"Now then." The earth king spoke as he took a few steps forward going down the stairs to his throne. "Since we are taking this walk I think introductions are in order." he said looking at them down his nose. "I am King Kuei. 52Th king of the Earth Kingdom." he said.
"Your majesty." Aang bowed respectfully for him. "I am Aang. The Avatar."
Zuko bowed as well in a traditional fire nation greeting. "Prince Zuko. Son of Fire Lord Ozai and Lady Ursa. Their first child. Which makes me the rightful heir to the fire nation throne. And I have been granted the honor of becoming the Avatars fire bending teacher as well."
Katara looked at the other two and copied the best she could. "I am Katara of the Southern water tribe. The Avatars Water bending teacher."
"Your majesty." Toph made a perfect curtsey. "I am Toph Beifong of the Beifong family. And I am the avatars earth bending teacher."
"Ah I see." Kuei looked curiously at them. "The Avatar is travelling with a bending master from each nation. That's interesting. I have only ever seen earth benders." he glanced at the remaining two Sokka making ready for his own clumsy bow. "I suppose those two must be the servants."
"Hey wait!" Sokka exclaimed. "I'm not a…"
"Yes. Your majesty." Zhau-Li bowed a deep bow for him not looking up. "I am Prince Zukos faithful servant. What-ever he demands. I shall comply."
By those words Zuko suddenly stood a little straighter his eyes widening slightly. But he didn't say anything… Even though clearly he wanted to. Katara actually felt a little bad for him, she already knew that Zuko had not asked Zhau-Li to become his servant.
"Then you must be the avatars servant." Kuei pointed at Sokka.
"No… I…" Sokka sighed deeply. "I'm Sokka of the Southern water tribe I'm the… Plan guy."
"The what?" Kuei asked.
"He's a strategist." Zuko helped them along. "And a brilliant tactician who teaches the Avatar the art of planning. As well is he the son of the chief of the South pole. He is expected to become their next leader."
"Thank you Prince Zuko." Sokka smiled. "Nice that someone will put in a good word for me."
"So… He's also a crown Prince?" Kuei blinked.
"In a manner of speaking." Zuko stated. "Though as you can see. The South pole is not quite as developed as other nations in certain areas. You must excuse his quite frankly blunt way of speaking."
"Hey!" Sokka turned to him, his smile now upside down and Aang had a hard time not to laugh.
Zuko however fixed Sokka with a glare. Wordlessly telling him not to screw up and finally Sokka pouted as he crossed his arms and turned away.
"So then. When should we go for this walk?" Kuei asked.
"Well. As Master Gyatso would always say. No time like the present right?" Aang asked. "Why not now?"
"Surely not." Long Feng stated. "We must prepare a route! Have guards ready."
"What's the matter. Don't you trust the strength of your Dai-Li soldiers?" Sokka asked. "It's just Ba Sing Se. It's safe right?"
"Yes. Of course the city is safe." Long Feng said though clearly he was started to get stressed.
"Then what's wrong with a little walk?" Sokka asked. "The sooner we have our walk the sooner we'll be out of here isn't that right?"
"Sir." Long Feng looked up. "Please at least give me an hour to plan a route for you and post guards."
"Well…" Kuei hesitated as he held his chin.
Zukos eyes widened. They could not allow Long Feng to do this and he swept in.
"Since when has it become the advisers job to decide what route the royals need to take?"Zuko asked
Kuei looked at Zuko. He did though look nervous. "It's for my own protection. There are many who would use the opportunity to attack me."
"You will be walking with the Avatar and three bending masters." Zuko spoke patiently. "As well am I sure that Long Feng are going to insists on having guards. Beside, I find it to be safer when the people don't know you're coming."
"Well yes." Kuei frowned. "Let's just get this over with then." he said. "Lead the way. Avatar… Prince Zuko."
"Your majesty." Zuko bowed for him and then gestured with his arm allowing Kuei to walk in front. Only for Zuko to catch a glimpse of Long Feng fuming behind him. This did feel very satisfying.
Finally Long Feng gestured his hand and to no ones surprise both Long Feng and a couple of his Dai-Li followed.
Their track though was cut short. They only made it to the entrance as Kuei halted by the sight of the avatars big companion. "Is that?" Kuei asked.
"This is Appa." Aang beamed. "He's my flying bison!"
You could see Kuei's eyes sparkling. "I thought they were extinct!" he cheered as he stepped closer. "Look at that! Such fine fur coat."
"I brush him ones a week." Aang grinned. "Sometimes he needs a bath to or he starts smelling."
"Bosco also needs his weekly baths." Kuei smiled warmly. "Oh Bosco is my bear. He's a lifelong friend." he explained.
Just then two smaller animals appeared from Appas head and Aang grinned.
"That's Momo and Lin-Lin!" Aang pointed. "They are never far away from Appa. I think those three have their own thing going!" he said as he reached out an arm and Momo came flying. "Momo is my flying lemur." he explained and Kuei beamed as he stepped forward scratching the Lemur on the neck who purred thrilled. "And Lin-Lin is a turtleduck. He's Zukos."
"You also have a royal pet?" Kuei asked wide-eyed as he turned to Zuko.
"Well… It's not really." Zuko began only for Lin-Lin to jump down into his own hands and he sighed. "Yes… yes. I have a royal pet."
"I knew it had to be the norm." Kuei said in a wide grin. "How would anyone ever be able to rule without a faithful companion such as an animal?" he asked.
Zuko and Aang glanced at each other. True Kuei was clearly young… But he was acting younger than he should.
By the time Zuko had turned six he received his first combat training. By the time he was eleven he had received his first military training. And he was pretty damn sure he would never have been allowed such a thing as a pet bear.
Yes they had turtleducks in the pond. But they weren't considered pets, they were just… Wild animals visiting the Koi Fish pond. There was no way Zuko would have been allowed to keep one as a pet! Or Agni forbid take it inside.
"You really like animals huh." Aang observed.
"Yes." Kuei beamed. "Sometimes Mr Shen who runs the Zoo here in the upper ring will bring his animals for me to pet. Long Feng has been very kind to arrange that when I have felt down."
They all looked back at Long Feng… Clearly all thinking the same thing. Sounded like a distraction.
Kuei though continued. "Just last month. The Panda-Minx got her kittens! They were so cute!" he smiled all over his face.
"Wow! That's awesome. Maybe we should go to the zoo and see them after our walk." Aang gasped.
"Hmm… I never been to the zoo. They always bring the animals to the palace." Kuei commented. "Maybe though… It wouldn't hurt to come say hi to the animals. You think they would like that?"
"Absolutely! You're their friend right? Of course the animals would want to see you!" Aang grinned and Kuei lightened up.
Well… Zuko supposed. It was a good thing these two were getting along. Seeing Long Feng out of the corner of his eyes getting more and more pissed was kind of amazing.
But why did it feel like he had two twelve year olds on his hands right now? He looked towards Katara and it looked like a similar thought process was going through her head as she looked annoyed at the two.
Finally they managed to make their way to the train station and Kuei blinked confused as the rocky block stopped in front of them.
Long Feng was of course twitching like he constantly was. Zuko how-ever stepped to the door and gestured politely for Kuei to step inside as the first one with the Dai-Li guards and Zuko stepped in as the second followed by the rest. All except Aang who jumped up on Appa to fly next to them.
Inside Kuei just stood as he glanced around Zuko standing right next to him and then the train started to move.
"Wuah!" Kuei almost tripped if not for Zuko grabbing his arm.
Wide-eyed Kuei looked up and Zuko let go.
"Forgive me your majesty." Zuko bowed for him. "I didn't want you to fall."
"That's quite all right." Kuei said. "I was just surprised." he looked around, at the regular people sitting on the seats who all tried not to steal glances at them. "So… This is a train." he commented. "I didn't think it would be quite so… Cramped." he looked at all the people squeshed together on the seats.
Katara looked up. "You have never been out of the upper ring have you?"
"Oh I've never been out of the palace before." Kuei smiled.
Zuko looked at the king. Well that…. Explained a lot. Things started to fall into place.
"I can't say I am very keen on this." Kuei said. "Now that looks like the way to travel." he smiled as he pointed out of the window at Appa who was flying with Aang on his head.
Zuko closed his eyes. "Your majesty." he spoke slowly. "This is how your people travel every single day. To get to work, to get home. You don't think that's worth knowing? How the people you are supposed to lead lives their life? The very people who feels the effects of what ever decisions you make. You are the one deciding upon train budget and yet you never even been on a train? How does that makes sense?"
"Well I…" Kuei hesitated. "I suppose when you put it like that." he said. "I trust my advisors though. They know."
Zuko groaned as he held up a hand pinching the bridge of his nose. "The final say still is with you. Nothing is passed without your signature. Do you even know what you are signing half the time?"
Kuei looked up at Zuko. "I trust my advisors." he repeated. "You have advisors as well don't you Prince Zuko. Don't you trust yours?"
"No!" Zuko replied trying to keep back his frustrations. "They each are also interested in advancing their own carrier and their own ideals. The people I trust can be counted on two hands. And they have all earned my trust."
"Well Long Feng has earned mine." Kuei replied. "He took care of me my entire life. Ever since my parents perished and I took the throne he has made sure that Ba Sing Se would run smoothly and I would be safe. I have no reason to distrust him."
"Erhm… Your majesty." Katara hesitated. "I hope it's not to much to ask but… how old were you when you took the throne?" she asked.
"I was four years old." Kuei plainly stated. "So as you can hear. Long Fengs services helped carry both I and the city through."
Zuko was standing still… Yup. Things were definitely falling into place.
"Now I get to ask a question." Kuei said and Zuko nodded.
"Yes your majesty." Zuko said.
"I hope I don't come across as rude." Kuei said. "But I was wondering ever since you introduced yourself. What's…" he frowned. "What's that on your face. It's not contagious is it?"
Zuko's eyes narrowed he could already see how Katara was about to snap.
"It's a scar your majesty." Zuko replied. "Do not worry. Burn scars are not contagious."
"Oh." Kuei blinked. "Well I suppose a fire bender runs the risk of being burned."
"It was no accident." Zuko replied standing tall. "I objected to my fathers idea of mindlessly sacrificing fire nation lives to satisfy his own lust for power. Due to my objection I was asked to fight a fire duel against my father. I refused to participate, refused to raise a hand against my own father. He didn't quite feel the same way and burned off my face. Then he banished me and I lived for three years sailing the oceans of the world. I thank him though, thanks to that banishment I have seen the world. I've seen the two poles, I've seen the earth nation, the big cities and the small villages hidden in the mountains. I looked the people who live there in the eyes."
Wide-eyed Kuei looked up at Zuko, his face was pale and just then the train stopped.
"We're here." Zuko said as he simply turned and stepped outside Zhau-Li closely following behind him with a bowed head.
Sokka and Katara was sitting next to each other then glanced at each other.
"Katara…. I actually forgot how scary Zuko can be." Sokka whispered at Katara.
"I… I did too." Katara admitted.
"I never knew what the two of you were talking about." Toph whispered back. "But his chi was burning like an inferno… That was."
Kuei was still shaking as he stood. Wide-eyed looking in front of himself.
"Sir." Long Feng spoke. "You don't need to do this. We can go back." he said. "As you can see. Fire nation are not like us. They are savages. The fire lord burning his own son? That's why we don't deal with them."
Kuei how-ever swallowed. "No… I have to do this." he said suddenly sounding different and he took a deep breath before he stepped out as well with the guards behind him.