Chapter Eighteen: The Ring
Everyone was gathered finally to take ships down to the South pole where Katara was at. Everyone had gathered around Korra since she lost three out of four of her bending abilities. Kuvira kept trying to pester Alessia about what happened in the factory. She kept avoiding everyone. She followed Korra onto the ship and locked herself in her own room. It was small enough for one bed. That's where she stayed. Hearing knocks once in a while. From either Su or from Kuvira. Both of them are trying to reach out. Alessia couldn't bring herself to look at two of the women she loved. She felt weak. Useless. She couldn't even look at herself in the mirror. She had taken a pair of scissors and cut her long hair down to right below her shoulders. It was a messy cut. Uneven. She didn't care. She tied it into a pony and laid down on the bed. The ship rocked against the ocean currents. It was going to be long said to the south. The one place she did not want to be. Ever again.
"Alessia! Come on! Open the door please!" Kuvira pounded on the door. She couldn't face her friend. She felt like a coward. Crying herself to sleep when she curled up in the bed.
It was not long after they had arrived in the south. Hearing voices outside her door before pulling a jacket on and putting the hood up. She had hoped to slip past the crowd.
"Land ho!" A man shouted when she made it outside. Keeping her distance and trying not to bump into anyone. There were familiar faces everywhere. She felt a pang of guilt. There were people worried about her but it seemed they were more worried about Korra. After all, they were going to the south for Korra. To see if Katara could restore her bending. Feeling a push as the ship arrived at the harbor.
"I'm sorry he got you too." Lin's voice made her look up. Lin had her hand on Korra's shoulder. 'You too? Lin lost her bending?!' Anger rose inside of her. That shouldn't have happened! None of this should have happened. Lin looked over Korra's shoulder and met her eyes. Those beautiful green eyes. She couldn't bear to look into them. Alessia looked away quickly. Her eyes sting. Feeling the crowd move away from the harbor. Alessia heard a voice call her name. She ignored it and went straight to the hotel that was not far from the compound. She went inside.
"Hello. One bed please." She spoke weakly. Not looking up or at anything.
"How long dear?" The lady spoke.
"Charge for one week. If any less, I'll let you know." Alessia spoke. She paid the lady and went straight to her room. Not knowing Kuvira was following her.
Alessia sat her bag down on the bed and sat by the window. Her face was burning from the sharp wind. It was cold. She always hated the cold. Hearing a loud knock on her door, she ignored it. Hearing the lock click and door opened. Of course the locks were metal.
"Alessia, stop ignoring me! You're better than this! Lin got our phones. Here." Kuvira snapped and set her phone on the table nearby. "What happened?" Feeling her friend sit down next to her.
"He…he took it." Alessia weakly spoke.
"Your bending is gone?" Kuvira asked in a sad tone.
"Yes." Was all Alessia could say before it just came out. She was crying. The tears streamed down her face while Kuvira pulled her into a hug. Feeling her back rubbed before she pulled away. Alessia wiped her eyes clean with a sniffle. Seeing her friend pull out her phone.
"Su? You're on speaker." Kuvira spoke.
"Speaker? Did you find her?" Su's voice came.
"Yes. Is Lin with you?" She asked
"Yes. She lost her bending. She's surprisingly doing well." Su spoke softly.
"Alessia isn't." Kuvira spoke.
"What do you mean?" Lin's voice spoke. Alessia felt her chest tighten.
"Her bending is gone too." Kuvira spoke softly.
"What? How?" Su spoke. "Where are you two?" She asked while they could hear movement from the phone.
"At the hotel. Room seventy-two. Second floor." Kuvira spoke. Alessia shook her head. She wasn't ready to see them.
"Korra is going to the healer hut. Bring her with you." Su spoke before hanging up.
"No. I'm not ready to face anyone." Alessia said weakly.
"I don't care! There has to be something! Your bending isn't gone! It just isn't!" Kuvira raised her voice. It seemed to affect her friend as well.
"Come on. Let's go." Kuvira grabbed Alessia's jacket and helped her into it before dragging her back into the cold towards the healing hut.
Keeping her head down against the cold before going inside. It seemed like everyone was already there. Alessia took a seat on the other side of the wall. Feeling eyes on her, she kept her head down.
"Sweetie. You okay?" Su's voice spoke softly in her ear. Her professor sat down next to her and pulled her into a side hug. Alessia couldn't get any words out. Instead, she covered her face with her hands and pulled her knees to her chest. She felt helpless. Feeling her back rubbed by Su. Hearing a door slam as she looked up. Korra ran out of the healing room and outside. A few moments later Katara came out.
"I have done everything in my power. I cannot restore her bending." Katara spoke.
"But you're the best healer. There has to be something." Lin spoke with a frown.
"I'm afraid even this is something that I cannot heal. If anyone needs healing, please come in the back." Katara spoke. Sounding defeated as she left back to the healing room. Alessia felt her chest tighten again. It was permanent. She stood up and ran out the door as well. Not caring if people stared or not. This couldn't be real! It couldn't be! There had to be something like this in history right? She didn't pay attention to where she was going. She was now out in the middle of a snow field. Looking up at the night sky as the stars and moon shine down upon her. Alessia opened her mouth and let out an ear piercing scream before falling to her knees. Tears streaming down her cheek again. The icy wind froze the trail on her cheeks. The snow soaks her pants at her knees. Not knowing how long she was gone, she made her way back from where she came. The city was silent. No one was around. It seemed people were inside their homes. She made her way back to the hotel to her room. Changing out of her snow soaked clothes and into warm nightwear.
It had been days since they arrived at the south pole. Su, Lin, and Kuvira often checked up on her a few times. The hurting seemed to lessen as she started going outside more and being around the people she cared about.
"You're doing a lot better than I am." Alessia spoke softly to Lin when they were outside eating lunch with Su and Kuvira.
"Honestly. I'm not. It just feels like you know." Lin started.
"Like part of your soul torn from you." Alessia finished Lin's sentence as the older woman nodded.
"I'm not giving up hope." Kuvira spoke. They all looked at her. "If I can't have my dance partner, then there will be pain to pay for." Alessia smiled weakly at her friend and took her hand. Giving it a squeeze.
"The main thing we need to do is be there and support you both." Su spoke as Lin looked down. Sighing before finishing her food. Alessia had already finished before drinking her tea. Korra was off somewhere meditating. She had taken this harder than a lot of people.
"I feel useless." Lin spoke quietly.
"No. You are not. You're Lin Beifong. The Iron Lady. The most respected chief of police the city has ever seen." Alessia spoke. Lin looked up at her. Meeting the green eyes again. "You may not have your bending but you still make an impact on people's lives. You're a professor, you taught so many people. You taught Kuvira and I how to defend ourselves. We may not have our bending, but we are not out of this fight yet." Alessia added.
"She's right Lin. Knowing you, you still have a lot of fight left in you. You're stubborn." Su spoke with a light smile.
"Stubborn but the most selfless and bravest person I've ever met. You gave up a huge part of you to protect the last air benders. To protect my sister. If anyone says anything different, they can go screw themselves." Alessia added while finishing her drink. The waiter came back and cleared up the table. They all stood up and left. Alessia left the payment on the table and then followed them from behind. Sighing softly. Her heart was still aching. She wasn't alone though. She was going to do whatever she could to be there for Lin and her sister. These women deserved the world.
"Alessia? Can I talk to you?" Korra's voice spoke. She turned and saw her sister. Su, Lin, and Kuvira were also listening in.
"Yeah?" She asked as Korra hugged her tightly.
"Come with me. I need you for something." Korra added.
"I'll see you three in a bit." Alessia told the ladies as they nodded. She turned and followed her sister. Once everyone was out of sight, Korra was beaming.
"What is it?" Alessia frowned. She was wondering why her sister was so happy right now.
"Kneel." Korra spoke all of sudden.
"I'm sorry what?" She raised a brown.
"Trust me please." Korra spoke as Alessia knelt in front of her sister. Korra placed a thumb against her shoulder and one on her forehead. Feeling a flash of blinding light. Her energy is restored deep down. Alessia felt a rush of spirit energy flowing through her body. What happened? She stood up and looked around. She could feel the earth!
"What? How?" Was all she could ask.
"I finally connected with my spiritual side! Aang taught me how to restore bending!" Korra beamed. Alessia hugged her sister tightly.
"Professor Lin!" Was all she could say.
"I wanna make it ceremonial for her. She deserves it. That's where you come in. I want you to help set it up." Korra added. Alessia nodded her head quickly. She followed her sister down towards the healing hut humming softly.
"Okay, can you bend the giant boulders around the hut?" Korra asked. Alessia nodded. She raised her hand up and moved the boulders with ease. She was able to do multiple at once. How was this possible? She felt stronger. Earth obeyed her command easier. She was smiling non stop as she finished. Korra came back and patted her shoulder.
"Looks great! Go get professor Lin. I want everyone here as soon as possible." Korra spoke as Alessia nodded and dashed off.
She pulled out her phone and called Kuvira.
"Hey, where are you lovely ladies?" Alessia asked as her friend answered the phone.
"You're on speaker you know." Kuvira warned her. Alessia smiled at this.
"Well, is the beautiful one with you?" Alessia asked.
"Of course I'm here sweetie! You sound happy." Su spoke while chuckling.
"Su, you know I love ya. Anyways, where are you?" She asked again.
"In your room." Kuvira finally spoke.
"Good! Be right there!" She hung up and dashed back to the hotel. Running up to the floor her room was on and stopped. She stood for a moment to catch her breath. Once done, she opened the door and saw the three of them in there.
"Hey, Korra wants everyone outside the healing hut as soon as possible." She finally spoke.
"You couldn't say that over the phone?" Kuvira spoke as Alessia shook her head.
"Nope. I wanted to walk there with you three." She added as Su gave her a side hug again before taking the lead. Kuvira then followed Lin. Alessia gave Lin a heartfelt smile before closing the door behind her.
"So, what's going on?" Lin had asked while looking at Alessia.
"You'll see. It's really important." Alessia added as she gently nudged Lin. It got her a raised brow before they went outside. Seeing a crowd gather at the hut. Alessia pushed her way through to the front.
"Lin Beifong. Please come forward." Korra's voice spoke. Lin only stared at Korra before looking at Alessia.
"Go." Alessia whispered. Gently pushing Lin forward. She watched as her professor walked up to the front. Looking over her shoulder back at them before standing next to Korra.
"Alessia…what's going on?" Su asked in a whisper.
"You'll see!" Alessia clasped her hands together. Her smile was still upon her face.
"Please kneel. It helps." Korra spoke softly as Lin knelt in front of Korra. Seeing her sister took a deep breath before placing her fingers against Lin's shoulder and forehead as she did for Alessia. Korra had gone into the avatar state. Hearing several gasps as the light went away. Lin had stood up. Looking around before raising her arms up shoulder level. The boulders all around the healing hut were raised. The older woman held them for a minute before setting them down. Lin had turned and hugged Korra.
"She got her bending back!" Alessia bounced a couple times while holding Su's arm.
"No wonder why you are so happy today!" Su beamed and hugged Alessia tightly. Kuvira hugged her afterwards.
"Come on, let's grab Lin and head back." Su spoke as they nodded. Seeing Lin appear next to them as the crowd started dispersing.
Once back into the hotel room, Alessia grabbed her clothes and packed her bag. Hearing the door open as Su, Lin, and Kuvira piled in and closed the door.
"How do you feel? Your bending back and all?" Alessia asked as Lin walked right up to her and pulled her close. Her heart beating rather fast as Lin's arm wrapped around her waist. "Lin.." Alessia started to speak before she was cut off. Lin had crashed her lips upon Alessia's. Feeling the sensation of flesh on flesh. Alessia's face burned up as her head began to get heavy from the emotions overflowing her. Sliding her arms around Lin's neck to hold the older woman close to her. Their lips fought for dominance as Alessia had submitted to Lin. The woman's tongue asking for permission for entrance. She parted her lips as she felt the tongue enter her. Moaning softly while tightening her grip. Not wanting to let go. Hearing Su clear her throat before they pulled away from each other. Catching their breaths. Alessia was so heavy headed from the kiss, she leaned against Lin who held her closely.
"About time!" Kuvira spoke as Alessia blushed and looked away.
"I know right?" Su laughed while sitting down on the bed.
"I see my dancing flower loves her birthday necklace." Lin whispered into Alessia's ear. She gasped with a smile.
"It was you?!" Alessia hugged Lin tightly. Hiding her face against the older woman's neck.
"Last time I checked, she is my dancer." Su laughed while giving Kuvira a kiss before gathering their things.
"Not anymore." Lin smirked. She was rubbing Alessia's back who was still hugging the woman.
"I would like to take the ship back tonight. I would love for you three to come. There is much work to be done in the city now that Amon isn't there." Lin spoke as she sat down. Pulling Alessia onto her lap.
"Please. I hate it here. Too cold for me." Alessia spoke. All three of them laughed. "What?" She raised a brow.
"Spoke like a true earth citizen." Su smiled and patted Alessia's shoulder.
"I mean….green eyes and born in Zaofu. Can't get more earthy than that." Alessia chuckled.
"Earthy?" Kuvira raised a brow before laughing at her friend.
"Sorry, my brain is mushed right now!" She spoke in her defense.
"Oh we know." Su smirked.
"How long have you two known about Alessia's feelings towards me?" Lin raised a brow at her sister and her lover.
"Well…not long actually. I learned when you were in the hospital." Su spoke.
"I knew since she started crushing." Kuvira smirked and crossed her arms.
"Okay! I'm leaving now! Let's go home." Alessia stood up while grabbing her bag.
There were many excited voices and laughter going around the city. Alessia was still smiling non stop. She wanted nothing more than to hold Lin's hand but since they were still students, they couldn't risk it in the public's eye.
"Back to Republic City so soon?" The icketmaster asked.
"Yes, we have to clean up." Su spoke. Alessia pulled out her wallet only for it to be taken away. She raised a brow as Lin smiled at her.
"You're not paying." She spoke while tucking Alessia's wallet away. She blinked a few times. She shrugged it off while feeling her arm gently grabbed as she was pulled away.
"Separate rooms?" Su asked with a smile as Lin nodded. Seeing Kuvira disappear into a room with Su. Feeling her heart race again as Lin led her into their room. It was a single bed. She set her bag down by the window. Feeling arms wrap around her from behind. Alessia blushed and leaned back. Feeling Lin's breath against her neck and closing her eyes. She felt kisses going down her neck as she shivered a little.
"Cold?" Lin asked as she shook her head. "I have something for you." Her professor spoke. Raising a brow as Lin fumbled through her own bag before turning her attention back on her. Lin gently pushed her against the wall and pinned her there.
"Now. You need to understand something, my flower." Lin whispered into her ear. "There is no going back if we do this. Will you submit yourself to me?" Lin asked in a husked voice that gave Alessia goosebumps all over. She was blushing as Lin placed a finger under her chin and lifted it to look into those green eyes.
"Yes." Alessia managed to speak while out of breath. Alessia felt Lin take her left hand and slipped something onto her middle finger and kissed her knuckle. Alessia looked down and saw a ring. It was a silver platinum ring with the Beifong crest upon it. Exactly like the one Kuvira had. Lin Beifong owns her now.