Chapter 10
Kya had cleared Kuvira and she and Bataar were moved to another part of the prison. She could see why they call it ritzy as there was a door that was supposed to lead into a "cell" which was more like a small apartment. The furniture was simple yet tasteful. It looked like a luxury hotel room. There was a king size bed and a sofa and two arm chairs. There was a radio and a small kitchenette. The bathroom had a jacuzzi with a separate shower stall. They wouldn't have to worry about their privacy unless someone decided to invade it again. The "cell" and everything but the upholstery was made of platinum. She really didn't see the point in them putting her in a platinum cell being she will be leaving it every day anyway. She wasn't going to complain, it was more than she deserved and the best part was that she and Bataar were together. They only had more month left of prison time. Korra and Asami were keeping them busy and the time was going fast.
Korra would come almost every morning to take her to the Pro Bending Arena to spar. Korra had tasked Kuvira with teaching her how to metal bend. Suyin had taught Korra the basics, but Korra loved the way Kuvira moved. She was able to move so fast and fluidly. Kuvira's bending style mirrored Suyin's except that Kuvira had her own unique way of moving and she was by far the more skilled bender. That was something Korra had no intention of tell Lin or Suyin.
"Come on Kuvira, we don't have all day. I want plenty of time to kick your butt." Korra taunted.
"In your dreams Korra. I'd like to see you try." Kuvira challenged.
As they got to the Pro Bending Arena they went to the locker rooms to change into their workout clothes. They made a habit of wearing protective gear, so they could imitate and actual fight without fear of serious injuries. They were beginning to become close friends. Kuvira almost cried when Korra told her she was a good friend. Kuvira has had friends, but none that she could depend on or trusted enough to show any emotion around. Korra had seen her at her worst and she trusted her with her life. Kuvira noticed that Asami was also coming to see her in the evenings occasionally just to hang out.
"Kuvira, I wanted to ask you a favor." Korra asked.
"Sure, anything." Kuvira.
"Asami wanted to go to take a trip to the site of Avatar Roku's former temple. There are supposed to be rare mineral deposits there and she wanted to use it for that new prototype that Bataar has been working on. I can't bend all that ore by myself. I told Bataar that Asami and I wanted to ask you to come with us. He was happy about it, said you needed to get out on your own once in a while. There is nothing else there and we would be camping for the most part. If we did find what we are looking for we might have to go back with a ship because sky bison can only carry so much weight." Korra asked.
"Sure." Kuvira responded. "When are we going?"
"We could leave this afternoon if you're up to it." Korra told her.
"Sure, I'm all for it." Kuvira started, "But don't I need to get clearance from the Fire Lord."
"Asami has a contract with the Fire Nation that allows her to mine for mineral deposits on the condition that she maintains a factory there. She doesn't have to get authorization to bring company representatives with her." Korra assured.
"Why don't we wrap it up" Korra suggested a she flung a cable at Kuvira who dodge and sent it flying back to Korra who nearly tripped over it. Before Korra could steady herself Kuvira sent two strips of metal flying towards Korra. Korra couldn't dodge them and they could her wrists. Kuvira held Korra there for a moment. "OK you win, now let me down." Korra remarked.
"I'm not finished with you yet." Kuvira taunted as she sent two more strips of metal to hold Korra's feet. Korra was struggling when Kuvira came up to her and started tickling her under her arms.
"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh! HAHAHAHAHAHA! KUVIRA STOP! AHAAHAHAHAH!" Korra begged.
"Say please…" Kuvira laughed.
"Ok…. ok…ok…. please put me down!" Korra pleaded.
"OK." Kuvira smiled as she removed the metal strips from Korra's feet and wrists. "Looks like I win again."
"You're crazy!" Korra joked.
"I know…. thanks…." Kuvira and Korra laughed.
They went back into the locker room to shower and change. "We'll go back to the prison first so that you can back and then you can come to Air Temple Island with me so I can get my stuff. I will radio Asami when we get to the prison to give her a heads up. Before we leave, I have a legal document that Lin has to stamp before you can leave the city being you are technically still in prison." Korra informed her.
They teasing each other the entire way back. Korra wanted to walk instead of taking the car, and Kuvira didn't object, it was nice to be able to stretch her legs. Korra got bored and decided to liven things up, "I'll race you to the hotel, first one there is buying drinks." Korra challenged. "I thought we were leaving this afternoon. You want to go drunk?" Kuvira asked. "Of course, not that's why Asami is the designated flyer." Korra laughed. "OK Avatar, it's a bet." Kuvira laughed in response.
They raced the two miles to the hotel. Kuvira was trying to let think she could win….at the end Kuvira sped up and past Korra by. "I win again, Avatar." Kuvira teased. "You know for having a near death experience, you're very fast and strong." Kuvira responded. "Come on, I'm buying."
They were seated as soon as they got to the hotel restaurant. They were so engrossed in their conversation, they didn't see Suyin having lunch by herself at the next table. The waiter came to the table "what will it be." "We'll have two orders of assorted dumplings and…Korra what do you want to drink," Kuvira asked Korra who was looking at her like she had something up her sleeve." "We'll a bottle of tequila with a tray of shot glasses." Korra challenged "Let's see who can last the longest."
"You're on" Kuvira accepted.
The waiter came a few minutes later with their food and drinks. They started with the dumplings because they didn't want to drink on an empty stomach. "These dumplings are good, almost as good as Ming Palace's dumplings." Kuvira commented through a mouthful of dumpling. "That's all you want to ever eat is dumplings." "That's the one thing that Bataar's family chef never made and dumplings are my favorite food." Kuvira told her.
Korra started to pour the tequila in the shot glasses as Kuvira finished her last dumpling. "Are you ready?" Korra challenged. "Bring it on Avatar."
Suyin turned around to see Kuvira and Korra sitting at the next table doing shots. "They are drinking too much. How could Korra think it's okay for Kuvira to be drinking this much in her condition" she thought to herself.
Korra was down 10 shots and Kuvira had 13. "I'm winning Avatar" Kuvira slurred. She was always in a good mood when she was shitfaced. Nothing ever seemed to bother her even the woman at the next table. Kuvira drank another two shots before she picked up another one "this one's for you Suyin." Korra didn't see Suyin at the next table and thought Kuvira was just venting her frustration over alcohol.
Suyin didn't know if you should say anything because she knew that Kuvira was drunk. She watched as Kuvira drank another three shots and then started to sway in her seat. Korra wasn't much better. Korra drank two more shots before she put her head on the table and forfeited.
"Kuvyyya, you wiiin again.! Korra slurred.
"Whaaat's wrong Avatar, giving up so soon?!" Kuvira taunted about to drink another shot, when Suyin lost control of herself and grabbed Kuvira's wrist to stop her.
"Kuvira, you've had enough!" Suyin ordered.
Kuvira looked up at Suyin. "Look Korra, Su wants to play too. Here, have a, haaa, drink." Kuvira said looking up at Suyin.
Korra's head hit the table. She was pasted out cold. Kuvira wasn't far behind. "Kuvira, you've had enough to drink!" Suyin ordered as she let go of Kuvira's wrist to check on Korra. When Suyin wasn't looking, Kuvira quickly drank three more shots. Suyin grabbed the third shot out of her hand a little too late. "KUVIRA, I said that's enough!" Suyin was beginning to lose her patience. Kuvira glared at her through drunken eyes, "Yeeessss, mo-ther." Kuvira stammered. "Korra let's go." Kuvira tried to get up but Suyin pushed her back into the chair.
Suyin hailed the nearest waiter. "Please get someone to help me with these two." The waiter looked at the two women and nodded. A few minutes later a man came to help take Korra and Kuvira up to Suyin's room. Korra was out cold and had to be carried up. Kuvira on the other hand was still able to walk with a lot of guidance.
"Where are we going?" Kuvira asked as she was being supported by Suyin.
"I am taking you and Korra up to my room so you can sleep this off. Suyin answered, happy that Kuvira was talking to her, but wise enough to know it was just the alcohol.
"I don't want to sleep." Kuvira protested.
As they got to her room, Suyin had the man put Korra in her bed, while she attempted to do the same with Kuvira.
"Is there anything else I can do for you Mrs. Beifong?" The man asked.
"No thank you, I'll take it from here." Suyin replied sitting Kuvira on the bed. Her room had a king size bed which she was thankful for now.
"Kuvira you have to lay down and sleep." Suyin noted.
"Why? I'm not tired. I thought you wanted to play…. you're no fun." Kuvira slurred.
Kuvira always did react strangely to alcohol, which was probably the reason she never drank. Suyin knew she would have to play along in order to get her to bed.
"I thought we would have a sleep over, just you, Korra and I. Doesn't that sound like fun? What do you think?" Suyin suggested. She knew there would be hell to pay when Kuvira woke up, but what else could she do.
"You want to play sleep over, Mother!" Kuvira slurred.
"Yes, I want to play sleep over." Suyin reaffirmed. She could see Kuvira thinking.
"Okaaaaaay you get the middle." Kuvira laughed as she pulled Suyin into bed before she could react.
Suyin tried to get up, but she was pinned between Korra and Kuvira. Kuvira was snuggling into her embrace. "Sweet dreams mother." Kuvira whispered. Suyin started to tear. She just enjoyed the moment because when Kuvira woke up, she hoped Korra would be able to calm her down. "Sweet dreams baby." Suyin responded kissing Kuvira's forehead.
She didn't know how long she slept when she felt Korra start to stir. Suyin tried to move a little without waking Kuvira who was still snuggling into her embrace. Korra opened her eyes and sat up, "where am I" she asked before she noticed it was Suyin who was lying next to her hugging a sleeping Kuvira. "Oh spirits, it wasn't a dream." Korra yawned. "Good afternoon sleepyhead." Suyin said.
Korra sat up and tried to assess the situation, through a pounding headache. "Uuuhhh this is bad! Suyin, this isn't good! She is going to freak!" Korra drawled. "What I'd like to know is why she was drinking in the first place?" Suyin demanded. "That was my fault, first I raced her and told her winner buys drinks and then I bet her that I could drink more than she could! She won everything. She really is a perfectionist." Korra admitted. "I could have told you that. She has always been like this when she drinks. She always becomes very happy and friendly to anyone." Suyin declared. Korra watched as Kuvira snuggled up against Suyin. "I can see that" Korra replied. "So, what are we going to do now? If she wakes up like this, she'll freak out. I tried moving and every time I move she comes closer to me. She actually called me mother before she slept." Suyin teared. Korra could see the emotional toll this was taking on Suyin. With all her faults, Suyin really was trying. Suyin began to feel Kuvira stir. She wrapped her arms tighter around Suyin trying to get closer. Suyin instinctively wrapped her arms around her and kissed her forehead. Kuvira snuggled, "I love you Suyin." She whispered. "I love you too, my baby! Korra saw tears streaming down Suyin's face. She pressed a kiss into Kuvira's hair. She never wanted this moment to end. Kuvira's eyes opened and she looked at Suyin. Korra watched her, trying to remain calm "how are you feeling sleepy head?"
"Fine." Kuvira slurred clearly still intoxicated. She snuggled back against Suyin. Korra watched her hugging Suyin and wondered if these were emotions that Kuvira was suppressing when sober for fear of being betrayed again.
"Su, I don't think Kuvira really hates you. I think she is suppressing her feelings to protect herself from being hurt again."
"I don't know… I'm trying not to get my hopes up. I spent so much time being angry with her, when I was really angry with myself. I had so many chances to fix things, to show her I loved her and I blew it. I was a coward and I hid in my city with no thought to the consequences. I always believed that she would eventually come home. Bataar told me that Kuvira wanted me to be the interim leader for the Earth Kingdom, so she and I would have a chance to work together. After all the times, I tried to get close to her again, I fail to see the one time she tries. I failed her. This is all my fault. Korra I swear I couldn't love her more if she were mine from birth. I know it's wrong, but part of me loves her the most out of all my children. I can't explain it. I just wish I'd realized it earlier." Suyin confessed.
Kuvira heard everything, but she thought she was dreaming. She always dreamed about Suyin. About the last conversation they had before she almost died. As a child and as a teenager, she wanted nothing more than to have Suyin's love and attention.
"Can I use the phone? I have to tell Asami where we are." Korra asked.
"Sure, it's over there." Suyin offered.
Korra picked up the phone and called Asami while watching Kuvira sleep.
"Hello?" Asami voice came over the phone.
"Hello, Asami." Korra replied.
"Where have you been? Bataar and I have been so worried about you guys." Asami exclaimed, panic in her voice.
"It's a long story, but we are in Suyin's hotel room." Korra told her, awkward silence on the phone.
"How did you guys end up there and how is Kuvira?" Asami asked.
"Kuvira is drunk and asleep. I don't know how to move her without waking her up. What's worse is that she is snuggling into Suyin and everytime she moves, Kuvira stirs. It is only a matter of time before Kuvira wakes up somewhat sober. Can you and Bataar come quickly please? I promise, I'll explain the rest later." Korra begged.
"We're on our way." Asami promised.
Korra climbed back onto the bed. Her head was pounding. "Asami and Bataar are coming. I just hope Bataar can get her out of here without waking her up."
Twenty minutes later they hear a knock at the door. Korra opens it to find a nervous Asami and Bataar in the hall. Bataar walks in followed by Asami and looks at the way his fiancé is snuggled up against his mother. "Is she doing that voluntarily?" Bataar asks Suyin even though he already knows the answer. "No. These two got drunk at the bar downstairs. Korra was unconscious and Kuvira was her usual happy self. The way she always gets when she's drunk." Suyin announced. "Who's idea was it to get drunk?" Bataar demanded clearly upset. Korra's face turned red "sorry" she whispered "no one ever told me she gets this way when she's drunk. How was I supposed to know?"
"Let us worry about getting her out of here without waking her up. The last thing I want is for her to be an emotional wreck." Bataar insisted. "Mother, do you think you could loosen her grip on you?"
"I'll try." Suyin sighed. All she wanted was to hold Kuvira in her arms. She didn't know if she would ever have this again. She moved over and took one of the hands that Kuvira had draped over Suyin's side. Bataar carefully lifted her off the bed, trying not to wake her up. Once he had her in his arms he bid his mother goodbye and left quickly so as not to wake Kuvira. Korra and Asami followed close behind him. Once the car started moving, Kuvira started to wake up. She opened her eyes to look at Bataar smiling down at her. "How did I get here? Kuvira asked clearly confused. "You had a little too much to drink and passed out." Bataar responded. "Do you remember anything?"
"I just remember being in bed with…. never mind it must have been a dream." Kuvira yawned. "Was is a good dream?" Korra asked noticing that Bataar was unsure if that was a safe question to ask. "Yes, it was a very good dream. I dream about that a lot." Kuvira yawned again falling asleep in Bataar's arms.
Bataar looked at Korra in confusion… "What was that about?"
"I don't think she really hates Suyin. I think she loves her, but is suppressing those feelings because she is afraid that Suyin will hurt her again. When she was snuggling against her she told Suyin that she loved her. Suyin told me that before Kuvira fell asleep, she called Suyin mother." Korra admitted clearly expecting Bataar to argue with her.
Bataar looked at the woman in his arms. The complicated woman whom he loved with all his might. "I figured as much. She wouldn't be so deeply affected like this if she didn't care about my mother. Kuvira has always been able to control her emotions in a way that would disturb most people, but I know it to be a coping mechanism. She has gone through so much and was hurt each time. If she hates a person, she is able to separate that emotion, so the other person would never know. On the other hand, if someone she truly loves hurts her deeply, she tries to separate those feelings by refusing to acknowledge them and the person she associates with them. My mother has always been a person Kuvira has always loved fiercely, even though she would never acknowledge it, she is also the person who hurt her the most. She doesn't know how to express these emotions because they are so strong. On the one hand, she loves Suyin, but the sight of her will send her into an emotional wreck because she is so afraid of getting hurt again. I just hope in time the two of them can repair their relationship. The separation and anger is hurting them both. The fact that my mother will admit how much she is hurting is proof that she does realize her mistakes. I am in a very difficult position, but I love them both. I love my mother fiercely, but I can't live without Kuvira."
Korra and Asami looked at each other and then looked at the way Bataar held Kuvira in his arms. Many people had believed that Kuvira was engaged to Bataar because of her political ambitions, but Korra had never seen a love so fierce and strong. Theirs was one for the history books. They each love and understand the other completely and unconditionally.
Looking back at her failed relationships, Korra couldn't help, but be just a little jealous of their love and hope that one day she may experience it as well.
"We are both here for you and Kuvira." Asami reached out and squeezed Bataar's arm to comfort him.
"We were supposed to leave for Crescent Island today, but someone had to get our star bender drunk." Asami joked.
"She didn't have to agree to it, knowing full well that Kuvira never backed out of a challenge. We can get a good night sleep and leave tomorrow morning." Korra suggested.
"Then tomorrow morning it is. If anyone can help us find what we're looking for, it's Kuvira. I've never seen a more powerful bender." Asami offered.