After rewatching the first season of TLOK, I decided to contribute to one of my favorite pairings, which really should have become canon - Linzin. Having once been in Young Pema’s shoes and nearly made the same mistake she did, I decided to try writing a story entirely from her perspective, from the moment she arrived on the Island until Linzin’s divorce. I wanted to convey the desperate desire to dig up even the tiniest flaws in the partner of the person you’re obsessively in love with. I hope I succeeded.
This excerpt is actually from somewhere in the middle, but I just wanted to dive into the angst first. Criticism is welcome, since I haven't written in over seven years and English isn't my native language.
«Acolyte's Diary», Lady Lin's Favorite Flowers (excerpt)
I only just noticed this, but it seems Lin’s favorite flowers are tree peonies.
This morning, I was taking a walk along the back wall of the women’s dormitory when I saw her leaning over the flowers. She was dressed for work and clearly about to head out. The flower bed was far from the building, but she seemed to be saying something to the flowers that I couldn’t hear; then she kissed the largest bud on each of the three bushes and walked away.
I wonder what that means. The blooming season is just beginning; maybe this is her way of summoning lush flowers. It’s still strange. It reminds me of a romantic poem where a girl kissed the flowers her lover had given her. I thought things like that only happened on paper. Although, why am I surprised? After last year’s revelation that Master Tenzin is married to a woman who kills animals every year during a ritual hunt, I shouldn’t be surprised by anything. Any strange or terrible thing is bound to be connected to Lin Beifong!
After meditation, Master Tenzin casually mentioned to us that his favorite tea is jasmine tea, brewed according to the recipe of the infamous General Iroh. He invited us to stop by the kitchen of the family house to try a cup. How sweet of him!
It was close to midday, and I was hoping to find Master Katara starting on lunch, but I ran into Lin instead. To my surprise, she invited me inside and treated me to tea and mochi. I’d expected more resistance from this particular resident, but today she clearly didn’t have the energy to complain.
Something was off. A rumpled house dress, a cardigan in warm weather, hair down, movements controlled by years of repetition yet sluggish, a hunched posture, her hand always circling her stomach. She refused to speak, though, until Master Kya arrived. Then she asked to go with her for another peony bush, to which Kya immediately agreed. Was that their secret code?
I hate peonies. If those are her favorite flowers, why doesn't she plant them in every flower bed instead of just in one secluded spot, facing away from the temple?
But Tenzin loves those flowers, too. So I thought it would be a good idea to bring him a fresh, lush bouquet to replace the three wilting flowers in his study. That was a huge mistake... I won't forget the look of horror on his face for a long time.
Apparently, no one is allowed to touch those damn things except for her and Tenzin! It was the first time I’d ever seen Nun Niyama so upset. Master Kaya gave me her icy stare and pursed her lips, but didn’t say a word. Master Katara forgave my mistake, but once again sternly asked me not to touch those flowers. They told me to go back to my room and come up with an excuse for Lin, because she definitely wouldn’t forgive me so easily.
But all I could really think about, sitting in my dark room, was how to make it up to Tenzin. We had just started having a pleasant conversation after our meditation sessions and communal lunches, and now I had disappointed him by taking something that belonged to him without asking.
Tenzin didn’t come down until the last ferry from the city had docked. He looked as if he were desperately trying to calm his wife down while she ran faster than lightning toward her damned flowers. But, as usual, she didn't even try to listen to him!
I heard more shouting, and then she turned toward the entrance to the dorm. I knew I could handle her, I knew what to say to her. But when I saw her contorted face in the doorway, I couldn't get a word out. I was scolded like a child. It was terribly humiliating! The walls here are so thin that I'm sure everyone heard everything. I had no choice but to humbly apologize.
I hate her peonies. If only I could just rip them out by the roots.
