#linorra

30 Day Writing Challenge Day 3

3. Restless

Her apartment was freezing that night. Sighing, Lin shifted in her bed to a more comfortable postition, but she couldn’t seem to find one. The woman sat up and swung her feet over the edge of her bed and cradled her head in frustration before standing. There was no use in trying to sleep as it was clear that it was not coming. She stretched before making her way to the kitchen.

Lin placed the tea pot on the cast-iron stove and waited for the water to boil. Her hand traced the patterns intricately cut into the iron. Her mother had made the stove, years ago when Lin first got the apartment.

She had graduated top of her class at the Beifong Metalbending Academy, but was not feeling her best, as the other students scowled at her.

“She only graduated with top marks because Sifu Toph is her mother!”  She heard someone say as she walked up to receive her diploma. Normally, a remark like that wouldn’t bother Lin because she had worked very hard to get where she was, and spirits be damned if her mother ever let her slack off! Nevertheless she stood tall and accepted her certificate and police badge with pride. Her mother taught her better than to let others get the best of her.

Later that night, while everyone was out celebrating, Toph led her away from Kya, Bumi and Tenzin.

“What is it mother?” She asked, letting Toph take her hand. “Take a walk with me, Lin” Toph smiled as they left the house. They walked in silence for a few  moments before stopping in front of an apartment building. It was brand new. “Mother what is this?” Lin said looking up at the building. She had a funny feeling about it. “Your new home.” Toph said with a grin. Lin’s eyes lit up in shock as she continued to surveythe building. “Mother,” She said, just barely above a whisper. “Why-“ “A Beifong needs her own space and a proper home,” The older woman said, punching her daughter in the arm. It didn’t bother Lin. She learned early on that it was a sign of affection. “C’mon, let me show you your new apartment.” She pulled her daughter eagerly into the building.

It was a three story building and her apartment was at the top floor. It was a loft. Her eyes lit up again in wonder as she let them feast. Finely crafted matching, wooden furniture and a bamboo plant in corner of the room decorated the house. The floors were finished and wood paneled. The Apartment itself was scarcely furnished and she liked it.  Lin was never someone who made a kerfuffle over material things. Rule number one in the Beifong household: If you invest too much time in material objects, then you lose sight of who you are.

“Mother, I…I’m speechless.” She said taking Toph’s hands in hers. Although grateful, she didn’t feel like her mother needed to do this. “What’s wrong?” Toph asked. Lin’s heart rate must have dropped. She sighed, cursing to herself. “I don’t deserve this,” She said, with an air of defeat in her voice. She hated admitting her insecurities to anyone, least of all her mother. “I worked just as hard as my colleagues and don’t think it proper to accept this.” “You worked harder than more than half those nitwits and you know it.” Toph said crossing her arms. When Lin didn’t respond, Toph sighed and cupped her daughter’s face gently. “You deserve everything given to you. You are not spoiled or ungrateful. You are hardworking, and stubborn and the best daughter anyone could ask for.” Toph felt tears slide down Lin’s face and wiped them away. “I heard what those kids said at the graduation ceremony.” Lin blushed. She had not realized that her mom was paying attention. “And felt you get embarrassed. But,” She said moving over to the the kitchen. “That’s why you left on top of the heap. You were the only competent one. Sokka thought so too.” “He did?” Lin said looking up at her mother. If anyone was harder to impress than Toph, it was definitely Uncle-Sifu Sokka. “Don’t ever let anyone get in your way. How many times do we have to tell you that?” “I know.” Lin bowed to her mother. “Thank you Mother.” “Don’t thank me yet,” Toph said and beckoned the younger girl to her. Lin obeyed, following her into the kitchen. A small table stood in the middle of the room with two chairs around it. It was cozy. Toph stood by the stove. From far away it looked like your typical cast-iron stove, but Lin gasped as she moved closer. The stove had very detailed markings perfectly cut on all sides. A winged boar proudly splayed its wings on the oven door and the title ‘Beifong’ was boasted on the back. Lin grazed her fingers over the stove and closed her eyes allowing herself to feel the energy that came from it. It felt so warm and familiar, like her mother. She smiled. “You made this?” Lin asked softly. “Well, You like cooking, which is beyond me. I swear you had to have picked that up from Uncle Sokka, because I hate it!” Toph said rolling her eyes. “But yes I made it. Out of the strongest iron we could find. That thing will last forever!” Lin continued to stare at the stove, the best thing about her apartment.

The whistling teapot brought Lin back to the present. She still forgot to this day how much of her mother’s presence still resided in the apartment and felt so grateful for that. Especially nights like these. It was when she felt Toph the most.

She poured herself a cup of tea and sat by the open window on the large sil, letting the breeze caress her face. It had this calming effect on her. Spirits knows she needed it. Careful not to burn herself, she sipped her tea, enjoying the scenery when a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist.

lin: bold of you to assume i was held.