Chapter Eight: Surprise Attack
It had been a week since the science class incident. A week since her mother surprised her. She still had a small cough but it was better. Still hoping Su would let her dance. Celeste had a lot to catch up on. She was at the top of her class with Kuvira. With dance, she wasn't at the top due to missing a week worth of dance. She found herself on the top of the apartment building on the roof. It was covered in grass. Some of the buildings in Republic City had gardens, trees, some had grass like hers did. The grass was green and soft. She had headphones in as the music was right in her ears. The device in an arm pouch to keep it from falling. She was trying really hard to catch up. It pained her and frustrated her as she coughed a little this time. Taking a few deep breaths to keep her breathing under control before going back to dancing. Not knowing how long she had been up here for. Her phone was going off. She looked at it and noticed that the group chat with the Beifongs was going off. Asking where she was. She replied that she was on the roof. She set it back down and went back to dancing. She had gotten most of the dance down. It was the fast paced combat routine she was still working on. She did her jump, turn and then her stance as she saw a pair of eyes watching her. She went red faced and stopped dancing. Lin was watching her with her arms crossed. Celeste pulled out her headphones and smiled weakly at the older woman.
"Su wanted me to tell you lunch is ready." Lin spoke.
"She couldn't say that in the chat?" Celeste asked as Lin shrugged before jumping down to the apartment floor. Celeste followed as well. She landed on her feet and staggered a little. Flushing at her clumsiness as Lin raised a brow at her. Celeste brushed past Lin and into the building. She went to her room to change and clean the sweat off before heading back.
"Have fun dancing?" Kuvira asked. Celeste sighed and shook her head. This made Su and Kuvira give her worried looks. "You love dancing." Kuvira spoke.
"Yes but it's not fun when you're a week behind!" Celeste spoke with a frown.
"It's not your fault dear." Su spoke as Celeste nodded. She was poking at her food on the plate.
"I have to hurry. Got work to do." Lin spoke.
"Say. Lin. You are always out there protecting the city and its people right?" Celeste asked.
"Yes, what of it?" Lin asked.
"Well, you're always the one protecting. Who is the one protecting our chief of police?" Celeste asked with a soft smile. She could feel Su watching her with a smile. What kind of smile was Su giving her?
"I don't need protection." Lin spoke as she ate. Celeste raised a brow at her.
"Everyone needs someone." Su spoke as she gave Kuvira a kiss before heading into the kitchen. Celeste's eyes were still on Lin before clearing away the table and leaving to help Su.
"So, my metal bending needs a lot of work. I'm thinking about working on it today." Celeste spoke, trying to start a conversation.
"Well, let me know if you need some help. I would like to share my knowledge with you." Su smiled. This made Celeste beam.
"I would love that!" Celeste spoke. She was basically jumping up and down before calming down when she heard a chuckle from Su.
"Alright, let's finish up here and we'll head out." Su spoke as Celeste nodded her head.
They were at the police station gym when Lin wanted them in a private area. She had no idea what the reason was but it didn't bother her. Here there were plenty of meteors to bend and what not. Su was standing next to her holding the small piece of the meteor. Celeste had one in her hand.
"Find the earth in the metal and bend it." Su spoke. Celeste was getting frustrated while she sat down. Her hand covered the piece. There. She found it. She was tugging at it. It moved slightly.
"Yes!" Celeste beamed.
"Good. Now try making a shape." Su spoke as she showed Celeste a few different shapes. This woman made it look so damn easy! Hearing voices as she looked up. Lin led some rookies into the gym for combat training. She was barking orders as Celeste felt someone slapped her shoulder. She jumped as Su had her arms crossed.
"Sorry." She mumbled while going back to the meteorite. She managed to make a shape. Then another. She was getting the hang of it.
"Alright, stand over there and I will be on the other side. I want you to deflect the metal back to me when I send it to you." Su explained. Celeste nodded and walked over the edge of the gym. Some of the officers were interested in what they were doing. Celeste took a small stance while facing Su. Her professor was quick in her movements. Celeste dodged a few and managed to grab a hold of one before deflecting it back. It stopped half way the gym floor. She felt her face flush with embarrassment as some of the officers were laughing.
"Again." Su shouted as she nodded. She managed to grab the first one and deflected it back. It had gotten further this time but landed before reaching her target. Celeste sighed with frustration.
"It takes practice. You won't perfect it in one day." Su spoke.
"Again!" Celeste shouted. They went back and forth several times. Celeste was getting further each time.
"That's enough for today." Su spoke as Celeste frowned but nodded. Hearing some of the officers snickering as she left. "You alright?" Su asked as Celeste shook her head.
"I'm fine. Just weak and pathetic!" She spoke and turned to go in the opposite direction away from them. She was fed up with her weak bending. She wanted to be strong like the Beifongs. Then again, she was strong in her own way. She heard her phone ring.
"Yes?" She answered.
"It's Korra. Can you help with something? I'm at the diner." Korra spoke before hanging up. Celeste was confused but she went anyway. Wondering what Korra would need her help for. She found Korra and waved at her. Korra waved back with a hug.
"What's going on?" She asked as she saw Tarrlok. Frowning at the sight of the man.
"This is the earth bender you mentioned? She looks small and weak." Tarrlok spoke. This caused anger to boil inside of her.
"She's strong." Korra spoke before they followed Tarrlok around the corner. Celeste felt eyes on her. She turned and saw Su watching her with a frown. Celeste felt her arm grabbed and pulled.
"We have reports telling us this is a hideout location of chi blocking practice." Tarrlok spoke. "Water benders on me. Earth benders on Korra." He instructed as Celeste walked over to Korra. Taking a stance, not knowing what was going on. Hearing a shout as the water benders flushed out the basement and the earth benders stopping them in tracks caused the earth to catch their feet and kept them in place. Hearing cheering as Celeste frowned. She didn't sign up for this. She wanted to leave.
"We did it!" Tarrlok shouted as the police showed up. Lin was among them. Their eyes locked as Celeste looked away. Frowning at the scene.
"Chief Beifong, we have your criminals." Tarrlok added.
"We had it handled." Lin spoke.
"Really? It seems like we are the only ones trying to stop Amon." Korra crossed her arms. "Come on Celeste." Korra grabbed her arm and dragged her away.
"Who does she even think she is? At least Beifong could at least praise us." Korra sighed. Celeste was drinking her tea while listening to her friend rant about Lin.
"We are doing their job after all!" Korra sighed. Bolin was there eating with them. He nodded his head in agreement with Korra. Su walked past them. Not sure if she knew she was there. Watching her professor go to the hostess to order something.
"What's up with you?" Korra asked as Celeste jumped.
"Nothing. I was trying to work on my metal bending earlier. Didn't go so well." Celeste spoke. Su turned and saw them as she heard Celeste speak. Celeste however was watching her cup in her hands.
"I'm sure you'll get it down." Korra spoke.
"Earth bending, yes, I'm good at it but when it comes to metal bending, it's like I have this block or something." Celeste sighed. Her eyes caught Su's and frowned.
"I know what you mean." Korra spoke as she raised her hand up a little and balled her hand. "It's like my air bending is blocked." She spoke. Celeste touched Korra's shoulder.
"You're the avatar. It'll come to you. I just know it." Celeste spoke lightly as Korra nodded her head. Her phone was going off again.
Su: Sweetie, are you alright?
Kuv: Yeah, why?
Su: I know you are. Celeste?
Lin: What's going on?
Su: Honey, I see you. Say something.
Lin: Did something happened?
Cel: I'm fine. Just. Tired. Going to watch the match.
Su: We know you better than that.
Kuv: On my way!
"Come on guys. We have a match." Korra spoke as she yet again dragged Celeste with her. It felt awkward in the team's room when they changed into their uniforms. Asami was laughing and holding onto Mako. Korra kept looking at her. Bolin pulled Celeste outside the room.
"Say, you know if Korra likes anyone?" Bolin asked with a nervous chuckle. Celeste tilted her head to see Kuvira looking at her with a wave. Su standing with her. "Celeste?" Bolin asked as Celeste nodded her head at him.
"Oh she does?" He asked.
"Yeah. Why?" Celeste raised a brow at him.
"I wanna ask her out." Bolin replied.
"Bad idea!" Celeste replied as the whistle was blown. "Good luck! I'll be cheering!" She spoke as she patted his shoulder and dashed over to Kuvira and Su.
"You've been dragged away from us all day." Kuvira crossed her arms.
"Yeah, about that. I'm sorry." Celeste frowned as Kuvira linked their arms and followed Su to their seats. It seemed Lin was there as well. In her usual police armor standing up while watching. Celeste couldn't help but stare again. Lin sure did look amazing in that uniform. She felt a nudge as Celeste blushed and looked away quickly before Lin had caught her when she turned to see them.
"Go Mako! Bolin and Korra!" Celeste shouted. Trying to cover up her actions.
"Nice save." Kuvira whispered with a smirk. Celeste rolled her eyes. She stood up and cheered loudly. Waving her hand as Bolin saw her and smiled. Waving back as well. Watching him get smacked by a disk. Celeste gasped and then laughed. She was doubled over while holding her stomach.
"That's got to hurt folks!" The man on the microphone spoke. Celeste finally caught her breath as she caught Lin watching her with the sweetest smile she had ever seen! Celeste blushed as this before turning her attention back to the match. She was clapping in sync with the crowd before jumping up and down with them. Creating a thunder like applause.
"Yeah! Whoohoo!" Celeste shouted while leaning over the rail. "Fire Ferrets!" She chanted along with the crowd. Feeling a hand grab her shirt and pull her back as she almost fell over the rail.
"Sorry." Celeste bowed to Lin before watching the match again. It seemed like they were doing okay for the most part. Korra seemed a bit distracted at the moment. Groaning as Bolin was knocked off. Korra followed.
"It looks like it's just Mako!" The man shouted. Celeste grabbed Lin's arm tightly while jumping up and down without realizing it.
"Come on! Come on!" She shouted.
"What a knockout! Fire Ferrets take the match!" The man shouted.
"Wahoo!" Celeste punched the air while letting go of Lin. She turned to face Kuvira and hugged her friend. Pulling back while jumping up and down again.
"They won! One more match then championship!" Celeste shouted as the crowd was cheering. Kuvira rolled her eyes with a smile.
"He was like pop pop!" Celeste spoke while taking a stance and copied Bolin on one of his moves. She was laughing a little as Kuvira and her were talking about the match.
"Mako really?!" Bolin's voice shouted.
"Uh oh." Kuvira spoke as Celeste followed her line of sight just in time. Korra was kissing Mako. 'What the hell?' She thought. She thought Korra was pursuing Asami.
"Wow. I was lied to." Celeste frowned as she felt all three of the women look at her.
"How could you?!" Bolin dropped the flowers and ran for it. Celeste frowned at the sight. Her eyes caught Korra's. She shook her head and ran off.
"Celeste?" Su's voice shouted after her. She went after Bolin who was now in a fire nation diner not far.
"You okay?" She asked Bolin who was crying.
"No. Why didn't you say it was Mako?" Bolin sniffled.
"I didn't know. Honestly. I thought it was someone else." Celeste spoke with a frown. Hearing the door open as Kuvira came in followed by Su and Lin. Watching their professors order food as Kuvira sat next to her.
"Bolin my man. What happened?" Kuvira asked as Bolin started crying again.
"He is a brother traitor! You don't date your sibling's crush!" Bolin shouted loud enough for the whole place to hear.
"There there." Kuvira spoke while patting Bolin's shoulder. Celeste frowned. She didn't know what to do to help cheer him up. She was facing her issues alone and inside and here was Bolin, out and about it.
"I didn't think Korra would do something like that." Celeste spoke as Su sat down and gave Bolin so sake. Lin sat next to Celeste.
"Don't date your sibling's crush, okay!" Bolin spoke while pointing at their professors. Before going back to crying. His face was now in a bowl of noodles. Celeste felt a tad bit embarrassed by his actions. Su gently patted his back.
"Let it all out." She spoke. Celeste shifted in her seat. Bolin sniffled and wiped his eyes.
"Thank you ladies. I'm sorry for being a mess." Bolin spoke as he sighed. He packed his noodles and waved goodbye to them.
"That was a hot mess." Kuvira spoke. Celeste nodded her head in agreement.
"Why did he keep saying don't date your siblings' crush?" Lin asked as they all shrugged. Making their way back to the apartment.
"I feel like going out." Kuvira spoke as she was sitting on Celeste's bed.
"Oh?" Celeste asked while she was brushing her hair.
"To the club. There's an open mic tonight." Kuvira smiled as Celeste nodded.
"We should go then!" She spoke while digging through her closet and pulled out an outfit and quickly changed.
"That's bound to get eyes turned onto you." Kuvira smirked as Celeste rolled her eyes again. She was wearing a dark green dressy tank top and dark blue jean like shorts. Her hair was in the normal braid that Su taught her how to do. Kuvira was wearing an outfit similar except her shirt was black with a few silver stripes.
"Dinner." Su called. Celeste followed Kuvira out to the dining room and sat down.
"You ladies going out?" Su asked while eyeing them. Kuvira nodded as Celeste began to eat. Not realizing Lin was gawking at her.
"This is really good. Still doesn't beat your cooking though Su!" Celeste spoke as she drank her tea.
"You flatter me dear." Su spoke while giving her a hug. She felt a glare from Lin.
"Don't worry Lin. You have amazing cooking too." Celeste spoke.
"Give her a hug." Su spoke.
"Nah, I'm mad at her." Celeste spoke as Kuvira gasped as Su raised a brow. "You're men are mean." Celeste spoke as Lin sighed.
"They are men. They do that. Get over it." Lin spoke. Celeste shrugged with a frown and grabbed her wallet and left. Hearing Su grip on Lin.
"What was that?" Kuvira asked. Celeste frowned.
"Su took me to the station's gym to work on my metal bending. Lin was there training her men. They watched us. Let's just say my metal bending is pathetic. Her officers laughed at me." Celeste spoke and shrugged. She felt her arm linked while they made their way downtown part of the city. She could feel the music coming from one of the buildings. The earth told her it was a good one. They had entered as the music was blaring and the floor vibrating. She smiled as the people were dancing to the music. It felt nice to not have any worries at the moment. Her phone went off. Kuvira looked at it.
"Su and Lin are coming as well." Kuvira spoke. Celeste sighed. She shrugged it off and looked around as they sat down. The waiter took their orders and Celeste only ordered a small tea as Kuvira went for fire rum. Their drinks had arrived just in time as did the Beifong sisters. Taking their seats next to them. It was hard to hear any conversations going on due to the music.
"I wanted to apologize earlier. My men should have been professional." Lin shouted.
"What?" Celeste asked.
"I said I'm sorry!" Lin shouted again.
"Oh I heard you for the first time." Celeste smirked at Lin while sipping her tea.
"You're unbelievable, you are." Lin rolled her eyes. Celeste chuckled and nudged Lin a little. She felt her face flush as Lin placed her hand upon Celeste's thigh while ordering a drink as well. She felt a tad dizzy from the rush of emotions she was feeling from just a simple touch.
"Let's dance!" Kuvira spoke. Saving Celeste from the crazy emotions. She nodded and found herself on the dance floor with Kuvira. Dancing away with the music. She was laughing and smiling as the events of today were far back in her mind.
"Did you want to sing tonight?" Kuvira asked as Celeste shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know. I wouldn't even know what to sing." She replied while they linked hands to dance together.
"Well, I want to hear you sing." Kuvira spoke as Celeste chuckled a little.
"Alright. I'll sing." Celeste spoke as Kuvira smiled. Wondering how her friend Bolin was doing. She would have to text him later because right now, all she could do was dance. Her heart was beating rather fast from the feeling.
"Alright ladies and gentleman, please welcome our singer for open mic night!" A voice shouted. Celeste blushed as it was her turn. Kuvira pushed her forward.
"Hello everyone! Here is to all you love birds out there and to some who have yet to realize." Celeste smiled as the music began. The upbeat dance feeling that was giving her a rush.
Yellow diamonds in the light
Now we're standing side by side
As your shadow crosses mine
What it takes to come alive
It's the way I'm feeling I just can't deny
But I've gotta let it go
We found love in a hopeless place (x4)
She could hear some of the crowd sing along with her. She hopped off the stage and danced while singing with some of the people there. Kuvira pulled her away as they were dancing together. This song really was setting the mood for a lot of people. Her eyes caught Su's and smiled. She walked over to her professors and sat on Lin's lap. She leaned close enough to watch Lin get a tad bit flustered. Staying there for a moment before it was time to leave. She smiled at her before leaving back to the stage. A few people helped her back up.
Shine a light through an open door
Love and life I will divide
Turn away 'cause I need you more
Feel the heartbeat in my mind
It's the way I'm feeling I just can't deny
But I've gotta let it go
We found love in a hopeless place (x4)
Yellow diamonds in the light
Now we're standing side by side
As your shadow crosses mine (mine, mine, mine)
We found love in a hopeless place (x8)
She had finished the song as the crowd cheered. Applauding her before asking for an encore. She shook her head and waved a hand.
"That's all for open mic tonight folks!" The man shouted from the DJ station. They all groaned but danced to the music anyways.
"You are really good at singing." Kuvira spoke as Celeste only waved her hand again. "Someone was mesmerized by your singing." Kuvira spoke. Celeste raised a brow and followed her line of sight. It was Lin. Staring at her before quickly looking away. Celeste blushed at this and a fire was ignited in her stomach. 'Oh no.' Celeste spoke. She was developing actual feelings for Lin now. Kuvira had caught on and nudged her. Celeste shook her head and focused back on her friend who was smirking at her. Celeste rolled her eyes.
"I have homework to do." She spoke. "I mean, we both do." She added.
"Have some fun first!" Kuvira spoke as Celeste nodded her head. Her friend was right. She was worried about making everyone else happy, she needed to let go tonight and just have fun. There were other professors there as well from the university. All seemed to be enjoying the relaxing night. The fun had quickly ended when the walls on the side shook. It came crumbling down. Celeste heard screaming as she coughed and waved her hand to move the smoke from her face.
"What's happening?" She shouted while looking around. She felt someone grab her and pulled her out of the building. It was Su. She also had Kuvira.
"Get home. All of you." Su spoke. Celeste frowned. Her mind was somewhere else. She couldn't find her. Then out of nowhere, Korra was there.
The fight had broken out from chi blockers and benders. Celeste didn't hesitate to help out. Using her earth bending abilities to pull down some of the chi blockers. 'Why would they attack in a large public place like this?' She asked herself before she flicked a piece of metal. Hitting a blocker square in the forehead. Watching them fall backwards.
"Nice one!" Korra shouted as Celeste smiled. She felt some pride. Then she saw her. Celeste dashed over and used the earth to launch her up just in time to slam her fist onto the ground right when Lin did. Causing the earth to have extra strength to catapult several blockers into the air and fall down on each other.
"Nice job." Lin praised her. Celeste blushed and smiled. Giving Lin a small nod of her head. She turned and went back to help Korra. Feeling a sharp jab and then pain. Celeste fell to her knees.
"Watch out!" Korra's voice shouted. It was too late. Celeste tried bending. Nothing happened. Celeste stood up and began hand by hand. She was quick and agile in her movements. One arm was limp as she was regaining her feel again. Still no bending. 'Weird.' She thought. Maybe it'll come back in a few hours. She was huffing while fighting off two at once. Hearing a loud grunt as the two she was facing were flown off their feet. Lin was beside her.
"That's the last of them. Round them up!" She barked, causing Celeste to jump and help herd the chi blockers to round them up. Seeing a few police cars come into view. Once they were cuffed and taken into custody, Su had found her and Kuvira with her.
"You alright?" Su asked while grabbing Celeste's chin gently to move her face side to side. Making sure she didn't have any injuries.
"Yeah. Just can't bend for the time being." Celeste spoke as she was nursing her arm that was hurting.
"Alright. I'll interrogate them tomorrow." Lin's voice carried over as the officer saluted her and took off. There were healers there as well. Making sure there were no major injuries. Celeste was put into an arm sling for a few hours. To allow her chi to flow back normally.
They arrived back to the apartment in silence. Celeste was still wondering why the Equalists would attack a club full of benders and non benders. It baffled her.
"Is everyone alright?" Lin asked as they all nodded. "That attack wasn't normal." The chief spoke while sitting down. Celeste had made a pot of tea and poured everyone a drink.
"What flavor?" Lin had asked.
"Chamomile." Celeste spoke. "To help sleep." She added.
"Thank you sweetie." Su spoke while drinking her tea. Kuvira nodded as well. Celeste had gone back to the kitchen to put the kettle up and what not. She sighed softly. Rubbing her arm before taking the sling off. The feeling had returned. She looked at the spoon in her cup. Finding the metal in it and stirring her tea. She smiled. Her bending had returned. It had scared her for a moment. She couldn't begin to fathom what it would feel like to have your bending taken away. Amon somehow could do it. It scared people. She went back to the living room to give everyone a hug. "Going to bed?" Su asked as she nodded. Celeste left the living room to change into a black nightgown that stopped at her knees. Turning off the light and crawling into bed. Her curtains were opened to let some of the moonlight come into the room. She slowly drifted off to sleep. Not knowing that someone had slipped into bed with her and curled up.