Ch. 4: Picking Up
A seagull screeched as it soared past the boats sail which was being carried on the same wind. The ocean was calm. Lapping lazily at the wooden hull. The crew rushed about moving thick ropes attached to the sails to make sure the boat was aimed towards the island. There yellow and orange robes flapped about them. Today was an easy day for the crew. This trip was only their third across the bay. And the sun was heading towards the other side. Yet, the moon was going to be lazy that night and not show it's face.
The single passenger that the air temple monks were transporting winced when the waning light struck her. Her policemen's uniform felt constricting. All she wanted to do was pick up and head home to get the thing off. Her arm was sore. Lin swore that the amount of paper work had tripled ever since she took her new position. Well, it was my choice; she thought. No more working the beat. No more getting to join in on the fun of raiding a triple threat hideout. She sighed. "Not much of anything fun left there." She said aloud to the group of gulls that flew by as she sat near the side of the boat. To keep the island in sight. With its lofty towers being the easiest to spot. Big white dots circled one side of the island then landed. "Looks like their bringing in the sky bison for the night." She murmured.
One of the monks ran up to the women. "We shall be landing soon, Mrs. Beifong."
The women waved him off without so much as a glance. Never letting the island stray from her sight. A rush in her veins. Chest beating rapidly. A most giddy hint of a smile on her usually stoic face when in front of the most others. Rising to her feet Lin waited, tapping her foot, for the boat to dock and the planks to be laid out.
She set a brisk pace. Boots clunking on the stone laden trail. A group of baby lemurs clung to their mother whilst they slept out in the open on a tree branch; peaceful and without fear of being attacked by any predator.
Lin pondered if Yee-Li was sleeping. Hoping she wasn't; otherwise the kid would be a handful to try to put to bed that night. Air ran through short gray locks that bunched around stiff shoulders.
Tornadoes twisted through the sky. Twisting and turning in un-natural ways. Not descending from the heavens but rising from behind the tree line at the end of a large staircase of stone bricks. The sleeping Lemurs did not wake at the disturbance as their tree was rustled.
One of the monk's sweeping dust on the stairs nodded to Lin. Most of his hair had descended to his chin. What few teeth remained were out shown by the cheeriness in his eyes. Lin reciprocated with a short bow at the waist. Hands grasped near her abdomen. The monk showed more of his gums at the sign of respect.
The training grounds were a place to hone one's bending. Fit with all the trimmings for anyone to practice. Water provided by the fountain with the statue uncle Aang. No obstacles inside the area. And the earth was exposed to get down deep into the element. Which Lin did by removing the under plating to her shoes and wiggled her toes in the cool dry earth.
A hand shielded her face. As a whirl of wind flew out from the center of the training grounds. All around a single man. Tenzin was tall but whose body looked frail when draped in his airbender robes. Similar to what the monks wore only with a large flowing cloak. Lin smirked inwardly cause she knew the real reason he wore such a cloak was because even with his crow's feet and gray pointy beard he was a kid at heart; just like his father even if he lacked his cheery attitude and acted more like a stiff. She knew it made him feel quite 'super' to have his cloak flowing about as he airbent.
Fingers lax and shoulders loose as his hands circled one another. Tenzin was very spry for his age. As he balanced on his arms and swiveled his legs out in a break dance sending gusts of air across the ground. With precision only a master could poses the gusts split to either side of Lin; who didn't even bat am lash as her hair was ruffled.
She smirked. "Hello, Twinkle toes Jr."
Robes rustled as they settled back into place as the man was again on two legs. He gave Lin a downturned lip. "Please, don't use that nickname." It was cute when they were kids. At least that's what everyone else thought. Not Tenzin. Who had been glad when she had stopped using it. But now a new influence had caused her to bring it back out.
"I think It's suiting for an airbender." She laughed with a smile on her face that appeared more regularly now too. Wider spread lips unlike her old terse smile; and her eyes crinkled more. almost closing fully in joy.
Tenzin also knew the cause. "Any word from Korra? How's her trip going?" With a gesture he bid her to follow him. The two walked together out of the training grounds. Following a nicely laid out trail not the one on the far left to the monks quarters but right to the airbender's home.
"She calls every night. Says she's doing fine and her parents are excited about the big news. I suspect we may be playing host soon." She talked to the trees as she reflected on her conversations with her little penguin. Who had taken a trip home to tell everyone the good news. Not wanting to say it over the phone. And to show them pictures of Yee-Li.
"We always have the space if Korra's parents need a place to stay."
Lin nodded her thanks for the offer.
"But why didn't you just go with her?"
"Yee-Li is still too young for such a long trip and I didn't think it was good for her to be in such a cold environment having no prior experience. Also, I didn't think it right since I just stepped down and the new chief is barely wet behind the ears."
A hum of approval. "And how is Mako taking his promotion?"
"Very well. I suspect he may do a better job than I could."
"No one will ever be as good as you." Tenzin put a hand on her shoulder.
Lin scoffed. "I hope your wrong about that. Otherwise I may have to take my title back. And I hate to have to do that to them two."
Funny; well not so much, more like joyful Tenzin was at the women's shift in priorities. For the longest time her only focus had solely been the most concrete thing in her life Lin's mother had left her. Now there was another. An even if Tenzin couldn't go to the spirit world to ask her he suspected Aunt Toph would be very happy for her daughter. Probably give him a through noogying too. A hand rubbed the tension growing in his scalp at the prospect.
"Korra must be happy for her friend."
Lin gave a nod.
"You must be happy with your decision too."
This time she said nothing.
"Are you happy?" He asked.
She looked at him. Really looked at Tenzin. "It's not that I'm unhappy. Just that everyone else doesn't seem to like my choice." She received a raised brow. "He's very young. Inexperienced. Young."
"You said that already." He laughed. The tip of his beard bouncing.
"That seems to be the issue here though."
"And what's your issue with him."
Lin flinched back. Turned her head to look at the last light begging to disappear. The lights were on in the city. Yet no sound had found its way over the harbor over the blanket of calm air and steady sound of the ocean current.
"I have nothing against him." Even though he had her little penguins heart first. "Mako has the highest closure rate of anybody on the force; including me. He beats us all by miles. " But Lin has Korra forever now. And more than what he ever had. "It would be idiotic not to put someone like that in charge." She finished.
"Hmm...so it seems like there's nothing to regret then." Tenzin said in his stupidly wise way. Which made Lin want to slug him. Why'd he have to be so right.
So she struck him in the shoulder with the back of her hand rather than the face. So that Pema wouldn't have to bandage anything up. Hate to put the women through anything else because of me, she thought guiltily.
"Ow! Lin." He sulked with an arm rubbing his shoulder.
"Still soft as ever Tinkle toes Jr."
"I'm an airbender we can't be like you earthbenders otherwise we'd never get off the ground."
"Are you calling me fat?" The women dared him.
"I simply meant..."
"Do I have to tell Korra..."
"DON'T YOU BRING MY STUDENT INTO THIS!" Cheeks puffing as red creeped over his bald scalp.
"You two sound like a couple of buzzard wasps." Coming out to greet them on the steps of the front door. Pema, with a few gray hairs barely visible, had Yee-Li in her arms; gurgling for attention. Wide awake and with hands outstretched for her momma.
Lin swept up the last steps with agility. Scooped the child from the others hold and held her close. Looking her over. Drinking the sight of that fire red hair and chubby hands. Which grabbed hold of her finger and held with the strength of what Lin hoped would be a natural earthbender.
"Geez Lin it's like you don't even trust me. She doesn't have a scratch on her." Pema laughed at the women.
"It's not...I'm just-happy to see her." Avoiding everyone's embarrassing looks. Spirits, she was just trying to be a good parent. Don't they all fuss over their kids. Lin's seen Pema do it lots of times.
"Calm down Lin." Pema rolled her eyes. "I know you didn't mean anything by it."
Lin looked down to Yee-Li whose face was beaming. Mouth leaking down the chubby chin. A handkerchief appeared out of thin air to dab the wetness away. The faint aw sound came out immediately to which Lin grumbled. Shoving the hanky back into its pouch inside her uniform. A necessity just in case she happened to not get all of what Yee-Li had a habit of leaving on her in the mornings. Bodily fluids; or foods mashed against her armor by uncoordinated fingers.
Lin turned and began a purposeful stride. "Well, I should be going." She said tersely.
"Won't you stay for dinner?" Pema asked.
"You've had the baby all day and I don't want to impose."
Tenzin bellowed. "Nonsense please-stay."
"He's right. We would love to have you two join us. I haven't been able to sit down and have a talk with my sister-in-law in a while." Why did Pema have to use the in-law word. Ever since they found out about their new 'arrangement.' They've been to chipper in throwing out that particular attachment word. It's not like Korra was actually related to any of the airbender's even if they were an adoptive family to her. "With Korra gone I don't want you two getting lonely during meal time. I know how much of a family affair that can be."
True. Though maybe what Pema should of meant or even hinted at by family affair was it mostly consisted of a whiny Yee-Li. Who refused to eat her veggies and instead threw them at any moving target. However, it was nice wiping a smile onto Korra's face when she wiped off the mess; followed by smothering something else onto her lips.
Feigning irritation she shrugged her shoulders and said. "Fine. If you're going to push it that much we will stay...but not long."
The pair responded with knowing smiles.
Pema and Tenzin hurried the two into the house to the dining room. Sitting Lin down on an ornate cushion. With Yee-Li on the end of a bouncing knee.
The Walls were thin allowing the sounds of the outside world to penetrate giving the impression that one were eating in a forest. But with the comforts of the indoors. A simple chandelier with air nomad chimes hung above the long wooden table. The door that lead into the kitchen was open. And Lin could see the flurry of two pairs of robes scurrying inside. Dishes clinked and water rushed from the faucet. If Lin strained her ears she could hear the crackle of wood burning in the fire place. And soon the aroma of fresh steamed vegetables covered in all forms of spices to make them more appetizing came through the door. Above them all, a familiar scent snuck in. As Pema walked in with a cup and set it down in front of her.
"Here you go-sister." Pema had the biggest smile on her smug face.
Lin took the offered mug with a roll of her eyes and a nod.
Pema went back into the kitchen.
When the doors behind Lin slammed Lin didn't flinch. Turning with one hand steadying her child; the other bringing the cup to her lips; and a glare for the rude intruder. Who paid her no mind.
"I'm not going to feed the sky bison's this time, Meelo. I already did it for you two days in a row now. You think I don't have things I want to do too." Said a teenage girl with short pig tails hanging over the front of her ears. Hair flowing just below her neck.
Drawing herself to show off the few inches of height difference between the siblings. The boy rubbed the blue arrow tattooed on his bald head sheepishly. "Please, Ikki." Meelo groveled clenching his hands and praying to the teen. "Me and my friends want to go see the pro-bending match tonight. I'll never make it if I have to feed the bison's. I promise you. I'll do your turn for two weeks now. Please. Pleeeeaaassee."
The Boys sister was unfazed by his pleas. Hands in her side she turned her head away and shut her eyes to the satisfying sight of her brother begging.
"It's my friends and I, Meelo. Try to use proper language." Came a monotone voice of correction. Having inherited her father's height unlike the other two. The third airbender child Jinora now towered over even Lin at her young age. Having to bow her head slightly to get through the door frame. Leaning comically to the side and holding the hand of a small child. Their youngest brother Rohan was carrying a stuffed platypus bear as if it were a shield.
Even with her head in a book Jinora noticed Lin. "Oh, hello Aunt Lin. Are you joining us for dinner?" She greeted.
The two middle siblings stopped their argument.
"Hello, Aunt Lin." They greeted in eerie unison. Then glared as if they had just steeped on each other's toes.
Ignoring the resuming argument Lin gave a tip of her cup to the oldest who took a seat next to her. Long limbs unable to fit comfortably under the table. Rohan took a seat in her large lap. Jinora hadn't changed much. Keeping her hair the same length since her childhood. Even keeping the little ball of hair pinched atop it. But the bundle was now held by an elegant red ribbon adorned with a golden dragon.
"How are you?" Starting a conversation to drown out her bickering siblings.
Lin took another sip. "Good."
"How have you and Korra been."
Another simple and easy response from Lin.
"Must be hard getting 'alone' time with the new baby." Dead toned but her slotted eyes betrayed her insidious intentions.
Lin reconstituted her tea back into the cup. Setting it down she wiped the remains from her face with a napkin. She made sure that Yee-Li didn't have anything spilled on her as an attempt to avoid the teen.
"I'M NOT DOING IT MEELO." Ikki said in a high pitched shout.
Jinora, angered by the intrusion onto her conversation, slammed her hands onto the table. Her siblings and Lin looked at her. "Spirits. Meelo. Ikki. Stop your bickering. I'll feed the bison's. So just shut up you two."
"Don't let him get away with this Jinora." Said her younger sister. Pointing an accusing finger at her brother
"Hey, you heard sis. She offered. Just let her do it. Besides it's an excuse for her to see Mai anyway." The boy leered.
Mai was a natural beauty if Lin thought about those things. Unlike Asami, the girl didn't need an inch of makeup. Her sharp face showed off her fire nation heritage. General Iroh, her father, had asked if she could stay the summer with them. During her time Mai had taken a liking to spending most of her time with the sky bison's. Taking them out for exercise. Or falling asleep on one of them. The girl did love to sleep a whole lot.
"Maybe roll around in some hay." Meelo wiggled his brows.
"I promise nothing." Was Jinora's straight faced response while adding. "And I never need an excuse to see her. I just know she enjoys her time alone."
The groups open jaws snapped shut when Pema came bustling in. Dishes hanging from her arms. "Sorry everyone. Tenzin was trying to overcook the rice." Handing a bowl of soup to everyone. A plate buried under steaming dumpling. And lastly a tiny plate with finely cut veggies with some porridge for Yee-Li.
"Pema I was barely a minute over." Tenzin said. Holding a big covered bowl. Setting it in the center of the table.
"That's all it takes, dear. Did your mother never teach you how to cook. Even your brother knows how."
The energetic Ikki chimed into the conversation. Wide eyed and even wider mouth. "That's right dad. Uncle Bumi's a really good cook. But whenever Mom's not around Dad always takes us into the city to eat." She animatedly cited an incident when her father had somehow made a dish of goop that had started out as a solid.
"Bumi happens to be retired." Tenzin dictated. Taking his seat. "...and he doesn't have four kids and an entire culture to look after. So forgive your father for not knowing how to do everything...And I thought you kids liked eating out with me." The man's beard drooped to the floor.
Floating over to him Ikki gave her father a big comforting hug. Patting his bald head as she did for her favorite flying bison, blueberry spicehead.
Lin smiled. And looked at the child happily bouncing on her lap. Would Yee-Li do that with me, she wondered. Her heart fluttered at the prospect. Short shoulder length hair, maybe longer; like Korra's. Little taller but Lin would have to get on her knees so she could wrap her hands around her neck.
"You seem happy Lin." Jinora pointed out. Breaking the futures bubble.
"It's nothing." The women looked to the table. Stirring her the long yellow strands of worm thick noodles swimming in a heavy brown broth.
Lin balanced two spoons in one hand. Using the inner one to scoop up her own food and the other a little bit of the veggies off of Yee-Li's plate. First she offered Yee-Li her spoon. When the girl took a swipe at it Lin shrugged and ate from her designated spoon. Then she started the process all over again. The offer was met with an outburst as Yee-Li wailed at the horrid green alien cuisine. A spoon clattering on the floor.
"You have to eat, squirt." Lin snapped. Using her napkin to wipe up the mess. Crumbling it up and leaving it by her plate. Taking the spoon again she tried to slip it between the child's tight lips. Grunts of displease coming from both parties.
"Not like that Lin. Talk nicer." Pema intervened breaking up the 'brawl.' Raising herself up. Taking care to fix her robes. Taking the spoon from her Pema scooped the porridge atop the vegetables. Swirling it about to mix the two thoroughly. Hiding the green demons in the white goopy mess. Then brought it up and offered it to the child. "Come on Yee-Li. Yummy. MMM. It's good I promise." Feigning a taste and licking her lips in the aftermath.
Swayed that the strange concoction was safe Yee-Li's mouth popped open like a cracked vault. Lin gaped at the embarrassing show.
Then Pema handed the spoon back. "Now your turn."
Oh spirits, she wants me to do it too. Lin scooped up the mixed up mash and held it to her child. Yee-Li refused. Lin looked pleadingly at the women who had taken her seat back by her husband. Pema mimed earlier actions. Taking an imaginary bite.
Forcing the lump in her throat down was easier than saying the words as Lin brought the spoon to her mouth. "M-M-M. That's...uh. Some good food you...uh...got there Yee-Li. Yup-uh. Really good. Now eat it." Even with the drill instructor command at the end Lin's words succeeded in opening the tiny mouth. "It-It worked." Turning to look at the proud faces of her...family. The proud, if not, beaming looks from Pema and Tenzin turned her pale flesh hot.
Lin gave herself a chance to eat. And as she had the food in her mouth there came a low whisper. Laced with malicious glee.
"Korra would probably like to be fed like that too." Jinora whispered.
The apparent peril of her parent choking made Yee-Li giggle. Showing off her mouth with sparse teeth.