The First Citizen Prologue: Farewells and Fealty

Two months after Korra's departure for the South

Bolin is attempting to push a luggage box as heavy as him up a flight of stairs, and is failing miserably.

He's packed everything he can think of; all his clothes, including his pro-bending uniform that he'll never wear again, his personal effects, even an ample amount of his favourite pig-sheep gyoza that Mako cooked up for him as part of the farewell feast that his brother had hosted in his honour. Bolin did not realise that his life's belongings would be so heavy.

He shoves his shoulder into the massive truck and pushes with as much strength as he can muster, moving the suitcase another inch before Bolin groans out of exertion, jumping out of the way as the suitcase crashes and bangs right back to the base of the staircase leading to the entrance to Central City Station. Opal laughs at this failed display of strength out of a mixture of amusement and pity. Bolin doesn't mind - as far as he's concerned, Opal's laugh is the best sound he's ever heard, and he'd do anything to hear it. Opal moves over to Bolin and offers him a hand up, which Bolin takes.

"You're such a drama queen, Bolin," she tells him with a smile. "It can't be that heavy."

"I dunno, Opal," Bolin ruffles the back of his head in bemusement. "I may have the biggest biceps in the United Republic, but I think we're going to need Naga to shift this block." Opal pinches his forearms, laughing again at Bolin's mock arrogance.

"Maybe you should stop thinking with your biceps and start thinking with your head. What's the suitcase resting on?"

Bolin doesn't answer Opal, but he approaches the pavement that lines the entrance to Central City Station, scratching his head in puzzlement as he strokes the dirty concrete that his monster of a suitcase rests on, sniffing the dust that comes away on his fingers. He tastes the dust, which sets off Opal's giggling again, and he notes nothing unusual about the flavour. Completely stumped, he stands up straight and turns to Opal, shrugging. He doesn't know the answer to her riddle.

Opal smiles and ruffles his hair, which causes Bolin to tut and try to flatten it again. He'd spent longer than usual combing it to perfection today; he had to look good for his new boss.

"Let me rephrase that. What can you bend?"

Bolin stares at her for one moment, before palming his forehead. His cheeks are burning with embarrassment at his moment of idiocy.

"Why didn't I think of that?!" Opal laughs at this display of shame as she takes a bao quan stance and clears her voice.

"For unlike you, young cricket-bee," she narrates in a high-pitched, Air Nation accent, "I am a wise sage in the arts of mental stimulation, and have years of experience in the skills of logical thinking. You, on the other hand, could not think your way out of a paper bag!" Bolin laughs heartily at the impression; it's clear that Meelo's unorthodox method of teaching has begun to rub off on her. He raises his hands in mock surrender.

"Alright, oh wise and most intelligent sage of wisdom. I didn't think about earthbending the case to my train. Classic me."

Opal crosses her arms and watches with interest as Bolin takes a niunian-pingwen stance behind the case, his legs positioned evenly apart and his elbows drawn into his chest. He begins to breathe deeply, letting the air flow out his nose as he reaches into the pool of chi that dwells at the base of his spine, feeling alive with power as the energy flows through his veins and into his fists, empowering him with the ability to move mountains. The concrete sings to him; it lies inert, waiting for a master to reshape and remould it to their desire. It buzzes with energy, completely receptive to his touch. He takes a step forward, dislodging the pavement stone underneath the case, and begins to push upwards. Someone lays a hand on his shoulder while he's focused on bending the stone up, and he turns his head to see who would risk disturbing a bender mid-motion.

"If you continue bending the city's property, I'm going to have to fine you."

Bolin grins and drops the chunk of stone, offering his interrupter a handshake.

"Nice to see you, bro!" Mako smiles in response, taking the handshake and shaking it with gusto. He nods a greeting at Opal, who places her hands on her hips and returns the gesture.

"Hi, Mako. Nice to see you again. Where's Asami?" Mako shrugs.

"She said she'd meet us in the station. She wants to say a few words to Varrick before she says goodbye to Bolin."

"Speaking of getting into the station..." Opal jerks a thumb at Bolin, who is once again trying to push the suitcase up the stairs. "Got any ideas what to do with that monster of a case?" Mako places his hands on his hips, amused by Bolin's struggle against his suitcase, and he decides to intervene.

"Bolin, you know the station has porters for these sort of things, right?" Bolin dives out of the path of the suitcase as it clatters to the bottom of the steps again. He wipes the dust off his hands and goes to sit on the case, breathing heavily from the exercise that comes from trying to push something of equal weight up an incline.

"They do?! I didn't see any!"

"They must be hanging around the entrance to the station. I'll go and call some down for you." As Mako begins to ascend the steps, Bolin grins sheepishly at Opal, who's laughing at their shared idiocy. The idea that there would be porters didn't occur to them.

"Classic Bolin."

"Hey, you didn't think there would be porters either. You're behaving every bit as classic as I am today. Who wanted me to earthbend the pavement again?" Opal punches him half-heartedly in the shoulder in response.

"Shut up," she laughs. Bolin takes her mirth as an opportunity to move in for an embrace, wrapping his arms around her as they share in each other's laughter. Bolin wouldn't trade places with anyone else in the world right now; he's hasn't felt this happy with anyone else in a long time.

"I'm really going to miss you, you know," Opal's face is buried in Bolin's shirt, her voice muffled by the coarse fabric.

"Me too, Opal. Me too." Bolin senses movement out of the corner of his vision, and turns to see Mako accompanying four porters who are built like gemsboks. He waves at them to come over, and the couple break their embrace to join him at the entrance to the station.

Asami's waiting for them at the top, immaculate as ever. The automobile tycoon is wearing a business suit, the cogwheel logo of her family's corporation emblazoned on the shoulders of her crimson-black blazer, and she's quietly discussing something with an aide wearing a slightly less ornate copy of her uniform. She has been very busy with company business, and coming out here to say goodbye hasn't stopped her from working. She motions for the aide to leave her when she notices the trio walking up the stairs alongside four very unlucky porters, standing up and smiling forlornly. She wasn't happy when Bolin told his friends that he had decided to join up with Kuvira's interim government, and she was especially unhappy when he revealed Varrick and his faithful assistant would be coming alongside him as well. The wounds caused by his attempt at a hostile takeover were still raw, and it was only when Bolin convinced Asami that Varrick wouldn't be there at the station with them that she relented and agreed to come say her goodbyes. She brushes a loose hair away from her eyes and places a hand on Bolin's shoulder, looking at the men struggling to lower his suitcase onto a trolley.

"Are you sure you packed enough stuff, Bolin? You know it can get very cold around certain provinces of the kingdom."

"Now that you mention it, I'm pretty sure that I forgot my collection of erhus." They share a laugh at that, and Mako goes to tip the porters as they approach with Bolin's luggage. Bolin thanks them and grabs the handles of the trolley, pushing the luggage with ease compared to his attempts beforehand.

"What platform are you heading towards, bro?"

"Platform 14. Apparently it's a private train track that they use for important guests. Kuvira must have pulled some strings to be allowed to dock her train there. In fact, she won't be arriving for another hour. You guys want to go get some juice?" The group assents, and they begin to walk towards the far end of the massive structure, taking their time. They have all the time they need; this will be the last time in a long while that they'll get to see Bolin, and they go to a cafe to wait for the arrival of his train. As they wait for their drinks to arrive, Bolin turns to Asami.

"So, I hear you managed to secure some contracts with the government." Asami's eyes light up at the chance to talk about her work; despite the damage done to Future Industries by both her father's fanaticism and Varrick's greed, the company is her pride and joy, and she loves to discuss her projects with any who would care to hear about it.

"President Raiko signed a three-year lease with me for me to rebuild all of the areas affected by the spirit vines in any way I see fit. It's great! I get as much freedom as I want! And trust me, the things I'm going to do to Republic City are going to be huge. For one thing, I'm going to leave the vines where they are and rebuild the destroyed areas around the spirit wilds."

"Wow." Mako sounds genuinely interested in Asami's grand plans, and he leans forward, crossing his arms on the wood table. "Did Korra suggest that?"

"Yeah! How did you know?"

"She is supposed to be the bridge between us and the spirits, after all. It's kinda what she has to say." Asami frowns at him, as if offended by his explanation, and Mako's face drops as he realises the hidden meanings of what he said.

"I'm not saying it's a bad idea! It sounds pretty cool. Never been done before. I'd like to see how it turns out." Asami smiles at Mako; it appears his transgression is forgiven. But her attempt to continue is interrupted by a waiter, who deposits a tray containing a number of vividly-coloured drinks in front of them. They take their drinks and thank the man before turning their attention back to Asami, who sips a banana and date smoothie in the pauses in her conversation.

"Anyway, Korra advised me to leave the spirit vines well alone. If what her father told her is true, disrupting the homes of spirits is a very bad idea. So I decided to incorporate the vines themselves into many of the buildings I'm designing. I'm even going to rebuild the City Hall around the vines that sprouted throughout the complex! And for the roads that got cutoff, I'm planning something a little more ambitious. Roads on top of other roads! It should also reduce traffic with any luck."

"Woah." Bolin is listening attentively while slurping a lychee and mint smoothie. "The city's going to look so different when I get back." Bolin turns to Mako, who's half-heartedly stirring his orange juice with his straw.

"So, what do the cops have planned for you, bro? Promotions? Assignment to a dangerous, yet exciting case? Ooh! What if you have to infiltrate the Triple Threats in order to rescue a beautiful woman, and she falls in love with you at first sight, but she's the Viper's daughter, and you have to get her away from her dad?" Mako arches an eyebrow at his brother's ramblings.

"The Viper doesn't have any kids, Bolin. But I wish I was being assigned to infiltration duty. It's more exciting than becoming the bodyguard of the Crown Prince of the Earth Kingdom."

"What?!" Opal almost spits out her coconut water from shock. "You're becoming Prince Wu's bodyguard! Wow, that's very prestigious!"

"Tell me about it. I've been taking mandatory etiquette lessons for the past three weeks. You know what royals are like, and apparently he's prefers maintaining his personal appearance over actually learning how to rule a nation, which is even more great news for me. The faster you unite the Kingdom, Bolin, the less time I'll have to spend with him."

"Don't you worry about that, Mako. We'll work so fast, you won't even notice he's there." Bolin finishes his smoothie and smacks his lips, savouring the sweet, sharp taste of the lychee-mint combination, and turns to Opal.

"So what will you be doing while I'm gone? I hear that the Air Nomads are going to be deploying peacekeeper teams worldwide to resolve problems now that Korra's gone back home."

"Me? Tenzin's only planning to deploy nomads once they complete their training, and I've barely mastered the advanced baguazhang forms. Meelo's very strict when it comes to grading his students." The rest of the group nods in sympathy; Meelo, while just a kid, was an airbender prodigy, and was irritatingly ruthless when it came to teaching the bending forms to the initiates. Opal finishes the rest of her coconut water and continues.

"I do plan to get deployed though. Once I finish, I'll see how many strings I need to pull in order to get myself deployed to watch over the Earth Kingdom. Then I can come drop by whenever we're close." The smile that Opal gives him afterwards makes Bolin flush red-hot, and he places his hand over Opal's and squeezes.

"I'd like that," he mutters as they lean in to kiss. Her lips taste like a mixture of raspberries and coconut water, and it's delicious. He presses into her, hungry for more. Asami's smiling at their display of affection, and Mako is making a point of looking anywhere but directly in front of him. He's uncomfortable by his brother's romantic display, and Bolin can relate to his discomfort; that time when he'd caught Korra and Mako kissing under the gazebo all those months ago had been a harrowing experience for him.

He breaks off his kiss when he hears the intercom announce the arrival of his train, and there's a expression of trepidation on Opal's face. She doesn't want him to go. In one way, Bolin doesn't want to leave either. But he signed up when Kuvira sent him a personal request in the mail, and he wants to fix the problems that Zaheer started when he removed Hou-Ting from power. Millions are suffering, ruled by bandits and dictators, and he is a part of the solution. He only wishes that the solution would let him spend more time with his girlfriend.

Bolin pushes his chair in as he stands up, throwing seven yuans onto the table to satisfy his share of the bill. He moves behind his trolley and begins to move towards Platform 14 (Private), his friends following closely behind him. The entrance to the platform is protected by a chain-link fence, a ticket officer standing in front of the now unlocked door. As they approach, he holds up a hand to stop them.

"Only people with authorized access are allowed beyond this point, sir. I'm going to need to see your tickets." Bolin rummages in his pockets, pulling out a pair of yellow cards that are quickly stamped by the officer, who waves him through. However, Bolin turns back to face the rest of his party, who're staring at him with pride. Bolin is hit with the sudden realisation that this will be the last time he'll see his friends in a long, long time, and he blinks back a tear.

"Well, this is it. Where we part ways. Remember, Mako, Pabu likes to go out on walkies no less than four times a day, his favourite treat is duck-goose snaps which you only give to him if he preforms his tricks to an acceptable standard, and do not let him get muddy at all, he hates baths-" Mako laughs for the first time all day, and he takes Bolin in a brotherly embrace.

"Relax, little bro. I'll take care of that little moneysink." They break off the embrace, but Mako holds him by his shoulders.

"It's a big world out there, Bolin, and not everyone's going to like what Kuvira's doing. No matter what happens to you, I'm here in Republic City, and I'll be waiting with an open door. Stay safe."

"You too, Mako. Good luck with your new job."

Mako's smile speaks of an unbelievable sense of pride, and Bolin knows that all his brother can see is the starving orphan child that he spent the best part of his life caring for, all grown up and ready to make a difference; to bring salvation to those in the same dark place that Mako and him were in for all those years. Mako claps him on the shoulder, and steps back. Asami's next, and she smiles with the same pride as they embrace.

"Good luck with reuniting the Kingdom, Bolin. Write to me." They break the embrace, and Asami ruffles Bolin's hair playfully.

"See if you can't put in a good word for Future Industries with Kuvira, Bolin. I'd hate to see Varrick get all the good contracts." Bolin gives a two fingered salute in reply, an action that Asami reciprocates as she walks over to Mako, who looks like he's trying not to cry. Bolin hasn't seen that expression on him in years, not since their first night living with Toza in the arena.

Opal's the last to say goodbye. She doesn't say anything; instead, she grabs his jacket collar and kisses him. She pushes into him with a violence he's rarely seen, and he loses himself once again in the addictive taste of her raspberry and coconut-flavoured lips. It's moments like this that makes everything worth it for him; all the life-threatening brawls against horrible foes, all the scavenging out of trashcans and the stealing just to find enough food to last them a day, all the terrible arguments he had with Mako over how they were going to survive the winter, how he wanted out of the gangs, everything that he's ever suffered is validated by Opal and how she devours him with a wonderful ferocity that sets his face aflame. He's never felt this way for any other girl before, and he probably never will. And he's too scared to admit it to her.

They break off the kiss, breathless, a small rope of drool momentarily connecting their lips together before it falls to the ground. Opal smiles then, and Bolin is almost moved enough to tell her how much she loves her. But the moment of opportunity passes, and Opal begins to walk back towards Mako and Asami. Bolin grabs her by the arm, and she stops.

"Come visit me when you have the chance, Opal." She nods, and she continues back towards his friends. Bolin heaves a deep sigh, and begins to push his luggage through the door that the officer has gratefully kept open for him. As he crosses the door's threshold, he turns back and waves a final goodbye at his friends. They wave back; Mako's expression is filled with pride, Opal's with brave sadness and Asami's with a unique smirk that speaks of both. He loves his friends; he wouldn't have come close to this goal were it not for their support, and he would die for them.

Bolin takes one last glance at them, and walks through the door, ready to face his new life.

"Well, if it isn't my favourite mover star himself, Bolin!"

Varrick meets him halfway, outside the entrance to the train. He's wearing the uniform of Kuvira's Inner Circle (a dark green blazer with a brighter shade of green running down his chest; a smart metal belt buckled around his waist to hold up a pair of dark brown trousers; black jackboots that run up to a point just below his knees; a pair of sode made of thin metal strips that clink whenever he moves his arms), and his ever-faithful assistant Zhu Li stands behind him. Her expression remains the same as it has been since Bolin first met her; one that speaks of tired patience, of caring for an eccentric billionaire who's ungrateful for everything she does for him, and yet keeps her frustration bottled away where no one can see it, least of all her boss. Bolin has no idea why she stays by his side, but he's not going to pursue that line of thought at this point in time.

Varrick strides up to Bolin and grasps his hand firmly, shaking it so hard that Bolin fears he might dislocate his arm. He's the complete opposite of Zhu Li: where she is calm and measured, Varrick is excited and spontaneous; where Zhu Li is silent, Varrick is loud; where Zhu Li is shy, Varrick is eager and ready to face whatever things the day may throw at him. Today, that thing is Bolin.

"It's great to have you on board, Bolin!" Varrick loops an arm around Bolin's shoulder and practically drags him towards the train doors; he's walking faster than Bolin can keep up with his luggage trolley, and Zhu Li has to whisper this fact in his ear before he slows down to a reasonable walking speed.

"So, what are you doing with Kuvira, Varrick?" Varrick beams.

"For one thing, Kuvira has signed me up to design some amazing things! I can't tell you anything about them; it's on a strictly need-to-know basis," he taps the side of his nose and winks as he claims this, "but I can tell you this: they'll knock your socks off with their sheer amazingness! Take the magnetic train, for example." Bolin's eyebrows shoot up when he hears that.

"You were serious about that?"

"Bolin, if there's one thing you know about me, it's that I take all of my ideas very seriously! Seriously enough to entrust my initial designs to Baatar Junior! That guy's a genius, and that's a strong statement coming from me! Even Zhu Li was impressed when I showed her the initial schematics. Right, Zhu Li?"

"Very, sir."

"Just what I thought!" They reach the entrance to the train, and Bolin pushes the trolley onto the train itself, admiring the fine interior decor of the locomotive. It has been upholstered in the art deco style typically associated with Zaofu; it reminds him of Suyin's great mansion. A man wearing a less ornate version of Varrick's uniform gives a crisp salute as they step aboard. Varrick takes the opportunity to pat Bolin on the shoulder.

"Well, this is where we part ways for now, kiddo. Staff Sergeant Chong here will take good care of you. I'll see you at the signing-in at six o'clock!" And before Bolin can ask just what Varrick means by that, he wheels around, marching off to his own room with Zhu Li in tow. Chong clears his throat, and salutes again when Bolin turns his attention back to him.

"Welcome aboard the HMT Liberator, sir. Your quarters are this way, if you'd care to follow me."

Bolin follows the officer, who shows him into a spacious one-bed room, complete with its own toilet and bathing facilities. It looks like it belongs in the Four Elements. With great effort, Bolin manages to pull his suitcase off the trolley, and he begins to unpack his things while Staff Sergeant Chong returns the trolley to the station. He notes with some distaste that the gyoza from last night have been smashed together into a ball of pulled meat and dough, and he places it to one side as he finishes unpacking his clothes. It takes him 2 hours to sort through the assorted junk he brought with him (why on earth did he think bringing some rocks to practise his bending with would be a good idea?), and by the time he finishes, he's exhausted.

Bolin moves to lie down on his bed, but as he's getting comfortable he's interrupted by a knock on the door. Grumbling, he goes to open the door, and is greeted by Chong, who is holding a pressed olive green uniform with metal clasps piled on top.

"Your uniform, sir. You are a part of the reunification force now, and you must look the part." Bolin takes the uniform gingerly; thanks to a youth wasted on the streets, he's grown to distrust uniforms. Chong continues.

"The signing in is being held in Conference Room C at six o'clock, which is an hour and a half from now. You are expected to be present sir." Bolin looks up, overwhelmed from the deluge of information the NCO is spewing at him. Noticing his troubles, Chong offers him a smile.

"Welcome to the Unification Corps. We're going to make history."

It's five to six, and Bolin is nervous with anticipation.

The metal sode attached on his shoulders are heavy, and it takes some effort for him to stand straight. The collar of his uniform has been starched, and it rides up his neck to the point where it almost chokes him. His feet started to hurt five minutes into wearing his jackboots, and his belt pinches too tightly around his waistline.

But despite this, Bolin's never felt more excited. After nearly three months of waiting, the hour where he would be inducted into Kuvira's forces had finally come! He strides over to one of the mirrors lining the train corridors and tries to smooth down his hair, adjusting a cowlick that had refused to comb back with the rest of his fringe. Varrick is also waiting outside; he's as much a member of the Circle as Baatar but he decided to stay with Bolin while Kuvira discussed military tactics with her generals. Despite the profit that he's made out of funding wars, the billionaire has no taste for its finer points, and it appears that neither does his assistant. Her face is an impassive mask as she lazily watches Bolin pace the length of the corridor with worry. Varrick is less patient about his behaviour.

"Bolin, relax, for the spirits' sake! This is just like your mover days; just put on a show of competence for them and they'll lap it up like thirsty tiger seals!"

"But what if I say something offensive? What if they hate me and they want me to leave? I want to help, Varrick!"

"Kiddo, take it easy. It's going to be fine. You just walk in there, say how great it is to be here and just swear the oath."

"Oath? I wasn't told there would be an oath! I don't know what to say!" Varrick lays a hand on Bolin's shoulder in a soothing gesture.

"It's easy; you just gotta say "I do" when she pauses in between her lines. There's nothing to this, kid; it's easier than pretending to be Nuktuk! Heck, even I could do it, and I'm a terrible actor!"

Bolin is about to reply to Varrick, to tell him that this was completely different from acting and that he was scared of making a fool of himself when the door to the conference room opens. Chong sticks his head out of the door.

"Bolin, Varrick, Secretary-General Kuvira will see you now." Bolin gulps, and is almost about to make a run for it, but Varrick grabs his arm and yanks him forward into the conference room.

The room is, if anything, more extravagant than the outside corridors; the embellishment is made from gilded steel, and the tables and chairs are made from a grained walnut that has been polished to a mirror shine. The seats are occupied by 4 extremely grizzled looking soldiers, whom Bolin assumes are Kuvira's generals. They are a patchwork of scars and lines; one especially mean looking man is wearing an eyepatch that covers an ominous gash which stretches from his cheek to the edge of his widow's peak. Bolin doesn't even want to imagine what could have caused such an injury. Sitting at the head of the table is a man who's wearing a pair of thick spectacles. He looks Bolin straight in the eye and nods with a perfectly balanced mixture of respect and disdain. Bolin distantly remembers him from Zaofu: he's Opal's oldest brother, Baatar Jr. A woman is standing in front of a map of the continent; unlike Bolin and everyone else present, she's wearing heavy combat plate, and her collar is supplemented by a thick steel nodowa that covers her collar bones as well as her neck. Her night-black hair is tied back in a neat bun, and she has a beauty spot dotted right underneath her left eye.

"Hello. I am Secretary-General Kuvira."

Bolin is numb with stage fright; he's never had the feeling before, even when he was a pro-bender, and Varrick has to nudge him into action mid-bow.

"Uh," he begins, raising a hand in greeting. "...Hi, Kuvira?"

The silence is so thick afterwards Bolin has to imagine the crickets chirping in the background. It's shattered when Eyepatch Guy roars with laughter, slamming his fist on the table with mirth.

"I like this one! He has guts to talk like that!" Eyepatch Guy saunters over to Bolin and grabs him by the hand, shaking it along with the rest of him.

"I'm Major General Bingchen, Army Group D. And you are?"

"Bolin. No title."

"Well, Bolin No Title, I think you'll fit in here just right." He gestures to the other three military figures, who are staring at him with a wide variety of expressions.

"This dour lady over here," he waves an arm at a woman who looks around Lin's age, "is Lieutenant General Hu, Army Group D. She may look unfriendly, but that's because she doesn't know how to smile! Believe me, I've been trying to teach her since officer camp." That's when Bolin notices the matching platinum rings on both Hu and Bingchen's fingers, and he smiles for the first time since entering the room. Hu doesn't return the gesture.

"This rogue over there," he points at a short man in his thirties, "is General Gao, Army Group B. Don't let the name fool you, he's smaller than I am!" Gao snorts with derision.

"That joke was only funny the first time, Bingchen."

Bingchen waves him off, and waves a hand at the last man, who has a thick white moustache that reminds Bolin so much of the sky bisons on Air Temple Island it's all he can do not to chuckle at the wizened figure's facial hair.

"This esteemed gentleman over here is General Qiang, Army Group C. One of our finest men, he was respobsible for the victories in both the Hami Rebellion and the Kyoshi Crisis, and he served during Operation: Black Sun to boot! He's a true veteran." Qiang splutters with modesty, his moustache vibrating as he does so.

"Oh well, it wasn't like I had a choice in the matter, it wasn't as hard as everyone made it out to be..." Qiang tries to hide his well deserved pride with a screen of reluctance, but everyone in the room knows that he is immensely proud of his illustrious career. Kuvira was very lucky to acquire such a powerful general.

As Bolin moves to sit down next to Qiang, Kuvira inclines her head towards him.

"My fellow members of the Circle. Today, a new recruit has joined us for induction. Bolin has come to us with a personal recommendation from not only the spiritual leader of the resurgent Air Nomads, but also from Avatar Korra herself. According to the letter she sent me, Bolin is loyal, quick-thinking and capable of defusing a hostile situation with unparalleled speed. Combined with his unique ability to lavabend, these factors lead me to believe that Bolin is a perfect candidate for membership of the Inner Circle. As such, I present him here for induction into our society." She gestures for Bolin to stand up and approach her. When he's facing her, she gestures downwards, and Bolin takes to one knee.

"Those who are opposed to his induction, make your case heard or keep your tongue forever sealed."

Bolin is worried that someone is going to yell their dissent with Kuvira's decision, that Baatar Jr. or Hu will stand up and denounce him. But no one says anything, and Kuvira takes that as invitation to continue.

"Then we shall proceed. Bolin," she places a hand on his thought chakra, two fingertips pressed against his light chakra and the other three straddled around the rest of his head. Bolin knows the gesture is purely symbolic, but for one brief, horrible moment it reminded of the convention centre, where he witnessed the chi forcefully ripped out of the screaming, twisting bodies of gangsters by a masked fanatic.

The moment passes, and Bolin looks up at Kuvira admiringly. He is ready for the oath.

"Do you, Bolin, henceforth pledge your unwavering loyalty to me, Kuvira?"

"I do."

"Do you, Bolin, henceforth pledge to not rest until the Earth Kingdom has been rebuilt, its strongholds reunited in the name of the throne?"

"I do."

"Do you, Bolin, henceforth pledge to sacrifice your life in the name of this ideology, and to put my life before yours in the direst of circumstances?"

"...I do."

"And do you, Bolin, henceforth pledge to never reveal the secrets of the Inner Circle, we elite few, to the rest of the world?"

"I do.

"Then, by the powers of the Royal Seal bestowed unto me by Crown Prince Wu of the Kuei dynasty, I appoint you as my retainer. You shall be at my side, you shall be my sword and shield, you shall be my voice and my seal. This I so swear. May this vow remain unbroken until your final breath. Rise, Bolin." Bolin stands up ramrod straight. Gone are his earlier fears of messing up. All he has now is a deep, brimming sense of pride that wells up from a source within his body, and Bolin wonders if maybe Kuvira had fiddled around with his chakras while he recited the oath. Kuvira bows towards him, and he bows back.

"Welcome to the Inner Circle, retainer," Kuvira claims as she smiles. "I have a feeling that we're going to accomplish great things together."

Bolin's never smiled so hard in his entire life. He's never felt so self-confident before, and he's basking in the warm radiance of her charisma. And then, Bolin realises that he would die for this woman. He would give her the ultimate sacrifice if she needed it, and he would be happy to do so. He, and everyone else in this room, would give their lives for Kuvira. And he's exhilarated by this knowledge.

"You know what, ma'am? I have that feeling too."