Forward In Time

Chapter Twenty-Eight

"Uhh, Whose going to knock?" Korra asked. Her, Bolin and Mako were standing outside of Lin's quarters after the big fight.

Korra pushes Bolin closer to the door, "No, no, no, no, no, no! Not me! You're the Avatar, why can't you do it?"

"Uhh, I can. But I just thought that..."

"I'll do it." Mako knocks on Lin's door, "Uhh, Chief, you've been sleeping for sixteen hours. We just wanted to make sure that you're okay."

Lin pulls her door open, making Mako fall down. Lin, in Metal Clan attire, yawns and stretches her arms. She cheerfully says, "Good morning."

Korra and Bolin look surprised after what happened before. Mako gets back on his feet.
----

"What's this?" Lin asks, looking at the drink in front of her.

"I call it the kalenutsco. It's a mixture of kale, coconut water, and walnuts." The chef replied.

Lin tries and finishes the drink, "Not bad!"

She then sees Opal standing by the door of the dining room. She walks away from the dining room before returning upon Lin's request, "Opal, don't go. Please sit down, I want to talk to you." Opal walks into the dining room before sitting down, "Look, I'm just not really comfortable talking about these kinds of things, and... well, I wanted to say that I'm sorry about the other night."

"It's okay." Opal replies.

"Your mother and I have a complicated relationship and..."

"It's probably difficult for you to be here."

Lin smiles, "You're a smart young woman, and an excellent airbender. I think it would be a wonderful opportunity to train with the other airbenders at the Northern Air Temple."

"There's a part of me that wants to go, but... I don't want to upset my mom."

"When I was younger, all I wanted to do was please my mother. I became a police chief because I thought it would make her happy... but it didn't. You need to make your decisions based on what you want. Don't make the same mistakes as I did."

Opal smiles and hugs her aunt.
----

Later that day, Lin stands in front of a statue of Toph, looking up at it as Suyin approaches her.

"Opal has decided to go to the Northern Air Temple. I guess you had something to do with her decision." Suyin said.

"Well, I was just..."

"It's okay. I'm glad she was honest with me. I want her to do what makes her happy. Mom gave us too much freedom, but I feel like I made the mistake of giving Opal too little. I think it's about time I let her choose her own way." She pauses before continuing, "I'm sorry I gave you such a hard time when we were younger. I can't imagine what my life would've been like if Mom hadn't sent me away, if I had stayed in the city-"

"You'd probably be in prison."

"You're probably right. Mako told me that you're an excellent police chief. Republic City is lucky to have you. I know Mom is proud." Lin looks at Toph's statue for a moment, "Can we move on? I'd love for you to be part of my life again. There's plenty of space in the house, and the kids would love having their aunt around. I do need a new co-director for my new dance performance."

"Whoa! Slow it down. How about for now, I just promise not to show up at your house and attack you again?"

"Deal!"

The two of them shake hands and smile at each other.
----

Lin and Suyin walked back to the palace courtyard where Aang, Toph and Zuko were standing infront of Sokka and Huan who was standing in front of something covered with a sheet.