& THAT Wasn't Exactly How She Was Hoping This Would Go ( She'd Shaken Hands With At Least Ten People

I’ve been hesitating to post it for a while, but here it is anyway.

a smile remained SAT at her lips as tenzin & pema's figures began traveling towards the harbour, slowly swallowed by darkness of the night sea. only once they were gone did she cant her head to the side to find a likely overdrawn grin on @inkorrnate's mouth ⸻ & her eyes roamed for a moment to find the rest of her was much the same. it ALSO didn't go unnoticed that they had only been three children apart ever since korra had sailed in.

she stepped over the imagined barrier uncaringly & wandered over, an eyebrow raised, a hand hitched against her hip as she spoke for korra's ears only,   “ — you sure you're sure  about not backing out tonight ? i won't hold it against you if you do, you know — ... ”

the sound of meelo declaring ' a pool party ! ' as he launched himself towards the edge of the chilly docks had her immediately choking back on her words, her hand planting itself on korra's arm ⸻ -

“ — or maybe i would actually. ”

“ ... korra... hey— ”

she could feel the tension beneath her touch, the stinging heat of something moments away from combusting. but she only reached with her second hand to guide her nearer, her thumb brushing beneath her chin to help ground her, “ — they will be getting some help, no one's suggesting we just pack up & call it quits. ” “ i know how much you want to be a part of this... but these people have some old wounds that haven't healed yet. we shouldn't rush them, even if that means they're missing out... big time. ” her life had ultimately changed for the better from the moment korra had stepped foot into her hometown.

The soothing warmth doesn't quite negate the bruise of an ego. Korra presses on, in time with the thump thump thump of I can do this, I need to do this. Because, as much sense as the two make together,

❝But they clearly need my help!❞

❝Who holds a grudge over a ceremony that happened over three hundred years ago, anyway?❞

Decisiveness is written in her very stance. The pride! the stubbornness! none of it makes any sense! She's not about to just stand by over a slight that reaches beyond any living memory.

❝I don't care what the people of Chun want. I'm going.❞

her spine straightened at the sound of her voice, a disbelieving smile curving at cherry-red lips as she raised the goggles from her face. she definitely hadn't been expecting to see korra here today... or anytime soon if she was honest. THIS was where she was most useful after all, working away under harsh lighting while her city was at the brink of war, knee-deep into steel & embers — unfortunately, that meant their paths didn't cross all that much ( not as much as she'd like them to ) but she could always count on meeting her at the end of the road. she reached over before turning around, twisting the valves beside her so she could gently set the torch down, “ i have to admit, i was expecting varrick to send... well, anyone else when he said he'd get me an assistant for the day — ” she turned, taking in how... endearingly small out-of-place korra looked standing next to the large prototypes she'd been working on. she felt herself warm pleasantly at the thought of getting to spend some time with her, alone; it had been a while to say the least. there had been so much unspoken history since they last stood together just them... & she tried to block out memories of empty tumblers, sleepless nights, & crumped papers piling on her desk that were too much, never right. it was moments like this that she almost wished she'd been brave enough to sign her name to one of them. “ — not the avatar herself, ” she quirked an eyebrow, pulling a hefty glove from her hand so she could brush a lock of hair from her slightly damp face, “ you sure you wanna get your hands dirty with me ? ”

She checks a chestful of thoughts at the door to @satogem's workshop. It doesn't exactly make her feel any lighter, but by the time she steps inside, the thick heat and smell of singed metal almost tastes refreshing.

— Until she finds her tucked into the side of a mechasuit and chokes on the smoke. It's a spectacle she's not thought to appreciate before today, but seeing Asami's welding sparks practically halo her dark foregrounded hair makes it very hard not to stare. Korra can only be thankful that she's remembered to smooth her windswept hair and straighten her clothes before entering—- only so she doesn't fall too short of the unrealistic expectation of looking as good as Asami at work, of course.

Her hands come to rest at hip level, surveying this unfamiliar setting. It sets off a flutter of nervousness as Korra's reminded of how she doesn't know the first thing about... any of this.

But it's better than not being of any use.

❝I heard you were looking for an extra pair of hands.❞

ENDLESS LIST OF FAVORITE CHARACTERS: Asami Sato

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