The Captain had been in the middle of his routine patrol through the Palace grounds when he saw the gladiator approaching the gates, with his trademark foolish smile. He had been dropping by the Palace often over the past months… but something about the gladiator had felt off to the Captain as of late. He wasn't sure of what it was, but for some reason, leaving the Princess and her slave to themselves made him quite uneasy ever since they had traveled together to Ember Island without guards escorting them through their trip.
Sokka waved at him, and the Captain didn't wave back, his arms folded across his chest as they were. Sokka couldn't see it, but one of the Captain's eyebrows had risen as he watched Sokka judgmentally. The gladiator walked past the other guards that were currently stationed by the Palace doors, and he moved straight towards the Captain, who regarded him coldly.
"Hello there, Captain! Been a while, huh?" said Sokka, smiling widely.
"Not really," Rui Shi retorted. "To my chagrin, I just saw you yesterday. I wish it had been longer, but alas, you seem to be quite desperate to spend time with the Princess as of late…"
"Well, then, I guess you'll be glad to hear that's not at all what I came for today," said Sokka. "I'm not here to see Azula… I came to find you."
The Captain frowned and looked at Sokka with confusion.
"Me? Why?"
"Well… I couldn't think of anyone more suitable for a covert operation, you know?" said Sokka, placing a hand on the Captain's shoulder and raising his eyebrows. "You're just the man for the job, Rui Shi…"
"What do you want?" the Captain asked, irritated. "If you're going to ask me to do something that will jeopardize the safety of the Princess…"
"No, no, no, not at all!" said Sokka, shaking his head. "Aren't you dramatic, Captain? No, I'm trying to do something nice for her. Yeah, you probably think that's a switch, but still…"
"Huh," said the Captain, raising his eyebrows. "What sort of a nice thing, gladiator? You're not attempting to make a move on her, are you? Because if you came here to get my permission…"
"You think I'd need your permission for something like that?" asked Sokka, with a bark of laughter. The Captain glared at him.
"Are you trying to say you've already done it, then?!"
"I… I didn't say that."
"Did you do it or not, gladiator…?" the Captain said dangerously, and Sokka swallowed.
"I haven't done anything I shouldn't have! No permanent damage, no defiling her purity, none of that!" Sokka exclaimed, shaking his head promptly.
"Why do I have such a hard time believing you…?" asked the Captain, his glare becoming fiercer.
"Well, if you don't believe me you can ask her instead, can't you?"
"She would lie to protect her honor, I'm certain she would. She wouldn't admit to…"
"To what?" asked Sokka, looking at Rui Shi quizzically.
"To thinking of you in the way I know she does," muttered Rui Shi, sighing while Sokka smiled happily, elated by what the guard had just said. "And you're a common fool. You're not going to hold back with her when she's everything any man could dream of…"
"Oh? Does that mean you dream of her too, then?" Sokka asked, looking at him inquisitively. The Captain stumbled at that. "Well, it's not like I'd blame you, really…"
"I never said I did!" the Captain exclaimed, surprising Sokka with his outburst. "She is my charge! I'm the Captain of her guards, and I must protect her from those who could harm her, and you're one of those I must protect her from!"
"So, you're saying you would do anything for Azula, then?" Sokka asked, raising his eyebrows.
"I would, but not because I… I would because it's my job," the Captain grunted, glaring at Sokka.
"Well, that works in my favor anyways," said Sokka, smiling. "I need your help, Captain. I've got a great idea for a present for her, and you're the one who can help me with it. So… will you work with me?"
"A great idea…?" asked Rui Shi. "What sort of a great idea? If you expect me to accept without knowing what this entails…"
"Yeah, fat chance for that to happen, huh?" said Sokka, sighing. "You're just that much of a nitpicker. See, I'm trying to make something for her… something awesome! Something she doesn't have yet. And that's… a big set of armor for Xin Long!"
The Captain looked at Sokka with a confused expression on his face. Sokka stood before him, his arms extended to give his words more impact. But upon the lack of reaction from the soldier, Sokka ended up dropping his arms and pouting.
"What? You don't think it's a good idea?"
"I… why would a dragon need armor?" asked the Captain, frowning. "His scales are thick, and it's not as though the Princess will ride into battle on the back of her dragon any time soon…"
"Well, you never know, do you?" said Sokka, raising his eyebrows "I'm not really doing it for battle, though. Azula was complaining about how filthy Xin Long was the other day, and I figure armor will help to protect him from filth and everything else that might get attached to him. It just might be helpful, you never know!"
"But… that's not a present for the Princess," said the Captain, thoughtful. "It would be more of a present for the dragon than for her."
"W-well, my budget is pretty limited, alright?" admitted Sokka. "I can't get her any fancy jewels or something incredible and worthy of a Princess because I'm pretty sure she's already got everything she could ask for. So, I'm sorry if my one idea is absurd to you, but it's the best I've got."
The Captain could have proceeded to dismiss Sokka's grand birthday present plan, but he decided against it quickly. Armor for the dragon was a good present, far more innocent than anything Rui Shi had expected from the gladiator. In fact, it was a relief that this was the best idea he had come up with.
"Well, then… kudos to you," said the Captain, to Sokka's surprise. "Go ahead and build that armor; whether it's useful or not doesn't concern me in the slightest. Why did you say you needed me, though?"
"Uh, yeah, you see…" said Sokka, with a weak smile. "I kind of need someone very bold to help me accomplish this. I can build most of it myself, though Song already offered to work as my assistant, but…"
"Song? Your sla-… cook?" Rui Shi asked, frowning. The whole slave-of-a-slave situation still struck him as odd. He had no idea how to refer to Song in relation to Sokka without making it sound offensive. "She's a girl, a young woman… is it wise to make her work in something as rough as the forging of an armor?"
"Well, what do you think she is, a fragile little crystal doll?" asked Sokka, raising an eyebrow. "Granted, she won't do the hardest work, but that doesn't mean she can't help at all. Besides, girls can do rough stuff. Azula helped me make my own armor, and we forged her sword together too. If Azula could do it…"
"That's hardly any point of comparison," said Rui Shi, folding his arms again. "Princess Azula has always excelled at anything she puts her mind to, and she is stronger than most. Surely far stronger than me, if I'm honest. But Song…"
"I didn't say Song was as tough as Azula, of course she's not," said Sokka, waving a hand. "But you're being really thick-headed if you think a girl can't take care of herself. Believe me, I've pissed off more than enough girls who surpass my expectations and leave me lying on the ground wishing I hadn't been stupid enough to underestimate them. So, watch yourself. There's more to that girl than what meets the eye."
Rui Shi sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Fine, fine… so she'll help you. And what of me? What do you need someone 'bold' for?"
"Well… you see, I even made the design for the armor and everything already!" Sokka exclaimed, pulling out a sheet of paper and showing it to Rui Shi excitedly. "But I can't start working without a crucial piece of information…"
"And what might that be?" asked Rui Shi, frowning.
"Well… measurements," said Sokka, with a nervous smile. Rui Shi paled.
"Measurements…? Y-you want me to… to measure the dragon? Me?! Why don't you do it instead?"
"Because if I do she'll know I'm up to something!" squeaked Sokka. "But if you do it, she won't have a clue of what you're up to, and you can always make up some lie of sorts…"
"I won't make up lies to mislead the Princess, you fool," said Rui Shi, gritting his teeth. "That's the sort of thing you'd do."
"I… would try, but I wouldn't manage to trick her anyhow, I'm not good at lying," said Sokka, sighing. "Well, but you could do it while everyone's asleep, right? Go at night, approach cautiously and get all the measurements! It can't be so hard, can it?"
"If it can't be that hard, why not come at night yourself?" the Captain insisted, glaring at Sokka.
"Because sneaking into the Palace at night might just get me into trouble," said Sokka. "So you've got to do it, there's no other choice!"
"And what if I refuse?"
"Well… I'll have to ask Azula what present she would rather have of me," said Sokka, which a mischievous smile. "And if she thinks of me as you think she thinks of me, her ideal present might just be…"
Rui Shi felt a vein pulsating powerfully on his forehead upon that. He lifted a fist and Sokka snickered, stepping away just in case the guard might attack him.
"Fine, then!" said the Captain, dropping his hand again, blazes dancing briefly around his fists when he moved brusquely. "And then what? Once I deliver your measurements you'll stop bothering me?"
"Well… I suppose," said Sokka, shrugging. "Can you bring them to the Royal Workshop tomorrow? I've already asked the blacksmith if he'll let me work there, and he's willing to help, even. Which I guess is odd… but I suppose being Azula's gladiator comes with lots of perks, huh?"
"Indeed," grunted the Captain, sighing. "Fine, then. I will bring you your information tomorrow, if I manage to accomplish this tonight."
"Yeah!" cheered Sokka, excitedly. "You're the man, Captain!"
"Sure I am…" said Rui Shi, glaring at Sokka again, but now sighing in resignation.
Facing Xin Long by himself wasn't an appealing perspective in the slightest. It wasn't that he feared the dragon… well, truth to be told, on some level he did. But the real problem was to keep from landing himself in trouble with the Princess later. How would he measure the dragon without waking him up as he slept? And if he woke him, wouldn't that wake the Princess as well?
The questions kept bugging him all day, and they still rounded his mind by the time he approached Xin Long's refuge at night. Rui Shi swallowed hard before entering the compound stealthily, hoping the dragon wouldn't notice his presence…
And of course he did. A low gurgle came from the higher levels of the refuge, and Rui Shi looked up quickly to watch how the dragon dropped heavily on the ground, eyes squinted as he glared at the Captain. Xin Long stepped forward, still leering as smoke poured out through his nostrils. The Captain gritted his teeth and tried to remain firm and steady. The dragon was sure to have a blast teasing him if he wavered…
"You needn't fear, noble Xin Long," said Rui Shi, bowing his head curtly towards the dragon. "I mean you no harm."
The noble Xin Long, now well-versed in human language thanks to his bond with Azula, snickered upon the label he had just been given. He wandered around the Captain, hoping to make him uneasy while he rounded him.
"I am only here for… for Sokka," said Rui Shi, gulping. "He has requested me to measure you… will you cooperate, Xin Long?"
Xin Long was surprised to hear this had anything to do with Sokka. He stopped walking upon that, and looked at Rui Shi with a raised eyebrow… before shrugging and deciding it didn't matter who had sent the Captain anyways.
Xin Long moved quickly and squeezed Rui Shi with his body. The Captain gasped for breath when the dragon's scales dug into him… and he was aghast to discover Xin Long had curled up around simply because he meant to sleep while holding him tightly.
"N-no, please! I must…! Let me do this quickly and I'll be gone! I beg of you!" Rui Shi insisted, but Xin Long didn't seem to care.
Rui Shi sighed when Xin Long decided to get even more comfortable by dropping his head atop the Captain's. This promised to be a very long night…
Azula woke with a confused frown on her face. She sat up on bed and rubbed her eyes, still feeling odd about whatever she had dreamt of… thankfully, all dreams about her mother had vanished for the time being, but now it seemed they had been replaced by dreams that were nothing short of ridiculous. She didn't quite remember, but she was under the impression she had dreamt of the Captain trying to ride Xin Long…? Or was it Xin Long who had ended up riding the Captain? She hardly remembered by now. All she knew was that it had been a very odd dream.
She readied herself for the day, eating her breakfast and dressing up as she usually did, helped by the servants who usually assisted her. But just as she was walking down a hallway, on her way to Xin Long's refuge, a servant approached her.
"Princess…" he said, bowing down quickly. "The Fire Lord requests your presence in the Throne Room."
"In the Throne Room?" she repeated, frowning slightly. "Is it another war meeting?"
"No, not today," said the servant. "Some people have asked for audiences with the Fire Lord, and he will receive them today."
"And he happens to require my presence for that?" Azula asked, with a raised eyebrow. That was unusual. Ozai always dealt with those audiences in private… "Well, then. I will be on my way."
The servant nodded and Azula changed her course towards the Throne Room, her frown growing more pronounced. Her father had been behaving strangely as of late, but she knew there had to be an explanation for it. Perhaps he only meant to speak with her about her birthday feast… she truly hoped that was all there was to it. She kept fearing maybe her father had found out about the latest developments in her relationship with Sokka… and it was an irrational fear, she knew as much, for there was no way Ozai could know about it. Yet no amount of logic could appease her…
"Ah, Princess Azula," Ozai greeted her, already sitting at his throne when his daughter arrived. "Do take your seat, I hope to be done with this quickly…"
"To what do I owe the pleasure of being invited to this particular audience session, Father?" Azula asked, raising her eyebrows as she moved towards Ozai's right.
"I believe I told you we had matters to discuss about your feast," said Ozai. "And I thought it would be best to do so now. You don't have any urgent business to tend to at the moment, do you?"
"What could possibly be more urgent than the Fire Lord's orders?" Azula asked, raising her eyebrows as she sat, legs crossed, next to her father.
"Perhaps a gladiator fight," said Ozai, casually. "You have a responsibility as a sponsor, don't you?"
"Why, naturally I do," said Azula, nodding while looking at Ozai warily. Why was he talking about the Gladiator Business unexpectedly? Since when did it interest him so much? "I have no pending fights, though I meant to train my gladiator today. Nevertheless, I'm perfectly willing to put on hold anything concerning the Gladiator Business if you require me."
"As you should," Ozai declared. Azula still eyed him cautiously, despite finally having garnered what she considered a normal response from her father.
"Is it only going to be the two of us, Father?"
"Indeed, us and my guards," said Ozai, gesturing at a man who stood by the curtains. "Bring in the first one."
"How many people requested audiences today?" asked the Princess
"Four, I believe," said Ozai. "As soon as this is over we will have a private conversation, Azula. We have much to discuss."
"Very well, then," the Princess said, as the guards entered the room, bringing a man in his forties with them.
The man's clothing wasn't particularly elegant, and his hair was slightly unkempt. His face looked sunburned, and he was somewhat muscular too. Azula couldn't help but wonder what a man with such appearance could want from her father. If she was judging correctly, he had to be a construction builder of some sort.
And considering how nervous he seemed upon addressing the Fire Lord and the Princess, it would appear he had never even dreamt of entering the Palace to speak to a member of the Royal Family. He bowed down before them in quite a clumsy manner, and he stood up again quickly.
"F-Fire Lord Ozai, it is my pleasure… a-and Princess Azula! I wasn't told you would be here, I… it is also my pleasure, of course! I'm most honored you have agreed to meet with me…"
"As you should be," said Ozai. "Don't make me regret allowing you an audience. Speak quickly and be done with it."
"O-of course, my Lord. I am En Xiao, and I have come in behalf of the town of Shangren. Some time ago we decided to refurbish our docks, but what seemed a good idea at the moment has turned out to be a disaster. Many ships have been unable to deliver their cargo to our village, and we are only capable of eating what little food we produce ourselves…"
"You refurbished the docks, yet you failed to think of a method for shipments to be delivered to your town while you remodeled them?" Azula asked, frowning. "How thoughtful of you."
"We made the mistake to tear down the docks completely on the first go, Princess," said En Xiao, gulping. "It was very thoughtless on our part, indeed, but it's too late to do anything about it now. We have tried to be as quick about the job as possible, but in order to have our first dock functioning properly, we need more manpower."
"Are you requesting I lend you men to finish your job faster?" Ozai said, raising an eyebrow.
"My lord, we are in a very bad situation," said En Xiao. "Without the shipments, our village is facing quite a predicament…"
"What happens with these ships that are bringing you their cargo?" Azula asked, frowning. "Are they floating about, waiting until you're done with your rebuilding of the port?"
"Some simply pass us by when they see they can't unload their cargo here…" said En Xiao "I believe they take their shipments to other nearby islands. But others linger nearby, waiting to deliver their goods when we're ready to receive them."
"The ones that stay close to the island would make easy target for pirates," Azula muttered, looking at her father sideways. "Wouldn't they, Father?"
"Pirates roaming our waters…" said Ozai, sighing. "I haven't heard reports of the sort, but you are right, Azula. If this is the situation, surely soon enough groups of pirates might target Shangren. It would be best to avoid problems of the sort."
"Would you be so kind, my lord, and allow some men in your service to help us?" said En Xiao. "I'm certain the Capital has many builders to offer…"
"You assume much, En Xiao," said Ozai, and the man shivered when the Fire Lord spoke his name. "I have builders, but they are currently engaged in the construction of a factory on the outskirts of the Capital. I cannot allow you to borrow men for your cause."
"B-but my lord…!"
"You could find men in other cities," said Azula. "Perhaps head towards the Colonies. If you managed to come here, which I find quite odd considering you said your ports aren't functional and you could have only arrived by sea, then you will be able to take a trip all the way to Yu Dao, won't you?"
"I… p-perhaps…"
"I'm willing to guess that their Mayor will be able to supply you with what you wish for," said Azula.
"Unless Morishita's builders are busy as well," said Ozai.
"B-but if that's the case, what will I do?" asked En Xiao, looking at Ozai with despair.
"Oh, stop behaving like a lost pup," said Ozai, rolling his eyes. "If you find no men who are willing to work, find slaves. Buy them, make them do your bidding. That's how it works."
"But I… I don't believe I have the coin…"
"Then sell whatever your island produces and use those winnings to buy slaves," Ozai growled.
"And what about when the refurbishing of the port is completed?" asked En Xiao. "What will we do with the slaves by then?"
"Ah, as if that were a matter of concern," said Ozai, rolling his eyes. "If you're unwilling to feed and lodge them, and if you have no further use for them, then sell them again. Send them back to where you got them, perhaps. Get rid of them somehow, nobody will care for the fate of more common slaves."
Azula glanced at her father sideways. He was harsh, he had always been… but no longer could she listen to him speak of slaves in this manner without feeling uneasy. He treated them as scum… as though they weren't human, as though they were inferior to them because they hadn't been born in the Fire Nation. Slaves were on the same level as beasts of burden for him. And it was rather disturbing to be bothered by a notion that she also had believed in not longer than a year ago… she had seen slaves under the same light her father still did. Inferior, filthy, worthless…
"Is that all, En Xiao?" Ozai asked, raising an eyebrow.
"W-why, yes, my Lord. I only meant to make my one request, and I thank you for receiving me. May you live long and reign longer… oh, reign long and… well, may you enjoy your reign as much as your citizens have enjoyed it," said En Xiao, bowing before being led outside the chamber by a pair of guards.
"Foolish commoners," said Ozai, sighing once En Xiao was gone. "If I had a coin for every absurd request they have sent our way…"
"I didn't know a factory was being built nearby, father," Azula said, frowning. "For what purpose?"
"You recall that man who has taken to living in the Northern Air Temple, do you not?" said Ozai. "He has been developing plans to create aircrafts as of late. We will need to dedicate a new factory to build them."
"Aircrafts?" Azula asked, surprised. "Has he really accomplished such a feat?"
"Not quite," said Ozai, shaking his head. "In fact, he seems to be facing a predicament of sorts, I don't know what exactly. But as soon as he finds a solution for it, the production of aircrafts will begin. Our warpower will go unrivaled."
"I believe our warpower is already unrivaled, father," said Azula, with a smile.
"That it is," said Ozai, smiling as well. "Yet now we will definitely be unstoppable."
Azula smiled, but she felt no joy upon hearing this. She found herself cursing Sokka's influence on her as she looked to the front of the room again, where a guard was bringing in another man. If only Sokka's beliefs and values hadn't influenced her so much as of late, her life would be much simpler right now. Without him, she would still be as careless about the fate of others as she used to be. But hearing her father dismiss slaves, and hearing him speak of a boost in their warring potential, which he clearly would orient towards destroying the Water Tribes, filled her with a sense of despair she hadn't known before. A part of her wanted to find a way to stop him, to tell him it was a bad idea… but another part of her wasn't as reckless. Contradicting Ozai in regards to these subjects wouldn't end well for her. She had already played her luck with him before… doing it again would surely bring along consequences she wasn't sure she could afford.
"Greetings, my lord… Princess," said the new arrival, a man dressed in far more elegant clothing than the previous one. Naturally, he was a high-society man, but as Azula didn't know him, she guessed he had only acquired his status recently. He wore jewels on every spot in his body that could sport them, and the smile on his face spoke of self-satisfaction. "My lord, I have come to repay the debt I owed you."
"Is that so?" said Ozai, a smile on his face. The man produced a bag of money, and he stepped forward to place it before the Fire Lord, who parted the flames that surrounded him in order to pick up the bag.
"My business has finally taken off, thanks to my lord's kindness. I even added more money than I owed you, as a gesture of gratefulness for everything you have done for me and my family. Never had we enjoyed the comforts we have attained now. And we owe it all to you, of course…"
"You also owe it to your hard work, never think otherwise," said Ozai, as he looked at the golden coins with approval before setting the bag of money aside. "Many others have requested money from me and failed to settle their debts when the time comes. I am most pleased to see there are still vassals who prove themselves worthy when the time comes. Well done. You may take your leave now."
The man smiled and bowed his head before walking back to the exit. Azula watched him leave before turning towards her father again.
"Are loans a frequent practice of yours, Father?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Are you judging me for it?" Ozai asked, amused. "Loans are the best way to ensure a man's loyalty belongs to you and to no other. The ones who deliver are those whose allegiance you can rely on. The ones who don't will be singled out as disloyal. Too many fools have requested money from me and failed to pay back when the time has come…"
"So, as punishment for their failure, you took everything you could from them, in order to regain the money you had invested," Azula finished.
"It is what a ruler must do, Azula. I'm certain you understand."
"Of course I do, Father," said Azula, smiling.
"Loans aren't as unreliable a practice as you might believe, Azula. They serve many purposes. So long as you remain true to the contract, you shall ensure to be respected by your people," Ozai declared.
"I understand," said Azula. "But is it wise to trust blindly in noblemen such as that man, Father?"
"Whoever spoke of trust, Azula?" asked Ozai, raising an eyebrow. "Only a handful of people can truthfully claim to have a share of my trust. I was certain you knew as much."
"Oh, I do," said Azula. "It only makes sense for you not to trust them. I wouldn't do so either, if I were in your place."
Ozai smiled again and gestured for the guard to bring in the third man. It happened to be the Head Sage, to Azula's surprise. She hadn't expected this man, of all people, to request an audience with Ozai… why not wait until the Fire Lord went to the Temple for a meditation session?
"My lord, Princess," said the Head Sage, who seemed quite surprised to see Azula present in the Throne Room but acted as though it were of no importance anyways. "We have begun the preparations for the festivals…"
"You have only just begun?" asked Ozai, raising his eyebrows. "I believed preparations for the next festival would begin as soon as the previous one had ended."
"I-indeed, my lord" said the Sage, nodding. "What I meant to say was, we are almost ready. Only a few matters are still pending… and one of them being your selection of whoever shall perform the Ceremony of the Sun"
"Ah, indeed…" said Ozai, at which Azula glanced at him with confusion. "Have you already singled out your candidates?"
"Yes, my lord," said the Head Sage. "They are ready to display their skills before you. Please, make your decision whenever you find time for it. The chosen performer will need some time to prepare for the actual ceremony, so the sooner you select someone, the better for all of us."
"Naturally," agreed Ozai. "Very well, then. I shall let you know when I have time to spare for this. In the mean time, run along, Head Sage. There are other matters I must deal with."
"Yes, my lord," said the Head Sage, bowing down and leaving the room on cue.
"Since when do you choose the performer for the Ceremony of the Sun?" Azula asked, with amusement. "That's new."
"It is," said Ozai, smiling. "I recently suggested to the Head Sage that I might be the one to select the performer this year. Naturally, he understands my suggestions are orders."
"I take it he's not so pleased by these developments, though," said Azula, as the last man was brought into the room. "The Sages are quite uptight when it comes to their traditions."
"That they are, but it makes no matter. I am the Fire Lord, and my decisions are final," said Ozai.
"It is so," Azula agreed, nodding.
The last man to arrive was unexpectedly different from those who had preceded him. En Xiao's appearance hadn't been the ideal for a meeting with the Fire Lord, but this latest arrival wore such tarnished clothes that he made En Xiao's look like the clothes of a nobleman. His face was bony, his hair greasy, but his eyes were fierce. And said eyes were trained on the Fire Lord, at whom he glared with determination.
"Fire Lord Ozai," he said, as he knelt before Ozai, frowning still. "I have come to make a petition."
"A petition, you say?" asked Ozai, looking at the man with contempt. "What sort of petition would that be?"
"My lord, I have come to request for you to shut down the refinery at Danqian river" said the man, at which Ozai's eyes narrowed.
"And why should I do such a thing?"
"My lord, all the villages close to the river are being directly affected by the smoke released by the refinery," said the villager. "People are sickly because of the air pollution. Also, the water that used to be crystal clear is now vile, packed with dangerous substances, and children have died after drinking and playing in the river as they used to! And if this weren't enough, the refinery was built where our cattle used to pace, and we hardly have any room for the animals when most our available terrains have been destined for farming and sowing. My lord, our village cannot endure these conditions, you must do something…!"
"I must?" Ozai asked, angrily. "Why, perhaps the Fire Nation has moved past the stage where we needed thousands of farming villages to feed our people. Perhaps your terrains, your animals and crops aren't needed anymore. You needn't fret, though, I'm certain you and your fellow villagers will find proper jobs in the refinery…"
"Jobs in the…? My lord, we have spent all our lives living off farming!" exclaimed the man, astounded by Ozai's suggestion. "We don't want to change that, we never meant to! And even if we did, it wouldn't solve the problem that has been brought up by the refinery's waste being evacuated into the river!"
"And thus you would have me shutting down a refinery that is crucial for the progress of our nation?" asked Ozai, growing angry. Azula clenched her teeth when she felt the flames around the Throne becoming fiercer and stronger than before.
The villager looked at Ozai with wide eyes, as though the image he had once had of the man before him had crumbled to pieces. He stared at him in disbelief, and he shook his head before replying to the Fire Lord's question, indignant:
"Your people are dying… and that's what you're concerned with?! Progress?!" asked the man, standing up and looking at Ozai with indignation. "My son is lying sick in bed with no signs of recovery after drinking that poisoned water, and you tell me that he must die so that our nation prospers?!"
"Indeed, that is what I told you," said Ozai, his eyes blazing with fury. "And how dare you speak to your Fire Lord in this manner?!"
"How dare you let my son die for such a ridiculous reason?! How dare you call yourself Fire Lord when you don't care about the Fire Nation at all?!"
"You accuse me of not caring for my nation? Why, perhaps it is you who doesn't care for his nation! You wish to stop our progress, you fool? That makes you a traitor to your people!" Ozai said, glaring at him. "I will hear no more of this! Guards, rid me of this eyesore! Take this scum out of my sight, and give him the punishment befitting a man who dares oppose his Fire Lord!"
The guards approached the villager, and the man grinded his teeth when he heard them move towards him. He couldn't take no for an answer… not today. Not now. Not when his son was going to die because the man who ruled over them was too obsessed with alleged progress to genuinely care for his people.
The man had no idea what was driving him when he lashed out at Ozai, shortly before the guards reached him, yet lashed at him he did, to the Fire Lord's dismay. The villager jumped forward, not caring about the flames that might engulf him. He refused to walk away from this matter with his head bowed in submission…
But when he was about to pass through the curtain of orange flames, said flames turned blue. The man didn't register the change until the blue fire flared powerfully and sent him flying back in the direction he had just come from.
The Princess hadn't even stood up to defend her father. She remained cross-legged, her left hand raised, for it was all she had needed to use in order to bend the fire and repel the villager. The man's worn-out clothing was scorched, and it seemed some of his hair had caught fire, but he smothered the blazes quickly by rolling over and dragging his body over the floor.
Ozai seemed quite surprised by Azula's quick response in behalf of his safety. His instincts had been to move back, and perhaps to kick at the man if he managed to make it through the curtain of fire… but Azula had been faster, and far more efficient than that. And she looked as relentless as ever, her eyes blazing along with the fire she turned blue.
"You heard my father," she told the guards. "Take him away."
The guards nodded, and they obeyed promptly, picking up the man and dragging him out as he flinched at the pain, muttering about his son until he was out of the Throne Room. Azula lowered her hand, while the other one curled into a fist. Yes, she had done the right thing… she had to protect her father from threats, she was his loyal daughter, always had been. So why did she feel remorse upon having attacked that villager? Why did she feel sorry to think he might just return home to find his son had died while he had been gone?
"Something told me having you along this meeting today was the right decision," said Ozai, smiling and standing up. "Ah, pathetic commoners. Such a man should be demoted into slavery."
Azula didn't reply, for she rather doubted that would be a good idea. Ozai took notice of her lack of response, but he paid no heed to it.
"Very well, then, Azula. Shall we take our leave now?" he asked, gesturing at his daughter to follow him out of the Throne Room.
Azula stood up quickly, and walked with Ozai all the way to his chambers. They hardly spoke on the way to the appointed place, and Azula remained as silent and solemn as she had been during their walk while a servant poured tea for both of them.
"I do feel it was rather unfortunate you witnessed such an incident…" said Ozai, sipping his tea. "Alas, people like that one villager tend to show up every now and then. It's best if you prepare yourself for it, for whenever you sit the throne instead of me."
"Not everyone will agree with our way of ruling, of course," said Azula, nodding. "How often has this happened, Father? Has anyone ever hurt you in these audiences?"
"No, this is the first time a reckless fool tries to physically wound me," said Ozai. "Nevertheless, you needn't worry. He will be punished accordingly for his crime."
"You mean… you mean he'll be sentenced to death?" Azula asked.
"Oh, I am a merciful man," said Ozai. "If he had actually touched me, I might have had his head for it. But alas, as I said before, being demoted to the status of slave would suit him best. I will not suffer men of the sort to be deemed as part of my nation."
"So, you hope to take out every man who opposes your will?" Azula asked.
"I have the power. I have the means. Why should I not use them for my own ends?" asked Ozai, smiling. "You will grow to understand, Azula. Once you become Fire Lord you will realize that, in order to keep the nation under control, you must make decisions that will seem ruthless and cruel. Yet you must make those decisions nonetheless. It will be your duty as a ruler."
"Is this why you wanted me to witness these audiences?" asked Azula, frowning. "You meant to have me learn how to deal with petitioners through direct experience?"
"And you did it marvelously," said Ozai, nodding. "Every day that goes by I grow more convinced that you are my one true heir. You shall carry on my legacy, Azula. But, in any case, this isn't what we were supposed to discuss."
"No… the birthday feast," whispered Azula, drinking some tea as well while trying not to press on any further with the matter. "What is it you wanted to speak of, Father? You want my input on the guests?"
"Why, not quite," said Ozai. "I have always chosen whoever will be invited to the feast…"
"Indeed, so what do you need my opinion on, Father?" asked Azula, raising an eyebrow.
"I would like to speak to you of another matter… another pending matter," said Ozai. "Many of the guests I plan on inviting have made petitions for your hand in marriage at some point in time, whether for their sons or for themselves…"
Azula frowned at that. She placed the cup on the table and looked at her father warily.
"And… you're planning on using this feast to bring them here," she muttered. "You meant to promise me to one of them, Father."
"Azula, you know that by this point in your life you ought to be married," said Ozai. "And considering all that has happened lately…"
"What do you mean? What has been happening lately?" asked Azula, folding her arms over her chest. "Father, what is it that you're not telling me? First you wanted my gladiator in my feast, now this matter of my marriage…"
"My, are you commanding me to talk, Azula?" Ozai asked, amused.
"I… no, Father," said Azula, shaking her head. "I'm only asking a question. That's all."
"Well, then," said Ozai. "Truth to be told, I find it quite unbelievable that you remain oblivious to my reasons. I was certain you had done all this purposefully…"
Azula felt the blood draining from her face. If her father was referring to what she feared he was referring to, she would have to find a way to deny everything convincingly. It wouldn't be easy, but she could do it… her life was on the line, and not only hers, but Sokka's as well. If this was all a ploy to make her understand her position in the world, to force her to acknowledge that Sokka could never become anything other than her gladiator, she would play through it as innocently as possible…
"From the moment you obtained that gladiator I wondered what your true intent might be," said Ozai. "Only now do I understand…"
"Father, I… you are overthinking matters," said Azula, shaking her head. "I swear I…"
"You are as smart and thoughtful as I always believed you were," said Ozai, smiling. Azula looked at him with mild confusion at that. Smart? If he knew about her and Sokka, the last thing he would call her would be smart… there were plenty of other five-lettered words her father could call her if he had discovered what had happened between them. So why smart, of all things? "And resourceful too, of course… there's no need for false modesty, Azula. You know you made a brilliant move when you joined the gladiator fray."
Azula blinked a few times and raised an eyebrow, at which Ozai laughed under his breath.
"You spent ten years being undermined for being a female, even while being, by all effects, my heir and Crown Princess," said Ozai, smirking. "I tried to make matters easier for you, but it did not work as well as I hoped it might. I gave you as many opportunities as I could, though… and you have made great use of them. And by joining the Gladiator Business you have finally accomplished what nobody knew you would accomplish."
"What do you mean, Father?" Azula asked. "Do you mean to say your noblemen…?"
"They acknowledge you, Azula," said Ozai, smiling. "They have watched you rise through that ranking, and they are quite amazed by your fighter's prowess. Though not all of them seem marveled by you, if I must be honest. Many resent you for finding such a powerful fighter… I do wonder how skilled he might be, if I must be honest. He looks like little less than a clown to me."
"He's not as foolish in the Arena as he is outside it," said Azula, sipping her tea again. The twist the conversation had taken had relieved her… but it hadn't quite appeased her fears yet. "And precisely because he looks quite weak on first glance, he happens to be quite difficult for his opponents to measure. He defeated Chan's gladiator without a hitch, after all."
"Indeed, I haven't forgotten that," said Ozai, nodding. "And by doing this, you have entered the public life in a grand fashion, Azula, with an unexpected gladiator, who happens to be a non-bender nobody can predict. By sponsoring someone others would take as a weakling, and yet rising through the ranking as steadily as you have, you have been the talk of the Fire Nation during the past year. Zuko's return threatened to outshine you, but your brother has done absolutely nothing deserving of any merits ever since he came back. You, on the other hand, have continued to overcome challenges constantly, both in the Gladiator Business and outside it. You have overcome many opponents, and you even defeated that disgusting Water Tribe murderer…"
She had done nothing, though. It was Sokka who had fought against him, after all, or soAzula thought, but she refrained from speaking her mind. A slave had no worth of his own, in her father's eyes. Whatever Sokka accomplished in the Arena would be credited to his sponsor, not to his own skills and efforts.
"You never told me someone had attempted to murder Azulon," said Azula.
"Why, attempted murders on Fire Lords are far more frequent than you think, Azula," said Ozai. "You just thwarted one yourself, did you not?"
"It hardly seems a matter to take so lightly," said Azula, raising her eyebrows.
"A man like that foolish villager couldn't have possibly injured me," said Ozai. "When faced with actual threats, though, we have always managed to stay a step ahead of our attackers. We shall continue to do the same in the future. Despite what you may believe, our security is our greatest priority."
"It should be," said Azula. "Yet it's not easy to stay secure, with groups such as the White Lotus looming over us…"
"You needn't worry. We sent quite a strong message after we took their men captive," said Ozai. "I would have much rather executed them, but it would seem keeping them as hostages is wiser. Your gladiator did us a favor, I believe."
"Perhaps," shrugged Azula. "But what about the spy? Do you have any leads on him yet?"
"None," said Ozai, sighing. "But I'm certain he has learned his lesson as well. He won't be bothering us…"
"Until we give him another opening, or another excuse to bother us," said Azula, frowning. "Father… I have a suspicion. One I didn't think I should share, but… I fear it'll be worse to keep quiet about this."
"Azula?" said Ozai, surprised.
"This spy… I suspect it might be Iroh," confessed Azula.
"Iroh?" asked Ozai, before chuckling under his breath. "Ah, that would be ideal. If my brother was a full-blown traitor I could rid myself of him for good. But alas, it's quite unlikely. After the White Lotus attempted to murder him…"
"After that, he decided not to prosecute them," Azula reminded her father. "And that is suspicious, you must think so as well, Father."
"Why, you seem rather knowledgeable about this…" said Ozai, raising his eyebrows. "Have you been investigating much, Azula?"
"I spoke to Lo and Li recently," admitted Azula. "I saw them at Ember Island and they told me what they knew about the White Lotus. Which, according to them, is the same you already know."
"Most likely it is," said Ozai. "All I know is what Iroh disclosed. Why would Iroh join them, though? Do you believe he learned the ways of tea, Pai Sho and foolishness from them? Because you would be wrong to believe so. My brother has been wasting his time with all those things throughout his entire life, long before being attacked by the White Lotus."
"And what better idea than to join other people who enjoy wasting their time with the same nonsense he does?" Azula asked, raising her eyebrows.
"I would be more than pleased to say you're right about this," said Ozai. "But Iroh was underground all along. He couldn't have been the mysterious benefactor…"
"Lo and Li were underground also, Father, and that didn't keep them from being suspects," Azula said.
"Truly," said Ozai. "But unless we had actual evidence, Azula, pointing fingers at your uncle will get us nowhere. If anything, the acceptance you have gained in the Fire Nation's circles after everything you've done recently might disappear if you try to turn on members of your family."
"Why… I don't think that kept you from banishing Zuko," said Azula, frowning.
"I was already Fire Lord, and your brother only got what he deserved," said Ozai, simply. "It was irrelevant whether or not it was accepted by the masses. My decisions are final, as befitting the Fire Lord. You, on the other hand, are still a Princess. Soon enough you might become Crown Princess, if you continue to earn the admiration and respect of Fire Nation people, but for now, you must abide by what will garner you acceptance. If you continue to rise through the Fire Nation, your brother is sure to continue lagging far behind you. Eventually they shall speak ill of him, and fondly of you. And once that happens, you will be one step closer to becoming Fire Lord once I'm gone…"
"Which is quite wonderful, Father," said Azula, a hand under her chin as she leaned on the table. "And you know I would want nothing more than that. Yet I have to ask… how am I supposed to become Fire Lord after you if you plan on marrying me off to some nobleman's son? You haven't forgotten it would be my future husband who bears your crown and not me, have you?"
"I haven't," said Ozai, nodding. "But I take it you shall be the Fire Lord, even if you're not bearing the hairpiece. No matter what man you marry, you will be more than capable of ruling through him, won't you?"
"That was never the plan, though, was it?" grunted Azula, dropping her gaze. "I suppose it won't make a difference whether I rule as myself or through another… not considering I will be doing this for the sake of the Fire Nation, and not my own. But still, Father…"
"You don't want me to give you away to a fool," said Ozai. "And if only I could do as you ask. Yet, as I once said, there is no man worthy of your hand, Azula. You are, most certainly, better than all of them. So, if none will be worthy…"
"Then at the very least it should be up to me to decide which worthless man I marry," said Azula. "Just as I once said myself."
"A righteous request," said Ozai. "But as you have yet to inform me of having found a suitable prospect for a husband, I suppose the responsibility of finding your worthless husband falls to me. All you ever do is waste away your days training that gladiator of yours. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by his prowess, considering all the training you submit him to."
"I do what I must in order to make him the best gladiator there is," said Azula. "As you said, I have earned a great deal of acceptance in society through him. I have proven myself time over and time again thanks to him, and considering how it's not enough still, for there are fools who still dare doubt me, I believe I should continue to prove myself as his sponsor for the time being. Marriage can wait."
"Can it? Will you wait until I have perished, Azula?" asked Ozai, at which Azula was slightly startled. "Even then, the odds won't be in your favor. Your brother is the legitimate heir at the moment. Until you become the official Crown Princess, your claim won't be above his. And for that to happen…"
"You would need to convince the council that I am a better option than he is for the seat of Fire Lord," muttered Azula.
"Or your brother would have to die."
Azula's eyes widened upon that. She looked at her father with surprise, her eyebrows raised, and Ozai sighed.
"It would be useless to hope for that, of course. There have been too many disappearances and demises in the family recently for us to add your brother to the list. He is healthy and finally home… his death would be too suspicious. We would never get away with it."
"We?" asked Azula, raising her eyebrows. "Father, are you even…? You're not honestly telling me you would kill Zuko if… if only you thought you'd get away with it."
"You wouldn't?" asked Ozai, looking at her with surprise. "I thought you were made of better material than this."
"I… Father, he may be quite a fool in many regards, and the Fire Nation might be best off without him, but never have I thought…"
Azula was suddenly feeling slightly nauseous. Killing Zuko was completely absurd. He almost always irritated her beyond belief, he was a nuisance more often than not… but she didn't covet the throne badly enough to wish to sit upon it after stepping over Zuko's dead body. How could Ozai speak of this so casually, as if talking of Zuko dying was the same as discussing what he would have for dinner? She had always known he was ruthless… but Zuko was his son, despite it all. And Ozai had been commanded to murder his son once, but he hadn't done it…
No, he had killed his own father instead.
Suddenly the thought of her father killing Azulon seemed far less ridiculous than she had once taken it for. That he would speak so naturally of murdering his own son made Azula wonder why he hadn't killed Zuko back then… why he had chosen to kill Azulon instead. There had to be a reason for this, clearly. Had it been solely to become Fire Lord? And who had killed Azulon, really? Had it been him… or had it been her mother?
"Now, you won't claim to having developed some sort of attachment towards that brother of yours, Azula," said Ozai, rolling his eyes.
"I wouldn't call it that," said Azula, for she hardly thought it was out of any attachment to Zuko that she couldn't even consider this. It was the thought that her father would gladly murder his son if he thought he could get away with it…
Because Zuko was useless for him. Zuko wasn't his ideal heir, Zuko wasn't the son he had wanted. Azula had been closer to his desired child, and thus he had chosen her to follow on his footsteps. But what if she strayed from those footsteps? What if she ever made a choice he couldn't accept? Would he be willing to kill her all the same as he was willing to kill Zuko?
"You'd best not," said Ozai, sipping his tea. "Any bonds of affection you feel towards anyone or anything will be a hindrance for you. I was certain you already knew as much."
"Indeed," Azula said mechanically, agreeing with him solely for the sake of it.
"But as I said, it would be pointless to try and kill your brother. It might bring about a civil uproar of sorts," said Ozai. "Never you mind, though. Zuko is more than capable of bringing himself down. You won't even need to make any efforts towards ensuring that goal. Just as he got himself banished for ten years, he will bring about his own doom eventually."
He didn't get banished for ten years for no reason, though: Ozai had banished him. And Azula was certain her father was more than proud to take the credit for it.
"Well, indeed, that just might be the case," she said, lowering her gaze. "And once he does…"
"You will be Crown Princess," said Ozai. "And so long as you continue to triumph with your gladiator, so long as you prove how competent you are at anything you put your mind to, no members of my council will oppose my decision."
"Speaking of which… is this why you want my gladiator in the feast?" Azula asked. "Because he's earned me my recognition?"
"It hasn't been only him, but he has become quite popular amongst the noblemen as of late," said Ozai. "You also earned recognition by finding and taming a dragon, and returning to the Capital victoriously after capturing the Rough Rhinos. He also helped save the Fire Nation from the White Lotus… people were quite astounded to hear of such heroic deeds coming from a slave. And since he has proven to be a competent gladiator, he has gained a great following. I'm certain the noblemen who will attend your birthday will be pleased to see him there. They might ask questions about him, but I'm certain that won't be anything you cannot handle."
"It won't be," said Azula, nodding. "Then this is why…"
"Were you expecting anything else?"
"I was expecting a proper reason, no more than that," said Azula, with a smile. "I knew you hadn't insisted upon this on a whim."
"Despite being the Fire Lord, the absolute ruler of most the world, I do believe earning the acceptance of your subjects is important," said Ozai. "Indeed, not all of them will be satisfied by your decisions… but it is your duty to make said decisions and stand by them, as I said earlier."
"Which is why the refinery will remain as it is, where it is, no matter who comes to ask you to do something about it," Azula said, and Ozai nodded.
"Exactly. I will stand my ground. I know what my nation needs, and it isn't more cattle and crops. We need power, more power than ever, to conquer the world. That is what we must strive for. And together we shall earn said power, Azula. So long as you continue to rise through the Fire Nation as you have as of late, you will be as powerful as I am one day."
Azula nodded and continued to drink her tea silently. She had spoken of these topics with her father long ago, without feeling as troubled as she did now by hearing him justify what couldn't be justified. Why did his decisions bother her so? Perhaps because, when it came to Ozai, everything boiled down to decisions indeed. He was used to having everything go his way… he had made sure it would be so ever since he became Fire Lord. No longer would anyone question him or look down on him. He was the Fire Lord now, and his word was what counted. So, in those regards, she probably should be safe… he had decided she was his favorite child, and thus, Zuko was the one he wanted to get rid of.
But it still bothered her. Despite herself, it could only bother her. As much as she had warred with Zuko her entire life, he was her brother. As much as she would often laugh whenever he was in misery, she hadn't considered his death as an option for her to earn the throne faster. Back when she had been a child, she had heard Azulon commanding her father to kill Zuko… and she had teased Zuko about it. But she hadn't quite thought he would die, and she had been right. He hadn't died. She had thought it obvious that her father wouldn't kill him… Zuko was his son, and Ursa often said family was what mattered most, hadn't she?
Though that hadn't stopped her from thinking Azula was a monster, had it? Then… maybe it wouldn't stop Ozai from murdering his son to get what he wanted. And if he was willing to kill Zuko, then it meant he would be willing to kill virtually anyone to have his way… if he was truly behind Azulon's sudden death, it meant Ozai had killed his own father without any remorse. Because her father had no attachments… he only sought power. He only sought control. He didn't care for feelings, for emotions, for anything that would make him weak… and if he had to kill his family to attain whatever he desired, he would do it. He truly would do it.
Ozai changed the subject then, deviating towards the more technical aspects of Azula's birthday feast. Azula tried to pretend she was calm despite the conversation they had just shared, smiling at her father and agreeing with most of what he said.
And since a table stood between then, Ozai couldn't see how his daughter's clenched fists trembled atop her lap.
Sokka beamed when the Captain finally appeared at the Workshop, handing him a paper where he had scribbled all the measurements he had believed necessary for Sokka's enterprise.
"You'd best be grateful for it, gladiator," grunted Rui Shi. "You wouldn't believe the night I spent to get those."
"You did it at night?" asked Song, surprising the Captain. He hadn't noticed she was there as well.
The Workshop was somewhat crowded at the moment. The blacksmith, his assistants and his family were hard at work, and several clients had showed up to shop for weapons or utensils, some even hoping to commission the blacksmith with custom-made materials. It was a wonder that there was enough room for them to work as well.
"I had no choice…" said Rui Shi, looking at Song with concern. "You will help him, then?"
"Well, yes," said Song, smiling. "It sounded like fun… and this way I'm finally involved with the interesting things instead of watching from the sidelines, you know?"
The Captain was genuinely surprised by her enthusiasm. Sokka missed their exchange, busy as he was setting everything up to start working. The Captain looked at him judgmentally for a moment before sighing and removing his mask and hood with a swift motion.
Song was quite pleased to have another glimpse at the Captain's face, but her relief suddenly turned into discomfort when the man removed his belt as well and pulled his red tunic off without warning.
"Alright, this is what we're going to…" started Sokka, turning around towards them again just as the Captain finished taking off his clothes, revealing a sleeveless shirt underneath his garments. "W-what the hell, Captain?! Stripping naked is NOT what we're going to do! What do you think this is, your private bathhouse?!"
"I'm taking off my uniform because I don't want to get my clothes soiled with workshop filth," grunted the Captain.
"Well, by going back to protecting Azula obsessively your clothes won't get dirty, you know?" said Sokka, raising an eyebrow. "No need to make the girl here uncomfortable…"
"I'm staying here for the time being," the Captain said, surprising both of them. "I'll work with you."
"Uh… huh?" said Sokka, blinking blankly. "You're… huh?"
"You heard me," said the Captain, glaring at him. "Let's get this over with before my wits return to me."
"Y-you don't have to do this…" said Song, while the gladiator continued to look at the guard in utter disbelief. "Sokka and I could handle this by ourselves…"
"Well, now you won't have to do it by yourselves," declared Rui Shi. "What are we supposed to do, then, gladiator?"
"Uh, well…" said Sokka, scratching his head, still quite puzzled by this unexpected turn of events. "I guess we should get started, then."
The process to begin building the armor was slightly more complicated than they expected, for finding the proper material for it was no easy feat. They needed a considerable amount of metal, and using two different sorts of it wasn't a good idea. When at long last Sokka found the right kind they began working slowly, selecting certain amounts of steel to make the different pieces of the armor.
"It can't be too thick, but it can't be too thin or else it won't be any use," explained Sokka. "Well, we can start off by the head-guard, I think… uh, we need a hammer, though. Do we have a hammer here?"
"I think all hammers are being used right now," Song pointed out with a weak smile, and Sokka saw, aghast, that the blacksmith and several of his assistants were currently hammering away at their own creations. "I guess we could wait until they're done…"
"Don't we have a hammer at home?" Sokka asked her, "That way we won't have to wait…"
"No, we'll only have to wait for you to get back here," said the Captain, an eyebrow twitching.
"Come on, I'll be quick as a cat!" said Sokka. "Wait here, I'll be back in a bit."
The Captain glared after Sokka while the gladiator left, running off towards his house. After a while he had to stop jogging, for indeed there was quite some distance between the Workshop and his home, and he shouldn't tire himself out when he had an entire afternoon of forging ahead of him…
… Or so were his plans, until he entered his house to find it wasn't empty.
"Why, at last," Azula exclaimed, standing up from the living room's couch and looking at him with a frown, her hands on her waist. "Here I was thinking you had moved out and had forgotten to inform me of it."
"Wha-…? What are you doing here, all of sudden?!" Sokka squeaked, trying not to seem too nervous and failing at it.
"Why…? I think I have been dropping by here on a rather frequent basis, haven't I?" asked Azula, raising her eyebrows. "Xin Long left me here before he took off to hunt. What is it, am I no longer welcome here?"
"I didn't say that," said Sokka, shaking his head and laughing in an odd manner, earning himself a look of confusion from the Princess. "You're so quick to jump to drastic conclusions, really…"
"It's hard not to jump at them when you're acting weirder than ever. And that's saying a lot," Azula pointed out, at which Sokka pouted. "Where were you? And where's Song?"
"She's, uh, busy. Doing laundry," said Sokka, quickly.
"Oh? And she forgot that pile of clothes on that corner?" Azula asked, gesturing towards it. Sokka felt the blood draining from his face.
"A-ah, well, she… uh, she wears a lot of clothes, you know? Keeps getting them all filthy…"
"What are you hiding, Sokka?" Azula asked, raising an eyebrow. "What's the matter with you?"
"What's the matter with me? You'll mean, what's the matter with you? You're here so late for… for training, are you?"
"It's not that late," Azula said. "Perhaps a little later than usual, but I needed to talk to you, regardless the unusual hour I've come at. I expected you'd be here when I arrived. It was quite odd that you weren't…"
"Huh, I suppose it must have been," said Sokka, blinking. "Well, uh, you did come for training, after all?"
"Why, yes," said Azula, gesturing at the sword that hung on her waist. "Why do you ask?"
"Uh… just a second," said Sokka, smiling awkwardly before running off towards another room.
Azula watched him, growing even more confused upon his behavior but unable to ask any questions about it when he left her to herself. Sokka had run off to scribble a quick message to the Captain and Song. He had sent it to them through Hawky in order to let them know that Azula had appeared randomly at their house and he'd be back in the Workshop as soon as she left. Which wouldn't happen any time soon, it seemed…
"Okay, uh… what do we have to talk about?" asked Sokka, when he finally returned.
"About the fact that you're acting like you're hiding something," said Azula, at which he gulped. "And that I will find out what it is eventually, you heard me?"
"Well, that sounds like quite an interesting challenge," said Sokka, smiling. "How do you plan on finding out what it is?"
"Considering you just confirmed that, indeed, you're keeping secrets from me, I don't think it will be so hard to manipulate you into revealing whatever it is at some point," said Azula, unable to keep from smirking at him.
Sokka hadn't even noticed he had stepped closer to her than the strictly necessary… he smiled back at her, hoping not to seem too eager to finish closing off the distance that still existed between them.
"Well, then, manipulate away," he said, smiling. "Was this what you came for, though?"
"Actually… no," Azula confessed, stepping away from him in order to keep focused. She didn't miss the disappointment on his face when she distanced herself from him anew. "I mean to let you know that yes, you will be training more nowadays… for you will be fighting more often as well."
"Wha-…? Fighting more often?" asked Sokka, surprised. "Why's that?"
"I know it might not sound like a good idea, considering what your last fight was like," said Azula. "But I believe it will be needed if we want you to progress properly through the ranking. It would seem you have earned the appreciation of a large amount of Fire Nation people, and it'll be for the best if we keep it that way. More fights will help us keep their attention."
"Is that for real?" asked Sokka, surprised. "Huh… no wonder I've seen more people than usual cheering for me. Well then, how often will I fight?"
"Once a week," Azula replied, at which he flinched.
"O-once a week?" he asked. "And what if I get hurt?!"
"You'll have a whole week to get better," said Azula, with a fake smile. "If anything, this should convince you to avoid any injuries. You've managed to prevent getting badly hurt for quite a while now, it's been some time since you last endured worrisome wounds. I trust your skills and strength will be enough to continue fighting against bigger foes yet…"
"That's a bit troublesome, but… well, I guess it can be done," he said, shrugging.
"Troublesome why?" Azula asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Uh… because I'm not used to it, is all," said Sokka, with a weak smile. If Azula executed these plans, it would mean he would have less time to work on the armor… but if he refused she would likely become even more nosey about it than she already was. "Don't worry, I'm okay with this plan of action. I just suppose I'll have to train a lot, huh?"
"Likely," said Azula, pulling Wolf's Bane out of its sheath as she walked towards the garden. "So, we'd better get started already, don't you think?"
Sokka gulped before picking up his weapons and running outside after Azula, a silly grin on his face as he readied himself for their sparring session. Azula watched him with a raised eyebrow, still bothered by his odd behavior.
"Have you already chosen a new opponent for me?" Sokka asked. "Anyone I should be worried about?"
"Some fighter called the Fisherman of the East," said Azula, shrugging. "He's a non-bender, you should do fine against him. So long as you focus on the fight and stop having your head in the clouds, of course."
"Oh, want to see how good I am even when my head is in the clouds?" Sokka asked, with a smirk.
"Why, I think I would like that," said Azula, smiling. "I'm certain beating you to a pulp will be quite an enjoyable experience…"
"Heeeey!" Sokka retorted, at which she laughed, despite herself. "What's so funny, huh?"
"Ah, you're such an idiot," she said, as she lifted her sword towards him.
"An idiot who still has never been beaten by you in sword fighting, though," said Sokka, cockily.
"Should we change that today, then?" asked Azula, looking at him with determination, still smiling.
She should be used to it by now… it should come as no surprise to her that he would be able to get her mind off her concerns and problems by being as foolish as he always was. Yet it still amazed her how easy he had it to make her laugh. She felt at such ease with him, as though her problems could be put on hold while their swords clashed.
And defeating him for the first time today would certainly improve her day quite a lot. Her eyebrows drew together as she looked at him defiantly, and she jumped forward as he unsheathed Space Sword to fight back…
"So… he's left the work to us," said Song, after reading the letter Sokka had sent.
A vein pulsated dangerously on the Captain's forehead. That wretched slave was doing his very best to earn his animosity…
"He's unbelievable, I swear. Off fooling about with the Princess as if he had any right to do such a thing…" he growled.
"Well… I suppose it's up to us to get this done, then?" said Song, with a weak smile, and the Captain sighed in resignation.
"Right. I'll get a hammer."
He went towards the other men working and asked them if they could lend him one while Song watched him with interest. Maybe this wasn't going as planned… but spending more time than usual with the Captain, while his guard was lowered, promised to make these upcoming days far more interesting than she had expected them to be…