I learned not long after mother and father were planning on heading to my hometown of Zaofu to obtain the lands and the city for the Earth Empire. This filled me with a sense of dread and fear as I knew Grandmother Suyin would not turn over power easily. And I do not wish for conflict or bloodshed. But I knew to remain quiet over such matters as it was not good to create any sorts of conflicts with my parents. I was far too aware of the sort of …. Punishments mother along with father would bring open those who defy them. They did state of crushing anyone who stood in their way. I still know my parents and was well aware they would never bring I harm over such small and insignificant matters, but I was still frightened by the words and of such horrid ideas still I was well aware that it’d still be best to focus upon other sorts of matters.
And so I went to visit with Varick and his assistant Zhu Li Moon. I’d never liked Varrick. He is far too selfish and arrogant, but I will not deny his brains. He's invented quite a lot of wonderful things, the mover camera being my most favorite. As it is very much like watching a book itself like magic and some of my favorite books have been movers. I love watching something of value and know they’re going to work on something with quite a lot of uses from that of a new clean source of energy from that of the mysterious spirit vines and this will provide others with a great kindness as their will be much goodness that will be provided to the commoner and mother and father do wish to learn dearly about such matters of importance. It provides my heart with much warmth and joy to learn of this especially in regard to topics of intellect and of importance.
I also do love the time I get to have lovely peaceful conversations with his assistant miss Zhu Li Moon. She is very kind and I do enjoy the time I get to spend with her. I don’t get much time as she is quite busy as Varrick can be selfish with her and his demands and all. But I still have some time where we may have a lovely little chat. It is quite nice having a sort of warm acquaintance, especially during these troublesome times. As friendship is of much importance and this is of the grandest of realities. As people are in much need of others to care for and to feel joy for. Not to mention it was a most wonderful educational experience of wonder as such technology would be of much benefit to the earth empire. And I am aware of how I may help, of how sorts of currents of electricity help to transport any sort of energy from the vines to a battery.
But unfortunately, things did not turn out as planned as the sort of technology grew unstable as the alarms began to blare and glass of the machine began to break. Varrick as well as Zhu Li went to shut it down, but it did not work as the machine was far too damaged. And this sort of pure purple energy formed and let out a giant hole as it tore through the trains rear. I rushed over to aid as I saw Zhu Li dangling from the train's edge. As she is a very good person who deserves life, I felt obligated to save her. I along with Varrick managed to rescue the life of Zhu Li Moon.
Mother and father rushed in a few seconds later “What happened where we attacked.” Mom asked with authority and care.
Varrick explained what happened and told them not to worry because he was going to end the project.
But my mother said he was not too quiet and stated if he realized what they could do with this sort of power. This was… startling to say the least. I was very much aware of the certain misuses of the power when brought in the wrong hands and was Varrick. Dad stated that since when did that matter to you. Varrick said that he knew and that it wasn’t like him and that he recently had these feelings of concern for others and a nagging voice in his head constantly telling him what’s right from wrong. Miss Zhu Li Moon then stated that she believed that was his conscience. Mother responded that she was the only voice in his head and that she was telling him he would continue on the project. But Varrick stood his ground and to my horror mother began to metal bend the metal around his uniform and held him with her metal bender over the tracks and said with much cruelty and a sickening seriousness that she had a voice in her head telling him to drop him off the tracks and should she listen. He panickily responded that head voices were liars and that he’d work on the project and pleaded with her not to drop him. And I felt fear at mom’s cruel smirk. She then metal bended and slammed him against the train floor.
I was frozen in place. I’ve never seen such cruelty from mom and dad before. I then felt deep care and commitment towards helping Varrick and Zhu Li, but dad told me to go with him and mom. So, I listened. I saw much sympathy upon their faces “We’re really sorry you had to see that we do not wish for you to become too frightened. it’s just as leaders we have to make hard choices sometimes.” dad said. I just nodded my head and went along with it. But this was… regretfully only the beginning.
The next day mother along with father went to negotiate with Grandmother Suyin along with my grandfather Bataar in regard towards giving them the city but grandmother refused, and mother stated that they left them no choice and that they’d have 24 hours to hand over the city otherwise she’d be forced to take over the city it by force.
The news was horrifying as I wished for no harm or of war, but mother and father assured me they would make sure the guards treated the citizens with care as they should not be harmed. Which did calm my nerves some as I recognized the genuine kindness and care of those words.
So, I simply smiled and sat down on the couch while we held lovely conversations of all the joy we would have in the coming years to the preparations for the wedding of my parents. I can’t wait until the wedding. It will be quite the celebration as they will finally get married.
Well, this did end when Bolin arrived as he and I found the approach to be a bit extreme and asked if they truly meant to attack Zaofu. The words were very… discerning to say the least when she said when people don’t cooperate other ways must be found to “convince” them to join. Bolin asked of how many times these other ways were used by them in the past and mother stated that it wasn't for him to worry about. Bolin then said of how he never checked those towns and villages to see how they were, and mother responded that their royal subjects and who contribute to the empire however they see fit by them meaning her along with father. She also stated that if he wanted to be in their inner circle that he would have to accept some tough truths. He then suggested that the city could be left free, and the empire would be united mother then walked up to him with harshness and stated that Zaofu would join and that the only thing she was second guessing was the decision to bring him along and that maybe he needed to spend some time in a reeducation camp. Bolin stated that he thought that was where we send people to learn new trade skills. Father responded with hard truths Bolin and mother stated that Bolin’s loyalty appeared to be wavering. Bolin stated that he was 100% loyal and even saluted them but there was still fear amongst those eyes.
I could not help but feel that of sympathy and care upon my face. Fortunately, my mother and father simply sent him off and this calmed my mind as he did not deserve to go to those camps. Mother and father stated with much sympathy and care within their hearts that it would be best if I cut ties with Bolin for my safety. I did say that I understood of this as safety is of importance, but I still held that of sorrow and even a slight resent in my tone. But I still hold that of care and understanding towards my parents and they did apologize for such a regretful situation. But they did help by reminding me of the friends I would make such as Haiku and this did allow for joy and that of a smile upon myself and there’s.
However, the conflict within those of the rest of my family did not help as Grandmother Suyin along with her son’s Uncle Wing and Wei went to attack mother while she slept but it foiled. Mother then stated that Grandmother Suyin was afraid in regard to bringing stability and peace to the nation and how she was afraid of a fair fight. And mother stated she was always a coward before she had her men take them away. I knew nought of what was to become of them, but I was afraid. She then sent an income to all the members of the city and assured them that she would not take revenge on the peaceful citizens of Zaofu so long as they remained representatives and to meet her in the city center for the full and unconditional surrender of the city.
This unfortunately did not turn out as expected as the avatar herself came to try and prevent this. She has been a dear friend to the Beifongs even in her previous life as Avatar Aang as well as the fact that she cared dearly for freedom it was clear she would not have negotiation in regards towards mother having control of the city as she did not believe Zaofu should be forcefully taken.
Not to mention Zaofu wasn’t under full earth kingdom or earth empire control due to the conflict and injustice of when the queen tried to make I into a pet. This just didn’t seem right so long as they met trade dues to the country. It would be best if they remained free otherwise to avoid any sort of conflict. Not to mention their legislation leeway was reasonable and just. Then again a majority of the legislation is now the sorts of mother’s and fathers. I will admit the sorts of legislation towards that of loyalty as well as the “avoidance” of conflicts is a bit… discerning but I knew better than to say anything.
It was not surprising of the battle between the avatar and mother. I was fearful for mother’s safety. It did appear that Korra would of killed her should guilt and care not of prevented this. But I did not expect mother to attempt to kill her nor of mother’s forcing of the innocent civilians of Zaofu to bow to ensure their fair treatment as well as the obtaining of their freedom. Not to mention of the unjust arrests of Grandpa Bataar and Uncle Haun this filled me with some level of doubt, but I knew I definitely couldn’t say anything.