Flying Bisons [2] Bolin

Chapter 35

We follow Aiwei and Bamir towards a train and we all climb on letting it take us through Zaofu. I can't help but smile as I watch Bolin take in everything around us; he wears a large grin as he looks at the metal buildings and I feel my heart flutter at the sight of it. His smile is probably my favourite thing in the entire world. It reminds me of when I first met him and how I knew the instant I saw his smile that he would be my friend. Though I could have never guessed how much he would mean to me. How could I have ever predicted that the earthbender who came to check on me after our match would come to be the most important person in my life?

I feel eyes on me and so I turn to see Mako watching me stare at his brother. I feel heat fill my cheeks when I realise that I've been caught, but Mako only smiles at me. I bite my bottom lip slightly before looking towards the skyline.

"That statue honours the first metalbender, Toph Beifong, who expanded the possibilities of what benders were capable of." Aiwei explains. I feel Korra lean towards me and I give her a small side look.

"Reckon you'll get a statue for being the first heatbender?" She whispers to me.

"Honestly would love that to be the reason I'd get a statue." I reply. I'd choose being recognised for my bending over being royalty any day.

"Here, everyone is encouraged to reach his or her highest potential." Aiwei says.

"Does Toph live here? Are we gonna get to meet her?" Bolin asks enthusiastically just like he does whenever a member of the original Team Avatar is mentioned. I smile as I admire his expression for a moment until I am forced back to reality.

"I'm afraid not. She used to visit from time to time, but years ago, she left to wander the world in search of enlightenment. No one has seen her since." Aiwei replies. I notice Bolin pout, but he soon smiles again as he looks at the new buildings that come into view.

The train soon reaches the end of the tracks and we are guided off. My jaw drops as I see the large estate in front of us. It is larger than any other estate we've passed. If this is where the airbender lives then I gotta assume that they're from an important family.

"Wow, is this where the airbender lives?" Korra gasps as she moves to my side.

"Yes, but first, her mother wants to meet you. Both of you." Aiwei says as he glances at me. I furrow my brows.

"Why would she want to meet me?" I ask.

"You're the Fire Nation Princess." He replies nonchalantly. I huff when I realise that I'm going to be forced into princess duties. Korra shoots me a look when she senses my annoyance and she links her arm with mine.

"I'm sure she can't be any worse than the Earth Queen." Korra mutters to me as Aiwei and Bamir start walking towards the large building before us. I laugh nervously and cling onto her arm.

"No one is as bad as her." I chuckle as we follow them.

We walk into the building and I let my eyes widen as I take in the large amount of decor in the grand rooms. Everything about this place screams elegance, it reminds me of back home. Though, it's seriously lacking red. My eyes land on a group of metalbenders and I watch in amazement as they use their bending to dance around the room. Their movements are swift and they fall into sync with one another. Their dance is mesmerising, I could sit and watch them all day.

"Is this some kind of combat training?" Korra asks.

"It looks like a dance." I whisper, too caught up in their movements and metal bending to speak any louder.

"The Princess is right. They are rehearsing for a dance premiere next month." Aiwei says. The routine stops and one of the women look over her shoulder towards us. When she sees us she dismisses the group and walks towards us. "Allow me to introduce the matriarch of the Metal Clan, Suyin." He says as he gestures to the woman.