A couple days late...explanation at the bottom...
Thank you to my reviewers: (The Prince's Choice): Cacilie Tenofsky, amaryllis529, Guest, Makdawg52, (The Warrior's Gambit): KnightOwl247, Zutarawasrobbed, Alias093001, sophiecambellbower, storyofanunknownfangirl, Loyal Guest, lucel18, Cherokee96, Astra Across the Stars, Auri Kvothe, SaturnTails, Ariana, Cacilie Tenofsky (YOU ROCK! ALL 13 CHAPTERS?! I AM IN HEAVEN), makdawg52, and snowflake05!
Guest (TPC): Originally, it was just going to be short and sweet and quick and not so much political and other stuff, but as soon as I added Aang into it, it became fairly difficult to not explore his story, you know? But I'm pleased where it's gone. And don't fear about not finishing! Only death could stop me, literally. I have a beta who keeps at me to finish (love her) as well as all you adoring fans that make me want to update!
Loyal Guest: Yue deserves good things and will get good things :)
Ariana: So thrilled to hear that! Hope you keep enjoying it!
Aang watched the robe saleswoman from his spot at the cafe with careful scrutinizing attention.
"Sir, your honor, would you like more tea?"
Aang startled, glancing up at the very nervous owner who was offering out more from the tea cup. Aang wordlessly accepted, nodding his thanks. The man left, stumbling over reverent thank-yous, retreating back.
Yesterday, Aang had worn his military uniforms for his recon work. It had been his intention to be invisible, to be forgettable. Fire Nation military were as common as mouseflies here, and even one with light gray eyes was easily forgotten once out of sight. Today, however, he was wearing his family robes. It had been Kyoshi who had pointed out that flaunting his fake ancestors would allow him prestige and encourage people to listen to him.
As it was, as soon as he'd stepped into the tea shop, the owner had been falling over himself to offer Aang any table and tea on the house. He'd taken up a spot out on the patio, in perfect view of the woman of his watch as she sold her robes to passersby.
He'd gathered that she was the owner, but still worked the shop herself. She had scant workers, and it seemed to be mostly tourists who stopped in, the locals avoided her shop tactfully. She was marked by some invisible taboo, something that was known but not talked about at this point in time.
Her figure was lithe, and when she stepped, there was a spring to it. Her shoulders were small. Her eyes, not quite grey, but somewhere between a murky blue and true slate color all indicated to Aang that some of her ancestors had to be airbenders. He doubted she herself was an airbender, but it was somewhere in her family.
He hadn't had proper time to research Ember Island and the census reports. As it was, this town was very changed year to year. It was built up for the tourists, and the actual people who lived here were probably few. It was also a hot spot for all types of high-ranking Fire Nationers. Chances are that someone wouldn't have come here unless you didn't know about your airbending ancestry until it was too late.
When the owner came back over a second time, Aang motioned him down.
"That woman there?" he asked, pointing, "What do you know of her?"
The man poured Aang's green tea, frowning. "Lady Tuan? What does the Royal Family care of her?"
"What do you know of her?" Aang repeated, recalling how Kasata had told him to be aloof and cold, someone imposing.
"She's hardly anyone, m'lord," the man said carefully, "And, if I may...a disgrace to the town."
"Oh?"
"She's vocal, sir," the man said distastefully. "Or, she was. She had a son, you see, and he was always a little off. He vanished a year or two ago. Since then, she's always had opinions, and will tell anyone them. Mostly about the soldiers that come through here...which we are always pleased to have, of course," the man said quickly.
"I take it she doesn't?"
"In more words or less," the man said shortly.
Aang sipped his tea, nodding.
"The Royal Family thanks you for your generosity," he said, dropping a handful of gold coins in the man's hand.
Then, he strode across the walkway.
"Lady Tuan?" Aang said in an even tone, "May I have a word?"
"Lord Kuzon." The woman bowed immediately, as did everyone else in the general vicinity. "I am humbled you would choose to visit this small store, I am-"
"Lady," Aang said, resting a hand on her shoulder, "If there is perhaps somewhere we could talk?"
"Yes, let me just...I will...come in," she said. She was middle-aged, wrinkles creasing her face, hints of silver shining in her dark hair. She brought Aang to the back storeroom, filled with bolts of fabric and thread yarn. She hustled around, clearing off tables.
"Your son. He was an airbender." Aang got right to the point. He saw no other way around it. The woman's back stiffened.
"My liege, you-" she began to scoff, but Aang raised a hand.
"I'm sure others assumed, but no one would be so bold to say. And, he's gone now, so it doesn't matter. You overplayed your hand," Aang said, but it was Kasata's voice in his head telling him the words.
The woman's lip trembled.
Aang pursed his lips as the Avatars warred inside his head.
He needed this woman, the first part of his masterplan, to cooperate with him. Kasata was telling him to blackmail her; threaten that he'd turn her into Zhao if she didn't do as he asked.
Aang needs her to agree; that seems counterproductive, Yangchen said evenly, and the Avatar should not use war tactics!
An airbender, maybe, Kasata spit back. But we are at war! The ends sometimes justify the means!
Aang swallowed hard. What sort of precedent would he be setting if he bullied her into agreeing with him?
You have your information! She could just as easily turn you in, Kasata continued, and all this secrecy would be for nothing.
"Are you here to take me in, my Lord?" Lady Tuan's voice was fearful, but strong.
"The opposite, actually." Aang shushed the voices best he could. He was an airbender, and he was peaceful. He would do a great many things for his people, but this was not one of them.
Honey catches more mouseflies than vinegar, Yangchen agreed with a hint of pride.
"I wish to...I want to…" It was the first time, apart from talking to Zuko, he'd had to describe his crusade. Aang breathed in deeply, centering himself.
"I am trying to help airbenders escape danger," he said frankly, but spoke quietly and swiftly. "I mean to get them out of cities and towns, away from those who wish to hurt them."
The woman narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"How do I know you are not trying to goad me into a confession?" she asked with a hint of bitterness.
Aang was not going to bring out his airbending, not again, for it was a kept secret now. Too many people knew, and soon, it wouldn't be a secret anymore. Still, he would rather err on the side of caution while he still could.
"I have nothing, I suppose, other than asking you to look into my eyes and believe that I want to help keep people alive. That I think it's wrong to kill airbenders," Aang said honestly. "And that you can take this information if you so please, take it straight to the Fire Lord. But, I think we share a similar desire to see them helped, to do what it takes," he said. "Believe it because I come to you with no guards flanking me, nothing but my words and a plea."
The woman jumped forward, jerking Aang's eyes up. For a second, her grip on his chin was firm, and she looked at him like she was staring all the way down.
"Your eyes," she said after a moment, voice rough. "They are the same hue as my son's were…"
Aang bit his lip cautiously. Let her believe him another nameless airbender, not the Avatar.
Perhaps, if that's what it took, it would be better.
She drew back. "What do you ask of me?"
"Safe passage. That, if they come through here, you keep them safe or give them food and shelter until they move to their next spot. You clothe them, care for them as though they were your son who died," Aang said.
"You are asking me to defy the Fire Lord. That treason is punishable by death," Lady Tuan said simply.
"I realize."
She crossed her arms, face unreadable, staring Aang down for a few minutes. Aang waited for her, knowing that this was not something he asked of anyone lightly. While he'd be disappointed if she refused, he would understand.
He saw a small smile curl across her face, and that's when he knew.
Aang opened his lips, speaking with a careful annunciation. "Are you a friend of Rodden?"
Despite the phrase itself being spoken for the first time, and unfamiliar at that, the way that Aang spoke it to her, and the fire that lit in her eyes indicated that she understood.
"Aye, I am a friend of Rodden."
XXxxXX
"What's Prince Zuko doing still out in the water?"
Katara gathered her hair into one palm, using the other to draw the water from the tendrils as she glanced at Kilee.
"You know," she said, trying to keep a straight face, "I'm not really sure."
"I'll get him," Sokka announced. "My stomach is rumbling! You hear that?"
"We all can. It's like you've never eaten," Suki laughed.
"Katara! Can you help me?" Ty Lee called, and Katara turned to see Ty Lee struggling to fold down her parasol as the wind battered the fabric.
"Of course," Katara said, bounding up to grasp onto the thick material as Ty Lee did her best to beat it down so she could tie it.
"Need help ladies?"
The same two goons from the previous day suddenly materialized. Like magic. Like they were bloodhounds to ladies in short skirts struggling with something.
"We're fine," Katara said shortly.
"Looks like you're having a bit of trouble," the second one said, but he was eyeing the two girls with a wandering gaze.
"If we were, we wouldn't ask you," Katara said. "We'd probably ask Prince Zuko," she added, batting her eyes.
"He seems a little...distracted," the first one said, glancing out to the sea. "Look, anyway, I'm having a party tonight. You all should come by."
Katara paused, turning to cross her arms. "All of us?" she asked, motioning to the group at large.
"Well, we'd prefer just the girls-" the second boy started, but the first elbowed him hard.
"If that's what it takes to get you to show up," the first said.
"You do know who we are, don't you?" Azula asked, sneaking up on Katara so stealthily that she nearly jumped.
"A caravan of nearly 20 girls and a kid with a scar. You're not exactly inconspicuous."
"Big words there," Katara said dryly.
"Hey!" the second boy snarled. "Don't they teach you manners on whatever ice cube you come from? Don't you know who we are?"
"Are we supposed to?" Azula asked, examining her nail bed.
"We're Chan and Ruan-Jian!" the second one squawked indignantly. Azula looked the pair up and down. Katara saw Azula's gaze linger just a second too long on Chan, and that there was almost something like approval in her eyes.
"Oh, of course," Azula said with faux recognition.
Chan looked directly at Katara.
"Look, some of the most influential Fire Nation families will be there, so maybe if you didn't act so…" He made a weird hand gesture. "Just be normal."
"I'll be on my best behavior," Katara said sweetly, and as soon as they turned, she rolled her eyes.
"This will be fun," Azula said to the girls who had gathered. "I've never been to a real party."
"What if Prince Zuko-"
"My brother has little reason to say no," Azula cut off On Ji. "He can schmooze with some sons of important people, and we can enjoy ourselves. This is what teens and young adults do, or so I've heard," she added, tapping her chin. "For some reason, no one ever really invited me or Zuko to parties…"
"I wonder why," Katara heard someone mumble as they tied their kimonos. By this point, Zuko had exited the water.
"Prince Zuko! We just got invited to a party tonight!" Avizeh gasped, running up and pulling on his arm. "It's going to be so much fun!"
"What?" Zuko looked right at his sister. "Azula-"
"Oh, pish. Live a little, Zuzu," Azula said, grinning and showing her teeth bared. "I think tonight will be smashing."
XXxxXX
"No, no," Arrluck was sighing hard. "From dusk till dawn doesn't literally mean that it starts at dusk."
Zuko glanced over his shoulder to see the Water Tribe boy sitting across from Azula, trying to explain the concept to her.
"It's just an expression," he added at Azula's very dubious face.
"But I overheard him saying they'll be partying from dusk until dawn," Azula argued firmly, using her hands to indicate the two marks of time. "Why would he say that if he did not mean it? The Royal Family is never tardy."
"It's fine to be slightly tardy at parties." Zuko was unsure how Arrluck had somehow been conscripted into explaining this to Azula. Well, better Arrluck than Zuko; Hahn was taking a very long time getting ready doing Agni knows what and Sokka was having a post-dinner snack. "It's normal, even."
Azula leaned forward, smiling. "If you are incorrect, Arrluck, I will come into your room at night and wax your whole body using day old wax. Trust me, it will hurt."
As she stood, Arrluck sent him a 'what the heck' sort of look, to which Zuko only gave a tired shrug. It was per the norm for Azula.
Aang walked through the door right as Azula was going to her room.
"You!" she said, pointing at Aang.
He sent Azula a bewildered look, wordlessly pointing to himself.
"Yes, you. We were invited to a party tonight. We're going," she said, with all of the authority in her voice she could muster.
"I don't think-" Aang begun.
"You are teenager, are you not?" Azula asked.
"Erm, yes," Aang said, but there was a tinge of nervousness in his reply. Zuko stifled a laughter.
'Are you a teenager' was a pretty loaded question, considering that he was sort of 16 and also sort of 116.
"It's what teenagers do. You're going."
Zuko didn't think he'd be able to persuade Azula out of going, and Aang seemed resigned to it. He plopped down next to Zuko on a weirdly lump armchair.
"Did you have a productive day?" Zuko asked.
"Actually," Aang's face brightened. "It was."
He glanced around, realizing that there was only so much that could be said between the pair of them without giving too much away.
Zuko gave a satisfied nod.
Aang took out a tiny slip of parchment. "Maybe going to this party won't be the worst thing," he admitted. "I was given a list of people – teens - that might be...helpful to us," Aang said, sharing the list with Zuko. There were three names on it: Bahuo, Rasra, and Aden. "They were, well, friends with a...a...fallen family member of mine." Aang decided his words carefully, dropping to a scarce whisper.
Zuko wasn't sure if he totally understood Aang's meaning, but he understood enough. He looked at the three names, memorized them. There were no guarantees they'd be at the party, but at least it would give some purpose to this otherwise rather odious night Azula had agreed to.
XXxxXX
The group walked over in a massive hoard. Katara tugged at her dress, unsure if she was underdressed or overdressed. She'd anticipated some fancy dinner, and had the forethought to bring a nicer dress. However, she had little experience with teen parties, and what was the proper dress code for one.
Some girls seemed to be wearing as little as they had on the beach, while other girls were dressed like they were preparing for a big important dinner party. Maybe what mattered was effort; whatever effort meant to everyone individually.
Yue had brought a similar dress to the one Katara was wearing, and this made Katara feel much more settled in her choices.
Chan's house was situated on a cliffside, and by the time they arrived, there was lights flickering on the inside of the house. Azula had muttered something about being late, and Ty Lee had bounded over to her friend, explaining that parties were really more of a 'come and go when you please' sort of thing.
At the door, Azula shouldered her way to the front, rapping three times with the exact same pressure.
Toph grasped Katara's arms.
"You ready for this?" she whispered excitedly.
"Toph, you hate parties."
"Wrong. I hate balls," Toph said, raising a finger. "Parties though? I can hear it from here: music, dancing, drinks, food, sin. I can't wait," she explained, rubbing her hands together deviously.
Chan answered.
"We are here," Azula said. "It is not in my nature to be so late, I'm usually a perfect party guest, and-"
"Yeah, yeah, come in," Chan said, cutting her off. "So; my dad doesn't know that I'm throwing this party. Don't fuck it up. I don't care if you're the Royal Children, okay?" he said.
Ty Lee inhaled sharply, eyes bugging. Azula just breezed on in, smiling as she did so.
"Usually Zula would have killed him for a comment like that," Ty Lee said to Mai. "I don't…"
"It's obvious," Katara heard Mai say to Ty Lee in a bored tone, "She likes him."
Ty Lee was so shocked that it took until most of the group entered for her to shake herself out of her expression. Katara nudged her elbow, and the pair went inside.
The girls dispersed quickly, like mist evaporating on a sunny day. In every corner that Katara turned toward, it seemed a girl she knew had taken hold, giggling with Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation boys who fawned over them. Sokka had found the food, once again, and was chowing down while telling some over-exaggerated story to a couple of girls. She saw Toph only in brief moments; the first time, she was shoving some dude, though it seemed nothing came of it. The second time, she was dowing shots like there was no tomorrow. The third time, well, she was still taking shots.
Katara hovered unsurely for a little bit, gliding through the throngs of people without any effort to talk to anyone. She was very grateful when Aang joined her in a corner.
"Having fun?" she asked.
Aang scowled, tilting his head. Katara looked behind him to see a whole group of boys making fools of themselves around Ty Lee. Ty Lee was walking a thin line, trying not to be rude, but also trying very hard not to encourage them.
Katara instinctively looked around for Zuko. She found him facing a similar issue with non-Choice girls, but he was managing to elude them a little bit more effectively. Still, girls mooned over him with stupid smiles on their faces. They probably wouldn't ever get this close to the crown prince again.
"Look, we're looking for some people. If you find any of these three people here, come find me or Zuko," Aang murmured quietly, slipping a thin sheet into her hand.
"What is this about? Are they for sure here?" Katara said, clasping her fingers tightly around it.
"Later and no," Aang said shortly. "But it will give you something to do other than just stand around." He offered a thin smile.
"You're one to talk."
"You two need drinks," Azula commanded, pointing at them both. "Agni, you two are so depressing over here. You're being bad guests." She snapped her fingers, and someone was offering the pair a beverage of some sort. Azula seemed pleased and moved on, only because she spotted Chan.
"Oh, Chan! I forgot to tell you before that you're wearing a sharp outfit. If you're not careful, it could puncture a hull of an empire-class Fire Nation battleship, leaving thousands to drown at sea. You know, because it's so sharp." Azula's voice faded as she followed after Chan, but Katara still heard the whole compliment.
Katara snorted so hard it hurt. She pressed the pads of her finger to the glass cup, wondering if it would be rude to pour this out.
"Think she's trying to poison us?" Katara asked, looking hard into the glass.
"She's trying to get me drunk for spirits knows why," Aang said. "Bottoms up?" he said, clinking their glasses. He drank half of it before Katara could argue, wincing. "Start talking to people," he said, sending one last longing look back at Ty Lee before plastering a fake smile and gregariously inserting himself into an ongoing conversation.
Katara shielded herself against a wall to unfurl the slip of paper. She got the impression that she was not to let these names fall into the wrong hands. After memorizing the trio of titles, she stuffed it down her shirt, between her breasts.
No one would be trying to reach there besides herself. Or Zuko, if he was feeling frisky, but she got the feeling he knew about this.
She pushed down her unsureness and social anxiety, smiled warmly at a nice-looking boy and girl, and forced herself to walk over to them.
XXxxXX
Katara didn't talk to her friends for most of the party. She slipped between groups of strangers, putting forth a more talkative and friendly version of herself, one that charmed and amazed easily. She hadn't found any of the names on Aang's list, but the night was still young, and people continued to pour in through the front door.
Most people weren't quite as awful as the two hosts, and were actually nice to talk to. Most were amazed by her Water Tribe heritage, but there had only been one or two people Katara had stopped talking to because of stupid comments.
As she passed by the food table, Ruan-Jian caught sight of her in the mirror he'd been using to fluff his hair.
"Hey there, tiger," he said, coming up next to her.
"If you're not careful, I'll eat you. Better scram," Katara said, trying not to punch him.
"You know, I'd be nicer to me," he said, cornering her.
"How do you figure?"
"Only one of you all is going to win this thing with the Prince," he said, waving a hand around. "And the rest of you will need a man to marry anyway. Not everyone would be willing to handle someone as...difficult as a Southern Water Tribe bird, but I'm open to the challenge. I've heard you're a little rough around the edges; Prince Zuko can't possibly be expected to properly train you with all the other girls he's handling, but I'd fix that easily. Just need a strong hand to lead you, you know? If you're nice to me, I'd consider asking my father to broker an agreement between us."
Katara took a step back, teeth bared, fury twitching her hand. She was a second away from slapping him, but she kept her fingers twitching at her side. She hated him more than she hated Hahn. Hahn was an asshole, but he hadn't tried hitting on Katara in moons, and was more akin to an irritating insect. He certainly hit on other girls, so it's not as though he was absolved, but he seemed to have a type: girls that could defend themselves as aggressively as he pursued them. She got the feeling Hahn might not actually like a girl who was declawed, where as this fucker seemed like he wanted nothing more than to leave his poor wife defenseless and depend upon him.
Ruan-Jian seemed to be looking for a meek girl, wanted someone to control. She wasn't going to make a scene right now, not when this wasn't her party and others were enjoying themselves. She could deal with an idiot. She'd dealt with worse.
"That's sweet," she said with as much sarcasm as she thought she could get away with. "However, I think I already had some other prospects lined up. I'm sorry."
Ruan-Jian blinked. "Shame. I think we would have had fun together," he said lazily, plucking a rolled finger-food from Katara's plate.
"Maybe," she said. Ruan-Jian sent her one last disappointed look before stalking his next prey. She saw him head for Kilee next. A girl like Kilee might actually enjoy a man like him.
"He thinks he's so great," Zuko growled, his presence shocking Katara. She'd been so focused on not killing Ruan-Jian she hadn't noticed him sneak up. At Katara's lack of a response, mostly just because she hadn't fully processed his first words, he added with a lot of jealousy, crossing his arms, "You liked him, didn't you?"
"I find him abhorrent, but I can't just say that in the middle of his party," Katara hissed angrily. "I'm not looking for a husband! I wasn't even looking for one in the first place," she added, the words falling out of her mouth before she could stop.
Zuko straightened his back. "You hardly let me forget that," he said crisply before turning away.
Katara wanted to scream. What was suddenly bothering him? It's not like she'd been in the corner making out with that idiot, in fact, she'd been trying to shove away his affections as best she could!
Katara snatched her plate off the table, intent on finding a quiet place in the middle of nowhere where she could eat her food and stew.
"Ruan-Jian comes on a little strong," a boy said as Katara passed him, "Sorry."
Katara paused, inhaling. "You shouldn't have to apologize. It's not your fault."
"I know. Still." He frowned. "It's not polite, and honestly, I don't think his heavy-handed tactics have ever worked."
Katara paused, smiling thinly at him. She felt Zuko's eyes on the back of her head. For Agni's sake, she wasn't discussing a marriage with this guy, she was making polite small talk.
"So, what's it like being in The Prince's Choice?" he asked.
"How do you know I am?"
"You're Katara. I've seen drawings of you in the papers," he said frankly. "Plus, the Southern symbol on your bracelet is a dead giveaway. There's only one Southern girl that's anywhere near Fire Nationers."
Katara absently rubbed the bracelet that Shi had made for Katara with her family's symbol.
"You got me," she said after a beat. "It's exhausting."
This was, entirely, the truth.
"I guess you know my name." Katara extended her hand.
"Rasra."
Kara blinked, her grip on his hand a little lackluster.
"Let me just…" She held up a finger, pulling the sheet from between her breasts. "Ah. Yes."
"Uhm-" Rasra blinked, averting his eyes. Katara grabbed his arm, pulling him through the crowd. "Where are we going?"
"You're meeting the Prince tonight," Katara said.
"Why?"
Katara spotted Zuko sulking near the back. "No idea. If you find out, let me know."
XXxxXX
Aang watched Katara drag some poor soul through the party to Zuko. The only explanation he could think of was that it was a name from the list. He wondered which one it was?
"-those boys won't leave me alone, they all like me too much."
At Ty Lee's voice, Aang switched his attention. He saw Ty Lee rubbing her arms, standing next to Azula. Behind Ty Lee was a whole host of boys who were bickering over which one Ty Lee liked more.
Aang leaned more into the wall, trying not to be obvious that he was eavesdropping. He also tried not to glare at the gathered boys. Ty Lee was a catch; of course other people were taking notice of her.
Azula looked Ty Lee up and down, her expression darkening.
"Come on, Ty Lee, you can't be this ignorant," she said, raising her chin.
Ty Lee frowned, tilting her head, looking back at the boys. When they noticed her looking, they all waved exuberantly and called her name.
"What do you mean?"
Azula leaned in, her razor cut hair falling over her shoulders. "Those boys only like you because you make it so easy for them. You're not a challenge. You're a tease, and they think they're going to get something from you. It's not like they care about you as a person."
Ty Lee gaped for a second, floundering for words. Aang saw tears forming on the edge of her eyes. He thought she might lose it on the floor, in front of everyone. Maybe even a year ago, she would have.
Now, however, Ty Lee managed to pull herself together enough to scowl at Azula. Azula looked surprised she wasn't a blubbering mess on the ground.
"That was mean, Azula. I think you're just jealous. I feel sorry for you," she said simply, turning around.
"Ty, wait," Azula said, realizing her folly a second too late. Ty Lee smacked her hand off.
"Leave me alone. Please."
Go to her, Aang, Kyoshi whispered quietly.
But she wants to be alone, Aang frowned, swallowing. Kyoshi replied back immediately.
From most, true. But not from you.
Even her fanboys had enough sense to give her distance. She walked out onto the patio, leaving Azula halfway between contrite and fuming. Aang watched as she stood motionless for a couple seconds, her face rapidly switching between emotions, before she squared her shoulders.
"They do just want sex," Azula muttered to herself. "Can't help it if Ty Lee is too naive to see that."
As soon as Azula was preoccupied, Aang peeled himself from the wall, with every intent of finding Ty Lee.
She was underneath the porch out back, hiding in the shadows, sitting in the sand. She was sobbing.
That's your descendant, Roku! Gopan hissed angrily, By the spirits, she's a monster! This girl is pure! Like a dove and-
Azula is all Azulon's family, Roku replied back tersely, I only take claim to Zuko. There is nothing of me in Azula.
Poor girl, poor girl, Suluk crooned.
"Ty?" Aang asked softly, wondering if he would be told to go away. Maybe he should have just let her be?
"Aang," Ty Lee breathed out softly, her eyes glimmering with wet tears as she lifted her head.
"She's wrong, you know," Aang said before Ty Lee could say something else. "About all of it. You're not a tease, you're not easy. Boys don't just want one thing...I care about you. I could care less about 'getting something' in return and-" He paused when he noticed Ty Lee smiling. "What?"
Oh, to be young and stupid once again, Suluk sighed. Aang didn't understand.
"I know she was just saying that to hurt me, Kuzon," Ty Lee said, reminding herself of his cover. "I didn't think it was true. I'm crying because I hate how mean Azula can be, how she can have so little care for anyone but herself."
"And you're smiling because…?"
"Because you're you," Ty Lee was still hiccupping, but her sobs were quieting. She lifted her hand as an invitation. Aang sat beside her. "And this is the nicest thing anyone has done for me. I do know that I'm often overlooked. No one cares about Ty Lee."
"You couldn't be more wrong," Aang choked out, horrified she'd think that.
"I'm used to it. Did you ever know I was one of six sisters, all who looked exactly the same as I did? That I ran away to the circus at the age of five, until Azula tracked me back down and invited me to the Palace as her esteemed friend?"
"I knew about the circus." Aang furrowed his brow. "But I had no idea about your family."
"I don't want to talk about it all now, but I'm just very used to being one of a group. Maybe I do try to get noticed, a little too much," she said, looking out at the sea that bashed up against the rocks, a faraway look in her eye.
"You're noticed because you're incredible," Aang said. "And kind. And caring. And funny."
Good job, Aang! Most effective! Gopan cheered him on. Okay, he was doing something right.
Ty Lee turned. She leaned forward, pressing her forehead to his. There was a moment, one moment where Aang was sure she was going to kiss him. Instead, she just softly ran her fingers over his cheek, up into his unruly black hair. All at once, the voices were silent. It was as though it was just him and Ty Lee.
"I wish I could," she murmured, and he knew what she was referring to. "But if we were caught-" She bit her lip.
"Treason. Not even a fake relation to the Royal Family would save us, huh?" Aang agreed, knowing full well. Perhaps it was for the best. He imagined if he kissed her even once, he would find it impossible to be near her without wanting to do it again, without wishing they could be open about all of it.
"Yeah," Ty Lee whispered back, ever so softly, so that her answer was carried away on the wind.
Aang was about to stand, but Ty Lee jerked him back down. She motioned to stay silent, pointing above.
Now that Aang tilted his head, he heard a pair of footsteps.
"Is this your first time on Ember Island?"
Aang mouthed 'Chan' to Ty Lee, who nodded. She mouthed back, 'Azula', which Aang wasn't expecting.
"No, I used to come here years ago," Azula said. Aang frowned. He'd never heard Azula sound...so soft.
"It's great if you like sand," Chan said, throwing a pebble off the porch. It clattered near Aang's foot.
"Not a fan?" Azula asked.
"It gets old after a while. Do you ever get tired of the capital?"
Azula scoffed. "Never. It's mine."
"I was born here too, but…" Chan trailed off. "You're really pretty." There was a sound that happened next that Aang didn't recognize, not at first.
"Did she just giggle?" Aang whispered in mild horror. Ty Lee's eyes were as wide as Aang's.
There was a pause, before Azula continued. "I'm going to be honest. I'm not looking for a guy to tell me I'm pretty and bring me flowers, even if the sentiment is appreciated. I have big plans and I need someone to stand by me. Plans that would make lesser men weak at the knees. Are you that man Chan?"
Chan made an audible gulp. "That's, uh, a little intense…" he trailed off uneasily.
"I know what I need. If you aren't that, your loss," Azula said flippantly, confidently, before walking off. Aang counted her steps above them.
"Wait! Princess!" Chan called after her, running after her.
"Well, that was something," Aang said dryly. He wondered if Azula was talking about taking over the throne, the same drone threat she'd been peddling for years on end now?
Ty Lee just smiled, "Let's re-join the party."
So, the reason that I was a little late to updating was that I got news this weekend that an old high school friend of mine was in an accident this weekend, and while he's alive, he's been paralyzed (as of right now from the neck down). I admittedly am dealing with it way worse than I thought I would. When I'm really upset, I either go two ways with writing; I try to ignore reality by throwing myself into stories, or I feel just to sick and sad to touch them at all. I can't ever really guess how it will be, but I guess this week it went the latter.
But, he's starting to do better, so I am back to updating and writing and catching my feet, if you will.
Sorry to bog you all down with that super depressing stuff, but erg, yeah.
Onto lighter notes, the chapter notes
* So this one isn't exactly relating to the story, but ya know how I've said (and a lot of you have made the companion as well) that this is basically like The Bachelor or the Bachelorette? Well, one of the guys I went to High School with is on this season of the Bachelorette! And let me tell you why this is WEIRD. My High School only had 800 people total at good years, so we were all very close knit. He was a year above me and I had a huge crush on him, him and my bf were good enough friends that my bf noticed when he strangely deleted his Facebook a couple months ago (they used to also play video games together), and this guy was seriously the NICEST person around. He might not have known me, but he knew my name and would have never been a jerk to anyone. It's just so wild seeing him on TV, like, woah. I've gotten strangely protective over him haha
* Also! I've been doing a lot of boards/aesthetics to show faces and personality of characters! Head onto my tumblr (youngbloodlex22) to see them!
*The one thing I found really strange in the episode of the Beach is that somehow Chan didnt' know they were the Royal Family kids? I mean, maybe Azula and the girls he could have been unsure about, but clearly there was more than general knowledge that Zuko- the royal prince- had a huge burn on his face over his eyes. How many kids do you guess are like that out there? It seems weird Chan didn't realize. Or maybe he's really that dumb.
*Ty Lee and Azulas talk obvs went a little differently now. I like to think that because of the Avatar group, which like Ty Lee for her own person, she's started to become stronger about her own self worth.
*lastly, while I LOVE the original Beach Episode and all the catharsis that happens at the end, those particular feelings and reveals aren't quite right for this moment in time...
Anywho, hope you all enjoyed this chapter!