The Voice in the Night

That night Korra thought she'd have pleasant dreams, but they were far from it.

It was a blur so familiar, like any other fight she fought, but this time she was outnumbered, overwhelmed, and chi blocked, fell to the ground, and kicked onto her knees. She screamed from the pain as her knees hit the floor, and then he stepped towards her, each footfall she heard were exactly what she imagined.

"After I take your ending away," he reached his hand towards her face, and that reminded her of the legends about Koh she'd heard about, "you will be nothing."

A startled scream announced her return to the real world. Naga licked her hand, in a "there, there" manner if she thought about it, and rested her head on the multibender's lap.

"It's…it's alright, Naga." She told herself as much as the polar bear dog, "I just a bad dream."

One, she remarked, daunted, that broke her out in a sweat. She folded her arms over Naga's head and rested on her arms, and tried to get a little more sleep, a challenge when she knew what she'd find on the other side.

Later that morning there was a visitor who wasn't expected until a little later.

"I'll see who's there." Tenzin said, getting up from the table where he and Korra had been eating more often, with the rest of the family, since she convinced him that silence wasn't required to learn how to move like an airbender, a lesson she gave him at the Pro-bending Arena.

"Ah, Asami," he smiled, opening the door, "what brings you here?"

"Asami," Korra said, quickly walking into the room, "hey."

"Hi, oh, Tenzin," she said, focusing on his inquiry, "well, I'm here to see Korra."

"Oh, of course, I'll just leave you two to chat." he said, leaving for the dining room, "Korra, airbending practice in an hour."

"Yeah, yeah," she waved Tenzin away, and then turned to Asami, "so, beautiful, what's up?"

"Hmm, you're the one calling me 'beautiful', sweetie," Asami smiled mischievously, as Korra led her out to a patio, "so maybe you know?"

"Well…I would like to talk about something…it's not that important." Korra sat on some steps with her elbows on her knees, staring at her hands.

"Are you sure?" Asami sat next to Korra and leaned forward far enough to form eye contact with the multibender.

"Yeah, I thought I would, but…maybe not." Korra sighed heavily and stood up, "Anyway, I just…thought I was working up to something but lost heart."

Korra exhaled deeply, surprised by how much air was in her lungs, "I'm sorry I walked you out here, I know it must be cold, I'm used to the cold and I'm starting to get chill bumps."

"That's fine, Korra," Asami didn't know why the conversation seemed so serious, so grinned and lightly pressed her fist against Korra's shoulder, "and if it makes you less uncomfortable, I might be able to hold off the flirting."

"Ha, ha, yeah…but that's not the problem."

"Well, there's no problem you can't tell me about, especially if it seemed important, even if for just a second."

"Thanks…but I just…I'm not sure if it's stupid, maybe later?"

"Whenever you're ready." Asami followed Korra's gaze to Tenzin, who stepped out and swiftly made his way to them.

"Alright, Korra, my schedule just got…jostled, so we must begin immediately." Tenzin turned to Asami, "Asami, if you want to stay and watch, then maybe you can help her when I'm not around, if you're up to it."

"I'd love to help Korra with airbending training," Asami replied, then smirked at the multibender, "and so I will."

"Great." Tenzin nodded appreciatively and began the session, which was forms for airbending, not as boring as sitting cross legged all day, but now she had to focus, and between the money problems of the Fire Ferrets, the fact that Asami recently misunderstood her relationship with Mako, and then the money that was in reach that could save the Fire Ferrets, but might jeopardize Korra's relationship with Asami—it was all very difficult to focus.

After Tenzin left Korra and Asami stayed out practicing until they decided to take a snack break.

"So, how was that, anything like Tenzin showed me?" Korra asked, eating some noodles.

"Well, I'm no expert, but I think it looked right." Asami replied, now staring at Korra's face.

Korra turned back and raised an eyebrow, "Now, I know I didn't miss my mouth that badly, so…what're you thinking about?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing, just…I was actually not thinking…and then I started thinking and that…was a mistake…or maybe not."

"You're so jumpy all of a sudden, Asami, what's wrong?"

"I was thinking about…kissing you."

"But you did last night…it wasn't a problem then, was it?"

"Well…I was really happy that we were back, and that you were safe, and I'm calmer now…but I was going to, until I thought about how much I'd have to lean forward…and suddenly thinking about it made me freeze up."

"Well, you could always try again." Korra said, sitting up on the steps behind her.

"I—uh, y-you're not going to change your mind at the last minute are you?" Asami asked, watching Korra lean forward her hand under her chin, as though she was thinking.

"No, I promise, I'm going to sit right here…but if you take too long I might turn around." she smirked, turning away from Asami.

Korra waited for what felt like hours…but at the last second noticed a shadow on the ground. She looked up and saw Jinora and Ikki laughing, then watched as they suddenly stopped and waved instead.

"Ah, Korra!" Asami crossed her arms, a red color on her face that went with her clothes perfectly.

"Sorry, Jinora and Ikki were spying on us." She pointed up at the airbender girls, who were flying overhead on gliders.

"Well…we should get back to practicing anyway."

"I really am sorry, I didn't change my mind, I just…didn't expect those two to be standing there."

"It's fine…anyways, I think they're gone now…where's Meelo?"

"He's probably hiding in those shrubs over there." Korra pointed and Meelo leapt up and ran away, "You're terrible at hide and seek, did you know that?!" Korra yelled, standing up as Meelo turned around, and sitting back down after he passed.

"Hide and seek, huh?"

"Yeah, he always hides there." Korra bolted upright as a hand joined hers on the steps between her and Asami, "Umm…Asami…I—ahem." she tried to regain her composure, but she had already lost focus.

"Is there are problem?" Asami asked, having inched her way closer until their foreheads were together.

"Of course not…this just feels like…the kids will start spectating again or something."

"I know what you mean." Asami leaned forward again and Korra tilted her face up, wondering what Asami was going to do next.

Korra was not expecting what happened next…which was Asami brushing her nose against Korra's.

"Huh, Korra, are you alright?" Asami asked, staring at her worriedly.

"Uh, yeah, of course…you just caught me off guard there."

"Sorry…I thought you saw that coming."

"I did…I just didn't expect that sort of kiss…which I don't see how it counts as one but…uh, I can definitely, uh, wrap my head around it, I think…I'll see it coming next time though."

"I hope so…I was kind of worried for a second there."

"I should get back to practice though…where did the time go?"

Asami noticed too, it was already late enough without having to help the Avatar practice her forms…not that she didn't enjoy spending time with her, but Korra needed to concentrate on what she was doing, which didn't leave much time for talk.

Asami watched Korra's motions carefully, and didn't find anything to point out that Korra didn't instantly frown at herself, and before she knew it, Tenzin walked out into the cold night air, his hands behind his back, smiling.

"Very good, Korra, excellent form, I'm sure if you keep practicing, you'll be a master before you even have airbending." He walked up to the table in front of them, a square object in his hands, which he set on the desk, "I was in town earlier, and on my way to the council meeting, I saw something in one of the store windows…and bought it on my way back."

He turned a knob and music filled the air, Korra lost focus on her form and turned to the table, "You got a radio?" she asked enthusiastically.

"More specifically, I got you a radio." He said, looking quite pleased with himself, "You were right, air is the element of freedom, and up until now I was…dull, from what, I don't know…maybe I was the one who needed training, but seeing you out on the arena, Pro-bending…something just clicked…and I wasn't even meditating."

"Wow…you got me a radio." Korra was surprised, but very happy with it, "So I can listen to Pro-bending on it?"

"That's right, but don't get so side tracked," he began sternly, before smiling playfully, "that you forget to go to practice, or the game itself. Oh, that reminds me, when's the tournament?"

"Oh, uh, I think five or four days." Korra said, offhandedly…but slowly, quieter…Asami wondered if Tenzin picked up on the note, but then, the music was probably louder from where he stood.

"Well, I'll go mark my calendar, and then see you about the one day difference." Tenzin said, leaving them alone, presumably to mark the calendar.

"Umm, so, Korra, is everything alright?" she stepped between Korra and the radio she was staring at, but Asami realized she was just staring in the direction of the radio, "Is this about last night?"

"Huh, what?" Korra looked up at her, wanting to correct whatever Asami said, but she mentioned yesterday, so she must be wrong.

"I asked if something from yesterday might still be here somewhere." Asami said, taking another two steps towards Korra.

"No…but yes, earlier that day, during practice, I learned that…ugh, how to say it?"

"Korra?"

"Our last pay, apparently, only barely covered some other costs…my new armor was new expenses they had to cover, and we need thirty thousand yuans or we're out of the tournament."

"Korra, it's alright, I'll see if Dad will cover this." She set a hand on Korra's shoulder, "You could have just told me."

"I know you mean that, but…it would have been so easy to believe that that's all this was for, and I didn't want you to think that, even for a minute!" she set her hands on Asami's shoulders, "And then after yesterday, I would think it sounded even more desperate, and I didn't want you to feel like I was just hanging around you because of some pink paper."

"Well, you already told me that you would never hurt me…if I couldn't believe that any more than you saying the money is just for the team, then why would I take your word for it when you say would never try hurt me?" Asami hugged Korra and chuckled, "I believe you, Korra, you don't seem to be the kind of person to lie about things like this…I suppose I can only say this with such certainty because of my old 'friends', but you are the best friend ever."

"I'm glad you think so, Asami."

After seeing Asami out, Korra went back to practice her forms, but Asami was on her mind…until a blood chilling voice spilled across the air. Korra wondered if she had stopped breathing as Amon spoke of the government's plan to set up a task force to deal with his men, and urged the nonbenders to rise up against benders, and ended his calm, droning speech by saying it was time for the benders to know fear. It was already happening.

Korra ran towards the temple and somehow made it in a blur until the door was locked and she was resting against it, looking up and breathing heavy until she closed her eyes and slid down to her knees. This was quickly becoming a nightmare, but at least Asami wasn't a bender, she wouldn't be a target, unless he started imprisoning the friends of benders.

Korra felt hopelessly lost but tried to remain focused…Amon can't fight her, she's the Avatar, she's got three elements mastered, and with her three friends with her, Amon wouldn't have enough men to stand against her with.

There…lying to herself at least let her get up and fall into bed, and if she just numbly stared at her hand and counted to a hundred, she'd be out by thirty…and somehow, it worked. Asami going to handle the tournament, and then they'd hope this Equalist movement would burn out.

Asami didn't hear Hiroshi anywhere, and wondered where he was, when the door suddenly opened behind her.

The intruder was on his back in an instant, but the intruder was her dad.

"Well," he grunted, "looks like those lessons paid off."

"Dad, what were you doing out so late?" she didn't know if she was horrified at what she just did, or still startled that he had to have been sneaking around the building to stay undetected.

"Saw what I thought was fire being reflected off the trees, so I went to investigate, no firebenders, just fire flies."

"I didn't know they were still out." and besides, her mind added, they don't look anything like fire…right?

"Ah, well, I suppose there were a lot this year." he was speaking quickly now, as he got back to his feet with Asami's help, and then, as though reading her mind, added, "Isn't it odd, though…fire flies don't look a thing like fire, and yet…I just-"

Her heart broke for him, her poor father was still as plagued as she was, maybe even more so, over the loss of his wife.

"I know…sometimes I smell smoke in here…and burning, the paint and I see her, and-it's strange how powerful memories can be…like a voice in the night, keeping me awake." she wondered silently why they hadn't hugged good night in over…how long? Especially now, so maybe they could bring that back, "Maybe we could just…remember her together, sometime."

"That sounds like a good idea." he noted, moving away from her to retrieve the scattered papers, "You should go and get some rest, unless you're hungry, I made dinner when I got back."

She smiled and went into the kitchen, and found not one, but two plates…which was strange, because she was sure she cleared both breakfast plates, but it was a routine, so maybe…she was just remembering yesterday, unless her dad…it was something that had been discussed before, feelings couldn't be denied forever, she was resolved to silently grow use to the idea, it made sense, though, he thought he saw fire…he was remembering his wife and now he had two plates. He was letting go, wasn't he? She took a breath and promised herself she would be happy for him…Yasuko wouldn't want them to be sad, and surely this had gone on long enough, but she wasn't being replaced…no one could replace her.

No, it was probably lunch with a possible supplier or investor…he did seem really busy lately.

After taking a plate back up to her room, balancing it on one hand while unlocking the door with other, she remembered she hadn't told her father anything about the money the Fire Ferrets needed, but it could wait for tomorrow.

Or it would have, when her father knocked on the door. She found Hiroshi on the other end, "So, were you planning on watching the tournament next week?"

"Uh, I can change plans if you want." She offered, wondering what was going on…the two plates came to mind, and an image of a her father and a woman eating together came to mind.

"No, no, I was just wondering if you wouldn't mind some company, I mean, if I were going as well."

"Of course I wouldn't mind, but Korra told me that if they didn't gather enough money before then, they'd be kept out of the tournament."

"That's terrible, how much do they need?"

"Thirty thousand yuans."

"Well, tell one of them to visit and I'll be glad to talk to them about it."

"I'll do that…thanks, Dad."

"You're welcome, Asami, good night." he waved and left for his room, as though he knew of the financial problems the Fire Ferrets were in, and came there specifically to offer help…unless there was a reason he needed to also be at the tournament.

Later the next day, as she was taking her moped through an industrial area, when a familiar person stepped out into the road. She pulled to a halt and her moped smacked him to the ground.

"Mako, are you alright?" she ran up to him and removed her helmet.

"Do I look like I'm-" he stopped in the middle of his sentence and stared at her until her hair was free, "Umm, yeah, no big deal, Bolin hits me harder during practice."

"Well, this is the second time this has happened." she said, helping him up.

"Second time?" Mako asked, frowning, "Is he alright?"

"Ah—this is how I met Korra, actually."

"Oh, yeah, right." He did a double take and straightened his back, "You hit her…she's a lot tougher than I thought…I mean, for someone just now getting into Pro-bending."

"I still feel like I should invite you to dinner later, maybe tomorrow night at Kuang's Cuisine?"

"Uh, I don't have anything to wear there, though."

"I'll fix that, you just have to show up."

With that, she bade him farewell, and continued her way to Air Temple Island.

Asami found Korra practicing her form again, and when the Avatar noticed her, Asami could imagine the Avatar dropping her lessons. They fell loudly to the ground, and Korra smiled and ran to her, leaving behind the lessons, shattered on the ground, "Asami, hey!" the multibender shouted, crossing her arms.

"Hey, Korra, what's up?"

"Nothing much." Korra shrugged, but the voice of Amon echoed inside her head, though she tried to dismiss it, or focus on something else, like that radio Tenzin got her, Asami didn't need to worry about this, sure, Amon could take away people's powers, but could he even hope to stand a chance against Korra? She liked to think not, so, with that problem out of the way before it even started, she walked alongside Asami, and casually thought of a way to casually invite Asami over for dinner tonight, when Ikki, grinning, stepped up to them, her hands behind her back.

"Hey, Korra," she tilted her head curiously, an innocent remark on her lips, "what're you doing?"

"Hanging out with Asami, what're you doing?" Korra asked her easily.

"Umm, nothing." Ikki didn't sound sincere, but then threw in, quite honest, "Being nosy."

"I can see that," Korra laughed, "but why?"

"Well, I was wondering…what does 'a thing', mean?" at the twitch of Korra's eyebrow, she explained herself, "See, because, I asked Jinora what girlfriends means if the girlfriends she said are girlfriends like how guys have girlfriends, and then she said you were a thing, what does that mean?"

"That…sounds like she was answering your question." Korra said, amused.

"So if…hmm, then what are boys called?" before Korra caught her breath to explain, Ikki had an idea, "Is Asami going to stay for dinner again and tell more jokes and funny stories, and talk about people getting their fingers sliced off due to ne—negatives?"

"Negligence…people getting their fingers sliced off in machine because they weren't taking the proper precautions." Korra corrected, then explained, and finally turned to Asami, "What do you think, care to stick around for dinner? I mean, if you're dad isn't expecting you home early. Oh, and what about our date tomorrow, where to this time?"

"Oh, well, see, I hit someone earlier," she said, wincing, "so…I arranged an apology dinner for tomorrow night, but we can still go, it's just…we'll have company."

"Someone…well, alright, I guess after we're alone, we can order dessert or something." Korra said, wondering what Asami thought of the idea, but didn't have to ask, as the smile that appeared on her face told her it was a date.

"We are grateful for this delicious food, for happiness, for compassion, and-" Tenzin was then interrupted by a guest, and loudly.

"I'm not interrupting, am I?" a fancy dressed man with a ponytail walked into the room, smiling.

"This is my home, Tarrlok, I'm about to have dinner with my family." Tenzin, for some reason, seemed on edge, almost like these two detested each other.

"What great timing, I am absolutely famished." Korra saw a look in Tenzin's eyes that told her these two weren't exactly buddies, "Airbenders never turn away a hungry guest, right, Tenzin?"

"I suppose not." Tenzin said, hurt at having his principles thrown at his face.

Korra barely noticed Pema give Tenzin and angry look, and wondered why these two didn't like him, other than the obvious inconsideration in his mannerism.

"Ah, here's the famous Avatar Korra, it is truly a great honor to meet you, I am Councilman Tarrlok, representative of the Northern Water Tribe." he said, and they exchanged bows.

"Nice to meet you." she replied as they kneeled in a sitting position to start on dinner. She saw Asami was watching him, and she wondered if it was because she was suspicious, or if she noticed Tenzin's strong distrust.

"Why do you have three ponytails?" Ikki interrogated, "And why do you smell like a lady? You're weird."

"Well," he said, amused at her conclusion, "aren't you…precocious?"

She glared at him in response, but he turned his focus back to Korra, as though the little girl hadn't been there, "I've read of your exploits in the papers, how you infiltration of Amon's secret exhibition, it must have taken a certain…measure of tenacity and daring to do so."

"I…you're actually the first authority figure who seems really happy with me being here." Korra said, uncertain why that bothered her, maybe it was a group mentality, Tenzin and Pema seemed to be in agreement about this man, and yet, here he was being sensible, at least from what the Avatar could tell.

"Are you joking? I can sleep better at night knowing you're protecting our city…ever since you arrived, I've felt that the possibilities for a decisive end are at hand."

"Tarrlok, enough with the flattery, what do you want with Korra?"

"I'm getting to that. Now, I said before what I thought of you, I would almost go so far as to say you've done more than enough, but, in fact, I was hoping you'd take this a step further, and join me in protecting our city from him and his minions."

"Really?" she asked, surprised…and perhaps slightly alarmed.

"Huh?" Asami looked like she thought she missed something.

"What?!" Tenzin breathed, leaning closer to the table.

"Yes, I've known I needed someone to help me, someone with daring, fearless in the face of danger, and I believe with all my heart that that someone is you, the Avatar!"

"I can't join your task force now."

"What, but I thought you'd jump at the chance to help me face Amon's forces head on."

"Korra." Asami studied Korra's expression carefully, and her voice was mixed between worried and relieved, after what they saw back at the rally, she wasn't sure she wanted Korra anywhere near Amon. Korra smiled at Asami, but something in the expression seemed tired.

"So did I." Tenzin said quietly.

"I came here to finish my Avatar training with Tenzin…a few other…personal developments happened," she turned to Asami and smiled, "right now I just want to keep things how they are…I haven't learned airbending yet, and I'm still not in touch with my spiritual side yet."

"And that, my friend, is exactly why this opportunity for you is perfect, you can not only perform your standard Avatar duties for the city, but also find real world applications for those skills you learn here, think about it! The stars are all lined up, waiting for you!"

"Tarrlok, you have your answer, now," Tenzin replied, growing irate, "you need to leave."

"Ha, ha, fine, fine, I'm leaving," he said, turning around, smiling with his finger in the air, "but I'm not giving up on you, Korra, not by a longshot, just you see!"

"Bye-bye, ponytail man!" Ikki said, standing and waving happily.

"Now, where was I?" Tenzin asked, trying to regain focus, "Ah, yes, now I remember."

The entire meal was distracted by their guest, but afterwards the kids scrambled around the place excitedly, and Korra and Asami found the yard with the spinning panels.

"Korra, if something's bothering you-"

"Nothing's bothering me!" Korra said, tossing her arms up.

"Korra, I don't mean to get on your nerves, but…I thought you seemed distracted by something." She swallowed nervously and hoped that this wasn't their relationship falling apart. She still couldn't be sure what kind of person Korra was, but she had a feeling she was just being defensive, she probably wasn't used to insecurity.

"I…kind of blew up at you, huh?"

"That's what pressure does, it builds up until you can't contain it."

"He was pressuring me…he was playing the 'be a good Avatar' card on me, and I hate that." Korra staring violently next to Asami, and put her hand over her face, "You're dad's going to be worried if you don't show up soon."

"Oh, you can't get rid of me so easily." She said, smiling somewhere between cleverly and warmly.

"I…I'm not used to being in this situation, I'm used to always winning…every time there's a goal, I beat it, without fail, now there's a relationship, and airbending, and some guy who smells a lady, and I can't…understand what it is I'm doing."

"You're turning out great so far, Korra, a little smug, but your heart's in the right place, and if you need to put some extra time in your airbending training, that's fine too."

"I—ha, ha, I don't think I'm that desperate, but thanks anyway."

"Well, I'm glad, because I might have had to go back on that later."

"Then…why make the offer?"

"Because…I can at least try to let you spend time out here, working on your bending, I could find a way to fill the time…you're right about how late it is, though, I should be getting back home now."

"Alright, I'll see you to your moped." She followed Asami as the heiress started down the path to the bridge, "So, what does your dad think of this thing with Amon, and me dropping in on his rally?"

"Umm, I don't know, I try to get him to talk about you personally, but all he says is that…well, he's pretty doubtful, actually, that Amon can be beaten, probably he's just worried about me…I didn't tell him I was there, but I think he knows, he knows I'm quite fond of you, and I think he's worried about how my safety, and what I'll feel if you…if something happens on the job, but Mako and Bolin's parents probably know by now too, they might try to stop those two from going to the tournament."

"Umm, Asami, the other day, before Bolin was kidnapped, we were all still tired, I think, but we didn't get along well, and then there was this guy in charge of everything and…and I ended up learning that they didn't have parents…anymore."

"Oh, that must be hard for them, no wonder Mako seems pretty protective of Bolin."

"He is…for all we don't get along, I'm sure he can be reasonable…I kind of respect him, because Bolin's his brother, and I think it's just a lot of stress, the next challenge is going to be a littler trickier than usual."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, but we'll work through it, I'm sure."

"I hope so, I'd hate for you to not be able to play in the tournament."

"We will, we have to, it's too awesome not to, and great practice…maybe Tarrlok doesn't know about that."

"Maybe, I would be surprised, though, he seems to be following everything you've done so far, he's almost you're biggest fan, but I beat him to that." she said, indicating herself with a gesture.

"That's good…so, who did you hit, earlier?"

"It's a surprise, silly!"

"Ah, is it someone I know?"

Asami donned her helmet and hoped onto the moped, "I'd love to dodge the question, but I'm afraid I must be going. And before I forget to tell you, it's the usual time and place, alright?"

"Hmm, for our date slash make up dinner?"

"That's the one." Asami said, as she switched on the headlights. She waved one last time before roaring over the bridge back to the mainland.

"It's got to be Bolin, he gets hit by stuff all the time!" Korra said as she lost sight of the moped. She wasn't going to listen to the radio tonight, or not outside anyways.

Asami liked driving at night, moped or Satomobile, it was always so different than at day, peaceful and…she thought maybe she just saw her father back there…it was her eyes playing tricks on her, he was probably home, not hanging around on the streets for no reason, unless he was looking for her. She turned took a road back around to the other and found him still on the streets, apparently waiting.

"Dad, what are you doing here?"

"Asami…nothing, I'm supposed to be meeting with someone. Did your…date go well?"

"I…yes, it did, thanks. Umm, Dad…if you want to talk sometime, I'm sure Korra would understand, the tournament isn't for a while now, so the next time you catch a break, we can hang out at the park…play some pai sho like old times."

"Hmm, that sounds nice, but…there are things I want…for us, and…if this plan doesn't fail, well, it's a surprise, but I think you'll be pleased enough with it…I know your mom would."

She smiled and threw her arms around him, "I know she'd want us to be happy, that's all she ever wanted for anyone. I can't wait for the surprise."

"Me too, but for now you need to go home, or you'll spoil the surprise, my…meeting should start in ten minutes, I'll we turn in three or four hours at most, if there are no other concerns aside from current ones, otherwise I could be out all night, you should get some rest, the cook has agreed to let me in."

"Alright," she conceded, "love you, Dad."

"I love you too." He said, then turned back to his watch. She didn't like him being out late all the time, maybe she could persuade him to take some combat lessons, for all his concern, he seemed pretty easygoing around benders…as long as they were simply business partners. Friends and now girlfriend were weighing heavy on his mind, even when he didn't say anything, she knew that his last stated opinion on something was absolute until he voiced otherwise, and on the subject of Korra, he hadn't, but she thought that maybe he was just scared of the Avatar.

Author's Notes: This is decidedly long enough, I would stick the full episode into it, but this will need to be continued on the next chapter…and the voice part of the night is about over, so there's that too; I might wind up putting several episodes into one, then go and have only several parts, because remember, we're mainly following the leading ladies. Also, I foresee major changes to the plot because of the little things, enough little things can lead to a big change leading to even more changes, so yeah…let's see where this goes!

Oh, and I have plans for Book Two, very concrete in my mind that won't get out, so they'll probably be in my rewrite of Book Two, if so, I'll tell you in the A.N. for that when I post it, I think it'll well received, or at least be approved of…by at least most of you, but I like this, and so far you like what I write, if you've read this far, or you haven't read enough for a reason or enough reasons to dislike and cease readership, so, I'm out of words for this A.N., except that I will see you in the reviews, or in the next update, ciao!