Back to the Old Ways

After Alina's return to Lian Yu, she went back to her old ways. No intruders, no problems from the outside world, nothing. Months passed with no further word from Starling or Central City. She thought to herself, "I'm sure they're fine. They can handle themselves." But she had a feeling that she was just trying to fool herself. She kept feeling great sadness and anger when she would think about Oliver Queen. But she had other things to think about.

She was home, back with her father and her tribe. It was as if nothing happened - as if no one had ever threatened them.

Alina didn't stop doing Tai Chi on the beach, even though she had no serious need for it. However, she still enjoyed it - one last piece of her time away from home. She never found out anything from Cisco about the incident over Christmas, but it wasn't isn't life-or-death information. She wasn't hurt, and she wasn't hurting anyone - that was the most important thing. In truth, her new abilities were beneficial in their own way. It was definitely easier to know of any newcomers to the island. Just a week ago, a lost Chinese fisherman came ashore. She helped him by directing him back to the island he spoke of.

Other than the occasional fishermen taking a break from a long day on the water, Alina's life was as uneventful as it had been before the mercenaries and Oliver Queen. Of course, this was how she liked it - no troubles at all. Her life was as normal as the life a tribeswoman would be. Occasionally, she would miss the technological fascination of S.T.A.R. Labs, but she kept wondering what would explode the next time she was there. She smiled and rolled her eyes at the thought.

That night, there was a camp fire so bright and large that it was a wonder the trees to catch fire, too. It was a celebration of the defeat of the mercenaries. The tribesmen danced around the fire, and the chief sat and chuckled. Soon, he joined in the dancing.

Dinner time. Celebration called for the best catch of fish, and frankly, it had been a good fishing day according to some of the men. Alina sat beside her friend Chan as they ate. He paused and looked at her, "I don't think I ever asked about what happened when you went to America."

"Why are you speaking in English?"

"I'm practicing."

"Well, the accent could use some work," she laughed, "What do you want to know?"

He thought for a short while and asked, "What does it look like?"

She smiled and told him about S.T.A.R. Labs and the tall buildings of stone. She talked about the train station and described in great detail how she felt during her first plane ride. She then looked at the fire, "It is so beautiful, but noisy. There are so many lights and colors! But I had to keep reminding myself that the èmó came from a place like that. And when I asked Cisco Ramone about the bad people there, he said that there are many. Then he told me about a place where the criminals go when they are caught: a prison called Iron Heights."

"Mírén! (Fascinating!) But all this information is making my head spin. Let's dance away that concern in your eyes. You should really not worry so much about things that we don't need to!"

She laughed and went over to dance with him. Chan was her best friend. He was always there to cheer her up, even though he desperately needed it more than she did. Chan lost both his parents in the mercenary attacks. They tragically died of their wounds. So, when Alina wasn't with Oliver, she was comforting Chan.

Nevertheless, Chan found a way to move on, even though he could still get upset on some days. So, that night by the fire, the two danced their emotions away.

The moon was setting, and many had turned in for the night. Chan, lying beside Alina against a log, asked, "Do you ever think about going back to Starling City?"

She gave a shy smile, "I do, sometimes. But, my family is here, and my father barely let me go last time."

"You would miss me too much, too, right?" He pouted.

She giggled, "Oh, of course!"

They laughed for a bit. Then Alina looked at him, "If I were to ever visit again, how about you come with me that time."

"Are you serious? Bùyào gēn wǒ kāiwánxiào! Don't joke!"

"I am serious!"

He leaped up and hugged her tightly, "You would do that? Thank you, Lina! Xièxiè! Can we go soon?"

She smiled at him and said, "I only go if Oliver sends for me. I can't afford to get there on my own."

He looked slightly disappointed, but said, "Let me know when he does. Wǎn'ān, Lina."

"Goodnight."

They all slept as the moon disappeared behind the horizon.