spark || lin beifong

Chapter II - Introduction Part 2

The car ride home started relatively silent. Leia's mind wondered for quite a while, brain still buzzing with excitement on thoughts about her summer classes. Then, she decided to look at the man beside her. Leia contemplated for a moment whether or not to speak but still went it, remembering her own words. It never hurts to ask. "You know, speaking of questions, can I ask some about you?"

Tenzin looked at her in surprise, and considered her question. Thoughts of a stunning woman in a police uniform with a scowl on her face graced his thoughts and he furrowed his eyebrows. What was he thinking? Leia was 10 years younger than him and he's thinking what his girlfriend - Tenzin's calling her that but really he hasn't formally asked her - would think if he entertained her innocent questions? This was ridiculous! If anything, Leia would simply end up being a sister in his eyes and that was the end of it. So, why would he be worried about what his significant other would think if that was the case?

Leia sensed the conflict in Tenzin's thoughts and felt guilty for causing his mind to be troubled. "Hey, I mean if you don't wanna answer them, it's fine. Just wanted to get to know you, that's all. You're basically going to be my brother, and we're gonna live in the same compound, so I guess I wanted to know some of your most basic information."

Tenzin relaxed, at the mention of her intentions. I'm her brother, yeah. No need to worry about a jealous girlfriend. (She ISN'T your girlfriend yet). Most of his thoughts sound like he was trying to convince himself rather than state facts.

Leia's mind drifts towards another topic, shifting the focus on her in order to not make the man more uncomfortable. "Speaking of siblings, I have a sister! Well, two, actually. My older sister's 10 years older than me. Quite the gap, I know. I think she's your age! She's currently with the United Forces."

Tenzin's conflicted face seems to deepen for a second before softening. "I have a sibling working with the United Forces as well, And, by the way, you estimated my age quite spot on. I'm 27."

Leia was happy once she realized the conflict written on Tenzin's face didn't transmit through his tone. It seemed his hesitance to answer was gone as well. She really didn't like how she ended up making Tenzin uncomfortable just a few moments ago. She gathered that it must be some type of aversion to social interaction. A grown man with the tendency to be timid and uptight - Leia wondered if he had friends.

The rest of the ride was filled with stories of siblings and experiences in their respective hometowns from both participants of the conversation. Tenzin talked about his brother as well as his sister, both of whom were older than him. He talked of them as if they were vermin, but Leia knew very well that he cared for them. He was just looking out for them and he sounded very much like parent worrying for his own children. While his brother worked under the United Forces, his sister was a waterbending healer who was currently travelling around the world. Leia found it interesting that his older brother Bumi (a name familiar to Leia, Katara mentioned him once or twice) was not a bender. One would typically expect that a spawn of one of the most powerful waterbenders and the Avatar to be a bender at the very least, but Bumi wasn't. It got the gears in Leia's head churning, and she knew that they wouldn't simply stop at the end of their car conversation.

Then, Tenzin mentioned some of the trips his father took him on. Aang had taken Tenzin to all air temples. Leia was astounded to find out that he had visited Kyoshi Island. She beamed at him and told him all about her fanatic obsession with Kyoshi and her adventures.

Following up on Tenzin's subject, Leia also talked about her siblings, revealing that she hadn't heard from her older sister ever since she left for the United Forces, and that she was very caring of both of her sisters, especially her younger one whom she had left behind in the south. She then continued the conversations by telling him all about some of the discoveries she had in the south and some of the conspiracy theories she had up her sleeve about shady things that happened in the past, some that were absolute nonsense while some were based on actual things Leia had strongly believed in.

The air acolyte soon informed them that they arrived at the docks where the ferry specifically used to transport people to and from Air Temple Island so their conversation was cut short. Once on the boat, Tenzin smiled at Leia who was looking at the water.

Despite having a father who accomplished taking down the tyrannical monarch of the Fire Nation when he was 12, Tenzin still couldn't believe a girl as young as Leia could attain much knowledge.

He was amazed by her. His amazement of her reminded him of someone else who he looked at with the same kind of admiration.

"I want you to meet someone," he told Leia and she looked away from the water to turn to him.

"Do you know of Toph Beifong?"

"Have I been living under a rock? Okay, sort of, but it's more ice than rock. Anyway's back to the point, of course I know who Toph is. I've also heard that her eldest daughter's currently the Chief of Police," Leia answered, her face showing an incredulous facial expression.

Tenzin slightly blushed out of embarassment, noting that he should have learned to never question the knowledge of this girl from the second she mentioned that she memorized the name of each bone in the human body because she was bored.

Leia took notice of his discomfort and quickly apologized. "Yikes, I'm sorry I said that, I didn't mean to make you feel bad."

Tenzin immediately assured her that it was fine and that he never should have doubted her in the first place, to which Leia quickly shook her head and disagreed with. "My knowledge is not perfect. I make mistakes, too! Plus, misinformation is kind of rampant right now, given the state of our current tech. Never hesitate to ask."

Tenzin gave her a small smile which she returned. "Now, what about Miss Toph?" Leia asked, urging him to continue his previous subject.

"Oh, right. You said you knew of her daughter as well, right?" Tenzin asked and his companion nodded. "Well, that's who I want you to meet, actually. She's amazing. Her name is-"

"You're going to make me meet Lin Beifong? Oh my stars!" Leia cut Tenzin off excitedly, pulling at his robes and bringing her face close to his. "Please tell me you aren't joking!?"

Tenzin quickly shook his head, and Leia let go of his robes. She paced around the spot on the deck where they were situated on and stopped, biting her her lip to keep herself from squealing.

Leia takes a deep breath, giving her limbs a good shake. "Alright, keep it together, Telly."

"Telly?" Tenzin snickered and Leia sent him a playful glare

"You don't get to judge the names I use to address myself, arrowhead," she pointed at him threateningly.

Tenzin rolled his eyes at the nickname.

"So when am I gonna get to meet her?" Leia asked, putting her arms akimbo.

"She's joining us for dinner," Tenzin said, his face softening upon thoughts of the woman he currently was seeing.

"Dinner!?? Spirits! Woah, wait," Leia stopped her excited rambling upon seeing Tenzin's face.

"Dinner? With a woman? At the house of one of your parents?" Leia started to enumerate, a playful grin making itself known on her lips, and eyes twinkling widely much like how she did when she found out that Tenzin had gone to Kyoshi Island. Tenzin blushed madly and swore that if Lin doesn't end up killing him first, this young girl will be the death of him.

"You're dating Lin Beifong!" She concluded loudly, pointing at his chest teasingly, and Tenzin is thankful that they're the only passengers. Leia then immediately switched moods, contemplating on the truth of her words, deciding to alter them, "Or, at the vey least, interested in her."

Tenzin groaned in annoyance and defeat, and instead of worrying that she said something wrong, Leia giggles at his reaction before speaking up again.

"So this is the part where you try to deny it, but don't even start. Your face says it all, Mr. Loverboy. And face it, I know you've heard me talk about finding stuff out, could you ever keep the truth from me?"

Tenzin sighed and let his side lean onto the railings of the ferry. He knew very well that Leia was right. With the way he'd interacted with her throughout the day so far, there was no way he would convince her otherwise.

Leia smiled, feeling victorious.