The Grand Ballroom of the Fire Nation Palace was grandly decorated in beautiful hues of red and gold for the Princess's tenth birthday. The servants hurried to make preparations on the food, the wine, everything. The guards posted on every entrance were on high alert, even for a party. Honored guests, esteemed officials and distant relatives alike entered the ballroom and marveled at everything.
Truly, a Fire Nation Royal Party is not one to miss.
After a while, the Royal Family was announced by Lo and Li, Azula's firebending instructors and royal political advisers. "His Royal Highness, the Great Ruler, the Fire Lord Ozai!"
The crowd cheered and greeted the monarch as he made his way on the regal red carpet, and up to a raised dais that housed his seat.
"And the Fire Nation's Crown Prince, Zuko!" The young prince, twelve of age, strutted into the room, smiling and waving as he was taught to. He followed his father on the dais and seated to the left of him.
"Now, it is our honor to present, the Fire Nation's Beloved Princess on her tenth birthday, the radiant Princess Azula!"
Azula, on cue, walked into the ballroom with her chin up high. She knew that everyone in this room, with the exception of the Fire Lord of course, was beneath her, and it was very evident in her smirk. She was seated to the right of her father who was beaming at his daughter proudly.
The Fire Lord stood up, commanding everyone in the room with his aura alone. "Let the feast..." he created fire in his right hand and threw it into the large pit filled with firewood in the middle of the ballroom. Immediately, the fire consumed the wood and the bright, roaring fire illuminated the room. "...begin!"
The festivities started and everyone applauded. Food and wine were served endlessly and everyone indulged in the wealth of the Fire Nation Royalty. Fire breathers and dancers circled the fire pit, entertaining everyone with popular dances from all over the world. Singers sang beautiful melodies about the beloved princess and of her beauty and power. The nobles presented their gifts to Azula one at a time. They came bearing gold, jewelry, precious gowns and fabrics, shoes, anything they thought that a princess could ever want.
An hour well into the party, Lo and Li slowly approached the Royal family. "Your highness, Lady Suiren requests to join the festivities." Li started.
"She says she come bearing gifts for Princess Azula." Lo finished.
The Fire Lord's face suddenly changed from one of usual expressionlessness, to one that is softer, affectionate even. "Send her in, and announce her."
The twin scurried back to the large double doors of the entrance and sucked in a huge breath at the same time. "Presenting the Royal Noble Concubine, Lady Suiren."
The crowd did not cheer nor applaud as they did for the Royal family. Instead, they stared, gawked even, in awe and wonder.
Lady Suiren entered the ballroom, dressed in a deep red kimono, embroidered with bright red and gold fire lilies. Her head was bowed quite a bit, as was required of her status and she made her way to the front of the dais, followed by her guards. Slowly, she bowed low, showing deep respect for the Royal family. "Your humble servant greets Your Highnesses." She lets her beautiful voice carry throughout the silent room, making everyone listen in.
Fire Lord Ozai, pleased, leaned back in his throne. "Rise, Lady Suiren, and let everyone gaze upon your face."
As commanded, Lady Suiren straightened up from her bow and slowly lifted her head up, confidently meeting the eyes of the Fire Lord. To say that Lady Suiren was pretty was a huge understatement, for she was beauty in and of itself. She had high-arched eyebrows complimenting her honey-colored eyes, her high-bridged nose that went well with the high cheekbones, and her lips painted with the hue of fire lilies in summer.
When she graced everyone with her smile, all the men in the room swooned, even the young Prince Zuko. "Happy birthday, Princess Azula."
Azula hated Lady Suiren, but not for the reasons everyone thought. Not for being adored by her father. Not for almost replacing her mother. She hated her because she was everything she wanted to be: loved, revered, beautiful, graceful and more. Azula may be the princess of the Fire Nation, but she knew deep down that she could never compare to the notorious concubine.
"I assume you come to bring me a gift." She said coldly and folded her arms over her chest, eyeing the concubine proudly.
She smiled again and bowed to Azula. "Of course, my Princess."
"Then where is it?"
Lady Suiren turned to her guards who carried with them various instruments. "Shall we begin?" On her cue, they took their places to the side, leaving Lady Suiren up front. There was silence then she started her song.
*In the moonlight, I felt your heart
Quiver like a bowstring's pulse.
In the moon's pure light, you looked at peace.
But nobody knows your heart.
When the sun is gone, they see you
Beautiful and haunting, but cold.
Like the blaze of the fire, so sharp and so sweet.
But nobody knows your heart.
All of your sorrow, grief and pain
Locked away in the forest of the night
Your secret heart belongs to the world
Of the things that sigh in the dark
Of the things that cry in the dark
The music faded slowly and the crowd erupted in cheers. Even the Fire Lord nodded in acknowledgment of the rendition. "That was very beautiful, Lady Suiren."
Suiren bowed to the Fire Lord, "Thank you very much, Fire Lord Ozai. It is my honor to have pleased you." She turned back to Azula and bowed as well. "Is it to your liking, my Princess?"
As much as she would like to say she hated it, she didn't. The song was beautiful, as was the way she sang it. So she looked away and muttered, "It was okay, I guess."
Her answer earned another grin from the concubine. "Thank you very much, Princess Azula! Happy birthday to you!"
The Fire Lord looked over at the people, still enamored of Lady Suiren. "Suiren, will you perchance give us, and your audience a little dance?"
She smiled as if she thought he'd never asked. "As you wish, my Lord, but I would need the assistance of my apprentice for this performance."
"An apprentice, you say?" Fire Lord Ozai raised an eyebrow, wondering when had the lovely Suiren taken on a student.
"Yes, my Lord." She then turned to the side towards the guards who held her instruments. "Come."
One of the guards stood up, letting go of the gayageum and approaching the Lady Suiren. He was a bit smaller and leaner in stature compared to most soldiers, dressed in full Fire Nation Army uniform down to the armor and full-faced helmet. He bowed towards the Royal Family, then to Lady Suiren.
With the signal of the concubine, the band started playing again. This time, a sweet romantic sound filled the air. Suiren smiled at the soldier and circled him.
**You make this endless day feel like
A brief passing moment
Everyday is a love story
As If I was a damsel in a play,
My hero comes rushing to save me.
Suiren leaned in to whisper in the soldier's ear.
You are perfect as I imagined
How would it be if we were together?
The soldier held Suiren by the arm and spun her around, trying to match her height by standing lightly on the tip of his boots.
I lost my mind
In the instant I saw you
Everything suddenly was in slow motion
Tell me, is this what love feels like?
Sharing and learning emotions with you
Fighting, crying, hugging, kissing
Tell me, little soldier, is this what love feels like?
Suiren raised her hands as if they were swayed by a soft breeze and the soldier followed, one of his hands on her hip, the other gliding sensually along Suiren's arm and up to her outstretched hand where he entwined his gloved fingers with hers.
Will it come true, like the fairy tales?
A never-ending happy ending, happily ever after?
I will trust, protect and comfort you
Be always by your side
The soldier pulled Suiren close until her face was inches from the helmet's front plate. She smiled and leaned her head back as she continued to sing.
I lost my mind
In the instant I saw you
Everything suddenly was in slow motion
Tell me, is this what love feels like?
Sharing and learning emotions with you
Fighting, crying, hugging, kissing
Tell me, little soldier, is this what love feels like?
Suiren and the soldier drifted apart, but so that only the tips of their fingers were touching. She looked on intensely through his helmet, as if trying to burn him through it. Slowly they circled one another.
All the people in the world
Look on in envy
For the mere fact that I have you
Oh baby, baby, baby,
Tell me, will you tell me, is this real love?
Once again, everyone applauded, moved by her performance. Lady Suiren and her apprentice bowed deeply to the Royal Family as they too applauded.
Fire Lord Ozai stood up unexpectedly and walked down from the dais till he was in front of Suiren. "Rise both of you. You have delighted us again with your performance, Suiren."
"We are honored to have your compliments, my Lord."
The monarch then turned his eyes onto her apprentice. "This young man is very talented as well. I've never seen a soldier in full armor dance as graceful."
At that statement, Suiren suppressed a small smile. "Apprentice, don't be rude and show the Fire Lord your face and thank him for that compliment."
With an achingly slow movement, the apprentice removed the front plate of the helmet, sliding it down, the first thing Ozai noticed was the deep, almost red, amber eyes that seemed to gaze deep into him. Then further the soldier slid it till it was off. He had pale pink lips, slightly unusual for men. He removed the helmet body as well revealing his dark hair pulled tight into a high bun customary of Fire Nation tradition.
Azula and Zuko looked over their father's broad shoulders, trying to sneak a peak of the soldier who danced. Instantly, they were taken aback. In their young mind, they thought him to be too pretty for a man.
He went down on both knees and bowed, laying his hands in front. "I am honored to be complimented by Your Highness."
"Rise. Tell me, do you have a name and from what battalion do you hail from?"
This time, Suiren answered for her apprentice. "Oh, my Lord, my apprentice is not a soldier, and barely twelve years old! We merely borrowed this uniform from the armoire."
The Fire Lord furrowed his brows and scowled to intimidate this young man who had sensually touched Suiren during their dance. "You thought stealing from the Royal Armoire and displaying it in my daughter's birthday is honorable?" The young man's lip trembled lightly and he looked to his mentor for help, to which she just nodded lightly. "Guards, seize this indecent man!"
Around ten guards closed in on the apprentice, but as soon as one touched his arm, he swung it out of reach and kicked him in the gut. Two more came in to restrain him, but he swiftly swiped at their feet, sending them crashing down.
Suiren got out of the way with a slightly wicked smile at her face. She looked on in glee as her apprentice gave a performance that will certainly shake the Fire Lord, not to mention, the entire Fire Nation.
The apprentice grabbed a discarded staff from the floor and started twirling it at a very rapid pace at his sides. From an ordinary person's point of view, it was a young man fighting armed guards skillfully. But on a different perspective, it was a dance. The way the apprentice bent his body to avoid the swords, then spin out of harm's way... The way he raised his staff above his head to block an attack and thrust the attacker back with a swift kick in the chest...
In a matter of minutes, the only ones left were the two firebenders who relentlessly shot burning flames to the apprentice to no avail. One shot nearly got him, but he ducked in time. With that, he dashed towards the men, avoiding the flames. Just as he lifted his head to face them, he struck them both once in the gut, then the neck, and twice on the chest. With their chi blocked, the apprentice knocked them both to the ground. He turned back to face the Royal Family and bowed.
Silence.
Deafening silence.
Until someone clapped. "This is the best birthday ever!" Azula grinned as she had thoroughly enjoyed the scene of the fight. Following the lead of the princess, the crowd cheered for the apprentice who managed to take on ten guards alone.
The Fire Lord however, was beyond livid. He did not know what to make of this situation. His favorite concubine's apprentice had just taken down Royal Palace Guards in minutes. He was ready to strike down this man once and for all, raising his right hand, he created a fist of flames ready to burn this man alive.
"Wait!" Lady Suiren's voice called out as she went forward alongside her ward.
"Step aside, Suiren! This boy has caused me disgrace in my own palace!"
"What boy are you talking about?" Lady Suiren asked innocently, earning a lot of confused looks. Even the Fire Lord was stumped.
The lady turned to face her apprentice, grabbed him by his top knot and yanked hard. His black hair fell in loose curls, framing his pale face and running past his shoulders down to his back.
It took a certain amount of time before the Fire Lord's eyes widened, realizing his mistake.
It all made sense now. The graceful movements, the slightly smaller build for a young warrior, the agile footing, the effeminate shape of the eyes and lips...
Suiren smiled as sweetly as she could as she proffered her apprentice. "My Lord, I present to you, my young ward, little Chiyo."
Author's Notes
Suiren is sometimes directly translated as 'Fire Maker', also sometimes referenced as a lotus or water lily in Japanese. Suiren the flower also means "far from the one you love" which is kinda sad, but fitting in her case as a Royal Noble Concubine of the Fire Nation.
*I do not own this song. This song is originally from the movie 'Princess Mononoke' entitled "Nobody Knows Your Heart". I only modified part of the lyrics for it to be fit as a gift for Azula. Somehow I imagine Lady Suiren's voice like this.
Sidebar, I took inspiration from Hatsumomo of "Memoirs of a Geisha" for Suiren because she is badass. Fight me.
**This song is EXO's "What is Love?" *screams like a harpy* which I modified (more like butchered, really) to fit the dance between Suiren and Chiyo. (I edited it a second time! Maybe a few more times to get it right. Please bear with me OTL )
BTW, I am a huge fan of historical dramas and such so I kinda pulled from there and wham! I hope you like it!
-TheGreatestConWoman-