#opal's camera

Dear Mom, Aunt Lin wasn't very happy about having her photo taken at first. I think her reluctance had something to with certain slimy reporters over the years trying to make her look bad.

To ease her nerves, I developed a few of my favorite shots and showed them to her. I guess it worked because she said I can set up a darkroom in her house. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am for that. Ikki and Meelo keep moving my equipment around, and I don't have much space in the dormitories to start.

While I am in the process of setting up, I sent the photos I mentioned before. Let me know what you think. It's hard to tell if I have an eye for this sort of thing.

Love, Opal.

Dear Mom, Helping with reconstruction efforts in Republic City has been tough but rewarding work. I am eager to offer any help that I can, but it hasn't been easy. Everybody has been stretched thin. I think the best part though is that we have learned how to lean on each other to keep our spirits up. Did you get the photo I sent? I have taken up photography as a way to unwind. This picture is the first one I snapped. I will send more as I am able to develop them. Wait till you see the ones I took of Aunt Lin. I have to take them while she isn't looking or she stiffens up!

Dear Mom, My darkroom is all set up and ready to go! I brought Bolin to help me clear out the spare room Aunt Lin said I could use, but when we arrived, it was pretty much already empty. Bolin helped me organize my equipment and get it into place. He also sniffed the inside of the development chemical bottles when he thought I wasn't looking. I am pretending I didn't see it.

Anyway, I am eager to put my new workspace to use. For better or worse, there is so much going on in Republic City right now, and I feel as though I can't let the moments slip by undocumented. One day I want be able to look back and grasp the magnitude of what happened, even if it isn't so beautiful to look at. I also want to know that we— me, Aunt Lin, Korra, Asami, Bolin, Mako, Tenzin, the airbenders, all the volunteers— rallied together to help in any way that we could. It is eerie to see so much rubble and destruction, but beyond that, it is the knowing that every building, every shattered storefront, was the life and legacy of so many people. One that they can't get back. I've even caught Aunt Lin staring out the window with a funny look in her eye. There is a growing sense that things are never going to quite be what they were. I just hope whatever comes along next will help all of these people put their lives back together.

As I am sure you can tell, there is something a little off about my latest photo. Bolin was the one that took it. I explicitly told him to get a shot of Aunt Lin and me to send back home but he took some creative liberties. I would have made him retake it, but it was the last one in the roll. I almost didn't develop it all, but I figured it might make you laugh. Aunt Lin was less amused by his seemingly endless capacity for misinterpreting instructions. I am not so sure he is going to last in this line of work. Though, you know Bolin, nothing can kill his spirit. The few times I have asked Aunt Lin how he is doing working for the RCPD has produced mostly grumbling punctuated by a gruff "... he's a good kid."

I miss you by the way, all of you. I thought about coming to visit, but Juicy's allergies have been acting up worse than usual and I don't want her to strain herself. I hope we can get together soon. Love, Opal

P.S. Do you recognize this photo? Aunt Lin pulled it out of one of her desk drawers and tossed it my way. She said I could keep it if I wanted to add it to my collection or something. I thought it would be best to send it your way for safekeeping. Though, I would like to know if there is any sort of story behind it.

She is also very happy to hear that Lin and Opal are staying in each other's orbit. Post LOK, she is apprehensive about Opal continuing to stay near the city with it being in such a disarray. But she knows she can count on Lin to watch over her and make sure she is safe.

It is also bittersweet for Suyin to read Opal's letters, because Suyin used to know Lin on that personal level most people do not. So there is an element of nostalgia reading about the day-to-day events Opal describes with her aunt when more of her personality shines through.