As they sped across the desert, Ivan held tightly to Azula as he gradually grew used to her lizard's movements. However, he suddenly recalled that he was missing something on his head. "Azula, I forgot my kiwer!" he shouted.

"I'm sorry, what do you mean!? Is it important!?" she shouted back while slowing the beast down to turn to him.

"My kiwer-" As he saw her cock a brow, he knew she couldn't understand what he meant. "My hat. I left my hat with the others!"

She seemed confused and slowed her beast to hear better. "I don't see why that should be an issue. Can't you arrange for some servants to bring it to your tent?"

Ivan paused as he blinked several times in response, attempting to comprehend what she'd said. "Why would I bring servants on campaign?" he asked. Although, now that she mentioned it, one of the other officers would most likely bring it to his tent anyway. "However, you are correct in that-"

"You don't have servants? What sort of Prince are you?" Azula cut in, leaving Ivan perplexed as she glared at him.

"I said "on campaign," not in general," he replied as he shook his head. "Besides, I would rather my soldiers know I am capable."

"Whatever makes you feel better, I suppose. Though at least I have more than one pair of clothes," Azula said with a smirk, eyeing Ivan's sand-caked breeches and boots before spurring the lizard onward.

Ivan narrowed his eyes in return. "For your information, I do possess another uniform. However, said uniform is for ceremonial purposes only," he stated as Azula rolled her eyes and focused on the path ahead of her.

Soon after the end of their conversation, Ivan caught sight of the Fire Nation base. Azula sped up her mount as she approached the gate, with the doors opening as they entered. Azula and Ivan then dismounted as she handed the reins to one of her retainers. "Azula!" came a high-pitched feminine cry as the young woman he'd met yesterday, Ty Lo if he remembered correctly, ran up and nearly tackled Azula with a hug, much to the latter's clear annoyance. "Mai and I were looking everywhere for you! Where did you-" she paused as she turned to regard Ivan, her eyes widening as she broke the hug. "Oh, my gosh!" the girl held a hand to her mouth before quickly recomposing herself. "Sorry, I didn't see you there, handsome," she said as her eyes narrowed dangerously, eliciting a slight blush before he shook his head, clearing any unwanted thoughts from his mind.

Now, it wasn't that this girl wasn't pretty, for she was stunning for her age, with brown hair tied in a long braid down her back, a simple yet charming face, and bright gray eyes, sporting an athletic yet curvy figure. But, given her attitude and choice of clothing (she wore the most immodest attire he'd seen in his life, consisting only of a pink half-shirt with a short skirt which didn't even reach her knees!) He would've called her a harlot if it wasn't clear she shared some form of connection with the Princess. When Ivan first met her, he dismissed her as someone who'd likely wormed her way here with some officer who'd taken her fancy. However, given what he knew Azula to be capable of, that was evidently not the case. "Hello indeed," Ivan replied coldly. The girl's face went slack, and she seemed to step back in shock as he turned to Azula. "Azula, I apologize for my bluntness, but you never told me who this girl is to you."

For her part, Azula had slipped into a smirk as she witnessed what had occurred. "Ty Lee is a good friend. We met at the Royal Fire Academy for Girls," she began before shifting her gaze to Ty Lee. "Now, why don't you go find Mai and tell her she can stop searching? I would like to have some alone time with the Grand Duke."

Ty Lee looked flabbergasted before she shook her head and walked away, visibly defeated. "What's wrong with her?" Ivan asked as he turned to Azula.

"Oh, don't worry about her. Ty Lee's a tease and a notorious flirt. She's just upset that you refused her," she replied before gesturing for him to follow her. "Now, come."

"Where are we going?" Ivan asked as he followed Azula back out the gate.

"Well, you showed me your weapons. Now let me show you mine," Azula said as she led him to a secluded area just beyond the iron walls of the Fire Nation headquarters. "Alright, now I suggest you take a step back."

Ivan stood back several dozen paces from her just to be safe. "Now, what exactly-" Without warning, she smirked before punching forward, causing a ball of azure fire to shoot forth and scorch the desert sand, with him even feeling the heat of the flames despite the distance as he shielded his face. Once he calmed down from his shock, he began to clap. "Wow, that was quite impressive."

"Oh, did you think that was all?" she asked as he stopped while Ivan looked at her in concern.

"I don't understand-" Azula didn't give him any time to react as she began performing an ever-expanding series of complex flips, kicks, and punches, spewing fire from every limb as her lithe frame shifted from one movement to the next in perfect motion, not a single action of her body wasted or telegraphed. Yet as she moved about, carefully flinging controlled bouts of blue flames in all directions, he couldn't help but feel it was one of the most beautiful displays he'd ever witnessed, and he'd seen professional ballet! After what felt to him like hours of closely observing every stance and burst of fire, it finally came to an end with her performing a fire punch before doing a flip and landing a flame-covered fist into the ground, all the while staring at him with those sharp amber gold eyes, not a hair out of place. As soon as she stood up, he began to tear up as he clapped vigorously. "That was incredible!" he praised in Ruskian as he smiled at her in astonishment, his cheeks warm.

Azula seemed to stare at him in shock for several moments. "Wait, you enjoyed that?" she asked as Ivan nodded and stopped clapping.

"Your Highness, you- That was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen!" he shouted before he cleared his throat and recomposed himself. "I...know it doesn't sound like much, as I'm sure you've received many such compliments before mine. But that was truly masterful-" he paused as he realized she'd been staring at him, wide-eyed and slack-jawed. "Azula, are you-"

She recovered quickly. "Do you mean that, really?" she asked, her brow cocked.

Ivan, while confused by her reaction, nevertheless nodded in affirmation. "Indeed I do, Azula. The Lord has truly blessed you with a marvellous gift."

With that, Azula folded her arms and smirked. "Well, of course, I'm blessed," she began before eyeing the sword at his hip. "Now, what exactly can you do?"

Ivan turned to his blade and sighed, reminded of what grim purpose he'd employed this weapon for just two weeks prior. He drew it, with her walking over as he examined the sword. His particular blade abided by the standards of the Model 1998 infantry officer sword, consisting of a long, slender blade wider than most yet tapered enough to still be effective in the thrust, with a single fuller in the center going the full length down to the tip, with gold inlays near the base. The handle was the standard, though he'd followed his father's instruction to have the handle more oblong than round, with a brass knuckle guard, pommel, and double shell guards just below the blade to protect the top of the hand with a silver and gold sword knot tied around the knuckle. "I assure you, your Highness, nothing I could do could match what you have shown me just now," he said before drawing the blade to his side and entering the standard pose drilled into him by his fencing master. He performed a series of quick slashes and thrusts before placing the sword back in its sheath, with Azula looking at him with an unimpressed gaze. "See?"

"Indeed," she replied, flicking non-existent dirt from her nails. "Is there anything else I should know?"

In response, Ivan smirked. "Well, I suppose there's this-" he said as he casually drew his five-line revolver, and Azula stared at him in stunned silence. The weapon was 100% standard, save for some added embellishments on the barrel and a carved crest on the wooden handle.

"Is that-!?" Azula shouted in alarm, with Ivan laughing at her rushed response as she quickly recomposed herself. "Is that a vintovka?"

"No, this is a revolver, your Highness," he explained as she stared at it with interest.

"What's the difference?" she asked as she gestured at it. "Other than the size, that is."

"Put simply, a revolver, while similar to a vintovka in many ways, bears a different purpose," he explained as he flipped open the six-round chamber and caught the ejected bullets. "Unlike our Vasilievs, it can fire six rounds much more quickly and is carried in a smaller frame in exchange for less range."

"I see..." said Azula as she focused on the weapon. "Could you show me?"

Ivan put a hand to his chin. "Perhaps, but not here..."

Nikolai sat back in his chair eating breakfast when one of his guards entered. "Your Imperial Highness, there is a General Bykovsky who asked to meet with you waiting outside."

Why does that name sound familiar? "Send him in," Nikolai replied with a wave of his hand.

"At once, Grand Duke," with that, the soldier saluted before turning sharply and marching out of the tent.

In the meantime, Nikolai wiped his face with a napkin before taking a moment to read over the reply from the Stavka for the fifth time.

"We will send your reinforcements in one week."

"Hello, old friend," a familiar voice echoed, and he turned to acknowledge the man who'd spoken. At first, he couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at the man Nikolai once called his friend, recognizing his dull grey eyes, also noting he'd grown a mustache.

"You are no friend of mine, Leon," Nikolai began as he narrowed his eyes at him as he put down the telegram. "Now, what are you doing here? I thought you were court marshalled."

In response, the other man loosed a chortle. "Oh, come now. Did you seriously believe Rachen would remove me for carrying out our campaign in the most effective way possible?" he began before giving him an accusatory glare. "What happened to our strong and brave commander? Have you gone soft, perhaps?"

Nikolai stood up with his fists clenched as he stared down the slightly younger General before him. "You have the gall to accuse me of such a thing, yet you are unwilling to admit to your wrongdoing! The fact you are here has only worsened my opinion of the Marshal!" he shouted before he took a deep breath to recompose himself. "I know what we did was wrong, and I shall carry that guilt for the rest of my days. We were worse than our adversaries," he said regretfully, his old memories resurfacing as he glared at Bykovsky.

Eleven years prior.

Nikolai could hear the screams and cries of women and children as he watched his soldiers sweep through this newest village his men conquered without resistance, as most of their men had left to fight him from the mountains or were already dead. At night, the Akvaz guerrillas would come down and slit the throats of his soldiers, steal their pack animals, and destroy their supplies. At first, he had attempted to hold his men back from reprisals against civilians, but soon, overcome with grief and anger, he ordered his men to do what they thought necessary. That was five years ago.

Now, tired and worn from the long campaign, he watched helplessly as the families of his enemies were stabbed and bludgeoned to death by his soldiers in the streets. Long had they grown tired of the constant raids and the cowardice of their enemies, who would attack before fading back into the population or the mountains supplied by the villagers who dwelled in the valleys or the loot they'd stolen from his forces. But now, after decades of on-and-off conflict, the Akvaz would finally no longer be a thorn in Ruskia's side. From what he understood, his forces had almost conquered the whole region, and their population would soon be a mere memory. However, he was beginning to have second thoughts about the choice to let his subordinates take their revenge. Of course, he never expected things to go as far as they had, but he now knew there was no putting the genie back in the bottle.

Nikolai shook his head, struggling to hold back his tears as he glared at the General. "Is that truly how you see it, old friend?" Bykovsky began, mirroring his gaze. "We did our people a service! And we would have finished them if it weren't for your weakness!"

Nikolai clenched his jaw as his eyes flared in anger. "You call mercy weakness! Is it not written: blessed be the peacemakers?! Is it?!" he spat. "THIS is why I never spoke to you after the conclusion of our treaty with their Ataman! You never repented because you never saw what we did as wrong! Yes, I gave the orders! Yes, I turned my head away from the majority of the atrocities! But I would never willingly enact such a policy of murder again!" at this point, he was beginning to feel fatigued by the conversation. "If that is all you had to say, I order you to get out!" Nikolai shouted as he pointed to the door before sitting down.

Thankfully, the other man nodded his head. "If that is what you wish, your Imperial Highness," he said before turning and walking to the door, but suddenly, he stopped. "Oh, before I take my leave, I almost forgot to congratulate you. Your son has grown into quite a strong young man. He reminds me much of you."

Nikolai stood up as his face contorted in rage. "Stay away from Ivan!" he bellowed.

"Very well, old friend. Though that may be difficult, seeing as I am his commander," he calmly replied over his shoulder before striding outside while Nikolai slumped into his chair, a hand rubbing his temple.

I knew his name was familiar. I didn't realize it was him! Nikolai proceeded to think. I need to get Ivan out of his division, but I can't send him back, besides it would be too suspicious to recall the guards without him. He paused his train of thought as he considered his needed Ivan here, as that was the best way to prevent another family tragedy. Why did I ever think it was a good idea to put him in officer school? If only the war had started later, he would at least have had the chance to make an impact before he risked his life! Suddenly, Nikolai felt a voice call out to him, a small quiet voice, no louder than a whisper in his mind. As he listened, he felt himself relax as it assured him, telling him he must trust that all will be well.

Suddenly, without warning, he found himself pulled from his musings by the sound of the tent flap opening as a young officer with entered, sweat pouring down his brow and his breathing haggard. "G-Grand Duke, your Son has returned!"

Nikolai sighed in relief, not that he was worried about the Fire Nation Princess making off with Ivan. If anything, it eased him. "Good. Where is he?"

"H-he's currently at the headquarters of the Zlachny Life Guards," the man informed as he steadied his breath. "The Princess of the Fire Nation arrived during service, and he left with her for an hour before returning."

In response, Nikolai sighed in relief. "Good. You may go, Lieutenant," he said as the man saluted before turning and marching out of the tent, and Nikolai stood up and put on his fatigue cap before leaving.

After returning to her camp, Azula acquired men, a spare tent, targets, and water and food for herself and Ivan before taking her mongoose lizard and riding the two back toward the Ruskian encampment so Ivan could take additional ammunition. When they arrived, Ivan took the time to get his fatigue cap, strip out of his jacket, and inform his commanders what he was doing, as the other officers weren't particularly pleased he'd decided to go off by himself during Sunday service. "So, if I understand this correctly, the Fire Nation Princess decided on a whim to come and see you during service?" asked Colonel Alexeev with a cocked brow as he sat behind the table surrounded by the other senior officers.

"Yes, Sir," Ivan replied as he stood facing his superior.

"And you decided to leave with her without first informing any of us?" the man asked as he sat back.

"Yes, Sir," he replied, knowing better than to make excuses while dealing with such matters. "I apologize for my incompetence."

Alexeev sighed deeply. "Your Imperial Highness, surely you understand the difficult position you placed me in, correct?" he asked as Ivan nodded his head in shame. "Now, what would your father-"

"Ivan," Ivan and the others turned and looked in shock as Nikolai opened the tent flap and walked over to him with a slight smile. "Ah, you gave us quite the scare, my boy. Now, how did things go with the Princess?"

The other officers seemed too stunned to speak, so Ivan willed himself to answer his father. "Well... I'm not sure, seeing as she's still here," he said as he turned and opened the flap and gestured down the lane where Azula waited.

"Greetings, your Highness," said Nikolai as he walked out before genuflecting and kissing his hand. "How are you this fine day?"

She stiffened slightly but maintained her composure. "I am well, thank you," she replied. "Now, is Ivan finished? I would rather leave sooner than later."

"I don't think that's a good idea, your Highness. Soon it will be the hottest part of the day," he began as she sighed.

"Grand Duke, I assure you, Ivan and I have already made the necessary preparations," Azula stated.

"I see..." he began as he stroked his beard. "Is there anything else I could do for you?"

Azula shook her head as Ivan walked up beside them. "No, I don't think there is, but I thank you for the generous offer, your Imperial Highness," she stated before turning to Ivan. "Now, is everything resolved?"

Ivan turned to his father, who nodded and grinned as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "Indeed, but I only ask that you return him before nightfall."

Azula flicked the dirt from her nails as she rolled her eyes. "Of course, I wouldn't dream of it," she replied before gesturing to Ivan. "Now, why don't you show me how skillful you are with your weapons?" Ivan smiled and nodded before following her.

"Have fun!" Nikolai shouted in Ruskian as Ivan shook his head.

Once the soldiers set everything up, Azula dismissed them, and Ivan began shooting targets. At first, Azula found herself impressed by the swift and brutal fashion in which he struck the targets, but soon, she grew bored of the plain display. He was right, she supposed when he said that nothing he ever did could match the beauty of her flames. However, the fact Ivan could hit targets with such ease unnerved her. What would happen if someone didn't react fast enough? Before now, she had always sought to capture or incapacitate the opponents she faced, such as her brother and the Avatar, but now, as she watched Ivan put holes through the training dummies, she realized that his weapons could more easily kill or maim an enemy than even her firebending. Perhaps, only lightning could exceed the efficacy of his revolver, but that required a clear mind and precise movement, whereas he just needed to point and shoot. As the realization struck her, Azula again remembered how close to death she might have been had she not conceded to Nikolai's strange request. "Azula?"

"Wha-" she shook her head as she turned to Ivan, finding that the Ruskian had returned his revolver and had approached her. "Oh, sorry, it seems I'm beginning to fall asleep out of boredom," she half-lied, attempting to cover her true feelings with indifference.

Ivan scratched his chin in thought. "I see. In that case, why don't we eat? I'm curious to see what you brought for us."

In response, Azula smirked. "Well, I hope you like spicy food," she began as she led him into the tent and unfolded the wraps covering the dishes she'd brought. There was Komodo rhino sausage, roasted turtle duck, sticky rice, noodles, and roasted vegetables. As she saw Ivan's eyes widen and his mouth water, she knew she'd made the impression she had hoped for. "Now, shall we?" she asked as she sat down and picked up her chopsticks.

Ivan smiled in turn. "Indeed, we shall," he began as he joined her.

Ivan folded his arms and said a quick blessing on his food, thanking the Lord for his day before he got to eat. Using the chopsticks, he picked up some noodles and meat and placed them into his mouth as Azula glanced to see his reaction. However, after a moment, Ivan felt his face heat up, and his tongue began to beg for relief. Desperately, he reached for his canteen, swiftly unscrewed the lid and gulped water as Azula loosed a chuckle at his expense. "I'm sorry, is it too hot?" she asked sarcastically.

Ivan wiped his mouth with a napkin and glared, displaying his lack of amusement. "Now, when you said it was spicy, I didn't think you were trying to burn my tongue," he began. "However, other than that, I must say it is quite enjoyable, and, seeing as I have no other option, I shall have to eat it," he sighed before taking another bite.

Azula grinned cheekily at him in response. "In that case, let us see how long you last, Grand Duke," Azula said before she followed his lead, taking a bite herself.

Silence permeated for the next hour as Ivan slowly adjusted to the spiciness. Azula continued quietly observing him as she finished her food, and while Azula was a speedy eater, she took her time as she let the young Grand Duke struggle with his lunch. Of course, the Princess had chosen to make the food spicy on purpose, as it would be interesting to see how he would deal with the traditional dishes of the Fire Nation. Though, while at first, it was amusing to watch him painfully swallow every bite, she noted how, by the time Ivan finished, the Grand Duke wasn't struggling nearly as much. Honestly, Azula was proud he'd managed to finish it all, to begin with. "Well, it is good to know you can enjoy our food. So now you won't embarrass yourself in front of my father," she said once he ate the final bite.

Ivan sighed before finishing his water for the third time. "Well, that is a relief. But, I must ask, when would I meet your father?" he asked curiously.

Azula glanced at her long nails. "Oh, I'm sure you will meet him at some point. After all, we are allies, are we not?" she said as she cocked a brow at him.

Ivan stroked his chin in thought as he nodded. "Indeed, that we are," he began.

"Is there something on your mind?" she asked as she sat back and faced him.

"Yes, I wanted to ask, what is your father like?" he asked.

Azula's eyes widened at this before she quickly recomposed herself. How did she not see that one coming? "My father is... A powerful man," she began as she tried to consider how best to describe him: Dominating? Certainly. Cruel? Indeed, though not overly zealous. Of course, some thought that the Fire Lord burning his son and heir crossed the line. But she, like many, saw it as the only way to appease the disgrace that would otherwise fall upon the entire Royal Family. Besides, Zuko deserved it, in her eyes, as he would have made a poor Fire Lord. She supposed he was also supportive, at least when it suited him. However, aside from those, she wasn't sure what else applied to him. Of course, there was THAT word which her dear mother loved to use ever so much, but there was no way she would ever describe her father as such. Indeed, she supposed he was a monster in her mother's eyes, just like she was.

"I would presume so, seeing as your empire is quite grand indeed," Ivan said at last. "However, how do you see him? Of course, I am curious to meet him, though I would like to know more about him before I do."

"I see..." Azula began as she desperately thought of some other way to describe him, however-

Suddenly, the Captain of her retinue entered and bowed. "Princess, the Ladies Mai and Ty Lee have urgently requested your presence back at camp," he said authoritatively.

Azula silently sighed in relief. "Very well, I suppose I have left them long enough," she replied before she and Ivan stood up.

"A shame. Oh well, I suppose I shall see you another time," Ivan said as he reached out and kissed Azula's hand, which she allowed.

"Indeed, you will. But I suppose it's about time I spend time with my friends," she said before turning and walking out of the tent with her Captain, who quickly walked up beside her.

"Your Highness, I know it's not my place to pry, but why did you-"

Azula didn't even bother turning to him before she finished his question. "Let him kiss my hand? It is how a nobleman greets a lady, or so I've been told. Now if you wouldn't mind, would you care to have one of your men ride him back to his camp while the rest take everything back?"

The man quickly bowed in Fire Nation fashion as she continued. "Of course, Princess," he said before standing beside one of his men.

"Teenagers, am I right?" asked the other royal guard once Azula was out of earshot.

"You said it," he replied as he watched her leave. "Hey, I know it's inconvenient, but the Princess ordered one of you to bring the Grand Duke back to the Ruskian encampment."

"Yeah yeah," the man replied before sighing. "I swear she just bosses us around because she can. I mean, we are soldiers, not servants!"

"Although we did lose to a teenager and an old man, so I think that's why she's acting like this," the Captain replied as he shook his head. "But, considering what we saw the other day, I hope we get weapons like those Ruskians have someday. Then we wouldn't lose simply because we always find ourselves outmatched by dumb kids and old men."

"Do you think they would just, you know, hand them over?" asked the other man.

"How about you get back on task, Sargent Meifen," said the Captain as the Sargent quickly bowed before leaving him. "Ugh, what did I ever do to deserve this: Serve in the Royal Guard, they said they are the best of the best, they said. What a load of lies. More like getting bossed around by a teenage girl no older than my daughter," he sighed deeply. "Still, that girl is one day going to become Fire Lord, yet she might not live to see that day if I am all she has to protect her."