女兒

Beifong Estate.

In the middle of the open verandah occupying one of the flanks of the estate, Korra and Opal circled each other at a gentle pace. Korra shook her head and blinked away her fatigue, hiding it under a mask of focus.

Opposite of her, Opal held a slight frown. She glanced to the side as she automatically shifted her footing and changed direction, raising her arm and directing a gentle twist of air up it and into the space between her and Korra. Her eyes flicked up to Korra. "Now that you've seen that Kuvira's changed, you're going to take her down, right?"

Korra was silent, looking down with a shrug as she felt a brief pressure build in her arm before she released another gust of wind, making her falter for a moment. She recovered quickly. "I still don't know. I want to try and talk her down at dawn. Maybe we can still salvage the negotiations."

Opal's expression was nowhere near impressed as she sighed and nodded. "I hope you're right. But in any case, there's a possibility you'll have to fight Kuvira. Since I was born, Kuvira was the best metalbender in Zaofu. Bar none. You'll need to keep on your toes at all times if we want to rescue mom and my brothers."

She gave a slow nod. "Feels good to be doing something at least. This waiting is killing me."

Suddenly she faltered and leaned forwards, cutting off her airbending as she panted for breath. Opal frowned and came over, extending a hand. Without a word of protest Korra took it and Opal led her over to a nearby bench. "You know, it's okay if you want to catch some sleep before dawn comes. You don't have to stay up with me. When was the last time you slept?"

Korra thought back to her time in the swamp, and was uncertain if she even slept during her time there, apart from being unconcious when Toph found her. She shook her head "Like you said, I need to keep on my toes. I don't need to rest. Just need to catch my breath for a moment."

Opal frowned, but otherwise said nothing. She clasped her hands on her lap.

Korra took a few moments for her fatigue to disappear. She tilted her head at Opal. "So... you doing okay?"

Opal shook her head. "Not really. It's hard enough being stuck in the city with Kuvira's army right outside the walls. And my boyfriend is working for the enemy, so there's that too. Not a lot of room to feel safe or comfortable."

Korra chewed her lip for a few seconds, disturbed. "I remember getting a few letters from Bolin saying that he was leaving Republic City to work for Kuvira when I was recovering in the South Pole."

"And I only saw him for the first time in years a few weeks ago. I've tried convincing him that Kuvira is bad news, but all he sees is that they're reuniting the Earth Kingdom. I wish I could just take him to one of the towns they've 'liberated' to show him what Kuvira's really been up to this entire time!"

Korra blinked twice. "Things are a bit dicey between you? I thought you guys were happy together."

Opal exhaled and gave a curt nod. "We were. Until he decided to join Kuvira's army. She actually brought him along to try and talk my mom into giving up Zaofu! He thought that we could just get along! She's been using him and I haven't been able to do a thing about it!" Opal let off a massive grunt in frustration and dropped to the ground with a sigh.

Opal hugged herself and drew her knees up. "...I don't know anymore. This all feels so wrong."

Korra came over and sat down next to her on the step. "You can talk to me."

The airbender gave Korra a sad smirk before loosing a sigh."It's just... I used to look up to her, you know? Being in a family with four brothers was tough. I can't metalbend like Wei and Wing, or create art like Huan. And Baatar was always nice to me, but I was never smart enough to understand what he talks about whenever he was working on some big project with dad."

Korra rubbed her shoulder with a frown as she looked at Opal. "What about Su? She's like super-mom, right?"

Opal gave a weak smile and nodded. "She's a great mom. And she's also a great metalbender, a great dancer, a great teacher, and great at well... everything. All I was ever good at before I could airbend was reading books." Her eyes softened. "Back then Kuvira was the only person I could talk to without feeling excluded or weird. She was like a big sister to me. There was nobody in the entire city that didn't like Kuvira." Opal glanced to the side and scratched her elbow. "It's really hard to think that she's changed so much. Or worse, that she's always been like this."

"You make it sound like Kuvira was family to you."

Opal shrugged. "She was. I looked up to her. I wanted to do everything with her. And the way mom talked about her all the time... you could just feel how proud of her she was." She closed her eyes. "But sometimes it just felt like Kuvira was her golden child." Opal lowered her gaze. "Sometimes I felt like she wanted me to be like Kuvira. To be perfect." Her eyes brimmed and she hung her head. "...I shouldn't have said that."

Korra touched her shoulder. "It's okay." She frowned and scratched her head. "There's still something I don't understand. How did Kuvira go from being guard captain to being the leader of a entire army? She was completely dedicated to your mother and to Zaofu."

Opal glanced at her. "And in her own twisted thoughts, she probably thinks she still is doing the best for Zaofu." Her eyes flicked to the side, and then lowered. "...If anything, I suppose that I'm to blame for Kuvira leaving Zaofu."

Korra raised her eyebrow. "You? What did you do?"

Opal looked down at the ground inside her crossed legs. "...Allowed myself to get captured by the Dai Li."

Korra's eyes widened. "The Dai Li? They caught you?"

Opal slowly nodded. "Bolin came to Zaofu to see me shortly after I came back to begin my official missions as a Air Disciple. This was only a few weeks after you went back to the South Pole." She pressed her fingertips together and glanced away. "I should probably talk about that before I get to the part about the Dai Li..."

往

Airship Landing Spire, Zaofu.

Opal hummed under her breath as openings in the metal walls of the shaft briefly showed in bright sunlight. She looked at Kuvira. "So... I heard you and Zui did a good job at the dance hall last week."

Kuvira looked at her and inclined her head. "Thank you, Opal."

The airbender smiled and looked away with a guilty sigh. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to attend."

"Don't be. What you're training for is important work. You're going to be helping people who are in need." Kuvira placed her hand on Opal's shoulder. "I think this is your calling. It's doing you good travelling outside of Zaofu."

Opal nodded and grinned. "You always know what to say." She folded her arms. "At least Tenzin allowed me to work from Zaofu. I can help people and visit you guys all the time."

She noticed Suyin shifted uncomfortably, having been silent the entire time.

"What's wrong, mom?"

Suyin tapped her fingers on her elbow with a worried smile at Opal as she turned around. "I just worry for you sometimes. You've been so busy going out and helping people all over the Earth Kingdom, you've barely had time to spend time with us.

"I'm sure that will change once we start getting things under control. I'm sure the instability won't last."

Suyin frowned. "Still..."

Opal shared a sigh with Kuvira and rolled her eyes. "Mom..."

Suyin chuckled and held out her hands. "What? Can you blame me?"

Kuvira glanced at Opal, then at Suyin. "Judging by Tenzin's opinion, Opal is remarkable at airbending. I'd be more worried for the bandits rather than her.

Suyin sighed as the elevator reached the top of the shaft, and the iron gates at the top opened. "Comforting." she said, turning around to lead the way out onto a large metal platform, the dark grey metal glinting under the bright and warm morning.

A cylindrical airship emblazoned with Republic City's symbol sat on the far end of the platform, its four propellers slowly spinning to a halt as a door on the front of its gondola rolled open. A ramp led down from the airship to the platform itself, and at the top of it a familiar figure strode out of the gondola doors, looking around for a few seconds before spotting them.

Opal left Kuvira and Su, jogging across the platform as she waved. "Bolin! Hi!"

"Opal!"

Bolin ran down the ramp and across the landing pad as Pabu held on to his shoulder with a shrill squeak, immediately scooping her up and spinning her around in a massive hug. As he set her back down, she had a massive grin. She gave him another hug, before he stepped back and put his hands on his hips as his jaw dropped. "What are you wearing?" He looked at the bright yellow neck cover before looking over the lithe crimson and grey body suit she wore.

She glanced at herself and her cheeks tinged for a moment. "Oh, right. Asami designed wingsuits for all of the Air Nomads to wear so we can fly without our gliders!" Opal spun around on her heel with a smile. "Bit clingy though. What do you think?" She grinned at him and twirled on the spot.

He just stared at her for a few seconds. "...Yeah. Clingy."

Opal rolled her eyes and batted him on the head. "Stop it. How's Korra doing?"

Bolin sighed and scratched his hair. "Not that well. She's kinda gone back home to live with her family at the South Pole."

Opal frowned. "That's a bummer. I hope she gets better."

"So what about you? You doing airbender stuff now?"

"Tenzin said I can stay in Zaofu and use it as my base for helping people all over the Earth Kingdom. My first patrol to Ba Sing Se starts tomorrow!"

"That's neat!" Bolin said as Pabu squeaked and hopped from his shoulder to Opal's, stretching to lick her chin.

She giggled and petted the Fire Ferret. "Hello to you too, Pabu."

Kuvira and Suyin joined them. "You're one of the Avatar's friends, right?" Kuvira said.

Bolin peered past Opal's shoulder at the guard captain and nodded.

"Yep. That's me. Bolin. It's uh... been a while since Korra left to go back to the South Pole, so... I thought I'd come here to, uh, spend some time with Opal." He glanced at Suyin. "If that's okay with you."

Suyin raised a eyebrow and chuckled. "Of course it is. I'm not going to get involved, it's wonderful having you here in Zaofu. A few members of your family even decided to stay and became guardsmen. Their metalbending skills are exemplary."

"Really? Oh." Bolin's voice fell for a moment.

Kuvira glanced at Suyin and arched a eyebrow. "What's the problem? Aren't you happy for their success?"

Bolin looked up and shook his hands. "No, it's - I'm very happy for them. It's just that... I don't metalbend. I can't do it. At all."

"Maybe so, but you got out of the Northern Air Temple because of your lavabending. You have a unique skill that I think would be nurtured by training with us."

Bolin rubbed the back of his neck with a unsure frown. "Maybe... I don't know."

"Give it a thought during your stay here at least."

Suyin came over and chuckled. "Bolin came here to relax, Kuvira. Zaofu is a sanctuary." Suyin raised her eyebrow at Kuvira. "Unless there's some kind of problem that I'm not aware of?"

Kuvira's thoughts went back to her patrols, and to her conversation the night before with Baatar. "...No, Ma'am. No problem."

"Good." She bowed her head to Bolin. "Enjoy your time here, Bolin." She turned around as the airship behind them lifted off with a loud whoosh of air, leading the four of them back to the elevator gates. She directed a wicked glance over her shoulder. "...Just try not to keep Opal up all night. She has important duties."

"Mom!"

The Sky Bison had its mouth open, constantly sucking in loud breaths as it returned his stare. Bolin pursed his lips as he glanced at the slightly unfocused look in its eyes, and tilted his head as the massive creature's tongue lolled limply from the side of its mouth.

Bolin leaned back with a tight grin as the Sky Bison rumbled and opened his mouth to reveal a wide maw. Pabu chittered in his curiosity as he hopped onto the Bison's nose, scrambling up his fur to sit on his head.

He glanced at Opal as she came over with a huge armful of hay, moving back to let her through. "You chose this one? He looks a little... sick."

"More like-" the Sky Bison unleashed a almighty sneeze that rumbled through its gargantuan frame, before opening its mouth and giving Opal a huge lick. Bolin yelped and held up his arms in some kind of defense. She bared her teeth with a tight smile at him. "...Juicy picked me..."

Juicy shook his head and yawned as Opal patted his cheek. "He's a very nice Bison, though. Just has a few allergies."

Juicy sneezed again.

Bolin frowned. "A few."

Opal smirked as she kneeled down and held the hay up to Juicy, who began to munch on the yellow stalks with a grateful grumble. A small grin grew on her as she got to her feet, giving his fur a quick rub before leaving him to graze on the grassy hill.

She projected a gust of wind from her palm and ran it over herself to blow off the sneeze's residue from her orange tunic, before joining Bolin as he laid down a picnic rug. She sat down on the rug, drawing her knees up close, watching him as he brought out a basket and set it in between them.

"So how's Republic City?"

Bolin shrugged with a smile. "Oh, it's all good. Although it was kinda difficult finding a place to live after me and Mako's apartment got wrecked by the spirit vines."

She frowned and turned to him. "Wait, you two are-"

He quickly held up his hands. "Everything's cool, don't worry. We've been living with our family while the apartment is rebuilt. Asami gave them her family's summer home to live in. We're not homeless."

Opal breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, good. Had me worried there for a second."

Bolin reached over and flipped up the lid of the basket. She reached her hand in to grab a grape, bringing it to her mouht just when Pabu raced over. He scrambled around her back and up to her shoulders before lunging at the grape, wrapping his entire body around it and chittering as he rolled to a halt on the rug. She giggled at the FIre Ferret's antics as Bolin handed her another grape.

"So what exactly do you do as a Air Disciple?"

She looked at him as she popped the grape into her mouth, talking around it. "Well, we go around and help anyone that needs our help." After swallowing she glanced to the side and shrugged. "I'm a little nervous, truth be told. I hope I'm good enough. All I've been able to think about is how I'm going to help so many people. Kai's going to be my partner, but for now it's just me."

Bolin chuckled. "Opal, you're smarter than me. There's nobody else I can think of that's more suited to helping people out than you."

Her cheeks tinged as she grinned. "Aw, that's really sweet." Opal blew a deep breath and nodded. "I'll try my best."

He smiled at her. "So, where's your first mission going to be?"

"Well, first I'll be looking around Ba Sing Se."

"Nobody in Republic City has been able to hear any news from Ba Sing Se since the Red Lotus killed the Earth Queen. What's it like?"

Opal's face fell. "Pretty bad. My job is to try and talk with any local leaders to begin work on making the city safe again. When I go back to Republic City, I'll tell Tenzin about what I find and we'll come back with a whole group of airbenders... I think that's what Korra would do."

She caught a glimpse of Bolin's fallen face before she closed her eyes, and her thoughts turned to Korra. Guilt was all she could feel sometimes after seeing her crippled by the Red Lotus. "I can't believe she's been hurt that badly. And all because of the Red Lotus. Maybe I could have helped or done something more to try and fight them, but instead I just got myself captured by that freaky waterbender. Kai was the only one that managed to get away."

Opal opened her eyes to see Bolin reaching a gentle hand to her shoulder. "Hey, don't blame yourself. The Red Lotus were the strongest benders in the world. They're the ones who crippled Korra, not you."

Again, she offered a small smile. "... I know," She reached up to touch his hand and sighed. "I just wish that Korra could be here. She's gotta be messed up because she can't help anybody. I just wish there was some way I could repay her."

"Ah. There you two are."

Opal glanced over her shoulder to see Kuvira standing on the path, her hands clasped behind her back. She raised a eyebrow at Pabu as he hopped down from Opal's shoulder and raced across the grass, climbing up her boots and chest to nestle in between the pauldron and collar of her armor. "Oh. Hello. Little thing."

Opal got to her feet as Bolin tried to beckon for Pabu to come back, but the ferret only chittered in response. "Sorry. Pabu does that."

"It's no matter." Kuvira held up her hand and launched a cable from her launcher that wrapped around Pabu and winched him off of her shoulder with a surprised squeak. She came over and deposited him in Bolin's palm. "I wanted to ask about whether you want to enlist with the Zaofu guard and see how we work."

Bolin rubbed his elbow and looked twice at the guard captain. "...guard duty? I can act, but I can't really... guard stuff."

Kuvira didn't skip a beat. "You used to be a pro-bender player, and from what I saw during the Red Lotus's infiltration of Zaofu you are very quick on your feet." Kuvira smirked and folded her arms. "In fact, most of my guards practice dancing or pro-bending on the side."

"Dancing? What does dancing have to do with guarding?"

"Being a dancer requires you to hone your flexibility and physical movement. It's perfect for practicing the movements needed for bending. Opal, you can even join in if you want."

"But... I still can't metalbend."

Kuvira watched him with a approving eye. "I'm sure with time, you'll pick it up. It took me a while before I could. Suyin was very proud of me when I did." She grinned. "Spirits, this will the first time I've danced in weeks."

Opal folded her arms with a look of shock. "Wait, you've been missing dance recitals? How come?"

Kuvira sighed. "I haven't had the time. My patrols have taken longer and longer each time. Sometimes they run through the night. Each time I've chased bandits back across the border, but they continue to come back to prey on any refugees coming to Zaofu." Kuvira closed her mouth. She winced as she looked at the two of them. "Su would kill me if she found out I was taking these patrols past our own territory."

Opal and Bolin looked at each other. "Why? Helping sounds like a good thing. We need to help all we can. It shouldn't matter if you have to go outside of Zaofu to help." Bolin said.

Opal nodded, before coming forward with a look of concern. "Kuvira. I know how much you respect my mom. But sometimes... you need to take a stand and let her know what you think. Before I left Republic City, Tenzin told me about how stretched the Air Nation will be trying to help the entire Earth Kingdom by ourselves. We could really use the help."

Kuvira furrowed her eyebrows and looked down at the grass. She worked her jaw, managing to sift through all of her thoughts. Finally she looked up at Opal with a unsure frown. "... If it's the right thing to do."

She glanced at a nearby owl-hawk hooting into the night from its perch and stopped on the steps into the Beifong Manor. Kuvira bowed her head, entering into another wrestling session with her thoughts before taking a deep breath and striding forwards towards the massive metal doors at the front entrance.

Habit made her wave her hand once at the intricate doors. They immediately pulled outwards, admitting her into the entry hall of the manor. She looked up at the second level walkways that ran the perimeter of the rectangular room, meeting in the center at a sweeping staircase with gentle curved steps that ran down to the ground floor.

Kuvira's boots clacked against the polished black marble as she made her way across and up the steps to the second level. Once there she came to another pair of metal doors, this time a grey-green hue with sharp angular carvings running up their surface.

Muffled laughter and chatter came out from behind them as she raised a hand up to knock. She took another deep breath and knocked a few times as firmly as she could, before grabbing the handle and pulling one of the doors open. She slipped through into the dining room, and stood in front of the door as the gathered members of the Beifong family looked her way.

At the corner of the U shaped dining table, Opal and Bolin both gave her encouraging smiles as she came forward and managed a quick nod at Opal. She cleared her throat. "Suyin? Can I talk to you for a moment?"

At the head of the table, Su nodded immediately, rising with a look of concern. "Of course, Kuvira." She glanced around the table at everyone. "I'll be back soon. This won't take a second."

Kuvira turned crisply and walked out of the dining room, holding the door open for Su before gently closing it. She turned from the door and walked across the second level of the entry hall into a main corridor leading to the west wing of the manor with dozens of doors on either side.

Behind her Su folded her arms and raised a eyebrow as she stopped in front of a door leading outside to balcony. "Aren't you going to tell me what's wrong?"

Kuvira didn't answer as she opened the doors and stepped out onto the balcony, where it overlooked the flank of the dining room. Inside its narrow windows, Kuvira could see the rest of the Beifongs laughing and carrying on as Wei and Wing shoved palms and elbows in each other's faces over a succulent chicken leg; Baatar Jnr rolled his eyes at a few groan worthy jokes from his father, Huan coolly took a sip of lychee juice as he regarded the chaos around him with disdain, and at the elbow of the table, Opal had her arms wrapped around her stomach as she cackled with laughter at Bolin's puppeteering of Pabu.

Kuvira's gaze lingered on the young couple the longest, and for a moment her mind went back to the drink she shared with Baatar at the tavern.

She looked away and took a breath to steel herself as Su stopped by her side with a worried glance, leaning on the metal railing. "Kuvira, you can always talk to me about anything." She grimaced when Kuvira frowned and looked down. "What's up?"

Below the railing, Kuvira clenched her fist and furrowed her eyebrows. She gritted her teeth as her silence dragged on. Kuvira ended it by closing her eyes, steeling her resolve with Baatar's words and Opal and Bolin's encouragement. She opened them and turned to Su. "...I want you to change your mind about helping the rest of the Earth Kingdom."

Su raised a eyebrow, her eyes searching Kuvira before she tilted her head. "Wasn't this matter already closed?"

Kuvira almost felt the urge to keep her mouth shut there and then, knowing that her confidence in Su wasn't misplaced or wrong. But Opal's words to her made her rethink that. She pressed on with a cautious tone. "It... I want you to reconsider your decision about helping rest of the Earth Kingdom."

"And what did you have in mind? I hope you don't expect me to take control of every state with our army. Who's going to protect Zaofu while we're gone?"

Su's words didn't hold a edge, but Kuvira could sense the steeled tone Suyin was known for. "If it provides safety and security to the common people, than I think that is what needs to happen." Kuvira pursed her lips before continuing. "We can provide that. We can provide for everyone."

The woman placed her hands on her hips with a surprised breath. "Am I hearing this, correctly? You want to return the free states back to a oppressive tyrant? Is this why you dragged me away from dinner with my family?"

Kuvira turned to her, focusing on the real issue. "Free? Su, the states aren't free at all. Bandits and warlords have entire cities at their mercy. The Earth Kingdom army is barely doing anything to stop them. Most of the time, they're the ones robbing people and sieging entire towns!"

A look of steel flashed in Suyin's eyes as they narrowed. "I've told you before and I'll tell you again, Kuvira. The answer is no. I refuse. I will not impose Zaofu's values on the rest of the Earth Kingdom!" She pushed away from the railing.

Kuvira swore under her breath and turned around, her arms held out in desperation. "This situation is beyond values, Su. We need to step in and restore order! Without it, lawlessness will overrun the entire continent and groups like the Dai Li will take power! There needs to be a balance! There needs to be unity! My guards and I have been the only ones strong enough to help anybody!"

Suyin stopped in her tracks. The look she had as she glanced over her shoulder froze Kuvira stiff. "I've talked to the other guards about these patrols you've been leading out beyond Zaofu's borders, and I'm telling you now that I'm putting a stop to them!" Suyin whirled on Kuvira. "You really think that risking the lives of our security force is going to fix everything? It's the Avatar's duty to balance the world, not yours, Kuvira!"

Kuvira couldn't take it. She gritted her teeth and advanced on Su. "The Avatar has been crippled! Nobody but the Metal Clan is strong enough to take her place! Su, please, order me to help keep the peace if you won't!" Kuvira reached out a hand to her but the older woman took a step back. "Please!-"

Suyin folded her arms and glared at her protege. "Alright then. You want a order? This is my direct order, captain. I forbid you from taking any men outside of Zaofu's territory!"

Kuvira's eyes widened and her hand fell by her side in dumbstruck silence.

Suyin had no warmth in her voice as she moved into the hallway, leaving Kuvira standing frozen on the balcony.

"I won't hear another word on the matter. Get back to your duties."

今

"...And that was the start of it. Nobody realized how bad things had gotten until Kuvira and Baatar left the city with Varrick, most of my mom's security force, and a few of Zaofu's wealthiest citizens. After Kuvira liberated Ba Sing Se from the Dai Li, Raiko and Tenzin chose to make her the provisional head of the Earth Kingdom. She said she was coming back to Zaofu on her own terms someday. I just wish it-"

Korra placed a hand on Opal's shoulder as the girl hung her chin. "Opal..."

Opal bowed her head. "I pushed her to try and talk my mom into leading Zaofu in bringing back peace to the Earth Kingdom. But. Kuvira and my mom started fighting over everything because of it. Mom only told me about what happened between them after Kuvira left Zaofu at the end of the month."

"Still... Kuvira was loyal to your mother. How could one argument have led to her commanding a army all over the Earth Kingdom?

"Because I got into trouble. And it showed Kuvira that she didn't need my mom's acceptance to go out and do what she wanted."

"Wasn't there some way Suyin could have stopped Kuvira from leaving like she did?"

Opal sighed and shook her head. "I don't know. Even after all was said and done, mom still thought Kuvira was a daughter to her. She blamed herself for being the one that pushed Kuvira to change."

She clutched her elbow and stared at her feet. Before long her eyes hardened. "But now she's threatening Zaofu and has mom and the twins as her hostages." Opal took a deep breath and stepped back from Korra, giving her a nod. She held up her hands. "Come on. Back to airbending. You'll need to be quick on your feet if you're going to beat Kuvira tomorrow."

Korra blinked twice and held up her hands, mimicking Opal's stance. Her eyes were uncertain as she gave a unsure nod. "...Right."

女兒

A/N

So, all aboard the continued feels train. Next stop; the gradual and comprehensive tearing apart of Su and Kuvira's mother-daughter relationship. And I'm taking the liberty of marking past scenes with the use of the chinese character for, well, past. Just to make things clear if you guys need it.

On another note, I am also intending to release the next chapter in the next five days or so, to bring my speed back to a regular pace. This goes the same for Raging Flame and the Changing Elements series too, Which reminds me. I'll be releasing the rest of Raging Flame in a single block by the middle of january.

And on another note, I want to go on record by saying that I am in complete and total shambles now that THE SERIES FINALE IS OVER. I mean, I haven't watched it yet. But GAH.

So yeah, review and stay tuned. :)