Lin was having second thoughts about this.
The clothes were actually pretty comfortable but she still felt exposed without the comfort of her armor molded snugly around her. But she hadn't fully thought through the fact there would be so many other people there. It wasn't Republic City so, thankfully, not many people knew her well, but the lines on her face made her recognizable enough as Suyin BeiFong's older sister.
She paced around the corner from the building entrance, wondering if she would actually be missed if she just decided to go back to her rooms.
No.
She told Su she would be there. She had promised. Lin didn't break her word... She would just have to suck it up and endure whatever the evening brought her way. She stopped her nervous pacing and took in a deep breath. She was used to social events, she didn't particularly like them, but she was used to them. Though, usually she was playing the role of abrasive police chief rather than supportive big sister.
Lin rolled her shoulders a few times before rounding the corner and ascending the staircase into the hall. Two young girls stood by the doors, each with a stack of papers. As Lin approached the girl nearest her smiled broadly and held out a program for her to take. The girl was missing one of her front teeth and Lin smiled back at her, reminded of Su's grinning face when she had started losing her baby teeth as a kid.
"Thank you."
"Enjoy the show!"
She wandered the lobby of the performance hall, not entirely sure where she was supposed to be sitting. She didn't have to wonder long as she saw a familiar dark head weaving through the gathered crowd.
"Aunt Lin!"
"You're a sight for sore eyes, Opal."
Lin let out a slight grunt as she was knocked slightly off balance by Opal's enthusiastic hug. She was catching up to Lin in height and she had gotten stronger than the last time she had seen the girl. The hug was strong but thankfully didn't last too long, with Opal grabbing Lin by a hand a leading her through the crowd.
"We were starting to worry you wouldn't show up. Wei and Wing have a bet going, though I can't remember which of them bet on you actually coming. We have our own special seating box with a great view of the stage. Oh, mom is going to be so happy!"
Lin let the girl ramble on as she led them to their seats, grateful for any excuse to not talk to anyone else. They entered the private box with Opal announcing her arrival loud enough for half the hall to hear.
"She's here!"
"No!"
"YES! Pay up!"
Bataar immediately stood and greeted her with slight bow before gesturing to a pair of empty seats next to him. Huan had looked up to her for only a second before going back to resting his head on his arms while he looked out over the balcony with his usual look of melancholy. The twins were still arguing over the apparent bet they had made and its legitimacy. Lin was truly surprised to see that Bataar Jr was also there. He stood in the corner away from the rest, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. He didn't turn to her or acknowledge her arrival at all but Lin felt his heartrate quicken via the small seismic waves she had sent out upon arrival.
"We're so glad you could make it, Suyin is going to be so happy."
The lights flashed to indicate the show would be starting shortly.
"Shall we?"
Lin nodded before taking the seat next the Bataar Sr. Opal took the seat next to her just as the lights faded to black on the stage lit up.
/
/
Lin joined the rest of her family as they made their way backstage after the show had ended and all the dancers took their many bows. She stayed back, allowing the others to congratulate Su on the show's success. She observed as friends and well-wishers took turns hugging her sister, everyone all smiles and full of praise.
Lin would feel the room through her feet from time to time and found it oddly refreshing change of pace to find that these people were genuine in their wishes of congratulations. She was so used to the way the politics of Republic City played out with artificial and, often times malicious, faux flattery.
The crowd started to thin, with only the immediate family left. Lin finally made her way closer to her sister who, immediately upon seeing Lin, smiled giddily before closing the gap between them and throwing her arms around Lin.
"You came!"
"I don't know why everyone is so surprised, I said I would be here."
Su kissed Lin's cheek, hooking her arm through hers and turning to the others.
"Shall we get dinner? I'm starving!"
Wei and Wing led the way, arguing about where they should eat. Su leaned closer to Lin and rested her head against her shoulder.
"Madame BeiFong! Wait, before you go! May I?"
They all stopped, Su breaking away from Lin to see who spoke. A balding man held up a camera and smiled expectantly.
"Perhaps a photo of the whole family?"
"Oh yes! That sounds perfect. Boys, Opal! Come back a moment."
Huan let out a groan but they all moved to gather around their mother without much fuss.
"What about Aunt Lin?"
"You too, Lin! Come on!"
Lin held up her hands in protest.
"Oh no, I'm not a part of this. I'll wait until you're done."
Su took a step away from the group, reaching out for Lin who took a step backwards. Her sister narrowed her eyes before calling over her shoulder.
"A little help, boys."
Wei and Wing moved as Lin took another step back. She hadn't even seen them move but she found herself tripping over small blocks of earth that had just appeared in her path. As she lost her balance Su jumped at the opening, grabbing Lin by an arm and pulling her into the group. She tried to move but her feet were encased in earth like quicksand, a trick her mother used to pull all the time. She would have used her hands to break free but Su still held tightly to one, while Opal held the other.
A flash went off and Lin gave up her protesting as the family got closer and posed again. A second flash went off, Lin still scowling.
"I really do hate all of you. Except Bataar."
They looked her in surprise, Wei looking at Bataar Jr with a look of jealousy. Lin rolled her eyes before clarifying.
"Senior."
They had broken a part and were walking towards the exit as Lin looked back to Bataar Jr. He kept his distance from the rest of the family, shuffling along slowly behind them.
"I still haven't forgotten that whole Kuvira business."
She paused for moment bringing her hand up to point at her own eyes before turning them to his. His face paled as Lin turned to face forward, leading the way to the exit doors.
"Don't look so terrified. She's the reason they let you go on house arrest instead of prison so she can't hate you that much."
Lin heard Wing slap Bataar on the back encouragingly and let out a low chuckle. Su caught up to her, slipping her arm back through Lin's.
"Thank you for coming tonight, Lin. I hope you liked the performance."
"You know, Su. I did. I really did."
Su beamed, squeezing Lin's arm gently.
"I love you, Lin."
"Love you too, Su."