It had truly surprised Tenzin when Xing had left them that night in the arena. What little interactions he had with the young man had shown Xing to be diligent and reliable, if a little too reserved. Even down in the South Pole, the aide had been reserved and generally elusive, slipping out of halls and homes even during social dinners with Korra and Katara.

Tenzin's mother always lamented how seriously Xing took things, along with how withdrawn he was from everyone, but otherwise praised the boy's keen and dutiful mind.

"Korra would need such a reliable companion for when she leaves to see the world," Katara had remarked over a more private dinner. "The two of them might not be the warmest of friends, but they're still of that age. Like me and Toph, back when we were young. Or you and Lin."

Tenzin remembered the skeptical look he leveled at his mother that evening. "Lin and I…"

But Katara had chuckled and shook her head. "The both of you becoming…intimate might have been too much for your clashing personalities, but that doesn't take away the fact that you two did good work together, and still do."

She had a point…sort of. Growing up, Tenzin and Lin were friends initially the loosest of sense, their youthful impetuousness often pitting them against each other as it forced them to band together to get out of mutual trouble. But they shared a bond over the invisible burden of expectation of having such storied parents, and the legacy that came with it.

In hindsight, it was that burden that probably made the two of them think they had to attempt a deeper relationship, yet it was also clear that the same shackles of legacy stopped such a bond from flourishing. Lin's burden was to tirelessly carry on her mother's work in Republic City, while Tenzin's was to ensure the future of the Airbenders. Their relationship had then reverted to barely being friends again in the present, Lin especially being able to tolerate Tenzin for long enough to cooperate for the good of Republic City.

"Xing has a strong sense of duty, one that has kept Korra out of the worst trouble. I'm sure once they're out in the world, they'll learn to appreciate each other's company."

But it seemed that that sense of duty had its limits, which had been surpassed that night. Tenzin had sent a letter to the South Pole right after that incident, and for a moment, he worried about Korra's hardening belligerence, which mirrored a younger Lin.

The drama came to a surprising twist as Korra returned from her pro-bending training barely a week later in a darker mood, muttering about her encounter with Xing. He'd not left Republic City as they had expected, instead the heiress of Future Industries had somehow swooped in to hire him. To hear Korra say it, Asami Sato had been lurking in the shadows, simply waiting for the right opportunity to seize Xing. It was teenage exaggeration, of course, and Tenzin was quietly relieved when he heard that Xing would still be involved with Korra, however indirectly, through the whole sponsorship deal.

The airbender master couldn't help being impressed by that display of duty. Even after falling out, even after entering someone else's employ, the young man still kept an eye on his former charge. If he truly wished to strike his own path, Xing would've surely done all he could to avoid going anywhere near Korra.

Tenzin had to admit then that his mother might be right about Xing, though that remarkable sense of duty raised new concerns.

If not for his own obligations to Korra and Republic City, Tenzin would've sought Xing out much earlier. Thankfully, the sponsorship event had provided an excellent opportunity for him to scout things out. As he went through the ritual of socializing with the hosts and other guests, Tenzin kept an eye and an ear out for the young man. While there was no initial signs of Xing around, Asami Sato glancing off to the shadows beyond the bright tents every now and then, and then later disappearing in that direction for a moment, had provided a good clue.

The airbender and councilman patiently bided his time. Once the first barrage of publicity photos were taken, and the tables were set and Korra and her team changed out of their pro-bending suits into more appropriate dinner attire, Tenzin guided Pema and the children to their seats, and easily slipped out of the area with an ease honed from a pettier time avoiding an enraged Lin and intolerable city officials who sought private dealings with the heir and later successor of the Air Nation.

As expected, he found Xing keeping watch just outside the tents, his gaze cast outwards to the crowds still gathered beyond the arena's fences. Despite the change in attire and station, Xing still exuded the same keen and composed air, and he turned smoothly to greet Tenzin's intrusion with a polite bow without a hint of surprise.

"Councilman Tenzin."

"Xing. I'm glad to find you doing well."

"Thank you, sir."

The airbender raised his hand and offered a gentle smile. "Please, call me Tenzin."

There was a moment of hesitation before the young man nodded. "What can I do for you?"

"How have you been doing, Xing?"

The question caught him off guard, as even in the dim lighting the puzzlement was unmistakable in Xing's momentary pause.

"I'm…doing fine." It was hard to read past the wariness in his voice, but Tenzin didn't see any signs of reluctance or anger in his posture at least. "Future Industries… Miss Asami has been very welcoming and generous."

And there was that pang of bitterness, the flash of resentment in Xing's amber eyes, no doubt comparing his current state with his time in the White Lotus.

"It is nice, holding a proper job instead of having to adopt a lifestyle."

Now that he thought about it, Xing was raised as a White Lotus instead of being inducted into it as others would, so they might have taken his role for granted, and no doubt being a bodyguard is a thankless task…

Wait, was Xing being paid in the first place?

Perhaps Tenzin should bring this up with his mother later…

Presently, he gave Xing a slow nod. "I'm relieved to know you're doing so well."

There was a moment of silence between them, but Tenzin eventually put an end to it before the awkwardness got too heavy. "I'm sorry for what happened back then…"

Xing shook his head as a brittle smile formed. "It was inevitable, I think, one way or another. I suppose I should be glad it happened back then, otherwise I would not have found my current employment."

The question had to be asked. "Was it truly so bad?"

A heavy pause followed before the former minder gave a measured reply. "It was…onerous, but tolerable, I suppose. At least back in the South Pole." There was a slow, heavy sigh. "I did ask the masters to be reassigned to a different role, but I was…convinced to give it another chance, at least until the end of the year…"

Tenzin began his defense before he really realized it. "I know Korra can be stubborn, but-"

Xing interrupted with another shake of his head. "It's not Korra. At least she's not the main problem."

And Tenzin blinked in surprise. "She's not?"

The shadows accentuated and gave a sinister color to the smirk that crept up Xing's face. "How is Korra progressing in her meditation?"

Tenzin froze up, and on defensive reflex he began sputtering. "W-Well, she's…she's been making progress in her airbending movements… But between her pro-bending and my own duties…"

The smirk grew wider, sadder as the feeble excuses trailed off. "I know where this will likely lead: You will have Korra continue her martial training because it shows the most promise. You'll try to downplay her lack of progress in her spiritual studies in your reports to the White Lotus, which will earn you resigned consolation from the masters. Perhaps Master Katara might ask you to be patient, and to try a different tact… She'd use her 'water carving streams through cliffs' metaphor if that's the case…"

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'Water carving streams'? Is it the one about finding the right cracks and weakest parts? How such streams don't run straight or something?

Xing drew in a breath before his head slowly shook again. "If I was still around, I'd get a separate letter, another 'request' to convince or prod Korra into turning her attention into spiritual studies. I'd try and fail, of course, and if the conversation doesn't turn too sour I would only need to endure the silent treatment for a day or two… To try and achieve my task, I'd send off yet another letter to the masters requesting for a firmer hand - permission to ground her, enact a schedule to regulate her activities, or just add a heavy incentive/deterrent scheme to direct her studies."

Those didn't sound like bad ideas, though with Korra's stubbornness, it might devolve into a battle of wills…

"I'd be rejected again, of course. Grand Lotus Altaq would remind-"

Xing suddenly stiffened, and before Tenzin could react the sound of soft footsteps came pattering from behind him.

"Hey dad?" Jinora called out. "Mom says to come and eat. Oh, hi Xing." The girl broke into a bright smile. "Are you joining us for dinner?"

Xing smiled softly as he responded. "I have duties to attend to, I'm afraid."

Jinora's smile fell into disappointment. "Aww…" Then she broke into a vicious grin. "I guess I'll have to ask your pretty girlfriend all the questions then."

As Tenzin sputtered at his daughter, the young man only sighed. "Please don't hassle Miss Asami too much, there's still events after the dinner that she has to tend to."

Not getting the reaction she wanted, Jinora put on a face. "You're no fun."

"Jinora!" Tenzin interrupted at last, breaking out of his stunned state. He swiftly moved back to the bright lights, gently but firmly guiding his giggling daughter by the shoulder before him. "Come along now, our food's waiting. I apologize for intruding on your time, Xing."

"Not a problem, Councilman Tenzin," came the smooth reply. "Thank you for not being too…aggressive in getting me to rejoin the order."

Well, he didn't have the time to do so…

Returning to his family in the tents, Tenzin put aside his concerned thoughts for the time being, and found that his wife and children were sharing the table with Asami Sato of all people. It took a second before the councilman in him realized the unsubtle politics of the seating arrangement.

Hiroshi Sato, as founder of Future Industries, shared a table with the close friends and investors that were invited. It was as much to honor them as it was to show outsiders how close knit the inner circle was when their table inevitably appeared in the background of the photos of the Avatar's table.

As this was an informal function, as councilman, it'd be unwise for Tenzin to be at the same table. Not if he wished to remain apolitical. The various tycoons of Republic City were constantly vying for influence to expand their businesses; having Tenzin seated with Hiroshi could be seen as the Air Nation's councilman tacitly offering his support for Future Industries.

But simply putting said councilman in a separate table could be seen as an indirect insult as well, to invite an influential guest only to isolate and snub them. It was ludicrous, but Tenzin had learned from the resulting fuss that a compelling enough rationalizing can affect how gossip grows and branches. Toph Beifong fulfilling the minimum of her obligation to attend a fete was so easily construed as her Water Tribe hosts snubbing her, and no matter how many people (including Toph herself) made it clear that she purposely chose to be seated in the quietest corner, Polar Orca Therapeutics ended up wasting far too much resources to combat the bad press, and subsequently lost their market share to the Healer's Guild.

With its heir seated with Tenzin and his family, Future Industries was assuring everyone that it was not neglecting a member of the city's ruling council in any way, even as it respected the niceties of not politicizing said councilman's attendance. It was an annoying dance, but one that, at least for now, Tenzin appreciated as it sat Xing's new employer next a couple of seats away.

"Ah, Councilman Tenzin." Asami greeted brightly, but Tenzin gestured to keep her from rising from her seat.

"There's no need for formalities, I'm sorry for interrupting your conversation with Pema."

"It's not a big deal, dear," his wife remarked lightly, her attention flickering to him for a moment before fixing a smile back to Asami. "Asami and I were just sharing our thoughts on Xing. Did you know Xing was the one who masterminded all of this?"

Tenzin almost tripped over as he sat down, and stared at his wife who was smiling a bit too serenely. Since when was she interested enough to be involved in this?

Wait, Xing actually planned the sponsorship with Korra's team?

"What he's done is quite impressive," Asami commented, not noticing or understanding the silent exchange between husband and wife. "After hearing how he left, I'm impressed that Xing can put aside his own misgivings for Avatar Korra to organize this sponsorship."

"Well, yes… How is Xing faring in Future Industries?"

The heiress wore a smug grin. "Oh, he's been a great help! I appreciate the hard work he put in so far, as well as his suggestions. If anything, I suppose I might have to find a way to get him to relax a bit more and look after himself."

"Oh?" Both Tenzin and Pema raised their eyebrows at that little bit of bragging.

Asami's grin grew a little. "He thinks first of others instead of his own wellbeing. I have to promise him I'm getting my due rest at night, otherwise he'd be forgoing his own sleep to watch after me. He clearly has his…reservations with Avatar Korra, yet he was the one to suggest this to improve Future Industries' prospects. And despite throwing his all into work, he still finds time to help others."

At seeing the whole family's keen and intrigued looks (except for Meelo who was gorging himself), Asami gave a nod over to Korra's table, where she sat with her two pro-bending teammates to one side, and the members of her fanclub filling out the rest of the space, elbow to elbow. Most of the people there were barely eating, preferring instead to engage the Avatar in excited conversation. For her part, Korra seemed to enjoy the attention, smiling brightly as she spoke at length about something.

"The boy and girl sitting next to the Avatar? They said Xing took them and their grandfather in after he encountered them in the streets. Xing says he's merely repaying their aid, but I think he's playing the humble card a bit too much."

"Is that so…?"

Her grin melted into a softer smile of admiration and naked affection. "The first thing he did with his pay was to pay for the grandfather's healing. Then he bought them all a house to live in. I'd have gladly gotten him a more comfortable place, but Xing's insistent on not 'leeching off his employer's goodwill' like what most everyone else does. Heh…I'll probably have to find a reason to justify his coming pay raise to him."

As Asami shared a light laugh with Pema and the girls, Tenzin found his concern bubbling up again.

So Xing left Korra and the White Lotus, yet maybe he had not completely abandoned his obligations if he had orchestrated this sponsorship? And his sense of duty also extended to admirable charity… By the sounds of it, it'd be nigh impossible to persuade Xing to return to the order if he seems to have taken to his new life so well.

"I hope you can forgive my crassness, but I'm glad that he quit the White Lotus."

"It's…alright…"

Maybe he'll have to dig into Xing's time in the White Lotus, and see if they truly had dropped the ball in raising him.