As far as new unches went, Future Media’s new radio station went from pitch to fully operational in record time. It was a bold or reckless move, depending on one’s take on the entrepreneurial spirit.

  For his part, Hiroshi hid his begrudging respect for Xing’s achievement under a broad grin. After all, at the end of the day it was turning out to be a profitable venture, and he could see the need to hurry. The big pro-bender tournament was just a week away, and while it wasn’t enough time to capitalize on Future Industries’ ties with the Fire Ferrets in the leadup to the the competition, the new radio station should be able to draw in a big following with its exclusive access to the Avatar during and after the games.

  Speaking of Avatar, Hiroshi easily wore a smile to greet her and her teammates who arrived for its official unch of the radio station. It was an easy thing to offer reassurances and rousing words that kept up their good impression of him, especially in a smaller setting like this where there was practically nobody else to compete with Hiroshi and do the same.

  It was a humble event, with none of the usual fanfare or guests. Only Hiroshi, Asami, and the more influential heads of Future Industry were present, along with the Fire Ferrets and Future Media’s gaggle of so-called talents. It was a closed-door event, not meant to draw attention.

  Not directly, anyway.

  The swarm of reporters that Korra broke through to reach the doors of Future Media’s headquarters were all here due to the whispers spread by Asami’s young aides. Curiosity and the notion of secrecy was just as effective a beacon of attention as conventional advertising was, and took far less effort when done correctly.

  As far as Hiroshi was aware, as the Fire Ferrets were not briefed on the purpose of their attendance, the reporters would be left guessing outside until the time was right. It would be a tough act to monitor their eagerness though; leave them out for too long and they might just decide to abandon this curiosity and mbast the whole thing as a waste of time on the papers, but revealing everything too soon could be construed as Future Media being too eager to draw in attention.

  And as Hiroshi learned from his own climb to the top, an overeagerness to impress often was a sign of desperation or inattentive haste.

  So Isashi’s skills were loaned to Future Media for this occasion, Future Industries’ veteran leader of the marketing department being well versed in such matters. And in the same vein, Hyung was transferred from the research division to help produce in-house any new gadgets the media company might need.

  Not mentioned was the fact that the move allowed Hiroshi to finally promote a more Equalist-minded chief engineer, to ease the buildup of Amon’s forces.

  To Xing’s credit, he gratefully accepted the offer without hesitation instead of trying to prove his own abilities. The gesture also earned an appreciative hug from Asami, which was very nice until the tycoon realized that it was a sign of just how close his daughter was with the young director.

  That she hovered beside Xing even now as they stood back to let everyone else fawn over the Avatar was troubli-

  Hiroshi had the sense to retrain himself from suddenly shooting up on his tiptoes to peer past the moving crowd as he noticed something. Something very, very dangerous.

  Was his daughter holding hands with Xing?

  Memories of Hiroshi’s own youthful encounters with Yasuko back before they were married came back to him, and he quietly beckoned for one of his guards. The burly mercenary pushed through the other executives like a plow through silt to reach him, and Hiroshi fought to keep his voice even.

  “I want eyes on my daughter throughout this event,” the tycoon instructed in a cautious whisper. “If Xing absconds with her at any point, or tries anything untoward against her, intercept him, and then report to me.”

  “Yes sir.”

  The man slid back away from the group, and wisely none of the men and women around Hiroshi tried to sate their curiosity. Even Dao was just giving him an odd look. Then again, it wasn’t too odd for the industrialist to assign impromptu orders against suspected trouble, though it’d be simpler if Hiroshi was dealing with discontented borers or the rehearsed Equalist activist.

  He’ll have to carefully look into the matter. If Xing id an uncouth hand on Asami, Hiroshi would instantly send the scoundrel for a dive in Yue’s Bay, Amon’s pns be damned. Formal courtship was the most the tycoon could stomach- would allow his precious daughter to experience for now.

  *****

  Concerned at her father’s sudden stiff expression, Asami made a note to check in on him after this whole show was done with. In the meantime, she formed a pcid smile as Korra and the two brothers finally made their way over from the star-struck staff and execs.

  Was it petty to enjoy the discomfort fshing on the Avatar’s face as her blue eyes fell on Xing?

  Probably.

  But she deserved it, for all the neglect Xing got desensitized to. Seriously, it was taking too much work to get him to cuddle up with Asami because he had trained himself to remain on guard over her while she slept. While it was a cute gesture, Asami wanted her cuddles and private moments with Xing without him reverting back to bodyguard mode, damnit. She wanted to enjoy her boyfriend’s sweaty, panting warmth beside her. She wanted to see the contented smile on his face after he left her oh so sore.

  Not have him turn into a coldly formal shadow immediately melting away after the act to lurk protectively over her, as if someone might come barging into his room at any moment.

  At least he’s gotten over the whole ‘undeserving of her attention’ stupidity; It took a few scoldings to finally stop Xing from quickly cleaning up, and acting as if them being caught would be a huge blow to her standing, like he was some sort of horrid freak.

  Honestly, Asami had seen far too many drooling imbeciles dressed up in suits and pretending to be brilliant entrepreneurs who deserved the ostracization Xing imagined he might receive.

  Putting her thoughts aside before it showed on her face, Asami gave the Fire Ferrets a genial nod and made a show of letting go of Xing’s hand before she shook Korra’s hand. The puzzlement on her face was…while not priceless, was satisfying enough.

  “I’m gd to see you’ve recovered, Avatar Korra.”

  Korra gave a confused blink before replying shakily. “Oh. Uh, thanks.”

  “I know it might be inappropriate, but I do hope that you’ll put aside time in Tarrlok’s task force to commit to the tournament. I’m sure everyone is excited to see the Avatar and the Fire Ferrets in the tournament.”

  Strangely, the confusion fled Korra, only to be repced by a brittle smile. “Uh, yeah. Heh. That's why I’m here, right?”

  Well, there went the fun of lording a boyfriend over the Avatar.

  “Is everything alright?”

  “Oh, it’s all fine,” Korra replied with a grin that was a tad bit too big. Asami also didn’t miss the uncertain look that fshed at Xing. Then some of her old reckless confidence returned to bolster that grin, giving it some sincerity. “I’ll…deal with the tournament first, and make sure the Fire Ferrets win the tournament easy peasy.”

  “Yeah!” Bolin excimed with far more confidence and a fist pump from behind Korra. “First the tournament, and then the Equalists! We’re taking this step by step, whoo!”

  Beside him, Mako was clearly stopping himself from rubbing his face into his hand.

  The Avatar winced a bit as she looked over her shoulder. “Uh, thanks for the confidence, Bolin.”

  Immediately getting the hint, the younger of the Fire Ferret brothers shrank back and switched to an apologetic expression. “Oops, sorry. I thought you could’ve used the boost.”

  “It’s good.”

  Oh? Asami had to blink hard to stop her eyebrows from shooting up.

  Was that a touch of softness in Korra that she heard?

  She shot Mako a look, and after receiving a clueless shrug from him, shifted it to Hanh who was behind the team, and the mild grimace that fluttered on the manager’s face promised a rather interesting debriefing.

  “Thank you for accepting this request,” Xing butted in, defusing the awkwardness and effectively ‘agroing’, as he puts it, the Avatar’s attention.

  Asami saw the annoyance fre up, but also quickly quashed as Korra looked at her former minder. “Yeah, well… I got tired of being cooped up in Air Temple Isnd, doing nothing but training in one thing or another.”

  Xing nodded at that, graciously glossing over her attempt at pying it cool, as well as not bringing up the fact that she could’ve easily done half her practice in the pro-bending arena or the brothers’ apartment gym if she really wanted a change in scenery. Or the fact that she’d previously rejected the offer to show up in the soup kitchen for a quick meet-and-greet.

  “Your fans would no doubt be pleasantly surprised by your attendance.”

  A more genuine smile appeared then on her face. “Well, after all the fan mail I’ve been getting, I figured it’s only fair I give something in return, right?”

  Asami gave another gnce to Hanh, and the manager shook his head. Not a coached response from him, then.

  Korra then gestured to the sparse lobby around her, and a more childlike wonder filled the Avatar’s eyes. “And I gotta admit, I’m very curious about what goes on in a radio station.”

  “The wing with the radio station is just over there,” Xing replied, pointing with his thumb. “We’ll be going there shortly, once the formalities are done with.”

  And just like that, Korra’s cheer was repced with aged exasperation. “Formalities?”

  Xing nodded, and her lips tugged down into a faint scowl. “Just confirming the guest list, to make sure everyone’s present.”

  “Isn’t everyone here from Future Industries?”

  “Ideally.”

  Korra rolled her eyes. “Ugh, you and your ‘formalities’.”

  “It’s necessary, considering the people we have to deal with,” the media director replied with a shrug before Asami could retort.

  Still, the heiress made sure to provide eboration. “Besides industry spies sneaking in as someone’s assistant or intern-” Spirits, it was a humiliating embarrassment that that ploy actually worked on one of the production lines… “-we also have triads…”

  She let the pause stretch for a second, and then off-handedly sank the dagger in.

  “Or Equalists who might want to kick up a fuss.”

  Korra’s face instantly morphed once again, and Asami took petty satisfaction at watching the nervousness flutter across her face as she stiffened and her gaze flickered back and forth.

  Feeling her boyfriend’s hand appearing around her forearm to give a gentle squeeze, Asami offered a zy smile as she reined in her spite. “I’m sure you’ll agree that in such a chaotic environment, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

  Bolin suddenly stepped up for the Avatar. “Uh, yeah. Most definitely.” He offered an apologetic look even as pced himself in front of Korra in an obviously protective gesture.

  Huh. And here Asami thought it’d be Mako who’d tag in.

  “So, um, do we have to mingle a bit longer?”

  “For a while longer,” Xing lightly answered, and then gestured to the small cluster of nervous, out-of-their-element people who were being gently shepherded by Kai and Ren. Asami felt a fsh of pride at just how the two kids once showed that same discomfort after being taken off the streets, and look at them now with their air of professionalism that’d shame adults more than twice their age and ‘better’ upbringing.

  “Maybe you’d like to meet our voice talents? I’m sure they’d appreciate it.”

  Finally Mako entered the conversation, sighing out his agreement. “Yeah, yeah, will do. C’mon, guys.”

  Asami watched the Fire Ferrets leave, and then turned to face her boyfriend’s mildly disapproving gaze. “She was being…herself again.”

  “I told you, it’s fine.”

  “For you, maybe,” she almost hissed. “I’m not going to let some girl judge my boyfriend for practicing common sense.”

  “Careful now.” Despite his words, Xing’s eyes were alight with humor. “Can’t have people hearing you say that word.”

  Asami rolled her eyes as at the edge of her vision, her aides were nudging the voice talents past their awe of the Avatar to actually socialize with her and her teammates. “Boyfriend? Pfft, my father will find out eventually.”

  “Better not with Dao present, though?”

  And Asami gnced over to her father and his group of friends, and she imagined the ughing and crude jokes and elbow nudging and thigh spping…

  “Ugh, you’re right.”

  She didn’t want her father to murder one of his friends.

  *****

  Outside Future Media’s headquarters - really, their sole site at the moment - the mob of muttering reporters craned their heads or conferred with one another as the object of their attention continued to be inactive. The rumors at least had proven true, the Avatar had returned to Republic City after recovering from Amon’s ambush. But the question now was: Why?

  It was impossible to miss the new expansion of Future Media’s office building, along with the tall radio tower that sprouted from its rooftop. Coupled with the mesmerizing reading at the soup kitchen the other day, and the sightings of the company’s director - along with the heiress of Future Industries according to some witnesses - approaching various street performers to offer them a new job, it wasn’t much of a surprise that there would be a new radio station in town.

  Audacious, but not surprising. But then again, this was the same company that was overseeing the innovative sponsorship with the Fire Ferrets. Something must’ve lit a fire under Hiroshi Sato for him to push the boundaries more than just technological boundaries.

  A lot of rumors swirled around this young subsidiary director, from his past ties to the Avatar, to the possible retions with Asami Sato, and even his involvement with the ruling council. While it was a curiosity to be dug up, currently there was a more tantalizing target that distracted most people, namely the goings-on of the Avatar and her pro-bending team.

  What was she doing at Future Media’s headquarters?

  Was it reted to the new radio station?

  Was the Avatar here because of ‘Water in the Fire’ being broadcasted at the soup kitchen?

  Were the Fire Ferrets disbanding so that the Avatar could continue her fight with Amon?

  Or was it because one of the brothers knocked her up?

  Guesses travelled across a wave of murmurs, surging whenever someone thought they sighted movement beyond the office windows, but mainly ebbing slowly as there was nothing substantial to feed the excitement.

  Just as defeatism began to seep in and the avid reporters began to avidness, the main doors to Future Media burst open, and six huge, boxy things were wheeled out on trolleys by straining Future Media staff. They were spread out across the front of the building, and only when they were flipped onto the ground were the objects recognizable as speakers. More staff poured out trailing cables from their hands, plugging shiny jacks into the backs of the speakers with silent efficiency. Thumbs up were given shortly after, and someone ran back into the building.

  The crowd, staring with anticipation, jolted with a start as the speakers sprang to life with a loud crackle that echoed off its neighboring buildings. And then through the diminishing static, a feminine voice greeted the reporters’ attention, as well as anyone else listening.

  “Ara~ This is Future Entertainment Radio, and I am Hitori Kuro, speaking to you live from Republic City.”

  Many eyes boggled at the voice, many throats gulped in almost audible unison, many spines shuddered with foreign delight at hearing the breathy, suggestive voice for the first time. Even those whose preferences skewed differently couldn’t deny the beguiling quality of the speaker.

  “We have a whole, big wad of content for your listening pleasure. I do so hope that you’ll all enjoy it just as much as I do…”

  Hitori Kuro paused, and it felt like the whole world went silent in anticipation for her to continue.

  “Now then, it is still noon, so before we carry on the day with a few tunes that might…tickle your fancy, I have the great honor of presenting Avatar Korra, who is also a member of the Fire Ferrets alongside two brave and hardworking brothers. Avatar Korra?”

  The Avatar’s presence snapped many out of their trance, but some were still mildly disappointed to hear a far more nervous, far less evocative voice take over. Avatar Korra’s speech was transcribed (begrudgingly, by a few reporters), and made the frontpage the next day as was proper, bolstering the morale of her fanbase.

  Future Entertainment Radio’s first day also made it to the papers, in the following page. The report tantalized the viewers with diverse new artists to listen to, along with the occasional news broadcast. Advertisements were noted, but nobody seemed to begrudge the female announcer from reading them in between songs and programs.

  Author's notes: Yes, the name is a bad pun as well.