world, perhaps more."
"I know, but it's a part of our home now. Republic City and the Spirit World are more connected than ever. I also want to be a bridge between the two worlds."
Tenzin thoughtfully fingers some of his beard hairs. Building the Air Nation was his life's work. When Harmonic Convergence gave the world back Airbending, it expedited Tenzin's mission to a phase he'd never thought he'd see. A temple full of Airbenders. That was going to be his children's, children's, children's, he could go on forever, legacy. Of course, Jinora wants something of her own. The future he envisioned for her is here and only requires maintaining.
"You will one day lead the Air Nation. But you are right. We need more bridges between the worlds. Us Airbenders have been trying to facilitate that since Harmonic Convergence brought the vines. It's a brand new world out there, and we need to understand those we share it with. I am willing to explore this idea with you. You're not getting on a boat to the South tomorrow, but we can start discussing what a trip would look like."
"Really?"
"Yes. It's time you start exploring what you want."
Before Tenzin could finish speaking, his daughter was squeezing him tight. He wraps his arms around her little frame and places a small kiss on the top of her head.
"The real challenge is going to be convincing your mother."
Jinora's response is to squeeze back tighter.
Bolin and Opal finish hugging their families and give the crowd one more wave before entering their ride home. The Satomobile drives off, and the spectators wave their arms until it's out of sight. Everyone was encouraged to continue partying, but many of the older guests took this as a sign they could go home.
Senna and Tonraq sought Korra and Asami out of the crowd to bid them goodnight. Senna gives Korra a startling big hug and kiss, and then the mother moves to squeeze Asami. Tonraq affectionately pats the two girls, and they take the shuttle Suyin arranged back to the hotels.
Korra and Asami return inside and head to the party when a stairwell catches Korra's eye. She tugs Asami's hand to follow her. They follow a few flights of dark stairs until they reach another door that says roof access. Korra grins and pushes it open. It's dark, but as they move toward the roof's edge, the city lights make it easier to see. They rest their arms against the railing. A refreshing breeze blows against their cheeks as they watch the building lights twinkle below.
"Bolin and Opal are married now," Korra says, playfully checking her shoulder into Asami's.
"That is the point of this event."
"It doesn't feel any different."
Asami giggles. "They've only been married for four hours."
"I dunno." Korra rests her elbows on the railing, cups her face in her hands, and pushes up her cheeks. "For some reason, I thought there would be this difference once they got married."
"Again," Asami snorts. "It's only still their wedding party. I don't think it's going to be like a switch it turned on. It's going to be slow. They will move into the place their parents got them, so we won't run into them as much on the island. I know Bolin wants kids, so they'll probably start a family soon."
"Mako's going to throw himself into his police work again."
Asami pictures Mako trying to walk with two or three children clinging to his leg. A mix of misery and joy on his face. "But show up to be a terrific uncle."
Korra turns her body around, her back to the railing, and cocks her head to Asami. "And what about us?"
"Well, our immediate future involves me rebuilding those damn roads again and overseeing the mansion's renovations." Asami draws with her finger the rotary she just designed in the air. "You might have another trip to Ba Sing Se after the elections. Fingers crossed, it's Suyin, so it'll only be a quick trip to congratulate her."
"Then what?"
"Once Republic City is restored, and the world decides to be quiet for a moment, we maybe slip away for a vacation to see your parents again or go somewhere warm like the Fire Nation. While staying near the coast, I thought how nice it would have been if you were there with me. I'd even want to stay at the same little inn."
"Visiting the Fire Nation sounds fun." Korra slides her back along the railing, closing the little distance between their bodies. "Then what?"
"I don't know what life will throw at us. There seems to be an endless supply of nut jobs who want to mess up the world."
"I want to marry you someday."
Asami takes a step back, her face the same red as her dress.
"I want to marry you," Korra repeats. Her glacier blue eyes shining from the Spirit Portals glow. "And I think I have kids and a little house, not a giant mansion, somewhere near the city."
Asami shly tucks a few strands of hair behind her ear. "Just like that, you lay it all out."
"I mean, it's something we should talk about, right? You're the one usually encouraging discussion."
"You're right. I just…"
Korra cocks her head curiously and leans it to rest on Asami's shoulder.
Asami bends her neck to lean her own head atop of Korra's. She images they look a lot like the double helix of the spirit portal. Her facing the city, with Korra mirrored facing the building.
Asami wonders if Korra's heart is beating as fast as hers. "If you asked me for those things now, I'd say yes. But someday is probably the right time."
Korra blushes. "We haven't gotten to enjoy dating for very long. I want to go through all the stages of a relationship with you. I don't want to skip over any of it. I lost a lot of time, which you think would make me want to rush and try to make it up. But I want to savor it all."
"I want that too."
"But it's nice to know you want that down the road too." Korra lifts up her head and turns her body to the side. Asami does the same, so they can finally face each other.
Asami takes both of Korra's hands in hers. "Let's check in sometime and see where we are."
It's late morning when Jinora takes a walk along the island's beach. She has Zhou Rhen's report tucked under her arm as she looks for a good place to sit.
The young advisor had left early that morning, shortly after breakfast. Jinora was a little sad to see him go. They had a rocky start, but after working together, she hoped he agreed that they had formed a friendship. Zhou Rhen, unsure when he would return, promised to write in the meantime, so she had a pen pal to look forward to for now.
A beached log in a sunny spot seems as good as any for Jinora to take a seat. She pulls out the papers and sets them on her lap.
Dear Jinora, working and learning beside you has been a pleasure. I know there are only great things in your future. Enclosed is a verbatim copy of my report. All the best, Zhou Rhen.
After my extended period with Avatar Korra in her home on Air Temple Island, I have concluded she has reached the mature state of independent adulthood one would expect from a woman her age. This most recent intervention should be considered the last without Avatar Korra's explicit request. Any further unsolicited intervention will only make Avatar Korra feel infantilized, a recurring discomfort she has experienced with her more sheltered upbringing than previous Avatars.
My initial attempt to persuade Avatar Korra to keep her romantic relationship with Miss Sato private, if possible, was met with great hostility. After spending time with Avatar Korra and her circle, it became clear that trying to keep the relationship a secret from the public would have been near impossible. Asami Sato's notoriety almost matches Avatar Korra's in Republic City, and with their combined network of public-serving friends, it would inevitably slip out at some point. Asami Sato's business public relations team stepped in to help facilitate the announcement and help control the narrative as best they could by being the first to tell the story. I stayed on the sidelines of Avatar Korra's public statement regarding her romantic relationship with Miss Sato, only stepping in when requested for my opinion, which was rare.
After my initial failed attempt to speak with Avatar Korra, I was fortunate that a close friend of hers and the daughter of Air Master Tenzin, Jinora, was willing to take me under her wing and educate me on how to best interact with Avatar Korra. I quickly learned that I was grossly unprepared to advise the Avatar. It wasn't that I was lacking in study but connection. I had to build a relationship with Avatar Korra to gain her trust and divulge her feelings and concerns.
Through this journey, my main takeaway is Avatar Korra does not need our (The White Lotus) intervention, only our support. I will continue to make myself available to her upon my request. I ask to be stationed in Republic City in the near future so I am quickly accessible and able to maintain friendly terms with Avatar Korra.
Jinora turns the last page over in her lap to confirm that is all there is. She folds the papers and sticks them in her pocket.
"Hey, Jinora!" Korra calls out.
Jinora turns around and sees Korra waving to her from the rocks above.
"Did I miss him leaving?"
Jinora rolls her eyes and hollers back. "Yes, you got to stop being late all the time!"
Korra runs her hands through her wind-tousled hair, messing it up further. "I know!" She opens her glider staff and takes the short trip to the beach.
"Thank you, we didn't need to keep yelling at each other."
"Think he was upset?" Korra asks, scrunching her face from the bright sun and remorse.
"A little. Zhou Rhen thinks quite highly of you."
Korra grimaces.
"But you should be more concerned about getting on my bad side," Jionra pokes the Avatar in her side.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I promise no more being late."Korra gives a little shriek and dodges further jabs from the younger girl. "So, where we going today?"
"I want to scout out the area around the southern portal, I want to know what I'm possibly getting into."
Korra girns. "Let's go."
Asami starts a big yawn right as her office door opens. She shields it with a hand and waves Kali in with the other.
"Sorry, Miss Sato, just a couple of things came in; a note from Raiko's office for a meeting about the plans for the downtown thoroughfare to Little Ba Sing Se and a reference check for one of our recent Management training graduates."
Asami perks up at the second item. She tries not to take the papers too eagerly. "Let me review what I've got, and I'll let you know how soon I can take the meeting with Raiko."
Kali nods. "Sounds good. If you get me the recommendation letter in the next hour, I think we can get that in the outgoing mail today."
"Thank you, Kali."
Kali politely bows and closes the door. "My pleasure."
Asami's hands shake as she brushes Raiko's note aside to read the reference check. When she sees the name, she leans back in her seat and releases a very long breath. It's Kuvira. She did it.
Asami pulls out a fresh piece of Future Industries letterhead and drafts a positive but not overly enthusiastic letter of recommendation. It will get Kuvira the job without making her stand out too much. She's surprised to find herself smiling as she signs her name at the bottom. The thought of Kuvira having a decent life moving forward no longer stings but gives her an old sense of hope.
Asami looks up at her family portrait and knows the cycle of pain, resentment, and revenge will stop with her. And her life will be all the better for it.
To be continued...
******End of Part Two*******