Here's the next one.
Aang couldn't help but smile. His stomach was pleasantly stuffed, full of a delicacy once lost to history. The afternoon breeze swept over the Governor's compound bringing the faint smell of the sea. All the while, the daily life of a family of two nations played out before him. The father embarrassed his daughter, the daughter pouted in protest, and the mother scolded the pair. Despite the scene, it was apparent that the love they shared rang true. In that, Aang found what he would have only categorized as a fantasy if he had not seen it for himself. It was in their love that the heart of the city resided. The odd medley of cultures and traditions came together to create something entirely new and foreign that bubbled with a life all its own. It had its quirks, and was a bit rough around the edges, but it stood proud and open for the world to see.
The bow of Lady Morishita and crooked nod from Kori jostled him from his thoughts. He returned them in kind before the Governor approached.
"I have a feeling Kori isn't too thrilled to have me here," Aang said with a shrug of his shoulders. The two women of the court receded into the compound.
"Nonsense," The Governor started. He squinted his eyes and twisted him mouth to one side. "Well, maybe a little."
Aang held his belly and doubled over in laughter.
"But it's only because she has it in her head that you're here to kick us out of the city and return the land to the Earth Kingdom," The Governor explained with a stroke of his beard. "But, I believe we're past that now aren't we, especially after the fruit pies."
Aang grinned. "I gotta admit, it was definitely the fruit pies."
"Gets 'em every time," The Governor chuckled. "But now you see what we have here. What we must protect, and what the world has the potential to gain."
Aang nodded. The New Republic stood as a testament to the world that he and Zuko sought to create. It symbolized what the future could hold if all nations stood as one. He was, now more so than earlier in the day, committed to the idea of protecting the new nation's sovereignty. The people were thriving, the growth was unparalleled, and cooperation seemed to rule the day.
The Avatar remained careful of drinking too deeply from the well introduced to him. He was young, but not naïve. The New Republic wasn't without its flaws. Governor and Lady Morishita took their time to carefully allow for a guided exploration of the city. The shadier, less friendly portions were avoided and overlooked. Like any city, there was probably a persistent criminal underbelly and economic disparity to match. However, if the highlights of the New Republic was an accurate representation of its potential, then he could allow himself to become invested in its wellbeing and protection.
"Well then," The Governor mused. "I do believe I've taken up enough of your time for today. Our other guest requested and audience with you upon your arrival. Of course, I had to ignore their request. Fruit Pies come first."
"Of course," Aang agreed with a pat to the stomach. "But who wanted to see me? Is Kuei in the city?"
"Ha, no," The Governor flicked his wrist in the air, dismissing the name like it was a gnat. "Nothing that bothersome. My wife and daughter would have been up in arms if that were the case. No, the Fire Nation's emissary is here."
Aang's brow knitted together. He rubbed the back of his head and sighed. "I just left the Fire Nation. Zuko could have contacted me before I left."
"Hmm" The Governor thought aloud. "This one left a short time before you, I believe. So, I assume it was to get a feel for the city to render some opinion. Though, considering who it is, I'd imagine she had her mind made up about it."
"Who would that be?" Aang asked.
"Princess Azula," The Governor answered. Aang's eyes and mouth widened in tandem. His heart fluttered in his chest. His breathing hitched. The Governor continued before he could react. "Though, between you and me, she could be just as much trouble as Kuei, all things considered. While we are undoubtedly grateful for her decree, other methods would have been preferred."
"Azula?" Aang asked, dumbfounded and nearly paralyzed in thought. "Is here?"
"Yes, Avatar. The princess of the Fire Nation is here," The Governor stated slowly, almost unsure if he misspoke in his earlier statement. "That said, while we're appreciative, we cannot be blind to the realities of her actions."
"Why is she here?" Aang whispered to himself.
A slight smile broke on the Governor's face. The gesture was outlined with an aura of disdain. "That's the question, isn't it, Avatar? There were plans. Ten years from now when our population swelled, our strength matured, and our economy became fully self-sustaining, we were going to declare our independence. The goal was to be free from both Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom influence. That has been put into jeopardy at the moment by the acts of Princess Azula. Furthermore, she's no doubt angered Kuei with her mere presence. He's been waiting far too long for his revenge for her three man takeover of Ba Sing Se. He's itching to tear down our gates at this point."
Aang was drawn from the depths of his confusion. The implications in Morishita's word's caused his stomach to sink. "You don't think that she's trying to manipulate the New Republic, do you?"
"Not just her, the Fire Lord as well. I can't imagine those two not working as a pair despite whatever rumors of strife are flying about. These things tend to be more complicated than they appear, unfortunately," the Governor explained.
Aang took a deep breath and met eyes with Morishita. The man's face was fixed in a stern expression, ready to counter any retort that Aang could prepare.
"I can see where you would get that idea," Aang conceded, looking away.
"It's the impression that's been given," the Governor huffed, surprised at the lack of fight in the Avatar. "I assumed you'd defend the Fire Lord given the fact that you two are such good friends."
Aang shook his head. "It's not that I'm not defending Zuko so much as it's that I know I'm not going to change your mind."
"Well, you'd be fighting an uphill battle. The Princess's decree forces us to rely on the Fire Nation for defense in the face of Kuei's threats. It forces a continued dependence that can be more heavily exploited. Fire Nation aggression towards the Earth Kingdom can continue to take place without direct involvement of the Fire Nation itself. We prefer not to be a proxy state used to instigate conflict. Hence my skepticism," Morishita continued.
Aang considered the man for a moment. Beyond the hardened crevices of age, the round shape of his face, and the thick beard sat an expression of determination. A fire blazed in his golden eyes that Aang recognized all too well in Fire Benders. He would not relent unless victory was attained.
"I can't tell you that you have nothing to worry about," Aang started, rubbing the back of his neck as he spoke. "But, I can promise that whatever solution that we carve out will have independence as a goal. But, all parties will need to come to the table and have an honest conversation about where we go from here."
There was a pause between the pair. The Governor then delivered a curt nod. "That's all I can ask. Now, I've probably taken up a good amount of time, but it was worth it making my point about this city. However, I need to warn you. Be careful talking to that woman in there. She has a silver tongue and, as rumors have it, a touch of madness. A dangerous combination. Be sure not to let your guard down."
"If only you knew," Aang muttered under his breath.
"Hmm?" The Governor asked.
"I said I'll be careful," Aang spoke up.
"Please do. We'll reconvene in the morning and see if we can't have a decent three party conversation. If everything goes well and I get the sense that cooperation is in order, we may consider inviting Kuei within the week. But, one step at a time, of course."
"The only way to change the world," Aang added.
"Quite right," the Governor agreed. "Well, I'll leave you to it. When you're done one of the servants can show you to your quarters and alert you for this evening's supper."
The Governor led Aang deeper into the compound's walls. Aang took note of the heavily inspired Fire Nation design and the subtle accents of Earth Kingdom style. None of it fit, not by any standard that he had known before. Yet, he knew that it was a deviation from tradition that brought him to where he now stood. The Four nations worked together to depose Ozai and in turn restore balance to the world. Neither he nor Zuko flew a flag when they set out to accomplish their seemingly impossible tasks on the ashen days of Sozin's comet. The world was changing, and some beliefs would naturally wither away as new foundations rose to take their place. Separation was no longer in the cards. The nations would be forced to interact with one another as a result of the hundred year war. If this was the first step in that process, then the Avatar was happy to embrace it for what it was, progress.
Governor Morishita and Aang made their way up a flight of stairs and into a large longue area. The Avatar's attention latched onto her and didn't let go. Azula was there, a few paces away from Aang, alive and apparently well. Her hair was bound in a neat, tight topknot. The Princess was clad in a burgundy robe and tunic accompanied with dull roomy pink pants. One of her black booted feet bobbed idly in the air as it sat crossed over her knee.
Azula sat quietly, gazing with a calm intensity out of the open windows and into the courtyard. The grounds below were seemingly set ablaze by the swaying of the blooming fire lilies in the cool mid-summer breeze. She no doubt studied the flowers with an eye for the imagery that their dancing petals put on display.
Azula turned her head, catching The Avatar off guard. Her gaze passively met his own. Her expression was placid, still for almost a moment too long. The Avatar found it impossible to swallow. Words evaded him, their absence leaving a stagnate silence to hang in the air. The Governor's muffled words vibrated against the emptiness, freeing the two from the moment.
Azula glanced away from the Avatar and greeted Morishita with the smile that Aang had longed to see just one more time. The conversation that the two held buzzed past Aang's perception. He found himself captivated by the way her full red lips pursed to form what would no doubt be words that tested Morishita's patience and boundaries. Aang took note of how her shimmering golden eyes narrowed and widened to play along with the rest of her expressions, teasing machinations of unspoken intent. He stood there and silently watched her, taking in all that she was.
A hand on the Avatar's shoulder shook him from what had become a trance.
"I'll leave you two to your business. I've had ample amount of time alone with the Avatar today to put my mind at ease. I do think he has a better understanding of what's at stake here. Don't expect to sway him too much," Morishita puffed with a tight smile. "I trust that I'll be leaving him in good hands."
"The best," Azula replied with a wide smile of her own. "We'll be reconvening tomorrow with a more comprehensive plan of action, right Governor? Or should I say Councilman Morishita?"
The Governor shook his head and hummed, "Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. There's too much to be done before we begin handing out titles to governments that aren't officially established let alone codified, Princess Azula. But yes, tomorrow we'll reconvene as a group."
Azula gave the man a single slow, soft nod. "I look forward to it."
Governor Morishita patted the Avatar's shoulder twice and muttered words of warning that were lost on the Avatar. Morishita bowed to the Princess and turned on his heel away from the lounge area and out of sight.
Aang redoubled his attention on the woman before him. His eyes traced the faint hints of bruising and discoloration that hid under the well applied makeup. He stood reading the story that the marks told until that all too familiar smirk broke across her face. The signs of injury and trauma were hidden better behind her upturned lips than by any amount of foundation spread across her skin.
Emotions swirled in the Avatar's chest, beating with a will all their own. Greeting after greeting was lost to his tongue through the efforts of doubt, joy, anger, and all of their companions. He was captive to conflicting desires, and was thus brought to a standstill. He did nothing and said nothing, because nothing could be said. Words were not enough, not now. And if they came, he did not dare trust them. So, in stillness, he remained.
The two pairs of eyes, one grey and the other gold, engaged in a waltz conducted under the tune of silence.
The chapter that follows will be a direct continuation of this scene. What you're seeing here was originally just 1/5 or so of something that must be broken into smaller parts. The other part of this will come relatively soon once I'm sure it no longer resembles a script featuring Azula and Aang. There's an irresponsible amount of dialogue and almost no prose. I got way too lost in allowing them to go back and forth with one another. Hold tight for a day or two. Catch you all soon.