Chapter Twelve: Dance
Alessia had finished her breakfast before following Korra outside. It was already a nice day outside. The sun had made it warm outside already. They were working on their movements again as Korra was following Alessia's lead.
"Let's head to the gym." Korra suggested as Alessia nodded her head. She put on a cover shirt over her low hanging tunic and flowing slacks that stopped above her ankles. Dark green flats. She could feel the earth and smiled. She loved how she could feel it beneath her feet. Thinking she should go shoeless sometimes. Hearing a whistle as they ran to catch the ferry at the last minute.
"Whew!" Korra spoke as Alessia smiled weakly. She was feeling around in her pockets. Frowning as she couldn't find it. Book? Check. Pen? Check. Ticket? It was gone. She frowned and sighed. Thinking she should probably see if she could snag another one. It was a sold out show anyways. Her dance instructor Viper had used her as an advertisement for the dancer from Zaofu. Pushing the thoughts aside as they arrived across the water. Humming softly as the sisters were walking to the arena as they ran into Bolin.
"Oh hi!" Bolin beamed and hugged Alessia tightly who was grunting. She wasn't too keen on people touching her that she didn't want. "Are you heading over?" Bolin asked as Korra nodded. It was still a little awkward between the two but at least they were handling it better.
They had arrived at the gym finally as Alessia took a seat in the corner to watch the three make their game plan. She was humming softly while doodling in her book. Seeing that she would have to get a new one. She decided to draw her favorite face. The green eyes she couldn't stop thinking about. Sighing softly with a frown. Tracing the outlines of the sharp facial features before she finished and smiled. Closing her book as she tucked it into her pocket and stood up. Stretching her arms above her head before walking over to the other three. The radio was playing some light jazz music before it had static. Alessia went over to the radio to change the station. Nothing.
"That's weird." Bolin spoke as Alessia nodded. The jazz music was back and then cut off.
"Attention Republic City Citizens. This is Amon." Amon's voice rang through the air. Alessia's eyes went wide as her body froze where it was. She could see Korra's eyes widen as well. Mako and Bolin stopped to listen.
"I hope you all enjoyed last night's match for it will be. Your. Last." He spoke very clearly.
"Cancel tonight's championship or else you will face the consequences." With that, the channel went back to jazz music. Alessia let out a long breath before looking at Mako.
"They can't do that can they?" Bolin asked.
"I'm not standing around to find out." Korra spoke as she dashed out of the room. Alessia, Mako, and Bolin sprinting after her. Alessia wasn't sure how they did it but they managed to sprint across several blocks to get to the city hall. Barging through the double doors to see the council in session.
"This is a private session! What are you doing here?" Tenzin shouted while standing up.
"Tell me the council is keeping the arena open?" Korra demanded.
"I'm sorry but my hands are tied. We all agreed it's for the best." Tenzin spoke.
"Think about what it means to the citizens!" Bolin piped up.
"Our decision is final." Tarrlok spoke. He raised the judgment hammed in time for it to get shattered by a cable that had flung out of thin air. Alessia turned on the spot and saw Lin walking up to them.
"Keep the arena open and my men will see to it being safe." Lin spoke as she crossed her arms.
"Can you guarantee every citizen's safety during the match?" Tarrlok asked.
"Yes." Lin spoke. Alessia felt goosebumps rise on her as she looked at the chief of police. Lin stood tall and proud. She had such confidence showing.
"Can't argue with Beifong's track record. Arena stays open." Tarrlok spoke loud and clearly.
"Yes!" Bolin shouted as Korra dragged Alessia to the hallway to speak with Tenzin.
"Korra, I don't think this is a great idea. It is dangerous for you." Tenzin spoke. Lin brushed past them.
"Hey chief, I just wanted to say thank you…what is her problem?" Korra spoke as Alessia shrugged. "Does she not like the avatar?" Korra added.
"Her and my dad got along great. I'm afraid it's me she has a problem with." Tenzin sighed.
"Wait, you and Beifong?!" Korra shouted. Alessia frowned at this.
"Yes, we were growing apart, how did you know?"
"Pema"
"I'll have words with that woman." Tenzin sighed and rubbed his temples. "Get back to the island." He added and left.
"See you later Mr. Heartbreaker!" Korra laughed and waved. Alessia was still frowning while following the others outside.
"Oh Alessia, the chief asked for you at the station." Tarrlok's voice came as the man then left. She raised a brow then shrugged her shoulders.
She ran up the steps before opening the door to the station. Korra told her to meet them at a water tripe restaurant when she was done. Humming softly while looking around.
"Chief's in her office." A man spoke as he dashed past her. Alessia nodded her thanks as she walked over to the door and knocked upon it.
"Open." Lin's voice called out from the other side. Alessia walked in and closed the door behind her. Sitting down in the seat across from her.
"I assume you're going to the match tonight?" Lin asked as Alessia nodded. "I wish you wouldn't go but I know you're stubborn as well. So, I want you on my team tonight for security." Lin spoke as she stood up and walked over to the closet and pulled out a smaller metal chest plate.
"Yours. I had it made in your size. I would assume you'll be joining in the future as well." Lin added as Alessia smirked. "What?"
"Oh nothing. Just glad someone is thinking about me." Alessia teased before standing up to try on the armor. It did fit snug on her. She smiled and fumbled with it to see that the cables she had gotten fit perfectly on the sides as well.
"I assume you know hand signals?" Lin asked as Alessia nodded. Took off the piece and set it down to the side.
"Oh, you dropped this." Lin held out the ticket. Alessia's eyes went wide and then turned pink. "You have a performance and didn't tell me huh?" Lin crossed her arms.
"That ticket is actually yours. I forgot to give it to you."
"I see. Well. I can't promise anything. I'll see depending on how tonight goes." Lin spoke. Alessia sat her book on Lin's desk and nodded. The older woman pulled out blueprints of the arena as two more officers came into the office.
"Here is the game plan." Lin spoke while pointing at the prints. Alessia stood up and listened closely to the plan Lin had come up with.
Alessia found herself humming again while walking to the meet up location. Seeing Asami, she waved. Getting a wave back, Alessia smiled at Mako and Bolin before Korra took the lead.
"What sounds good?" Bolin asked.
"Sea prunes" Korra spoke as Alessia groaned. Smiling as she could remember the taste of the prunes that Katara used to make when they were younger.
"Looks like we know what Alessia is having." Asami chuckled as she nodded at the younger woman. Taking a drink of her jasmine tea while humming again. She leaned back in her seat while listening to her friends talk about the upcoming match. Alessia was excited for them. She also got the front seat basically since she would be patrolling the seats. So, she would be able to see and hear everything though Lin told her to stay near her. Once their food arrived, she felt her stomach growl and turned pink. She started eating and sighed with a smile.
"I'm ready to kick some Wolfbats butt!" Bolin punched the air that caused everyone to laugh. Mako started talking about their game plan. Alessia didn't see how this would work. Then they started talking about combo moves and it made sense. They had to be careful due to rules not allowing the elements to mix.
"We should get going." Mako spoke as they nodded. It was dark outside. Alessia pulled out her yuans only for Asami to push her hand away.
"My treat." She smiled and gave the woman a hug. They walked out of the restaurant and made their way to the arena. Once inside, Alessia metal bent her armor piece on and smiled while leaning against the wall.
"Wait, you're on Beifong's team?" Korra asked as she saw the uniform on Alessia who nodded.
"I think it's just for security." Mako added. She nodded her head again. "Alright, let's get going." Mako spoke as they left for the elevator. Asami and Alessia left the locker room and went up the stairs.
"Be safe." Asami spoke before she left. Alessia bowed and turned her heels to leave as well.
She found Tenzin and Lin already standing in position. She gently nudged Lin while looking around before catching the green eyes. She nodded at the chief before walking a little bit anyways. Hearing the crowd cheer as the Fire Ferrets came onto the arena. Alessia clapped loudly as she saw her friends and Korra wave. Pabu did a little stunt that made the crowd laugh.
"And introducing your reigning champions! The Wolfbats!" The announcer shouted. The crowd went wild as fireworks went off as they made an appearance. Alessia rolled her eyes and went back to stand next to Lin again. It seemed Tenzin was already enjoying the match. She looked over to him with a raised brow.
"You know, I think you'll like Korra if you give her a chance." Tenzin spoke as Lin did her famous 'hmph!' "I already know you took a liking to Alessia. Why not give Korra a chance." He added. Alessia's eyes caught Lin's. She blushed and quickly looked away.
"That's a foul, right referee?" The announcer asked as the crowd booed.
"What? Seriously, come on!" Tenzin shouted. Alessia felt hairs on her neck as she touched Lin's arm. Looking around and she saw it. She pointed to her eye and then across the arena. Lin had caught on but it was then too late. She felt an excruciating pain shoot up from her lower back up to her head. The next thing she knew, she was on the cold ground.
"Come on! Get up!" Alessia groaned and sat up just in time to see Lin smacking Tenzin across the face.
"What? Huh?" Tenzin groaned while sitting up. Alessia was looking around. There was screaming as the crowd thinned. Looking around and saw Korra shoot herself up with a funnel of water.
"No!" Korra shouted. Amon was above them now. With quick movement, Lin reacted instantly. Shooting her cables to catch Korra and catapult the avatar up through the ceiling roof. Alessia ran and jumped over the chairs to the edge and dived into the water. She swam easily as any water bender would. She shot up and landed onto the lower part of the arena where Mako and Bolin were tied up. She easily broke the rope with a metal piece that she had on her arm.
"Alessia saves the day!" Bolin beamed as Mako began fighting with Chi-Blockers. Alessia followed. His fight had led them to the top of the arena. Getting annoyed, she slid her foot to grab a hold of the blocker's foot to catch them and then stomped her foot hard downwards. Sending the chi-blocker flying. Hearing an ear piercing scream, she looked up.
"Korra!" Mako shouted. Alessia launched herself off the arena to the side by Tenzin in time to see Lin dive down through the hole without a second thought. Her arms moved rather fast as cables caught Korra as Lin flung her arm as her other cable caught a banner from the upper floor. Watching the chief of police move with such grace and skillfully through the air before landing perfectly on the ground in front of them. Korra however tumbled before standing up. Alessia was still staring at Lin with pure awe. Her heart was beating rather fast. 'Yep. She definitely has my heart.' Alessia spoke to herself. She noticed that Lin had caught her staring, Alessia looked away quickly to check on Korra.
"I'm fine. The Chief saved me." Korra spoke as they all looked up to the broken glass.
"We've lost this fight." Lin spoke. Alessia could feel the words stinging in her chest. She frowned and nodded.
"Let's head back." Tenzin spoke while guiding Korra away. Everyone followed suit.
It was silent at the temple. Even the water surrounding the island was silent. There were no ripples from the creatures. No wind in the air. The moon was casting shadows across the city. Citizens were now in their homes where they were safe. The arena however was another story. No one was to enter it until it was fully cleared out.
"I almost had him!" Korra slammed her fist on the table. Causing some people to jump. Alessia however was holding her cup of tea. Sighing softly before drinking it. "Where were you?!" Korra rounded on Alessia who scrunched up her nose in anger.
"She was doing what she was told to do." Lin interjected. Everyone had gone silent. No one had dared to open their mouth now that Lin was angry. You could feel the green eyes pierce into your soul if you even breathed in the wrong way. Alessia now understood why they called her the 'Iron Lady.' She was not someone to mess with or to cross. She decided that she would stay on Lin's good side. It seemed she was since Lin was speaking for her and she was grateful for it.
"She can talk for herself! She's just too weak to do so!" Korra snapped. "She doesn't need you talking for her!" Korra added. Alessia sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Korra. You are being a bit harsh." Bolin spoke up.
"Oh so you're on her side now? She didn't do anything! She stood there!" Korra shouted.
"She alerted me in time before she went down! If she didn't, we could have lost lives!" Lin snapped at Korra while crossing her arms. Alessia felt annoyed now.
"She could have helped on top!" Korra spoke. Alessia has had enough. She stood up and left the room. She wasn't going to deal with her sister's immature behavior.
"Maybe it's time we head to bed." Tenzin spoke as Alessia was now out of sight.
Alessia found herself pacing back and forth. Grumbling under her breath. She was angry. Korra had angered her greatly this time. She was tired of being weak. She was so sick and tired of Korra creating issues and blaming others. She heard footsteps and stopped pacing. She turned to see the chief of police standing nearby.
"Is Korra usually like this?" Lin asked as Alessia nodded. "Oh, here is your book. You left it in the office. Nice drawings." Lin spoke as Alessia took her book and blushed. Looking away before sitting on her usual bench. Lin had sat next to her.
"Korra needs to be humbled." Lin spoke as Alessia nodded. Her sister was hot headed. She was the one who went after Amon after all. Looking down at her hands with a frown. "This is not on you. You did your job. You did what I ordered you to do." Lin spoke softly while wrapping an arm around Alessia's shoulder.
"You should head to bed. You have a big day tomorrow." Lin spoke softly. Alessia looked at her with a questioning look. "I don't think I'll be able to make it. So much has happened." Lin spoke as Alessia frowned. She nodded to show she understood. She stood up and gave Lin a bow.
"Alessia…" Lin started before Alessia shook her head and walked away to her bedroom.
The morning sun had finally risen. Alessia hadn't gotten any sleep. She sighed while stretching. Putting on her normal green day time clothes before leaving.
"Hey, Alessia?" Korra spoke lightly. Alessia turned to glare at her sister and crossed her arms. Showing that she was mad. "Look. I'm sorry about last night, okay? I don't know what came over me. Forgive me?" It was a long shot but Alessia flicked Korra's forehead gently and sighed. Seeing the smile upon her sister's face before receiving a hug.
"Come on. Tenzin said we can let Mako and Bolin know they can stay here for now." Korra piped up and took the lead. Alessia followed her sister in silence. Her mind was drifting off again as she became nervous. Her performance was tonight as it was nerve wrecking now. The ferry ride over was quick as they made their way to the closed down arena. There was police tape all over the building. They ignored it while dashing up the stairs to the attic.
"Guys! Tenzin said you are welcome to stay at the temple!" Korra spoke while stopping as Alessia bumped into her sister. She looked around and saw the brothers were already packing their things.
"Oh hi Korra. Asami already said we could stay at her place." Mako spoke as he looked nervous. Alessia raised her brow then smiled at Asami who smiled back.
"We are gonna be living the life of luxury!" Bolin piped up as Alessia snorted.
"Oh right. That's good." Korra looked sad.
"Hey, we are hanging out tomorrow. You two should come over!" Asami spoke as Korra nodded.
"Right. See you tomorrow!" Korra left while looking defeated. She followed her sister down the stairs and back outside. "Sorry Alessia. I would like to be left alone now." Korra sighed as she nodded her head. She watched her sister go with a frown before taking her leave to the dance studio. It was time to get ready.
She had finished stretching her legs out while taking a few deep breaths. Looking into the mirror in the practice room before doing her hair and makeup. She was wearing light makeup. Not wanting to make herself look unrecognizable. Pulling out her dance outfit and putting it on carefully. Bending her new dance shoes to break them in some more. Sitting down as she tied them on before standing up to pace. Hearing voices, there was a full house tonight. Her heart began racing. She was nervous. Hearing her dance instructor speak to the crowd as they applauded.
"Ready?" A voice spoke as she jumped. She nodded as the other dancers lined up.
"Alright, show them what Republic City Dancers are made of!" Viper spoke as the lights went out in the crowd and focused on the stage. Alessia could have sworn her heart would jump out of her chest. She followed the others out onto the stage. The light was bright against her eyes. She fought against it. She took her place. Taking a deep breath as the music began. Following the dancer's footsteps in front of her as they moved around in their positions. Taking her place in the center as the crowd's faces could now be seen. There she sat in the front row. Lin Beifong smiling at her. Alessia's eyes went wide as she blushed. For some reason, it boosted her confidence. She smiled brightly as she performed the routine with her fellow dancers. Feeling the rush of adrenaline as her heart swelled as her movements were now fluid and in sync with the music and others. The music had ended when they did their final pose. Seeing the crowd stand while applauding. Alessia took her bow to walk off the stage elegantly.
"Well done! That was a show!" Viper spoke as they all clapped as well. Alessia was smiling now as she took a couple deep breaths. Her heart was hitting her chest rather hard from the excitement she just felt. This was definitely something she loved doing.
"Alright, have a goodnight and be safe!" Viper spoke as they all went about their business. Alessia had changed her shoes. She would deal with Tenzin later but she wanted to get home and shower. First she wanted to find the chief to give that woman a million thanks. Dashing outside the side door of the building. Feeling the cold air hit her as she took a deep breath. Walking out of the alley to turn. The first person she saw was Lin. They locked eyes. Alessia was beaming as she was able to run towards her until she felt something wrap around her body. Lin's expression had changed. Everything was in slow motion as it happened so quickly. She could have sworn she heard her name being yelled. Alessia felt her body pulled back into the alley.
"Hey Zaofu." A voice from one of the dancers caught her attention. They were wearing masks. She couldn't tell who was who. Feeling sharp pain in her side as Alessia let out an ear piercing screaming. Feeling another sharp pain as hot liquid was dripping down her side as her shirt was now soaked with whatever it was.
"Don't ever come back!" The warning was clear as she felt her knees hit the ground then her head. Seeing a shadow figure run towards her as the others had scattered. She saw nothing but blackness.