Chapter 6: Love Amongst Dragons
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC.
After an hour's flight, Appa landed them on the outskirts of Hira'a. Flipping up his hood, Zuko says, "We need to hide our identities. We'll get mobbed if people figure out we're the Avatar and the Fire Lord."
Dressed in a new outfit and wearing the bandana from his travels in the Fire Nation before the end of the war, Aang dismissively waves his hand in Zuko's direction. "Don't worry. After hiding from you for all those months, we're masters of disguise!"
Biting her lip to hide her small smile, Katara points out, "Aang, that headband of yours is cute, but as a disguise, it worked a lot better when you had hair."
Having fashioned himself a mustache and beard from Appa's hair, Sokka points at his newfound facial hair and exclaims, "See? A fake beard made of sky bison fur!"
"Classic!" Liling laughs, fashioning a wig of her own. "But I can top that," she adds as she whirls around, denoting to the top of her head.
As she and Sokka laugh, Azula pulls away, completely revolted. "Get away from me! You smell like a wet possum-pigeon!"
"C'mon, Azula, lighten up," Liling tells her, teasingly throwing a clump of fur at her.
As Sokka sneezes his faux facial hair and Liling's wig turns into a cloud of fur with a loud "Achoo" the others notice, from the edge of town, that a large crowd is gathered in the central square.
Baffled, Katara splutters, "I thought Hira'a was supposed to be a small town. Why is it so crowded?"
They walk closer, blending into the crowd. The people are all facing in the same direction, gazing toward a raised stage, where two actors are playing their roles.
"Looks like they're performing some sort of play!" Aang noted, surveying the scene.
Her eyes squinting, Liling suddenly exclaims, "I recognize that scene!"
"It's the final battle in Love Amongst Dragons," Zuko adds as two actors approach the center of the stage.
The Water Spirit defeated, the actor playing the Dragon Emperor embraces his Empress, an actress in robes of light blue. "Though I was trapped in the body of a mortal, you willingly gave me your heart! I cannot help but give you mine in return!"
The Dragon Empress actress replies, "Only with your glory hidden in false form could you finally realize my devotion!"
The characters kiss, bringing everyone in the crowd to their feet. "Yay! Woo-hoo! Encore!" After a moment, with the play having ended, the townspeople begin to disperse.
As the curtain closes, Zuko nudges Azula and Liling before saying, "Remember when we used to come to watch the Ember Island Players perform this play? Afterward on the beach, we would reenact this very scene. I don't get why I had to be the Dark Water Spirit, though." He adds the last part as an afterthought and with a small smile.
Amicably, Azula says, "Clearly, I made a better Dragon Emperor."
"Which made it very awkward when I was playing the Dragon Empresses," Liling cut in with a nostalgic smile.
Looking around, Aang says, "Everybody's leaving! What do we do now?"
"Let me ask around," Zuko suggests. He walks over and speaks to the old couple. "Excuse me. We're looking for information on a woman named Ursa. I believe she lived here many years ago."
"Ursa. . . Ursa. . . wasn't she the magistrate's daughter?" the old man trails off, turning towards his wife.
His wife's eyes light up as she adds, "Oh yes! Rumor has it she-"
She is suddenly cut off by the appearance of a man wearing the mask of the Water Spirit. "Excuse me." Taking off the mask, he continues, "I hope I didn't startle you." Shaking Zuko's hand he adds, "My name is Noren. I'm the director of the Hira'a Acting Troupe. Ursa was once a member."
"Really?" Zuko asks, his eyes widening.
"That's right! She always wanted to play the Dragon Empress, but never got the chance! Didn't she-" The old woman begins, only to be cut off again.
Aware of what the old woman is saying, Noren suggests, "We should find a quiet place to talk, away from the crowds. You're all welcome to come to my home. We'll share some tea and I'll tell you everything I know." He motions for them to follow him as he begins to walk away.
As Zuko bows his head respectfully, the rest of Team Avatar looks surprised, while Azula's brow furrows at Noren's words. "It would be an honor. Thank you." Zuko says, pulling out of the bow before following Noren.
They finally arrive outside Noren's house and enter his small home single file. Katara and Aang sit at a low table on the side of the room opposite the door, while Azula, Zuko, and Liling sit on the floor near the door; a young girl peeks courageously around the door frame at Zuko, who is smiling back.
"You and Noren have a beautiful home, Noriko!" Liling gushes, eagerly staring at all of the modest decorations. Even though it was nothing like the palace, the home possessed a quaint-like charm that felt both comfortable and familiar.
Before Noriko can reply, a young girl walks up to Liling, Azula, and Zuko. "Wanna meet my doll?" she asked eagerly.
The two responses happen simultaneously.
"Not really," Azula snaps at the same time Zuko replies, "Of course."
Holding up the doll and showing it to Zuko, she says, "This is Kiyi!"
Smiling, Zuko points out, "I thought your name was Kiyi!"
Tucking the doll under her arms, Kiyi explains, "It's such a good name, I used it twice!"
"Well, little Kiyi has a very. . . interesting haircut." Liling says after a while, denoting to the choppy locks on the doll's forehead.
A bit dejected, Kiyi says softly, "I wanted to make her prettier, but it didn't turn out very good."
With a small laugh, Zuko replies, "Both my cousin and my sister did stuff like that when they were little."
Finally joining the conversation, Azula offers, "That's right. Only I didn't give my dolls haircuts, I gave them headcuts!"
Clutching her doll tightly in horror, Kiyi shouts, "Stay back!"
Equally offended, Liling snaps, "Azula! You're scaring her"
Shrugging, Azula points out, "But it's true! They were too ugly and didn't deserve to live."
"Not every girl was as strict as you," Liling reminds her. "Now, please stop before you give her a heart attack."
At that moment, Noren walks through the door, followed by a happy Sokka; both of them carry food trays. "Kiyi, are you being hospitable to our guests?" he asks of his daughter.
"I'm trying," she says simply, scooting away from Azula.
Passing around the food, Noren says, "I must admit, I was a little suspicious when you all started asking about Ursa. But Sokka tells me that you're drama historians!"
Clapping her hands together, Noriko cries, "How wonderful! It's about time the Hira'a Acting Troupe got a little recognition!"
Sipping from his cup with his eyes closed, Noren explains, "Ursa, the woman you asked about, was probably the group's most famous member, but not for her acting. Years ago, she was, well, taken to the Capital City on some sort of official business. We're not supposed to talk about her anymore, but people can't help speculating. Supposedly, she married into the royal family. This all happened before I came to town, but even I've heard the rumors."
"What about. . . Ikem?" Zuko carefully asks, knowing he was treading on dangerous grounds.
Her eyes widening, Noriko says in an impressed voice, "Ikem. . . my, you've really done your research! Ikem was an actor, too. Ursa's boyfriend, I believe. He disappeared shortly after Ursa left. Folks say that he ran off to Forgetful Valley."
"Forgetful Valley?" Aang inquires, curious.
Clearing her throat, Noriko clarifies, "A forest at the bottom of a canyon, just outside of town. The heartbroken go there to forget their lives. You know, I vaguely remember hearing that Ursa came back to town years later, looking for Ikem. They say she went after him to Forgetful Valley."
Shooting her a look, Noren corrects her, "That can't be true! No one's seen or heard from Ursa since she was taken to the Capital City!"
Sighing, Norkiko says, "Well, if it is true, it's awfully romantic!"
Coughing light, Noren says, "Romantic or tragic? Forgetful Valley is a dark, dangerous place. No one who enters ever returns."
At that comment, the rest of the meal was consumed in silence. After the meal, the group moves to go outside and thanks their hosts. Bowing, Zuko says, "Noren and Noriko, you've been more than generous. Thank you for the information."
"And for sharing your home with us," Liling adds, beaming as Kiyi moves to grab her and Zuko's sleeves.
"You'll come again? Please please please?" she begs, tugging on the both of them.
Bending down to stare her straight in the eye, Zuko says, "I really hope so, Kiyi."