Work Text:
Lady Lin Beifong and Guest
You are cordially invited to the unveiling of the latest luxury model of the Satomobile.
The next lines were on the event details.
Tenzin flipped the invitation close; he had read enough.
Lady Lin Beifong and guest indeed.
If he did not know any better, he would have thought that the invitation was harmless enough. Just the standard generic invitation a local company was sending out to the influential people of the city.
Unfortunately, he did know better. This was a smarmy way of Hiroshi Sato to remind him how insignificant the airbender was to modern society.
“Well?” Lin’s voice cut through his internal monologue that was all about disparaging thoughts on the industrialist. “Are you free on that night?”
“Oh, are you asking me to join you?” Tenzin feigned ignorance. “Do you mean to say, Lady Lin – I will be your lowly guest for the night?”
Lin flicked a small pebble to this forehead. “Don’t be daft, Tenzin. Of course, you’re my plus one. There was never a doubt about that. So, how about it?” She took back the invitation and envelope from him.
She grabbed the pen that he had on his office desk and was poised to respond to the RSVP.
Tenzin pretended to go through the calendar and the planner his assistant had on this table. Lin flicked another pebble at him, knowing his tactics. Despite being engaged with each other for more than a year, Tenzin still regards Hiroshi Sato as a sore spot in his and Lin’s relationship.
He huffed when he confirmed from his calendar that the night of the launch was marked free.
Of course, he had some misgivings. Hiroshi and Lin had dated before they had and had been engaged for longer than they were.
Well, if he, Tenzin, had his way, they would not be engaged for longer than Lin and Sato. He would make sure to seal the deal soonest.
Plock!
“Stop with the pebbles, woman. Where are you even getting them? I’m free to attend the Future Industries gala.”
---
Tenzin had to acknowledge that Sato had pulled out all the stops in his latest press event. The venue was spacious and shiny, with overhead lights that sparkled. The food spread and drinks were lavish and decadent. The people were colorful and elegant, reeking of affluence and influence.
However, none of these people held a candle to the Lady Lin Beifong.
All eyes and all cameras were on them when Tenzin softly airbended them down Oogi, assisting Lin to alight as gracefully as she possibly can from the sky bison.
He knew that Lin had several formal dresses in her wardrobe (all part and parcel of being a Beifong lady) but tonight’s dress was one of his favorites. It consisted of a form-fitting silken bodice that tapers off to a flowing tulle skirt. The sleeveless canary yellow top with blue embroidery accentuated her figure and her toned forearms. And, to his chagrin, the slits of shimmering tulle skirt of yellow and sienna highlighted Lin’s smooth legs when he bended them down the bison.
While he was proud to arrive with her on his arm, he was feeling a bit awkward now as he stood by while Lin talked shop with a visiting high-ranking detective from Omashu.
The airbender excused himself by offering to get a refill of Lin’s drink. He extricated himself and went off to the bar, trying to recall which one was Lin’s drink.
“…She looked lovely, didn’t she? Resplendent and I bet that gown of hers is worth a fortune.”
“I agree. Such a pity she needed to get transported about with that beast.”
“Oh, come on now, darling, there’s no need to be rude using the term beast.” The speaker paused. “And the sky bison didn’t add to their overall charm either.”
Tenzin felt his face heat up as the guests from a nearby cocktail table gossiped and tittered.
Another guest piped up. “Well, who knows, maybe Lady Beifong will put in an order for latest satomobile tonight. No doubt she is capable of buying one.”
“Indeed.” A snooty-sounding foreign man agreed. “However, we do have to take account of that monk of hers. Don’t they have a vow of poverty or aren’t they against worldly comforts?”
The first guest, the one who talked about the dress being expensive, spoke up again. “Probably, I mean, he probably only has that one set of formal robes that he wears on every occasion.”
“Lady Beifong wouldn’t have to stand for all that inconvenience and disgrace had she not broken up with Hiroshi Sato.”
There was a chorus of murmuring agreement.
“Well, until they are wed – it could still change…”
Tenzin decided he had enough of eavesdropping and selected the brightest fruit punch before hurrying back to Lin’s side, keen not to be seen by the snobbish group.
To his dismay, while the Omashu detective had left Lin, it was Hiroshi Sato himself who was now conversing with his fiancée.
“Here’s your refill, dear.” Tenzin thrust the glass in between them, drawing a startled reaction for both Lin and Sato. “Hope it hasn’t gotten tedious; I’m sorry for taking too long.” He stared pointedly at Sato, who took a step back.
“Don’t worry about it, Tenzin.” Lin thanked him and took a sip. “Hiroshi was just telling me more details about his latest model.”
Sato cleared his throat. “Yes, Master Tenzin as I was telling Lin, this model is a little bit more environmental-friendly than the earlier model. The cushions are likewise more comfortable and would offer more protection in the event of an impact.”
Tenzin simply nodded with disinterest, subtly taking Lin’s unoccupied arm and hooking it around his. Sato was droning on more features and the airbender decided to tune him out. Until he heard…
“…In fact, let me offer you a large discount, for old time’s sake.”
“I can afford your satomobile!”
It took Tenzin a few seconds to realize he was the one who blurted out the last statement.
Lin and Sato looked at him oddly, as did four people within hearing radius.
“Yes, dear, we know you can.” Lin leaned forward, placing a hand on his chest. “But this is about the bulk purchase order for Headquarters. The contract made between RCPD and Future Industries has lapsed so we were talking about drafting a new one.”
“While I’m sure you can buy a satomobile,” Sato had the gall to poke his nose into his faux pas. “I don’t suppose the Air Nation would be pleased if you bought a fleet for the police department.”
“Of course, I knew that.” Tenzin bit out, then took a swig out of whatever swill he had chosen for his drink. “I was just saying -.”
“Oh, Hiroshi – I think that’s your master of ceremonies calling for you?” Lin suddenly pointed towards the stage, where, true enough, a man in bright blue formal wear was scoping the crowd.
Sato immediately excused himself and asked them to enjoy the libation.
“What was that?” Lin untangled her arm from his and turned him so that they were face to face. “Do you really want to purchase a satomobile?”
“Don’t you?” Tenzin threw back at her. “You seemed pretty fascinated by all those add-ons and features -.
“I was being polite.”
But Tenzin continued as though Lin has not spoken. “–And then, maybe at least you won’t have to arrive at fancy gatherings on a large hairy beast.”
“I’m fine with Oogi. He grew on me even if, I do agree with mom, that sky bison tends to smell during long trips.”
“Oh yes but this satomobile – it has all the works. It’s fancy, it’s rich, it’s comfortable, and it’s accepted by the upper-class. Not at all shabby, an embarrassment or out of fashion.”
“Hold up,” Lin raised a hand and wave the glass of fruit punch. “What is this really about? As I’ve said - I’m fine with Oogi and I barely need to transport myself around the city unless it’s for work.” She tilted Tenzin’s chin so he was looking at her. “Are we still talking about satomobiles?”
“Of course.” Tenzin could be stubborn too, and he does have his pride. He did not want his woman to be ashamed of him. He can provide for her, after all.
“Oh, Tenzin. Dear.” The earthbender’s lip quirked up to the side, revealing her amusement, but Tenzin refused to drop his serious countenance. “Well, true – this satomobile might be a bit more comfortable, it might even have more amenities and yes, it is quite showy.” Tenzin shifted uncomfortably. “But – with Oogi, he’s a beloved sky bison. I’ve known Oogi since I was a child. I trust Oogi with all my heart and I know that Oogi will not let me down. Ever.”
Tenzin did not even think twice and leaned forward to capture a quick kiss on Lin’s lips.
She always did know what to say to assuage his doubts.
“Thank you.” Tenzin murmured, his forehead on Lin’s.
Lin pulled back with her eyebrows raised. “Why are you saying thanks? Shouldn’t Oogi be the one doing so?”
He swallowed Lin’s laughter with another kiss.
He did not even mind the sudden camera flash to the side, knowing that this would be part of the double spread in tomorrow’s news feature on the satomobile launch.
Oogi would definitely receive a double helping of the special hay from the Fire Nation tonight.
---
Present day.
“…And that is why, Korra, I’d rather that you do not accept the satomobile that Tarrlok has sent over.” Tenzin finished his retelling at the Avatar who looked non-plussed.
“Or I could simply say I don’t feel right about taking something that luxurious coming from taxpayers’ money – assuming of course that he did charge it to city hall.” Korra drummed her fingers on her cheek. “Or that it’s not right accepting something that expensive since it would be misconstrued as a bribe.”
“Huh.” The airbender blinked at the teenaged avatar. “You’re right.”
“Yep,” Korra grinned, eyes crinkling. “I do read the materials you told me to, even if it was so boring. That constitution and by-laws of Republic City is one snooze fest. But I figured I need to be familiar with it in case Chief decides to land me in jail again.” She added cheekily.
Tenzin stood dumbfounded as Korra excused herself to head on to training.
“Oh, by the way, thanks for telling me that story, though honestly, I could do away with your descriptions of Lin’s ‘figure’, ‘toned forearms, and ‘smooth legs’.” Korra used air-quotes and hurried off with a laugh at the airbending master’s reddening forehead.