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It was the afternoon of Friday 31st October, Halloween, and Lin was waiting in the front playground of Korra and Opal's infant school with the other parents, counting down till Three o'clock.
The police chief was scrolling through her phone, looking for pumpkin carving ideas to do with the kids. When several classroom doors were flung open and the sound of laughter erupted all around them as small children flooded the playground looking for their parents or guardians.
It didn't take long for Opal to skip happily over to her aunt, holding her painting of a pumpkin triumphantly in her small hands.
"Look Auntie Lin, look" she called happily, holding her painting up high so Lin could see it.
"Wow Opy", Lin cooed as she knelt down to get a proper look at her niece's painting. She gently took the picture before peeking over the top of it to ask, "did you paint this all by yourself"?
Opal puffed out her chest and nodded proudly, "yep, Mrs Mai gave me a smiley face for it, look", the little girl exclaimed, as she pointed to the top right hand corner of the picture where a small stamped smiley face was visible with a note saying 'well done Opal !' written in green marking ink.
"That's great Sweetheart, are you going to show your Mummy and Daddy when we get home"?
Opal nearly nodded her head off in her enthusiasm. "Auntie Kya and Grandma Toph too".
"I'm sure they'll love that Sweetheart" Lin enthused, ruffling her niece's hair.
The police chief then smiled, handed the little girl her painting back, before taking her school bag off her small shoulder and secured it over her own, before standing up, and taking her hand.
'One Beifong down, one to go', she thought, scanning the playground for her own little terror.
"Baba !!!!" Cried a familiar, enthusiastic voice.
Lin glanced up and spotted Korra running over to her, Naga tucked safely under one arm, the other, hand in hand with her best friend Asami.
"Hey Pookie" Lin grinned, releasing Opal's hand and kneeling down again to embrace her youngest child in a loving hug. "How was your day little one"? The police chief asked as she took Korra's school satchel off her, and hanging it next to her cousin's over her broad shoulder.
"Good Baba, I made a Cat, look"! The little girl exclaimed, presenting her mother with a paper mache, black cat.
"Wow! Would you look at that" Lin grinned, gently taking the cat and examining it from every angle.
"Does your cat have a name"?
Korra nodded, "Yeah, Mr Paws. Do you like him Baba"?
"I certainly do, did you make Mr Paws all by yourself KorraBean"? Lin asked as she gently handed over the cat.
Korra looked shyly down at her feet and shook her head, "Sami helped me Baba".
"Hey, that's okay Korra, you can ask for help when you're struggling".
"That's what I told them", Lin looked up to find Yasuko Sato walking over to them. She was also carrying a school satchel on her shoulder, with Asami's Thomas the Tank Engine lunchbox and an almost identical paper mache cat in her arms.
"Clearly, great minds think alike", Lin smiled as she stood and warmly shook hands with the other mother. "How are you Yasuko, I haven't seen you in a while, how's things"?
"Oh, you know how it is, the kids take up all my free time, and Hiroshi and the business takes up all the rest".
She smiled down at Asami and stroked her long black hair, then looked at Korra and Opal and asked, "are you two going trick or treating tonight"?
That seemed to do the trick, Korra snapped out of her funk almost instantly, she nodded excitedly, slipping her hand out of Asami's to gesticulate wildly, she explained.
"Yeah! We're going as cowboys" she indicated Naga as the 'we'. "Opy's too scared to go, but I'm going with Kuvy, I was going with Baba and Mummy, but Mummy has to work and Baba doesn't trust Auntie Su to not mess up our house".
"I'm not scared Korra" Opal glared at her older cousin, "Mummy said I can go when I'm ready".
"Yeah, because you're too scared to go"! Korra turned to fully look at the younger girl now.
"You'd be scared too, if you didn't have Naga and Kuvy to go with you" Opal retorted.
"Would not" Korra said angrily, shoving her cousin in the shoulders.
"Would too" Opal spat, shoving her back.
"Hey, don't shove her", Asami defended her friend, pushing the other girl away.
"She started it" Opal shouted pushing Korra again.
"Did not Opal"!
"Did too Korra"!
"That's enough" Lin ordered over the three girl's heads.
Korra cowered slightly, she hated getting told off by her mother.
"Sorry Baba" she mumbled.
"Yeah, sorry Auntie Lin" Opal added as she shyly dug the toes of her school shoes into the playground floor.
Asami mumbled her apology as well before gently taking her friend's hand again to comfort her.
Noticing this, the two mother's shared meaningful looks as they both smiled at the adorable sight.
Lin then gently said, "you're forgiven girls, but no more pushing okay? If you disagree about something, you talk about it, you don't push or hit anyone. Do you understand me"?
"Yes" came three shy voices.
"Good" Lin smiled, "well, I suppose we should get these trouble makers home".
"I'll bring Asami around for five-ish, if that's okay with you and Kya"? Yasuko asked as she took Asami's spare hand.
"That'll be perfect, we'll see you then", Lin smiled as she took Korra and Opal's hands and gently pulled them away from their friend.
"Bye bye Sami", Korra called over to her friend as she held tightly to Naga and Mr Paws in one hand, and her mother's in the other.
"Bye Korra, bye Opal" Asami cried out as Yasuko picked up her youngest and carried her out of the school grounds and into the awaiting chauffeur driven car, parked a little way down the road.
Whilst Lin buckled Korra and Opal into their car seats in the back of her police car right outside the school gates.
"Okay", she said after she ensured Korra was safely strapped in with Naga sat on her lap. "Let's get you two home and ready for tonight".
With the combined cries of "yayyyy" ringing in her ears, Lin got into the drivers seat and slowly crept out of the space and headed home.
- - - - - -
Five o'clock had finally arrived, and as Kya was helping Korra into her costume. Lin was downstairs filling up bowls full of sweets to hand out to the children, (she would be manning the front door herself as they had given the staff the night off to enjoy with their families).
"Kuvy, can you grab me another bag of mini Mars bars? We're a little low".
"Sure thing Baba", the teen called from the kitchen.
She soon appeared in the entryway carrying several bags of mini chocolate bars and packets of sweets.
"Thank you honey" Lin smiled at her eldest, "we just need to tip them equally into these bowls".
Lin indicated four, large plastic pumpkin shaped bowls on top of the ornate entryway table.
Kuvira raised a surprised eyebrow, "isn't this all a bit much Baba? I mean, the house is a bit out of the way".
This was true, the Beifong mansion was outside the city, inside a gated community, and down a long driveway, it's not the sort of place kids would just walk up to and ask for sweets.
"Normally, that would be true" Lin said, opening up the bags of sweets, one after another, "but with your Aunt's haunted house going on, I want to make sure the kids have something to do aswell".
"I thought it was an adults only thing"? Kuvira asked, tilting her head.
"It is, but the local neighbourhood watch has decided to do a sort of Halloween trail for the younger kids", Lin explained.
"That's....... not actually a bad idea" Kuvira said impressed.
"Always the tone of surprise" Lin grinned at her child.
"What!? It was your idea"?
Lin raised an eyebrow, "Well of course it is, that's why it's so brilliant".
She stood up straight and gave her a questioning look, completely changing the subject she asked, "I thought you were going as a military dictator this year"?
Kuvira shrugged, "I just thought it was a bit, you know, cartoony".
"Cartoony"? Lin snorted.
"Hey" Kuvira whined "I'm allowed to change my mind".
"Of course you are honey pie" Lin smiled, as she pinched the teen's cheek playfully.
"Babaaaaaa" Kuvira whined again.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry" Lin raised her hands in mock surrender. "So what have you chosen? An American nerd or something"?
Kuvira gave her a mock offended look, "I'm an evil mad genius scientist, duh".
"Oh silly me" Lin muttered under her breath.
Just then, movement at the top of the grand staircase, caught their attention.
Lin turned as someone came clattering down the main staircase.
It was Korra. She had broken free of her mother's grasp at the top of the stairs, and was excitedly hurrying down them to get to her other mother and sister.
"Korra honey, be careful" Kya called as the little girl jumped the last five steps and barrelled into Lin's legs, giggling excitedly.
"Look Baba, look" she squealed, jumping up and down in her excitement, raising her arms out to the side for the police chief's inspection.
"Looking good my little cowboy" Lin smiled as she crouched down to talk to the little girl. "Is Naga ready for trick or treating too"?
Korra giggled, nodded and pointed to Kya, who was carrying the stuffed toy downstairs for her.
"Mummy helped us both get ready".
Lin stood and approached her wife as she reached the bottom landing. She kissed her cheek and softly said, "that was nice of Mummy".
They wrapped their arms around eachother and nuzzled their respective wife's cheek and neck.
"Can you two, like, get a room"? Kuvira mumbled, moving to shield her sister's eyes.
Korra just giggled as she tried to pull down Kuvira's hand to watch their parents.
"Kiss Mummy, Baba, kiss Mummy" Korra requested happily, as she successfully pulled the hand down, and clapped when Lin gratefully complied.
"Well, there goes my lunch" Kuvira commented under her breath, but she gave herself away by grinning at her parents clear love for eachother.
Once they had stepped away, Lin gently took the toy from her wife's hands, grinning at the painstakingly accurate costume she had made.
It matched Korra's exactly.
Brown cowboy hat. Red and white checked shirt, faux leather vest, blue and white neckerchief. Blue jeans, brown boots and a small toy water pistol (Naga didn't need the water pistol, or boots for obvious reasons).
"Wow babe, this is amazing" Lin muttered in awe as she examined the toy in detail.
"Thanks, you wouldn't believe how long it took me to make that costume" Kya said, she then looked down and ruffled Korra's hair, "but it's all worth it, so this little one can trick or treat with BOTH her best friends".
"Yayyyy" Korra squealed, hugging Kya's leg, "Naga's going to like trick or treating Mummy, I can tell".
"Oh, I don't doubt that" Lin muttered, as Korra started to practically vibrate with anticipation.
Just then, Kya clocked her wife's costume. She stepped back and raised a questioning eyebrow, "err Lin"?
"Yeah"? Lin asked, glancing up from Korra, who was now running around the entryway, playing cowboys with Naga.
"What exactly are you supposed to be"?
"I'm the bloodhound of the law ...... get it? I'm a police officer, and I'm dressed like a dog, clever right"? Lin added, clearly very proud of herself. The costume was simple in design, floppy dogs ears, attached to a head band, face paint to make her look dog-like, a felt, red collar, loosely wrapped around her neck, and the doggy onesie, Kya had bought her a few years ago when Kuvira went through a '101 dalmatian' phase. Simple, but to the point, just like Lin.
Kya smirked and nodded, whilst Kuvira just openly snorted in derision.
"The bloodhound of the law? You're happy with that are you"?
"Yes Kuvira I am" Lin turned to the teen and crossed her arms, "at least I know I won't look too 'cartoony' tonight", she smirked in triumph as Kuvira sulked at her comment.
"Baba? Baba?" Korra asked impatiently, tugging on Lin's baggy, fluffy trouser leg.
"Don't pull clothes" Lin warned.
Korra whimpered slightly, "Sorry Baba".
"That's okay Pookie" Lin smiled, as she crouched down next to her child, "now. What did you want to ask me"?
"Can we go now ..... pllllleaseeee"? The young child pleaded.
"Not yet Pookie, we're waiting for Asami and Iroh, remember"? Lin asked gently.
Korra gave a sulky huff, but confirmed with a nod, that she did indeed remember they had to wait for the Sato siblings to arrive before they could go anywhere.
"Speaking of waiting, I'm going to go get changed for work, Lin honey, can you watch the kids"? Kya asked as she started to climb the elaborately carved staircase to their private apartment upstairs.
"Not a kid"! Kuvira yelled up at her mother's retreating back.
"Not an adult either" Lin commented as she continued to dish out the sweets.
"Baba? Can you and Mummy come with me ...... please" Korra asked in a small, nervous voice.
"KorraBean, we've talked about this. Mummy has to work tonight, and Baba has to stay here and look after Grandma Toph, Auntie Suyin and your cousins".
"I know Baba, but I'll miss you", Korra mumbled, taking her hat off her head and twiddling with it in her tiny hands.
"I know you will Pookie, but you're going to have loads of fun, I promise", Lin explained to her daughter.
"Okay Baba" Korra mumbled as she continued to fiddle with her hat, clearly nervous.
Lin smiled down at her youngest, before taking a few steps forward and kneeling down infront of her, placing loving hands on those tiny shoulders.
"I know you really wanted Mummy and Baba to go with you tonight Pookie, but your going to have so much fun with Asami, your sister, and Iroh, you won't even notice we're not there, I promise".
"Naga too"? Korra asked quietly, gently raising her toy in her arms.
"That goes without saying Pookie, you know that", Lin told her gently.
Korra smiled up at that, nodding her understanding.
"Now, do you remember our city rules Pookie? Kuvira's incharge, listen to what she says, and hold her hand when you're walking by the roads", Lin said to Korra as she put her cowboy hat on her head.
"Yes Baba" Korra said, nodding her understanding.
"Good girl" Lin smiled, she raised Korra's hat to kissed her forehead before fixing it back into place.
She then stood and put both her hands on Kuvira's shoulders, meeting the teen's eyes.
"Your mum and I are trusting you now Pumpkin. Look after your sister and have fun. If you have any problems, anything at all, you phone me straight away. Take my business card, and if you feel unsafe at anytime knock on someone's door, show them my card and ask to come in, do you understand"?
Kuvira nodded as she took her mother's card and glanced down at it, the card read 'Chief Superintendent Lin Beifong, Republic City South Constabulary' and it followed with her email and various telephone numbers.
The teenager put the business card in her phone case and slipped it into her lab coat pocket.
"Are we both a bit happier now?" Lin asked, as she stepped back slightly from her daughters to see their expressions.
"Wait, wait"! Kya called as she clattered downstairs in her scrubs with the family camera in her hands."I want to take some photos before you go girls".
Lin and Kuvira glanced at eachother and smiled, they both knew it was easier to just agree and not argue with the Doctor.
Kya went about rearranging her family for the photo.
She pulled on Lin's arm, to get her out of shot. She then positioned her girls either side of the front door. She put Korra on the left hand side, straightening her hat, shirt and vest for her.
She then guided Kuvira by the shoulders to face forward for the camera. She was now on the right side of the door. Kya slipped the teen's white wig on her head, then fastened her lab coat closed for her.
"Mum" Kuvira sighed, "don't do up the buttons, you can't see the stains from previous experiments. People can't see I'm an evil genius scientist now".
"It's cold outside Gumdrop, keep this buttoned up please. Your sister is wearing her vest and a fleece lined shirt. I mean it Kuvira, I don't want either of you to catch a cold, be responsible please". She told her daughter firmly as she rearranged the pens clipped into her breast pocket (Red, next to Black, next to Blue), then re-tieing the knot on her tie.
"Baba"? Kuvira turned to Lin, hoping for an ally.
Lin opened her mouth, then caught sight of her wife's steely gaze. Lin gulped then turned to Kuvira and said. "Mum's right Kuvy, it is pretty cold out, keep your jacket done up".
Lin glanced at her wife to see if this was the correct answer, to which Kya gave her a nod and an encouraging smile.
Kuvira huffed but nodded, "fine, but when people ask what I am and it doesn't make sense, I'm blaming you".
"I'm taking the pictures. In three, two, one". Kya called before several flashes indicated five photos being taken.
"This is great, now Lin, some with you to please honey".
In the end approximately fifty photographs were taken from all different angles, combination of inhabitants and in different poses.
With the last being a timed photo with the four of them sitting down on the entryway floor. Lin holding Korra in her arms, she was wearing the little girl's cowboy hat and Korra was smiling broadly, with Naga held tightly in her arms. Snuggled in next to them was Kuvira sitting in-between Kya's legs, being hugged from behind by her mother. Kya was wearing Kuvira's white wig and wearing her goggles over her eyes. All four looking happy and chorused "happy Halloween" when the flash went off.
The ringing of the doorbell put an end to the family photoshoot as Lin scrambled to her feet and answered the door.
"Hiroshi, Yasuko, please come in".
As the parental Sato's entered the Beifong mansion Korra looked desperately through the sea of legs for her best friend.
"Where's Asami"? She practically demanded, glaring up at the grown-ups in the room.
"Korra" Lin warned, "don't be rude".
"Sorry Baba" Korra mumbled, looking down at her boots, fiddling with Naga's ears.
"Hi Mr and Mrs Sato, is Iroh with you"? Kuvira asked their visitors still from her position on the floor.
"Good evening Kuvira, lovely to see you", Yasuko Sato smiled at the teen. "Yes Iroh is with us, he's helping his sister with some last minute costume adjustments".
As if that had been their cue the two Sato siblings walked through the open doorway.
"Samiiii" Korra squealed, as she collided into her friend and gave her a massive hug.
The girls then parted to examine eachothers costumes.
"Great costume Korra, you make a great cowboy, Naga looks good too".
Korra nodded happily, "thanks, Mummy helped. Naga wanted to come trick or treating with me, is...... is that okay"? She asked her best friend nervously.
"Of course it is Korra", Asami smiled encouragingly at her younger friend.
"What are you dressed as Sami"? Korra asked, as she didn't know what her friend was supposed to be.
"I'm a racing car driver" Asami said happily, indercating her crimson overalls, and her white, with dual red striped helmet.
"Cool"! Korra said enthusiastically, "um, what's one of those"? She asked blankly.
"It's when grown ups drive cars around a racing track kiddo, like go karts", Kuvira explained to her sister.
"Ooooo, fun" Korra grinned at her friend.
"What are you Kuv"? Iroh asked his friend with a smile.
"I'm SURPPOSED", she glared pointedly at her mothers at this, "to be an evil mad genius scientist".
Iroh raised a questioning eyebrow, encouraging his friend to continue.
"Look. I have my lab coat" she said, indicating the old ratty blue lab coat that once belonged to Kya, "my glasses" she pointed to a pair of 'over the top' prop spectacles, "my white wig. White and stuck up from failed, previous experiments, (she pulled the wig off Kya's head, and jammed it onto her own). My three different pens, for showing my reasoning for experiments. My checkered shirt has scientific stains on them, not that you can see them, because my parents are too overprotective, and thinks I'll catch a chill. (Both teens rolled their eyes at that one). My corduroy trousers, because, just between you and me, I just might be a bit cold tonight".
"The designer trainers are imperative to your costume because....."?
Kuvira shrugged and winked, "because I'm a stylish girl, you know me".
Iroh snorted, "you're such a nerd".
The two chuckled.
"Alrighty, who's ready to go"? Kya clapped her hands and asked the room at large.
"Wait!" Kuvira said, turning to her friend, "Iroh, where's your costume"?
"Oh" Iroh chuckled, "I'm wearing it. Guess who I am". The older teen gestured to his 'costume' a red button up shirt tucked into, his cream corduroy trousers, and red, laced up trainers.
Kuvira shrugged, "no idea mate, you'll have to give me a clue".
Smiling broadly he grabbed hold of his shirt, and pulled, all his 'pop buttons' open, revealing a superman t-shirt underneath.
"I'm Clark Kent, get it? Right before he changes into superman"?
Kuvira rolled her eyes, "Oh my days Iroh, you're such a comic book nerd".
"And proud of it" he beamed.
"Alright you four, I need to head off to the hospital now, anyone who needs the bathroom, go now. Everyone else, get in the car", Kya told the kids as she grabbed her car keys and a kiss from her wife.
- - - - - -
A few minutes later, Korra came skidding back into the room after a quick toilet break, and hurried over to the entryway table, where Lin had placed Naga.
The little girl stood up on her tippy toes to try to reach her toy, but Korra was frustratingly too short.
Lin followed in Korra's wake, "come on Pookie, Mummy's waiting".
Lin moved to scoop her up, but Korra scrambled out of the way.
"Wait Baba, I need Naga, she wants to come to, I promised".
Lin straightened up, fighting to keep the massive grin off her face, she nodded her understanding.
"A Beifong always keeps their promises, I'm proud of you Korra. Now. Let's get you and Naga in the car before Mummy starts getting all shouty".
Korra nodded her understanding as her Baba picked both her and Naga up and carried them out to the car and buckled them into their shared car seat.
- - - - - -
Republic City was packed by the time Kya had dropped her four passengers off.
It wasn't even six o'clock yet, and you could barely move for small children and their families already out trick or treating.
Most teenagers would find it mortifying, taking their kid sister and her friend out trick or treating, but Kuvira was genuinely looking forward to it.
She took hold of Korra's hand and said, "what are you waiting for Kiddo, let's get you some sweets".
"Yayyyy" Korra and Asami cheered as they were led through the bustling sheets.
After a few minutes of walking they eventually found a house with a lit pumpkin outside, without a queue of people reaching the road.
Kuvira knelt down to talk to the two girls, "now, the first rule of trick or treating is to ONLY knock on the door when they have a lit pumpkin outside, that means they have sweets for us".
They both nodded their understanding.
Iroh also knelt down and added, "you just knock on the door and say, trick or treat when they answer. Then take ONE of the sweets they offer".
Again, they both nodded.
"Would you like us to go with you for your first try"? Iroh asked.
To which both girls shook their heads, took eachothers hand, and together walked tentatively down the decorated garden path.
Standing back up again, Kuvira could see Korra jump as they passed a movement activated vampire sitting up in it's coffin.
Asami put her arm around her smaller friend's shoulder as Korra hugged Naga tightly up to her chest.
"You sure this was a good idea" Iroh whispered into his friend's ear.
"It's a bit late now", she hissed back, "if you had reservations, you shouldn't have asked them if they wanted to go alone".
"I'm just doing what my parents asked", Kuvira raised an eyebrow, still not taking her eyes off her clearly nervous sister, "my Dad wanted Asami to have the whole experience this year, and for me to not mollycoddle her. Something about, good life skills, I don't know".
Kuvira just rolled her eyes, "I like your Dad, don't get me wrong, but Halloween is about having fun, not to get life experience".
Iroh raised his hands in defeat, "hey, I agree, but you don't argue with Hiroshi Sato, you know that".
They remained silent as their younger siblings made it to the front door, Korra glanced back at Kuvira, who gave her an encouraging nod, and a double thumbs up before both girls knocked on the door.
An elderly lady opened the door dressed like a fairy godmother.
"Trick or treat" The girls timid voices cut through the almost deserted side street.
"Oh, aren't you two precious"? The elderly lady cooed. "Now, let me see, two cowboys" she gestured to Korra and a well displayed Naga, she then turned to Asami and asked, "and a racing driver"?
Both girls nodded happily as the lady smiled and clapped.
"Well, you both look wonderful, here you go dears", she said, turning around and reaching for a large bowl, full of different assortments of sweets.
"Thank you" they chimed, before each taking a sweet and running back down the path.
"What'd you get Kiddo"? Kuvira asked as she knelt down again to examine her sister's choice.
"A drumstick" Korra squealed happily, showing her sister the tiny lollipop.
"Awesome, what about you Asami" she asked, turning to the other girl.
"A dip dab" she held up her pick proudly for the teens to see.
"Both great choices" Iroh praised them, "now, once you have your sweets, you put them in your bag, so you don't loose them".
Nodding, the young girls put their lollipops into their respective canvas bags, with jack-o'-lanterns printed on them.
Standing back up, Kuvira took her sister's hand and guided her to the next house along.
Korra tugged on her sister's hand, "Kuvy", she asked, waving her down with her spare hand. Once Kuvira was close enough she whispered, "can you come with me, this one's scary".
Kuvira nodded as she registered the smoke machine, ghoulish lights and headstones littered around the front garden.
"Sure thing Kiddo, you and Naga stick close to me, I'll protect you".
So the two Beifong sisters wondered up the creepy pathway alone. Kuvira could feel Korra's hand trembling in her own, so she bent down to pick her up, giving her baby sister a small peck on the cheek for added bravery. Feeling slightly better Korra snuggled into her sister's warm embrace as they approached the door.
Kuvira knocked and they waited. The front door opened in a billow of smoke, and a middle aged man appeared seemingly out of fresh air, in the middle of the smoke cloud, dressed like Dracula.
His white face paint, vampire teeth (including dripping fake blood), slicked back black hair, cloak and suit underneath was enough to freak even Kuvira out a bit, so Korra's scream, and crying in terror was expected.
The little girl hid her face in her sister's shoulder, crying out, "I want Baba, want to go home Kuvy, please".
Kuvira bounced her sister reassuringly in her arms, "it's okay Korra, it's not real, he's just playing".
At the sounds of a little girl's tears, the hallway lights flicked on, the smoke machine was switched off, and a formidable looking lady appeared by her husband's side. She whacked him on the arm and admonished him, "you happy now? You big bully, you've made the poor little thing cry. Show her it's not real, right now".
Grumbling about how he was never allowed any fun, her husband complied with her request. Until he was left as a man standing in his doorway, wearing a suit.
"See honey, it's all pretend, it's not real" his wife told Korra gently.
Sniffling, Korra slowly looked up at the man, soon she was sitting up in her sister's arms. "You were really scary" she told the homeowner shakily.
To which he grumbled, "that's kinda the point"....
A sharp smack on the arm by his wife again put a halt to his comments.
"You were very brave to come up the path" she remarked, "would you both like a sweet"? She grabbed hold of their bowl, and offered it to the sisters.
Nodding enthusiastically, Korra took a mini chocolate bar from the top of the pile, and dropped it into her bag.
"What do you say Korra"? Kuvira asked, after taking a mini pack of Halloween Haribo for herself.
"Thank you" Korra told them, waving goodbye as Kuvira carried her back up the garden path after a thank you of her own.
"Was it scary Korra"? Asami asked, the moment Korra was placed back on her feet.
She nodded, before elaborating, "he was a vampire Sami, it was loads scarier than Azula's story.
The teens smirked at eachother at that, if their siblings could one up the school bully, they had done their jobs.
"So, who's up for going again"? Iroh questioned, as they moved onto the next house.
"Oooo, I would Iroh" Asami squealed, raising her hand like she was in class.
Chuckling he led her up the driveway, and to the end of a small queue waiting outside the front door.
"You okay now Kiddo? That man was pretty scary, right"? Kuvira asked her sister gently.
Korra nodded at her sister's statement, "yeah" she said in a small voice, turning to hug her sister's leg, "is Halloween always that scary"?
Not wanting to ever lie to her sister, Kuvira said
"Sometimes it can be".
At feeling Korra tighten her shaky grip of her leg, Kuvira continued, "but usually you get a choice about how scary you want it to be. Like just then, you wouldn't have gone up to that house, or if someone's doing a haunted house like Auntie Suyin, you'd probably stay away from it right"?
Korra nodded into the material of her trouser leg, as Kuvira put a comforting hand on the back of the little girl's shoulder blades, and started to stroke them comfortingly.
"You did so well Kiddo, you were really brave. I'm so proud of you, and I know Baba will be too".
Korra stepped back slightly and held up Naga, asking a silent question.
Chuckling, Kuvira nodded. "Yeah, Naga was really brave to, I'm sure Baba will give you BOTH extra story time for that".
Korra squealed happily at that, and jumped excitedly up and down, with the biggest grin ever on her face.
"KORRA"!!! Asami yelled, as she ran back up the path to meet them. "Korra it was sooooo gross. The lady made me put my hand in brain to get my sweets. She said I had to do HER trick, before I could get MY treat".
"Real brains"?! Korra squeaked out in horror.
Asami just giggled though. "Not real brains silly, it was just pretend, she used the icky stuff from inside the pumpkin, it was really gross, but still fun, even Iroh did it".
As the eldest Sato sibling strolled back towards them, Kuvira raised her voice and called,
"Hey Sato, on a scale of one to ten, how disgusting was the pumpkin pulp"?
He merely shrugged, "to the honest V, it really wasn't that bad, a bit slimy, but nothing for the school's best Rugby star to worry about".
Kuvira rolled her eyes at her friend, then bent down to talk to Korra.
"If I go with you Kiddo, did you want to give it a go"?
Korra looked up at her sister like she had just grown another head or something. She took a step back and hugged Naga tightly.
"Naga might get dirty Kiddo" Kuvira continued gently, "maybe she should sit this one out"?
Korra looked terrified at the very thought.
"No", she said quietly.
"Korra...." Kuvira tried again very gently.
"NO KUVY"! Korra yelled this time, hiding her face in Naga's fur, her little body shaking with silent tears.
"Will you let me hold Naga"? Asami asked her younger friend softly.
Korra peeked up at her, but didn't say anything.
"It's just, Naga knows me, she's my best friend too, remember? She'll know you'll come back if she's with me".
Korra nodded her head slowly. She gave Naga the biggest hug she could and kissed her head, before passing her over to Asami. "Be careful with her Sami".
Asami nodded, as she started to stroke Naga just like the younger girl says she likes.
Korra then turned and took a speechless Kuvira's hand.
What she had just witnessed was mind-blowing. One, Korra had shouted at her in anger, and Two? She had just given her most prized possession to someone outside their small unit of four.
On the doorstep. Korra faulted, but with her sister's encouragement, stuck her hand into the cold, slimy, pulp filled bucket.
- - - - - -
All in all, it was a very fun night. Filled with lasting memories and gut busting laughter.
So, it was with slight disappointment that Iroh phoned the family chauffeur to take them all back to the Beifong mansion.
With their siblings passed out from exhaustion in their arms, the two teens climbed the front steps and into the bustling entryway of the mansion. A further flight of stairs later and they were through the front door of Kuvira's family apartment.
"Baba!" she called into the spacious living quarters, "we're home"!
The quieting of the television gave them an idea of where to go.
"In the lounge Pumpkin"! Lin called in conformation.
To their surprise, it was to see Mr and Mrs Sato also there, with their feet up, clearly in the middle of an old black and white horror film.
"Hi Mum, hi Dad" Iroh whispered, as he approached his parents and deposited his little sister onto the patch of sofa between them.
"Good night"? Hiroshi asked as he hugged his sleeping daughter closer to him.
"It was a great night" Kuvira said, sharing a reassuring smile with Lin.
- - - - - -
Hours later, the house was mercifully silent again.
Only two residents were still up, watching the first rays of wintry sunlight peek over the distant fields.
Kya was curled up into her wife's side, enjoying the crackling fire, and the warm cup of tea she was just given.
"How was your shift"? Lin asked, as she too relaxed into the comfortable sofa.
"It was chaotic" Kya sighed out as she snuggled into her comfortable position. "The staff were all flustered and the patients were either hyped up on sugar or part werewolf".
Lin chuckled as she nuzzled her wife's cheek with her nose.
"Well I'm glad you're home, and the kids will be too".
They sat in silence for a bit until Kya sleepily mumbled. "I'm sorry you didn't get to take Korra trick or treating for her first year".
Lin shrugged, "it couldn't be helped. Besides I've still got, what? Eight years until Korra thinks she's too cool to go trick or treating with her Baba".
Kya giggled, and sat up slightly to face her wife. "Well, I think her Baba's pretty cool".
"Nawww, thanks KyKy. I think her Mummy's pretty great to".
They shared lazy kisses in the morning light, watching the weak sun start to creep into the spacious living room.
After Kya's fourth, obnoxious yawn. Lin said,
"I think, Doctor Beifong, that's our cue for some shut eye".
Kya's responding whine could have put even Korra to shame. She raised her arms hopefully and pleaded, "carry me"?
Lin raised her eyebrow,
"Pllllleaseeee"? the Doctor whined sleepily.
"Now I see where Korra gets it from" the police chief muttered.
After seeing the soppiest puppy dog eyes ever on her wife, Lin relented.
"Alright, but just because you're cute".
Before she stood and scooped up her wife. Grunting slightly as she lifted her.
"What was that" Kya asked alot more sternly than she should be capable of if she really WAS that tired.
Lin raised another eyebrow, and smirking slightly, commented.
"I thought you were tired Kya".
Kya slapped her shoulder playfully.
"I aaammm" she whined again.
Chuckling, Lin hoisted Kya up further so she could wrap her arms and legs around her.
Ducking her head, the police chief asked
"You comfy"?
Kya let out an adorable little puff of air, and nodded, then, together, the couple made their slow way up the stairs and into their bedroom.
The only problem was, it was already occupied.
There, on the bed, was the sleeping forms of Korra and Kuvira.
"Errm, Kya"?
There was a grunt in the direction of Lin's chest.
"We have company".
Kya lifted her head up and blinked around the room in a daze, "what are you talking about"?
Lin pointed with her head as she gently lowered her wife to the floor.
"Awww, isn't that adorable, they fell asleep trying to wait up for us" the Doctor gushed.
Lin huffed, before approaching the bed and assessing the situation.
"Well, Korra's no problem, but I haven't been able to pick Kuvira up in years".
"Oh Lin, don't be such a spoils sport, it's only for one night". Kya told her, also approaching the bed, and wrapping her arms around her wife's middle.
Lin looked down at the sight of their pajama clad daughters, curled up together on their parents bed. Naga was tucked securely under Korra's arm. Even Kuvira had brought her old stuffed rabbit Bouncy, down from his display shelf for tonight's visit.
"Please Lin"? Kya tried again, "it'll only be for a few hours, it's already morning, don't forget".
Lin huffed, before twisting in her wife's arms and said softly. "For one night only, I'm only agreeing to this because I don't want to put my back out trying to carry my teenage daughter back to her room".
Kya actually squealed at this point, and Lin had to clamp her hand over her mouth.
"Keep it down, if you wake them up, they're definitely going back to their own rooms. Now. It's late, get your PJ'S on, so we can actually get some sleep".
- - - - - -
Ten minutes later, and Kya was berried under a mountain of covers, with Kuvira curled up into an impossibly tight ball next to her. The presence of Bouncy, showing her parents just how tired the teen actually was.
The door opening and closing, then the rustling of sheets indercated Lin's arrival.
In the dim light, coming in through the slight gap in the blackout curtains, Kya could see Lin gently cradle Korra up to her chest, before lying down on her back. With Korra snuggled safely on her chest, Lin offered the little girl her dummy.
Kya raised her eyebrow, "what happened to her going cold turkey"? She whispered.
Lin gave a small shrug, "it's not really working anyway. I just want her to get a good night's sleep, so sue me".
"You, Lin Beifong, are such a softy" Kya whispered, as she wriggled up close and hugged her wife's arm like a teddy bear.
Smiling, Lin kissed her wife's forehead, before also settling down and whispered back, "For my three favourite girls? I'd do anything. Happy Halloween my love".
"Happy .... Hallo ..... ween" Kya puffed out lazily, as she followed their daughters into the land of nod.
Lin smiled and quickly followed suit.
It might not have been the Halloween they had all been hoping for, but with two full bulging bags of sweets to be eaten, and the promise of many fun-filled years to come, the Beifong's were prepared for what next year had in-store.