A/N: Another slot for my bingo card, this time with the prompt focused on a character- Long Feng. I wish I could have done something more creative and longer for him but, with the last week and the upcoming deadlines I have, I've been a creative dead beat.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender.
Warnings: Slight spoilers concerning Season two and the Order of the White Lotus.
Formal Rejection
By: Nuit Songeur
Long Feng received his invitation to the Order of the White Lotus shortly after he had won a certain Pai Sho tournament hosted in the inner ring of Ba Sing Se. It was supposedly hosted by the King Kuei, but really it was him that did all the managerial duties. As always.
The letter wasn't signed and no where in the document did it include a description on what this order was, exactly. All it had said was that that a true champion of Pai Sho had what it takes to be a member of this exclusive club. There was also something in it about national boundaries being ignored as far as its member list went.
If you wish to accept this invitation, please attend our next meeting. Attached is the exact whereabouts and directions to the location of the meeting. The Order hopes to see you there.
Long Feng stroked his beard thoughtfully. Then, he took to pacing his study, back slightly arched as he held his hands behind his back. It certainly couldn't hurt to check this Order of the White Lotus out…
He went on leave for a few weeks, putting his head Dai Li officer in command while he was away. Long Feng packed a few belongings and made his way to a place called the Misty Palms Oasis. It sounded like a luxury vacation spot.
But it wasn't. Just a small, beaten town that served as a pathetic tourist attraction on the outskirts of the desert. He went inside the cantina and waited for his summons.
It came in the form of an elderly bald man who addressed himself as Fung. Long Feng greeted him with a curt nod, and Fung invited him to a game of Pai Sho. After a few attempts of being persuaded, Long Feng reluctantly accepted the challenge and defeated the man in a matter of minutes. Fung congratulated him with a smile, clapping quietly.
"You have been accepted to the Order," he said, smiling. Long Feng only acknowledged the acceptance with a small jerk of his chin.
"And what is this order, exactly?"
"The Order is an ancient society that seeks philosophy, beauty, and truth. We transcend above national and political boundaries."
When Long Feng arrived at Ba Sing Se again, he mulled the idea of the Order over in his head. Philosophy, beauty, and truth were their objectives, but the matter of transcending political and national lines troubled him. Did that mean they were not affected by the war?
Long Feng received his answer in a matter of two weeks when a messenger hawk conveyed a request to him. The letter attached asked for supplies and soldiers to be sent to the outskirts of the Earth Kingdom in order to help neutralize the war effort. Long Feng barked a sarcastic laugh.
"Transcend political lines, eh? The war is political and so are they, if they're getting themselves involved. Who do they think they are? Recruiting members only to get what they want? You think they could at least afford a bit of discretion."
Long Feng responded back, I would have to decline your request for those items. My top priority as the High Secretariat is to keep peace and order within my city. To do that, I have refused involving Ba Sing Se with the war effort, and if you will please excuse me while I will not be used as a tool for masters of an Order whom I've never even met.
Long Feng received his expulsion from the Order in a matter of days.
It's not much but I hope you enjoyed. Please review.
-NuitSongeur