164 AG

Kuvira pushed herself harder than ever in the weeks that followed her first meaningful conversation with Suyin. She was determined to prove that the Matriarch hadn't made the wrong decision in trusting her, and she went above and beyond what was required of her, spurred onward by Suyin's apparent interest. She wore her conviction like a heavy cloak, and the power in her actions kept everyone else at a distance.

She had never felt a purpose so strongly.

One afternoon, alone in the dressing room, she had found herself staring at her reflection in the full-length mirror at the end of the room. Her dedication was starting to present itself physically. Even though she was fully clothed she noticed the muscles in her shoulders and thighs, and she was just starting to see definition on her abdomen. It wasn't just visual, either; she felt stronger.

She looked at her reflection in silence. A strand of hair had fallen out of her braid again. It was always the same one. She reached her hand upwards, meaning to tuck it back into place.

"I think it suits you."

Kuvira looked up suddenly and saw Suyin in the reflection of the mirror. She had just appeared in the doorway behind her. Kuvira's arm was frozen in mid-air. Confusion crossed her face as she motioned to the unkempt strand with one hand.

"This? But it's out of place..."

"Or maybe trying to keep it tied back is the problem," Suyin said. Kuvira thought she saw a smile playing on the older woman's lips.

Slowly, Kuvira lowered her arm to her side.

Suyin stepped forward. Kuvira could feel the hairs on the back of her neck standing up. She cursed herself for not having gotten used to these encounters yet, but how could she when they were so few and far between? She could tell she was being awkward, so she forced herself to speak.

"I never had a chance to really thank you for lunch."

"Oh, you're quite welcome," Suyin said lazily as she stopped in front of her own mirror. Kuvira saw her in the reflection, but when she realized Suyin was undressing she tore her eyes away. Another long stretch of silence between them, with only the sound of ruffled clothing as Suyin changed back into her robes. Kuvira's jaw clenched for a moment, and then her entire body relaxed.

"I'd like to have lunch with you again sometime."

Suyin stopped moving. She was looking at her, but Kuvira refused to look up. She had stepped out into thin air, and in the silence that ensued she felt like she was falling, hurtling down towards rejection.

"Tomorrow afternoon?"

Kuvira could feel the lightness in her stomach when she heard the reply, and she couldn't help but smile to herself.

The air was crisp and cool, and the sun was bright and blinding outside the rehearsal hall. The light gleamed against the running water at the fountain in the distance. When Kuvira opened the doors she nearly squinted her eyes against the brightness.

Yishu was waiting for her by the steps.

"Lunch?"

"I can't today," Kuvira said gently as she took to the steps in the direction of the rail car station.

"Didn't think so," Yishu replied stiffly.

Kuvira stopped. And slowly, she turned. She was a few steps below Yishu, and she looked up at her.

"Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind, you know, with opening night coming up."

"You don't have to lie," Yishu said, and she smiled. Kuvira couldn't tell if Yishu was hurt, angry, amused, or something else entirely. Her mind went into strategy-mode immediately, and she chose her words carefully.

"You think I'm lying?"

"I know you're lying, and I know what you're up to. And honestly? I don't give a damn."

"What… the hell are you talking about?" Kuvira forced the words out, trying desperately to keep her voice from shaking.

"I think we both knew from the start, but I've been more honest. You should work on that."

Kuvira could feel her defensiveness flaring up like an old wound opening anew. Her green eyes, bright and flashing in the sun, narrowed.

"I don't know what you're talking about." She said it hard enough to force herself into believing it, and the words came out with a passionate ring. She turned away sharply, breaking apart the hollow silence with her hurried thudding footsteps, and she felt it echo behind her like she felt the piercing stare Yishu must certainly be giving her.

She didn't go home immediately like she had meant to. Instead, she went to the bending field. She hadn't been there in some time, though she had come often in her youth when metalbending had been relatively new to her. It was a mixed use training ground of sorts. Large, with many different fields and platforms arching upwards into the sky.

She took in a deep breath and tried to clear her mind. The sound of earthbending and metalbending in the distance all around her helped to put her at ease and wash away Yishu's cruel, knowing look and the callous directness of her words. She shook her head and opened her eyes, and in the distance, she noticed a group of metalbenders standing in front of thin pedestals. Upon each, a chunk of unformed meteorite sat.

That classic exercise certainly brought back memories. It had been one of the core metalbending exercises she had been given when she started her training all those years ago, and she, like most clan members, continued to practice it daily to keep her skills sharp.

The meteorite was unique in that it was easier to bend. There were the common shapes one learned, but later she had been guided to form shapes of her own. Kuvira had never needed to concentrate very hard to get the metal to take shape. In fact, there had been a few times where a shape had formed without actively thinking about it. This, she had been told, meant she was a natural. They had told her that concentration, conviction, and continued study would lead to even greater things . She had believed them.

She stood in front of a vacant pedestal and closed her eyes. Where had she really gone, after all these years? What had she accomplished? Had she reached her goals?

What were her goals?

The metal shot into a sharp, elongated octahedron, pointed like a dagger at either end. Eight-sided, symmetrical, beautifully smooth and reflecting the light like a lover's eyes. Kuvira sucked in a breath, surprised at the way the metal had shifted without her own insistence.

She smoothed the meteorite into a perfect sphere, bereft of any abnormality or flaw. She released a deep breath and the sphere's edges shot in all directions.

"Icosahedron?"

Kuvira's eyes snapped open. It was the second time Suyin had snuck up on her, and this time she was even less prepared.

"I didn't realize you were here," Kuvira blurted out. She could already feel the red heat creeping up onto her cheeks.

"I come here sometimes, after rehearsal. Helps me gather my thoughts and plan for the day ahead."

"Makes sense," Kuvira replied, and then she looked back down at the shape floating between her hands.

"20-sided, right?" Suyin stepped closer and stared at the meteorite appraisingly. Kuvira nodded slightly. She knew she was good, but what did the Matriarch of Zaofu think?

"The lines are perfect. Where were you going next?"

Kuvira's fingers moved out, and the convex sides raised so that the point where each side met shot outwards.

"Interesting," Suvira murmured. Kuvira raised her eyes up to look at the older woman's face. "You doubled the edges and inverted the faces. Twelves exterior points... and twelve hidden inside. Kuvira was surprised at how easily Suyin had been able to place such a complex shape.

Suyin stared down at the sharp, pointed object. "So, taking that one step further…" The Matriarch lifted her hands up to just inches before touching Kuvira's own. She moved her hands outwards while her fingers curled in, and the shape transformed.

"Forty faces, sixty edges, thirty vertices…" Kuvira nearly whispered. It was a shape she had never seen before. Kuvira felt the angles and lines of the metal in her own trembling heart. She rose her eyes to meet Suyin's own gaze and she held it.

"I've never seen that form before," Kuvira managed to say.

"Neither have I!" Suyin said happily as she took a step back and let her hands drop to her sides. "I'll have to add it to the books. Would you like to name it?"

"You're the one who created it," Kuvira said humbly as she cast her gaze downwards.

"I wouldn't have thought of it without you." Suyin's words stung Kuvira like a sweet poison.

"I can't say I'm very good at naming things," Kuvira said quietly.

Suyin paused for a moment.

"How about… Kuvira's Star?"

Kuvira shrugged slightly. "If you think that's suitable." She realized with relief that she was starting to become more comfortable with their exchanges.

Suyin smiled. "It's done, then. Well, I'm glad. Can you promise me that lunch tomorrow will be this exciting?"

Kuvira couldn't help but grin. "I can't promise it, but we can try."

174 AG

I remember not being able to sleep the night before we met for lunch the second time. The sound of your voice and the look in your eyes all around me and as the sun set and the stars revealed themselves I wore the thought of you like a mantle. I still didn't know exactly what you wanted, but I didn't doubt you. To doubt that you had a plan for me, that you had so carefully chosen me amongst all the others, would be to doubt my own self worth. To think you didn't want me would be like not wanting to be myself. I had to believe you had a reason. For my pride. For my sanity.

I had my apartment's windows open wide to stave off the heat. I could hear night sounds outside. Crates being unloaded into the storeroom at the restaurant down by the corner, and laughter echoing into the street as groups of people headed home for the night. The night was alive in a way that sent memories of Ba Sing Se shooting up into my spine. Those have always been blurry memories, tinged with pain, and typically they only served to make me feel lonely, but my excitement to see you the next day drowned everything else out. You were the sea's waves, and each time we met the tide came further and further in, until there was nothing left.

I watched the morning light cross the wall, and then I got out of bed. I reached for my dance rehearsal clothing out of habit, but then I stopped. It was more than that, wasn't it? I had a single traditional robe that I hadn't worn in forever and that's what I chose. I stood in front of the mirror and stared at my reflection. Seeing myself dressed so formally made me smile. I raised my hand instinctively to tuck that loose strand behind my ear, but your words came echoing back. I think it suits you. So I left it alone.

You outdid yourself. You had it all planned out. The meal was exceptional. You had me try things I'd never tasted before; never even heard of. We talked about everything and nothing, and the words and the laughter came as easily as the stonefruit wine. When we were finished, you gave me what you called "the unofficial tour". We saw the library, vast and complex with those walls full of books. We stood in serene silence for a moment in your immaculately kept garden. You steered us away from the east wing, where your children slept.

We reached the courtyard and turned towards a clearing. Small raised platforms, about waist-high, sprouted from the ground.

"This is what I really wanted to show you," you said, and I looked over at you. You were looking out over the field with a satisfied smile. It was the smile of someone who had spent years and years working towards her goals and, having reached them, basking in the glory of that attainment. Admiration tinged with jealousy spiked my bloodstream. I tore my gaze away from you, and looked out onto the field.

"Meteorites," I said as I stepped closer. They were all slightly different in size, shape, color and form. These were meteorites that no one had ever bended. Pure, asymmetrical, organic shapes with jutting, jagged edges.

"These are particularly rare, in some way or another," you said proudly.

"Where did you find them?"

"They come from all over, really. Many of them are from the Earth Kingdom, but naturally we make trades with the other nations if one happens to fall there." You paused.

"They fall beautifully," You said, watching me as I walked into the center of the collection for a closer look, "Flashing in the darkness with a white glare, like a tear in the sky."

"It's quite the collection. Why don't you show them off in the Origin Gallery?" I looked back at you. You were smiling modestly.

"I suppose I've been a little selfish, haven't I? I don't see these as the city's property so much as my own... personal collection."

I lifted my hand to place my fingers against the surprisingly warm, jagged edge of a meteorite. I ran my fingers down the side of it. Parts of it were smooth and indented, almost like fingerprints.

"That one fell near Ba Sing Se," you said. I heard your voice from behind me. You were coming closer. Those quiet moments were still putting my heart on edge. Did you realize it then? Had you known all along?

I had said nothing in response, so you continued. "You were born there, weren't you?"

I nodded slowly. "I can't remember much of it, though." It was hell. That's what I didn't say. I couldn't say it. Not to you.

"Have you been back there, since you left?" Your voice was soft and careful. You weren't sure if I wanted to talk about it, but you certainly wanted to know. You could coax anything out of me, and you only improved as the years passed.

"No. I haven't, but why would I?" I turned to face you. "Zaofu is my home."

Your smile widened.

"Loyalty is very important to me, Kuvira, and you've more than proven your capabilities."

You took a few steps forward. I could have reached my hand out and touched your face, we were so close. I didn't know what to think, so I tried to think about nothing at all.

"I'd like you to consider joining the Guard."

"It would be my honor," I replied without skipping a beat. I had always had my goals set high, and all those years of preparation seemed to finally be paying off. Zaofu's city guard had some of the best metalbenders in the city, and initiation was by invitation only. I knew I deserved it, but would I have gotten there without you?

"I knew I could count on you."

"Did you need me, Kuvira?"

Bolin's voice sounds distant. I open my eyes. The floor of the train is only inches from my nose. I realize I've been doing push ups. I have no idea for how long. Sweat is running down my neck and inside my collar. It drips down my forearms and into my gloves. I push myself upwards into the ready position, despite the ache in my arms.

"Kuvira? Uh, wow. You are really good at push ups. I've always been more of a sit ups kind of guy. Back when I lived in-"

"Bolin."

"...Yes?"

I push myself up to my knees and rise to my feet in one fluid motion. There's a dull ache in my chest. Bolin is fidgeting. He's still not comfortable around me. I honestly can't blame him.

"Do you know why I asked you to meet with me?" I can hear my own voice, hollow and unfeeling, in my head.

"You… wanted to workout together?"

"Not quite," I said flatly. I turn to face the large map at the front of the compartment.

"We've entered the State of Yi. We'll reach the Capital soon. I just want to make sure you're prepared."

Bolin tilts his head to one side. "Well, why… wouldn't I be? This is just like every other Earth Kingdom place we've come to rescue, right?"

"Not quite," I say, and then I pause. "Airbenders will be there. Opal is among them."

"Oohhh. ...Gotcha." Bolin is trying his best to not look concerned. I smile charmingly.

"I wanted to make sure you were prepared to defend our mission, Bolin" I can feel my commanding voice vibrating in my throat. "You're aware of how she feels about the path we've undertaken."

"Yeah," Bolin says quietly. He lowers his gaze sadly, but resolve brings his bright green eyes back up, and he looks me straight on. "Don't worry. I can explain it to her. It's been… a long time. Maybe this time she'll get it."

I nod, but in my heart I knew the truth.