Sorry for the late update, last week was pretty busy for me. But we're back! And, this chapter is twice as long so hopefully that makes up for it. Appreciate the love I've been getting here, on Archive of their own, and reddit. No shippings in this chapter but I can confirm that next chapter is going to be Zhurrick (Zhu Li/Varrick). Enjoy!
"This is like, the tenth time you've patted me down man. I'm telling you, I'm one hundred percent sure there is no metal on me. And unless she can bend the iron in my blood there's no need to worry," Bolin remarked to the White Lotus guard who merely grunted and continued feeling him up.
"Sorry, but after the whole Red Lotus fiasco we've had to up our security measures ten fold; especially since we're now housing the greatest metal bender to walk the earth since Toph Beifong," the White Lotus guard replied. After he finished his search, he pointed to Bolin's feet. "Hand me your boots."
"My...my boots? Um, ok I guess," Bolin stammered, confused as to why the White Lotus guard wanted his boots when he already checked them several times. He bent down and removed his boots, handing them to the White Lotus guard who then incinerated them in a matter of seconds.
"Hey! Those were traditional Air Nomad boots...Opal gave them to me," Bolin frowned.
"Sorry kid, but we can't take the chance that there might be even a tiny speck of dirt
on your shoes. One clump is all she needs and then we're toast," he explained.
Soon, the mighty wooden fortress that used to be home to Ghazan came closer and the White Lotus guard shot two balls of fire into the air signaling their arrival. A few seconds later, three short quick bursts appeared from on board the fort, acknowledging the guards and allowing them permission to dock.
Once they reached the wooden fortress another guard lowered a rope ladder over the edge to allow Bolin and the guard accompanying him a way on board. They climbed the ladder and Bolin looked around in awe.
"Whoa...this place is huge! So you guys used to keep Ghazan here?"
The White Lotus guard nodded, "Yes, he was over there in that cage in the middle, where Kuvira is currently being held. For the record, I don't know why you'd possibly want an audience with her. In fact, you're the first person to come visit her since Suyin's brief visit a few weeks ago."
"I've just got some things I think she'd want to know," Bolin replied.
The White Lotus guard raised an eyebrow, "Things she'd want to know? What the hell does that mean? Are you conspiring to break her out? I know you used to work for her."
Bolin's eyes bulged out of his head, "No! It's not like that at all. I just want to talk to her! You know, friendly conversation? I'm not planning anything, I promise."
"Alright, but we'll be watching you," the White Lotus guard glared.
Bolin nodded and approached the large wooden cage at the center of the fort. He couldn't imagine being held in there, completely cut off from the earth beneath your feet. And Ghazan was held captive for thirteen years; Bolin shuddered at the thought.
Bolin grunted as he brought himself down into an indian style position on the cold wooden floor. He could smell the salt of the ocean as he inhaled deeply before calling out to Kuvira.
She didn't answer at first, so he hailed her again. This time, she answered with a soft, "B-Bolin?" Her voice cracking after not having been used for weeks.
The defeat and disappointment in her voice made Bolin pause solemnly before replying. "Yeah...it's me."
Slight shuffling could be heard as she moved to Bolin's side of the cage and pressed against the barrier, peering through the tiny holes so she could see him.
"Bolin, before you say anything, I just want you to know that I'm so sorry that I misled you into thinking we were helping those Earth Nation citizens. I know my words don't mean much of anything to you anymore, but if you could find it in your heart to forgive me, I'd at least have a tiny respite from the terrible things I feel," Kuvira cried out to him.
"I forgive you," Bolin answered, staring into her hopeless eyes.
"Y-you forgive me?"
"I do. I'm angry that you tricked me into following you around and bullying those Earth Nation states. And I'm angry that you forced Varrick to create that weapon which caused so much loss. And it hurts that you'd fire that weapon on us, especially Bataar Jr. whom you claimed to love so much. And I'm angry that your actions almost got Korra and my brother killed...But I forgive you," Bolin replied.
From inside the cage, a choked sobb could be heard as Kuvira began to weep silently.
"Thank you, Bolin. You don't know how much that means to me. I will remember your words till my dying breath...which I fear will come sooner than later."
A small tear came to Bolin's eye, which he wiped away quickly. To know that his words of forgiveness would give her some kind of hope was great to hear.
"I know, there are a lot of people calling for your head. And they're led by Raiko and Lin. I'm not sure exactly how Suyin feels about it, but from what I can tell, she's not too happy either. I talked to Korra and she says that she doesn't think you should get the chair, but she's going to have to support the position of the courts if they chose to do so. There is a small group of Earth Empire loyalists that are calling for your release, but they're a minority right now," Bolin told her.
A sigh could be heard from inside the wooden cage as she regarded Bolin's words.
"And what do you think should happen to me?" Kuvira asked him.
"Well, I already told you I forgive you. And I don't believe that you should be killed..."
"Bolin," Kuvira cut him off, "If I don't get the death penalty they will keep me in this wooden cage for the rest of my life. You don't see what they do to me, these White Lotus punks. They spit on me, call me a bitch and a whore. The little food they give me is thrown on the floor to me like a polar bear dog. They treat me like an animal.
"And when the White Lotus aren't bothering me, my thoughts pick up the slack. It feels so empty to not be able to feel the earth beneath my feet or cold metal in my hands. The sound of the surf crashing against the wooden fort is driving me mad! And all the while I think of what I've lost; Bataar, Suyin, the respect of my people and my nation. I wish Bataar would visit me, just once. If I could j-just hear his voice...and...and tell him...I'm sorry..." Kuvira broke down.
Bolin couldn't take it anymore and he turned away from the cage to allow Kuvira a minute to compose herself. Despite all the horrible things she did, he really did believe that at one point, Kuvira truly cared for the well being of the Earth Nation, just as he did. And it angered him that the guards would treat her in such a way. He'd have to have a talk with Zuko sometime about switching her guard.
Kuvira sniffled, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be emptying out all my emotions on you. It's just that I haven't talked to anyone in weeks. The last person to visit me was Suyin, who let me have a piece and a half of her mind."
Bolin shook his head, "Don't be sorry, I came here just for that. I figured you'd need a person to talk to, someone who saw things from your point of view. By the way, I'm sure I could convince Bataar to come down here and visit. It's just that I'd have to get him past Suyin."
Kuvira rushed towards the edge of the cage and pressed against it excitedly, "Oh Bolin, if you could do that for me I would be forever gratefull."
"I'll see what I can do," Bolin smiled, "No promises though."
"Thank you Bolin. Your kindness knows no bounds," Kuvira nodded.
"Don't mention it. I'm going to try to visit you as often as I can. And i'll have a talk with Zuko about changing your guard. No person deserves to be treated like an animal, regardless of what they've done," Bolin said.
"Thank you so much. But what makes you so interested in me all of a sudden?" she asked.
Bolin furrowed his brow, "Hmm...I don't know. I guess I just figured no one else probably wanted to visit you. And I do feel like you really wanted to help the Earth Nation in the beginning of all this. So I guess i find a bit of a kindred spirit in you."
"Well, regardless, thank you for your kindness," Kuvira replied.
"You're welcome. Oh and by the way, I'm going to get the to open the cage for a second...don't try to run out alright?" Bolin said.
Kuvira couldn't help but chuckle, "Where would I go? We are in the middle of the ocean."
Bolin made a face at her remark but said nothing. He then called to one of the White Lotus guards posted nearby.
"Hey, could you open the cage for just a second?"
"What the hell would i do that for?" The guard inquired.
"Relax buddy, I just have something I want to give her. You can stand right next to me and hold my hand if you want," Bolin cracked.
The White Lotus guard did not find his quip funny, but still walked over to the cage and unlocked it. He slid one of the walls of the cage up and watched Bolin carefully as he entered.
"I brought this for you. It's not much...but it's something," Bolin said, handing Kuvira a folded piece of paper.
Kuvira unfolded the paper which revealed that it was actually a photograph. A photograph that Varrick had taken of Bataar Jr., Bolin, and herself, with only half of Varrick's face visible as he just barely snuck into the picture before the timer snapped.
As she held the picture in her hands, she began to weep once again. Much to Bolin's surprise, she threw herself into his arms and wept into his chest. Bolin was razzled at first, but returned her hug; patting her on the back as well.
The two sat like this for over five minutes, before the White Lotus guard coughed and gained Kuvira's attention.
"I'm sorry Bolin," Kuvira sniffled, drying her eyes with her sleeve, "It's just...you have no reason to be so kind to me."
Bolin smiled, "You're right, I don't. But just because I don't have a reason to, doesn't mean I shouldn't."
"That is a very enlightened quote, you'd make a great Guru," Kuvira sarcastically chuckled.
"Guru Bolin? It does have a nice ring to it doesn't it?" Bolin played a long.
Kuvira sighed, "This small token of your kindness will get me through many sleepless nights. Thank you once again."
"You're welcome," Bolin nodded, "Next time, I'll bring a Pai Sho board and we can play a game or two...once Korra fixes the rules of course."
"I will look forward to that," Kuvira replied. She gave Bolin one last hug before being roughly ushered back into the cage by the White Lotus guard.
Bolin followed the guard back to the edge of the fort and down the ladder onto the small boat. It always brought a smile to his face when he could make the smallest difference in someone's life. Even if that someone was a former dictator who was hellbent on taking over more than half the world and destroying Republic City. He'd have to tell Korra about his visit, maybe she'd want to come along with him next time.
As they sailed away from Kuvira's prison, Bolin thought to what the future might hold for Kuvira. It would be horrible for her to get sentenced to death; but at the same time isn't a life atop the floating wooden fortress a death sentence in it's own way?
He sighed to himself, unsure of how to feel about all this. His mind told him that Kuvira was evil and deserved to be punished, but his heart said that she deserved a second chance. No matter which fate chose for her though, he'd be sure to lend her a shoulder to lean on the entire time.