Interlude: An audience with the merchant king
"Ah good morning, Miss Sato! What an honor to have you here. Ill at once announce you to the master!" the guardsman greeted the young woman that left the steam driven speedboat. She still was attached to the masterpiece of engineering that reminded her on long fishing trips with her parents. These days had been the most boring of her young life, but the fact that her parents had been there together was something she cherished. Also, which five-year-old girl would be hyped about holding a bamboo rod into sea water for hours? Gutting fish also never would be one of her favorite past times… even if she loved any kind of sushi. She was feeling distracted and tried to memorize the innumerable options they had discussed yesterday night. She was sleepy and just the consumption of large amounts of Olong kept her awake barely. Ma Ko had seemed to be doing slightly better, but that maybe was solely due to his impeccable tan. She was somewhat envious on him having to spend almost no effort on looking presentable! They had all been invited to Varriks estate. It seemed that the businessman wanted to show superiority and dominance. He had boycotted any attempts to meet on air temple island or sato-manison, but maybe that also had to do with a lack of cigars and liquors present in master Tenzins home.
She didnt consider the eccentric playboy above such antics. His mansion was thrice the size of her fathers – actually she should consider calling his home a palace – since it wasnt much smaller than the high chiefs "palace of seven oceans" in Iqaluit! The rooms looked very modern, with high chairs and tables. A lot of modern paintings and décor were present to sport splendour and wealth. Varricks wife really had an impeccable sense for style and maybe, just maybe Asami was a tiny tad envious at the extravagant luxury that was displayed here. He had installed electric light – in his whole house! It was the first working light system of such a tremendous size. Also, he showcased electric heating devices, ventilators and in-house telephones in every room they crossed. The tapestries were the fire-nations finest silks, woven in customized water-tribe patterns. His employed house maids wore fine, if not a tad too revealing, uniforms.
Also, Asami noticed that these women were at least as good looking as she was – not a small feat as the heiress assured herself. Asami waited as a serving girl appeared out of a servant's corridor, with a steaming selection of teas to choose from. Asami took a cup of olong and the girl silently disappeared behind the ornate wall hanger that masked the exit of the secret passage. Asami herself had numerous hidden pathways in her mansion, which she still liked to use for shortcuts and eavesdropping on business partners. "Excuse me, is Mr. Chow already here?" she asked the bodyguard. The man was a tall and burly tribal. "Yes, he and Councilman Tenzin are already present." He responded. The young woman took out her pocket watch. She was perfectly on time, so why was everybody else here already? It didnt take long for Varrik to arrive in the small saloon in which Asami was sipping her tea. "Asami, how wonderful to meet my most bashing competitor in this humble hut." He greeted her in his usually, flamboyant manner. He wore a perfectly fitting, blue tailcoat, with fitting tie, shirt and shoes. Asami suddenly felt quite sloppily dressed. She had just chosen a plain suit that might have once belonged to the male-fashion department of an expensive boutique – which did not explain how this thing entered her wardrobe. However, she was looking quite representable for somebody who had slept a total of two hours before preparing herself for this meeting. A worn, maroon scarf was slung around her neck and caused Varrik to raise an eyebrow in wonder. "Please Varrick." Asami fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Im short of blushing." She giggled like a true lady of standing – feeling completely hilarious. Varrik continued in his smarmy ways. "Please accompany me. the gentlemen are already waiting. Sadly, my wife had to excuse herself from today's meeting. She has other important matters to attend to." the merchant added in a silky voice and offered her an arm. Was that so? The heiress had noticed that Varick's former personal assistant was not a second shadow on the businessmans tailcoat anymore. Actually, she had not seen Varrick and his wife together after their pompous wedding ceremony.
Asami decided to ignore the proposal, since she was perfectly capable of walking on her own. "Please lead the way. Its a very beautiful house you have here. I never expected something so elegant and timeless" She complimented him. "Ah – that is mainly my wife's achievement." He responded dismissively. The businesswoman noticed that Varricks eyes didnt sparkle as he mentioned Zhu Lee. She was led through three further saloons until they arrived at a bar. It was a typical business room, with heavy, leather coated furniture, dark wooden paneling and traditional motifs of the water-tribes carved into ceiling and walls. The bar, which was manned with a particularly seductive looking lady in her early thirties, was exceptionally well stocked. Damn the spirits, this woman made herself look like an ugly turtle duck! Much to Asami's displeasure, Ma Ko was sucking on one of these poisonous tobacco sticks, while Master Tenzin scowled at the maps and papers strewn across the round table. The woman's brows narrowed slightly and her lover cringed in his seat. He looked so cute and guilty that her heart skipped a beat. "Hello Asami." Ma ko greeted, while he tried to stealthily drop his cigar into the ash tray.
Asami was too tensed up to let out a chuckle or tease the officer about his self-destructive tobacco consumption. The whole room smelled of cold smoke, it was a disgusting smell Asami loathed! "Master Tenzin, Mako – I see you have already started to discuss your findings with our new ally?" she asked. The airbender nodded. "Indeed." Tenzin added while absentmindedly stroking his beard. "So please take a seat – I would like to continue with the information's regarding the mobilization of armed forces located in the area around the heavenly sparrow palace." Tenzin continued. While Asami simply sat down. Varrick rolled his eyes and sighed in frustration. "Do I really need to know all this?" he whined, while pouring himself a large glass of absinthe. Tenzin furrowed his bushy brows and even Mako snorted in annoyance. Asami wondered how this eccentric man had built and maintained an agglomerate of companies that rivalled her own – Varrick seemed so frivolous and stupid sometimes. But still – he WAS a genius; he was the man who tamed the lightning. He had improvised devices that could BREAK DOWN GODS – for heaven's sake! Even after reading all of his monographs and books published by his engineers and priests, Asami could not even come close to understanding the generators and transformers he used to construct power grids. He really could be a dangerous man if he wanted to, that much was certain. "Yes, these informations are of utmost importance." Master Tenzin insisted.
"Aww come on Councilman. I know that the Ling clan has hired a significant amount of mercs that are stationed around this stupidly named estate." Varrick groaned, while sipping from his drink. "What more is there to tell?" he wanted to know. "Im not a general of the self-defense forces, so I dont need to burden my brilliant mind with such trivial information." He shrugged. "But youre involving yourself in our operation Varrick! Dont you want to know exactly what you are supporting?" Tenzin blurted. "Yes!" the merchant responded. "Distribution of information Councilman – thats how I managed to make my research and development departments the most effective in history." He smirked. "Do you know where these men come from? Why they are there? Do you understand why theyre doing what they are doing? Show me the big picture – not the minor details and motives! Kohs sake!" the councilman seemed irked. The other man laughed. "Why should I care for details? The Lings are the enemy – lets hit em where it hurts and watch them grovel!" he responded. "Master Tenzin, I believe that our common friend knows quite well how serious the current situation is, without knowing how many cannons and earth benders the Ling clan employs where..." Ma Ko interrupted before the councilman annoyed Varrick with camp structures, command chains and other militaristic details. The two men just were like water and fire, which made Ma kos presence as a mediator even more important. "You maybe should talk about the more esoteric seeming part of the Ling clans offensive plan, and about the things they already did in the south." Asami interrupted. Even though Ma Ko was a very empathic man he had no idea how an entrepreneur like Varrick worked.
He and Tenzin were on the best way to ruin the current meeting, by flooding Varrick with information and making him feel out of his depth. "Lets talk business – gents. Besides common human resources the Ling clan puts quite a lot of funds into the spiritual sector. They renovate temples and build shrines everywhere! None of us is a priest, but we all know that shrines and offerings are the easiest way to pacify angry spirits." She responded. Varrick gulped. "And why would the Ling clan expect a huge bunch of pissed off spirits in their neighborhood?" he asked. Asami sighed. "If we knew that I would feel much more at ease." She responded. "The rural parts of the earth kingdom still are savage lands. The spirits are very strong there, actually some villages have even disappeared from the landscape after harmonic convergence, while others have been claimed as dominions from some spirits. The same has happened everywhere. And for the old cities, well there is a reason why every factory has a household shrine and employed priests in Ba Sing Se…" She reported. "Yeah – I know that incantation and metaphysical mumbo jumbo are the real deal Asami. Ive pimped the alchemical cycles of the northern tribes to harvestt ling hua!" he responded annoyed. "But do you know what possession truly means and how fearsome these things are Varrick?" Asami asked.
"Youve certainly heard what the city had to endure before the portals were unsealed do you?" she quirked an eyebrow. Somehow, she had the feeling that Varrick still deemed himself in control of the political situation and it was high time he learned that this was not the case. He looked straight at her. "I have, thats the reason Im drinking Asami. I just deified a glass vial and it would have been strong enough to blast away a whole city! With circles, and field modifiers as effective as my reactor in Rep city…. If you take a human soul…or even many…. the catalytic effects to the spirits presence and substance in the mortal realm! I – I – dont want to imagine that. Especially if it is a spirit with an ego... never mind a fully grown demon or an actual god... You can see what power a mere spirit-bound plant has!" He responded. "A tiny part of the corporeal form and you can pulverize a whole city! If youre vile enough…you could open the hells themselves." the man trailed off staring into nothingness. Most likely he remembered some of the gruesome details of Ku Vi Ras attempt of conquest. "The avatars power comes from the contract he, she – IT made with a human soul. If you ask me, anybody with enough willpower and enough rituals could make a second one." Varrick shrugged. "WE DO NOT TRY TO MAKE GODS – that is the difference between us and the savages of the Ling clan! We respect the natural order of things." Tenzin hissed. "We have evidence that the Ling clan sent troops to mount shije. They are trying to capture the sages of the mountain tribes. Avatar Korra was seen on her way to these tribes, so maybe the troops were sent to capture the avatar. In any case – it shows that we have to draw a line in the sand. "He explained. Asamis gut clenched in worry for her friend. What if somebody could manipulate the Avatar spirit.
It wasnt something unfathomable if Varrick was right, and sadly Varrick Son of Varrick was right most of the time. Even though she disliked the sleek eelhound she had to give him that much. Tenzin still seemed angry, but had retreated into the depths of his monky façade. "The avatar visiting the mountain tribes is something the Ling Clan will not have taken into the account." He stated, while Varrick cocked an eyebrow. "And why would these illiterate savages, which do not even import commodities or tea, be vital to our strategy?" he sneered superior. Asami had to fight the urge to roll her eyes, while Tenzin and Varrick glared at each other. "If you had a tiny tad of patience dear Mr. Varrick, I would have already enlightened you." Tenzin muttered silently. "To make it short Varrick. These guys never lost the old ways with their spirits. They had no great "war of the heavens" where humans and spirits almost extinguished each other. Their word sashes may not be as efficient as modern books but they still date back more than five thousand years! And their legends well – they go straight to the olden days, where Kings and Queens were crowned by gods." Tenzin narrated. His eyes were ablaze. "Of course, this is not well known, the rough terrain and the fact that their troops commonly kill any outsiders that enter their lands leads to nobody respecting them. They send envoys among the travelling haka and other riff-raff…Well youd be surprised what wisdom these people display if youre just willing to talk without any prejudices." Varrick snorted. "Were not some kind of philanthropy circle councilman. If Im getting invested in this – topple the Ling Clan – biz were running this show efficiently." Varrick responded.
"Sevenhundredthousand men." Mako responded dryly. "Chin the second sent the largest army in earth kingdom history – thirty years in the making – to mount wuji shije. Well, the mountain apes were outnumbered forty to one. But they crushed Chins army! There is no report of guerilla warfare, only a single battle beneath the great falls... As soon as the troops crossed the border a mere twenty thousand men stood against Chin and OBLITERATED the earthkingdoms finest. So many soldiers and nobles died, that Chin the second lost his throne due to a local peasant revolt in Ba Sing Se. The rest is history." Ma Ko responded. "Thats because the mountain people have something akin to the avatar. They have their spirit swords – Bu Shins." He responded seriously. Varrick suddenly looked very interested. "You mean possessed warriors like the disciples of the red moon?" he asked. "Well – and why exactly would these weirdos suddenly be interested in us? The Ling clan without a doubt will not make a step into these bloody mountains before they are done with Ba Sing Se and the Republic." Her shrugged. "I dont know why, but their ruler the so-called Lady of the falls is rumored to have the ear of the gods. Also, Korra, is not your typical avatar, if we consult the history books." Tenzin fiddled with his beard. "So maybe she has reached out to the people of wuji shije – I have no idea what that girl does!" he responded slightly annoyed. Varrick chuckled. "Good, so I figure that the Avatar will try to gain the favor of this queen and if a perfect situation arises these mountain savages will take part in a pincer attack. Maybe even combined with the fire nation army landing on the western shores. But thats distant future." Varrick waved his hands. Asami had expected something similar as Tenzin told her about the strange third power in the earthern nations. "Im more interested in short timed action." Varrick stated dryly. Of course, he, as a trader would think like that. Varrick had no idea how difficult it was to make long term profit, like Asami did with her manufacturing industries. "Well, how about stopping the distribution of commodities, weaponry, machinery to the plains, and say ANY provinces besides Zaofu, Ba Sing Se and Oma Shu?" Asami sneered. "That should annoy the nobles, to say the least, which might lead to some of the less patriotic conservatives backing Ba Sing Se instead." Varrick answered gleefully. It seemed that their newly found comrade was a little sadist. "Its more important to act supportive to the fire nation government, which already has blocked off the trade with earthkingdom merchant guilds. However, they have problems with their distribution of rice, and other crops." Tenzin narrated. Asami crooked an eyebrow. "Yeah – Ill deal with that councilman, Ive always been a fan of manipulating the market, so Ill just do a wholesale and flood Ba Sing Se with dumping rice, as I do with the republic." Varrick grinned. "And then the poor Ling Clan will have to get somebody else to pay good coin for their grain, which means that theyll not be able to draft everybody with a cock between their legs." The merchant stated, while scribbling some notes in a small booklet.
The airbending master flushed an cleared his throat, while Asami also felt the need to send a look in Varricks direction. "Also, Ill whip up some distribution lines to Whaletail Island to get my hands on the south. Maybe Asami could to some real investing there building up some canned goods factories for sea-food….aaaahhhhh daaaaaammmm boy." The spindly man emptied his glass. "Wars so awesomely profitable!" he preened, while Tenzin was appalled at his lack of humanistic spirit. "Varrick." The councilman hissed, while Ma Ko silenced him with a glare. "Of course, Rep City could start printing money like crazy, but wouldnt that fuck up the currency?" he asked. "You naïve summer child." Asami cooed before she got a hold on herself. Her boyfriend cringed adorably, while Varrick shook with laughter. Even Tenzin had to suppress a smile before he scoldingly started at the table. "I dont think this is the time to be printing war bonds. This would be seen as a direct attack on the kingdom's internal affairs." He responded. "Pfff, come on, whos talking about war bonds. How about lowering the taxes, encouraging investment in the military sector, in naval companies and so on. Weve got no veteran army so nobody is buying any war bonds for a war that isnt even on... Or wait... wait…. Does that mean we can fuck the cunts up already?" Varrick obviously started being tipsy after having downed a whole glass of absinthe. "Please Varrick – mind your manners." Asami sighed. "Heh, only if you teach me properly – Sato-Sensei." He purred in a flirty attempt. Ma Ko shook his head grinning, while Asami pouted… he could at least have been a tiny bit jealous!
Tenzin again started to delve into the economic network of Republic city. He obviously wanted to determine which companies, trade routes and other things should be discussed for subventions or freedom of taxation. Different from Asami, who would never have been able to manage her large conglomerate of businesses, had it not been for her father's economic education, Varrick was more than eager to give his input on this topic. The merchant seemed almost relieved that there was something he could do. "Nonono Tenzin thats bullcrap! We dont care about Wushi canned goods and the other fucktards, no matter how important that stuff is for supply lines!" he insisted while hammering his empty glass on the table. "Under no circumstances at ALL lower the customs on agricultural goods. Set the notation of all goods exported to the republican yuan and all imported to the earthern one. When we do that the Lings are fucked coz their coppers arent worth a shim in comparison to fire-breather coppers or our own." Tenzin furrowed his brows. "But high customs make the import expensive and the Republic cant feed itself from its own soil. Ive seen the harvest estimates for this year. A deficit of sixty to eighty- thousand tonnes in grain, cabbage and especially meat." He elaborated. Varrick chuckled. "Oi Councilman – lemme exschplain." The tipsy man shook his head. "Babe, another one for men Chow." Her ordered from the barmaid, who obliged her master's wish. Varrick slapped her firm, perfectly shaped backside, which led to a slight twitching of her red lips. Asami stifled an annoyed sigh. At the moment they had far more important topics at hand than a barmaid's backside. Ma Ko sipped on the fire cognac he had received after raising his glass to Varrick. At least her lover knew how to hold his drink. Asami admired his modesty in this regard, the young industrial wasn't that restrained, especially when she spent a girl's night with Korra and some of their other lady-friends. "Our own agr- agricutschural potentschials arent cranced to the max AT ALL. Gods dammit fer twenny years tha republican soil is getting less n less. Theres even forests growin cuz tha Ling rice is so damn cheap – even with twenny percent margin on top!" Varick shrugged. "An we aint talking bout all the illegal smuggling that's even cheaper and goes fer everything. I mean come on at least a couple hundred tons o meat per quarter in rep ciddy alone." Varrick explained. Chow was sure the merchant was just talking about the good his associates smuggled, and of course the same observations would be made all across the borders of the earthern nations to their economically much more evolved neighbours. "Alsho jusst remove taxation of sea-food an tha people will be good. If things come ta that theyll happily gnaw on bread crusts when that means werre givin it to tha green skinned faggots straight." Varrick cackled while taking a deep gulp of the green liquor he had been handed. Ma Ko did not touch the second glass that had been placed in front of him so Asami did. Only her pristine education kept her from pouting. The green, liquor almost tasted like wood alcohol. Her lovers' eyes twinkled. Obviously, Ma Ko knew perfectly well, why one did not drink absinthe. While Varrik was rambling on about markets, and changes to the republican trade act Asami spaced out for a moment. She emptied a glass of water to remove the burning taste of the liquor from her mouth but her tongue remained numb and prickling – beautiful.
Tenzin was busy making annotations to the law texts the Barmaid had supplied him with, because even a well-educated person like himself or Miss Sato wasnt able to memorize all of the the juristic tricks Varrik was elaborating. The man would have been the best lawyer of the century had he pursued this career, which explained why he was able to bend and twist the laws that governed the otherworld. His ritual was the law of heaven and earth, written in the obscure concoction of water-tongue and earthern alphabet. Asamis Scientists could not dabble in the matters beyond the veil, and she now understood why. Binding a Kami was about knowing it better than it it-self. Your brain needed to be more of a sponge than a scalpel. Sadly, an engineers brain just was an oversized pocketknife. Being able to do ABOUT ANYTHING was what made the engineer so unbelievably useful for society. Enough musing, back to the topic at hands – traffic routes and the development of a module-based upgrade system for a cheap, safe and somewhat effective 250 mm cannon for harbour-defence against the backwater earth nation Dshunks. While she was spiralling into details Ma Ko seemed as if he was short of sleeping, while Varick and Tenzin continued to work even more erratically until the sun rose. Asami blinked disturbed as they finally headed home, while the airbender had chosen to catch a few hours of sleep in one of Varriks guestrooms.
Miss Sato was swaying slightly, since she now felt wobbly from the numerous drinks that Varrick had tried to force onto everyone. Even if he was an alcoholic - a man of Varick's size should not be able to consume the amount of liquor he did during this night. Asami was barely holding herself together, due to sleep deprivation and intoxication. She just wanted to sleep somewhere, even if her stomach was empty and grumbling. Still there was this muted euphoria in her head. It felt as if they had done something that mattered – that they had started fighting back against the looming shadow of terrifying war that had dulled her mood since months. She felt the reassuring grip of her lover on her shoulders, while they headed towards her car. Her feet were hurting from the slightly too small high-heels. Ma Ko however seemed as if he had had a good night's sleep. Instead of returning to his motorcycle he accompanied her to the roadster and opened the passenger door.
Some men were just built differently, she thought with a smirk on her face. And one of them is mine! She giggled in childlike glee. "Ehh?" Ma Ko seemed slightly disturbed. "Nothing." She hummed obnoxious and plummeted into the couchlike seat of her satomobile S3, while groaning quite unladylike. "Oh boy..." Ma Ko started the engine and struggled with the gearbox, which was quite crappy for an upplerclass sportscar. While the putrid smell of burnt clutch briefly entered her Nose Ma Ko finally managed to leave the gravel covered facility of Varick
"Sami, Im a simpleton... Just how on earth can you people be so darn smart." He admitted defeated while trying to insert the second gear multiple times. "Nawww." The heiress slumped into the officer, which almost ended with their car taking a venture into Varick's meticulously trimmed lawns. "I went to school for about 20 years darling. If I werent smarter than you Id be an utter failure – what do you think people do at universities?" she snuggled herself into her seat and wanted to compliment her boyfriend. Her mind was too foggy to think of something fitting and her eyes closed in the instant she rested her head.
