Chapter Five: The Protest
Pulling off her green, black, and silver uniform and yawning lightly. Throwing on her gym clothes as well as her green sneakers. It has been a month now since she started at the university. There were a lot of non benders chanting in the hallways before being kicked outside.
"Equality for all! Equality now!" They were shouting.
"Look! Avatar's sister!" Alessia felt a pie hit her in the in her tracks with a disgusted look on her face. "Filthy benders!" One of them shouted. Sighing with frustration, Alessia left the area while heading into the gym locker.
"Spirits sake!" She shouted while throwing her shirt onto the bench and sighed, sitting down.
"Everything okay?" Professor Lin's voice made her jump. She hugged her knees to hide her chest.
"Yes, Professor." She looked to the side to avoid the blush of embarrassment.
"Here." Lin tossed her a new gym shirt. "You can borrow that one for now." With that, she left. Alessia stood up and walked over to the sink and wiped her face clean now. Seeing there was some pie left in her hair. Giving up, she stripped and took a quick shower before changing back. Realizing her gym shirt was her professor's.
"Spirits help me." She mumbled before jogging into the gym. Seeing Kuvira eyeing her up and down. Alessia rolled her eyes and took her spot next to her friend. Korra and Bolin had shown up.
"You showered before gym?" Korra asked while sniffing her sister.
"Don't be weird!" Alessia snapped.
"Where did you get that shirt?" Korra asked as her sister was now annoyed.
"Alright! Let's get some laps going!" Lin's voice barked as Alessia heard her sister sigh. She didn't get to stretch her legs so she ended up pulling a cramp. "Pair up! Hand by hand." Their professor shouted. Alessia was paired up with Bolin this time.
"Go easy please?" He asked lightly. Seeing Korra get thrown on the ground. Alessia smirked and grabbed his hand when he made a move. Easily throwing him over her shoulder and onto the ground.
"That's it for class. Hit the showers!" Lin spoke as Bolin and Korra left. Kuvira and Alessia stayed. Bending was canceled due to the strikes going on outside of the campus. Su came in as her cheery self and greeted them.
"Are you watching today?" Su asked Alessia who looked at her friend. Kuvira smiled at her before Alessia spoke.
"No, I'm gonna hit the track and run a few laps." She replied. This gave her raised brows from the three of them before the other dancers came in. Alessia grabbed her bag and left the gym. The track was just outside. It was exactly one mile long. Setting her bag down and stretching out her legs. The cramp had finally settled itself down. Feeling the dirt crunch under her sneakers as she started a light jog. She wanted to dance truly. Though something was keeping her back. Fear perhaps? Starting her second lap before she finally got winded. Catching her breath as she was holding onto her knees. Once done, she went and sat on the outside bleacher. Feeling the sun beating down on her skin as she took out her personal sketch pad. There were drawings of her friends. A few of Kuvira. There were also a few of the Beifong professors. Smiling at her drawings before opening a new page. Deciding to sketch out the dance scene from the Dancing Dragon she had at the start of the month.
"I thought you were running laps?" Professor Lin's voice caught her again off guard.
"Do you always sneak up on people, professor?" Alessia asked as she shut her sketchbook up quickly and stashed it in her bag.
"I did clear my throat a few times but you seemed lost in whatever you were doing. Anyways, follow me. My sister needs a word with you." Lin spoke as Alessia nodded. She got up and tossed her bag over her shoulder. Following Professor Beifong back into the gym. Su and Kuvira were chatting away and stopped at the sight of them.
"There she is! Lady of the hour!" Su smiled as Kuvira had her arms crossed.
"Am I in trouble?" Alessia automatically asked.
"No my dear! The opposite to be honest!" Su was beaming now. Alessia raised her brow at the woman. "Okay! From all the professors and from Kuvira here, we noticed you have stepped up and made an impression. We believe you are the perfect role model for the other students as your grades show. We are making you our second earth ward prefect Alessia!" Su exclaimed. Alessia's eyes went wide as her friend hugged her.
"I don't know what to say! Thank you!" Alessia bowed.
"No dear. You've earned it." Su smiled and handed Alessia the badge. "It goes on the left side of your uniform. Wear it with pride dear." Su explained as Alessia nodded.
"If that's it, I'm out of here." Lin spoke while nodding at them and left.
"One more thing Alessia dear." Su spoke as Alessia raised her brow again. "Dance performance is coming up in Zaofu, Kuvira believes it would be a good opportunity for you to join us. Well, to watch from the audience. The others would love for your support as well." Su explained. She was asking if Alessia wanted to go.
"Yeah! Sure! I don't see any harm in that! I would love to support them." Alessia smiled as Su gave her a hug. Tense again before patting her professor's shoulder. She bowed and took her leave.
"Move in with me." Kuvira spoke as Alessia coughed up water from drinking.
"Usually ask me to dinner first." Alessia replied with a chuckle.
"No you idiot. I wanna move into an apartment and you be my roommate. I'm tired of the tight space and no privacy from others." Kuvira spoke. She wasn't wrong. It was cramped in the dorms and plus, Korra seemed to know no boundaries. Always coming over to chat with them and what not. There were also more inspections recently due to the equalist protestors. A lot of paranoia was going around among the students as people were pointing fingers, suspensions happening and all. Maybe having their own place would help with the peace and quiet. Plus, she would have her own room! That was definitely something to look forward to right?
"You know. You make a very good argument there." Alessia spoke while setting her bottle down. There weren't even allowed food in their rooms.
"So….yes?" Kuvira asked hoping.
"Yes! I'll get a job to help out." Alessia smiled.
"No! How about this! You join the dance team. Besides, rent is already covered by the university." Kuvira explained.
"See now you are just black mailing me!" Alessia threw her pillow at her friend. Kuvira was laughing.
"No. Though, once you see us in Zaofu, please at least consider it?" Kuvira asked.
"Alright. I will consider it. No promises. I'm still moving in with you though! I'm a great cook!" Alessia smiled. She took pride in her cooking sometimes.
"Okay, that's fair. I'll go ahead and tell Su since she is our ward representative. Also, where did you get that gym shirt? Only professors were them." Kuvira spoke
"I got pied right before the gym class by the protestors and Professor Beifong lent me the shirt. I'm washing and returning it tomorrow." Alessia spoke as her friend nodded before leaving. Alessia decided to hit the showers.
"Hey, we have prefect duties to do. You got to wear your uniform." Kuvira spoke as she came back. Her face was flushed and Alessia didn't wanna question it. She nodded and quickly changed into her uniforms. "Finally the job can get done faster." Kuvira smiled. Usually it took Kuvira a while to do them but now Alessia was in the picture, it would get done faster. "Take the north end, I'll cover the south and we can meet up going around." Kuvira spoke. Alessia nodded as she took her path. Part of the duties was to make sure the dorms were locked when students were out or no music was playing too loudly or smell and smokers. It was the easiest part of the job. The other part was making sure students were able to find their classes or answer any questions about the university.
"Excuse. I'm sorry miss, can you tell me where the library is?" A younger woman's voice spoke. Alessia turned and smiled at her.
"Go to the main building. Take the second hall and third door on the right." She explained the directions. The girl bowed before leaving. Alessia returned the bow with a smile before taking her route again. Sighing softly before humming. She stopped in her tracks as the smell was strong. It smelt like smoke and something had died. Alessia knocked a few times. No answer. She pulled out her small radio.
"This is EP from south hallway in EW to office.. I got a situation. Over" Alessia spoke.
"EP copy. What is the situation?" Su's voice spoke. She could hear running. She turned and saw Kuvira coming up to her.
"There's smoke and a malodorous smell coming from dorm room twenty-two. Over" She added. Kuvira held her nose and made a disgusted face.
"On our way." Su replied.
"What now?" She asked her friend who was standing by the door and knocked on it. No answer. Hearing more footsteps, Alessia turned and saw the Beifong professors coming up to them. She stepped aside to let the professors knock a few times before Su grabbed a ring of keys. Grabbing the one for the room and unlocked the door. The scent only got stronger. Alessia gagged at the smell and turned away.
"Oh dear spirits." Su's voice got her curious. "No ladies. Do not come inside. Lin, you know what to do." The professor instructed. Lin had run from the area. Su however locked the door. "Alright, back to your duties please." Kuvira and Alessia looked at each other before nodding and left the scene.
They were now sitting at an outside table eating dinner in silence.
"Hey! Alessia! Kuvira!" Korra's voice rang over the crowd of voices. Alessia smiled and waved at her sister. She had just finished eating before tossing her trash in the bin.
"Wait. Are you a prefect?" Korra asked as she saw the badge.
"Appointed just today!" Alessia said proudly. Korra nodded.
"Um right. I just remembered that I had a meeting with someone." Korra spoke before leaving.
"Your sister is weird." Kuvira nudged Alessia who nodded. That did seem weird. Wondering what that was about.
"What do you think was in that dorm room?" Alessia was now pondering at the thought.
"No idea but it seemed pretty serious. If Professor Beifong had to run off like that." Kuvira spoke. She was talking about Lin. She was the Chief of Police after all. It was definitely something bad.
"Equality now!" Voices were chanting now.
"Here we go. Come one Alessia." Kuvira sighed as did her friend. They got and walked over to the protestors.
"Hey folks! You have the right to protest! You do not however have the right to protest on the university grounds near classrooms and dorms due to the disruption of peace!" Alessia shouted trying to calm the crowd.
"Move along everyone!" Kuvira shouted.
"Just because you're prefects doesn't mean you can take our right way!" A guy shouted.
"Yea! Stop oppressing us!" Another voice spoke.
"Go away benders!" A woman's voice shouted.
"What? That doesn't even make sense! Come along folks! You're disturbing people from their sleep!" Alessia spoke again. She got hit by another pie. As did Kuvira.
"Hey folks! Move it!" Another voice spoke. Alessia saw the fire and water bender prefects showed up to help. More pie was thrown again.
"Dean, we have a situation with the protestors." The prefects started to radio Raiko. Alessia was trying to calm the crowd down.
"Guys come on! Back to your dorms please!" She spoke.
"No! Amon is right! They're oppressing us with their bending!" One shouted and then the non benders all began to shout and argue. Alessia looked around. No one was even using their bending abilities. Hearing some sirens from the air ship from above as metal benders and a few other police officers showed up.
"Hey! We have our rights!" A man shouted before a fight broke out.
"Hey, watch it!" The water bender shouted as Alessia felt a sharp pain and then blackness.
"Is the situation handled?" A voice spoke. It was from Raiko. "I just appointed her today and this happens? Maybe she isn't cut out for this." He spoke.
"Sir, I think that's a bit much. No one predicted a full on protest. That was not her fault. All our prefects were there." Su's voice spoke.
"I guess you're right. When will she wake?" He asked.
"Hard to say. It was pretty nasty." Kya's voice came into ear shot. "I managed to stop the bleeding and healed her nose. The knife wound is another story." Kya explained. Knife wound? She was stabbed?!
"Why was there a protest on the grounds anyways?" Kuvira sighed with annoyance.
"What happened?!" Korra's voice made everyone jump as she slammed the door open.
"Korra! Please! This is the infirmary." Kya crossed her arms. "Your sister was stabbed and knocked out from the violent protest." She explained.
"Alright everyone. Let her get some rest." Kya spoke softly while herding everyone out. It was now silent in the room. Alessia shifted a little but winced as she felt the pain in her lower right side. Still asleep from the pain she was feeling from her headache. She then heard hushed voices.
"Lin, was the dorm room cleaned out?" Su's voice spoke. Alessia heard the curtain separating her bed from the others opened and then closed. Both of her hands were grabbed and gently squeezed. One hand was smooth as the other was rough.
"Yes. The police are investigating. They believe it has something to do with the Equalist." Lin spoke and sighed softly. "She didn't deserve this." The professor added and squeezed Alessia's hand again.
"You're right. We found her phone on the ground."
"Here, let me add my number." Lin grabbed Alessia's phone and typed something in it. "Just in case." Hearing a soft clink of metal on the phone on the side table again. Alessia let out a soft mumble before shifting. She didn't want to open her eyes. She was exhausted. Still completely out of it.
"Get some rest dear." Su spoke as she gently touched Alessia's forehead before leaving. Hearing metal footsteps as Lin took a seat next to her bed. Her hand was still being held.
It was not long before the sun was shining against her face. Alessia mumbled and sat up slowly. Holding her side as the spot was hurting. Blinking a few times before looking around. Lin was still passed out in the chair. She smiled at her professor before yawning with a stretch. Gently touching her professor's shoulder.
"Hmm?" Was all she said.
"Sorry professor. I think you passed out in the chair." Alessia spoke softly.
"Tell no one. Just waiting for you to wake up. You need to make a report with the Dean." Lin spoke as she stood up and straightened out her police uniform.
"Will do professor. Thank you." Alessia smiled as Lin nodded and left. Once the professor left, Alessia stood up and winced. Lifting up the gown and saw a scar. It was a couple inches long. She sighed and changed back into her clothes from yesterday, pocketing her phone before leaving the infirmary. Thank goodness it was a weekend. She would never let it down herself if it was a weekday due to classes. Alessia had finally made it to her dorm room. Seeing her bag there. She fumbled through it. Everything was there. Good. Changing into normal clothing as the door opened.
"Hey! You're out?" Kuvira's voice spoke as Alessia smiled and hugged her friend.
"Yeah. I'm fine though." She spoke as her friend gave her a questioning look. "Anyways. I have to head to the Dean for a report." Alessia added before taking her leave again.
Feeling something vibrate in her pocket. Alessia pulled it out. It was her phone. Someone was calling it. Slide the button to the right and held it up to her ear.
"Hello?" She asked.
"Ah! Alessia dear! Glad to hear you're okay! I am calling because Kya said you never checked with her before you left." Su spoke in a calm voice.
"Oh. I forgot. I apologize. I'll check in with her before I head to the Dean's." Alessia replied. She walked out of the hall and into the infirmary.
"No worries dear! I'm glad you are alright! I'll see you later alrighty!" Su sounded like she was smiling before hanging up.
"Kya? I'm sorry I didn't check in." Alessia called out.
"Ah! There you are. Come. Lift your shirt." Alessia nodded and lifted up her shirt. Revealing the scar. "Well, it healed nicely. Any pain?" She asked as she nodded. "Come, sit." Alessia took a seat and felt a cold sensation from the water that was healing the area. Sighing a small relief and smiled at Kya.
"Thank you. I really appreciate it." Alessia gave Kya a hug.
"Come back if there is any more pain alright?" Kya instructed as she nodded. "I'm contacting your professors!" She threatened.
"Yes ma'am!" Alessia called back with a smile before leaving. She made her way to the Dean's office and knocked.
"Enter." Raiko's voice spoke. Alessia opened the door and entered. Shutting it behind her. Seeing both Beifong professors there. Lin was in her uniform with a clipboard at the ready. She handed it to Alessia.
"Please, sit. Start from the start." He spoke as Alessia took a seat. She began to write and start from the beginning. From the weird smell from the dorm room to the protest. Up to blacking out and not remembering anything until she woke up. Handing the clipboard back to Lin and sighed softly.
"Interesting first day as a prefect I say." Raiko spoke softly as Alessia nodded her head in agreement. "You did well. I am sorry how the event turned out. We will do whatever we can to find who stabbed you." He added.
"Why were they protesting to begin with?" Su asked softly.
"It's the anti-bending movement that's been going on." Raiko replied. "Thank you Alessia. You may go." She stood up and bowed. Turning on her heels to leave. Not caring all eyes followed her. Sighing softly while leaning against the wall. Anti-bending movement? Sounded like there was more to this than they were being told. Alessia decided to put it behind her. Not knowing that was going to be a mistake.
–Author's Notes–
Surprise! Another chapter today! Enjoy! Also, EP means earth prefect and EW means earth ward in case y'all were wondering!
