174 AG
When Kuvira took her mother and her brothers, and Korra tried to suggest that it was justified, Opal tasted a new depth of rage. Korra had put her hand on Opal's shoulder and Opal had jerked her arm away, unable to stand the touch. She had told Korra to kill Kuvira, in not so few words. She had wanted Kuvira dead.
Opal was not an angry person, but she was becoming one, and she hated it how it felt on her. In the time between kissing Kuvira and nearly killing her, Opal hadn't slept at all. She'd lain down in her bed, waiting for the sun to rise. When the light finally climbed over the mountains Opal got to her feet as well, aching with exhaustion. She and Jinora joined Korra at the negotiations everyone knew would be nonnegotiable except Korra, who still had hope.
Opal was unable to see the optimism Korra contained until it was too late. Standing out in the field, Kuvira taking the time to mock them even though the situation was lethal, Opal and her mother both insisted Korra go into the Avatar state to fight her. Korra had refused at first, but her plans melted from negotiations to a one-on-one fight.
But Korra's body was too weak and her mind too reluctant; Kuvira brutalized her. Korra had never directly killed anyone before, but murder wasn't something distant from the avatar. Mako had suffered depression for years after he killed Ming Hua, and Opal suspected that it was one of the reasons he'd slowly stopped being a cop. He couldn't bear to take a life even if it was for a good reason, even if the life was a criminal's.
Avatars had murdered as well; in the end they were just people with their own strengths and flaws. And going into the state was more than just a pooling of powers and experiences, but of responsibility. Opal knew distantly that Korra no longer had any connections with her past lives, but the Avatar State still brought her power. When Korra finally went into the Avatar state, she took a boulder over her head large enough to block out the sun.
In the past, generations of Avatars would have held the gigantic rock, some killers some not, but only Korra remained and she'd flinched and let the rock fall and herself fall with it. Opal was surprised, but she shouldn't have been. Korra had wanted so badly to negotiate with Kuvira; something had changed in the three years Opal hadn't seen the other woman. Opal's surprise should have been reserved for other things.
Korra, sluggish with regret, had ripped the rocks from the earth and agreed to fight. In the moment where Korra paused, haunted by whatever had happened to her three years ago, Opal found herself in a similar situation. Opal stepped forward, eyes on Korra and the rocks hovering above her head, Kuvira's broken form on the ground in her peripheral.
This was perhaps the moment that scared the Opal the most because she was hit so strongly with a brutal, foreign feeling. She couldn't recognize it as wanting Korra to stop, or wishing for her to hurry up and bring the rock down onto Kuvira. It didn't matter, in the end. When Korra fell so did the feeling, and Opal refused to honestly question it.
Things had happened too fast. Opal had no time to think about what had happened between her and Kuvira. Not that it even mattered, all she could focus on was the fact that Kuvira had taken Opal's mother and the only brothers she had left. Kuvira had also nearly decapitated Korra with sharpened blades of metal, forcing Opal and Jinora into action. Kuvira had then used their defence of Korra as an excuse to take Zaofu. Opal couldn't afford to think about the kiss or she'd lose her focus. Kuvira had to be stopped.
So, instead, she thought about Bolin. When Jinora and Ikki had grabbed Opal as she had called out to her family, sobbing and screaming, she hadn't seen him at Kuvira's side. Everyone looked the same in uniform but Kuvira had said that he wasn't there. If he had been Kuvira would've gloated so Opal believed it. However, Opal had to trust that Bolin wouldn't still stand by someone who had hurt Opal so much, even if Kuvira had suggested otherwise.
Kuvira had said that he was working with Baatar on something, but more importantly that he was on board with what she was doing. It had to be a lie. Kuvira had accused Opal of not knowing how Bolin had grown up since they'd been apart, something she must have inferred was an insecurity of Opal's, and perhaps Bolin's as well. Whether it was the truth or not it was unreasonably petty of her.
Opal was certain that that brand of cruelty wasn't beneath the Great Uniter, not when she'd taken almost everything Opal had ever loved. The few things left that Opal loved and that were still free had held Opal fast, not allowing her to jump down to her family, until she finally gave up with a yell that she would come back for them. Kuvira had taken her family, she'd taken Zaofu, she' taken everything. Opal was dull with grief. She'd cried and Ikki and Jinora had held her until she'd fallen asleep.
When she woke up later, it was dark out and Ikki was still holding her with her small, cold fingers. The sky was dark purple-grey, clouds wisped by them like spirits. Opal's eyes combed the horizon and found a small, pink sliver of sun. Ikki's body was warm but her hands were cool on Opal's aching forehead. She was too tired to tell Ikki how much she loved her.
Opal's eyes burned when she glanced around to find Jinora. She could barely see her in the darkness but Jinora's pose told Opal that she had projected herself somewhere and was communicating with someone. Her posture told Opal that she was worried. She wished Jinora didn't have to be, the girl already had too much pressure on her.
Opal found Korra in the twilight. She was struck with how good it was to see her again, even if they'd never really had time to catch up properly. Korra was sitting on the edge of Pepper, her legs no doubt dangling over. She was looking in the distance, quieter and more thoughtful than Opal had ever seen her. Opal wondered if she'd seen her friends since her return. She looked exhausted.
Meelo was quiet for once; silent but alert at the reigns of the bison. Opal didn't have the energy to guess or ask where he was taking them, and she wanted to continue to pretend to be asleep so that Ikki would comfort her still. Opal felt so alone but she felt so grateful to have them at her side even if she'd lost everything else.
171 AG
She'd spent the days following the dream avoiding Kuvira and trying not to let her know that she was avoiding her. It was even more embarrassing than the time she'd walked in on Kuvira and her friend having sex, which Opal got over relatively quickly when Kuvira seemed to not have noticed. This time, though Kuvira would have no way of knowing and it still wasn't Opal's fault, Opal felt guiltier and more awkward than ever before.
Whenever she saw Kuvira it just reminded her of that dream and Opal really didn't want to deal with the embarrassment she felt whenever that happened. However, it wasn't like she could evade Kuvira forever and one day when Opal was walking back from meeting with some friends Kuvira spotted her and called her over. Opal didn't want to insult her by running away. She stood stock still as Kuvira approached her, expression light.
"You've been avoiding me," the woman said, somewhat playfully.
"No I haven't," Opal said, but her blush told the truth. Opal hated being so transparent sometimes. Kuvira laughed awkwardly.
"Look," she said. "I know I'm older than you. If I've been bothering you, or pressuring you -"
"No!" Opal blurted. "That's not it!" Kuvira had never been inappropriate, if anyone had it had been Opal. Kuvira was definitely not the problem and Opal didn't want her to feel bad but there was no really good way of saying 'I had a dream where we kissed and whenever I see you I think about it'.
Kuvira watched her curiously and a little sadly. She didn't believe Opal. Opal clasped her hands together. "It's just a weird time," she explained. "The world almost ended because of what went on in Republic City. I just feel . . . off. It's not your fault." It wasn't totally a lie but it still made Opal feel bad. Opal didn't like lying but she'd hate telling Kuvira the entire truth even more.
"Well," Kuvira said, cautiously. "Do you want to practice today?" Opal smiled, relieved that even with all her awkwardness Kuvira still wanted to deal with her. Opal couldn't help but feel ashamed about the dream, thinking about a woman who had been nothing but kind to her in that way, but it was still just a dream and not totally under her control.
"Yeah," Opal grinned, and Kuvira's facial expression softened.
"I have some time free now, my shift isn't until later tonight," she said. Opal nodded eagerly. Kuvira smiled back and started walking, Opal following in silence. It was still kind of uncomfortable, but not
as bad as Opal had thought it would be. At least Kuvira kind of bought her excuse, or chose to give up when she realized that Opal didn't actually want to avoid her.
It was still pretty embarrassing for Opal, though. She hadn't thought about Kuvira this way before, or she'd tried not to, or something like that. Dreams didn't mean anything, and Opal was the only one who was making it weird. Hanging out with Kuvira would make things normal again, and Opal wanted that more than anything right now.
Kuvira bended the tall, heavy doors open, and left them like that. Opal headed over to the record player in the corner of the room, putting on the song they'd been practicing. When there was no one else around they practiced in the main room; Opal hadn't wanted to at first because she couldn't see herself but Kuvira assured her dancing was easier when you weren't always studying yourself, and it was.
Light, from the lamps exterior to the building, was cast through the long windows that framed the room. It was enough for them to see, but it made the room look strange and dreamlike. Kuvira smiled a little, looking around the interior of the place. She quirked an eyebrow at Opal. "Do you want to use one of the back rooms?" she asked. There weren't any lamps in the main room. Opal shrugged.
"If you want to," she said. She didn't mind either way.
"I guess not," Kuvira said, begin to strip off her guard's uniform and pacing over to Opal. "We can see enough in here, and I don't think you need to practice with mirrors anymore." Opal ducked her head, smiling at the praise.
Opal tried to see if it reminded her of that dream and it didn't really. It was better this way; she couldn't really see Kuvira's face since most of it was obscured in shadows. The lights outside were quite bright, casting a yellow sheen on the floor. Kuvira also was wearing her guard's uniform and her braid was coiled up in a little bun. They'd danced in this room before, but it was all foreign enough to keep Opal's mind off that night, and off the dream.
Kuvira put her arms up and with that gesture they started dancing together. Since she'd been avoiding Kuvira, Opal hadn't been practicing and had gotten a little rusty, but she sprung back with surprising ease. Kuvira made a familiar motion that Opal mimicked as they circled each other. It felt good to dance with the metalbender again, relaxing back into the comfortable relationship that they shared.
Opal had been worried that she'd really offended Kuvira by avoiding her. She apparently hadn't, but she was glad that Kuvira had been cautious about pressuring Opal. Kuvira was ridiculously nice and patient but if she started acting weird Opal would be the first person to let her know, and Opal hoped she knew that. Even though Opal was shy, she wasn't a pushover, especially when she liked someone.
It was odd, but if Opal didn't like someone who was acting strange, she wouldn't bother with them. She expected better things from the people she did get along with, and even though she admired Kuvira Opal wouldn't let her do whatever she wanted. Kuvira had never crossed any boundary and while they danced together in the darkness and yellow lights of Zaofu Opal felt safe.
The movements of dancing had kicked some joy into her chest, and Opal was relieved that she could put those embarrassing moments and dreams behind her. But beneath those giddy feelings, there was something deeper, calmer. There was a huge difference between being safe and feeling safe and right now, dancing with Kuvira, Opal felt totally protected and calm. Kuvira suddenly paused dancing and Opal nearly walked into her.
"That's strange," Kuvira said. Opal stumbled a little and stopped dancing.
"What?" Opal asked. She thought she'd been dancing pretty well, all things considered.
"A breeze." Kuvira's brow furrowed as she glanced around. "The dome has been secured. I shouldn't feel any wind." She glanced behind her at the open door, Opal watched her. It didn't seem like there was any wind; the room was still.
"I didn't feel anything," Opal said. Kuvira glanced back and her and relented, shifting out of her guard posture. Kuvira, Opal had noticed, was never really off-duty. Even now, she was armed to the teeth, with ropes of metal still coiled around her waist, prepared for anything.
"I guess so," she said uneasily. "Again?" she asked. Opal nodded eagerly. She'd really gotten the hang of the dance Kuvira had taught her. It was still a lot more basic than the kind of dances Kuvira was used to, especially since it didn't involve bending, but Opal was still proud of how far she'd come.
Kuvira was teaching Opal a few more complex dances, but Kuvira had started moving the way she'd first taught Opal to since they hadn't danced together for awhile. Opal had refined some of the moves she'd learned and they came easier to her somehow after the time away from practice. Smoothly, her hands sliced through the air to pull at something unseen. She kept her movements as fluid as she could and soon had found the rhythm again. Kuvira stopped the dance.
"No, I swear I felt a breeze," she said, voice tense. "I'm sorry," she added, glancing at Opal. "There must be a breach in security." Opal nodded understandingly. "Except," Kuvira said, eyes narrowing on Opal. "Have you heard about the new airbenders?"
Opal nodded again. It was big news in Zaofu right now. Avatar Korra had left open the Spirit Portal created by Harmonic Convergence; this had somehow had the effect of awakening bending abilities dormant in many nonbenders. Kuvira stared at Opal until Opal understood what she was getting at. "No way," Opal sputtered.
"Try," Kuvira insisted. "Many of the dances we do in Zaofu include movements we use in bending. It would make sense if you bended accidentally."
"You better check for those breaches," Opal flushed. Kuvira looked regretfully at Opal. "I'll try, though," Opal assured her. Kuvira nodded, and lifting one hand she snapped her uniform on, becoming a professional guard again. She left Opal alone to look at her hands.
She'd felt the breeze the second time. Had it really come from her? Opal laughed. That was impossible. Opal wasn't a bender, much less an airbender. Still, she'd promised Kuvira she'd try, and it couldn't hurt. Much.
The last time Opal had tried to bend was when she was around eleven years old. It was the same day Wei and Wing demonstrated their own abilities; a celebratory meal had been made as was customary. Opal had crept away from the celebration and stood outside in the courtyard. She then mimicked all the bending movements she could think of for hours until her father found her, curled up and crying.
Her father picked her up, put her to bed, and told her exactly what she needed to hear that night. That the ability to bend didn't make someone a good person and that she was more than that ability. He reminded her that everyone in her family loved her and was proud of her and that no one would be disappointed if she was never able to bend. His kind words had helped a lot; she had never cried over bending since that day.
But perhaps that was why she'd always had such a problem with dancing. It had always felt as forced to her as when she'd tried bending. Still, even while Opal was honestly fine about never being able to bend now, it still hurt a little to try. But airbending, huh? It would be kind of cool if it was true.
She began to dance by herself in the room, trying to get comfortable in her body. What had Kuvira said about bending? Listening to your body . . . and finding a rhythm. Opal closed her eyes, and moved to the music, automatically. She concentrated her thoughts on the way her body felt, from her lungs, heart, and fingertips. Her heart beat louder in her ears and the music swelled.
Then she felt it. A wisp of movement on her palms. Opal gasped. She mimicked the movement she'd made. She felt it again. It was so little, but it was there, and when it faded Opal was too shocked to pick it up again. She could bend. She could airbend. Opal suddenly was holding in her hands power she hadn't known before, with no idea how to use it.
She heard Kuvira's footsteps outside the studio. "The dome is secure," Kuvira said, her voice echoing across the huge room, breathless. Her gaze fell on Opal's hands, which were shaking a little. Kuvira's mouth quirked in an awkward smile and she looked up at Opal's face with an expression that was both understanding and inquisitive. Opal realized it then. Things were going to change.