#Opal has Beifong blood

[yukaro353]

Late but good, lol, the continuation of this idea:

🌪️🍃🎐AO3 Version🎐🍃🌪️

Mako would have gone to eat with Asami and then returned to her department to continue working, after all the boss was on leave after having accumulated four consecutive weeks of work for which Saikhan scolded her and sent her to five forced days off.

He wanted to accumulate at least two good results that would make her nod when he returned, he liked her approval and increasing her confidence so that she could give him more difficult assignments, time did not forgive anyone and Mako like many others feared that if Lin did not learn to let go they would end up removing her from her position in a coffin.

But some reason Asami didn't come to dinner so Mako ended up eating alone, he hoped she was okay, it was a little late to go to the Sato mansion to check on her and he couldn't turn to Bolin because he had joined a strange reunification movement with Suyin's violent daughter, the fire bender then remembered Beifong's office phone, it was connected to Asami's workshop phone, he could sneak out and use it, the boss had authorized it after she was found unconscious in her workshop due to dehydration...

That memory tormented him a lot.

Mako did his thing, he slipped into the office, rang a couple of times and relaxed when one of the technicians answered to tell him that the young lady had gone to the doctor and hadn't come back, at least she wasn't dying at home and that was something. He could have gone home after that, but Saikhan came in and instead of scolding him for being out of hours, he told him to go to the Bay Central Hospital, The head nurse had called to request Lin's medical records and they had to comply quickly.

The young detective ran at least two red lights on his motorcycle.

The Hospital os the Bay was one of the medical points directly related to the police forces, most of its staff was made up of graduates from the Military University, although its focus was completely obstetric, Mako could be calm with that detail, if her boss was in another location like the Central Hospital of the Republic he would have her heart in her hand.

She parked anyway and hurried to the counter where the receptionist called the aforementioned head nurse, Mako recognized Mrs. Duanphen, she had vitiligo so it was impossible to forget it, she had been in the provisional clinics after the fall of the Equalists providing first aid, she had a hard expression and impeccable hair, Mako handed her the folder and saw her review it with evident stress.

– Is the chief okay?

– I don't give details to the messengers.

– I'm not a messenger, I'm… – Mako thought about the following, he wasn't his friend either, he was too young for Lin to consider him as such, nor could he be called his pupil because in theory all the rookies were – Coworker…

– Yes, whatever, tell Saikhan to come and go.

– He's covering for the boss, he can't leave the post… Unless it's something serious. Is it serious?

Duanphen looked at him with annoyance before the receptionist intervened – He's the golden boy, Beifong paid his fees.

– A firebender? – Duanphen questioned looking him up and down, he had heard that Lin had finally found a successor, but he expected some lady with bearing and not some idiot too tall.

– You let a bunch of hippies pass, don't turn your back on him, at least he has a wallet.

– As if Beifong needed someone to pay for her. Come on brat, follow me and shut up.

Mako thanked the receptionist with a gesture before going after the head nurse, they walked away from the waiting rooms and came to a hallway where there were only familiar faces, including Asami, who got up from her chair and apologized to Mako for not having arrived for her dinner. Duanphen continued on to the office at the back, leaving Tenzin speechless.

– What's going on? – Mako asked, now more confident.

– We don't know, my aunt and Mrs. Pema haven't given any details, they just got on the ferry and we had to follow them – Opal explained, who looked like she had been attacked in a bakery.

– Why are you here?

– They asked for the medical records of the chief.

– Don't they have copies at the headquarters? – Tenzin asked, he was standing and walking in circles in the hallway.

– A lot of documents were lost during the convergence so it’s complex – Mako pointed out, he had to go through a lot of hoops to get Bolin his live birth certificates again – So they just came and that’s it?

– They thought Mrs. Pema was pregnant and came earlier for a checkup, but right now we don’t know what they came back for – Asami explained, she still had a bag of nuts in her hands, her only meal of the day apart from coffee.

Mako raised her hand as if to touch Tenzin’s arm, but abandoned the idea halfway and smiled as diplomatically as she could – Congratulations.

Tenzin would pay to have a compilation of all the awkward interactions with that boy just to save them with Lin’s – It came out negative.

– Oh… Sure, of course… And why do they need the chief’s medical records?

– She suddenly turned very pale and almost fainted on the island, we wanted to take her to the Central but Mrs. Pema didn't let us, she pushed her here herself and we had to follow her, she is very authoritarian when she wants to be – Opal pointed out, she would kill to take a bath at that moment, or to have Jinora there, her friend had to stay to cover for her parents' absence.

Tenzin and Asami nodded, avoiding the obvious theory that everyone had, they were in a damn facility specialized in pregnant women, they shouldn't be very smart to know what emergencies were attended to there, however thinking about it meant saying out loud something that was surreal and biologically dangerous for a woman of Lin's age... With Lin's profession... With Lin's bad habits, no one had gathered the courage to talk about it... No one except Mako, who fixed her gaze on Tenzin as if the monk suddenly seemed unpleasant to her.

– What are you doing here?

– I'm waiting for my wife, she's in the medical office too.

– Of course... Opal, how long have you been in Republic City?

– It will be a year next month.

– When was the last time you saw the chief go to her medical check-up?

– Never – The young Beifong confessed, avoiding her brother-in-law's gaze. Her aunt was actually allergic to hospitals. She had her own drawer in the closet full of medicines that she randomly administered when she felt ill. However, Mako's questions could not continue because the door finally opened. Duanphen was holding Pema by the arm. She pushed Tenzin and ignored Opal when they tried to approach him and took the acolyte to another hallway. She seemed to hate everyone equally.

Pema, for her part, ended up in another medical office. It was relatively small and seemed to be used to store uniforms. They had not yet finished the new building that would replace that headquarters, so they had to figure out how to accommodate themselves. Duanphen sat Pema down and made sure that no one was there before closing.

– You are the monk's wife, aren't you?

– I am.

– And the other Beifong is that dirty girl, right? How old is she?

– She'll be eighteen soon…

– Ugh, too young… Any adult Beifong?

– Apart from Lin?

– Chief Beifong for you, and yes, apart from her.

Pema pursed her lips, she didn't like that lady too much, but she didn't want to fight, Lin was on the verge of an anxiety attack in the other medical office, she couldn't take long there with her – Her sister, Suyin, but she's in Zaofu, it'll take her a long time to get there if she calls her.

– Damn… Well, no way, I'll settle for you – Duanphen put an envelope in Pema's hands and crossed his arms – Fifty-two years, too late to start gestating, we're assuming that her body is at the level of an irresponsible thirty-year-old but we return to the same point, her condition is very dangerous.

– W-are you going to operate on her? – Pema didn’t know how to ask that out loud, she knew about the interruptions with pills and herbs, it was a procedure she was really very unfamiliar with – We will take care of giving her the aftercare.

– I don’t doubt it… However, it’s too late to operate on her.

– L-late?

– Her family has a history of cryptic pregnancies and other complications, she’s two weeks into the third trimester, we would have to operate on her to interrupt it… And we don’t have the means to ensure her well-being during the procedure.

– Do we have to w-transfer her? Ba Sing Se perhaps? We have bison, we don’t depend on regular transport.

– It’s not that we don’t have the means, it’s something else… On a medical level. The chief’s health is poor, her body has somehow supported her and the fetus, if we subject her to surgery we risk killing her or leaving her with permanent after-effects.

– You… You are implying that she should have it.

– Don’t be mistaken, I am the last person who would interfere in the chief’s decisions, but this goes beyond whether she wants it or not, do you understand? The birth will be difficult, it could also kill her or leave permanent after-effects… But, it offers us the time factor, we can prepare her and reduce the risks, do you understand?

– … She doesn’t want it.

– I know, I’ve known her for at least thirty years, I’m not stupid.

Pema stood up feeling dizzy, she could carry a fifth pregnancy to term if necessary, but Lin couldn’t, not emotionally, it was destroying her, if they pushed her to continue with that only the spirits would know how it would end.

– There must be a way… Some way, whatever it is.

– Look, I understand that your husband has enough with four and that the chief would rather cut off her arms than experience this again, but this is beyond us, you can use your flying things and take her to the South Pole to be told the same thing.

Pema was ready to grab Duanphen by the hair and drag her away. That baby was not her husband's! And that she took it for granted offended her deeply, but “experiencing this again” landed her feet in a hard way. Pema could not be considered a friend of Lin, at most an acquaintance who thought highly of her. There were many things in Beifong's life that she did not know and she was worried about what was hidden under the rug.

The acolyte returned to the office where Lin was hunched over in a chair sweating cold and still pale-faced, she knelt down next to her looking for some closeness, Beifong asked about the date of the interruption and Pema searched for her hands, less than a few hours ago she was hanging from her arm with her heart in her hand, she wanted to give her back that feeling of comfort and stability. Pema tried to explain the situation, to make it sound more practical, more reasonable, Lin just shook her head and looked at the doctor looking for a contradiction, for the answer she really wanted, but the aforementioned could only support the acolyte's words. Lin stood up and tried to get out of there, everything was spinning, her balance quickly abandoned her and the bile finally found its way out of her body, there was nothing to vomit in her system but that didn't stop her stomach from trying to push itself out of her body, she felt as if her body was foreign to her at that moment, an uncomfortable cell from which she couldn't free herself, she was slightly aware of the voices around her and the arms trying to contain her.

Returning to the island was not optional at this point, once Lin was stabilized they tried to keep her admitted but the chief searched in the midst of her lack of lucidity for someone to get her out of there, Opal led the small procession to the chief's apartment, where they were finally able to push something in her stomach and lay her down in her room, Asami took the first turn to watch her while Pema explained the situation to others, there were at least five minutes in which Mako went completely against Tenzin, but the acolyte brought them back to the point of the conversation, they had to give all the support they could to Beifong because carrying that pregnancy to term was the least deadly option for her.

Opal, who had not said anything until now could not keep quiet any longer – And once she has it what? My aunt never… She has never wanted a child.

– Nor does she have the means to take care of one – Tenzin added – I can bring my mother, she surely knows some way to… Avoid this.

– We must handle this with a low profile, Raiko is not… Raiko could take advantage of this to push the chief out of her position – Mako commented, earning a couple of glances – I am not disregarding the chief's health, that is the most important thing, but putting her job in question will not help her stay calm.

– … We can handle it on the island, it is isolated from the city, we can… Move her temporarily – Tenzin offered with Pema's support, but Opal seemed to have other plans.

– We have to get her out completely, we are counting on this to remain secret, we cannot trust all the acolytes or the new benders… And my aunt does not like that place, she avoids it at all costs, she will not be comfortable. We have to take her to Zaofu, the doctors there are exceptional and my mother can dedicate herself full time to my aunt.

– The last thing Lin would want is to be locked up in that city, no offense, she loves you very much but with your mother things are very different – Tenzin pointed out, Lin had grown up in the island temple by his side, if her life depended on carrying a high-risk pregnancy he would make sure the conditions were as optimal as possible. She was his best friend! Even if she didn't accept him, she wouldn't die before him or be locked up in her least favorite place in the Earth Nation if he could help it.

– Let’s go slowly, for the moment we will have her here, in her house, her space, we will bring Mrs. Katara and we will weigh with her the best option, she is the best healer there, we will play it safe, no empirical experience or “I think that” okay?

Opal exchanged glances with Tenzin, there was a new rejection there, she also suspected about the paternity of that fetus and she would not allow a men already married to push any authority over her aunt. Pema kept the baton of the situation leaving Opal with Asami in charge of watching Lin’s sleep, she asked Mako to devise some medical leave with Saikhan and accompanied Tenzin to take the ferry to the island, it should take him at least three days to return with Katara, in that time they would have prepared Lin to face the exams.

– Jinora can cover us until she returns, you shouldn't… You shouldn’t leave Lin, until my mother and Kya arrive, the girls won’t be able to contain her.

– I wasn't going to leave her alone, even if your family arrives… Should we go ahead with moving her? I'll talk to the acolytes, we'll make it a friendly place for her.

– I said it in a hurry, I want to discuss it with my mother, Lin might… She really doesn't want to, the South Pole is an option too, Saikhan is infallible, she'll get a long leave and we could take her there, far away from the press.

– And if it's not safe?

– Then we'll talk to the other acolytes and we'll welcome her home, it's the least we can give her – Pema nodded and Tenzin looked at her carefully for a few seconds – It's not mine.

– I've been with you for almost fifteen years Tenzin, you're incapable of hiding something of such magnitude… Although, the others will give you that credit, So keep the explanations to themselves.

Tenzin relaxed his shoulders, he wouldn't forgive himself for hurting his wife with the circus that would be set up once that started to reach other ears, he was probably the only subject with whom Lin was publicly related in her entire life, eyes would turn to his figure and immediately award him paternity... Although that only led them to the next question.

– Do you know who he is? You know... The father?

– Lin's personal life is an enigma – Tenzin pointed out somewhat defeated, in his adolescence he knew perfectly well all the suitors she had, even in his time as a councilor he could get an idea of the daring ones who aspired to the chief's attention. But now? No, not anymore – Saikhan might have an idea, he is... Close to Lin.

– Her best friend?

– Close.

– Yes, like a best friend.

– A right hand man is not necessarily a... Friend.

– Honey... You are her trusted ex, there is no shame in that position.

Tenzin kissed his wife on the forehead and got on the ferry completely ignoring the last part of the conversation. Who was offering comfort, resources and care to Lin? Exactly, him, not Saikhan… And of course, he couldn't turn that into an ego fight like in the past when they were under twenty and the nomad argued with the police candidate for the title of best friend… And he gave it to him temporarily while he was dating Lin. But now? No, it was his again. It was the highest title he could aspire to in Lin's life… A life that was about to change irreparably, while Tenzin contemplated the sea he thought about that, keeping her alive was a priority but what about once the baby was born? Lin surely wouldn't want him anywhere near her. Would she leave him in some adoption program? Would she give him to the father? Who the hell was the father? Would he take care of him? He could appear and break all his plans, taking Lin with him to take care of her himself, he could convince her to do things differently if their bond was strong enough.

Tenzin ran his hand over his face pushing those thoughts away, there was a Pandora's box in the back of his heart that he didn't want to open at that moment.

Unfortunately for him someone else asked themselves the same questions and he decided that he wouldn't leave it in the hands of fate but in those of his mother, after all Suyin always knew what to do.

[bestepisode]

The top 8 episodes from each season will move on to the next round.

Vote on the first half of the season here!

Episode descriptions are under the cut.

Reunion

As Korra reunites with her friends in Republic City, Wu is abducted on Kuvira's orders. Korra, Asami, and Mako rescue him from a train and hide him with Mako's family in Asami's mansion. Meanwhile, Bolin and Varrick encounter escapees from Kuvira's prison camps, which now house anyone not of Earth Kingdom blood, and help them escape from the now walled-in Empire. In the swamp, Kuvira's forces begins harvesting the spirit tree's vines.

Remembrances

In a clip show episode, Mako, Korra, and Bolin recollect their past. Mako tells Wu about his romantic entanglements and eventual breakup with Asami and Korra. Korra talks to Asami about her confrontations with Amon, Unalaq, Vaatu, and Zaheer. Varrick presents Bolin's life to the Earth Empire refugees in the style of an action film in which Bolin defeats all of Korra's previous enemies.

Beyond the Wilds

In Republic City, Fire Lord Izumi and Tenzin refuse to endorse Raiko's proposed offensive against Kuvira even after Bolin and Varrick bring word of her vine weapons research. Reacting to Kuvira's harvesting of the spirit vines in the swamp, vines in Republic City begin to attack random people, Jinora included, trapping them in the Spirit World. Korra's psychological trauma prevents her from meditating to enter the Spirit World. Unable to think of another way to let go of the fear that continues to handicap, Korra decides to confront the real Zaheer in his prison. Zaheer, disgusted with the rise of a tyrant like Kuvira, who stands as the antithesis to the philosophies of the Red Lotus, proposes to help Korra. He assists her in learning to pass beyond the trauma of her past hardships, and helps her step into the Spirit World, where Korra speaks with Raava for the first time in many years. Using her restored ability to communicate with the spirits, Korra calms the volatile vines and frees Jinora and the other human captives. Meanwhile, Bolin attempts and fails to make up with Opal, but agrees to help her and Lin rescue their family.

Operation Beifong

Near Zaofu, Opal, Lin, and Bolin are joined by Toph and track the Beifong prisoners to a facility where Baatar Jr. and Zhu Li are testing a vine energy supercannon. A rescue plan takes form, but tensions run high between the previously estranged Toph and Lin. Zhu Li proves to have been feigning her loyalty to Kuvira and attempts to sabotage the weapon, but her effort is discovered by Kuvira. The rescue team frees the captive Beifongs, who engage Kuvira and her forces together, before being forced to flee by Kuvira's superior numbers. Lin and Toph find a measure of reconciliation. Zhu Li reveals that Kuvira is planning an imminent attack on Republic City; she is determined to retake all of the lands which the Earth Kingdom had once ceded to the United Republic. Meanwhile, Korra tries and fails to convince the spirits to help defend Republic City.

Kuvira's Gambit

Wu and Mako help evacuate Republic City, and Asami and Varrick build a fleet of flying mecha-suits to defend it. But Kuvira's forces attack earlier than expected. Her superweapon, now mounted on a giant mecha, devastates the Republic's navy, forcing Raiko to surrender. Korra and the airbenders capture the mecha's creator, Baatar Jr. After Korra threatens to keep him from Kuvira forever, he attempts to convince Kuvira to end the attack, but she has the mecha fire on his position, in an attempt to take out the Avatar and her allies.

Day of the Colossus

Barely surviving Kuvira's attack, Korra and her friends look for ways to take down the colossus. They discover that the exterior and joints of the behemoth mecha tank are made entirely of rarefied platinum and thus immune to metal bending. After paint bombs, lavabending, metal cables, collapsed buildings, Korra's bending, and an electromagnetic pulse set up by Varrick all fail to stop the giant mecha for long, Lin frees Hiroshi Sato, who proposes to take the mecha down from the inside. Asami, Hiroshi, and the newly engaged Varrick and Zhu Li attach plasma torches to the two remaining flight suits, then engage the colossus. After Hiroshi sacrifices his life by allowing the mecha to crush his flight suit in order to gain enough time to cut open a hole to the interior of the colossus, Korra's assault team is able to enter it.

The Last Stand

In the mech's control room, Korra and Kuvira fight one another. Meanwhile, Team Avatar begin to take the giant apart from the inside. Suyin and Lin disable its arm and weapon, and Bolin and Mako detonate its power source, with Mako risking and nearly losing his life to blow the colossus into several pieces. Korra and Kuvira crash-land in the city's spirit wilds, and Kuvira activates the discarded cannon, triggering a staggering and self-sustaining release of energy powered by the vines surrounding them. Leaping to block the beam of the weapon from annihilating Kuvira, Korra enters the Avatar State and channels the massive outpouring of spirit energy, redirecting it and miraculously creating a third portal into the Spirit World. Emerging into the spirit world, Kuvira and Korra commiserate over their hardships and the mistakes they have made, and Kuvira concedes defeat and is arrested upon returning to the physical world. Weeks later, at Zhu Li and Varrick's wedding, Wu announces his intent to abdicate in favor of democratic Earth states. Korra and Asami plan a trip together to the spirit world; in the last scene of the series, the two walk hand-in-hand into the new spirit portal.

[beifong-brainrot]

1, 16, 19, 39 for buchef

Woohoo! Old man Yahoyyy!

1. Who is the better cook?

Wow, geee, it couldn't be the one who is the professional chef. Chef absolutely does most of the cooking and Bumi is not allowed in the kitchen. It's not that Bumi is particularly bad at cooking. He can whip up a tasty meal on the fly, he learnt while in the UF. It's just that Chef likes to cook for the people he loves.

16. Who hogs the covers?

Bumi probably. Latent 'grew up in the coldass southern water tribe' instincts. Chef will be awkwardly spooning onto Bumi, trying to retain at least some heat

19. What do they fight about most often? (Alternative: what was their biggest fight?)

Honestly I don't think they get into fights often. They will bicker about small things like what to have for breakfast and stuff. But no big fights imo. Like they've both been very bloodthirsty in their youths so they've defined mellowed out in their oldet ages.

Their biggsat fight was an hours long naval battle including 4 ships. 3 of those ships sunk that day... the screams if those taken by the murky depths and sharks will forever exho in the ears of the survivors. The water had turned red with blood... the smoke from the canons eclipsed the blazing sunlight. Chef lost the fineat right hand man he'd ever had to Bumi's hand to hand combat skills. He almost lost his own life too... saved himself only by unleashing his pet iguana parrot, sir Pecksalot the III onto the bastard. Bumi still has the faint indent intue shell of his left ear where he was pecked....

They still reminisce fondly over it during tea 🍵☀️

39. Do they get along witg the other's family? If not, how do they deal with the other's family?

Chef probably gets along with Bumi's family pretty well. The kids afore him and he adores them. They probably remind him of he Beifong babies when they were younger. He always has snacks and goodies to bribe them with.

He gets along swimmingly with Pema and they defo swap recipies. He probably bonds with Kya about travelling and stuff like that.

Though I can see there being some tension between him and Tenzin. I'm not sure how happy Tenzin would be about his brother dating an ex pirate and said ex pirate hanging out with his kids????

Katara probably calls Chef 'the nicest pirate she's ever met' and they get along super well.

The closest Chef has to family are probably the Beifongs and Bumi is at least semi friendly with them. Like he knows Su well, of course and he definitely still treats her like a little sister lol. He's probably very friendly to the kids too. Mostly with Opal because they're airbending buddies. Though I could also see him sorta bonding with Baatar Jr over their similarities too. He definitely calls himself their uncle Bumi and they're like 'Pls sir we don't know you that well??? You're not our uncle?'

[feiiizhu]

⟡⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅|| UNPROMPTED;; Anonymous asked: how would mun powerscale opal??

ㅤㅤ// uhhhh good question! What does nonnie mean by powerscaling exactly??? like-- what do I think makes her powerful and weak? How I compare her to others? I think she's very powerful in her own right. She comes from a family of very strong and talented earth.benders. So I feel like those strong bending genes would run though her veins as well and translate into her air.bending. (someone tried to fight me on this years ago tbh) YET WE SEE HER BEING A POWERFUL AIRBENDER IN THE SHOW? For example, when Lin and Su are fighting, Opal is able to JUMP DOWN FROM HIGHER ABOVE, WITH ABSOLUTE CONTROL OF HER BENDING. LAND WHILE BLASTING LARGE GUSTS OF AIR AWAY FROM HER MOTHER AND AUNT AT THE SAME TIME. Later on we see her going aerial gymnastics, flips and fancy stuff while gliding! (Tell me she didn't take dance lessons from Su and she uses that in her bending as well!) and my absolute favourite thing, she is able to help Jinora create a HUGE TORNADO, TO FEND OFF A WHOLE ARMY AND THEN MAINTAIN IT BY HERSELF WITHOUT JINORA'S HELP!

ㅤㅤMy own personal headcanons time! Opal eventually learns how to bend sound waves. She is able to use it to listen over fair distances, use infrasonic sounds (like a wild animal. roar!) and make you feel sick, scared, if we wanna get really dark, which I don't think I will? She could mess up your blood and heart rate. I don't think she's that type of person. but the possibilities are there. I could see her using it for things like Make you dizzy and disoriented and crowd-control like what cops in real life do with infrasound. Another thing I would love for her to do is sonar/radar. like how the Beifongs seismic sense, she is able to use the airwaves to sense her surroundings above and below the ground. If I can't have sound-bending, at least let me have sonar/radar! Now, a couple downsides for Opal? Range- she could probably only hear/send soundwaves up to a certain distance. also because I headcanon she has a frost scar from Ming-Hua's attack from having ice around her neck. I feel like she struggles with internal temperature control. So if she goes to a colder climate, she's definitely bundling up! Scar does hurt if it does get cold. Would also be down for eventually, she goes to Katara for help to see if she can get it healed if it would heal.

But canonically, if anyone tells me she's weak. I will fucking fight you. She is so strong. Honestly, I feel like she's almost caught up with Jinora in some aspects. She still has a lot to learn. But gives me the vibes for one of the next people to get tattoos!

[metalwarrior22]

Bounty Hunter

Read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/gTqcBdK by korrastronger Asami Sato is one of the most famous Bounty Hunters in all of New Hanover and its neighboring states, and she has just one mission: Bring the gang that killed her mother to justice. Looking for the WaterTribe gang, famous for their lightning-fast robberies, where they take what they want and disappear without a trace, Asami travels night and day with her trusty golden weapons and her mare, Red. After an ambush goes wrong on Valentine and Asami comes face to face with the mysterious blue-eyed leader of the WaterTribe gang, the Bounty Hunter finds herself closer to getting her revenge and discovering her enemies' new hiding place. She just didn't count on a rainy night, an attack on her camp, a near-mortal wound and being rescued by the person she swore to kill. Secrets are like thorns, poisonous or not, they leave marks forever. Words: 2039, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Fandoms: Avatar: Legend of Korra Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: F/F Characters: Asami Sato, Korra (Avatar), Bolin (Avatar), Mako (Avatar), Hiroshi Sato, Yasuko Sato, Katara (Avatar), Kuvira (Avatar), Opal (Avatar), Tenzin (Avatar), Kya II (Avatar), Lin Beifong Relationships: Korra/Asami Sato Additional Tags: korra/asami - Freeform, Red Dead Redemption Universe, Bounty Hunting, Smut, Fluff and Angst, Found Family, Guslingers, Outlaws, Its like Red Dead Redemption but better, Happy Ending, Enemies to Lovers, Cowboys & Cowgirls, Lesbian Sex, Blood and Violence Read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/gTqcBdK

[shewhotellsstories]

Thank you for your detailed answer to my ask, I would like to comment on it again

Hiding? Oh, are you appearing much more publicly? I just want to protect my account from potential Su haters. I actually found your postings under the #anti suyin beifong, I specifically searched for this, because I am at least interested in other opinions

1. Shortly before the fight with Lin, Su said that she had already tried to reconcile with her sister several times and that when Su and Toph had made up, they asked Lin to join them, so that the three could be a family again, but Lin didn't want to. That is what I was referring to, of course Su made a few sassy comments, but only because she was hurt by how much Lin hated her. I also think that her apology at the end of the episode was sufficient, it was honest and sincere, and it was apparently enough for Lin too

2. How can Su be careless, when she was so happy to have Lin in her city? Clearly, she did care. It was also said in the episode that she and Varrick are friends, as was Bolin and Zhu Li at the time, who even helped him break out. Korra would have followed Aiwei one way or another, Su just made it easier and even honestly took the blame for it, when Lin asked, that is pretty mature if you ask me

3. Are you an only child? You don't want to know how many times I've been hurt by my siblings, I also have scars from them up to this day. They are just scars! No reason to make a fuss that will last 30 years. In addition, Su probably robbed a little shop, it would probably have been enough, if Su had returned the stuff, it wasn't necessary to hold her with force. Lin probably should have seen this coming, if she knew her sister that well, or she should have used her metal bending to dodge

4. Oh, I'm sorry I didn't study your entire blog, but nice to know we roughly agree on that

5. As I said, they are only scars. She didn't kill or seriously injure anyone, jeez it wasn't even on purpose. Blood is thicker than water and anyone, who cut ties, because of something like that, has probably never really loved their family in the first place. It wasn't Lin's job to pretend to be her mother, it would piss me off in Su's place too, because nobody likes it, when older siblings act like your parents

6. Yup, she shouldn't have done that. Su is under no obligation to tell neither Korra nor Opal about it, maybe she thought it wasn't her place to tell, but Lin's. Besides, if Lin hadn't been so stubborn and aggressive with her family, she wouldn't have had to apologize to Opal either

7. Putting your little sister in a car accident and arrest her afterwards, do you call protecting? I'm not saying Lin doesn't protect others, it comes with the job, but she doesn't do it for purely selfless reasons. For example, when she destroyed the airships, she didn't do it for Tenzin, but because that is her job and I suspect it was some kind of suicide attempt, like a kamikaze. Jokes on her, Tenzin and his family got captured anyway, so it was just plain pointless. Besides, no one betrayed her, she just didn't want to have anything to do with anyone, because she prefers to be lonely. Also, sometimes it is good to just get over things, because Lin was much happier after forgiving Su. She needed that too

Yeah, yeah, I know Lin has a lot of fans. But many of them are so deluded that they don't even want to see that Lin made quite a few mistakes. I also see that Su gets a lot of criticism, but she is actually a pretty well-written character, who has strengths and weaknesses, who made mistakes, who did good. Su is human and represents someone, who had a difficult childhood, made mistakes in the past, and developed into an independent, strong, charismatic woman. You can like whoever you want, but is it necessary to hate other characters?

Please put yourself in Su's shoes for once and tell me, if you still think that she is a bad, irresponsible and horrible person

Dude. What (and I cannot stress this enough) the fuck? I wasn't the one going into people's inboxes and throwing around words like pathetic for disliking a character. When I disagree about something I say it with my whole chest. I don’t name-call and hide behind a grey face and glasses. People can for better or worse tag me and respond.

And here’s a simple etiquette lesson: you don’t get to come out of the gate with “you’re hatred of [insert character’s name here] is pathetic” and expect politeness from me. 

This is some next level white-washing and apologism and I used to watch Once Upon a Time, so that’s saying something.

There is so much happening here, so I’m just gonna go in order:

1) I’d remind you that it looked like Lin had tried to tell Suyin to quit ditching school, tried to tell her not to waste her potential, and not to hang around with gang members. She got her face mutilated for her trouble. If that’s not motivation to wash your hands of someone I don’t know what is. Furthermore no one is owed reconciliation or forgiveness. Toph and Suyin weren’t entitled to Lin’s time or forgiveness after how horribly they treated her. And c’mon you say “I’m sorry I gave you a hard time,” when you borrow sweaters without asking and dent their car, not scar their face. She undermined Lin, downplayed her hurtful behavior, and threw her break-up in her face. Suyin just found being estranged inconvenient.

2)She’s careless because she does irresponsible things that hurt people and then acts like it’s no big deal when there are consequences. Suyin is the sort of person who will talk a big game about wanting to be a family, about wanting her sister back but without any of the work involved in making amends and reconciling. Instead of understanding that Lin had a right to be angry because she hurt her, she got mad that Lin wasn’t forgiving her on the timetable she set and insulted her.

And are you kidding me?? She sent the Avatar out into the city when she knew dangerous people wanted to kill her. Yes, Korra is impulsive that doesn’t mean people who should be older and wiser should encourage a suicide mission. And “took the blame” when she told Lin she acted like it was no big deal. Which is on brand, but still obnoxious.

3)To be perfectly honest it’s none of your business but yes, I do have siblings. I am also an adult with a good grasp on boundaries and I know tha blood isn’t a suicide pact. I know that in a perfect world all families would be loving and supportive, the reality is that sometimes families can be toxic and abusive. No one is obligated to put up with physical or emotional abuse just because the person dishing it out is a family member. It’s not fun or easy but cutting ties is the only course of option sometimes.

3 a) That’s super fucked up. Yeah kids play rough sometimes but at a certain age that becomes unacceptable. And in the case of Lin and Suyin we’re not talking about a pillow fight or wrestling match that went sideways. SHE. SCARRED. HER.

3 b) Holy white-washing and apologism batman. Do I truly need to spell out for you why probably terrifying and risking ruining a small business by robbing them is wrong? There’s nothing noble happening there. Suyin wasn’t getting what she needed from her mother but she’s not like Mako and Bolin. She wasn’t some starving homeless kid with no choice, she was a rich kid seeking a thrill and attention. She sauntered away because she expected Lin to let her get away with it. It was literally Lin’s job to stop robberies and she felt that not ignoring Suyin’s behavior would force her to clean up her act.

(credit: wormhole-judgement-line)

4)Not my fault if you don’t do your research anon.

5) If those are just scars then hell is just a sauna. I’m sad it needs to be said but scars aren’t always just scars. We’re not talking about a scraped knee, we’re talking about being left with a physical reminder of how someone you loved hurt you. Now, who could possibly relate to Lin? A certain Fire Prince. The power dynamics between siblings and a parent and child are different but would Zuko at any point have said that what Ozai did to him was just a scar???

6) Oh please, she was covering her own ass. If Suyin hadn’t thrown a pity party to gain the krew’s sympathy and been honest none of that would’ve happened. You can’t put it all on Lin who at least had the decency to sincerely apologize to Opal.

7) Wow. Reading this has been like a very strange, victim blamey fever dream. So Lin is still selfish for risking her life, comfort, and at one point her bending to keep people safe? Perhaps we Lin fans don’t have the market cornered on being deluded. We can talk about Lin’s self sacrificing nature possibly being rooted in feeling expendable, but what you said is just a bad take. And ‘happier” sure, who wouldn’t be happy after accepting a half-assed apology after spending days being bullied about totally valid feelings. It’s practically a Disney movie.

Personally, I think Lin would've been a heck of a lot happier if she'd realized that she didn't owe people who treated her with disrespect and disregarded her feelings her help.

Suyin acted out because Toph failed to parent her. Lin as the oldest felt the need to try and pick up the slack but it wasn’t her attention Suyin wanted. We can talk about if Toph being a bad mother is in character or an extension of Bryke’s weird extremes with their portrayal of motherhood. But Suyin growing up under supervised doesn’t excuse her behavior. Considering Toph’s hands off approach it’s not shocking that even as an adult Suyin fails to grasp that actions have consequences but yeah, even as an adult at her core Suyin is careless and no one ever takes her to task for this. So:

Blood isn’t thick enough to resign oneself to a lifetime of being used as a punching bag. Blood doesn’t make someone’s presence in your life healthy or safe. Blood is just a start, if your family is toxic and cruel you don’t need to deal with them.

“you’re allowed to hold your family at arm’s length. family can be toxic. family can be abusive. family can belittle you, invalidate you, or make you feel unsafe. you don’t need to explain yourself to anyone who disagrees. —do what you have to do.”

-Amanda Lovelace, Break Your Glass Slippers.

[nanaminsonyfans]

⛓️Taken⛓️

Masterlist ✨ Requesting Rules

Request; Hey can I request a wei beifong x metal bender!reader were when they are fighting the red Lotus she gets captured and tortured? He goes crazy trying to find her and when they do she is badly hurt. I just want some angst with fluff at the end.

A/N; oh hell yeah. this is ANGST at it’s finest, we love a man in uniform to kick some fucking ass, also in this oneshot we are going to pretend they stayed in zaofu for like two months ^^ rock and roll buckroo

Pairing; Wei Beifong x Fem Metalbender!Reader

Warnings; Kiddnaping, torture, angst, descirption of wounds, cursing

Honestly, everything seemed okay at the time. You were apart of Team Avatar, just growing up as a kid on the streets you found Bolin and Mako, and they decided to take care of you. Birds of a feather stick together. Because you were apart of Team Avatar you got to travel with them to find the rest of the new airbenders. Asumi appreciated having a metalbender on a metal airship. Like, if there’s a dent you’ll bend it out ya know?

Being a metalbender meant you are also an earthbender, you never really liked bending rocks and stuff, plus you could manipulate metal into whatever you imagine. Knives, swords, bracelets, literally anything. When you arrived at Zoafu, you were amazed by how everyone manipulated the metal. A boy had caught your eye, his name was Wei Beifong. He was a twin to a brother named Wing, both the youngest of the family. That was amazing to you, being the youngest one of this entire group.

You both had a lot in common, shared the same sense of humor and competitiveness. You clicked immediately. Fell in love even, he was the flirt that always made you blush. “You look amazing today.” “Green is a great color on you.” “Wow, do you just metalbend? Because something else his bending up.” You always got flustered and stopped what you were doing. If you were bending while he said any of that? It stops immediately and the metal crashes to the ground.

Wei finally asked you out, and you became his girlfriend. You were so fucking happy and so was he. The relationship was amazing, everything was so pure and loving, practicing bending together, cuddles, power naps. Everything with him made you happy. Everyone was so happy for you, Mako and Bolin has never ever seen you that happy. Your smile was simply beautiful and everyone noticed. Korra, your close gal pal noticed more, happy about it. 

Everything changed when the Red Lotus attacked.

Korra was being abducted by them, and because you shared a room with the young Avatar, they took you as well. Knocked you out by hitting your head since they didn’t have another tranquilizer. Your head was bleeding from the force of the blow to your head, leaving a small droplet trail of blood. Pabu woke Mako and Bolin up, both waking up to fight and hopefully save both of you. 

They all tried their best, Wei fought with his aunt and mother to let him go down to save you but being a mother, Suyin refused. They weren’t able to get you, they were fast but Ming-Hua was faster, basically encapsulating your body in water. Bubbles of oxygen rose up to the top, everyone watched in horror as the last bubble rose from your mouth and nose. 

The Red Lotus immediately took you to the hideout that would eventually hold Korra. You woke up to a burning sensation in your chest, you rolled over and started to vomit up water mixed with the last thing you ate. Your head was pounding as you finally regained your vision that was blurry. Your clothing wasn’t the same as what you had on when you went to sleep the other night. More like rags. 

“Don’t bother trying to bend.” A man’s voice said, causing you to flinch and turn towards the voice. A man with tanned skin, broad shoulders, long black hair, and a small and thin mustache. You didn’t recognize this man so your face of confusion caused him to sigh. “I am Ghazan.” Okay, that name rang a bell. You heard of him from adults while growing up, he’s an earthbending master with the unique ability to lavabend. Metalbending was already a substyle of earthbending, but he was the only one you have ever heard of that could lavabend. Even growing up you thought it was a myth.

He also was a criminal, everything was making sense now. You tried to stand up but your chains and registrants only jiggled. “Yuh-You don’t know who I-I am.” You state, fear overtaking your body as if you could sense his power, and that fucking scared you. “You don’t think an earthbending master can’t tell one of their own?” Your eyes widened in which Ghazan just smirked and chuckled softly. “I didn’t know which type but, your face confirmed that suspension.” “Bastard.” You mumbled under your breath earning a slap to the face. “Watch your tone. You are not in control here.” 

Your eyes watered from the hit, your left cheek started to sting from that slap. You tried to bend the chains away to no avail. “Yeah keep trying, you can’t bend platinum.” Ghazan taunted and backed up to the doorway. That’s when you realized you were in a wooden cage, suspending above the ground. You started to panic. “What do you want with me?! I’m not important.” You yell, thinking that they could let you go, they obviously wouldn’t.

“We’ve been doing our best.” Kuvira said to Wei Beifong, who had been worried sick for you for two weeks now. “Well try HARDER.” He hissed and stormed off. “Wei…�� Wing sighed and ran after his brother. “Listen, we all care about her and we are looking for her but there’s only so much we can do.” Wing explained to his brother that was now fuming with hatred and anger. “You didn’t care for Y/n the same way I did! You don’t understand how I fell! The person I love his captured and possibly being tortured-” His voice cracked as a few tears rolled down his cheeks. “I don’t even want to think about it.” He sniffled and quickly wiped his eyes before turning down the hall.

Your screams were deafening, this was mostly because Ghazan was burning you with lava, Ming-Hua delicately stabbing your sides with ice spikes, and Zaheer suffocating you then letting you slip unconscious. You felt so weak, like you were on the verge of death but they wouldn’t let you die. That was the worst punishment for you. You just wanted to die or see your friends and boyfriend again. Blood trickled down your leg as you blinked back tears from the spike stabbing your left thigh. Your throat was raw from screaming, so you didn’t even bother with it. Why scream? It’s been clear for weeks that no one was coming to your aid.

To your understanding, it has been five weeks since they originally brought you here. Yes, you were fed, dressed, cleaned, and you had been given water, but doesn’t mean the torture ever stopped. Each passing week they took their frustrations out on you, until you heard other’s come, murmurs of them being Airbenders. ‘Opal, oh my god Opal is with the airbenders.’ 

“Opal! Jinora! Ikki!” You scream, your voice cracking and raw, that’s when you saw then, under your cage. Oh no, these bastards took children? You weren’t anywhere close to the ground so you couldn’t even help them, shit. “Y/n? Oh my spirits you’re okay!” Opal said happily and looked up at you. “Wei? Is-Is he okay?” You whisper weakly and grip the wooden planks with your bloody and bruised body. “He’s worried, hopefully they’ll be here soon…”

It was easy, Korra is going to let the airbenders go and then they would reveal your location. Wei was nervously waiting along with the rest of the Zaofu soldiers, shaking from the anticipation and worry for his girlfriend. “She better be alive.” He mumbled under his breath as they waited on the side of the cliff, remembering the moment he found out you were taken.

Wei’s face fell when Bolin told him what had happened to you, his girlfriend, HIS Y/n. “What?” He snapped, his voice and expression going dark with murderous like intent. “Wei calm down-” Wing started, “Don’t FUCKING tell me what to do.” Wei snapped at his brother and whipped back around to Bolin. “So you’re telling me, you had her, you had them knocked out, and YET you didn’t fucking grab her? You had her in your sights and you didn’t do shit? Ha...haha.” He started to laugh a ran a shaky hand through his hair as tears started to flow down. “She’s gone...and it’s all of YOUR fault.” Wei made the ground beneath him bend into a crater as his emotions got stronger at the loss. He shoved Bolin back and stormed off, leaving a trail of tears behind. 

Wei Beifong was shattered at the loss of his first love. He never gave up hope on finding her, he made SURE everyone was looking for you. No stone was left unturned when searching for you. He was so hurt by this, he swore that the Red Lotus would be fucking obliterated for laying a finger on his Y/n.

Your vision blurred when seeing a familiar tanned skinned girl in blue, but your ears worked. “Strap the Avatar to the platinum chains, and let that earthbender down, she’s too weak to even hold her head up. Bring her to where the Avatar will be held.” The familiar voice spoke, Zaheer. Fuck sake, you were gonna die. You let out a bitter chuckle as you were dragged out of the cell by Ming-Hua and her waterbending. “You’re going to try and kill the Avatar yeah? Good luck, she’s a tough nut to crack. I doubt you’ll be able to do it.” 

Taunting earned you a firm slap to the face which made your vision get spotty and blurry for a second while your head spun. “Do you really want your last word to be bitter and taunting?” Ming asked with snark in her tone. “How’d you know? Really, I’ve been begging for the past three weeks now, thank you for finally taking that request.” You said faintly and breathlessly as you felt yourself loose consciousness. “Fuh...Fuck you...you…” You whisper as you tried to fight the sleep. ‘Damn, I really failed again huh? This shit sucks.’

Your ears rang as your eyes fluttered open, you heard movement, the earth under you was moving, you felt every vibration, you heard whooshes of fire, and a voice. Bolin? Mako? “...Y/n?! Y/n!” The familiar voice of Bolin called out to you. You coughed and looked around, moving your head. “Bo...lin?” You were weak, your voice showed that. “We have to go.” Mako said as he ran over to you, the entire cave seemed to shake. “If I’m going down, SO ARE YOU!” Ghazan yelled as boulders crashed down. The firebender scooped you up in his arms as he ran, Bolin following close behind. “Don’t drop her!” “I am not going to drop her! She weighs like nothing Bolin!” You laughed softly at their sibling bickering. 

“Tha...Thank you...Mako.” You whisper weakly, cupping his cheek. “Y/n save your energy.” Mako said, all big brother like because that’s our beloved mako. You squinted when you got outside. “Y/N?!” Wei’s voice snapped you toward the boy. He rushed over and took you from Mako’s arms. “What...what did they do to you?”

Your legs were covered in burns, gashes, bruises, your collarbone had semi-deep cuts, bruises around your neck, black eye, busted lip, bleeding nose. There wasn’t one place that wasn’t injured. Your hands seemed to be the worst. Your fingertips seemed like they were shaved down, your nails ripped out, and your knuckles bloody and bruised. 

“That doesn’t matter…” You whisper, tears running down your cheeks. “You came for me?” Your voice was soft, almost in disbelief. “Y/n, I never stopped looking.” Wei whispered back and took your hand, kissing your bloody knuckles. “Your safe now.” He said calmly as he noticed you shaking and trembling. Six weeks, that’s how long you were there. Finally, you were safe.

✨Epilogue✨

After a year of healing, you were finally able to do everything you did before you were kidnapped. When you were found, you had brain trauma from the constant suffocating and you had some nerve damage. You recovered, not fully but enough to be able to nothing for yourself, you regained your comfortability to bend again! Wei was with you every step of the way. He did his best to help you and honestly? That was enough for you. You had grown closer with his family as well, them being your family too now. I mean, you were obviously going to marry Wei so everyone accepted it. 

You fought along side them when Kuvira was being like, a major bitch, and Toph had taken a liking to you! After everything happened, a few years later once Wei and you turned 20 you finally had a wedding. Everyone was so happy, Bolin was your maid of honor because he apparently called dibs. You looked simply beautiful and Wei started crying because after everything, he’s just happy to have you, safe and sound.

[scarletemeterio-thesecond]

hi! i saw that you were accepting requests for LOK and i was wondering if you could write a Mako x Reader fic where they are enemies to lovers? maybe where the reader is Lin Beifong’s daughter and they constantly bicker but there is so much ~tension~ and everyone else but them can see it? and then they kiss and reveal their feelings for one another during an extremely heated argument? thank you!! :)

omg i love some enemies to lovers content, and i think that mako fits that trope so well lmao, i hope you like it!!

•••

Fights and Revelations (Mako x Fem!Reader)

Warnings: some cursing, i think that's all

Genre: some angst, fluff

Fandom: The Legend of Korra

Summary: See request

Word Count: 2030

Reader uses she/her pronouns!

•••

You and Mako had never liked each other. There was something about him that you just couldn't stand, something that made you want to punch him in the face every time you saw him.

You two practically hated each other.

But you weren't sure why Mako seemed to dislike you so much, you had a good relationship with everyone in the group, even Wu, who was Mako's best friend. However, your relationship had been like that ever since you two met, he was very dry all the time, and that completely frustrated you.

The thing you hated the most was the way he cared about everyone else. It made you angry because you wanted someone to care about you the way he did with all his friends. You wanted your mum to care about you that way. You loved her, but sometimes she could be a little too distant and cold and sometimes it made your blood boil. You knew it wasn't fair to let out your anger on him, so you tried to hold it inside, but sometimes you just couldn't help it. And you also hated how cute he was, how you had a huge crush on him.

Mako on the other hand couldn't stand the way you acted around everyone. You were Lin Beifong's daughter, so your main goal in your life was to be as perfect as she was, to make her proud, but he didn't know that. He thought that you were so arrogant and self-centered, and it just made him want to roll his eyes every time you two were in the same room. But for some reason, he also wanted to talk to you. He didn’t like you at all, but he still cared about you even though he’d never show it.

So when everyone wanted to go on a camping trip together, he wasn't a big fan of the idea of you joining them. There was a huge tension from the very first day, and everyone was aware of that.

It was time for you to set up your tents, and since you'd never been camping before, you had to ask for help - which was something you hated to do. You figured you'd ask Bolin, mainly because he was the closest person to you, and you were a bit lazy to walk, but also because he was always very kind to everyone.

"Hey, Bolin?" You said, making him look at you. "Could you maybe help me with my tent? It's the first time I'm doing this and I'm totally lost," you chuckled, but your smile disappeared as soon as you heard Mako's voice.

"Wow, so there's something that you don't know how to do? It must be killing you." He only mumbled it, but it was loud enough for you to hear him. His brother hit him on the shoulder and you just took a deep breath.

"You know what? It's okay, I'll figure it out. I don't want to bother anyone," you whispered the last part and started walking away before you got a response.

However, you heard Bolin calling out your name from behind you, and he told you that he would help you. You thanked him and in less than thirty minutes, your tent was all set up.

"Thank you so much, Bolin. I never would've done it without your help!" You started to arrange your stuff inside the tent, and he walked back to his brother.

"I don't know why you hate her so much," he said to Mako. "She's really nice."

"Yeah, she's also very cocky and annoying. You're only saying that because you don't know her."

"Well, you don't, either," he commented. "Maybe you should give her a chance."

…

Being alone in the darkness of your tent made you think about the past before you managed to fall asleep.

You first joined the famous Team Avatar when you helped your mother find Korra when she got kidnapped by the equalists. You also helped her save Tenzin's family, which resulted in you losing your bending.

Losing such an important part of your identity was the worst thing you could've imagined, and you still had some nightmares about that night, repeating it over and over again.

And tonight was one of those nights.

You’d finally fallen asleep and you woke up with sweat covering your entire body. You touched your face, trying to get rid of the sensation of Amon’s hand on your forehead, and noticed you were shaking. You started to feel constricted inside the tent and decided to get some fresh air.

You sat far away from everyone since you didn’t want to wake them up, and put your legs against your chest, hiding your face. You wanted to cry, you wanted someone to hug you, and you wanted to stop feeling so weak. You hated that you were still haunted by that memory, and you hated that you were too scared to tell anyone about it.

"Hey, can’t sleep?" You heard a voice behind you. You turned around and saw Mako standing a few meters away from you. When he realized that it was you, his expression changed completely. "Oh, I didn’t know it was you," he mumbled. You nodded slightly and turned around again. He thought that it was weird how you didn’t mock him or said anything to him like you always did. "Hey, are you okay?"

"I’m fine, Mako. You can go now." You were about to cry and it was totally evident in your voice, so he ignored your words and sat next to you, leaving some distance between you two.

"Do you want to talk about it or…?"

"Stop it, Mako. We both know you don’t care," you mumbled. Tears started falling down your face, and you turned to the side so he wouldn’t see you.

He ignored once again what you said and let out a sigh. "I do care, (Y/N). Why would I be here if I didn’t?"

"Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you’d absolutely love to see me like this since you hate me so much," you said, looking at him. He opened his mouth to talk but you lifted your hand, signaling for him to stop. "I thought I told you to leave, but since you didn’t listen I guess I’ll leave." You got up, and he did too.

You started walking away and stopped when you heard his voice again. "Why are you leaving? I’m just trying to help."

"Well, I didn’t ask for your help! I didn’t ask for your fake sympathy! I didn’t ask for any of this and yet here we are." You didn’t care about possibly waking the others up anymore, and you also didn’t care that Mako was seeing you like this. You just wanted your fear and that stupid relationship you had with the boy in front of you to stop.

"Ugh, why do you have to be like that? Why do you always try to be so perfect? It’s so frustrating and annoying," he said. You took a deep breath and decided to walk back to your tent, you didn’t have the strength to keep fighting, you just wanted to keep crying, hoping that you’ll feel better in the morning.

…

When you got up, you saw that everyone else was already awake. You knew that everyone could see that you’d been crying, even you could feel how swollen your eyes were, and you suspected that maybe they’d also heard you and Mako last night. You tried to ignore them and decided to go and sit near the river so you could be alone, but when you got there you saw that Bolin and Opal were there, and also Mako. You still stayed there and sat away from them.

A few minutes later, they all got up and you thought that they were leaving, but you were surprised when you saw Opal walking towards you. The two boys followed her but stood a few meters away from you, waiting for the girl.

"Hi, (Y/N)," she said. You smiled softly and greeted her too. She kneeled next to you and grabbed one of your hands. "Are you okay? I heard you screaming last night and Mako kind of told us what happened."

"Oh, I’m sure he did," you mumbled. "I’m fine, Opal, you don’t have to worry. Thank you for asking." Mako scoffed at your words, and you glared at him. "Is there something wrong, Mako?"

"No, it’s just funny to me how you’re so kind now, you know?"

"Dude, what the hell is wrong with you?" You stood up and started walking towards him.

"(Y/N), Mako, why don’t you just calm down? There’s no need to fight," said Bolin, trying to ease the situation.

"No, I want him to tell me what’s his problem!"

"You wanna know what’s my problem? You are! You and your attitude, always pretending to be Ms. Perfection!"

"Maybe we should let them talk..." you heard Bolin say to Opal but stopped paying attention to them once they started walking away.

"I’ve never done anything to you! And yet you’re always annoying me. If you hate me so much then stop paying attention to me," you started walking from side to side. "You have no idea of why I act the way I act, you have no idea of what’s like to be my mum’s daughter! You don’t know the pressure I’m under, trying to make her proud all the time, and it’s even worse when you come and just bother me all the time." He tried to talk, but you just didn’t let him.

"You don’t know what it feels like to still have nightmares about Amon taking my bending away, or what it feels to feel so alone all the time! Not everyone has a perfect friend like you who’s always there when you need it, okay? But of course, you wouldn’t know what I’m talking about. No, you’re so worried about annoying me with your words and your perfect face all the time. You don’t know anything about me, Mako!" You stopped talking and took a deep breath, trying to calm yourself down.

"I didn’t know about any of that, (Y/N), I’m so sorry, really." He made a pause and looked at you. "But you’re not a saint here, either. You get irritated just by looking at me, and you always have something to say to me, too!"

"That’s because I can’t stand how nice you are! I’d do anything to have someone like you in my life, Mako! You’re always so attentive to everyone and you know it! It makes me sick because I’d love for you to be that way with me too." You mumbled the last part, but he still heard you. You wanted to make a hole in the ground and never get out of there, and for a moment you actually thought about doing it.

"Did you just say what I think you said?"

"No, I didn’t. Of course I didn’t! I’d never confess that I like you in the middle of a fight."

"Not even if I told you that I liked you too?" He took a step towards you, leaving you two face to face. He couldn't believe that he'd actually said that out loud; it wasn't a secret anymore.

You made eye contact with him and you could already feel your heart racing. You licked your lips and you both stood there, waiting for someone to say something. "Mako, I-," you were interrupted by him grabbing your face and pressing his lips against yours. You immediately wrapped your arms around his waist, pulling him closer to you.

You two pulled away since you needed to breathe, and pressed your foreheads together. "I'm sorry for being such an asshole," he said. "I promise I'll be there for you whenever you need me."

"I'm sorry for being an asshole, too. I guess that a part of me didn't want to admit that I liked you."

"Well, I'm happy to know that you do," he said before kissing you again.

•••

TAGLIST

@burningcurrently

[girlandthedarkness]

Lin Beifong x Reader

kind of a sequel to this headcanon with Lin Beifong

The advantage to be the Avatar's friend is that you not only travel different places with her, you as well make a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. So it's not a surprise that you joined the search for new airbenders after the Harmonic Convergence. You were glad to find new airbenders with Korra and her friends, you thought that Lin will be against that, but she tells you to do what you please.

- Are you not mad? You ask thoughtful

- You know I never could be mad at you, also, spirits know, this group need someone who can think. She said with a small smile.

The journey was intense, and without any success, only one airbender has joined you. Ba Sing Se was even a bigger mess, the queen holds airbenders hostage for her own army, the blood in your veins was boiling. How dare she hold these people? You thought nothing could calm you down, It was until you saw your girlfriend who notice your anger and sadness. She learns about your situation and warns Korra about Red Lotus, whose members had escaped. Later, when the airbenders were safe, she holds you in her arms while you let all the emotions through tears.

- I saw enough of Ba Sing Se, remind me never to come here. You said while Lin just let a small laugh.

You were so excited when you heard that another airbender was found in a city entire made of metal. But you knew something was wrong the moment you saw Lin's face when she heard about Zaofu. Her frown became even deeper and she looked rather annoyed, insisting to turn back to Republic City. You stayed silent as Korra and Lin had a fight about if they should return to Republic City or collect a new airbender. They decided the last one.

- Something's wrong? You asked when you two retired to yours shared room.

She sighs heavily and gives you a painful glance, instinctive you pulled her closer to your body and give her a bear hug, so she knew that you're here for her.

- It's ok if you don't want to talk about it. You said concerned

- There's someone in Zaofu that I don't want to come face to face with. she said so low that it was almost a whisper

- Who? You question impatiently

- My sister.

When you arrived in Zaofu, Lin chose to remain inside the airship, instructing the group to not tell that she came along with them. You roll your eyes, the last night the only thing she told you was that she doesn’t want to face her sister because of a big conflict they had in the past. You tried to reason her why she should encounter her sibling, but she was way too stubborn to see your point.

Aiwei show you the city, the statue of Toph Beifong, who invented the metal bending. You with Bolin were so thrilled to see the city, their buildings and architecture.

 - You are so lucky to date the Toph's daughter. He said, whispering to you.

You giggle at these words

- Well, you lucky enough to try and learn the metal bending, at this word he let a deep sigh

- I hope.

You meet the matriarch of the city at dance rehearsal, you let a surprised sigh, because she looks so much like Lin, perhaps both of them look very much like Toph? Probably you never saw her in real life, only the statues and some portraits in the books.

Suyin named all of your group members, giving you a smile.

- I heard you are a wonderful healer?

- Yes, she is, the answer for you Korra, but also one of the best fighters. You heard a tone of pride in her voice and suddenly you felt shy.

Your discussion was interrupted by Aiwei who leans to Suyin and whispered something in her ear. You frown deeply when you saw that, looking at you Korra smiles, because this face reminds her so much of a certain Police Chief. But you realized they knew there was someone else on the ship, because of the seismic sense, such being the case why you could never give Lin sneak hugs.

- Aiwei says that there is someone on your ship?

- I told you Y/N, its Chief Beifong, for some reason she didn't want to come with us?

- Lin is here?

- Do you know her? Ask Korra dumbfounded

- Didn't she told you about me? Y/N notice the hurt in her voice

- Suyin is her sister, Lin's sister. You offer clarity

After the reveal, everyone suddenly developed the ability to walk fast, you barely could to hold the pace. They rushed so fast, that you were the last one to enter. When you come into the ship the intense atmosphere could be almost touched. Two Beifong's siblings gaze at one another and then the hell gets loose. They accused each other of so many things, such as tearing apart the family, Suyin accused her sister of not making any contacts with her in thirty years. You saw the almost ashamed stare in Lin's eyes at this word, so you moved to her side to bring a little bit of comfort since everybody looked for some reason so betrayed.

- Y/N why don't you tell us? Wonder Bolin

- I thought you didn't have secrets from me?  Korra asks a little bit hurt

At first she was shocked when you reveal your relationships with Chief Beifong, after that she enjoyed to tease you about it. But then the reality hit her, you started to spend so much time with Chief Beifong, that she internally always rolls her eyes. Isn't chief very busy woman? It bugs her how you depart from her, she was so happy to spend some time with you at home, but then Unalaq happened. She was relieved when you decided to help them to find the new airbenders, but then Chief joined them and it was once again you and Lin.

- I'm sorry that I didn't tell you, you started to apologize, but that's not my secret to decide to reveal it or not. Also, I thought we came here to meet the airbender? You try to pretend you don't see Su's intense gaze.

- It's my daughter, Opal. Finally said Suyin

You were holding Lin's forearm, while Suyin decided to introduce her family, you wonder if it's for the whole group or only for Lin. She started with her twin sons, Wei and Wing, who were playing power disk, something they invented. She proceeds to introduce to Huan, a metal bending sculptor, to his delight you let go of the Chief hand to take a closer look at his work.

- It's so beautiful and unusual, you smiled when you heard a small noise produced by Lin.

- Finally, said with pride Huan, someone who understands art.

While Suyin takes you to meet her daughter you came closer to Korra.

- Listen, I'm sorry that I didn't say to you anything, but as I said it's not my secret.

- Well of course it's not, it was yours and Beifong's secret, one of the many I guess. She said with a huff

- What do you mean? You looked puzzled

- I'm ok that you two dating, I'm even ok that Chief keeps her secrets, but you are my friend and I met you first, she said, looking at Lin who clearly could hear them, the last one rolled her eyes.

- I'm still your friend and I care about you, I'm sorry that I didn't pay you a lot of attention. You said sadly

- No Y/N, I'm sorry, Korra stoped you while everyone keeps moving, I guess I'm just a little bit jealous, she gazed ashamed to ground.

- I guess we both are guilty. You said, taking Korra in a warm embrace that she returned.

You meet Opal soon after, the young woman expresses so much of delight over meeting her aunt. But still mad at her sister Lin dismissed girl's joy, receiving a disapproving look from you. On the other hand, you are pleasant to encounter with her.

- I like your hairstyle, she said with a smile

- I can try to make you a similar one.

- So we have the airbender, we should turn back to Republic City where I can protect Korra from members of the Red Lotus. Your chatter was interrupted by Lin.

- Zaofu is the safest city in the world, I assure you, Avatar Korra is secure here.

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You admired the Huan's sculptures when you saw a shadow approaching you.

- There's something stunning in metal, you said while turn around to see Suyin, perhaps the way sun reflex on it.

- Bolin said you see my sister. She said with a small smile

- By see you mean dating? You chuckle.

- So it's true, I never thought she would find someone who will bear her.

- She's not how you all portray her, just because she doesn’t show off all of her emotions, don't mean she is evil and have none. You rant, not in the mood to listen how your girlfriend is bad.

- I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything malicious, but sometimes she's so stubborn. She let a long sigh from her lungs.

- Well, I'm pretty sure not only her since you had such a big fight that destroyed your relationships. You said still defensively of Lin

- You right, I guess we didn't just inherit earthbending from our mother. She said with a smile, that you return. After that the silence fell between you two.

- I want to make up for the way we meet today, do you know how?

- I need to know as much embarrassing stories as you can recall about Lin. You said with a sly smile on your face.

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It was early morning, the early fight between two Beifongs still fresh in your head, you were so scared that they will hurt each other. But when Lin lost her consciousness, your heart skipped a beat, you tried to heal her, but except some small scratches, she is physically healthy. It was a deep emotional wound, that sadly your healing can't even touch. You smile slightly at the peaceful face, no frowning, just Lin. You saw her eyes moving underneath her eyelids.

- How many times should I say to not look at me while I'm sleeping, I can feel it. She said without any malice

-You scared me to death, you get closer to her body on the bed

- I'm sorry, she said while she opened fully her eyes and moved her head to your chest

- How do you feel?

- Relieved.

- Do you want to talk about it?

- Maybe other times, did you even get any sleep? She asks with a concern in her voice

- I couldn't, not until I'm sure you're alright.

She lifts her head from your chest and look at your face.

- You look ill, she said with a small smile. I think you need to sleep.

With that word she switches your position and now your head is on her chest. You raise your head to give a kiss on her lips, after you settled down, she kissed you on the cheek

- Goodnight Lin. You said almost falling asleep

- Goodnight Y/n. she put you closer drifting away as well.

A/N: “Kinda cheesy end, but this woman deserves some happiness. It was supposed to be a comfort Lin small fanfic, but it gets out of my hands and become my biggest English work”

[itstittycitybaby]

Flirty (Lin Beifong x Reader) Part 3

a/n: im pumping these out so fast. after i finish an episode i have to immediately start typing or i’ll go crazy.

“This is Azure and this is Ruby!” The two of them hopped in your palm as you held them out. “They’re prettier up close,” Opal said, grinning. Her eyes were bright today. She looked happier than last night after she ran from Lin’s room crying. You chuckled, “For the most part, until Azure pecks my face for food because he’s a dick.” Opal looked taken aback but didn’t comment on your choice of words. It was weird considering Suyin had a mouth on her when she was younger. Her and her daughter were different.

“Would you like to hold them?” She nodded. “Ruby is very shy,” you said, moving slowly with the hand Azure was on. “So she has the tendency to be more skittish and peckish. She’s sweet though, don’t worry,” you reassured Opal once you saw the nervous look on her face. “Okay,” she said softly, watching Azure stand on her palm. “He’s beautiful.” 

You chuckled, “Oh he knows. The more you feed his ego, the more he thinks he’s in charge.” Opal giggled, stroking his feathers gently. An idea popped in your head. “Hey Opal?” She perked up, “Yes?” “Could you look after Azure today? I have some work to do and he can be a real pain.” Opal smiled brightly and her eyes lit up with joy. “Are... are you sure?” “Mhm,” you replied, grinning. “Just give him back after dinner.” “Okay!” With that you bid Opal and Azure a goodbye. “Whore,” you murmured to Azure as you left, ignoring your leave because of some new attention.

******

Suyin was excited about your plans. Her husband looked over them and praised your new pitch for the tram station. “Hey Suyin,” you said, after her husband left. Suyin hummed while pouring the two of you wine in a couple glasses. “Mind if I ask you something?” She nodded, handing you a glass before sitting down. You sat across from her, legs clamped together nervously. You fiddled with the glass in your hand. “I’m not sure how to ask this..since I haven’t seen you in well, forever.” “Nonsense (Y/N),” Suyin waved you off, “We’re family! I’ll answer any question you have.” “Thanks,” you responded, genuinely. She’d always been so welcoming and kind. The Beifongs were the only family you had. You regretted not staying in contact with at least Su. 

“Whenever I was in the village..there was some gossip.” Suyin’s brow quirked  as she took a sip of her wine. You sighed, brows pulling together and a soft frown on your face. “I don’t really listen to shitty rumors but it’s been so long I couldn’t help but think.. was there something that happened? Between you and Lin..?”

Suyin looked surprised. She tapped her finger on the wineglass as she pondered. The ring on her finger  “Sister drama, you know how it is. Nothing happened. Lin is just so bitter and won’t let go of the past. You know that better than anyone.” You frowned at her words. Suyin wasn’t wrong but..she made Lin sound totally heartless. “I just wanted to make sure. She’s been so...angry since I’ve gotten here. I know I probably have a part in that but..I’m just..worried.”

Suyin leaned over and squeezed your hand. Her smile didn’t seem to reach her eyes. “It’s alright (Y/N). Just give her some time. I can see she cares about you. Not that she’ll admit it.” You chuckled, a grin splitting your face. “Really?” Suyin looked amused at your enthusiasm. You really were a child even from how much time passed. “I promise. Now, why don’t we catch up. I haven’t seen you in what, thirty years?” You nodded, taking a gulp of your wine. As Suyin filled you in about her life you couldn’t help but feel, that she was lying. Your instincts screamed at you that there was more going on than she led you to believe. She wasn’t telling you everything. But she had been so kind and comforting to you since you’ve got here. Surely Suyin wouldn’t lie to you. She was your friend, the one who listened to your ranting after a fight with Lin. Su let you cry on her shoulder once your parents kicked you out and offered for you to share her room. Yet, as much as you tried reassuring yourself, your gut kept screaming.

*****

Lin touched her scar gently. The memories and the emotions she had tried so hard to repress and forget, were now bubbling back onto the surface. Toph had allowed Suyin to walk all over her. She gotta away with anything while Lin busted her ass trying to impress her mother. The price gave Lin a scar that mocked her everyday. It was disgusting to know that Suyin had been let go scotch free and still hadn’t given an apology. 

The needles had done its damn job alright. Lin was reminded of her failure of being the perfect daughter. No matter how hard she tried, Top didn’t seem to care. Was she really that unloveable? Could she even have someone want her? Lin huffed as she limped from the acupuncturist’s office to find Suyin. Her hand trembled from anger and the rocks shifted underneath her feet. It was getting bad again. Except this time she didn’t have her work or whiskey to drown herself in. Beads of sweat rolled off of her face and back. Lin ignored the acupuncturist’s qualms of resting and hurried to find Suyin. She was going to end this once and for all.

*****

Lin dodged the metal sculpture thrown her way. It missed her, barely. Lin raised some rocks from the ground and unleashed them onto Suyin. She couldn’t help but smirk when one of them hit her. Her sister retaliated by hurling metal plates towards her. Lin dodged all of them except for the last one. The impact made her tumble. Another boulder was thrown in Lin’s direction, but she rolled fast enough. She was getting slower and more sluggish. Her head felt hazy but she brushed it off. ‘Now’s not the time.’

Getting into a fighting stance she anticipated her sister’s next move. Lin lifted another boulder. It wobbled in the air but she still flung it toward Suyin. “Getting tired,” Suyin taunted. “Barely,” Lin barked. Suyin flung her fingers and bended the metal wall around her as a shield. The boulder broke from hitting the metal as soon as her sister warped it. “I wonder Lin,” Suyin yelled, face tugging into an ugly smirk. “If this was the reason Tenzin left you. No wonder (Y/N) left to travel the world. They couldn’t handle a bitter woman like you.”

Lin’s jaw clenched in anger. Her teeth ground together and her hands trembled.  She felt hot in her chest and the blood inside of her veins prickled. Lin raised a leftover metal plane on the ground.  “That’s enough!” Lin snapped her head over to the new voice.  The metal plate clattered onto the ground. (Y/N). There was a wooden staff in your hands. You twirled it in front of you, fighting off the tiny sharp rocks Suyin hurled over. Your arms trembled, eyes hushed with angry tears. You shook with rage from the mess in front of you. Lin stiffened; for once in her life she was afraid. Afraid of what you might say or do. Lin finally had you within her fingertips. Were you going to slip away again?

“I left on my own terms,” you growled. “How dare you use that against Lin.” The staff twirled effortlessly in your fingers. Lin was frozen in her spot. All she could do was watch you and your bird flit around you. “You’re a coward Suyin,” you gritted out, “A fucking weasel. What did you do Suyin? Don’t you think you’ve done enough?! ” Korra and Bolin gawked from the sidelines, witnessing unfolding between the two of them.

Suyin’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t say anything. Su’s eyes calculated the situation. Using her sister’s fear to her advantage, she flung the metal wall hard enough that Lin was sent sprawling. “Lin,” you cried out. She flew towards the courtyard and her back hit the fountain’s stairs. Lin growled, rising up again. Her stance wobbled from the force. Little black spots formed in her vision. Shaking out of it, Lin raised her fists, preparing for the next hit. Suyin walked calmy, crossing the bridge. “Are you done,” she asked, sounding bored. “Not yet,” Lin snarled. 

You glided into the air. Your paraglider soared you towards the two of them. A group of Suyin’s people spectated the fight. The tips of your feet touched the ground beneath you. Rolling, you folded your paraglider away. You jumped on your feet and facing Lin. “Move out of the way,” she snapped at you. “No,” you replied stubbornly. Lin created metal shards with her fingers. You grabbed your staff from your back, preparing for the onslaught to come. The shards sliced the air and they raced towards you. The staff moved in a tan blur as you twirled it with rapid speed, flinging some of the sharp metal away from you. They made a thunk, as it pierced into the wood. Once the metal stopped racing towards you that’s when the adrenaline died down. Your temple seared with pain and felt warm and sticky. You hissed, fingertips touching the wound. It stung like hell. You were bleeding. Your hand flung up to your nose. It throbbed from the blood coming out of your nostrils. Lin felt her heart shatter. You looked up to her with disbelief. She didn’t mean to hurt you, she didn’t mean to-

“Look what you’ve done Lin,” Suyin taunted, raising a boulder. “All you’re good for is hurting people. Especially the ones you care about.”

Suyin flung the boulder. Ruby started fluttering her wings, her cries piercing your ears. The pain in your temple worsened more thanks to her screeching. Ruby flew away from your shoulder to safety. Turning around, you shifted yourself in front of Lin. “Move,” she shouted. You ignored her, pressing your fingers into your palm. An orange shield burst out from your palms and surrounded the two of you. Lin gasped softly. Son of a bitch actually did it. You stood in front of her determined. The orange bubble was see through like an orange stained glass window. Your stretched your hands and fingers out in front of you. As soon as the shield popped up, Suyin’s boulder hit with a sickening crack. You cried out, straining to hold it up. A searing pain erupted through you. It felt like your soul was splitting in two. “It’s hurting you,” Lin cried.

Suddenly, a flash of green jumped on the bridge between you and Suyin. Opal. Air pushed out of her hands. “Fuck,” you shouted, shield starting to crack.  “You’re both sisters,” Opal cried, “Why are you hurting each other?!” Her words fell on deaf ears. Lin was focused on how your body swayed, struggling to keep itself up. Lin yelled, “(Y/N), stop. This isn’t about you! Save yourself!” The shield shattered. Orange shards flew into the air and dissolved into nothing. You whimpered, tumbling to the ground. Lin’s heart tugged at your soft cries. Ruby flew to you immediately, shrieking. Lin hobbled over and panted. The red parakeet’s high shrieks made her ears hurt. Her vision started to fade. She felt weak. She was hopeless to do anything. Lin’s feet fell under her. She stretched her hand out, trying to reach you. You were too far. The last thing she saw was your unmoving form, curled in on itself.

[avatar-state-kate]

Okay so I alluded to a potential essay in this post and now I’m here to deliver on that promise. So here is the essay on

Kuvira as a Foil for Korra: A Culminating Conclusion

I am a firm believer that the difference between a foil and a great foil is the presence of similarities to really accentuate the differences.

For example, by making both Katara and Azula prodigious, 14-year-old benders, that they use their power for such different ends is only more poignant.

When considering Korra and Kuvira, it is their similarities which help to make their differences shine, so we will begin there.

One in the Same

Action oriented: Korra’s approach to problems is to rush headfirst into them, Korra is not a patient person and needs to take an active role, which is partly why having to sit out post season 3 is so difficult for her. While Kuvira is not impulsive she similarly takes action, stepping up to reunite the earth kingdom pre season 4 and fighting her own battles- best demonstrated in her one on one fight with Korra for Zafou

Ends justify the means: Korra’s morality when introduced is not based on any hard code so much as it is on sides- the good side and the bad side. Most actions, if done by the good side, are justifiable. For example going around the presidents back and having the united forces fight in a foreign countries war. It is Korra’s intentions and status as the Avatar (the good guy) which define her actions as moral. Kuvira, similarity operates on similar moral logic, her intentions are good, and thus what she and her army does to achieve those intentions is also ‘good’, or at the very least excusable.

Isolated childhoods; Korra was raised in the white lotus compound and Kuvira in Zafou. Both are cut off from the larger world, and both are over protected, Korra by the white lotus and Kuvira by Su - who we can infer from Opal’s subplot in season 3 of needing to convince her mom to let her go out on her own to train as an air nomad as being overprotective

Capability: both Korra and Kuvira have a need to prove themselves as capable as a result of their sheltered childhoods where they were made to feel incapable. Being action oriented this manifests in both developing and show casing their bending abilities

These similarities are important to remember as it is how each women handles these characteristics that defines them.

Black, White, and Grey

A lot of the older discourse surrounding Legend of Korra discussed how Korra’s arc was to learn compassion for others, however current discourse has fortunately recognized that Korra did not need to learn compassion; she was always a compassionate person. However, what she did need to learn was a level of moral ambiguity.

As described above, Korra followed an ends justify the means sort of mentality, as an extension of that however, Korra’s morality was defined by sides. Her side, and those against her. The avatar’s side, or the bad guys side. Under this oppositional framework there is no cross over, for her villains to insinuate they are anything like her, she is anything like them, is a deep insult.

This unfortunately prevents Korra from learning from her adversaries, as everything they thought is, to Korra, connected to what they did. We see the fallout of this mentality most in the transition from season 1 to season 2 where the dissolution of the council and democratic election where not initiated from Korra and none of the community initiatives started by Amon, such as the self defence classes, are continued. Korra abandons the equalist cause I’m full. However we begin to see this change in season 2 when Korra decides leave the spirit portal open, conceding that Unalaq was right about some things.

Korra’s learning moral ambiguity concludes with her meeting with Zaheer in season 4. Actively seeking guidance from a ‘bad guy’ symbolic of Korra’s realization that all people have worth while insight, that Zaheer is not just a villain, but a person.

Kuvira conversely maintains her ends justify the means mentality until the finale, with those who question her actions against her. Either you are on Kuvira’s side, the side of progress and stability, or you are an insubordinate, with no grey space in between.

Yin and yang is a common motif throughout the Avatar series, and while framing yin and yang as a good/bad dichotomy is a farce, the concept of light existing in dark, of one being born of the other, is extremely relevant. The fight between Ravva and Vatuu in the legend of Wan was not threatening while each was of equal size, it was only when they separated and Vatuu became stronger that the threat to the world arose. It is not a question of whether someone has badness in them, but a question of inner balance.

Stability versus Balance

Korra developing a more nuisances moral framework causes a shift from seeking stability to seeking balancing in the world. This may seem like the same thing, but to be balanced on a beam or wire is not to be rigid and rooted, but to move with the changes to stay upright. Balance is dynamic and fluid, the world is always changing and Korra needs to learn to guide the flow, not stop it.

Kuvira, however is not seeking balance but stability. She does not want to move with the world, but to bend it to her will. Her plan to reclaim Repyblic City and the rest of the now independent former colonies is a testament to that. Rather then develop with this new world Kuvira wants to set it right.

Connection versus Isolation

Korra begins season 4 more alone then she has ever been, one of the major themes of Korra Alone (which will get its own analysis one day). Korra’s injuries and trauma from the season 3 finale caused her to cut herself off from others, and while time away to heal was undoubtedly necessary, to complete her healing Korra must reconnect to the world and others.

This journey starts with a pilgrimage to the swamp, which in atla is where Aang learns that separation is an illusion as all of the vines are connected. Here Toph removes the last of the poison in Korra enabling her to connect to the avatar state. Korra also learns to use the spirit vines to see the world- she is reconnected spiritually.

Upon regaining her spiritual connection Korra is able to reach out to the air kids- her family- and begin to reforge the relationships she had disconnected herself from.

Kuvira, alternately has an opposite arc as she becomes more isolated. We see that Kuvira is emotionally distant as those who are supposedly in the inner circle, Bolin and Varrick riding in her car on the train, have no knowledge of the true nature of Kuvira’s regime. Her confrontations with Su culminating in operation Beifong where she physically fights her mother figure showcase Kuvira cutting herself from her family. By the finale her loyalest followers (Varrick, Bolin, Zhu Li) and her family have deserted her, all she has left is Bataar Jr. who she is willing to kill in cold blood for her cause. (Look, while we all know Kuvira is sapphic this is still a significant move, bataar was nothing but loyal and a true friend to her, possible her only real ally)

Ultimately this is Kuvira’s undoing. Bolin, Varrick, and Zhu—Li warn of Kuvira’s impending attack on Republic City and the spirit gun. Opal, Lin, and Bolin break out and recruit the rest of the Beifong family. And finally Bataar jr. provided the krew with the intel needed to take down Kuvira’s mech.

The mech acts as a symbol for Kuvira, as it operates as a giant armour for herself, and is similarly dismembered, all of its limbs isolated just like Kuvira has become. It is only when she lies in the wreck of her armour that Kuvira sees how isolated she has become.

Just as Kuvira the mech is destroyed through dismemberment/isolation, Korra is only able to dismember the mech as a team, with Asami, Hiroshi, Varrick and Zhu-Li creating the hole to enter the suit, Lin and Su taking out the gun, Mako and Bolin taking out the spirit vines, and Korra the head Kuvira.

Korra, and us, need other people, to be healthy and happy – to be balanced.

In Conclusion: The Final Confrontation

Kuvira is the perfect villain to capstone the Legend of Korra because while she is a foil to the Korra at the end of season 4 she is in many ways similar to Korra’s past self. Kuvira is the perfect villain for the series finale because she demonstrates how much Korra has grown since her introduction.

This growth culminates in Korra’s ability to recognize herself in her enemies “we’re a lot a like”, a statement that when said by her adversaries was once seen as an insult now a realization of moral ambiguity.

In their final confrontation rather then taking Kuvira out Korra offers Kuvira forgiveness, a chance for redemption. While moves like this can cause discourse in fandoms (she was a fascist and she lives but x innocents die etc), in terms of symbolic story telling it is very significant as Kuvira in many respects represents Korra’s past self, and has become the isolated Korra of Korra alone, for Korra to forgive Kuvira is to forgive herself.

[guiltysecretpasttime]

The Right Beifong

This fanfic was somewhat inspired by @roseagate 's post , but going a different route.

Preview: 

For all the bad blood between them, there was no one else that the Beifong sisters would trust with their secrets but each other.

One might argue that guilt may have motivated Suyin’s actions. Lin learned not to question it, not when a secret has remained undetected for more than a decade.

Who knew that it would all unravel in a hospital room in Republic City.

-----

For all the bad blood between them, there was no one else that the Beifong sisters would trust with their secrets but each other.

One might argue that guilt may have motivated Suyin’s actions. Lin learned not to question it, not when a secret has remained undetected for more than a decade.

Who knew that it would all unravel in a hospital room in Republic City.

-----

Briiiing! Briiiiiiiiing! Brii-!

A gray-haired metalbender extended her arm from under the blankets and silenced her alarm clock immediately.

It was like any other day – another weekday, another workday, another day in the life of Chief Lin Beifong.

She got up and left her bed unmade (if it was good enough for her to sleep in last night, it would be good enough for her later tonight), mentally going through her tasks and schedule for the day. Stretching as she padded to the bathroom, she rubbed her face, flinging away the lingering grasp of sleep.

Stepping under the spray of lukewarm water, she lathered up. She gingerly soaped a two-day old wound near her left rib. The wound was small but deep; a perfect candidate for a new scar.

Chief Beifong did not have a lot of concern over her multiple scars and bruises. She had acquired several through out the years in service.  As she let the lather run down her body, she recalled where she got each of them, welts and scars that stand as various badges of honor that denote bravery (or foolishness) while on duty.  

There was one particular scar, however, that Lin Beifong regarded as a symbol of all that is precious to her, a hidden sacrifice made, one that she values more than any accolade given to her as Chief Beifong.

-----

On the other side of Republic City, beyond the bay and on Air Temple Island, Tenzin just finished joining a meditation session for the (new!) airbenders. Never in his life would he have imagined that his wild older brother would have successfully led a calming meditation session. Never mind the notion that Bumi would the epitome of the fun-loving airbending Air Nomads that their father knew from his childhood – it had sounded so absurd ten years ago.

But now, Tenzin could barely get back home without nodding at an airbender in greeting. Harmonic Convergence brought back the Air Nation without any form of intervention from him and his wife.

His wife…

He also greeted his wife with a nod as he passed the kitchen on the way to his study. Breakfast will not be ready in the communal dining area until half past the hour, so he had time to spare.

He flipped open the newspaper an acolyte had delivered to his study, as always. With the Kuvira debacle having been wrapped, the master airbender hoped to read good news or trivial matters from the papers. At the corner of the front page was a feature on the latest activities of the Republic City Police Department. He frowned to himself.

It was one of his secret past times – which he found himself clinging to as of late – keeping tabs on the life of the Chief of Police.

There was not anything wrong with what he was doing, just a friend checking on the welfare of another friend.

The past years had brought him back closer to this childhood friend (at least, closer than it had been for a decade or so). The fast pacing of the events that the Avatar brought about left him (or them? He wondered) little time to reflect on this rediscovered friendship.

But now, the past months following Kuvira’s sentencing presented him opportunity to delve into his thoughts (there’s still a lot to be done in the Earth Kingdom, of course, and Republic City is still adjusting to the new spirit portal – but it was relatively tame compared to the escape of the Red Lotus).

While the city was still busy in rebuilding and getting back on track, Tenzin realized with a pang that his interactions with Lin are now limited to being in the periphery (each had their own separate roles to play in the city). Their paths intersected less and less. He then started to rely on the news to hear about her (it was through the morning paper that he learned of the skirmish that had injured Lin; he had half a mind to go to her office and demand that she take a day off to recuperate before he held himself in check – he did not have the right to do that, after all).

Having more time to process the events (and overanalyze them, a snarky voice at the back of his mind which sounded a lot like Lin) of the past four years, Tenzin could not help but wonder about the possibilities and batter himself with the what if’s.

Were all the pain and arguments that he had in past useless in light of the present reality? Would Harmonic Convergence bring about that many airbenders anyway without his involvement–thus making his sacrifice irrelevant? Then again, it was probably only his mother and himself who believed he had sacrificed what’s important to him in pursuit of his duty – his heart and her love.

-----

At the opposite end of Air Temple Island, Suyin Beifong was strolling with her husband towards the dining area. They had been en route to Zaofu when she decided to make a detour and drop by Republic City – Opal was known to be assigned to the area after all.

Post-Kuvira, the airbenders continued their peacekeeping missions – both in assistance to those affected in the Earth Kingdom and those impacted by the new spirit portal in Republic City.

Opal Beifong was tasked to join those aiding the latter.

Upon learning this, the Metal Clan’s matriarch breathed a sigh of relief, the farther Opal was from the Earth Kingdom disturbances, the safer she would be.

Or so they thought.

-----

Later that mid-day…

It was difficult to pinpoint exactly what happened as it occurred so fast.

One moment, Opal was moving some spirit vines, helping clear a pathway. The next moment, a sinkhole opened up, pulling her down. Several spirits had panicked, jostling and hitting her.

Alarm was raised as the young airbender fell unconscious, both from injuries brought about (inadvertently) by the spirits and falling headfirst into the sinkhole.

With the hospital still being rebuilt and the healers thinly spread, medical attention was paltry at best.

Kai had quickly headed to Air Temple island to get reinforcements; the severity of the injuries sustained would require a master healer.

Kya readily offered her services and Suyin and Baatar Sr. were immediately sought on the island. With the amount of bleeding, the healers had requested them to be on standby for transfusion.

Time was of the essence.

With the help of the acolytes, Kai and Kya loaded additional medical supplies on Lefty. They had just left the island when Suyin and Baatar Sr. came rushing to the courtyard, having been summoned by an acolyte.

Suyin was about ask her staff to ready their airship instead when Tenzin arrived, unhesitatingly offering Oogi to transport them to the hospital.

Tenzin adjusted the reins on Oogi while Su assisted Baatar Sr in getting unto the saddle. “Which hospital are we heading to?” He was not there when Kai had given the details.

Su said the name of the hospital then added, “But first we must go to police headquarters – let’s pick up Lin.”

The airbender gripped the reins tighter, coaxing the sky bison to rise towards the city. “We can go to the hospital first – I’ll drop you both then I can go to headquarters to get Lin.” He felt that the parents might need to get to Opal ahead and he said as much.

“I know but we need Lin there.” The younger Beifong sister insisted.

Catching Baatar’s eye who silently nodded, Tenzin changed course to head towards where Chief Beifong was. Su’s tone brooked no argument and it was not the right time to question her with Opal’s life on the line.

Oogi’s arrival at police headquarters was noticeable enough that the Chief of Police herself had come running to the forecourt.

“It’s Opal.”

Su’s proclamation caused all the blood to drain from Lin’s face.

Gathering her bearings quickly, she called out. “Captain Gupta! You’re in-charge until further notice.” Without further ado, she bolted herself beside her sister on the saddle using the metal cables.

If Tenzin found the sudden onslaught of emotion on the normally stoic metalbender’s face inexplicable, he did not dare comment on it.

-----

Kya had taken over from the tired healer at the hospital. She ran her hands over the airbender.

Opal’s condition was stable – for now, at least.

Most of the injuries have been addressed by the healers but the unconscious teen would still need blood replenishment. Any tonic or medicine that would contribute to blood replenishment was out of stock. Her chance now lies on actual transfusion; it needs to be hastened as Kya felt that part of her injury was spirit inflicted.

There was something odd about the child’s aura as well.

Now that she thought about it, she noticed it when she first met the Beifong but had thought nothing of it.

Now she wondered if that might be why the spirit injuries are affecting her differently.

The doors flung open and in entered the girl’s parents and to her surprise, her brother and the girl’s aunt as well.

“How is she?” The mother fervently asked, moving closer to the young airbender.

“She needs transfusion to counter the spirit-injuries.” Kya opened her palms upward helplessly. “Bolin and Korra had already brought in spirit water from the portal but,” She addressed the people in the room in general. “The spirit water does not seem to do her any good.”

“There must be something you can do.” Lin stressed out.

“Blood transfusion may work.” The waterbender proceeded to share the pros, cons and the chance rate of the treatment working. She asked for consent to go ahead with the procedure.

Before Su or Baatar can say anything, Lin agreed. “We’ll take the chance.”

Kya was about to clarify that it was parental consent needed when Su laid a hand on Lin’s shoulder. “We’ll do it.”

-----

Tenzin stayed with the Beifongs throughout the procedure.

After all, Opal was part of the fledgling Air Nation now, so it was the least he could do, he rationalized. It definitely was not because he saw how Lin’s shoulders slumped while Kya prepared for the procedure. It was also not because he saw how Lin sat alone and apart from her sister as Su curled against Baatar Sr, probably seeking some strength in her husband’s arms.

He ignored Lin’s protests when he volunteered for the transfusion as well. He pretended not to notice the significant look at the Su shot at him and Lin. He thought that his contribution would not be anywhere helpful but he could not (would not, should not) let Lin experience it alone (he refused to examine this thought – at least until tomorrow’s morning newspaper read).

The airbender sat beside Lin during the entire ordeal close enough to touch yet unwilling to close the gap.

His sister entered the waiting room, wearing a troubled expression.

The Beifongs sat up in attention at Kya’s entry.

“They don’t match.”

Kya’s statement echoed in the cold sterile room.

The waterbender continued to say she did not understand why it didn’t and why Opal’s body was rejecting the transfusion. If the child’s best matches do not match, where else can she source the transfusion? There was not enough blood replenishment tonics in the city and sourcing it from the Earth Kingdom would take them at least a day (and at this point, a day wasted might have been a day to make a difference).

There was a sharp intake of breath beside him after Kya’s pronouncement.

“Lin?” Tenzin finally reached out, touching Lin’s arm lightly. He still knew how to read the nuances of Lin’s feelings – her eyebrows drawn together, lips stretched, and eyes widened: she was afraid; he became worried.

The woman beside him jolted as though surprised that he was still there. But when Lin’s eyes alighted on him, Tenzin saw her fear intensify.

What was she afraid of?

She shook her head and then attempted to lift the airbender’s hand from her arm. Tenzin clasped her hand instead.

“Lin,” He repeated. “Are you okay?”

Kya paused at her explanations, looking concerned.

Su and Baatar both directed their attention to him; they did it so synchronously that he would have laughed if it were a light situation.

Su’s face mirrored her older sister’s as something akin to comprehension dawned on her.

But what? What are they afraid of?

He was about to break up the uncomfortable silence when a man in healer robes burst into the room.

“Master Kya! The other two samples were accepted, we can proceed!”

Kya barely excused herself as she joined the other healer back into the other room to continue into the transfusion proper.

Lin slipped lower into her seat, pulling her hand from Tenzin and hugging herself.

“That’s good news, right?” Tenzin tried to divert the peculiar tension that had formed in the room. “It’s a good indication that Opal would be receptive to this procedure, right?”

Lin nodded while avoiding his eye; the married couple at the opposite side instantly confirmed this.

Tenzin once again bore witness to how the Beifong sisters had a stare down.

Su turned away first, “Alright then, we’ll leave you for a while.”

“Thank you.” Lin, in an uncharacteristic move, stood up to hug her sister and brother-in-law.

“No matter what happens, Lin – I’ll always be at your side.” Su murmured from her perch at Lin’s shoulder.

Her husband’s arm around her shoulder, Su exited the room along with Baatar Sr.

Tenzin sat in silence, waiting until Lin felt read to address him.

Lin Beifong sat back down, cradling her face in her hands. She took several deep breathes while Tenzin rubbed her back in an attempt to soothe her.

Tenzin saw the moment that Lin made a decision when she sat straight and finally made eye contact with him.

“Tenzin,” She swallowed. “I-I well, you see, that’s -,” After a few false starts, Lin shook her head. “Don’t you see it?” She bit her lip in consternation. “Didn’t you wonder what samples the healer was talking about?”

“Well, ours, obviously.” He waved a hand carelessly. “Good thing you let me do this otherwise, we would have been stuck trying to figure out how to help Opal. I’m sure her parents would eventually figure something out though…” Tenzin’s voice trailed off as realization set.

Her parents.

Opal’s parents.

Opal’s parents whose blood did not match with hers and was rejected for the transfusion.

And yet…

“Lin,” He breathed out. “Can you explain to me ­why our samples were accepted?”

Tenzin had an inkling. He now understood why the metalbenders were afraid. He was afraid to hear what his former partner had to say as well.

But he needed to know.

Snippets from the past years that had confused him started to make sense with his hypothesis.

But again, he needed to know straight from Lin Beifong.

“Tenzin, let me tell you all about your role in the parentage of Opal Beifong.”

[vampwritesstuff]

Wing Beifong x OC / Part 1

Before this starts, you should know a few things about my OC.

Her name is Kana Soshi. She is an earthbender and is blind in her left eye, Lin taught her seismic sense, she is unable to metalbend. Has helped Lin out at the Republic City police department before and considers her as somewhat of a mother figure. She’s known Bolin and Mako for a long time and she met Korra and Asami through them, Bolin is her best friend.

Yes, I know that some of the events are out of order, I didn’t feel like rewatching the episode. But without further ado, here is part 1!

Wordcount; 5,203

“So are we sure there’s an airbender in Zaofu?” Kana asked as she leaned against the cool metal of the airship they’re currently flying in, she would have much rather been on the ground where her Earthbending and seismic sense were of use to her. Even though she could use seismic sense, she could not metal bend, and that made being on this airship insufferable, not being able to combine metal bending with her seismic sense could not have been more infuriating to her. “Yes, Kana, we’re positive that there will be an airbender there.” Korra said as she and the rest of Team Avatar sat around the area.

Kana absentmindedly stared off at nowhere while she played with a strand of her brown hair. One of her green eyes had a certain gloss over it, a tell-tell sign that she was blind in one eye, she was glad to have her seismic sense for that reason as when in battle her eyesight was often a hindrance in her ability to fight and know where and who she was aiming at.

Constantly, Bolin would ask Kana to teach him, and every time she tried, he could never seem to get it down. But that didn’t discourage him and that made her happy that he had such a strong spirit. So when they landed in Zaofu, a little bit of her detested the fact half the city was made of metal, but she quickly forgot that as her bare feet touched the ground. “Finally, my bending can be of some use to me.” Kana smiled as Bolin came up next to her, putting his arm around her, “C’mon, Kana, being on the airship wasn’t that bad!” He mentioned, “But when most of your sight and bending depend on being on the ground, I would rather have blown up that airship.” She pouted to her best friend.

“Hello! Welcome to Zaofu, home of the metal clan.” A gray haired woman said as she came out to greet them. “I’m Suyin Beifong, the matriarch of the clan.” She smiled at everyone. Kana smirked to herself, realizing now why Chief Beifong wanted to stay on the airship. She figured Lin might have some bad blood with her family in Zaofu. As everyone walked, they met Opal, she was the airbender. “Pleasure to meet you Opal!” Kana said happily as Suyin led them all away and towards an arena type place. It had large metal columns placed in it and it was placed deeper into the ground than where the group stood. “Those are my two youngest, Wei and Wing. They’re playing a game called power disc. Came up with the game themselves.” She told each of them as they watched the boys bend a metal disc at each other and hit the columns. That continued back and forth until one of them missed the disc and it flew into the net behind the raven haired boy, a bright red light lit up and a buzzer was heard, “And Wing goes down!” Shouted the boy, whom Kana could assume was Wei.

Her sight lingered on Wing a little longer than she would let on. Suyin turned to her and Bolin, “Do you two metalbend? The boys would be happy to teach you power disc.” Her smile fell as both of them shook their heads, “We don’t, but Kana here uses seismic sense!” Bolin boasted for her, Kana sheepishly rubbed her arm as Suyin smiled at her, “Well that's wonderful to hear, I’m sure you would love to learn to metalbend, we can teach you.” She offered. “Oh, I only use my seismic sense to help me see because I’m blind in one eye, I’ve tried metalbending before, it's never worked for me.” Kana sighed as she saw the look of pity from Suyin, she hated people knowing about her sight problem, she hated the looks of pity anyone would give her once they found out, she despised that everyone would dote on her once they knew.

Thankfully, Su’s advisor came up and whispered something in Suyin’s ear that made her eyes widen. “Avatar Korra, why did you lie about this being the only people you had with you?” She questioned as everyone’s eyes went wide. Kana knew she was talking about Lin, she watched in amusement as Korra and everyone else stuttered over their words. “Well, you see, our chief of police didn’t want everyone to know she was here and asked us not to tell. But since the secret is out, I guess Chief Beifong is gonna have to deal with it.” At Kana’s words, Suyin’s eyes widened, “Lin’s here? Well I would love to see her.” She said, leaving everyone all confused. She had stopped paying attention to Su’s words as her eyes went back to the playing arena, Landing on the two twins playing another game of power disc, not noticing everyone was heading inside until Bolin pulled her away.

At the dinner table, Kana sat in between Bolin and Asami. She loved Asami, she was her greatest friend other than Bolin, though Kana hated how she always tried to convince her to wear shoes, to which Kana would always tell her no and end the conversation at that. It didn’t fail to happen that night either as everyone was preparing for dinner.

“Come on, Kana! It's just for an hour at least!” Asami pleaded as she held a pair of flats in her face, pushing them away Kana gave Asami an exasperated look, “How many times do I have to tell you no? I don’t like shoes, they mess with my seismic sense!” She told her as she gave a sigh, knowing Kana wasn’t going to ever change her mind about shoes.

So there they sat, at a fancy table with the Beifong family eating the fancy dish that their chef prepared, she didn’t bother to remember the name of the dish. Kana looked to the head of the table as Suyin cleared her throat and addressed her. “So, Kana, how did you come to learn seismic sense?” She asked, Kana noticed that the entire Beifong family had their attention on her, “Well, Chief Beifong taught me after the accident that caused me to go blind in my left eye.” She said shortly, placing her fork down on her plate. That caught the twins attention, as well as Suyin’s, “If you don’t mind me asking,” Kana knew where this question was going, “How exactly did you become blind in that eye?” she asked, she and everyone else seemed to genuinely want to know, any time some one would ask, Kana would brush them off. But this was the matriarch of the metal clan, and she did not want to disappoint her.

So Kana let a heavy sigh leave her mouth before speaking, “Back when I was 12, I got caught in the middle of a turf war between the triple threats and some other gang. I was suppoesed to be with Li- Chief Beifong but I was dumb and slipped away from her as soon as I got the chance to explore.” She took a breath before continuing, everyone was paying close attention. “While I was looking at some stuff I realised that some triple threats and other thugs were fighting each other, next thing I knew, some stray ice shard from a waterbender hit me in the eye, and that's when Chief Beifong got there and saw me, she took care of the gangs and later healers said that they could not repair the damage done to my eye. At first I was able to see out of it just barely, but over time the sight completely left my eye.” She said, running a gentle finger over the skin around her eye as Kana stared down at the table, everyone had a solemn look on their faces, Bolin placed his hand on her shoulder while Asami did the same with the other shoulder. Silently Kana stood from the table and cleared her throat, “I’m going to turn in for the night.” She said and quietly left to her room for the time being. As she shut the door, Kana placed herself on the floor and let a gentle sob escape her throat.

Losing her sight had really impacted Kana, and everyone in the dining room could tell. Asami sighed, “I see why she hates wearing shoes now.” Trying to lighten the mood, “You know, this is the first time she’s talked about the accident since it first happened.” A voice said from the doorway, everyone looked over and was surprised to see Lin even after she had stormed out earlier on during dinner. “ What do you mean?” Wing asked as he looked at his aunt, “Exactly what I just said, losing her sight in that eye was very traumatic for her, she had nightmares for weeks afterwards.” Lin told them, everyone's eyes softened and Lin scoffed. “You all act like it affects you too, Kana is a tough young woman, I taught her seismic sense so she could still kick ass when she helped me out at the police station. She was more angry than sad about losing her sight, also, she despises anyone giving her pity. So if you’re gonna do that any time you’re around her then don’t bother speaking to her.” Lin said as she walked back out of the room. “Remember when we fought Amon? Kana really did beat some equalist ass!” Korra laughed as the rest of the team avatar laughed along with her. “I felt so bad when Amon took her bending, but she showed us she didn’t need her bending to fight Amon.” Asami said and they all agreed.

“Oh! Oh! Remember when she threw Unalaq in the air with a pillar of rock? He screamed like a little girl when she was in his face right after he hit the ground!” Bolin laughed loudly, Korra butted in, “And when she punched him in the face for being annoying! She did the same thing to councilman Tarrlok.” She laughed. Everyone at the table had begun laughing at the stories of Kana not giving a shit about who she was beating up.

Wing’s heart fluttered when he heard the stories about her, Kana really seemed like a cool person and he wanted so desperately to get to know her better.

Later that night as he and Wei were preparing to sleep, Wing decided to ask his twin a question, “Hey, Wei?” He began, “Yes, Wing?” Wei responded. “What do you think about Kana?” Wing asked as he set his metal cuffs on his dresser. “Think of her in what way? She seems like a very determined person and I think that’s admirable about her.” Wei told his twin as he sat himself on his bed, “I mean, yeah you’re right about that, but I don’t know.. I get butterflies around her, and hearing all those stories about her just invested me more, what should I do?” Wing ranted as he fell onto his own bed with a deep sigh. A chuckle escaped Wei’s lips, “Seems like you have a crush, Wing. But if you really want something between the two of you, I’d do something before she and the rest of her group leave Zaofu.” Wei advised, Wing nodded his head, thinking deeply.

It was true that Kana, along with everyone else she came with, plus Opal, were going to have to leave at some point to continue the search for more airbenders. So many thoughts clouded Wing’s mind as he tried to think of what he would do. Kana seemed like an angel to him, but he hadn’t even spoken to her once! How was he going to become closer to her if he hadn’t ever spoken to her or introduced himself. Wing couldn’t help the yawn that escaped his mouth, his exhausted state of mind could barely let him think straight. He would deal with his feelings and thoughts in the morning. With that, everyone in the Beifong estate was peacefully asleep.

Sadly, that peace hadn’t lasted long for a certain earthbending girl. Kana bolted up in her bed in a cold sweat, “It was just a nightmare, one I haven’t had since I was younger.” She mumbled to herself as she lifted her body from the emerald green sheets of the bed. She placed her head in her hands and she took deep breaths. “I need some fresh air.” Kana told herself as she stood up and headed towards the door. Opening it, she checked if there were guards around, once she made sure there was none she walked from her room and towards the garden of the Beifong estate. Once outside she let out a breath of relief and sat on the steps in front of the door.

“Can’t sleep?” The voice startled Kana as she wasn’t paying attention to her sense. Turning she saw one of the twins, “Uh, yeah. Rough night.” Kana looked away, she’d be lying if she said she knew which twin he was. “Wanna talk about it?” Wing asked her as he took a seat on the steps, Kana shook her head. “No, but I could use a distraction,” She started, “But first, I’m still not good with telling you twins apart, mind telling me?” Kana gave a sheepish smile to Wing as he laughed, “Yeah, I can help with that, and I’m Wing.” He told her as he stood from the steps and offered a hand to her. Taking it, Kana was surprised at how effortlessly he pulled her up. Wing’s heart fluttered once more as she grabbed his hand, her small hands were cold from the night air but he was disappointed when she pulled her hand from his. “So what's this ‘distraction’ you got for me?” Kana raised an eyebrow at Wing, he smirked and grabbed her hand once again.

Wing pulled her up to one of the metal covers that surrounded the estate, he metalbended an opening large enough to fit through and once both of them were on the other side Wing bended the metal back into place. He continued pulling Kana up a hill where there was a small cliff face, they could see the entirety of Zaofu, “Wow, Wing this is amazing.” Kana said as she sat down with Wing on the grass and looked out at the city, it was even more stunning at night. “Yeah, I found it a while back. I come here every time I need a distraction or to just clear my thoughts.” Wing said as he looked over at the brown haired girl that sat next to him, admiring the city. Wing took the moment to really study the girl beside him, taking in little details like how her short hair would flow with every breeze and the way the moonlight reflected in her eyes, the small smile placed on her lips as she closed her eyes. Kana looked at peace, and Wing was thoroughly enjoying the look. Then she opened her eyes and looked at him, Wing blushed as he’d been caught staring, “We should get back to the estate, we don’t want anyone finding out we’re gone and getting worried.” Kana told him, ignoring his stare as she stood up and pulled him up with her.

They walked down the hill in silence until they got back to the steps in front of the garden, “Wing,” Kana put her hand on Wing’s shoulder before he left to go inside, “Thank you for tonight. It means a lot.” She told him as she walked passed and back to her room. Wing stood there, a blush on his face and a hand on the shoulder that she touched. He walked back to his and Wei’s room in a daze and held a stupid grin for the rest of the night until he fell asleep. Kana had a peaceful sleep for the rest of the night, glad that she had spent some time with Wing to clear her head.

The next morning, Kana sat on the steps as she watched the twins spar with Korra and Bolin, well spar wasn’t the right word for Bolin. “I can’t believe I’m sparring with the Avatar!” Wing said excitedly after he tangled Korra in her own cables, the same couldn’t be said for Wei, “I can’t believe I’m stuck with her friend.” Wei complained, Bolin tried to bend the meteorite at Wei but it fell from his hands, “Hold on I got it,” Bolin tried, “Don’t got it.” He slumped over, Kana gave an encouraging smile, “Don’t worry, Bo, you’ll get it eventually.” She offered him a thumbs up and he smiled, but that quickly turned to horror as he dodged metal being thrown at him by Wei, “Trial by fire, best way to learn!” Wei claimed as he continued shooting at Bolin, finally Bolin picked up a small rock and bended it at Wei, hitting him in the forehead just as Mako and Asami showed up. “Nice shot little bro, but I thought this was supposed to be metalbending?” Mako asked as Wei agreed while rubbing the spot the rock hit, “Yeah, cheater.” Wei grumbled. “Listen, Mako, metalbending is extremely hard! Only 1 in 100 earthbenders can metalbend.” Bolin stated before everyone turned to Kora as she took Wing down with some metal, proceeding to jump in the air, “Woohoo! Metalbending champion!” She exclaimed, bringing her arms up to show off her well toned muscles. Bolin gave a comical look, “She’s the Avatar, that doesn’t count!” He stated, Kana giggled at how Bolin was acting.

“You guys might wanna get cleaned up, Opal’s farewell dinner is soon.” Asami told everyone, Kana saw Bolin slump once more and begin to sulk. Kana walked over and lightly patted his shoulder, “Hey, you’ll see her again once we are finished looking for more airbenders.” Kana comforted him, although that only seemed to perk him up less than what Kana thought it would. “Hey. Kana, why don’t you try metalbending?” Korra questioned the brunette, “Oh, I’ve tried before. Never worked, and besides, I’m fine with my seismic sense.” She said before sighing, “But it would be nice so I could use my sense on that damned airship.” Kana added before Bolin swung an arm around her shoulder, earning a jealous glare from Wing, “Alright, alright. We know you hate the airship.” Bolin teased as he ruffled her hair, earning a nice punch to the gut from Kana, a laugh erupted as Bolin doubled over in pain. “I didn’t even punch you that hard.” She rolled her eyes, Mako let out a playful scoff, “Kana, even your softest punches hurt.” He laughed, Kana’s eyes widened before her eyebrows furrowed, “Do they really?” She asked, everyone, besides Wing and Wei, nodded with a laugh at how confused Kana looked. “Why do you think I refuse to do hand to hand combat with you?” Korra laughed, she truly did not enjoy being punched by her, Kana shrugged, “I just thought you didn’t wanna hurt me, miss Avatar.” Kana jokingly used the nickname she gave Korra when they met for the first time, Korra wasn’t a fan of it but never told her to stop.

“Anyways, are we just gonna stand around talking about how you guys can’t handle a punch, or are we gonna clean up for Opal’s dinner?” Kana asked, changing the subject. Everyone nodded and headed to their temporary rooms to prepare. Kana settled on taking a shower in her room’s adjoined bathroom, as the warm water hit her body, she relaxed and gave a small smile. It felt nice to clean the dirt away from her skin as she scrubbed it with a milk and honey scented body wash. After scrubbing her hair with shampoo and conditioner and washed it out, Kana stepped out of the shower and shivered as the cool air hit her wet skin. Wrapping a towel around herself, Kana proceeded to dry off in her room and get dressed in a bathrobe, lazily, Kana walked to Korra’s room and knocked on the door. Korra answered, “Yes?” She asked, “Hey, wanna do me a favor and bend the water out of my hair, please?” Kana asked hopefully, with an amused sigh, Korra nodded and bended the water from Kana’s hair and moved the water to her own bathroom sink. Thanking her, Kana left and headed back to her own room. Once there, she sat down at the vanity table, Kana examined herself before deciding that she didn’t need any makeup for the dinner. Instead, she went to the wardrobe and chose a lovely forest green dress like a robe that had many silver embellishments, putting the dress on made Kana feel like she was some kind of earthbending princess. Laughing at herself, Kana placed the large silver necklace around her neck as it hung right above her breasts, she grabbed the arm cuffs and placed each one on both of her wrists before placing two ankle cuffs on her own ankles, to finish the outfit, Kana placed a metal belt piece around her waist. Kana twirled in front of the mirror and smiled, this was by far the most expensive clothing she had ever worn. A knock at the door startled Kana from her trance, “Hey, Kana, it's Korra and Asami. Are you ready for dinner?” Korra questioned loudly from the other side of the door, “Yeah,” she started as she opened the door, “I’m ready.” She looked up at Asami and Korra, they both were staring at her with wide eyes, “Does it not look good?” Kana asked self consciously, “No! You look amazing! We just never expected you to dress up so nicely.” Asami assured the earthbender, and received a smile as Kana saw Korra nod in agreement, “Well then, lets go knock the socks off those boys.” Kana winked at both Asami and Korra as she walked past them and towards the dining room.

Once they stood in front of the door, the guards opened it and everyone stopped what they were doing, most of the boys’ stares were focused on Kana as she took a seat between Bolin and Wing, “What’s with the look, Bo? You’ve seen me dress up before.” She giggled, “Yeah, but never in earth kingdom clothing!” He exclaimed, “I guess you’re right.” She thought before paying attention to what the chef had made for the dinner, he had made Opal’s favorite veggie wraps. Kana didn’t exactly care to listen to whatever mush Bolin was spewing to Opal, so she turned to Wing, “How has your day been so far?” She asked him once she had finished a bite of her food, “It’s been great! I mean, I got to spar with Korra which was totally cool. But I’ll admit I’m going to miss Opal.” Wing said, gaining a sad tone towards the end of his response. In a kind gesture, Kana put a hand on Wing's shoulder and offered a sympathetic smile, then she was hit with an idea, “Wanna sneak out tonight and go to the hill?” She asked referring to the cliff that he had shown her the night before when neither of them could sleep. Wing perked up and gave a fast nod, “Yeah, that’d be awesome.” He told her, trying to contain his excitement.

The rest of the dinner went by smoothly, and soon everyone was leaving to prepare for bed, except for Kana and Wing. Kana did put on some more comfortable clothes before she would meet up with Wing. They both had decided to wait until everyone else seemed to be asleep so they could meet. But the sound of someone yelling caught Kana’s attention, she opened her door in confusion as Bolin ran past, in the process he grabbed her wrist and pulled her along, “Bolin! What’s going on?” She shouted at him, “They’ve got Korra!” He exclaimed, passing more doors as he ran towards the outside of the estate. He had already woken up Mako and Asami, so she pulled her wrist from his grasp and started to run at his pace.

Once outside, Kana finally understood who Bolin was talking about. There was a group of four people running through the courtyard, one had Korra slung across his shoulder. Thinking quickly, Kana created a rock wall in front of the group. They quickly stopped and turned to see who stopped them, “Leave Korra alone!” Kana shouted, jogging towards them to get close and dodging blasts of rock and water. Her seismic sense had instinctively kicked in and Kana was able to narrowly avoid a rock coming at her from behind. She stomped a foot on the ground, using a large chunk of earth to throw at the intruders. Kana noticed that Bolin had only been staring in awe as Kana skillfully dodged attacks from multiple angles, “Bolin! Get your ass over here!” She yelled, momentarily she was distracted and didn’t notice the large rock that had been aimed at her.

A painful cry had alerted everyone else to where they were, and as they got there they saw Kana struggle to her feet as Bolin tried to deflect any attempt to knock her back down. Once she fully stood up, Kana gave the others one glance before turning back to the people that had Korra. Everyone noticed the change in Kana’s attitude and it sent a shiver down their backs. Kana angrily ripped a large portion of rock from the ground and hurled it at Korra’s captors but, much to Kana’s displeasure, the man with long greasy black hair had deflected it. Finally everyone else was working with you and Bolin to get Korra back, they had a chance to run and they took it, but they were unexpectedly caged in by large metal panels. Those present turned to see where the metal came from and they saw Wing, Wei, Su, and Lin. “Thank the spirits.” Kana muttered as she had a moment to breath, but that moment didn’t last long before lava started to pool from under the makeshift trap and melt the panels, “That guy can lava bend! That’s so cool!” Bolin exclaimed, but noticed everyone’s deadpanned looks, “But very bad! Very bad for us.” He corrected himself.

“Are you all okay?” Su asked as she pulled a panel to protect the group from the tall lady’s explosions. “Could totally be better.” Kana quipped sarcastically as she bended a rock at the group, only for it to be deflected once again by the earth bender. “Watch out!” Wing said as he pulled Kana back down as another explosion was sent her way, narrowly missing her but a sharp rock hit her forehead, and it began bleeding down her face. “Thanks.” Was Kana’s short reply as she kept them distracted long enough for the others to devise a plan, ignoring the pain of her cut and the looks of worry from her friends. Su, Lin, and the twins would go on top of the dome and drop in from above and grab Korra while the others would distract and temporarily stun the combustion lady. Stunning the lady was up to Kana and Bolin.

“Ugh! We can’t get a clear shot!” Bolin exclaimed a few minutes later as his and Kana’s attempts were continuously shot down. “Are we a go?” One of the twins asked from the radio, “No go! No go!” Bolin and Mako shouted, “Go? Got it!” Came the voice again, “No! Don’t go! No go!” Mako repeated into the radio but it was already too late. Lin and Su were already lowering from above, “C’mon Bo, we’ve gotta make this shot or Lin and Su are toast!” Kana gripped Bolin’s shoulders. He nodded and they both took a small piece of rock, then the combustion lady looked up and Kana saw their chance, “Now Bolin!” She shouted as she and Bolin tossed their rocks right at her, hitting her not once, but twice in her third eye looking tattoo. Lin was able to grab Korra and soon they were being hauled back up, but the air bender brought his glider out and soared up after the three. As he got closer to Lin, Su grabbed her sister’s cable and swung her out of the way, taking some metal and bending it at the man, successfully ripping the fabric of his glider and he began spiraling downwards.

As he landed, he began to create a large cloud of air, and once it cleared there was no sight of the intruders anywhere. “Where the hell did they go?” Kana asked angrily, as she frantically looked around for any trace of them. Suddenly she became dizzy, Kana placed a hand on her head, finding that her wound from early was still bleeding, “Shit..” She muttered and sat on the grass as she tried to make the spinning stop, “Kana! Are you okay?” Bolin asked worriedly as he saw his friend with her eyes screwed shut and sitting on the ground. Everyone else noticed as well, but Asami was the first to figure out the problem, “Her head is still bleeding! We need to get her medical attention!” She said as Mako picked Kana up from the ground, running up to Su, Lin and the twins. The four gave a confused look until they saw Kana’s condition, and quickly Su led the way to her office where they could patch Korra and Kana up.

At first, Kana was refusing the help, but as her headache worsened she finally gave in and let them wrap a bandage around her head and give her medicine. As the pain went away, Kana found herself slowly growing tired and letting a yawn slip, “I can take you to your room if you’d like?” Wing asked as Kana looked up to him and nodded. He helped her stand up and kept a firm grip on her waist so she wouldn’t fall, “Guess we’re gonna have to take a rain check on going to the hill, huh?” Kana half heartedly joked, “Yeah, guess we are.” Wing said, although he didn’t mind, he just wanted Kana to recover safely. Sometime through the obscurely long walk to Kana’s room, she had fallen asleep and Wing had to carry her to her bed. As he laid her down in the bed and covered the girl with the blanket, she grabbed his hand while half awake from the movements, “Thank you, Wing.” She tiredly stated before falling back asleep. He smiled, hesitantly leaning down and leaving a small kiss on her forehead, then he left the room. Shutting the door and sighing, “You must really have it bad for her.” Wing jumped as he noticed Wei standing in front of him with a smile on his face, Wing nodded, too tired to argue with his brother. “I think she’s warming up to you.” Wei teased as he and his twin walked to their shared room, “Yeah, I think so too.” He said as they both fell on their beds and contently fell asleep.

[metalwarrior22]

Love In The Knight

Read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/c8GKOZm by Vexinight Hi! This is my first work and to be honest I have no clue what I'm doing, but I've had this idea buzzing around my brain for a while and wanted to put it out there. Essentially: Korra is knight who has been training at the Knight Academy since she was young. Her main purpose is to train and one day serve the Princess Asami Sato. After Korra's display of skills Asami decides to make Korra hear Head Knight. From there, the two women's relationship only grows stronger. Follow these two and the many adventures they face between war, assassins', and young love. I would also like to say that all characters are 18+ due to the content in the story. Also the rating is set to mature mostly dur to future violet scenes, it may change, but I'm gonna keep it M just to be on the safe side. This will follow a similar timeline to TLoK as in the enemies will be generally the same, but they've been modified to fit the more medieval theme. I can't fully explain it without spoilers, so this is the best you're gonna get haha. Words: 8312, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Fandoms: Avatar: Legend of Korra Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: F/F, F/M Characters: Korra (Avatar), Asami Sato, Mako (Avatar), Bolin (Avatar), Opal (Avatar), Jinora (Avatar), Kai (Avatar), Lin Beifong, Kya II (Avatar), Korrasami - Character Relationships: Korra/Asami Sato, Lin Beifong/Kya II, Bolin/Opal (Avatar), Jinora/Kai (Avatar) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Alternate Universe - Medieval, Knights - Freeform, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Fluff, Eventual Smut, Korra/Asami Sato-centric, Blood and Violence, Swordfighting Read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/c8GKOZm

[ao3feed-kyalin]

by tApLeDuds

Lin Beifong is the Chief of Police of the Republic City Police Department and the eldest daughter of Toph Beifong. On the surface, Lin is tough, unyielding and direct and because of the painful events in her life Lin has put up barriers to protect herself from the pain of unsuccessful personal relationships. Kya is the second child and only daughter of Avatar Aang and Master Katara. Viewed by everyone as a free spirit, she is caring and loving to those close to her. Desperate to become her own person and find herself at age 19, she left home to travel the world and became a renowned healer in her own right. Now she's back to Republic City and has to face the long-buried feelings she has for Lin who happens to be dating her younger brother.

Alternatively known as: all the events that lead us to our beloved Kyalin

Words: 4850, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Avatar: Legend of Korra

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: F/F, F/M

Characters: Lin Beifong, Kya II (Avatar), Tenzin (Avatar), Bumi II (Avatar), Saikhan (Avatar), Mako (Avatar), Bolin (Avatar), Suyin Beifong, Toph Beifong, Beifong Family (Avatar), Original Beifong Character(s), Opal (Avatar), Aang (Avatar), Katara (Avatar), Sokka (Avatar), Pema (Avatar), Asami Sato, Airbender Kids, Original Male Character(s), Original Female Character(s)

Relationships: Lin Beifong/Kya II, Lin Beifong/Tenzin, Lin Beifong/Original Male Character(s), Lin Beifong/Original Female Character(s), Izumi/Kya II (Avatar), Bumi II & Kya II (Avatar), Izumi & Kya II (Avatar), Lin Beifong & Izumi (Avatar), Lin Beifong & Bumi II, Lin Beifong & Saikhan, Lin Beifong & Mako, Lin Beifong & Tenzin, Kya II & Tenzin (Avatar), Korra & Kya II (Avatar), Kya II & Mako (Avatar), Lin Beifong & Bolin, Bolin & Kya II (Avatar), Minor or Background Relationship(s), Toph Beifong/Sokka

Additional Tags: Angst, Fluff, Fluff and Angst, Eventual Happy Ending, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Dreams and Nightmares, Slow Burn, Blood and Violence, Injury, Miscarriage, Unplanned Pregnancy, all the events that lead to kyalin, bisexual disaster lin beifong, ursa II loves lin, izumi gives good adivice

via AO3 works tagged 'Lin Beifong/Kya II'

[wishingforatypewriter]

Someone to Rely On

Summary: Su makes a difficult ask of Kuvira (Chapter 2 of this) 

Kuvira had learned years ago that the fastest way to move between the city pods was to launch cables at the domes and then swing. Back when she was twelve or thirteen, she had asked Baatar to time her runs against the tram—for science’s sake, of course—and she always managed to beat it by at least a few minutes. The only downside was that it was illegal—thanks to the botched landings of some less coordinated copycats—and since becoming a captain of the security force, Kuvira tried to avoid breaking the law whenever she could help it. Being perceived as a hypocrite was bad for morale and even worse for public relations. But today the law was of no consequence; she had been summoned. 

Still gliding above the Beifong estate, she flicked her wrist to turn the metal latch on the window in Su’s study and bend it open, somersaulting inside just as the matriarch took a seat on one of the sleek green couches. 

Suyin regarded her with half a grin and a small shake of the head. “Right on time, Kuvira,” she said, pouring herself a cup of kombucha from a glass jug. "And Aiwei told me you'd never make it.”

Kuvira pulled a face at the mention of the truth seer. No sooner than she had put the key in the door to her apartment after rehearsal, Su’s advisor radioed, telling her to drop everything and rush back to the matriarch’s residence. It happened often enough that she was honestly beginning to question the utility of moving out. 

“Not if I had waited for the tram,” she replied with a smirk, reeling the cables back into the spool attached to her belt. 

“No, I suppose not.” Su laughed a little and gestured for Kuvira to sit beside her. “Kombucha?” 

“I’m fine.” Kuvira tried not to wrinkle her nose at it. If the weird pit floating at the bottom of the bottle wasn’t enough of a deterrent, the muddy color of it did her in. 

Su merely shrugged. “Your loss.” 

“I thought you were having lunch with Opal today,” Kuvira said, knowing the little tyrant would find some way to blame her for the canceled plans. Whatever it was that had compelled her mentor to abandon the company of her favorite child must have been serious. "What happened?" 

"There's been some troubling news.” Suyin crossed one leg over the other. “You’re aware that the Earth Queen has tried to levy new taxes on Zaofu in the past year?”

It was hardly a question. Kuvira had been the audience for the bulk of her anti-monarchist tirades for years. The matriarch never discussed matters of state with her children, lest the weight of politics ‘disrupt the flow of their creative energies.’ 

“And you refused.” She had helped Su and her advisors go over the ledgers the month before, and they hadn’t sent even a copper piece more than usual up to the capital. 

“Of course I did. Why should the metal clan pay because her people can’t control the bandits in the north?” 

The point was valid enough, but a distant part of Kuvira also wondered why the metal clan should walk on streets of gold while people starved a day’s drive from Zaofu.

“There wouldn’t be bandits in the first place if she would use the tax money she already receives to see to the welfare of the poorer states.” Kuvira said this in place of what she was really thinking; she had learned over the years that it was more pragmatic to commiserate with Suyin than to challenge her.  “What kind of leader builds new palaces while her people die in slums?”

“An Earth Kingdom ruler, I’m afraid.” Su sighed and leaned back against the couch cushions. “Ba Sing Se has been corrupt since before my grandparents were born. That actually brings me to why I called you here. My informants at court have reported that the queen sent soldiers to appropriate a shipment of raw platinum from our mines.”

“We can afford the loss,” Kuvira stated, pulling the figures from her working memory. “But you’re selling the platinum to Varrick Industries so they can build more mechs for the Southern Water Tribe.” 

Suyin glanced at her then, her mouth curving up into a genuine smile. “Do I really tell you everything the moment it happens, or are you just exceedingly clever?”

Kuvira filtered out the praise, waiting for the true nature of the task to reveal itself. Compliments always preceded ugly work. “So you want me and the guards to intercept them and protect the platinum?”

“It has to be a stealth mission, executed by a small team,” Su told her. “You have full access to the metal armory, but there can be no uniforms or anything else that might be tied back to Zaofu, in case there are any passers-by. Let the queen think her men were set upon by more bandits.”

“And in reality?” she asked, though it was hardly necessary at this point. 

“I think it would be best if they were lost in the Si Wong Desert.” The matriarch took a measured sip of her kombucha. “Don’t you?”

The first time she had asked for such a thing—in a similarly roundabout way—Su hadn’t been able to look at her. Even now, she avoided her eyes, fixing her gaze instead on the model of Zaofu that her husband had so carefully constructed so she could bask in the sunny glow of her wealth and accomplishments. But regardless of whatever guilt she felt or feigned, come nightfall Kuvira would be dispatched to secure the interests, dirty the hands, do all the things she’d never ask of the people she loved more.

“I’ll leave tonight.” She rose quickly, turning her back to the matriarch, lest her face reveal more than it should. She already had fingertips on the door before her mentor spoke again. 

“One more thing. Do you think you can be back before Thursday’s rehearsal? The set should be done by then, and I’d love to see you and Luli emerging from the petals. I just know it’s going to be a great finale.” 

She closed her eyes, breathed, and schooled her expression into cool neutrality before turning back around. “Of course, Suyin. I’ll make it quick.” 

It must have said something horrible about her, the way the proud, adoring gaze her mentor fixed on her was almost worth the blood. 

“That’s such a relief. I’m so glad I can always rely on you, Kuvira.”