"Your move dear one." The elderly monarch prompted, sliding a cherry blossom tile to claim a section of the Pai Sho board.
"Yes Gran-gran." The princess replied cheekily, dodging a swat from a cane that rattled the board.
"How are my little ones?"
"Safe, happy."
"Hmph, they'd be happier with their mother." The elder woman replied grouchily.
"Please, you know the work I do is important."
"As important as your daughters? Pah- nevermind how goes it then?" She asked. the younger moving from her relaxed pose to a more official kneeling position.
"I've cultivated contacts in the desert. They've accepted our offer of economic aid and modern technology. We can stabilise the region and protect our interests there."
"Need I remind you to tread carefully? Your intentions may be the spark to light a bonfire in the region."
"You've said, however by pledging our support we can ensure the candidates values are aligned with our own. I stand by my proposed course of action Fire Lord."
"So be it then. How goes our security?"
"I trust them. Their loyalty is assured, and they ensure we're protected from most physical threats. Against spiritual threats however we can do little but meditate quietly and contemplate."
"Hmmmm. And did you talk to the physician about the strange rash on my armpits?" She asked face straight, earning a surprised cough from her subordinate.
"I'm not sure that will help, but One supposes it can hardly hurt." The princess conceded trying not to laugh.
"Jinora you're a prissy bitch if you're listening. Rude for eavesdropping on a private conversation too." The monarch grumbled. "Do we know if there are any others?" She prompted.
"There's not really any way to tell. I've considered some methods to disrupt such however. I'll disseminate them to our operatives, best bet however is to keep any 'guests' occupied. Though that doesn't help at extreme ranges."
"And our allies?"
"The merchant families enjoy the new opportunities with our export market opening up. And we're diverting some of the profits to making sure to keep our lower classes fed. The united nations has committed to our alliance as ever. Omashu seems happy enough and isn't likely to cause any issues. Like a stone they're solid."
"Don't underestimate that king of theirs. He can be... wilful and his support isn't without limits. The water tribes?" The monarch warned.
"North and south both profess to be dedicated to peace, however they're each levying tariffs against minor states. Something the walled city has protested against. The water tribes however call it defending their maritime borders."
"Any truth to that?"
"Yes, they've depleted fishing stocks and caused some other issues. In particular Kyoshi island is complaining of piracy. I've offered our support and been turned down by the larger tribes. The islanders are considering it. One or two members of their council have asked for our support in removing the pirates."
"Absolutely not! Offer them a task force to help patrol their waters and provide escorts to trading fleets, nothing more. Attacking these 'pirates' could give their masters an excuse."
"Of course." The princess demurred.
"Anything else?"
"The North are lobbying a request for their healers to be returned. I've politely declined since nearly all of them have professed a wish to stay. I'm rushing their citizenship papers now actually. Little combat skill but they're willing to learn, and their true value is in healing anyway."
"Good. Next?"
"Our military is in fine shape. Fleets and regular forces did well in the latest exercise and are on task. Our elites make up most of our internal security, however the home guards regiment is doing well. As are our newest batch of citizens. All of them are proud and loyal."
"Good, good. Any Idea what the walled city is up to?"
"Their intelligence services are some of the best inn the world and provided the model for nearly all modern nations. It's slow going but there's some progress. So far as we can tell they're still looking for the Avatar, same as everyone else. Something else top secret is going on but it will take more digging to figure out."
"With the largest population the odds were always in their favour. Keep an ear out for them, but how goes the search elsewhere?"
"We're assisting the White Lotus where we can, or making use of them as permits, thus far however no sign."
"The Avatar, Korra was a good woman, brave, powerful. A good avatar. So far the newest is a great big question mark. Zaofu?"
"They've had no sign of her either. The bulk of their forces are still for hire. Causing problems but they could still be an asset later on. So far we've avoided interfering, though one state has recently hired a large number of mercenaries they appear to be using them for security. Possibly training. I've used it as an opportunity to sell platinum mechas to some friendly states. They're resisting deeper ties for now however."
"Acceptable princess-" Anything else she might have said is interrupted by a palace guard slipping into the room and quietly announcing the head of the white Lotus demanded a visit. The monarchs eyes narrowing at that.
"She demands does she? Well, send our dear grand Lotus in so we can chat." The monarch decided with a growl.
"Behave Gran-gran." The princess cautioned. "Old Lady Jinora could still cause some issues for my work."
"Pah." The fire lord grumbled.
As they'd come to expect from the leader of the air nation she marched into the room head held high and did not bow beyond a minor inclination of her head, to be expected from a fellow world leader. Followed of course by the massive bison in her wake.
"Fire Lord, Crown princess." She addressed them stiffly. "Disquieting rumours have reached my ears. I'm here to investigate and file a report."
"Sit down poppet, would you like a cup of tea?"
"Do not call me Poppet."
"Is that a yes or a no?" The monarch asked sweetly, the princess smiling openly at the thought of the verbal lashing that was soon to ensue.
"I am a master Airbender and I will be spoken to with respect." Jinora stated icily.
"I was attending matters of state when you were barely a farting infant, much less an airbender. I met Aang and you might be his granddaughter but you are not the Avatar and you certainly do not get to make demands of me. On whose authority are you inspecting fire nation territory?"
"I am leader of the air nation and head of the White Lotus! I've seen your unsanctioned airbenders and the earthbenders and if you don't-"
"Save your threats for someone who cares girl." The monarch growled, rising to her feet with the aid of a cane and beginning to hobble from the room. "What are you gonna do? Take my bending?" She asked sarcastically. "The fire nation is not your enemy, but if the air nation thinks they can do without the grain and food we supply by all means do what you will. This meeting is over."
"Wait, I'm sorry. I apologise for my rudeness. The air nation is grateful for your aid, however our task is to find the avatar. We've searched and not found him and the spirits have said he might be found amongst your people, please allow me to search your people." The elderly bender asked quietly.
"Hmmm, better. Very well, I'm going to take a nap, but you can arrange the details with my grand-daughter." The Fire Lord grumbled before raising an eyebrow. "Well?"
"Thank you your Eminence." Jinora offered.
"You're very welcome Jinora-Gozen." The monarch accepted before limping away.
"You're in luck. We have good records on all our citizens. There's no more than sixty earthbender children of the appropriate age within the fire nation. Our fire sages have already checked them but you're welcome to do the same." The princess offered.
"I was under the impression you shouldn't have any much less airbenders." Jinora pointed out.
"Citizens of colonial descent." The princess explained. "Full citizenship, and they're of course more than welcome to volunteer in our armed forces."
"That's what I'm afraid of, and your airbenders, who's training them?"
"No-one, or to be more precise they're self taught. Of course we wouldn't dream of forcibly conscripting them like the final earth queen. Neither do we withhold training unlike some."
"Airbending requires discipline! They-all benders! They're not supposed to be weapons!" Jinora pointed out hotly.
"Mayhaps you ought follow your own advice, regardless our military is volunteer only, if well compensated. And I actually quite agree, our airbenders don't have the numbers or skill to be frontline combatants. Our earthbending citizens are of course a massive help in construction and the healers we've hired are worth their weight in gold."
"You- What?!" Jinora asked aghast. "You, this will disrupt the balance of the four nations." Jinora warned.
"No. It won't, that balance was shattered long ago. Metalbending, technology, weapons, numbers. Even split apart The former earth kingdoms boasts as much military military might as any other nation and more than most. Besides which, this is purely an internal matter, all are fire nation citizens and under our protection."
"You play a dangerous game princess." The airbender stated softly.
"Do I? I thought the aim was for all nations to live in harmony, or all peoples at least. The united republic isn't the only country allowed to have multiple elemental benders."
"-Fine. Now, the addresses of the 'colonial' citizens children?" Jinora asked, a discreetly signalled servant approaching with a stack of documents.
"There, all the known earthbending children in the fire nation." The princess offered sweetly. "Though in my opinion The walled city has ever hidden secrets. Perhaps you might search there also."
"I do wish you'd be nicer to an old Lady." Jinora grumbled. "Seems you're trying to cause me trouble. Hows my nephew anyway?"
"Looking after my daughters. We tried to visit you on air temple Island but you weren't there."
"Work."The old air bender grunted.
"Work." The princess agreed with a heartfelt sigh before holding out a hand to reheat the pot of tea. "Now, are you sure you wouldn't like just one cup?"
A.N: coming up next, back to Farrukh and the beginning of the spring season. Should be up either later tonight, or hopefully tomorrow sometime.
Every time the search for the Avatar comes up I can't help but giggle. Also our future mother-in-law has some grand plans for the future and I'm excited.
I've also realised a long term consequence of our engagement to Kya, Eliza's political opponents could accuse her of hiding the Avatars identity. The amount of influence one can gain by having the Avatar as your son in law is substantial, especially when you're part of the Fire Nations Royal family.
You wake up in the morning to find Aiko clutching herself to you in her sleep, patting her gently on the head and sending her into more relaxed sleep you manage to extricate yourself and swaddle her in another layer of warm blankets and leave the tiny girl bundled up and snoozing softly.
Her sister however is nowhere to be found, but padding your way through the house you find her helping Momma with domestic tasks, breakfast already half way to being done in addition to the finished cleaning tasks.
"Morning Kya." You yawn, your friend jumping in the air and blushing at the sight of you, stammering out something that might be a greeting and blushing further as you look at her oddly.
"You don't mind if your friend borrows some of your clothes until we can pick more up." Momma says, phrasing it as an order not a question.
"Right!" You agree quickly smiling at Kya.
"Good." Momma purrs. Her tone closer to the growl of a Tigerdillo. "And you can make yourself useful and go set the table Farrukh." She decides handing you a collection of cutlery as you quickly jump into action. Kya likewise put to work shelling eggs.
With the apartment filling with the smells of cooking it soon rouses Aiko from her slumber, her tearfully latching onto you as soon as she catches sight of you, sniffling and calling you 'Farakun' a term that has her older sister giggling before she whispers something to Aiko who promptly dubs you "Tanshi." An act that has you vowing silent revenge on Kya even as you comfort Aiko and dry her eyes before Momma takes over, sending you to invite the police officers outside in for something to eat.
There you find that they've taken shifts, one resting while the other stands watch, both try to refuse only for you to drag them inside anyway where they're quietly grateful, each grabbing a coffee and sandwhich before retreating back to their guard post, one stopping to ruffle AIko's hair along the way.
The rest of the day is spent trying to play, Aiko following everyone around closely and frequently wanting to be picked up, held and cuddled, though she does wisely stay well back when Kya begins to unleash some of her firebending in the exercise room, leaving scorch marks and soot on the padded punchbag, you helping her practice by bending the sand filled bag back and forth, trying to dodge her shots and working up a swinging motion as you control the heavy bag.
The days and weeks following are much the same, returning to school when the term resumes and sadly leaving Aiko behind with your mom. A radio message to the fire nation sees the police guards bolstered by fire nation imperial guards. The elite benders on watch around the clock and one or two taking the time to help instruct Kya, something the earthbending police officers try and do for you when they're able. Despite that Kya is driven and soon pulls way ahead, easily defeating you in your sparring, with bending or without.
Eventually however you hear whispered words between the police and Momma, the bender who hurt Theo having apparently escaped the city somehow, despite the roads, ships and airships all being watched. Simply put a ship could leave port empty only for a waterbender to meet up with it way out to sea. Either way, the result is the same. Some minor triad arrests are made and the rest hide or keep a low profile. But on the whole the gangs carry on doing whatever it is they do.
Shortly afterwards, a bandaged but whole Theo is released from hospital, clutching both your friends tight as he can despite the pain in his shoulder. With there no longer being a threat to Theo or his family, the police protection is withdrawn, though the fire nation guards remain.
It's then that you hear Momma talking.
"It's really no trouble." She's saying rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. "Look your umm... daughters mother is paying for this whole place and if you're not well yet I'd love to look after the girls."
"I'm fine." Theo laughs, his still present bandages revealing that as a lie. "Tell you what, how about we ask the man of the house." He says seeing you and calling you over. ""What do you think? You don't want an old wreck like me limping about do you?"
Pick one.
[X]What? Of course you do. He's funny and Kya and Aiko are your friends so of course they can stay if they want.
[X]Oh? Oh, he probably wants to go back home. That makes sense.
Adhoc vote count started by BoSPaladin on Feb 9, 2019 at 5:12 PM, finished with 13 posts and 9 votes.
[X]What? Of course you do. He's funny and Kya and Aiko are your friends so of course they can stay if they want.
More seriously, no. This is more to do with how much time you spend with Kya and her sister and the nice police man. Two of whom are Very Important People and who spend a lot of time around world leaders. And all of whom who are indeed related to various high ranking people who have something of an interest in finding the Avatar. And the policeman who may or may not be a target for gangs and/or figures of interest.
TLDR: the closer you are to them and the more involved the more of their issues I can get you involved in. But that can also be a good thing. Plus of course, you'd wind up very close friends at the least.
On the flip side, saying no would free up a bit more of your time to perhaps make other friends.
Plus as Mark pointed out, if/when you get found out as the avatar accusations of favouritism might get bandied about.
I've also realised a long term consequence of our engagement to Kya, Eliza's political opponents could accuse her of hiding the Avatars identity. The amount of influence one can gain by having the Avatar as your son in law is substantial, especially when you're part of the Fire Nations Royal family.
It depends a lot on our objectives. If its to hide being the Avatar at all costs...yeah that'd be a bit of a problem. If its to pave the way to learn what we need as the Avatar AND have an actual childhood...
It depends a lot on our objectives. If its to hide being the Avatar at all costs...yeah that'd be a bit of a problem. If its to pave the way to learn what we need as the Avatar AND have an actual childhood...