Initially, Bolin had considered Mako more of the police chief type but he didn't mind playing into the warm fuzzy fantasy now that Korra and Mako had brought it up. When they parted ways, he waved to Korra and said he'd see her back at the island for dinner. He had figured by then, she might be more willing to show her face around Tenzin. For now though, Bolin shifted his attention to police business, as there was always something that needed their attention around headquarters.
- - -
Lin Beifong was well aware of how hard it could be to own up to mistakes which is why she knew not to always yell at people and instead, let them have some kind of positive reinforcement so when they did make a mistake, they would be more inclined to admit it than to lie about it. As hard as she was on those who worked under her, she knew ruling with an iron fist wasn't the way to go all the time. Tenzin had moved over to her and put his hands on her shoulders, a thinly veiled attempt to soothe her though he knew her moods better than anyone else. She slowly looked to Tenzin, pressing her lips tightly together, though not due to annoyance but to amusement. She was already planning on forgiving Korra but Tenzin's additional assistance only made the woman want to have some fun, in her own way. "Oh yes, Tenzin I remember our many mischief filled nights very well." She said, tone dripping in amused sarcasm. "My mind isn't failing me." She looked to Korra now. "You shouldn't be out at night, even though Amon is no longer a threat, you still need to exercise caution." Lin wouldn't elaborate further until more proof was in her possession so for now she carried on, "You're forgiven Avatar Korra, we only want you kept safe."
With that out of the way, Lin was hoping to get back to her day. Though it was early in the morning, she had a lot to do. There were leads to follow up on and she needed to ensure that information regarding the mysterious illness was kept under lock and key. "Now if you two will excuse me, I have actual work to get done." She said and reached around to remove Tenzin's hands from her. All of the reminiscing was making her feel rather raw and wounded and she'd rather not fall into a trap of depression. She had other men in her life though, ones she could go out drinking who had also picked a career over a family. Nothing was too personal with any of them but it was nice to be able to blow off steam and not have to worry about idle conversation after a long shift at the station. If she wasn't going to canvas the city tonight with Tenzin, she would have pulled one of her comrades aside to plan to meet after work because she already needed a drink. "Thank you for stopping by Tenzin." She mentioned as he and Korra left her office.
The rest of the day went by fine, with her gathering information on the others who were falling ill just as Pema was.
When the sun had just finished setting, she was getting ready to go when Tenzin showed up again. She finished packing up and picked up her black leather and metal messenger bag which Katara had gotten her when she became Police Chief ages ago. Lin was ready to fill Tenzin in the information she had been busy gathering since he had left. It wasn't until the pair had exited the station and had put a few blocks between them before she pulled out the files she had complied which listed the other victims who were all benders of some element. "I don't understand why Pema is so sick, I hate to consider this but...her illness could be an accident." She said as they slowed their pace down so Tenzin could look over those who were sick. Two earth benders, three fire benders and two water benders, all of different genders and ages and backgrounds. "The only reason could have to do with her connection to you and the air benders." She finally stopped and looked to him, not wanting to give him such a bleak opinion but she had always been candid regarding her suspicions. After she took the files back from him, she put them back away, not wanting any of the public to panic over the issue until more information was under their belt.
"It doesn't seem infectious so that leads me to think that these attacks are the work of someone with some kind of agenda." Lin went back to walking with Tenzin by her side, flashbacks of their youth didn't cloud her vision thankfully but they did linger around the edges of her eyes, threatening to remind her of what once was, and what wasn't. "Because we can't find a real connection yet, there's no way we can predict where the next attack will happen. Three of the victims have already died...and based on interviews I've conducted, their bending seemed to be drained from their bodies which left them without the ability as they fell ill. I know this sounds like the work of Amon's supporters but this technology and skill is not something they could have come up with. Amon's supporters were glorified protesters and wannabe losers, whoever is behind this is more skilled and planning something more questionable." She said. The rest of the night was spent checking out the homes of those attacked. They spoke to the family and friends in the area of the attacks. It was around eight thirty when they decided to call it a night, as Tenzin needed to go back to Pema.
As much as Lin wanted to keep Tenzin longer, she knew she couldn't.
His place was by his wife's side, who surely had very little time left.
"Let me buy us some dinner at least." She said as she motioned him over to a food stand which was selling skewered meat and vegetables. She bought a pork one for herself, and a squash and carrot one for Tenzin. Walking back over to him, she handed him his and frowned. "It isn't really dinner, I know..." It sort of was for her, when she spent all night roaming the streets, she often relied on the fast food of the city to keep her going. Part of her wondered if she was getting too close to Tenzin again. The more she did, the more it hurt. But she also had grown oddly fond of his children, despite their mother. And deep down, Lin did want to find a way to help the woman but she also knew it wasn't very likely, not at the rate the others were dying. If she couldn't help Pema now, she at least would vow to find the woman, and the family, justice. Lin knew this was hard on her old friend and she wished she could be more emotionally supportive. She thanked her mother for those valuable life lessons of sincerity and kindness. "I don't mind checking up on your family." She suddenly said, starting the conversation they had begn back in her office that morning. "They're the closest thing to a family I have...with my sister in Zaofu and my mother hiding from everyone...I'm glad I at least have you and yours." She said as she began eat.
- - -
When the car came to a stop, Asami was helped outside and taken down into a compound which was located under a series of mountains behind Republic City. Already red flags were going off but Asami kept her cool and continued to follow the man leading her down a long hallway. Asami made notes of where she was and what things could be used a weapons, just in case. Unlike Mako or even Jinora, Asami felt absolutely useless in such vulnerable situations. A knot tightened in her chest and she quickly thought of Mako and how worried he might be if she just vanished without a trace. She also wondered if these people had been the ones to capture her father. The more Asami thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. By the time the pair made it to the end of the dark hallway, the woman had already accepted her fate and was ready to fight anyone she needed to, in order to escape with her life. The door opened and Asami tensed and found herself reaching out to punch whoever was behind the door. "Ow!" A woman's voice spoke out and Asami opened her eyes, and saw a woman with black hair looking at her and trying to pry Asami's hand off of her face.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry." Asami's face turned red and the woman gave her a timid smile before gesturing for Asami to step inside. Once Asami did, the large metal door behind her closed and she found herself in a cozy room decorated with velvet, wood and slate. There were two other doors, as well as a loft above them with two beds. "You must be Xana. I'm Asami, it's good to finally meet you face to face, I didn't mean to hit your face..." She rubbed her arm sheepishly. So far, she had been working at her own company's compound and any interaction with Xano and Xana had been done over the phone or by their other associates. Asami was nervous, these people were willing to help her and she would be happy to make things work. Xana gestured for them to sit down at the black wooden table which had round backless velvet chairs. Once they sat down, one of the other doors opens and revealed a similar looking man with the same long black sleek hair.
"Asami Sato, we finally meet. There is much to discuss. My name is Xano and you've met my sister, she isn't very talkative so I hope you forgive her." He said and shook Asami's hand before he sat down at the table. "We are so excited to be working with you and your company. The technological advances we can make together could be astounding. We have been working on an experiment that we'd love to show you, it's very exciting and there's no one we could think of that could use it to its truest potential." Xano said and got up and an assistant walked over and opened a box with a needle. "This is an injection that will unlock your fire bending."
"Fire bending? I'm not a fire bender..." Asami frowned.
"We looked into your lineage and your mother was a fire bender. It's very possible that you just haven't been able to tap into it yet. We want to help you." He smiled and took out the sleek object filled with orange liquid. "We would like to inject you with this and help you unlock your buried abilities, consider it our thanks for us being able to form a union and work together." He stepped back and moved behind Asami and handed her the injection to look at. Asami took it and looked at it, not too convinced that this was a good idea. The man could sense her hesitation. "Your friends can bend, can do extraordinary things...leaving you on the sidelines for too long hmm? You're not just a clever woman, Asami, you're also a strong one. Prove the world wrong and show them your strength that you'll use to restore your family's name. Show them that fire buried deep inside you." Xano whispered and put a hand on her shoulder. "Let us show you a bright future, Asami. What do you say?"
Her eyes looked at the sleek thin cylinder and she wasn't sure what she was feeling. Asami felt nerves, excitement and dread. Could she really be a bender, a fire bender no less? Her father's animosity towards them only made her more confused and she wondered if her mother's death had been aginst a fellow friend, a fellow fire bender. Maybe his vision of his wife had been sullied and he never wanted to think of her as a fire bender, but a victim of one? "I'll...I'll do it." If she was a bender and hadn't shown any signs, maybe this extra push was what she needed all along. Asami would kick herself if she missed such an opportunity. Xano took the injection from her and took hold of her hand. He then guided her to a couch behind them and Xana helped roll up Asami's sleeve as she sat by the CEO. Xano reached down and injected her with the serum and for the next three hours, Asami struggled to remain conscious. All while she struggled to adjust and accept the medicine, Xana held her hand and stroked her hair, though nothing was uttered from the water bender's lips.
When Asami finally calmed down, the shaking and headache having finally subsided, it was decided that Xano would train Asami to do some basic bending. Asami was eager to get to work and by the time they took a break, it was evening. Asami checked the time and knew Mako would have to be back by now, or soon. She told the siblings she needed to go back home and they complied. She gave a wave to the reserved woman before Xano hugged her and congratulated her on her progress. Finally, he assured her they'd meet to do more training in the next day or two, but to call if the company or her, needed immediate attention, and for now to take things easy to be safe. The same car that picked her up in the morning, had dropped her off and she saw no sign of Mako outside, so she hoped he hadn't worried about her. After thanking the driver, she jogged up to the door and let herself in. She was too excited to stand still and went to find Mako. "Mako! I have something amazing to show to you!" She called out and finally found where he was. Unable to contain her delight, she ran over and hugged him tightly, finally feeling like she was actually whole, like she had a real connection to her mother again. "Come on, come on." Asami grabbed his hand and dragged him outside to the front yard.
"Okay now stand back." She laughed softly and waved her hands at him.
"Are you watching?" She asked him, feeling the way a child was when they wanted to show someone a simple magic trick they had painstakingly learned. Of course there had been plenty of pain for Asami today but after just a few hours, she had the basics down and she didn't regret her decision one bit. Now she wanted to share her new talent with Mako. The woman went into her fighting stance and threw a punch with her right hand and then her left, which emitted a long burst of feathery flames. Then Asami unclenched her left fist and a flame formed from her palm and she used her fingers to form the flame into a shape of a ring, then a heart and finally into an even higher and hotter flame. Suddenly it vanished and she turned to Mako. It wasn't much but considered she had just learned to fire bend, it was more than enough to her. "You'll have to teach me some of your smooth moves, Mako." She laughed. She would have asked Korra but she wasn't sure if Korra could rightly bend fire at the moment, and she didn't want to start a fight because of something petty like bending. Her heart was racing and she couldn't be happier. "We should go out and celebrate and go grocery shopping after." She then stopped herself. "I'm sorry...I didn't even ask how your day went at the station." She felt a little silly now and a little selfish.
- - -
After work, Bolin headed back toward the pier and took a ferry back toward the island.
He was pretty hungry but hoping to help around the house as needed. He felt bad for Tenzin and Pema and wanted to do whatever he could to help. Once he got up to the family's estate, he found out Tenzin was out for the night which was a little weird. He remembered what Korra had mentioned to him though he didn't want to get involved so he decided to see if he was needed to make dinner. He found Jinora trying to cook in the kitchen with Korra. Bolin washed up and joined them. "Ya know it's a guy's dream to come home to two pretty ladies." He grinned and looked at the soup and bread they were making. Just then, Ikki and Meelo ran in and he turned around. "I'm sorry, three pretty ladies." He laughed a little as he got Meelo to set the table. "So what were you up to today?" He asked Korra as he made a bowl of food to take to the lady of the house. "Meelo, stop trying to stick the spoon up your nose, trust me I've tried and it does not fit." For now, he figured he and Korra had to make sure things went alright while Tenzin was off doing whatever. Bolin was sure he needed his own space too, that as strong as the air bending master was, he needed support too.
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