Chapter Text
“Of course this is happening, right now, ” Korra muttered. She was holding multiple boxes of uniforms, belts, everything you’d need to wear to train with the self proclaimed Avatar. Her mission to get inside the warm training studio and far, far away from the icy streets of Republic City was becoming less likely. Her few free fingers, the rest barely balancing all the haul, tugged hard and fast, but it wasn’t enough to make the door budge.
“Fine.” She huffed in irritation. She almost threw the boxes to the ground, but decided to remain calm and gently place them down. She couldn’t help but wince when she already saw a box slowly shift and sink into an ice puddle right by her feet. “Just great…” she continued her huffing and puffing, the door still refusing to budge. “Fine!” she shouted this time, her right leg raising in a practiced and comfortable form. Quickly and brashly, Korra kicked her leg out and the doors flew open.
She wanted to wince, but the pride and excitement that still flowed through her veins when she stepped into this space, her space, overshadowed everything. Years of training, saving and perfecting her craft led her to this moment. Since she could stand on two legs, Korra loved martial arts. Her peers in classes grew, but she always grew at a much faster and accurate pace. She loved learning what each style brought, how their foundations made every move and breath come together. She loved the rush when sparring, the ache when a match ended, and the rush of blood going to her strongly beating heart when she came out a winner.
She wanted to spread the feeling to as many people as she could, share the wisdom she had gained from mentors, friends and family over the years. This studio, Avatar Studios, was her baby, and she was going to put her all into making sure it was as strong as the name it was based on. She named it after herself, her nickname, to represent the balance and unity martial arts can bring to you.
“You know, you could have just waited a few extra seconds!” Lin, the aunt of one of her first students, shook her head in disbelief “Why is it you refuse to open doors like a regular person?”
Ignoring the berating, Korra picked the boxes back up and stepped in, observing the space to make sure everything was where she left it the day before. It was still pretty bare, the room painted with soft blue walls and hard wooden flooring. There was a large mirror nearly taking up a whole wall, Korra’s smile reflected back at her as she continued to absorb the area. She could almost smell the sweat of hard working fighters, the united shout as they completed a form in unison. She could see her future here.
She was brought back to the present, the slam of the studio doors shutting bringing her attention to a few more trickling bodies entering. Tonraq, her father and first teacher, helped her to master Tai Chi by 10. She was always smooth and in tune with her body, the soft style giving her an unmatched flow. Lin, teaching her the stability of Hung Gar by 15. She could still feel the dirt between her toes as she focused and the stern teacher guided her, firmly keeping her grounded to the earth. She was a natural with Shaolin, her quick and well timed reactions hot and brutal, always catching people off guard. Izumi was fierce and driven like her father, and helped provide her own drive to reach success. Then, her most recent and one of the most respected advisors, Tenzin. His teachings of Baguazhang, as well as his meditation, gave her peace, balance and the opportunity to see things from a much broader and open mind. Gaining her talent at a young age, she worked hard, many times overworking herself, so that she could be the best. Her mentors kept her earthbound, her mind usually bringing her to heights many couldn’t reach.
Her dad met her gaze in the mirror, a strong hand clasped on her shoulder. “I’m so proud of you, Korra.” The large, muscular man picked her up in bear hug, spinning her around over and over until bringing her back to her feet.
With a blush hidden, thankfully, by her skin, Korra smiled and looked everywhere but at her father. “Thanks.” Korra looked back and saw a familiar look in everyone’s eyes: pride, joy, and most importantly, hope. “All of you. I wouldn’t be here without you all. I will always be honored for what you’ve all taught me. I-,” she took a deep breath, scratching the back of her head. “I hope this actually takes off.” she brought her hands together in front of herself, wringing her fingers nervously. “I hope people actually come.”
She avoided everyone’s eyes, her blue eyes trained on a tiny scratch in the floorboard beneath her feet. She didn’t want them to see her anxiety, the doubt racing through her mind.
“They will, ” Lin stepped in, placing her own pale hand on Korra’s shoulder to get her attention. “I was going to surprise you, but I already have a few cadets ready to sign up for some beginners classes.”
Opal stepped up next to her aunt, poking Korra on the cheek to force her gaze to match her emerald ones. “You have my two little ones joining the kids' classes, too.” She smiled. “So as to people coming? Technically…” Korra suddenly felt a bit overwhelmed, the pressure of success pressing onto her shoulders. The few words of affirmation sent her way did next to nothing, the dread and internal, are you sure you want to do this??, nearly taking control of her peace.
A deep voice caught her attention, her mind holding on to the soothing tone. “Deep breaths. You know what to do.” Korra blinked a few times, glad that the tears hadn’t caught up with the rest of her emotions.
Korra shook her head, hoping to rid the intrusive thoughts, and settled her gaze on Tenzin. His blue gray eyes were soft, but hard in determination. She saw no lies, no hesitation. He believed in her. She looked at everyone once more, each giving her more and more confidence. “Thank you, again. You’ve all invested so much in me. I promise to make you all proud.” she could barely muster enough strength to say the last word, but her support system understood her.
Korra wiped at her eyes again, this time a few tears sneaking out, and she spread her arms out. “Group hug!” Everyone but Lin joined in the gesture, Korra smirking and using her right hand to grab her and force her into the embrace.
More tears and words of encouragement were shared in this next installment of Korra’s calling. After a few minutes, they all dispersed to handle tasks directed by Korra. When she felt a chill up her spine, she checked to make sure the double doors to the studio were shut. “Did anyone bother turning the heat on?” she shivered, and with a confirmation that the doors were both shut and locked, she scanned the room looking for any type of vent or thermostat.
She caught Opal putting up a few awards and trophies into a small display case when she saw a hole with wires spouting out. They were frayed at the end, and the lights to the studio worked so at the time she didn’t think it important to worry. She knew some things needed to be fixed, but the overall size and location is what caught her eye…maybe she should have checked everything else better.
Korra almost got away with not acknowledging the issue at hand, but her fiery mentor made her stick to reality. “That doesn’t look good.” she commented. Her gray hair fell over her red rimmed glasses, her finger pointing at the issue as if Korra needed the extra reminder. “You’re supposed to open in less than a week, if–”
“We will.” Korra cut her off, already deciding that she wasn’t going to let this deter her from opening. “We just have to figure out,” she took a step closer, wishing that maybe if she stared at it any harder, the solution would come forth.
She squinted harder and the solution didn’t come.
Now nearly eye to eye with the wires, Opal put the last medal up and turned to one of her best friends. “You know, I have a good friend who just started her own business. I can have her come and take a look?” Green eyes furrowed with worry as she witnessed the panic begin to set in to Korra again. “Actually, I’ll call her right now.” she spun on her heel and started texting this unknown person quickly, thumbs smacking against the screen.
The amount of emotions she had been through the past week, hell, the past months were leaving her exhausted, confused and frustrated. Avatar Studios was going to open on time, this was going to be a success. She took a shuddering breath, excused herself, and stepped back out into the cold. She wasn’t going to let anything stop her. Not even the cold and darkness of winter.
Korra didn’t know at the time, but she had just witnessed her last snowfall of the year, sunshine closer to her than she thought.
“Asami, it’s been months, when are you going to come to your senses and come back to the company?”
The raven haired woman was lounging in her lavish apartment and was returning a message to a friend she received only minutes ago.
“I told you I don’t know.” She placed the phone down and fixed her gaze to her father. He was pouting as he cleaned his glasses, the sight of his daughter abandoning her family’s legacy apparently so unbelievable.
It had only been a few months since Asami dropped her resignation on her father’s desk. It was shocking to the company, and it left her father scrambling.
She wanted to help low income families with their homes. Whether it be their electrical, plumbing, structure, Asami was determined to actually change people’s lives. At Future Industries, everything was catered to the wealthy, the innovative. It brought so many ideas to the world, to Republic City, but it only helped those who could afford their innovations.
Both of Asami’s parents came from nearly nothing, so her father gaining success rapidly was a shock to the small family. By the time she was 12, Asami lived in the largest mansion in the city, people waiting on her hand and foot. When Yuna, Asami’s grandmother, got ill, her mother decided to stay with her, the almost shack of a home just half an hour away.
It was when she got out of her last class freshman year, that she got a call from her father; Yuna’s home burned to the ground, both her and Yasuko in it.
She had dedicated herself to science and math, pushing herself to excel in her schooling. She loved to solve things, build and create things, and she wanted a distraction from her now motherless life. It followed her into adulthood, until she was hungry one night after work and she saw the total disaster a family had for a restaurant. Walls exposed hazardous wires, some plumbing didn’t work as it should. Her comfort had made her forget the struggle of so many families in Republic City. She offered to fix the electric and plumbing for free.
They offered her free meals for a lifetime.
Her work took all her time and energy, her love life non-existent and her few friendships fading into the darkness of the winter. All her time was spent working and she, for once, wanted to work and really feel good about it. Not because she stepped up the game in car engineering, though that was a really great feeling, but because she helped someone who really needed it.
She had a trust fund, plus her own money gained over the years working for her father, and decided to take a break for an undetermined amount of time. She was going to freelance work, charge only a fraction to struggling families, and hopefully gain some good faith for the Sato name.
Her father, Hiroshi, picked up the cup of tea served to him when he first arrived. “Slumming it isn’t–”
“Slumming it? Dad, really? You’re acting as if we weren’t with them a generation ago.” Asami scoffed and, too angrily, grabbed her own cup. Some liquid spilled over onto the table, but she was able to react sharply and dabbed it with a coaster. She reminded herself to clean it adequately when her father leaves. “They’re people.” she emphasized.
“The company needs you. You were such a great asset and everyone agrees, you belong with us. Just give me a time frame of when you’ll return so I can let everyone know.” he sipped at his tea, dabbed at his moustache, and looked expectantly at his green eyed daughter.
She set her tea down without taking a sip. “I’m not. Coming. Back.” She stood up and paced for a few moments, debating what to say to him. “I love what I do.” she started. “I just…I want to be useful. I want to really contribute to this city and help people.”
Her dad stood to match her energy. “We have many charities, I’ll gladly set more money aside for the charity of your choosing.” he reached his arms out.
“That’s not enough. Not for me.” Asami sighed and looked into her father’s eyes. She could tell he wasn’t listening to her. As if the spirits knew she had to get out of this predicament, her phone started to ring, Opal’s smiling face popping up on the screen. She picked up the cell while looking hesitantly between her front door and her father. “I think you should go.”
“Asami, please.” her father reached out once more, but decided to drop his arms and clear his throat. “When is the next time you’re available to discuss?” He almost looked nervous, and Asami almost felt bad for the attitude she was giving him, until her phone rang again.
She had more important things to worry about right now.
“I’ll text your assistant and let you know.” She swiped her phone to screen to answer the call. “Opal, one moment.” She pressed the mute button on the call screen. “Dad, I’m sorry, I really have to take this. We’ll talk more soon, I promise.” She twirled a piece of her hair, thumb still hovering over the mute button while she took a few indecisive steps towards her father. She hugged him tightly. “I love you, dad.”
“I love you, too.” He pulled away, cleared his throat once again and turned to leave the apartment.
As soon as the door clicked, Asami put her focus and attention to her friend still waiting on the other line. “Hey, Opal!”
“I’m only calling because this is so important to me and my friend, I’d really appreciate it if you’d come by as soon as you can to check this place out.”
Asami sat back on her couch, the tension falling from her shoulders falling away as each moment went by. Busying herself with work was always her best distraction.
“I can swing by today, I have no appointments or anything.” She was slowly but surely building a clientele. Though she had quit her job a few months ago, she had only really begun her work within the past few weeks. “You said it was electrical?”
“Honestly, I’m just guessing. No one here knows about this stuff and you were the first person I could think about. There’s a giant hole in the wall with wires coming out. The studio is not that big though.” Asami winced just imagining it.
“Okay, don’t touch anything. Text me the address and I’ll be there as soon as I can.” They said their quick goodbyes and Asami got up to gather her general tools and purse. Getting into her newest version of the Satomobile, Asami raced through the streets with ease, not needing to type the address in her phone. The place was on the same street as one of her favorite restaurants. Maybe after she fulfilled her friend’s request she’d head over.
Speeding through the streets, she arrived at the location blocks from downtown and gathered her tools. She couldn’t wait to distract herself with work.