Suki was in her room, unable to get out of it the more they knocked. She messed it up and was not ready to confront what she had done.
"OPEN THE DOOR" Toph rolled her eyes, already starting to crack the metal.
"Shut up! If we enter like this she won't talk" Zuko said annoyed "Suki"
"I won't open" Suki said pacing side to side, wondering where she could fit to hide. Not that it mattered because Toph could localize her in less then a minute. She could also tell if she escaped.
"Here goes nothing" Suki said opening the window. Toph immediately opened the door, feeling she was escaping.
A loud thud was heard as they rushed to the window
Nobody was there.
Zuko and Toph groaned, knowing well that if it was true what Suki had done, she needed more help than they thought.
Suki kept running on the roof of the departments, the adrenaline rush giving her enough stamina to go through half the city until slowing down, sitting on one to catch some breath. She decided to climb down on the hall, breathing heavily.
"Close one" She thought looking at her surroundings, where there were nice houses and some more worn down. She wandered around, walking freely at the knowledge that she was a nobody next to the big heroes of the city.
She had to rethink what to do to apologize to Electra, who even if she hadn't done the best decision, it was for the motive of lack of fighting skills that she acted in fear. Not that it justified it, as shown by how they processed the girls, but it was a first.
At least in the city, who knows how much it would take for the issue to arrive at the fire nation. They already killed themselves in useless Agni kai.
She bought an orange and walked peeling it, overthinking a better solution to the problem. She had no problem killing people
Until she did on the ship to save the people she loved
Until then killing was justifiable to her, it had to start being again. They need to survive too.
And she had to protect Zuko from the claws of his own sister, who she could never trust again, even if they were born again as siblings.
"Suki? What are you doing at this place?" The familiar voice called, making her search for the voice. She was like a foxdeer caught, unable to share anything. "Are you okay?" he gestured to her silhouette.
The darkening, again.
"No. I am not" She admitted, offering a part of her food. "Forgive me for my manners" She said bowing down as he stopped her.
"Stop it, this is not the fire nation" Iroh smiled warmly at her. "Something you want to share to lessen your burden?"
Suki's lip quivered, knowing well enough for her age that her actions had no reason to ever be executed.
"I… I held my ex's new girlfriend hostage" She admitted bitting her lip, playing with her fingers as Iroh's amazed eyes inspected her. "I want to know how to apologize"
"Are you truly sorry?" Iroh asked as she nodded "Then just go talk to her"
"I don't know where she is" Suki said playing with the peeled of orange, Iroh took her hands on his, calming her.
"Don't be lost anymore, I'll guide you to her house" He said walking at the opposite side of the street, with her following him as a lost pupper.
Iroh and Suki walked in silence, the darkening in her fluctuating because of that very reason. He knew now for sure, that she was dating his nephew, his son. As much as he adored Iroh, she was also terrified.
"Do you know what you will say?" Iroh asked her, sensing her tension. She nodded in objection, bracing herself. "What were you feeling when you did it?"
"Hatred, rage" Suki admitted with a loud cough, one she hadn't had in a while "I really wanted to hurt her"
"You held yourself against it" Iroh reminded so she would be calmer, but it didn't help much. Suki in the therapy she held learned to fear herself more than other people, she had so much inside that the time in prison just upped it.
"It's not better. I held myself because I got caught and gave a half apology" Suki said ashamed, walking with her head down.
"It's a little step back, the important thing is that you didn't do anything you might regret later" Iroh said trying to cheer her up "This is your call to take it back"
"Who?" Suki asked, her cheeks burning at the thought of him "The therapy?"
"Yes" Iroh said with a slight grin "Here we are"
Suki looked at the complex and was awed. It looked futuristic, with a lot of lights that were starting to be turned on, she counted eight floors.
"Which one is it?" Suki asked gulping, feeling outdated.
"315" Iroh said waiting for her to enter "I'll wait for you here, take your time, I was exploring the city but not seeing it complete is a good excuse to come back"
Suki only nodded, gulping at entering in Electra's property again. First time it was in good faith, now she was sure the welcome wouldn't be warm. She rang on the door and a man opened it, looking at her with disdain.
"Room 315"
The man stopped her, phoning inside.
"No roaming around or you'll be thrown out. Take the elevator, the man will take you to the room"
Suki nodded walking inside and suddenly feeling in luxury. "Fitting" She thought bowing to the metalbender, the doors closed and they were impulsed, less than a minute and he opened the doors again.
She walked out and thanked him again, fidgeting with her fingers as she stood by the door. She wanted redemption and to move on. She sighed, put on her past personality and knocked the door firmly, waiting for an answer.
Movement could be hear from the inside, her mind already running out of ideas on how to start the apology.
"Are you searching for Sokka?" Electra said without fully opening the door, the purple inspecting her.
Suki blushed, straightening herself. "I was searching for you"
Electra closed the door and opened it again, leaning on the side for her to step in. Suki didn't take the hint and waited puzzled until a few minutes later she rushed inside, embarrassed.
"Take a sit. You want something to drink?"
"No need to be so welcoming, it's a quick visit"
Electra gestured her to sit and she complied, she was a guest after all. Electra sat close to her, her face not showing anything, it annoyed her at times like this, where she wanted to be emotional.
"I came here to apologize" Suki started, her body tensing "I…I was blind"
Electra didn't say anything and kept looking at her
"I mean…I have this darkness inside that…I am not sure what triggered. Well… I know, it's been weeks now that I have felt lost and as if I was watching my life from the outside. I will go to therapy again and never cross you" Suki concluded, the pauses she took to make her speech more coherent made her almost want to puke.
She stopped herself because this wasn't her house and she was sure it wasn't normal vomit. Electra didn't say anything, as if waiting for her to say something else. After minutes of no more words, the ambassador adjusted her sitting so she was completely facing the warrior.
"Is this why you rejected Sokka?"
"That's not your business nor our issue"
"It is mine if I share a house with him, I was sure you two would date"
"Electra, stop that topic. I'm with Zuko"
"Listen to me"
Suki's ear perked up a bit offended, being treated as a child.
"I want to be out of the city, you want to better yourself, I don't care if it's for you or for Sokka or Zuko, that's your problem. I just want something secure" Electra said pulling out from her dress a small coin.
"What are you insinuating?" Suki asked offended, eyeing the coin.
"What if we exchanged places? I could be a good firelady and you could live peacefully in here or at Kyoshi" Electra said with a sincere smile, something that, frankly, it terrified Suki.
Was she really being serious? Exchange them as if they were just another…
"Stop it"
Suki turned at the frame of the kitchen and saw Sokka leaning on it, his arms crossed at his chest and with a look of disappointment at Electra.
"I thought you still were asleep, dress up dear, we have a guest" Electra said sweetly, as Sokka rolled his eyes and stepped into the room.
"Electra, cut it. Stop trying to-you know what, I won't discuss this in front of my friend. " Sokka said very pointed, trying his best to ignore Suki.
"It's rude to just kick out people" Electra said wanting to fight, but holding for the sake of her image. "She came here to apologize"
Sokka now looked at Suki, briefly, as he looked at Electra again.
"I made some bird and veggies, if you want to serve her" Sokka said stepping out of the room, deciding to ignore Suki's presence.
Suki was drooling at the image of Sokka cooking, even if she hadn't really tried anything he cooked before. How much has the time changed between them?
She couldn't stay to figure it out, that would mean turning her back on Zuko and the promise.
"I should go, Zuko is waiting for me" Suki lied as Electra nodded
"Send him my regards, have a nice date" Electra said standing up and guiding her to the main door. Suki rushed before remembering why she came back.
"Wait, does this means…"
"Apology accepted" Electra said with a smile "Just think a bit of what I offered you"
The boat shipped and Suki briefly said goodbye to Toph, Electra and Sokka, who were reunited at the dock.
Dock-goodbyes were some of the hardest, even more if the man of her dreams stood there, shamelessly pinning for her even if he hid it. He was the worst at it.
"Visit us more frequently losers" Toph said annoyed "We need more night outs and fights"
"We will try our best, we have a lot of past reunions to catch up" Suki smiled as she hugged her now tall friend.
Electra and Zuko engaged in a long conversation about materials and something else Suki couldn't really care to pay attention as Toph left her side to leave them alone. "Sneaky girl"
Sokka and her just stared at each other, he was done with that. He closed the space and hugged her tightly, leaning down a lot to do it. Suki was at first caught of guard and then returned the hug.
"Visit soon" He just said, the hug ending as quick as it started, his mid frown still visible.
"You still owe me to show the city" Suki said as amicably as she could, Sokka looked from his feet towards her, his face softening.
"I will" He said, unable to smile. "You…you look good, I missed it" He said with a smile, gesturing her uniform and make up.
"Thanks" She said uncomfortable, unsure if it was for the fact that she didn't want to leave the city now.
"You make a good couple" Sokka said looking down, ready to leave. "Write soon, okay?"
Suki didn't have a chance to reply, as he was already by Electra's side, hugging her and taking her hand in his. She decided to board the ship earlier, unable to keep looking at them and faked coordinating the belongings of her fellow co workers.
"It's rude to leave Zuko alone over there" Karina said mid work as Suki side eyed her
"Political stuff, I'm not really needed there" Suki replied brushing her hands off "So I'm not being rude"
"You are his girlfriend, you should be by his side" Karina reminded as Suki bit her lip
"No need to remind me, I know it" Suki said looking at the group who was starting to dissolve as Zuko boarded the ship alone, his eyes setting on them.
"Well, I think you might want to chat with him of your new duties, now that you have this idea of resigning" Karina said patting her shoulder in comfort as Zuko tilted his head.
"Are you okay?" Zuko asked Suki who nodded "I thought you would like to talk more to Toph"
"Not after last nights interrogation, I'm pretty tired if you ask" Suki said cheerfully, crossing her arms. "Where's Ty Lee?"
"Already in her room" Karina said "She really hates your guts" she said looking towards Zuko
Zuko sighed, not wanting to talk to her either. Detoxing from his friends was something he did time to time, although not as abrupt and dramatic as in this trip.
He was more hurt than confused at Ty Lee's reaction, that didn't know whether she was protecting Mai or Suki when talking about not playing with them. His feelings have never moved, even after all that happened in the trip.
"I will start reading the letters that were received as not important from the fire nation" He said wanting to lay down a bit, feeling also tired from the small talk he had with Suki the day before.
"Sure, suit yourself" Suki said with a smile, walking alongside Karina to patrol the boat. Suki leaned on the border, the wind hitting her hair, she felt odd patrolling without her headband. She felt odd with the idea of abandoning her position
She wanted to keep teaching and creating new generations of Kyoshi warriors, she could do that on the fire nation too…but they would not be from Kyoshi. They would just be more trained girls from the academy.
She puffed her cheeks and exhaled, unsure if the nausea was sea sickness (which she knew it would be rare at her age) or the darkness triggered for who knows.
"I heard a bit of the conversation, what do you even want?" Sokka asked upset as they arrived at the office, needing to still work their pendings as they waited nicely on their desks.
"What do you exactly heard, if you are kind to remind me" Electra said as she ordered a glass of water, irritating Sokka.
"You want to be out of here? Really?" Sokka reminded with a whiny tone as Electra sighed, first time.
"Let's discuss this in your office" She said rushing him through the door and closing it, taking a sip of her water.
"Why do you want to be fire lady? Was that all I was for you? You like handling the waste of other people's re…"
"Shut up Sokka" Electra said angered, not managing her temper fast enough. "What was I to you this three years?"
Sokka looked in disbelief
"Exactly, your little companion so you wouldn't be with yourself, alone, as you should always have been" Electra reminded as Sokka turned his head away.
"Thanks for the reminder, can I at least get a drink before fighting this early?" Sokka said moving towards the small liquor car. Electra walked in front of him
"I won't let you waste yourself because Suki rejected you for the first time" Sokka frowned and pushed her to the side gently, angering her. "Fine! That's why I want to get away from all of this"
Sokka raised his eyebrow with confusion.
"I can't take it all of you focusing on your mistakes and not doing anything to take your future in your hands" Electra said pacing to side to side. Sokka smiled internally, liking how she lost her temper for things she either was really passionate or angered.
"What mistakes?" He asked trying to calm her, walking to stop her, she smacked both of his hands and continued walking to side to side.
"You, Suki, Zuko" Electra said coldly "You are just letting her go? Even after all this time and change?"
"It's not my choice, I wished it was" Sokka said crossing his arms defensively "I won't keep bugging her, Suki would just turn me away as a fly annoying her"
"What did Zuko actually do all this time?" Electra pointed, making Sokka think about the method.
"I did not ask how it happened, I just know it's mutual" Sokka lied though his teeth, not wanting to imagine what would have happened if they were still together.
"You are a bad liar" Electra said grabbing her glass of water, drinking a bit before talking again "You couldn't even wait to stop hugging me the moment Suki was out of sight, what's your plan with me then? Use me as a jealousy bait?"
Sokka's mouth twitched being caught, of course being overly affectionate with his ex girlfriend in front of his ex girlfriend was a dick move to both.
"Sorry" He admitted "I…I just can't help being jealous" Sokka said sitting on his coach.
"Of course you would be, possessive boy, but listen to me, what's your plan to actually get with her?" Electra asked sincerely "This one…it would give us everything we wanted"
"What do you want?" Sokka asked "You didn't answer me that"
"Power" Electra said seriously "Being the firelady is better than an Ambassador"
Sokka wanted to laugh and it made Electra smile, slapping his arm.
"What was that for?" Sokka asked trying to hold his laugh
"You are laughing at my dreams" Electra said with a smile as they both relaxed "I want to actually made yours true"
"Why? I was a bad partner" Sokka asked "I didn't give you your proper place"
"Well…considering that you didn't leave me for any other girl…I think that was pretty respectful" Electra joked as Sokka frowned
"I promised to change that" Sokka defended himself, as Electra rolled her eyes.
"You only thought about Suki all this time, maybe that's why you held yourself of not cheating on me, until you cheated with the girl you have always loved"
Sokka eyes widened realizing that in fact, he had cheated.
"Oh no, no no why" Sokka said standing up embarrassed
"Relax, we weren't even together when that happened, kinky" Electra winked as Sokka turned crimson.
"You saw it?!" Sokka asked in shame
"No"
"I did"
Sokka turned towards the door where Toph just casually opened to butt in the chat, turning around wanting to die inside.
"You CAN'T tell anybody about that" Sokka begged looking like an apple "I don't want her to be more ashamed"
"It looked fun" Electra picked on as Sokka was lost in his words trying to mutter something, a frail moan leaving his mouth.
"Yeah snoozles, I think you all had fun in that" Toph smirked, sitting by Electra and humping. She laughed and fake moaned in the coach as Sokka grabbed the pillow to scream.
"STOP IT" He said as they laughed "Please stop reminding me that!"
"I never thought you had a thing for Zuko" All those years Toph didn't smile were combined into this very moment, where half her face was a smile and the other half her hair
"I DON'T" Sokka said embarrased "It just happened because I was making out with Su-"
"Why we didn't try that before?" Electra fake asked as Toph laughed louder, gaining a dead stare from him. "Oh cmon!'
"Yeah, maybe we should have" Sokka said seriously as the girls stopped laughing "Toph, want to be in the sandwich too?"
Now it was Electra's turn to turn crimson, coughing violently as she searched for water.
"not repeating the same mistake" Toph said standing up "Thanks for the offer"
Sokka rolled his eyes
"Just get out you two, I still need to work"
"Welcome back firelord! How was your trip with the Avatar?" One sage asked with a big smile, actually happy of not having Mai ruling over.
"It was a lovely wedding, but let's not get off track" Zuko said as they began to take turns in reading the news and priority list they had.
"Now that we are part of the United republic, there was one letter sent by Onika on your brief vacation" One sage said, passing the letter.
"I need to put offices for each nation here in the palace? Seems pretty easy, let's just accommodate the guests rooms" Zuko said with a smile "Any options?"
"What about your friends?" Other sage said "It's easier to manage them than to meet new people"
"You do have a point" Zuko said thinking about it "But it can be difficult, just one of them is an actual councilman and I don't think he'll move over here"
"Alright, then let's prepare for the best" the sage replied as his small group began brainstorming.
"Other letters that arrived where about possible candidates for firelady" The sage said and it reminded Zuko that he needed to have that talk with Suki.
"Can you deliver them to my chamber?" Zuko asked as she nodded, walking out of the room with the box full of letters.
Suki cringed behind the pillar, knowing that it meant they would talk seriously.
Then it would be official
She couldn't back down now that they were far into it.
"I want to personally thank Lady Mai for taking charge when Uncle and I couldn't be here. Where could I find her?" Zuko asked dismissing his team
"On the princess room, my lord" One politely replied "Do you have something to offer her?"
"Of course, I will let you know if it will go forward or not" Zuko said standing up "Thank you for coming"
They bowed and left the room as Zuko walked outside too. Ty Lee and Suki behind him, strangely close but far away.
Suki wanted to break the silence but seeing as if they were on duty, it would mean she was also breaking her work hours. She let Ty Lee think about it as she was also confused on what to expect if they talked.
After all, who would believe her after her euphoria died down that she was willing to marry him? It was the only option left after becoming official and yet, she dreaded that day.
He knocked on his sisters room and waited to be received, Zuko eyed Suki with a smile.
"I'll wait here, making guard" Suki said looking at Ty Lee who nodded, waiting to enter the room with Zuko.
"We need to be close, so you should enter too, outside it's why these other guards are here for" Ty Lee said calmly, seeing how Suki was regretting being on her bad side with the color of her aura.
"Come in, I won't stand up" Azula screamed as Zuko entered with both girls, sitting on a bed of pillows in her room with Mai by her side. "Oh the firelord, I should have known"
"Zula you won't believe what happened" Ty Lee started angry as Suki sighed disappointed, they would all talk about it.
Again
And Again
And Again
She was getting tired and it was just the beginning
"Wow, you finally grabbed your e-honor and came out? Congratulations ZuZu" Azula complimented looking up and down at Suki with a smirk. The warrior crossed her arms and stood firm, being reminded why she was staying as firm as a rock.
"Thanks…I wanted you to know before anything else came out" Zuko said with a sincere smile
"How are you feeling Suki?" Azula changed immediately the topic away from his brother "Has Zuzu already introduced you as his fiancé?"
"We are not engaged" Suki replied uncrossing her arms "We just started dating"
"Oh no no, that's not an option for you to choose anymore" Azula said now standing up
"Ignore her" Zuko murmured but Suki was in the mood for a fight. She was secretly hoping she would get into one.
"Why? I can still say no" Suki said with a brief smirk "It's not like I'm-"
"Let's stop you here, as a friend" Azula said with the best smile she had "You need to stop using the word I so much and focus on the surroundings"
Suki was caught in a curve
"You see, now you are in new area were you couldn't have been trained as we were: nobody cares about your opinion" Azula said gesturing to everyone "And I know Zuzu is dumb as a turtleduck, so he won't train you as well as we can"
"I won-"
"Nu uh" Azula said putting a finger on her lips, faking a shush "No more I's. Stop being so selfish"
Suki frowned, clearly being bested in how to answer
"no frowning either, we need cute babies and you are-"
"Azula stop it" Zuko said intervening, feeling disappointed in his friends and family act. "I shared the news with you because I thought you'll be happy"
"Yuppy" Ty Lee sarcastically said as Mai just observed, her face not moving a muscle.
"Ty Lee even made a whole scene at the wedding as to why we came out as a couple and mostly ruined the evening and next day" Zuko said venting as Suki eyes widened at how angry Ty Lee was looking
"You were just engaged to my best friend" Ty Lee said exploding "And you miss Im not that type of girl just showed us that indeed, you are that type of woman"
"Ouch! No need to be so truthful Ty Lee" Azula said with a smirk "Now that you remind me, let me be the first one to tell you that you can't be-"
"A kyoshi warrior anymore as it interferes with the vows, I'm not born yesterday into this dick" Suki said angered as Azula laughed
"Now we are showing emotion!" Azula mocked as Zuko grabbed her hand to pull her out of the room. "when the sages rip you off to pieces come and find me here peasant!" Azula screamed at her, making Zuko immediately manhandled her as Suki tried running back to the room.
The guards looked at each other but say nothing, used to the outburst the princess had when Zuko wasn't in the palace. He ran all the way to his room with Suki on his shoulders, who moved like a wild animal recently captured.
"Stop moving!" Suki said putting pressure on his shoulder as a warming, Zuko ignored her and barged into an empty guest room, leaving Ty Lee outside. He found the painting and threw it down to put her in the corridor, making his best to put the picture back and keep Suki from running.
"Suki you need to calm down" Zuko said as they were already secure from finding anyone in the halls. "You can't let her get to your head"
"Easy for you to say as you have lived your entire life with her" Suki reminded wanting to punch something
"Suki"
"What? I'm sorry I don't have nice things to say about your sister" Suki exclaimed angered "What's up with Ty Lee too?"
"She it's hurt in Mai's behalf, I just never saw her be so open about her side" Zuko said chuckling at the thought of Mai's ex boyfriend, the flower boy "Just let her calm down"
"They didn't say shit to you" Suki replied pacing "That's why you are so calm"
Zuko couldn't refute that, knowing well the impotence of not being able to properly defend himself.
"I do know how it feels" Zuko said empathizing "We just need to teach you…"
Suki stopped and stared him down, Zuko whimped a bit.
"Please don't side with your sister in this discussion" Suki said angered "Are you really going to.."
"A little bit of help doesn't hurt anyone" Zuko said as calm as he could, seeing how angry Suki looked.
"I don't want any help" Suki said angrier, her voice louder "I might as well not be announced at the public until I'm good enough for your role"
Zuko looked suspicious, "That's the real problem" He thought with a frown
"That's what makes you angry? Letting the nation know that you and I are-"
"My problem is the expectations weighing on me" Suki admitted "BabieS? Marriage? We are just….we are less than a month in a relationship Zuko, it's too rushed"
"I hope is that your worry and not-"
"You can't even believe me, incredible" Suki said mad "Move out, I need to resign my title" she said pushing him away and opening the door.
"Suki don't leave like that" Zuko said following behind her, a bit tired of the ghost of their friend. "I didn't mean to offend you"
"You didn't say or do anything and that was worse"
"What could I have said against Azula? She was right!" Zuko started to crack down, shocking Suki.
"That's what I am to you? A peasant? Why be with me then? Find another court lady" Suki said angrier
"That would be convenient to you wouldn't it be? So you can move out and find-"
Suki raised her hand wanting to punch him but stopped mid movement, Zuko stared down at her angry and shocked, his speech cutting in the middle.
"I promised you something, I made a choice. Don't make me regret it" Suki warned him putting down her fist. Zuko bit his tongue before realizing the blackmail.
"Leave then, I told you I wouldn't hold you back. Stop playing with me then and date whoever you want" Zuko said leaving the room fuming, not looking back.
"Ty Lee!" Suki screamed as she was stopped following Zuko. "Meeting NOW" Suki said angered moving to the training grounds, with her stranged friend behind her.
Ty Lee heard everything and was feeling guilty, even after seeing how the darkening wanted to pop out of Suki.
"Suk-"
"We'll talk over there" She interrupted, making the acrobat feel uneasy.
/
"Suki we are so happy for your announcement" Karina talked in place of their squad, as they were actually not happy by the way Suki was resigning.
Suki looked at them with the best calm face she had, failing as the girls worried faces showed but hesitated to say anything.
"I'm happy you support the decision" Suki said looking at all of them "I know I trained Karina well enough for her to take over, and of course for all of you to watch my shoulder"
"We are honored to serve you" Karina said bowing "Firelady Suki"
The rest of the girls, including Ty Lee, bowed. Suki would miss this, the evenings training and the talks in the barracks. She loved fighting that was for sure, but she loved the feeling of belonging to a family.
She wasn't so sure if she was being herself, hoping she won't lost too much of herself.
"Girls, we need to split. Ty Lee and I will take care of Suki and the rest of Zuko. Please remember this our second most important mission of our lives: Protecting the new dynasty" Karina spoke firmly as the girls nodded, dissipating while Ty Lee and Karina stood at her side, just as she used to guard Zuko.
"We are here for you" Karina said smiling, while Suki bit her lip unconsciously, nervous. "Any type of threat won't make it to you, don't worry" she said giving Ty Lee a glare, as the acrobat ignored it.
"Thank you Karina" Suki said unclasping the headband, her hands trembling a bit as she stared down at it. Her friend patiently waited, not rushing the unusual ceremony. "H-Here" Suki forced herself, bowing with her head down with tears falling into the ground.
Karina grabbed her hands and made her stand up, cleaning the ones in her face.
"You'll always be welcomed" Karina said carefully, seeing how upset Suki was with leaving the position.
"It didn't suit me anymore" Suki joked flatly as she turned Karina to put on the headband, smiling through the tears. Karina handed the band and Suki placed it on her delicately, doing it for the last time. "There" she said proudly
Karina looked amazing to her, the loss was lessened with how confident her friend was.
"Where do we go now, firelady?" Karina asked as Suki skipped a breath, reminding her the reason behind the transition.
"She is not a firelady until she marries Zuko" Ty lee said bitter, looking at the other side of the patio.
"We have new places were the gang has been attacking" Kura said as the leaders listened carefully, looking at the map in the board.
"My informants told me that they wanted to overtake the senate by imposing more benders in the mix so incidents like the one on the trail won't be repeated" Onika said glaring a bit at Electra who looked stoic.
Sokka crossed his arms, trying to figure out what other attack they could possible make.
"Is it only in this city?" Electra asked as Kura turned the page, a part of Ba Sing Se was signaled with incidents of the same nature, with earthbenders and metalbenders being the ones abducted. He turned the other page and show the fire nation had it's own problem with the colonies.
"Onika, why you didn't say anything?" Beifong asked irritated
"The firelord in charge said there would not be any more incidents, I haven't had a new letter from them" Onika defended as she skimmed trough her notes. "We need to figure out who is the head of that gang before it comes and bites us"
"They won't get too far" Electra said brainstorming "If the informants are right, they are behind non benders or me"
"How humble" Kura mocked as Toph frowned
"Quit your mocking, you are as useful as my sight" Sokka had to hold a laugh coughing, as he hadn't thought of that insult. Kura sighed frustrated, as everybody in the room.
"So we have to keep an eye to non bender areas or at Electra" Sokka whispered trying to form a plan.
"We need more undercover guards" Onika said catching on Sokka's thinking, as Toph nodded.
"The best ones to our fellow co worker" Kura said rolling his eyes, annoyed at the trouble Electra woke.
"Everyone in my team is the best one" Toph replied with a grin "We need to bait them first if they are close to attacking then"
"What could be a bait to them? A non bender convention? A big party to celebrate what?" Electra said giving ideas out loud
Sokka immediately perked up at the ideas, a big smile appearing on his face
"Of course a festival would be of excellent use" Sokka said writing it "Why haven't we celebrated the foundation on a bigger scale? I'm sure most of the people would mingle and that would give them a clear entry to attack"
"You know how many life's you are putting at risk?" Onika asked shocked
"We can call for back up always" Kura said gesturing to Toph "even have volunteers"
"We have the avatar by our side on that" Electra assured "With the Avatar present there won't be any type of killings, perhaps my head will roll but nothing else"
Toph laughed at her humor, the ambassador hid on her notes as she focused on ignoring that charming laugh.
"Then we should start the preparations right away" Kura said "We need to inform all of the political figures what the plan is too"
"You mean the founders? Half of the founders are here in the city" Electra said eyeing Sokka and Toph.
"The other half then, that's my work" Onika said as Sokka tensed, fidgeting with his pencil.
"Kyoshi warriors undercover are a really good option" Sokka whispered, Onika and Kura caught it, looking suspicious at the councilman.
"Care to elaborate?" Kura asked as Onika rolled her eyes
"Best elite warrior team of girls from Kyoshi Island. It's part earth kingdom so I'm really surprised you don't know about them minister" Onika reprimanded as Kura shrugged
"Now they have chi blocking, so having them patrol is really helpful" Toph said "In case something goes out of control"
"Who will be in charge of organizing everything?" Kura continued, ignoring Onika's comment
"I will, it could be useful to have someone send the invitations too. How fast is the email at the fire nation?" Electra asked Onika, she lifted 3 fingers.
"Hours?" Sokka asked amazed as onika giggled
"3 days if it's very urgent, we just need to set the date and I'll send the invitation" Onika explained as Electra nodded
"Let's get to work then" She said as they lifted the meeting, all of them already planning how to coordinate.
"You really have no talent other than fighting" Azula said frustrated, her hand covering her forehead.
"Relax, she is a good student" Mai said sipping her tea, partially nervous but not willing to showcase it.
Suki was biting her tongue, trying not to say anything about the painting she had done. It was next to horrendous. Guiding herself by the comments her teachers (how she hated calling them like that) were saying, it was something a child could do better.
"Anything else you want to try?" She suggested roughly, as Azula frowned.
"I'm making you a favor and you still decide to bit me? Ouch" The former princess said brainstorming. She would normally not care and let her die in front of the court, but it was a favor Zuzu asked her.
Zuzu freed her from the prison, she would repair the favor. Even if a better idea kept popping in her head, were the ultimate humiliation and failure in court would make Suki back down forever.
"I do know how to cook" Suki said smirking, while Mai considered the idea "Anything"
"From scratch?" Mai asked as Suki nodded, drawing cookies, soups and meat.
"Anything spicy?" Azula asked giving it a try, Suki thought about the horrendous spicy seaprune dish she made back at Ba Sing Se.
"No" She lied, as Azula caught it and smirked.
"We have work to do then, including that" She said grabbing her face. Suki recoiled back and Azula smirked. Mai looked oddly at Azula. "You need to lie as good as I do"
"Uh..no need to touch me again" Suki said uncomfortable, memories from prison coming back briefly.
"Oh right, prison. Old habits" Azula said dismissing her as she sat by the other side of the room.
Mai grabbed the board with boredom, writing in it the tittle of the first lesson according to Azula, on how to lie.
"First Lesson: You got everything to lose. So you need to lie as if your life depended on it" Azula said getting close to her "Understand?"
"Okay" Suki said raising an eyebrow, bored.
"second lesson: You don't tell the full truth. Lying too much will make you lose the trial of what you have been saying. So if you evade saying everything it will not make you lie completely" Azula said thinking of an example. She was really enjoying teaching
"You can mix a lie and a truth too, in case you get caught you can always say they mixed and stick to the second lie" Mai said as Suki begrudgingly took notes.
"For example: when our mother left the palace, I informed Zuko about what had happened. He was so upset when he came back from talking with firelord Ozai that I convinced him that he had to make mom proud and defend everyone and everything in her honor because that's what she would have wanted" Azula told proudly as Suki stared horrified
"Is that supposed to be inspiring?" Suki asked knowing it caused the Agni Kai that scarred Zuko.
"It helped you meet him, didn't it?" Azula mocked, her finger curling her loose bang "Besides, it's not a full lie. Mom didn't say anything of that to me but it was something she would have, she would have advised thought of not doing it in front of everybody"
Suki frowned
"Third: You need to control your heartbeat and body movement" Azula explained, slowly inhaling air. "Your face and body is as clear as water"
"For it you either need to have absolute control of your emotions or to use them as trading cards" Mai chimed in interrupting Azula, who side eyed her for it.
"You have two big factors that make you lose control, find them and dominate them" Azula said grinning as Suki brainstormed about what made her lose control of her emotions. "We know for sure that one is that watertribe peasant"
"Sokka" Suki said in a whisper, her heartbeat thumping loudly "How can I even know what makes me loose control?" she asked sincerely, unable to find other weakness.
Azula could see it meters away what made her loose control.
"It's easy to see to a trained eye, that's why we are teaching you this" Azula said smirking, standing closer to her, similarly to how she taunted her in prison. Suki stood up squaring up, her jaw tensing and frown increasing as Azula and her were eye to eye
"Say it then" Suki dared her, as Azula golden eyes pittied her
"You have this horrible urge to belong" Azula accused as Suki eyes softened "See?"
Suki removed from her sight and decided to end the schooling for the day
"Don't leave yet" Mai said as Suki looked at her "This is the first step in controlling yourself"
"Why isn't Ty lee like this then?" Suki accused still upset and hurt about the sudden revelation. It was something that crossed her mind while being imprisoned, not that it mattered after Sokka and Zuko busted her out.
"Because she wasn't meant to be anything politically major, besides, her family is important. You? Are nothing here, a commoner wanting to belong to something greater than she should aspire" Azula mocked viciously and calmly as Suki returned with her ego hurt, unsure on what she was standing by.
It crossed her mind when she was afraid to leave the island with her friend and stop being a Kyoshi warrior, it crossed her mind twice when she was at prison breaking down at solitary confinement and after talking to the traitor, it crossed her mind a third time while wanting to be married and with kids.
And now feeling the need to prove them, people she didn't even like, that she could be a good firelady.
"Stop with that pretty face, you sure know how to tear up" Azula mocked as Suki sat as straight as she could "Use all this emotion to your advantage as I do, cry when the wind needs it and laugh when the sun sets down"
"yes, Azula" Suki said with the best fake smile she could, as Azula looked unsatisfied
"Well, it could be worse. We still need to see if your cooking is something redeemable and see if music does something to you" Azula said signaling her to follow her, Mai and Suki walking behind her.
Sokka walked side to side waiting for Onika to come back from lunch, now having set the date to a month for the urgency of the situation, to convince her to ask for the leader of the Kyoshi warriors for support at the capital.
He was a hundred percent sure he would fail to cover why he specifically wanted his ex involved, not that it made her a baggage, on the contrary, Suki and her warriors trailing down Dai Lee hiding spots from the fire nation and commanding them to victory was no easy task. Not even the fire nation was smart enough.
"Are you alright?" Onika asked as Sokka stopped walking and squeeled, redeeming his calm demeanor with a bright smile. She knew what that meant.
"What do you need me to help you with?" Sokka asked as Onika eyed him with a smile
"I think I need to ask you that" Onika said as Sokka nodded, opening his arm to signal her office. She walked first and he jiggled behind, closing the door.
"We have set the date"
"We have"
"We need someone to deliver the plan"
"There are messengers-"
"What if they are intercepted?"
"They won't, they are sent and delivered by Toph's special unit"
"What if someone sells out on the way?"
"Toph knows how to make them respect her enough to avoid that"
"What if-"
"You want me to make you the messenger don't you?" Onika asked with a grin as Sokka blushed smiling "Tell me why and I will answer"
"You see, Suki-"
"No"
"You didn't even listen to me" Sokka said seriously as Onika giggled
"She really has driven you crazy, even after being engaged to my direct boss you expect me to let you go and visit her for a letter that could be delivered by someone more reliable?" Onika mocked as Sokka face dropped
"Well, maybe. But I would also like to add that having the leader of the kyoshi warriors to coordinate would be excellent to cover all of the patrolling areas" Sokka explained "Do you remember the gold hunt?"
"Yeah, she was in charge of it, wasn't she?" Onika asked as Sokka proudly nodded "She can command a similar mission from home, next to her boyfriend"
"You really need to emphasize that don't you?" Sokka asked irritated
"I am afraid I might loose my job if I just send the current's firelady ex to meet her on her husbands land" Onika said with sarcasm making Sokka chuckle
"Well, add it to the letter and we'll see in a month if there is any success" Sokka replied bitter as Onika sighed, feeling crossed. She skimmed through the letters on her gabinet as Sokka stood up to leave.
"Here, your ship leaves in two hours" Onika said lending him a letter with the fire nation seal. Sokka's mouth opened shocked, quickly grabbing the letter "Please don't make anything stupid that might make me lose my job"
"I won't, I promise!" Sokka said giddily shaking her hand furiously, running out of the office to prepare.
He ran towards Electra's office, startling her
"Hey, can you please tell Toph that she will take care of my job for the next three weeks before I get back with Zuko and Suki?"
Electra's mouth opened and before she could say anything he ran away.