Korra pinched the bridge of her nose as she listened to the line ring on the other end. Her father picked up on the third ring and Korra had to swallow hard to keep from crying. After everything that had happened in the last few hours, hearing her father's voice almost sent her over the edge.
"Hey, Dad, it's me." Her voice was shaky, reflecting the emotion she was barely keeping at bay.
"Hey, sweetheart." A pause, then, "What's wrong?" Korra grimaced, knowing that even though they were separated by thousands of miles, her father could always tell when something wasn't right with her.
Where should I even start? She took a deep breath, then said, "A lot, actually." She spent the next few minutes bringing him up to speed on everything that had happened since the previous evening.
He let out a deep sigh once she was finished. "You promised me that something like this wasn't going to happen. The only reason I even agreed to let Vira out of the South is because you and Asami promised me that she'd never step foot off your property, let alone into the actual city." His voice was scarily calm, and Korra knew he was doing everything he could not to completely lose his temper.
Korra mirrored his deep sigh. "I know, but the airfield construction got set back a few weeks because of the weather and we just thought–"
"No, Korra, that's the problem: you didn't think," her father retorted, cutting her off in a tone of voice that was very rare for him to take with her anymore. When she'd been younger, it had been a near-daily occurrence. For him to use it now meant that she'd epically screwed up. Which she was already very much aware of.
"None of you thought this through," he continued, and Korra could almost picture his face through the phone, eyes flashing in anger and worry. "And I'm not sure what's worse: the fact that you didn't bother to let me, the Chief, know of your change in plans to take one of the most vulnerable members of the Tribe into hostile territory…or the fact that all four of you seemed to vastly underestimate the risks involved."
The tears she'd been holding back were now flowing freely and all Korra could think to say was, "I know…I'm sorry. It was a stupid idea. I knew it was a stupid idea the moment Asami and I agreed to it and I should've known better than to allow it. As the Avatar, I should've put my foot down and said no."
She heard her father sigh again. "Yes, you should've. At the very least, you should've asked me first. Vira is my responsibility. But, what's done is done. I appreciate you calling me as quickly as you did, so I can get out ahead of this."
"What's going to happen now?"
"You said that Asami's attorney is going to try and handle things up there?"
"Yeah…he told me he was going to head over to the jail and see if there's a bail he can post for her. As for Vira, I don't know. I highly doubt she'll be allowed out. I'm guessing there will be another tribunal for her, at some point. I think it's still too early to know anything for sure, though."
"News of this is going to get out, whether we want it to or not. I'll call an emergency session of the Council as soon as I can, but some of the Councilors are away on a retreat to the spirit portal, and won't be back for another couple of days. Just…" He paused for a long moment.
"Just be prepared for the fallout from this. Once word gets out that the world has been lied to for the last few years, those who've known and kept Vira's secret are going to have to answer for that."
"Lin already has," Korra replied in a soft voice. She fully expected that everyone involved was going to have to face the consequences of this, at some point. To include herself. "I should probably call Su then, and give her a heads-up. I can't imagine the news is going to go over too well in the Earth Republic."
"I'll call her. You focus on what's going on up there. And keep me updated if there are any new developments."
"I will," Korra promised. "I'm so sorry, Dad. I never ever meant for something like this to happen."
"I know you didn't, sweetie, but it did and now we have to deal with it. I love you."
"I love you too. Tell Mom I love her, please?"
"Of course. Talk to you soon." They said their goodbyes, and Korra hung up the phone and wiped her eyes.
Phone calls now finished, she made her way back to Nayuh's healing room. Her father had been right about a few things. They hadn't taken the risks as seriously as they should've and now Vira was paying the price for that. And because of their complacency, not one person close to Vira was going to escape the massive fallout that was sure to come.
Tonraq had just finished hanging up the phone when his wife walked into his office. "Was that Korra?" Tonraq nodded and gave her a pained look, which she immediately understood. "What happened?"
He quickly filled her in on everything Korra had told him. Senna's eyes grew wide as he spoke and by the time he was finished, she'd sunk into one of the chairs in front of his desk.
"This is bad," she said, stating the obvious.
"It is," Tonraq grimly agreed. "Korra said that Asami's attorney was going to handle things on their end up there, but I'm not sure what good he'll be to Vira. Now that she's locked up again, I highly doubt the President will let her go. Especially after what happened the last time."
Senna nodded. "I can't see her being lenient at all. What were they even thinking, having her go up there? Didn't any of them realize how bad of an idea that would be?"
Tonraq pursed his lips. Their daughter was many things: headstrong, loyal, and compassionate, to name a few. But if she had one major weakness, it was that she tended to barge headlong into things, without stopping to think about the consequences. That instinct had been tempered quite a bit in the last several years, but clearly, it was still there.
"They didn't think," he replied, "that's the problem. All four of them have grown complacent. I would've expected Vira to at least recognize the risks, but…" He trailed off with a sad shake of his head.
Senna studied him for a moment. "I assume there's going to be quite a bit of backlash from this. On us, especially."
"I imagine so, yes. From the other nations as well as from people here. Even though she never threatened the South, or came anywhere near us, I can't imagine people being too happy that the Tribe has been harboring a criminal in secret all these years."
Senna grimaced. "Or that their Chief was complicit in the whole thing."
"That too," Tonraq said, giving her a thin smile. "I wouldn't be surprised if the Council decides that I'm no longer fit to be Chief. And if they do, I won't fight it." Senna gave him a consoling look, which he returned with a determined one.
"I don't regret taking her in and allowing her to rebuild her life here. It was the best thing that could've happened to her. It was certainly better than returning her to Zaofu or locking her up again."
Senna got up and came around his desk to stand in front of him. She took his hands in hers and kissed them. "You're a good man, Tonraq. Regardless of what happens, you did the right thing. I know it, and you know it. And Vira knows it as well. We'll get through this. The most important thing we can do now is to be there for Vira. She needs as many people as she can get on her side."
Tonraq gazed at her, wondering how he'd gotten so lucky that she'd married him. Then, something she said caught his attention, and he cocked his head. "I think you just gave me an idea. If I can somehow prove to the Council that Vira has been more of a help than a hindrance to the Tribe for the past few years, maybe they'll allow her to stay."
"It's worth a shot," Senna replied. "And," she went on, voice growing slightly more excited, "if they do agree to that, then maybe you can use that as leverage, to help get her out of jail and back down here, where she belongs. If we can show that she's welcome here and a major contributor to the Tribe and its growth, then I can't imagine that the President wouldn't at least take that into consideration."
Tonraq leaned up and planted a grateful kiss on Senna's lips. "As soon as Siku and Tariq return from the portal, I'll call an emergency meeting. Until then, we'll just need to be prepared for the backlash here, once the news gets out. Which I'm sure it will, rather quickly."
Senna chuckled. "If our people are anything, it's major gossips. I'm sure it'll be out either tonight or first thing tomorrow." She sighed. "I should probably let Kia know. Given how she feels about Vira, I'm afraid she's going to react badly if she hears it offhand."
Tonraq nodded. "That's probably smart. I need to call Suyin and let her know as well. She won't be left unscathed in this either and the sooner she knows, the better."
"Alright," Senna said. She bent over and gave him another kiss. "I'll head down to Kia and Tarrak's shop right now."
She turned to go, but Tonraq pulled her back for one more kiss, letting it speak to how grateful he was for her understanding and unwavering support. When they finally parted, Senna gave him a playful look. "Kiss me like that again and neither one of us will get anything else accomplished the rest of the day."
Tonraq raised an eyebrow at her. "Is that a threat or a promise?"
Senna shrugged and flashed him a smile as she casually walked out of his office, making sure to take her time. Tonraq smiled as he watched her go, then heaved a sigh as he picked up the phone again and dialed Suyin's number.
"Come on, Mom, is that all you got?" Wei tauntingly called as he launched another flurry of metal at her.
Suyin ducked and weaved, gathering the projectiles around her and flinging them back at her son. Wei's laughter was abruptly cut off as he dove out of the way; Su smirked and was getting ready to trap her son in an earthen prison, when she heard one of her other children calling for her.
She turned and saw her eldest jogging down the path that led to the training ground. Su frowned as Bataar hurried up to her, ignoring his brother who was walking over to join them.
"Sorry to interrupt," Bataar said, slightly out of breath, "but Chief Tonraq is on the phone for you and he says it's urgent."
Su immediately started walking back towards the main house, her sons falling into step on either side of her. "Did he say why it was so urgent?"
"No," Bataar answered with a shake of his head.
Su pursed her lips. There were very few reasons why Tonraq might be calling her, and even less that Su might consider urgent.
"You don't think it has anything to do with…you know who," Wei tentatively said, giving her a worried look. That was exactly what she was thinking, but Su knew better than to speculate in front of her children.
"I'm sure it doesn't, but let's wait and see what he has to say before we start worrying, okay?"
"Okay," Wei replied, but she could tell he wasn't convinced.
Truth be told, the sinking feeling in her gut told her that whatever Tonraq wanted, it most likely had to do with Kuvira. And if it was urgent, that meant that whatever it was, it wasn't good.
The boys tried to follow her into her office, but she ushered them out with a promise to let them know what was going on as soon as she was off the phone. She closed the door behind her and hurried over to her desk, where the phone was off the hook, waiting.
"Tonraq?"
"Hey, Su." His resigned tone did nothing to alleviate her worries and she took a seat, just in case. "I wish this was a friendly call, but unfortunately it isn't."
"Spit it out, Tonraq. What happened to Kuvira?" She mentally winced, forgetting to use her adopted daughter's new name. It was still taking some getting used to.
Tonraq sighed. "She's been arrested."
Su stared blankly across the room, not quite comprehending the words that Tonraq had just said. "She…what?"
"She was arrested in Republic City."
Su shook her head, trying to make sense of what she was hearing. Kuvira was in Republic City? And was arrested? It didn't make any sense at all. Kuvira knew better than to leave the South. And she especially knew better than to go anywhere near Republic City.
"Why in the hell was she in Republic City, Tonraq?" Su angrily spat out, directing her ire at the one person responsible–besides Kuvira herself–for keeping her daughter safely in the South.
"She was there for work, at Asami's invitation. Apparently, they were working on something big, but Korra never said what. Whatever it is though, it must be important enough to draw Vira up there. Nayuh went with her, and while they were on their way to Korra and Asami's house, they were in a satomobile accident.
"They're both fine," Tonraq quickly added, "but their driver was killed. Mako got called in to investigate, and, well…he reported Vira's presence in the city to President Moon. One thing led to another and now she's been arrested. So has Asami, for bringing her up there."
Su shook her head again. "But that doesn't make any sense. Lin knows Kuvir–I mean, Vira's still alive. Surely she could've stopped Mako from reporting it to the President. She is his boss, after all."
Tonraq sighed again. "She was his boss. According to Korra, President Moon fired her after she found out that Lin knew and kept Vira's secret from her."
Su sank back in her seat, stunned into silence. Kuvira's in jail. Lin was fired. It was almost too much to process at once. Fortunately, Tonraq let her take all the time she needed, staying silent on the other end, while Su tried to get a handle on her emotions.
"I'm going to Republic City," she finally stated, her voice firm. "Maybe there's something I can do to help. At the very least, I can try and talk to Zhu Li and explain to her why Kuvira is still alive and why we kept it a secret from everyone."
"That certainly couldn't hurt," Tonraq said. "Korra seems to think that there's going to be another tribunal and I don't know about you, but I'd very much like to avoid that if we can. You know as well as I do that Vira isn't a threat to anyone anymore. She doesn't need to be locked up."
"No," Su agreed, "she doesn't. In fact, keeping her locked up would probably do more harm than good to her at this point." She took a deep breath. "I'll leave for Republic City as soon as I can. It's a half a day's journey by train from here, so if you could let Korra know I'll be arriving by tomorrow morning, I'd appreciate it. I'm sure she's at her wit's end, trying to figure out how to handle this."
Tonraq chuckled. "That's an understatement. She's faced some awful things as the Avatar, but this isn't something she can fight or talk her way out of. Having you there will be a tremendous help to her. And I'll be joining you, as soon as I can figure out where the Tribe stands on all of this."
"Good luck," Su said, knowing Tonraq was going to need all of it. He'd been the one to take Kuvira in, hiding her identity and past from his people for the last few years. She was certain that when the news got out, his head would be on the proverbial chopping block.
"Thanks. And good luck to you as well."
Su hung up the phone and sighed heavily. This was a mess, and she had a feeling that it was going to get even messier before everything was said and done. But, it was her mess. She'd been the one to convince everyone that keeping Kuvira in the South was for the best. And it had been her decision to let the world keep on believing the rumor that Kuvira was dead.
"I got Kuvira into this," she muttered to herself as she stood up, "and now I need to get her out of it."
Asami heard the door at the end of the hall open, then slam shut again, but she made no move to sit up from the holding cell bench she'd been laying on for the last few hours. She'd spent the first few hours in here pacing, running different scenarios through her head, trying to come up with some semblance of a plan.
So far, it had been a fruitless endeavor. She might be an engineering genius, but this situation couldn't be farther from her scope of knowledge. All she could hope for now, was that Korra had done what she'd asked and called the attorney.
Footsteps approached her cell and Asami turned her head, seeing with an immense amount of relief, her attorney standing next to the on-duty guard. He gave her a thin smile as the guard unlocked the cell and slid the door open.
"You've made bail," the guard said in a bored tone. "You're free to go."
Asami got up from the bench and walked out of the cell, falling into step beside her attorney as they trailed behind the guard.
"Thanks, Lee," she murmured. Lee had been with Future Industries since Asami could remember and had essentially watched her grow up. There wasn't another person she trusted more to handle this whole mess of a situation.
"You're welcome," Lee replied. He smirked slightly. "This isn't the first time I've had to bail a Sato out of jail before." Asami flashed him a very surprised look. Her father hadn't exactly been the picture of purity, but she couldn't ever remember a time he'd been in jail, prior to his dealings with the Equalists.
Lee chuckled. "It was never anything serious, and he was adamant about you never finding out." He sighed. "Can't say he'd be very happy about seeing you follow in his footsteps though. Especially considering the circumstances." He gave her a pointed look.
Asami internally winced. She should've known that the first thing he would've done was find out why she was arrested. Their conversation ceased as the guard quickly went over the rules she'd need to follow while out on bail, before signing her out.
"Of all the people you'd throw yourself under the bus for," Lee said, once they were out of earshot from anyone again, "why her?" He suddenly looked angry and stopped walking. "I don't understand, Asami. She murdered your father."
Asami felt her entire body instantly grow hot and she glared at him. "I remember, Lee. I was there. I saw it happen."
"Then why?" Instead of sounding angry, his voice almost had a pleading edge to it. "If you want me to help you with" –he vaguely waved his hand around, indicating nothing in particular– "whatever this is, then I need a damn good reason as to why. Because while I consider you family and will do whatever I can for you and Korra, I will not, under any circumstances, represent that monster."
Asami gazed at him, trying to compose herself. Having it out with Lee, right here, right now, wasn't going to help anyone. And she desperately needed him to agree to represent Vira. She couldn't just do nothing to help Vira get out of prison (If that's even possible, she ruefully thought). She was the entire reason Vira was in this mess.
"I know you don't understand, Lee, and honestly, I'm too tired right now to try and explain it thoroughly. You just have to trust me and trust my judgment. Yes, that 'monster' sitting upstairs in a cell has done a lot of terrible things to a lot of people. She's hurt me and so many others, deeply.
"But she's also spent the better part of the last four years trying to atone for those mistakes. She's changed, Lee. She's not the person she was back then. I've watched that change happen with my own eyes, and so has Korra. Trust me: I wouldn't have gotten myself arrested if I didn't think any of this wasn't worth it."
Lee gazed at her, studying her, most likely trying to gauge how much truth there was in that statement. Asami held his gaze, unwilling to back down from what she'd said. She'd meant every word. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh.
"I don't know Asami. The whole situation seems shady as hell to me. She's not even supposed to be alive, yet she turns up in Republic City, purporting to be a member of the Southern Water Tribe? How does that even make sense?"
He shook his head. "From my point of view–and the point of view of everyone else, once this hits the papers in the morning–is that she faked her death and has been hiding in the South this entire time, and tried to sneak back into the city for spirits-knows-what reason."
"I'm well aware of how it looks, Lee," Asami replied, "but I'm telling you, there's way more to it than that."
"It doesn't matter if there is or isn't," he said. "All that matters, all that's going to matter, is how it looks. And right now, it looks very bad for her. And for you, and Korra, and anyone and everyone who is connected to this."
His face softened a little. "I've known you since you were little and there's nothing I wouldn't do for you. You know that."
Asami nodded. After her father passed, she'd become a lot closer to Lee than she ever expected to, sharing in their mourning of Hiroshi. "But," Lee went on, "what you're asking me to do goes against everything I stand for. I cannot, in good conscience, defend her."
She understood where he was coming from. Understood it probably more than he would ever know, but his outright refusal still didn't deter her. So she decided to try one more time.
"All I'm asking is that you just give her a chance. Give her a chance to explain why she was in the South, and why she's not dead. Why she's acting like she's from the Southern Water Tribe–which isn't an act at all, by the way. If, after that, you still refuse to represent her, then I'll accept your decision. I'm asking you to trust me on this, Lee. Please."
"Why can't you just tell me the reasons why?" Lee asked, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Since you seem to know them."
"I do know them," Asami agreed, "but it's Vira's story to tell. Not mine."
"I don't trust a word that comes out of her mouth."
"Then trust me," Asami insisted. "Trust me when I tell you that she has absolutely no reason to lie to you." She crossed her arms. "Have I ever lied to you?"
Much to her surprise, Lee chuckled. "You mean, other than the times you had me cover for you when you were caught out past curfew?"
Asami rolled her eyes. "That was only a few times. And I was a rebellious teenager, what did you expect?"
Lee chuckled again, then fell silent. Asami could tell he was weighing his options and remained silent as well. Finally, Lee bowed his head and took a deep breath.
"Alright. I still don't like it, but I'll talk to her."
"Oh, thank you, Lee!" Asami exclaimed as she surged forward and threw her arms around him. "I promise you won't regret it."
"I truly hope I don't," he replied, returning the hug. "And I hope your faith in her isn't misplaced. For everyone's sake."
"It isn't, I swear," Asami replied. She released him and stepped back. "I wouldn't have brought her into the city if it was. And Korra would never have allowed me to."
Lee let out a small laugh. "As if the Avatar could stop Asami Sato when she sets her mind to something. I've learned it's just best to let you have your way."
Asami laughed as well. "Korra has learned that, too. For the most part."
They turned and started walking again. Asami was suddenly exhausted. And eager to see the walls of her own home, instead of the dank and drab ones of the city's jail. "When do you think you'll be able to see her?" she asked Lee, as they walked.
"Not until the morning," he replied. "Visiting hours are long over, but I'll be back first thing in the morning. Might as well get it over with as early as possible."
Asami pursed her lips but said nothing. She would listen to any and every negative comment Lee had about Vira, so long as he kept his word about talking to her. Which, she knew he would. He'd never let her, or her father down. Ever.
"Speaking of visiting hours," she said instead, "is she allowed to have any visitors besides you? I know that's the first question I'm going to get, as soon as I walk in the door tonight." Provided Korra and Nayuh were home from the hospital, that is.
Lee shrugged. "I have no idea. I was more concerned with getting you out than I was asking about her. I'll find out tomorrow though, if it's that important to you."
"It is," Asami said. "Thanks."
Lee inclined his head slightly. They walked on in silence, finally leaving the jail behind a few minutes later. Lee was kind enough to give Asami a ride home and as they drove through the city, heading to the outskirts, Asami tried to temper the tiny bit of hope that was trying to grow in her chest.
Lee was the best there is and Asami knew that if Vira could convince him to help her, then the odds of her being released went up significantly. If she could convince him. And right now, Asami knew that was a very big if.
Kuvira had just finished eating the tasteless concoction that was supposed to pass as porridge when she heard voices outside her cell door. She strained to listen, thinking it might be Nayuh, or even Korra, coming to see her. But they sounded distinctly male so she laid her head back down again.
She'd barely slept the first night in here. On top of the unrelenting pain from her injuries, every time she closed her eyes and drifted off she was assailed by nightmares. Each of which was worse than the last one. They hadn't been this bad since her first few weeks in the South and Kuvira knew it had everything to do with the events of the last twenty-four hours.
The small slot in the cell door that the guards used to pass her meals through suddenly flew open and a gruff voice said, "You have a visitor. Stand and face the far wall, hands above your head where I can see them."
Kuvira sighed and slowly pushed herself up off of the bed. She remembered this from the last time. It was standard procedure anytime the guards or a visitor wanted to enter the cell. But, she'd had no visitors the last time. She shuffled over to the wall, wincing in pain, and hoping against hope that it was Nayuh who had come to see her.
She reached the far wall and faced it, just as she'd been told, but when she raised her uninjured left arm up over her head to place it on the wall, she was hit with another flashback. Instead of wood, the wall was now made of stone and her entire body started trembling uncontrollably.
Even more so when she heard the cell door open; she squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the sound of the metal cable to unspool behind her. She wanted to beg, to plead with them not to whip her or beat her, but defiance would only earn her a more severe lashing. So she held her tongue and waited, any thoughts of Nayuh or anyone who might care about her long gone.
"You can turn around now."
As quickly as it came, the flashback was gone and Kuvira tentatively opened her eyes again. The wall was once again made of wood, and the man's voice didn't sound familiar at all. She chanced a glance behind her and saw that an older gentleman had entered her cell. She hadn't even heard the door shut behind him.
All the adrenaline she'd just had was now gone, as was any remaining bit of energy the so-called breakfast had given her. She slowly turned around and sank down to the floor, leaning back against the wall for support, still trembling from leftover fear.
The man awkwardly stood there, just inside the cell, studying her. His hair was grey, his belly slightly larger than what was probably normal, and judging by the suit he wore, he wasn't poor. He looked like he could be her grandfather, which only heightened her curiosity.
"Do I know you?" Kuvira finally said, breaking the silence. Her voice seemed to snap him out of it and he shook his head slightly, before clearing his throat.
"No. I'm here on behalf of Asami Sato. My name is Lee and I'm the head attorney for Future Industries."
Kuvira nodded slightly and winced. Her entire body hurt, from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Without any follow-up treatments in a healing pool, she knew it could take weeks or months for her injuries to fully heal. Not that it matters, she bitterly thought, I'm not getting out of here anytime soon.
Lee was still studying her and Kuvira got the distinct sense that he was surprised by what he saw. She supposed that was accurate. She assumed that since she surrendered four years earlier, most people had built her up to be this devilish monster in their heads. The kind of dark spirit that only comes out at night and attacks children who don't listen to their parents.
"Not what you expected, huh?" she softly said with a hint of a smile.
Her statement broke the ice enough for him to relax his posture slightly. He shook his head again. "Not really, no. I don't know what I expected, to be honest."
"Maybe, an angry woman, hellbent on revenge and ready to destroy anyone in her path?" she guessed. She'd only been half-joking but Lee gave a small shrug.
"Sounds about right," Lee said, not even bothering to hide his disdain. She couldn't blame the man. She hated herself too, for the things she'd done.
"Why did Asami send you?" Kuvira asked, wanting to get to the point. This man clearly hated her, and she really didn't want him in her cell any longer. "She, of all people, should know there's no fixing this."
"She seems to think there is," Lee answered with a sigh. "I'm here out of obligation. To both her and her father."
Kuvira nodded. And probably a little morbid curiosity, she added to herself. "Honestly," Lee went on, "she thinks that whatever story you're going to spin for me will somehow convince me to help you."
"I'm guessing you don't feel the same?" Kuvira inquired, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Not at all," Lee answered, his voice cold. "You're a master at manipulating people. I don't know how you managed to coerce two of the most honorable people in the world, but you can't fool me. I see you for who you really are."
"And who's that?" Kuvira asked, keeping her own voice calm. She was too tired, mentally and physically, to engage in any sort of verbal sparring match with him. And she knew, despite his hatred of her, she needed him on her side. Asami wouldn't have sent him if he wasn't important. Even though Kuvira knew any attempt to get her out of here was futile.
"A monster," Lee acidly replied. "A murderer…a tyrant who destroyed so many lives with no remorse."
Kuvira gazed at him for a few moments. "You're right. I was all of those things. But not anymore."
"No one can change that drastically," Lee said. "You're fooling yourself if you think you can."
Kuvira arched her brow. "No one?" Lee shook his head. "Then tell me, how do you think I managed to trick Asami and Korra Sato–two of the most hard-headed people I've ever met in my life, who would be very hard to coerce–into believing I had for the last few years?"
His eyes widened ever so slightly as her question caught him off-guard. She had a feeling he'd known Asami for a long time. Which meant he knew how impossible it was to convince her of anything. Not without cold, hard facts.
"I, uh…I–" He awkwardly coughed. "I don't know how you did it. I just know you did."
It wasn't even an answer and both of them knew it. Kuvira could've easily pushed her advantage, but instead, she sighed. "If you're willing to listen, I can tell you exactly why they see me the way that they do. And not as the monster that everyone else sees me as."
Lee eyed her carefully for a few long moments. Then he finally pursed his lips and nodded. "I told Asami I would at least listen. I owe her that much." He folded his arms across his chest. "But this had better be worth my time."
"I guess that remains to be seen," Kuvira said, "but I can assure you, I have no reason to lie to you. And if you don't believe me, ask the Avatar. She can verify everything I'm about to tell you."
"I'll be doing that, as soon as I'm out of here," Lee confirmed. He made a motion with his hand, indicating that Kuvira should start talking.
Now that she finally had his attention, Kuvira took a deep breath and started at the beginning. Well, her new beginning. The one that started when she'd been literally thrown from her studies in her room. When she was drugged and shackled and hauled out of Beifong Manor and Zaofu in the middle of the night. When she was whipped and beaten and drowned for hours upon hours until she begged for mercy that never came.
When she'd given herself over to death, only to be brought back from the brink of it. When she awoke to find herself in a new place and with a new reality. When she had seriously considered ending it herself because the pain of living with what she'd done and the consequences of that, had been too much.
When she finally embraced the second chance she was given and vowed to repay the kindness she'd been shown, however she could. When she found true friendship and love and learned to whole-heartedly embrace both. When she found purpose again and threw herself into improving the lives of the people of the Southern Water Tribe.
Kuvira told him everything. She left no detail out. So long as Lee was willing to sit and listen to her, Kuvira kept talking. She had nothing to gain from leaving anything out, and everything to lose. In a sense, she bared her soul to him, as much as she had to anyone in a long time.
Maybe it was because, despite his hatred, he seemed very grandfatherly. Whatever the reason, it was a cathartic experience, and once she was finally finished, she felt far more calm and peaceful than she had hours before.
Still, though, Lee looked skeptical. "That's quite some story," he finally said, after she'd fallen silent. It was obvious he still didn't fully believe her, but Kuvira could tell he at least believed some of it. His posture had relaxed and he'd paid attention to everything she'd said, never looking bored.
"I realize how it sounds," Kuvira quietly replied, "but it's all true. I–" She stopped herself, unsure if she wanted to go any further. Showing friends and family was one thing. Lee was a total stranger.
"I can show you real proof, if you want it," Kuvira finally said, coming to a decision. If this couldn't convince him she wasn't lying, then nothing would.
Lee narrowed his eyes a little. "What do you mean, real proof?"
"Proof that I'm not lying about what happened to me under Lake Laogai. Proof that I'm telling you the truth."
"You don't need to do that," Lee said, but Kuvira shook her head.
"I do. I can tell you still don't believe me."
Lee took a moment to answer. Then he gave her a small nod. "Fine. Show me this proof."
Kuvira steeled herself and slowly got to her feet. Then she turned around and, with her left arm, lifted her shirt up as high as she could, showing him what she could of the multitude of scars that crisscrossed her back. She heard him suck in a breath behind her. She gave him a few moments to let it really sink in, then lowered her shirt and turned to face him again.
"The scars, the nightmares, the memories…they're the punishment I have to live with for the rest of my life. And I'm here to tell you, they're far worse than what any sort of confinement has ever been. They're the things I have to live with every day. And not a day goes by that I don't regret what I did and who I was."
Lee stared at her and for the first time in the hours since she'd met him, Kuvira had a feeling he was really seeing her. Not as the Great Uniter, or Kuvira Beifong, but as who she was now: Vira. She held his gaze, waiting. She'd done all she could and he'd kept his promise to Asami and listened to her. Now, it was entirely up to him what came next.
Finally, he spoke. "I'll have to corroborate what I can with both Asami and Korra, of course. But, for what it's worth, I do believe you. For the most part. I think." He sighed and looked a little worn down, and maybe a little confused.
"I understand," Kuvira said with a faint smile. "Hard to completely change your opinion of someone in the span of a few hours. Thank you for at least having the courtesy to listen to me."
He inclined his head slightly. "You've given me a lot to think about. Like I said, I need to speak to the Satos and then find out what, exactly, they want me to do. Given that your arrest warrant was signed by President Moon herself, we're kind of in uncharted territory. I'm not sure what comes next, to be honest."
"Well, you know where I'll be, if you need me," Kuvira said, hoping her joke would land. It did and Lee cracked a small smile in spite of himself. "Are you going to see them today? The Satos?" she asked.
Lee nodded. "I'm going to head over there as soon as I leave here."
"Can you pass along a message to Korra for me? And Nayuh?" Kuvira asked, then added, "Am I able to do that? To write something out and have you give it to them?"
Lee shrugged. "I don't see why not. They're not allowing you to have any visitors besides me, so I don't see any harm in passing along a message. As long as it's nothing incriminating. Which means, I need to read whatever you're planning on sending, just to be sure."
Kuvira nodded. It'd be a little embarrassing, but better than not being able to communicate with Nayuh at all. "Do you have any paper?"
Lee rummaged around in his briefcase before producing a pencil and a pad of paper. He handed them to her and Kuvira quickly jotted down what she needed to say to both Korra and Nayuh. She handed the separate notes to Lee once she was finished, who quickly read over them, then nodded.
"I'll make sure they get these." He tucked them away in his briefcase. "Is there anything else you want to say or need from me before I leave?"
Kuvira shook her head. "No. Thank you, again, Lee. For giving me a chance. For listening to me. I know it wasn't easy for you."
He gave her a half-hearted shrug, then banged on the cell door, to let the guards know he was ready to leave. "I'll be back as soon as I know something. In the meantime, would you like me to see about getting you some medical attention? Those injuries look pretty serious."
"I would greatly appreciate that, yes," Kuvira said. "If you can. If not, it's okay. They'll heal eventually."
Lee frowned as the slot in the cell door slid open and the guard barked an order at Kuvira to stand against the wall again. "Inmate or not, they're still required to give you medical attention if you need it. I'll make sure it happens."
Kuvira squeezed her eyes shut as she forced herself to face the wall and put her left arm over her head. Another flashback was desperately trying to squeeze its way through and she forced out a "Thanks" as she fought it off.
When she heard the door slide shut again and lock, Kuvira turned back around and looked around her now-empty cell. She still didn't think she had a chance in hell of not spending the rest of her life in prison, but maybe, just maybe…Korra and Asami could pull off a miracle.
