CW for disgusting rich men discussing and treating their daughters as property. Discussion of arranged/forced marriages. Someone makes a joke about very improper parent/child relationship. Terrible rich parents are terrible. (Heavy stuff, but keep in mind that ultimately, it is best for our girls to become aware of the plans their fathers have in store for them.)
Chapter 29
The start of another year of competition found Katara in a state of elevated anxiety. Just like her two best friends, Azula and Yue, Katara had recently turned seventeen and within a year's time, big changes loomed on horizon for all three of them. For Katara it meant the start of college or university life, moving out of Cape Kuruk and most likely heading to Ba Sing Se, as well as making a switch to play in the final bracket of juniors, fighting for the U21 title.
None of these upcoming changes particularly frightened Katara. Her anxiety stemmed more from the uncertainty about the futures of her two best friends. She still spoke on the phone every day with Azula, and nearly every day with Yue, and they remained as close as ever. Katara was glad that Yue had followed her advice to try and be more open in her relationship with Sokka. However, Katara had been surprised by the results it had produced. She had thought that Yue was seriously considering breaking up with Sokka so that he could be with Suki, particularly because Yue herself admitted that their relationship didn't really have a future.
It was then surprising to Katara when early in August Sokka had told her that he and Suki had agreed to put their almost-more-than-friendship on indefinite hold. Sokka had then taken a week of vacation to travel to Agna Qel'a and spend time with Yue to iron out any bumps left in their relationship. Sokka had appeared happy but annoyingly tight-lipped upon his return and Katara hadn't been able to pry any details out of Yue either, despite her best friend claiming that there would be no secrets between them. Having pondered about the reason for this secrecy, Katara could only think of one thing. Sokka and Yue must have taken their relationship to the next level of intimacy. Not that there was anything wrong as such if they had slept together. Sokka was eighteen and Yue was a year younger, they were old enough to make this choice. Katara just hated how it made her feel, envious and bitter, annoying inner voice telling her to finally bury her hopes of getting with Yue for good.
However, this wasn't the end of the relationship drama of Katara's teenage years. Come the end of October, Katara had once again traveled to Agna Qel'a to take part in the Water Tribe qualification tournament for the next year's finals in the Fire Fountain City. Just like the previous year, Yue had invited Katara to stay with her at the Taqqiq mansion for the two weeks of tournament play. With how happy Sokka had been having returned from Agna Qel'a, Katara had expected to find Yue in high spirits as well, but instead, she was surprised to find her best friend gloomy and downcast. More worryingly, Yue had continued to insist that nothing was wrong and that she was just feeling a little anxious about the uncertainty of her future, hanging over her like a great weight. And Katara could understand that, Yue was in almost as rough a spot as Azula. However, Katara also couldn't help but feel that maybe Yue was starting to have second thoughts about continuing her relationship with Sokka. It was hard to say, because Yue seemed determined to remain silent about it all.
At least all of this turmoil didn't affect their level of play. Hahn Adjuk was playing at the U21 level, and he was doing it so poorly that his mentor, Grandmaster Pakku Karetak, had announced a split in their partnership, Pakku loudly and publicly denouncing Hahn as the laziest and most irritating protégé he had ever had to deal with. With Hahn not competing in their age bracket, Katara and Yue had very little in the way of competition. They had taken note of two emerging talents, fifteen year old siblings Nutha and Niyok Waska. Nutha and Niyok had played very well for late bloomers, but Katara and Yue both had pristine records after eight rounds of play, with the others lagging at least two points behind. With qualification assured, Katara and Yue had already agreed to settle for an amicable draw in the final round as there was no reason to expend any extra energy.
And while Katara always loved spending time with Yue, she had to admit that this year things had changed between them and she was blaming Yue's reluctance to be open with her. Katara had also observed another development when they were having dinner together with Arnook Taqqiq, Yue's father. Yue had become considerably colder towards her father when compared to Katara's previous visit a year ago. Yue still remained outwardly polite, but every word she exchanged with her father seemed to be dripping with bitterness. Again, Yue would refuse to tell Katara whether it was simply being robbed of freedom to make her own life choices that bothered her more and more, or was it something other than that.
Then, on the eve of the final round of tournament play, another curious event took place. Just as they were already on their way to have their usual evening meal in the presence of Yue's father, one of the estate servants interrupted them to inform the two girls that Arnook Taqqiq was receiving important visitors from the Earth Kingdom, and that their dinner would be served in the vast estate kitchens. Having made their way to the kitchen, Yue left Katara waiting at the table and went over to speak with the staff, trying to find out more about these unexpected visitors. The estate staff was always up with the latest gossip and they all as one loved their precious white-haired princess, happy to share what they knew.
"So?" Katara asked expectantly upon Yue's return. "Did you learn anything?"
"I most certainly did," Yue nodded. "It's no wonder that my father didn't want us to mingle with his guests. They're his most important business partners in the Earth Kingdom, Lao Beifong and Long Feng."
"Oh?" Katara's eyes widened. "Toph's dad and Joo Dee's dad? I wonder what they're talking about!"
"World domination, just the usual," Yue shrugged. "Throw Ozai Nakamura and his empire into the mix and you can see how these people become actual kingmakers."
"It's really sick, the amount of power and influence these rich puppet masters have, I know," Katara sighed. "I don't meant to talk ill about your father, but-"
"He's part of the problem," Yue nodded. "You don't have to tell me."
They spent the next while eating in silence. The cook and her staff seemed so happy to have their princess in the kitchen with them, that they kept bringing out more and more treats for them, until the two dangerously bloated girls had to beg the helpful cook to take pity on them. Groaning and feeling a little queasy, they began to make their way back towards their rooms at the other end of the estate, but at least walking and climbing the stairs helped to settle their stomachs somewhat. Stopping briefly at the second floor mezzanine, the two girls suddenly heard loud male voices nearby, almost loud enough for them to overhear.
"Are they in the dining hall?" Katara asked. She was feeling a little confused. "I wouldn't have thought it would be possible to overhear it from here."
Yue looked thoughtful, then snapping her fingers. "No, they're out on the balcony. Long Feng and Lao Beifong are heavy smokers," she said, then thinking of something, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Want to listen in?" Yue suggested.
"Hell yes," Katara immediately agreed without thinking. Yue grabbed her hand and dragged her all the way up the stairs to the second floor and into the trophy room, adjacent to the dining hall. They silently tiptoed up to the window and Yue opened a tiny gap, careful not to make a sound. It was enough for them to easily overhear the conversation from the balcony right next to them.
"…-daughters, eh?" one of the men, either Lao Beifong or Long Feng spoke, sounding amused. "I still have to laugh how all four of us have a single offspring and wouldn't you know it, a daughter. Certainly adds a complication, right?"
"That's Lao Beifong," Yue whispered in Katara's ear. "When he says 'four of us', he's including Ozai Nakamura." Katara nodded wordlessly.
"Well, not everything is that simple with sons either, you still want them to marry well," Long Feng said. "Or at the very least, not be complete and utter failures, like Ozai's disowned whelp."
"Of course, but at least if a son makes a stupid choice, everything still stays in the family. Daughters need more care and attention to handle and control, and you also want a proper marriage contract to protect the family in case things don't work out," Arnook lectured. "But marry them well, and you can reap in quite the reward."
"Speaking from experience, Arnook?" Lao asked, chuckling.
"Well, it's not a done deal yet, but if the Adjuks put ink on the contract, my grandchildren will have twice the wealth that I have right now," Arnook replied. "I'm confident we'll sort it out. They act like they can do better for their precious Hahn, but I see through their bullshit. They really want Yue for their son. They just want me to make more concessions before they sign." At these horrible words, Katara reached out to pull Yue into a hug, having noticed that the other girl had began to tremble.
"Smart businessman," Lao Beifong sounded approving. "I'm glad I won't have to deal with this for a few more years. Toph doesn't seem to have any interest in dating whatsoever."
"Careful with that, Lao," Long Feng warned. "You might think that, when suddenly, one day she'll run off with some handsome vagabond, and you'll be left holding the bag. Keep an eye on that one, mark my words."
"I think Toph will be happy to marry just about anyone we choose for her, because she will just ignore her husband after marriage and continue to pursue her own interests. Nobody's going to succeed at controlling her, that much I know," Lao replied. "That girl is so headstrong. I don't know where she gets it from, certainly not from me or Poppy. It must be a recessive trait, I'm telling you, but fortunately for us, our little girl is highly susceptible to reverse psychology."
"At least I don't have any such worries," Long Feng remarked. "Joo Dee is the most obedient child I could have hoped for. It's like she has no other interests than to obey and please me."
"Ozai would be so jealous to hear you say that," Arnook chuckled.
"Indeed, we have had a few interesting conversations about parenting," Long Feng sounded amused. "I always thought that his methods with Azula were crude. But it's typical Ozai. He has the charm and the manners, but underneath, he remains a petty bully and a brute."
"Be careful with your words, my friend," Lao added warningly. "But yes, Ozai's plans for his daughter are uncomfortable to say the least. He has always treated Zhao like a family member, almost a half-brother." Katara felt herself tremble at those words, letting out a horrified gasp, but fortunately, Yue slammed her palm across Katara's mouth just in time.
"Not to mention that he's more than twice Azula's age," Arnook nodded. "That's just not right. I can understand that he wants to play things safe, but still-"
"It really feels like keeping it in the family, doesn't it?" Long Feng sounded disapproving. "I honestly think that Ozai would marry his own daughter if he thought he could get away with it. And with the amount of influence he has, I wouldn't be surprised if he tries."
Katara tensed in Yue's arms like a coiled spring, nearly breaking free from the other girl's embrace. For a moment, all Katara saw was red. She felt like she wanted nothing more than to grab the first sharp object she could find, charge those disgusting men and slash and stab them without any considerations. Yue must have sensed how upset she was, because she kept holding on as tightly as she could.
"Creepy," Lao Beifong remarked. "Anyway, it's getting chilly out here. Let's head back inside so that I can show off Toph's gold medal some more." With that, the three men returned to the dining hall, leaving Yue and Katara to stare at each other in disbelief, both of them wishing they had never heard any of that disturbing conversation.
"Spirits, I can't believe what I just heard," Katara was so perturbed she could barely speak. "They were discussing their own children, their daughters, like some pieces of meat, trading chips in forming alliances!"
"Now you know how I feel," Yue ground out, also looking deeply upset. "Despite how many assurances my father gives me about how he cares for my happiness, I know that he doesn't mean any of it. I mean… I don't think he wants me to be miserable, he has simply deluded himself to the point where he earnestly believes that I'm going to be just fine in an arranged marriage."
"I'm sorry, I'm not normally like this, but I really want to hurt those men for what they were saying," Katara began to sob. "Spirits, what they said about Azula and Ozai's plans for her…"
"Yeah," Yue looked very uncomfortable at that. "But let's get back to my room so that we can talk safely. I feel like screaming, and I can't very well do that in here. We'll be overheard."
Having snuck out of the trophy room, the two girls quickly made their way to Yue's room in the left wing of the estate. For a while, they said nothing, simply sitting on Yue's bed, embraced and comforting each other as they tried to process the upsetting conversation they had overheard.
"Azula is going to call me once I get back to Cape Kuruk," Katara sighed when they were once again able to speak without the danger of tearing up. "Spirits, I am so not looking forward to telling her something this horrific. But she needs to know this, doesn't she? Surely I have to warn her of Ozai's plans, right?" Yue nodded decisively at that. "I wonder if she actually knows, already. But I doubt it, even if she has always been tightlipped when it comes to her father."
"Kat, you have to understand that she might not be willing to speak about it not merely because she's uncomfortable or embarrassed," Yue said. "She might be unwilling to endanger you."
"What do you mean?" Katara asked.
"Well, there's a rumor that Ozai Nakamura occasionally makes people disappear. People who know too much about him and his affairs," Yue explained. "And that's not actually an idle rumor. I overheard my father mentioning it on the phone, so there's surely a grain of truth to it. That's why I've been a little worried about you and Azula becoming so close."
"It's not going to stop me from trying to help her, Yue," Katara insisted passionately. "It wouldn't stop me from looking out for you," she added, blushing.
"I know," Yue smiled softly at her. "You are loyal to a fault, Kat, which just one of the many reasons why I love you."
Katara felt the heat intensify in her cheeks. "I hate the fates your parents have in store for both you and Azula, and I'll never stop supporting the two of you," she said with fierce determination. "Is there anything you can do, Yue? Any way you could resist your father? Or will you just passively accept your fate?"
"What can I reasonably do?" Yue sighed. "I can't do anything until I come of age, but even then, my father is simply going to use my inheritance as a leverage to force me to do what he wants."
"Is walking away an option?" Katara asked.
"I've been thinking about it more and more," Yue admitted. "And I'm not sure I want to do it. Struggling with poverty, I don't think I could deal with it. Maybe I could handle a vain asshole like Hahn. I could manipulate him into doing what I want, or just convince him to leave me alone and go cavort with other women. Arranged marriages sometimes work out just fine, I've learned as much from my history classes," Yue said, although to Katara it sounded like she was trying awfully hard to convince herself. "On many occasions, clever and ambitious women have managed to secure a great deal of autonomy for themselves, while controlling their weak puppet husbands. I could probably do that with Hahn."
"I really wish you wouldn't even consider that," Katara looked disapproving. "It just doesn't seem right, there's something icky about acting like that."
There was a slight glimpse of frustration across Yue's features, but then she smiled at her friend. "Of course you would feel that way, Kat," she said kindly. "But I don't know if I can just walk away, even when I come of age. I just haven't been given the tools to survive on my own. I don't know how to cook, clean or sew. I don't know how to drive a car."
"I can teach you everything you would need to survive, Yue," Katara said with determination. "Well… except for driving a car. At least not well. But Sokka could teach you that. You could stay with us and then-"
"Hold it right there," Yue brought a finger up to Katara's lips, stopping the flow of words. "That's not going to work, and we're not even going to consider it. Remember how I said that I'm worried about you endangering yourself by hanging out with Azula? Well, if I were to flee to live with your family, I would be endangering you all just as much."
"Surely your father wouldn't-"
"No, my father isn't the type to hire thugs, but there's an angle you are not considering," Yue interrupted her again. "If I walked away from that arranged marriage with Hahn, the Adjuk family would see it as a great insult. And the Adjuk family, Katara… they are brutal people. The things I have heard about the treatment of their workers at the gold mines up north? They're horrible. The Adjuks would be more than comfortable to hire some goons to do terrible things to you and your family, if they found you harboring me. You can't shelter me. And similarly, you couldn't shelter Azula."
"Screw this!" Katara exclaimed with a very uncharacteristic curse. "I hate everything about this situation!" she added, landing with her back on the bed. "I hate it when I can't do anything to help and everything seems hopeless. It's not fair!"
"You're helping so much already, Kat. I'm so grateful to have you, and I'm sure so is Azula," Yue smiled at her, reaching out to squeeze her shoulder. "Seriously, I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you in my life. The future is bearable largely because I know I will still be able to count on you for support."
"Of course, I will always be there for you, Yue. Always," Katara said with steely determination. "Yue?" she looked up from the bed. "How does Sokka fit into all of this?"
"He doesn't," Yue sighed. "That's the problem."
"Is that one of the reasons why you've been so gloomy?" Katara asked.
Yue glanced at her, looking conflicted and reluctant. "Yeah," she eventually admitted. "I've been feeling really guilty about maintaining a relationship that has no future."
"You were clear with him on that point, right?" Katara needed to know.
"Of course I was!" Yue bristled slightly. "I swear, I was actually trying to subtly discourage him and push him towards Suki, but Sokka wouldn't hear of it. He claimed that he loved me and wanted to be with me for as long as I would have him. The lovable fool… he's as loyal as you are, Kat."
"That sounds like Sokka, alright," Katara sighed. "Still, if this makes you so miserable, maybe you should have just-" she suddenly cut herself off, having realized how bad what she was about to say sounded, considering her own bias in the matter.
"Maybe I should have just ended it with Sokka, right?" Yue gave Katara a serene smile. "Yeah, maybe I should have. And maybe I will. I'm thinking about it. It just feels like I'm stringing him along for no reason when he deserves so much more."
"I'm sure you'll make the right decision in the end," Katara smiled back at her best friend. She really didn't want to be the horrible sister and push Yue to break up with her own brother, even if it was a relationship that would only end in tears for both Sokka and Yue. Considering what Katara had learned about Yue's future prospects, any romantic relationship between them appeared doomed.
Unless… unless she could somehow convince Yue to walk away from her father. Katara didn't think much of the warnings given by Yue. The Adjuks sending armed thugs to intimidate or attack her family? What was this, the Dark Ages? Surely, that sort of thing was no longer happening. No, surely the right course of action was to convince both Yue and Azula to break free from the oppressive grasp of their parents, Katara was more certain of that now than ever before.
It was the first Saturday of the month of November when Azula finally made another long distance call to the Enuaraq household, first after a break of more than two weeks. Katara was supposed to have returned from Agna Qel'a earlier in the day, and Azula could not wait to hear from her friend and share the latest developments with her. She was relieved about not having to wait for long before she heard Katara's voice on the other end of the line. Oddly, Katara sounded a little subdued instead of happy about hearing her voice.
"Hey, it's me," Azula spoke up, following Katara's muted greeting. "Is everything alright? How were the qualifiers? If I even have to ask…"
"You really don't, Yue and I sailed straight through, no problems," Katara replied, sounding more cheerful. "What about you?"
"Same, 100% record," Azula chuckled. "Not terribly difficult when your main competitors are On Ji Takeda, Shoji Nomura and Kei Lo. The Fire Nation talent pool coming up behind me is just embarrassing."
"So everything is fine?" Katara asked.
"Well… kind of," Azula frowned. "I'm just a little frustrated about some things. You know how happy I was to get my car back?"
"I remember."
"Well, I wasn't allowed to take my own car to drive to the hotel hosting the tournament. I was really looking forward to showing off again," Azula pouted. "Instead, my father insisted that stupid old Zhao drive me to the hotel every day. And he made me do prep with Zhao like every day, too. Ugh, I hate that guy. Still so creepy," Azula ranted for a bit, then realizing that Katara had gone strangely quiet. "Are you still there?"
"Yeah… yeah, I'm here," Katara replied. She sounded upset about something. "And how's your father?"
"So far so good," Azula said. "He was delighted about my performance. I've been rewarded with a two week winter holiday vacation on Ember Island. Annoyingly, my father and Zhao will be coming along, which is… bah, hopefully I can simply ditch them most of the time."
"That does sound annoying," Katara agreed. "So your father hasn't been angry with you lately, everything is alright?"
"Well…" Azula began thoughtfully. It was weird that Katara was being so insistent with these questions. Azula had made it clear that she didn't want to discuss Ozai with her friend. Still, Azula hadn't heard from Katara in a long while, so she was happy to indulge the other girl more than she normally would. "Something has been bugging me lately," she finally admitted. "When it's not my father or Zhao looking after me, I often get the feeling that someone is watching me whenever I decide to go out on my own."
"What, you mean like your father has hired someone to spy on you?" Katara asked. She sounded disbelieving for some reason.
"Yeah, I think so," Azula said. "It's not that surprising. My father has his agents spying on a lot of people, such as his business rivals. And I think that he wants to make sure that I don't engage in any more reckless driving. Well, it wasn't really reckless, only by the standards of boring old people. And police. But I've been good about watching that annoying speed limit. I want to keep my car, thank you very much."
"Well, thank the spirits for that," Katara sounded relieved. It was almost as if she didn't believe Azula when she claimed that she hadn't been reckless. Azula couldn't understand why Katara wouldn't believe her about that. "By the way, did you hear how the Earth Kingdom qualifiers ended? I think Sokka took the Saturday paper with him when he went out for a drive, so I have no way of checking."
"Oh yes, Aang, Teo and that annoyingly cheerful Meng girl made it through," Azula replied. "Both Joo Dee and Kori lost out, can you imagine that? Their parents must be tired of bribing the organizing committees for wild cards every year," she added with a laugh. "In fact, I know for sure that both Long Feng and Mayor Morishita already called my father to put in a good word with the organizers in the Fire Fountain City."
"Right, isn't it wonderful being filthy rich," Katara remarked, sounding bitter and sarcastic. "I guess we'll see them both in the spring despite them not having earned their spots."
"Yes, I think that's very likely," Azula agreed.
There was a longer pause before Katara spoke up again. "Listen, Azula," she sounded really reluctant and hesitant. "I have to tell you something seriously unpleasant and I don't know where and how to begin."
Azula felt a cold chill starting to spread in the pit of her stomach. "You no longer want me to call you," she decided. "Fine, I'll just-"
"No! What? Why would you say something so awful?" Katara sounded horrified. "No, it's something else entirely. I happened to overhear something deeply upsetting while staying with Yue."
"Oh? What was it?" Azula instantly became incredibly curious.
"During my stay with Yue, her father received visitors from the Earth Kingdom. Lao Beifong and Long Feng," Katara began.
"Oh, now I'm really interested. Those two are good acquaintances of my father. Go on, please," Azula urged.
"They were speaking about the plans they have for their daughters once they come of age. It was all seriously sickening," Katara sounded really angry on the other end of the line. "Then someone, I think it was Long Feng, mentioned your father. And his plans for you."
"Y-yes?" Azula managed. She suddenly found herself shaking, cold fear gripping her. Ozai had always remained tightlipped about his exact expectations once she came of age. Had he already chosen a match for her? With the way he was safeguarding her from the boys of the same age as her, Azula was not certain just what Ozai intended for her, but every time she thought about, an ominous feeling came over her.
"Spirits, I hate myself for having to tell you something this awful," Katara said. She sounded like she was about to break down. "Ugh, now I'm not sure I can… sorry, I wish I hadn't heard what I did."
"You're killing me here, Katara," Azula somehow found the strength to speak. "Please, tell me the truth. I need to know."
"Azula, there's a reason why your father allows Zhao Sakamoto to hang out with you so much," Katara spoke quietly.
Azula froze. No, no, no… no! It couldn't be! He wouldn't! She was suddenly assaulted by a raging wave of nausea, triggering a powerful gag reflex, but she just about managed to avoid throwing up right where she sat. This was absolutely sick and revolting! And yet, it certainly explained so much. Her father knew that she couldn't stand Zhao. She had complained about him more than once, but Ozai had always merely smiled, brushed her concerns aside and told her to learn to get along with his trusted right hand man. Ozai had told her that Zhao was as good as one of the family. She suddenly wanted to throw up again. Yeah, part of the family, indeed. She hadn't realized just how Zhao planned to become a part of the family.
"Azula? Say something please?" Katara sounded pleading on the phone.
"I… yes, I'm here. It's a… lot to take in," she managed. Agni, if she had wished to break free from Ozai's grasp before, that feeling had intensified tenfold. This was the worst act of betrayal possible on the part of her father. And it enabled Azula to admit to herself that she utterly loathed her father, and she no longer felt guilty about feeling this way.
"I'm sorry, but as you said yourself, I think you needed to know what they're planning," Katara spoke soothingly.
"Yes… yes, thank you, Katara," Azula managed, thinking frantically. This was disgusting and revolting, but at least she now knew what to prepare for. It also told her what the next stage of her plan would have to be. "Because of you, I now know what I have to do. I have to get rid of Zhao."
"Get rid of him?" Katara sounded aghast. "What do you mean? Like, uh…"
"You've watched one too many episodes of Columbo lately, haven't you?" Azula chuckled despite the grim circumstances. "No, I don't plan to kill Zhao. I need to find a way to drive a wedge between him and my father. I have to think of a way to make Ozai angry with Zhao, so that my father kicks him out."
"Do you think that will work?" Katara asked.
"It has to work," Azula said with grim determination. "I'll have to make it really convincing for my father to turn on Zhao, but I'm sure I will think of something. I'm having several ideas as we speak."
"Well, that's good," Katara seemed slightly relieved, but still deeply uneasy. "But Zhao is only a part of the problem, isn't he? Even with Zhao out of the picture, your father will just find someone else, won't he? We really need to get you out of there, Azula. You could… I know it's not much, but you could always come and stay with me-"
"Come on, Katara. I appreciate the concern, but we both know that's not a realistic solution," Azula sighed. She was touched by how much Katara cared, but the other girl wasn't being logical right now. "I'm working on finding a way out, believe me. And sooner or later, I'll think of something. You don't need to panic on my behalf." Deep down, Azula was far less confident than her words implied, and she suspected that Katara probably sensed it, too. But she had to believe that there was a way, and it most likely lay in discovering something she could use as leverage against her father. She knew that Ozai was involved in many shady dealings. She had already done some research, trying to find something she could use, but thus far she hadn't had any luck. But there was still time, nine and a half months until her eighteenth birthday.
"How can I not panic with what your asshole parents are planning for both you and Yue?" Katara exclaimed. Yep, she was definitely panicking. "And I'm just supposed to sit here and do nothing? I can't accept that!"
"Katara, listen to me," Azula spoke, trying to project as much calm confidence as she could muster. It wasn't easy, but she somehow managed to sound convincing. "You've already helped a great deal by telling me all of this. It's going to help me so much going forward. So, stop feeling like you aren't helping, because you so are. And you will continue to help by talking to me, right?"
"Of course, I'll help. We can plan together," Katara sounded excited. Azula frowned. This wasn't the direction she wanted Katara to take it.
"No, I'm sorry, but I can't discuss my plans with you, Kat," Azula spoke softly. "The less you know the better. I am not making you into my willing accomplice."
"But-" Katara clearly wanted to protest, then giving up with a resigned sigh. "You can't imagine how hard it is, to know that something like this is going on and being reduced to the role of a passive observer. And then there was the other thing Long Feng said… I hope he was just joking because it was so disgusting and inappropriate to say. But it still makes me worry about you even more."
"What did Long Feng say?" Azula demanded to know.
"It was just a sick joke," Katara replied. "Please, don't make me repeat it."
"Katara. What did Long Feng say?" Azula insisted.
Katara let out another heavy sigh. "He said that-… ugh, no I can't say it!"
"Katara!"
"Fine… fine, please, just don't hate me for what I'm about to say. Long Feng said that if your father thought that he could get away with it, he would marry you himself," Katara finished, her words leaving Azula frozen in shock.
Azula's only reaction afterwards was a nervous, hollow laughter, which clearly did not reassure Katara. "Azula? Has your father ever acted inappropriately in that way?" she asked.
"Agni, no! What the fuck, Katara?" having recovered from her shock, Azula found herself becoming angry. "I know that my father's treatment of me can be awful, but seriously, let's not absolutely demonize him here. You can't buy into Long Feng's sick and twisted imagination. He is probably projecting his lust for his own daughter onto my father. It's ridiculous to assume that there's any truth to what Long Feng said."
"If you're sure-"
"Yes, I'm sure," Azula snapped irately. She hadn't meant to become defensive of her father, not after everything he had done, but these accusations just seemed so inappropriate and baseless. At the same time, she didn't want to offend Katara. "Look, you've given me a lot to think about, Katara. I think I need some time to process it all now, okay? Call you tomorrow the same time, okay?"
"Wait, are you sure you're alright, Az-" Katara tried to stop her from terminating the call, but Azula had already put the handset back in its place. She shook her head, still feeling stunned by everything she had heard. Azula had overheard plenty of unflattering descriptions of her father and his way of conducting business, but this… Azula couldn't help but feel that Long Feng's inappropriate and slanderous implications went way beyond the pale.
She was willing to admit that her father was not a good person, as much as she believed in shallow definitions of good and bad. But Azula just couldn't quite believe that her father would be capable of something so monstrous than what Long Feng had implied behind Ozai's back. She already had plenty to fear from her father. She refused to accept that she also had to fear that.
Next chapter: Angsty winter holiday time, yay?! Yue comes to visit Sokka and Katara in Cape Kuruk, while Azula puts her plan to get rid of Zhao in action.