A. N. : College started again for me, and tuesdays might be getting a bit too busy for me to keep posting then. We'll have to see. Also ! As some of you may know, the 6th of March is the anniversary of this fic (5 years now, damn) ! Usually, I write a short fic set in the canon of this AU to celebrate, but that's not happening this time for a multitude of reasons. So what I'm thinking is that, instead, you guys come to my tumblr crescentmoonrider and ask me whatever you want to know about this sprawling story of mine, whether it be worldbuilding elements, questions on the OCs, or just wondering why I've written something the way I did. I'll post the answers on the 6th, tagged with "viper birthday". And who knows, maybe I'll be inspired to write a few drabbles on the way ?
The Ladies have left the Caldera.
It is nearly noon when they pass through the Mouth of the Dragon, and Qin would have missed them if not for the Princess' – for Lady Azula's – slow and almost sickly walk, and for Lady Ty Lee's distinctive pink clothing.
With their hair cut short, they look like entirely different people.
Qin knew that waiting hidden in the walls of the Mouth of the Dragon would allow him to witness the Princess' – Lady Azula's departure. It is, after all, the only door leading to the Caldera's enclosed city, the natural fortification serving as both protection for the noblest families, and as a prison and deadly trap, should the Fire Lord be displeased with them.
He knew there was only one road Lady Azula could take in order to leave. But seeing the sun rise higher and higher through the day with no sign of her presence made him restless nonetheless.
He feared, for a few anxious moments before he spotted the trio, that Lady Azula would choose to end her exile before it even started.
With his fear now assuaged, Qin ponders his options, never letting his eyes stray from the three friends slowly passing through. There are really only two viable possibilities, if he is to be quite honest. Either he keeps his distance and keeps on watching over them from afar, ensuring their safety without showing himself – or he makes himself known, and plays the part of a mentor of sorts, rather than that of an invisible protector.
Both have pros and cons, but Qin's lack of experience with spy work would make him lean more strongly toward the second option.
As such, he slowly dislodges himself from the cavity he bent in the side of the Caldera, and stealthily makes his way down, careful to avoid the eyes of the guards. Thankfully, their orders appear to be restricted to watching the road, seeing as the higher-ups must have assumed no single man could climb the steep rock surface. In that, they weren't entirely wrong. Simply short-sighted.
Earthbenders are after all rather uncommon around these parts.
Qin plans on joining with the three Ladies somewhat farther down, away from the eyes of the Fire Lord, and he therefore simply follows them from a short distance, all while thinking about the best way to approach them.
They walk slowly, no doubt matching their pace with Lady Azula's weakened state, and maybe slightly burdened by the bags strapped to their shoulders. Looking closer, their clothes are different from what Qin has seen them wear in the palace, less intricate, more practical. Much like himself, they have chosen to travel wearing outfits resembling the attires of the Fire Nation's middle class. And Lady Azula wears no armor.
It is not surprising, in and of itself. After all, she was stripped of her rank along with her title, and it wouldn't do for an exile to be wearing the clothes of a soldier. It is not, either, the first time she has walked in a civilian's attire. But combined with her missing topknot and the uneasiness of her steps, it makes her look – off. Vulnerable.
Then, just as Qin feels that perhaps the Mouth of the Dragon is far enough that no one will notice him joining the three girls, Lady Azula stops in the middle of the road.
It takes the other two a few short breaths to notice and stop in turn, Lady Ty Lee asking if perhaps Lady Azula would like to take a break. Her question stays unanswered, however, as Lady Azula's words form a question of their own –
What are you doing here ?
Qin thinks, for an instant, that he was noticed, that the words are addressed to him, but Lady Azula then takes a step toward Lady Ty Lee and repeats her question in a shaking, furious tone. Has she come to laugh as Lady Azula's demise ? To feel like she has some sort of worth – for once in your miserable existence ?
The words seem to strike as surely as a blade, and Lady Ty Lee takes a step back, hand to her heart, horrified and fearful, voice weak as she tries to defend herself from the accusation, pleading friendship and care as Lady Azula laughs bitterly in her face.
Qin takes one step forward and Lady Mai places her arm in front of Lady Ty Lee in a protective manner, demanding that Lady Azula stop this cruelty.
A second step and Lady Azula calls Lady Mai a traitor and a coward, unable to act when it matters – you and Zuzu really did suit each other after all – making Lady Mai blanch.
Another step, Lady Ty Lee raises her fists in an uncharacteristically hesitant manner as Lady Azula advances, fuming, ordering the other two to disappear from her sight, her posture enough of a threat that she needn't even add an or else to the statement.
Qin raises an arm.
It is not the way he wished to make his presence known, quite the opposite really, but he would rather not find himself having to witness the three girls hurting – or even potentially killing – each other. And so the crystals lodged in his ears fly where he wants them to, ricocheting off one another and dancing in a whirlwind of sparks and lights, enough to make Lady Azula and Lady Mai lose what focus they had for a second, enough for their minds to recognize the message hidden in the rhythmic flashes.
Calm, the lights spell, and they both relax their posture, shoulders lax, breath deep, anger and fear locked away from their minds.
As Qin calls back the stones and approaches, he notices Lady Ty Lee staring at him, the expression on her face changing quickly – surprise, then horror, and finally rage.
Her fists got right back up, and it is clear that she is waiting for the right moment to strike. Qin stops. Raises his hands in surrender.
He does not wish to harm her, or her friends, he says – Lady Ty Lee's face remains closed. She says nothing.
Qin tries again. He only wishes to help – and at that Lady Ty Lee grows angrier still. How dare you, she growls, and it occurs to Qin that Agent Han may have perhaps failed in convincing her of his harmlessness.
If only there had been more time to plan and discuss these things before Qin left.
As it is, Qin finds himself at a standstill.
Now, what to do ?