Authors note: With the new year Badgermole days will undergo some changes. Usually I tried to update ever Friday, but then I'd might have to go a month without updating. So to try to avoid this I will begin updating it bi-monthly starting in the new year. Still on Fridays. After this update the next one won't be till the second week of January.
Its Avatar Day Badgermole
The music was laced with cheerful instruments. Strings and bells and drums and loud brass. A tune to promote happiness, goodwill, and peace for this Avatar days eve.
Festive sprigs framed the doors. Each room had trees decorated with lovely ornaments with all the colors of the four styles of bending. Depending on which department one could see an imbalanced bias as to which styles was represented. As with this room's tree which had more red and blue. Even though the majority were none benders who did the dull duty of paper pushing. Their desks packed end to end and butt to butt. Neigh enough space to squeeze between. Easy to catch a leg. Not that the woman sitting at her own desk had ever had such an embarrassing moment. She had seen it though
Things were neat. The papers stacked in the right bins. Pens in an flamboyant wooden holder. A gift to the former chief of police from some bureaucrat. The wood was alive with water swirling out of the base and winding its way to the top. Korra liked it; but she liked anything to do with the ocean as it reminded her of home.
Lin sighed at the thought that her little penguin was in low spirits this year. Because Tonraq and Senna could not make the trip as they had every previous year and stay with the couple and their daughter for the holiday.
When we often get to the older years we tend to forget that our bodies are not as spry as they once were. That no matter how much one may keep themselves in shape there is nothing to prevent the dregs of age. Tonraq had forgotten he was not a man in his twenties anymore when he tried to skate like one. Too bad his eye sight wasn't as such and caught a bump on the lake. In Senna's letter she talked about how love makes people blind to their limitations.
Lin brushed the hair out of her face. The scratch of her pencil ceased and the page was set on the outgoing pile. She leaned back in the chair that had once occupied the chief's office. With its comfortable bottom and stiff back. Felt the spindles poke her hard used to the feeling and no longer considering it uncomfortable more of a prod to get back to work.
However, for the moment Lin didn't feel in the mood to do so as she glanced around at the other empty desks. Along with Lin there were a couple other people manning the office. They weren't expected to work from the festive music playing and the load of sweets in the break room. They were only there as a couple of warm bodies occupying the station in case of walk ins. Not that Lin suspected any to come in. Crime, unless you were a truly terrible person, took a break for two days only in republic city; thankfully.
Joining the others wasn't for her. Talking about what they were going to do with their families when their shift was over while munching on a cookie. Lin had indulged in enough sweets in the days leading up to the holiday. As Korra was on a baking spree and had filled the house with such sweet smelling cookies and pastries and there was a cake that she had been working on this morning which was for tonight when she got home. To a warm fire. To her lovely wife. To hopefully a happy daughter.
Every year the parents had a hard time racking their brains on what to get Yee-Li as a gift. Ever since Yee-Li was seven and they finally figured out the hard truth that their daughter had grown up from toys. The pair had never been so displeased with themselves and heartbroken as well that the time had come. The year after hadn't been much better. They bought Yee-Li a dress, but she never wore it. Korra had thought it was a pretty plum color with its puffy sleeves. It wasn't until the year after that they smartened up and asked Asami. Lin said nothing, Korra was the one pleading as it was easier to let her wife to do the bargaining.
Lin picked up her polar bear dog that was near a picture frame at the edge of her desk. It had been decided, by Korra not Lin, that the woman had to have this exact photo. Unflattering it was and projected the image that everyone already thought of Lin. With a grumpy and pleading smile to the viewer the woman held a baby who was looking at the woman who she would call momma with a rumpled frown.
The ice seemed to produce its own glow from within. Was this what they called loves light? Lin could see the distorted image of her fingers through the sculpture. She breathed heavily as her head tilted to the side. A thin finger prodded the nose lovingly as the chair tried to goad her back to work when she leaned back. Oh what beauty she thought to of held. Tickling the little dogs side in a kind way.
The statue found it place as the chair bumped into the desk as it was pushed in. Then the soft clicks followed on Lins heels as she left the room. Down the hall. the music followed her. It was all around her. Wrapping Lin in a festive blanket of harmonics but above it all, and it was fast approaching with ever step, was the equally good chatter.
Which stopped abruptly when Lin entered the break room.
Min, who was a petite woman that possessed little fire in the belly choked on the cookie in her mouth. Fen and Xiu only caste their looks Lins way for a mere second never skipping a word in their conversation. The only man on for the night, Jin, had an uneven stubble growing on his face and whose shaggy hair bobbed with his nod in greeting. Jin gestured to the batch of cookies that had arrows tattooed in blue icing, cups, and drinks. The man told Lin to have a go at it. There was plenty as he reached for another cookie. To stuff himself. His uneven beard wasn't grown enough to even catch the crumbs.
Not feeling much up for other peoples sweets Lin poured herself some green tea. Chilled as was the fad going around, despite the cold outside.
At least it hasn't snowed, Lin mussed as she soothed her parched tongue. It was so good she had to have another and Lin took half the glass in one gulp. Having not realized how thirsty she was. Despite the tea not being warm which was how Lin preferred her teas. The cup, downed in a few more gulps, was refilled. Lin headed to the door and no one there was keen on keeping her around for the party.
Though Mins jaw tightened around the cookie in her mouth as Lin complimented the woman on how well brewed her tea was. The pieces making a mess at the woman's feet.
As Lin wondered the familiar space, taking sips of her cup she thought of nothing more than the joy that as time continued to tick by that she would be able to go home. It would be late but not too late. Yee-Li should still be awake and more likely still angry with her momma that she wasn't allowed to open her gifts until the next day. Lins wife was holding out. Surprisingly a stickler for the tradition.
Korra was also still grumpy that Lin had to work. Maybe since it was like a second birthday for the woman, Lin construed. Also that Lin did nothing in her power to try to get out of it. She was the former chief of the police. As such shouldn't she be exempt. It wasn't like Mako was working. The man was at home with the Sato-girl having dinner at the moment.
A soft unearthly, yet heavenly, glow came from the sky above the window. A prism of colors shined down. As spirits floated above the sky of republic city. This merry light display happened every year since the portal had been reopened.
Before such a breathtaking scene there had only been a cold dark sky that Lin unfortunately could still recall with ease. A time when she was still chief and would work this day and usually the next. Because it wasn't fun to go home to a cold apartment and greasy takeout food.
Ding. Ding.
The chime was a welcome distraction. A sharp sting over the music that would get anyone's attention no matter where they were in the precinct. Lin went immediately as no one else seemed to be in a rush to beat her to it.
Shoes tapped the wooden steps rapidly as Lin ascended a master staircase towards the front hall of the precinct. The staircase wasn't lavish. No, it was as plain as the rest of the architecture unlike some of the more exquisite buildings in the surroundings. With marble and fancy carving of flowers in the trim and fountains and such other beautiful touches.
The cheapness reflected only one persons taste. As Toph did not have a fancy for fine detailed things. Too much noise for her feet.
Dingdingding!
Rapid and hurried the rings felt as such they had an underlying panic with each tap of the golden bell. Lin doubled her pace to reach the front desk.
A dark wood that was raised high off the floor so as to look down upon all those who enter and deal out justice. Lin wanted nothing to do with such a chair. That idea of power was displeasing to the woman as no one was above the law not even the law itself; at least in a perfect world that was how it was. This was republic city and Lin had seen firsthand how foolish that notion was. Yet she still had tried to act that way; to a foolish end sometimes.
There would always be someone to set Lin straight when she got herself into such dilemmas. Such as the woman who wore one ponytail on the right side of her face; her daughter the left. Both wore heavy furred water tribe coats and stared at her over the dull unpolished floor of the precinct.
Mouth creased and slightly parted. Lins fingers flexed when Korra gave a smile and turned to the golden bell on the desk and gave it a single, soft tap.
Ding.
The noise blew away the stuffy air in the room and left a freshness. A better mood than what the drab earth green trim evoked for many who were often taken through there not by their own will.
"Hello Mrs. are you an officer here? I need some help." their daughter whose hair had bells woven in nodded and a soft tingle reached Lins ears, "we seem to of lost someone. My wife, exactly." Korras face split into a grin. "She's about so tall." Gesturing to a foot above her head. "Scars on her cheek; pretty cool." Korra looked to her daughter for conformation as to the authenticity of the information she was providing. The girl shrugged. "Well I think there kinda you know...hot."
Yee-Li rolled her eyes. Done with the game she wandered away from her mother. The bells chimes with each step taken.
However Korra wasn't done with the charade. She drew closer. Bouncing on the balls of her feet as she waggled her way over; hands clasped behind her back. "Can be a little moody sometimes." She said as the tips of her furred boots touched the edge of Lins dark brown moccasins. The color of which reminded her of Korra when she needed it most on those fruitless days.
The older woman barked loudly, "Moody!" None the less she settled herself close to the other woman. Nose touching the top of her head. It ruffled a few hairs out of place when she exhaled hard then lodged them up there when she tried to consume the others scent. The smell of the ocean mixed with republic city's own brand of perfume: Sato-mobile smog, meat, and the putrid things that rotted in alleyways.
Korra played with the wooden toggles of Lins tunic singling out one in particular. Pulling the it through the loop of string then affixing it again. She did this a couple of times as Lin watched their daughter over her wife's brown head of hair.
Standing at the grandiose feet of a statue. Two stories up the lips curved in a one-sided smirk and the eyes were ghostly and saw everything yet nothing. Prideful was the woman's pose with her hands on her cocked hips and the tension created through the sculpting of the plates in the armor also seemed to intimidate the audience of those who walked through the front hall of the precinct.
Yee-Li reached out and touched the shin of Lins mother. There was reverence in the way she looked at the woman she had never gotten to know. After all the things she had heard about the woman. Her mommas stories were better than what the history book said. Filled with funny moments and more wittiness than was probably appropriate for small ears.
Lin pressed a kiss to Korras head. A smile hidden from her preoccupied daughter. So when Lin felt a finger poke the undershirt under Lins tunic the woman let out a growl it echoed out but died long before it could reach those impressionable young ears. The finger pressed into the skin just under her breasts. Trying to find a ticklish spot that Korra already knew Lin didn't have; yet seemed to foolishly insist it existed.
The playing was halted when Lin grabbed the finger. Pulled it out and brought it to her lips for an apologizing kiss. Then affixed her toggle back into place. Lin saw the displeasure in her wife's face. So she put an arm around her shoulder and turned Korra. Their feet tapped on the tile as they walked.
"Come on Squirt. Let's go for a tour." Lin said as she rounded the base of the statue. Her free hand reached out to ruffle the girls hair but missed as the child gracelessly moved out of reach.
Proudly grinning at her mother being able to dodge her blow. The woman returned it with one of her own before snaking an arm around her neck and pulling Yee-Li close. The child struggled against the tight grip. Dragged into step alongside her mothers. Yee-Li stumbled up the steps as she tried to force herself from her mother's hold. Fingers dug into the unyielding skin of a forearm. When she felt this Lin only held tighter and jerked for fun to get her daughter to keep up with their pace.
"Let go of me." Yee-Li demanded.
Lin hummed but it didn't follow to the pace of the music in the station. Hair tickled her neck as Korra leaned on her shoulder and listened intently to the joyful vibrations that came from the spot where her hand lay atop Lins sternum. The whole of which touched the hard bone. Occasionally Korra would give it a tender scratch causing the older woman to shiver excitedly.
This was better than being at home. So much better than sitting in the living room by the fire and waiting for Lin. Korra would of stayed there and stared at the flames as they wiggled back and forth, and sometimes lurched with a sharp pop. If not for the suggestion from the squealing child pressed against Lins side.
The trio walked into a long hallway that had only three frames the rest of the walls were bare; empty spots ready to be filled. They stopped in front of the first frame and Lin finally let go of her daughters neck. The girl rubbed herself. Grunting when her hand met her mother's arm. The hard muscle bruised her dainty knuckles. Yee-Li blew on them to cool the sting.
Rough strokes around the torso as most of the figure was left unblended on the canvas. Though the face had more clarity to it. The painting still seemed unfinished. Maybe because mother had a hard time sitting still, Lin mussed, as she remembered how much of a choire it was to keep the woman from moving while the painter tried to capture all of Tophs...personality. Slick eyes and a smirk was unbecoming for a painting such as what this one was to commemorate. The first chief of republic city.
Next was Lins and of course the woman looked as displeased as she had been during the time she sat down for her portrait. With less defined strokes it looked like more a photo.
Finally, the last portrait was the first man to ever take the position of chief. Mako looked about as comfortable in his as he always did, like the man was sitting on a seat made of a boar-q-pine. The eyebrows were large and of course brooding. Left somewhat more brushed on like a couple of caterpillars had crawled onto his face.
Korra giggled, "Mako looks happy doesn't he?"
"Trust me. It's not fun sitting down for hours to get this kind of thing done. My legs fell asleep." The woman noted as she felt a phantom cramp go up one of her legs. Lin bent to rub at the spot. Remembering how the portrait had taken the entire day and with very few breaks. Not to mention all the work she had missed out on accomplishing that day. Having to stay extra late and instead of going home slept on a cot in her office.
Lin looked at the grinning portrait of her mother. Mother was only upset that she had to take time out of her busy schedule of kicking butt to do hers. It wasn't just because the woman was blind that she hated doing paperwork. Toph hated all tedious things and always found someone to bully into doing it for her. Surprisingly Lin didn't get the big chair sooner since the woman had become quite adept at forging her mother's signature on all those important documents.
Lin yanked her daughter by the back of furry hood of her coat as a way of informing her daughter that they were moving on with the tour.
Yee-Li trailed behind her mothers with a stiff lip though her eyes flickered about from the wood trim on the high ceilings to the tiled floor that magnified their footsteps. But the walls she found to be quite weird. Plastered wholes and fresh paint mismatched to the aged color. One spot was freshly scorched. Also there were no places for a drink nor any water left out in the open. The lights were surrounded by cages, in this part of the precinct, and at the end of the hallway was a large metal door with all kinds of locks and mechanisms in place. Gears and key holes gave Yee-Li a vague recollection of the door they had at their old house. This one however was wide enough for a full grown armadillo bear to walk through
"Whoops didn't realize we'd come this far," Lin spun them around, "unless you want to spend some time in jail for being a miser." The woman's sly eyes looked over her shoulder.
Yee-Li crossed her arms huffing while she cocked her head to the side. Feet scuffing the floor. Mumbling under her breath, "s'not funny." Lip protruding and her eyes shifted to the corner of her vision as she looked at the door behind them. A visible quake ran up the child's shoulders, unnoticed by her parents, as she was struck with another emotion. A fear born from fresh memories that were hard to put away at night in a dark bedroom. Alone with no one but Shu to keep Yee-Li company.
They soon came upon, and passed without stopping, the break room. Which as soon as Lin and her family were spotted Lin's co-workers quieted. Staring in awe at Korra who gave them a greeting with but a wave. Not returned. And as they made down the hall hushed whispers came from the doorway.
As soon as they entered the room Yee-Li was drawn to the tree stuffed into the corner. Its back end crushed against the wall. Bending its pines to a painful degree. While she touched the ornaments and watched herself reflected back in their red and blue surfaces Lin and Korra filed through the tight packing of desks. As soon as they reached Lins Korra picked up the frame and gushed at the photo.
"I remember this. This was that time you wouldn't let her play with Oogi. Oh man I swear she gave you looks for days after that." Korra laughed as her hand rested on the outside of the frame. Face soon sobering at a sudden realization. Korra looked to the corner of the room and watched, really watched their daughter as the little girl who now came up above Korras waist were circling the front of the tree. "I forget that she was that young sometimes."
The frame was taken and as Lin placed it back onto the desk next to the polar bear dog she said, "She's still young little penguin...or-have you forgotten how old I am?"
Lin leaned her butt on the back of her chair. There were hard lines on either side of her nose that framed chapped lips. Her hair was still gray but it had lightened since the time of the photo and some strands were completely white now though the process had slowed since her retirement. Korra leaned back against that well maintained body that Lin wouldn't allow herself to become lazy. Hands found their way behind Korras back and Fingers teased the tight cloth against her thighs.
"You do remember how much I hate it when you bring up your age?"
"It's nothing to be ashamed about. Why bother hiding it. It shows how much experience I have." The hotly smirk could be felt from the breath on the back of Korras neck. Lin reached behind to press on the spot between her wife's shoulder blades. Gently easing the woman off. "Now, come on." Lin urged her with another hard shove. Moving them through the desks.
"Where we going next?" Korra asked as she reached behind to grab Lin by the hand giving it a tug. A tingle went to both their brains caused by the contact; even after all this time together it still happened. That wonderful feeling like a buzzard wasps nest had been disturbed in the pits of their stomachs.
The orb was so shiny and wonderful and full of the child's hopes and wants for the coming avatar day. Yee-Li nearly dropped it when she heard her mommy give a belch of laughter. Both of them was running through the rows of desks towards her. Though the child was more interested in the tree as she touched another ornament. Dared to pluck it off the branch and bring it close to gaze at her own curious reflection. The ornament twisted about in her hand. It gave everything a wonderful sparkling red hue.
Yee-Li loved the color red. Didn't know why but she guessed as her mothers had an affinity for a certain color that she happened to as well. Didn't mean she hated other colors. Yee-Li liked green and blue too; like her mothers. Red was something special though. She wished she knew the answer why.
A hand leapt on top of the girls head. Startled her. Yee-Li dropped the ornament and gasped as it fell to the ground. Her eyes shut instinctively waiting for the tiny sound of it breaking. It didn't come. Instead she peeked to find the ornament was rolling across the ground. It rumbled and clinked awkwardly. Its top spinning and the piece of wire used to hang it slapped the ground and skittered the ball in a wide arc till it slowed and came to rest by the door.
Hard footsteps followed as Lin bent over a sheepisg smile given to her daughter.
"Sorry squirt. Didn't mean to startle you." Lin said as she handed the ball back. It rolled into her daughters palm and the girl immediately hung it back on the tree. Making sure its perch on the branch would hold tightly the girl jostles it. The ornament wiggles but doesn't fall and that is satisfactory enough.
Korra and Lin are entangled admiring the tree with its sparkling ornaments and festive tinsel.
A need to be close to them overtakes Yee-Li so she inches back till she is close enough to feel the heat of their bodies. She can hear them sigh blissfully and not surprised when they each put an arm on her shoulder and pull her close.
Then the clock interrupts announcing the hour. The hand on Yee-Lis left shoulder grips tighter.
"Looks like it's time to go." Lin said as her hand dropped away and her feet scratch the floor hurriedly. Taking her coat from the coat rack. Buttons up with some help from Korra who pecks her mouth eagerly not letting Lin synch up the belt before she's pulled out the door.
On her mother's heels Yee-Li followed. Struggling to keep pace as Korra is all but running them out the front door. The glass turnstile hisses as its forced to spin. The joints are not oiled and the cold does them no good. Heat is flushed out of the tiny cavern made of glass and Yee-Li finds it is hard to keep her knees from knobbing. Lin turns up the edges of her coat. Korra is as happy as can be unaffected by the weather she holds Lin close rubbing the older woman's arm to help keep it warm. This kind of cold felt mild when one had lived through a snow storm in the south.
Without the street lights the entirety of republic city would still be illuminated in the soft glow of the spirits. Many of the larger ones that were capable of flying kept to the sky, while smaller spirits flitted about the streets. Some had wings while others walked on two, four, or even six or more legs. They had horns and claws and sharp teeth but posed no ill will. Circling lamp posts, and the citizens. Sitting on top of shop canopies. One Yee-Li sized spirit with a cute twitchy nose like a rabbit and large forepaws was handing out flowers that grew from vines that had wrapped themselves around a lamp post.
It seemed that there was a mass of them around the precinct for a reason. As soon as Korra and her family began to walk all the spirits began to follow. The family was leading a parade down the street.
Yee-Li giggled as a beast lumbered beside the girl. As tall as a one story building. Hair hung over its eyes and imposing tusks jutted from its bottom lip. Giving the spirit a bad overbite. It warbled in an unknown yet friendly speech to the girl. Inclining its head towards the women ahead with linked arms.
"That's my mommy and momma." Yee-Li told the spirit.
The spirits mouth hung open. It grumbled again eagerly. Those paws scooped the child up. Yee-Li squealed in delight as the spirit deposited her upon its back. She gripped the fur tight to keep from falling off as the ride was quite bumpy. The spirits back legs were stumpy and the front paws longer than its torso. Which made its gait rough as its back end tended to bounce to keep up with the front. Despite this Yee-Li beamed when her momma turned to look at her. The woman gave a short but approving nod before turning back.
Smaller spirits flanked Yee-Li as she rode. They clapped their paws, hands, or tentacles happily in a kind of rhythm that reminded Yee-Li of something her uncle Tenzin did with a drum when he lead a meditation ring. So the girl began to clap along with them. Straining her muscles to stay seated Yee-Li squeezed her legs to keep from falling off.
Citizens that were still on the street marveled at the procession. Children's faces alighted and cheered and clapped along as well. One man lost the food in his mouth when he came round the corner and saw the spirits walking down the block towards him.
It was exciting. It was grand. It gave the child a slight case of anxiety when she noticed all the people staring at them. At her. Yee-Li hunched over the back of the spirit as it moved. Turning her head. A cold breath escaping and dispersing in the air. She felt a chill in her back. Her cheeks gushed red from embarrassment. She felt she was acting childish. Something a girl of her age shouldn't of been doing. Her mothers were quiet. Reserved. At least her momma was most of the time.
Yee-Li patted the back of the spirits head to get its attention and asked to be let down. The spirit gave a sad cry but lifted her up and put her back on the pavement. She gave him a wave then hurried to catch up to her mothers. She popped up next to Korra and took her hand. The water tribe woman looked at her. Breath puffing. A drunk sort of bliss to her smile as she squeezed her daughters hand.
They came to the stop that would take them home. Waiting by the sign with near two dozen spirits loitering about. The one that Yee-Li had ridden kept away. Watching the little girls back sadly. It crooned unintelligible noises from low in its throat. While the other spirits kept up the cheery atmosphere. The ones that could fly chased each other about in a bright display. Tracing patterns of color in the air above the trios heads. Recreating the symbols of the four nations. One meek little thing drew a misshapen circle with one pigtail. It made Lin a laugh as she tugged on her wife's braid.
Soon the bus came to pick them up. All the spirits that had been their disbanded. Going their separate ways. The faster ones kept pace with the bus for a few blocks before giving up from exhaustion.
When they reached the stretch of road outside Asamis factory the family got off as the bus turned round and went back the way it had came. The neighborhood had all its lights off. The people huddled together under blankets drinking warm milk and watching the spirits dance about. They put on performances and sang awfully tuned songs. Still it brought a great amount of cheer.
The spirits parted for the family. One followed and put on a show. A monkey spirit did an acrobatic display walking on its hands. Korra waved to him and all of the other spirits without favor. Until they got to their door and the lock clicked shut.
They were finally alone. Korra rested her back on the door and let out a breath of relief. She was home. Where no one cared for her title and just wanted to be with her and not the Avatar. In the dark nook Korra saw the shadows undress their coats and set their shoes in the appropriate cubby holes. Lin rubbed her own shoulders while Yee-Li danced on her feet.
Lin hurried into the living room; the lights still off. Stacking wood in the fireplace. She took a step back and let Korra do her thing. With the snap of a finger from which a flame leapt from the tip. It touched the wood an instantly ignited. Bathing the room in a hellish glow. Lin raised her hands to the flames and flexed the chill out of them. While Yee-Li weaseled in beside her and did the same.
The two were transfixed.
So Korra let her tired body fall into the comfort of the couch. Resting her head upon the pillow. It felt nice yet cold. She wanted something much warmer behind her though. Watching the back of her wife. The sound of palms rubbing together slowly snuck in between the loud crackle of the wood charring.
Slowly the chill was chased away. Their fingers warm enough that if they lingered the pair felt they may start to cook. Lin wandered over to the couch. Hovering over her wife with fists punching her waist and an eyebrow raised as time stretched; getting the hint her wife was going to allow her to sit.
Korra stretched causing her shirt to ride up. It exposed a sliver of delicious brown skin. Lin could see the bottom of a protruding navel the small nub like a quirky flesh button. Unconsciously wetting her lips. In anticipation? No, just a memory came to mind. A very nice one.
If she's not going to get up then. Lin let her body flop. Knees knocking against her wife's steel calf's. Head hitting the spot between Korra's breasts for a soft landing. The two women groaned. Lin reached under herself and rubbed the sore spot warming on her knee.
"Ouch."
"Sorry." The woman mumbled around the fabric of Korras shirt. It was inviting. Warm against her cheek. So Lin rubbed herself against it which had the effect of making the chest below quickly to draw in a breathe that soon after releases as a slow and low groan. Lin washed out the aroused sound with a sigh. All her extremities became heavier. Her hand hung over the edge of the couch as it grazed the carpet. Lin's fingers curl as Korra's hand threaded itself through her hair starting from the top of her head then proceeding to the back of her neck were she massaged the kinks that formed from staring at paperwork all day.
"Hmm." Was the blissful groan Lin gave. She snuggled deeper. Mind sinking as well as her eyes which drooped till they were like miniscule cracks starting in a rock. Yet they saw her daughter trying to slink into the room. Looking at Lin apprehensively while holding a glass of milk and a couple of cookies. The girl was light on her feet not a sound nor creak. Except...
"Back in the kitchen." Lin grumbled as she let herself rouse a little. The hand on her head paused which elicited a growl of irritation from the older woman.
"Oh let her eat them in here Lin it's not like she's going to spill it." True the child was less clumsy with her food than either of her parents but...
"Blame yourself little penguin." As the flipped over couch cushion still felt alien to her bottom and according to Lin probably wouldn't feel broken in for weeks if not months. Of course Korra wouldn't complain she had a seat that had been broken in for years now and it wasn't like Lin could flip herself over if her wife had spilled milk on her. No, she had to change her pants and underwear. Furthermore, it wasn't like it was Lins fault that Korra couldn't hold her liquids when being tickled.
The heat radiated off of her wife's face. Lin felt the lifting of an arm as it pointed to the kitchen. Yee-Li looked wounded by Korras gesture but complied.
Lin breathed and let herself slip back into her own version of bliss during the avatar holiday. The fire on her back. A loving body of a spouse beneath. Grumpy child in the kitchen eating sweets. The thought that it couldn't get any better than it crossed Lins mind briefly before it went as clear as the waters of the spirit oasis. Those brown fingers were back. The short nails dug into her scalp pleasantly. Oh what a wonderful world, the words raced through Lins mind as Korra found a particular spot behind her ear and it near launched the woman to the roof. Lin crooned and arched slightly, the pleasant tension in her back heightened the pleasure. The woman feebly tried to kiss Korra from where she lay. Stretching her puckered lips as far as they would go.
Korra smiled at the cute face her wife was making and tilted forward only to be met with the same problem. The pairs lips were inches apart and unfortunately neither of whom was willing to move to cover the distance. So instead they both shrugged and Lin laid her head back down. Listening to the beat of her wife's heart.
Ba-Bump-ba-bump.
Lin monitored the evening heart beat through her wife's necklace which was pressed against her temple. And as Korra began to speak she lit up like a tree in her mind. The vibrations helped Lin map every contour of her face. Every crevice in her body. She saw enough that she could read Korras moving lips without the sound.
Too bad what she was saying seemed to make her frown.
"Hey, get me a cookie. Or let me up so I can get one."
"I'm comfortable," Lin growled as she felt another growl match her from inside Korras stomach, "you won't starve."
"But I saw Yee-Li's cookies and I want some of my own." The slick sound of a tongue running over lips. Hands pushed on Lins shoulders. The dead weight that was her body inched up slightly. "Come on Lin get off."
The woman grumbled. Squirming about atop Korra. Lins body plummeted over the edge of the couch as she landed with a hard thump. The air rushed out of her lungs and she wheezed.
Korras concerned face peeked over the side of the couch. Her single braid dangled enticingly low and if Lin didn't have a ache going up her back she would of gone for it.
"You ok?" Korra asked reaching over the side and prodded Lin in the shoulder. She then recoiled as she was stung in the forearm. Small parallel lines indented her skin.
Pinching her fingers like a crab Lin grinned up from the floor. She rolled onto her stomach and pushed herself onto her knees then wobbled over to the edge of the couch were she rested her elbows. Her finger made its way to the tip of a brown and bulbous nose. Were it pressed down hard. The action flared Korras nostrils. A hot breathe brushing over Lins hand. It felt absolutely wonderful.
Except for the loud gurgle that washed all the pleasantness away. Korra was red faced. She avoided looking at Lin.
With her finger still on her nose Lin gave it a hard push as she got up. The woman recoiled and began twitching her nose as if there were an itch.
Crumbs stuck to milk covered fingers. It would be more appropriate to only dunk half the cookie and keep them dry except Yee-Li wanted to eat her cookies in one bite. Enjoying the moist explosion of sugar in her mouth while staring at the wonderful sight on the kitchen table. The left over's of a tree that must of had its top clipped off in an accident. Its pines prickled Yee-Lis fingers when she rubbed them leaving a sticky sap that was hard to wash away. The smell was subtle. Not to fragrant which her mothers preferred. Full, at least, and not too heavy to either side with no bald spots. Which of course if Yee-Li wasn't their her mother's would of brought home the wrong one. Strips of red, green, and blue fell over the branches and onto the table. Yee-Li was still picking out pieces of tinsel that had originally decorated the tree. Her mommas touch. Pick up a handful and fling it at the tree and there you have it. Decorated for avatar day.
Yee-Li dunked another cookie in her milk up to the knuckle. It was tender and ready to fall apart in her hand when she popped it into her mouth. She closed her eyes in delight. A sweet little moan from a sweet little cookie. The round treats of course had each of the three members favorite colors incorporated into the decoration of the icing. Most of them were hastily and sloppily done. Those were her mommies. A few of which having been eaten while being decorated
As she was drenching another cookie Yee-Li was startled by a thud. The cookie dripped on the table as a figure walked out of the shadows of the other room brushing its short hair. Yee-Li rubbed the speckles of milk on the table with her hand not before popping the cookie into her mouth.
Brazenly Lin walked right to the table bended at the waist and snatched her daughters last cookie. A rebuttal was sprinkled with a gross mixture of crumbs, saliva, and milk that landed on Yee-Lis own arm. The point came across to the woman none the less who added insult to the theft by dunking the cookie in her daughters milk. The tips of Lins fingers came out slick and the cookie was semi moistened. Not drowned as her daughter liked to do. To Lin it made for a better taste. More hardness but easier to chew as Korras cookies were packed with sugar and harder than rock candy someone was liable to break a tooth. Which Lin had seen her wife eat them without a glass. So it begged the question whether Korras teeth were harder than rock even?
Lin ruffled Yee-Lis red hair. The braid swung about and the child harrumphed in displeasure. Her momma opened a tin, a gift, they had gotten from Tenzin. A large air nomad symbol painted sloppily by an inexperienced hand. Thoughts didn't count in Lins book as she should of told Tenzin to take his handmade gift back and get them a nicer looking tin. For someone who was all about practice Tenzins calligraphy was terrible. The words Merry Avatar Day scratched on the side. Mother had better penmanship than this. Lin made a note, as she twisted the lid off, that obviously the father had not had any hand in teaching his youngest son the arts as Rohan could at least keep within the lines.
Fishing out enough to satisfy her wife, which in total was six cookies, Lin set the tin back on the counter by the edge. Then walked back into the living room.
Once Lin was back down on the couch her head facing away from the kitchen. The tin was quietly taken down. Yee-Li carefully removed the lid and took the cookie that was stolen then two more as compensation for the grief. So the little girl sat back down. She dropped the cookie into her glass. Letting it bob on the surface. Sadistically she pushed it under then let it come up for air. Until the edges begin to come apart does Yee-Li stop her torture and fished the cookie out to eat.
The cold gooey thing in her throat gives her a warm smile. Heightened when Yee-Li looked at the tree. Though she wished they had one like she had seen at her mommas work. Her fingers still slick with milk mime holding one of the ornaments. The smooth texture almost tangible it felt real if a little cold to the touch. Then Yee-Li opened her eyes and found she grabbed her glass. The milk began to warm.
The cookies were vanishing at an astounding rate. Each sugary treat was consumed whole by those luscious lips. There is a cry of ecstasy above Lins head. She can feel the crumbs falling into her hair. A hand tried to brush them away only to tangle them further. Lin grimaced against her wife's chest. The hands that had slipped under Korras body to keep warm tighten agitatedly.
A chill started at her feet and worked its way up Lins back. The flame was staring to wane. The pops spaced further apart as they found less material to chew.
Korra wore a docile smile as her teeth grinded another cookie. A drunkenness in her stare as she watched Lin get up. There was a stack of wood which had been freshly cured. Dried during the summer months under a tarp in the backyard next to the door.
Lin took a fat piece off the pile. Results were instant as the fire had new life breathed into it. Fresh heat. A dry heat and a dazzling spark that seemed to make it look like the fire had winked at Lin in appreciation.
Crouched deep with arms crossed Lin looked to beside the fire were they had laid out the presents. There were so many. A couple for Korra and Lin. But mostly they were for Yee-Li. More than what she and Su got when they were kids. Being chief paid well but not that well. They got a present each and it didn't mount to extravagance. But I loved anything she gave me.
"Hey squirt-come in here." Lin waddled over on bent knees and took a gift off the pile. When Yee-Li entered, a thick white mustache on her upper lip, Lin handed her the thin rectangular box. No wrapping paper only a big bow as all the gifts from her parents had been decorated as between the two they still had no skill at wrapping something that didn't move. Yee-Li was even harder when she was still in diapers.
Yee-Li looked between the box and her momma. Silently begging what to do.
"Open it." Lin demanded as she wiped the milk off her daughters lip. Fishing through the pile for something else.
"Lin it's not time yet."
"Here," Lin handed the gift she had gotten for her wife while holding Korras, "were not going to spoil things if we open one early. Besides we still have your parents and Su's. Plus I'm sure Tenzin has something for her tomorrow too."
The woman grumbled yet had no problem taking the gift. Korra tugged on the bow limply. Torn between wanting to see what was inside and upholding the tradition of Avatar Day. Korra rattled the box near her ear trying to pick up a hint; it sounded hard and the box was heavy. As she inspected the loose bow Korra caught the smirk from Lin. The woman set the box on her lap, head down to hide her blush, and grabbed the two ends of string. Pulled them till the bow wilted and the string lay across her lap.
What rested on a thin sheet of white paper made Korra's hands shake so much that the lid of the box slipped off her lap and hit the floor with a hushed clunk. Onyx stones threaded together in a chain of the same mysterious material. They glittered as if hell fire had been trapped within as the stones seemed to absorb the surrounding light. Simplicity was a virtue. There was no etchings. Korra picked up the bracelet and fiddled with each of the stones. Rolling them between her fingers. Smoother than linen. Yet she could feel the vibrations of the rock within. It twanged oddly. Leaving a long echo when it resonated like after one had drawn a bow once across a single string of an instrument. The pitch was high.
As Korra marveled at bracelet Lin crawled closer. Took it from her and put it around her wrist.
"I wanted something to match the stone, but I'm afraid Suyin couldn't find a meteorite that was similar to the one yours is made from. She suggested you might like this anyway." Lin said as she did the clasp and took a glance at the necklace which nestled peacefully between Korras breasts. Now she had two ways to feel her wife's pulse. For reassurance.
Lin fell onto her bottom and pulled the bow in half and flung it over her shoulder.
Korra panicked trying to make a grab for the gift. Lins hold was strong. Her fingers pinched the box, crushing it, as she kept it from being taken away. A growl leapt between her lips as she gave her wife a blunt look. Lin saw Korra glance at the box giving a tug. Her eyes pleading to be able to take back the gift. Was she embarrassed? Perhaps ashamed? Whatever the feeling would have to be brushed aside because Lin was going to open her gift.
"I will wear them till my big toe wears a hole in them." The comment drew a giggle from Yee-Li who still held onto her unopened present.
Korra rubbed the back of her head as she gestured to the pair of green socks. "Sorry you said you needed a nice pair for work so-I-you know got you some." They were a far higher quality than Lin usually wore. More suited to accompany fine footwear not moccasins. Still, Lin did like the small embroidered winged boar on the ankle.
So Lin scooted closer to the couch to put her arms around her wife's waist. The cracked and dry skin on her finger tips caught on the fabric round her back as she hugged tightly and kissed Korras stomach. It left a slightly visible wet spot.
"I love them, and I love you little penguin." Lin said as her eyes closed when a brown hand rested on her cheek. They were as dry as her own. Yet Lin relished the feeling of the friction against her skin. As it worked its way to her jaw using a light pressure to force her to look into her wife's blue eyes.
We really should go back to the beach house, was the thought that crossed Lins mind as she felt the faint touch to her lips. Take the kid. See the ocean, and hopefully make up for the disaster they had earlier in the year.
A cracked throat cleared which made Lin turn to her daughter. Who was staring at the present that was resting on her knees. Her hands lay atop the box and framed the large red bow. They tugged at it from either side. Letting go out of fear of messing the pretty bow up, but they would return shortly and do it again. Tug. Release. Tug. Release.
"Can I-open it?" Yee-Li asked tilting her head upward.
"Ah-sure." Lin said uncertain because of the doubts she had about the gift. What if she didn't like it? She says she does but is she being honest? These same questions came about each year; and every year Lin didn't have the heart to use her sense to find out the truth.
Hands itched to pull the box apart to see what was inside but Yee-Li restrained herself and took it slow. The strings was pulled taught till the bow unraveled. The beautiful length of ribbon was laid out next to her. Shades of red captured the young girls eye and its puce color matched the gradient of her braid.
If she doesn't like it I'll let her open either Suyins, or Asamis. Either or is probably something she'll like anyway. Lin watched as the lid was lifted off. The plain white tissue paper was peeled open and when the gift underneath it was revealed Lin sucked her teeth anticipating some sort of negative reaction. True Yee-Li had never shown such bad behavior, but she was heading towards her teens soon. Lin had a clear understanding of what that was going to be like; not from her of course but someone close. A prayer was muttered every time Lin thought of those coming days. She really hoped her daughter wouldn't join a gang.
Beifongs are rebels mother said once. The details were slow coming but Lin was sure that particular tag line had to do with something that ticked her mother off. An anything that rubbed Toph Beifong the wrong way usually got beaten to a pulp or smashed. The memory was fragmented. Having to do with a merchants cart running over her mother's foot. That man never did get it down from that light pole did he? She did have impeccable aim. The blind bandit having been able to spear the wooden frame through the middle. Gave herself a slap on the wrist for that offense, well Su got the chance too. Mother wouldn't let me do it. The young Lin had been livid that she didn't get to belt her mother with a rock because it would of been the only free shot Lin would get; ever. Not once had Lin, or Su, ever managed to so much as touch a pebble to their mothers feet during sparing practice. They were however the only benders to make the earthbending and metalbending master Toph Beifong break a sweat.
A bead of sweat chilled a line down the back of Lins neck. Unable to look away from the disaster she knew was forthcoming. Her shoulders shrunk as she hunched over. Hands buried between her legs as they wound themselves round her ankles. Nails ground past the nubs of her fingers couldn't reach the skin and inflict the pain she wanted to distract herself with.
Her daughters mouth was flat no hint of anything that may have been going on inside. A studious look to her. At least she doesn't look confused. I mean it's a dress. She likes those still? She wears them so she has to like them still. Asami said she would like something like this. It didn't have all that frumpiness, but it was a nice dress she could wear to dinner at Tenzin and Pema's. She'll be the best dressed person there compared to those nomads.
Lin was suddenly pushed onto the flat of her back accompanied by the heavy ring of bells. A weight around her waist and a pain she found wasn't so bad. She looked down into red hair. The spot where her daughters hands had grabbed radiated an intrinsic feeling of love. Yee-Lis sharp cheek poked Lins sternum.
The edge of the red dress was crawling out from underneath the box that had toppled out of the girls lap and onto the floor
The couch whined as Korra crawled to its end. Closer to the fire to better see the ease of joy on her wife's face. With a small yet relieved smile Korra rested her head in her palm. Glad that Asamis advice hadn't steered them wrong.
"Hey," Korra said as she placed her palms on the floor and dragged the dead weight of her body closer to the pair till she fell awkwardly across the two, "that gifts half from me to. Show your mommy some love, squirt." Feigning a bruised ego.
Her daughter screeched the bells ringing excitedly when Korra took her ear by the lobe and gave it a soft pinch. Helplessly pinned between two bodies. Lins hands sunk into her daughter with a ravenous thirst to hear the squeals of terror. They were merciless. Korra switched to the other ear. Devious she drew a line of spit from her grinning mouth.
"A-aaaaahhhh-hh." Came the Childs cry when balmy, fresh and drippy spit made its way down the slope of her ear's tender canal. Alas her arms were pinned under Lin still hugging the woman. Her legs only kicked the air. While she tried to bend her head away from the torture she wailed, "Stoooooppppp!"
The digit withdrew while at the same time Lin stopped as well. Korra let her body go limp. The trio stacked atop one another. Creating a sandwich of tender love with their daughter in the middle. As one they all let out a breathe.
"Happy Avatar Day you two." Korra said.
"Happy Avatar Day Mommy, Momma."
Lin worked her arms around Korra and pulled her weight down. The pleasant feeling of being trapped under them but was better than any present she could of, or ever would receive. It was definitely a Happy Avatar Day.
Enjoy the holidays; and see you guys in the New Year.
~Sanomo