A spirit adventure (part 2)
She rolled when the carriage rolled. Often knocking the tip of her nose into Lin's tight stomach. The fine reddened hair shown like a fire pit from her lap under the full moon. Unable to resist Lin ran a hand through it. Fixing her head at the same time. But then the cart bumped another rock in the road and Yee-Li's face was pressing against her stomach once again. Lin sighed; someone snorted into her shoulder. Her damp shoulder.
Korra had herself pushed up and into her side. Mouth pressed into the exposed skin of her shoulder. Teeth grazing and marking her up unintentionally. Though the tongue occasionally lolling out and scrapping over the flesh of her shoulder felt nice. Very nice.
Yee-Li rolled around so her head faced outward. And the women couldn't help but feel relief. She was sure she had been making a face that she would not want her daughter to see. Not when Korra nuzzled her with her teeth again. Harder this time.
Leaning back to look at the moon. So fat in the sky. When Lin allowed the warm feeling of the two bodies pressed against her. The happy feeling pushed down the arousal of the moment. Maybe the moon is smiling on us tonight. Like it knew something but didn't want to share about how their trip would turn out. That it would be a good one; for all of them. Yee-Li certainly seemed to be much happier at least since they left the ship at port.
It had been night when they landed. The small island was visible even from miles away. The fires of a dozen lamps lit the coast line. While the lighthouse scanned the ocean for vessels. Telling them of possible treachery in the sea.
The port was small. Only able to handle a ship at a time. But it didn't mean that the hospitality had dried up. There had still been people to greet those who disembarked. Even at that late hour. There was a large cart waiting to give the guests a ride to the village. Driven by a man in deep red robes. Who's long white beard matched the age of his dragon moose. Grayed fur. And a smile that was all gums. The aged beast, as well as the old man, couldn't eat carrots like they used to.
The caged flame danced in a metal cage. Lighting the way through the trail. Hung from a long bending stick. Which bounced with every dip or rock they hit. It casted it's warm moving glow on the other's in the back of the cart. There was a young man and women. On their honey moon from all the kissing and touching that was going on. Eager to get to their room.
Lin was jealous. They'd be sharing another room with the kid. So nothing could happen. When Korra's hand that was tucked under her head for support slipped down her front. Lin wondered if it wasn't to much to ask if they could maybe sneak away while Yee-Li slept and find somewhere to get cozy. Like the couple were no doubt going to do.
A peasant looking young boy was present too. He wasn't sleeping. Lin could tell. He did have his eyes closed. But muttered under his breath so not to disturb the sleeping occupants. Lin could pick out a few phrases of a chant. His robes simple. Not grand. Hopefully, he knew what he was getting into by joining the Bhanti tribe. Wouldn't want him second guessing himself. Especially when he had so much life ahead of him.
Why waste it mediating with a bunch of old people kid. There's a lot out there. A girl for one; or maybe he's not into them. Whatever floats his boat. He looks so young that he probably doesn't even have that squeak in his voice yet. Why live in a stuffy temple. Those pointy hats are going to make you go bald at an early age kid.
Well, maybe not. Uncle Sokka had, to his great shame, begun to lose his hair when Lin was still a kid. Said he was to manly for it so it could go if it wanted to. So why the comb over then?
Lashes fluttered as Lin tried to stifle herself. Her shoulders shook Korra awake. Mumbling as she rubbed an eye. And confused that the scenery was moving and she wasn't. So she laid her head back on Lin's shoulder and said. "Where are we?" Which came out as a even more childish grumble than what their daughter could make. Wrapping her arms around Lin's waist she squeezed hard.
"I think we are almost there Korra."
The young monk's ear twitched. Had he heard that name correctly?
"Tis fwine with me." She snuggled her wife's breasts. The blush on Lin's face was brighter than the lighthouse. Lin averted her gaze from the still meditating monk as if the man had a third eye that was spying on them now. Because he seemed to be struggling with something too. His brow furrowing in concentration. And the pace of his heart speed up a fraction in conjunction with his thoughts.
Caressing that hard brown cheek till she drifted back into a slumber. Lin allowed her mind to lose focus. Not a worrisome thought about her work, nor the house's security. They had seen to that. And Lin didn't even entertain the thought no matter how true it may be. That she should be frightened of what the home watchers were up to. Even if Tenzin was so sure that his eldest was up for it. The naivety of a father. I will never be that way with my daughter. Jinora better keep Mai under control and out of our bedroom. Lin had to stop herself from growling aloud. We will have to burn the mattress when we get home. Was her last thought on that problem.
And the sigh that gave way to relief at letting it go was much needed. They were on a vacation. She needed to start acting like it and enjoy the time alone with her family.
The wobbling cart felt fun. Like they were on an adventure like the ones her mom told her about. Her mother was right the beasts did smell though. Closing her nose to the fly enticing stench coming from the dragon moose. While using her two 'blankets' to keep herself warm. The weather on the island was drastically different from the city. Out in the open with no buildings nor people to create a friction. It was certainly more enjoyable to stay close in these conditions. Unlike during the summer months in the city were the two cuddled at arm's length atop the blankets. The windows of the bedroom stretch as far as they would go; yet Korra still wanted to punch an extra window in the wall to help cool off enough to be able to sleep. After all the years she'd been living in Republic City she still couldn't cope with the heat.
The monk chanced peeping. And regretted it seeing the unfocused and half lidded eye's of the older women looking through him. Hand on the women glued to her side the other on the red headed child. The women pulled them closer as her mouth opened into a grin. Was she grinning at him? The monk quickly clamped his eyes. Muttering his prayers much quicker. Praying that he wasn't about to have some misfortune.
Lin played with the furry fringe of her wife's coat. Now worn more like a robe like her previous incarnations had adapted to; the coat coming down to her knees and looked like she were wearing a bathrobe. It did make Korra look more the part of a spiritual monk. In wardrobe only. Lin would hope she'd never lose that cheeky side. It'd be a bland marriage then.
She still kept the pants on though; not in the relationship that was Lin's job. But as Lin said that she'd become very jealous if her little penguin was airbending and accidentally flashed someone. Pressing her lips to a reddening ear as she slid up the edge of her robe; moments after Korra had put on a fashion show in their bedroom. Oh what a night. Moving in for a sneak attack.
Korra eyes burst open as she let out a yelp. All at once things happened. The other occupants of the cart were wide awake. The cart had stopped. And Korra needn't inspect her bruised bottom just rub it till the pain went away. For she already knew what had happened because they had their face in hers. Oh how she wanted to kiss that smirk away; and pinch them at the same time to settle the score.
The old timer removed his lamp from its holder. Hobbled behind the cart and told them to watch their step getting off. Without making her family and herself fall into the dirt. Lin had managed to get them off the cart with two 'children' clinging to her.
Holding Yee-Li in one arm. And might as well of been doing the same for her wife. As the women had her whole weight leaning on her. Nose squashed against her. Korra could not be woken. Lin knew it would be futile...or was she just being kind. Don't ask cause she'd say it was because her wife slept like a rock.
The unwilling participant in a three legged race; and doing all the work. Lin waddled all three of them to the motel.
. . .
The thick wool could choke someone if it were to get in your mouth. Lin finally knew why most islanders were skilled at quilting. Especially way out in the sea. Surrounded by the ocean winds on all sides. Tunneling through the brown blanket, intricate designs in the shape of blazing suns, Lin felt around blindly like a badgermole. She knew in what direction to go. The loud snores had tipped her off. Creating a small hole so she could look upon the face of her wife. Giving a light peck to the side of her open mouth. Korra responded with a snore not about to get up anytime soon. So Lin continued on her journey till she breeched the edge of the blanket.
The windows, or cut holes with shudders, had been left closed. But their small room was made of thin thatched walls. Having remained untouched even since the end of the war. The island didn't offer much as far as modern convenience. No Sato-mobiles. No electricity. The only comforts that reminded Lin of the city would of been the cries of the boats pulling into the tiny harbor. But even then those wouldn't come till they were ready to leave. Not till the weekly supply drop.
Still they did have some fire flakes. Something she never would of told her mother she had an addiction for. And had decided she would secretly have to fill that desire behind her wife and daughters back. Lest they discover her weakness for the spicy snack. Not that the ones in republic city weren't good. They just couldn't hold a candle to that made in the country of origin. No matter she had found one vender of suitable skill. Out of the way and in the opposite direction of her home. Bringing home some as a treat for Yee-Li if she'd done well in school.
The fire flakes never lasted the night. Even though her daughter didn't eat much; and Korra never touched them. The spicy flakes tasted so good out in the back yard. The glow of the city lights around her fence as she sat in the dirt. Dipping her hand into the bag till she eventually had to tip it over to get out the crumbs.
Lin would discreetly bury it in the bottom of the trash can. And the next morning would blame her daughter for midnight snacking. It wasn't like Korra knew of her wife leaving the bed. Besides she wasn't hard on her daughter. Just playfully rubbed her head while Yee-Li tried to voice that she hadn't done it. Luckily Korra had never believed her. That Lin knew for a fact. And took for granted.
Rolled up in a blanket cocoon of her own as far away from them was her daughter. Lin rolled her eyes at the defiant display in the tiny room they were sharing. And couldn't wait for this faze to be over. She had never been this way with her mother. Then again it was only the two of them. The dark brown covers wiggled. A forever sun emblazed on them contorted in a grotesque work as if it were begging to implode. The covers fell away revealing a tiny red headed girl. Blindly rubbing her eye and letting a low yawn wake her up.
Supporting her head in her hands. Lin leaned on them for support. "Psst." She called across the room.
Her daughter turned. Sleepy eyes wandering till they say the pale figure half out of the blankets. The brown locks of her mommy had crept out with Lin.
She waggled her fingers.
Yee-Li civilly returned the gesture with a light movement of her hand. Just a simple raise of her chin till it fall into her lap. As she turned her whole body to face her momma. "Is mommy still asleep?"
Lin pressed a finger to her lips; then nodded. "Why don't we let her sleep in. And how about you and me get something to eat? Eh, squirt."
Without an answer the child threw off her covers.
While Lin stealthily shed her own. Taking care to wrap her wife back inside.
Yee-Li stood before her mother having shed her night clothes quickly and put on a yellow dress. Simple but a distinct difference between Lin's pants and shirt which she had slept in; and said that their daughter was more into girly things than either of her mothers. It was a good thing Korra had Asami for help.
Yee-Li detangled her bed head by running her fingers through it. Fingers that ever day grew longer and more feminine.
"Mommy won't be happy that we ate without her." Having finished with her hair Yee-Li had moved on to smoothing out her dress the way Aunt Asami had showed her.
"Then I guess you don't want any fire flakes then, hmm?" Lin queried.
"For breakfast?" Her daughter asked skeptically.
The two were at the door. Lin opening it without making a noise. "Hey were on vacation we can eat whatever we want. When we want."
To that statement she had received a hungry growl from her daughters stomach.
. . .
Her hands swung in great arches. The better to keep Lin from pinning one of them down. No matter how much Korra wanted to hold her wife's hand she had to hold out on principle in this situation. Because her daughter and her wife had done her a great injustice by not including her; her stomach growled. "how could you guys not wake me up for breakfast?" She whined.
A small pouch was teasingly pushed into Korra's face. The spice burned her nose causing it to turn itself up at the offering. Lin knew well her wife's distaste for the fire nation delicacy. So it was no surprise when the bag was pushed aside.
Meanwhile there daughter was munching on her own fire flakes. Keeping pace with them.
Still early the street venders were just opening the doors and screens of their shops. Many were homes converted by the true residents of the island. Knowing there was money to be made from tourists. The shop keepers all well into age were putting out signs that said: handmade, or the best in all the fire nation. You'll never find anything like this anywhere else.
Lin scoffed at one table which proclaimed to have original Avatar Roku personal effects. Which of course of other two had to stop a look at while Lin stood back. I'm saddled with a couple of suckers. The combs and tea pots had the fire nation symbol on them. Cheap, plentiful, and easily replaceable when Lin saw about a dozen other similar looking items hidden inside the house.
Yee-Li was enamored by the comb's beautiful carved symbol of her heritage. Running her fingers along the teeth. She knew it would feel wonderful running them through her hair. She turned to her mommy and held onto the item. Looking between her she asked silently.
Lin rubbed her face when her wife handed over the money. "You know it's made out of something cheap." Not holding her tongue in front of the shop keep. Who was perfectly fine to take the comment because her rebuttal had been to point at the fine print on her sign; No refunds. Lin rolled her eyes.
They moved on. And not even getting a few feet further. Korra had to open up and voice her agony again. "Spirits I'm so hungry." She grabbed her stomach as it voiced its objections at not being properly taken care of.
As Yee-Li finished enjoying the feel of brushing her hair with her new comb. And took the time to stow it in her pocket; before opening her bag of food and offering some to her mommy. Who had been too flattered by the gesture from her daughter to refuse.
But Lin told her she was going to regret it and she needed to learn to say no.
As a laughing group of idiot youngsters bumped into her. Without even an apology they continued on not seeing the glaring older women about to wring their necks. More people had seemed to of appeared. Some laughing at each other over a hilarious night at the bar. Much of the older tourists were looking for souvenirs. And the parents of kids found themselves in a situation similar to Lin's own. Being begged to get some cheap and probably fake souvenir.
There were many people of non-fire nation descent wearing red robes. A women attached to a man's arm wore in a twisted knot of hair a golden flame insignia. Like the hundred years war had been something of a joke. It made Lin want to rip it out of her head. And break it like the cheap thing it was. How could they make light of all that her mother had gone through. Had they really forgotten what that stupid thing really meant. All the pain it had caused everyone. No one knew more than her uncle Zuko. Who had explained to her why he had to continue to wear the cursed thing out of some penance. To rework its image. To rid it of all the blood his father had spilt on it.
A warm hand slid into Lin's. Korra was looking at her. Had her thoughts been portrayed on her face?
"You ok, badgermole?"
Putting on a smile. Lin said. "Of course my little penguin." And assuaged her wife's fears with a kiss.
Korra switched to looping her arm through Lin's. Giving the strong muscles a squeeze. "Stay close. I don't want you getting lost." She giggled. And Lin could tell by the look in her eye what memory she had been thinking of.
"That wasn't my fault. The signs were wrong." She bristled. "And we got there on time did we not?"
"We were ten minutes late for Asami's party."
"Ha-That's early by rich people standards."
"Please don't treat my friend like she's a mental patient." Korra sighed.
Lin stuck her hands in her pockets. Looking away. "Hey it's not like I need to make up this stuff. You're crazy by association. Since you two enjoy the same eccentric hobbies. Tell me little penguin. How exactly is going around in a circle enjoyable? Or flying around in the sky like a trapeze artist. A plane shouldn't go upside down at all."
"It's fun."
"Yeah Momma it's fun."
Lin reared around and pointed a finger at her child. "And you better get used to being a spectator in the stands with your uncle Mako cause that is all you will be doing. Now...give me your hand." Lin said outstretching her arm.
"I don't need to hold hands. I'm ten." Crossing her arms. Yee-Li avoided her attempts to snatch her.
"Yee-Li. Hold. My. Hand. Now young lady." Lin reached for her daughter. Who ducked behind Korra's back. Sticking to her mommy's leg.
"Lin leave her be." Korra said frustrated by her wife.
Lin and her daughter had begun a cat a mouse game. Using Korra's body like a sombrero and chasing each other around. Lin grabbing. And Yee-Li laughing as she managed to slip out of her mother's grip.
"Lin."
"Come her now." Lin yelled.
"Na-uh." Yee-Li laughed.
They were beginning to draw looks. So Korra decided to put a stop to this game. Grabbing her wife and daughter by their arms. She growled at the two of them. "Stop it the both of you." Glaring at each of them in turn to get her point across at her displeasure.
"You..." Pulling on Lin's arm. "Let her go. We're on an island. What's gonna happen?" Then without even hearing Lin's rebuttal she tugged on her daughters arm. "And you. Stay close to us or I'll let your momma put you on a leash."
Oh, now she's up for the leash idea. I suggested that four years ago when she went through the running phase; Lin snorted.
With a final twist to each of their arms Korra let them go.
With a puckered smug lip Yee-Li skipped by Korra's side. Who had re-linked their arms. As Lin looked ready to wring their daughter when she blew a raspberry her way.
In an attempt to settle herself Lin tried to restrain her breathing. To put herself into a better frame of mind for what was to come next. When they breached the edge of the small town. They were faced with a daunting task of climbing a cliff of steps. Surrounded by lush plant life. Where at the top of the mountain was the spire of a temple twisting skyward.