AN: So, uh, sorry for the anticlimactic-ness of this chapter. Honestly, when the two of us sat down to plot this out and we came to this point, we just wrote in big letters TIMESKIP and figured we would know what to do when the time came. We didn't. So this is our way of showing that.
I promise there's more Zuko coming up in the next chapter. Cross my heart.
Also, updates may be a bit more scattered now that school is picking up… I'm taking mostly honors/AP classes, so that may not leave a whole lot of time for writing. We'll do our best, though.
Chapter Twelve
From: Aurora
To: Ta Min
Hey Min!
I've tried to talk to you in person, but you haven't been home. So I guess I'm stuck writing a letter.
I'm really glad we met and got to be friends, but I'm leaving for the Fire Nation soon. It's got nothing to do with you, or with the city or anything, just my own personal reasons.
The address I'll be staying at is on the back of this paper, in case you want to write back. You know you're always welcome to come and visit, if you can.
Again, I hope you understand that I really didn't want to leave... But this is just something I feel like I have to do.
Keep in touch!
Aurora
To: Aurora
From: Ta Min
Hello there.
I completely understand why you'd leave. I'd probably come along with if I wasn't so tied up here, what with work and whatnot.
I wish you luck in all your endeavors (which, for some reason, I get the feeling involve Zuko).
Min
To: Ta Min
From: Aurora
Hello again!
I suppose I'm just writing you because I have little better to do. Oh well.
You were right in saying that my endeavors had something to do with Zuko (or however you worded it).
I'm just going to come right out and say it. I like him. A lot.
I guess it was obvious, by the way you just guessed it right off the bat like that.
But... I don't really know what to do. Any advice?
I sound so pathetic, don't I? Oh well.
How are you and Hiryu (that is his name, right? I'm so bad at remembering) doing? Still together?
I need a distraction. Sorry for my rambling. I'm just going to stop writing and maybe get some sleep.
Aurora
To: Aurora
From: Ta Min
Hello Aurora. It's nice hearing from you again.
I'm sorry to hear about your Zuko troubles, but I'm the last person you should go to for romantic advice. Sorry. I wish you luck though.
Me and Hiryu are still together, yes. He's incredibly sweet.
In fact, he brought me flowers just yesterday for our four-month anniversary.
I feel bad sharing that after hearing about your romantic ordeals.
To make up for it, I guess I do have some advice. There's a guy out there who will treat you right. He may or may not be Zuko, though. So just be aware.
That's all for today.
Ta Min
To: Ta Min
From: Aurora
That's so sweet of him! I'm glad you met him.
I suppose you're right. It's been, what, six months since I got here, and I still haven't gotten around to doing anything. Not that I could, considering he's living in the palace surrounded by guards.
You know what? I'll write him a letter. Even if we can just be friends, that'd be good enough for me.
Thanks for giving me confidence, even though you're not actually here.
Speaking of, come visit! You and Hiryu both! If you've lost my address, it's on the back of this letter again. I'm sure you'd love it here.
Aurora
To: Fire Lord Zuko
From: Aurora
Hey Zuko.
I guess I should start off by apologizing.
I really didn't mean to come between you and Mai. That was really wrong of me. I hope you two get your differences worked out, you make a cute couple.
I know you've got a country to run and a world to rebuild, so I'll make this short.
I'm really sorry, but I hope we can talk again sometime. Just as friends. Seeing you in Ba Sing Sei, that made me realize how much I miss your friendship.
I hope you'll forgive me.
Aurora
To: Sender
From: The Fire Nation Court
Dear Aurora,
We're sorry to inform you that all personal messages to the Fire Lord cannot be delivered at this time. You're welcome to come to the Palace on any weekday from 9 to 7 to set up a meeting time with him.
We're sorry for the inconvenience.
To: Aurora
From: Ta Min
Sorry the letter took so long to get to you. I've been incredibly busy these last few weeks with the holiday season, and on top of that I haven't been feeling well.
I hope everything works out between you and Zuko.
In a few weeks when everything cools off (so to speak- the weather here's cold enough for my taste) I'm planning to take the time to come visit. Hiryu's been bugging me about it, and I figured it's about time I came back. When's good for you?
I wish you a happy solstice and whatever other holidays are going on around you.
Ta Min
To: Ta Min
From: Aurora
Anytime's good for me. Just swing by whenever. I'm looking forward to seeing you again!
The letter to Zuko didn't quite work out. I'll go into detail once you're here. It'll be nice to talk to someone about it.
I hope you get well soon if you're not already feeling better.
Aurora
AN: See, I'm really glad there's so many people reading this story. I get little emails saying how many of you are favoriting/alerting this and it makes me happy. However, I don't really have the reviews to show for it… So maybe you can take the time to write something? Even a short "Great chapter!" or criticism would be so appreciated. Thanks a bunch in advance!