Meeting Mommas Sister (Pt. 2)
The atmosphere was mild yet cheery. Served with a nice cup of tea. The hint of ginger was delightfully hot on the tongue. While the salad itself was fresh. Suyin glanced around the table. Korra, sitting to her right, was gesturing and eating at the same time while sitting against her sister. Lin picked at her own salad. Uninterested in the appetizer. While her daughter and niece hadn't even touched theirs.
The plates pushed away gave enough room for a box of polished silver with flowers that bloomed out of the metal. Such as all the works of her son this was no exception; it was utterly stunning. Thinking of Huan though only made the women more homesick and lonely because of her empty bed come tonight.
The train case was folded out and each level had a few items for beginners. Opal applied a blush that brought warmth to the young girls face. Yee-Li was quiet but took in every word from her cousin about how to apply it right. What brush to use, how hard, and how much. It reminded Suyin of when she had done the same for Opal and for a moment Suyin was seeing herself in her daughters place. A young black haired girl who shyly tilted her head and shivered as the ticklish bristles touched her cheek.
Opal felt a tickle on the back of her foot and followed the hand touching it to her mother. Who gave her a relaxed smile. There was moisture in her mother's eye. Opal patted the hand and the woman withdrew turning back to Korra who still hadn't stopped talking.
Suyin drank her tea which had been prepared by her sister; who still knew how she liked it. Plain, with a dash of honey, as all the Beifong women did. Not all them, Suyin thought as she inhaled the light scent, Mother preferred a stronger additive to hers. She set her cup down and took another bite. The mild flavor of the tea was quickly absorbed by the greens.
"How is everyone in Zaofu?" Korra laid down her fork, finished with the salad, as she got up.
Lin deposited her half eaten plate on top of her wife's and gave a sheepish smile as she received a pointed look for the left over's. Lin was glad for the nostalgia of eating an earth kingdom meal with her sister if only she weren't so spoiled from the years in between their visit than she wouldn't of been so attached to her wife's normal cooking. Not that Lin wasn't going to eat the fresh fish set down in front of her. Tail and head hung over the edges of the largest plate they owned. The calico flesh of its back had been flayed to reveal tenderly cooked meat underneath. Korra gave them all a small plate of their own and chop sticks.
"Kyoshi elephant Koi, and a baby, that is quite rare. My Korra, how did you get this?" Suyin was impressed as she clicked her chop sticks in anticipation.
Korra waved a hand airily, "oh I got a guy with connections. Saved his butt one time. Owed me a favor."
"And who is this man?" Lin questioned as she took the first strip off the fish and brought it to her mouth.
"He's a guy. You wouldn't know him alright Badgermole." Korra took a piece for herself glancing at her wife.
Suyin nearly snorted a piece of food out her nose at the nickname, it never got old hearing it.
"Some things never change do they Lin? You will never out run that nickname." Suyin said as she washed down the fish with her tea.
"I will never grow tired of it," Lin said proudly her nose turned upward, "hog monkey."
The necklace around Suyin bristled as the woman's shoulders tensed. "Don't call me that!" She grimaced, drawing back her hand with the chopsticks from snagging another piece and pounding it on the table childishly. Hoping it would be enough to shut her sister up.
Opal turned to her mother a tube of cardinal colored lipstick. Nothing to bright but enough to bring out the red of anyone's lips and make them more noticeable. Opal looked to her Aunt who talked with an underlying inflection of a tease in her voice.
"What, hog monkey? Don't like the nickname, or don't you remember why mother called you that? I would think you'd still remember, you were only what-fourteen? When you stopped doing that."
"I was twelve and still a child Lin." Suyin attempted to defend her actions as a youth.
Opal curious to know asked her aunt, "what did she do?" Both her and Yee-Li were focused on the argument breaking out at the table.
Suyin reared on her sister. Face taut. Lips frowning. "Don't you answer that Lin. Don't. You. Dare! Or I'll...I'll..." Face flooding red she was unable to get the words out.
Lin challenged Suyin, "you'll do what hog monkey?" She took a lazy bite chewing the piece of meat slow an evenly. Swallowed then watched her sister sag. With a smile she began her story addressing Opal more than anyone.
"As you know your mother had a rebellious streak when she was young," Suyin grumbled about how her sister put it; it wasn't like she got in that much trouble, "I'd say it started when you were four didn't it Su?" Lin smiled at her sister who was looking at the plate with the chopsticks pinned between her fingers, "she had a very hard time accepting things when they didn't go her way. Your mother was rather unruly Opal."
"At least I wasn't stuck up like you!" Suyin retorted. "Mom hated how reserved you were all the time."
"At least I wasn't the one breaking our dishes." Lin tapped a finger to the table; Opal let out a gasp as she looked at her mother.
Suyin glanced at Opal an ignored it. "Like I said I was four." She tried to explain away the behavior, "you threw fits when you were that age too." Addressing her daughter.
"I'm sure hers weren't as bad. Su here would climb on top of the counter and hurl plates at the walls howling about whatever mother had done to upset her...that time. We had to buy a new set every week. Also-you could bend," Lin sniggered behind her tea cup, "I'm surprised there weren't cavehoppers in the house. You made our house look like a place they'd live in." Lin flipped her hand skyward.
Suyin calmed herself and took a breath, "As I said-I was young and it was only a faze."
Lin snorted, "The plate throwing was. Not everything else, hog monkey, but you weren't there when mother and me had to 'even out' the floor every time you stormed off to your room."
Lin outright guffawed, quick to come and leave though, with Korra as the buffer between the two sisters. Pointing the tips of her chopsticks mockingly at Suyin Lin already knew the barb would elicit no response. Suyin only looked to her daughter with a silent apology for her behavior.
"Are you done embarrassing me in front of my child." Suyin leaned on the table putting pressure on her arms so she wouldn't want to use them to strangle Lin as she had done on more than one occasion when they were younger.
Lin took a drink. "Nope, wait till Opal gets home." She smirked knowingly.
Suyin paled as she spun on her daughter searching for the truth. Opal shrugged sheepishly and Suyin felt the weight of her necklace pull her down into her cushion.
"Sorry," Opal confessed knowing it was too good a piece of information to keep locked up, "Wei and Wing would die to hear about this. You scold them all the time for the way they act."
"Speak kindly of your mother when you tell them." Suyin asked.
Lin snorted as Opal nodded. "Wuss." The word slipped out her mouth as a tender piece of food went in.
Suyin picked a piece of fish off for herself and took a bite. The wonderful taste of the food allowed her to get over the previous conversation and move on to another topic, "I see you still have a Pai Sho table. I'm surprised you haven't made her get rid of this." Suyin addressed Korra as she tapped her chopsticks in one of the squares on the table.
"She won't play me...anymore." Lin said around a piece of fish.
"You are a pain to play." This made her sister huff, "Oh please Lin. You never showed mom or me a shred of generosity. Never let us win, or even tried to teach us to be better players. She was merciless Korra; though I'm sure you already knew this. Not an ounce of decency. Remember the time you beat mom so bad she grounded you?"
"Mother was blind, and a pour loser." Lin set down her chopsticks and put an arm around Korra unconsciously. Rubbing her wife's back as she continued eating; she wasn't one to let such a good meal as this go to waste. Even with the four of them pecking away they hadn't consumed a good half of the elephant koi and even though Korra got a nice discount on the fish it still cost her.
"Please, Mom was second best in our house if you need reminding. I was ranked last." She gestured and made sure that everyone present understood this.
"But mom," Opal spoke, "you beat dad, my brothers, and me all the time."
"Sorry kid but your just terrible players no wonder with who's been teaching you."
"Keep your comments to yourself Lin." Suyin said before she swallowed her drink.
"If you ever beat me then maybe I will." Lin argues and takes a sip of tea as well.
It was bait. Her sisters attempt at being playful if only to lure Suyin to humiliation; Suyin wasn't about to bite. The grin vanished from Lins face as her sister visibly conceded without putting up any fight at all. It is a sour victory before the game ever had a chance to begin.
A hand touched the table feeling its coolness. Smooth to the touch and its surface glassy in the light. Suyin sighed, unhappy by the time that had passed by, as she looked at her reflection in the wood. Her hair was heavy to the side as it always had been as long as she could remember. Beifongs don't change very much do they? Suyin thought; that was until she took a glance around the table.
Opal and Yee-Li went back to applying make-up. This time Opal was the test subject and Yee-Li was laying it on thick. Making her daughter look like a pale china doll. It reminded Suyin of a story her mother told about herself and Aunt Katara and the reason why she refused to use any ever.
Korra was still trying to eat the rest of the meal by herself with Lin now hugging her side and resting a chin on her shoulder. The smile was so happy and easy and free on her face.
Well, certain things change at least. Maybe the more important things that count rather than ascetics, Suyin thought as she tapped a couple of squares in a row using her finger as a stand in for a tile.
"Hey Lin. Remember the board mother had when we were kids? That was Grandma and Grandpas right?" The woman made another move in an attempt to capture and invisible opponents piece.
"Yes, this was theirs Su." It's not like the thing had changed. It was only reasonable that it would need to be stripped every couple of years and a new coat of lacquer applied but Lin kept everything as it had been.
At a loss for words Suyin wasn't sure if she should believe her sister or not but there was a inkling in her head as to how to prove if it was. Suyin reached underneath the table. Blindly, unable to feel the subtle nuances of the wood with her sense. Again the thought that her mother was able to play somehow baffled her. But Toph did say she had a good teacher; then she would stare off to the side of their heads although not as she always did. Her mother seemed so sad when they brought up Uncle Iroh.
Her late uncle gave the woman pause as Suyin wondered if Lin would of been able to beat Iroh if he were around when they were young, there was someone she could ask but Suyin didn't want to bring it up to Uncle Zuko.
Suyins fingers found something which gave her pause and unsure of what she had found she traced over it again and again and again. Putting force into the touch as she felt sharp lines in the wood. It was there hand writing all right. Sloppy as a child's was; as theirs had been when they carved their names in it; and their mothers for her because of...well, for obvious reasons.
Opal touched her mother on the shoulder. "Mom?" She asked as she handed the woman a napkin.
Suyin used it to dry her eyes but it did no good. There was only one way to stop the tears. So Suyin held out her arms out wide to Lin.
Having a comfortable spot made Lin was very reluctant to get up. So Korra had to nudge her wife and pinch her arm for hesitating. Lin laid down on her knees and accepted Suyin who laid her hands upon Lins back. They squeezed hard.
"I love you." Suyin whispers for only Lin to hear.
At the words Lin brought her own hands up and wrapped her sister in a reciprocating hug. A light jovial tone was whispered back which beckoned mischief with it. "I know hog monkey."
Nails dug into the fabric on Lins back in warning. The woman however ignored the pain and chuckled lowly.
They parted and Lin went back to her seat. Where she got a adoring kiss for her good deed.
While Opal gave her mother a hug too.
Usually so happy to have such a desert Korra could only grumble as she cut the cake she had made. For as she sat down and picked up her fork there was a hesitance in the first bite.
The green and gold frosting so sugary and delicious had Yee-Li and Opal scrap it off with their fingers to lick. The older cousin dabbed a smidge on her younger cousins nose which garnered a giggle.
The inside of the cake was heavy and settled full in the stomach. Each bite slowed Korra down. There was a desire for more except some things were unwilling to allow the space for it. So, unfortunately Korra had to set her fork on her plate with half a piece left and pushed it away. Her hands massaged her stomach as a dull ache settled in.
A feathery kiss was planted on Korras temple. The woman felt a warm breath by her ear.
"Not hungry?"
Korra didn't reply and rubbed her stomach more emotionally upset than it physically felt as she stared at the unfinished piece of confection. A silent vow passed between her and the cake. That she would eat it on the morrow. Or tonight if she felt better. It was always rather easy to get away from bed for a midnight snack.
They broke into groups thereafter. The older women took to the warmth of the fire while Opal and Yee-Li stayed in the kitchen and talked; still messing with the make-up.
Suyin felt the heat on her arm and watched the orange glow dance upon the dark ceiling beating back the light that tried to come in from the kitchen. A sigh that was both wonderful and well deserved allowed her body to unwound. Head nestling into the back of the chair tilting it forward so she could focus on the two on the couch.
Korra sat with her back in Lins lap. The women were quiet. Enjoying the way the fire fought off the chill that sunk its claws into everything outside the home.
It was easy to figure that this was the normal routine for them every night after a long day of avatar duty and working at the precinct. To just curl up in the silence and enjoy some peace.
If only Suyin could get even a rare moment such as this back in Zaofu. Everything was busy, busy, busy. The work never ended when one had an entire city to attend to. The needs of the people out way the needs of their leader. Still it wasn't like she were unhappy with the usual high pace that it brought. It was easy for her to shrug off any fatigue that would build. All she'd have to do is watch the sun reflect off the metal her city was made from and it would drive the weariness away.
Suyin watched her sister peeking over the top of her wife's head probably pressing kisses into the back of it. Trying to keep it secret from her sister, but Suyin could see the little tremors as Korra tried to hide her laughter.
Outside the back yard was dark. Beyond it were lights peeking over the top of the fence. The tell tale sign that they weren't the only ones still awake at the hour. It wasn't like in Zaofu where everyone had a curfew. People could walk the streets at anytime in republic city. Do whatever they wanted which Suyin had an inkling as to what some of them might of been up to. Another time, another you.
Suyin felt the jewel hanging across her forehead meant to help focus the chakra there and keep her third eye open. Better to govern Zaofu and make the right decisions. Also to make the right decisions with her family. For Suyin didn't want it to turn out as her relationship had with her sister.
"Lin." Suyin accidentally said aloud.
The woman in question perked up. Shifted till her nose rose over her wife's head. The light of the fire brought an orange warmth to the usual pale face. A much appreciated tenderness from the way Lin used to be. Especially towards Suyin. And...it was all thanks to the dark skinned woman with the sleepy eyes.
Lins voice was muffled in the back of Korras head. "Yes, Su?" She asked.
"Oh, um nothing-it's nothing." She sunk back into the seat. Resting her head. Until she felt her sisters stare shift away.
Low pitched giggles muffled by hands came out of the kitchen. Suyin tilted herself and saw that their backs were to her. The tall and yellow clothed one of her daughter and the tiny one of her niece.
Growing up around four brothers meant nobody for Opal to share these kind of times with. Her status in Zaofu didn't do much to attract friends either. While with the airbender's it meant all her time was devoted to meditation and training. Which was Opals choice after all and Suyin would always be proud of her and allow her to follow her heart as she had done. Suyin found that life was a journey of ups and downs. It had been a very contrasting serious of both good and bad for her but she was a better person for it. Nevertheless, she hoped it would be kinder to her children.
"Hey squirt. Time for bed." Lins voice suddenly carried into the next room.
There came an audible groan of what sounded like an unfriendly spirit. "I'm not tired." She bellowed as her tiny fists pounded the table in irritation.
Yee-Li wanted to stay up and continue to talk and do things with her cousin. Opal was fun and happy and she didn't ignore her like the airbender girls did cause she was younger. Jinora didn't although she wasn't any fun because she always wanted to have Mai with them and that girl wanted to play in the dirty sky bison pens. They also acted all clingy like her mother's.
"Oh Lin let her stay up its the weekend anyway." Suyin came to her nieces defense. It made the girl's shoulders swell with hope.
"Bed time." Lin said stone faced and with a tight thin lip as she gave her sister a look that said that her word was final and would not be undermined.
Opal watched her cousins shoulders sag as she looked dejectedly at the open box. Lip stick and powders scattered across the table were picked up and tossed haphazardly and angrily back inside. Opal helped.
"It's not fair." The little girl whispered then bit the inside of her mouth hoping the words hadn't come out loud enough.
Opal gave her cousin a sympathetic smile. Nudging closer as she set something back into the box. "I know mothers can be a handful. She means well. We can do this again in the morning ok." Opal was trying to play the part of a sage like some of the monks she had heard about. Maybe she still wasn't there yet cause for her wisdom she received an agitated huff.
No more words were exchanged as the two put everything back into the box. The latch was made of a few tiny pieces of metal fused together. Some veins were so intricate in the petals and so small that it was hard to believe a bender was able to create such subtle detail.
Opal pulled the box to her. Feeling her brothers work as she ran a hand over its surface. Marveling at the mastery he had achieved in his sculpting. Was he still doing those large sculptures in the back yard? Was this his new thing? Or did their mother ask Huan to make this for their niece? Having been away from Zaofu for so long she wondered how much her family had changed.
As Opal accompanied her niece to the stairs there came a loud and guttural clearing of a throat; phlegm gurgled and swallowed. That noise which was being used to get her daughters attention was followed by another gentle whistle from someone else. Sweet like a birds song. This got Yee-Li to turn towards her mothers.
Korra gave her daughter an appreciative smile when without needing to be coaxed further Yee-Li walked over. Leaned in and kissed her mother's brown cheek. It filled the woman with an infectious love and brought a light to Korras eyes in the darkening room as the fire began to dim. Yet there was still enough of a flame to highlight Korras hand when it reached behind her, feeling around blindly, till it tapped Lin awkwardly on the top of her cheek. The woman winced as the slight nail ghosted close to her eye.
Knowing that she wouldn't be allowed to leave unless she caved into her mother's demand Yee-Li kissed Lin on the cheek as well. Lin smiled at her daughter though not as wide or flourished as her wife's. Still the ghost of it could be seen as a shadow streaking across her face.
Yet the anger had not quelled Yee-Li gave a huff as her hair whipped the air in front of their faces as she turned to go up the stairs.
Opal followed behind.