"As far as I know you, you are extraordinarily talented in one thing, in my opinion. Writing!" Thanks :) "That's a lot of money. But an awesome choice. Guitar still is my favourite, but to be honest bagpipes would also be interesting to learn." I love the bagpipes too. Tbh I just love all instruments.
"I hope I have done a good job. It was my first try with a translation." I read it but I'm gonna have to look at it a second time to fully grasp it.
"Both have done these awful things TOGETHER! He only changed sides, because Kuriva blew up the facility, beside the fact, that she knew he was inside." Bottom line for me is that both of them deserved punishment. Imo either both of them should have gotten away with it or neither should have. Personally I'd say charge them both. I like Kuvira a lot but she did some messed up shit. "The way the crowd is cherishing the artists on stage at a concert, the way artist can contol the crowd and the atmosphere, ruler and subjects." Tbh I also think that some fans literally do worship their idols. Like that kind of obsession that teeters into the bizarre territory.
"But Kuriva was wiser and had made her own experiences with touring throughout the countries. She has given herself and the band breaks, she has shared some responsibilities with Baatar and so more energy is left." Yeah, Kuvira's in pretty good shape physically. A little drained, but not as bad as Azula."Breaks like this one are also important to keep up some time and space for private moments. Kuriva and Baatar have missed moments like this so much. Good to see, that they finally got some time for themselves." They needed to get it out lol. Ming and Ghazan too. P'Li will just chill with Suyin and the gang lol."I'm a huge fan of your idea for WIM's first scandal." Thanks. I figured that I'd give them one more their speed and less like FOA's. "A natural reaction and definitely a fitting one for Kuriva, in my opinion." A young Kuvira anyhow. I feel like older Kuvira is more refined than that.
"And Kuriva starts to feel sympathy for Zoko and especially for Azula." Yeah, this was a first glimmer of understanding for her. "New headlines for FoA, more publicity and calculated sympathy for her." She likes attention...rather what attention can earn her. "The way, you have described the interview make me believe, that Azula and Zuko haven't felt comfortable with telling the world these parts of their past." For Azula it's more or less that she has gone numb to it, to some degree. She kind of detaches herself."In her eyes any try from Kuriva to reach out a hand would be seen from Azula as a sign of weakness. Weakness and unworthy pity for her. Kuriva will only earn loathing ans sarcasm from Azula, in best case only ignorance." Yeah, she wouldn't exactly take a helping hand easily.
Azula rubs at her forehead. Just how the hell are they supposed to make a good mover on such a tight budget? Really, she has no one but herself to blame. Had she not decided to spend their money on a hotel room just a few nights prior, they might have, on hand, an extra hundred or so to drop. The tour itself, sold out in most venues, had generated a decent amount of cash but that has been spent on hotels and equipment for future stage shows.
Sure, music movers aren't required of them for Southern Air Sound, but they are too new of a band to not make a bold impression. She is going to have to get extraordinarily clever this time around.
Ideally they would get a ship to Ember Island and shoot their mover there, but it is no longer an option, they can't spend the entirety of their funds on tickets to the filming location. They are going to have to settle for one of the mainland volcanoes.
It is more than frustrating to have her creativity crippled by a lack of funding. Had she been in good graces with her father, things might be different. As things were she had chosen to sympathize with Zuko when he got himself banished. She had been a fool then and she is a fool now.
The band became their only mean of getting by, of having clothes and a meal and it is failing. She should have pleaded for her crown while her father still pitied her. She could have gotten away with a good beating and less freedoms. But at least she would have security.
Even is she wanted to go begging, the option is just as nullified as filming on Ember Island. Her father would have nothing to do with her after she'd made a spectacle of herself, shouting at nothing and no one as her mind fractured and halved. It had been too much to handle, to lose everything at once. To have only Zuko as the people, her former subjects, spat and scoffed at them. To have her stomach empty and aching most nights of the week. To become everything she used to mock people for.
She can't return to that.
It isn't an option.
She rubs her hands over her face, it is exhausting. Especially so, knowing that she has dragged Mai and TyLee into this. Her father had praised her for her sharp mind and clever schemes, but where were they now? Now that she needs a grand plan.
She is so tired.
She looks at the camera resting near her.
She could fight with her mind some more. Eventually it would produce something both splendid and within their budget.
Or,they could do it once more, just a little something to bring in the funds they will need to make the music video in her mind come to life.
"Mai, I have a job for you."
"What kind of job?"
"You're going to play paparazzi." She paused. "You're going to take a little picture and then you are going to craft a disguise and sell the photo."
"And what are you going to do?"
"The hard part, Mai." She isn't sure if the hard part will be getting Zuko to comply or going through with it herself.
.oOo.
She finds that it is truly a lot harder to go through with it herself. A couple words about how they needed to win and how they'd be on the streets again if they didn't handle their budget was compelling enough for Zuko.
"Can we just get this over with?" Zuko asks. She can see it in his eyes that he is working to shut his brain off. She wills herself to do the same.
"Yes."
She tries not to think too much as she moves closer to him. Not a soul in sight, not a camera save for Mai's. Even with the woman hiding behind the bushes, making off as if she were trying not to get caught, she could sense the appalled look on her face. Perhaps she should have recruited TyLee to snap the photo. But Mai's presence helped remind Azula that it is all an act.
Zuko slids his hand under her shirt, just enough to make it look convincing. No less, she shudders at the brush of his fingers. She goes to lean in and she sees the camera flash. She thanks Mai for that, she pulls herself away from Zuko without a word.
"You know what to do." She mumbles as hurries passed Mai.
She catches Mai nod before slipping onto the tour bus. She wants nothing more than to bathe, but their bus only provided a roof and a kitchen. The bath houses cost money if they want privacy. At this point privacy is more of a need, lest she find a picture of her naked chest in the magazines. No, she will have to wait until it is at least two in the morning, when no one else goes to the bath houses.
She spreads herself out on her bed. What kind of life is she living anymore? She has only ever heard stories of musical stars and mover stars living in luxury. Is Fire Of Agni a real band at all?
They will be, she vows, as soon as they win Southern Air Sounds.