Hello All! I hope you're enjoying this, please leave a review. I'd love to know how you guys feel about this? Too slow, too fast, OOC? Let me know! I've got a few one shots I'd like to post in this story once we get there.
I met with a doctor that night and they'd concluded what I'd already known. I have a concussion. A well placed call and a verification letter from my doctor officially took me off the work schedule and on medical leave from the academy until cleared, leaving me at a loss of how to fill my days. Training was out of the question as Tenzin is refusing to let me do anything remotely strenuous and a moment of peace was never within my grasp as Pema is constantly checking on me nearly every hour. They mean well of course but I'm feeling rather tense and anxious now. While I'm in 'recovery' though the chief is facing a massive amount of scrutiny from the public and from members of the council. Tarrlok being the first to spear head her reputation, that was expected of course, he was especially unforgiving during his recent press conference, going so far as to question her ability to continue as the Chief of Police.
But today I was to meet with her to give my full statement for the record, Tenzin is working alongside her now so thankfully I won't have to face her alone after our...disagreement...from that night. It's a ridiculous formality given that she already knows what happened. I sit, bouncing my leg nervously as I wait in the lobby of the station, waiting on someone to retrieve me to give my testimony. It's not long before I see Tenzin exit from the hall behind the secretary's desk, scanning the room. We make eye contact and he makes his way over.
"Riala, how are you feeling?" He tries to offer me his hand as I stand but I ignore it. "I'm fine Tenzin, and this whole medical leave is ridiculous." He leads me through the station, shaking his head at my complaints. He tries to reason with me as we bicker back and forth about whether or not I should be allowed to return. Tenzin acting as the voice of reason as always. We make our way to Beifong's office, Tenzin knocking gently and waiting for her reply. I can hear her voice call out and Tenzin opens the door for me.
The two of us enter and take a seat in Beifong's sitting area at Tenzin's request. I tense, watching Beifong at her desk scribbling furiously over some papers.
"Alright Riala, again this is just a formality for the record. Just tells us what happened again." Tenzin says in his calming voice, doing little to ease my nerves as I glance at Beifong moving around her desk, the room growing tense.
"Tien." She doesn't look at me as she stands behind Tenzin, staring at her clipboard.
"Chief." I feel annoyed at her aloof demeanor, obviously she's still bitter.
"When you're ready to begin go right ahead." I sigh and nod, thinking of where to start.
"I was in the Fire Ferrets locker room for the match -"
"Stop. At least get into the roughage will you?" She quips, trying to get directly to the point. I tilt my head, staring at her in annoyance. She looks up, unphased. I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
"Ok, fine. The match is over, Korra's team is knocked out of the ring and I hear.." I pause, trying to grasp at the best explanation. "...electrical static..around the arena. I see blue lights flashing, people are screaming and shouting..." I start to look off to the left trying to recall the details. Everything seemed faint almost, like trying to grab water. I have a few details in my head but the main portion of the story seemed to be missing. "Then the door slams open and I'm attacked by a couple of chi blockers-"
"-and you're sure they're Equalists?" I shoot her a glare that once again...doesn't phase her. "I have to ask, to be thorough."
"Yes. They were wearing the bodysuits and they had the same weapons they used that Korra described from her little run-in with them." I snip, trying to recall where I'd left off. "Anyways. We fight, I manage to subdue them and then I help Korra's team...there were more equalists already down there tying them up though." I cross my arms. "I watch one of them working on his own and jump into the water and subdue him. Korra, Mako, and Bolin are unconscious when I get to them. I check their pulses, slice through the cable that was tied around them and that's when I move to the platform." I see Tenzin shift.
"I hear Amon making a speech, promising to equalize all the benders and non-benders alike. We fight and I manage to knock some of them off their grapples as they try to make a getaway on an airship over the arena." I rub the back of my head, remembering the feeling of pain there. I can't help but stop as I remember the confusion that ensued after that, "-the platform exploded and I was knocked off, I came through, dangling off the side of the platform and climbed back up. There was smoke in the air, and I could see red and blue light up the ceiling." I look up at Beifong. "That's where you and Korra come in I suppose."
"I'm sorry you had to come all the way down here for that but its-" "-a formality." I finish. Tenzin puts a hand on my shoulder, apologizing.
"So we're done?" I ask, standing up hopefully. "Yes." I breathe a sigh of relief, following him out of the room. I chance a glance at Beifong, the woman hardly noticing our exit as we walk through the bullpen once more.
"You'll let me know about the case against those Equalists?" I ask, referring to the ones currently in custody.
"Yes." He nods, leading me out. He's quiet the whole way back to the lobby and I can tell he has something to say. I bite the inside of my cheek, waiting on him to finally speak. We reach the main entrance again but he still hasn't said a thing.
"Alright Tenzin. What is it?" I pull him into an alcove to the side. He tilts his head, weighing his next choice of words.
"I just...sensed some tension that's all." He shrugs. I sigh and cross my arms. "Yes. Well, after Beifong took me to the ambulance we kind of had a disagreement I suppose."
"And?" I shrug, still upset from that night. I feel myself getting angry that tenzin was bringing this up, but I know I'm just projecting my own frustrated feelings with Beifong onto him.
"And I tried to tell her that she shouldn't blame herself completely and she got mad!" I huff growing frustrated as I remember where everything had turned sour.
"Oh." Tenzin looks surprised.
"Yes and you'd think she'd at least mull the idea over in her head but no." I say, waving my hand gently. "I told her she couldn't be a perfect officer all the time-"
"Really?" I give Tenzin a glare as he just keeps getting more surprised. "I mean, sorry." I shake my head at his obliviousness. He just sighs and gives me a sad smile. "Look Lin is her toughest critic. She takes her job seriously-"
"Yes Tenzin I'm aware but I was trying to be nice and not make her feel worse and she just- ugh!" I throw my hands in the air angrily. Tenzin shakes his head. "I know you understand that Lin is...difficult at times. Abrasive I believe is what she describes herself, it's just who she is. I mean we just got back on somewhat equal ground after nearly a decade of not speaking..."
"Tenzin if this is a pep talk you're not doing so well." He groans."Alright. Riala don't take this to heart. It's just Lin being who she is. It's one of the most infuriating qualities to her..." He puts a hand on my shoulder. "We could stand here and talk about this all day but it won't change anything." I bite the inside of my cheek, mulling his words over.
"She has a lot of heart for this city, and Tarrlok should be damned for questioning her..." I trail off. "Riya don't beat yourself up just because Lin can't take a compliment, I know I've had my fair share of instances-" He turns his head away, recalling some long forgotten memory.
"Oh my, you do indeed!" I smirk, teasing him lightly. It's awkward but I picture the image of Tenzin and Lin, my brow furrowing, "Wow you really..really do." Tenzin turns red. "Ok let's just move on." He spins on his heel, walking away.
"You brought it up!" I shrug sarcastically, chasing after him as he retreats to the exit. I catch up to him, his long strides make me work twice as hard. I chew my lip nervously, thinking of asking him, hypothetically, about Beifong.
"Tenzin?" He stops. "Yes?" Of course he's over her, he has kids, a family...
"Has Lin ever dated after you?"
"What!? I- WEll. I..I don't know I mean it's not my business but I think she has...Why?" He sputters. "Just curious." I feel my cheeks burn and turn away from him.
Yes, just curious to know if she ever got over you since that would tell me if I have even a fraction of a chance even though there's no way in hell it'd happen. Just curious cause I harbor feelings for your ex-girlfriend. Just curious cause I have no control when it comes to daydreaming about ridiculous impossible things, especially with her ridiculous temper. She could hardly handle me trying to comfort her and here I am still trying to see if I have a chance to date her.
I duck and hide my blush, "I will see you at home."
Despite Beifong and Tenzin's orders, I can't help but obsess over the investigation. Cut off from doing any training or going anywhere is making me stir crazy so I continue to keep up with any and all case updates. Reading the paper, listening to the radio, any tidbit Tenzin drops at the dinner table, anything.
Today is no different. I lie in bed with a cup of tea, the radio on idle as I wait for any announcement or mention of news from reporters. The music cuts as a broadcast begins over the radio.
"-Cabbage Corp has been closed after one of the warehouses was searched yesterday afternoon. Evidence has been found proving their suspected involvement with the Equalist movement-" I throw the covers off my legs, pacing and trying to understand where Amon could be. "- and this just in, Future Industries has become suspect to the searches-"
How far does his influence reach? Cabbage Corp is massive. And Hiroshi Sato? It's a full scale operational business with an immense amount of resources... I run my hands through my hair.
"I'm so sick of this." I mumble out loud to my empty room. The radio broadcast still reporting on today's breaking news. I look out my window, taking notice of the soft afternoon light shining outside despite the awful issues in the city. I look back at my bed, seeing the divet where I'd just been sitting. I can't sit here anymore.
I shut off the radio and dig through my clothes for a pair of pants and a top. I throw my boots on and pull my hair back before tying my water pouch around my waist.
I set out for the city. My goal? Find Tenzin and Beifong, that would be a start.
It's not hard to narrow down my search. The police were last reported at Future Industries warehouses in the Industrial sector of the city. From there I was able to spot the police airships overhead as they moved from warehouse to warehouse searching for any evidence.
I see a swarm of officers leaving the warehouses, a select few trying to keep reporters at bay, myself included. I watch and wait, slipping around the back alley of the building, making my way into the investigation area. Above me the airships hover as officers retreat into their centers.
Done already? That doesn't bode well for the investigation if they're leaving already. I catch sight of Beifong and Tenzin watching Korra pet Naga. I do my best to stay out of the way as employees move to close the grounds and shut up the warehouses. Beifong is first to catch sight of me, causing Tenzin to turn around as well.
"Riya what are you doing here?" He barks. "You're supposed to be at home, resting." I catch sight of a disapproving Beifong.
"Look you can either accept that I'm here and let me tail you or we can do this the hard way and I still follow you." I huff, looking to Korra for some help.
"You have no business being here, this is a police investigation." Beifong interjects.
"Lin this is driving me insane. All I can think about is this ridiculous investigation. I've been sitting in my room doing nothing for a week." I argue.
"Look Riala, you are better but-" I raise a hand to Tenzin's face. "I'm staying whether you let me or not-"
"Hey, I think you guys should hear this." Korra interrupts us, to my relief. She reads off a piece of paper in her hands. "If you want to find the truth, meet me under the North end of the Silk Road Bridge at Midnight." I look at Tenzin, "-and now I'll know where you'll be." I say haughtily. He just shakes his head. Beifong grits her teeth and huffs at his side, "Fine."
The four of us make our way under the bridge, eyes on the lookout for the informant that slipped Korra the instructions.
"Hey." We look to the voice by a pillar. "Over here." The street lights above cast long shadows over us as we move closer. "Look when I signed up I believed in Amon. I thought he could make life better for us non-benders." He pulls his coat tighter around him as he looks around. "But I didn't sign up for this war."
"What do you have on Hiroshi Sato?" Beifong asks. I look at her out of the corner of my eye, almost excited to get to watch her work. "He manufactured those gloves for the Equalists."
"I knew it." Korra says. The man pops his jacket collar. "There's even rumors about a new kind of weapon he's been working on." "We've searched every warehouse though." Tenzin argues.
"That's because he has a secret warehouse."
"Where?" Korra's voice is urgent. "It's underneath the Sato Mansion." He says, eliciting a gasp from Korra. I look to Beifong as she mulls over this. The man looks around us. "You didn't hear that from me though." He says, slipping away.
I bounce my leg nervously as we ride in Beifong's airship over the city. The city lights below casting light onto the ceiling while the shadows move as we make our way over the city. The last time I was in here Beifong and I weren't as...annoyed with each other as we are now. I bite my lip, blushing as I remember how close we were...
Tenzin and Beifong stand at the front, surveying the city through the massive windshield. "Raiding the sato mansion is a big deal. If we're wrong and with Tarrlok breathing down your neck-" I bite my lip, secretly eavesdropping on their conversation.
"I know, I can kiss my job goodbye. But protecting republic city is all I care about. We can't let Amon get his hands on this new weapon." I glance at the exchange between Tenzin and Beifong, shaking my head at here unwavering dedication. My heart aches at her words as I continue to watch her from behind as we make our way to the Sato Mansion, her backup officers already on the way.
I stop watching her, growing self-conscious. Sure enough I turn away from them and find Korra staring at me unsure. "Are you ok?" She quirks an eyebrow up, genuinely concerned. I blush, "Yea, just anxious." I manage to say, moving away to stand at the back of the ship. I still feel Korra's eyes on my back as we continue to move towards our destination.
We land on the freshly manicured lawns of the Sato estate, waiting for Beifong's officers to arrive before making our move. Once they do it's easy enough to knock on the door and inform the butler that we're investigating the mansion. However, when we burst into a room with Mako, Bolin, and Asami Sato things get tense as she demands an explanation.
"We have reason to believe there's a factory hidden beneath the mansion." Beifong announces with a step forward.
"I think I would know if there was a FACTORY below my house. The lies you people come up with just to persecute my father." Asami huffs.
"Where is your father?" I stand ready beside my fellow officers as Tenzin steps forward.
"He's in his workshop. Behind the house." She spits. "Can you take us to it?" Begrudgingly, Asami complies, annoyance radiating off her.
The group follows her lead, officers standing close by as we move outside through the grounds. The 'workshop' actually turns out to be a large warehouse not far from the main home. "There." Asami points to the plain looking building. Beifong orders her officers forward as they secure the perimeter and enter the building. I follow behind Tenzin as asami calls for her dad inside.
One of the officer approaches Beifong, informing her that the estate is secure and that no one has moved in or out. I take a look around at the workshop, noticing a run down satomobile prototype, some tanks nearby and shelves lining the walls.
"It looks so...bare." I say aloud. "Maybe we just couldn't see him leaving." Beifong muses. I turn in time to watch her raise her foot before slamming it down on the hard floor. After a moment of silence she stands up straight once more.
"There's a tunnel below the workshop, running deep into the mountainside." She announces. Asami doesn't buy it though.
"There's no tunnel." She argues. Beifong look at the ground once more, her arms moving as the metal below us crinkles before she rips it out and throws it onto the satomobile. Sure enough there's a staircase leading down into the dark depths of the hole. I move around to the entrance, resting a hand on the water pouch at my hip.
"Officers into the tunnel, and be cautious." Beifong orders. "You three stay up here." She orders to Mako, Bolin and Asami. "Officer Song keep an eye on them." I follow behind Tenzin as we descend the stairs, Beifong's heavy steps behind me.
As we descend further down I feel almost hesitant, my steps slowing until a hand on my back startles me. Beifong urges me forward with a nod, removing her hand. I take a deep breath and continue on, grateful that she could set aside our dispute for a moment. We reach a metal landing that automatically descends at the push of a button, moving us further down into the earth.
I really don't like this. I think, watching the massive pipes rush past us as we slow to another platform. Beifong issues her officers ahead of us. I keep a hand to my water skein feeling incredibly jumpy as we follow the officers into a massive, brightly lit underground warehouse. I slow as I see the banners of Amon hanging from the rafters.
"I really don't like this." I whisper, Tenzin resting a hand on my shoulder as he moves alongside me.
"Not your average backyard workshop." Beifong states. We keep moving in formation through the warehouse. I take notice of the ventilation ducts running up the wall. There are also grates running on either side of the room, possible for channeling water for any necessary cleaning no doubt, but cleaning what? I don't know. I spot a black metal contraption, three actually, on either side of the warehouse. I tilt my head, confused at this odd looking heap of metal. They look like giants, with clunky feet, three-pronged hands and knotted glass faces...
"Wait!" I yell, running ahead to the officers up front. They all halt as everyone takes note of the metal contraptions on either side of us.
"I'm guessing those are the new weapons." I hear Korra say behind me. I feel anxious just standing here, sensing something I can't put my finger on. "Hiroshi was lying then, but where is he?" Tenzin grumbles.
SWOOSH
SLAM
A wall flys up behind us, blocking any means of exit. The lights shut off at the same time, the warehouse darkening instantly until some ambience lighting kicks on. I continue to look ahead, trying to find an explanation for this trap. Beifong grunts behind me and I see her moving to try to lower the wall.
"I'm afraid you won't be able to metalbend that wall chief Beifong." Hiroshi Sato's voice coos over a p.a. system. Brighter lights flash around us as the new weapons turn on. "It's solid platinum." The gears of the metal tanks are clicking, their joints hissing as they close in around us. I pull the cap off my pouch, draping my arms in water as we move back against the wall.
"My mechatanks are platinum as well. Not even your renowned mother could bend a metal so pure." My heart races are we're cornered.
"Hiroshi I knew you were a lying no good equalist." Korra yells. I look at each mechatank, the 9 of us out number the tanks by 3 but I can't fathom how to take them down. Korra tries to goad Hiroshi out of the tank but he's not having it. I bounce my gaze from the feet, to the hands, to the lights of the tank, trying to find any place to strike that might subdue it.
"That source was a setup, you lured us down here." Beifong shouts, disgusted. I shake my head in disbelief.
"Guilty as charged." Hiroshi says. I hear gears click as the mechatank hand shoots out at her. The fight only just beginning.
The machine before me raises its arm to strike and I jump forward into its space maneuvering behind it as two officers use their cables to hold it down. I try to look for a worthy strike but its hopeless, its a metal contraption with no opening. It can swivel 360 degrees and as soon as I jump out of sight and land its already facing me again. I throw block after block of ice at it from behind when I get an opening, trying to knock it forward as some officers try to pull it their way.
Beside us our fellow officers are fighting the same battle as us. I watch as they slip forward, trying to keep their balance and their hold on the tach by raising the earth beneath their feet to keep them steady. I'm running out of water as I continue to move around the tank before me, the sounds of fighting rising and falling.
I look at the grates at the edge of the room, trying to avoid getting backhanded by the mechatank. I slide out of range and onto the grates, pulling and pulling at whatever unseen liquid might be coursing through them. I manage to swirl out a mass of sludge as I hear an electric buzz in front of me, a group of officers falling to the ground with heavy thuds. I hurtle the brown liquid mass at the nearest tank as they two pivot to move towards me, blocking their view as I lunge away from them.
I roll out of their way in time to catch sight of Beifong, watching as she's lifted and slammed into a pipe, the metal ringing out as she collides with it. Her body falls limp and I scramble to my feet, watching as Hiroshi pulls back on the grappling hold on her and pulling down on the cable. Tripping over the sludge at my feet I try to skate over to where I believe she'll land but I'm not fast enough. I trip and slide, raising my hand to move the dark liquid to catch her from hitting the concrete. She falls into the suspended sludge and I yell out in frustration, trying to make to run for it. My arms snap to my sides as I watch my impromptu support under her give out as I lose control. Her body flops down and I turn just as Hiroshi sends an electric pulse through the cable to me, making me feel like my body is expanding to its max while my skin feels as if its burning.
I scream and push my face into the ground, darkness sweeping over me.
I come through staring at a metal ceiling, my heart pounding as I hear voices talking in the distance. I slowly open eyes, trying not raise any alarm as I realize where I am. I see Tenzin a few feet away to my right, Beifong to my left and I can peek Korra's blue clothes on the opposite side of her.
"Psst." I look down at my feet to the sound.
"Riya." I make out the fuzzy shapes of Mako and Bolin behind a boiler. I look at the mechatanks a few meters away, preoccupied as they round up the other officers. I inch myself into a crouch as the boys shuffle beside me, Mako lifting Korra and Bolin grabbing Tenzin. I roll Beifong to her side and slide her arm around my neck, trying to shake her awake at the same time-
"-Not so fast." Sato and an Equalist power up their weapons. I hold Beifong's wrist tightly as I try to get a good hold around her waist, her feet still unsteady beneath her.
"Hello Mr. Sato. What a really swell, scary, giant factory you have under your mansion." Bolin says, using Tenzin's hands awkwardly. I hear Beifong moan in my ear as she finally starts to wake.
"-Sponsoring our team. Supporting the Avatar. It was all just a big cover." Mako rants, Korra's head resting on his back.
"Yes. But the worst part of it all, was watching my daughter prance around with a firebending street rat like you." Sato fires up his weapon even more and I prepare to fight our way out again.
"Daddy stop!" I see Asami behind Hiroshi. "Why?" She asks. Beifong continues to stir and I watch her as her eyes flutter open.
"Lin, come on wake up." I whisper, she blinks and looks at me. I can feel her breath on my cheek. She flutters her eyes, trying to blink away whatever exhaustion is preventing her from being fully present.
I see her feet press against the floor as she starts to steady herself. I keep my hold on her arm wrapped around my shoulders and tighten my hold on her waist, her hand resting over mine as she fights to stand.
"Join me Asami." I hear hiroshi say. I watch her take her father's glove, feeling the weight as she looks at her father.
"I love you dad." She whispers, shocking her father with the weapon, disarming the Equalist beside him as well. I adjust Beifong's weight against me as the mechatanks take notice of the skirmish.
"Let's get out of here!" Mako yells, everyone moving quickly to their secret entrance. I jump with Beifong into the hole, taking a moment to steady her and run behind her as our group makes our escape.
We run across the grounds and into the airship, Tenzin firing it up as I push Beifong to sit down on one of the benches. I throw myself down at her side once she's settled, pushing a blanket under her head. I bite my lip, watching her pained expression as her eyes flutter while she tries to settle. I fight the urge to check her over immediately, unsure how she'll react.
The group is eerily silent, most of them watching the Sato estate below us drift away. Once we're really moving Tenzin makes his way over to us.
"My metalbenders are on their way to Amon and its all my fault." I feel helpless as I watch her lay in front of me, lamenting over her failure. "Tarrlok's right. I failed as Chief. First thing in the morning, I'm handing in my resignation." I shake my head at her words, looking at her clutch her side. All I think of is Xiao and her newly appointed position to the metalbenders. I wasn't even looking, was she with them? My breath hitches at the thought. I decide to rummage for some water in the ship trying to make myself useful and keep my mind busy instead of thinking of Xiao, unconscious in the back of their truck. If she was...I should have paid attention, should have looked elsewhere instead of Beifong.
No. No. I can't think that way. This was solely Hiroshi's doing.
"No. You can't give up like this." He says, watching her sit up. I see a box under the bench with some supplies, water included inside.
"I'm not giving up. I'm going to find my officers and take Amon down but I'm going to do it my way. Outside the law." Tenzin doesn't answer as I move past him, forcing Beifong to sit back as check her head. She swats at my hand and I grab her wrist.
"I can do this one handed too." I threaten. She doesn't try to fight me, instead she relents and settles back onto the bench.
"I'm fine." She grumbles, her eyes shutting as she shifts. I hear Tenzin move towards the back of the ship.
"Just sit and be quiet." I grumble back, sensing for any trauma or damage to her brain as the water glows blue. The grimace on her face subsides, her face relaxing. I take notice of the scrapes on her face and the strain in her hands as she continues to hold her side. I also take notice of her scars, the way they follow the lines of her cheek, the curve of the corner of her lips, the grimace returning to her face. Focus. I chastise myself, looking away from her face.
After sufficiently healing any issues in her head I kneel in front of her, waiting for her consent to touch her pained side. She sits up, her eyes searching for me before realizing my position in front of her.
"I can take a look at that if you want?" She eyes me, not moving her hand.
"I'm fine." She grits, shifting in her seat once more. I roll my eyes and wait for her to relent, watching as she grimaces again while trying to lean back, catching my gaze. "Ugh, fine." She moves her hand, preparing to remove her uniform. I feel my temperature rise, my cheeks burning.
"I can do this without you removing anything." I say, gently stopping her hands from making whatever movement they were about to do. I focus on her side, moving the water so that it slips through the tiny spaces in her uniform to get at the skin underneath. Her breath hitches.
"Sorry...I should've told you it'd be cold." She only nods, her eyes shut as she relaxes under my hands.
I sense a lot of bruising, some broken ribs. I distance my hands then, spreading the water to her back as I sense more damage there. I find my groove then, switching into healer mode with my only goal being to fix my patient. She and I stay like that for a solid 10 minutes, just me on my knees at her side while she begrudgingly lets me do my work. It's not until I'm finished that I notice her watching me out of the corner of my eye, a blush erupting on my cheeks while I quickly pull my hands away, funneling the water into my empty pouch.
"There. You should be alright. We'll get you to the hospital so they can review everything." I avoid making eye contact and sit on the opposite bench, ignoring her as she tentatively presses her fingers to her side. "Not bad." She mumbles after a moment of assessing my work. I blow a little air out of my nose, my way of laughing at the moment. I feel any tension between us subside. Neither of us exchange an apology at any time but we both understand that we're back on even terrain.
I shut my eyes and lean back, feeling a smile try to creep onto my face. I try to shove those feeling down and away, desperate to keep them buried. I try to remind myself of reasons why it was an impossible future.
She was with Tenzin. She is old enough to be your mother. She's complicated. She has the emotional range of a teaspoon. She is incredibly strong. She's brave. She's fearless. A gifted bender. I think of her movements at the underground workshop. She's incredibly loyal to her police force and her city. I rub my face with my hands. God I can barely list reasons not to like her without listing reasons why I do. My face contorts in annoyance as I my brain continues to generate all these things...
"Are you alright?" Beifong's voice is slightly raspier than usual. I open my eyes, cheeks burning as I look at the ceiling of the airship.
"Yes. Just... flying... is nerve wracking." She sets her feet flat on the ground as I speak, her eyes narrow in the slightest way. I think back to the workshop just a mere hour ago, remembering the earthbending sensing method she'd used to find the tunnel.
I hope to god she can't sense emotions like her mother does.