Dinner was delicious, everyone was laughing and having a good time. A breathe of fresh air from all the fighting that everyone in the room had to go through for the last few months.
Lin would be lying if she said that she didn't appreciate or at least try to appreciate the atmosphere.
However, being sat between Tenzin and Korra set her on edge. It wasn't the people per say but it was who she was sat across from. She tried to join in on the small talk, dropping a few words when needed and making sure that she was paying attention when something was directed to her, but she was trying harder to ignore the girl sitting across from her. That was not the place to open old wounds and Lin knew that. She also knew that the time would come when she would have the chance to finally speak to the child. Now was not the right time. Not when Bumi was retelling a story where he and Su played a prank on Tenzin. Lin forced herself to laugh and ignored the feeling of wanting to escape.
Throughout the night not once did Lin and the girl make eye contact, not once did they speak to each other. Even when there were small chances. Fear making both their tongues heavy in their mouths. Both were trying to avoid the dark demon that floated above both their heads. For a moment, Lin's mind supplied a simple solution. She could simply ignore the situation and the girl. There was no reason to turn her entire world on its head.
As Chief of Police she didn't need distractions, she needed to be clear headed and have nothing that could have the chance of being used against her. The girl across from her was exactly that and so much more. It seemed so simple when she thought about it, her mind screaming out that that was the best option for both of them. Then something else began to sprout within Lin, her heart growing in volume. Telling her that this wasn't truly something that she wanted. Fifteen years of living with the biggest what if of her life. She was tired of it if Lin was being honest. Ever since she was able to reconcile with Suyin she realized how much she missed the feeling of family, family that she knew would be there until the bitter end.
Lin didn't want the girl to go through the same thing she had gone through. Living without knowing her father had caused deep wounds to form and resentment towards her own mother to fester for years. She knew first hand the feeling of being unwanted. Thinking that you weren't enough to be loved by your own parent. It was a feeling that she didn't want anyone to go through, especially Sunako (that was the girl's name, Lin had found out when Izumi had called out to her before the feast had started). The girl had been raised not knowing who both her real parents were. According to Izumi she had found out who Lin was only a few months before, but did not know who else was forced into this situation. Lin for a moment was relieved when she had found about that.
The way that Lin was able to learn more about the girl was through Suyin. The woman was clearly enamored by Sunako. Her voice light and full with fondness when she spoke with her. Su's first words were on how stunning Sunako was. Her arms wrapping around the girl and pulling her into an embrace saved for only family that you haven't seen for a very long time. When Lin thought about it she didn't find it odd. Suyin was finally having the chance to meet Lin's… even then Lin couldn't even think about that word.
Suyin talked to the girl wanting to find out everything about her. "Oh so you dance! Where I live we have the most beautiful of dance performances."
Sunako smiled and leaned closer, her eyes lit up and Su was caught back at how much they resembled of a person she hadn't seen for years. The coyness of her smile and the confidence that she held within her reminded her very much of her sons and daughter.
"That's amazing what do you do? Do you mind showing me a few steps?" Sunako asked excitedly.
As the night went on the surprise of Sunako was still felt throughout the group. Everyone was rather shocked to find out that the Fire Lord had a daughter. A daughter of earth bending abilities nonetheless. Not only that, they looked nothing alike. The other thing that seemed to sit wrong within the older travelers that accompanied the Avatar was that they had not known anything about the girl until that day. When Izumi had found out that she was expecting Iroh her father made it his mission to tell all his close friends of how proud he was of his daughter. Yet when it came to Sunako they had not heard a single word.
Even though they wished to ask questions no one did in fear that they would offend the Queen.
So they all kept to themselves and went on with their trip as if nothing was a miss. To pass the time, they all made small chat and were rewarded with stories from Lord Zuko, jokes from Bumi and commentary from Kya and Mai that left the room laughing and one or both men pouting like little children. When this would happen Mai would place a kiss on Zuko's cheek and Kya would just torment her brother some more.
"Just you wait." Bumi would growl.
Korra who was slowly healing both emotionally and physically was becoming her old self again. The healing she would get from water benders was bringing back her strength and now she was going to try a new form of healing that used fire. With the small hope that she had recovered from her experience that landed her in this situation she looked forward to the healing.
Tenzin sipped his tea letting his eyes glide smoothly through the small group, all eating and laughing. When they reached Sunako she met his eyes and gave a large smile. He bowed his head and she went back to talking to Suyin.
She looked so familiar to the monk that it was becoming uncomfortable. Her clear charm reminded him of someone of his youth. It was strange that he could not seem to be able to put a name on the person Sunako seemed to remind him. Maybe if he were to speak to the girl directly then he would be able to figure it out. His train of thought was derailed when Izumi announced the end of dinner.
"It seems that we have to bring this small feast to an end and retreat to our rooms." The Queen said with a laugh as she arose. All her guest followed suit and began to feel the weight of the good food they ate. Everyone finding rest very pleasing.
They made their way out of the dining hall and two servants waited for them.
"The women will be sleeping in the west wing while the men will be heading to the east wing. My servants will lead you to the general area and from there you can choose what room you wish to take." Everyone gave goodnight hugs and said that they would see each other in the morning. Lin gave her good nights and farewells and instead of following the servant she kept her head down and followed the Fire Lord to the main hall. No one seemed to notice this and Lin was glad for that.
When they were alone and able to talk freely Izumi finally acknowledged the earth bender's presence.
"Fifteenth since you left that girl in my care and not once did you send a letter asking for her well-being! Not once did you visit and now you coward like some afraid little child. You're a BeiFong own up to you mistake!" Izumi spun on her heels to fully face Lin, her fire colored eyes narrowed in anger. She threw her hands up in exasperation. The lines on her face deepening with hurt and worry.
This Chief of Police knew this was going to be what happened. Izumi was right when calling her a coward. All Lin could do was stand her ground. She knew what she had done, but she was trying to rectify it.
"I'm sorry! It was better that I didn't distract myself with the kid at the time. She would have been in the way and would have been in danger. That's why I left her here. She had no room in my life and I was not going to end up like my own mother. Leaving that kid to fend for herself." Lin growled back. Her eyes hard as stone.
She knew her words were unforgiving, but they rang with truth. If she had kept Sunako then it would have ended badly for both her and the child. One, Lin wouldn't have been able to focus on her job the way she would have wanted to at that time. She was young and goal oriented, there were still so many things that she wanted to do with her life. Second, Sunako would've been neglected and would have grown up with a mother that was never there. Lin knew this for a fact, why even have her if Lin wouldn't even have raised her. Unlike Izumi who, from the looks or it, gave the girl everything. That's what Sunako deserved. Lin hated to admit it, but she just wasn't ready to have a child. No matter how much it hurt to give Sunako away Lin knew that it was for a good reason and it saved both of them from far worse heartache. Lin wasn't the motherly type she wouldn't have known what to do. Especially with what had been happening in her life at the time. How was she suppose to raise a child in republic city alone with no family?
"You are cruel! Did you know that? She is your daughter for spirits sake! You had people that would have helped you! You knew that and still you ran and gave her up…" Izumi shook her head in disbelief and her body just sagged under the weight of her royal robes. She couldn't quite believe that Lin had still been able to make an excuse. After having the chance to speak to her daughter she hadn't taken it. It was confusing and infuriating for the Queen, but there was nothing that could do. When Izumi got no response she threw her hands up in defeat.
"At least tell me who her father is so when you leave I can tell her." The woman asked finally.
Lin visibly recoiled back, at the reminder of Sunako's father Lin's blood ran cold. If anyone was meant to not know about Sunako's true parentage it was her father. Her head fell in despair. At that point she didn't even know what to do anymore. The weight of everything fall on her shoulders at an alarming rate.
"That's where I'm going to draw the line Izumi! He can't find out because if he did I'm not sure what would happen." The earth bender looked up and once again had her face hard as stone. Her voice was strong and she crossed her arms over her armored chest. The air around her felt suffocating and for moment she couldn't breathe. She needed to find a way out. Away from Izumi, Sunako and just everything that she brought over her own head. Without a second thought she spun on her heel and started to walk up the stairs to the west wing. The need for some sleep something that she was desperate to have. Anything to numb the feeling of guilt that was eating away at her very soul.
Then through the earth she felt it. A small figure was leaning against the far right pillar and their heart was racing.
Lin felt when they pushed off the pillar and made their presence known.
"Sunako!" The Queen said in shock and horror. How long had she been standing there?
Lin stayed frozen as the girl began to walk down the small flight of stair down towards her. Sunako stopped when she was besides Lin.
For the first time in both their lives, mother and daughter had a chance to finally meet.
One was confused and angry at her weakness while the other was hurt and felt rejection that cut so deep that it felt like she couldn't breathe.
Sunako looked at her mother and her eyes were bright with unshed tears.
