That morning as Azula was seated by the breakfast table she kept glaring at Noren. Who in turn did his best to be polite but constantly averted his eyes, to afraid to actually look at Azula.
Kiyi though was too preoccupied with her fried-rice omelet to notice much and as a result had rice and egg all over her face and small hands as she munched happily.
Azula wrinkled her nose in disgust. She was ready to swear more rice went on the face than into the little girls mouth, and her fingers were all sticky and gross!
"Kiyi." Noriko sighed deeply. "You need to use your chop sticks."
"But it tastes better this way!" Kiyi informed grabbing another fistfull of rice and shuffed it into her face. "And it's more fun!" she grinned showcasing teethe and all the rice she had just shoved in there.
"Kiyi seriously. We have guests." Noriko lectured as she found a handkerchief and then roughly started to clean her daughters face.
"Mom nooo." Kiyi tried to avoid the handkerchief.
"If you didn't make such a mess I wouldn't have to clean you." Noriko simply stated. "You need to wash before you play with your dolls! They'll get greasy if you touch them now!"
"But what then are Lady Luan supposed to eat?" Kiyi asked.
"Are you telling me you were saving rice for Lady Luan on your face?" Noriko asked as she lifted an eyebrow.
Kiyi halted then looked up. "Yes…."
Azula rolled her eyes annoyed. "Dolls don't eat stupid."
"Lady Luan does." Kiyi informed. "Cause she's actually a spirit trapped in the human world!"
Azulas eyes narrowed.
Noriko sighed. "It's this idea she came up with after watching a play." she informed. "Don't worry. It's not true."
"I didn't think it was." Azula informed dryly. "I'm not stupid."
"No one said you were dear." Noriko assured just as Kiyi smashed more rice into her face and Noriko closed her eyes. "That's it young lady. We are going to go get you washed up. And then you will use chop sticks!" she said as she grabbed Kiyis wrist and pulled the girl with her out.
"But moooooom." the girl screamed and the two vanished. Leaving Azula with Noren whom hadn't said anything and was still averting his eyes away from Azula.
"Sooo." Azula leaned back in her chair. "Noriko told me about you last night."
"Well. We are married." Noren commented.
"She said you found her in the forgetfull valley." Azula commented. "So you found this poor defenseless woman who had lost all of her memories. And then you married her and got a child with her." she wrinkled her nose. "That's messed up."
"It… It wasn't quite like that." Noren said. "Noriko is… How am I to say it."
"You're lying." Azula flatly stated and Noren looked up. "Don't deny it. I can tell when people are lying." she said. "You know something. When Noriko mentioned Ursa. You looked to your left. So tell me." she asked. "What do you know about my mother?"
Noren halted as he wide-eyed looked at Azula. Then swallowed.
"You know who I am too. Don't you?" Azula asked. "You knew the second you saw my face."
Noren looked down. "Yes… You're Princess Azula." he said.
"Good. Now we're getting somewhere." Azula said.
"I knew the moment I saw you." Noren hesitated. "Because… You look just like her." he said.
Azula halted now blinking.
"Like Ursa." Noren said. "Your face. It's so much like hers."
"So you do know her." Azula concluded. "Tell me. What do you know about my mother?" she asked.
Noren swallowed. "Ursa…" he hesitated. "She was born in this very village. She grew up here… And so did I. We grew up together in this village." he said. "My parents ran the local theater and Ursa would always come to watch the shows. Soon she would start helping, she would help make the productions, make the masks and costumes. And she would even stand on stage herself, playing minor roles. She loved it." he said.
Azula was quiet as she listened to the story.
"Ursa was such a warm and happy person. Everyone adored her. Always so helpful. She would just… Brighten up in the room when-ever she stepped inside." Noren continued in a sad smile. "Her grace was without compare. She seemed like such a shoe in to play the dragon empress… It just seems like such irony. That the same summer she finally got the part. Before the show was ever put on the fire lord himself arrived… And took her away."
Azula frowned as she looked down. "You're not lying." she concluded. "But you're not telling everything either. There is something you know." she accused.
Noren looked down. "I…" he halted. Then he swallowed. "Perhaps we ought to wait. Until you healed more." he suggested. "You deserve to know the truth. And… I promise. I'll tell you. I just have to find out how." he said. "You're not the only one who…" he closed his eyes. "Now that the war is over. That Fire Lord Ozai is…" he swallowed. "There are more people who deserves to know."
Azulas eyes narrowed, clearly she was not happy. "You will tell me the truth." she said. "All of it."
"I will. I promise." Noren said. "It's time. I just… give me some time." he asked.
"Three days." Azula informed. "You have three days. And if you don't tell me the truth by then I will force it out of you. It will not be painless. Do you understand?"
Noren was stunned quiet then finally nodded. "I understand." he said.
Just then Noriko came back with a sparkling clean Kiyi whom didn't look very happy at all.
"Sorry about that." Noriko chatted on. "Zara. You have barely touched your breakfast." she commented. "Dear you need to eat."
"I'll take my food outside." Azula suddenly declared as she picked up her plate and chop sticks standing up.
"oh… okay." Noriko said as Azula walked outside. Then Noriko turned to Noren. "Is everything all right."
"Yes! Yes." Noren assured, but clearly he looked nervous. Then he swallowed.
Noriko blinked concerned. "What's wrong dear?" she asked.
Noren shook his head. "I'm sorry." he said. "I just… I need a little time." he cleared his throat. "Thank you for breakfast. It was lovely as always." he said as he stood up too with his own half empty plate and headed towards the kitchen.
Kiyi blinked then looked up at Noriko. "What's wrong with dad?" she asked.
"I suppose. Things has been a little stressful lately." Noriko said. "Eat your breakfast dear. With chop sticks this time."
"Oh… Okay." Kiyi said and finally returned to her food, much more quietly this time.