Little Sisters
The three advisors stood before the Burning Throne, looking very nervous.
"As you can see," Azula said pointedly, laying two plans side-by-side on the conference table, "your plan for the new harbor is almost identical to the plan drawn up by my great-grandfather Sozin almost one-hundred years ago." She smirked. "I took the liberty of tracking the old plan down, you see. But," she continued with a flourish, "your plan would take a full year to complete and cost fifteen-million gold pieces. Whereas, Sozin's plan would take-at most-seven months and cost only six-million gold pieces." Her eyes narrowed. She was playing with her food. "Why do you suppose there is such a large discrepancy?"
The first man, a fat man, anxiously twisted his neckerchief. "I'm not sure, highness."
"I'll explain it to you, then." Azula menacingly circled the three men. "I estimated a workforce of one-hundred laborers at any given time. I added in factors of days worked, hours worked per day and even equipment used. I examined the factors four different ways, and the conclusion was always the same: you've consistently underestimated the amount of work one-hundred people can do in a day. Are Fire Nation workers so much weaker now than they were in Lord Sozin's time? Even if they are, we have much better technology than they had. And" she said with emphasis, "we can bring in specialists from other nations." She pointed to the modern plans. "This amount of earth which would have to be moved, for instance: my brother's blind bodyguard could do all of that alone in just a few weeks, assuming she didn't want to work too hard. Really, your faith in our workers is depressing."
A second man-this one thin-spoke. "With great respect, your highness, a good engineer should always be conservative on paper."
"I value being conservative, gentlemen. In matters of politics, finance and military ventures, I myself am very conservative. What I am not is a fool." She worked around to face the planners. "I looked into you, with help from the Lady Mai." Azula indicated the Fire Lady. "You presented these plans because you intended to contract for the work. You expect to make a profit, as you should for your services. Where you went wrong was trying to cheat the people of the Fire Nation for double what the work was worth. However, the Fire Lord and myself are willing to contract the work to you...based on the old plan and to be overseen by an archtect of my choosing. I trust you will find these terms satisfactory?"
"Very much so," said the third man, much shorter than the rest. "Thank you, your highness." They bowed to Zuko and left the room.
Azula tossed her hair back. She had not raised her voice. She had not made threats. But she had frightened the three would-be cheats into abandoning their delusions.
"Still got it, Azula," Mai said.
"I have to earn my pay as well."
Azula's sister Amaya emerged from behind a pillar. "Amaya," Zuko said, "were you eavesdropping?"
"My fault," another voice said. A young man stepped into view. It was Masanori. "I thought Amaya might like to see her big sister in action."
Amaya hugged Azula's leg. "You're really smart, Sister Dragon."
"Thank you, Amaya." Azula gave her younger sister a hair tease.
"Can we play now?"
Azula turned to Zuko. "Well?"
"I think that's all I need for now. Enjoy yourselves."