"You know it was nice of Azula to let us use her garden" Ty said conversationally.
May looked at her warily, already Ty was becoming more and more festive she thought as she watched her pick off several flowers off the bushes.
"You know Ty, this is actually her family palace. So it isn't hers." She replied serenely. She watched the caterer warily putting and setting up the tents.
"Even so..you know she wouldn't be too pleased." She replied happily. Ty Lee was standing in the middle of the lawn, her hair in disarray but in a very cute fashion.
"It's nice that so many of our old playmates agreed to come and reconnect. You know what my Ying teacher told me? She said-"
"Ty I don't care." May cut in pointedly. She rolled her eyes at the new banners and decorations that the management was setting up.
"What is that?" She pointed at a particularly exuburant banner.
Ty Lee glanced up and smiled. "Oh May, that's a small welcoming banner. Here May take a look at this." She said happily. She picked up the boquet that she made and but the whole thing down May's face.
"Ugh, not my style. Ty, I thought we agreed to make this party both in our tastes. It seems it's all yours!" May said angrily, still eyeing the banner. She was trying to discern the writing but given that the sunlight was reflecting at it, well it was particularly hard.
"Don't worry May. The caterers and staff aren't done. They have your party decorations in hand and they will do it. Cheer up May, this would be fine." Ty said graciously not looking at her friend.
May just closed her eyes quietly and gave a long exhale. "Whatever May, I just want this whole thing done."
With that May walked silently and elegantly out, avoiding the caterers and boistrous helpers as she did so.
Ty Lee waited till her friend was out. Then she turned called out the head.
"Quick get the candles and panda's out."
"Miss, are you sure?" The man replied nervously. He was a short and pudgy man, he was dressed in the company's uniform.
"Are you sure Miss May would like it too?" Sweat was covering his face, making his forehead shiny. His eyes slitted and worried.
"Of course! What could possibly go wrong." Ty Lee smiled at the manager and waved her hand at the background vaguely. "And make sure to put the tables in and orderly manner, a messy and disorganized setting could affect the serene and happy atmosphere we both want." She nodded at him and walked off. Doing superb and graceful gymastics as she went.
"Now it only as far as 15 kilometers then it's the inn we're we stop." said conversationally to two teenagers behind him. It was a normal humid afternoon in the scenic provinces of the fire nation. paused for a moment, seeming to collect his wits as he folded his map and urged his horse faster.
"It's going to be a smooth slow ride going there, so you two just enjoy the scenes." He said smiling. He readjusted his hat and looked back unworriedly at his companions. Azula was calm and quiet, Zuko was having trouble getting in with the pace of his horse.
"No worries General, we've sat through hundreds of hours of ardorous travelling before." Zuko replied. "Umph, Mafiroy's tough. Slow down old boy." Haltingly.
"Ugh." Zuko gasped.
"Psh, seems like all the equestrian classes you've gone trough is a waste."
Zuko didn't reply but concentrated hard on keeping up. One, two, three umph.
"Hey I think he's thirsty Zuko."
Zuko frowned and looked at his sister. She was looking at his horse speculatively. Sigh, maybe she was right, what's up with Azula anyway? Why is it that every thing that she does is right? Or was it a matter of perspective. I don't really know, just like everything else. Zuko sighed and rubbed his forehead. His head was aching, his back in pain from the weight of his back..
"You know, I think you're right Azula." He signaled to stop. stopped who was followed by Azula. Zuko got the canteen and gave it to his horse.
"Jeez, this place is deserted." Came the drawling voice of Azula. Zuko clutched the canteen harder than he would normally have. "The whole place is a complete ghost town. Which is a pity, I could only imagine how this place would look if it had it's bustling peasants and merchants. Hey Zuko, after you could I borrow your canteen? I think my horse is thirsty too."
Zuko clenched his teeth tightly and replied a little testy "Where's your water?"
"Oh it's here, I still have it. But it would be such a waste of time if I remove the things on top of it, because you see it's on the bottom. A way of perserving it's coolness. You don't mind do you?" Azula looked over her bags and looked at Zuko, who was still giving water to his horse. "Anyway when your thristy and warm I could give you my water, which is cold."
"Sure Azula, no problem." Zuko relax he told himself mentally. He stood up straight and gave the canteen to Azula. It must be the heat that makes me so irritable, he thought feeling the sweat running down his back.
"Gen. Shanshan is it generally this hot out here?" He asked timidly glancing at the broad man.
"Ah" He chuckled, usually it's hotter than this. "Don't worry you'll get used to it. But once we reach the mountains, the trees would give you shade and respite from the fiery sun." He smiled genuinely, his brown eyes sparkling. "It's going to be grand."
"I hope so." Came Azula's voice. She put on her coned hat back, climbed on Junior and looked expectantly on the two of them.
"Let's go then." Zuko said immediately. "By the way are you two up for taking a look around at some of these houses?" He asked quietly looking at the back of his sister.
Azula smiled and looked at her other companion who was busy getting up. She looked at his brother and smiled wider
"Why not."
"Ty Lee! What's with the monkeys and the clowns? It's starting to look like a kiddie's birthday. Not a pleasant tea party." May said exasperately at her friends oblivous face.
"Why?"
"Oh May, don't worry! It will be fine, come to think of it. IT WOULD BE AWESOME!" Ty Lee said practically jumping up and down, a crazy grin on her face. She beckenoned someone on the background.
"Here May, meet Archie Monstaryfy. He's from Los Nevada, a colony! He's a real expert on what party comers and guests expect and would love to see. Talk to him."
May sighed at the two of them. She bit back the words she wanted to say but instead said
"Ty just get rid of the animals and clowns. Add some more chairs and food and please don't make it a real tea party."
She closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. I feel a headache coming, heck this party isn't even worth it. She thought privately. She opened her eyes and saw Ty's big round eyes staring back at her.
"Ok?"
Ty turned back at Archie Monstaryfy.
"Got that?"
"Got it."
Ty Lee smiled at May's face and twirled away.
May inhaled slowly in and out then she went back in the direction of the living room if only..
"Oh and Miss? Your guests are coming at 15 minutes from now."
May opened her eyes suddenly and scowled.
"Then get to it! Remove all the unnecessary stuff and put on some music. I am staying at the couch all right?" She replied tiredly.
Hopefully Zuko is having a better time than me. I am feeling so stressed. Jeez why? Oh why do I feel so easily stressed.
A small bungalow on the edge of an old abandoned town stood quietly and serenely beside a jungle of trees and weeds. It had marvelous carvings and motifs on it's windows and doors. A sight that probably attracted two royalties and a decorated general.
The door opened slowly as the person opened it. He gently went it and looked in.
"Whoever lived here must be affluent." Azula commented looking up and down at an elaborate fire symbol on the door. She touched the wooden doorknob slowly.
"Must be the mayor then." Came the gruff reply of the general. He watched Zuko go in deeper at the darkened house.
"This will be fun." Azula smiled malevolently at her brother. His back disappearing then appearing again as he lit his hand.
"Hey check this out." Zuko said, his voice echoing on the vast bungalow.
General Shanshan closed the door and followed Azula who conjured her own fire. He breathed in slowly and tried to calm down his heart which was beating hard. He wasn't easily scared really, he just love thrills. And this empty house strangely gave him an exciting thrill and anyway, he smiled, I bet Azula has something up her sleeve.