Though she had only gotten to know him for a short time, Jinora had found herself already missing Xing's presence just days after he walked out on Korra. Because of what transpired that night, the Avatar was far from the cheery, fun-loving girl that Jinora visited in the South Pole.

Instead, Korra broke into quiet scowls every now and then, and occasionally Jinora would catch her pausing in the middle of whatever it was she was doing to turn over her shoulders, and then freezing up with a realization that she no longer had someone watching over her. Despite that, Korra put up an act of finding Xing's absence to be liberating.

"Who needs him, anyway?" she'd say with a forced grin, before quickly falling into a faint scowl.

"If he wants to put up a hissy fit and leave, then it's fine by me." The words were said with believable conviction, but Jinora was sure she wasn't the only one who noticed Korra's shifty discomfort as she walked the halls of the Air Temple by herself. As if she didn't feel truly safe.

For her part, Jinora doubted that Xing was the kind to simply throw a 'hissy fit'. The young airbender had seen his dumbstruck reaction to the burnt airbending gates when he returned from his mandated break. The relaxed smile switched to disbelief and then disappointment in an instant when she told him what had happened.

"She simply walked off?"

Jinora could only nod as she tensed up from an instinctive fear at hearing Xing's carefully enunciated words.

"Avatar Korra did not even make an attempt at an apology?"

The airbender shook her head, and winced as she heard Xing sigh.

"And she snuck off to the arena…" he muttered, giving a glance to the other White Lotus members nearby who quickly retreated from his withering gaze.

"Dad only found out through the radio," Ikki said with uncharacteristic meekness.

Jinora remembered how resigned Xing seemed as he looked out across the bay towards the light-filled pro-bending arena. "I suppose…it would make an apology more convenient."

"Apology?"

Jinora also remembered the wan smile he gave her. "Korra has to apologize for her reckless vandalism and disrespect. And I carry part of the blame as well, for not being there to stop her."

The young airbender blinked at his last sentence in particular. "But…but it's not your fault?" It happened during his break after all. Right?

Xing had shrugged with resignation. "I have a responsibility for looking out for the Avatar. It was a weakness on my part to accept the offer of lightening my duties."

It was his fault for taking time off? How did that make sense?

Before any comment could be made on that, Xing gave a deep, formal bow to Jinora and Ikki in apology and then left the confused girls to head to the shores of the island. To add to the initial confusion, Jinora also caught his last words on Air Temple Island.

"This will fucking hurt…"

For a moment, she thought him rather stupid for diving into the water in a clearly crazy attempt to swim across the bay, rather than taking a boat. But then there was a burst of white fire that sent Xing literally rocketing out from and across the water's surface, faster than a flying fish dolphin. He disappeared into the dark waves shortly after, and then blasted out again with the same white flare. With how fast he was going, Jinora estimated that Xing would make landfall in maybe two-thirds the time compared to a ferry? Assuming that he didn't slow down or anything…

And they said his firebending was broken?

Regardless, with Xing no longer around, Korra became more determined and stubborn. While she did smile and grin and laugh, it didn't come as freely as before. She'd wake up in the morning for airbending practice, always with an expression of focused irritation. Her movements were often jarring and hasty, instead of the serene, smooth flow of a clear-headed airbender.

It was like she was determined to be an airbender quickly just because she was mad at Xing?

Yet even in such a short time, it was clear that being fuelled by anger wasn't bearing as much results as the Avatar had hoped.

Jinora had caught Korra several times already breaking down into a storm of grumbling when she tripped over herself or almost slipped from imbalance due to her arms moving far quicker or slower than her legs. Her parents had also noticed and tried to shift Korra onto more calming meditation or simply taking a break to clear her head, but it only served to entrench the Avatar's determination.

"I can't put off my training," she had insisted with a forced grin. "You said it yourself, Tenzin, that I managed to apply airbending movements in pro-bending. Now I just need to keep training and eventually I'll figure out a way to airbend."

"That's not how-" But Jinora quietly stopped her father from continuing with that sentence, sensing that it'd only antagonize Korra further.

"She's of that age," Pema offered. "I'll try talking to her when she's calmed down a little."

Jinora doubted it'd happen anytime soon. Several mornings later, instead of the usual training, Korra left the island for the pro-bending arena to train with her team, and then came back in the afternoon all focused and tense. Apparently the Fire Ferrets really needed to win the coming tournament, and messing around wasn't an option.

And in that same evening, a boy from the Fire Ferrets named Mako - that a blushing Korra insisted wasn't cute - came looking for his brother Bolin, and Korra joined him in looking for him. They came back the following night, apparently after a dangerous encounter with the Equalists.

The event had understandably driven Korra to be grimmer and maybe a bit more irritable.

On the upside, it made her more focused, and Korra eventually cleared the airbending gates without a hitch.

Now if she could only learn how to actually airbend, so that she'd stop being so surly all the time…

Jinora chastised herself as usual whenever that thought came up. Korra didn't deserve that. She was under a lot of pressure as an Avatar after all. Still, it'd be nice to have Xing around, if only to help offer some help in calming Korra down. Surely he'd been through moments like this?

If not, surely he'd know enough of Korra's less…friendly moods to have an idea on where to start. Jinora and her family only ever saw Korra smiling and laughing during their visits to the South Pole. Come to think of it, it always seemed like easy and happy times for Korra in the South Pole… Watching her parents trying and failing to get Korra to unwind was becoming a bit painful, and Jinora hadn't a single clue on how to help them.

*****

The job at the power plant helped, but it wasn't enough. Besides that, the taxing work was making a noticeable dent in Mako's training for the tournament. As much as he needed the money to pay off his debt, he also wanted to actually win and make it big at last.

Korra was of great help, Mako would silently admit. She might not be the best pro-bender, but she had the raw talent required for it, and more importantly she'd help him rescue Bolin without hesitation.

However difficult Korra might have been on their first meeting, she was good people.

If only she had something to donate to the cause. Maybe he should ask if the Avatar's support people might not be above providing some food allowance at least? Surely whatever's good enough to keep her in shape would be good enough for Mako and his brother…

Groaning from another hard day's work, Mako dragged himself out of the power plant as fast as he could in hopes of reaching the tram early. If he was really lucky, there'd be a seat waiting to give him a moment of real rest.

Unfortunately, it wasn't going to be that lucky a day. As Mako looked out to the main road, not only was the tram already here and packed with occupants, it was on the verge of leaving.

Holding back another tired groan, he drew up his reserves and began to dash for the transport. There was no way he was waiting for the next tram, not when peak traffic hour was rolling around and he'd have to fight to even secure a footing on it.

He rushed past a parked truck, only to freeze when he noticed a motorcycle with a sidecar heading straight for him, the growl of their engine drowned out by the other traffic around them. There was a flush of cold dread as the vehicle shot towards him, but instead of the agonizing collision that his subconscious braced himself for, the motorcycle swerved abruptly but neatly around him, the wheel on the sidecar lifted at least a foot into the air before landing onto the paved road with a thunk.

Mako blinked, and then the dread of imminent death was quickly thawed away by outrage of almost being a victim. Exhaustion and the tram forgotten, he stomped towards the driver and passenger of the motorcycle "Hey! Watch where you're going!"

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Once more Mako froze, though this time in surprise as the sidecar passenger removed his helmet before bowing. "My sincerest apologies," the guy…Shing? Xing? Tsing?...Korra's former disgruntled minder offered, looking all neat and sharp in a socialite's suit. "I hope you are not harmed?" He offered a look of genuine concern before recognition also filled his eyes.

"Uh… Xing?" Mako guessed, still unable to reconcile the almost seething former White Lotus member in sopping wet, traditional robes that was Xing that night with the overly polite and utterly modern look of the Xing now.

Xing gave a nod of mild confusion. "You are…Avatar Korra's…team mate?"

For some reason, the identification made Mako feel self conscious. "Uh…yeah. Mako."

Xing gave Mako a look, and then glanced to the power plant behind him, and Mako preempted the question with defensive glare. "It's my day job."

Before either of them could say more, the driver of the motorcycle made her presence known with a pretty voice that matched a dazzlingly pretty face. "Oh, do you know him, Xing?" she asked Xing with a startling familiarity, and then turned her attention to Mako. "I'm so sorry."

"Uh…"

"My apologies," Xing repeated along with his bow, with slightly more authority in his tone. "If I hadn't distracted Miss Asami-"

"Nonsense," 'Miss Asami', presumably, retorted with clear annoyance. "It's my fault for being careless, Xing, and you know it." Her head snapped back to Mako with a small, contrite smile. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been speeding like that…" And then a sense of deja vu hit Mako as he saw recognition fill her eyes too.

"Wait, you're Mako right? You play for the Fire Ferrets!"

Mako blinked. "Um… Yeah, that's me."

Then the bubbling excitement was quickly muted as Asami's gaze went back to Xing. "Oh, the…"

"I've no quarrel with Mr. Mako," Xing replied with a slight shake of his head before offering Mako a speculative look. "I hope?"

"Uh, no… No. I don't think so?"

And then Mako remembered that he was supposed to be angry at almost being smashed by a speeding vehicle, but the outrage had lost all momentum. "Uh… Try not to go so fast next time?" he told Asami, doing his best not to squirm sheepishly under her attention.

A heavy, awkward silence fell on the three of them before the trundling of the tram reminded Mako of why he was standing in the middle of a main road. "Oh crap, the tram!" Too late, he watched the packed vehicle rumble past behind Xing and Asami. The two of them followed his gaze, and then shared a look between themselves. Asami then gave a shrug, followed by a nod from Xing.

"You are…in a hurry?" he finally asked with carefully measured politeness, not in a snubby, offensive manner. It was rather impressive, Mako later reflected, that Xing could deliver his words with such clear intent. One dreaded to imagine what sort of training or experiences he went through to hone such a skill.

"I've got training…" was all Mako could lamely reply with, still trying to process the steps needed for Xing to stomp out of Korra's service and into a wealthy dame's graces.

"Then please instruct us to your destination."

"Huh?"

"We can get you there," Asami elaborated with a smile before putting her helmet on again.

Mako blinked at her, then glanced at the motorcycle, and then looked back at the two of them. "But…your cycle only has space for two people?"

Xing's light-hearted and amused voice did not match the bone-breaking bodyguard look he had. "Ah, I understand your concern about my employer's driving abilities…"

"Har har..." his counterpart retorted as she buckled up her chin strap.

"...but beyond the fact that I can vouch that it was a genuine fluke, the transport we're offering is back there." Xing's thumb pointed over his shoulder, where a rather large canvas-covered truck was parked.

"Maintenance truck," Asami helpfully explained. "We were giving the sidecar attachment a live trial…" Her smile became a sheepish one. "I guess we know the brakes and controls aren't affected by the additional weight?"

"And the attachment frame held up against sudden and violent motions."

"Shush Xing," Asami said without heat.

"Uh…"

"Come," Xing ushered with just enough insistence that Mako's legs began moving. "I'll be driving, if that's any comfort."

And so Mako ended up hitching a ride on a utilitarian yet comfortable truck, struggling to not stare in confusion at Xing throughout the whole trip. Asami trailed behind them, keeping her motorcycle to a much slower speed even with its sidecar removed and stowed in the back of the truck.

It was only as they neared the arena that Xing finally broke the uncomfortable silence between the two men. "You're in dire need of money," he suddenly stated.

"Wha-?"

"You do not have the uniform of the plant's engineers, nor would they have the time to be in a pro-bending team. More common power plant work, benders or not, is considered accessible but hard labor. Accessible enough for a pro-bender seeking a side job, but hard enough that it's not optimal to do so." Mako felt the urge to open the door and jump out of the truck as Xing's gaze bore into him for a moment. "You don't seem the type to be half-assing your pro-bending, otherwise Korra wouldn't be enamored enough to join your team. So working in the power plant would not be ideal for someone who would more likely prefer to use the time and save his energy on training. Which means…"

"Well, maybe I'm contracted there!" Mako lied defensively, before his mind could fully catch up.

"The Li-liang power plant does not use rigid employment contracts for their laborers, especially skilled benders that they desperately need. Paying for the day's work is seen as the more attractive prospect for most lightning benders who'd rather work at the plant on and off for short periods and take on other, less strenuous, jobs in between."

"And you'd know?" Mako sharply shot back at the former White Lotus member.

Xing nodded, his eyes fixed on the road. "I should. It's owned by Future Industries, of which Miss Asami is an heir to. We just finished a tour of operations in the morning before commencing with the motorcycle trial."

Mako's jaw dropped. Future Industries? That meant… "Asami… You're working for Asami Sato?"

Another nod from Xing as he put his arm out the window to signal a turn and effortlessly guided the truck around a bend with the other hand still on the wheel. "I am, but back to the point, you are perhaps desperately low on funding…?"

Mako squirmed but eventually sighed out his confirmation. "Y-Yeah… We need a few thousand to buy into the tournament…"

"Hm… If you are amenable to it, I'm sure it wouldn't take much to convince Miss Asami to help sponsor your team."

"Huh?" Sponsorship? But… "You're going to help me? Us? I mean…Korra-"

Xing's shrug was forcibly nonchalant. "My issues with Korra are personal in nature. Your Fire…"

"Ferrets."

"Your Fire Ferrets are not directly involved in it." A smirk crept up his features. "Miss Asami is an avid fan of pro-bending, and more importantly… I'm sure that Future Industries can benefit from the fact that it will be backing the team that the Avatar is playing in. Honestly, I'm surprised you haven't been visited by the other corporations yet."

The truck slowed to a stop outside the arena, and Xing gave Mako a speculative look. "I hope you and your team wouldn't mind entertaining my employer with exhibition matches and behind-the-scenes tours in exchange for the funding you require? I'll see if I can keep advertising duties light so you can just focus on pro-bending."

When put like that…

Mako exited the truck to stand behind Xing as they waited for Asami to join them. Curiously, her first words were delivered with a frown. "You're right about the truck needing better signals, Xing. I could barely tell when you're about to turn at times…"

"I've got an idea or two that hopefully might be of practical use… But since we're here, Miss Asami-"

Huh, why did she wince when addressed by Xing?

"Mako is willing to show you around the backstage."

Asami's face lit up with excitement for a moment, but then became clouded with uncertainty. "Are you sure, Xing? I mean…"

Her minder (more like the less affable sort of 'troubleshooter' with how he carries himself) shook his head. "I'd like to think that I can reign in my…temper. Besides, I'm told that the Avatar is busy training on Air Temple Island today."

"Oh, okay… If you say so, Xing."

He gave her a surprisingly warm smile. "You don't have to worry about me. Oh, while we're at it, Mako might have a proposal for Future Industries…"

Mako tried not to shift uncomfortably as Asami's gaze fell on him momentarily. "Mako's proposal? Or yours, Xing?"

"Maybe it's more of a collaboration?" Xing shrugged, and as he gestured for Mako to lead them into the arena. The pro-bender could only do as instructed, his mind reeling from taking in so many turns of events.