AUTHOR'S NOTE: A little update/retcon for Ba Sing Se. I originally forgot that the city had a fourth section with just farmland, which is why in Tools of War the Water Tribe's attack is so devastating against the civilian population. I quickly changed this mistake by including like three or four lines in prior chapters. Basically, this world still has all that farmland just on the continental side, while on the side closer to the ocean the walls for the Lower Ring and the outer walls merge into one. Picture a fried egg with the yolk on one side instead of the center.
This isn't really a drastic change, nor has anyone mentioned it/complained about it, but I wanted to address it regardless.
Back to your regularly scheduled program.
Fire. Earth. Water. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Water Tribes attacked...
Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed him most, he vanished.
A hundred years passed, and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar, an airbender named Aang. And although his bending skills are great, he is haunted by the memories of his world...
But I believe Aang can save this one.
Avatar: The Last Firebender
Based on Distorted Reality by Ogro
Written by Carrotine Clara
Book 2: Earth
Episode 11
The Earth Ball
Act I. – The invitation
Kanna really didn't feel like walking home early, and so she strolled through Goldmouth for a few more hours. The chill nighttime breeze cools down the scorching heat to a pleasant level, and the sounds of late-night activity, ranging from the youth playing outside to a few taverns open at such a late hour delights the Chief Mother greatly. Hours ago she spotted the Avatar's bison as it returned to the city from some kind of detour, giving her the exact location of the Governor's palace and an ease for her conscience. After all, like she said, undercover missions like these aren't the most complicated. The earlier fight with the teenaged captain was an entirely different reason for the old woman's long stroll through the city. She had hoped to influence the girl somewhat positively by accompanying her, yet it hasn't come to fruition yet. At least her granddaughter would be free to do what she pleases now. Whatever that might be.
Kanna expected Kenora to be asleep or in a bad mood upon her return, yet she is met with the polar opposite. She closes the door to an apartment in utter disarray, every single piece of their belongings or furniture not attached to the walls is scattered around the place, giving it the appearance of a burglary.
KANNA: Kenora?
She cries out into the kitchen lit by a mere oil lamp.
Kanna finds her hunched over on the ground, shaking a travel bag with little strength or care, a sign that she has repeated this motion a dozen times with no discernable result. Kenora finally spots the old woman through her messy her, a part of it sticky and fuzzy with some kind of green goo. Her skin is flaring read and her lips are dry like a mummy.
KANNA: By Sedni's grace, what on Earth happened?
Kenora tries standing upright, being forced to lean on the kitchen counter.
KENORA (weak): Where... where is it...
KANNA: Where is what? Are you alright?
The Pirate Princess can barely make out who or what is standing in front of her, whether this is real or just a figment of her imagination.
KENORA (weak): Mom... mom's necklace... I... I left it... where...
Her blurry vision becomes worse and worse, the pain of the last few hours burned into her bones like a cancer.
KENORA (weak): I don't feel right...
She finally collapses, Kanna too slow to catch her.
KANNA: Kenora!
Nessuno Mi Può Giudicare by Caterina Caselli plays over a gleaming sunrise over the heart of the Earth Kingdom, Ba Sing Se. The song continues to play over an extended montage, showcasing Shahar's efforts to uncover more about the waterbender who took his own life, and how that connects to the mole that gave the Water Tribes the plan to Ba Sing Se's sewage system.
Shahar takes a deep, deep breath from her smoke pipe as the sunlight shines on her skin.
Not soon after, she's already back in her crammed office, her focus on the corkboard, which so far only has pictures of the dead waterbender, a red line going to Kenora, and a disconnected picture of Yue, who she hasn't quite figured out yet.
She spends the next few hours combing some of the lower and middle districts for any clues, starting with the one where they caught the waterbender, or rather failed to catch him. Obviously the vendors and residents aren't too happy about this, largely also because the Kimono Society is working in hand with the King and his royal guard, who approach their investigation with a bit more... force.
After a few days Shahar finally catches onto a new lead, drawing a red thread from the waterbender to a local brewery in the Middle Ring. With her earthbending, she bursts open the backroom of the building mostly made from oak wood. Expecting some kind of secret hideout or storage unit, she instead is met with a few unregulated moonshining bathtubs. The fine that the owner would have to pay is settled quickly, as Shahar did destroy part of the building. Later that night, the girl takes down her sketch of the brewery from her cork board.
She goes on to smoke two pipes the next morning in the same amount of time that usually takes her for one.
A few suspicious figures have been spotted marking the walls of some buildings in the Upper Ring, a strange swirly symbol Shahar expects to be terrorist activity. A raid at night corners the figure next to a bridge going over one of the few canals in the city. As the criminals are swiftly overwhelmed and incarcerated, Shahar makes the unfortunate discovery that, beneath the plain black masks, hide nothing but teenagers, kids basically, younger than the earthbender herself. The whole affair escalates into a shouting match between the teenagers' parents and the kimono agents, the rich adults threatening to use their ties to the King to have Shahar fired from her position. The punks are ultimately let go and, with a frown on her face, Shahar takes down the sketch of the swirl graffiti, much faster than the last one.
The third day, Shahar doubling her nicotine intake even more, she and few more kimono agents are on their way to a house at the edge of the Middle Ring, almost resembling the Lower Ring right behind it. The problem is, as soon as she, her colleagues, and some of the king's guard show up, they are met with a massive student protest blocking the entrance to the building complex. Apparently the home they were supposed to search was that of a Water Tribe immigrant family, who were suspected to be involved in espionage. Shahar didn't believe it, though an order is an order, and not all of her leads come from her. The affair is a brutal one, sparking two days of protest in the Middle and Lower Ring, even some in the Upper Ring. The image of royal guard and even Earth Kingdom soldiers forming barricades around small crowds of, mostly young protesters, increasing more and more frequently.
Over the coming days, Shahar would put up and then take off more and more sketches of people and locations, only to be forced to take them off the corkboard a day or two after. Enough time passes where she just rips them off and rips them apart, her usage of the pipe increasing more and more as well.
Mai witnesses all of this from the shadows. Shahar probably saw her once or twice, they are both trained after all, though the two haven't been exactly on speaking terms after their little... fight. Yue remains the only thing Shahar hasn't investigated, though only because the girl is watched pretty much 24/7 regardless. Mai's features take on a hint of frustration as she quietly watches Shahar return from yet another unsuccessful lead that gave her nothing.
Hopefully this whole ordeal will be put to rest soon. Her own investigation proved more successful, though mostly because she and her Crescent Warriors aren't trying to start a civil war.
Despite the season, the Earth Kingdom sun continues to be more and more painful with its rays. Doesn't help that Mai is forced to spend another briefing in the War Council room, which she has grown to hate due to its repeated need to be inside. Not even the Earth King himself is safe from the heat, wiping his forehead with a fancy looking handkerchief.
KUEI: Do you think this... student organization is connected to the Liberation Forces?
Thankfully Mai isn't forced to kneel the whole time.
MAI: Not necessarily. I've read their prints, they outline certain reforms and changes, but they're pro-monarchy from what I can gather.
Kuei closely listens to her words.
KUEI: I suspect this... New Culture Movement needs to be kept under close inspection. We need to assign more warriors to the task.
Mai can feel the pushback crawling inside her.
MAI: Your highness, my mission is to find the mole that gave valuable information to the Water Tribe. I'm not here to tail college students.
His royal highness doesn't seem to take that lightly.
KUEI: Aren't you and the other Crescent Warriors here to serve me?
Unable to answer, Tamao steps forth, standing in the corner on the council's side.
TAMAO: We have more than enough kimono agents on it already. The Crescent Warriors should continue finding our security leak.
Mai gifts the old woman a subtle nod. The King falls back into his seat, his hands glued together.
KUEI: What does my council think of this?
ZONGREN: These rebellious youth take precedent. The Water Tribe has been beaten and pushed back, we need to focus on domestic threats now. And a movement such as this could quickly fuse with the Liberation Forces, if not replace it.
His words seem to find some hold. The general is even more sweaty than usual in this heat.
XISHAN: Openly targeting the New Culture Movement would only make it more popular. Kids like forbidden stuff. They'll be drawn to the danger.
Kuei nods slowly.
SUNG: I'm with whatever your judgement is, your highness.
Mai didn't expect anything different from the walking bursa. All eyes finally wander over to the very quiet Fong.
XISHAN: Well? What will it be?
Xishan's provocative smile carries so much untold vitriol that Mai can clearly make out herself. Fong being forced to come out has certainly not been easy for him. The beefcake sighs.
FONG: I think we should let those kids be kids. Keep taps on any activity that might link them to the LF. But we shouldn't overstep it. Tighten our grip on them and the movement will only grow larger and more radical. Our real enemies are still behind those walls.
His words resonate much more with everyone than Zongren's.
KUEI: I believe General Fong and Madame Tamao are correct. We stand to gain little from upsetting our fellow citizen. We need to focus on the real threats out there.
He doesn't turn around towards his spy master, instead raising his hand lazily.
KUEI: Assign a dozen or agents to keep an eye out. Make it as discreet and non-threatening as possible.
Tamao bows before leaving the room swiftly.
Kuei readjusts to look back at the moody knife girl.
KUEI: Excellent work, Mai.
She nods.
KUEI: Though a lack of leads concerning the identity of our mole is more than worrying.
Mai keeps her poker face perfectly still.
MAI: Shahar and I have been doing our best.
KUEI: Then your best will have to be doubled. I still hope to see the two of you tonight, though.
She bows one last time, though she has no idea what that last part meant. After having left the chamber, the King and his generals pack their stuff as well.
KUEI: The same goes for you, gentlemen.
His very serious royal highness is met by two of his royal guard, who escort him out of the room through the pompus main door. Only now are the other generals allowed to leave as well.
XISHAN: Yeah, I'm sure it'll be great. Fong is gonna wear his finest dress.
The short man's nasty comment gets him howling laughter from the other three generals, who aren't Fong. Despite being a large, adult man with a lot of power and amazing bending skills, right now he feels pretty powerless.
AGENT: Mai, hold up.
As she is about to enter her quarters, an unnamed kimono agent stops her. At this point all of the powdered faces look pretty much identical to her.
AGENT: Madame Tamao sent for you. She says it's an emergency.
The girl leaves and Mai lets out a heavy sigh.
The royal gardens are quite a drastic change of scenery for the pompous palace with its hectic servants walking back and forth. It's why Tamao enjoys it here so much. A network of bright, green bushes are neatly trimmed and maintained to keep their labyrinth-like integrity. Pink flower blossoms bloom from in between the leaflets, a white marble fountain in the middle with a few dozen important historical figures, kings and generals and ostrich horses flaring up the history of the royal family. The history of the royal institution. The history of their power.
MAI: What is this emergency that you made up to see me?
Tamao smirks, not really flinching or acting surprised by Mai's sudden materialization. The Crescent Warrior keeps her arms crossed and her guard up.
TAMAO: Curious, isn't it? A water fountain in the middle of the city.
MAI: Aren't there a bunch in Ba Sing Se?
TAMAO: Oh, there used to be. Even before I was born, they became... less popular. Something about them reminded people of the war. Fewer are approved by city planning and more are decommissioned every year.
She stares at the fancy one ahead of them. Mai is mostly just annoyed that the bush isn't solid enough to lean against.
MAI: Except the big ones.
A weirdly crooked smile forms on the powdered face of the old woman.
TAMAO: Except the big ones.
To Mai's surprise, she finds her sighing, a more vulnerable side that Tamao usually doesn't show.
TAMAO: I worry about Shahar.
The girl's brow shoots up.
TAMAO: I know I'm... not supposed to have personal preferences for my agents. But...
She sighs yet again, this time with some joy expressed in the gasp.
TAMAO: I remember first meeting the girl. She was so keen on working for a government institution that I immediately suspected she's a spy. But I learned quickly that she wasn't.
The jolly aura fades away.
TAMAO: Her mother died when she was young. A skin disease. Apparently common in Si Wong. She never knew her father and her grandparents were... from a different era. Her grandfather is the patriarch of the Hami Tribe, who still live nomadic lifestyles in the desert. Shahar always hated it. She ran to Goldmouth when she was eleven, and to Ba Sing Se when she was fourteen.
MAI: What are you getting at?
It takes her a moment to respond.
TAMAO: I ran away from home too. No one took a chance on me, at least not until I was an adult. I had to struggle in order to survive. So when I see Shahar struggle now, it... breaks my heart a little.
Mai finally shows some emotion too.
MAI: Shahar and I haven't exactly been on... great terms. The whole thing with the waterbender it... it's like it's driving her insane.
TAMAO: That is my concern as well.
After admiring a pretty little flower, she retreats her hands, folding them together under her lime green kimono.
TAMAO: You really haven't made any progress?
Mai reminisces about their apparent failure to produce any practical leads. She also briefly shudders at the memory of the young waterbender dying in her arms.
TAMAO: Not even with the Northern Princess?
The knife girl snaps out of it.
MAI: No. It's pointless to drag her into it when she was never meant to be here.
TAMAO: That's the part I put into question.
As the idea begins to form, Mai's features loosen up pretty quickly.
MAI: You're saying...
TAMAO: It may be possible that her presence in Ba Sing Se is by design.
The gears in Mai's head shift quickly at the implications of this.
TAMAO: It's just a theory. But I do expect you to act on it. Get to know her. Become her friend. Make her give up the information voluntarily.
MAI: And if there is no intel?
Tamao shrugs.
TAMAO: Then you've gained a friend.
Mai shows her compliance via nodding. She intends to leave-
TAMAO: Oh, speaking of that, I took the liberty of including her as your plus-one on tonight's guest list. Shahar is welcome to bring someone as well, of course.
The Crescent Warriors stops, comedically befuddled.
MAI: Guest list?
What Mai interprets as a desperate cry for help, turns out to be a howl of joy.
SHAHAR: By Bendigo's grace - I can't BELIVE IT!
The Crescent Warrior bursts open the door to Shahar's office, presuming the kimono agent might be in danger. Little did Mai expect that she is.
SHAHAR: Mai! We're invited to the Earth Ball!
She closes the door as Shahar tries to hold back her tears. She hasn't seen her roommate this emotional ever, let alone for a stupid party.
MAI: What's the Earth Ball?
Shahar's joy is switched off in an instant.
SHAHAR: You seriously have never heard of the Earth Ball? Most famous social gathering in all of the Earth Kingdom?
Mai crosses her arms, little excited at the prospect of a long, noisy, crowded room with a bunch of rich, old people.
MAI (flat): Sounds neat.
In a flash, the earthbender's happiness is flipped back on.
SHAHAR: It is so much more than that! It's half the reason I came to this city. And I thought they wouldn't invite me because...
Her gaze slowly wanders over to the cork board, on which she still only has a sketch of Kenora, a line leading to a map of Ba Sing Se, a disconnected picture of the suicide waterbender, and a separate picture of Yue, which appears to have been a reworked, more detailed sketch. There's also a bunch of needles with the edges of paper that were ripped off in the last two weeks. This time the agent's joy fades away much slower.
Mai suddenly remembers her worried convo with Shahar's superior.
MAI: I don't see why you wouldn't be invited. You've been doing a fine job.
SHAHAR: A shit job is what I've been doing. Haven't found anything useful and only further stirring up the tension in the city. I don't deserve this...
She falls down into her chair, the invitation letter slowly drifting onto the floor. Thankfully Mai is her to pick it back up.
MAI: You're acting like the entire fate of Ba Sing Se solely rests on your shoulders. Well, it doesn't. You're one of many people that are working to keep it safe.
The girl sighs, her raspy voice briefly cracking.
MAI: Depressing yourself until the end of times isn't going to help you either.
Shahar catches the invite as Mai tosses it over into her lap.
MAI: Just go to the stupid party with me and have some fun for once.
A frown morphs into a smile.
SHAHAR: You're a true friend, Mai. Thank you.
A hint of a smirk appears on the stern girl's face. Shahar finally jolts back up again.
SHAHAR: Who are you going to bring as your plus one?
Mai doesn't quite know whether she should tell the truth or not. Yue has always been a point of contention between the two. She chooses poker face.
MAI: No one.
Shahar nods.
MAI: You?
SHAHAR: Oh, I thought about bringing Caraman.
Mai frowns more distinctively than usual.
MAI: Caraman?
SHAHAR: Yeah, I talked to him recently and he was really excited for the Earth Ball too. He probably isn't getting invited, so...
The earthbender shrugs.
SHAHAR: But who cares about that - what are we going to wear? We need to make a quick shopping spree together! Oh, and just think of the make up and our nails...
Having endlessly been occupied with nothing but her job, Mai is more than happy to see her friend obsessed with something more positive for once. Even if the thought of a shopping spree makes want to throw up.
Having told the story for the thousandth time, even Ty Lee is getting fed up. Like a hare, Azula is impatiently stomping her foot while waiting for Bandit's assessment, the three of them hidden safely withing the confines of Azula's room.
AZULA: Well?
Bandit ponders for a bit while longer, possibly to annoy the firebender a little. She finally seems to have come to a verdict.
BANDIT: Nope. Not buying it. He's not into you.
Azula's world seems shattered in an instant.
AZULA: What?! How can you - after hearing the whole story?!
BANDIT: If I'm being honest, the more I heard the less convincing it sounds. You're in over your head.
In protest, Azula puffs out air like a chimney. She turns to Ty Lee, who comically averts her face.
AZULA (to Ty Lee): You're seriously not going to say anything?
The airbender twists her arms and fletches her teeth as if she were in pain.
TY LEE: Well... I think Bandit is right.
And neither she nor Azula are very happy about it. The earthbender seems indifferent. The acrobat gets up from her bed to comfort her.
TY LEE: Azula, listen, I can read his aura whenever I want to. I just... I just haven't felt anything... that strong for you. He's very grey and rough most of the time.
She sighs.
TY LEE: I actually kind of worry about him.
In stark contrast to the soft touch of the airbender, Bandit grunts as she rises from her seat.
BANDIT: Just get over him, sugar cakes. If he doesn't have the guts to talk to you, in my opinion, it's his loss, not yours.
Azula has been building up a pretty strong smolder the whole time. Her face finally relaxes.
AZULA: Ah, you're totally right. I shouldn't be so foolish as to think he would be in love with me. Not after everything I did to him in his world...
Ty Lee immediately engulfs her in a compassionate hug.
TY LEE: No... honey! He doesn't see you like that, I promise.
A few seconds pass, Bandit rolls her eyes, someone knocks at the door.
AZULA (cold): What?
Zuko enters reluctantly, finding the constellation of characters more than odd. His hair is now almost shoulder length.
ZUKO: Is... this a bad time?
Azula gently removes herself from the grasp of her best friend.
AZULA: No. What is it?
He enters politely, Sokka in tow and a letter in his hand.
ZUKO: We uh... we got this letter-
Which Azula promptly snatches out of his hand.
AZULA: Which says... we're invited.
TY LEE: Invited to what?
It takes Azula a few seconds to skim over the calligraphy.
AZULA: Something called the "Golden Ball". Apparently they're having the "Earth Ball" up in Ba Sing Se, so this is kind of an homage to that. Though here it says it's much less formal.
Bandit scoffs audibly enough for everyone to hear. She exits the room as she rants.
BANDIT: Earth Ball. I'm so glad we're not forced to spent a night with all these rich dorks up in the palace! I can already picture their powdered grimaces as they stuff expensive crap into their face holes! What a joke!
The girl continues to ramble inaudible nonsense even as she is out of earshot.
AZULA: Yeah, real shame we never got to show the big city to Bandit.
She tries to play the earthbender's tantrum down by reading more of the invite.
SOKKA: Does it say anything else?
AZULA: Only that Bumi is hosting a Fire Nation band. Never heard of em. There's also no dress code, but can show up fancy if we want.
This gets Ty Lee to shoot up like a boiling kettle.
TY LEE: YES! Oh my gosh - ZUKO!
He flinches as he points at himself.
TY LEE: That means I can finally give you that fancy make-over we talked about! Let's go, I want to get started NOW!
With the excitement of a Warner Bros cartoon character, she rushes by him, grabbing his arm and disappearing into their shared room. Now it's only Azula and Sokka left. She finally puts down the letter as Sokka nods awkwardly. He still looks at her like a puppy who isn't house-trained yet.
AZULA: Have you seen Aang today?
He shakes his head.
SOKKA: Went on a ride on Appa. Says it-
AZULA: Clears his mind?
Sokka is impressed by her correct guess.
AZULA: Yeah.
She looks down at the ground, hugging herself.
AZULA: He does that a lot at the moment...
Feeling bad for Azula, who is clearly in some way hurt by Aang's absence, Sokka decides to do the bravest thing he's ever done.
SOKKA: Do you wanna... I don't know, help me pick out some clothes? For the... the... the ball?
Still hugging her arms, she gives him an incredibly sassy side-eye.
AZULA: Help you? Pick out clothes?
He nods, completely unsure of himself. Expecting the worst, he actually gets her to shrug.
AZULA: Sure.
The prince is more than baffled, a little happy even. She stops in front of him as she walks past by.
AZULA: But only because I'm in such a good mood.
While enunciating the word mood, she flicks her index finger against her thumb, creating blue sparks that fade before burning his face.
AZULA (out of the room): Come on, we don't have all day.
He nods with the sound of a cow bell.
SOKKA: Yes...
Maybe extending an olive branch was a bad idea.
Yue flinches like a deer at the sound of a twig. The Kimono Society wouldn't knock at her door, they would simply enter. So would anyone else working for the King. Could it be...
She gulps, the secret message she got moments earlier, this time baked into a flower-shaped pastry, is still on the table, and so she grabs it with the agility of a wildcat, hiding it in her modest cleavage.
Mai knocks a second time before Yue finally snaps the door open.
YUE: Oh. It's you.
Mai finds the comment odd.
MAI: Expecting someone else?
Yue sighs, clearly agitated by something, what exactly the assassin can't tell.
MAI: May I... enter?
A frown forms on the princess' face.
YUE: I can't stop you.
She turns around and walks away.
MAI: I still won't until you invite me.
Yue stops. Her heart beats out of her chest. After all...
She decides to turn around, concealing her apparent distress.
YUE: Is this about the Earth Ball? Because I don't want to come.
MAI: I know. But you have to.
Of course she has to. But somehow...
Mai knows. She knows that Yue isn't surprised. Why...
MAI: Tamao put you as my plus one.
Now Yue's surprised. The stark difference to her earlier reaction is even more apparent now.
YUE: Why... why are you telling me?
MAI: Aggressive honesty. Tamao's game is intrigue. Mine is to be nice.
She makes a gagging noise.
MAI: That sounds so cliche. But it's true.
The tensions in the air thick enough to be cut by a knife, Mai decides to switch lanes.
MAI: So, can I enter now?
YUE: Why? You've already delivered your news.
Or so Yue claims.
MAI: Yes. But I'm also here to invite you to a...
She makes a gagging noise yet again, this time more drawn-out.
MAI: A shopping tour...
Yue frowns in befuddlement...
MAI: Shahar's idea.
...now in confusion again.
YUE: I thought Shahar hated me.
MAI: She doesn't. She just thinks you're hiding something.
Once again, a reaction Mai didn't expect. Yue's emotional control is good, to the untrained eye she would seem completely relaxed. Yet Mai knows better.
The question is, does Yue know she knows?
YUE: Alright. Come in.
Mai finally enters, as if she were a vampire. Her home is still barren and dreary. Not really a home after all.
MAI: I honestly just asked you to have counterweight against Shahar's overenthusiastic side. I can't tell if I can survive that much energy from her.
Technically the truth, yet Yue's behavior has her follow an investigation after all. Yue nods.
YUE: Alright. Fine. It's at least an excuse to leave the house.
MAI: Great. I'll wait here till you get dressed.
YUE: To search the place.
As Mai sits down, she genuinely pontificates.
She came here as a friend, and Yue can clearly tell. Yet there is something she is hiding from the Crescent Warrior.
The question is, does Mai know she knows?
YUE: I'll put something on real quick.
She escapes into the bedroom, attempting to shut the door in a normal fashion. Just a normal day out with a friend, that much she can almost call Mai. The only person in the city she can actually rely on. And it's not to gain anything either.
As she unties her ribbon belt, she carefully takes out the secret message, reading it once more with the same sense of dread she felt the first time.
您将被邀请参加今晚的地球舞会。
You will be invited to the Earth Ball tonight.
盟友将与您同在，但他们将保持匿名。
An ally will be there with you, but they will remain anonymous.
你必须是勇敢的公主。
You have to be brave, princess.
大地之王的暴徒已经不信任你了，这意味着你必须在整个晚上保持完全没有感情。
The Earth King's goons already mistrust you, which means you have to be completely emotionless for the duration of the evening.
某个重要人物将在地球舞会上死去。
Someone important will die at the Earth Ball.
Act II. - Cheers!
Kenora moans in pain as she wiggles around, her bed a mere mattress on the ground with a thin blanket, which she utilizes like a cocoon. Her muscles burn, her throat itches and pulsates, slime is settling every pore in her body.
KANNA: You're burning up.
She dips her hand in water, bending it onto her palm and briefly using healing on her forehead.
KANNA: You have an intense fever.
Kenora can make out what the old woman is saying, yet her sense of being is still shaky at best, thinly veiled beneath a layer of something making her head spin and her vision focus and unfocus at random.
KANNA: This will help cool you down.
A towel drenched with cold water is placed on Kenora, her forehead, once again.
The imagery of the past few hours and her Magnetic Palace adventure flash through her mind.
KENORA (weak): What is happening...
Kanna sighs. Though she knows the answer, she doesn't know what to make of it.
KANNA: You should know that this is not a natural sickness. Whatever you did when you exited that door yesterday, it must've been so starkly in conflict with the image you have yourself that you are now at war within your mind and body.
Kenora has a few moments resembling clarity of mind.
KENORA (weak): I... I helped her. The airbender... the Avatar's friend. I... saved her life. Like I saved the life of the firebender before...
A massive shift on a continental level takes place within Kanna. She herself feels dizzy for a moment.
KANNA: You... helped them? Why?
Kenora moans again, her mind seeming to drift afar.
KENORA (weak): Because... because they needed me...
And with that, Kenora turns away again.
Kanna has had doubts before. At her age, she guesses, everyone in the Water Tribe has doubts. No one likes war.
Yet, before this, she didn't quite expect a drastic switch like this. She knew Sokka had more in him, but if Kenora can have doubts...
Then perhaps it is finally time to reconsider.
Because one montage per chapter is not enough, here's another one!
Bongo Cha Cha Cha by Caterina Valente plays over an elongated montage of Mai, Shahar, Yue and... Caraman going for a shopping spree in the Middle Ring, the Upper Ring being above the earthbender's pay grade.
The central shopping district is beautiful, a quaint little space with dozens of stores, one placed after the other, the spring sun warming their faces as they stroll aimlessly, the only ressemblance of direction offered by a zig-zagging Shahar. Indeed, this is the most Mai has seen the earthbender being happy... ever. It's almost enough to drop the whole Yue thing and just relax for once. But, for one reason or another... Mai can't.
On their way to get some fried durians the assassin briefly stops at a fountain at one of the squared hubs, a cross section for the brick stone road to intersect and arrange the shops in a circular fashion, a true marble of engineering. The water is not running, and a series of construction workers are working on breaking the thing apart to get rid of it. Mai remembers Tamao's story fondly. As she looks over to Yue briefly, the princess averts her eyes in what looks like shame.
First off for the trip is of course Shahar, who goes to about five stores before finally settling on a dress she likes. It's a Hanfu silk piece, the torso and legs hidden beneath beautiful, bright yellow color, floaty fabric dangling like a ghost, with the parts used to cover her shoulders in a soft white, the sleeves ridiculously long as well. How Shahar is able to afford it remains the biggest mystery in Ba Sing Se.
Mai is next in line. The knife wielder chooses quickly and without a lot of hesitation, making Shahar think that maybe she isn't trying to enjoy the shopping trip as much as she is. In reality, Mai fell in love pretty quickly as she spotted the qipao, its features dark grey colors, almost like black, with crimson patterns and shapes running across it. Something about it reminds her of home. She is off the Fire Nation after all. As she purchases the piece, a hint of a smile escapes her mouth, one which she fails to hide from her companions. This is the happiest Shahar has seen Mai.
A short break in a beautiful little caffe underneath a cypress tree, according to Shahar this particular piece of flora is as old as Ba Sing Se itself. The conversation remains mostly surface level, Yue remaining quietly next to Shahar of all people. For some reason Caraman is really shining today, much to Mai's dislike.
CARAMAN: I don't think I've ever met Yue, have I?
MAI: No.
CARAMAN: Wow, that's just crazy. Being a princess and all in the city must be pretty wild.
Yue takes a zip from her tea before answering.
YUE: Can be.
CARAMAN: I'm sure of it.
As Caraman continues to ramble on, Yue and Mai have another odd exchange of looks.
CARAMAN: ...thank you for inviting me along for the Earth Ball, Shahar. I really didn't think I was gonna get invited. And I don't think Mai would've picked me as her plus one either.
MAI: No.
CARAMAN: But I was gonna ask...
As he turns in his chair obnoxiously, he makes a loud screeching noise.
CARAMAN (asking Mai): Why did you bring Yue along?
Once more, the princess and the knife girl share a strange look. Even Shahar notices.
MAI: Because she's lonely. She's a stranger in a strange city. I know we're not her friends but...
She shrugs. This is her honest answer.
MAI: She has to have someone. Everyone has to.
The raspy voice makes Yue smirk a little, even if she's clearly uncomfortable.
CARAMAN: That's so cool of you. I just didn't think you were gonna do it cause Shahar hates her.
Now Shahar takes a zip from her drink, though it turns into a quiet choke as Yue blushes in discomfort. Mai hits Caraman with her elbow.
CARAMAN: Ow!
SHAHAR: That's not true!
She too turns in her chair to face Yue, though she does not make a sound. Yue has since crossed her arms.
SHAHAR (to Yue): I don't- you know I don't hate you, right? Why would I hate you?
YUE (averting her face): Why would you like me?
Mai flicks her brows as it finally dawns on Caraman as to what his mistake was. The kimono agent meanwhile struggles to come up with something to say.
SHAHAR: I- uh-
She sighs, finally getting Yue's attention.
SHAHAR: Listen, it is not a secret that I didn't trust you in the past. It's my job to keep a distance to prisoners.
The earthbender grabs her hand in a gesture of sympathy.
SHAHAR: But it's not going to be for much longer.
Mai reacts with surprise. Yue's pupils dilate.
SHAHAR: The King and Madame Tamao have been talking for a while about this. The Kimono Society has been guarding you for weeks now.
As she continues, Yue's face swells up with emotion, her eyes staring with endless dread into the table in front of her.
SHAHAR: You're not a captured soldier, you've already given us every single piece of information available to you - you're not a real threat. You're free to go soon.
Mai can tell that there's a lot more bubbling beneath the surface based on her facial expression. Yue can't bring herself to cry, though she is clearly overwhelmed.
YUE (quietly): I... I don't even know what to say.
SHAHAR: Be happy! Please. You deserve it.
Rather than a smile, what Shahar expected, or rather hoped for, Yue frowns in utter fear. That's when Mai can finally make it out.
Yue knows something.
SHAHAR: I'll tell you what, since you're coming along for the Earth Ball, I'll buy you something nice to wear. How about it, huh?
The whirlwind of emotion inside the princess comes to a crescendo as she conjures up a fake smile directed towards Shahar.
YUE: Sure.
Inside Ridge's Robes ("where our prices are the opposite of rich"), Mai, Shahar and Caraman sit on a circular bench, Yue hidden behind the fancy curtains of the fitting room. The store has several employees constantly offering their help, though they finally stop as the Crescent Warrior glares at them.
CARAMAN: The sign confuses me. Shouldn't it say "our prices are the opposite of expensive"?
The store owner briefly frowns at the boy from behind his counter, though the average-looking boy doesn't take note, despite being part of a spy network.
SHAHAR (to Yue): Do you need help in there, honey?
A brief moment of silence.
YUE (from inside the dressing room): I'm fine!
More awkward silence. Shahar has caught on to the fact that something is off about Mai today.
CARAMAN: So, are you excited-
MAI: Caraman, why don't you go look for some suits for yourself?
Her glare adjusts abruptly after her more than cold comment.
CARAMAN: But I thought you were gonna help me-
MAI: Start without us. We'll be with you in a bit.
She readjusts her gaze back to look forward. Caraman just sighs as he gets up. Shahar can tell that something is off. With the boy out of earshot, the earthbender finally dares to ask.
SHAHAR: Are you alright-
MAI: Why didn't you tell me about it?
The girl wrapped in her kimono reacts annoyed.
SHAHAR: What are you talking about?
MAI: Yue wasn't invited to the Earth Ball. Tamao made her my plus one.
The princess is far enough away not to hear their conversation, partly due to the fact that the two talk pretty quietly.
SHAHAR: What? Why didn't you tell me that? I thought that's why you brought her along-
She finally manages to put two and two together.
SHAHAR: Wait, but why...
MAI: I don't know. She told me to befriend her. Make her tell us any leftover intel.
The assassin stares blankly into the red drapes ahead, Yue behind them fitting on a few dresses she picked out earlier.
Shahar sighs, her mind trying to make sense of it.
SHAHAR: Well, the way I see it... it's actually not too far off.
Mai looks at her with shock.
SHAHAR: The King and her are talking about a release. I didn't tell Yue but... it was actually this morning, before your briefing.
Mai doesn't seem too happy about it for some reason.
SHAHAR: I told them the same stuff that you have been preaching from the start! She's completely innocent in this. She deserves her freedom.
The knife girl recalls the weird expressions and reactions she picked up on. She's helped Yue from the start and now the girl is lying. But alas...
MAI: Then I don't understand why Tamao is lying to me.
She can't spill it. If Shahar hears about Mai's doubts now, Yue won't ever be let go, possibly worse. She'll have to uncover this on her own.
SHAHAR: Because she's the head of our intelligence.
MAI (as she stomps away): I need some air.
SHAHAR (getting up too): Maybe your head needs some intelligence too!
The curtains roll aside and Yue steps into the room.
YUE: Everything alright?
Shahar, her back turned, takes a few seconds to turn to her.
SHAHAR: Yeah, it's just a...
Her voice fades out as she spots the northern princess, who looks after Mai with confused eyes.
A beautiful, stunning Manchu dresses is giftwrapped all around Yue's body. A mesmerizing, light blue color with sparkling crystal features giving her the appearance of a true ice princess. It fits her well, Shahar makes sure to take note of that. As Yue finally looks back at Shahar, the earthbender's blush is transferred onto her.
YUE: Uh... do you... like it?
Shahar gets her act together, a mean smoker's cough escaping her throat.
SHAHAR: I uh- yeah. Yeah, I do.
Yue admires it once again. For all of her misfortunes, she has never worn a dress this pretty.
YUE: I picked one of the cheaper ones. I really hope it's not too much for you.
SHAHAR: No-no-no, it's fine. It's fine...
As Shahar is unable to look her counterpart in the eye, Yue heads back to the dressing room.
YUE: I'll get changed real quick.
SHAHAR: Sure, go ahead.
With a hiss, the curtains close again. Shahar exhales deeply, though quietly. Her frustrations towards Mai seem to have been washed away by a wave of black hair dressed in blue.
SHAHAR (under her breath): I need a smoke...
AZULA: Hold still.
SOKKA: Ow!
Sokka's room doesn't look very different from the other bedchambers in the governor's palace, though he got the one to look out into the courtyard, where a hungry Sledge is munching on some leftover lunch.
Azula is meanwhile tucking around Sokka's incredibly short hair.
AZULA: Wow, it grows back pretty fast.
She finally lets go, her attempt to give him some kind of different style a horrible failure.
SOKKA: Not if you rip it out.
He rubs his head as he gets back up behind his folding screen, his shirt thrown over as he gets dressed safely without Azula's gaze, not that she would even gift him a look.
AZULA: Why did you cut it?
He shrugs, which she can't see.
SOKKA: I don't know. I wanted to let go. Plus it's easier not to get recognized.
The girl finds his explanation odd, though doesn't go into it further, instead admiring herself in the mirror of his dressing table. Her nails have in the meantime stopped being chubby little half circle and have taken on a claw-like look, in an elegant way, of course.
SOKKA: What do you think?
He reveals himself wearing a ridiculously over-the-top green/beige robe, way too fancy for what Azula has determined to be a semi-formal occasion.
She expresses this in a mocking snort.
AZULA: No. Way too much.
He admires the kimono-like design with the blush of a teenage girl.
SOKKA: But- I need to look authentically Earth Kingdom. I don't want to draw a lot of attention.
AZULA: You will in that thing. Go get changed.
She claps twice as if commanding Sokka as her personal servant. He unfortunately obeys with a frown on his face, disappearing behind the dressing screen.
AZULA (quietly): This was a good idea.
A knock at the door.
AZULA: Coming...
She gets up and runs over to it, Sokka quietly listening as he takes the robes off.
AZULA: Ty Lee, if this is-
Azula powers down as she spots a confused Aang.
AZULA: Aang.
AANG: Azula.
SOKKA (from behind the dressing screen): Sokka!
AANG: Sokka!
AZULA: Aang. What are you doing here?
He scratches the back of his scalp innocently, perhaps thinking the same question. Azula flinches comically as she realizes this.
AZULA: Uh- I'm just... helping out Sokka. For the Golden Ball. You know, tonight?
She desperately hopes for him to continue.
AANG: Uh... yeah sure. Excited for that?
AZULA: Totally.
Awkward silence expands the already weird energy even more.
SOKKA (from behind the dressing screen): So why are you here, Aang?
The airbender finally re-arranges himself towards the prince, or his voice at least.
AANG: I came to talk to you about the invasion plan. I totally forgot about this Ball thing. Talk about it tomorrow?
A thumbs-up pops out from behind the folding screen.
AANG: Great.
AZULA: Great.
Like leftovers in between someone's teeth, she annoyingly inserts herself back into the conversation.
AZULA: See you later then?
The girl stares at him with weirdly sparkling eyes. Aang can only nod awkwardly.
AANG: Right. Well... I'll see all of you later.
The most embarrassing of laughs escapes her throat.
AZULA: Right. See ya.
He finally turns around and she shuts the door like a mouse trap. A sigh of relief later and a fully-dressed Sokka appears with crossed arms leaning against his dressing table.
His smirk causes a glare.
AZULA: What are you looking at?
He shrugs casually.
SOKKA: Nothing. Just... interesting to see you vulnerable for once.
While he smiles, she doesn't take lightly to this joke at all - her hands emitting blue fire daggers as she charges him. Sokka of course panics, his arms raised forward as he tries stepping back.
SOKKA: Hey-hey-hey - I didn't mean it like that - I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT!
To his surprise, Azula actually stops.
SOKKA: I'm not trying to get an advantage over you. I want to help you.
A few more seconds pass and the torchlight sound of the flame daggers subsidies.
SOKKA: I thought you trusted me that much...
An astounding thing happens - Azula feels bad for Sokka. As she sighs once again, she takes a seat on the floor.
AZULA: Sorry, it's just been... very difficult navigating this whole thing.
Sokka sits down across from her.
SOKKA: By "this whole thing" you mean that you're in love with Aang, right?
Her body language expresses severe discomfort.
AZULA: No. "Love" is a strong word.
SOKKA: Okay. So you have a crush on the guy?
AZULA (whining): Yes! So badly!
The weight of her emotions forces her to drop on her back. If seeing Azula vulnerable and awkward before was already a strange sight to see, this takes a cake.
AZULA (whining): He's so mysterious and powerful, but he also has all this angst in him that he needs to conquer - he's so dreamy!
All of those things also kind of apply to Azula, Sokka things. Well, except the last part. But still...
SOKKA: Wow, I didn't think it was this bad. What are you going to do?
The firebender blows wind in her bangs.
AZULA: Nothing. Wait till it's over? Wait till he says something?
SOKKA: Oh. Okay. Well... does Ty Lee know?
Azula erects herself back up into a sitting position with the speed of a spring and the sound of a boulder being dragged on marble.
AZULA: She and Bandit think that I should give up and move on.
She leans on her knee while avoiding his intrusive eyes.
SOKKA: And what do you think?
Azula is clearly a little baffled by that question, though it does firmly grab ahold of her attention.
AZULA: Um... I don't know. I think they're probably right. It's probably best to forget my silly little feelings and just move on.
In a gesture to close the conversation, she gets up. To her surprise, Sokka follows suit.
SOKKA: Your feelings aren't silly, Azula.
She truly takes his words in, though her arms remain crossed and her lips pouted.
SOKKA: Look, I don't know either, I'm not trying to create tension here. But, if this is something really important, and it's making you feel really shit if you don't do anything about it, then you should do something about it. Wait for the right moment! Then ask him what he feels, or if he likes you back - or maybe go for the kiss!
A blushed chuckle breaks her stern demeanor.
SOKKA: The way I see it, worst thing that could happen is he says No. He'll still want you as a friend. And what's he gonna do - kick you off Team Avatar? No shot!
Her smile persists, though her arms remain crossed. Sokka, feeling his input being sufficient, shows a smile himself.
SOKKA: You don't need to thank me. I know you hate that.
A simple nod and she leaves for the door, stopping as it's halfway open.
AZULA (her back turned): Thank you.
Sokka spends the rest of the afternoon trying to come up with the best outfit for this Golden Ball thing. In the end, he chooses to go with his current brown Earth Kingdom attire, just with slightly nicer shoes.
The afternoon sunlight bathes the various attendees young and old as they walk down the road towards the red walls of the Earth King's Palace. Mai can't believe just how many people are coming, though apparently this is one of the smaller Earth Balls in recent history, Shahar let her and everyone else know right away.
Everyone is sporting their new, mesmerizing outfits for the occasion. Shahar is wearing an additional intricate headpiece with her usual straight, boring hair tied up in a glorious fashion. She also helped Yue to get her own black hair done in a unique way, a dark headpiece with flowers and ribbons on it to round it all up. In addition to the suspicions that had been festering in regards to Yue, Mai had also started wondering why Shahar was suddenly so open to her now. She should be happy about it, but it couldn't be at a worse time.
SHAHAR: Oh, there's the other agents - I'll talk to them real quick.
Shahar was unfortunately (or fortunately) the only agent invited to the occasion, chatting with her colleagues who marvel at the event from behind a barrier.
YUE: She's... really chipper. Is she usually like that?
This is the first time today that Yue has dared to speak up.
MAI: No.
The girl eyes her friend, too far removed to worry about their conversation, her own words spoken with the agents drowned in crowded cheers.
MAI: Getting promoted was the best thing that could've happened to her.
Yue looks over to her, wondering what exactly she got promoted for.
MAI: It also ruined her life.
The princess looks back over at the earthbender. That aforementioned awful state of her life completely absent from her joyful expression.
MAI: This night is like... a short vacation. She can enjoy all this glamour and beauty of Ba Sing Se without needing to perform her duty.
The creeping fear scratches itself back up Yue's throat.
YUE: After tonight?
MAI: After tonight, things will go back to normal.
The young princess squeezes her hands together as she stares back forward.
YUE: No. They won't.
After dropping the comment, she briskly paces ahead, leaving Mai and Caraman behind. If May hadn't suspected anything yet, she certainly would've guessed something was up by now.
But wait. This was different. This wasn't a strange look or a poor choice of words that gave everything away. Is she...
She's trying to tell her.
CARAMAN: Hey Mai, can I ask for you advice?
Caught in her suspicions, she responds with a grunt.
MAI: What is it, Caraman?
CARAMAN: So, me and Shahar, right? Do you think I have a shot with her tonight?
The smug grin of a jock is plastered onto the visage of a nerd. Mai's head turns with mechanical precision, her eyes, half-closed, piercing his very soul.
MAI: Absolutely not.
With that, she moves on ahead as well.
The main hall of the Governor's palace has been repurposed as the main stage to hold possibly a hundred party guests, giving the dingy space the vague appeal of a mosh pit.
BUMI: Ladies and gentlemen!
Hundreds of party goers wait with heavy anticipation for the words of the Mad King.
BUMI: Let's get this party STARTED!
Everyone cheers as the band starts playing and confetti showers from the ceiling (where from exactly, no one can make out).
The gang is, to put it mildly, very confused.
ZUKO: Wow.
AANG: I guess when the invitation meant informal...
TY LEE: They meant informal.
Everyone around them is also dressed rather casually, the Fire Nation tunes forcing them to break out into dance. Funnily enough, the music does remind Aang of the Flamey-Os. Zuko's great make-over that Ty Lee was raving about sees him with only one change - slightly shorter hair again.
SOKKA: Hey guys.
Sokka shows up with his brown attire as expected, though his appearance does reflect a lot more... effort than it usually has.
AANG: Hey. Looking sharp.
SOKKA: Thanks. Wanna get some drinks for the ladies?
He gives a friendly wink at Ty Lee, who giggles.
ZUKO: I'll come with you.
She can feel that he didn't say it out of jealousy, though it is kind of funny to see him chase after the two so quickly.
BANDIT: That one really sticks, huh?
Ty Lee flinches ever so slightly, Bandit, dressed just as always, appearing next to her.
TY LEE: It's why I love him.
The earthbender nods.
BANDIT: I'm gonna go dance a bit. See ya guys later.
TY LEE: Have fun!
The girl leaves. While Ty Lee could feel that her aura is enjoying herself, something about it has been shifting recently. And odd feeling that-
A completely different sensation forces Ty Lee to turn around.
AZULA: Hi.
Azula is wearing a dress. And not a very casual on at that - bright crimson red with golden features running across, her face with beautiful makeup and an elegant bun at the top, two strains hanging down like always.
AZULA: So, more of a party then a ball, huh?
TY LEE: Right. Excuse me a second.
Without another word, the airbender turns around, walking straight towards Sokka, who is impatiently waiting for his drinks to arrive at a serving booth. He turns towards the acrobat as he spots her.
SOKKA: Oh hey! Did you know Zuko is the only one who can order-
She aggressively grasps his shoulder and pulls him a few steps away into a corner with a mural behind them.
SOKKA: What's going on?!
TY LEE: What did you tell Azula?
The usual completely chipper and optimistic vibe of the airbender is switched out for a serious business-only attitude, reflected in crossed arms and an inquisitive glare.
SOKKA: What?!
TY LEE: What did you say to Azula?
SOKKA: Why?
Causing irritation, she grabs his head and spins it towards the firebender. She stands under the spotlight of an orange light crystal, holding onto her arm and trying to look as desirable as possible, almost like someone at prom waiting to be asked to dance.
SOKKA: Oh dear.
The girl lets go of Sokka's head.
SOKKA: Ow!
TY LEE: You told her to go for it, didn't you?
Quickly, and with the shock displayed on his face, Sokka puts two and two together.
SOKKA: You don't want them to be together.
Ty Lee's expression melts ever so slightly.
SOKKA: You're sabotaging them.
TY LEE: Of course I want them to be together! But I read his aura. And it never clearly shows that he loves her.
Sokka takes that one in for a second.
SOKKA: Clearly? So-
TY LEE: It means he's only going to hurt her if she tries.
Sokka frowns in protest.
SOKKA: You don't know that.
She doesn't protest.
SOKKA: I'm not saying I don't believe your aura stuff, but unless you can prove to be that you can clearly read "Aang does not have romantic feelings for Azula", then you're just guessing.
TY LEE: I'm not guessing! I know these things! It's a gut instinct.
Sokka nods obnoxiously.
SOKKA: So you don't know.
The airbender trying to hold firm looks something akin to a child trying not to cry after being shouted at.
SOKKA: You don't get to be involved in people's lives like that. Reading people's aura is amazing, but doing it on all of us without our consent ALL of the time? That's creepy.
He looks back over to the other two boys, who don't seem to notice the fight through the rows of dancing peoples.
SOKKA: Tell me, if you know for a fact that Aang doesn't love Azula, do you also know for a fact that Zuko loves you?
He leaves her with that very ominous thought as he walks back over to the others. She shudders in fear, as the answer... is no.
BANDIT: Wow. That was pretty brutal.
Once again, she didn't even see Bandit coming, though Ty Lee is mostly just too freaked out to respond.
BANDIT: You know, I don't think Azula has a shot, but if she really wants to-
TY LEE: Shut up, Bandit. I don't want to hear it.
Bandit is left last at the mural, reacting the most angered out of all of them.
In a sharp contrast to the loose, youth-focused party of Goldmouth, Ba Sing Se's Earth Ball represents tradition, excellence, and gerontocracy. Small but elegant food is served by underpaid staff while the rich and powerful mingle amongst each other, occasionally picking at the topic of war, but mostly reserving their talks to real estate, vacations, investment strategies, and so on. A small table for Bosco only was prepared, the (no attribute) bear enjoying his lavish meals, the hat and coat inspired by the same ones the King is wearing. Classical string music emphasizes the glory of days past.
We start with a corner close to the entrance.
CARAMAN: Shahar... may I ask for a dance?
The girl turns around with a brisk sense of shame.
SHAHAR: Oh. Hey. Caraman. Listen... Mai told me about your... endeavors and...
CARAMAN: And?
He asks with the innocence of a very stupid adult.
SHAHAR: I'm... gay.
It takes him longer than it should to get it.
CARAMAN: Oh. Oh, that's cool.
He scratches the back of his head.
CARAMAN: Still wanna dance? Just as friends?
She nods.
SHAHAR: Sounds nice.
Despite his clumsy and lack of tactfulness, the Crescent Warrior is quite an excellent dancer, swinging back and forth with Shahar around his arm and their hands clasping.
SHAHAR (joy): We're did you learn that?
He shrugs.
CARAMAN: I told you. I like the Earth Ball.
She smiles.
SHAHAR: I hope you're not mad. Having you as a friend sounds nice.
He nods.
CARAMAN: It does.
Unfortunately, while both of them are enthusiastic, neither of them are pro, and so they almost knock over the tray of a servant girl, who can thankfully pull it aside last second. Without spilling anything, mind you.
SHAHAR: We're so sorry.
The short servant girl with bushy brows smiles.
CHI-CHI: It's fine. I have experience.
CARAMAN: People knock you over a lot?
Chi-Chi thinks back to her harrowing days working under Governor Buzhang, once again glad to have made such a successful career switch.
CHI-CHI: More than you think.
The girl nods and leaves, so does Shahar.
SHAHAR (to Caraman): I'll talk to Mai real quick.
Next to a pillar, Fong sulks on his own, a mean look cast upon Xishan, who loudly tells another homophobic joke about him to a few longer-ranking generals.
TAMAO: You don't seem to be enjoying yourself tonight, General.
He gives her a tired scoff.
XISHAN (in the distance): ...you know? Who's the man in the relationship and who the woman? Maybe that's why he shaved his beard...
FONG: I defended my country for years. This is how I get rewarded.
Tamao tries to be somewhere in between dismissive and supportive.
TAMAO: The King hasn't punished you. He has been very accepting of you and Sun-Yat.
The muscly man accidentally spills his drink.
FONG: I don't want to be rewarded. He needs to be punished.
Xishan howls once again in the distance at his own gross joke.
TAMAO: Hogwash. Life punishes men like that. Not always in the way we want or think, but eventually, our bad deeds catch up.
Another scoff escapes his mouth.
FONG: If men like him don't get rewarded, then why are we still at war, Madame?
He exits the conversation figuratively and literally. At that moment, Tamao spots Shahar passing by.
TAMAO: Shahar.
The girl freezes on the spot, her blood boiling as if expecting a lecture.
TAMAO: Come here, my child.
Shahar follows timidly.
TAMAO: Are you enjoying yourself?
The girl nods.
TAMAO: That's wonderful to hear. I just wanted to say...
The words get stuck in her mouth.
SHAHAR: Madame... if I did anything...
TAMAO: Did anything? Oh, no, I'm not here to punish you.
The woman sighs.
TAMAO: Your job is enormously important. But I just know that you're doing your best. Tonight, you enjoy yourself. Tomorrow, you go out there and I promise you, you will solve this. I know you have it in you.
Shahar's frown turns into a relieved smile.
Despite the hall being massive, to Yue it feels just as small as her prison cell. Her skin had begun taking on this tingling sensation as she had been avoiding the other three the whole evening so far. Her estranged wanderings have finally brought her to the strange sight of a ...bear. Just... a bear. Eating. It's something just odd enough to distract her for a moment.
KUEI: I don't believe you've met Bosco yet.
Yue tries to give an earnest smile to the King, who does seem to be actually nice to her. In reality, all she thinks about in that moment is "Someone important will die at the Earth Ball."
KUEI: Well, then again, you haven't met me either.
YUE: It's an honor.
She bows awkwardly.
YUE: Your... your grace.
His smile now seems cricket all the same.
KUEI: I'm sure your situation isn't ideal, princess.
Yue nods, her right hand squeezing her left under the sleeves.
KUEI: My government and I have been talking about pardoning you. As a royal citizen of this city, you'd be able to go to all kinds of parties like these.
Another nod.
KUEI: Would you like that?
A trembling in her voice is able to pass as nerves.
YUE: I uh... to be quite honest, I haven't given much thought to that idea.
KUEI: Granted, I just asked you.
He tries giving her an earnest, sympathetic smile.
KUEI: It's only a matter of time. You can start thinking about it tonight. You'd get your own house, staff even.
Yue's voice finally breaks in an uneasy exhale.
YUE: I don't think I deserve that.
Kuei scoffs.
KUEI: Humility. I like that.
With a nod from him, he and two guards walk over somewhere else. The princess finally left alone, she actually does try thinking about it. But alas, a more pressing issue presents itself in her mind first, then second as Mai, who appears to have been (what else?) spying on her.
MAI: "I don't think I deserve that."
A few steps forward and Yue's fight-or-flight instinct is almost activated.
YUE: I... I-
SHAHAR: Mai! There, you are.
The knife warrior turning to Shahar, Yue is able to briskly walk off.
SHAHAR: Your dress looks gorgeous on you, by the way, I don't know if I've-
The earthbender finally notices something off about that whole constellation.
SHAHAR: Wait, why did Yue just...
Mai takes a few steps closer.
MAI (quietly): Yue knows something.
Expecting determination, Shahar instead displays confusion.
SHAHAR: What? No, that's rubbish.
Mai tries to appear as calm and professional, Shahar letting her casual side show, now of all times.
MAI: She's been acting weird all day, didn't you notice?
SHAHAR: Today? No. I thought you consider her innocent - have been from the start-
MAI: The fact that you haven't noticed is concerning. It's your job.
Now Shahar shows determination, from the angry variety though.
SHAHAR: Since you want my report so badly, I'll give you my report. The main thing I've noticed is that you have been following weird little leads this whole time while I do all of the actual work for the case. Now I get one night where even my boss is giving me the blessing to relax, and you come along to try and ruin it!
Shahar powers down, not wanting to make a scene.
SHAHAR (quietly): If Yue has been off your suspect list for months but now she suddenly is of interest, it only tells me you're out of options and trying to ruin this wonderful event that you've openly shown your distain for. Now leave Yue alone and leave ME alone.
A very frustrated Mai is left in the corner of the room, Caraman, Yue and Shahar each occupying a different one.
A few crude earth tables were erected in a very old hall, which probably gave a few current day historians a heart attack. Luckily, no such person was invited tonight.
Aang obviously hasn't been to a party in a while. He tries not to sulk for too long in the memories. He tries instead to think about his illegal dance party for the Fire Nation kids he did a few years ago. Mostly because the music is now getting even faster and crazier like back then, everyone of his new friends using the occasion to actually dance. Everyone except...
Ty Lee plunges herself across from him on one of the seats, blocking his view.
TY LEE: We need to talk.
His brow folds with guilt.
AANG: If it's because I've been absent so much, I was going to talk about you guys tomorrow-
TY LEE: It's not about that. It's about Azula.
Now Aang feels put on the spot.
TY LEE: She... she really likes you. I just... I don't want you to hurt her.
His confusion morphs into offense.
AANG: I know I hurt her and... you guys in the past. But I'm not going to do that again. I thought you'd trust me this much.
TY LEE: I do. But I know something you don't.
AANG: What are you-
AZULA: Aang...
An extended hand attached to a beautiful girl in a beautiful dress symbolizes the offer for...
AZULA: ...let's dance.
Aang gives one spiteful look to Ty Lee and takes the offer. Why his friend is suddenly mistrustful of him again he can't tell. But he'll prove her wrong, and he'll start by giving Azula this dance she wants for some reason.
On the dance floor, amongst plenty of other people, Azula whispers into Aang's ear.
AZULA (whisper): Let's do firebending forms.
He nods with a smirk. Their two wrists clash against each other as Ty Lee watches with fear in her heart.
As the up-beat music plays over the Ba Sing Se scenes, Fong is back to glaring. He finally has the guts to approach Xishan, Shahar watching closely.
FONG: Hey Xishan.
His aggressive saunter scares away the company the general was talking to.
XISHAN: Oh hey, General Fong. Beautiful night, isn't it?
FONG (angry): We need to talk.
Aang and Azula go in circles back and forth, finally punching the arms forward and slashing their wrists again.
XISHAN: Oh yeah, I have been meaning to talk to you. Quick question - where's Sun-Yat?
Fong's wridge turns red and Shahar steps forward, Caraman walking right after her.
More swipes and shaolin punches. Ty Lee watches closely.
SHAHAR: General.
The two kids arrive at the confrontation.
XISHAN: Agent Shahar. Beautiful dress.
SHAHAR: Thank you. I wish you'd show this kindness to General Fong.
XISHAN: Oh, believe me, the General already has a man complementing his looks.
A few jumps and kicks are mixed into the choreography with perfect synchronicity. The other guests around Aang and Azula are starting to spectate.
CARAMAN: Uncool, man.
SHAHAR: If you are going to insult the general for being a homosexual, you should know that he's not the only one working for the King.
Sokka sits down on Ty Lee's table, also watching closely.
SOKKA: I hope you're wrong. For her sake.
With the Xishan situation unfolding, Yue stands a bit removed behind a table, though listening with unnerve. She takes a few steps, wanting to get closer, until-
MAI: What do you know?
Mai appears on the other side of the table, blocking her view.
Aang and Azula start performing some forms from the Dancing Dragon. Both start to sweat.
XISHAN: I'm not making fun of the general. I'm trying to have fun with him.
FONG: Well, it's not fun.
SHAHAR: And everyone in the palace is getting sick of it.
CARAMAN: Yeah.
Aang's and Azula's faces briefly almost touch.
YUE (walking the other side): I don't know what you're talking about.
MAI (following her): I think you do. I think you haven't known anything at all until this morning. What is it?
The longer they dance, the more Ty Lee feels just how on edge Azula is.
YUE: You sound paranoid.
MAI: I've been defending you from the start, trying to be your friend-
YUE: You are my friend.
They halt, as both have reached the end of the table, there's nothing in between them now.
MAI: So why won't you say?
YUE (trembling): Because I'm scared.
An impressive wheel from Azula makes Sokka think that she copied it from the acrobat.
XIHSAN: Alright, let's not make this a thing. The Earth Ball is for celebration, let's celebrate!
He hand-signs a waiter to come over, Chi-Chi following the order.
Touching Aang's hand like this feels like a dream come true to the firebender.
Mai can decipher some kind of threat from Yue's voice.
MAI: Yue, if something is going to happen, you have to tell me. I can stop it.
Chi-Chi lowers her tray and the four each take a glass.
Tears start streaming down Yue's face.
YUE (teary): I think it's too late.
XISHAN & FONG & SHAHAR & CARAMAN: CHEERS!
The four glasses ring with excitement.
As the last note of the song plays and Aang performs his final firebending form, Azula goes for the kiss.
FONG: You know Xishan, you're not that bad, actually.
He gives him a harsh pad on the back. A cough turns into a loud cough, turns into gagging.
Mai shifts around in an instant. The gagging intensifies.
FONG: Xishan?
Xishan continues to gasp for air, unable to reach it as his throat seems to be stuck. Mai's heart is beating out of her chest as she watches the general go through the same process as the spy that died in her arms. Yue is covering her face in fear.
FONG: Xishan!
SHAHAR: General!
Xishan collapses onto the floor. His disgusting noises have in the meantime stopped the band from playing and drawn everyone's eyes towards him.
SHAHAR: Somebody help!
She watches him closely, the poison foaming from his mouth as his eyes stare into the abyss above. Shahar watches with horror and disgust as a man she just celebrated with dies in front of her. In his last moments, Xishan glares with utter despair, the horror of the situation unfolding on him.
Act III. - A thousand blossoms bloom
In the middle of the night, an unbelievable thirst washes over Kenora. Despite her strong reluctance to get up and remain sleeping, she does eventually force herself to get up from her bed, Kanna asleep next to her, somehow still sitting.
She walks into their poor excuse for a bathroom. More wardrobe-sized then anything. Regardless, she turns on her night lamp and takes a look into the-
Kenora freezes as she gazes into the mirror. Looking back at her is not a miserable, sick-looking version of herself. Instead, she looks rather normal. Well, all except for that giant gash in her nose. Instead of healing it, she decides to poke her finger in it. For some reason, it looks even worse than usually. A few more pokes from her finger and the wound grows larger. Horrified by this, she starts poking around even more. Something feels off. Her skin it's... it's too loose. It's like it's glued on, not hers. The process becomes more and more gruesome as shoving her hand around her wound turns into ripping the skin off all together, piece by piece. Droplets of blood falls down into the sink, first a few, then a lot, alongside chunks of her face. Then the process is finally over.
She stares into the mirror once again. Expecting gross, rotten flesh, she instead looks at the face of Azula, and it right back at her.
At first, the girl in the mirror mimics her horror, then it suddenly no longer does. Instead, while Kenora carrying her enemy's head looks in utter horror, the Azula staring back at her grins like a devil, eventually also cackling like one.
Mirror Azula's hand reaches Kenora's shirt and pulls her inside.
Kenora falls for what feels like eternity. In an instant, she smacks onto hard wood. She has no time to rest, as blue flames immediately come shooting at her from all different directions, forcing her to dodge. She's back in the old mill for some reason, fighting the same fight against Azula among darkness she won already. Finally, she has the brains to just punch the wall behind her, shattering the wood as if it were made of glass. Strange colors shine into the house. All colors of the rainbow except for the blues.
Behind her, the shadow that Azula was hiding in is drained off like water, gathering in the center and engulfing her opponent.
Kenora turns around again, her heart beating at an unhealthy rhythm.
The Azula she just fought has morphed into a shadowy version of herself, tall and slender with arms that are slightly too long, claw-like hands dragging on the ground. Her hair hangs down loose, covering half her face, a gaping triangle-shaped mouth and bright spirals for eyes haunting Kenora's very soul.
A loud horn appears next to her, manifesting a strange transport vehicle that blasts past her at impossible speeds. She looks ahead and finds herself at the station in Ba Sing Se she fought Azula in, though here the trains are running at high-speed on both sides, trapping her in the middle with Shadow Azula, a platform flooded in an inch of water. The shadow figure slashes its claw-like appendages after the girl, Kenora dodging and jumping aside with the same fear she felt when faced with the Buzzard Wasp Queen. A final slash and she stumbles onto the earth train tracks, the headlights of an approaching vehicle drawing ever so closer as a warning horn sounds with the same pitch as Shadow Azula's howl.
Kenora opens her eyes again. The stone of the station is swapped for the wood of the abandoned spa, the one she fought Aang in. Dark Clouds blur out rain like a watering can, after a few seconds, thunder appears alongside it. Then, a face in the clouds, briefly illuminated by lightning. As soon as the face fades away, actual lightning shoots from the cloud, aimed at the waterbender, missing her slightly, though annihilating the floor around her. The cackling sounds once more from above, another strike of lightning missing Kenora as she starts running. The girl thinks to bend the waves below to block the impact, though here her bending doesn't work. What a nightmare. The lightning strikes a few more times before shattering the boardwalk beneath her feet. Kenora is plunged into the cold water below where, after trying to stay above for as long as possible, she is eventually grasped by the waterfall and pulled into the abyss below.
She lands on hard stone floor once again, also covered in water. Then, houses rising from below the surface, one after the other, slowly building the city from below. It's the Golden City. Some houses are destroyed, a huge temple stands a bit removed from her.
Paws splash. A shape bounces from roof to puddle, to stairs, to more puddles. Shishi the Beast Dog finally halts in front of her, his teeth fletched and ready to snatch her right up. She could try to fight it or escape. But, for an odd reason she can't quite explain or comprehend, she remains firm. After a while, the Beast Dog quiets down, admiring her calmly like any regular dog would. He blows warm embers from his mouth. Kenora closes her eyes.
She opens them one last time. The turmoil she felt from the mirror and Shadow Azula, now gone. She's back in a black void, endless nothing in all directions but down.
The floor beneath her is still water, like in the Golden City. It suddenly freezes up, first into foggy crystal, then into clear blue, like she's seen before.
A mirror grows from this ice. One slightly taller than her and as thin as a razor edge. She stares blankly into it. Not nothing this time. She's back to wearing her Poko disguise, yet the mirror shows something else. Azula again. No specter of horror, no evil reflection. It's her, slightly younger and naiver, like when she first met her. The image also perfectly mimics her own movements this time. Then, the image becomes blurry, wavy.
As it straightens out again, Kenora is wearing her pirate coat again. She looks like she does usually.
And in the mirror, it's all the same.
No doppelganger, no haunting trick to make her disappear. She stares into the Glacier Temple mirror spotting nothing but herself.
Kenora wakes up again abruptly. No need to pee or get extra water. She should go back to sleep, get more rest to recover. If she will get any more tonight, she can't tell.
The body just lies there with no motion, its eyes still open, staring into the abyss. A few seconds of absolute silence pass, where a panicked crowd has no idea what to do. Tamao finally steps forth.
Her face is a calm display of a tenth of the panic she feels.
TAMAO: CLOSE THE EXITS! LET NO ONE ENTER OR LEAVE!
The King's guards follow her lead. She erects her finger towards the scene, including a confused Fong, Shahar and Caraman.
TAMAO: ARREST THEM!
Earth shackles are cast upon Caraman, iron chains onto the earthbenders.
TAMAO: WHERE IS THE WAITRESS?!
A few eyes wander through the room. Chi-Chi finally realizes she's been spotted and tries to run for it, getting caught against he wall by knifes immediately. Mai looks back to Yue, the princess in utter shock. She knew something was going to happen, certainly not this.
TAMAO: Your highness.
She nods the King over to a small office next door.
A little fireplace illuminates the library-like room with a shade of green. A dozen or so guards remain here with the King and Tamao, briefly shutting the door.
The kimono lady brings forth a small vial with a clear liquid.
TAMAO: Your highness, you must drink this.
He eyes it with concern.
GUARD: Are you crazy, woman? Someone just got murdered with poison and you want the King to drink something?
TAMAO: It's an ipecac mixture. If any toxins are in your body, you need to rid yourself-
GUARDS: Absolutely not. What do you think we...
To everyone's collective shock, half the vial is emptied by Tamao herself as a show of good faith, before Kuei finally agrees. The two empty the contents of their stomach with a delay apart from each other, and much to the shame of the carpet beneath them.
Outside the room, panic is slowly starting to erupt among the guests, whispers and cries of a crowd on the brink of riot. As Mai continues to observe the Princess of the North Pole, her sympathies begin to grow again.
Aang backs off as soon as the sensation reaches his brain. Here, the music doesn't end, but their dance number sure does. Here Azula's panic is accurately reflected in her expression.
AZULA: Oh, no no no... what have I done...
AANG: Azula I... I'm so sorry but, I don't see you that way.
Words are exchanged as quickly and as bluntly as a doctor's diagnosis. Ty Lee and Sokka are meanwhile exchanging horrified looks, the boy's face a shameful expression. Zuko also joins them, having seem the whole thing, as has everyone else around them.
SOKKA: What have I done...
Tears slowly creep onto the firebenders face. She thought it was right. It felt right. She was wrong.
AANG: Azula, just...
The words won't come to his mind. Either way, Azula storms off in shame.
Of course he didn't want this, not like this. All that stuff about telling the truth and always beeing honest finally hurt someone he cares about.
As he looks back towards the table he was just sitting on, Sokka hangs his head down in shame as Ty Lee shakes hers with a mean stare, Zuko sighing with a heavy heart.
Eventually, the four suspects are brought into the King's office for questioning, leaving everyone else with a morbid feeling of despair. Safe to say, the entire catering is left alone from that point onward.
YUE: What's going to happen to them?
Her voice echoes with honest fear for the safety of her friends.
MAI: Questioning. Didn't make it look good that all four of them were close to Xishan when he died.
The princess fiddles her hands back and forth, her breath beginning to heap and sink again and again. Mai finally turns around towards her, talking quietly enough to not be spied on.
MAI: I know you didn't do this or want this, but you knew. You knew somehow that something was going to happen.
As she closes in on her, Yue's eyes draw more and more towards the ground.
MAI: You're not a spy, Yue. You can't bluff your way through this. If you don't talk to me, someone much less nice than me will.
Yue's gaze finally shots back up at her.
YUE: I'm in too deep already. If I talk now, they'll lock me in a cell for the rest of my life.
Mai aggressively grabs her arm.
MAI: I won't let that happen.
GUARDS: You two.
They jolt to the side in an instant. Two of the King's guards appear.
GUARDS: Come with us.
The entirety of Kuei's soldiers are standing on one side, Kuei in the middle, Tamao by his side. The green fireplace casts deep, menacing shadows onto all of them. The four suspects are chained on the ground, with Mai and Yue in front, no shackles on either.
Yet.
MAI: Why are we here?
KUEI: Quiet. You are not to speak unless you are spoken to.
He paces up and down a bit. Tamao takes a worried breath, though does not protest.
KUEI: One of my top generals dies suddenly and brutally in the midst of one of Ba Sing Se's most ancient traditions. My Chief of Security has no idea why, yet she finds two of you at the crime scene.
MAI: Two of what?
KUEI: Quiet!
Mai shuts up but doesn't back down. Every single one of her friends, and a random servant girl, all united behind her.
KUEI: I summoned you two because I wanted to see if arresting you alongside the rest is necessary or not. You may answer now.
MAI: How is anyone here guilty? They happened to be standing there, that's all.
TAMAO: It could also just be a single person, your highness.
He gestures Tamao to be quiet as well, focusing only on Mai, speaking up after readjusting his glasses. In a corner of the room, Bosco digs his nose under his paws.
KUEI: I went through every single person's file again. You're such an great detective Mai, you tell me how they're connected.
CHI-CHI: I'm not connected at all! I don't know these people - I'm just a waitress!
Her cries seem to find little sympathy with the stern King.
KUEI (reading her report): Let's start with you. Chi-Chi, a Fire Nation peasant who worked for a Water Tribe Governor in Musho Ichi.
CHI-CHI: As a servant. I was saved by the Avatar. I'm innocent-
KUEI: QUIET!
Chi-Chi's words get stuck in her throat. The King takes the next report card.
KUEI: Shahar moved here from Si Wong, a province we are closely watching due to separatist tendencies.
He eyes her sharply.
KUEI: Why did you come to Ba Sing Se?
Shahar tries keeping it together, managing for the most part. The image of a gruesome death happening right before her eyes is now permanently edged into her mind.
SHAHAR: Because I love the city. I love the culture - it is the very heart that pumps the Earth Kingdom. Being here has been a dream-
KUEI: I don't believe you. I'll ask you again - why are you here?
Shahar is put on the spot. Mai tries giving her a reassuring look.
SHAHAR: My mother is dead. I slept on old wood. Everything I wore smelt like shit and was full of sand. This city is paradise in comparison.
Finding that somewhat more believable, he takes the next folder.
KUEI: General Chiang Kai Fong. Born and raised in Gaoling, serving the army since you were 17.
Fong gives him what he hopes appears to be a humble, honorable bow.
KUEI: Went behind my back to lie about yourself. You're the only one with an actual motive.
FONG: Your highness, I-
KUEI: Did you not argue with General Xishan tonight? In regards to your... lifestyle?
The bulky man takes a deep breath.
FONG: His behavior towards me was deeply unprofessional. But I did not kill him because of it.
KUEI: Then he suffocated on his own in your presence? After you offered drinks?
SHAHAR: Xishan did.
Tamao frowns with intrigue.
KUEI: It's not your turn-
SHAHAR: Xishan got the drinks. Not Fong.
The girl tries looking over to the man, though quickly focuses back on the King, who picks up the next folder.
KUEI: I'll skip Caraman since that boy is pretty unremarkable.
Caraman reacts with something akin to confused offense.
KUEI: We'll continue with our next suspect.
He signals one of his guards. Mai almost gasps as Madame Tamao is shoved away from Kuei and towards the side of the suspects.
TAMAO: Your highness, what is the-
KUEI: Yī Nuò. Tamao isn't your real name. You grew up on the streets, clawing your way up to some kind of power using deceit and prostitution.
Her make-up already faded a bit, her pale face and red cheeks do not require to be covered or recreated this time.
KUEI: You also personally hired and recommended another suspect. I hired you because you were an outsider. You weren't involved with the Dai Li or anything of the sort.
He puts the folder back with the others on a pile.
KUEI: Perhaps I was wrong.
The King retells earlier tonight, when he was walking over to Bosco, overhearing a conversation between the kimono lady and General Fong.
"...life punishes men like that. Not always in the way we want or think, but eventually, our bad deeds catch up..."
Tamao almost breaks at the realization. The sovereign finally eyes Mai, Yue and, to an extent, Caraman.
KUEI: And now we have three more non-Earth-Kingdom-citizens, all friends of one my suspects, all at the scene of the crime. I don't see a reason to-
YUE: No.
Everyone's head now turns to the princess, tears once again ruining her beautiful make-up.
KUEI: You are not to speak-
YUE (teary and quivering): I... am not... supposed to be here...
Clearly a lot, no, everything bothering Yue for months is all reaching a boiling point.
YUE (teary and quivering): ...I was dragged from my home, put in a cell to die, constantly harassed like I'm some kind of... monster...
The room takes on an entirely new collective feeling.
YUE (teary and quivering): If you think I killed that... that man, fine. But don't go through the trouble of locking me up in some new prison and just kill me. Just...
The rant crescendos as Yue turns around and reliefs herself of her lunch. Luckily, Chi-Chi had the reflexes to move aside in time.
MAI: She needs to go to the bathroom. Let me go with her.
KUEI: Both of you are under investigation still-
MAI: Then put handcuffs on us. Alternatively, you can also have the bathroom be guarded.
The bathroom is just as fancy as the rest of the palace, white ceramic plastered almost everywhere. It's completely vacated, minus the Crescent Warrior at the entrance and Yue in one of the stalls. There are of course a few guards outside, though Mai is convinced that none of them are trained enough to listen in on them. She finally approaches Yue's stall. Thankfully, she didn't wear tall high heels like Shahar wanted her to.
MAI: Yue? Yue! Are you alright?
Her coughing noises have subsided. No answer though.
MAI: That was... pretty impressive back there. Good to see you stand up for yourself like that.
Still no answer. Worry starts festering inside Mai.
MAI: Yue, I'm coming now.
YUE (from inside the stall): Door is unlocked...
She enters, finding Yue on the floor with her head resting on the toilet seat, her breath getting heavier and heavier.
MAI: Yue - your breath!
Mai reveals, to Yue's surprise, that she's been carrying her own portable inhaler, slightly smaller than even the one the princess has. A bit of hot water from the sink and the mixture is warm enough to be used. This also allows Mai to get the girl away from the loo. Once her breath returns to normal, Yue speaks, though it's a mat and tired tone.
YUE: Why do you have that?
MAI: Emergencies.
The girl sits down next to the princess whose dress has been ruined already.
MAI: Case and point.
Yue scoffs. Her tired eyes stare at a non-existent image at the wall across from them.
YUE: It's my fault. I should've warned you.
MAI: No. Stop telling yourself that you're the perpetrator. You're an innocent bystander that's being used by people who think that you're useful to them.
Yue sighs.
YUE: I got a few messages in my apartment. Hidden in different stuff. Cakes and such. They were all cryptic and weird. Promised to free me.
MAI: Which they haven't.
The princess nods.
YUE: Case and point.
Mai hugs herself.
MAI: We're telling no one about this. This ends tonight.
YUE: But it's your job. You're-
MAI: My job is to protect the city from a spy network. You're not a spy - I'm protecting you. No need to have you on a suspect list when you refuse to be a part of this.
Despite the awfully good news, Yue can't smile a lot about it.
YUE: I knew someone was going to die. But it didn't tell me who.
MAI: Did it tell you to do something specific to make you complicit?
YUE: No.
MAI: What did it say?
YUE: That "someone important" was going to die tonight.
Mai blows off some steam.
MAI: Well, I guess Xishan is more important than Fishlips McGee.
Yue frowns at her in confusion.
MAI: It's what I call General Zongren.
Then, from the seed planted by Yue, a thought blossoms.
MAI: But... he's not that important...
Aang decided to chase after Azula, considering it the only right thing to do. He's not the biggest fan of setting another situation right, but he owes it to her. Hopefully there's still something to fix.
He stumbles into a small little garden behind the main building. Beautiful greenery in the center of the desert city does fascinate him. It's more green than he got to see on a good day. Some nice vines, trellis and garden arches to walk through, with pink blossoms growing above. And, for some odd reason, dragon-fireflies. A bunch actually, just hovering back and forth and illuminating the dark night with their glowing, yellow butts.
AZULA: You didn't need to follow me.
He turns to the left, finding Azula, in her, admittedly very gorgeous dress, seated on one of the nicely-trimmed hedges. The boy sighs.
AANG: I think I did. We need to talk.
She shrugs, a dragon-firefly hovering above her erected finger.
AZULA: What's there to talk? I thought you liked me the way I do you. I miscalculated.
Aang sighs.
AANG: It's not as simple as that.
AZULA: Is it not? Or are you wasting my time?
She flares up for a moment, but then powers down.
AZULA: I'm sorry.
AANG: No, I'm sorry.
It takes him a few seconds to find the right words, leaving Azula with horrid anticipation.
AANG: I can't fall in love here. At least not that way. If I see any of you as something other than a friend...
AZULA: It becomes real.
The insect buzzes off quickly.
AZULA: All of us stop being a nice memory and we suddenly turn into something that makes you want to stay here. That's why you didn't like in the Air Nomad Village. It's why you were so reluctant to merely calling us friends in the first place. I get it.
A tone of spite escapes through her sigh.
AANG: Then you understand that I still love her.
The heat rises inside her, a bright blue that wishes to burst from every appendage at once.
AZULA: But she doesn't love you.
He can't help but shrug. He's perfectly aware, she made that more than clear in a night more traumatic than this. Possibly more traumatic than the one he died in Ba Sing Se.
AANG: I can't help myself.
He intends to to walk off.
AZULA: So this is it? Two lost lovers destined to chase after something they can't have?
He turns towards her with a smirk that's very much Aang.
AANG: I am lost. You still have hope. Don't waste it on me.
Aang hopes this did something, prays that, over the next few days, he can fix this. He had recovered from worse.
Azula however waits for the boy to walk off before allowing herself to cry, no, sob. It's at her lowest that she once again allows the serpent to speak to her heart.
I told you so...
Back in the King's office, a big decision is awaited as Mai and Yue return. Surprisingly, Tamao looks the most worn out, a state of non-perfection that Mai couldn't picture in her dreams.
KUEI: Agent Mai. Glad you've decided to join us again. We were just about to look at the drinks.
The other door closes, and a guard enters, carrying the tray from before with the four empty glasses. Unfortunately, the guard isn't quite as well-trained and so...
KUEI: Watch it-
He looses his balance, accidentally dropping Caraman's glass. Fortunately, Chi-Chi was quick enough to move aside. Much like before.
Much like...
Mai's pupils dilate, as she finally puts it all together.
KUEI: You moron! You're tampering with evidence!
Mai steps in to take the tray off the man, holding it with perfect balance, unlike him.
MAI: Your highness, could you uncuff Chi-Chi for a moment?
Strange looks are exchanged.
KUEI: Why should I-
MAI: Because I can prove who did it.
Looks of mistrust shatter in an instant, what is left over cannot be described as one shared reaction. Kuei however agrees, signaling the same clumsy guard to uncuff the girl, allowing her to get up.
CHI-CHI: Thanks, but why-
MAI: Hold this.
She hands her the tray, Shahar's, Fong's and Xishan's glass remaining. She takes off Shahar's, putting it gently on the carpet.
MAI: Say you're serving these. Okay?
CHI-CHI: Okay? Why-
Mai swipes her hand towards her, forcing Chi-Chi to dodge once again. This is when Shahar notices the parallel.
Unfortunately, while both of them are enthusiastic, neither of them are pro, and so they almost knock over the tray of a servant girl, who can thankfully pull it aside last second.
Without spilling anything, mind you.
The motion of Chi-Chi saving the tray?
Half a rotation.
Mai imitates this motion once more, slower. Everyone watches closely.
MAI: If I was Xishan, reaching for this glass...
She gestures to the one on the left.
MAI: ...and say, I'm putting some poison in it...
Next, she and Chi-Chi do the turning motion another time. The two glasses are now standing on different spots on the tray.
MAI: ...but then something happened that would cause Chi-Chi to turn her tray, and I was trying to reach it again...
Her hand reaches for the left glass, which is now on a different spot.
MAI: ...especially if I'm trying not to appear like I'm trying to poison someone, then I could accidentally grab the wrong glass...
She finally picks it up, showcasing it to Fong, a man who has transformed from intoxicated, to defending his honor, to suspect, to relieved, all in a very short period of time.
MAI: ...and kill myself. Instead of my target.
Her presentation over and minds sufficiently shattered, all turn back towards King Kuei, who is utterly speechless.
MAI: General Xishan wasn't murdered by anyone. He murdered himself.
Kuei nods quietly. Mai finally allows herself to smile at Shahar, and even Tamao, who couldn't look more proud.
MAI: Maybe he had some more things to hide.
If their investigation for the past weeks had been a drag in the mud, searching Xishan's office was like walking into a metal shop with a magnet. It took a random King's Guard five minutes to find a copy of Ba Sing Se's sewage system, together with a letter exchange with the Crown Princess.
Mai, Shahar, Yue, and Caraman all wait outside the office. Fong and Madame Tamao eventually briefly exit, giving them some much-deserved updates. The General quietly sighs, returning back inside to his duty. He hadn't been saying much all night. Mostly because he got really, really drunk.
The old woman smiles, a bit more organic than she usually does.
TAMAO: Anytime something good important happens in this city, I can thank you two.
Mai and Shahar smile. The woman next looks over to Yue, who appears a little bit better now.
TAMAO: After tonight, the King has agreed to grant you amnesty. You'll be made royalty within Ba Sing Se, and given citizenship.
After everything, Yue actually reacts with joy.
MAI: What his highness said about you wasn't okay, you didn't deserve that.
Tamao accepts the compliment with grace. Truly, seeing her stripped down like that was something she didn't see coming.
TAMAO: His highness and I see eye to eye on the issue. He has apologized. But you didn't hear that from me.
She takes her hands out under her sleeves, still folded together.
TAMAO: Well, the Earth Ball has been continued, though all the... puke and Xishan's body have been removed. We did find the poison vial in on his wrist like you said, by the way.
Mai nods with pride.
TAMAO: If you girls feel inclined to re-join the prestigious Earth Ball, you're welcome to do so.
CARAMAN: What about me?
She reacts with curiosity.
TAMAO: Caraman. You're still here? Huh.
Madame Tamao turns around and walks back inside the office.
MAI (to Shahar): I'm sorry things got so heated between us. I should've been a better-
SHAHAR: Oh, stop moping. Please. Everyone is forgiven. We all went through some tough shit tonight.
YUE: And Mai saved the day again.
SHAHAR: As she usually does.
A hint of a blush appears on Mai's face, something not very often seen.
CARAMAN: So, uh... we heading back to the Earth Ball? You really wanted to be there tonight, Shahar.
The earthbender bluntly shrugs.
SHAHAR: Oh well, I saw the gist of it. Some fancy clothes, good food, a little murder. I think I've had my fair share.
The girl, sitting in between Mai and Yue, grabs both of their hands.
SHAHAR: I had something different in mind.
A comfy little basement is not quite what the others expected. It's almost like a little lounge, cavings in the wall with round tables to sit. Not nearly as many people are here as in the palace. Mostly Kimono Agents in their civil uniform. In fact, the four look pretty overdressed in comparison. The music is also a lot more loose and... not to sound old but, you know. For the youth.
SHAHAR: This is where the Kimono Agents go after work a lot. Do you guys want to drink first or-
MAI: Yes please.
CARAMAN: I'll get some!
In an instant, the two disappear, leaving behind Shahar and Yue, both kind of awkward at first.
SHAHAR: Do... you want to dance?
Yue frowns in embarrassment.
YUE: I... don't usually dance...
SHAHAR: Yeah, I suck at it too. Let's go.
She drags Yue by her arm, though she doesn't really resist.
In the universe of this story, a Chinese-sounding melody is played. In the context of the story as I'm writing it down, Fotoromanza by Gianna Nannini starts playing.
Shahar and Yue are in some random spot in the relative center. Shahar starts with her cringe-inducing shuffling.
YUE: I don't know how to dance.
SHAHAR: Me neither! Just try to imitate me. It'll be okay.
Yue starts doing... just that.
SHAHAR: It's about having fun, y'know?
Yue finally gives a pretty warm, honest smile, the first of the evening.
YUE: I have been meaning to ask, how did you afford my dress?
Shahar briefly cackles at the ceiling.
SHAHAR: Tonight, we dance. Tomorrow, we scrub the puke out your gorgeous, expensive rental, in the hopes that the store will accept it back.
An honest smile is followed by a tender giggle. Shahar smiles back.
Caraman returns with four bottles, sitting down across Mai, who accepts the drink with relief. Thankfully, Caraman is old enough to buy alcohol for all four of them.
CARAMAN: Wild night, huh?
He takes a bulky sip.
MAI: Yeah. Hey, sorry it didn't work out with you and Shahar like you thought.
Caraman shrugs nonchalantly.
CARAMAN: Meh. I'm fine. I got a new friend. That's gotta count for something. Right?
Mai's eyes have already switched away from her conversation partner. An odd smile burns across Mai's face, making a funny realization as she observes Shahar and Yue.
MAI: Yeah... friends.
The lights are dim, the room is filled with people, Shahar and Yue are enjoying the dance, coming ever so closer with every new move. Neither girl really notices, but both are blushing pretty profusely.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: And with that, TLF has officially crossed the halfway mark. Pretty insane that after all this time you guys continue to read & support my passion. Thank you very much for that :)
Next up on the chopping board: Tales from the Oasis.