With only a week to organize things, Asami thought that the announcement event was put together rather well. All of the relevant people had come to the grouping of tents by the arena's entrance, especially the reporters. A few technicians from Republic City Radio were also present, setting up a microphone stand for live broadcast.

Some pro-bending enthusiasts from her father's circle of acquaintances were mingling about, adding just the right amount of upper class significance to the event. For clout's sake, a few retired pro-benders were also invited, ready to give their thoughts on what sort of difference having a sponsor would've done for them back in their day. Asami's father bet that it wouldn't take too long for them to harp on about it once the drinks started flowing.

Hired security guards maintained a perimeter around the event area, while patrolling by the roadsides was the noticeable presence of Republic City's metalbending police. Because, again, the Avatar was showing up. Apparently, Chief Lin wasn't as pissed off as everyone expected for being informed at such a short notice. Annoyed, yes, but supposedly that was her default state. Still, having a police presence had already drawn a curious crowd outside the arena grounds, kept back by tall metal fencing.

The members of the Fire Ferret's nascent fanclub milled about more nervously, mostly ogling at the environment they were currently in. All were dressed in shirts and pants of the team's new red and white colors, with the silhouette of a rearing fire ferret on the chest and back, and Future Industries' logo emblazoned on the shoulders. Besides Ren and Kai, and those few who were here due to favors, Xing and his young assistants had recruited fans mostly from the less affluent areas.

"They'd be more obvious in appreciating the opportunity," Xing had explained with some cynicism. "Makes for good photos, and it'd also mean they're more likely to be on their best behavior to just be in the same room as the Avatar. If not, there'd be less repercussions if we have to boot them out due to…misbehaving. Regardless, it's better than having entitled socialites making a fuss about wanting more than a handshake or something along those lines."

Breaking it down like that, Xing made a disturbing amount of sense. So much so that Asami wondered not for the first time what kind of public stunts he had to pull off while overseeing Korra. Asami wouldn't pry until he was more comfortable with opening up, but it's looking more and more like Xing was more qualified as a steward or regent than a mere assistant.

Maybe she should look into officially bumping him up somehow, to show that he's appreciated here. Surely if- once this pays of, her father could be convinced to offer Xing something.

Though she did rather like having his company so conveniently close by…

Was there such a position as executive PA?

Shaking such conundrums off her mind, Asami returned to the present as Councilman Tenzin and his family were ushered in. Dressed in the orange and yellow robes of their order, they moved with serene grace, even Tenzin's pregnant wife. No doubt they were here due to Korra being part of the Fire Ferrets, rather than holding any love for the sport itself. Still, theirs was a prominent attendance, enough so that Asami was beat to greeting them by her father, who'd put on his businessman's charm.

As she watched the two men exchange politely friendly greetings, Asami noted the daughters of the councilman peeling off to skip towards her. Literally skip, as the airbenders' feet barely touched the ground to propel them forwards. Their eyes and grins were bright with excitement, which somehow set off the alarms in Asami's head.

Still, they were guests, and young girls too, at that. "Welcome to the arena," Asami greeted amiably as they approached, but she barely finished the sentence before the younger sister came up to her with a very, very enthusiastic look.

"Ooh, you must be the pretty girl Xing likes!"

Asami could only blink as her mind stalled. "Uh…"

"What do you like about him? Are you dating yet? Is he-"

"Excuse my sister," the older girl hastily interrupted with an ungentle tug of her sibling's collar. Then she bowed, and her sister suddenly switched to a more polite expression and followed suit. "Thank you for your welcome. We're grateful for the opportunity to be here."

"Ah, y-yes... " Finally her mind reoriented itself, and Asami gave a polite cough. "Avatar Korra requested it, and we weren't taxed on space…"

The girl Xing likes?

Fighting down her blush, the heiress managed to recover her smile and wore it again. "I'm Asami, you're familiar with Xing?"

"Yes, though only for a short time," the older sibling answered while preemptively raising a hand to block her sister from doing so. "I'm Jinora, and this is my sister, Ikki. Xing came with Korra, but…things became…messy after that."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Asami politely replied. "I found Xing outside the arena, and he told me he'd left the White Lotus…" She was ready to repeat that whole spiel again, but there was a look of understanding in Jinora that stopped her.

"I…get it. Thank you for looking out for him." There was something somber about the way Jinora spoke, though it only lasted for that moment before a cheeky smirk formed on her face. "I hope you're not too worried by Korra to enjoy time with your boyfriend."

Again, Asami could only blink dumbfoundedly as the girls giggled and ran off.

Boyfriend?

Shaking away the growing warmth in her cheeks, Asami stared as the airbending sisters mingled with the crowd, and felt quite conflicted.

On the one hand, she's the pretty girl that Xing likes.

On the other hand, she didn't feel like she was treating him like much of a boyfriend. Then again, he was being too diligent as an employee instead of trying to suck up to her like what other so-called prospects would do…

Gah, she'll have to figure this out later.

A growing commotion drew Asami's attention to the crowd outside, and the guards and metalbending police began converging. With some shouting and mild shoving, the crowd was cleared for a roofless Satomobile to pass through, painted in the Fire Ferrets' colors, with their team's logo emblazoned proudly on the doors. As coached, the three pro-benders were standing in the expanded rear section of the car, waving at the confused and awed crowd with passable grins. Their padded pro-bending uniforms were bright and clean, the silken red armor pads practically glinting from the evening sun, and the white undersuit further highlighting them. All three cradled their visors in their left arm in almost the exact way

It took a hired plant to point Avatar Korra out for the mood of the spectators to finally swing towards excitement. The security was on point though, and the vehicle's passage did not buckle.

There were clicks and whirrs of cameras being brought out, and Asami braced herself in time for the barrage of camera flashes going off, all directed at the Fire Ferrets.

Hanh drove the Satomobile into the arena grounds without a hitch despite having to lower his profile throughout the whole drive. The team's manager was almost invisible, keeping within the car as the Fire Ferrets exited and kept up the crowd service for a bit more. Only as the trio turned and began heading towards the tents did Hanh slip out to rush to his next position.

While the journos began mobbing up to intercept the Fire Ferrets, Ren and Kai quietly began herding the official fanclub to one side, making sure that everyone was nicely spread out when the Avatar and her teammates arrived. When the cameras tracking the Avatar inevitably turned around, they'd capture the illusion of a much bigger welcoming party awaiting the Avatar. Sure, accurate numbers would be reported - if anyone bothered to - but seeing the picture of a wall of fans would be more evocative.

At least that's what Xing said.

And Asami trusted his judgment, especially after Isashi, the head of Future Industries' marketing department, threw a fit when he found out about it. Apparently it was an embarrassment that nobody in marketing had thought about such a trick, or if they did, they didn't bother to raise it. At least it wasn't such a humiliation that their coming sales bonuses would be cut.

With the cameras going off and turning the Fire Ferrets into flickering white spirits, Mako led the trio into the tent with a more stoic face now, likely at his limits of tolerating the blinding attention. Bolin was far less grumpy and far more enthusiastic, still smiling cheerily at everyone around him. And the Avatar who followed after them had her expression somewhere in between the brothers.

The cameras' click-blasts continued as Hanh appeared again to lead the Fire Ferrets to the dais where a few of Future Industries' higher ups awaited them (Asami's father prominently standing out of course). Asami herself was more than happy to stay away from the spotlight in favor of overseeing operations. Not being in the same photo as the Avatar would mean dealing with less idiots having another reason to hassle her.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"Welcome, one and all!" Asami almost rolled her eyes when she heard her father's 'awe the investors' voice. "Welcome to this great new step for Future Industries, and pro-bending!"

Asami tuned out the speech to look about, and seeing that everything was going about as smoothly as it could be, she signaled Hanh and other secondaries to keep watch while she melted away from the tents.

She found Xing not too far away, lurking in the shadows. Unsurprisingly, he chose to remain away from the gathering, to keep clear of Avatar Korra and ensure that her mood didn't sour. His gaze alternated between the dazzle of the tents and the crowd beyond the fences who were straining to listen to the echoing speech carried by the loudspeakers.

"So far so good," she simply said, and her assistant nodded in reply, though he didn't look as relieved as she thought he would.

"We've captured public interest. There's a few reporters that weren't invited who're outside, as the marketing team expected. So far, our plants have intercepted them, and are selling the story nicely."

A team from marketing had been volunteered by Isashi for the task, along with hired help scouted by Ren and Kai. They would wait for opportunities to answer the inevitable 'what is going on?' questions with pre-crafted rumors and speculation.

"I heard someone at Future Industries found out that the Fire Ferrets couldn't afford to participate in the tournament, so they're sponsoring them. Hiroshi Sato started from humble beginnings, so maybe he sees the same potential in the pro-benders?"

"Apparently Future Industries bought the brothers a new home; they used to live in the arena itself. Supposedly they might have resorted to shady dealings to survive, but they're trying to turn a new leaf thanks to the Avatar."

"My friend saw one of the brothers working in the power plant the other day. Imagine having to slog there and then still pro-bend! A shame that the Avatar can't help too much or it'd make them look weak."

Semi-accurate truths were sown to paint the Fire Ferrets and Future Industries in a positive light. Focus was placed on the brothers' hard past, partially because the public generally liked rooting for underdogs, and also because it played up Future Industries' benevolence. The Avatar was not used much in the rumor sowing other than as a means to reinforce Mako and Bolin's character. Otherwise it'd risk the company looking like it was trying to suck up to her.

Through the plants' loudly delivered lines, the public stuck outside the arena would get a vague but carefully cropped picture of what was going on, giving the rumor mill a head start before the official press release hit the stands tomorrow.

"No signs of trespassers yet," Xing added. "Though I saw someone run into a teashop to use the telephone… It could be a competitor finally getting the news."

"They're bound to find out, either today or tomorrow," Asami replied with a shrug. "But as you've said before, we've got the team with the Avatar in it. We'll just have to tighten up security around the Fire Ferrets a bit more."

Silence fell between them, allowing Asami to hear Mako nervously giving his prepared speech. It sounded like he got over the mild stammer Hanh had told her about.

"You know," Asami spoke up, not content to merely enjoy the silent moment with her assistant, "judging from the reception already, I'm pretty sure we'll be getting the publicity you hinted at."

Xing gave a cautious nod. "We'll have to wait until the merchandise rollout to be sure, but…I suppose things are looking optimistic so far."

"Hmm… I'd say even if the buzz fails to sell souvenirs, it's still a win for Future Industries advertising."

"So long as it makes up for the expenses…"

Asami chuckled before throwing him a grin. "Pfft. None of the fanclub members paid for their membership, but we didn't have to pay them to show up either. The reporters were invited, not hired, and they came because of the Avatar, as you rightly pointed out. We only paid for a new shoplot - which we wanted all this time anyway - tailors for the uniforms, rental of this space and the furnishings that go with it, some rumor mongers, and a couple of vehicles customized for the Fire Ferrets."

Her grin grew wider as Xing regarded her with comical wariness. "In exchange we're not bidding for radio time or ads on the papers, or fighting for wall space for posters. At worst, we've maybe used up two thirds of the budget for the usual promotional advertising. Trust me Xing, we're doing way better than you think. I might have to worry about Isashi trying to poach you after this."

Though she finished with a soft giggle, Asami's grin still melted away into a more serious expression.

"Though, if you want to find better opportunities-"

"I think I'd like to enjoy settling for mediocrity and remain where I am for the time being, Asami," Xing replied with gratifying haste. "I hope you don't mind my lack of ambition."

"Far from it," came her reply, along with a smile of naked relief. "I think I'd rather have you around for a while more, I don't like having you run around to someone else's beck and call. I hope you don't mind my selfishness."

The heiress and her personal assistant exchanged wry smirks, before Asami braced herself and put on a cheeky grin.

"Though, I suppose you'll need to get into a more fitting position, like heading a department."

Xing's head tilted to one side. "Why's that?" Asami almost giggled as she expected him to begin figuring out the schemes and plots such a move could provide.

"Well, it's so that I can do this without making it look like I'm utterly exploiting you."

"Do wh-"

She leaned in, before her nerves caught up with her impulses, and pressed her lips against his. The contact was hot and dizzying, and Asami found herself leaning against Xing as he held her gently by her arms as their lips began to move. She tasted the tea and lotus buns in his hot breath, and her tongue slipped out to spar and lose against his more domineering organ. Occasionally their teeth met with awkward clacking, though that experience was thankfully rare.

It must have lasted for a good minute at most, and Asami's courage was slowly being fuelled by her growing excitement to run her hands down his body…but then Xing quickly pulled back and stepped away, just in time for her to hear a shuffling of feet.

"Xing, Asami." Kai's voice called out, right as Asami turned to see the boy appear. "The team's Q&A is finishing. Do we go on with the fan meeting?"

"How is the team?" Xing asked, utterly unfazed.

"They look ok, but I think Avatar Korra is a bit, uh, annoyed by the questions about her training."

"Mako and Bolin?"

"They seem fine…? Hanh said they snacked a bit before coming over."

"Hm. Then once the Q&A is over, go for fan dining instead of meeting. Hanh would know the seating arrangement. If Korra is still looking irritable, make sure she's sitting between Mako and Bolin to avoid anyone riling her up further. Or if they get occupied, put her with you and Ren."

Kai's head dropped in a sharp and eager nod. "Will do, Xing." The boy quickly turned to run off, leaving Asami to stare at Xing with lingering…excitement.

"I suppose I'll have to go in and herd the other guests away from the Avatar."

"I…suppose so." Xing licked his lips, and Asami was oh so tempted to taste them again.

But this whole operation was a big deal for Xing's prospects, so she shackled her desires and with great reluctance turned around to return to the tents.

It's alright, she consoled herself, she'd get to 'talk' with Xing further later. Maybe they'd have more chances for discreet meetings once Ren and Kai were trained enough to be delegated more duties.

Yes, that was a very, very good reason to see the interns properly trained.

*****

"So?" Ren asked as Kai rushed in.

"Dining option."

"Right, I'll tell Hanh." Ren was about to leave, but then the boy broke into an annoyingly wide grin.

"No way," she breathed out with disbelief.

Kai nodded stupidly in response. "Yes way. They were standing alone in the dark when I found them."

The girl threw her lifelong friend a skeptical look. "So?"

"Xing's lips were shiny. Just like Asami's lipstick."

Ren's eyes went wide, and then she had to fight down the same grin that now broke across Kai's face. "Come on, we got work to do."

"And not a word to anyone," he finished with an easy nod. "Well, we'll have to start looking out for Asami's suitors… Oh, and you owe me fifty yuans, Ren."

Damnit.