•• 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 •• (The Legend of Korra/Mako fanfic)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞

The only good thing about the dinner was the excellent food.

Nike was sitting between Mako and Asami, and even if she was far from Lin, she could feel the hostility between her and Suyin. Nike didn't blame the older Beifong. Suyin had made Lin's life a nightmare by behaving so childishly and recklessly when they were younger.

Fortunately, the two sisters were able to maintain their composure. Sometimes one would hear a more malicious comment here and there, but nothing much.

'So, Nike, you're a pro-bender, right?' Wei addressed the firebender from the other side of the table.

'Former pro-bender, yes,' Nike smiled trying to pretend she didn't notice the tension between Lin and Su.

'I was a big fan of the Catgators! I never missed a match!' he said with excitement. 'Do you think you can show us your blue flames?'

Right when Nike was about to answer, someone burst into the room. And, to Team Avatar's shock, it was Varrick along with Zhu Li.

'What are you doing here?' Asami asked confused.

'Great question, Asami!' the man exclaimed. 'I mean, what are any of us doing here? Wow, food for thought. Any who, how's our company doing?'

The young lady was not happy with Varrick's attitude as he sat next to her and put his feet on the table.

'You mean my company. Future Industries reverted back to me after you plotted to abduct the President,' she explained, making sure to highlight every word.

'Allegedly plotted to abduct the President. Never convicted,' the man defended himself.

'Yeah, just like I allegedly bloodbended people...' Nike murmured.

'Uh, that's because you escaped prison,' Mako noted.

'No, the universe decided to set me free,' Varrick continued trying to explain himself and how he was not guilty of anything. 'So, I looked up my old friend Suyin here, pitched her a few ideas, and bam!' he smacked the table. 'We're in business together.'

'Varrick's heading up my new technology division,' Suyin informed.

Varrick proceeded to explain his plans and how magnets were part of them and the new high-speed rail he was working on. Nike could beg the spirits that Lin would keep her cool. She should have prayed harder.

'All right, enough!' a furious Chief of Police stood up. 'I'm trying to keep the Avatar safe and you're harboring a criminal?'

'Ease out, Lin,' Suyin tried to calm her sister. 'Sure, Varrick's made a few mistakes in his past, but that doesn't mean he should pay for it for the rest of his life. My chef was a pirate, but now he's a culinary master. Look at your friend Nike, from bloodbender to the savior of the United Nations fleet. People change.'

Nike couldn't tell if Suyin's words were meant to offend or if she truly believed she was saying something nice. Either way, she did not like it, and Lin liked it even less.

'You haven't!' Lin pointed at her sister before storming off.

'Lin!' Korra called.

'Just let her be,' Nike advised with bitterness in her tone. 'And you,' she turned to Suyin, 'don't ever mention bloodbending again. You have no idea what you're talking about. Keep my life out of your mouth!'

'Nike, I am sorry,' Su apologized as she saw the firebender getting up. 'I didn't mean to offend.'

It was too late; Nike too had abandoned the dining room. Mako followed her, he could see how fragile she was underneath all that anger.