Sokkla Month Day 24: Politics
"You're late."
"Considering the circumstances, I'd think I'll take being five minutes late over the alternative, thank you very much."
"But did you die?"
"Came pretty close a few times. Not that you'd care."
"Last I checked, you were my blade. And blades don't talk back."
"Funny, because I think, no, I know that you absolutely love it when I talk back to you. I mean, who else in the court has the balls to go toe to toe with you? Apart from that monkey Zhao. Or Qin, whenever he isn't trying to fuck over Zhao. Seriously, how did you people even get out of Caldera, much less conquer half of the main Earth Kingdom cities with a dysfunctional Diet as this?"
"Focus, commitment and sheer will."
"All I'm hearing is you're too stubborn for your own good."
"Keep talking."
"I sincerely doubt you want to wrestle in those heels of yours. Or explain to the ministers at the party as to why there is a suspicious looking mark on your neck. Because I'd really, really, hate to have Ty Lee's makeup work all ruined because you got all flustered and horny. You should think about giving the girl a raise, y'know."
"Please, that girl doesn't need me to give her a raise. She's practically self-sufficient from all the blackmail and betting rings she's running. Also, what did I tell you about NO SHOES IN THE HOUSE SOKKA!"
"Wheoops?"
Instinctively, he ducked as a throwing dart embedded itself firmly in the doorpost.
"I-"
"Shut the fuck up Sokka, if you know what's good for you. Now come on, any longer and those spineless dickwads and entitled little bimbos are going to be asking questions I'd rather not answer." Azula hissed, before slamming home a shot of 'white lightning' like it was water.
As much as Sokka would have loved to keep up the banter, knowing full well that it would definitely lead to some of the most intense and life altering (in his humble opinion, which he wisely kept to himself lest he inflate her ego any further) sexcapades if he continued, seeing her like this made him decide otherwise. Besides, he really did stink.
In Azula's mind, a princess was supposed to be punctual, despite the generous leeway she was afforded due to her status and prestige. For her, showing up late meant she was growing soft, which in her mind would and could be translated as a sign of weakness. In the world of palace politics, any sign of weakness would inevitably result in death, if not political then physical. Not that one was better than the other, but she would rather commit suicide than be placed into such a spot.
Banishing such dark thoughts from her mind, she put up airs and false smiles as she 'interacted' with the pit of vipers and power hungry concubines who would stop at nothing to see their chosen taking her spot as the designated successor to the Dragon Throne. That she was still single even now sparked incessant rumours, some of which were dangerously close to the truth. At least Ty Lee managed to work her magic and for the most part, they were only as such, rumours.
While Ty Lee dealt with the concubines and gossips, Sokka had the much more difficult task of 'persuading' people to come around to her way of thinking, which typically meant some roughing up here and there. Occasionally, some people just did not wish to get with the program, no matter how much sense it made but for the simple fact that she possessed a vagina instead of a penis. Thus, in Azula's mind, they would be put on a watchlist and monitored more closely before deciding that enough was enough and they had to be permanently removed from the mortal coil of life lest it came back to bite her in the ass some point down the road.
As far as assassinations went, there weren't that many, just enough to send a message to those who had similar plans in their sleeves. Besides, she did not wish to gain a reputation as an unreasonable person who could not tolerate dissent. After all, it was because of her grandfather's notorious lack of tolerance for contrarian voices that led the Fire Nation into a sixty year long quagmire in the south and western regions of the Earth Kingdom.
"Princess, I believe you should refrain from taking another glass." Sokka chided formally, while keeping a lookout for any hint of suspicious activity, concerned that in her inebriated state, she would do or say something regrettable. Privately, it was because having to deal with a hungover Azula was not much fun at all, what with her temperament being that of a very short fused platypus bear.
"You should take your guard's advice, your Highness." the lady added. While no stranger to intrigues and backroom plots herself, Lady Miyu was considered by Azula to be one of the rare friends she had among the ministers and courtesans.
"Fine. But just one more sip please, else I'd never be able to put up with that-that-"
"Do I need to remind you how you act when you're hungover? Also, I'd rather not be out cleaning up some mess you made because you insulted the wrong person while you were blasted to Agna Q'ela and back."
"He's right you know." Miyu added.
"Y'all are no fun."
"We can have all the fun you want when your asscheeks are on the throne. But for now, that glass can wait."
"Point. Noted." she growled.
Leading her by the hand, he escorted her out from the ballroom discreetly and headed back to her apartment complex.
"Politics and playing nice is a right pain in the ass." she grumbled.
"Tell me about it."
"What do you think I'm doing right now?"
"Fair enough. Now get some rest, my princess." he replied, scooping her up in his arms as they entered her living quarters, before she was deposited on her bed. As he moved to exit the room, Azula called out "Sokka?"
"Yes?"
Patting the side of her bed, Sokka rolled his eyes, before stripping off his suit and shirt and laying next to her.
"Thank you" she replied, shutting off the lights with a flick of her wrists before curling up around him.