Azula had insisted on going to the circus alone. She'd said that it would be more comfortable, meeting her friend one-on-one rather than with the whole (useless) royal procession following closely behind her, and that besides, she didn't need any protection, for they were still in the Fire Nation and she could very well protect herself from anyone who was thoughtless enough to attack her. And that, besides, this was just going to be a chat with Ty Lee. Surely her friend would be glad to see her, glad to come along with her on this mission. She wouldn't force her to come - not unless she needed to. So alone she went.

Still, Suyin wished she had taken someone with her. That she'd taken her with her. This journey brought along with it change and so, for the first time in months, Suyin did not know where the princess was at all times. She did not know with whom she was meeting. She did not know if she was alright.

She'd never have thought that a journey outside of the palace could make her so incredibly anxious.

There was nothing to be done about it, though. So Suyin stayed behind with the soldiers as they set up camp in an open field. They'd docked their ship a little ways away and would be spending the night here. It was strange, being back on land again, and though Suyin knew very well that she was on solid ground, she still felt a sort of phantom wave motion in her head and in her legs whenever she walked. It almost made her sea-sick all over again - but she didn't think she could stomach any more ginger root. She'd take a break from it now, while she could, for they would surely be back on the sea before long.

Once the men had erected the princess' private tent, Suyin helped to prepare it. She dressed the bed and set out her hair and make-up items, and told the men where to place her crate of books and clothes and all her belongings. The authority she had in this manner was - well, quite nice. They looked to her for her instruction, and followed along to where she pointed them. However small her power, it brought a pleasant sort of buzz to her head, and she had to bite back a smile to preserve modesty.

In all honesty, Suyin felt as though this - that is, setting up all the princess' belongings - was far more effort than it was worth. After all, if everything went well, they'd only be spending this one night here. Why bring out and unpack all these things when they would again be on the move tomorrow? But she supposed no effort was too grand for the princess. She doubted that the soldiers unpacked all their personal belongings, either - it was just an extra bit of effort for the Fire Nation's beloved princess.

Suyin, meanwhile, had a small (but private) tent all for herself, just to the side of Azula's. It barely fit more than a sleeping bag, and was, somehow, even smaller than her cabin on the ship, but Suyin didn't mind. Neither did she bring all her belongings from the ship to the camp - they would likely leave for Omashu tomorrow.

The wait was long and uneventful. Although Suyin could volunteer to help out with dinner, she really didn't feel like going out of her way to do so. It wasn't part of her duties, simple as that. So she laid down on the princess' bed that did not yet smell of her, arms outstretched to either side and eyes fixated up on the plain tent ceiling, and she thought of home. She drafted letter after letter in her head, none of which she would ever actually write or send. The first was to her mother, then the next were to her siblings, and then to Linhua, as if to tell them everything that had happened so far. Of Prince Zuko and General Iroh. Of Captain Ihn. Of all the colours that the sea could be, and of how brilliant the green of the grass was in comparison, after weeks and weeks of blue. Of how she watched the princess train each morning and each evening, mesmerised by the beautiful and deadly blue of her fire. Of her lightning. She thought of Lian, too, of the gaudy necklace buried deep in her bag, and wondered if he still missed her. She did not draft a letter to him.

It was only once the sun had set and darkness settled over their camp like a blanket, that Azula returned. Suyin easily picked out her voice amongst that of the soldiers, tense and displeased. Arguing, again, with Captain Ihn about something Suyin couldn't quite make out. His voice fell into a hush, obviously apologising from the tone of his voice, even if his words were too quiet to be understood. Was Azula in a bad mood then? Suyin hopped off of the princess' bed, heart racing as she smoothed out the covers so that there was no trace of her having lied there at all.

The tent flap opened and in came Azula, closely followed by a girl Suyin assumed was Ty Lee. She bowed deeply to both of them. The brunette must have been around Azula's age, if not a little older, though her round eyes and full, rosy cheeks gave her a more youthful ambience in comparison to Azula's sharp eyeliner and deep red lips. Her incredibly long braid, a lighter brown than that of Suyin's, swung back and forth with every peppy step she took, almost seeming to curl around her like an excited cat. Even so - there was something about the way she held herself - about the awkward half distance between her and Azula - that felt off. Maybe it was just the way she always was; Suyin didn't know. Even so, she wondered what had gone on between them in the circus - what was it, exactly, that Azula had said to her?

"Wow! Your tent is like, as big as our performing one!" Ty Lee looked around in awe, and then tilted her head to the side, "Or hm, more like three-fifths the size? Or no, five-sixths? Either way, it's huge!"

"This? Please, it's barely anything." Azula said nonchalantly, though the smile on her lips betrayed her pleasure, like a child showing off to her friend. She didn't seem to be in a particularly bad mood, at least not anymore. "I'm sure you've just grown accustomed to things being on a smaller scale. And no wonder, with your, hm, career choice. But no matter, you'll be provided for well here, while you're under my care. That is," Here, her voice took on an edge, "I'll make sure of it, from here on out."

"Aw, don't worry! Anyone could've made a mistake like that."

"Anyone with a brain would have realised you'd need a tent of your own. But, well, this isn't the first time he's let me down. The rest of the soldiers, too. They're not exactly the sharpest bunch - I'll tell you about what happened with my brother and uncle later." Azula huffed. "In any case, you may share my tent with me tonight."

"Sure! It'll be fun, like a sleepover!"

So that's what the argument must have been about. Captain Ihn - or whoever it was that was in charge of organising their camp - had failed to account for Ty Lee, and didn't set up a private tent for her. A rather avoidable mistake, considering the entire reason they'd made this pit stop at a Fire Nation circus was for Azula to recruit Ty Lee, but it must have slipped someone's mind that it meant they'd need to set up another separate tent. Maybe they'd assumed she'd sleep with the soldiers, or Suyin, but despite appearances, Ty Lee was a noble, and should surely not be subjected to such living conditions.

"Right," Azula smiled, "A sleepover."

It was only then that the princess finally turned to Suyin and acknowledged her presence at all. "Ty Lee, this is my handmaiden, Su. Su, Ty Lee." Azula introduced them, looking at each girl as she did so.

"Suyin." She added - corrected - quickly, with a bow of her head. She still didn't particularly like the plain nickname Azula had bestowed upon her all those months ago, and though of course she did not have any authority over what they called her, she at least wanted Ty Lee to know her name. She hoped she would not use this nickname. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"You too, Su." Ty Lee gave her a bright smile.

Azula did not acknowledge Suyin's little correction in the slightest - nor did Ty Lee take notice of it, apparently. "From now on, you will attend to Ty Lee just as you attend to me. Whatever it is that she wishes, you will do - within reason, of course."

"Very well." Suyin hid her grimace with a placid smile. Just like that, her workload doubled. It wasn't really a far-fetched order, for she was the only female servant in Azula's entire procession, and Ty Lee was, of course, a noble as well. Still, it had surprised her that Azula was willing to - for lack of a better word - share her with someone else. But considering she was sharing her room with Ty Lee, perhaps it shouldn't have been such a shock after all. Evidently, this was one person Azula actually liked.

But Ty Lee waved her hands in dismissal, "Aw, I don't need any of that! You know, I learned how to do everything myself in the circus. I haven't had a handmaid in ages, but I've been getting on just fine!"

"Yes, quite." Azula looked at her with a raised brow - with a smile that seemed to say she didn't exactly see that as anything worth bragging about, being proud of. "Well, if you need anything, Su will provide it for you."

"I'll keep that in mind, thanks!"

There weren't many hours left to the day. They had dinner, and slowly the princess and her friend began to head to sleep. Suyin helped Azula through her nighttime routine: washing and dressing her (for which Ty Lee stepped outside), and brushing her hair out (while Ty Lee brushed her own hair besides them).

It was… strange, having an onlooker. This routine that had been their private ritual every day for months on end was suddenly open to a new set of eyes. Azula and Ty Lee chatted while Suyin attended to the princess, a complete outsider to their conversation. They spoke of their school days and old friends - all topics to which Suyin was not privy. It made sense, of course, but it still sent a strange ache through her chest. She realised that, for the first time in weeks, she well and truly felt like just a servant. That if she'd ever thought that she and Azula were friends - it was only because the princess had been lonely, and had no one else to call a companion.

Once the girls were ready for bed, Suyin bowed, and murmured a good night and something about letting her know if she could be of any more help. She retreated into her own small tent after they chirped back "good night". And as Suyin lay down in her sleeping bag, instead of thinking about Linhua as she so often did at this time of night, this time, she could only think of Azula and Ty Lee, sleeping together in the same bed.

Her heart ached.

They arrived in Omashu five days after that. Having docked the ship at Haoshi, the nearest port town, which was also a Fire Nation colony, they went the rest of the way by dragon-moose pulled carriages. It wasn't far - it had only taken them a couple of hours to make it from the one town to Omashu. The entire procession was allowed inside the city, and Suyin hoped that this meant they would finally sleep in a proper building this night, rather than the uncomfortable conditions she'd grown used to on the ship or in camp tents. But Azula promised that this shouldn't take long, and with that, all of Suyin's hopes of staying the night in a proper city burned to ash.

She'd never considered herself spoiled, per se, but after living in the palace for half a year, she'd gotten used to certain standards. After all, even her servant's bed was more comfortable than the one on the ship.

Four footmen carried the princess into Omashu's palace courtyard on a palanquin, with Ty Lee trailing in by her side. The rest of them - Suyin included - remained in the encircling plaza, awaiting further orders. Close enough to step in should their help be needed, but sufficiently out of the way as not to cause any disturbance. The soldiers most likely wouldn't need to step in, anyway, for Omashu was now under Fire Nation control, and Azula was here strictly to visit Mai.

So she watched the two girls as they gradually disappeared from view, and for some reason, the sight filled her with a certain bitterness, rather similar to the one on that first night, when Azula had shared her bed with Ty Lee. It had only been that one time, for Ty Lee was given her own small cabin on the ship, and so this - jealousy, for lack of a better word - took Suyin by surprise. The girl didn't deserve whatever bitterness was growing in Suyin. She was a sweet girl, and always very kind to Suyin, stopping to exchange a few words with her almost as though they were friends. As though she wasn't just a servant. Suyin liked her. By all means, she should like her, so what was this choking feeling within her-?

For a long time, nothing happened. The princess had disappeared past the palace gates, so Suyin could neither see nor hear her anymore. She resigned herself to boredom, and hoped that this visit would not take long. Or that they would be invited into the palace and given some time for rest. Some of the men spoke amongst themselves, some of them even resorted to some simple games, but Suyin's thoughts trailed after Azula far too much to even consider thinking about joining them in any of their activities.

The sudden rumble like an avalanche made Suyin's heart drop in her chest. She turned her head to the direction from which it came and watched, in horror, as dust rose above the city centre, not at all unlike smoke. A fight-! Earthbenders? Though Omashu had surrendered to Fire Nation control already weeks ago, perhaps there was still talk of rebellion. Perhaps there were still those whose spirit had not yet been doused and now, with the princess' visit, they attempted to hurt her? To rise up and fight? To take their city back?

Oh, how Suyin wished she was there with her-! But what good could she possibly do? She wasn't a fighter, not in the slightest. She knew her presence would only hinder whatever fight was going on, but she couldn't stand this unknowing. She couldn't stand this anxiety, worried for the princess' safety while she stayed here, selfish and lazy and useless.

"What's going on?" She approached the group of soldiers, worried.

They were all looking in the same direction as well. All heads turned to the city centre, either frozen in shock or murmuring amongst themselves. If they heard Suyin's question, they did not acknowledge it - or her - at all.

"Should we send in reinforcements?" One soldier asked.

Captain Ihn, who stood at the head of the group, pursed his lips. His hard gaze remained on the city's horizon, watching, analysing with every ounce of his being. He shook his head. "No. There should be sufficient soldiers in the area to take care of whatever it is that's going on. Our orders are to stay out here and await the princess."

"But we're not doing anything here! We're just- wasting time, when we could be helping them!" Suyin exclaimed.

"We? And what help would you be?" The icy glare Captain Ihn sent her withered Suyin's very soul. "Don't give me orders, girl."

She shrank into herself at his cold words. Not once over the past month had Captain Ihn spoken to her in such a manner. Well, he'd certainly never been friendly to Suyin, but neither had he been this rude. Was it just a matter of nerves? Or her overstepping boundaries? Or was it- because Azula wasn't around to hear him speak to her like that? She was just worried about the princess, about the soldiers, about this war- there was no reason for him to be so mean about it-! She knew that he didn't like the princess very much, especially after his little slip-up with Prince Zuko and General Iroh - maybe he was taking his distaste for her out on Suyin, knowing it would lead to no repercussions?

Obviously, Suyin knew she would be no help, but the soldiers- this was their job! Their responsibility. How they just stood out here, observing the fight from the outside and doing absolutely nothing about it, Suyin could not comprehend. So close to the heart of it, but unwilling to shrink the distance.

"But Captain- are you sure we shouldn't help them?" Another soldier piped up, and Suyin almost wanted to hug him for enunciating what it was she'd said. Maybe he'd take it better from another soldier, than from Suyin. Maybe he'd take it better from a man.

"The princess has made it abundantly clear to me that I am to follow her orders exactly to the point." Captain Ihn's voice was flat. Bitter. "She ordered us to stay here, so that's what we'll do."

Is that what it was? A grudge against Azula for how she'd undermined him before? Compliance to the point of near malice? She waited for another soldier to push back, to insist that they join the fight and help, but no one spoke up. Evidently, they did not think suggesting help a third time would get them any other results.

Suyin clenched her fist. She was beginning to regret suggesting that Azula spare the captain his life.

But thank Agni, the battle didn't last long. The princess returned after a while, once the ruckus had died down. She was wholly unhurt, albeit dishevelled, and as she walked out of the palace gates, she was followed closely by Ty Lee and another girl that must have been Mai.

"Princess! Are you alright? What happened?" Suyin couldn't stop from exclaiming. Some of the soldiers shot her a look that Suyin could interpret easily enough - for anyone to initiate and address their superior with such informality was nearly a crime. But Suyin didn't care; she'd worried her lip nearly to the point of bleeding, and now that Azula was within sight, her relief threatened to flood over.

"I'm fine." Azula assured her, and there was something almost- gentle in her voice, at least for the split moment where she addressed her and only her. At least, she didn't berate her for speaking out of turn. She turned her sights to the rest of her men, "We have no time to waste. In addition to my brother and uncle, I have acquired a new target."

Her eyes gleamed as she looked over her audience, all waiting with baited breath. She seemed to take pleasure in the drawn-out pause, though no one dared ask her who this new target was, knowing very well she would share it with them soon.

"The Avatar."

Suyin gasped. A hushed conversation came over the soldiers. The Avatar-! She'd heard that he was alive and spotted, of course, but never had she thought they'd come upon him. Not that Suyin had seen him, of course, but even for the princess to have found him, and by accident, too? Then- was that the cause of all that ruckus, of that terrible battle? If Azula had been fighting him- oh, that was much more dangerous than Suyin had ever expected!

But their murmurs were quickly drowned out by a much louder sound. A deep rumble, coming somewhere from inside the military headquarters in the centre - and approaching very, very quickly. A cloud of dust obscured whatever it was from vision, and Suyin blinked away tears, eyes irritated by the dust.

"Oh, there it is." Azula looked over her shoulder with a nonchalant smile. "The governor has provided us with a tank train, as well as a few other provisions, for our continued pursuit."

The dust began to settle, and Suyin could make out the shape of the said tank train, large and dangerous and impressive, all metal and sharp corners. The metal was polished nearly to perfection, defiled only by the dust it had itself caused. It would surely not remain spotless for long, not if Azula was planning to traverse the Earth Kingdom in it. A few servants came in after the tank, leading in three mongoose lizards by short leashes. Suyin's eyes widened as she laid her eyes on the great beasts. She'd heard of these creatures before, certainly, but she'd never seen one with her own eyes. They were much larger than she'd imagined. Much more frightening.

"From now on, we will travel by tank train. Not only is it quicker, it's also better suited to this terrain. The Avatar will stand no chance." Azula announced.

"But, princess, we will not all fit in one tank." Captain Ihn spoke up. "And what about the ship? Would you have us abandon it?"

Azula made a face - Suyin knew her well enough to tell that the surprise she wore was entirely feigned. "You're quite right, Captain. I suppose we'll just have to cut down our numbers, then. I will take a handful of soldiers with me, but the rest of you will stay with Captain Ihn and the ship at Haoshi, and await further instruction."

The man pressed his lips together in a thin line. "I was instructed to accompany you on your mission, princess."

"Yes, well, the nature of the mission has changed somewhat." Azula dismissed him with a rising pitch of annoyance in her voice.

"But the Fire Lord-"

"I am following my father's instructions. But the situation is dynamic, and I am perfectly capable of adjusting our plan of action accordingly." She cut him off. "Besides - if you don't mind me being candid - I simply have no use for you at the moment, Captain. You are needed with our ship, and I will rely on you once again, when we are to return to the Fire Nation. But you would only be a hindrance on our journey through the continent."

Her words must have hit a nerve, or pierced his heart, for he all but deflated, and did not raise another argument. His voice was soft when he agreed, following a lingering pause. Subservient. "I understand, princess."

"Good." Azula gave him an almost sweet smile, "I'm not sure how far we will go, following our targets, so I expect you to remain vigilant and sail to a nearer port town to meet us once the mission is complete. Until then, you are to offer your services to the colonies in the area, be it in Haoshi or the City of New Ozai."

"New Ozai?"

"Formerly known as Omashu." Azula explained. "I have renamed it in honour of my father."

Suyin raised her brows. What, just now? Could she do that, she wondered? Rename the city? Probably. She was the princess; she could do as she liked, but the sudden change of name seemed out of place, somehow. It didn't sit well with her - not that she would make it known. If the captain or any of the other soldiers felt ill at ease with the name change, they did not show it, either.

"I'm certain the Fire Lord will be pleased." Captain Ihn bowed his head. Azula smiled. "Very well. We will remain stationed here and await your further instructions."

"Good. But before we leave, my belongings must be retrieved. I will remain here for the time being, while those of you who are staying in Haoshi may take the tank train back. You will transfer my personal items to the tank, and then remain in Haoshi while one person drives it back here." Azula instructed. Clearly, there was no reason for her to go there and back again. It would only take a few hours total, anyway. Surely the tank could cover twice the terrain in half the time.

"And you, Su." The princess turned to her, "You will go with them, and oversee that they bring everything that is needed. We must travel lighter now, so leave some of my clothes on the ship. The books may stay there as well. Apart from that, I expect that you know what to bring."

"I do." Suyin nodded. It was her job, of course, but the level of trust Azula had in her, even if it was only for a task of this tiny calibre, made her feel warm inside. Pleased. "But- do I stay in Haoshi?"

"No. You are to return to me." Azula stated. "Not to mention, from now on, you will also attend to Mai."

Right. Suyin should've expected that. She looked at the black haired newcomer and bowed in respectful greeting. Mai did not return the gesture in any way. She was taller than both Azula and Ty Lee, and looked a little older than them as well. Actually, Suyin thought she might be almost her age - closer to Suyin's seventeen than Azula's fourteen. She wondered if that proximity would make them friends, but Mai barely spared her a glance, much less a smile. Suyin swallowed. It didn't exactly seem like she was looking to make friends with the help.

"Of course. It would be my pleasure." Suyin forced a smile.

Honestly, Azula's order wasn't so much of a surprise this second time around. And Ty Lee didn't really demand much from her, but Suyin still wasn't particularly pleased to have to serve three young women from now on instead of just one. As far as she knew, her salary wasn't going to increase - or, at least, Azula hadn't mentioned any such thing. But, Suyin supposed, the princess' wish was final. Maybe she'd ask her for a bonus once they returned to the Fire Nation, to make up for this extra workload.

In any case, she hoped Mai wouldn't demand much of her, either. Though from what she'd heard about her from the other two women, she wasn't exactly the independent type like Ty Lee. Her hairstyle seemed to be quite intricate, too, and probably took a lot of time to put in place. She doubted Mai could've styled her hair like that herself; she probably had a handmaid of her own back in Omashu - that is, back in New Ozai. The governor's daughter surely had her own handmaid. She wondered, briefly, if Mai would not bring her along, but she already knew that wouldn't happen.

Azula spoke some more with the captain and with the rest of the soldiers. She divided them, too, hand-picking out the lucky (or unlucky) few who would get to accompany her on her pursuit through the Earth Kingdom. It was less than half of the procession. Those who were not chosen solemnly accepted their fate, and climbed aboard the tank train. Suyin followed. She, at least, knew she would return.

She'd never been in a vehicle like this before. The engines roared to life as one of the chosen soldiers climbed up to drive it, and- they were off. The train took off with such a start that Suyin lost her balance and stumbled against the wall, but she managed to right herself before falling completely to the floor. The weeks of sea voyage had proved useful for finding her balance on more than just the ship, apparently, and she was grateful for her sea legs.

They were back in Haoshi much faster than Suyin had even hoped for. Truly, the tank train was incredible, much faster than any other means of transportation with which Suyin was familiar. She climbed out of the vehicle with the rest of the men and they ascended the ship, anchored at the port.

Once she was again in the princess' room, Suyin filled just two crates with Azula's favourite articles of clothing. Packed another bag with all of her personal items. There, was that enough? Hopefully. She went over the mental checklist she'd constructed in her head, and figured she had considered everything the princess might need. So she called over a couple of soldiers and oversaw as they carried the items off of the ship and into the tank train.

Though Suyin wouldn't consider any of these soldiers her friends, a month of travelling together had brought them close, to some degree. Would she miss them? She couldn't quite tell yet, and she doubted they'd miss her in return, but they all exchanged warm farewells nonetheless. Well- everyone but Captain Ihn, that is. Their eyes had met for half a second when she was saying goodbye to the others, but he quickly tore his gaze away and turned his back to her. Busied himself with reading a letter of some sort, and though Suyin lingered, for a moment, to catch his attention and politely bid him farewell, he did not seem at all inclined to return the gesture.

Fine, you nasty old coot, Suyin thought bitterly. She still didn't understand what grudge he held against her, but it was no longer her problem. Maybe this was for the best.

So she boarded the tank train with the one other soldier who was returning with her. And as he focused on driving it back to New Ozai, Suyin found herself, for the first time in weeks, completely and entirely alone.