You know, on the one hand, I had been a second chance at life and had actually been born into a noble family. Oh, to be sure, my interest in smithcraft was not exactly fitting, but there had been a simple thing that had sung in my soul from the moment of my second birth. Of legend and myth, is the craft of the smith. It was a truth, my own inner truth that I could not really express out loud, even as I pondered just what to make out of the materials close at hand. It was a meditation of sorts.

Which did lead to my second, and somewhat pressing problem. See, I had the bad fortune to not show fear to a girl smaller than me that was spitting fire and loudly boasting of her superiority. We were both six at the time, but the simple truth was that I showed no fear and stood up to her. Which interested her. And so, I was recruited to be one of her minions/friends. Because yeah, Azula, even this early on was a force of nature and had a personality that burned like a wildfire, consuming all around with with about as much regard.

And because she was part of the royal family, I did not exactly get a choice about the whole friendship thing. The only good thing was? I got a lot of practice fighting. Downside, after a fashion? I got treated as just one of the girls, because Azula did not really gender code things. It was strong or weak with her and of course her friends were strong, because why would she have weak minions? Really, there was not much I could do, as our days in the school came to an end, thank the spirits.

Because I was afraid that she would somehow drag me along into the 'finishing school for young ladies' along with her. While I would never thank him out loud, I was more than happy to thank Ozai in the privacy of my mind... because I have no doubt she would have made me dress the part. Largely because if she had to suffer, so would the rest of her minions.

After that... well, I was just going to focus on my personal studies, see about the smith work, and keep sending the girls something each year to let them know I remember they exist.

Mai

You know, if it wasn't so sickeningly sweet, she would have agreed with Ty Lee that Azula's crush on Maza was adorable. In hindsight, it was almost one of those romance stories, where the two main characters fell in love at first sight, even if they could not recognize it. And of course, fate had conspired to separate them, at least until Azula wanted to reassemble her goon squad. Which she was a part of, because Azula was her... bleh... friend. Which is why they were walking into a building set into an active volcano.

Because of course the idiot who sent them little trinkets he made personally every year had an actual volcanic forge to work out of that the rest of his family had more or less forgotten about. And really, the heat was just barely tolerable, yet as they walked out onto a ledge? They could not see Maza, but they could see what was probably a spirit of some kind. Tall, easily seven feet tall, with muscles like the mountain, skin a polished brass, gleaming golden script sunk into the flesh, hair like actual fires as he worked at the anvil, the air shaking with thunderclaps, the smell of a storm in the air.

And then the spirit turned to them, eyes widening, as he continued his work. "Hey girls. Long time no see." Because the giant of metal and flame was speaking in Maza's voice, as Azula was letting out faint squeaking sounds, legs pressed tightly together. "Mind if I finish up before I join you?" A part of her was expecting Azula to snap, to demand he pay attention... and then she caught her looking over those flexing muscles as she nodded. "Ah, thank you. Actually meant for you Azula, so... early birthday gift?"

Yeah, no matter how hunky he looked... he was still the same dork from before.

Azula

She was not tongue tied, not weak as she looked at Maza, drinks poured as he loomed over them, his presence blending into the volcano behind them. She was not looking at his muscles, at his sheer size, at the fact that he had apparently carved patterns into his flesh and poured molten chi-infused gold into them. A part of her wanted to rage at him for taking such a risk with HER property! Another part of her... "Why did you..."

She reached out, finger tips tracing the letters in a language that she did not know. Still, there was a rumble, like metal blocks grinding together. He was chuckling, she realized. "Well, I figured out some chi smithing techniques, and there were some hints for the runes. Sure, they hurt like a bitch, but the trade offs are worth it to work right inside the forge when its going full out." His.. pants clinked. Because he was wearing a skirt of brass plates. "And no, before you ask, as your clothes didn't combust, the forge was not at full blast."

She paused, a part of her wanting to... "I mean, yeah, Azula herself would probably be fine, but you two?" There was something on his face as he looked at the others. Something that made her... uneasy. For a moment, she wanted to tear his eyes out before mounting them so he would only look at her. "Yeah, neither you can handle that kind of heat." She felt pride surge in her, perking up and preening, as he nodded. "Still, what can I do for you? I mean, I'm happy to catch up and all, but Ty, your the only one that would without needing something."

It was true, even as she spoke, as she shared the fact that she was being dispatched to take out the Avatar... and her failure of a brother. Along with some additional targets along the way as they became available of course. Even as he nodded along as she spoke, she adjusted herself, a part of her wondering... his family was suitable, and he had some skill in firebending, not to mention that he was not the heir of his family and so would make for a good consort and...

"So, anything else I can get for you girls before we head out?"

The words slipped from her lips. "Eat me out."

Everyone was silent, even as Maza blinked. A part of her felt like it was on fire, shame and rage spiking... "Would you want me to take you somewhere private or you want me on my knees right now? Because honestly... don't take this the wrong way, but I could totally see you using my face like a throne in front of Mai and Ty Lee as a power thing, or to try and embarrass them, but..." He paused as she was still. as wonderful ideas clashed in her mind. "Frankly, there has not been enough violence, so I did not think you would be this worked up."

She was still, as she spoke, softly, a part of her feeling like it was gathering, so hot it was cold. "You think I am sexually aroused by violence?"

The worst thing is, now that he spoke it, she could feel it, it made sense, as the stupid idiot nodded. "I mean, everything about you screams badass warrior princess. Which honestly is one of your most attractive features."

Her face burned as much as her fist as she threw the fireball at him. As it turned out? She DID end up using his face as a throne after her victory.