Friendly Advice
"Congratulations on becoming an officer, Lin."
Lin stopped mid-stride. It was very, very rare to receive praise from Azula. "Thank you." She frowned. "What do you want?"
Azula chuckled. "And that is why I like you more than your sister. You're so wonderfully suspicious of everyone around you." Azula smiled. "But, if you must know, I don't want anything, not today. I merely wished to offer my congratulations. You've become very skilled."
"Someone had to." Lin's gaze drifted to her mother and her sister.
"Don't be so quick to underestimate her," Azula said, nodding at Suyin. "I made that mistake about my brother, and Zuzu has proven to be a competent ruler." Her lips twitched. "Not as good as I would have been, but competent."
"Why are you here, Azula?" Lin scowled. "And stop playing games."
"I came to offer some friendly advice." Azula gestured at the city outside the window beside them. "Republic City is a dream, and dreams never last."
"What are you saying?" Lin had learned to respect Azula's opinion over the years. The older woman had an uncanny knack for politics and intrigue. She made pretty much everyone else look like an amateur. "Is there a threat? Does my mother know?"
"It's nothing like that," Azula replied. "Republic City was built to be a place of equality, a place where people of every nation could live, casting aside the conflicts of old and building a new and brighter future together. But nations are not built from dreams alone. They are built on bones and steel. The oath you took today, the oath to protect this city and its people, you need to understand what it means, what it really means. The vast majority of people are weak. They will never understand what it means to carry the weight of a nation on their shoulders. They could never grasp what it means to give their life in service to something that is greater than they are. For a place like Republic City to last, there must be people who are willing to bear the weight of it upon their shoulders, to wade through all the muck and filth so that the citizens of this place don't have to. Can you do that?"
Lin didn't even have to think about it. "Yes."
"Good."
"Is that what you do for the Fire Nation?" Lin asked quietly. "For your brother?"
"Zuko is… a good man, perhaps too good." Azula's gaze softened, something that Lin had only seen a handful of times. "The Fire Nation is a dangerous place. Fire always casts a shadow, so someone has to keep the shadows at bay, someone who is already very familiar with the darkness. It's the least I can do, and I must admit that there is a part of me that very much enjoys it." Azula nodded. "Take care, Lin. I need to speak to Aang about certain matters that require his… attention."
Lin watched Azula go, her lips curving up ever so slightly as the crowd of dignitaries pestering the Avatar part at her approach.
X X X
Author's Notes
As always, I do not own Legend of Korra. I am not making any money off of this either.
I think Azula and Lin would respect each other. Of course, Azula's devious nature would grate on Lin's nerves, but Lin would certainly acknowledge Azula's political acumen. As for Azula and Suyin, I imagine that Azula would think her almost unbearably naïve about some things.
As always, I appreciate feedback. Reviews and comments are welcome.