Icky Momma (part 1)
Absolutely stubborn. Korra was hovering over Lin on the couch as a hawk watches its prey. One that had been prepackaged for a to go lunch under a blanket of thick fur. While dressed to leave in everything but her boots. Which are at the door; and out it she should of been about fifteen minutes ago. She would miss the bus to drop Yee-Li off at school. And their daughter would have her first tardiness.
A Beifong is never tardy. That one was Lins personal motto. Her mother would of shown up to a party after the people had left and all the decorations had been cleaned up; about two days after. And still she'd demand someone get her a drink and play some good music to dance to; none of that ball room junk. Mother loved to dance even if she had two left feet; and was technically blind.
Lin felt a tingling sensation in the bridge of her nose. Hastily she tried to extricate her arms from under the blanket. But failed to do so in time as a sneeze made its way out. "Achoo." It was loud and dry. The kind Lin hated. Nothing at all really to blow out afterwards. Still she got her hands free and grabbed a tissue at the foot of the couch. She blew but when she looked there was no boogers. So why did she feel like a Sato-mobile were crammed up there? Lin dropped the tissue in the waste bin next to the tissues. Everything had been provided. Laid out by the couch. Tissues, trashcan, water, a bowl in case she had to...not that Lin had thrown up since she were a child. She had more important things to do when she was sick then. Like bug her mother for earthbending lessons since she didn't have to go to school. Which usually got her taken back to her bed kicking underneath her mother's arm. Then tossed in an chained with a blanket like Korra was doing now. How things have come full circle.
Korra was fussing and pulling the covers overtop her exposed hands and tucking it underneath her butt. Lin could of sworn she felt a pinch down there too. With an accompanying wink, but Lin wasn't sure. It could of been the fever.
Korra pulled back to observe her work. Smiling at her wife's frown. She placed her hand over Lins forehead. Brushing the hair that hung unruly. It was frayed and the right side was flat as a board. After Lin spent the night curled into Korras warm body trying to fight off the chill. "It doesn't seem to of gotten any warmer." She noted, sliding her hand around to the back of her neck. "Doesn't seem to of gone down either." The hand brushed the flesh tenderly as it slide back around.
There was a freshness about Korra who had taken a shower. Lin however hadn't since the previous morning. And she detected a slight odor starting. But she knew that if she got a shower shed be light headed after and her nose would become completely blocked from the steam. A cold shower was out of the question as another shiver shook her limbs. Lin tried to hide it under the heavy blanket but her head gave the slightest shake.
"Maybe I should stay home." Not a question. More like she had already decided, but Lin couldn't let that happen. Her wife had important things to do.
"No." Was the single command given. Enough to even change her wife's stubborn mind.
Korra sighed. Stood up and looked to the kitchen. Where Yee-Li was sitting at the table eating her morning bowl of fire flakes. Not sitting in her usual spot which was facing the counter so she could watch her mommy cook. Instead she was mechanically moving the spoon to her mouth while glancing into the living room. Korra sighed again. Shaking her head as Lin thumbed her nose to try to snort the boogers out so she could breath. It made the water bender gag. Lin could be so refined even snooty, odd considering who her mother was, but then there was this. Guess a cold could do that to you. She plucked a tissue from the box and handed it to her wife. Who grunted and took it. Blew and found nothing inside; again.
As Lin grimaced once more at the failure to clear her nose so she didn't have to breathe through her mouth Yee-Li had finished her breakfast and put the bowl in the sink. The dish clanked as it dropped in as she was not tall enough to reach all the way up.
"You two need to get going before the squirts anymore late than she is. I don't want to have to hear from her teacher." Lin grumbled as she sank deeper into the couch. Dreading if such a call were to happen. Lin turned inward toward the cushion.
Shrugging Korra got up and went to Yee-Li. Ushering her to the front door. "Good bye Lin. Love you." Korra said. Lin sniffled a reply with as much sickly love as she could.
"Good bye Momma...love-you." The little girl shyly said.
Her movements dulled. Lin slowly turned on the couch. Leaning over to look at her daughter. Face paler than normal like a china dolls. Her eyes were heavy and dipped as she spoke. "Love you too, squirt." Lin trembled visibly, unable to stop the chill from crawling through her nerves.
. . .
A long line of people waited with them. A few giving the avatar a stare. Usually used to the gruff older women holding hands with the little red headed girl.
The two were mirror images. With their unfocused gaze on the car infested street. Eyebrows knitted and lower lips being bitten. The mother and daughter did not rouse even as many of the other people in line began stepping closer to the curb. The bus in all its fowl mouth inscribed on the backs of its seats horror could be seen four stops away now picking up others such as them.
"We should go back." Yee-Li; the first to speak up.
Korra with her unfocused gaze said. "She'll be mad if we do squirt. You know how your momma can be; she wouldn't want us missing work or school."
The bus moved on to the third stop from theirs.
Yee-Li huffed gaining back some clarity and ripped her hand out of Korras to point an accusing finger at the women in the furry robe. "You're the avatar. Everyone should have to listen to what you say," Korra almost wanted to say but they don't really anymore, "even momma. So if she needs to be taken care of then that should be it." The girl finished by crossing her arms and slapped a foot on the ground to get her irritated point across. Her mother noticed it was the green ones today.
Korra just watched her daughter fume. Of course that thing with the bottom lip was so much like herself; at least Lin said it did. But the darting eyes were all her badgermole. So similar to when the women would worry and start to pace around. If only to keep herself busy.
Having picked up the people on the stop before theirs the bus was lazily making its way slowly through traffic like a fat fish through the ocean still eating even though its insides were full to burst with passengers. It stopped in front of them and people began to board.
The doors shut brusquely without the driver even asking Korra and Yee-Li if they were getting on. Then it continued on.
Korra snatched up her daughters hand excitedly. The fire in her belly set by her daughters caring act had been lit and was running full force. "Let's go." Shouted Korra. Who briskly made her way away from the bus stop.
The crowd willingly parted at the sight of an excited Avatar and the little girl trying to keep up. At least no one dared to be rude to her was of some comfort to the woman. Even if they did ignore her otherwise.
Before they went home however they made a stop at the grocery store. An older man with tan skin and a thin strip of a beard on his chin greeted Korra as she entered. It was familiar and warm. Inviting like she were coming home to a family she didn't quite know but always saw. The wrinkles at his eyes crinkled more when they saw Yee-Li.
Though the shop was no bigger than a shoe box everything from the two shelves, which split the shop into three narrow aisles, to the ceiling was made useful. Fresh produce in the back. Cans of creams and sauces on the shelves. Seasonings hung in bowls from the ceiling; If one wasn't careful they'd end up with a face full of chili, or flour. Sausages, fresh cuts, and even de-feathered ducks and chickens hung behind the register. Their heads, still attached, hung from nooses around their necks.
Korra had walked to the back to look at the vegetables. While Yee-Li got a basket then joined her. With a scrutinizing eye Korra was sifts through the carrots looking for only the best and freshest. She peeled back each and every leaf on a bundle of seaweed to look for any signs that it was staring to go bad. The onions did not bring any tears to her blue eyes as she took huge whiffs; had to make sure the smell was right she explained to her daughter. Because apparently her mommy could tell the difference between a good and bad one by just doing that. Wasn't strange in the least to the little girl to watch her do it either. Even if one man were giving her looks. Yee-Li just held on to the basket as it grew heavier till she had to waddle with it between her legs as the pair made for the front.
There dark freckles that moved like stars across the sky when the man behind the counter smiled. As he told her the story of how Mimow got into so much trouble the other day. Pointing to a small rabbit on the stool next to him. Except for the ears, which could touch the ground from its seat and that it was green too, one would think it were just a normal rabbit. Munching on pieces of hay the owner would feed it from a pouch under the counter. "Is this everything Korra." Having been scolded enough never to use her title or add a Mrs. to it. Thrilling enough as it was to hear that honorific they had a little history to drop the honorifics.
A simple history. The spirit was lonely and getting into trouble. Jinora had left with Mai when the other moved back to the fire nation. Her father wasn't happy of course. Tenzin, technically retired except for checking in on the other air temples and stuff, had nothing to do all day but meditate. Which lead to worrying. Which lead to calls from Pema needing to talk to Lin, repeat that again to-talk-to-Lin, so she could tell her about how her husband was being a nervous fool over the whole thing.
The shopkeeper was lonely too. So put one and one together...Korra was proud of her little accomplishment. It was the little deeds that helped get her by before then. But after the night she came home to find Lin giving Yee-Li a history lesson things had changed. She felt freer. Less bogged down by her thoughts. Sure people weren't taking her word as serious as they used to. Instead relying more on themselves. Which was good, but it had made Korra start to feel useless. However, when she felt those thoughts trying to bide for attention she'd just picture that little hand in hers. Korra looked down to Yee-Li who's arms were struggling to lift the basket to the counter. She took it from her and set it down. Bending at the waste Korra gave Yee-Lis forehead a peck.
The girl instantly recoiled as if touched by a horrible bug with eight legs and plenty of eyes. The shopkeeper laughed as she rubbed at the wet spot on her forehead. "What was that for." She grumbled. Reddening from the affectionate display in public.
"Absolutely nothing. " Korra laughed. Then turned back to the store owner. She was looking at the chickens that hung lifeless behind the man. She pointed to the one of choice. The man nodded then called the rabbit, "Mimow, that one." The rabbits floppy ears moved like limbs. One ear took the chicken off the hook while the other picked up a bag. This it did with an impassive looking face and a twitching nose. The bag was put on the counter then nudged towards them. Pleased by his helper the shop keeper offered the rabbit another piece of hay. Which it nibbled in silence as the ears went back to dangling off its head.
Eager to pay so she could get back home Korra got held up when Yee-Li threw in an objection. Taking a couple of big strides she reached the back of the shop and disappeared behind a shelf. Soon she popped back up holding a bag up to.
"Oranges; my teacher says they are supposed to help when someone has a cold." Said her daughter.
Korra nodded and paid for them as well. The two left with a bag on either side and held hands in the middle. While they made for home.
. . .
The kettle whistled in an irritating manner like a criminal daring Lin to make a move. Groggily she pushed herself up onto her feet. Leaving the warmth of the blanket behind.
Quick to grab the arm of the couch to steady herself. The room swam a little but Lin closed her eyes and took a breath. Opened them again to find it was no longer moving. So she shuffled over the carpet. Her body unconsciously shivering as her feet touched the cold wood floor. Wanting no more than to retreat back to the couch and under the blanket. However, Lin couldn't with the kettle screaming at her to shut off the stove.
She'd been making tea all morning not to drink, which she did anyway because she never wasted good tea, but to clear her nose with the steam. Except it also meant making frequent trips to the bathroom. Which meant she couldn't take a decent nap; if she wanted to. Not that she did. It was day light out. Lin never took naps. Save it for when night had fallen. A bad habit not to of picked up when she were younger and not behind a desk. Going sometimes two or three days straight without sleep could be taxing. But...well, she didn't like naps. They were a waste of time that could be spent doing something else. Or relaxing with her eyes actually open so she could enjoy it fully.
The tea was poured with shaky fingers; a little spilling over. Lin cursed. Set the kettle back on the stove and got a towel. This was becoming infuriating how her limbs were refusing to move the way she wanted them to. How they would spasm without consent. Like now making her drop the towel which landed on the floor and some of the spilled tea dripped out. Lin grimaced. Gnashing her teeth as the light headedness returned when she bent over. A hand steadied her by holding onto the counter. Lin shook herself once again to clear it. Threw the towel in the sink then grabbed her tea and went back to the couch.
Back under the covers. Lin held the cup under her nose. The steam helping to clear her sinuses. Allowing an earthly aroma which Korra always complained about being bland. Usually taking hers with enough honey to drown out the pure flavor.
Lin took a sip. Slightly able to enjoy it with her nose unclogged a bit. Alternating between keeping the cup under it and taking sips till she'd taken her last. As soon as it was gone Lin felt her nose begin to close again. She groaned; the thought that she would have to get up again was rather annoying. But having her nose remain stuffed was equally displeasing. Two sides of the coin of sickness either way she wasn't going to enjoy either choice. First, she would have to use the bathroom.
Lin battled the dizzy feeling once more as she got up and walked over to the stairs. Bracing against the wall she made her way up. With each step her head would bounce and so would her vision. By the time she got to the top of the steps Lin was mopping a buckets worth of sweat from her forehead and her shirt was wet down the front.
The second door in was the bathroom. But Lin went past it to another. It was closed off which meant no one was allowed in. That was the system they had worked out. A way to give their daughter her privacy in her growing age. Except Yee-Li wasn't there at the moment. So the door slide open silently. Not a creak from its well oiled hinge. Lin made sure of this so she could check on her daughter in the middle of the night. Privacy was one thing; safety was another. Rules could be bent even silly ones such as this.
The walls were a pinkish red. A small bed was pressed into the corner near the window with a huge furred blanket on top. The dresser only came up to Lin's waist. And Lin knees would reach her face if she had to sit down at the chair to her daughters vanity.
Leaning against the door frame Lin stayed there and didn't even try to cross the threshold. There were trinkets on the dresser from Korra's travels. A small bowl with the flaming insignia of the fire nation was filled with some sea shells Korra had picked up. A wooden carving of a lion turtle, small yet intricate, had detail on the shell that was exquisite enough. The pattern seemed to move as one turned it in their hand.
Hanging lifeless near the closed window was a wind chime Korra had gotten from an air temple. The chimes spiraled down like steps surrounding a wooden air nomad motif. On a windy day they could be quite intrusive to Lins peace. However, the other two enjoyed the noise.
Reaching for the handle Lin began to shut the door. Taking one last look her eyes settled upon the night stand near the bed. Three statues were colored a dusty red. Unpolished but still beautiful; Yee-Li had said that when she saw them. A penguin, a badgermole, and nestled between them with the small beady eyes of the badgermole and that cute little nose, but the body of a penguin. If any animal in all the four kingdoms was a blend of its two animal parents surely it would be the otter penguin.
Lin shut the door and went to the bathroom.
When she was back downstairs and under the blanket she had brought something to read from the shelf near the fireplace in the same room. It's mouth cold and empty. It was a book without words cause focusing on them would only make her feel faint. Just smiling faces from a black and white past. There whole family history starting from a picture of her mother beaming proudly with a swaddled child. Skip ahead a few pages and there was a picture of another bundle in her mother's hands as well as an upset looking Lin. I wanted her all to myself; Lin thought. Turning the page again. Watching her family grow older in a short couple of snapshots. Mostly of Suyin and Lin bending. A few birthdays. Not all were celebrated with uncle Aang and the rest. So they didn't have someone who could use a camera for all of them.
Lin was flipping through when she stopped. Laid the page flat and stared. The proudest moment of her young life. Mother couldn't stop slapping me on the back. Lin and her mother stood outside the precinct. Lin was in her first metal bending uniform. She remembers shining that badge till it had captured the sun. However, it was just the two of them. Suyin said she was busy. Lin sighed as she touched the photo at its edge. Probably up to no good. Which made Lin chuckle. Weak and unintentional. Only lasting a few seconds. Till she turned the page to recall another memory. There weren't many left. Just some unhappy smiles of her sister and her together. Before Suyin disappeared altogether. Only her mother and Lin like how she had had wanted when she had first met Suyin...but really she didn't; not then and not now. Not after her sister had come around. I never wanted you to leave.
On the last page Lin gasped. Oh how they had aged so quickly from before. Even though it wasn't in color she could tell her hair had already started to lose its dark coloring. Mothers had been completely white by then. This was the last time she had seen her. When her mother left to travel the world. One last adventure...as if she knew her time was coming. Lin used the edge of the blanket to dab at her eyes. "And you weren't there Suyin." Lin said to the picture. "It would of been nice to-to of had one last family photo before-be-fore." The photo album was shut quickly and put on the floor. Pulling her knees to her Lin couldn't help but curse the spirits. To curse herself for getting sick and having to relive old memories. Lin rolls onto her side still clinging onto her legs and shuts her eyes. Even though she hates them her body feels so drained at the moment that she takes a nap.