A Dancer's Heart

Chapter Two: Suyin Beifong

Thack! Thack!

Water whipped against the wall as the young child used to practice her bending. Stomping her foot once as a small piece of earth came up and then fell back to the ground. Grunting with frustration before heading back into the small shack of a house. In the lower ring of Ba Sing Se where all the poor citizens had lived. The smell of the streets was horrid from smoke and rotten food. Spoiled food. These people on the streets begging for cleaner water and food from the guards before being pushed aside. A hand grabbed Alessia's arm as she grunted. Being yanked into the house.
"What were you thinking?!" A man coughed while holding her close to his face. "If the Queen finds out, she'll take you!" He coughed again before moving to the side of the room of the shack. A letter had fallen. She couldn't read it;

Dear Mr. Whom it concerns,

It has come to my understanding that you have mentioned in your letter to me a few weeks ago. I understand the situation you are in and I do intend to help. I understand you have seen healers and there is nothing you can do. I am truly sorry to hear that. I will however take the girl in as my own and train her. I will keep her in Zaofu where she will be hidden from the Queen. She however is a native to the Earth Kingdom and is a citizen sadly. Hopefully coming under my care will pry eyes away from the rest. I shall come straight to you a couple days after this letter is sent.

Regards,

Suyin Befong

The young girl placed the letter upon the table. Not knowing how to read it and shrugged. There was soft scrapping and thudding as the man coughed before hitting the ground.
"Papa?" The girl spoke while walking over and saw the man on the ground. She shook him roughly. "Papa? Papa!" She felt tears stream from her eyes before standing up and ran out the door.

Thud!

"I..I'm sorry miss!" Alessia spoke as she bowed her head. She looked up and saw a woman in light green robes. Short gray hair. Soft green eyes looking down upon the girl.
"It is alright dear! Why are you in such a hurry?" You woman spoke softly.
"It's papa! He won't move!" The girl spoke as she ran back to the house as the woman quickly followed. Watching the woman kneel over before calling for a guard. The young girl watched as the man was lifted up and taken out of the house.
"What is your name my dear?" The woman spoke softly while placing a hand upon the girl's shoulder.
"Alessia." She whimpered softly.
"Grab your things my dear. You are coming home with me." The woman spoke. Alessia had grabbed a book before following the woman out of the door and away from the shack of a house. Hearing smashing and shouting, she turned her head to watch the place go up in flames. She grunted before following the woman in green onto a train. It was not long before Ba Sing Se was out of sight as the train made it's way into the fields.
"Don't worry my dear. You are safe and I am sure you will love it in Zaofu. I am Suyin Beifong, you can call me Su." The woman spoke as the girl nodded her head before leaning against the woman and fell asleep.

Lin's POV

Dear Lin Beifong,

As recent news has found, I regret to inform you that we have lost sight of Alessia. Her father was found dead in the house. By the time we arrived, the house was in flames and the body was gone. The girl was already gone by the time we arrived. We apologize for not bringing you any good news at the time. My men and I are on the search for her as we speak. We will find her and bring her to the South so we can watch both her and her sister.

Kind regards,

Lotus Nox

Lin slammed her fists on top of her desk and was cursing under her breath. 'How could they lose the child?! All they had to do was watch her and keep tabs on her!' Lin was frustrated while throwing the letter into the trash.
"Damn spirits!" Lin shouted and sat down. Rubbing her temples before hearing a knock.
"Uh Captain, everything alright?" A man spoke as Lin looked up.

"Everything is fine, go do your job!" Lin had snapped. Watching the man quickly leave. Looking out the window from her office, she spotted Toph who was shaking her head and walked into the room.
"That's not how you treat your officers. You're going to be Chief soon." Toph's voice spoke before leaving. Lin grunted before standing up. She locked her office and left. Heading home from the station.

"Please be alright my dear." Lin spoke softly to herself

End of POV

"What do you think?" Su's voice spoke as Alessia sat up. It felt like hours in the train before what seemed like a giant flower was now in sight. It was massive! Her jaw dropped and stood up. Looking at Su before back outside.
"Welcome to Zaofu. Home of the Metal Clan." Su spoke while placing a hand upon the girl's shoulder. She got very excited at the sight of the giant flowers before the train pulled into the station. She held the book tightly against her chest before grabbing Su's hand as she was led away. The giant house was made of metal. She was now confused.
"Ah, it's all metal. Metalbenders live here dear. Don't worry, I will also be teaching you to bend metal as well. Hopefully it's your sub element." Su's voice spoke as Alessia was in awe at everything she saw. Two boys were arguing with each other before seeing their mother and ran up to the house. It wasn't a long walk as they made it to the entrance. Looking up and down before around the house. It was massive. Stairs leading to another floor with rooms. She was led up the stairs to a small room. Inside was simple. A bed, dresser, radio, a wardrobe with green clothes. Earth Kingdom. She had her own bathroom!
"This will be your room. Get cleaned up dear and I'll come bring you down for dinner." Su spoke as she nudged Alessia into the room. The girl nodded her head before going into the bathroom. Washing up before changing into a simple green shirt and pants. Seeing Su smiling at her before following her down the stairs.

"Before we have dinner, I must introduce you to myother children." Su smiled with soft spoken words.
"The twins, Wing and Wei. You saw them earlier. My oldest, Bataar Jr. Opal, myyoungest and the lovely quiet one is Kuvira." Su spoke as she introduced eachchild. They were not much older than herself. Alessia couldn't help but keepher eyes upon Kuvira. The other girl was only a few inches taller, strongjawline and a braid. Kuvira smiled at her as Alessia snapped her eyes awaybefore smiling as well. She felt a little embarrassed before sitting downbetween Opal and Kuvira at the dinner table.
"Now, I hope you all make Alessia feel welcome. This is her home now." Su spokeas Opal clapped once and hugged Alessia who was still at the hug. She had neverfelt any physical touch before. Well, once before she had met her father butshe did not remember that. Gently patting Opal's back in a return hug.
"Don't mind her. She's always hugging people." A soft deep voice of Kuviraspoke from her left. Alessia turned and nodded with a soft smile. She couldn'thelp but look into Kuvira's eyes. They were green. Jade. A pang was felt in herchest. She could remember seeing a lighter pair of green eyes like those beforebut she couldn't seem to place the memory.
"Dinner is served!" A man's voice boomed as he walked in, setting the platesdown. Alessia eyed the food and watched everyone eat.
"Don't worry, it wont bite." Kuvira spoke while gently nudging Alessia'sshoulder. She smiled at the green eyed girl before slowly eating her dinner.Her thoughts trying to process everything that had just happened.