THE AIR MASTER {LOK/ATLA}

(VIII)

"Tonight, for your dining pleasure, I present a seared wild Kyoshi elephant koi, paired with a ginger-infused pea tendril and hibiscus root salad," The chef introduced. I was about to protest before he turned to me. "And for Master Zaya, a lychee nut tart to pair with the salad."

"Stunning," Suyin applauded.

"Sorry, dear, I'm going to have to take dinner to my office. I just had a major breakthrough on the tram station remodel," a man said, as he and another guy walked out of the dinning hall with urgency.

"Well, don't let me stand away an inspiration," Suyin insisted.

"You're the best!"

"That was my brilliant architect of a husband, Baatar, and our oldest son. He engineers all my husband's projects," Suyin explained with a smile.

"Five kids. What a nightmare," Lin muttered.

"No, no. My children are a blessing," Suyin retorted.

"Yeah, mom used to say that too, but she never meant it," Lin snapped.

"Mmmm. I have to admit, I was pretty skeptical when he said 'pea tendrils', but this is delicious," Bolin commented, completely ignoring the elephant in the room, and I don't mean the cooked koi on the table.

"I know, right. I don't think I've ever had a bad meal in my life," Opal admitted with a laugh.

"Oh. I had plenty when Mako and I were living in the streets. I mean, you'd be surprised how bad food from a dumpster can be."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"No, no, it's okay, that's all in the past. Things are great now. I got to be a pro-bender, fought against a dangerous revolution, became a mover star, and now, I'm helping the Avatar rebuild a whole nation," Bolin reassured her with a smile.

Oh, those two were adorable. Even though Bolin had no idea of what was going on.

"Wow. Your life sounds so exciting," Opal said, sounding a little jealous.

Can't say I blame her. My life was a lot like hers, not that long ago. I was also forced to stay on Air Temple Island, and I also found myself wishing I could go off on adventures the way I finally got to do now.

"How's your search for the new airbenders going?" Suyin asked me and Korra.

"Well... It's been tough. Not many of them wanted to join us," I admitted.

"And we had to rescue a whole group of them from the Earth Queen," Korra added.

"Oh, she's horrible. She thinks she can just do whatever she wants."

"Sounds familiar," Lin muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"I mean, the idea of even having a queen is so outdated. Don't you agree?" Suyin asked both of us.

I knew what I wanted to respond, but I was a little afraid about causing a fight between the sisters. "Well... I do think the Earth Kingdom has developed so much in these last decades that the idea of a single monarch guarding it all and supposedly managing it sounds a little unrealistic."

"Oh, I fully agree. The world is evolving and the Earth Queen can evolve with it or step aside."

"Hey, everyone. My little sister is an expert on world affairs now," Lin said sarcastically once again.