Chapter 43: When Hell Broke Loose
Ivaneq sighed wearily, the time gong striking atop the citadel to indicate two hours past midday. The man, exhausted from the disaster at the luncheon, was tempted to ask the princess if he could have the rest of the day off. He knew she would most likely grant his request if he cited his weariness from the luncheon (or even if he didn't cite it; the princess certainly was generous in letting her associates leave early or tend to issues in their own lives). Then again, the Northerner did not want to show any indication of what went down in the luncheon, for he had no way of knowing the princess had actually been present to witness the chaos. Swallowing down his irritation, he marched through the snow and made his way over to the conference igloo attached adjacently to the western wing, where officials and their associates flocked to sign in and be escorted to their reserved seats. It was an amalgamation of swaying jade robes, crimson-gold armor, swishing saffron capes, and indigo overcoats, all official identities sealed with gold or platinum pins that bore their names.
Ivaneq took a deep breath and turned to the dangling wind chimes in front of the entrance, eyeing the little Aninnialuk figurines— forms of Tui and La as one body with different halves— that swayed amid the Arctic gusts. "Ikajunga, Aninnialuk." Help me, Great Spirit.
He managed to squeeze through the crowd and make his way inside, welcomed by a bigger crowd, but he was fortunate enough to see the young Southern leaders at the easternmost vertex of the chamber, which was a bit more spacious than the rest of the building (well, not counting the presence of the leaders who passed by and greeted the young leaders before heading to their seats in the inner chamber). Katara rocked a slick indigo tribal dress that was complemented by a warm, sweeping outer robe of a lavender hue, which was accompanied by an amethyst centerpiece and jewelry to match, which all indicated royal stature. Sokka, whose entire attention was focused on the entrance with his sharp blue eyes searching along, was a bit more official with regard to his dashing, all-white Order of the White Lotus inductee outer robe, which bore silver accentuations that resembled a white lotus. Beneath his outer robe were the official White Lotus robes— dark blue in hue and accompanied by a cape— as they indicated his new position as an honorary sentry. All of the layers of his uniform proved to be efficient in the Arctic despite their supposed overbearing nature and were completed with an official white mantle around his neck, and the finishing touch to his attire was the platinum pin bearing his name that was latched onto his inductee robe.
"White seems to suit you very well, Brother Sokka," Ivaneq smiled as he approached the Southern dronningi and isumataq.
"As long as he doesn't spill anything on it," Katara added, "But knowing my big brother, that's probably not gonna be possible."
"Haha," Sokka drawled, his attention still flying to the entrance.
"How are your parents faring, by the way?" Ivaneq asked Katara. "That luncheon was pretty rough…"
"You know how it is. They haven't been talking to Sokka ever since."
Sighing, "I guess that explains why your parents are not here for this."
"It's better that they're not here, trust me," came Sokka's vehement reply, but Katara didn't seem to brush off the fact with as much ease as her brother did.
"It would've been nice if they left their purity rules back home and showed up to see Sokka being honored," the master waterbender frowned. "Being inducted into the White Lotus is a huge deal, and they're just gonna skip it because of some stupid rules?"
"Hey, you're here as my sister, and that's all that matters," Sokka told her, straightening the fancy sash at his waist.
"Mom thinks he's been rebelling ever since he lost his La pendant," Katara told the Northern official.
"Which is the most ridiculous explanation I've ever heard," the isumataq scoffed.
"Don't worry," Ivaneq folded his arms, "Your La is safe around the princess's neck."
To which Sokka widened his eyes and squeaked as he looked frantically at the passing people, none of whom seemed to take notice of the comment, "Someone's gonna hear you!"
"So you know about this, too?" Katara asked.
"Chief Arnook told me about it, and now the princess knows that I know."
"Has she said anything about it?" the Southern dronningi inquired, "You know, with everything that happened up to now. I'm guessing she's not into the idea anymore…" she trailed off, reminded that Ivaneq very likely thought of this as an actual wedding.
"Chief Arnook made it clear that he's confident and persistent about this," the assistant told them. "He made it clear to Sokka, too."
"Well that's a relief, isn't it?" Katara nudged her brother, "He's been acting like a lovesick polar bear puppy all last night..."
And as they all spotted a familiar blotch of saffron struggling to head their way through the crowd, Sokka retaliated by nudging his visibly excited sister with, "Don't forget the lovesick otter-penguins…"
The waterbender jammed her foot against Sokka, earning a shriek but managing to quiet the warrior eventually as Aang approached them with a smile that seemed near-delirious with joy. His hand flew to the back of his bald head, "Katara, wow…"
"Here we go," Sokka nearly gagged, earning a look of amusement from Ivaneq.
"You look great, too, Sokka," the airbender added. "Looking official in those robes!"
"Boy, am I flattered."
Katara shot a glare in her brother's direction before beaming at Aang and his glistening Nomad robes and pendants, "You look amazing yourself. More official than me, that's for sure."
"Are you kidding? The earrings, the necklace, the robe," he raved, "You look beautiful!" Twiddling with his fingers, "Though I kind of wish the stones on your cape and earrings were blue this time. They would've matched my gift…"
"Gift?" she blinked.
"Yeah, I...I kind of got you something," he reached for a small box, its lid and bottom put together by an exquisite blue ribbon. It was a box large enough to fit a necklace, Sokka noted idly before a jump in his chest made him sputter, "Is that a necklace?!" He held his arms out and scooted between his sister and the monk, a look of alarm on his face, "You're moving a little too fast there, buddy, this is my baby sister—"
"It's a bracelet!" Aang opened the box and showed him the artifact: indeed, it was a stretchy bracelet made of the finest pearls in the Poles, its centerpiece being a sparkling blue sapphire.
"I know necklaces are a sensitive issue in the Poles," the monk said with a flare of defensiveness.
"Don't listen to him, Aang, this is so beautiful!" Katara nearly shoved her brother to the side as the airbender smilingly placed the box in her hand. She thumbed gently over the bracelet, her finger brushing against the center stone, "It's sapphire, isn't it?"
"Yeah. It's supposed to match your eyes," he said, his face crimson but his smile carefree, "You like it?"
"Of course! This is so sweet!" And with no regard for the possibility of others seeing them, no regard for the implications behind what she was going to do, the Southern princess cupped the airbender's face long enough to plant a kiss on his cheek. She then went back to admiring her gift, unaware of the monk's blush or the wide-eyed looks of Sokka and Ivaneq.
"You were the one who got it," Katara eventually broke the silence, turning back to the flushed Avatar and handing him the bracelet, "You should do the honors."
And the monk's grin stretched to both ends of the world. He clasped the bracelet around the Southern princess's wrist, reveling in her smile of appreciation.
Sokka suppressed his instinct to gag and placed an arm over Aang's shoulder, "Alright, Katara, scoot on in there. I need to have a word with Mr. Avatar."
Aang gulped, "Uh…"
"No you don't," Katara frowned at her brother before linking her arm around Aang.
"I need to talk to him about something important! Don't worry, I'm not bullying your boyfriend, alright?"
"He's not my—"
"Whatever," raising his hands, "Five minutes is all I ask."
With a skeptical look, she let go of the monk, eventually granting him a blissful smile, "See you inside!"
And Sokka was faced with the task of dragging the airbender away from the area, the task of walking on his own made impossible for Aang as he stood rooted on the spot and continuously waved at the South's tribal princess.
"I can't believe you'd think I'd get a necklace," Aang broke out of his trance eventually, finding that Sokka had dragged him to the men's bathhouse, "I'm not dumb, Sokka. The monks tell me things. I've traveled quite a bit. I've lived here in the North for three years, in fact—"
"And all that knowledge didn't help you realize you're wearing your shirt backwards?"
Aang looked down at his shirt, noticing that the pattern of his robe was indeed printed on the other side, the messy output of the embroidered Nomad robe showing in certain places instead of flowing smoothly like the design it was meant to be. "Monkey feathers!"
"You must've been in a hurry to see my sister."
Which sent another flush across the monk's face. He quickly took off his outer robe and tunic and wore the shirt properly. "Thanks…"
"Do you know if Khasiq's gonna be here?"
The looks on their faces both turned serious. Aang shook his head, "No, he's not. The White Lotus barred him from participating."
"Also, I heard Ozai started a shitstorm."
"Yeah, the White Lotus isn't happy at all," Aang's face really soured at the mention. "Yue insisted that she'll handle this independently. It's her way of appeasing Ozai so he won't stir up more trouble."
"Aang, she spent the last of what Arnook was trying to save for her," Sokka frowned.
"There's nothing I can do about this, Sokka. I tried talking to her. The senior Lotus sentries talked to her. You know they're basically her fans now. But she's not listening." Shaking his head, "Funding for your own idea, especially one as massive as this, has both pros and cons. And I'm not saying it's not doable. But based on the situation here, I don't think it's exactly safe or effective for Yue to handle the Black Lotus plans on her own. She's also sending away a lot of Revivalists. Yeah, she's chosen representatives, and Katara's one of them, but having representatives without enough allies won't be enough. And Princess Yue knows this. She's just being very stubborn."
Sokka huffed, crossing his arms, "As she always is."
Not a single Nationalist was in sight at the premises; it was the Nationalists' way of protest since their leader was barred from entry. Not that anyone seemed to mind or even notice except for those who took up the duties of royal security. Sokka, in particular, remained alert, for there was no way of knowing for sure what Khasiq had in store. Not to mention the impending eclipse; partial, it may be, but he wasn't willing to take any chances.
Apart from the underlying tension, the meeting chamber was bustling with activity. The Earth Kingdom, deemed the only other nation that could tolerate the feistiness of the Fire Nation and which actually shared equal standing with it in terms of industry and innovation, was grouped with the aforementioned children of Agni when it came to seating arrangements. The Air Nomads and the Water Tribe, given their long history of camaraderie, were naturally grouped together. Hence, Aang and Katara didn't have to worry about seating arrangements, occupying the two seats in the middle, one of which teetered on the Water Tribe side and the other which was at the precipice of the Air Nomad side.
To Aang's other side were several monks and fellow airbenders as well as the representatives of the Foggy Swamp division of the Water Tribe, and needless to say that the swamp-dwellers were not exactly ecstatic about wandering around in ice and snow, their usual half-naked bodies overdressed. To Katara's other side were Hakoda, Kya, Amaruq, and Ki'ma; as it turned out, Hakoda and Kya did show up to see their oldest being honored even if they weren't as enthusiastic as Amaruq and Ki'ma. They appeared as if everything was normal, likely having changed their minds to prevent people from digging deeper into what would've been an awkward moment had they abandoned their son's honored induction ceremony. They were obviously happy for Sokka, too, in spite of everything, so they took their seats beside the Air Nomad monks, keeping a watchful eye over the isumataq. The bitterness from the luncheon earlier still lingered in their gazes at him.
Sokka did not worry too much about being watched; nothing was going to stop him from proudly showcasing his support for the princess. Besides, if he was to be inducted as a member of the White Lotus, he shouldn't back away from doing what was right. And what he felt was right at that moment was securing a seat next to where the princess was sitting. All morning, he had been hoping to steal a bit of space right beside her at her designated platform, which was a bit higher than everyone else's given she was the welcoming host of the Global Conferences. Word had it that she would've probably been joined by Arnook, but the Northern chieftain had declined to attend the first day's session last-minute, citing minor health issues. Even if he hadn't declined to attend, there likely wouldn't have been a change of circumstance because according to Ting Yun, the princess had established beforehand that she was to remain the only one in her designated platform.
Noticing that his student was fidgeting around in waiting for the princess, Piandao decided to offer Sokka an honorary seat next to him among the senior White Lotus sentries, who were seated at the very front close to where the princess would be sitting. Even if it was until the princess allowed him to sit beside her— if she did, that is— it was a bold offer considering the minor White Lotus sentries and the soon-to-be inductees were dispersed throughout the meeting chamber, keeping close to their respective nations. It was also a move that Sokka was grateful for but wasn't satisfied with, to say the least.
By now, everyone was hurrying into the meeting chamber, the more familiar presences among the guests other than the senior world leaders being Prince Zuko and Lady Mai along with Prince Lu Ten and his soon-to-be-wife, Lady Song. Not to mention Lady Toph Beifong and Prince Bumi, whose bickering contradicted their conspicuous physical closeness.
"Well if you hadn't been yelling at the poor thing and making him pee his pants, he would've mastered the move!"
"Intimidation is way better than playing ridiculous games, Snorty Britches—"
"Riddles and challenges make one think, Madame Bei Fong. Unless you have this rule that all students should be like you? Picking their noses and toes every ten seconds?"
"At least I'm not a crackhead like you! Nor would I want my students to be!"
"Then why do you keep accepting this crackhead's invitations?" he smirked, and although she couldn't see it, she could definitely hear it in his tone. She sent a sharp jab to his elbow in response. Even so, he shrugged it off, instinctively grasping her hand, "Watch your step, Doll," initiating a flush on her cheeks and a tiny smile on her lips as he led her carefully around a particularly slippery part of the ice.
There were also guests who possessed a slightly smaller standing in terms of smaller population and representation. This included the honorary tribesmen-not tribesmen, the Foggy Swampers.
"There ain't a single vine 'round these parts, Due," Tho appeared as if he'd nearly cry, "Can't scratch why these fellas would live in a place like this!"
"T'least they got water, and the princess got us that li'l house in the winter gard'n," Due yawned, "But the cold ain't good for shut-eye, Tho. Seems like ya gotta set yer britches on fire to get warm." Tugging at the fabric of his thick pants, "Can't e'en breathe in these things. Livin' a whole life without them britches and look at us now..."
"Rep'r'sentation, my butt. I jus wanna rip these coats off!"
"Coats are an illusion," Hue scratched the hood of his fur robe, "And so is death."
And apart from these kinds of guests were the independent candidates. More popular among these guests was Lady Suki, who was accompanied by Lady Ty Lee.
"Come on, Suki. Sokka's a cool guy, but if it's not gonna work out, it's best to just move on," Ty Lee told her friend. "There are plenty of unagi in the water, so stop pining!"
"I'm not pining!" But the Kyoshi warrior contradicted her declaration by casting a broken look at the Southern isumataq, who stood out like eye candy in a sea of overbearing jade. She had even taken the chance to greet him and apologize for the inconvenience of the alliance attempted by their families. He was rather busy, it seemed, to really be in the mood for a conversation, shrugging off the awkwardness with a comment of how they were still good friends— "warrior bros," to be more accurate— and went on with scanning his eyes around the room in a relentless search.
Suki huffed her way back to her seat, slowing her angry gait when she saw that Haru was seated beside her. The man had eagerly been waiting to officially meet her, and granted, his seat had been reserved at a spot all the way on the other end of the row, and the seat he was in right now initially belonged to Teo, but a tiny amount of bribery and a promise of air-gliding with Teo did no harm to anyone, right?
"You must be Lady Suki. Leader of Kyoshi Island," the man let out the breath he'd been holding for a long time, seeming as if he conquered the entire world just from the small success of introducing himself properly to the Kyoshi leader.
"Yes," she cleared her throat and attempted a smile of friendly greeting, "And you're Mr. Haru, yes?"
"Y-Yeah…" And in jumbled words, he managed to choke out that he was an activist along with his father in Su 'Tseo, a mining village in the Earth Kingdom three hours to the west of Omashu by foot.
"Interesting. Kyoshi is about three hours east of Omashu," Suki noted. "But that's not to say we haven't heard of your achievements. We've heard a lot about how your village took back control over an esteemed coal factory and drove out several Fire Nationer businesses in one of the biggest rebellions in history."
"Oh...well, I mean…thank you," he chuckled, rubbing his hair, "You know, we still hear a lot about the Kyoshi Warriors and their successes. You're always more famous than we are," another awkward chuckle, "In fact, I've always wanted to learn a few moves. Avatar Kyoshi leaves a lasting impression on me every time I hear of her legacy. I've always wanted to know more about her culture…and since we're staying here for a couple of days, I thought maybe I'd have a chance to..." and when the Kyoshi warrior didn't seem to suggest what he was seeking, "Unless if I'm not eligible? I take it you don't really teach men...?"
"Oh...well, that's not—"
"It's not impossible at all, Mr. Haru," Ty Lee butted into the conversation, "You see Prince Sokka over there? She trained him."
"Wow," Haru looked at Sokka, "He did say he traveled to Kyoshi Island a couple of times. Come to think of it, I now remember him mentioning something about picking up some fighting styles from there..."
"If Suki really likes a guy, she'll train him well," Ty Lee clapped a hand on her friend's back.
"Ty Lee!" Suki's face colored darker than her eye makeup.
"What? In an unbroken period of eighty years, men weren't even allowed to step into our dojo during practice, and yet when Sokka strutted on by—"
"Okay, that's enough," Suki hissed, turning back to a surprised Haru, "That's not true, not at all. Well, not entirely—"
"If you're wondering, yeah, she used to like him," Ty Lee blabbered on with a smirk, "Too bad it's only one-sided—"
"Ty Lee, I swear, if you don't shut up—" Suki paused when several eyes in their row rested on her. She chuckled and pulled her smug friend down to her seat, "I'm sorry about that, Mr. Haru."
Blinking, "I'm sorry, too... to hear it didn't work out between…A-And please, just Haru is fine."
"Yeah...thanks, Haru…" gulping down her embarrassment, "The only requirement that Sokka needed to fulfill was a humble willingness to learn the ways of Kyoshi. It had nothing to do with feelings. There hadn't even been a rule against boys joining, it's just they never did and…well..." Sighing as she trailed off, "Nevermind that. I'll be happy to teach you a few moves if you're interested."
"Really?" he visibly brightened, "That's great!" Bowing his head, "I won't let you down, Sifu Suki."
These were only a few instances of several bustling conversations that drew people into other friend circles and social groups. People were settling in their places, and those who were prepared to speak today were preparing for their respective speeches, jotting down last-minute notes. In spite of the diversity of people and their actions, everyone, even those who didn't possess such grand statuses as the others, were accompanied by someone or another, no exceptions, whether they be guards or friends or lovers or family members.
And Sokka, with his gaze longingly glued to the princess's still-unoccupied seat, stood out like a sore exception. It was strange. Even with a room full of people, even with so many of their friends being there, Sokka felt so alone. And the feeling seemed to consume him, directing him to get up from his seat and linger by the entrance. He could feel the prying eyes of his parents, who obviously knew who he was waiting for, and he found himself struggling between the desire to sit beside her. There was always the worry that his parents would make a scene, but they were pretty much slaves to prestige and public image and couldn't possibly make a scene in front of so many officials, so why not seize the day?
"Get a hold of your britches, Sokka," Aang told him. "She'll be here soon."
"Look who's talking. You're not exactly Mr. Suave."
"Well that makes two of us."
"Haha."
"You know you don't have your pin on, right?" the Avatar referred to the prince's engraved platinum White Lotus pin in the shape of his name.
"It must've fallen off somewhere. No big deal, that thing wasn't staying on anyway."
"I can ask Gyatso if he has a spare generalized pin—"
"It's fine, forget it."
"It's kind of an important pin, Sokka, you're getting inducted into the White Lotus—"
"I'll handle it, alright?" He then mumbled an excuse and got up from his seat. After conducting a mini-inquiry and relying on instinct, he predicted that she'd likely enter the chamber through the entrance where there were very few people and headed to the said entrance. Lady Ting Yun, entertained by the prince's obvious pining, approached him in an attempt to get him seated.
"Are you waiting on someone, sir?"
"Her Highness isn't here yet."
"She will be here soon. She's likely waiting until the crowd gets settled." Seeing that he still didn't budge, "The meeting is about to start, sir. I think it's best if you get situated. Lots of people are asking for you."
"No one's gonna drop their moccasins if I'm not there."
"On the contrary, you're a very important part of the conferences—"
"Well I'm not going inside until your princess saves a seat for me beside her." His arms crossed, his build leaning against the wall of the entrance corridor, "I told her to save a seat for me!"
"You know how she is," the Revivalist sighed. "Frankly, I thought she'd be okay with you being next to her. Since she accepted you as her bodyguard." Of course, the woman had no way of knowing the secret that lay between the lines of the now-famous article from that morning...though she did hear the rumors about the disastrous luncheon from earlier.
"She's had a rough day, just leave her be," Ting Yun shrugged.
"That's why I was looking forward to making her feel better!" he squeaked. "She can't just refuse my care like that! Doesn't she see how worried I am? She just has to have everything go her way, doesn't she?"
And the only response he received to his outburst was a knowing little smile and an ambiguous, "Our dronningi certainly is lucky" before the Revivalist went on her way, leaving him be.
The minutes wore on until the isumataq felt a tug in his chest at the long-anticipated sound of footsteps, his head turning to the arch of the door where a guard bowed low to greet the visitor. She came into view then, papers in hand, bringing the spill of early afternoon light with her: a figure in large, sweeping stark-black robes that commanded attention and flowed over navy attire that strongly resembled the White Lotus uniform in design. Her black mantle bore the designs of lotus petals, outlined by a glimmering silver-grey. The attached navy cape flowed over her sides, shoulders, and back, but its presence was undoubtedly eclipsed by the overflow of the larger black outer robe that seemed to engulf her entire being. Her mask and veil were black, too, but at least now, her eyes were left uncovered, unlike the overbearing mesh screens that blocked them, too, from the world. To complete the look, a sword hung from the sash at her waist; it was the space sword that she had given him.
"...she's charging forward like a saber-lioness, citing the welfare of the tribe…"
The isumataq felt his heart drop into his stomach, his breath stolen from him, all frustration washed away by a tsunami of relief. Heat raided his face as he stopped leaning against the wall and stood up straight, his arms falling out of their folded positions and dropping to his sides. The sheer darkness of her garb sang power and prestige, mystery and beauty that attracted him as nothing else could. It drew him in like a magnet, stirring a part of him he didn't know existed. He stood there dumbly, lips bobbing out the sole thought running through his mind: Black really suits her.
Yue, too, slowed her gait, taking in the sight of the prince clad in white. The uniform suited him perfectly, the brilliant whiteness of it bringing out the dark of his skin and the sharp blue of his eyes. The navy silk was slick against his skin, slid perfectly against him, bringing out his strong arms and wide chest. She did not realize it, but she was smiling beneath her mask, her face lit afire, her eyes becoming crescent moons, bearing cosmic oceans of baby-blue with stars of wonder swimming in them...that is, until the reminder that his parents were out there brought her down from the warm high galloping in her chest.
Clearing her throat, she detached the sword from its place at her sash and tucked it against the wall in the space between the two of them, flashing him a look. He took the sword and attached it to his own sash, lips bobbing out a thanks. She then walked by with a firm resolve to move past the man she could only describe as beautiful, but she realized she stepped past something glistening beneath the meandering light. She paused and took a step back, glancing at the object: a platinum pin bearing the isumataq's name. She bent forward and picked it up, brushing aside the dirt and snow that had stampeded over it, bringing out its strong, shimmering texture. She approached him with the pin, her mask hovering to the side from the influx of winds, and his chest fluttered in helplessness.
Yeah, black really suited her.
She had planned to hand the pin over to him because he was a grown man and could obviously put on his own pin and it was the easier— proper— thing to do to let him take care of it, but there was an itch in her fingers, an underlying impulse within her that defied all rationality and conscious thought. She did manage to curb it for a moment and handed him the pin, but when he jumbled out a bunch of thank-yous and failed to do anything beyond that in his dumbstruck haze, she took pity over his condition, brows furrowed in concern. She eventually stepped forward and reached for the fabric of his robe above the left side of his chest, a touch that made him hold his breath. Bright digits pressed the pin against the navy silk as if she had some kind of right over him, some kind of entitlement to putting his pin on for him. She could feel his breathing hitch further, feel the drumming in his chest as she secured the pin, only to see that it didn't latch on properly. She worked to secure it another way, this time feeling the jostle of her white conch from beneath his tunic. He's still wearing it. She didn't openly address it, making sure to focus only on the pin staying secure...but only because it was his special day as a White Lotus inductee and he was a special leader and for no other reason, mind the universe...granted, he looked great but still—
"Spirits..."
She raised her eyebrows, amused, "'Spirits?'"
With a blink, "Oh, uh…I…" rubbing absently at his wolf-tail, "I dunno, it just slipped out…"
Momentarily forgetting the earlier incidents, "I hate to break it to you, but we don't tolerate religious nonsense around here."
He laughed genuinely for the first time the entire day, evoking a radiant beam on her lips that made him feel as if all was right in the world. He even took the liberty to brush the small wads of snow off of her shoulder, warmth and tenderness exuding from his dopey grin. But then the world fell silent, and the tease in her gaze eventually softened, withering away once she returned to the world around her. A scorching reminder hit: "Don't touch my son!"
Fixing the pin for good, she quickly stepped back and pulled her mask back on, stiff and professional in manner again. "Good luck to you, White Lotus Sokka." And she walked inside briskly as if the moment had never happened. He gulped, eyebrows furrowed in hurt but nevertheless left a putty of feelings.
The announcer, nearly having fallen asleep in his seat, jumped up as someone shook his arm, "Hey, isn't that the princess over there?" He then gathered his life together in the seconds that followed, confirming the long-awaited visitor was indeed her. Before he could announce, though, someone else's eager tone, which unmistakably belonged to Isumataq Sokka, took over. "Everybody join me in welcoming the host of the Global Conferences and the hero of the North! Our esteemed princess of the Northern Water Tribe! WOOO!"
And contrary to the indifferent response that had been the case with each announcement of each leader, especially considering the formal nature of the setting, the holler stirred the crowd to life as soon as Yue stepped in, her Black Lotus robes attracting much attention and making a lasting impression on everyone in the room. The White Lotus and the other leaders and officials— those who weren't stuck-ups like Ozai and Azula, that is— rose from their seats, prompting the others to stand in welcome as well, and roars of applause and abundant cheers erupted, nearly shaking the room.
"Oh look, it's Postbox Girl and Hooligan Boy," Azula rolled her eyes. "Pathetic."
The Loyalist and remaining Revivalist guards, followed by several Neo-Nationalist guards, joined together in a chorus of tapping their spears up and down against the ice beneath their feet. Yue was surprised by the reception and briefly flicked her gaze in the prince's direction, her lips curling upward in response to his wolfish grin. Her grin was quick to falter, though, once she caught sight of Hakoda and Kya in the crowd. They zeroed in on their oldest, who was leading the crowd with his own wild applause.
"Wohoo! Go dronningi!"
Aang grinned and cheered along. Katara shook her head, unable to help an entertained chuckle, "Tui and La, he's so embarrassing."
Yue laughed nervously and waved to the crowd but kept her attention on the Southern prince, "Okay, I think that's enough praise, isumataq—"
"Nonsense, we're just getting started!" he yelled above the cheers, "Woo! Come on, everybody, show your support for our dronningi!"
The Southern leaders' disapproval of the situation was not unknown to Ivaneq even if the leaders themselves didn't make it obvious. He hurried up to them and coaxed them to wait out the conferences for the sake of Sokka's induction ceremony.
"Seriously, this is very embarrassing," Kya told Ivaneq, forced to speak with a smile.
"He's acting like a hooligan out there," Hakoda followed, disguising his growl as a good-natured laugh.
"Please, Your Majesties, at least stay for the ceremony. You're free to go afterwards if you like."
"Let the boy have his fun!" Amaruq glared at his sister and brother-in-law, "He's just trying to have a good time!"
Yue, who also noted the bubbling of the cauldron, had it confirmed with Ivaneq's troubled look. "Alright, fine, Prince Sokka, I'll let you sit next to me if you settle down. That's what you wanted, right—?"
"YES!" Sokka ran and grabbed hold of his notes from his seat beside Piandao, earning amused looks from the senior White Lotus members as he hurried over to the princess. The smitten look on his face said it all as he escorted her up to the raised platform. Hakoda and Kya forced their smiles for the people around them, who chuckled at Sokka's enthusiasm and made comments of how the prince seemed to be very interested in the princess.
This conference was going to be a very long one.
"It is with great joy and utmost humility that I welcome our esteemed brother and sister nations to the 89th Annual Global Conference," Yue began. "Our warmest welcome extends to the Children of Agni, the Sisters and Brothers of Air, the Patriots of the Earth Kingdom, and of course, our siblings of the Lands of Tui and La…"
The mysterious princess of the North had all eyes on her all throughout her welcome speech. Sokka, acting on bodyguard duty, had accompanied her to the dais, utterly and openly mesmerized. Her voice, the only part of her which no longer remained a mystery to the world that has yet to see her face, lilted perfectly to draw in people's attention. She also had taken particular care in addressing all groups who were in attendance.
"...Until recently, the Water Tribe has experienced an unfortunate hiatus in its involvement in international relations due to various issues, sociopolitical and economical. Our Northern division has endured unforeseen circumstances in the social strata. Our Foggy Swamp division had been lacking an ample opportunity for independent representation in the global sector. Our Southern division has waged many a great war with economic distress. After many years, we are proud to break away from our hiatus. Not only have we seen the hope of a brighter future for the Water Tribe, but we are also given the incommensurable honor of hosting the 89th Annual Global Conference. Although we tribeschildren walk among ice and snow, our hearts are infinitely warm at the prospect of long-awaited camaraderie and the promise of fraternity. We are eager to join all of you in the most cordial of events on the world stage. We look forward to sharing our wonders with you and delighting in your stories. May the Spirits watch over us all in our troubled times and bring us all together in harmony. May the Conferences officially begin."
The cheers that commenced were more intense than the initial ones following her entry. The lead announcer, who was given the chance to speak only after a couple of minutes of continuous applause, bellowed, "All rise for the Torch Ceremony and the Water Tribe National Hymn!"
The senior White Lotus members were given the honor of carrying out the Torch Ceremony, welcomed onto the dais with candles at hand. In the meantime, everyone rose to their feet. Everyone save for Princess Azula.
"Wouldn't it be an utter waste of time and a complete insult to Agni if we bowed to the gods of savages?" Azula huffed.
"This isn't worship," Ursa corrected her, "You should show your respect for the hosting country, Azula."
"Their patriotism is nothing but worship," the Fire princess drawled, "Wasting the glory of the flame by lighting it for the demon of water and the ghost of the moon."
"They are god and goddess just as Agni stands as our god," Ursa snapped, "Now keep that mouth of yours under control," tugging her up by her arm, "And stand up."
As the grand torch was lit to signal the beginning of the Conferences and the crowd lost itself in another round of applause, Ting Yun handed a copy of the national hymn to the princess, whose eyebrows quirked in disapproval upon skimming over the first line, "This isn't the original version." Flipping to the back of the paper, "There's no Tui in this. And...it looks like the Foggy Swamp Tribe is completely omitted. What is this abomination?"
"Your Highness, this is the only available copy. Khasiq's administration has done extensive damage to many records of the original version, and the middle-tribal version has several things left out of it."
"So there's not a single physical copy of the original anywhere else?"
"I'm afraid not, Your Highness."
Nodding slowly, "Alright then." She then grabbed a quill and quickly began writing down the archaic hymn from memory along with its translation, switching from tribal script to the common tongue.
"You have it memorized?" Ting Yun asked. "But it's in proto-tribal dialect, Your Highness—"
"It's not too difficult," Sokka said. "The roots aren't as removed as Angkaran or Nagaran roots. They're very similar to modern tribal language."
Yue looked at him, "You're familiar with the archaic version, isumataq?"
"It's the only version I know, actually," he said, puffing his chest up a little at her impressed look. "I was made to memorize it first, so it stuck with me. All other versions just don't stick."
"Then it'll just be you and Prince Sokka who'll be reciting and giving the translation," Ting Yun said. "And any other tribesperson who would have a reason for knowing it. No one else will be able to join in on the parts that haven't been modified."
"That doesn't matter," Yue said firmly. "I fully intend to make a statement before I leave here today. In my regime, discrimination will not be tolerated in any manner. The original hymn preserves the values of the Water Tribe, and I intend on using it only from now on."
And as Ting Yun pointed out, the people of the Water Tribe were thrown in for quite a surprise when they placed their hands over their hearts and began to recite only to find that the words leaving the lips of the Northern dronningi and Southern isumataq were different.
Omali akuni taimanngat, Imakup Nunatsiavut.
Ijaujauvut Saujauk Maujarmi. Imatsukup sinnatomavut.
Najuqtavut, Ungagijaavut,
Silatsuak allajuq illigiit atsanirmi!
Long live always, our beautiful Land of Water.
Our diamond covered in deep snow. Our swamp of dreams.
Our pride, our treasure,
The universe writes your glory in the Celestial Lights!
Ellam Yua tujuilauqjaatit
Omajuut Amigaittut
Kuuitjjuattsiavaat
Ammattauq Taqqiq Killitak.
The Great One gifted you
Abundant game,
Long, lush rivers
And a glimmering moon.
Anugimi Aninnijuq
Nâligakup qirniqtaq
Qaqqami pitsatajujuq
Ataniup qakuqtaq
Tâvungaijuq timi Tuiup
Ânijuq timi Laup
Imami napâttumi Aninnialukup nalligik
In your wind is the breath
Of the Black Lord,
In your mountains is the strength
Of the White Queen.
Your North is the body of Tui,
Your South is the body of La.
In your waters and trees is the Great Spirit's love.
Imakup Nunatsia, inuunevut, kuvianavut.
Tutsiajugut kasukit pijjaiqsimajuqup,
Kakkaait Inuuqatigiit iliqkusiqatigiiktut,
Anorersuit Asiqqurviqanngittuq pijunnautiup,
Beautiful Land of Water, our life, our joy,
We worship your calm of peace,
Your hills of brotherhood
And your storms of loyalty and justice.
Omali akuni taimanngat, Imakup Nunatsiavut.
Ijaujauvut Saujauk Maujarmi. Imatsukup sinnatomavut.
Najuqtavut, Ungagijaavut,
Silatsuak allajuq illigiit atsanirmi!
Long live always, our beautiful Land of Water.
Our diamond covered in deep snow. Our swamp of dreams.
Our pride, our treasure,
The universe writes your glory in the Celestial Lights!
Roaring applause seemed to shake the building yet again as Jeong Jeong took the honor of draping an honorary platinum medallion around Sokka in the presence of all world leaders. Monk Gyatso draped an additional robe bearing the seal of the organization around him. The entire time, Aang, Katara, and the rest of their friends cheered for him.
"You are now a member of the Order of the White Lotus," Grand Lotus Iroh finally declared.
Sokka bowed to the senior members, his eyes lighting up at the way the princess enthusiastically rose to her feet and clapped for him, a wide smile beneath her mask in spite of the tension that simmered between them. He was further surprised when he was brought out of his moment of mesmerization from the reality that he was also to be given an award: Excellence in Youth Leadership. It was an obvious decision for them, the seniors spoke, each discussing the young isumataq's achievements, which were outlined in his nomination. The princess held a knowing smile, and judging by that and the extensive list of his achievements that he couldn't expect anyone in the South to include in a nomination if they had been so disconnected from everything all this time…
The princess had to have known about this beforehand. Even more accurate, she had to have been the one to send in the nomination. Arnook was far too removed from reality sometimes to care for these things in the first place, and she was the only other person who was in a position to nominate given her important standing. She also commended his achievements regularly, having read the initial correspondence he sent to the North.
The award, which was of such high prestige, came as a pleasant surprise to Sokka's friends and family, Kya, Hakoda, Amaruq and Ki'ma, especially. Sokka's parents momentarily forgot the existence of the Akna and lost themselves in fervent excitement, more so when the applause struck again.
"That's my boy!" Amaruq hollered, rising from his seat and cheering for him, "Go Sok-bear! Show 'em what the South's all about!"
But the move Sokka made next drained all the color from the faces of Hakoda and Kya.
"If we have awards for people who worked hard for a long time, we should also have awards for people who did so much in such a short time. I haven't had the chance to make any nominations, but I do know that the only other person deserving of this award— even more than me, in my opinion—is our dronningi of the North. In such a short time, she brought so much joy and happiness to the South. Not to mention her most recent achievements, her phenomenal passion for bettering the lives of her people...all people, really." Smiling and turning to the princess, "Princess, you would make me the happiest person alive if you gave me the chance to share this award with you."
A flushed Yue widened her gaze in disbelief, shaking her head in an attempt to smilingly decline the offer, but the prince held a hopeful gaze in his polar bear-puppy eyes. Ting Yun grinned widely and coaxed her on, and the good-natured invitation of the smiling senior Lotuses made it an offer she couldn't refuse. The prince personally went up to her and welcomed her to the dais, and both of the young leaders were presented with a large award plaque that they held together.
"We had you written down as the recipient for next year's award, Princess, but oh well," Piandao shrugged, earning chuckles from the surrounding folk.
The fairly obvious chemistry between the prince and princess sizzled and sent the crowds talking. Amaruq and Ki'ma, on the other hand, were floored by the sweetness of the moment. But Kya and Hakoda weren't of that line of thought; with pale faces and disappointed looks that they couldn't keep contained for very long, they mumbled some kind of excuse to curious parties before making their way out of the nearest doorway.
Their exit, while escaping the attention of everyone else, did not go unnoticed by a highly conflicted Yue.
The hours passed by one by one as did the speeches, and the professional nature of the conferences was strictly maintained. The Air Nomads, particularly the representatives hailing from the Northern and Southern Temples, were the first to give their presentations. They were followed closely by a portion of the Earth Kingdom representatives, who were great in number given the extensive Earth Kingdom population and the resulting plethora of representation. As the time for her speech came closer and closer, Yue exhibited signs of apprehension. She was shifting in her seat more than usual, and she kept looking over the papers in her possession. At one point, she slipped her gloves off and brushed the sweat away from her palms against the silk of her navy pants, gulping down the water beside her.
Sokka, noticing her restlessness, poured his untouched water into her emptied cup and slid it closer to her. As she blinked at him, he gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, dronningi, you'll be perfect."
As it turned out, Yue did not have the chance to be perfect because as soon as the Foggy Swamp representatives finished up and her turn came, Azula shot up from her seat and charged forward, diving straight into her speech. The entire room could sense that the Northern princess's turn was skipped and that the Fire Princess, who was to signal the transition to all Fire Nation speeches planned for that day, was scheduled for after the dronningi's speech, but given the glaring fact that Azula belonged to the Fire Nation Royal family, no one dared to say a word in retaliation. Fire Lord Iroh was highly displeased by the behavior and attempted to interrupt, but Fire Lady Mayu stopped him, citing the possibility of intrafamilial conflict that could sever important relations. Additionally, the other senior members were also encouraged to keep quiet by Yue, who shook her head to indicate a wordless no.
Sokka stood up in his seat in an attempt to correct the situation instead but was held back by Yue, her hand resting atop his. Let it be, she seemed to say with her gaze.
Even after Azula's speech was over, Yue didn't get the chance to speak, for the rest of the Fire Nation speakers went on ahead one by one. In quick succession, too, out of fear of the Fire princess. And if some of the not-so-brightest of the bunch failed to take the hint, the princess herself would order the "slowpokes" to get on with their speeches, making it difficult for anyone else to butt in.
It was clearly all on purpose as evidenced by the nearly redundant info and the near perfect execution of fake obliviousness, the way they tried to hit home the idea that they missed the princess's turn by accident, but in reality, it was a blatant form of disrespect to the country hosting the conference and especially to the leader of that country. Yue kept up her patience, though, deciding to wait until the very end and let those who prepared have their chance.
"Poor thing thinks she can insult us and get away with it," Azula shot a subtle glare in the direction of the princess, who was at present convincing Sokka to stay put. "Let's see just how successful her Black Lotus really is." The Fire Nation princess shared a victorious look with her father, who seemed pleased by the quiet commotion in the hosting corner.
It was with great intensity that the clouds clustered near the descending sun gradually exploded into color, painting the Arctic sky in shades of rose and orange. Darkness came tumbling in, suggesting the progression of six whole hours, but at least the end was approaching.
At least, that was what Yue kept telling herself until Admiral Zhao was added in as a last-minute speaker on an issue of trade that had supposedly gone "unaddressed" when it was, in fact, the fifth time the subject was brought up in a Fire Nation speech.
"This is insane! The fuck…?" But in spite of losing his professionalism, Sokka managed to say it without moving his lips.
"Was that you…?" she blinked.
"You said people will see me complain," he shrugged, still not moving his lips as much.
Amused, "I didn't know you were quite the ventriloquist."
"And I didn't know you'd let people step all over you in spite of you having a highly important announcement," he crossed his arms. "If this dickhead doesn't get on with it in the next two minutes, I'll—"
"Prince Sokka, please, let me handle all of this on my own."
The slight change of tone in her voice caught his immediate attention.
"Prince Sokka...I care about you. A lot. But I can't keep doing this," her fingers clutched her silk robe, "We can't keep interacting in public...and not for the reason you think, trust me. I have nothing against you personally. Why would I? You are a joy in every way. You shared a prestigious award with me without even knowing me for barely a week...But if you think this is all going to erase all the chaos that has happened up until now, it's not…"
"I didn't do all of this to erase what happened—"
"That's not what I meant. Look...call it pride or call it fear, but I don't want to associate more than necessary with people who...basically see me as some kind of trap for their son. I could see it in their faces, Sokka; they hate the fact that we're interacting." Tearing at her bottom lip, "I like you too much to ignore you. You're a good friend. My best friend. And it's just too confusing because...I feel like a horrible person for making your parents feel so disappointed and frustrated. I refuse to come between you and your family.
"Your Highness—"
"Please don't make it difficult for me, okay?" she cut him off. "For the love of the universe, keep your focus on the South. And take that award plaque for yourself. This is the last time I want us to have this conversation. Please."
He slumped in his seat, forced to keep quiet. Always gotta have it her way.
The weight of the day was already unbearable as it was for the Northern dronningi. The need to call it quits and sleep the stress out was strong. The aggravation from the blatant disrespect, which by now was noted by even those who had dozed through half of the tedious meeting, was starting to get on her nerves. And yet, her palms clung to the papers before her. Faint moonlight, which she knew would be blocked off in another three hours or so, managed to keep up her hopes by casting its gleam over the sheen of her black robes; its insignia had not lost its luster.
It was then that the unexpected cry of an infant suddenly pierced through the air, seemingly coming from the other end of one of the exits. The cry echoed through the vertices of the chamber just outside of the meeting room, and based on its severity, it seemed there was no one there to comfort the baby. It was a mystery as to how anyone could bring it inside in the first place since there were guards outside of the entrance of the building.
The world leaders all occasionally turned in the direction of the exit where the cry was coming from. It was getting louder with seemingly no sign of someone trying to calm the baby or take it away. Yue cast a look at Ting Yun, who nodded in understanding and attempted to go investigate, but a Loyalist guard cautioned against the move, for Admiral Zhao was still taking his sweet time with his speech, speaking louder so everyone could hear above the cries. Ting Yun, caught in an unusual position, subtly made her way back to the princess.
"It probably won't be much longer. If it wasn't Admiral Zhao on the spot, then we would've—"
"Are you afraid of him?" Sokka frowned.
"I'm not afraid of him. All I know is that if they're offended, we'll have to spend another million gold pieces appeasing them." Turning to the princess, "That's not a road you want to take, Your Highness. If you appease them, they will come running for more. They're worse than beasts."
"I'll handle this then—"
"Prince Sokka, we don't want to cause trouble," Ting Yun told him. "I heard your parents were very upset with you the last time you dealt with the Fire Nation royals. Please, don't piss off the Fire Nation. Someone will come for the child soon. Whoever put it there has to come get it eventually, right?"
But Yue felt the most uncomfortable as the seconds passed by, her soft heart lurching for the child left unattended. There was still no sign of anyone coming for it, and the realization tugged fiercely at her, leaving her rattled with the bubbling instinct to soothe and care.
"I'll see what else I can do, Your Highness," Ting Yun offered, again going for the same exit, but she was forced to stop halfway with Zhao's sudden bellows.
"If any of you think a pleasant child is more important than a message from the Fire Nation, there is no greater insult to the Land of Agni," the admiral spat. "I do believe everyone in this room has some kind of importance to be sitting here right now. Unless if you're a peasant yourself who can't even comprehend the importance of a global cooperation event and are in the wrong place. Then I suggest you see yourself out." Scowling, "No one here is born into such peasantry, are they, to just walk out every time they please for a dirty commoner's child—?"
Yue did her very best not to slam her fists against the ice table when she stood up. A concerned Sokka was up in a second, persistent in his own instinct to care, and he followed her as she walked briskly away from her seat and headed to the exit. Hundreds of pairs of eyes were cast in their direction as they swiftly passed by all the occupied rows, but before he stepped out of the chamber, she muttered, "If you have any respect for me, isumataq, you won't follow me out."
And he found himself jarring to a halt right at the entrance. If you have any respect for me… He frowned in worry and hurt, and in the meantime, Zhao glared at the veiled Northern princess, simmering with fury beneath his overbearing coats as she stepped out of the room.
"I can't see a damn thing in this place," Toph tugged at Bumi's sleeve, "What happened?"
"The princess just walked out."
"Impressive," crossing her arms, "Who's the idiot that started the rumor that she's spineless? It takes guts to walk out on Fire Nation crap."
Several people, out of curiosity, briefly stepped out of their seats as well, taking a moment to crowd around the exit beside the isumataq, likely in hopes of seeing the princess up close. She remained veiled, but they did get to see her compassion manifest.
"It's okay, sweetie, it's alright..."
The child had stopped crying, leaning against her chest. Soft coos followed in response to her gentle whispers. She wrapped her robe around the baby boy, keeping him warm and rubbing his small back.
"Let's get out of here, sweetie," she kissed his forehead, "Where's your mommy, hm? Let's go find your mommy." And she stepped out of the building entirely. The guards were startled to see her with the child, wondering aloud how the baby got there, but the traces of apprehension on their faces were testaments to how they likely slacked off in their duties.
"The nerve she has!" Zhao raged from inside the room and threw his papers aside, "Is this what the North calls hospitality?!"
Sokka shot a glare at the admiral.
"There's no use in making a scene about this, Admiral Zhao," Ozai said with much greater calm than one would expect, "It shouldn't be a surprise. It's just how tribal women are. What do they know about class and sophistication? They're stuck in prehistoric times. Breeding and rearing, these priorities are in their very blood. Their very gods do nothing but copulate and breed the civilization into existence!" Chuckling, "It's an ancient civilization after all, and it still clings to its caveman ways."
"Ozai!" Iroh bellowed, "Control yourself!"
"I'm only complimenting the princess of the North, Brother," Ozai sneered, earning a smirk from Azula, "The princess of the North proved today that she's the ideal tribeswoman, and may I say she fits her role perfectly. Give speeches and recite national hymns all you want, but that's not going to make you a great ruler. And she basically lived out that truth for us. It's only obvious that she'd run towards a child like a lactating mother. Water Tribe women are meant to be fucked and bred and milked, not given power. The all-too-mysterious princess of the North that left people rattled with curiosity is nothing more than a glorified broodmare—AAAAHH!"
The shimmering sling of a boomerang caught the Fire Lord's brother off guard before its sharp end jammed into the space beside his right eye, puncturing the skin. The boomerang continued to fly past the man even after it wounded him, and as it swung back around, it hit the back of his head at a particularly hard-hitting angle, sending him buckling down to the pelt carpets. "AAAAGH!"
"Father!" Azula shrieked, racing over to the fallen man followed closely by the other members of the royal Fire family.
"Agni above!" Ursa cried out.
"OH MY SPIRITS!" A horrified Ivaneq ran over to the prince, who was ready to charge forward, and the Northern official grabbed hold of the man by the arm in a desperate attempt to hold him back. What stopped Ivaneq's heartbeat completely, however, was the flash of black that started flickering in the Southern prince's eyes. The black flash had colored the isumataq's irises a stark black.
"Oh my...Oh my fuck...OH MY LA, ISUMATAQ!"
"You dare talk about our leader that way?!" Sokka howled, the growl of an actual wolf nearly dripping with his words. His blazing, blackened eyes glaring daggers at Ozai, "You imbecilic buffoon!"
"Tui and La!" Katara exclaimed.
"Monkey feathers on top of monkey feathers!" Aang squeaked.
Amaruq and Ki'ma, thanking the Spirits that Hakoda and Kya weren't here to see this, jumping out of their seats and joined Katara and Aang, all four of them running after the enraged prince. Ivaneq blinked several times, wondering if he was seeing things in his exhaustion, but it seemed that Aang took notice of the change, too, his stormy eyes widening at what he saw. "Sokka! Sokka, snap out of it!"
All the others in the room were also leaping out of their seats at the spectacle, gasps and surprised yelps ringing through the room. Most people were secretly entertained, needless to say.
"I can't see, dammit!" Toph demanded, "What happened? Something big happened!"
"Sokka threw a boomerang at Ozai," Bumi burst out laughing and snorting, "And then called him a buffoon!"
"Woo!" Toph cackled, "Fuck yeah, Sokka!"
With more people laughing at the plight of a frankly ruthless, dictatorial leader, other people voiced their support for Sokka by snickering in Ozai's direction. Ozai would've acted on the incident immediately had it not been for the pain that shot through the nerves around his eye and the blood from his injury that kept spilling into his eyes.
"We need to get out of here!" Ivaneq and the others each grabbed hold of Sokka and tried to heave him away from the building to save him at any cost, but they couldn't control the prince's tongue.
"YOU HEAR THAT?! You hear the crowd laughing in your face?!" Sokka roared, "'Cause you're a piece of yakshit, Ozai!"
"Settle down, Sokka!" Ki'ma exclaimed.
"And shut up!" Katara tried to clamp her hand over his mouth, but he shook himself free from them all.
"If only Azulon kept his dick covered up the second time around, the world would've been spared of your shitty existence!"
More shocked gasps and whistles from a crowd otherwise expected to act formally caused the entire building— as well as Azula's temper— to tremble. Even Iroh widened his eyes at the comment.
"You fucking SNOW SAVAGE!" Azula tore off her overbearing gloves, drawing her signature lightning and managing to launch it, too, in Sokka's direction. Sokka moved away at absurd speed, and the lightning ended up piercing through the icy wall behind him, making the building suddenly start quaking from the strong impact. Cracks in the icy wall warranted serious attention, and several waterbenders were summoned to quickly seal in the gaps, commanding all who were in the building to exit immediately.
"We need to get out of here!" Haru grabbed Suki's hand and was one of the first to leave the building.
"Step on it, Snorty!" Toph commanded, yelping when Bumi ended up swooping her into his long arms and raced out of the nearest exit.
"Azula, stop!" Zuko grabbed hold of his sister's dominant arm while Mai prevented her from using her other arm to shoot more lightning. Ty Lee held her friend from behind and pulled her back, exerting much force, and the weight of the trio went a long way in restraining Azula despite the flames that emerged from her kicks and fire breaths.
In the meantime, Lu Ten stepped in front of an enraged Sokka, "Please calm down, Prince Sokka! I apologize on all of our behalf, please!"
"Another word against our dronningi, and I'll have an iceberg shoved up his ass next—!"
"Okay okay! It won't happen again! Get out of here, Sokka, it's not safe, please!"
It took an intense amount of willpower for Aang, Katara, Ivaneq, Amaruq, and Ki'ma to pry Sokka out of the building and drag him away from the overenthusiastic crowd that demanded his autograph.
A/N: I had fun writing this chapter, lol. Anyway, I'm almost done with the next one. Should be posting it later today. Thanks for your patience, readers :)