#about asami

[asami--sato-blog]

Do you have a specific routine you follow before/on race days?

"Not specific," she amended, chin on her palm as she ran through the usual schedule in her mind. "It depends on how the preparations went the day before. I'm usually there in the garage making sure all of my specifications were made to the vehicle first." Depending on how smoothly that went...

"Breakfast's always early. I don't eat lunch. The torque alone will cause you to lose it, quickly. I usually wait to put on my jacket until I've made sure to check everything over. Twice."

Races usually started at the same time. They were more marketable that way, as well as ensuring they'd never interfere with other big draws around the city like the pro-bending matches or the various concerts and shows. An early afternoon start time was to be expected, which meant that after -

"And when I cross the finish line, the rest of the night is mine. I make sure my team takes over, tunes up, makes any repairs, and I get on my satocycle and go celebrate." A beat, and she added with just a smidge of suggestion behind the tones, "That's the part that never follows a routine."

[asami--sato-blog]

Do you have any funny childhood memories with your dad?

Did she ever. "Yes," she laughed, candid as some of those memories came bubbling right up to the surface. Most were kept carefully under wraps, 'family secrets' that the press never got to spoil by nosing in or using them to tarnish her father's reputation. But then there were others, the silly things a little girl remembered about her dad who was always just a little larger than life - even now.

"Once..." She was already struggling to keep her composure, at least long enough to tell the story. "I went with my father to one of his business meetings at a rival company. The lobby of the building had this beautiful koi pond and he thought I'd enjoy it. I did - until one of the fish came over to nibble on my fingers and actually ended up swallowing the bracelet right off my wrist."

A palm had risen to hide her mirth, nose wrinkled and eyes already narrowed as she tried to continue the story. After all, it obviously was only going to get better. "So I was hysterical when he returned to check on me. And I told him what happened..." She could barely stifle that laughter now, turning it into a snort as she finally concluded, "He had to explain why he was shaking this poor fish," she gestured, "trying to get it to drop my bracelet."

It didn't - but unfortunately, she didn't have the stamina to say that. She was completely gone, only managing to turn away before she had to wipe the tears from her eyes.

[asami--sato-blog]

What's your idea of the perfect date? And what do you hope to do in the future?

She'd answered this question before, but that tended to be how reporters were. They asked the same question, hoping to catch even the slightest hint of difference that they could twist and pry in whatever way they saw fit. But for such an innocuous question...

Well, it was all the same, really.

"The perfect date would depend on the company," was a given, that smile just a shade bemused when she went on, "But it'd be something they wanted to do. Nothing's more disappointing than to find out they're only trying to do what they think I want them to." First impressions should be genuine - at least if they wanted to impress her.

"And if you're talking about the rest of my life," as opposed to some kind of future, imaginary 'date,' "I'll be racing for awhile yet. I'm sure someday I'll be raising a family here in the City." A beat, and that smile tilted toward something almost wistful when she remarked, "The biggest hope I have for the future is to enjoy myself."

[asami--sato-blog]

What do you enjoy doing besides racing?

"Well, I obviously enjoy watching the pro-bending tournaments," she said. That was a matter of public record, after all. Her smile widened just a shade when she added more genuinely, "But I also like seeing new things. Trying new things. Taking a ride around the city, especially at night. Working out to stay in shape. Going out with good company."

Really, the only thing she didn't like doing was sitting perfectly still for very long. Anything else was fair game.

[asami--sato-blog]

Do you have any phobias?

Drowning. Drowning was a phobia, wasn't it?

The feeling of the water pressing in, enveloping her, dragging her down  until everything was darkness. Her lungs squeezing so tightly that her chest felt like it had been crushed. Knowing that if she opened her mouth to scream it would only only overwhelm her that much sooner.

How pale she'd grown might have been lost on just any outlooker, but the way her knuckles whitened as she balled a fist at her side would not. "Yes," she said, and that was the end of it. They didn't ask what, but even if they had, she saw no reason to relive the nightmare further.

[asami--sato-blog]

Would you have liked having siblings?

"It's hard to say," she said thoughtfully, tapping her chin for a moment. "I mean, sure, what child doesn't want a little brother or sister when they're growing up? But as I got older..." Well, things changed. She grew up.

A little brother would have probably wanted to tag along when she climbed on the back of a satocycle for the first time. He probably would have been a fan of pro-bending before she could be one. Maybe he'd be working for her father's company in her "place." And a little sister would want to borrow her clothes or braid her hair or some other form of feminine torment.

Ultimately, "Let's just say, I was never lonely." She came to the realization that their family was complete, no matter how anyone else saw it.

[asami--sato-blog]

What's you favourite colour? And do you like kids?

Finally, something she could handle easily. "Grey. Although red is nice, too, in moderation." It was part of her heritage; she could only hope the anon wouldn't read something into it that simply wasn't there.

"And I don't mind kids." A beat, and she qualified it with a lighter, "I can't say I really have much experience, but someday I'm sure I'll have my own. So yes, I guess you could say I like kids." In theory.

[asami--sato-blog]

Have you ever had a boyfriend that you fell in love with?

Ah, a classic. The press always loved a torrid story, after all.

"I've thought I was in love before, yes," she admitted easily, though the chagrin to her smile indicated it wasn't quite as straightforward as it seemed. "Before I realized love's a lot more than just butterflies in your stomach or wanting to kiss a person until you run out of breath."

Looking back, it was actually kind of pathetic. She'd been that silly girl with her head in the clouds - once upon a time. Since, well, it was safe to say, "But they never loved me," not for her, at least, "so I guess the question's moot anyway."