On the cold balcony of her parents' room, Krishna Teng looked over the vast estate of her family. The night was silent, the light breeze comforting. There was something in the distant sparkling in the sky that somehow makes her wistful…something.

The door opened and footsteps were approaching her. She turned her head and saw her brother, clad in his usual formal well-pressed coat, overlapping a neat shirt that made him look dashing in an elegant manner.

"I messed up," she said as he stood side by side with her, looking distant. He didn't utter a word after her statement, but held her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Zoren never really had the right words in his mind, and to him actions speak the loudest. Krishna has been used to this. Even when they were kids, whenever they have a fight over a toy and Krishna would get the scolding due to her being the older one, Zoren would show he was sorry by giving up the cause of their childish quarrel.

Today, however, they didn't quarrel and Zoren doesn't know what to give up to show how sorry he is that Krishna was embarrassed. He let go of his hand and faced her. "You should let this pass, didi," he whispered. "Grandfather…he doesn't know what's…b-been going on with you."

"You don't have to sugar-coat everything that has happened, Zoren."

"I…I am sorry, in behalf of grandfather," he replied softly, careful of his tone that might be mistaken by Krishna.

She shook her head, knowing fully that Satoru meant every word. She felt it, deep in her being, she felt every word and it stung. The scene kept replaying in her mind. "My granddaughter disgraced me, and she dared to join this dinner party."

She closed her eyes and shook her head, as if the thought was some insect that might fly away as her head moved. The corners of her eyes felt warm again and drops of tears flowed down the sides of her face. In the cold night, she felt hurt and she felt ashamed, accused of a crime she is uncertain of. Zoren's presence did not bring comfort, but rather an image of greatness, her grandfather's praise and appreciation that she never got to enjoy.

A moment later, they heard the door slam, footsteps approaching and familiar voices bickering. "How dare you humiliate her in front of your associates?!" It was their mother's voice and suddenly, Krishna and Zoren found themselves facing their angry grandfather. Zoren lowered his head and Krishna took a step back.

"Grandfather…" Krishna trailed off. His glare was intense, as if pushing her over the edge of the balcony, as if encouraging her to jump off.

"You don't have the right to call me that," the elderly spat.

"Papa!" Lin exclaimed, exasperated at the venom that lashed out Satoru's mouth. Krishna's eyes widened. Her body froze.

"Silence, Lin—

"I will not allow you to talk to my daughter like that," she interjected. Krishna only saw her mother very angry, and it was the time when a man came to their home years before for reasons unknown to her.

Satoru turned to Lin, eyes piercing. "How dare you tell off an elder? This is my house; I am your superior and your father. This girl," he pointed sharply at Krishna, "is a disgrace to this family. From this moment on, I don't consider such an ingrate to live in this house, and to consider me as her relative."

The ball was dropped, and Krishna's greatest fear has been realized. In the spur of the moment, upon hearing her grandfather's words, she felt her knees buck, her lips trembled, and she was out of breath. In her family's circle, status and business were considered important, but she didn't know the extent of this importance that Satoru placed on these things.

Growing up, Miko and Lin always reminded them that whatever comes in the way, family should always come first. No matter what, they should always stay as a family. She took a deep breath and found the strength to lift her hands to wipe her tears. Zoren, still, stayed in silence.

Satoru turned to leave but Lin gripped his arm stiffly, prompting him to stop. "Papa, please, she's your granddaughter. Please…" Her voice was soft, pleading. The patriarch turned his head to face her, eyes softening.

"Fine," he finally said. "But she has to redeem herself."

"Anything, I am sure she will do it," Lin replied. Satoru turned and gazed at Krishna, deciding what to say.

"I have made arrangements with the He family."

"What of it?"

"A marriage."

Tenzin felt a bit frustrated while waiting for the ferry for Air Temple Island. It was getting late and he knows Pema and his children are in deep slumber. The pier was peaceful, silent, and calm like the sea of the bay that gently pats and kisses the pillars that supported the ground he's standing on.

He could already see the lantern of the ferry when a screeching sound came up behind him. The sound made his head turn and just a few meters away from him, a car stopped and the driver ran out of the car, heading towards the end of the pier a good distance from him.

He reacted and followed her, afraid that she might jump off.

"Miss…" he trailed off while slowly approaching her. "Miss, are you alright?"

Her shoulders shook and, as he neared, he noticed that she was sobbing. Her breathing was jagged, her eyes were puffy and her upper lip swollen. He stopped about a meter away from her and spoke, "Are you alright?"

Her mouth opened, but she didn't say anything. She seemed lost, as if witnessing something both shocking and sad, and he felt sorry for her. "Miss," he called her again, this time reaching out a hand to tap her shoulder.

She turned to his direction and he got a better view of her. He could say that she is about Korra's age, probably from the Earth Kingdom by her complexion and her eye color and her wavy hair in a slight mess.

"'Are you alright?"

The girl nodded and quickly wiped her tears, backing away from the edge. "I-I'm sorry to scare you or something," she said and headed to her car. Tenzin's peacemaker instincts seemed to kick into him and he blurted an invitation to the Island unconsciously.

"What?" she asked in his sudden act of hospitality.

"Would you like to have tea on Air Temple Island?"

She opened the door to her car. "I don't think that's a good idea, sir. I don't know you at all."

She got into her car, but she took a second look at him.

Arrows.

"Are you that guy's kid?" she asked through her window and gestured at Avatar Aang's statue. He nodded. "I suppose I can trust the past Avatar's son." Tenzin smiled kindly.

"The ferry is here, and it would be a delight to have tea with you Miss—

"—Teng."

Both of them walked to embark on the ferry and Tenzin led her on a bench by the portside. They were silent for a little while and she felt the need to break the silence.

"Krishna." He turned his head to her direction and raised his eyebrows. "Krishna Teng. That's my name…well not really my complete name."

"What is it?"

She hesitated for a while before answering him. "In Ba Sing Se I would usually be formally called Tengtang Krishna…as if Krishna isn't long enough to write." She huffed at the thought of the four characters that represented her name.

"It is a bit long a name."

Krishna smiled weakly. "I didn't get your name, sir."

"Tenzin. No family name."

"Lucky you."

She found herself tearful again after realizing how different she is, how different her family is. On the moment she was born, a burden was already placed on her shoulders, a responsibility to keep a conglomerate going and well-oiled. She is one of the two heirs of this machine, and she has to keep this ready and powerful for global competition.

At a young age, Krishna was taught the proper ways of an Earth Kingdom lady of high social status. She endured disappointing criticisms on how she carries herself. "When entering a room, you should act like you own everything," her tutor would usually remind her. Pride, glory and limitations—those were implemented on her.

She gazed at the statue as the boat passed by it, admiring at the workmanship that was dedicated in building it. Even when it stood in darkness, Krishna noticed its grandeur, its symbolism. It represented the Avatar's duty to the world, to look after it, to protect it; and Krishna has duties, too. This marriage…this marriage of convenience is also a representation of her duties to the company, the business that her great grandfather has built.

"You've been silent for a while." Tenzin's voice snapped her out of her trance. "Are you alright?"

"That has been at least the third time you asked me that question."

"You seem forlorn, Krishna. What's bothering you, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Just the future…my future." She stood and approached the bar of the deck. "My mother used to say that your father and my grandmother used to be friends."

"Really?"

Krishna nodded. "As a matter of fact your father helped talk my grandfather out of some issue regarding the career of my mother."

Tenzin furrowed his eyebrows in curiosity on the subject and this girl.

"My mother was supposed to go to business school in Ba Sing Se but she didn't because of your father." His eyes widened. This is Lin's story, he thought. This is about Lin. He studied Krishna's visage once again, and realized some resemblance.

"I wish someone powerful would help me out of my situation," Krishna continued. "My mother only stayed for half a sem before shifting to-

"-mechanical engineering," Tenzin finished, shocking Krishna slightly. He stood and faced her. "How do you know Lin Beifong?"

She missed his inquisitive expression and answered casually, "She's my mother."

Author's note:

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for reading and leave some reviews.

-BBD