A World Of Grey (Legend of Korra)

Chapter 45

The door swung open and two men stepped into the room, one dressed in a suit and the other in uniform. The first extended his hand as he approached the table and its occupant, who stood to accept the gesture of greeting.

"Mr. Hong," the lawyer said crisply.

He returned the man's firm handshake, eyes taking in everything from the scuffed corners of his briefcase to the scar poking out above the collar of his pressed shirt. His gaze very briefly flicked to the guard hanging back by the door. "I will speak privately with Mr. Chen now," he said, and the man closed the door behind him.

Mr. Chen glanced over his shoulder to watch the guard leave. "They're taking orders from you already?"

The man took his seat once more, folding his hands into each other on the table. "That one is young, impressionable. Child's play, nothing more."

"Beifong won't be pleased."

"What she does not know won't concern her."

Mr. Chen took his seat and placed his briefcase in front of him. "So I understand you'll be my client from this point onward."

"You can drop the act, Shou. I am in no mood for games."

Almost with careful thought, the man slowly pushed aside the briefcase till it sat at the edge of the table out of sight and mind. He cast a purposeful glance around the room.

"The walls have ears."

"Not these walls, I can assure you."

Shou nodded slowly. "To business it is then, Liwei."

"I want you to watch the Avatar. Keep track of everything she does, everywhere she goes."

The man paused, displaying the hint of a frown. "Why?"

"Are my goods getting through that woman's net?"

"Slowly but surely," Shou answered. "The Chief still has some honest cops left in her ranks, but we can convince the others to turn a blind eye now and then."

Liwei nodded. "Good," he said, resting his chin on his hands. "That's good."

"What is this about?" Shou asked. "The Avatar is stamped across every newspaper in the city, and I'm sure you still get those in here. Why do you need a closer eye on her?"

The man lifted his chin and sat back in his chair. With eyes cold and black, Liwei answered.

--

He didn't want to wake her. She looked peaceful lying there, breathing lightly, half in and out of the sheets. But unfortunately the weekend was behind them, along with their secluded cabin, and so Mako pressed a hand to her shoulder until Korra groaned.

"What? What?" she murmured, pressing her face into the pillow.

"Rise and shine," he said. "It's morning."

"Go away," Korra replied with a muffled voice.

"Fine," Mako said, watching her get comfortable again, "but I'm taking the sheets with me."

An annoyed, dishevelled looking Korra was soon dragging her feet into the bathroom after failing to cling onto them. She emerged some time later as Mako was sipping his coffee. Not sure what she would prefer, he brewed herbal tea and had it waiting for her. Korra peeked into the cup he offered before taking it with a muttered word of thanks. She took a healthy gulp and closed her eyes, a hint of wistfulness in her features.