Kuvira's Assistant

Chapter 4

A subtle knock melodied on Kuvira's bedroom door. "Come in!" Kuvira announced, metalbending the door open. This was the only door on the entire train that could be opened solely by metalbending.

Akemi's back was turned as it opened, and she turned over her shoulder in surprise. "Oh! Okay... Sorry, I don't know if I can come in literally, or..."

"Yes of course, just come in. His stuff's over there, I shoved it in that brown duffle bag. Please grab his toiletries from the green bag in the bathroom," Kuvira explained, lying on her bed which centered the back wall of the room, still in her clothes though with the metal bent off. Bataar's bed, pressed against the corner of the room, was empty. She bent the door shut again, and then continued looking at a map of her soon-to-be Empire.

The assistant's cheeks reddened a little, feeling as though she was invading personal space. She wasn't shy or anything, but this felt so rare that it was odd. She did as she was told, collecting what she had to.

"Akemi, what are your thoughts on Zaofu?" the commander asked her new, apparent companion.

"Oh, well..." Akemi began, her voice reverberating between the ensuite bathroom walls behind Kuvira's head, "in what way? As a city? As part of our plan?"

"Well, both. Have you been there, by the way?"

Akemi turned the corner from the bathroom door and motioned towards Kuvira, Bataar's belongings cradled in her arms, looking over at the map she held. "That one, right? The second-last puzzle piece of the Empire."
"That's correct."

"Well I haven't been there ever, no, but I heard it's like a technology heaven. And haven. We're going there after Prince Wu's coronation, right?"

"There will be no coronation."

Akemi blinked at Kuvira a couple of times. She hoped she wasn't talking about any morbid plans she had...

"Don't worry, I mean I just won't let him go through with it. Having an Earth king defeats the purpose of having an Empire under my command. He is the figurehead that stands in my way. Never met him, but nonetheless, he won't be a challenge for me. I'll find my way."
"No doubt, Kuvira," Akemi responded, earning herself yet another smirk from her boss.

"So that's tomorrow. 2pm. I've got a speech prepared. ... Well, not really prepared but I know exactly what I want to say. The morning after that, we're on our way to Zaofu. It's where I grew up, actually. I'm keen to tell you about it and show you around some places. And I'll tell you exactly why it was saved for last, and must become part of our Empire."

"Bataar's from there, isn't he?"
"Yes, his mother and father founded and essentially built Zaofu together."

"Bolin must be a little torn, since that's Opal's home and all..."

Kuvira turned to her right and looked up at Akemi a little blankly.

"If he's torn, it means his allegiance to me is wavering. I'll have to talk to him about that." Akemi wanted to facepalm herself, but was sure she could prevent anything from happening to her friend. He'd be devastated..

"Akemi," Kuvira added, "you've been standing over my head for a while, sit down, please." She scooted her legs over to make room for Akemi to sit on the side of her bed.

Akemi didn't think much of it and simply sat, waiting for what else Kuvira had to say.

"You're loyal to me, right? You've already confirmed your allegiance to me when you were recruited. You should understand that this goes beyond your commitment to your friends."

The assistant wasn't one to take dramatic words.

"Kuvira, obviously you don't have to ask me that. My friends are one thing, and you are another, as is my job."