The air had been very thin and frail for a while but when she returned the hug and brought her own arms around him. Bolin now felt the foyer warm up and brush off the chill of uncertainty. He grinned and rested his hands on her shoulders, squeezing them gently. [b]”I think we have some ice cream waiting for us.”[/b] He smiled to her. Bolin didn’t want to talk too much anymore, the heavy stuff was never his forte and instead he hoped he could have a good time with everyone now that it seemed like what Korra wanted too. 

Back at the pool, Asami felt unsure if she could help with vaccines but if a cure was indeed found and proven valid, she would surely try to see the medical schematics for aiding the city in its vital recovery. [b]”Thank you, Mako.”[/b] She replied kindly which went for his words about him speaking to the Chief, as well as him backing her up and encouraging her to look into the investors, and that it may be a very wonderful avenue for her to get the company up and running, back on its feet and with a renewed glory as it deserved. She thought about her father and how he was missing. She had only found out a few days ago and that had happened right after she paid him a visit where he had been securely locked up. 

Just then, Bolin and Korra made their appearance and things seemed to have improved but it wasn’t much of Asami’s concern since it was evidently some sort of issue Korra herself had to work on and Asami had plenty of other things to concern herself with. Korra and Bolin appeared to have been laughing as usual when they showed up and soon after examining the suit, Korra seemed to squirm a little and Asami just glanced to Mako, wondering what he had to say and of course he did have something to say, though in Asami’s mind she thought it was more wise for him to stop trying to get in the middle of whatever recovery she and Korra were trying to make in regards to their sullied friendship. trust and respect of one another. [b]”Sure, yes. It could be fun.”[/b] Asami said swam over to the stairs and sat down on the second one as she tried to fix her hair. If she and Korra were going to try and start over, it had to be without the outside eyes of Mako or Bolin since they were the causes of the problem, well Mako more so than Bolin. 

When Korra had asked Bolin if she could pull the suit off, he didn’t say anything on purpose, not really sure she needed the push. If she wanted to put it on, she would, if not, she wouldn’t. It was simple as that. He picked up the spare suit and already knew he’d have plenty of fun frolicing around the area. Pabu was still back on Air Temple Island which was a shame since he knew his furry companion would have loved to scamper around Asami’s mansion again. The earth bender then headed off with Korra when she decided to give it a try.

[b]”I don’t...but I have to wonder if me and Korra’s possible friendship is tied any future you and I may have. I don’t want to feel obligated to spend time with her because she is your friend.”[/b] Friend may be a light term and while Asami and Korra had been close at one point, it had all been unraveled and it wasn’t Asami’s burning need to stitch the holes back up. Korra was the one who did the damage and it was Korra who needed to make the effort to fix the damage. Mako had no place getting involved between them, not again. Mako hadn’t met any of Asami’s friends as of yet and Asami wanted to know that even if she and Korra didn’t patch things up, that Mako would be okay with it. When the pair came back, both changed, she stayed where she was and looked at Korra who seemed like a fish out of water, asking for everyone’s approval and encouragement and Asami wasn’t about to validate Korra’s insecurity by replying with too much encouragement. [b]”It’s just us here, appearances don’t really matter to any of us.”[/b] She pointed out.

For the rest of the night, the four hung out and talked, most of the conversation was light and casual since they were still trying to find a good balance that felt right among them. They all turned in around eleven or so. Asami showed her two guests to spare rooms and then she headed off to bed as well, ready to try and get some much needed peace so that she would be able to meet Xano and Xana face to face come morning. They said they would pick her up and she needed to be prepared with all possible forms of documentation and other patents that they may wish to look over. When morning came, Asami was up early and ready to go. Her attire was a touch more formal as she had on a dark pencil skirt and a cropped matching blazer. Under that she had on a dark red long sleeve blouse, as were her trademark colors. She asked the servants to make the others some waffles and fresh juice, as well as make sure that whatever pet Korra may have brought along was also tended to. As she applied some pink lipstick and gave her hair a flip, trying to decide if she needed to leave her hair down or put it up, she heard someone approaching.

It was Mako.

[b]”...Morning.”[/b] She said quietly as she stood in the foyer and went back to looking at herself in the mirror, trying to tell herself that this was the start a brand new beginning for her and the company, as well as the city itself. What happened today was important, even if she had no idea what she was getting into or that the people were just luring her into a web of selfish lies and plans. [b]”I should be back by the time you are.”[/b] She said to him as she turned around and picked up her briefcase with her. The skirt showed off her long smooth legs, she even had on black heels and looked very professional but also very competent. The female still felt weird about Korra, unsure how much of a presence in Mako’s life she would be and if she was certain she wanted Korra back in her own life after the destruction of her last remaining family. [b]”I hope you do know that...I know you care about Korra as much as you would me or Bolin. I think it is sweet but my reservations still stand and they won’t change until Korra and I get space to work on things. You should work on things in regards to your relationship with her too, it might even give me comfort to be there…”[/b] 

Asami brought up a hand and rested it on his chest. [b]”But I’m not going to feel any better about her if you’re trying to push us together and expect things to be forgiven so quickly. I hope you don’t think I have double standards in regards to wanting to be around you and Korra, should a talk happen, and wanting my own space to work on things with her. Korra is an amazing person and I just don’t want to feel like I’m being compared to her and I’m sure she feels the same way.”[/b] Asami glanced down as her hand moved from the middle over to where his heart was beating. Asami wouldn’t protest if Mako stayed friends with Korra and she couldn’t but he had to understand that Korra wasn’t the only one feeling weird about everyone and Asami’s sympathy and endurance of Korra shouldn’t be worn out so soon, so quick. [b]”I was hoping to get a pep talk before I left and I feel like I dug myself into a hole with dumping all this on you, I’m sorry.”[/b] She suddenly said and put a hand to her forehead, removing it from him as they stayed close together. [b]”I just had to say what needed to be said and I hope you have a good day today, you and Bolin.”[/b] 

With that, she gave him a smile and headed out the door as someone had just knocked. She was escorted out and into another car and then taken off. Asami hoped Mako knew her intentions were good when she said all of it to him and that it proved that she was giving a good deal of consideration to him, Korra and whatever future might bring for them, regardless of what happened. 

Back inside, Bolin had woken up soon after Asami left and got changed back into his clothes. Had he known he’d stay the night, he would have packed a bit as well as brought Pabu along with him. But he knew Jinora and the kids didn’t mind looking after the little guy since it might prove a good distraction for them in this hour of need. He recalled Tenzin saying Katara would be arriving so he knew that the family would have help while he was off at training with his brother. As he trudged downstairs, trying to wake up, he saw Mako standing by the door. [b]”Man, I could have slept for at least ten more hours, those beds are [i]way[/i] more comfortable than the ones back on the island.”[/b] Bolin yawned and patted Mako on the back, wondering why he was just standing around. Though it did seem as if the older one was thinking about something but Bolin was too tired and too hungry to care at the moment as he was sure whatever it was, would pass or get pushed aside. If they had any doubts or distractions when training, it would not end well for anyone.

[b]”Hey, why don’t we head over the station with Korra? She said she needed to apologize to Chief Bei Fon right? It’ll be like old times, us hanging out together.”[/b] Bolin called from the kitchen. [b]”Oh wow, I smell waffles, come on Mako!”[/b] With the enticing aroma of food, Bolin’s drowsiness was quickly cast aside as he grabbed a plate, waiting for them to be cooked as a servant started the third waffle of what would surely be a dozen or so.

Back further in the heart of Republic City, Lin had arrived early to work as she usually did. Normal hours wouldn’t start for another hour or two but she had work to get done and since she hadn’t gotten to sleep after visiting Tenzin and getting blindsided by Korra, she thought it was a better use of her time if she looked into how the investigation was going. Lin was busy doing many things but now that she had Tenzin to deal with, she knew she had to be more alert than ever. His life could be put on the line and she refused to let him down or his family. As she got to her office, she began to sift through notes that had been left on her desk between when she left early and now. Most of them were pointless and petty and wound up in the trash. One stood out to her though. It seemed the investigation team had coyly left her a note as to a tip off of a water bender falling ill and having not recovered in five days. 

It was interesting and maybe she and Tenzin could check around the area.

Sitting down, Lin wished she had gotten something to eat but it was early and most places were on the cusp of opening. Lin used her key to unlock her top right drawer and pulled out an old photograph of her and Tenzin, it had been their first year together as a couple and their anniversary together had been terrible romantic. Lin let out a dreamy sigh as she found herself wanting to revisit the past before all the trouble had started. Before both became unhappy but useless as to how to fix their problems. Lin brushed a finger over his face, wishing that she hadn’t been so foolish and stubborn, that she had done more and given him what he wanted which was clearly a family. Lin glanced outside, the sun still rising in the sky. She and Tenzin knew each other for so long and yet sometimes she felt as if they were just strangers with different faces and hearts.

The woman missed him, she sometimes wondered how nice it was to be able to come home to someone or to have someone coming home to you. Even now, with her bending back and career and health on the rise, Lin still found herself envious of the poor woman sick in bed. Lin had neglected to inform her old friend that those reported sick often died in under two weeks, as those reported so far, had not survived any longer. It was laughable and pathetic but Lin was jealous of a dying woman. Her heart began to ache and she closed her eyes, trying to imagine how wonderful it was to come home to Tenzin and perhaps Jinora, the child who annoyed her the very least. The vision itself was blurry but still inviting. She opened her eyes and rotated her chair back so that she was sitting in front of her desk once again, no longer willing to be a sorrowful day dreamer but someone grounded in reality who could do things, make change. Lin heard a knock and frowned. Most people were in bed and not many people arrived early to work and if they did, they knew well enough to stay away from her until she was good and ready for anyone’s company or usually, incompetence.

[b]”Yes? Come in.”[/b] Lin said and looked to see it was Tenzin. For a moment, her chest became tangled in knots and she quickly put the small vertical rectangular black picture frame back in her drawer and returned her attention to the air nomad. [b]”This a surprise...is everything alright?”[/b] Lin asked, as her first concern was him and his family’s well being. She then remembered the anger she had when she saw Korra the night before. That child had kept her up late with worrying outcomes and she hoped Tenzin had set her straight. Lin was concerned that Korra could blow everything up. [b]”I hope you know that with Korra’s interference, I may need to reconsider allowing your involvement.”[/b] She said to him. Though she didn’t want an argument to be how they started the day. [b]”I did get a new lead, we could check out-is that coffee?”[/b] Lin stopped and tilted her head. Coffee or tea would be marvelous though black coffee always gave her what she needed and she wondered if Tenzin remembered that or not.