Lin silently made a promise to take them out to a good meal, with at least three courses, when the mystery was solved, though she wasn't certain when that would be, and what kind of person either of them would be by the end of it all. Something told her things wouldn't be the same. Then again...with them...things never stayed the same and yet somehow they didn't. But in the moment, casting away the doubtful future and past, Lin knew her words had been too much, at least for her. If it had been anyone else in the world, she would have been able to muster up a rebuttal, a defense-something to reestablish herself as someone strong and unmovable. But this was Tenzin, no someone else she could endure. Even though he was an air bender, she could swear he could bend rock sometimes, wear her down until she could crumble like sand. Thankfully for her fragile heart which she'd vehemently deny having, these incidents rarely happened, but when they did, it took days like these to remind her of the regret, the only thing she held onto and was left with. His words had been quick and firm, much like one would bend earth and it almost made her smile, the kind of smile she used to wear. Instead though, she glanced down at the concrete, wishing she could sink into it. Admitting faults, regrets, envy...wasn't her style. She didn't like it. Her mother didn't like it and so neither did her daughter, Chief of Police. She already knew she couldn't refuse his offer, as kind as it was, it hurt. It just hurt. People as forgiving as Tenzin were hard to come across and she found herself jealous of Pema, as opposed to her typical bitterness or anger. Pema was a lucky woman and she knew Tenzin had to love her, that Pema had to be someone special to be able to give Tenzin what he wanted. After he mentioned how welcomed she was, he then playfully mentioned how Meelo was looking to bite through her armor. His skill to make her feel less uncomfortable was highly noteworthy. Finally she couldn't hold back the urge to smile as she gave him a slightly worn out look. Well, he'd done it. He had weathered her down enough and she couldn't put up anymore of a fight. Once he finished his meal he air bent it into the trash and she rolled her eyes, remembering the competitions they had when it came to shooting things into trash bins and other things. Sometimes even Aang and Bumi would join them in the fun. Those were days long since faded away. [color=82ca9d][b]"Alright alright, you've made your point and I can tell this is one of those rare, rare instances where I'm not going to win."[/b][/color] In her mind, she had lost, a long time ago. But in a way, not being alone tonight thanks to Tenzin's kindness, was another way to win, or to at least not be last and all alone. [b][color=82ca9d]"Thank you."[/color][/b] She smiled and finished her own skewer before she lobbed it into the trash though unlike Tenzin, she used a bit of earth bending to nudge the bin closer to where she aimed. Back then, it would be considered cheating but tonight was an exception to the past. [b][color=82ca9d]"Let's go then...before I change my mind."[/color][/b] She motioned for him to come along with her hand, struggling to internally rebuild her walls or while wanting to leave them down, just for a little bit and let some of that Tenzin Sunshine in. They arrived at her house and she decided to let him in, there were some crazy killers on the loose after all. Once inside, the door was shut, the lights were turned on and she headed up to her room, seriously considering her heavier armor if Meelo was keen on munching on her suit. She decided against it, not wanting to encourage the kid to ruin his teeth. She grabbed a duffle bag and put some clothes in it, as well as some other items before she came back down. If they weren't making it a quick stop, she would have offered him tea or something but they needed to get back, even if the kids were in bed. As they moved to head back into the cold dirty streets which were slowly being rebuilt, Lin turned around. In that moment, she saw her home differently, with pictures of her and Tenzin and their two kids, both air benders. She saw it more lively, lived in, as opposed to stoic. Shutting the door firmly, she locked it, checked it and grabbed her bag so they could get moving. Those walls were slowly being built again but with less of a foundation, unable to come back as sturdy as the time before. [b][color=82ca9d]"Our parents got to see so many stars and yet this city hides them all."[/color][/b] She said out of nowhere as she glanced up to the sky. [b][color=82ca9d]"You should take the kids to the air temple sometime so they don't miss out, maybe some time away from here would be beneficial. I'm worried for them, as well as you and Pema."[/color][/b] She didn't mean to get rid of him of course but if Pema didn't last much longer, couldn't fight for much longer, Lin knew Tenzin needed to heal and the city was no place to do that. [b][color=82ca9d]"I'm not suggesting it as a woman of the law but as a friend. You know I'd do anything to keep your family safe and..."[/color][/b] And Pema falling sick did feel like she failed and Lin would do whatever she could, pull triple shifts if it meant bringing the criminal to justice. [b][color=82ca9d]"I know you're looking out for me tonight, just make sure I can return the favor."[/color][/b] She said and reached down for his hand, the harbor only ten more minutes away now. - - - If Asami had killed someone, Mako would probably be the first person to go to for a few select reasons. Thankfully she needn't his street or officer skills, but instead something else. Mako shared the same amazement she had when she first found out and then tried to fire bend. Xana had spent a good amount of time helping her to grasp fire bending and Asami was so proud of herself. She was surprised though, she would have thought she'd be disgusted that her father kept something so important from her, but it just made her feel more whole, more in touch with her mother. The spark she had been missing for so long, had been given to her like a blessing and she would do anything to make up for the years she felt she had missed out on. She could have done pro bending, she could have done more combat skills, she could have done a lot more than read and try to make up for her lack of bending. [b][color=bc8dbf]"I know!"[/color][/b] She exclaimed with laughter at his own bewilderment. He was pretty cute when he wasn't sure what to say. Pretty soon though, his stomach chimed in and she was more than ready to hit the town. She was quick to get changed and soon they were ready to go. She drove them to a casual place that was still well known for its good food. She didn't want to fuss with anything fancy but that didn't mean she wanted to skimp on the quality. During dinner Mako talked about how the day went for him and she glad to hear that things were going well, as most recruits ended up snapping and quitting or being kicked out. She knew he and Bolin would do well as long as they didn't let themselves be pushed around by the others, as it was the point to push recruits beyond someone's typical breaking point. She also filled Mako in how it happened and how the investors were able to look back into her genetics and see she was a fire bender and then they helped her tap into it with meditation and training. Asami didn't want to lie to Mako but she was worried if he found out how they managed to 'jump start' her bending, he'd get worried and want her to stop doing business with them. At the moment, there didn't seem any harm to it. What mattered was that she could bend, no longer neglecting a true part of herself. Once dinner was over they went to get some more groceries since they were running dangerously low. They bought a bunch of everything, different meats, produce, grains, spices and even some pastries for the morning. They even bought a custom made cake which they couldn't decide upon so it ended up taking on a life of its own. Asami didn't mind though, she had the money and she had the best reason to have them splurge. Mako was being quite the trooper, helping carry the bags and not complaining about the night. She knew he had to be at work but she would make it up to him by cooking them a big dinner tomorrow. Once the food was loaded in the car, they drove to get some outfits which would be their final stop for the night. She'd try to be quick for Mako's sake. Inside the boutique, she found some outfits that were flexible but snug for training. She found some outfits that had some style but also modesty. She wasn't the sort to bother with revealing clothes when she had an image to uphold. She was the owner of a business on the edge of rebirth, not to mention she just wasn't the sort of person to show a lot of skin, exceptions were made of course. And once again, Mako seemed agreeable and encouraging to whatever she liked and what may not look or work as well for what they had in mind. By the time they were back home, it was quite dark out and Asami was ready to go to bed, very tired thanks to everything she had to endure. As they sat in the living room, everything was starting to settle down. Mako's comment made her laugh. [b][color=bc8dbf]"Aw I can't show off?"[/color][/b] She joked. He then mentioned how amazing the news could be to other non-benders who were possibly late bloomers. [b][color=bc8dbf]"I wish I could talk to my father about all this."[/color][/b] She admitted, wringing her hands in her lap. [b][color=bc8dbf]"Do you really think we should tell Korra...you know, given how things are with her bending?"[/color][/b] Asami didn't want to add insult to injury with Korra, things were delicate right now and had the hope of resolution. Though there was the strong possibility that this could help Korra and the two of them could train together with Mako. [b][color=bc8dbf]"I really do owe Xano and Xana for all the research they've done to bring this revelation to light to help me."[/color][/b] She said, feeling the lie sink further in. Asami brushed some of her hair back over her shoulder. [b][color=bc8dbf]"I feel like this is a new beginning for me though. Like something is finally going my way...I'm glad you're here to share it with me."[/color][/b] She smiled, finally feeling as though there could be another chance for her and Mako to start over. It made her nervous but she was sure part of, was a good kind of nervous, the kind she felt when they first met and went on their first date, that seemed like decades ago. [b][color=bc8dbf]"I don't want you to think this is just because I'm excited about fire bending...but I do think this is a good sign that you and I can try...again, there's less pain and these days with the space I've had...I know I want to still be with you."[/color][/b] She said and looked to him. They'd need to take it slow but she was tired to teetering one way or the other, she knew which was she was inevitably going to go. - - - If Katara showed up, Bolin was sure he could smooth talk his way out of the mess. But if Pema showed up, Bolin would be too shocked to do anything. Of course as much as he wanted the wife and mother to be able to move about, he doubted it would happen, as awful as the thought was. He just laughed at Korra's words, wanting to just keep things light and cheerful for the poor air bending family. Bolin wished he could do more but for now, this was enough. When the food was ready to serve, the pair went to Pema's room. In the meantime, he was sure Katara could help wrangle the others up so there wasn't an impromptu food fight, Bolin would hate to miss out on that. While walking down the many halls, Korra mentioned what her air bending had been like and he was sure it was tough for her. Well it had been tough the first time, he just hoped it was easier now that she knew what she was doing. [color=f9ad81][b]"Oh yes ma'am, we're keeping the city safe from psychos."[/b][/color] He held his chin up and nudged her back lightly with his own shoulder. [b][color=f9ad81]"It's tough work but it's gonna be rewarding, I just know it."[/color][/b] His voice quieted down as they entered the woman's room and crept over to the bed. She wasn't awake but still breathing at least. Bolin set his offering of food down and Korra did the same. Bolin didn't know much about his own family and Korra was so far from hers, for now Pema was the only motherly figure they had, Lin aside who was more like the cranky complicated aunt type. [b][color=f9ad81]"She's been resting more and more. That can't be good."[/color][/b] He whispered once they were back in the hall with the door closed. He wondered what Tenzin could be doing out so late with his wife sick. It had to be a good reason though, Tenzin wasn't the kind of man to shirk duties, much less family related ones. Bolin would love to become a family man like Tenzin but that would be a daydream for another day. For now, he didn't want to talk about the heavy stuff, there had been enough of that to fill several lifetimes. [b][color=f9ad81]"I don't know if I told you this already but I am proud of you, Korra."[/color][/b] He spoke up as they slowly walked back towards the dining room where the faint sounds of eating and chatter could be heard. He stopped and put his hands on her shoulders. "[b][color=f9ad81]I know it wasn't easy to swallow your pride and talk to Asami and well...then to Tenzin and Lin...what I mean is, you're being a good person, forget being an Avatar."[/color][/b] He said, trying to figure out what he wanted to say and how to say it without sounding stupid. [b][color=f9ad81]"Not that you're not uhh a good person. I just--you remind me of the girl I first met before everything...went wrong."[/color][/b] He said and removed his hands from her, his face a little red. Sure, it wasn't the time for serious or morbid thoughts but he didn't know why he had to get overly mushy and sentimental. Why couldn't he be stronger like Lin and Mako? [b][color=f9ad81]"A-anyway I'm starved, I bet you are too!"[/color][/b] He said and ran the rest of the way back. By the time they got back, Katara and the kids had eaten and Katara said she'd get them to wash up while Korra and Bolin ate themselves. [b][color=f9ad81]"Why don't we read you kids a story for bed?"[/color][/b] He suggested as they left. Meelo seemed the most excited about that along with Ikki. Though they didn't have any books, he was sure he and Korra could make something awesome up. He then sat down beside Korra so they could finally put something in their stomachs. [b][color=f9ad81]"Man, being a parent is tough."[/color][/b] He sighed heavily and dipped the bread in the soup and took a bite. [b][color=f9ad81]"Mmmmm that's so good!"[/color][/b] He praised with his mouth full of chewed up mush. He swallowed his food and took a drink of tea. [b][color=f9ad81]"You know what would be real fun?"[/color][/b] He didn't wait for her to guess. [b][color=f9ad81]"A BBQ! Imagine grilling up some meat outside and just enjoying the fresh air? It would be tasty but also entertaining."[/color][/b] He suggested, eyes shining at her, wanting to do something even if it was just small things.