Re-forging the Soul (Pt. 1)
The pain was quick but the sting it left on her heart was sticking around. As often is the case isn't it? Physical can be fleeting. Those matters that affect the organ of love can have lasting effects and can stay with a person for years if not taken care of. They can leave ugly scars on the soul.
The hallway was long with a graceful rug bought from a merchant in the earth kingdom. Brown and red bordered genderless figures, though probably male, performing earth bending forms. Lights were held by gold fixtures that seemed to breathe fire out of the walls. The lacquer was so thick it gave the tables top a mirror finish; it rounded out from the wall in a short arc. Brown and ugly the bowl should have been deposited in the trash as it was very unpleasing unlike the painting of a water tribe family hanging above, the mother, father, and child played in front of their igloo. Old fashion it was, but it's all in the artists name right?
Yee-Li put the keys in the bowl and saw her reflection was brown and mutilated with her hand stuck to her cheek. Puffy eyes, tight lipped, she had to keep it that way or else it would let out the whimpers in her throat. She treads upon the figures on the carpet throwing looks around the hall at the many other touches. Flashy things like floral trim. The floor beneath the rug was imported hardwood from Wulong forest. Only a hundred trees are allowed to be harvested each year and those taken must be replaced. High ceilings created loud and long echoes. Her footsteps sounded as if a hundred pirates were setting upon her Aunt's house to pillage the mansion. Not that it would of frightened the teen at the moment.
Too far gone and lost in a repeating mover as the scene played itself out. Clear, the snow and their breath condensed and mingled in the air, which in Xius mind might have been considered romantic. Yee-Li had never paid attention to those plain lips until that day; no lipstick only a healthy gloss to keep them from cracking. Xiu had fiddled with her hands at the waist. Fumbling and rethinking before she leaned forward to try to press a kiss to her cheek, only on the cheek as the other girl was so chaste. It was adorable. The first time Yee-Li had thought that about the other since they had become a couple; if that's what it could have been called or was it only a name. Now, that didn't matter.
"Wait." Yee-Li had said as she grabbed the other teen by the shoulders. With a hard push to get the other away from her, "I can't."
"Sorry," the other squeaked out, "sorry, am I moving too fast. I..." she tried to reach out to take Yee-Lis hand. They hadn't even held hands before had they? Had they even touched one another? In any way at all had they ever shared physical contact?
Her mother's couldn't keep their hands to themselves when around each other. Yee-Li felt foolish, an idiot; stupid, stupid her. That's what people in love are supposed to do. They touch each other, feel one another. Relish it and can never bear to be apart.
"I can't do this anymore Xiu," she had to be blunt she had to be hard like her momma and not tip toe around the caged armadillo bear, "look. You like me..."
"I think I like you a little more than that." The confession was a punch to her heart. Xiu had hooked her hands behind her back. Cheeks blazon as she watched the ground, her foot digging a hole in the snow.
It was sudden, it was uncalled for, and it needed to be done or else she may wind up in the same situation as her momma.
"Xiu...I don't like you!"
Yee-Li wheezed finding herself back in the hallway hand tight roughly on her cheek. Sharp nails pricked the already tender skin. She had stopped on top of a boulder, depicted in the rug the genderless bender behind her struggling to lift their combined weight. Arms thrown out he was attempting to hurl the teen away. Ye-Li felt rather like she would rather be underneath the boulder than on top of it. Maybe the pressure would squeeze her head enough to empty it. Uncle Tenzin said that meditation was good for that but like her mother's she found it to be boring and a time wasted when she could listen to the radio. That was probably better at emptying the mind than sitting around trying to will it to happen as at the moment she didn't feel much in control of her own thoughts.
A change in direction might work so Yee-Li went into one of the few open rooms in the hallway. All of them were furnished but none of them really felt like they had been lived in. Sure they were dust free thanks to the staff but the cushions weren't compressed from a person sitting in them. The spines on books were unworn. No warmth of having been used. Yee-Li went to the window brushing aside a flimsy curtain that had come unhooked so she tied it back with an elegant golden tassel. Heavy corded and of course the finest had been purchased. It went unnoticed by anyone else but Yee-Li was enthralled with this simple item. Watching the tassels wiggle as she shook the cord. She ran her fingers threw them and felt like she was putting them through a shower of string. It was fun.
There were no pictures in this unused room. Her Aunt kept all her memories close by in such places as the office, or the only living room out of many false ones that they actually used. There was a globe close by near the wide bookshelf. The four nations as they had been during the hundred year's war. Some of the names had changed back to what they had been prior; some not all. A hundred years was a lot of time to forget. Names got lost when those who had known them are not allowed to remember them. Taking it for a spin the globe moved rustically. Creaking and shrieking and becoming a hassle to keep turning. By the time the world had come to a stop Yee-Li had already left.
. . .
Papers, proposals, and papers about proposals lay upon rolled out sheets with half sketches sprawled where in turn atop a thick heavy oak double desk. Somewhat completed designs and the undecided. New airships, new cars, new things that would likely never see the eyes of her engineers but were worth a shot even if she did decide a couple months, neigh years, down the road that they weren't worth it after all. They bore other fruit, not always, if rarely. It happened though.
On top of a design for a spider looking contraption Asami was scribbling away heavy handedly she marked through the pages beneath it. Leaving hidden notes about the business agreement she was working out. A benefit for both parties, most of all her, the company that manufactured the specific kind of plastic she needed was going under. This deal would be their best shot to survive and she'd get exclusive first rights so it benefited them both.
Taking a cup made of some fancy mud from a place in Ba Sing Se Asami took a sip; ancient techniques passed down had become pricey. Hunched over she re-read the line again. Took another sip as her eyebrows settled against her eyes in concentration. The words lined up good. No chance for their lawyer to misinterpret it either. Good. She wanted to pay it forward but didn't want it to come back to bite her neither. The CEO leaned in her chair. A wide wall of windows let in the light behind her. Cracking her neck Asami saw the sky. She smiled at the holes in the clouds where she could see faded blue. They were going to test another airship design in two days time. The conditions weren't favorable now but if the weather held and some of the snows melted then lift off was a go.
Luxury in the air at an affordable price people could get to far off places in hours not days. But feel like they are dining like the elite. Cheap touches to save on weight fake gold, faux leather chairs, and the open bar had cheap spirits. It could seat fifty comfortably. Tickets were low enough that anyone could scrap enough money together to buy a seat. The design was sound even given the cheapened amenities. She would fly and fly well enough through calm winds.
The wood creaked as Asami leaned forward in the chair setting her cup back on the edge of her desk on top of some pile of drafts that were slowly disappearing under others. Several distinct rings of muted brown some new, some having dried, and crinkled the paper. Put your nose close enough and you'd smell the fragrance and sweetness of Jasmine summer blossoms.
One of the drafts edges had begun to curl which Asami grimaced at. She tried to smooth it out and make it lay flat but the curl seemed permanent. So she took any old thing she could find, a mini bust of fire lord Izumi long may she reign, and placed it there to hold it down. The eternal youth of the fire lord with crown of fire atop a neat knot the rest of her hair flowed over her shoulders and down her back as graceful as a waterfall. Thin glasses framing her face and high cheeks similar to someone else Asami knew. Speaking of which...a thought came to Asami who picked up her pen and scribbled a note in the empty space at the bottom of the page for her lawyer. A question she wanted him to mull over.
Asami set the paper with the rest which also sat on top of a couple of things that were long out dated and done with. The documents were half covered up when she moved some other things to pull out a long piece of draft paper. Shaking off the others papers that clung to it, a few of which fell underneath her feet, Asami gave the design a look over. Propping her feet on the edge of her desk, her clean boots crumpling the edges of the other drafts, Asami leaned back to catch what little rays of sun were able to stray through the clouds. The draft was pierced by the loose light highlighting part of the fuselage where the pilot would sit. A stronger engine meant greater speeds but also consumed fuel faster. She had given the pilot little space which made the ride less comfortable so that the fuel tank could be larger. Now the wings had a complete redesign. The plastic she had been using for the hinges was cutting it well enough but if this business proposal went through then she saw a potential improvement. This other plastic was harder and stronger, and unfortunately patented, than the one she was currently using which meant the plane could take sharper turns.
A lip curved sultrily at the thrill it evoked at taking such a machine into the sky, the power at her fingertips. She crumpled the edges of her design in excitement. A childish giggle unbidden as Asami rocked her chair back and forth staring at the page and simply imagining and deciding that she would be the first to test it. Never mind any apprehension Mako might have about safety. The plans were sound. Spot on. They would work out as she always knew. Let her boyfriend worry while she was having all the fun.
Giddy and ready to push the deal through whether everything was in order or not Asami set the plans back on the desk. She picked through the papers looking for the documents. Eager to find them Asami pushed everything else aside; except the plans themselves. Things spilled off the desk. The whooshing sound the paper made reminded the woman of the spinning of a propeller and her efforts were doubled till success. She held the stack in her hand. Asami struggled to pull open one of the heavy drawers of the desk. Its round metal knob felt awkward, and too large for her hand.
Asami retrieved an envelope closed the door and slipped the documents inside. Scribbling the name of her lawyer on the face she pushed a button on a small black box. Instantly, a voice answered.
"Yes maim...crackle...how...crackle...help you?" Gargled and chalky the man's words broke awkwardly through the intercom. Unused to such a device her butler didn't know how hard to hold the button. His age and hesitance with the technology was a factor as well.
Her voice was even yet still held some of the giddiness to it, "Could you come in here I need you to take something to my lawyer for me." She let the button go. The intercom buzzed with a moment of static most likely a reply of, be right there. She swiveled in the chair to fully face the wide window that crept up the wall towards the edge of the ceiling. Seeing the clouds speed by. Too much wind for a test anyway. Asami touched the envelope to her lips in a gentle kiss to impart all her hopes and wishes into the papers inside.
There came a knock at the door while Asami daydreamed out the window. She startled, the chair squeaking as she hastily turned about; nervously brushed her hair before calling the person in.
Though much older than Asami his dark complexion held the secret to youth the man had no lines on his face and not a touch of gray. His corded hair was tightly wrapped behind his head, Asami thought it made the northern water tribe man charming but others might see it as inappropriate given he was the first person to greet guests upon entering the mansion. He spoke often in a whisper, which found the need to lean in or ask him to repeat himself, though his smile was gentle. The man would have made a great father; too bad he never married. Black vest tight over a slight bulge of a stiff belly as the older man wasn't active besides tending to his duties for his employer. Thick arms kindly removed the cold cup of tea from the desk.
Holding the envelope to him Asami said, "Laurenz, please deliver this to Takahiro."
The man took it with a smile white teeth and gums tucking it beneath his arm. Laurenz hovered which drew the others attention. Asami looked at Laurenz who gave her a knowing smile, curious, she waited for him to speak.
Laurenz cleared his throat, "um-what should I do about dinner tonight maim. Will it just be the two of you?"
"Two? No, I think Mako might be staying late...again," the woman sighed as she shuffled around a couple of things on the desk. Pulling out the schematics for the plane she let them hang in her hands, "I'll just take my dinner in here-just-let me clear off a spot." The woman gave a sheepish shrug as she took notice of the mess. It wasn't like she would or had ever done anything about it before. She will just set her plate on the least important pile.
As he crossed the room Laurenz spoke.
"Say that again?" Asami asked as she stood stretched her hands high above her head the ponytail down her back swished happily as the woman groaned pleasantly when she felt a group of muscles loosen in her lower back.
"A table-I'll bring one so you two can eat in here. Or did you forget that you were hosting tonight?" The man jested with a hand on the door. Laurenz left it open when he left.
Asami fell back into her chair, confused; she scratched a well thinned brow with her nail. The feeling was pleasant. For a moment she felt the blissful silence of being thoughtless. Of not having idea after idea pound its way into her skull Asami had the unfortunate nagging ability to look at anything and everything and just imagine something from it. Keeping up the ministration the woman went lax slipping further into the comfort of her chair till her shoulders near touched the seat. Legs splayed apart with the short loose skirt she wore around the house as her lax wear bunched around her knees; very unladylike.
It was unfortunate that while she struggled to soothe an itch, somewhere behind her uncomfortable bra that was digging into her, that Asami saw the young teen standing outside the door. Hand on her cheek, Asami thought it was because she was bewildered staring at her Aunt who was adjusting herself. Seeing the blue and puce color braids swing slightly it all came back to Asami. Of course, spirits! How could I forget she was coming over today? The woman pushed herself up. How long were those two going to be gone again? That's right they didn't say. It's such a shame that Lin won't trust that kid on her own still. And Korra...that women will go with anything Lin says.
"Hey, Sunshine." Asami brushed her hair out of her face, willing down the tint in her cheeks. Pretending to look busy by moving papers about only to push them further out of order. The woman called to the hesitant girl again waving her in.
Yee-Li stepped over the threshold nervous to be walking with her dirty shoes on such a nice looking carpet. Her Aunt seemed imposing behind such a large desk the shoulders of her reddish brown blazer were padded to make them appear more masculine. Every button was done up, beautiful and soft her neck peeked out of the collar.
"You just get here? Sorry I couldn't meet you at the bus stop I was busy with some work." Asami half lied to hide her lapse in memory.
Lowering her flat hips into one of two chairs in front of the large desk, pack at her feet, Yee-Li leaned on its arm her hand still against her cheek. Ducking her head she hoped to hide her face.
As Asami smoothed out the creases in her dress Ashe rounded the desk, "Your momma dropped off your things this morning before she went to meet your mommy at the docks for their boat. I told them I would have leant them an airship but you know your mommy she has to be difficult. I swear she doesn't live like a nomad but she tries to act like one." Asami chuckled into the back of her hand at her joke which received an unusual lack of a response.
The favor of the hand drew Asamis attention. The woman leaned back on the desk sitting her butt on some of the earliest drafts she had started probably months ago; certainly it hadn't been more than a year for some. She clicked her knee length boots together as they left the ground for a short moment before settling back on the carpet; which was stiffer than steel and uncomfortable to walk across in bare feet. Asami leaned over sinking her palms into the wood to stay balanced as her face inched closer to the teen that was doing a poor job at not looking guilty as her eyes blinked rapidly.
Yee-Li shifted in her seat as her Aunt invaded her space to study the teen in a queer way as those lovely eyebrows of her Aunts knitted. That same look was used when the woman was in the garage taking apart an engine on a car for tuning. The faint smell of oil made Yee-Li flinch, not because the hand that had grabbed her wrist.
Red lips pursed together as her Aunt whistled as the bruise had started to swell, even a graze of Asami's fingers produced a slight wince from her niece. The woman had seen her fair share of bruises, had suffered her own too, and this wasn't so bad. It'd heal in a week's time. "I know a good cover-up for that. Hmmm," The woman grabbed the teen by the chin and tilted her face towards the light from the window behind them, "I think I have one your shade too...at least close enough. Don't worry we'll get that taken care of. We should probably put some ice on it...ok?" Asami laid a hand atop her nieces.
Yee-Li was thankful the woman wasn't asking questions and when her Aunt pulled her up the teen did not resist. Leaving her pack at the leg of the chair she followed her Aunt out the room.
The kitchen was immodest and looked more like that which should be in a restaurant; the kind that had reservations a month in advance and table clothes folded into turtle ducks. Caste iron burners only two of which had seen any use, three ovens, two sinks one which was on an island that was wider than Yee-Lis own kitchen. The door on a fridge that could snuggly fit Naga hissed when opened. Asami pulled out a couple of ice cubes which she wrapped in a cloth and handed it to Yee-Li, which...kind of made the teen feel ashamed that she was a little upset at not being fawned over like her mother's did whenever she got hurt. Most of which had been when she was younger but when she bumped her elbow or cut her finger when she helped her mommy make dinner even now...it just felt nice was all.
The cloth was warm yet cooled as it began to dampen against the heat of her cheek. A dull ache replaced the sharp sting so too did the pain in her heart begin to dull at last but it was still there, still there. Maybe her mother's weren't but at least she had someone. Her Aunt tugged at her hand and Yee-Li moved it away so she could examine it.
"Good," Her Aunt smiled the ruby red of her lipstick gleamed in the low light, "that'll keep it from getting anymore swollen." Crisp was her words also a little to clinical in a sort of spine tingling way but they held kindness and caring in its undertone. Yet her Aunt gave the cheek a poke and Yee-Li squinted her eye on that side at the numb feeling like her cheek was made of ice. "It'll feel tender for a while." Drawing from firsthand knowledge of younger times when team avatar was still in the game of saving the world together. Now they had gone their separate ways, started lives of their own; Asami missed those thrilling times. Running a business could be downright boring except for the times when she could manufacture her own fun. If her boyfriend wasn't being such a buzz kill about her taking one of her newest designs for a ride. Take the car you risk crashing into something on the ground. Take a plane you risk falling out of the sky at which point you'd crash into something on the ground. He's trying to be gentlemanly the wrong way. A real gentleman would let me do whatever I wanted to do. So she stopped telling him about any tests she had planned and only bored him with the business side of things. That usually changed the subject quickly.
As the cold cloth once again was laid against her cheek Yee-Li sighed, it had soaked up more of the melting ice so as she pressed the cloth harder to numb the pain even more water squeezed out and ran down the sharp curve of her face to the edge of her mouth. The teen licked at it with her tongue a cute and childish act that drew the womanly chuckles of her Aunt who saw the other cheek color. Yee-Li turned her head away to brood. A frown puckered her lips and smudged the light lipstick she had on.
Dark and streaked with flecks of white, brown, and black the granite countertop on the island clicked as Asami drummed her fingernails, patience beginning to wean. There was always something to do or if there wasn't she made something to keep her occupied. A business had to be driven and she had to be that driving force or else risk falling behind and losing everything, got to keep busy have to stay ahead. A sky mottled with clouds drew her attention through a large set of windows. The woman wandered if Laurenz had gotten the documents to her lawyer yet it might be difficult with the snow but she was sure the water tribe man was up to the task.
To quell the idleness Asami moved them out of the kitchen. They walked down two hallways before coming into a open two story room with a grand staircase wider at the base, either side had effigies of woman holding torches which remained dark during the day but blazed by night. The railings were thicker than Yee-Lis hand, held by huge balusters all seemingly carved from a single piece of wood for a flawless appearance. Yee-Li gawked at the sight every time. Asami however, paid no mind to her father's relic. The staircase spilt and they took the set on the right. A balcony projected parallel on either side of the staircase. Many of the doors were shut as was much of the estate but the teen assumed each of those rooms, regardless of what was inside, was as clean as the rest.
The master bedroom was large, spacious, and rather sparse. Beautiful touches were added to the lights such as handmade glass that looked like a transparent flower with petals peeling back, the bulbs inside of which flickered on when her Aunt hit the light switch. They dimly lit the room but set a romantic mood casting long shadows onto the bed. Deep shades of crimson, the satin shimmered. The sheets looked cold to Yee-Li who wondered how her Aunt and Uncle kept warm. Pillows puffed and not a crease was out of place the bed had obviously been made by other hands as the teen knew her Aunt was not very good with things made of cloth.
There were doors on either side of the room. They went to the right and in this room the lights were much brighter and surrounded a folding mirror. Gold brushed onto the frame. Not a smudge on the mirror they could see all the flaws in their faces. Her Aunt had none. Yee-Li saw many in herself.
Taking the teen by the shoulders Asami made her niece sit on a velvet cushion which puffed around the slight curve of her rear; it was not a bottom the teen thought that anybody would like as it was neither muscular like her mommas nor slightly wide like her mommy's and it certainly didn't round nicely into her thighs like her Aunts. Nothing about her bottom was...womanly.
Yee-Li wiggled herself in the seat to get comfy but couldn't with how flat she felt down there. The cloth with the ice was peeled away her Aunt set it down on the vanity a rounded slim piece with many slight drawers which contained powers, brushes, and blushes. There was a train case that when opened displayed three rows of lipstick all in shades from rose to mahogany. Often times the teen wanted to try the puce because it matched her braid but was afraid to touch her Aunts things as the woman could be very overprotective. The garage where she worked was a mess of wrenches nuts and bolts and half torn engines but here everything had a specific place and needed to stay as such.
A hand pressed to the small of her back straightening Yee-Lis spine so she was square with vanity. Adjusting the folding mirrors Asami made sure that her nieces face was framed from both sides. She gave the teens cheeks a prod to move them which way she wanted; a tap to the chin to make it stick out a bit. Satisfied the woman clicked her tongue then wet her lips to get the thoughts flowing.
What to use? Which shade would fit her best? Asami had not even opened a drawer to see what she had but instead rested cheek to cheek with her niece and compared their skin tones. She's a little lighter like Mako and maybe paler like Lin who certainly doesn't need to be worried about people thinking she's not her kid. Starting at the top of her head Asami slid her hands down the sides of her face pulling at the twin braids on either side. She tugged them back and forth. Playing with them seeing which way they would sit better. Behind the ear, which looked silly like the teen were in a wind storm, no it was best to leave them be even if it looked silly. Korra never pulled them off right either and Asami was glad when she lost at least one of the braids but it still looked weird with the short haircut. Our young days are behind us.
A drawer slid slightly open the sound grating.
Click-click.
Small round and made of glass the jar was set within Asamis reach. Before she began Asami took the cloth which left a wet smudge on the vanity and using the moister it had absorbed from the melting ice cubes Asami began to clean the area. Her touches were rough and made the teen suck her lip as the pain returned; lessened though from before it throbbed slowly to the beat of her heart. Then the wetness was dried by a few cotton balls there puffy selves were rather absorbent; discarded into the small trash can hidden underneath. Now it was time for what was in the jar. Asami unscrewed the lid dipping her ring finger she scooped out a dab of goo that matched the tone of Yee-Lis skin leaning her hip on the vanity for support she dappled the skin with the concealer. Yee-Li could see over her Aunts shoulder that she was only leaving a couple of huge ugly streaks. It made the teen wonder how this was going to help. Then her Aunt picked up a brush with a square head and began to what seemed like paint a new layer of skin on. Yee-Li saw in the mirror on her right that the bruise was beginning to fade away with each stroke.
"Now you can apply your foundation over top of this and it should help to cover it up more. Do you want me to do that?"
Nodding her head yes even though she would be washing it off in a few hours for bed Yee-Li was able to catch the full front of her face now and it looked normal like nothing had ever happened. Yet the pain was still there and it was eating at the teen...
"I broke up with Xiu." The sudden weight of the confession pressed on the teens head sinking it into her shoulders.
Without a pause Asami had retrieved another jar this one much bigger along with a big black brush, full and rounded, the black bristles easily drew in the powder. Some of it dusted off as her Aunts hand wobbled as she angled herself to get a good look at the teens face which did not want to rise when the woman gave Yee-Lis sharp chin a couple of taps. So Asami grabbed it and forced her to look ahead. The sudden jolt jarred the teen making her eyes snap shut defensively as if to expect a blow. What came was soft, feathery, and ticklish.
"Keep your eyes closed I don't want to get any in them," Asami said as she began to apply the foundation over the concealer, "...so, she hit you for that. I've seen lots of things come out when the person we love breaks up with us. I wasn't very nice to your mommy after Mako had broken up with me for her." The brushes bristles were bent when the teen turned to the woman wide eyes and mouth forming a large O-shape foundation smattering across the side of her cheek.
"Wait Uncle Mako dated my mom!"
Withdrawing the brush Asami stared at the girl, perplexed by the teen's bewilderment. Had Korra never told her? "Wait no-welllll...yes-she did. But it was only for a couple of months really not long. I think after that she started dating your momma. She never really talked about it I think Lin had her sworn to secrecy over them going out."
"Why would mom make her keep their relationship a secret?"
"Which one is mom again?" Asami was confused was she talking about Lin or Korra. She'd wish the kid would go back to using the names she called them when she was a kid and stop trying to act grown-up.
Exasperated Yee-Li blurted out, "Mom! Why would she make mom keep their relationship a secret. They were in love right? Shouldn't they want to tell other people about it?" After all they were the first people she told when Xiu had even confessed to her. She hadn't said yes to the other teen then but it had come off as such when she told them.
"I-you should probably ask them about that." The woman felt guilty and knew she'd get in trouble with the both of them but she knew so little about how their relationship had even started. All of them had been in the dark about it.
Of course, ask your mothers. Isn't that what anyone would say who didn't want to talk about it? "I deserved it anyway." The teen said when she felt her Aunt begin to even out the foundation trying to remove some without taking away the concealer with it. Face downtrodden Yee-Li slipped her hand into the pocket of the pants her mommy had leant her for winter to help keep warm on the way to and from school. The pants that Xiu thought fit her nicely though they slid off when she moved too much even when she had the drawstring cinched tight and double knotted it would still feel loose.
A slightly twisted piece of metal the spot where the faux ruby flower had been felt razor sharp as Yee-Li grazed a finger over it. She felt it dig and catch and threaten to slice into her delicate skin. Given whom her mothers were the teen felt that this was unfair and that she wasn't strong like them with tough bodies and muscles made of metal, and seeing what she looked in the mirror after her Aunt was finishing smoothing out the foundation she said aloud, "Do you think the bruise might heal before they get back?" Tone hopeful that she might not have to explain anything about this to her mommy. Momma will probably ask me if I did it or not but I can at least spare mommy...unless momma tells her. For a second she was fearful. What if her momma had already told her mommy about her and Xiu? In her hand she felt the hairpin begin to gain weight till the back of her palm rested on her thigh. She stared at herself blankly in the mirror.
Nails of dark crimson grazed a shoulder that felt soft under the light school uniform. A russet colored dress jacket that was as itchy on the outside as it was on the inside, fuzzy with a small pocket on the breast that could hold a single coin for an extra scrap of tart with the school lunch. The hand patted the teens shoulder softly. Asami enjoyed the scent that had been sprayed on the coat to make it at least palatable to the nose; taking a whiff of lilac the woman was unable to hide her smile for it always reminded her of how her mother decorated the house with the flowers of the same name. This house, the one she still lived in now with Mako. The years after her death had been slightly sullied by her father, and until Mako moved in love and happiness hadn't romped in its walls since her mother had been laid to rest.
Not grabbing for it Asami asked for permission for the hairpin which Yee-Li was hesitant to hand over as it was the only thing she would have to remember Xiu with. As for the fact that she would see her in class regardless of how their lives were now separate Yee-Li knew she wouldn't be able to look in the girl's direction. Cupped between her hands Yee-Li hugged the item to her breast. Thinking, debating, before finally concluding she placed the object in her Aunts hand with the utmost care. Watching as Asami held it between thumb and finger under the lights of the vanity.
"It's not a bad metal, little on the low grade side, but I think we could do something with it if I mix it with some of my stuff. I think I can find something that has the same smelting temperature as this so we won't have a problem." Asami said as her fingers closed around the object the action elicited a response from the teen who grabbed for it. The woman held it out of reach with a smile neither spiteful nor annoyed when Yee-Li began to muss the woman's blazer. Holding her hand aloft Asami placed the other on the teens shoulder and pushed the girl to arms length. Keeping pressure on the joint sent a bit of a wakeup call and helped to still the teen's actions.
"I don't want to do anything to it." The teen's eyes began to water. She wanted it whole, at least somewhat with the missing flower, but she wanted it as a reminder. A sick and twisted reminder of the mistake she had made. "Please, give it back." She held out her hand, it trembled and her fingers twitched uncontrollably her eyes felt heavy and all she wanted to do was curl up in the cold sheets of the guest bedroom, they were thin unlike hers at home with the thick heavy blanket her grandma had made with the pretty ocean swell.
More stubborn than a moose lion and more dangerous than one Asami childishly held on to the hairpin a Cheshire half grin on her face. Green eyes flashed in the teens face as her Aunt closed the distance. The hairpin still inside her fist she extended a finger to prod her nieces nose. "No niece of mine is going to have such a hideous reminder. I'm going to make you something beautiful to look at that's going to make you tear up happily when you look at it. And make you think of your sweet, unselfish, and beautiful," at this Asami gave a wink; "Aunt and not that silly ex. Trust me they come and go Yee-Li. Sometimes, like with your uncle Mako, they come back and stay. That's life. It's tough and greasy. Things will explode in your face without reason. Trust me Sunshine I've had it happen several times before."
That was that then, as Asami didn't allow for objections. The hand on Yee-Lis shoulder crawled to the divot in her back and guided her away from the sad, depressing, and self-loathing girl stuck looking back in the mirror.