Chapter Eleven: Words
The sun was already up and it had been a few days since Korra was helping Tarrlok with a few busts here and there. Lin had made appearances a few times on the island because of this. Tenzin was getting annoyed with Korra helping out Tarrlok. Bolin had confided in Alessia about his feelings about her sister. Mako was in a sour mood a few times since Korra had missed a lot of practice for the pro-bending matches. Alessia offered herself as a substitute just in case but Mako turned her down. Alessia was getting frustrated with all the tension going on in the air. She just wanted to dance. She wanted to get away from everyone and everything. She wanted to just pack up and leave for Zaofu. Except, it was Lin and her sister keeping her here. Alessia found herself on the edge of the island on the lower part of the cliffs. She was in a stance. Practicing her water bending. For some reason it was weaker than her earth bending. Her nightmares began to haunt her again. It was the same dark looking spirit telling her to choose. There were now two human-like shadow figures in her dream. She needed to figure out what it meant and needed to do it quickly. The day was still young but it seemed to be getting cooler outside now. Not that it bothered her. Though, she was still not a fan of the cold. She finally broke a sweat as she decided she was done for now and headed inside.
"Alessia, would you like some lychee juice?" Pema asked as Alessia nodded. Taking a glass and sat down on her usual cushion at the table.
"Ah, glad you could join us for lunch." Tenzin spoke as Alessia raised her brow. Korra sat next to her and to her surprise, Lin sat on her right. The chief's arms were crossed and had an angry look upon her face.
"Cut the crap Tenzin. I'm here on police business. Korra seems to be causing my city a wreck again." Lin snapped. Alessia sighed and shook her head.
"I don't see any of you helping." Korra snapped at Lin. Alessia smacked her sister's arm. "What? You're useless too!" Korra added. That had done it. Alessia slammed her cup down on the table and stood up. Bowing to Tenzin, turned her heels and left. Now, hearing shouting in the room. Alessia ignored it and found herself at the dance studio not long after. She took off her shoes and wrapped her feet in the center by her arch. She lifted one leg onto the dance pole by the wall and leaned forward. Stretching her leg out. Switching back and forth a few times. Hopping a couple times before she reached up above her head to stretch her arms and her back. Doing the same thing to both of her sides. She started the music and began to work on the routine they had been working on. She already had it down but it didn't stop her from wanting to perfect it. Letting the music play as she worked on her jumps and leaps. Once satisfied, she started over. Smiling as she had it perfected now. Though, their performance was still a bit away from now.
"Brother traitor!" Bolin's voice rang through the air as Bolin ran past her while crying.
"Bolin, get back here!" Mako shouted while running after him. Alessia raised a brow and looked at her sister who was frowning.
"I kissed Mako while on a date with Bolin." Korra spoke while looking down. Alessia smacked Korra on the side of her head and sighed. "Ouch! What was that for?" Korra glared at her sister as Alessia shook her head again.
"Hey Alessia. I need your help." Mako spoke as he came back. Tenzin and Lin were watching from the other room. "Bolin won't do the match tonight. We need an earth bender. Can you?" Mako asked with pleading eyes. Alessia grumbled and nodded.
"Thanks. I owe you one." Mako sighed as he left. They had a match that night. She took her leave back to her room to quickly change. Once she did, she followed her frowning sister to the arena.
"I can't help how I feel. You know?" Korra asked while trying to have a conversation. Alessia shrugged her shoulders. She did know and it sucked because she also didn't know how the older woman felt about her. "Tenzin is coming to watch. Honestly, I think we got this in the bag." Korra sounded over confident. Shrugging, Alessia took out her uniform to change into it once they made it to the locker room. It felt odd. Wearing the Fire Ferrets uniform. Alessia stood to the side and began stretching again. Making sure she wasn't going to have any cramps happening during the match. Seeing Mako and Korra finally showed up to change. Alessia took her spot on the platform.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Last but not least, introducing the Fire Ferrets!" The announcer boomed over the crowd of cheers. Alessia felt her heart racing as Mako and Korra were arguing. Alessia was frowning while looking around in the crowd. She was able to spot Tenzin due to his outrageous bright robes. She saw Lin standing next to him. She blushed and looked to the side. Yup, this was going to be embarrassing.
"Players ready?" The referee waved a flag. They all nodded. "And go!"
Alessia took her stance so quickly and already started punching the earth disks to the other side.
"Watch it!" Mako shouted. Alessia turned for one second to see Mako and Korra crashing into each other before she felt her feet no longer touching the ground as she felt a rush of air before smacking into the water.
"Oh that's gotta hurt ladies and gentlemen! It seems the Fire Ferrets are so distracted, their sub had to take the fall!" The man shouted. Alessia swan up to the surface to gasp for air. Swimming over to the elevator and climbing upon. Feeling the water bent from her uniform and hair. She crossed her arms and started tapping her foot. Waiting for the next round. It seemed Mako and Korra were still arguing. Shaking her head as Mako took a fall off the edge as well. Korra was now alone and the next thing she knew, Korra was thrown off.
"Round two!" The man shouted once they were all back on the arena platform. Tossing up several disks and shooting them at her opponents. Dodging some fire punches. Feeling her feet swiped under as Korra crashed into her. Alessia grunted at her sister.
"Looks like the match will be over before it starts!" The man shouted as the crowd laughed. Alessia felt embarrassed. Maybe Bolin had the right idea to dis out on the match. She took a stance that she had learned from Lin before side stepping as a disk was flung at her head. Turning with her hands pointed out and swung the disk right back at it's owner. Seeing Mako thrown off again. 'Aren't you supposed to be good at this?!' Alessia shouted with frustration.
"Two against one! Wait, three against one!" The man shouted as Korra was knocked off. Alessia slammed her foot down and took the hits on her arms. Blocking her chest and face.
"Look at her taking those hits like a champ!" The man boomed as the crowd cheered. Feeling a disk hit her left shoulder and winced. Crouching down before standing back up. Then all of sudden, it went silent. Alessia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Stomping her foot on the ground. Feeling the vibrations from the earth as it spoke to her. She could see her opponents moving all together at once. With three movements, she caused several disks to flying at once.
"What a knockout everyone! That is one for the history books! The Fire Ferrets are moving on to the championship!" The man boomed as there was a thunderous applause.
Alessia found Mako and Korra arguing again once she was back in the changing room. She went over and flicked Korra's forehead and then Mako's.
"What was that for?" Mako shouted. Alessia could only glare at him before she sat down. Moving her shirt off as Mako turned his back on her. Hearing the door open as Asami came into the room to hug and kiss Mako.
"That was amazing Alessia!" Asami spoke as Alessia nodded her head once. Rubbing her shoulder and winced. Shaking her head as she changed back into her clothes and took off. Almost running into Tenzin.
"That was a good match, Alessia." Tenzin spoke as Alessia nodded. She could feel Lin's eyes on her. She sighed and moved to the side. Holding onto her hurting arm before taking her leave. She decided to head to the arena's infirmary.
"Hello. How can I help?" The water bender spoke as Alessia showed her shoulder. "That looks painful. From the match?" The lady asked as Alessia nodded her head.
"She got hit pretty good during that last match." Lin's voice came as Alessia nodded her head.
"Up here. Let me take a look." The healer spoke. Alessia sat on the edge of the bed and felt her shirt taken off. She was blushing while looking down to the ground. Lin was standing next to her.
"Your shoulder is dislocated. I'm gonna have to set it before healing." The healer warned as Alessia's eyes went wide.
"Grab my arm and hold still." Lin spoke while Alessia grabbed Lin's arm tightly. Shouting as she felt the pain in her shoulder bones as her arm was set correctly. Sighing a relief as the cooling sensation of the water was now on her shoulder. It took a good few minutes before Alessia let go of Lin's arm. Blushing from her action.
"All set. You're good to go." The healer smiled as Alessia nodded and quickly put her shirt back on. She gave the healer a smile and a bow. The healer raised a brow. "You don't speak?" She asked as Alessia frowned.
"She doesn't. She is grateful for everything you've done." Lin spoke for Alessia. She nodded her head. She turned and took her leave. Knowing full well Lin was following her just in case.
"You know, that was a good match. Who taught you those moves?" Lin asked as they arrived at the ferry. Alessia shrugged. She didn't have her book. Lin however was prepared and brought out a small book with a pen. Alessia looked at the older woman and smiled. She started humming while writing.
"So, about me. I learned how to use my bending abilities better when I was living in Zaofu." She showed Lin the message and saw the woman swallow.
"I see." Lin spoke. Her voice seemed cold. Alessia frowned and gently touched Lin's arm.
"What's wrong?" She frowned while watching the older woman.
"You must know Suyin then. Spirits I hoped I would never hear that name again." Lin grunted while balling her hands into a fist.
"She's your sister?" Alessia asked as Lin nodded. "I'm sorry." She frowned and took a step away from Lin. To her surprise, Lin pulled her right back next to her.
"It's alright. I'm not exactly that open about my private life but I guess the past would bite me in the ass eventually." Lin sighed.
"Still. I'm sorry. She did teach me how to dance." Alessia added as Lin smiled weakly.
"She was always the dancer. She gave me these scars by the way." Alessia's eyes went wide. "We had a falling out. She broke the law and got away with it. I tried to arrest her and she was prepared. Cut my cables and it came back and slapped me in the face. Though, my mother sent her away." Lin spoke. Alessia felt her heart race as Lin looked down. She reached over and touched the scarred side of Lin's face and rubbed her thumb gently against her skin.
"Bad things happen to the best people. Doesn't mean we deserve it." Alessia wrote.
"You're right about that. Also, don't repeat what I said to you. I'll deny every word." Lin spoke as Alessia laughed. She actually laughed! The sound from her throat was loud and clear. She could feel Lin beaming at her.
"Well, we're here. Get some sleep." Lin spoke as Alessia nodded.
"You too or else." Alessia warned Lin with a smirk before taking off. Not knowing something fell from her pocket as she was already gone. Hearing a chuckle from the chief of police.
Once out of sight, Alessia sat down on her bed with a hand on her chest. Taking a few deep breaths to calm her heart which was beating faster than normal. She had learned something about Lin. It felt good to know about the chief who was always putting on a hard shell and telling off everyone. Why was she different from her? Shrugging off the thoughts and changing her clothes. Back into her green silk nightwear, Alessia decided to get a late night snack. Her stomach was growling. That match had taken a lot out of her. Deciding on a drink instead, Alessia took her leave from the kitchen and went outside to sit in her normal spot. Hearing grunting, Alessia turned and saw Korra who was trying to airbend again.
"Oh hey. Look, I'm sorry about earlier. It's just. I don't know what it is about Mako but I just can't stop thinking about him." Korra spoke as Alessia rolled her eyes.
"Well, dating a team mate was a bad idea. You hurt Bolin's feelings and Mako is his brother and that was worse. Sometimes you need to think about other people and not yourself." Alessia wrote as Korra sighed.
"It's not like you like someone so you wouldn't understand." Korra sat down.
"Actually, I do like someone. Just, the person doesn't like me back I'm sure." Alessia sighed as Korra's eyes went wide.
"Really? Who?" She nudged her sister as Alessia shook her head. "Not gonna tell me? I'll figure it out! I always do!" Korra chuckled as Alessia rolled her eyes again.
"Here, teach me the moves Jinora taught you." Korra stood up. Alessia set her book down and got into the stance to start with. Slowly moving to show her sister the movements.
"I never thanked you by the way. When you won that match for us. You had some awesome moves." Korra spoke as she smiled at her sister. This was new territory. Korra had never complimented her on anything but then again, they would be going to the championship match. "You'll go to support us right?" Korra spoke as Alessia nodded. She wouldn't miss the world for it. She remembered that she had a dance performance the day after the championship match. She was still thinking hard about whether she would invite Lin or not. Sighing in defeat, probably thinking it was something Lin wouldn't do. She had the ticket for the older woman just in case.
"Alright. I'm going to hit the sack." Korra sighed as they finished. Korra had gotten half of the movements down. Alessia on the other hand went back to the dance. It was already late at night by the time she stopped. Looking up to the sky as the moon was shining on her. Feeling the coolness of the air from the water. You could smell the salt from the ocean not far from the city. She turned to leave back to her bedroom. Sitting on her bed as she pulled out a sketchbook that Pema had given her not long ago. It was something Pema told her to do if she couldn't get her mind off of things. Without realizing it, she was drawing Lin. Blushing as she quickly shut the book closed and set it back onto the desk. Laying down while facing the wall. Alessia closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths to try to relax.
The field of flowers was in sight again. There was soft music in the air. Small waves of the ocean crashing against the shoreline. Taking a deep breath as she stood on the edge of the cliff. Closing her eyes as she raised her hands above her head to get a feel of the floral feeling and smells that surrounded her. Before she knew it, a gust of weird knocked her off the edge. Alessia was now frantic. Fighting the current waves of the ocean as she was pulled deeper and deeper into the darkness. Coughing and sputtering out water as she reached an unknown shore. The flowers were no longer in sight. It was a new area. She saw two shadow figures running away from her. She got up and chased after them. One was leaping. No, it was dancing. It seemed so familiar. How though? The other one had its arms crossed before shooting cables and zipping up into the air and out of sight. The one dancing took a leap and was now also out of sight.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Alessia shouted as no sound came from her. She turned and saw two pillars up to her waist. Both holding a bowl. One of water and one of dirt.
"Choose…." The familiar sound sent cold chills up her spine.
"What do you mean?" Alessia shouted at the shadowy figure. Still no sound came out. Alessia touched her throat and frowned. Then smoke came quickly around her and swallowed her whole.
Alessia jumped up awake while gasping for air. Feeling cold sweat all over her body again. How would she be able to choose if she couldn't speak? She stood up and went to take a warm shower. The sun was barely even touching the horizon. Causing the sky to have multiple different colors before setting it out to be blue. Her shower was quick as she went out to her bedroom to change into her day clothes. Rubbing the back of her neck with a sigh as she went back outside. She didn't get any sleep really. The dream was still haunting her and she had no idea why. She took her usual bench and started humming. This time she decided to work on her voice again.
"Aless…sia." She started and smiled. "Kuv..vira." Taking a deep breath before trying again. "L..Lin." She spoke softly. She found her face flushing with warmth again. Looking around and saw no one near her. She was actually getting better. Her voice was a little bit raspy but she was getting there. Maybe soon?
"My…n..name…is Aless….sia." She started. Feeling her eyes sting with happiness before taking another deep breath. "To..day…is gr…great!" She spoke! She still had a lot to do but now, it seemed the spirits decided to give her some good things her way! She jumped up while humming as she left her spot from the bench and almost skipped off to breakfast.