A. N. : It's Gal Pals time ! ... or is it ? This is the 5th and last Intermission, next time we see this side of things, a big storm will be coming. But for now, let's enjoy the quiet life of the palace. I mention wen in this chapter - it's a bronze currency used throughout Chinese history. 16 wen can buy a bowl of noodles, to give you an idea of what it's worth. (Or well, that's its worth in the 18th century, I couldn't find any earlier accounts.) Again, just like that time with the li, this is absolutely irrelevant. Still spent an hour doing research anyway.

Everything is progressing smoothly.

Qin didn't think it would be that easy to win the trust of the Princess and her friends – though, to be fair, Lady Mai is at least a little wary of him still – but it does make things that much easier.

There have been a few hiccups here and there, mainly brought about by the grief the girls felt at losing Prince Zuko, but those emotional gripes are mostly gone now, as each girl is slowly coming to terms with that change. And Qin ensured the process would be as quick and painless as possible, as much as grief can be.

Just a little assistance, a small push in the right direction. It is much less drastic than what he is used to, but this isn't the Lake, and such measures are as unwelcome as they are unneeded here.

The Princess has to be at her best, nothing less will do. How else would she achieve the greatness she is obviously destined for ?

Qin wants to be there when it happens.

And, he has to admit, the girls are growing on him. The Princess, of course, just as striking as in Ba Sing Se, not just resting on her birthright and previous successes, but working, bettering herself, putting absolute care in everything she does like the world is but a game of shogi. Lady Mai's sharpness – sharp wit, sharp tongue, sharper knives still, and an ironclad determination. And Lady Ty Lee's eccentricities, her perceptiveness, and –

And Qin greatly enjoys the manicure sessions. A shame the polish never lasts long under the friction of his gloves.

It matters not.

Qin understands perhaps better than most that emotions are not to be discarded entirely. They must be understood, and dealt with appropriately, depending on the circumstances. His care for the three girls does not hinder his goals, quite the opposite, and as such he can express it as freely as his role permits.

He should impart this knowledge to Agent Han. Young Agents have the unfortunate tendency to ignore their feelings of displeasure, and the fall of the Wall has once more proven the importance of healthily dealing with one's emotions.

Qin can not remember a time he had to assist so many Agents in such a short amount of time. But it was to be expected. Not one of them was prepared for this, and the shock was simply too much for many.

The situation had thankfully simmered down by the time Qin left, and Agent Sui will be able to handle any turmoil in his stead, should events take an unexpected turn for the worst.

All Qin has to do is polish Agent Han's formation, and keep his eyes on the Princess. And everything is progressing smoothly.

Less smooth is Agent Han's attempts at climbing a wood pillar without his gloves, under the encouragements of Lady Ty Lee – who has somehow convinced him that this is an essential skill because what will he do if he doesn't have rocks around, uh ? She probably meant it, which is no doubt the reason the words rang so true, and the reason Agent Han is currently midway through his climbing attempt, shoes discarded, promising burning revenge on all who bet against him. Youth.

The suite serving as the Dai Li quarters has rarely been this animated – noisy, yes, but a cheerful noise – and Lady Ty Lee is to thank for this. Her frequent presence these last few days is a breath of fresh air, even if some form of chaos always follows suit.

Her appearances also seem to demonstrate trust – she isn't here under orders of the Princess, the Agents Xia reserved to the exclusive surveillance of the Princess and her entourage assured it, and Lady Ty Lee looks genuinely interested in knowing every Agent more personally.

Another one of her eccentricities, and one Qin gladly welcomes. Perhaps the tales of her adventures will make Lady Mai less wary of him, and this in turn will help him stand beside the girls when it will matter.

And if this means he has to watch his youngest Agent make a fool of himself, then so be it. Not everything always goes according to plan, but he can work with this.

He might even get 180 wen out of it.