Gladiator

by Seyary-Minamoto

In a world where the Avatar wasn't found, the Fire Nation took over two nations and they strive to overcome the last one. Water Tribe warrior Sokka seeks to fight for his people's rights, but he's captured by his enemies. His life is no longer in his hands as he fights as a Gladiator, and his fate will eventually depend on the Fire Nation Princess, who needs him for her own ends...

291. Chapter 291: WL Fortress-Loyalty 4

The White Lotus Fortress/Loyalty to the Disgraced

4

Stirring awake was no longer quite as bad a chore as it had been merely a month ago. Azula hummed as she felt her body, her inner fire, reacting to the sunrise… even so, she lingered in bed, under the covers while her eyes opened slightly.

Her chest didn't pain her that much today upon waking up. Song had claimed it could be heartburn, a common symptom of pregnancy at her current stage… Azula hadn't been sure that was all there was to it, though. There had been an emotional component to the pain… one that had burst particularly badly about three weeks ago. It had eased up slowly ever since… but Azula hadn't been able to shake off the unsettling feeling that she had experienced something odd, a pain that didn't belong to her. Someone else's pain…

"Are you feeling any better today?" she addressed the question nowhere, knowing she wouldn't be heard… not by lurkers, let alone by the man to whom she spoke. "It… doesn't hurt as much today, so… hopefully you are."

Whatever Sokka was going through, whatever pain he had endured, she remained in the dark about most of it. He had said odd things, spoken of chakras… so many strange things had happened when they had linked together across thousands of miles, regardless of that distance. Unfortunately, it hadn't happened again… and how she wished it would. He had claimed they were connected… that the distance between them wouldn't change how real, how true, their bond was. That they could feel each other at all times… that he had felt her pain, her anguish upon learning of his alleged death, and that was how he had reached for her…

Whatever had caused his pain, she couldn't seem to do the same thing he could. Why? She didn't know. Yet, as much as she still cherished that strange, ethereal moment deeply, she craved for more. She wanted more… she missed him that badly.

She slept every night with the bone necklace right by her pillow. It had rolled down on the mattress through the night, of course… but there it was. Azula picked it up and pressed it to her lips, eyes closed as she hoped, wished, that he could feel her at all. Wishing, too, to feel him with her…

"Good morning," she said, quietly. "For whatever it's worth… I'm okay. We're okay."

Her free hand slipped under the covers… trailing over her womb. She closed her eyes and simply felt it… that odd curve in her body, so out of the ordinary, so different from everything she was used to. That she had lost weight over the course of the last months, starting with her catastrophic injury, didn't help matters much: her baby was far more prominent now, unequivocally there, inside her, and anyone who laid eyes upon her would notice it.

Thus, it had become even easier than before to speak to the child, even if she didn't know if it would hear her at all, knowing that, if it did, it wouldn't be able to understand her. She let her hand rest upon the bump, flexing a leg slightly.

"And good morning to you too," Azula said, quietly. "If you're awake as well, that is. Can you be awake at all, hidden away in there as you are? Hard to say…"

She smiled to herself as she caressed her bump gently: she couldn't feel any movements within it yet, but she guessed it would start happening sooner or later. Song had said as much, anyway…

"Maybe your dad is feeling better today," Azula said, quietly. "Though he still doesn't seem to be in the best of moods, if what I'm feeling is, indeed, his feelings. I can only imagine he'd be in a much better mood if he… if he were here too, but I suppose that's why he's unhappy in the first place. Guess you must want to meet him as badly as I do, huh?"

She basked in that strange feeling of tranquility upon speaking this way. She closed her eyes and let herself believe all three of their souls would be in conjunction, somehow. That the bond that joined her and Sokka extended to their unborn child, too… Her heart raced as she wondered what it would be like to hold the baby for the first time. What their personality might be like, which one of its parents it might resemble… the child brought her a strange, small glimmer of innocent happiness through her eagerness to get to know her own baby. Her hopes for that child proved so strong that even the glumness of the circumstances couldn't seem to erase them. She had never looked forward to meeting someone new this way… and she cherished that feeling deeply. She had thought she'd never have anything uplifting in her life again ever since she had left Sokka behind in the South Pole.

"Okay, okay… that's plenty of ruminations for now, huh?" Azula said, letting out a deep breath. "A new day awaits… and we have plenty to do today, alright?"

With that, she swept the covers off her body and climbed out of bed. The day might come when doing so with a growing belly bump might be as difficult as it was at the lowest points of her depression, but for now, she could move easily and smoothly… more than she had in a very long time. Her shoulder hurt less these days, for her body had responded positively to Song's treatments lately, and she took daily walks without straining herself excessively: Xin Long would greet her with low growls whenever she had chances to enter his refuge, welcoming the opportunity to eat from her hand once she was with him. Rei, Song and Renkai accompanied her in every walk, and they joined her inside the refuge as well whenever the guard allowed them in. As uncomfortable and miserable as Xin Long remained, his spirits seemed to improve slightly upon receiving near-daily visits.

She would go see him today, and she would likely have the chance to feed him, as the helpful guard would be on duty that day. But before that…

She had already dressed up in a fresh change of clothes when her three companions entered her room. Rei and Song were as spirited as ever, with Rei rushing in quickly to hug Azula, a habit she had developed ever since Azula had adopted her legally. Renkai, then, proceeded to carry a tray of breakfast food into Azula's dining room: the meals had become increasingly odd, as Azula's menu was now designed for the ideal nourishment for the child. Thus, her favored breakfasts had been replaced by a completely different assortment of food… just when her cravings had kicked in. She would eat all the supplied fruit and rice-milk porridges while craving sweets… though, to no surprise, the main thing she wanted to eat would be meat in any form or shape. They usually reserved the protein-heavier dishes for her lunch and dinner, but she had some eggs during breakfast anyway.

She suspected she would put on twice as much weight as she'd lost, at this rate. She could only hope Sokka might find that amusing if he learned about it…

"You're feeling alright so far?" Song asked Azula as the Princess stepped up to the bed for her first challenge of the day. "No new strange symptoms?"

"Looks like the heartburn is fading… if that's what it is, of course," Azula said, with a weak smile. "I'm fine at the moment, though if I could just get a huge bowl of mochi…"

"Not sure the kitchens will be ready for that, but I can ask," Song laughed. Azula sighed and nodded in surrender.

"These cravings are most inconvenient, I have to say," Azula admitted. "But that's neither here nor there: a perfectly weird breakfast awaits me, and I have to make this bed before I get to it, so…"

Rei smiled, standing at the other side of the mattress by then. Azula nodded with fearsome determination before picking up the sheet, first…

She smoothed it as best she could, even if she still wasn't doing quite as good a job as Rei did… but she wasn't messing it up that badly either, which was a victory to rejoice in. The blanket came next, and once her work with the rebellious fabric was done, Azula sighed in relief as she stood up, hands on her hips, staring at the fully made bed with a sense of accomplishment: as ever, Rei could only laugh quietly to herself at the Princess's excitement upon succeeding at something as mundane as chores.

"I have achieved the unthinkable. Yes, yes, it's not fully perfect yet, but…!" Azula said, raising her head proudly. "You have to admit that, compared with how I started out, this is nothing short of a miracle."

"Yeah, that much is true," said Song, smiling fondly at her as she patted Azula's shoulder. "Time to eat now, alright?"

"What will we do today?" Rei asked: she would clean up the room some more while Azula ate, but as much as she suspected the others didn't feel the same way, her days in the Princess's company were always remarkably exciting. Any new surprising developments, any whims the Princess had for the day… she wanted to be ready to enjoy everything this life would offer her next.

"Well, our usual walk, for sure. I'll check on Xin Long, feed him since he likely hasn't eaten anything since yesterday…" Azula said, pulling up her seat in the dining room. "Beyond that, I can't say I have strict plans. If Wen wants to organize another Mahjong tournament, I'm all in…"

"You know, that's probably dangerous by now," Song laughed, eyeing Rei with amusement. "She's getting way too good at Mahjong."

"Good thing we're not betting against her, if that's the case," Azula smiled, picking up her chopsticks as Rei bit her lip to stifle a smile that still escaped from the corners of her lips. "But perhaps we should try other games too? Maybe that way Rei will become an ace in all sorts of games, join gambling circles of high society and sweep everyone out of their money…"

"I-I wouldn't dare…!"

"You should dare, though. It would be hilarious," Azula smirked. Song laughed as Rei, also amused, blushed crimson while fetching her usual broom – she would leave all cleaning implements in the bathroom's closet by now, making it much easier to access them than it used to be.

Song followed Azula into the dining room: she pulled up a chair, sitting beside her as the Princess ate the tasteless porridge with a grimace.

"You're sure this is going to help?" Azula asked. Song smiled sympathetically and nodded. "I swear I'm going to eat a whole jar of togarashi chili powder after I give birth…"

"You're out of your mind," Song laughed. Azula smiled teasingly as she continued to eat, regardless of how unpleasant she found the food. "Say… Rei's been, uh, giving me funny looks."

"Funny how?"

"I suppose she's just hoping to understand who I really am," Song said, breathing out slowly. "Or maybe there's something on my face and she's too polite to say anything?"

"There isn't: I'm not as polite as her, so I would've said so or laughed if there were," Azula smirked. Song chuckled.

"I knew I could count on you for that," she said. "Then, do you think we should…?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe not just yet?" Azula said, breathing deeply. "Though it certainly sounds unfair to keep her in the dark about it for too long…"

"We've been terrible at hiding things lately anyway," Song said. Azula snorted.

"Famous last words," she recited. Song grimaced.

"Sorry…"

"No need to apologize," Azula smiled, sadly. "Almost sounds nostalgic to hear those words, if anything. I'm just thinking… it's probably easier to keep quiet about it for now. I'd rather both she and I get used to calling you Wen to minimize the risk of giving you away…"

"I know, I know," Song nodded. Azula bit her lip.

"Well, I'll think about bringing it up soon. Admittedly… things feel somewhat stable lately," she said. "A month of peace and quiet? That's practically a miracle, after everything that's happened to us."

"I think we're all grateful for it, but maybe we shouldn't say it out loud…" Song grimaced. Azula crooked an eyebrow. "I mean, maybe we'll jinx it if we…"

She hadn't even finished the sentence when the front door opened: Renkai stepped into the room, just as Azula was halfway through her breakfast.

"Uh… an Imperial Guard sent by the Fire Lord is here to escort you to his study, Princess."

"His study?" Azula repeated: her placid mood fled immediately, as it was guaranteed to whenever it came to seeing her father… especially when it came to seeing him when she had no prior warning that he wanted to schedule a meeting with her. "Do we know why?"

"As usual… no," Renkai said, his voice revealing his displeasure regarding the lack of information. Azula gritted her teeth.

"I suppose I shouldn't leave him waiting, then…" she said, rolling her eyes as Song groaned. "See? You jinxed it by saying I'd jinx it…"

"I didn't!"

"Is… is everything okay?" Rei's small voice chimed in: she had stepped out of the bathroom she had been cleaning, broom still tight in her hands.

Azula offered Rei a weak smile before rising to her feet: the young woman still was apprehensive, as were Song and Renkai, when Azula stepped up to the door. The Imperial Guard winced visibly at the sight of her, and Azula raised an eyebrow upon seeing his reaction.

"Something wrong?" she asked. He coughed and shook his head.

"N-not at all, Princess. I merely… never mind," he said: his odd breach in protocol was strangely bashful. Azula guessed immediately that the man hadn't expected to see any sign of her now-visible baby bump just yet… thus, she braced herself for Ozai's likely reaction to it, too.

Why did he want to see her? She certainly hoped it wasn't because he'd found out about her visits to Xin Long… she gritted her teeth at the thought. Maybe she could persuade him to allow her to visit him properly, for what good was a half-dead hostage? There had to be an argument, if just a small one, that Ozai would listen to… and for now, that was the best one that came to mind.

Azula followed the Imperial Guard silently. The guard entered the study first, announcing her arrival – his comrades by the door must have eyed her intently as she stood there, in silent wait, but Azula paid them no mind until it was time for her to enter the study: Ozai sat behind his rather disorderly desk, and he didn't raise his gaze towards Azula right away.

"You're dismissed," he said to the guard, who bowed his head in Ozai's direction before ducking out of the room. Azula stood in silence until Ozai waved a hand towards a seat while ruffling through papers with his other hand. "Please, sit."

Azula nodded, bowing respectfully in Ozai's direction before doing as she was told. He seemed rather busy, and it was rather unlikely that he would bring her here to watch him deal with paperwork…

He finally gazed at her and froze on his tracks upon glimpsing the noticeable bump. It might not be big yet… but it was quite so unusual in Azula's body that no one seemed to fail to stare at it intently. Ozai stopped moving for a moment before his eyes rose to meet Azula's.

"I see you're… you must be doing well, I expect? Has the midwife taken good care of you?" he asked. Azula nodded.

"Her help has been invaluable," she said. "Everything is going smoothly so far."

"I see. It's good news," Ozai said, though he seemed tense still. Azula didn't react visibly to his obvious discomfort. "I didn't quite summon you here to ask about your pregnancy, but it's still good to confirm it's going well. Instead… I meant to ask if you've seen Zhao as of late."

"Me?" Azula asked, unable to suppress a slightly emotional reaction… a sneer, at that. "I'm afraid he's not quite likely to contact me, out of all people, after what happened with Rei a month ago."

"I understand that, it's merely… he has been absent for too long," Ozai grunted. "And I would very much prefer to receive confirmation that he will be here when the festivals begin."

"The… festivals," Azula repeated: that was why he had summoned her? "I see. I… I take it he will join you in the parade?"

"I'm afraid that would only be proper," Ozai said, breathing in. "And you ask me that way because you're assuming, outright, that you won't be part of it yourself?"

"I wouldn't wish to assume anything, but… I find it unlikely that I would be expected to partake in the parade," she said. Ozai let out the air slowly. "Do excuse me if I'm mistaken."

"You're not," Ozai admitted. Azula wished his words wouldn't feel like a slap in the face… but they still did. "I'm afraid your return to public life, at best, will be handled gradually. You may be unaware that there has been… occasional unrest in the city. I would not wish to embolden any radical parties that might see your presence at such a boisterous event as some sort of call for arms…"

Azula frowned: this was not the time to ask her father about the meaning of his words… but that he could fear any of his enemies would be emboldened by the sight of her was truly puzzling. Could she really represent that much of a threat to his rule? His words seemed to suggest as much, regardless of how difficult it was to fathom them…

"I… I understand," she said, quietly. "It is no trouble."

"I suspect a better moment for you to make your return would be on Memorial Day instead," Ozai suggested. Azula raised her eyebrows. "If anyone witnesses you participating in the temple ritual, it should suffice to placate any wild rumors about you…"

"Rumors… I suppose they must be troubling ones," Azula said, gritting her teeth. Ozai grunted slightly.

"Clearly, the past months have been anything but quiet. Everyone seems prepared to rush to wild conclusions. Conspiracy theorists will gladly rile up the crowds with mad interpretations of what few events they can see… your absence in the parade will likely stir them up further, but…"

"But, if I present myself in the temple, people will begin to dispute those rumors," Azula finished, once Ozai fell silent. He nodded solemnly. "Which will shift their focus to infighting and debating on the validity on each interpretation… and soon enough they'll forget the true reason why they were arguing in the first place."

"It will work in our favor. I'm certain of that," Ozai said, letting out a deep breath. "This being said… you will, of course, understand that you're far more limited now than you were in the past. You are not to mingle with commoners or spend time with them, you are to participate in the necessary rituals and retire back to the Palace at once. Avoid all manner of communication with the common folk. Understood?"

"Understood," Azula said, simply. Ozai seemed to wait for her to say something else… but she didn't. That he had the gall to be surprised, or distressed, that she hadn't called him 'father' ever since he had taken Xin Long hostage was almost outrageous.

"Now then… if, by some chance, Zhao proves incapable of upholding his royal duties," Ozai said, bitterly, "you will have to join the parade in his stead. Security will likely be strengthened further in that case… but hopefully, it shall not be necessary."

"I would expect him to know better than to shirk those duties, but I cannot presume to know what he's thinking as of late," Azula said. "I will ensure to inform him of your intentions if he happens to show up before the festivals, but…"

"They're two weeks away," Ozai nearly hissed. "He has already spent over a month outside the Palace, he cannot pretend to continue this tantrum for that long."

"I would hope not," Azula said, simply.

At this point, anything Zhao did, any forms of protest that affected Ozai, were quite welcome as far as she was concerned. Her spite towards her unwanted husband wouldn't dwindle or diminish after his unbearable behavior ever since her pregnancy had been revealed… but if he thought his absence might feel like a punishment for someone, it certainly didn't feel like one for her.

"If he shows himself on time, you won't be needed at all. If he doesn't, I recommend you prepare yourself," Ozai said, with a deep sigh. "As for the rest of the festivals' week…"

"I won't make other public appearances, will I?" Azula asked. Ozai crooked an eyebrow.

"Do you wish to?"

"Frankly… no," Azula admitted. Ozai let out a soft huff.

"All the better, if so," he said. "I could have allowed you to attend the Ball, but…"

"I would rather not," Azula replied, earnestly. "I'm afraid I won't be too helpful in distracting nobles if I'm absent, but… I don't think I should face anyone. I suspect you'll agree."

"I do, though some leniency wouldn't have been out of place, had you asked for it," Ozai said. Azula bit her lip.

"If that's so… can I request some leniency indeed?" she asked. Ozai frowned. "Not… for myself. For others, if anything."

"In regards of what?" Ozai asked.

"For starters… Rei has never seen the parade. She has never participated in the festivals, in any capacity," Azula said. "Is it possible for you to… to authorize her and my midwife to attend the festival's opening day, perhaps with Captain Renkai to escort them?"

"Oh… oh," Ozai frowned. "I see."

"I will stay here in the Palace. I won't cause any trouble," Azula said, softly. "Unless I were needed in the Parade, which hopefully I won't be, I'll be right here. Is that acceptable?"

"It… may be. I suppose it is no true concern, though I will expect other guards to keep an eye on you while Captain Renkai is gone," Ozai said, eyeing Azula with an unreadable, wary stare. Azula nodded.

"I will accept that," she said. Ozai breathed in.

"Then…"

"There's… one more thing."

Ozai had been about to dismiss her when Azula gazed at him with her golden eyes, twinkling with hope… and with anguish. It was a mere push away from utter despair. What did she want now? To read the letter confirming her damned Gladiator's death, perhaps? To see the shattered knife herself, any evidence that he was truly gone…?

"I… I don't know if… if I should bring this up at all," Azula said, swallowing hard. "But I… I wish to appeal to you when it comes to… to my dragon's current conditions."

"Ah. I see," Ozai's previous tension dwindled, though he fixed Azula with a skeptical stare. "You won't ask me to release him, will you?"

"You wouldn't release him, would you?" Azula asked. Ozai nearly snorted.

"He would lay waste to the city, to the Palace, in retaliation for his imprisonment. He is a dragon, his fury would warrant nothing less," Ozai said, simply. Azula's stomach churned to hear him say those words. "I cannot release him, no."

"Then, can I at least appeal to your intent of using him as a hostage to ensure that I… that I don't stray from the path you've marked for me?" Azula asked, her voice trembling slightly. Whether she was choked up out of fury or sadness, she didn't know. "A moribund hostage… is no good, no use for you. I understand why you're doing this. I've… made my peace with it, to a fault. But I implore you… I…"

"Yes, Princess Azula?" Ozai asked, impersonally. Azula lowered her head and breathed deeply.

"I've visited him. Several times," Azula said. Ozai nodded. "You are aware of this?"

"A guard has received a reprimand for it only this morning. I told Shaofeng it was unnecessary, but he went that far regardless," Ozai said. Azula flinched. "Rest assured, it was nothing too harsh, merely a few strong words. It is my understanding that the guard's excuse to allow you to see the dragon was that the creature would not eat unless you were the one to feed him?"

"Indeed," Azula said, gritting her teeth. "You don't want to risk losing him to… t-to disease, to hunger. He might let himself die merely over the thought of not flying ever again. I… I implore you to let me help him. To… to ask the royal blacksmith to design a different containment system, if that's your wish. One that allows him a little more movement, if possible. He has been trapped against that floor for months, I… I would have likely lost all my will to live had I been in similar circumstances. I know I'm overstepping every boundary by saying this, but… please, let me keep him alive. I won't do anything wrong… I won't attempt to escape with him, I won't endanger the peace and tranquility of the Palace. I only ask… for a little mercy. Just enough so that he can endure the coming years of… of captivity."

Saying all those words, both the ones she didn't mean and the ones she did, was nearly enough for her to break into tears for the first time in quite a while. Still, she stood her ground. She had nothing to hide… no wicked intentions, at least not yet. Finding other ways to secure true safety for Xin Long would still take some time, but if his conditions could improve, if just slightly…

"I will have a word with the royal blacksmith, then. I'll see if he can design different restraints," Ozai said, startling Azula out of her negative thoughts. Her eyes widened. "As for your visits to the creature and your habit of feeding him… I suppose you are the only one who can do that, it seems. I will advise you to tread carefully, for any foul play, any steps out of line, Azula…"

"I know. I understand. I won't do anything that could hinder you," Azula said, as smoothly as she could, no matter how hard it was to obey Ozai's orders in these circumstances. Ozai breathed out slowly.

"Time shall tell, I suppose. Multiple guards will keep an eye on you when you feed the creature. If that is alright by you…"

"It's fine. It will be fine."

"Then I suppose that would be that," Ozai said, simply. "I will speak with Shaofeng in the morning and ensure he conveys that the guards assigned to the refuge are to allow you inside and keep an eye on you while you're there. As for that guard, I suspect he shall be quite confused to learn he is now authorized to let you in the refuge right after being scolded about doing such a thing… Shaofeng is, as you already know, most thoughtless whenever it suits him."

"I… thank you for your generosity," Azula said.

The words, as ever, tasted like bile. What sort of generosity was there in keeping someone in chains, stuck to the ground for months, refusing to let them go free? And yet it was what he wanted to hear, and because of that, what she needed to say… from the moment Ozai had captured Xin Long as he had, her every choice was meant to placate him. That dark moment of slumping in the Throne Room, of finally surrendering amid tears, of not calling him her father but Fire Lord… it haunted her, just as so many other things did. How many foolish choices had she made? How many souls had she condemned with them? She would never know, in all likelihood… and Ozai would never regret his own choices in retaliation for hers. He would never think he was anything but justified in destroying everything he did, in his eternal, childish tantrums to demand the respect he had never proven worthy of.

"Ensure to send Zhao to me, if he were to show himself at any point in the coming weeks," Ozai said. "Whether before or after the Festivals, if he truly has the gall to ignore them."

Azula nodded and rose to her feet: she performed another reverence… and again, she spoke no words to acknowledge their relationship. Just as he had demanded of her that day.

And once again, Ozai's gut churned for it once Azula walked away.

She returned to her room by herself, watched by guards at every corridor she turned at. The more time went by, the more she suspected there were less boundaries restraining her… at the cost of more observation, more surveillance. Ozai wouldn't give her any more leniency than this if he could help it. No matter how broken she had been, no matter how weak and vulnerable, he still treated her as though she were the threat, the true danger, when the most dangerous person in the Palace was Ozai himself…

His latest behavior was no evidence of change: it was but a reward to her for being such a dutiful, submissive, porcelain-doll-like daughter. The minute she did anything he couldn't accept, the minute she displayed even an inkling of rebelliousness, he would shut her down just as hard as he had before… thus, she intended to display none of it. She would have to hide her most dangerous choices as zealously as possible… such as the choice of bearing a child that was not fathered by the Admiral she had been forced to marry.

Her hand trailed over her womb gently as she sped towards the bedroom: Renkai stood there, bowing his head in her direction once she passed by, once he pulled the door open. She still didn't know what she'd do to save the child, and she'd do best to start thinking of effective plans, but… she lacked resources. She lacked support. The disappearance of her child, the feigning of its death… whatever they chose to do would alarm Ozai for certain. If anything, she found herself wishing that one day, Sokka might just show up through the trapdoor to her room, having found his way inside the city, offering to help her and her allies escape from Ozai's dangerous grip… oh, but just how likely was that to happen? He may have said he would come for her… but he was, in all likelihood, as devoid of resources and means to do anything as she was. A sudden, heroic return like that might be the best-case scenario… but it was too unlikely to happen, and she'd be better suited by remembering that.

Perhaps, after the festivals ended, she'd have an epiphany, she'd figure something out… but for now, she smiled as she crossed the threshold into the bedroom, where Rei and Song awaited, anxiously.

"You're back!" Song smiled, rising from her chair and stepping up to Azula. "And you look… well, okay? He didn't want you for anything bad?"

"Not really, no," Azula said, letting out a deep breath as she came to a halt in the middle of the room. "It's a little odd that my latest encounters with my father haven't been utterly catastrophic, but that's something to be grateful for."

"No doubt," Song smiled as Rei rushed in to offer Azula a quick, comforting hug. Azula rubbed the girl's shoulder gently in response.

"I expected he'd want to confront me about my visits to Xin Long, it was unlikely that he wouldn't have found out about them by now… and I was right about that, but that's not what he wanted," Azula said: Rei and Song flinched at her words.

"Wait… you thought he'd know by now?" Song asked. "You think the guard told him…?"

"No, I think Shaofeng is a sneaky bastard and he probably spied on this guard upon hearing I'd interacted with him too often lately," Azula said, with a deep sigh. "Apparently, he scolded the guard for letting me feed Xin Long… with any luck, he'll eat his cursed words quite soon. As much as this wasn't what my father wanted to talk about… I requested a little more leniency for Xin. I half-expected him to refuse, no matter if I tried to pose the request as carefully as possible…"

"But… he didn't refuse?" Song finished. Azula shrugged.

"He said he'd talk with the royal blacksmith about changing the restraints, so… hopefully he'll get to it soon," Azula said. "And he has authorized me to visit and feed Xin Long as well."

"He… really?!" Rei gasped, her face breaking out into a blissful smile. "That's… that's good news! You won't have to hide anymore, you can do it without fear…!"

"Well, I wouldn't go that far, but without as much fear as before, perhaps?" Azula acknowledged with a shrug. "Truth is… any displays of kindness he makes now are merely small rewards for not stepping out of line as of late. If I did anything that pissed him off again, he'd just go right back to square one, or worse than that…"

"But you won't do anything that would risk that outcome, right?" Song said. "You know how far he can go, how cruel he can be, so…"

"Indeed, I intend to give him no more excuses to treat me like garbage anymore…" Azula said, running a hand over her hair – it was slightly less oily lately, and she was certainly grateful for that. "That being said, it's not like I'm so naïve as to believe he's a better man than that. I used to think better of him… I used to hope there would be at least some glimmer of worth inside him. It's stupid on my part to have hoped for that, I guess… because even if such worth exists, he has intentionally snuffed it out, stomped on it as harshly as he could, ignored it deliberately and instead chosen to be a far worse man than I ever imagined possible. Whatever kindness he shows me now… he surely isn't quite as stupid as to think he'll ever win over my fealty again and that things will go back to the way they used to be."

"Well… yeah," Song sighed, shaking her head and stepping forward to rub Azula's arm gently. "Truth be told, if he regrets any of what he's done to you and this attempt at leniency is how he shows it… it's next to meaningless, isn't it?"

"It's no acknowledgement of the harm he's inflicted upon me," Azula said. "It's no apology either, that's for certain. And he won't apologize, not now, not ever. He's sure I'm the one to blame for everything he did… that my choices made it so he had to act like the monster he's been. I do blame myself for not having hidden the truth better, for not having found better strategies to resist and fight back… but I certainly don't regret what he wants me to. Thus, he won't regret punishing me for it because, in his twisted mind, I haven't learned my lesson… and the story goes on and on until neither of us yields and we end up at odds for as long as we may live."

"Well, you know better than to let him convince you that you're more at fault than he is," Song said, with a frown. "But if he won't continue to torment you as he had so far… do you think it's because of Sokka? Because he's sure he's…?"

"Maybe it is," Azula said, raising her eyebrows. "If so… then, even now, Sokka is helping me in ways he shouldn't have had to. He always said I was terribly efficient at everything I ever did, but look at him go, huh…?"

"He'd likely say he picked it up from you," Song smiled. Azula grinned too.

"Knowing him, yes, he'd do exactly that," she said, letting out a deep breath. "However, that's not what my father wanted from me to begin with. And, to be honest, I should've explained that first of all, since it concerns you both…"

"The two of us?" Song repeated. Rei's eyes widened as Azula nodded.

"He wanted to ask me, first of all, if I've seen Zhao as of late," she said. Rei's brow drew together upon hearing those words. "I told him I hadn't, of course… and he seemed annoyed about it. He's expected to be part of the parade in the festivals in two weeks, and no doubt it's unacceptable for the Crown Prince to be absent in such a momentous occasion…"

"O-oh… huh. Well, it's better for you if he is," Song reasoned. "I… imagine they'd want you to share palanquins with him? Or to be marched behind him as his lesser wife, something as sick and twisted as that…"

"Well, that's a disturbing fantasy you've cooked up, but fortunately, you're mistaken," Azula said, with a weak smile. "Turns out that, as long as Zhao shows up and fulfills his royal duties, I won't be part of the parade at all. If he doesn't show up, though…"

"What? You won't be…? But you're always in the parade…" Song frowned even more heavily, even more perplexed. Azula shook her head.

"You could certainly say so, but… I'm not Crown Princess anymore," Azula shrugged. "And my father doesn't want me to be seen in such a public event, so…"

"But that's… oh, that's bullshit!" Song exclaimed: Azula blinked blankly.

"Uh… why are you so upset about it?" Azula asked, perplexed.

"Why aren't you?" Song gasped. "Those people out there…! They'd love to have a chance to see you at all, they don't want to see Zhao! Even if you had to be paraded around with him, they'd be thrilled over the chance of seeing you!"

"Well… perhaps, but I don't feel particularly ready or inclined to face massive crowds, as I am," Azula said. Song froze on the spot. "I… am far from the Princess they remember. You'd know that better than anyone."

"Right… and that's why they'd want to see you," Song said, eyeing her compassionately. "To support you, to show you they still admire you…"

"Well, if that's true, that's your answer for why my father wouldn't want me there," Azula said, with a sarcastic grin.

"And what about your answer? Why aren't you ready?" Song asked. "Are you… well, ashamed? I mean, I somewhat understand if you feel that way, but considering everything you've been through… you know none of it has been fair at all, Azula. You know it wasn't your fault, your responsibility…"

"In some ways, like I said, the case could be made that it was," Azula said, closing her eyes. "Even then, that wouldn't negate the situation is as unfair as it cares to be. Still… I'm not ready for this, Song. Out of his many sins against me, my father apparently has successfully persuaded me that I'm better off staying as isolated as I can be. The prospect of seeing all those hopeful faces and giving them no more hope, no more opportunities to thrive, such as those I offered them or represented for them, in the past… it feels dreadful. I don't know how to face them. Maybe I'll figure it out someday, but I don't know how just yet. So… for once, my father's dastardly designs line up with my own preferences. I'd rather not make a bigger deal out of this than it is."

Song breathed in, and Azula expected her to retort again… but she didn't. Instead, she seemed to deflate and surrender, a slight pout on her lips. Azula smiled weakly, patting her friend's shoulder.

"It's alright. Maybe I'll feel differently in… in a few more months, I don't know," she said.

"Next year… next year's festivals, maybe," Song said, softly. Azula tried not to clench up… she usually tried not to think that far into the future for her own sanity, for her own peace of mind, and the more she avoided addressing Song's comments about it, the more likely it would be for Song to realize Azula had her own ideas about what the future might hold… if it held anything at all. "Not sure you'll have any other chances to interact with the public, anyway…"

"Heh. Not to that extent, no," Azula admitted, nodding. "But, all this being said… while I'll be staying put in the Palace, the same isn't true for you two. I've asked my father for permission for you to be escorted by Renkai into the city on the first day of the festivals…"

"Wait, what?!" Song gasped, her head whipping up quickly. Azula blinked blankly as she withdrew her hand from Song's shoulder. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means… you two can go see the festival?" Azula said, simply. Rei gasped.

"Without you?" she asked. Azula grimaced, glancing at her adoptive daughter next. "That's… that's wrong. That doesn't make any sense! You should come with us too…!"

"You could go in a disguise. Maybe… heh, maybe you could borrow Renkai's uniform, pretend to be him while he's here, pretending to be you," Song said, with a knowing, devious smirk. Azula scoffed in her direction, though she smiled as she rolled her eyes.

"Not sure that old trick's going to pay off with my father being as pesky as he has been lately," she said. "And unfortunately, short of disguising myself more thoroughly than possible with our current assets? I'll likely be easily recognizable still. It might not be as easy in other cities, maybe in the Colonies they wouldn't know me on sight, but… I've been out and about and made too many public appearances in the Capital to go unnoticed. So…"

"Well… if you're not going, we shouldn't go either," Rei pouted. Azula laughed, shaking her head.

"You two are impossible," she said. "It's a fun festival, Rei. I'm sure you've never participated in it before…"

"Well… that makes no difference," Rei pouted still. "I don't need to be part of it if you won't be…"

"Most people would feel that way. I, certainly, feel that way," Song said, curtly. Azula let out a deep sigh. "Hell, half the people will likely go out on the day of the parade exclusively to see you, Azula…"

"You're exaggerating…"

"Am not!" Song said, hands on her hips. "You underestimate how famous, how beloved and how admired you are by your own people. You didn't see what I saw… you didn't see that crazy long line of people hoping to pray for you at the temple. They're all going to be desperate to see you, and they'll be right to be, too. You're the only possible member of the Fire Lord's procession who would be worth seeing that day, the only one whose appearance they'll be looking forward to, for sure."

"I… can only hope you're wrong to think so," Azula said, frowning. "It's my understanding that things haven't been going smoothly in the Fire Nation as of late, but…"

"But?" Song raised her eyebrows. Azula gritted her teeth.

She wanted to think that, if anything dangerous was stirring up in the city, she would have known about it. That any information about her supporters potentially taking a stand against her father would have reached her… but perhaps not. Renkai had met with the Head Sage, as intended… but while he had established a line of communication between the Princess and the Sage, nothing much had come of it yet, not regarding Renkai's investigations into Shaofeng nor the creation of a solid group of supporters of the Princess.

If any manner of rebellions had been started in her name somehow, and they were disconnected from the Head Sage's group, Azula wouldn't be likely to learn of it unless Ozai wanted to disclose it… and he wouldn't share such crucial information with her if he could help it. He had intended to hide Sokka's alleged death… he hadn't wanted her to hear of it, perhaps out of fear that she might make the dreadful choice she nearly had made. If she became a symbol of hope for any rebels against his rule, if she had been an inspiration for others to fight back against his tyranny, he would never want her to learn of it.

All in all, she had no idea what was happening out in the streets. The very last time she had been seen by the general public had been…

It had been on what could have been the greatest of days. What should have been the very grandest of them all: the day when Sokka had triumphed against Toph, overcoming his long-time rival and claiming a victory they had spent years working for…

The day when Sokka had raised his hand in her direction. The day when she had done the same, in front of a fully packed, wild Arena, unaware that they were witnessing the very last legal fight in the League.

She shivered at the thought, her eyes darting towards the floor. She couldn't finish her earlier sentence, for she had no idea how to do so.

"I'm not wrong. I know I'm not," Song finished. Azula eyed her with uncertainty. "But if you really don't believe me… heh. Guess you're either a mastermind or I'm just that impulsive that I'd go to any lengths to prove you wrong about this, huh?"

"What… wait, you want to go to the festivals now, if just to report back with news about how desperate people are to see me again?" Azula asked, puzzled. Song nodded curtly. "That's…"

"A good idea," Rei decided. Azula raised her eyebrows.

"Oh, really?"

"If we can't go with you… then the only reason why I'd go is to see how much people miss you. How much they wish you were there too, with all of us," Rei said, grinning. Azula blinked blankly. "So… I'll go with Wen, and we'll tell you all about it once we get back."

"You've definitely got the right idea, Rei," Song smirked, enjoying the utterly shocked expression on the Princess's face. "Yeah, that's what we're going to do. And that's what you wanted us to do anyway, so, in a messed up way, it's kind of like your situation with the Fire Lord? You're fine with staying out of the spotlight, which is what he wants, but you both want it for different reasons, right? Well, you wanted us to go so we could have fun without you, and we didn't want to… but now we'll go to prove to you just how much your people love you. Yep, it's the perfect plan."

Rei laughed softly, eyeing Azula guiltily. The Princess stared at her adoptive daughter in helplessness, at her midwife in disbelief… and yet Song was right. This was, after all, what she'd arranged… even if it wasn't quite the way she'd wanted to arrange it. A sigh left her lips as she set her hands on her hips, shaking her head.

"You two are dangerous. It's not like I didn't know it already, but still…" she said, smiling slightly, all the same. "You will be careful, though, alright? Keep a low profile, don't tell anyone who you are or disclose any information regarding your relationship with me. Yes, I know telling any random someone that the Princess adopted a girl might not be dangerous at all, as they probably wouldn't believe it, but…"

"I suppose it's very strange," Rei laughed quietly. "But don't worry, Wen and I will be very quiet, we'll try to blend in… though if Captain Renkai comes with us, it will probably make people wary of us."

"Hmm… do you think we could persuade him to forsake the uniform for one day and act as our undercover bodyguard, to a fault?" Song smirked at Rei, who giggled and shrugged. "We'd have nothing to worry about in that case…"

"I wonder if he'd really be down for that," Azula smirked, casting a glance at the closed door. "He's always seemed very uptight about fulfilling his duties…"

"Well, he'll protect us better if he's not wearing a fancy uniform that might scare the crap out of most people we come across," Song said, with a shrug. "If the rumors about conflicts and problems in the city are true… then it's likely that public sentiment towards guards and soldiers is at an all-time low. It's not like Fire Nation soldiers are generally all that popular, but…"

"But they'd likely be more distrusted than ever as of late, it's true," Azula sighed, eyeing Song with uncertainty. "I suppose it would be better if Renkai avoided unwanted attention… though you'll have to bring that up to him. I, clearly, am not going to dictate anything else at this point. I've already dug my grave, to a fault, by setting up this mess as I have…"

"You'll be grateful for it when the festivals arrive, mark my words," Song smirked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"If you say so," Azula bit her lip. "Anyway… we're not about to spend all day discussing this, are we? Care to join me in exercising my latest, regained privilege of visiting my dragon without fearing I'll get caught?"

"Oh, sure! Can we all go inside this time, too?" Song asked, eyes bright. "Rei really ought to get to know Xin Long better, after all…"

"He's pretty curious about her, too. So… yes, I'd say we all should head inside," Azula said, with a grin. "Though… there's one more thing that comes to mind, something I could do for Xin Long while you two are having the time of your lives in the festivals…"

"Oh? Other than patching up his living arrangements so they're bearable?" Song asked. Azula nodded as she marched to the bedroom's door again.

Renkai turned quickly when the door swung open: he bowed his head in Azula's direction before rising to his full height after having rested carelessly against the wall.

"Is it time to visit the dragon now?" he asked. Azula nodded.

"It is… though there's a few things we should discuss on our way there anyway," she said: the other two joined her quickly, with eager grins that took Renkai by surprise.

"Oh…?"

"You should join us in the festivals, Captain Renkai!" Song exclaimed, beaming. "And not in that guard getup but in regular, casual clothes…"

"I… what?" he blinked blankly under his helmet: he turned his head towards the Princess hoping for an explanation. "Is this… for real?"

"It is. This would be the right time for you to tell us you actually don't own any casual clothes and that's why you can't do that…" Azula said: Renkai shook his head slowly, and Azula had the feeling he was judging her teasing, if slightly, by glaring at her through the slits of his mask.

"I… don't know if it would be appropriate. I will ask," Renkai said. "The Princess would not be sent out of the Palace without proper escort in uniform…"

"Well, the Princess isn't going: it's just you, Rei and Wen," Azula said, simply. Renkai froze.

"Truly? That… seems even more unlikely. I will be expected to watch over you…" he said. Azula shook her head.

"I've already brought this up to my father and he appeared to find no fault with this idea. Other guards will keep me under watch while the parade unfolds, and afterwards, too," she said. Renkai let out a small hum.

"I… I see," he nodded.

"There was also one more thing I wanted to ask you about… no idea if you'd know of its whereabouts, though," Azula said, as the four of them started their walk down the corridor, on their way to the dragon's refuge. "Is there any chance you'd know where my wedding gifts wound up at?"

"Oh. Truth be told, I don't know," Renkai confessed. Azula let out a sigh and nodded. "Would you like me to track them down?"

"Is it possible they could have been taken someplace outside the Palace?" Azula asked. Renkai shook his head.

"It would be quite unlikely," he said. Azula nodded. "The Palace staff surely prepared a room for the purpose of storing the gifts, Princess. If you'd like me to do so, I will ask where they are."

"Please do, though I only want one," Azula said, hands behind her back. "It's the gift from Governor Tiang. A guzheng."

"You wish for it to be retrieved, then?" Renkai asked. Azula nodded, and so did he. "I will see to it, Princess."

"Thank you," Azula said, softly. "I have almost forgotten how to play it by now, but… hopefully it'll return to me by the time I'm sitting before the instrument once again. It's far too valuable a treasure to be left piling up dust in some forgotten room of the Palace…"

"Indeed. I will endeavor to track it down, Princess," Renkai assured her. Azula nodded again.

"And I will be grateful once you succeed at it, Captain" she said.

He had to bite back a small smile upon hearing her addressing him that way: it was a subtle teasing remark, she had repeated his sentence structure to poke fun at him… but it was, perhaps, the first time she had dared joke with him by using his rank, uttering the word without betraying any discomfort about his current role in her life. When, exactly, had he grown to crave her approval to this extent? Renkai had no idea, and yet he realized now that he'd certainly become keen on it…

Strange changes were stirring in the Palace, and for once, it didn't seem they were unpleasant changes: the guard at the dragon's refuge that day had learned of the Fire Lord's latest decision pertaining giving the Princess permission to feed her dragon daily, and there was no need to hide, to talk with the dragon from a distance, when they could finally do it within the building. The guard watched them carefully, though there wasn't much to see: the Princess fed her dragon kindly, the creature groaned gratefully, and the Princess's companions had spoken softly with her, as well as with the dragon, for as long as they sat within the filthy refuge together. There was no alarming behavior, no suspicious words or claims to be reported to the Fire Lord: the Princess was simply thriving in this new, small concession that her father had finally granted her.

Two days later, the other guard turned up by the refuge again: Azula had been quick to apologize for the trouble he'd been in… only for the man to laugh it off and tell her that he was relieved to know that she would be free to see her dragon more often. Azula had responded graciously, perhaps even with an affectionate empathy that had seen the soldier acting in a bashful, cheerful manner… and Renkai couldn't help but find himself dazzled, shaken, by how powerful the Princess still was, even at her most vulnerable state.

It wasn't a matter of manipulation. It wasn't a matter of scheming. She had no ill intent with any of this, Renkai had no doubts about it… no, it was a matter of charisma. Of unexpected humility. Of being genuine in her concern for the consequences the soldier had faced over his permissiveness – consequences that, for once, hadn't been as steep as they could have been. Upon seeing her act this way, was it truly any wonder that she could earn people's loyalty as easily as she did as of late?

A girl who had been nothing but a frightened maid in an unknown world had only been in the Palace for a few weeks before the Princess took it upon herself to change her life for the better. A slave had lived a life she had grown to treasure thanks to the Princess's choices, and now she lived under the guise of being of noble birth, standing strong and fierce by the Princess's side, intending to help her face anything the world might throw at them. A guard who had once been insecure, doubtful regarding the Princess's intentions now smiled brightly at her, relieved of having been of some help for her…

It took him but an instant to realize that very last thought applied just as accurately to the guard of the refuge as it applied to Renkai himself.

His smile strengthened. A smile only he could feel, only he could be aware of. A smile that he had never thought would appear across his face on account of the Princess. If he thought about it that way, his marveling over her charisma and leadership, over her ability to sway people before they knew it, was not limited only to what he could see… it spread towards what he had experienced directly without intending to. After fearing her, doubting her, being ready to take her down if he had been commanded to do so, he now found himself utterly devoted to his role as her protector… to his duty to her, personally.

Had this been the effect she'd had upon everyone else she'd met, all the people that were gone now? Her old guards, who had revered her… Rui Shi, who had clashed with her at times and yet he had never ceased admiring and respecting her. All those people in the Gladiator League, whether friends or foes, who looked at her with awe and fear alike… and of course, the Gladiator. The man she had enslaved by her own hand, whose history with her was undoubtedly complicated, to say the least… and yet he had been willing to kill and die for her at the very end. He had walked into death's domains with a head held high, prepared to face the man with metal limbs and combustion bending without hesitation. Renkai had seen it happen… he had seen the inferno that had followed, too. Never had he thought he'd understand the Gladiator… but he did now. It really was no wonder anymore that so many would find themselves offering their loyalty to the disgraced Fire Nation Princess… for so did he: she was the worthiest leader he could have chosen to follow.

The weeks leading to the Festivals weren't remotely as idle as the months that had preceded them for the Princess and her companions: five days after Azula's last meeting with Ozai, the reworking of Xin Long's imprisonment conditions began. Azula wasn't informed of it right away, instead she learned of it upon arriving one day to feed her dragon to find, instead, a small crew of laborers hauling in a set of large shackles. It took several days for them to install all the new restraints, crafted by the familiar head blacksmith from the Royal Workshop.

The man had constantly gazed at the Princess with mournful eyes as he worked, and it had become apparent to Rei and Renkai that he had known the Princess personally before, no matter if they hadn't been particularly close. His remorse over his actions, as forced as they had been, was palpable in every exchange he had with the Princess, in every question regarding the dragon's comfort and the Princess's preferences. While he was the artificer of the current, dreadful conditions the dragon was kept in, it didn't seem Princess Azula held the blacksmith responsible at all… for she knew, of course, that the blame truly lay with her father, not with anyone else.

The new system was thus fully ready within another week: the heavy chains were lifted from Xin Long now that new restraints had taken their place. One shackle at every leg, on the carpal area of each paw. One shackle on his tail, not so restrictive that he couldn't move it, but restrictive enough to prevent a tail attack if the dragon ever attempted one. Lastly, one around his neck, thick and heavy but spacious enough not to choke the dragon…

"Alright… that's the last of the old chains?" the blacksmith rounded the dragon, checking on what his assistants were doing.

"I'm reinforcing the new ones right now!" answered another one, checking on the joints of the heavy chains, joints that were linked to solid systems that would keep the chains locked safely in the wall.

"They'll likely have to come back often to perform maintenance on the system…" Renkai reasoned out loud. Rei, beside him, hummed in acknowledgement of his words.

"It's awful that he has to be chained, but… it's still better than before, at least," Rei said, softly.

If Xin Long felt like it, he might even try to set them all on fire now, as his snout wasn't held down at all, not the way it used to be. He could move his head from side to side, snap his jaws shut tightly, threaten whoever he wished to threaten…

But instead, he still remained perched on the ground, unmoving while his eyes darted from side to side.

Azula knelt before him, running a hand over his hair gently. His eye reflected her emotional ones, and the Princess breathed deeply as she encouraged him to try moving. To hoist himself with his four legs, weak as they felt, and try to sit up, to rise to his full height. He had been restrained, kept in those chains for so long, though…

"Do you think he could have some sort of muscular atrophy?" Azula asked Song, gazing at her friend hopelessly: Song had already been at work inspecting the dragon's health, something that wasn't, at all, within the realm of medical knowledge she had access to, but she tried to apply her knowledge to it, regardless.

"It's rather likely," Song said. "He hasn't been able to move or exercise even in the smallest ways for months. Granted, he's a dragon and he may be sturdier than other beings, such as ourselves… but it's still likely that this is part of the issue. Then there's also that… that there's some superficial damage over some of his scales? I expect they might heal over time, but it looks like some of those chains were crushing them."

Azula snarled and shook her head. Xin Long grunted quietly at her, as though to comfort her, but it was of little relief for the Princess. Song continued to inspect Xin Long, flexing his front leg as much as the new shackle and chains allowed, and the creature groaned. It was but a small protest that Song heeded – if he grunted, she was taking it too far for now.

Thus, she did the same thing with each leg, for about five minutes each. By the time she was done, Azula's hand scrambled over Xin Long's messy, white-blue hair.

"How do you feel now?" she asked, softly. "Any better?"

He was tired, actually… but perhaps he was a little better, too. Those chains from before had been painful, and these new shackles weren't comfortable, but they were still an improvement over a tight network of chains that didn't allow him to do anything. Only… he wasn't sure he dared do anything either. Just moving his head felt like the greatest ordeal he had ever faced…

"Maybe I can help," Azula suggested, biting her lip. "I'm… not that strong, myself. But if I can help you hold up your head…"

Xin Long groaned with uncertainty… but he let her know she could try. Azula nodded, slipping her hand down to the side of Xin Long's head that was pressed to the floor.

He started pushing and stopped briefly afterwards, shuddering with discomfort and pain. Azula gritted her teeth and put in some strength of her own: Xin Long groaned and she slowed down again. She relented, lowering his head back into the same position as before.

"Xin…" she whispered.

"I've identified no serious, physical damage," Song said, stepping around Xin Long's head and slowing by Azula's side. "No fractures, no sprains… his hide is very thick. Like I said, the chains did bite into some of his scales… but I can only hope it will be temporary damage. I can't say I know how dragon bodies recover from those sorts of injuries…"

"I suppose, if someone would have some insight about that, it would be…" Azula started, but she held back from uttering the end of her sentence. It was distressing to speak his name out loud still, especially when it came to needing his help with something so important while knowing he wouldn't be able to provide it… but it was also a bad idea to mention him when the guards by the door, as well as the blacksmith and his assistants, could hear her.

"He… learned about dragons, right?" Song asked, quietly. Azula nodded.

"Probably more things than I ever knew. I should've asked him to share absolutely everything, but… I made the same mistake most of us did, huh? Taking for granted that… that there would be a chance to ask later…"

"Don't beat yourself up about it," Song said softly, placing a hand on Azula's shoulder. "We'll figure out how to help Xin, okay? Everything's going to be…"

She wanted to finish the sentence, but her throat seemed to close in when she had to utter the final word. Strangely, Azula smiled sympathetically at her.

"All the better if you can't finish that thought," she said, turning to Xin Long again. "What should we do? How do we help him?"

"Well… physiotherapy, kind of like yours but probably trickier," Song suggested, with a shrug. "He's bigger, heavier, more difficult to move around. But we can at least find him a more comfortable position to lie down in… right, Xin Long?"

The dragon groaned as Azula pondered that thought. It might be messy, but the chains attached to the dragon's shackles – in turn, the other end was attached to the walls – offered him much more leeway than the previous ones. Perhaps…

"Do you want to lie on your back?" Azula asked him. Xin Long grunted quietly. "I know it's been a while, so I thought…"

Xin Long grunted again and Azula breathed deeply… before turning her head towards the rest of her companions.

"Can you help me?" she asked, her eyes drifting from Song to Rei and to Renkai. "It will take some work, but… he'll probably have it easier to exercise his body if he's lying on his back."

"How do we help…?" Rei asked. Azula returned her gaze to Xin Long, pointing at his slender, long body.

"I want you, Rei, at his hind quarters. If that's okay with you," she said. Rei nodded promptly. "Wen… by his abdomen, about three steps from where Rei will be. Renkai, you'll take his chest."

"And you'll take the head?" Song asked. "Isn't it the heaviest one?"

"Possibly… but it'll likely turn around without as much trouble once the rest of his body has been turned," Azula said, breathing deeply. "Let's just try, at least. If I'm no good here, I'll switch places with one of you."

Song breathed out but nodded: within moments, all of them had taken their positions and Xin Long groaned in anticipation. Azula soothed him with a hand over his hair, sensing her dragon was both uncertain and excited about the welcome changes in his refuge, as of late…

"Renkai… you first," Azula said. Renkai nodded: once the torso started to move, the rest of the body would naturally wish to follow, and with the rest of their help, it would be easy for Xin Long to lie down, face-up… or so Azula hoped, anyway.

The guard exerted his strength and began pushing. Xin Long groaned slightly but he didn't present any opposition: Azula breathed deeply.

"Wen, Rei: now," she ordered. Both women followed their cues soundly.

Azula joined in shortly afterwards and, within moments, Xin Long's very restricted world had varied just slightly… just so he could gaze up at the ceiling of his refuge instead. At the ceiling where a blade still dangled dangerously, albeit no longer over his head after all the changes in his restraints. He groaned at the sight of it, immediately asking Azula if it would stay there… the Princess, having exerted plenty of strength for her weakened dragon's sake, had no idea.

"I… doubt he'll let me remove it, but I won't let it hurt you," Azula said, firmly, stroking his hair gently. "You're okay? You're feeling alright?"

Well, he felt slightly entangled, some chains were under his body after all… Azula let out a sigh as she endeavored to remedy that problem. The others helped in doing the same thing until Xin Long was finally comfortable enough to rest easy on the ground. He closed his eyes, letting his head sway sideways, and while it was clear it still pained him, he exerted his muscles by doing so anyway.

"Physiotherapy should be much easier this way, I hope," Song said, smiling encouragingly at Azula, who nodded in response. "Is he feeling any better yet?"

"I don't think he has much of an opinion on the matter yet, but…" Azula said, eyeing her tense dragon to find there was something else going on now…

Suddenly, Xin Long shook his head violently and a burst of fire spilled… from his nose.

Azula didn't have to move too much to dodge it, but everyone within the refuge gasped in sheer surprise and fear at the sight of the blue flames. It had seemed as though Xin Long had attacked his rider… yet the Princess stared at Xin Long with an unexpected smile on her face: the dorky, wide-eyed stare that met hers almost melted her heart completely.

"You… ought to warn me the next time you need to sneeze, alright?" Azula said, with a disbelieving smile. Xin Long groaned, waving his tail from side to side… then he shuddered again and, turning his face away from the Princess, sneezed a second time. "Xin…!"

"Dragon snot?" Renkai asked, perplexed: this time, a small little steaming ball had escaped from the dragon's nostril, and the creature grinned carelessly at his laughing rider as she rested her head on his neck.

"For a moment I thought… oh, he's just being a mischievous dragon, as always," Song smiled fondly at the sight of his laughing friend embracing the dragon that, at long last, seemed to be in slightly better spirits. Just a small amount of kindness went such a long way, Song thought… especially with those who had seen next to none of it over the last months of anguish.

Everyone else remained wary of the dragon, scared that he'd respond poorly to his new change in situation. Only the Princess had proper insight into the mind and heart of her dragon, and only she could understand he was genuinely relieved for the changes… genuinely grateful, despite knowing all too well that his circumstances were more than undeserved. Even so, he could move again, even if not as much as he used to. He couldn't fly yet, but maybe one day, maybe if Azula found a way…

He had been savoring his relief when his body suddenly jolted: Azula blinked blankly as she pulled back and glanced down her dragon's body… to where Rei sat, hands raised somewhat defensively as Xin Long's hind leg wiggled in the air awkwardly.

"I… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have touched him when I wasn't supposed to…" Rei said, eyeing Azula with uncertainty… the Princess, however, smirked at her adoptive daughter.

"You tickled him," she explained. Rei's cheeks reddened. "Nothing to worry about… I think he welcomes being tickled right now, actually."

Rei laughed quietly and nodded. Xin Long turned his head slightly, no matter if his neck still hurt, towards Azula: the Princess was smiling warmly at him when he darted forward, trailing his tongue gently over her cheek. The familiar sensation, one she had sometimes told him to stop, was just as welcome as Xin Long's improved mood was: tears welled in Azula's eyes as she leaned down, hugging her dragon as best she could in this position. He groaned happily, head nestled upon Azula's lap… his snout pressed softly against her womb. He prodded it gently with his nose as a small greeting for her dragonling, and Azula couldn't contain the tears anymore after that. They fell upon her dragon's hair as they shared that wordless, tender moment of mild relief… of slight change for the better, for once. It was one step forward, just a start… but it was certainly better than the nightmare situation Xin Long had been stuck in so far. He might still have dark days ahead, he might still sulk and feel hopeless… but the happier moments might be easier to grasp once his muscles recovered somewhat, once Azula secured even more freedoms for him.

They stayed in the refuge until the group from the Royal Workshop was finally ready to leave too. The systems were in place, and the dragon wouldn't be in as much strain anymore… though it didn't seem that the head blacksmith was pleased with his work at all. Most his squad had already stepped outside the refuge when he walked up to Azula, just when she rose to her feet after embracing her dragon for what had seemed to be hours. Her companions had started to work on helping the dragon regain his muscular build, so they were distracted with flexing and extending his limbs for him when the blacksmith spoke with Azula.

"I… I do hope he's feeling better now," the man said, gazing at her mournfully. Azula nodded. "I… I only wanted you to know, Princess, that… goodness, when your father summoned me, I…"

"You… you don't owe me any explanations," Azula said, softly. "I don't hold this against you. If anything, I'm grateful that you arranged this new system as quickly as you did…"

"I set aside every other pending job I had. I couldn't let your dragon suffer for another day, I… I never wanted him to suffer for a single one," the blacksmith said, fists tightened. "I… I do not understand any of what has happened… but I can't imagine you or your dragon ever deserving the suffering I've inflicted upon you. I am truly sorry, Princess."

"I appreciate your words… as well as the sentiment," Azula said, earnestly. "But you have nothing to apologize for. Ultimately, you were under orders…"

"I could have refused…"

"We both know that's not true."

The blacksmith didn't have a response to that statement: there was none to be had. He could see, in the Princess's eyes, that she had suffered the consequences of opposing her lord father when he was determined to see something done. His chest ached upon gazing into the Princess's eyes to realize that what he had attributed to new maturity was hardly that: it was suffering, it was misery, it was pain that cut deeper than he could ever hope to understand. Where she had once been an ambitious young woman who would take the world by storm if she had the chance… now she was a far less ambitious, still young woman whose every dream had been dashed and destroyed. By now, all she could possibly want was peace. She asked for nothing more, nothing less… and the blacksmith feared she'd never get what she wanted, not as long as her father continued to be as demanding and punishing as he had been for the past months.

"I thank you regardless. Though… I suggest you keep most such thoughts to yourself, if you can help it. Discuss them with those you trust most, at best, but… don't allow my father to hear that you've had any form of doubt, any form of hesitation, over fulfilling his orders," Azula said, earnestly. The blacksmith nodded.

"Of course, Princess. Of course."

"Then… thank you very much for your prompt work. I can only hope that… that sooner or later, you'll be called to undo every chain you've set up today," she said. The man smiled sadly.

"I will look forward to that day, Princess. Take care of yourself… and of everyone you're responsible for, as well."

He didn't only mean, of course, her dragon and her three companions: his eyes darted down at her womb, which only seemed to grow more prominent each day. Azula smiled and nodded, a hand upon her lower belly.

"Thank you. I shall do so," she said, nodding her head curtly towards him.

The blacksmith bowed, palm against fist, lowering his whole torso in a greeting of truest respect… a greeting she hadn't seen since her position as Crown Princess had been lost. A small smile spread over her face as the man smiled too, walking out of the refuge.

Azula turned to Xin Long, who groaned in her direction. She leaned down once more, pressing a kiss to the side of his head, a hand caressing his horn gently.

"I'll be back tomorrow, alright? Take it easy… rest better than you have in all these months, too" Azula whispered, caressing his head gently "I'll make sure not to bore you too much. A lot of guards will be around tomorrow, too, but… try not to cause any trouble, alright?"

Xin Long groaned in submission: he would set them all on fire, whether they had any direct hand in Azula's misfortunes or not… but he knew, just as she did, that there was no point in wasting what little leniency they'd finally found. He wouldn't act out, he knew better than to risk Azula's safety by doing so.

"Then… I'll see you tomorrow, alright?" she whispered, hugging him tightly. "I love you, Xin."

He loved her, too. And he was sorry to have fallen into this damn trap in the first place… but he was grateful that she'd found a way to ease his burdens. If only he could do the same for her…

"You always do, Xin. You always do."

She offered him another sad smile as she rose to her feet. The others said their goodbyes quietly too, and Xin Long groaned as he dangled his legs carelessly in the air… much as he always had, before. One day, he'd do so without any chains once more… one day.

Azula kept her gaze upon her dragon for as long as she could do so as she and her companions marched away. She didn't speak much afterwards, absorbed by thoughts of Xin Long's freedom, by the hopes of securing more of it sooner than later…

"Princess?" Renkai called the absent-minded Azula, once they were halfway back to her room: the Princess raised an eyebrow in his direction, encouraging him to keep going. "The servants have finally located the guzheng. One of them came by while we were with the dragon and informed me that the instrument has been brought to your bedroom."

"Ah… good news. Thank you for seeing to this, Renkai," Azula nodded in his direction. Renkai smiled slightly under his helmet.

The guzheng was resting on a cleared space upon Azula's furniture. She breathed deeply as she stepped up to the ornate box, an impressive sight for both Rei and Song.

"It's beautiful… well, I suppose the instrument will be more beautiful than the box, but still…" Song laughed. Azula smiled and nodded.

"It belonged to my cousin," she explained, startling both the women behind her. "He was a very accomplished guzheng performer. I still remember how he could lighten everyone's spirits whenever he played it for us… unfortunately, it didn't happen too often. Once I started attending the Royal Academy for Girls, music class was a must and… I wanted to play the guzheng like him. Well, I demanded to be taught how, rather…"

"Sounds like you really liked it," Song said. Azula nodded, opening the box carefully.

"I did, but… it wasn't quite the same once I knew that he wouldn't hear my own performances or help me get better at playing it when he came home," Azula whispered. "I still played it at school, but… I didn't practice at all over the past years. I did suggest I could play it once, back when… when Rui Shi was playing the pipa that day."

Azula glanced at Song meaningfully, and her friend smiled warmly at the welcome memories. She nodded, running a hand over her hair.

"I learned some from him too, you know?" she said, with a sad smile. "Though definitely not enough to be on his level, but…"

"It sounds like we're in similar places when it comes to musical instruments," Azula said, gazing at the guzheng with heartfelt eyes. "Either way, it's… it's not a bad idea to start again. Governor Tiang brought this guzheng for me… it's the only gift from the wedding I knew about, the only one that was presented to me directly. He insisted on doing it that way, no doubt he knew how much it'd mean to me…"

"Governor Tiang came here for your wedding, then?" Song said. Azula gritted her teeth.

"I… I wish I could say I asked about your mother, but…"

"No, no. I get it, I do, and… it's not like you could've known we'd meet again anyway," Song said, with a sad smile. Azula sighed and shrugged.

"I was mostly incapable of uttering any words that day, so, unfortunately, it didn't even cross my mind… I'm sorry I couldn't even do that," she said. Song shook her head again.

"I guess reaching out to her would be impossible, or just a bad idea, all in all. Nobody should know about…" Song stopped talking, but Azula nodded in understanding.

"Nobody will. If the chance arises for you to communicate with her safely, we'll take it. I promise that much," Azula said. Song smiled weakly and nodded.

"You know… Rui Shi told me to go with her, once things calmed down. Once it was safe for me to do that, but… I don't know if it ever will be," she admitted. Azula gritted her teeth but nodded. "Anyway, that's neither here nor there. I guess I'll see if I can find a pipa somewhere and we can try to perform together one day. Might be a mess, for all we know…"

"I'm sure it will be one. We'll have plenty to laugh about later," Azula smiled, and Song laughed quietly. "Anyway, I… I should get to tuning it. You girls can go on and do anything you want to do, of course. Guess you'll be studying now, Rei?"

"I… thought I'd listen, a bit," Rei said, with a shy smile: she had been standing further back, without intruding on their conversation, despite listening in on it in its entirety. Azula smiled.

"It's not bound to be a great recital yet, but… I'll see if I can get ready to play something for Xin tomorrow," Azula said, picking up the guzheng and carrying it all the way to her bed.

Azula sat with her legs crossed before the guzheng, and she took to tuning it carefully while making faces at the dissonant notes that she plucked upon testing each string. Rei and Song approached, curious about the process of preparing the musical instrument for performances.

"It's a bit of an odd concept, a dragon with musical taste," Song laughed. "I had no idea he liked music, but I guess I don't understand him half as well as you do."

"He likes music, yeah. He's terrible at making it, though," Azula smirked. Song blinked blankly as she and Rei took their seats on the bed as well.

"The dragon… tried to play music?" Rei asked, puzzled. Azula laughed and shook her head.

"He's tried to sing, but… he's not particularly good at it, so far," Azula said, as Song chortled.

"Oh, poor thing. I can't imagine what that must be like, a singing dragon…"

"I've honestly tried to help him get better at it… well, both him and Sokka. To this day, I'm not sure which of the two had a worse grasp on melodies," Azula laughed quietly: finally the first string was ready, so she moved on to the next one. "On our way back from Shu Jing that one time, Sokka convinced me to give him singing lessons and… goodness, I don't know if Xin Long's simply not much good at it because he's a dragon and dragons aren't exactly equipped to create the kind of sounds we can. But Sokka… he's a human just like any of us and he sang just as badly as Xin."

"I… believe that. I absolutely believe that," Song admitted: Rei giggled, a hand over her mouth as she eyed the two of them with amusement. "You know, sometimes when he had good days, usually when he'd seen you, he would sing carelessly in the bathroom. Depending on what I was up to, at times I'd overhear him and… if I did, I usually just ended up dropping whatever I was up to and taking off to the other end of the house to avoid hearing another note."

Azula laughed, hunching over the guzheng as she failed to finish tuning the second string. Song smiled warmly at her reaction, guessing it was a surprise for her to learn anything new about Sokka, at this stage. The singing had stopped after a while… after their relationship had become as serious as it had, for by then it seemed that the moments in which Sokka's heart would sing would be whenever Azula was with him, and he wasn't going to be distracted with singing when they could be up to anything else.

"He really did insist that I had to teach him how, but… of all things, he was a lost cause at that one," Azula chuckled still, plucking the strings again to check how the tuning was going so far. "He had a better grasp on rhythm than melody for sure, though…"

"Ah, I remember your crazy quick-stepped dances," Song smiled. Azula laughed and shook her head.

"To this day, I have no idea if the Water Tribe really dances that way or if he was just doing that to make fun of me. I bet we looked like idiots, but…" Azula said, biting her lip and shrugging. "But it was a lot more fun than the vulture dancing, I admit it."

"The vulture dancing…?" Rei asked.

"Traditional Fire Nation dances for the highborn," Azula explained. "There will be a Ball at the end of the festivals' week… you'll probably get to see it then, if you really want to."

"It sounds weird," Rei admitted, with a shy smile. "I… don't think I've seen any dancing, though. Not really."

"It's pretty uncommon in lower social circles, admittedly," Azula said. "The traditional dances of the highborn are very stiff and strict, it's the only kind of dancing we're taught… to Sokka, though, it was utter nonsense. He called it the vulture dance because he said we looked like overgrown vultures preying on something…"

"Was he just joking, or…?" Rei asked, smiling. Azula chuckled and shrugged.

"He was a jokester, for certain, but… he had a point," she conceded. "I never admitted it, of course, my pride would never allow me to do so, but… I did look forward to finding out how they did things in his Tribe. Though I figured they'd want me dead if I came close at all, or at least scowl prominently at me, in the best-case scenario…"

"He wouldn't have let anyone touch you and you know it," Song said, firmly. Azula smiled. "If anything, he would have talked their ears off about how amazing you were so that, within two days or so, they would have become huge fans of yours. Mark my words…"

"If he really would do that, I bet they'd be sick of hearing him talk about me, if anything," Azula smiled sadly.

"Well… hopefully they won't be. I know I'm never sick of hearing you talk about him," Rei said, with a gentle smile. "It's strange getting to know someone through stories this way, but… it's also fun. I can't help but… but wonder what he really would be like, if I got to meet him."

"You might, someday," Azula said. Rei bit her lip and grinned. "As for how he'd react upon knowing you…"

"Ah? You'll take a guess at that?" Song asked. Azula smirked as Rei eyed her with anticipation.

"He'd think you're a genius, in all likelihood, and get you to talk to him about everything you've learned in all your math books," Azula said. Rei gasped happily. "He was an inventor in his own way, he had a lot of potential with scientific pursuits… though, unfortunately, he didn't have much of a chance to put his mind to the test in that particular line of work. Typically, his inventions would not turn out to be exactly what he wanted them to be… his smoke bombs were supposed to be proper explosives, but he never figured out how to make them that. Thus, he turned them into hindrances for enemies in combat…"

"Huh…" said Rei, swallowing hard. "Must be difficult fighting against smoke…"

"Quite so," Azula smiled. "He tossed a few of those at me when we first met. Smoke is pretty bad for firebenders, we need our lung capacity at its best in order to produce fire properly… smoke gets in the way of that pretty easily. It's a very clever strategy, even if one I managed to overcome when I first faced it. He went out of his way to worsen his bombs later, though… putting stench in the smoke, too. Best way to render someone utterly helpless in the middle of battle with sensory overload… but yeah, he's a man of science in his own way. You two would have so much to talk about… he'd be a better tutor for you than I am, for sure."

"Well… maybe the two of you could tutor me together," Rei said, with a shy smile. Azula laughed and shook her head.

"Keep up with your studies and before you know it, it'll be you tutoring everyone else," she said. Rei giggled and covered her face with her hands.

"Did you ever… play this for him? The guzheng?" Song asked. Azula blinked blankly as she raised her gaze to Song.

"Well… no," Azula admitted. "Like I said, I haven't really touched a guzheng since my school days, but when I mentioned I could play it he just started rambling about how we totally should start a band, me, Rui Shi and him, so…"

"He would've loved hearing it too, then?" Song said, smiling kindly. "Well… call me crazy but I bet he will hear it someday."

"What he did hear was my singing voice. And he was terribly hung up on hearing it more often, too," Azula said, with a weak grin. "Guess it's just one more thing to add to the pile of regrets… but, just so you know, if things do ever make sense again and we get to see him again, you're not allowed to tell him I regret not singing more often."

"I'm not?" Song asked. Azula nodded solemnly.

"I'm entitled to a few secrets, aren't I?" she smirked, strumming the first strings of the guzheng, finally properly tuned. "Alright, now to the next set…"

"Say what you will… he'll still bug you non-stop about singing for him once you guys see each other again. I know he will," Song smirked. Azula laughed and nodded.

"Well… I'll refuse every time for consistency's sake," she smiled. "But, admittedly… I had already sung for him far more times than I ever intended to. I'll probably end up doing it again in the future, if… if all goes well."

She breathed out slowly as she worked on the rest of the strings: Song and Rei watched intently, though they were lost in their own thoughts until Azula strummed the instrument delicately, once it was ready.

"And you might just play the guzheng for him, too," Song said, softly. Azula smiled again and shrugged slightly.

"Guess he'd like that," she whispered.

"So much he'll likely dance like his feet are on fire all over again," Song suggested. Azula chuckled. "Or… he'll just sit down quietly, gawking at you with that goofy smile on his face, like he always did."

"I suppose that's also a possibility…" Azula said, her heart paining her gently upon remembering that very expression on his face… upon aching deeply with the longing of seeing it anew. It had been so long already without it… so long without him. "And people would poke fun at him for it, but he'd just pout and start rambling with all sorts of corny nonsense about how great he thought I was…"

"Corny nonsense you loved to pieces, whether you admitted it or not," Song concluded. Azula laughed and shrugged again.

"Like I said before… don't say it to his face if you ever get the chance, damn it. How would I ever poke fun at him, otherwise?" Azula smiled. "But, alas, if I'm ever going to play anything for him, or for Xin… I'd best get reacquainted with the guzheng, first of all."

Rei and Song listened reverently, smiling as Azula tested the waters of plucking the guzheng's strings. It felt familiar, even if she hadn't done it in so long. She still remembered the technique perfectly… the songs, not so much. Upon starting one, she had no choice but to stop halfway, laughing to herself upon realizing she couldn't remember how the rest of the melody was supposed to go. It happened several times, though she managed a couple of full songs, to a joyful applause by the sole two members of her audience. While she focused plenty on the instrument, Azula found herself smiling more often than not, ever grateful for the two women who had offered their shoulders for her to lean on, until she finally found strength enough to walk on her own. Perhaps her performance wouldn't be much good today… but she was pleased to share it with them, all the same.

The same wasn't true on the next day, however: Rei and Song still dropped by at Azula's room to report in – Song checked Azula's condition and she remained perfectly healthy, merely experiencing common body soreness caused by her pregnancy. Renkai, to Azula's surprise, had indeed dressed down and didn't wear his full uniform for once. He appeared uncomfortable, to no surprise: dressing in common clothes was akin to being naked for a man like him, Azula supposed.

"We'll be back very soon, I hope," Rei said, biting her lip.

"You shouldn't be," Azula laughed. "Come on, I've managed to get permission for the two of you to attend the festivals so you could have fun. Don't make haste to come back here just because you're afraid I'll be lonely."

"Well, we're afraid of a few other things, as it is," Song said, frowning. "No one has come to get you for the parade, right?"

"No… and I would know by now if Zhao hadn't showed up," Azula finished Song's thoughts for her. "My father would have already sent someone to find me and prepare me for the parade, so that suggests he did show up, probably at the ceremony in the temple… so it's likely that he'll be turning up around here, sooner than later."

"We can accompany you to the dragon's refuge, then. Renkai… would you carry the guzheng for Azula?" Song asked him. Renkai nodded as Azula sighed, hands on her hips.

"All of you take too much care of me. It's unreal," she said, smiling a little. "Fine, then, fine. But you're taking off afterwards and I command you to enjoy yourselves. It's not negotiable."

"So, we can't come back until we've had fun?" Song laughed. Azula nodded promptly. "Well… okay, then. You heard her, Rei, we're having fun straight away, the minute we're out of the gates, just so we can come back immediately…!"

"Oh, please," Azula laughed, shaking her head.

Song grinned as Renkai collected the guzheng carefully, placing it in its case. He closed it promptly and raised it with utmost care: Azula nodded approvingly and she led the way outside the room…

To find herself facing a whole group of Imperial Guards, standing firmly at either wall of the corridor.

Rei froze in place, much as Song did. Azula frowned, but Renkai stepped forward, guzheng still in hand.

"The Third Squad will… will watch over you today at the refuge," he clarified. Azula hummed.

"I see. Well, then, we'd best get going," she said, lips tightened as she stepped through the corridor: Song and Rei followed quickly, and soon enough, all of them were marching through the Palace in an unnecessarily pompous display, all the way to the dragon's refuge.

Azula smiled upon reaching it, upon seeing the fully open door… upon sending a message to her dragon through their bond and receiving an approving response from her partner. He was waiting for her, and she was thrilled to reach him right away.

"Good luck today, you three," Azula said, smiling kindly at them: Song appeared apprehensive, but she nodded as Azula stepped towards the refuge. The ten guards followed.

Rei bit her lip as she and Renkai waited for Song to react: without her awareness, it seemed she had become their de-facto leader for the time being.

"Wen…?" Rei called her: Song jumped and shook her head, startled by Rei's voice.

"Sorry, sorry, it's just…" she said, gritting her teeth. "They're a little unsettling. But it's probably even more unsettling how she's completely… well, compliant with this. Like she… like she doesn't bother fighting anymore. Maybe she's just that good an actress, but… I couldn't tell if their presence unsettled her at all."

"Their presence is a reassurance, for now," Renkai said, quietly. "As long as they're around, they'll be able to report she has done nothing out of bounds. It doesn't mean she trusts them… but she trusts they'll do their duty fairly, for she will give them no cause for concern."

"I suppose," Song sighed, shaking her head. "Oh, well. I can only hope this will be okay. May her guzheng skills help her stay cool-headed throughout this weird day, huh?"

Said weird day, of course, was only just beginning: the three of them marched together to the Palace's front gates, and even from that distance, the roars of the crowds, music, cheering and laughter could reach them.

"I… I've never seen so many people in the same place before," Rei admitted, eyeing the visible street through the open gates as they stepped closer and closer: guards ensured nobody would slip inside the Palace, and they would allow them passage outside, just as well. "It's… uh…"

"Terrifying? Unsettling?" Song suggested. Rei nodded promptly. "Well… take a deep breath and take it easy. We're sticking together, so if the crowds try to push us away, well…"

"You can hold onto my shoulder," Renkai suggested. "And Rei to yours. I'll open the way through the crowds as safely as can be."

"The reliable Captain Renkai," Song smiled, nodding approvingly before setting a hand on his shoulder.

Rei didn't waste time doing the same thing: they were already at the threshold, and the guards positioned there nodded in acknowledgement of the Third Squad's captain. Song took a deep breath as Renkai made to take his first step into the large crowds…

"Grab on tight, Rei," Song said, heart racing as it flooded her mind with beautiful memories of another inauguration of the festivals, a day she had spent with the man she loved…

With firm footing, feeling no shortage of hopes and dread in contradictory conjunction, the Princess's three companions marched together, ready to join the Fire Nation's Festivals.