Last-Minute Meetings
"This duck is excellent," Suri said, perhaps a bit coldly.
"Thank you," Ursa said, keeping her cool.
"You have two fine daughters, Ursa."
"You have a fine son, Suri. When I first met him, I was overjoyed."
"Did you tell him that?"
"She told Azula, Mom. She said, 'you'll marry that wonderful boy.'"
Pai spoke up. "Maybe we're getting off on the wrong foot. I'd like to know more about you, Mrs. Sun."
"Suri is fine, Pai. And I'm sure my son has told you a lot about me already." She smiled. "I can still be good company, though."
Ursa cleared her throat. "It must be wonderful to live on Ember Island. I did, for a while."
Suri looked at her son. "It's not as nice when you're alone."
Masanori shrank and blushed a deep red. "Mom, please."
"Well," Azula said mock-sweetly, "I'm glad we decided to have this awkward moment now instead of at the wedding."
Suri pulled back. "I'm sorry, honey. Masa, I don't mean to be so stupid. I should be happy that you're getting married, especially to such a fine girl." Masanori and Azula held Suri's hands.
"Mommy, Sister Dragon's a lot nicer to Mrs. Sun than she is to you."
"Amaya," Pai admonished, "shh."
"It's all right, Pai. From what I've seen, she's a lot nicer to Azula than I was."
"Please," Masanori said with exasperation, "can we not do this now? Aren't we past all of this?"
"I agree," Pai said. "We're here for joy, not blame."
"Fine with me," Azula said haughtily.
"I wasn't finished, Princess," Pai said sternly. "Ursa, Suri: the children are in love. We should support them and not worry about our own problems."
"You'd get along well with my uncle, Pai."