Ch. 4: Anyone Can Be a Bender

Today was one of those days that Kuvira loved. Su and Baatar Sr. were busy having a meeting about the new rail system for Zaofu, leaving Kuvira and Baatar Jr. "in charge," which was utterly ridiculous since there were guards everywhere. They did it to make the kids feel responsible, but Kuvira was smart enough to know that she had no say in how things were run in the matriarch's absence.

She took this opportunity of freedom from bending practice to sit in the courtyard and let the sunshine warm her. She enjoyed the peace and quiet as much as she enjoyed learning bending techniques. Baatar Jr. was busy reading, Huan was metalbending sculptures, and the twins were bending a metal ball back and forth.

Kuvira's eyes were closed as she looked up toward the radiant sun when she heard the pitter patter of footsteps coming from behind her. There was only one person who sounded like that to her.

"Hi, Opal," Kuvira greeted the little girl without opening her eyes. It was only when she heard a sniffle that she turned, anxious for what had upset the little girl. Even if she knew the idea of being in charge was a joke, she feared getting in trouble if Su came home to anyone in tears.

"What's wrong?" Kuvira asked, letting Opal come and sit in her lap on the ground.

Opal sniffed again, rubbing her light green eyes. "Mommy doesn't love me," she said in between sniffles.

Kuvira's eyes widened in shock. She had expected Opal to be crying because one of the boys was being mean to her, not this.

"What are you talking about?" she said. "Your mother loves you very much."

"But I'm not a bender like Wing and Wei and Huan and you," Opal said with a shake of her head. "And I don't help Daddy with his projects like Baatar."

"Opal, you're acting silly. Of course your mother loves you. You're her daughter," Kuvira reassured her.

Opal locked eyes with Kuvira, and Kuvira was taken aback by her serious expression.

"So are you," Opal said. "And you're a bender."

Kuvira bit her lip and had to avert her eyes from the little girl's stare.

"It's not the same thing," Kuvira said a bit quietly.

Suddenly, she got an idea and lifted Opal out of her lap for a brief second. She ran over to a pillar that framed the courtyard and grabbed the meteorite perched on top of it before running back to Opal. She let the girl take a seat again in her lap before dropping the meteorite in between her crossed legs. Kuvira grabbed Opal's tiny hands and cupped them in her own. Then she concentrated, hoping that even though she couldn't see, her plan would work.

Opal's squeals of delight told her that the plan was a success. Suspended in between Opal's hands was the meteorite. To the little girl, it looked as if she was bending the stone. Kuvira let the meteorite hover there for a few minutes, continually bending its shape into hearts and stars, smiling each time Opal let out a small squeak of happiness. Finally, she let the meteorite fall into Opal's hand who clutched it to her chest as if letting it go would make her lose the memory.

Kuvira lifted her out of her lap and knelt to face her at eye level.

"Any time you want to bend," Kuvira told her, "You tell me. We can bend together."

Opal nodded and then threw her arms around Kuvira.

"You're the best sister ever!" she said.

Kuvira let her say this without correcting her. She knew deep down that they were not real family, that there was a difference between her relationship with Kuvira and the relationship she had with her own biological siblings. But for now, it made Kuvira feel better. She was this girl's family, and she would always try to be the best big sister.

~AN~

Thanks again to everyone who has read and reviewed!

I really enjoy thinking about Kuvira and Opal's relationship. I feel like Opal would have really looked up to Kuvira as a big sister especially surrounded by so many brothers.

As a total side note, while this was going on I imagine Su getting back early from her meeting and standing at a distance looking out a window and smiling.