Ok, so after an hour of editing and debating, coupled with some sketchbook fun, I've managed to put together a couple of hypothetical flags for the Fire Nation Colonies in the Earth Kingdom. As we gradually expand our administration there, I found it fitting for us to give these regions their own flags as well. The colors are designed to be a fusion of Earth Kingdom green and gold with the black and red of the Fire Nation. I did the base flag design and some of the color work.
Credit to all of the Anons over on AnonKun who contributed, plus that one guy's particular shade of gold, as well as @Antix_Shadows, @Redshirt Army, and Graham.
Edit: Also I think I got the first Fan Art post for Deep Red! Go me!
Here's what happened during tonight's live session; I figured I'd post it now because I'll be busy tomorrow. Thank you all for reading! Let me know what you think! ^_^
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Betrothed?
"Is he enough of a firebender to perpetuate the line?" you ask neutrally.
"Apparently a firebending master," Father says, a bit of a sneer creeping into his voice. "They've spared no expense to provide him the best tutors possible."
To make him more attractive for a political marriage, no doubt. But someone that rich should already be marriageable enough for most...
"They've been hoping to marry into the royal family," you conclude. Father nods.
"It has been their ambition, yes," he answers.
Then he intends to get something from them in return for granting that ambition. Is it just a matter of getting their economic power under the crown's control? If he has larger plans, he doesn't seem to be interested in volunteering them.
"Is there any further information you can share with me?" you ask directly.
"Learn his plans," Father tells you. "When you prove yourself competent, I will share the rest of the situation with you."
"Of course, Father."
What is Mitsuko going to say? Father can't possibly know what happened between you, you're certain he wouldn't react this calmly if he did, but -
"Hm." You cut off that train of thought as Father continues; he's not done with you yet, you need to focus. "Then the next matter to be discussed is your actions in Yu Dao."
"My actions?"
"Your handling of the assassins," he says testily. Ah. Good. "Unless you managed to accomplish something else while you were there."
"I spent some time with the Mayor and his family, but had little time to pursue politics aside from that," you say. "I apologize, Father."
He waves his hand, frowning.
"I received a transcript of your speech, after the assassination attempt," he says neutrally. He fixes you with his gaze, expression unreadable. "Explain."
A sense of unity in the population would both prevent disruption of the local economy and aid in finding the actually dangerous Earth Kingdom insurgents causing the tension in the first place. Through your actions you have denied them every advantage they could have gained from the failed assassination while promoting unity. (33)
+ We won't be at war forever. Eventually we'll have to integrate all our conquered subjects into our empire. (30)
Tell him that you believe that, long-term, the best way to undermine resistance in the colonies is to integrate the natives into the Fire Nation as equal citizens. (25)
The reasoning is simple. It's our most valuable colony. We cannot allow disruption to the trade there. Reacting overly harshly would create a recruiting ground for future insurgents. (10)
People are simple. The average citizen, formerly earthkingdom or not, wishes stability and order. With my words I showed WE stand for that stability and order, while the earthkingdom insurgency, are a force of chaos and a threat to their children. People will almost always choose Order over Chaos. (7)
Tell him that you simply hoped to turn the general population against the rebels. You had no intention to actually be so soft. (5)
"My goal was to ensure the city's economy suffered as little disruption as possible," you answer. "And to remind the locals that there are far more benefits to being loyal to their country than there are to siding with rebels. The assassins were likely hoping that I would react with unnecessary harshness and drive more citizens to their cause. I hoped to deny them that."
Father just looks at you, evaluating.
"The war will end soon," you add. "We must encourage our conquered subjects to take pride in their new identity as our citizens. Our stability in the long term depends on the successful integration of the new territory we acquire."
"Tell me," Father says. "Do you think you're the first to believe they can win the support of the savages at war with us?"
Father only uses these loaded questions when he thinks you're being an idiot.
"Fire Lord Sozin's original goal was to give the Earth Kingdom the gift of civilization," you answer neutrally. "And Fire Lord Azulon's conquest of the west coast depended on securing the loyalty of some of the local Earth Kingdom lords, or at least their collaboration."
He snorts. "Prince Azulon, at the time," he says. "That was nearly a century ago, at the beginning of the war." He taps his fingers against each other, looking at you thoughtfully. "You are correct. Both of my predecessors did, for a time, attempt to treat the savages under their rule gently. Fire Lord Sozin quickly found that treating the newly-claimed colonies so gently only gave the rebels more freedom and resources to plot against him, and so he instituted the first laws against earthbending and the first labor camps. When Azulon took the throne, he believed, as you do, that the savages would accept him as their ruler if he showed himself preferable to their Earth King, just as they'd turned on their neighbors for Fire Nation weapons and wealth. He weakened Sozin's policies, incorporated the Earth Kingdom officials into the colonial administration, and gave them generous aid in building up the Hu Xin Provinces. You are aware what the result was?"
Once they thought Fire Lord Azulon had overextended his armies, the same Earth Kingdom nobles who had been persuaded to turn on the Earth Kingdom attempted to declare their independence against the Fire Nation as well. If Azulon hadn't already planned for the contingency, it could have been a disaster for the entire war effort.
"Yes, Father," you answer.
"The Earth Kingdom officials and their families had to be put to death, as did most of their subordinates," Father supplies. "An administrative nightmare, creating upheaval and instability that never would have been necessary had Azulon not chosen to slacken the grip Sozin had on the colonies to begin with. He was forced to reinstitute all of Sozin's policies and more, and spent the next sixty years maintaining the same iron grip he should have held from the beginning." He leans forward across his desk. "Do you understand my point, Akane?"
"You believe that I am repeating Azulon's mistake," you say quietly.
"Are you?"
No. The circumstances are different. Giving fair treatment to the descendants of Earth Kingdom natives in a long-established colony is not as risky as Azulon's attempt to recruit Earth Kingdom nobles in freshly-conquered territories. (49)
+"it's important to reward proven loyalty, and punish dissent. One is useless without the other." (40)
We need to reeducate the children of the conquered lands, giving power to those that don't truly believe in the Fire Nation was a mistake, the power needs to be given to the younger generation those that are truly loyal and believe in us. (11)
It seems like the point you made is that we overextended ourselves, and the nobles were not properly kept under control. However, brute force and mass collective punishment is a poor solution. A far better solution is to establish an effective and expansive secret police to keep the nobles under control and disrupt resistance efforts. Present a positive front to encourage cooperation, but eliminate in secrecy and subtlety. (11)
Maybe. If you became too gentle, then perhaps it would be a mistake. But there's no harm in offering the descendants of natives the hope of better treatment; long-term, it could help discourage mass rebellions. (4)
Yes. You admit that he has a point. (1)
"I am familiar with our history, Father," you answer softly. "I would not have taken such a conciliatory approach with Yu Dao had the circumstances been anything like the Hu Xin rebellion. Yu Dao is a long-established colony rather than a fresh conquest. It has not had a major rebellion since Sozin's time. Its people were born under our rule, and its rulers come from the homeland. At this stage, I believe that offering them some opportunities for advancement and prosperity under our rule will help to bind them more tightly to us. Punishments for dissent are more effective when they can be sharply contrasted against rewards for loyalty."
"A reasonable idea in theory," Father says. You keep your surprise from showing on your face. "And if we were discussing Fire Nation citizens, then yes, both reward and punishment would be valuable. But we are not. We are discussing Earth Kingdom savages and the descendants of savages."
"The descendants of the natives in Yu Dao have been raised as Fire Nation citizens," you say. "I believe that integrating them into the Fire Nation is possible. And necessary for the future empire's stability."
"Integrating them is necessary," Father agrees. "But acting as though they are no different than us is a mistake. The people of the Earth Kingdom are not capable of appreciating the benefits of civilization. Like worms, they are quite satisfied to live in mud; the only thing they respond to is the threat of force. If they could be motivated by the desire for civilization, they would have actually built one themselves. Or surrendered to us when we started building one for them."
"I agree that their culture has always held them back," you say carefully. "But I am not certain they are innately incapable of appreciating civilization, not if they are integrated into a more healthy culture."
"Is it impossible for individuals to rise beyond their culture?" Father asks rhetorically. "If culture was the only thing keeping the Earth Kingdom backwards, if their people were capable of the same will and strength as our own, then some visionary individual would have dragged them out of their backwardness in the same way that the first Fire Lord united the Fire Islands. That the Earth Kingdom has never built any genuine civilization is proof that there is an innate defect in its people's spirits, one that must be taken into account in order to properly rule them. If you insist on this naive belief that the Earth Kingdom's population is no different from our own, you will repeat Azulon's mistakes and worse!"
Father is mistaken. The people of the Earth Kingdom have had several remarkable achievements, even if their civilization is not equal to yours. (33)
Tell Ozai someone tried, but the Avatar stopped him before he could achieve it, the Avatar is the one that forces everyone to stay as they are without change or improvement, if the Avatar had had its way the Fire Nation would have never unified either. (33)
+We would have taken Ba Sin Sei if there was no merit whatsoever to their potential. (44)
+ But employ all the tact and care you can muster when making the point. (24)
+ Whether you think Father is mistaken or not, don't argue with him. (10)
Father is mistaken. The people of the Earth Kingdom are not fundamentally different from your own. They just never had sufficient incentive to build a civilization. (8)
They haven't done so yet because the innately superior Fire Nation culture was formed first, and is expanding first. If left to their own devices, they would EVENTUALLY succeed on their own. To a lesser degree than the Fire Nation of course, but that's just another reason to conquer them before they get the chance. (6)
Father has a point. There must be something innately different or inferior about the Earth Kingdom's people if they have never produced a civilization. (2)
"I understand that their civilization is not equal to ours," you say. "But I would rather overestimate my enemies than underestimate them. They have had a few remarkable achievements. If they had no merit at all, we would have taken Ba Sing Se years ago."
Father snorts. "Ba Sing Se's continued survival is the result of Iroh's weakness, not the Earth Kingdom's strength. The Earth Kingdom is rich in land and resources, far richer than we were a century ago; if its people were our equals, we never could have conquered them."
"I believe that their greatest weakness has always been their lack of unity, not anything inherent," you say. "It took them decades to put up a united front, and even today their coordination is lacking. If we assume that their greatest weakness is something inborn that they can never overcome, rather than a logistical failure that they could overcome if allowed to, our military strategy will suffer. The Earth Kingdom has come close to uniting before under Chin the Conqueror, and only the Avatar's intervention prevented them from succeeding. It would be dangerous to assume they're incapable of overcoming their culture's deficits, especially in the absence of the Avatar."
"And it would be dangerous to assume that treating them gently is enough to win their loyalty despite all evidence to the contrary," Father counters. He waves his hand dismissively. "You at least managed to catch your would-be assassins, so I'll give you a warning rather than a reprimand. Rhetoric can be a useful tool, but beware of alienating the powers in the homeland for the sake of some foolish attempt to curry favor with the savages. You can never rely on the goodwill of the conquered. Force, and the threat of force, is the only reliable means to maintain control of the colonies. Am I understood?"
The discussion is clearly over. You bow. "Yes, Father."
"Good." He adjusts the papers on his desk. "We have nothing further to discuss tonight," he tells you. "The Tanaka boy will visit the Palace next week. And beginning tomorrow, I will oversee some of your continuing firebending training. Lo and Li tell me there is little more they can do for you."
You bow deeply. You may not always agree with his politics, but his firebending expertise is always extremely valuable. "Thank you, Father. I will be honored to receive your instruction."
He 'hm's. "You are dismissed, Akane."
You leave him to his work.
* * * * *
97 AC (15 years old)
Royal Palace: Crown Princess's Chambers
You meet with Azula in your room after dinner that night. She makes herself at home, lounging on your bed, as you retrieve her gift from your bags. She perks up considerably when she sees the sheath in your hands.
"You didn't think Zuko was the only sibling I got a gift for, did you?" you ask, smiling.
"Yes," she says sourly. "You could have given me this on the ship. Is that a dagger?"
"I wanted to wait until I could do your hair properly," you murmur, sitting with her. "It's not just a dagger, it's a hairpin."
She rolls her eyes. "Of course it is." But her expression is still eager. You just smile and draw the two daggers from their sheath.
"These are twin daggers," you say. "Two halves of a single weapon." You set the sheath in your lap, and hold one dragon-decorated stiletto in each hand. "Crimson and Azure. One for both of us," you finish quietly.
She looks up at you. She doesn't say anything, just reaches out towards Azure. You pull it back before she can take it, and offer her Crimson instead. She scowls.
"For you," you tell her, smiling. "You can have Azure as well, if you want."
She plucks Crimson from your hand and looks it over.
"You can have that one," she says indifferently, not looking at you.
You smile. "Thank you, little sister." You stand. "Now, let's see how best to put these in our hair."
Azula groans. "I can figure it out on my own, Akane," she complains. "There's no need to spend hours on it."
"I won't spend hours on your hair," you tell her, still smiling. Some of the time will be spent on your hair. "Come on. I want to make sure you know how to place it in your hair safely. They each have their own sheath, in addition to the shared one."
She sighs. "Very well."
You spend the next few hours doing each other's hair, talking the entire time.
* * * * *
97 AC (15 years old)
Royal Library
Training with Father is grueling. Lo and Li judged you on the perfection of your technique; Father simply takes perfect technique for granted, judging you instead on how effectively and brutally you can apply it. Generating lightning more quickly remains a primary goal for the training, but if you've made any progress in your first week it's certainly not enough for him to acknowledge it. Uncle attends your training once, and makes some comment about how 'astounding' your stamina is in generating lightning, but Father quickly tells him to cease distracting you and only works you harder. At the end of every day's training, Father pits you against Azula and a pair of Imperial Firebenders in a spar. It taxes you to your limit, as it's much harder to outmaneuver and lock Azula down with the extra distractions, but you still pull off a victory each time. Azula has no practice fighting alongside others; it's easy enough to eliminate one of her allies quickly and use the other to interfere with her own efforts. But the victories are neither decisive nor rapid enough to satisfy him; Father scolds you frequently for 'holding back' against your sister. You're not quite sure whether his goal in saying that is to motivate you or to humiliate Azula into fighting harder.
You spend your nights in the library, resting your sore muscles in the most comfortable armchair you can find. There's always something to research. You need to understand more about the merchant families, about colonial administration, about the Earth Kingdom's history, about philosophy. You've taken a bit of an interest in learning about the Water Tribes' philosophy, such as it is. They have a great deal to say about the importance of community, adaptability, balance... it's interesting, certainly. And perhaps a bit revealing of why they've never conquered anything like your ancestors have.
The treatise you're currently reading argues that, just as the moon is a lesser compliment to the sun, waterbending is a lesser compliment to firebending. Waterbending emphasizes adaptability, but mainly in the context of acceptance of change; firebending emphasizes creating change through will and power. And great deal of waterbending involves changing water into ice and back; it's manipulation of temperature, something that firebenders can accomplish more easily. Even the reduction of temperature isn't impossible for the most skilled firebenders. The Fire Sage who authored the treatise goes so far as to postulate that, because all things can theoretically become colder, all things must contain some degree of warmth - and, therefore, fire. For a firebender of sufficient, transcendental will, it should be possible to bend anything at all. According to this Fire Sage.
Sometimes you wonder if you might be better off reading the Water Tribes' own perspective on their element.
"The Universality of Fire." You keep yourself from jumping as you look up at Uncle. He smiles. "By Sage... ah, what was his name? It's been some time since I've read it."
"Good evening, Uncle," you greet him neutrally, closing the book. How did he sneak up on you? "What brings you here?"
"Oh, I was just hoping to do a bit of light reading," he answers, patting the book in his hand. The title is something about Pai Sho; it has a White Lotus tile on the cover. "At my age, one must always make sure to keep the mind limber." He gestures to the chair next to you. "Do you mind if I join you?"
Allow him to join you. (35)
+"Father wouldn't be amused though." (28)
Politely say you were about to leave to your room anyways. He can have your seat. (4)
Politely ask for privacy; you focus better in solitude. (1)
Father doesn't want you to let Uncle waste your time, but you doubt he wants you to make it too obvious you're avoiding him either. You can show the minimum courtesy.
"You may, of course," you answer politely. "I do have to focus on my studies, though. I doubt Father would be pleased if I spent all night chatting rather than reading."
"Of course, I will do my best not to distract you!" Uncle answers cheerily, taking his seat. If he gets the message, he doesn't show it. "I'm not surprised Ozai asked you to read that book. He's quite fond of it."
"Mm," you answer, reopening your book. Father didn't ask you to read it. It was listed as a book on foreign bending philosophies. And, so far, it seems like it's more or less a waste of time. You keep hoping that the author will go into more detail about the actual philosophy of the Water Tribes, but he seems determined to only talk about how it's inferior to that of the Fire Nation. You don't remember the books about the Air Nation being this biased. "I can see why he might be fond of it."
"I remember when it was published - Ozai and I both must have read it a hundred times," Iroh continues. "It was quite popular with the nobility for a few weeks. Everyone was trying to bend steam or boiling water, to prove that their firebending really was universal." He chuckles. "Not that anyone would admit it when they failed. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that anyone ever managed to verify what the Sage believed."
Uncle would probably know a better book to read about Water Tribe philosophy.
You turn the page. "Quite unfortunate, Uncle," you say.
"Yes. But, I suppose that is the way of things," he says. "Even our element has its limits. Still, I think there is always value in looking for wisdom in new places. Even if no one element can be found everywhere, knowledge certainly can."
You nod. "I agree."
Amazing how well he's held on to his love of proverbs, after everything.
"Well," Uncle says. "I'm sure you've accomplished a great deal in your studies these past years! You always had an excellent mind!"
You bow your head slightly. "Thank you, Uncle."
It's quiet for a moment. He didn't ask you a question, so you're not certain what he expects you to say.
"And how is your friend?" he tries again. "Mitsuko?"
You haven't been able to spend much time with her this week. Both of you are intensifying your training, and you want to make sure you don't seem unduly close to her. You haven't even had a chance to talk to her in private about the Tanaka boy. You'll need to tomorrow; he'll be visiting the Palace this week.
"She's doing well," you murmur.
Hopefully she still will be, after the conversation you need to have.
"I'm glad," Uncle says warmly. "She was always a wonderful girl. It is good to know you have such a good friend."
Yes. You would hate to be left alone.
"I have always been glad I could rely on her," you say politely.
Uncle 'mm's and falls silent.
"I have been away a long time," Uncle says quietly. "My journey followed a winding path indeed."
"Is that another proverb, Uncle?" you ask.
He lets out a small chuckle. "Perhaps in part," he says. "It's certainly true in more ways than one."
Everything he says is just some ridiculous proverb. You don't know how Lu Ten ever put up with it.
"Perhaps we could meditate together, when you have time?" Uncle says, voice uncharacteristically hesitant. "It would be good to spend time with you again."
Say that you will consider it. (34)
+"Father wouldn't be amused though." (36)
Apologize and say that you doubt you will have time for that. (18)
+Point out that recent events have agitated the court, and that it may be better to wait until things have calmed. (15)
Say you doubt you will have time for it soon, but you look forward when you have the freedom to do so (9)
Uncle has some useful knowledge about bending, if you can find a way to get him to share it without provoking Father's ire. And if you can put up with his proverbs long enough to glean anything helpful.
"Perhaps," you say. "I will keep it in mind, if I have time I do not need to spend on my duties for Father. Thank you for your offer, Uncle."
"Thank you, Akane," he says. "Well, I should leave you to your studies. Although - have you ever read this book, Akane?" He shows you the cover of his book - The Meaning of Pai Sho, it says.
"I have not, Uncle," you answer.
"It is quite fascinating! I thought you may appreciate it," he tells you. "I remember when we played Pai Sho together when you were a child. Would you like this copy? I believe I have another in my chambers."
What is this? Is he trying to slip you a message? He couldn't be any more obvious about it.
Accept the book. (37)
Politely decline. (14)
Point out that you already have a book. Maybe later. (9)
Father may hear about this, but you can always just turn the book over to him if need be. He'll consider it a display of Uncle's naivety rather than yours.
"You may leave it with me if you'd like, Uncle," you say. "Thank you."
"Of course!" he says cheerfully. "Always a pleasure to share a good book."
He hands you the book, and you rest it in your lap. You'll need to look at it once you get back to your room.
"Goodnight, niece," he says. "Remember to get plenty of sleep! A woman needs her rest."
You nod. "I will, Uncle. Goodnight."
He bows and departs. After a few minutes, you take the Pai Sho book - this treatise on 'universal fire' is useless - and hurry to your room as well.
You have a great deal of reading to do.
-----
Thank you all for reading! I hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think.
You guys are talking about last night's live before I even posted the story here lol! For the people who haven't seen it yet, here's what happened in last night's live.
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97 AC (15 years old)
Royal Palace: Crown Princess's Chambers
If there's a hidden message in the book, you can't find it. You stay up reading it dangerously late in to the night, only managing to tear yourself away with the thought of what will happen if you try to keep up with training tomorrow without any sleep. You only half-remember to look for hidden messages as you tear through the pages.
This book has the best, most detailed description of foreign philosophy and traditions you've ever found.
Pai Sho's rules are fairly complicated - they revolve around arranging your tiles in "harmonious" patterns to gain points, and forcing your opponents' tiles into "disharmonious" patterns to lose points. The number and types and relationships of tiles always seemed relatively arbitrary to you, but according to this book the reasoning behind all of the rules is rooted in the most important cultural traditions and ideas of the four nations. It's extremely dense and well-cited and absolutely fascinating. This ridiculous little book about a board game has more information in it than most of the actual history books you've read about the other nations. You hadn't even realized how little your history books talked about - they all center around the last hundred years, around the war and the reasons for it. It seemed like a natural thing for them to focus on at the time, but this book, this absurd little book about a game, is listing references to so many treatises and historians and philosophers that you've never even heard of that you feel as though your education must be woefully incomplete. You're accustomed to reading a treatise and at least having a passing familiarity with the other research cited within it, not reading something and feeling completely out of your depth.
Is it citing outdated sources? Or discredited scholars? Is that why you've never heard any of this information about Water Tribe 'ice dodging' rituals or Air Nomad philosophers? The book has some bizarre idiosyncracies in its writing - it acts as though the terms 'Air Nation' and 'Air Nomad' are interchangeable, and almost seems to be implying that the Air Nation had no military at all. Maybe it's just an unreliable source? But if it's so unreliable, who are all these scholars it's referencing? It references sources from all four nations, all dating back to before the war. And you've never heard of any of them, even the ones from the Fire Nation.
You would need more time to actually read through the whole book in detail, and you'd need much more time to try to track down these scholars it's referencing. If this information is accurate, and the scholars it mentions are good leads, this book could be the key to getting a better understanding of other nations' philosophies. Or it could be a massive waste of time. Still, though... Father would want to know Uncle gave you this book. Should you turn it in to him? Is a book of dubious accuracy worth taking any risks over?
Hold on to the book as long as you need to to study it in detail. (24)
+ Whatever you do, take note of the scholars the book references, to research further on your own. (32)
Make notes of the most interesting leads the book offers and then give the book to Ozai to throw him "off the trail". Say we only accepted it to gain something that might give Ozai insight in his brothers motives, if he might not already have it. (14)
+ Whatever you do, stay skeptical of the book. If it contradicts the history you've been taught, it's likely outdated and wrong. (10)
Destroy this book immediately, if you're caught with it, it will be the end of you. (8)
The book was in the Royal Library in the first place, and it doesn't contain anything subversive - it was written before Fire Lord Sozin's time, so it can hardly question your government. And it seems to have valuable information; it would be a waste to throw it away before you finish gleaning what you can from it. You haven't even read the entire thing yet.
Uncle gave it to you for a reason. If you give the book to Father without taking the time to evaluate it carefully for yourself, you're handing Father control not only over your access to historical information but also over your knowledge of Uncle's motivations. Father could claim anything he wanted to about secret messages or propaganda hidden in the pages and you would have no way of knowing which accusations were accurate if you hadn't taken the time to study it yourself in detail. If you want to be more secure and independent, you may need to occasionally bend Father's rules to gather information for yourself.
And besides... you think you could build a promising list of scholars to investigate based on this book. And if you can learn more about other nations' philosophies - and their bending - it may well pay dividends in the form of personal power. If studying airbending second-hand through the lens of the Fire Sages' commentaries provided you with direction and help in achieving lightning generation, how much more could you achieve if you had firsthand accounts to learn from? Knowledge could well be power. So it's best not to squander any potential source of it, no matter how small, until it's been sucked dry.
You secret the book away in a hiding place in your room, and resolve to study it as quickly and quietly as possible in the days to come.
* * * * *
97 AC (15 years old)
Royal Palace: Royal Family's Onsen
You hold in a hiss as you lean back in the hot spring. Your back is going to bruise, you think. Damn it. You were sloppy today; Azula nearly beat you in your spar. You shut your eyes and try to tune out the rustling sounds of your servant moving around behind the screen -
"Akane?"
"Mitsuko!"
You quickly cover yourself with your arms as Mitsuko peeks around the screen, then mentally kick yourself. Why are you covering yourself? She's just a girl anyways, so - but then, you did decide you're 'together', whatever that means for two women, so -
"What brings you here, Mitsuko?" you ask, keeping your tone neutral.
She looks anywhere but at you. "Um, you wanted to speak to me," she says, her voice a little high-pitched.
What's the matter with her? You've shared the onsen before, this is nothing to be panicked over. She should calm down. Even if it's been a couple years since you've been in here together. Why did you stop, anyways? Mitsuko just always said she didn't want to intrude.
You can see a bit of her from behind the divider. She's not even undressed.
"Yes, I sent for you," you say belatedly. At least she was prompt about coming to see you, even if she seems uncomfortable in the onsen. "I needed to speak to you about something."
Someone, rather. You'll be meeting Osamu Tanaka tomorrow.
"Okay," Mitsuko says, nodding. "Um, what is it?"
She still isn't looking at you. This is ridiculous. You suppose you won't get a long bath after all.
"Bring me a towel," you instruct. "We can talk in the sauna."
She does as you ask, wrapping a towel around you as you stand. Your cheeks feel unusually warm and there's no justification for it. This is nothing unusual, though, your female servants do this all the time. It would be a compromising position if Mitsuko were a man, but... well, should you be thinking of Mitsuko as if she were a man? As if your relationship with her was like one you would have with a man? It would be unnatural. Whatever your relationship with her is, it can't end with marriage or children, not like something... real. Not like your coming betrothal.
You can't shake this constant feeling that telling her you would be together was a mistake. Women can't be together like that. Wanting something doesn't change reality.
You dismiss the servant from the sauna. Mitsuko handles preparing the room herself. You try to figure out what to say, but can't seem to make much progress.
Mitsuko ducks out for a few minutes, and returns wearing a towel. You look anywhere but at her.
"So..." she says.
It's only been a little over a week since you told her you wanted to be together. You've barely even spent any time together since then, and now you're going to tell her you're expecting to be betrothed soon. This feels cruel. Are you just leading her on by promising things that two women can't have?
Tell Mitsuko about the Tanaka betrothal, but say that you still want to be together. Whatever that means. (28)
+hold her hand (22)
Tell Mitsuko about the Tanaka betrothal, and ask her what she wants to do about it. (22)
Tell Mitsuko about the Tanaka betrothal, tell her that we need to learn more about him before we can make detailed plans on how to react. (5)
Tell Mitsuko about the Tanaka betrothal, and apologize for leading her on by saying you could be together. (0)
"I have to tell you something," you murmur.
"What is it?"
You take her hand, not meeting her eyes.
"Father has informed me," you begin slowly, "That I will be betrothed soon."
Mitsuko looks like she's been stabbed. Your gut clenches.
"O-oh," she says.
Slowly, gently, you explain what Father told you - who Osamu is, what the 'test' is.
"It's possible that Father doesn't actually intend for me to go through with marrying him," you say. "It could be that he has something else planned."
Mitsuko nods quickly. Even with the sheen of sweat on her skin from the sauna, you can see the glistening of tears building in her eyes.
"Maybe," she says, her voice shaky.
You hesitate.
"I do still..."
Mitsuko meets your eyes, and you lose track of what you were about to say for a moment.
"I do still want the same thing," you finally whisper.
Not that you even know what it is. You just know that whatever you want, it involves her.
Mitsuko nods again, a nervous half-smile coming to her lips. "I do too." The smile fades as quickly as it comes, though. "But, Akane... what are we going to do?" she asks.
You're going to make sure the betrothal doesn't go through. You don't need any more information to know that you are not going to be married off to some merchant boy. (32)
+We also need to be GOOD friends with the captain of the palace guard. (32)
+ How exactly you will approach the matter depends on how Osamu is, and what he wants. (28)
+I was always going to get engaged eventually. Best case, him and I come to some sort of agreement. Worst case, I figure out a way to destroy the engagement by framing him of something. (19)
You're going to get to know Osamu and act as if you're interested in the betrothal, but you and Mitsuko will stay together in secret. (28)
You're going to get to know Osamu and complete Father's test. Until then, you and Mitsuko have to wait before being together. (10)
You stroke the back of Mitsuko's hand with your thumb, thinking. What are you going to do?
Betrothal was always going to happen and was always going to be an issue to be addressed. You have no intention of ending up like Mother and Father did. Your own family history is more than enough information for you to decide your goal here.
"I am not going to marry on Father's whim," you whisper. On principle, you simply will not do it. You won't repeat your parents' mistakes.
Mitsuko nods slowly. "Then...?"
"The details will depend on Osamu, and what sort of man he is," you muse. "I would need to learn his family's plans regardless of whether Father told me to. That could go any number of ways."
Maybe you could come to an arrangement with him, find some way to earn his loyalty without a political marriage. If you can't find any way to work with him, you may be able to manufacture some sort of blackmail to either keep his family in line or justify seizing their assets. That may even be what Father wants from you regardless.
Father has something of a bad habit of expecting you to go along with plans without knowing what they are. With him plotting who-knows-what and Uncle back and planning who-knows-what, the court is unstable enough that you can't simply trust that everything will work out fine if you obey instructions. You need to look to your own interests, and your own power.
"For now," you murmur, "I think we should make sure to be on good terms with the Imperial Firebenders. The guards serve an underappreciated role in court politics, I've found."
Father's path to the throne was practically paved with them, really.
Mitsuko frowns, but nods. "I can work on that," she says. "If it'll help. I want to help."
You nod. "It may pay off eventually." You purse your lips. "I could even see about creating a personal division of guards," you muse. "With you as one of the leaders. It could be useful, and the attack in Yu Dao could provide justification."
She nods. "If there's anything you need me to help with," she says. "I'll be ready. We can do this."
You meet her eyes, and for a moment it's hard to believe she's not a firebender.
"Does anything ever make you hesitate?" you ask her.
"Not when I'm with you," she answers immediately.
You blink. Your mouth opens but you can't quite manage to come up with a response right away. Mitsuko's cheeks flush, but she doesn't look away.
It's very warm in here. You swallow.
"Thank you, Mitsuko," you say. She just nods quickly. You pull her into a tight hug, and she returns it. You relent after a few moments when the heat seems to make her uncomfortable. She's not a firebender, after all.
Even if she has the heart of one.
* * * * *
97 AC (15 years old)
Royal Palace
Osamu Tanaka is a very tall young man - taller than Mitsuko - and quite muscular. More bulky than toned; where Mitsuko has muscles like coiled steel, his muscles are more like boulders. His skin is light-skinned, much like yours; he's not from the same island as Mitsuko's family. Theoretically, he is reasonably good-looking. But while you know that there are certainly attractive men who exist in the world, obviously, Osamu somehow does not seem to register as one to you.
It's unfortunate for him, because he seems to insist on being as unctuously flirtatious as he can get away with without causing a scandal. He's perfectly polite during the introductions, but the moment your fathers have left to have their own meeting, Osamu turns to you with a much less professional smile than he has any right to bear.
"Do you know the things we hear about you outside the capital, Princess?" he asks, stepping closer to you.
You barely restrain yourself from raising an eyebrow. "What do you hear?" you ask neutrally.
"Well, that you're second only to the Fire Lord in power and knowledge, of course," he answers. "But also that you're as beautiful as the lightning you've mastered, and everyone who looks at you feels as if they'd been struck through the heart."
You somehow find that difficult to believe.
Inform him that the rumors are correct, and joke that he should count himself lucky if he survives. (24)
+Invite him to a "Friendly" spar (20)
Ask him if he believes it's true, having seen you himself. (14)
"I've been told I am known to light fires in people's chests. Just ask around Yu Dao." (8)
"You're awfully forward..." (5)
You're unimpressed. Ask him about matters that are actually important, like the war or the economy. (4)
Laugh politely, and give modest protestations. (3)
You simply nod.
"All of that is true," you say. "You should count yourself lucky that you've survived looking at me so far."
He blinks. You look at him, expression politely blank.
"O-of course," he says quickly. "Lucky beyond compare to meet you, Princess!"
Azula would have liked that joke. If he has no appreciation for humor, he has only himself to blame.
"Tell me about yourself, Osamu," you instruct him. "Should we take your visit as a sign that you're becoming more involved in the family business?"
He nods, smile returning. "It's my pleasure to say that I am," he answers. "Now that I've turned seventeen, I'm preparing to take a leadership position in the Tanaka family business." His smile widens. "If you ever have any questions about business, Princess, it would be my honor to answer them for you."
Ah, you see their strategy now. They're simply going to make your information-gathering efforts as painful as humanly possible for you.
"I will keep that in mind," you say. "I would certainly be interested to hear your thoughts on how our families can best work together for the benefit of the Nation."
You imagine you'll have to sort through a ridiculous number of half-truths and pointless flirtations to get anything useful out of him, but it's a necessary evil. Unfortunately.
He bows his head. "You honor me," he tells you. Yes, you do. "I've been studying all my life to prepare for this position, so I'm very eager to get to work. For now, though, while our fathers are at work..." He rolls his shoulders and smiles roguishly at you. Roguishly. It's unbelievable how much he believes he can get away with. "I'm not one for stuffy meetings. I prefer to stay active. Think we could talk on the training yard, Princess?"
Despite his obnoxious familiarity, your lips twitch.
"I think that may be doable, yes," you answer politely. "Perhaps we could even enjoy a friendly spar."
If he feels any trepidation, he doesn't show it. Good. Things will be easier in general if he has no instinct for danger.
"Sounds good to me!" Osamu declares. He bows. "I would be honored if you would spar with me, Princess Akane."
Well, it would be cruel to deny him such an honor, wouldn't it?
"Thank you for allowing me the opportunity, Osamu," you say. "This way, then."
* * * * *
97 AC (15 years old)
Royal Palace Training Grounds
You face off across the training yard. Osamu removes his shirt for the fight. You don't change your clothes. Osamu bounces on his feet, fists raised in front of him; you glance around the yard with your arms folded in your sleeves. A few Imperial Firebenders are standing around the yard. You see one of them looking at Osamu and shaking his head. Disdain or pity, you wonder?
"Are you ready, Princess?" Osamu calls.
How do you want to handle this?
He could make for a perfect guinea pig to practice what Kori talked about with firebending. Waiting for the right moment to defend or strike. (33)
+This is a learning experience... for us. Focus on attempting to get a feel for the strength of his character, and how easy is it to manipulate him to whatever position we want. (27)
Slowly meticulously give him hope at every turn then snuff it perfectly without apparent effort (30)
Crush him immediately. (14)
Take his performance apart, but at least offer the fool advice on how to improve. If he can't strive to master such an intrinsic part of himself and his own culture, how could he ever hope to court a Princess? (10)
Draw it out. Let him attempt whatever moves he wants; don't strike unless you need to or he seems too exhausted to continue. (9)
Sparring against Azula while she has backup - and while Father is watching - is too taxing for you to be able to experiment. This could be a useful opportunity. You can use this opportunity to try a firebending style that borrows more from earthbending, and perhaps waterbending as well. Not to mention get a feel for Osamu's character.
You look Osamu over, considering. He's bouncing on his feet, eager. You imagine you can expect him to attack immediately when the fight begins.
"I am ready," you say. "On my count?"
"Of course, Princess," he says, grinning. He settles into a more solid stance. "Good luck, and fight well!"
You are royalty, so he'd likely hesitate to go all out initially. The first strikes will likely be politely routine. If you deflect them onto the training yard, you can light fires that may be useful later in the fight. You have a theory that waterbending-like techniques could be used to bend and redirect distant flames, allowing you to attack at unusual angles.
"Good luck to you as well, Osamu," you say. "Fight well."
Once the fight begins in earnest, the typical strategy would be for him to attack low at first, to break your stance. If you give the appearance of falling back while using fire to cloud visibility, you may be able to make him overcommit to the offensive. Then you can finish him.
"On three," you say.
If he instead does go all-out to begin with, you may not be able to redirect his flames as easily; it would be more efficient to block or evade his attacks while producing flames of your own.
"One."
If you simply bisect the field with a wall of fire, he'll likely use it himself; you'll want to only create flames behind him, where he thinks they're irrelevant. At the right moment, you can use them to strike.
"Two."
Blocking his attacks may be better than evading, especially if you're practicing earthbending-inspired techniques. If you block in such a way as to leave small flames around yourself, you could provide them with fuel at a critical moment to create an explosion of fire to mask your position - like the veil of fire that Father uses in the throne room.
Perhaps you're overthinking this. You shift your weight to get ready, your arms still crossed in your sleeves.
"Three."
Osamu erupts into motion.
It's not a politely routine attack.
The first blast is a massive but thin fireball - he's obscuring your sight. You draw your arms partially apart in your sleeves to disperse it. You step slightly forward as his fire is still dispersing, shooting a gout of flame across the ground from your foot as you do, and coax it upwards with a lift of your arms. The impromptu wall of flames explodes immediately as the next fireball collides with it.
You uncross your arms and rotate, pulling back one hand over your head, two fingers extended, to shoot a small bolt of fire into the dispersing flames. You see it sail past Osamu and burst into flame on the ground behind him.
Good.
Osamu pivots and kicks, sending a wave of flame your way; you sink into your stance and bring your other arm across and down, dispersing the fire around you. He keeps coming, jumping and snap-kicking bolts of flame; nothing strong enough to make it difficult for you to block it or let it wash over you. You stay rooted in your stance, rotating only to send a curved slice of flame around the field towards him. He leaps over it and keeps charging you, twisting and kicking acrobatically as he goes.
Interesting. Closing in like that isn't a typical strategy. You can work with this.
He has an impressive amount of power behind his blasts as he charges, but you've been dealing with blasts from Azula practically your entire life. You deflect his fire down and around you, never moving from where you've rooted yourself, and quickly end up surrounded by flames as he comes closer and closer. You send a few more token slices of flame towards him, but he dodges away from each one. Of course, hitting him isn't the point. The training ground is covered with flames, now, around you and behind him. A few steps closer, and it'll be time.
You can see on his face that he doesn't notice the moment when your stance shifts from tree roots to coiled spring. He closes in those last few steps, fire gathering on his fist.
You burst forward, and all the flames around you burst forward with you.
Osamu staggers back, caught off-balance by the unexpected explosion. You throw your arm forward, sending another cursory firebolt his way, and as he deflects it you reach out and sweep both arms around, focusing on the flames around and behind him. The sweep of your arms pulls your body along in a riptide, and you let yourself rotate with them.
"Gah!"
A torrent of flame, one part avalanche and one part tidal wave, bowls Osamu over from behind. You keep moving on instinct, letting the feel of the flame guide you as much as you guide it, and sweep it around and back again to strike Osamu mid-fall from beneath. He goes sailing up and back into the air, some ten feet off the ground, while you stand there with your arms lifted as if in celebration. He lands heavily on his back, and you lower your arms and cross them again in your sleeves.
Well. That was actually quite fun. It's almost too bad it's over already.
Osamu groans, shifting weakly on the ground.
"Are you able to continue, Osamu?" you ask politely.
He groans again.
You beckon to the Imperial Firebenders who are still standing on the sidelines. They hurry over to help him up; you look over your clothes as they do. Nothing stained or torn. Good. And your hair still appears to be in place.
Surprisingly, Osamu pushes off of the guards to stand on his own after just a moment, and claps one of them on the shoulder.
"Thanks," he tells them, voice a little weaker than before. He still looks quite unsteady on his own two feet, but you do respect the effort. When he bows, he almost looks like he'll fall over.
"The rumors about your power were no more exaggerated than the rumors of your beauty," Osamu tells you.
Really? Flirting again?
"You fought well," you say, ignoring his comment. "Thank you for sparring with me."
"If I'm going to be beaten," he says, grinning, "It's an honor to be beaten by the Crown Princess."
Oh, that's very true. You should have him tell Azula that.
"I have to ask, though," he continues. "How'd you know I'd try closing in like that?"
Is that what he thinks? You had no idea, actually.
You smile.
"Perhaps, someday," you say neutrally. "I could be convinced to tell you."
His face lights up in a grin. "I'll have to do my best to convince you, then."
Yes. Just please use family secrets instead of romantic gestures.
"We'll see," you say, still smiling slightly.
The fool keeps grinning the rest of the day.
-----
I hope you enjoyed! Let me know what you think. Thank you all for reading!
Hey guys, I'm really sorry I didn't post this here last night, I was up pretty late writing and thought it would be fine to wait until morning. In the future I'll try to post chapters here immediately after finishing them on the quest site, so discussion doesn't cause spoilers. Please don't discuss chapters here before they're actually posted - some people only read on this site, so you're spoiling things for them. Sorry for the trouble! Here's the Kori interlude.
-----
97 AC (13 years old)
Yu Dao: Capitol Building
The princess sweeps out of the city with all the suddenness of a whirlwind. Your parents spend two days in a complete panic. Despite her assurances, everyone's trying to figure out if they offended her.
And then the news finally becomes public. General Iroh is alive, and has returned to the capital.
Oddly, though, the news doesn't seem to relieve Mom and Dad like it relieves you. Sitting at dinner that night, you ask them why.
"Is everything okay?" you ask. "Princess Akane said we didn't do anything wrong..."
Dad nods quickly. "Oh, yes, yes, everything's alright," he assures you. And then he promptly falls silent again.
You exchange looks with Mom. The floor moves slightly, and Dad jumps.
"Jaya," he protests. You snicker. Mom smiles into her tea.
"Come on, Dad," you press. "What's going on?"
"Nothing, nothing," he says. "I'm just thinking."
"About what?" you ask. "About the Princess?"
"No, no -"
"About General Iroh?"
He hesitates. You frown.
"Why is it bad if General Iroh comes back?" you ask. "He used to be a hero, right?"
"It's not bad," Dad says. "It's going to be fine. It's only... a bit of a surprise. The political repercussions likely won't reach us here."
"Repercussions?"
He waves his hand. "Nothing to worry about, Kori."
You scowl and push your food around your plate.
"Do you think the Princess will be okay?" you ask.
Dad drums his fingers on the table. "I'm sure she'll be fine," he says. "She said she would write you, didn't she?"
You nod eagerly. Princess Akane promised before she left that she'd write to you. "Yeah!"
"Well, let us know if it sounds as though she's worried," he says. "And we'll do what we can. Alright?"
"Alright!"
It's almost two weeks before her first letter arrives. In it...
Akane doesn't really say anything about what she's doing in the Capital; she just asks after you, your family, and Yu Dao. (22)
+ Akane thanks you for your earthbending advice and encourages you to keep experimenting with your own abilities. (37)
+She tells you about her incorporating Earthbending into her fire recently, and wonders if you could do the same with Firebending.(32)
+There is a bit by Azula towards the end. (24)
+Briefly apologize for your sudden departure (11)
Akane mentions she's met the heir of the Tanaka family, and asks if you know him - they're active in the colonies, after all, so she thought of you. (15)
* * * * *
97 AC (13 years old)
Yu Dao: Schoolyard
Even though Princess Akane promised to write, you can still barely believe it when the letter arrives. You read it and reread it and have to fight the temptation to hang it up in your room so you can reread it again every day.
The way Princess Akane speaks to you makes you feel like you're one of her royal advisors or something. She asks after how you're doing - your studies, your family, even your earthbending. She apologizes for leaving on such short notice, as if a Princess has to apologize for going wherever she pleases. She even includes a little note saying Princess Azula is wishing you the best and enjoyed practicing with you.
And she thanks you again for your bending advice. The Crown Princess of the Fire Nation thanks you, an earthbender, for your bending advice. In writing.
Spirits, you wish you could take this letter to school.
Princess Akane encourages you to keep up with your own training, too, so you do exactly that. Every day after school, you drag one or two of your cousins to the yard to practice bending together.
They're not quite as enthusiastic about it as you are.
"We've been at it for hours, Kori," Takumi whines. "Let's go home."
"We will soon!" you promise. "Come on, show me that fire punch again!"
Princess Akane wondered in her letter if you might be able to incorporate firebending moves into your earthbending the same way she incorporates other bending styles into her firebending. You want to be able to give her an answer.
"It's a fire punch," your cousin deadpans. "It's literally a punch. You punch, and fire comes out. A fire punch."
Takumi has been less than helpful so far. You scowl. "Okay, but show me again!"
You try to imitate his stance and form while punching rocks through the air, but it just feels like you're doing a defective earthbending stance. There's no improvement or special powers or anything. You sigh.
"That doesn't look like any earthbending form I've ever seen," another voice calls. You both turn; the elderly Mr. Lao, Takumi's favorite mochi seller, is walking down the street past the schoolyard.
"Mochi!" Takumi cries. You grab him before he can take off running.
"Sorry, Mr. Lao," you call. "Ignore him. We're just practicing."
"She's torturing me," Takumi whines. "She wants to learn to be a firebender."
"There's nothing wrong with being an earthbender, Kori," Mr. Lao tells you. You smile a little; he's always been nice about that.
"I don't want to be a firebender," you say. "I just want to learn from firebending. To make my earthbending better." You round on Takumi. "So stop complaining and explain how firebending works!"
"Well, first you have to be a firebend- ow!"
Takumi's an idiot.
"What brought this on?" Mr. Lao asks, bemused. "What's this newfangled bending mixing all about?"
You beam at him. "Princess Akane said that she uses moves from other bending styles to make her firebending better," you explain. "And she thought maybe I could make my earthbending better with firebending ideas!"
"Did she?" Mr. Lao asks, frowning.
"Yeah!" You glare at Takumi. "So help me out!"
"Okay, okay," he says. "Well... the key to firebending is getting angry. You have to have something to think about that makes you angry. Like, really angry. Something you hate."
"Hate?" you echo. Takumi nods.
"They teach us in class to channel the fury of Sozin the Conqueror," he says. He punches through the air, sending up a little plume of smoke. "You have to think about how much you hate all the people who want to destroy the Fire Nation, like the Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom - I mean, the bad parts of the Earth Kingdom, obviously, you know?"
You nod quickly. "Yeah, of course, I know."
"I never understood how benders can do that," Mr. Lao chimes in. "Doesn't seem very healthy, staying angry all the time."
"It is healthy, Mr. Lao," Takumi protests. "We're at war. Hating the people who want to destroy our country is part of being a man. Well, it's part of being a good citizen in general."
You look at Mr. Lao curiously. "You're from the Fire Nation, right, Mr. Lao?"
He waves his hand, nodding. "Oh, I am. Not a firebender, though. Maybe this is why. Too old to feel much fire, I suppose."
"It's okay, Mr. Lao," Takumi says. "You still make great mochi!" He turns to you. "But yeah. Maybe if you focus less on trying to mimic the form and more on trying to channel anger, it'd help?"
You nod, frowning. "I'll try, I guess."
"Just be careful, now," Mr. Lao says. "Both of you! Bending can be dangerous if you aren't."
"We'll be careful," you promise.
"Wait, before you go -" Takumi interrupts. "Can I buy some mochi?"
"Son, I don't just carry it on me everywhere I go," Mr. Lao tells him. "Come by the shop tomorrow."
Takumi is crushed.
That night, you finally compose the final draft of your letter to Akane. You answer her questions, telling her everything is going well - you hope you're not writing a boring amount of detail - and include a question of your own.
Princess Akane, what's the most important part of firebending?
Focus and desire to achieve something. (29)
+"Some will try to tell you it is anger, but this is merely a shortcut. A trap that will cripple your bending in the long term." (25)
Confidence in yourself and self-assured willpower. (27)
Passion and the will to act (20)
To not be Zuko (9)
+One interesting thing I found is that meditation is pretty helpful in focusing your desire and will. It clears away your distractions. (5)
Anger and rage at whatever stands in your way. (1)
* * * * *
97 AC (13 years old)
Yu Dao: Schoolyard
Chou, the Governor's niece, whispers "mudbender" behind your back during school. And you ignore her. You are not letting her stupid bullying get to you anymore. You are an earthbender, and you have more important things to do than getting frustrated at some stupid stuck-up homeland girl.
Anger is the most common answer, but that is something of an oversimplification. While anger at the enemies of the Nation is a noble means to fuel firebending, it is not necessarily the anger itself that provides the fuel for bending. It can be counterproductive at times to focus on that. It is very easy for a firebending child to become fixated on the idea of fueling their bending with anger and attempt to use an impotent temper tantrum to fuel their bending, for example, Princess Akane tells you. The key to firebending, above all, is the focus and will to act. Fire is never static, nor does it move aimlessly. It grows and consumes. Certainly, natural fire always proceeds along whatever path provides it fuel, but it is the essence of firebending to harness that natural impetus and direct it towards even those paths that seem impossible.
Of course the Princess has a way better answer than Takumi. She sounds like she's practically a Fire Sage. You almost have to ask Dad for help making sense of it, but resist the urge; the Princess's letters are for you, not anyone else.
Still, one thing is clear. If you want to learn from the Princess, the first lesson is to not let stupid bullies get to you anymore. You leave school with your head held high, fully intending to go back home and practice your earthbending in peace -
"Hey, Kori? Can I talk to you for a minute?"
But, well. You guess it's okay to let friends disrupt your focus a bit sometimes.
"Hey Kanan!" you say. "Sure, what's up?"
"Um, can we talk in private?"
You nod. "Sure."
Kanan is a kind of scrawny Earth Kingdom boy from a blacksmithing family. You've been friends with him for so long that people tease you about getting married. When you sneak off to sit in your little corner behind the school to talk in private, it's nothing you haven't done a million times before.
The nervous grimace on his face says that this time is different, though. And not in a good way.
"Kanan?" you ask. "What's going on?"
He fidgets nervously. "Can I ask you something?" he asks. "And can you keep it a secret?"
"Yeah, of course," you say. "Why? What's wrong?"
"Promise not to tell anyone?" he asks.
What is going on? "Promise."
He looks away, pained. "Kori... you talked with the Princesses while they were here, right? They lived with you."
"Yeah..." You frown. "Why?"
Kanan opens his mouth to speak, but hesitates. He tries again and hesitates again, and then again -
"Kanan," you say. "Come on. You're scaring me."
"Are the rumors true?" Kanan blurts.
"The rumors?" You blink. "About the Princess? She's -"
"No, Kori -" He swallows and drops his voice. "About the camps."
You stare at him. You stare at him for a long time. And then you spring to your feet.
"Kori -"
"I can't believe you just asked me that!" you explode. "Are you serious?"
"Kori, I just want to know -"
"You actually believe that?" you snap. "That's Earth Kingdom propaganda!"
"Quiet down!" he hisses, eyes pleading. "Please! You promised!"
You cross your arms and glare down at him. You're practically shaking. You feel angry enough to be a firebender the regular way.
"A bunch of men broke into my home and tried to murder the Princesses because of those lies," you spit. "I can't believe you, Kanan."
"I just wanted to know if you heard anything," he pleads. "Please don't tell anyone!"
"I'm not going to tell anyone," you snap. "But you should know better. I can't believe - why would you believe that? Who'd you hear that from?"
"I just heard it! It doesn't matter!" Kanan insists.
"Well whoever told you is a liar," you snap. "And probably a traitor!"
"They're not a traitor!"
"They are too! They're spreading Earth -"
"Will you please keep your voice down?" Kanan interrupts.
You bite your lip, glaring furiously down at him.
"Kori, just listen to me," Kanan pleads. "One of the people they executed was Ryuu's brother. You know? That Ryuu?"
"That's just a rumor," you snap. "And all the people they executed tried to kill the Princesses, Kanan!"
"It's not a rumor! Ryuu disappeared -"
"He got transferred to a reform school!" you snap. "Because he got caught telling Earth Kingdom lies at school! It's not a camp, it's just a school! Spirits, Kanan -" You crouch again and grab his shoulders. "What are you thinking? Why would you spread this around?"
"Kori..."
He has tears in his eyes. Good, he should, he's being stupid, he's going to get himself arrested or -
"The Fire Nation hates us," he whispers.
You recoil like you've been burned.
"We are the Fire Nation," you tell him.
"Not to them," he says.
"Yes to them," you insist. "They're the ones who wanted us to be part of the Fire Nation."
He just shakes his head. You feel like the ground's falling out underneath you.
"Kanan, what are you saying?" you ask.
"Nothing," he says. "I'm not saying anything. I'm not going to do anything."
"You're going to get yourself arrested if you talk like this," you remind him. "You can't say these things. We're at war."
He nods shakily, rubbing his forehead. You don't know if you're getting through to him.
"The camps are a rumor," you insist. "Fire Lord Ozai is a great man, he would never do something like that. He's trying to bring civilization to the Earth Kingdom, not kill everyone."
Kanan just keeps nodding. You ball your fists.
"Kanan! Listen to me!"
"I know!" he says. "I know!"
"Don't ever say something like that again," you tell him, your throat suddenly tight. "Not ever."
He's quiet for a moment, just nodding.
"I won't."
You go home alone, head spinning with nausea and anger and fear and anger and - Spirits, why would he say that? Why would he ask that? Why would he believe something so - so obviously wrong?
You scrap your old draft of your letter back to the Princess and start a new one.
I can't believe how many people still believe in lies around here, you write to her. Some people still believe the rumors about camps, even after your speech. It's so stupid. On behalf of my city, I'm so sorry. How do you put up with subjects that just refuse to trust you?
Tell Kori that you encourage her to be patient, to hear all sides, and to be a calm voice of reason for the misinformed. (35)
+ There are those who would try to destroy the unity of Fire and Earth for their own purposes, but remember that most lies have at least a grain of truth. The difficulty is in being able to sift through the lies and half-truths and determine a course that betters your nation. (29)
+One thing you will learn very quickly is that subjects are very imperfect. Not even nobles are perfect either, their mistakes can have grave impacts to the Fire Nation. Even lies must be listened to, the only thing worse than believing a lie is ignoring it. Do so can fatally blind you to hidden threats. (21)
Tell Kori that you are grateful for her trust, and hope you can continue to earn the trust of subjects like her. (21)
+ Be willing to look into things yourself. (17)
Tell Kori that you don't think too harshly of those who doubt you. They're just victims of misinformation. (10)
+Even those who are incorrect may have a good point or legitimate gripe about an issue. It's good to at least hear them out. (10)
Tell her the Camps are real and we're trying to abolish them. (3)
* * * * *
97 AC (13 years old)
Yu Dao: Moshi Shop
You push your food around your plate. Akane's response arrived this morning, and it didn't really help.
Yes, misinformation among one's subjects is unfortunately a reality that a ruler must be prepared to handle. I do not resent people for being deceived. Oftentimes they only believe the lies they hear because they contain an element of the truth. For example, there are some reform schools for particularly bad juvenile offenders which require students to perform some simple labor to aid in coal mining. The practice has strict oversight and is kept safe for the children; the aim is to teach discipline, not to harm them. But few parts of the Earth Kingdom have such practices for juvenile offenders; they do not have schools at all, let alone reform schools. Faced with such an unfamiliar practice, it is not inconceivable that some people still somewhat stuck in Earth Kingdom culture might fail to see the difference between reform schools and labor camps, and thus believe that the Fire Nation would be willing to institute the latter.
Sorting through lies and understanding what leads people to believe them is simply a part of my duties as princess; it is necessary to have empathy for the deceived, in order to best guide the Nation. I would encourage you to be patient with the misinformed, to hear what they have to say, and to be a calm voice of reason to correct them. Ignoring a lie can be just as dangerous as believing it; with patience and empathy, you can convince others to believe as you do, and prevent them from stepping onto a dangerous path to treason.
Nonetheless, I know it must be very frustrating to be surrounded by so much deception. I am very sorry that you must endure this, Kori.
She's almost too nice sometimes. Yeah, her advice all makes sense, but... you're still furious at Kanan. This doesn't make you any less mad. You don't know how she can be so calm when people are questioning her, you're furious just on her behalf.
You sigh again. Kanan. Why would he believe that? He won't do anything, right? He wouldn't.
"Everything alright, Kori?" Mr. Lao asks kindly. "Something wrong with the mochi?"
"Oh, no, it's good," you answer dejectedly. "Just... not as hungry as I thought."
He 'hmm's. "Something on your mind?" he asks.
You shrug. "A lot of things," you mumble.
"School?" he asks. He quirks an eyebrow "A boy?"
"No!" you blurt. "I mean - no. Just... just a lot of stuff."
Mr. Lao frowns. "Sounds serious," he says.
You shrug again, looking down at your plate.
"I thought the Princess made things better when she came here," you mumble.
"Well, I think she certainly did!" Mr. Lao says cheerfully.
"You're just saying that because Piandao visited your shop," you mumble.
"The legendary Piandao!" Mr. Lao gushes. "He hasn't left the homeland in decades! And he bought mochi from my shop!"
You've heard this a hundred times. "That's really great, Mr. Lao."
"Ah, but, that may not be very helpful right now," he says. "What's the matter, Kori? Did something happen?"
You scowl. "It's just that the Princess talked so much about how dangerous believing Earth Kingdom lies is," you say. "And it's like nobody listened. People still believe all kinds of stupid things."
Mr. Lao 'hm's and nods. He's quiet for a moment.
"It just makes me mad," you mumble. "Sorry."
Mr. Lao lets out a long sigh.
"War has a way of making the truth hard to find," he says. "We live in trying times for the young."
You pull a face. "I'm not a baby."
"Oh, no, you aren't," Mr. Lao agrees. "You're reaching the age where it's time to find your own truth, rather than relying on that of others."
You've never really heard him talk like this before. Takumi has said Mr. Lao gives good advice, though. You just always thought Takumi meant advice about what to eat.
"So what do I do?" you ask.
"Well, I can't answer that," Mr. Lao says. "Just being old doesn't make you all-knowing, you know."
You sigh, deflating. "Yeah, okay."
He pats your shoulder comfortingly.
"Well, if you want, we can sit and talk about what's bothering you," he offers. "What about talking over a game of Pai Sho? Maybe you'll beat me this time!"
You shrug. You don't feel like training right now. "Yeah, sure."
You sit down with Mr. Lao at the Pai Sho table next to the window of the shop, and mumble that he can go ahead when he asks if you want to go first. As always, he opens with the lotus tile.
This has been a source of confusion in the quest chat for a bit, so I made a post there to clarify things and I thought I'd bring it over here too. It's about the whole reform school vs. labor camp thing. I'm going to make a threadmark for it since it's OOC information that might be useful - if there's any other posts I've made in the past that should be threadmarked as informational too, let me know!
In the homeland and in the colonies, an established part of the juvenile justice system is sending kids to reform schools. Reform schools are basically just juvies, they're not labor camps. The most severe reform schools put kids to work, sometimes in mines. Those reform schools are more common in the colonies; if you're in the homeland, you're not going to get sent to a school like that unless you're a serious offender. Poor kids, and kids who have mixed or full EK ancestry, are much more likely to get sent to more severe reform schools if they act out/commit crimes. Still, the reform schools do not work people to death or detain them indefinitely. They're just juvies.
The labor camps are a separate issue. Historically, the Fire Nation has put POWs to work at times doing simple labor. Now, Ozai is rounding up more and more people from the conquered territories into more and more forced labor camps. These have nothing to do with the reform schools. But Durjaya, the EK assassin, claimed that his brother got shipped off to a labor camp instead of or after being sent to a reform school.
Here's the results of today's live session. I didn't get nearly as much done as I hoped, I sort of got too tired to keep writing. Sorry! DX I hope you all enjoy it. Let me know what you think!
-----
97 AC (15 years old)
Royal Palace Training Grounds
Osamu brags on your behalf at dinner that day, telling both your fathers what an inventive and ingenious and powerful firebender you are. And Father apparently takes note. By the time your practice has concluded the next day and you're supposed to spar with Azula, your muscles are already exhausted and burning in protest. You have a pulsing headache. Azula and her back-up look fresh by contrast. Father allows you to get some water before the spar, but not much.
"You will not always have the luxury of fighting while fresh," Father tells you levelly. "You must be pushed to your limits to expand them. Do not hold back."
"Father," Azula says, "I can face her without the guards -"
"No," Father tells her. "She requires practice facing multiple opponents. Prepare yourselves."
You face Azula and two guards down from across the field. You're exhausted. Very exhausted. Your back hurts. Everything is sore.
This may be it. She might finally beat you.
"Do not hold back," Father repeats.
What does he expect you to do? Use lightning? That would be insane. And you haven't tried using other bending styles against Azula in years, not in front of Father. Maybe you could take her by surprise, but...
What do you do?
Try using your waterbending-based moves to turn their fire against them, to conserve energy. (29)
+ Fight dirty, if need be. (24)
+ Use lightning on the guards if you need to and have a chance. (15)
Use evasion and stamina conserving moves while the two Imperials are on the field, concentrate on letting Azula take them out for you by maneuvering them in her way. Once they are gone, use the same earth-style strategy as before to make Azula get frustrated and sloppy (and us save energy by using only little movement), then take her down with as much force as we can muster in one go. (7)
Use the Earth bending technique and wait for an opening. You know fire bending techniques like the back of your hand. Dodge and block until you have an opening. (3)
Fight as hard as you can using your normal techniques. (1)
If he wants you to hold nothing back, then fine. You won't. You take a steadying breath and get ready to move. Your muscles are going to hate you after this.
"Begin."
You break to the left as all three of them go on the attack. The fireball that comes closest to you gets snatched out of the air and sent back in a more productive direction - towards the guard on the right's legs. He blocks it without difficulty, and Azula counters with a wave of flame that nearly burns white-hot. You stumble back a step as it washes over you, your block not quite stable enough, but you don't let it fade - you feed into it as it passes you, and pull it back around again. The wave of flame that you return back her way is larger than the one she sent in the first place, if a little dimmer.
The two Imperial Firebenders jump in front of Azula and disperse the wave. She leaps over them, sending another column of fire your way.
Of course they'd choose today to start working together more effectively.
You spin out of the way as the flame hammers down where you were standing, and snatch what you can from the explosion to send it sweeping back at the three of them. Azula disperses it herself. And smirks at you.
Fine.
The guards send fireballs your way again, and this time you redirect one of them directly into the ground. The resultant burst of smoke and dust gives you cover as you sprint in closer. The three keep launching fireballs at you, Azula most aggressively at all, and you direct whichever ones you can into the ground to give yourself more cover. And as you slide under a column of flame your sister sends your way, you bring your hands around to start charging a bolt of lightning. The guard closest to you is the first to notice.
"Oh, spirits -"
No one attacks to disrupt the lightning - shock paralyzes them all for the precious moment you need. Funny how that works out. As you surge to your feet, all three of them dive out of the way. The lightning streaks over them and just barely avoids hitting any buildings.
You're already charging up a second bolt as you close in, ignoring the black spots swimming in your vision. You very, very nearly blow yourself up when you split your focus to kick the closest guard in the jaw as he tries to stand - feels like you're being split in half. You feel the pain like it's coming from miles away, though, and it's a solid kick. He goes down. Azula sends a fireball your way as she jumps to her feet - you try to duck, but frankly it's luck alone that keeps her from hitting you. She seems a little off her game all of a sudden. She and the remaining guard dive out of the way as you bring your hands around again, but they needn't have bothered - the bolt is weak and goes wide, and a small burst of concussive force from your fingertips sends you staggering back into a crouch.
Your vision is swimming. Your body feels very far away, and you're distantly aware that it's in pain. But the second guard stays down - you think he's partially outside the ring. Don't know why he's counting that as a loss.
You lock eyes with your sister as you both climb to your feet. You have nothing left. You're not sure how long you can force yourself to stay standing. You don't think you can bend at all. You're only a few feet apart.
You charge her.
She hits you with a fireball to the shoulder, but some last gasp of energy lets you lessen the impact enough to avoid getting thrown back - you get turned to the side, but it doesn't stop your momentum. You crash into her shoulder first.
Azula is three years younger than you. Prodigy or no, the weight of your tackle knocks her over. You don't bother trying to pin her - you don't need to. You just hold your fist over her head, pretending that you can still bend.
"Yield," you whisper, your expression blank.
Please. Please yield.
Azula glares up at you for several long seconds.
"I yield," she mutters.
You sag, and not just in relief.
Azula pushes you off of her, and scoffs in disgust when she realizes just how easy it is to do. You lay on your back on the ground for a few seconds, trying to catch your breath.
And suddenly you're getting jerked off the ground by the front of your shirt.
"Wake up," Father snarls, lifting you one-handed.
"Yes, Father," you manage.
You sway on your feet as a servant rushes to bring you water. All that pain you were feeling so distantly before is starting to feel rather less distant now. Were you unconscious? How long?
Father looks down at you, distinctly unimpressed.
"You held back."
You stare at him. Your body feels like it's on fire.
"I held back, Father?" you ask.
"You used lightning against the guards," he says. "And not against your sister, who was the greater threat."
Is he insane?
Azula is far too strong-willed to be afraid of mere lightning. Contrarily, to the imperial guards that were terrorized by your display of power. They were therefore the far better tactical target. (45)
+Insist that the risk of long term damage to your sister far outweighs the benefit of an immediate victory. Being a princess is about winning wars, not battles. (35)
Tell Father that of course you would never use lightning on your sister, the princess. (27)
Tell Father that you did not need to use lightning against Azula; the first two strikes had been enough to create your opening. (15)
Tell Father that you were too exhausted to use lightning against Azula. (2)
"I was able to use lightning to intimidate the guards," you say slowly, trying to keep your voice level. "It would not have worked on Azula. She is too strong-willed -"
"Too strong-willed for lightning to harm her?" Father snaps, glaring down at you.
"Lightning could have killed her!" Your voice comes out more vehement than you intend; you fight your expression back down into neutrality. "It would be a glaring mistake to endanger a princess during a routine sparring match," you grind out.
"And yet," Father says coolly, "That was not your reasoning."
What? What is he talking about?
"I beg your pardon, Father?" you say stiffly.
"What matters is not that you refrained from using lightning against her, but your reasoning for doing so." he says, voice low, "Your excuses notwithstanding, you did not hold back for practical purposes."
"It would not have been practical to use lightning against Azula under these circumstances -" you protest -
"And would you be any more willing to use lightning against your sister if she had a knife to your throat?" Father demands. "Would you?"
Tell him Azula is not your enemy. (39)
No. If Azula meant to kill me, it wouldn't be with a knife. It would be with fire and heat, like a firebender. And if she ever actually had reason to kill me that way, I would know she is ready to take on my lightning too. (34)
"If she had a knife to my throat then it would already be far too late" (25)
Tell him that it would depend on the circumstances. (16)
Already happened before, I did not. (13)
Tell him you would. (0)
You didn't last time. You don't think Father has room to complain about that night's outcome.
"Azula is not my enemy, Father," you say quietly, unclenching your fists as you do.
Father leans in closer, looming over you.
"Naivety," he says, "Breeds hesitation. Fire is the element of will, Akane. There is no room for hesitation."
When have you ever hesitated? When? Does he think he's on the throne because you hesitated?
"I understand that, Father," you say quietly.
"Do you?" he asks, voice just as quiet. "Because I think we can agree that you have consistently shown yourself to have an unfortunate naivety when it comes to trusting family."
Uncle. He knows. Does he know? How much does he know?
"My decision not to use lightning against my sister in a spar was not naivety," you tell him.
He shakes his head as he straightens, disdain written across his features.
"You forget that I know you, daughter," he tells you. "No matter how you hide your weakness from yourself, it is still obvious to me. And it will be obvious to your enemies, as well."
Weakness? Your firebending is perfect. Your decorum is perfect. You've studied and learned everything he ever asked you to and more. You're the youngest wielder of lightning in history. You murdered your grandfather. You cut ties with your mother. What more does he want from you? What does he want? What does he want? Didn't you prove you were a good enough heir when you killed his father? Why wasn't that enough? Why is there always something more? Why is something always wrong?
Father turns away from you before you can manage to put together an answer.
"Azula," he says. Azula stiffens. "If you were the Fire Lord, and your sister held a knife to your throat, what would you do? Tell Akane."
Azula hesitates. She glances at you.
Hold still. Let her answer. (47)
+Whatever her answer, she's still your sister and you trust her. (29)
Nod to her. She shouldn't make Father angry at her, too. (16)
Shake your head. She shouldn't tell him what he wants to hear. (0)
You hold still, watching Azula. She only spares you a second's glance. She holds her head high and meets Father's eyes as she gives her answer. There's no doubt in her voice.
"If my sister ever betrayed me, of course I would kill her."
For whatever reason, your lips twitch. Of course. You'd expect nothing less. Doesn't she have that right?
Father seems mollified by her answer. He turns back to face you.
"This is the reality of rulership, Akane," Father tells you. "Use the allies you have, and cultivate new ones when possible. But never assume that their loyalty will last longer than is convenient. You must never allow sentimentality to interfere with the exercise of your will, or with your duties to your Nation."
"I understand, Father."
"Do you?" he challenges. "You have misplaced your trust before."
Maybe you have.
"I will strive to do better, Father," you say quietly.
"See that you do," he commands. "When your will is no longer held back by naivety and hesitation, your fire will reflect it."
Father leaves you to clean yourself up. When you bow, you nearly fall over. Everything hurts. Your head is splitting.
It's been a painful day.
* * * * *
97 AC (15 years old)
Royal Palace: Sitting Room
Azula brushes you off after training. The guards seem a little wary of you when you check on them, but they seem a little reassured after you tell them that of course you had no intention of actually hitting them. You suspect the two of them might have words with Sergeant Zhang about who gets assigned to spar with you in the future, though.
You're incredibly sore the next day, though at least you have the day off from serious training. And, due to a coincidence in your schedules, you now get to spend your recovery day with your soon-to-be betrothed.
Joy.
"These are delicious," Osamu says. "Here, Princess."
He holds a grape directly in front of your face. You delicately take it from his hand. "Thank you," you say politely.
"Are you going to eat it?" he asks.
You don't like other people touching your food.
"Of course," you lie. "In a moment. I can hardly speak to you with my mouth full."
"Sure," he says, grinning. "I am told I'm a pretty great conversationalist." By whom? "What's on your mind?"
Pain, mostly. But you suppose you should try talking about something more productive.
Steer the conversation towards the Tanaka family's business ventures. (43)
+ Ask him about his immediate family as well. (24)
Steer the conversation towards the Tanaka family's relationships with other merchant houses. (33)
+ Don't eat the grape (19)
+eat the grape (4)
It turns out to be incredibly easy to get him talking about business. You're almost starting to get the impression it's easy to get him talking about anything. Most of it is information you already know; it's not like you've neglected to stay up to date on his family's activities. They're trying to expand production, as the merchant families always do. You pay attention regardless, though you do hand the grape to the servant standing behind you when he looks away.
Rei is one of the few servants who has been here since you were a toddler. She understands.
"...of course, that's only if the Hu stop price gouging," Osamu says, bringing your attention abruptly back to him. "No one can afford to expand with them driving the price of ore so high."
You frown. You've read about the price of ore increasing slightly due to security concerns in some areas, but it's hardly enough to be called price gouging. "The situation is that severe?"
He shrugs. "Maybe not yet," he allows. "But the signs are there. It's getting close to time for us to negotiate a new contract, and they're being a lot cagier than usual. Like they don't even want to sell. They're gonna mess up the whole market acting like this."
Why wouldn't they want to sell? Is it only the Tanaka they don't want to sell to? Is any of this even true?
"It sounds like a delicate situation," you murmur. "Is that what our fathers are discussing?"
"Among other things, probably," Osamu says. He grins and leans forward. "It's definitely not the most exciting thing they're discussing."
"Really?" Is he a fool, or does he just act like one?
"Yeah, really," he says. "My father's trying to get license to operate in the Earth Kingdom."
Your eyebrows go up despite yourself. Did he actually just say that? "Selling ships to the Earth Kingdom?"
"Oh, no no no no no," Osamu hastily backpedals, almost panicked. As he should be; selling ships to the enemy would be practically treasonous. "Just operating there. Buying up businesses, buying up mines - we'd be conquering with money instead of troops."
"You think people in the Earth Kingdom would sell to a Fire Nation merchant lord?" you ask.
"Well, think about it," he says, leaning closer. Uncomfortably close. He has no sense of personal space. "There's always someone who wants to make a profit. We go in, offer some mud-man a high price for his ore, offer him private security at a discount... before long, nobody's willing to do business with him except for us. And come on. It's not like this isn't something people have been doing under the table the whole war." He smirks conspiratorially. "This is old news. We're just gonna be the first to have the Crown's authority on our side while we do it. And if the savages start destroying anyone who takes our money..." He shrugs, grinning again. "Then they're just doing their part for our war effort. It's win-win."
It's the sort of practice that Fire Lord Azulon outlawed after the Hu Xin rebellion - he thought trading with the enemy would always result in betrayal sooner or later, and more importantly he thought that the betrayal would always come too soon and too violently for the Fire Nation to make a profit. He wanted the Fire Nation's wealth to stay inside its borders, building up its colonies rather than flowing out to unconquered lands. But Father...
"And you think you can convince my Father of this?" you ask.
"I think the Fire Lord will do what's best for the Nation, like he always does," Osamu says, grinning.
Interesting. He's quite a font of information, isn't he? You have to wonder how much of it is true. What do you make of this?
- Inquire about any other "Under the table" dealings he knows about by other merchant houses. Gaining leverage on them could prove useful.
- An intriguing strategy to be sure, but the problem is that we're at war right now. I'm certain that private investment into the occupied territories and colonies is reasonable, but dealing directly with EK leaders is a risky proposition. On the other hand, the idea has merit, but our focus should be on eliminating any potential threats to our supply lines and potential investments. Finally, this does open up some opportunities for us to potentially neutralize house Tanaka. If the Fire Nation discovers Tanaka merchants dealing with potential EK adversaries without authorization, they could easily be accused of treason.
- This is an opportunity, legal business focused in the southern earth kingdom with the fleet as support is a great idea and we have the strength to enforce our rules, we could even put the southern raiders to use.
- This is finally something juicy. Keep going this path of conversation. If this is something you can cross-reference with Father you will have caught the Tanakas in something that can be labeled "treason", and Father can seize all that is theirs without a political mess or silly marriage contracts to merchant lords.
- This idea is pretty good. Unfortunately, father is the type of man that confuses brutality for strength, and he's very much against any idea that is perceived as kindness or softness towards the colonies. (OOC: also see my "East India Company idea" in the long term plans topic). Also, supporting the ideas to draw out this conversation to see if he spills anything that can give us leverage. Like if we keep talking, maybe he can detail the "light" treason some more so we can prove it.
- He seemed a little too distressed by the idea of selling ships to the enemy, make a note of it to tell father later
- If your father was so against even treating Fire Nation citizens descended from the Earth Kingdom population with respect, it should be incredibly clear that he'd never approve of trade with still unconquered areas. But how can you use this information for your own benefit, instead of Ozai's?
- We need to figure out whether Ozai is "in" on the under-the-table trade with the EK or not before using it as blackmail. The Tanaka side is probably less opaque than Ozai himself.
- "The idea may have merit, but I have some concerns. Firstly, what will the impact be on the Fire Nation's own production? I could see the Hu, if their actions are as you say, retaliating further in light of such policy, because to allow easy access to Earth Kingdom mines may vastly reduce their own monetary might. Secondly, would it not be more straightforward to invest in the expansion of the colonies and their own extraction efforts? After all, the people there are citizens of the Fire Nation and may feel themselves more deserving of its wealth than outsiders. Finally, whatever my thoughts on nonviolent integration and conquest, my father has historically been opposed. I can't help but wonder what your family is offering him that would have even a chance of changing his mind."
You're not certain whether the plan would actually be economically beneficial, but the more important question is how it can be used to change the Tanaka's position - one way or another. If the Tanaka family gained control of their own cheap supply of ore, they could build a monopoly over every step of the production of weapons and ships - and with their existing monopoly on merchant vessels, they could easily drive their competitors -
They'd have control over the entire war economy.
Father can't possibly have missed that. He can't intend to allow it. Osamu practically admitted to under-the-table deals - does Father intend to lure them into exposing evidence of illegal activities so he can seize their assets? He can't intend to just let them consolidate power and then merge your families, he can't possibly think that a political marriage would be enough to retain control of a merchant family with that much economic power.
What are you missing here? And how does the Hu family play into this?
You continue talking with Osamu for a couple hours more. He seems delighted to finally have your interest, but doesn't provide much more information of use. You may want to get more information from an additional source - War Minister Qin, maybe, or Father if he's willing to tell you anything.
Whatever Father is planning, it's obviously something big.
* * * * *
97 AC (15 years old)
Royal Palace
There are too many things going on at once, too many plots crisscrossing with you tangled in the intersections. Father keeps you so busy you rarely have time to be proactive. With what little time to yourself you have, what you should make your first priority?
Speak to War Minister Qin to gather more information on the economic situation. (40)
+Make sure you don't neglect Mitsuko. (32)
+While at the War Ministry, do some research into potentially establishing our new guard unit. Nothing too big yet, just some initially groundwork and networking. (31)
Study the book Uncle gave you and follow up on the scholarly leads it offers. Use it to learn more about waterbending philosophy, to continue improving. (20)
Work with Azula to hunt down Mother's letter besmirching your legitimacy, and steal or destroy it if it still exists. (13)
-----
I stopped there for the night. Sorry it's such a short update! We'll continue next week. Thank you all for reading!
97 AC (15 years old)
Fire Nation Capital: Office of the War Minister
"I never cease to be amazed by the wonders your office produces, Minister," you compliment him, looking over the models and diagrams he has on display. "What is your secret?"
War Minister Qin bows humbly. "Fire is the element of progress, Princess," he answers. "And the war never ceases to bring out new sources of innovation, I find."
"Hm. Quite."
You take a seat in front of his desk. Once you're seated, he sits as well. Mitsuko stays standing behind you.
"How may the War Ministry be of service today, Princess Akane?" he asks.
"I had a few questions that I hoped for your input on," you say. "I hope to continue to familiarize myself further with the nuances of the war effort, and I know that Father values your counsel highly. I hope you don't mind entertaining my curiosity."
Minister Qin smiles. "Not at all. I am honored that you came to me, Princess. What questions are in need of investigation?"
"Well, first, I was curious about the state of our operations in the southern Earth Kingdom..."
War Minister Qin spends some time going over the topic with you in detail. You're already quite familiar with the basics of the situation, but only the basics - the southern Earth Kingdom is largely irrelevant to the war because of its geography. There is a mountain range just past the coast, and then beyond the mountain range is the Si Wong Desert; invading from that direction would be a logistical nightmare and largely pointless. The southern part of the west coast is a different story, of course - it's host to the city of Omashu, one of the Earth Kingdom's closest equivalents to a modern city. But the actual south itself is underdeveloped and poor. The city of Gaoling is the only truly noteworthy settlement. On the surface, it seems like the Tanaka's interest in the region is practically grasping at straws.
The details War Minister Qin gives you spell a different story, though. Scouts report that apparently the Beifong family, one of the richest merchant families in the Earth Kingdom, has an estate in Gaoling where they spend a great deal of their time - they've barely left the past nine years, even though most of their operations and investments are in the north. There are apparently a number of mines in the mountain range on the south coast, though many are abandoned or dying out because their remote location and the Fire Nation's naval superiority makes it difficult for them to export their ore. Unemployment is rampant in many villages, as are poverty and food shortages. It is exactly the sort of region most in need of the Fire Nation's civilizing presence.
To the Tanaka, it likely seems like a wonderful business opportunity. Undeveloped land and resources, waiting to be claimed.
When you ask Qin about the idea of claiming and investing in that land, though, he shakes his head skeptically.
"The investment needed to hold the land and develop it to the point we could make a profit would be enormous," he says. "Bandits are everywhere, and earthbending bandits are a nightmare when trying to secure mountain mines. Omashu's continued resistance only further complicates matters."
"What if we didn't hold the land?" you ask. "What if we operated through intermediaries, purchased their ore and arranged for it to be safely shipped past our fleets? Could we gain control of the region's economy through peaceful means?"
"I've heard the idea raised before," Minister Qin says slowly. "Unfortunately, I think it would still provide little benefit. Security would be the biggest obstacle. The new flow of money into the region's mines would attract enormous banditry, to say nothing of the backlash if it was discovered that the funds were coming from the Fire Nation. The Earth Kingdom jackals would leap on the excuse to pillage whatever new wealth our business partners had acquired from trading with us. There may be some merchant families who could field the private security forces needed to protect their investments there, but that would still leave them so overextended that the military would have to step in to help them keep their assets throughout the rest of the world secure."
Ah. There it is.
"I see," you murmur. "Yes, that would seem to be a prohibitive flaw."
Minister Qin nods. "The merchants would never agree to it," he says. "They prefer to rely on private security for their facilities, to keep their protectors in the military at a respectable distance. Being completely dependent on the military for the most basic security - they'd never consider that acceptable business practice. Leaves them too vulnerable to the Fire Lord deciding to seize assets for the war effort."
They would need some sort of guarantee that they had a future - like believing that the Fire Lord intended to acquire their wealth through marriage, not a risky, violent attempt to overthrow them.
Father does tend to look down on those who think family ties are protection against betrayal. You think you understand why, now. It's not even hard to see what he's planning, at least for you.
But where does the Hu family fit in to this?
"Very well," you say. "Thank you for indulging my curiosity. I had other questions about our ore supply..."
War Minister Qin is less helpful when it comes to the question of what the Hu might be involved in. As far as he knows, there's nothing unusual going on with the mining industry. If anything, the families involved in mining are enjoying some additional profit from having more workers they don't need to pay these days. He's under the impression that prices aren't climbing at all. Curious.
It could be that Osamu was lying, to poison your opinion of one of his family's rivals. Or it could be that Father might be pressuring the Hu into sending negative signals towards the Tanaka family, to further encourage them to overextend themselves for new sources of profit.
Or the Hu could be planning something else entirely, and Father may be doing something on that angle as well. You doubt Father would stop at just eliminating some of the merchant houses. You may need to go back to Osamu for more details. At your request, War Minister Qin arranges to have servants deliver several ledgers' worth of information about the recent business dealings of the biggest merchant families - including the Hu and Tanaka - to the Palace so that you can 'study the issues yourself'.
You also offhandedly mention that you've been curious recently about ways to improve the quality of the Imperial Firebenders, to provide yourself better guards.
"Certainly a fair concern," War Minister Qin says. "Considering recent events... Personally, if I may, I believe the best way to improve the Imperial Firebenders' effectiveness may be for them to receive more training in investigation and counter-insurgency tactics. Their combat firebending is already more than adequate, but in every assassination attempt of note the past few years the assassins have managed to avoid actual combat with them through stealth or poison."
"A fair point," you say. "You believe more training could solve that?"
"Perhaps. I could see to it that the necessary arrangements are made, if the Fire Lord approves," Qin says.
"I will speak to Father about it," you say. "I would also be interested in supplementing the Imperial Firebenders with other forces - archers trained to the quality of the Yuyan Archers, for example."
"That may be more difficult," Qin says slowly. "It may draw off recruits who would otherwise be directed to elite units deployed to the front lines. Soldiers with skills as specialized as the Yuyan Archers are in very high demand overseas."
"I understand," you say. "It is likely that I myself will likely take up a military position eventually, so I believe it may be a worthwhile investment for my personal guard to be composed of a well-practiced and elite combined force."
He nods. "Of course. Well, I could certainly look into arranging it. I would need the Fire Lord's approval, of course."
"Of course."
You stand, and the Minister stands with you. "I believe that answers all of my questions," you say. "Thank you for your time, Minister."
He bows. "It was an honor to be of service, Princess Akane."
You take your leave of the War Ministry.
* * * * *
97 AC (15 years old)
Fire Nation Royal Palace: Princess Azula's Chambers
Time passes slowly. Training continues, as grueling as ever. Osamu visits more and more often, and you do your best to be charming and invite him to talk more about business. He is more than happy to oblige, though it's rare that he says anything of use. Whenever you have afternoons free from him, you spend your time with Mitsuko or Azula. Azula reads and meditates with you often. Mitsuko often brings you snacks or gives you a massage after training, and you spend an almost embarrassing amount of time just sitting together in your chambers and talking. About anything. Books, training, politics, art - Mitsuko is painting more often, these days. She always did some landscaping as part of her training, but recently Piandao shared a book about some old Water Tribe art with her and it apparently really catalyzed a new interest in the subject for her. She shows you some of her new landscapes, and they're very beautiful. Her work isn't always perfectly realistic, but you think that's intentional; the changes always flow well, creating a harmonious new whole. She has an artist's eye, you think.
You do notice that she never changes any details that would be relevant during a fight. You like that.
Uncle hasn't made any more major moves to reach out to you. He tries to strike up conversations sometimes when he sees you, but that's all. Father needn't have worried about him. His attention is preoccupied by your brother. At dinner, he spends all his time talking to Zuko. During mornings, he watches Zuko's training and cheers the boy on. In the afternoons, he and Zuko spend time together and read or play Pai Sho practically every day. They're always laughing and talking and enjoying themselves. There's no stilted conversation or hidden messages between them, not like when Uncle bothers to speak to you. He actually enjoys his time with Zuko. He loves Zuko. Treats him like his own child. His favorite child. Of course he does. He didn't lose a daughter.
He's worse than Mother.
For whatever reason, Father doesn't even bother to scold Zuko for the disgusting waste of time. Apparently Zuko's performance in everything important is holding steady at its usual standard of 'barely adequate'. You wouldn't know. He avoids you constantly; he has ever since you returned from Yu Dao. The only times you see each other are at dinner when he ignores you in favor of Uncle and during the war meetings that he's begun to attend. He never speaks, of course - while you may have finally earned the privilege of occasionally giving your thoughts on military strategy, Zuko certainly has not. Father does not lavish Zuko with unearned rewards the same way the rest of your family tends to.
But your brother isn't relevant. Today is your rest day from training, and Azula has asked you to meet her this morning. You find her in her sitting room, laying back on a couch. She's tossing a knife in the air and catching it - Zuko's knife. Oh, he's going to whine about that when he finds out.
"Good morning, little sister," you greet her.
Azula glances at you, catching the knife. Without saying a word, she flicks her wrist. A blur streaks past your eye, and a small breeze disturbs your hair. You don't react.
Thnk.
The knife embeds itself in the wall, just to the left of your head.
It's one of those days, you see.
Comment that she's going to leave a mark in the wood. (37)
+ Take the knife from the wall and return it to her as you sit. (34)
+ Ask if she wants to talk about it. (32)
"You'll warp the blade if you keep doing that" (11)
+"You missed. that isn't like you." (7)
+ Ask why she hasn't tried to use her hairpin blade yet. (5)
+ Take the knife from the wall and keep it. (4)
Compliment her on her improving aim. (4)
Say nothing about the knife. (2)
You glance at the knife. It's quivering in the door frame.
"You're going to leave a mark in the wood, you know," you chide gently, pulling it free.
"So?" she asks.
You walk over to the couch and tap her leg. She curls up to make room for you to sit, then drapes her legs back over your lap. You pass the knife to her, and she starts idly twirling it between her fingers. She doesn't meet your gaze.
"Do you want to talk about it, Azula?" you ask gently.
Azula scowls. "Obviously I want to talk. I summoned you for a reason."
She doesn't want to talk about it.
"Of course," you say. "Why did you summon me?"
"I was exploring some of the secret passages in the Fire Lord's wing," she begins.
Ah. Father must not have liked that. "And Father caught you?"
She scowls again and tosses the knife in the air. She very nearly catches it on the blade when it comes back down; you barely restrain yourself from wincing.
"He didn't catch me in any of his chambers," she mutters. "And that's not the point." She tosses and catches the knife again. "The point is I think I know where it is."
'It'. The letter.
Say that you'll need to make plans to destroy it as soon as possible, then. (17)
+ Thank Azula for her initiative. (38)
+The plan should be to make the letter a non-issue without rousing Ozai's suspicion. (26)
+Replace the real letter with a fake that doesn't have the "incriminating" information. (20)
Say that you shouldn't destroy it yet; you don't want to risk Father's suspicion. (14)
"I see," you breathe.
She nods, watching you.
"Thank you," you tell Azula softly. "For your initiative."
You take a moment to steady yourself and think.
You'll want to eliminate the danger the letter presents to you without rousing Father's suspicion. Just having it disappear from wherever he keeps it would be too obvious; you'll likely have to arrange from him to be distracted while you deal with the letter, and if he knew that it disappeared while you were keeping him busy he would immediately put together what you'd done. You doubt Father opens it up and reads it every day, so if it's replaced by a forgery it could be weeks or ideally even months or longer before he realizes the change. That creates ambiguity, opens up time - time you can use to arrange things to look like there were other plausible culprits, or just time you can use to get back in Father's good graces to soften the blow when he discovers what you've done.
But creating a forgery will take time. You'll either have to take multiple trips or literally create a forgery on the spot in the room before leaving with the letter. The latter might actually be doable; if it's in one of the Fire Lord's secret chambers, only Father would actually be able to access it - if one of you keeps him occupied in the throne room or his study, there's little risk of someone coming along and catching the other in the act.
But Father doesn't allow his time to simply be wasted. You'd need a legitimate audience. And that rather complicates things, because the only people you can trust who would be skilled enough in calligraphy to replicate Mother's handwriting are you and Mitsuko.
"Do you think you will have any reason to have a long audience with Father in the near future, Azula?" you ask quietly.
She shakes her head, scowling. "Aside from lessons? Father never has time."
"No, he doesn't," you mutter. That's the problem.
The longest audience you're likely to get with him anytime soon will be when you speak to him about what you've learned of the merchant families. That conversation could take a long time. But that would mean Azula and Mitsuko would have to go together to replace the letter. You're confident in Mitsuko's skill in stealth, but... if she were caught, she would face much, much worse punishment than you or your sister would.
Azula looks at you expectantly.
"Let's read together this evening," you say. "We can discuss whatever you'd like then."
She nods, and tosses her knife in the air again. You lapse into silence, watching her throw and catch the knife. It's honestly a bit of a pain to see. You keep thinking she's going to drop it or catch it by the blade and hurt herself.
Azula glances at you, then holds up the knife over her face. She tosses it up high into the air - and then drops her hand down to her side. The knife falls, and she makes no move to catch it -
You reach out and snatch the knife out of the air above her face. Azula smirks.
She just loves getting a reaction out of you.
Give the knife back and make no comment. (22)
+Be excessively affectionate to get a reaction out of her for messing with you. (33)
Give her the knife back, but ask her not to do that again. (7)
Keep the knife and make no comment. (5)
Keep the knife. Tell her that isn't funny and she is not to do it again. (1)
You give Azula an indulgent smile and hand the knife back to her. "For you, little sister," you say sweetly.
Azula puts on a saccharine sweet smile as she takes it back. "Thank you, dear elder sister," she says, voice simperingly sweet.
"Oh, anything for my darling baby sister," you respond. Azula's eyes narrow. "Here, let me fix your sleeves, too -"
Azula squirms as you tug her sleeves down. She always rolls them up, it's positively tomboyish. "Thank you, that isn't necessary," she says flatly.
"Oh, I insist," you say. "And here, let me fix your hair -"
"My hair is fine -"
She squirms back away from you as you reach for her hair, but she can't escape. She only succeeds in making you 'accidentally' tug her hairpin free, turning her hair completely wild. Fool. She's played right into your hands.
"Oh dear," you say. "It seems we've made a mess of it. I'll have to redo it from scratch. It's fortunate we have no training this morning."
Azula holds up the knife. "We are not spending two hours on my hair."
"Of course not, dear little sister," you say sweetly. Two hours would just be excessive, if you weren't preparing for a special occasion. "It won't take that long at all."
She narrows her eyes. You smile.
You end up helping Azula with her hair and makeup all morning.
* * * * *
97 AC (15 years old)
Royal Palace: Crown Princess's Chambers
You meet with Azula and Mitsuko that night in your room, and have another little huddle while passing notes around to plan how you'll handle the letter. The only opportunity you're likely to have is when you approach Father for an audience to discuss the merchant families; it's the only time you can keep him occupied while Azula is free to act. You and Azula are both occupied while Father is busy with training, obviously, and when you and Father are in war meetings Azula is busy with her tutors taking lessons to prepare her for future war meetings. You'll have to make your own opportunity.
The other issue is that the Fire Lord's secret chambers require firebending to enter, but Azula can't forge a replacement for the letter herself. If you're busy distracting Father, you won't be able to handle it either. Mitsuko volunteers to go with her and handle it without a second thought, but... is it worth the risk?
Have Mitsuko go with Azula and forge a replacement for the letter. (38)
Have Azula go alone and just destroy the letter. (9)
Mitsuko insists that she can handle it safely, and Azula agrees. You yield to their judgment; it makes sense. Mitsuko is very skilled in stealth, and they'll be infiltrating an area where only Father goes while you have Father distracted elsewhere. And Father didn't catch Azula in his secret chambers when she was snooping, just in the Fire Lord's wing - he doesn't know that she found where the letter is stored. The risks should be well in hand. With a whispered 'thank you', you confirm the plan. They'll replace the letter with a copy that simply excludes the aspersions on your parenthood. Unless Father bothers to actually read it in detail regularly, he won't notice the difference for ages.
Now all that remains is to wait until you have enough information to take to Father for the meeting.
* * * * *
97 AC (15 years old)
Fire Nation Capital: Seaside Ridge
Osamu invites you to a picnic a few days later. It's time.
He brings you out to a grassy cliff overlooking the sea in the evening. All of your servants and guards stay back at a respectful distance. You watch the sun set over the water as Osamu happily unpacks the food he brought. The sight reminds you of another day on another island, played back in reverse. Today, the shadows grow longer as you watch the sky, rather than shorter. It's a beautiful sight. Mitsuko would love it; she would be inspired to paint this, you're certain. But she's not here. Osamu is. You need his information more than you need Mitsuko's art.
Your fire should be weaker in the dark, shouldn't it? You aren't sure you can feel the change.
Osamu serves you both food, and you make idle conversation as the sun dips below the horizon. He lays down on the blanket next to you as you watch the stars begin to emerge.
"It's a beautiful night," he comments. "I'm glad we could spend it together, Princess."
Now is the time to get your information.
"I am as well," you say.
What should your approach be?
Tell Osamu that you've been doing research on the Hu family, because of what he mentioned to you. Tell him the truth - you couldn't find anything out of the ordinary, and ask his opinion. (33)
+ Try to get Osamu a little drunk on the wine. (35)
Tell Osamu that you've been doing research on the Hu family, and lie that you've discovered that they do seem to be overcharging the Tanaka compared to others. (3)
You wait a little while before making your move, just making idle conversation and sharing a bottle of wine with Osamu. If he notices you're drinking less than he is, he doesn't comment on it. You think he's just writing it off as a typical part of your personality.
When he starts to seem a little more talkative than normal, you know it's time.
"Osamu," you begin, making yourself sound hesitant. "There was something I wished to speak with you about, if you would be willing."
"Of course, Princess!" Osamu says, propping himself up on his elbow. He smiles. "What's on your mind?"
"Well... you remember when you mentioned the Hu family to me?" you ask. "When we were talking about business, in the Palace?"
He nods, frowning. "What about them?"
You fold your hands in your lap, frowning. "It's rather humbling," you say. "But I began researching their practices after you mentioned that, and, well, nothing I read in the records about that seemed to me as if it were anything out of the ordinary. I worry that I simply don't have the experience to see through their subterfuge."
"It's because you're the Princess," Osamu says. "You probably grew up reading more important things than ledgers, right? You're just not used to it. I can explain it in more detail if you want."
You bow your head in embarrassment. "If you would," you say. "I would be truly in your debt."
Both his explanation and his choice of how to cash in on that debt should be illuminating.
"It's no problem, Princess," Osamu says. "So, what you've got to understand..."
He promptly launches into a detailed explanation of basic economic concepts you already know. You act suitably impressed. It takes him a while to get around to the important details.
"It's the subtle things that really matter," Osamu says, taking another swig of his wine. "The Hu family owns a lot more land in the more established colonies - safer land. Their competition, the Ito family, all their land is out east. I mean, not all. A lot. But the point is, the Hu have lower operating costs. Less shipping, less security. But you look at the price when they sell to us, and what is it?" He pauses. "It's high. Not sky high, not that noticeable, but it's higher than it should be, logically. You see? They're not trying to outcompete Ito."
"But the price was the same when they sold to other buyers," you say.
He points his finger and waggles it wildly. "See, yeah, that's what people think. But look at who they buy from for their private security. They buy all their equipment in bulk from Sato and Meng. Never us. And - and this is the important part - they buy it at a mark-up, for 'masterwork' equipment."
You hold your expression neutral even as it hits you. He's saying the Hu are effectively giving their chosen partners rebates on their purchases. Discounts. You have no idea how Osamu knows all this - there must be an impressive amount of industrial espionage happening here - but if you ask you're certain he'll finally realize he's being an idiot and implicating himself.
"They do the same thing buying construction work," Osamu continues. "It's always from Abe, and they always pay extra money. Say it's for insurance, for furnishing, for anything." He wags his finger again, dropping his voice. "They're playing favorites," he says. "Basically, they're giving discounts to the families they like. They've got alliances going under the table."
Yes, Osamu, catch up. You raise your eyebrows, acting surprised. "Why would they do that?" you ask.
"Isn't it obvious?" he asks. "I-I mean, no offense, it's not obvious, obviously, since you didn't - look." He leans in. "Hu, Abe, Sato, Meng - they've all got these deals going on with each other. Between them, they've got their hands in everything but shipping and agriculture, and as the front moves east they're trying to buy up the land for the agriculture."
Spirits. He's saying that they're preparing to combine their businesses into a conglomerate.
"Oh, and textiles, they don't have textiles, Gao is still pretty - but that's not the point," Osamu says, voice a little slurred. "Hu and the rest of them are working together, trying to expand - they make it all look like it's just each family acting on their own, but it's not. It's strategic." He puts a hand on the blanket, either to steady himself or to be dramatic. "Princess, I think they're going to try to merge," he finishes, voice low. "Together, they'd be an economic giant. They'd be too big for even the Fire Lord to keep them under control."
Yes. You realize that.
"That is quite the claim," you say.
"It's true," he insists. "I'm certain of it. By the time there's solid proof, it'll be too late. My father's already told the Fire Lord about his suspicions, but I don't think he's doing anything."
Why not? Is this a part of his plan? Why would he let a merger like this happen?
"I will have to speak to him about this," you murmur.
"You should," he says, nodding firmly. "It's for the good of the Nation. No merchant house should be able to cheat the system like that. Competition is what's important."
You doubt Father agrees. You nod.
"I'm sure my Father will agree," you say softly.
Osamu smiles, laying back on the picnic blanket. "Thank you, Princess. I knew you'd believe me."
Night falls, and you return to the Palace.
* * * * *
97 AC (15 years old)
Fire Lord's Study
You give yourself a few days to reread your ledgers. Osamu's warning rings true. You wouldn't have seen it without knowing what to look for. The Hu, Abe, Sato, and Meng families have business ties that go beyond the casual. Your instincts tell you it's true.
You make the arrangements with Father, and with Azula and Mitsuko. The meeting is the next day. He folds his hands and listens as you explain how the Tanaka are planning to take over the entire war economy and how the Hu and their allies are planning to build a conglomerate.
"An interesting theory," Father says neutrally. "And what, then, should my first move be? Who should I act against first?"
The Tanaka family. (19)
+ Target Tanaka first - without the threat of the rival monopoly, the remaining Cartel will crumble. They need a common enemy to coordinate against. (26)
+Gather evidence against the small houses at the same time. let them know what happened to the Tanaka will happen to them if they step out of line again. (16)
Neither. He should shore up whoever seems to be losing with military contracts, and once they've tuckered themselves out move against them all. (10)
The Hu family. (8)
The Gao family. (6)
You take a moment to think. The answer seems obvious, which is likely a problem. But you go with what's most logical.
"I would recommend moving against the Tanaka family first," you answer. Father's face stays impassive. "Without them as a common enemy, the cartel being built by the Hu and their allies will crumble. And we can use the example of the Tanaka family to keep the smaller houses in line, to prevent anyone from becoming this ambitious again in the future."
Father holds your gaze for a long moment, then shakes his head. Damn it.
"As I said before," he says. "You lack vision."
"What is the correct answer, Father?" you ask.
"Gao."
What?
"The Gao are not involved in either plot," you say. "They are the largest neutral family - they would be useful as an ally. Did I miss them planning some major move of their own?"
"You did not," Father says. "They are not involved in any major moves. That is why they must be eliminated first."
You don't follow.
Father sighs.
"Think it through, Akane," he says impatiently. "I will not spell this out for you."
He wants the Gao eliminated because he has no intention of *any* merchant family retaining power, and the Gao won't fall when the Hu or Tanaka's plots are unraveled. (27)
He wants the Gao eliminated because once they take a side, they will tip the balance. (12)
He wants the Gao eliminated before they are ready to become a threat like the others. (1)
You hold back the reflex to fidget under his gaze. Think. What does Father believe the right answer is? Think like Father.
Father hates the 'tug of war'.
"You don't intend for any merchant families to remain when you finish," you say quietly. "The Gao is the only major family that isn't caught up in the plots of the Hu and Tanaka; they won't fall when those two do. But seizing the property of a single family isn't unprecedented. If you do it now, before you've eliminated the other major families, it won't look like the last step in you consolidating economic power. The remaining families won't realize their days are numbered, yet."
He nods.
"Father," you begin. "How would the government handle the bureaucratic burden of eliminating the families? Centrally managing everything..."
"This is not a return to feudalism," he says. "I have no intention of eliminating competition; the strong must triumph over the weak, as in everything else. But nor will I allow the merchants to reign unchecked. It is time for a third way. The merchants are a dissolute influence, hoarding wealth and using it as an obstacle to our family's rightful authority. The market will outlive them, and in its new form it will serve our race, the sons and daughters of fire, not the solipsistic greed of a handful of merchants who do not understand our empire's calling."
Sometimes you wonder if he's practicing his public speeches on you.
"How will you accomplish that, Father?" you ask.
"The market will continue, as will private property," he says. "But our authority will no longer be checked by too-powerful merchants. Fire Lord Sozin's original intent with the merchant council was to harness the most capable merchants' skills by tying them to the office of Fire Lord. It grew out of control, and my father -" He almost spits the word. "- allowed the system to fail completely. Now the merchants hang on to power purely by virtue of inheritance and monopoly. It is a worthless system; it does not reward true exemplars of fire. There will be no more merchant council. Their assets will be seized or broken up among more worthy owners, and the market allowed to resume without their stagnant presence. And from now on, the Fire Lord will be free to invest in or seize whatever businesses we choose. The market will bring out the best of our people on the individual scale, and our guidance will ensure that it serves the interests of our empire. When merchants become successful under the new system, it will be because they reflect the proper spirit of Fire Nation strength, not because they have inherited a monopoly. We will have the best of both worlds - absolute control, and individual innovation."
That... is a long explanation for a very simple system. You restrain yourself from frowning. Implementation will not be as easy as he says.
"The Hu and Tanaka may see the writing on the wall when you eliminate the Gao," you say. "They'll consider it a strange move. They may deduce that you're moving against the merchants as a whole."
"Unless..." Father prompts.
Unless...
"Unless both families believe you're acting in their interests," you finish. "You've convinced the Tanaka you're siding with them through the betrothal, and the Hu... you have something on them, as well. You've subverted them already. Which is why you're allowing their merger to go through. They're just consolidating power for you."
He inclines his head.
"What do you have on the Hu?" you ask. "I had no way to investigate them in detail."
"A variety of things," he says. "Enough to be confident that the key parts of their leadership will turn over power willingly when the time comes, for the sake of survival and the promise of reward under the new system. The process of the merger will render the uncooperative elements of the other families' leadership largely irrelevant."
A big promise.
"And for the Tanaka," you say. "You're planning on making them overextend themselves, so you can seize their assets by force."
"I am." He snorts. "The lesson many bureaucrats fail to consider - ultimately, all economic relations are still subject to the application of military force."
"It will be violent. Risky."
"It will. All conquest is."
"And the last three families?" you ask. "Ito, Watanabe, Morishita?"
"Are small enough that they will understand that it is better to simply accept being bought out when the time comes," he says. "And if they do not, they are not large enough to resist."
That's overly optimistic. They could still -
Ah.
"And the last part of the plan," you say quietly. "Is to prevent the families from using their best tool against you."
Father nods.
"By the time the war enters its final stage, the merchant families will be eliminated as obstacles to the power of the Fire Lord," he says. "And in order to ensure they cannot mount a true challenge to the throne to defend themselves... Iroh must die."
Of course.
You swallow, your throat dry.
"Banishment would serve the same purpose," you say quietly.
"It would serve no purpose at all," Father snorts, looking at you. "They would go to the ends of the Earth to find him and bring him back to challenge me."
"He has no drive to challenge you. His fire is gone."
"Do you really think that softhearted fool loves my policies so much that he wouldn't jump at the chance to see me deposed?" Father asks.
It's not like his policies are particularly lovable.
"Killing him would send up alarms throughout the Nation," you say. "Everyone would know it was you, even if no one admitted it."
"And they would think it entirely explainable by simple political concerns or paranoia on my part," Father counters. "They would have no reason to assume I was getting Iroh out of the way to go after the merchants."
"How would you ensure the assassin succeeded?" you ask.
He raises an eyebrow. "Are you asking to be involved in planning the event?"
You don't lack for experience.
"I am not certain this is a good idea, Father," you say quietly.
"Yes, I can see that," he says darkly. "This is why I continually press you to abandon your naive sentimentality regarding family, Akane. You never cease to prioritize family over the logic necessary to rule. You defend Iroh despite having no reason to, you trusted Ursa despite having no reason to - even Azula has an unhealthy hold over you."
You hold yourself still as a statue. "I don't believe my relationship with Azula is comparable or relevant, Father."
She's probably in his secret chambers right now.
"Comparable, no," he says. "Relevant, yes. When Azula dies - calm down, Akane, the mere mention of her mortality is not a threat against her."
You go still, your arm halfway withdrawn from your sleeve, two fingers already pointed under the cloth.
"I apologize, Father," you say neutrally, blood pounding in your ears. "What did you mean?"
"That panic is what I mean," he snaps. "Your sister is your most valuable ally, and you are lucky in that, but Azula will die one day! Whether to assassins or war or age! And if you do not get a hold of yourself before then, it will do to you what Lu Ten did to Iroh! I will not allow that weakness in my heir!"
You think your leg is shaking.
"I would not react the way Uncle did," you murmur.
You slip your arm back into your sleeve.
"Blind panic and anger are no better than surrender," Father answers. "They will lead to the same result - defeat. Your will must be stronger than that."
He straightens the papers on his desk, watching you warily. You take a steadying breath.
"Iroh will die," he says. "Your concerns are noted. If you have a better, easier way to remove him from political relevance, I am open to hearing it."
You take a moment and think. The pounding in your chest makes it difficult. How can you control Uncle? How can you get him out of the way? Killing him is - it is unnecessary. There must be a better way. He has his weaknesses - he lacks will, he lacks connections, he -
He has the same weakness Father thinks you have. Family.
There is a way to send him away and keep him from returning.
Tell Father that if he sends Zuko away, on an indefinite mission, without permission to return, Iroh would go with him. Willing exile. (36)
+In order to return he must find and capture the Avatar. (29)
Admit to Father that assassination is the best way to deal with Uncle. (4)
Tell Father that if he hold's Zuko hostage, Iroh will not dare act. (2)
"Father," you say quietly, "There is another way."
He raises an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Uncle can be made to go willingly into exile," you say. "And stay there."
"Do you have another son for him to lose?" Father snorts.
You take in a sharp breath. Something passes over Father's face, and it isn't quite hesitation, or regret.
The room is quiet for a moment.
Father scowls. "Well?"
"Yes."
He frowns. "Explain."
"Send Zuko away," you say quietly. "Send him to hunt the Avatar, and order him not to return empty-handed."
Father leans back in his chair and smiles. He sees already.
"The only risk is that Zuko may come to resent you for the long mission," you murmur. "Uncle could turn him against you."
He shakes his head, still smiling. "You may understand Iroh, but not Zuko," he says. "The boy would not resent me even if I banished him outright."
You blink. Something tightens in your chest.
"This will be far easier than an assassination," Father says. "Well done, Akane."
You swallow, and bow in thanks.
"Thank you, Father."
-----
Hope you enjoyed! Thank you all for reading! Let me know what you think.
The city of Yu Dao was amongst the greatest metropolises under the Fire Lord's august dominion.
It was no Taiyang Cheng (city of the sun), a living symbol of a sovereigns glory, where the flames of industry burn without end and the wealth of an empire flows in gilded halls and blooming gardens.
No, no city on earth could rival the capital, not even fabled Ba Sing Si.
But Yu Dao is mighty still, for the bounty of the earth flow to it from across the empire.
Here is ore broken and refined, ready to feed the ravenous appetite of the nation.
Here jewellers and toolmakers abound, each workshop competing for excellence.
Here are made the finest arms and armaments, engraved and inscribed by masters of the art.
It is here that earth and fire meet, and it was here that the armies of the great Sozin landed.
It is a hub of trade and industry, and of art and opportunity which always follows the trail of those two.
As such Yu Dao is a lively city, its bustling streets and sprawling buildings alive with the energies of a hundred thousand souls.
Yet one would be hard pressed to find this liveliness today. For recent events cast a pall upon the place, and while people still go about their businesses, they do so with unease and worry, and the all-prevailing threads of suspicion.
Assasins breached the governer's Palace and attacked the heiress of Fire Lord Ozai.
The crown princess lives, but beyond that fact there is nought but rumours, and none of which shine a pleasant light on Yu Dao and its people.
When the city officials proclaimed that the Princess will be addressing the public at the steps of the palatial courtyard, the rumours burned anew with great zeal.
Such an event was unprecedented, even to those familiar with the capital and its customs, the Royal Line speaks only to the upper echelons of its subjects. Only in times of festivals, processions and grand ceremonies, are the public even graced with the opportunity to witness the Royal Person.
"Man Hei, are you sure this is alright?" I asked, eyes nervously moving along the rows of officials filling the area.
"Keep fidgeting like this and no; it won't be alright."
"But, look around! Everyone here is-" his sudden vice-like grip upon my arm interrupted my rambling.
"Kin Hai, your the son of a respected gentleman, and as you can see from my attire, I am the envoy of a highly placed goldsmith, so don't bring any more attention to us" he hissed, giving my arm another painful squeeze to reinforce his point, before letting go.
Why did I agree to this? I shouldn't have agreed to this!
Of course, you know that's a lie. The chance to see a princess of the fire nation is not something most would willingly miss. Still, was this really the best option?
All around you are the officials, representatives, courtiers, magnates and great families of Yu Dao.
Not the highest, no, those are standing further up the terrace, directly below where the Princess would speak.
You and Man Hei however, stand at the first row immediately after the great and powerful of Yu Dao, close enough to actually see whatever happens at the top of the incline.
A position that any of the five thousand people in the courtyard would kill for, nevermind the ten thousand who are standing outside the courtyard.
"it's starting" your friend informs you with an elbow nudge.
A herald walks down the palace steps, stopping right before the first terrace.
"Crown Princess Akane, Firstborn of the Fire Lord Ozai, wielder of the cold-blooded flame, will now address the subjects of her Lord and Father may he live a thousand thousand years."
"May he live a thousand thousand years" Thunders across the palace, as those gathered intone the words with a bow.
And then a deathly silence fell upon the area, as the notables of Yu Dao held their breath in anticipation for what is to come.
They stood still and waited as the minutes passed.
And then the Princess made her appearance.
She was dressed in a courtly robe of rich crimson, dragons of silver thread soaring at its front and sides, topaz stars shining around them.
The collar was worked of thread-of-gold, pheasants and lotus blossoms wrought in mother of pearl adorning each side of it, while a long necklace of delicately cut red jade hung upon it.
The arms were of a darker shade; blue and turquoise threads, so fine as to be invisible if not for their glimmer, woven about it like fish scales.
In the midst of this artifice was a silver-white cloud bearing a blazing flame.
But for all that her attire was one of majesty and splendour, it paled in comparison to her own radiance.
Not even the golden peacocks, butterflies and pale jade adorning her onyx hair could compete with the serene beauty of the princess and the overwhelming aristocratic aura that she emitted.
"Told you it was worth it!" Whispered Man Hei.
You were far to entrapped to respond.
Tsang Chun Kit was an old old man, eighty-something years according to some, he stopped keeping track of his age a long time ago.
Indeed, he finds few things worthy of keeping track of these days: his ducks, his son, his wife and most important of them all, his supply of smoke leaves.
Sitting in his small garden, enjoying the cool breeze on a warm day, his pipe filled with fine mixtures from master Yeung's shop, few pleasures in life could rival this moment. The bittersweet smoke slowly working its way to his lungs, infusing him with a calm energy before being exhaled.
A wonderful sensation, one that even his son couldn't ruin.
"No"
"No?"
A pair of blue swallows settled on an apricot tree, joining the flock already singing upon its branches.
"You heard the Crown Princess and were filled with awe and patriotism, that's all fine and good, but it doesn't qualify you into being a soldier."
"Why not? You were a soldier yourself father, and you always talk about our duty to the fire nation and lord!" he retorted, a bit of anger creeping into his voice. The Princess must have been quite the sight.
"Aye, I was a soldier, and for twenty years at that, long enough to know when someone isn't suited for the job." You take another slow puff, before turning to face your son.
"You're a good lad, son. But you'll never amount to much if you sign for the army. Service in the Fire Lord's military is a glorious thing, but it's also vicious, cruel and unforgiving, you can do your duty by taking care of your mother and my farm when am gone"
Kin Hai stares at you for a long moment before he speaks: "Father, ever since I could walk you've been telling me about all the adventures you had as a soldier, I know more about soldiering than I do about ducks, you even tried to force me into the army last year! So why are you refusing me now!" He practically shouted the last part.
You fill the pipe with the last of the mixture, your expression one of deep consideration.
In a moment the pipe was lit once more, and you replied with solemn gravity.
"You forgot to pass by master Yeung's."
Here's the next part of Chapter 6. Thank you all for reading! <3
-----
97 AC (15 years old)
Crown Princess's Chambers
Azula and Mitsuko are already in your room when you get there. Azula wordlessly holds up a folded piece of paper.
"In here," you murmur.
You lead them into the side room and take a seat at your vanity. Mitsuko helps you remove your hairpins before you can even think to ask. Azula starts rifling through your clothes.
"How did things go with the Fire Lord?" Mitsuko asks quietly.
"Reasonably well." Your hair is a mess. Why does it always do this?
"What did Father say?" Azula asks.
You run your fingers through your hair, looking for knots. It looks obviously frizzy, but the knots are hard to find. Mitsuko sits with you and picks up a hairbrush to help, again before you can even ask.
"Thank you," you mumble distractedly.
Azula pulls a face at you in the mirror. "What did Father say?" she repeats.
"We discussed his plans for the future," you say absently. "I gave advice."
She raises an eyebrow. You examine a lock of hair, frowning. Singed. You must have missed this yesterday.
"Do you intend to go into more detail?" Azula demands. "Or do we need to wait until you're done playing dress-up?"
"I would explain if you would stop interrupting me," you snap.
"Take your time," Mitsuko murmurs.
Of course you're taking your time. You're not in any rush. Zuko isn't being sent away this instant. Father will take his time in arranging things.
You can't get your hair into a proper topknot, you keep letting strands fall loose -
"Mitsuko," you mutter.
She takes over for you. You shut your eyes, but you can still tell where strands are falling out of place just by feeling it. Mitsuko's capable enough to handle it, though, it's fine. She's got it.
"Well?" Azula insists.
"Father has decided that Prince Zuko's talents should be put to practical use," you say. "He intends to send him on a mission that will take him out of the homeland. Uncle will likely accompany him."
"Oh," Azula says. "Is that it?"
It's a long story.
Tell them everything that Father said during your conversation, and the advice you gave him. (34)
+Have the conversation on paper. (18)
+Azula and Mitsuko are competent enough to make sure no one is listening, stop being so paranoid, its unhealthy (10)
Tell them about Father's plan to deal with the merchant lords. The fact you provided the plan to deal with Zuko and Uncle is irrelevant. (4)
Zuko's mission isn't a major issue, but if anyone overheard Father's plans for the merchant families it would be an absolute disaster. You can never be too careful; there's never any way to know for sure that no one is listening. You tell Azula to get things for writing, and after a dramatic sigh she complies.
In tiny, crisp lines of text, you lay out everything Father told you about his plans. And your own contribution to them.
Azula seems unbothered. Even pleased. Mitsuko just keeps brushing your hair. It's soothing.
It's a good plan, Azula writes. All the power he takes will pass to us when we inherit.
"Zuko and General Iroh will be safe," Mitsuko murmurs. "It might even be good, right? They're not going to the front lines, they're just traveling the world. They won't actually have to fight the Avatar."
"I'm not certain when Father will have them return," you say quietly.
"Zuzu will be fine," Azula says dismissively. "He gets to play around with Uncle for a few years and act like he's doing something important. I don't know why you're worried."
"I'm not worried."
She rolls her eyes. "Anyways." She taps the paper again. "It seems like Father has things well in hand."
You 'hm' and jot down a note of your own.
Breaking up the monopolies could be dangerous for the economy, especially if Father is quick to break up future businesses as well. Investors would be intimidated.
"So?" Azula says out loud. "If they don't act, we do. We know what's best for the Nation."
If we try to manage too much ourselves, the bureaucratic burden would become considerable, you write.
Why should it take more bureaucrats for us to manage things than for the merchants to? Azula writes back.
You can practically feel Mitsuko tuning out. She's focusing more on your hair again. You grab another sheet of paper to reply.
I believe the problem will be most pronounced if all the skilled bureaucrats and financiers are killed in the process of centralizing control, you respond.
Azula shrugs.
"Father will take things into account," she says. "He knows what he's doing."
She still has so much faith in him.
"We will have to do our best to make sure everything works out well," you say neutrally.
"Obviously."
Azula's quiet for a moment, thinking. You lean into Mitsuko's hands as she continues to brush your hair. She's more playing with it than anything, really, but you suppose you don't mind.
"Well." Azula gathers up the papers you used to discuss Father's plans.
"Be careful with the ash," you murmur.
She rolls her eyes and starts burning them. When she's done, she nods at the last piece of paper left on your vanity.
"Were you going to read that?" she asks.
Read Mother's letter before you burn it, just to know what she said about you. (37)
+Burn it immediately after reading it, MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE. (20)
+ Remember the information inside is nearly certainly a lie. (15)
There's no point. Burn it now. (4)
You open Mother's letter before giving it to Azula. You might as well see what it says.
My dearest Ikem,
It's taken me a long time to admit it, but you were right. I belong with you, and nothing is worth this pain.
You skim ahead, face impassive. Of course she'd begin with that. Nothing here was worth her time. Nothing was worth - she makes reference to Father humiliating her, being cruel to her, being cold-hearted. But if he was treating her like Chae, you would have seen it. He wouldn't have done it anyways, not to his wife.
Mother never complained to you about any of this. You would have helped. You're not heartless.
Halfway down the page, she finally gets to the point.
My one consolation is our daughter, Akane. When I look into her eyes, I see yours. When I help her with her makeup, I can't help but think of how my mother helped us prepare for our first show all those years ago. She has your curiosity and love for learning, and no matter what my husband does I know she will always have your kind heart.
My thoughts are with you -
The letter ignites and vanishes in an instant. Fine ash stains your fingers and scatters on your dress.
"Thank you," you say. "It is a relief to have that out of the way."
Mitsuko wraps her arms around you from behind. Your hands are filthy. You can't move them.
"It was easy," Azula says, pointedly looking away from the two of you. "It needed to be done."
"Thank you," you repeat.
"How do you feel?" Mitsuko asks quietly.
You look at your hands and shrug.
"Like I need a bath," you say.
Azula snorts. "I'll call a servant for you on the way out," she says, standing. "Relax, Akane. A little ash never hurt anyone."
You guess it didn't.
* * * * *
97 AC (15 years old)
Royal Gardens
You meditate next to your old favorite pond in the Royal Gardens the next morning. It's the first time you have in a while - years, even. It's not as peaceful as you remember. The grass feels filthy to sit on and the turtleducks are too loud. You suppose the added challenge just makes meditation more fruitful, though. Shutting out distractions is an important skill.
"Good morning, Princess."
You freeze at the sound of Uncle's voice.
"Might I interest you in a cup of tea?" he says jovially.
You open your eyes and gauge his reflection in the pond. He's carrying a tray with a steaming kettle and a pair of cups - he must have planned to find you here. There's no hostility in his face but you can never tell with Uncle.
Does he know what you and Father discussed? How could he know? Why did he come find you? The timing is no coincidence.
Accept his offer of tea. (46)
+ Invite him to join you. (34)
+Tell him you've enjoyed the book he lent you. It was illuminating. (17)
+Tell Uncle you miss Lu Ten. (10)
Decline his offer of tea. (3)
+ Ask to be left in peace to meditate. (2)
You weigh your options for a second. You can't be conspicuously cold towards Uncle the day after Father began planning to move against him.
"Certainly," you say. "Would you like to join me?"
"I would!" Uncle says. "Thank you."
He sits cross-legged next to you and pours the tea.
"I am sorry that we have not had much chance to talk lately," Uncle says. "I was worried that interrupting your training would only cause you problems in the long run, and did not want to inconvenience you. I'm glad I caught you this morning while you were free."
Is he saying he didn't want to make Ozai upset with you? Then why talk to you now? Does he know his time is running out? He undoubtedly wants something. He would be with Zuko if this was truly leisure time for him.
"It is my responsibility to use my time productively, yes," you say neutrally. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Uncle."
"Oh, no need to thank me," he says. "I understand the importance of spending time on education. It wasn't so long ago that I was studying every day just like you are now!"
Well, maybe a little longer than he'd like to admit.
"At least, I like to say it wasn't so long ago," Uncle finishes, chuckling.
You quietly take a sip of your tea.
He's the same as he always was, on the surface.
"Are you enjoying your training?" Uncle asks. "Learning is always easier when you find joy in it."
Tell him your training is difficult but rewarding. (39)
+ Tell him you have more fun when you can experiment with your bending (41)
+ You regret that you haven't yet had time to investigate the flow of power from waterbending he mentioned. (33)
+I have good practice partners. (25)
+ Tell him Father is an excellent firebending instructor. (8)
Some things are more enjoyable to learn than others, but that is the way of all things, no? (6)
Tell him learning is important regardless of whether you enjoy it. There are more important things than enjoying yourself. (3)
Tell him you enjoy your training. (2)
"It's challenging, but rewarding," you say. "Experimenting with new forms is certainly enjoyable. And it's a pleasure to practice with Azula. She is quite brilliant."
Uncle nods. "She is! All three of you are. My brother has truly been blessed in his children."
'Three of you'? Why does everyone have to turn everything into a compliment to Zuko?
"Thank you, Uncle," you say neutrally. "You're too kind."
"I only say the truth," he answers.
You wouldn't go that far.
"You've been keeping up with your meditation," he observes. "I'm curious, have you ever focused much on studying the flow of chi through your body? I know I found it an essential part of mastering my fire."
"You mentioned that in your last letter to me," you recall.
"I did."
It's quiet for a moment. You both sip your tea.
"I'm afraid I haven't had much chance to look into it yet," you say. "It's been difficult to balance things since Lu Ten died."
Uncle takes a sharp breath in. You take another sip of tea.
"I would have liked to practice it together," you say quietly. "When you both got back from the war."
Uncle nods, visibly collecting himself. "He would have liked that too."
"Do you think he would have been nervous about practicing with me?" you ask abruptly, surprising yourself. "I think the last time he did, I was still causing explosions everywhere."
Uncle laughs. "He might have been!" he answers. "It wouldn't have stopped him, though. He was very eager to see how you'd grown. We were all very proud of what we heard of your accomplishments."
For all the difference it made.
"Thank you, Uncle."
"Of course."
You finish your tea in silence. Uncle pets one of the turtle ducks.
"You know, it's not too late," he says after a while.
"For what?"
"To start learning more about chi." He smiles. "I know one trick you might find interesting. It's something I came up with years ago, while experimenting with lightning. Do you have time to train together for a while this morning?"
Father's busy today. He won't be joining you for training. You don't know how he would react if he heard you studied with Uncle, though.
Learn whatever trick Uncle's interested in teaching you. (39)
+Actively try to learn principles of chi, not just a few applications. (20)
Politely decline; you should train on your own. (0)
You stand together in a clearing in the garden, and Uncle starts his lesson.
"Tell me, Princess Akane, what have you learned of the philosophy of the Water Tribes?" he asks.
Does he know that you've been studying them lately? "The Water Tribes' philosophy emphasizes the importance of adaptability and community to endure change," you answer. "They hold trust in one's friends and allies to be as important as strength and wisdom in determining one's worthiness as a warrior or simply as an adult. In combat, waterbending focuses on combining attack with defense by turning an opponent's energy against them. On a spiritual level, the Water Tribes believe in a sort of metaphysical balance between push and pull, good and evil, and destruction and creation. They believe that these opposites always exist together."
"A good summary," Uncle compliments. "And have you considered how that relates to lightning?"
Ah. "Lightning is a reaction to the division of positive and negative energy," you say. "It's released when the energy crashes back together to restore balance. If waterbending is based on that maintenance and use of that balance..."
"Sounds promising, doesn't it?" Uncle asks, smiling. "Waterbending could teach us a great deal about lightning. I've made one discovery which is quite easy to learn. Just as we direct lightning as we release it, it can also be redirected if we are struck by it."
"Without being harmed?" you ask.
He nods. "If done correctly, yes."
That's... it would be a very useful defense, against a bare handful of people.
Make no comment. (28)
+ Briefly raise an eyebrow. (27)
Compliment his ingenuity as one fire bender to another. (13)
Ask Uncle why he felt the need to create such a technique. (4)
You raise an eyebrow, briefly looking around the gardens. You don't see anyone around; you seem to have privacy.
This seems like something to keep to yourself.
"If you let the energy in your body flow, the lightning will follow it," Uncle explains. He takes a stances and demonstrates, guiding one hand across his body from one side to the other. "If guided down to the stomach, rather than through the heart, the lightning can then be released from the body without harming you. The principle and the motion are quite simple; it is only a matter of becoming familiar enough with the flow of energy, and not being taken by surprise if the technique's use becomes necessary."
"Like this?"
"Exactly."
He's not wrong about it being simple. You only practice for a minute before he nods bemusedly and says you have the motion down.
"But you must practice it regularly," he tells you. "The motion is very easy to learn, but in order for it to be useful it must be so ingrained that you can perform it perfectly simply on reflex. If you ever need the technique, you will have no time to think about its use."
"I understand, Uncle." You purse your lips. "Would it be possible to practice with real lightning?"
He looks rather shocked. "What?"
"A weaker bolt than usual," you clarify quickly. "It is possible to generate nonlethal lightning, isn't it?"
"Well, in theory, it is, but it still always has a risk!" Uncle says, still flabbergasted. "I'm not going to shoot any sort of lightning at you, nonlethal or not!"
His father would have. Did, in fact.
"Very well," you say. You bow. "Thank you for the lesson, Uncle."
It was briefer than you expected, but that's probably for the best. Uncle looks a little hesitant to let you go, though.
"We could practice more, if you have time," he offers. "We haven't trained together in years. Perhaps there's a form I could teach you? It would be good to spend some time together."
"I have a degree of proficiency with all of the forms, Uncle," you answer. "But thank you."
"Well, there's always more to learn," he says. "There are some forms that aren't written in any books, you know."
Is that so?
"And it would be wonderful to talk some more!" he says cheerfully. "I want to hear all about your studies, and your trip to Yu Dao, and how your friends are doing. We have so much to catch up on!"
Ask Uncle to teach you one of these forms that isn't written in any books. (52)
+Express your interest in pushing fire bending beyond the limits of traditional understanding (43)
+Think of how to frame this to listeners in a way that will mollify your father a bit. (32)
Politely decline. (2)
Father wouldn't want you to waste time with Uncle, but... you can't waste a chance at a new firebending form, either. Father may complain, but he's always been persuaded to at least hear you out before. He's not unreasonable. Not completely unreasonable.
It doesn't look like anyone's here to see or hear, but just in case you should be careful to frame this in a way Father might accept.
"I would be curious to learn any forms you've encountered that aren't recorded," you allow. "I am always interested in surpassing my bending's current limits. And disseminating new forms would benefit the Nation as a whole."
"And this form is pretty fun, too!" Uncle says happily.
Well. So much for that.
"Yes, Uncle," you say. "I'm sure it is."
The form you work on is called the Dancing Dragon; apparently it was used by an obscure old firebending civilization called the Sun Warriors. You think you've read vague mentions of them before; there are some old ruins of theirs scattered through the northern part of the homeland. Little is known about them; perhaps unfortunately, archaeology funding hasn't been a priority in a century. Uncle says he learned the form from old carvings he encountered while hunting the last dragon.
"And the form does live up to its name," he comments, almost wistfully. "It is difficult to think of a better tribute to how a dragon looks in flight."
You pick the form up with your usual speed, though you aren't sure you're getting any of the movements quite right. Uncle keeps interrupting his instructions to make small talk. And he's not even as strict as Lo and Li are - you doubt he would criticize you even if you were getting it completely wrong. It's difficult to learn with him.
It's not terrible, though. He does occasionally make a comment that almost makes you chuckle. His sense of humor is... well, it's awful, but it's hard to replace.
And he has stories about Lu Ten. Really good ones.
"A-and then Lu Ten bursts back into the tent," Uncle says, still laughing, "And he shouts, 'Father, she took my pole!'"
Your hand stays clamped over your mouth to keep any undignified noises from slipping out, but your sides are starting to hurt.
"But the best part - Private Lee starts laughing, he almost doubles over, and he drops the -"
"Iroh."
Your back goes ramrod straight and your hand whips back down to your side.
Father is standing at the edge of the clearing. How? You didn't hear -
"Akane."
There's no warmth in his greeting, but that's to be expected. You bow at almost a ninety degree angle.
"Brother," Uncle greets him. "Forgive us, we did not see your approach."
"Clearly," Father says. "You were distracted."
The emphasis he places on the last word ties your stomach in a knot.
"Father -"
"Attend to your studies, Akane," Father tells you. "We will train together tomorrow morning."
"Yes, Father," you breathe.
Father leaves the garden without another word, and so do you.
* * * * *
97 AC (15 years old)
Royal Palace Training Grounds
Worry gnaws at you through the night. In the morning, you arrive at the training yard an hour before Father told you to. He arrives soon after, and makes no comment as you continue your usual warm-up. Half an hour later, Azula arrives as well. Father says nothing while she warms up as well. Azula seems to pick up on what's going on; she doesn't even look at you while you both stretch.
The Imperial Firebenders who usually work with Azula never arrive.
"Today, you will focus on sparring," Father finally says. He doesn't look at you as he speaks. "You have weaknesses that must be corrected."
He says nothing else.
You face Azula from across the practice field. One on one.
Beat her as quickly and thoroughly as you can. Hold nothing back. (40)
+NEVER HAVE OUR BACK TO FATHER! (34)
+ Actually, hold lightning back (29)
Fight her as you normally would. (18)
Let Azula win. (1)
Azula can't realistically beat you, but you can't go easy on her either. Father wants to make a point. If you hold anything back, he'll know. The only line you won't cross is lightning.
You'll just have to make sure you don't advance far enough down the field you end up with your back to him. It won't be a problem. Azula will come to you. She always takes the offensive.
"Begin."
Azula attacks immediately, sending a rapid barrage of small fire darts towards you. You sidestep the ones you can and intercept the others with simple, two-fingered blocks.
She scowls. There's just a part-second of hesitation while she decides her next move.
Sorry, little sister. You're not the only one who learns quickly.
You begin the Dancing Dragon.
She cartwheels away from the first blast; in the light cast by the flame, you can see surprise on her face. You don't usually take the offensive with her.
You also usually moderate your use of energy very carefully.
Each blast rips out of your hands with enough concussive force even your own bones feel rattled. When you were a child, you came close to hurting yourself with the force of your firebending a few times; it's almost alarming how easy it is to let yourself leap right back into those bad habits. But you need to show Father you're not weak.
And apparently you have to flatten your twelve-year-old sister into the ground with sheets of flame to do that.
It doesn't take long. After the Dancing Dragon, you devolve into using no specific form in particular - just a string of blasts, one leading into the next, whatever your instincts direct you to do. You punch, kick, and shout out columns of flame, mind blank except the building strain in your bones and ringing in your ears and a vague, senseless, directionless anger -
"Yield!" Azula shouts.
You throw your arm wide just as you release your last blast. The impact kicks up an explosion of dirt.
There was never really any doubt.
Azula lies breathless on the ground. You start to hurry over to her - and then stop when Father walks towards her too. She hastily pushes herself to her feet. When Father reaches her side, he finally turns to face you.
He puts his hand on her shoulder. You step closer.
"Your duel is not finished," he says.
You step closer. "She yielded."
"And how does one end a duel?" Father asks.
No.
"Father -"
Father roughly wipes dirt off her cheek. You step closer. Azula holds perfectly still.
"She is not burned," Father says quietly.
You slowly close in the last few steps.
"Father -"
"Do I ask for too much, Akane?" Father asks, voice softer than you've ever heard it. "Are you a firebender who cannot provide even the smallest burn?"
"It was only a spar," you say -
"It is training," Father says. "Are you training to never burn your enemies?"
"Azula is not my -"
"Not your enemy?" he asks. "No, she is not. You are. You are your own enemy, Akane, and I will not allow you to hide from this lesson any longer."
Your fists are clenched. He can't do this. He has no actual power to punish you. Your testimony could put Iroh on the throne; he has no letter to delegitimize you anymore. He can't make you do this.
"Self-control is not a flaw -"
"You are hiding," Father hisses. "I have no more time for your empty words, Akane. You are my heir, and I will not tolerate this childish weakness any longer."
"Weakness?" you demand. "Were you even watching -"
"Fire is not the element of showmanship!" Father roars. Your body freezes against your will as he steps closer, towering over you. "You are not an actress! I have allowed you your obsession with presentation for too long!"
His hand lashes out and rips your hairpin - Azure - from your hair. You can feel strands pull and snap as he does. A strangled noise escapes your throat. It feels like your heart has been torn out of your chest.
Your hair. Your hair.
He can't do this. He can't do this to you.
"It is time for you to learn substance over appearance!" Father shouts. "And fire proves its substance only through what it burns! You learn one form after another and still you do not understand your own element! Fire consumes, Akane! You can protect only what you are strong enough to destroy! You must be able to hold life in your hand and choose whether it continues or ends! If the choice can be made for you by sentimentality alone, it can also be made for you by your enemies! That is the nature of fire and the nature of the crown!"
He grabs Azula by the shoulder and pushes her towards you. She lets out a quiet noise.
Father. Please.
"Burn her," Father demands. "You will burn her."
Her eyes are wide when they meet yours, and there's water in them. Her jaw is clenched. You could burn her. You could burn her. Just a small burn. It's just a burn. You can't coddle her. She would understand.
Mother listened when Father told her to stop coddling you.
You meet his eyes.
"Father," you whisper -
"I ask you next to nothing, and you still hesitate." His face is expressionless. "Burn her."
Refuse. (50)
Give your sister a small burn. (14)
Your jaw shakes. You look him in the eye and hold everything else back.
"No," you whisper.
His hand lashes out faster than lightning. Your lip splits, and you gasp.
"Do not. Test me. Again," Father says.
What can he do to you? He has nothing. He has nothing over you.
Tell him you will never burn Azula. (44)
+My will is the sun. (38)
Do what he asks. (3)
You swallow. Your lip stings. The only other person who's ever slapped you was a servant and a nobody and a would-be regicide.
You meet Father's eyes again.
"I will never burn Azula," you whisper.
His face contorts in anger. "You are a daughter of fire!" he snaps. "You are my heir! You will learn the nature of flame!"
"My will is my sun."
Father stares at you, eyes wide and furious. You don't look away.
"I was told that was the nature of fire," you say hoarsely.
You can't read his expression. You don't know. You don't think you know him well enough to know what he's thinking.
"Everything I have done, I have done to make you strong enough to succeed me," Father tells you.
You hold your head high and glare up into his eyes. You feel tears on your cheeks, and you ignore them.
"I am."
The only thing you recognize in his face is rage. He takes Azula by the shoulder and shoves her a step towards you.
"Burn her," he orders her. "I will not have two spineless daughters. She is too weak to do anything but yield. Burn her."
Azula looks between you and Father, eyes wide. She hesitates.
"Burn her!" Father roars.
Stare Ozai in the eye, like the day Azulon died. (52)
+"You sound alot like grandfather right now" (46)
+Be ready lightning Ozai in case he tries to hurt Azula. (41)
+Be prepared to defend yourself and your sister. (37)
Do nothing. (23)
Nod. (13)
Shake your head. (2)
You give Azula a calm glance before looking Father squarely in the eye. You subtly ready your stance. If he tries to hurt her, you'll have to move quickly to get between them. You can make lightning as you do. It'll be enough. You don't stand a chance of survival against Father in a fight, but you can do enough.
"You sound like Azulon," you tell him softly.
Father's expression doesn't contort with rage this time. There's anger there, but it's a different sort.
You think you just crossed a line.
Father lifts his hand, you take a step forward -
Azula screams in rage and throws out her fist, and you see a flash of blue.
This is a mess lol. To be honest, I'm thinking of taking a week off from Deep Red. The feedback is very intense and emphatic and pulls me in every direction, and lately working on this has just been extremely, extremely stressful. I understand that everyone has concerns and I'll do my best to take them into account but at the moment I don't think I can work on this very well and I haven't especially enjoyed it lately either. For all I know, I may end up deleting all this and redoing it again. I don't know. Thank you for reading, and I hope you can still enjoy the story.
-----
97 AC (15 years old)
Crown Princess's Chambers
The royal physician assures you that the burn will leave no noticeable scar. That is his exact phrasing. It will take a couple weeks before you know for sure, one way or the other. The wound is on your face, just beneath your eye. Makeup will only be able to do so much if it doesn't heal perfectly well.
You can't help but wonder what the physician's definition of 'noticeable' is.
Mitsuko stays by your side constantly while you heal. It's unnecessary - you're not in much pain, you're fine. But you appreciate the company nonetheless. You have no one else but servants. Azula is, apparently, kept occupied by Father training her new blue fire day in and day out, and Uncle is undoubtedly forbidden to visit you. You doubt Zuko would even try to. And you can't leave your chambers, not with these disgusting bandages all over your face. You've had injuries before, but you've never been burned like this in training. Bruised, yes. Burned, never. Preventing burns is the most basic part of firebending.
Only the careless get burned. You keep yourself locked in your rooms.
Keeping up with training is difficult, obviously, but it might be for the best. Your control feels like it's slipping, like you're wrestling with your flame. The problem is bigger than just being distracted by the pain from the burn and from your constant headaches of late; if pain was the only thing throwing you off, you wouldn't be struggling so much. It's like your fire wants to explode. You struggled with this when you were a child; going all-out on Azula in sparring must have made your normally-tight control slip. You don't know why it's so difficult to reign yourself back in now. Something feels off. You spend your time in meditation, trying to make sense of the problem, trying not to think about whatever punishment Father must be planning.
After three days of silence, the Fire Lord finally comes to speak to you.
* * * * *
"I suppose you believe I am simply needlessly cruel."
He told you to burn your own sister for no logical reason.
"I am your father," he tells you. "I am the Fire Lord. I am the greatest firebender alive. One would think that you would consider my instruction a blessing rather than a threat. One would think that it would be reasonable for you to respond with gratitude rather than near-treasonous disrespect. And yet you seem to be completely unable to appreciate the tutelage I have attempted to give you."
You don't respond. If he's using that word, making him any angrier now would be... extremely misguided.
"It seems you have developed quite the mixture of arrogance, paranoia, and weakness." He glares down at you in disdain. "You believe yourself above instruction and delight in presenting yourself as perfect during practice, and yet utterly fail to apply any of your supposed skill to reality. Blue fire or no, you never would have been burned if you had so much as considered the possibility that Azula was a threat to you. You have earned your own injury by disregarding my instruction."
She was only a threat to you because he set up that entire absurd, pointless situation! You've been working together with her 'in reality' for ages and there was never any reason not to trust her until he decided one of you needed to be burned. She was completely willing to help you get rid of his leverage over you, and he probably still hasn't even realized it.
You keep your expression neutral.
"In fact, you should count yourself lucky that your sister wounded you enough to prevent you from going any further along an extremely foolish path." He glares, and you meet his eyes levelly. "You appeared quite eager to dig your own grave until she had the sense to intervene."
And if you're lucky, maybe that was all Azula was trying to do. Maybe she was just betting on preventing a fight you couldn't have won.
Your sister wouldn't have just betrayed you for no reason. Not after everything.
"There will be punishment for your foolishness," Father promises. "But first, you will tell me - what did Iroh say to you, to convince you so thoroughly that I was your enemy?"
Tell him it wasn't Iroh; your fears came from Azulon, and the way he fell apart at the end. (44)
+Don't call them 'fears', call them concerns. (36)
+Iroh can burn. He let hardship break him, that's no excuse for abandoning his duties. (27)
Tell him both your fears came from Azulon and you only spent time with Iroh to learn about firebending. (10)
Tell him you ignored anything Iroh said about politics. You only spent time with him to learn about his firebending. (6)
Tell Father he convinced you himself. (3)
"Uncle can burn," you retort. "He let Lu Ten's death break him and abandoned everything that was supposed to matter to him. I know I can't trust anything he says, about you or anything else."
You're almost taken aback by how little effort it takes to put venom into your voice.
"And yet you were wasting time with him, laughing and playing games like a child," Father snaps. "Your excuses do not outweigh the reality of your actions, Akane!"
"He approached me that morning, and I thought it was suspicious timing on his part considering our discussion the day before," you tell him. "I acted welcoming in the hopes of smoothing over any suspicions he might have had and finding out if he knew anything. I had hoped to have the chance to explain myself to you afterwards." His eyes narrow; you hurry on before he can question you. "My concerns about your instructions that day had nothing to do with Uncle," you say. "They came from Azulon."
Rage flashes across Father's face, this is a mistake -
"I don't mean to compare Azulon to you, Father," you say quickly. "But to myself."
"Explain."
Father's tone very nearly makes you shrink backwards. You hold steady.
"I spoke to him before the end, Father," you say quietly. "He was paranoid. Extremely so. He saw threats where there weren't any, especially in our family. He was talking about killing us all. I was concerned that, if I never allowed myself some measure of trust in my family, I would someday meet the same end. I was desperate to prevent myself from committing any unnecessary violence against family."
You may not recall any of those thoughts specifically going through your head at the time, but it sounds like a reasonable enough explanation that it might even be true. Father looks less angry, at least.
"I was wrong to disrespect you, Father," you say, bowing deeply. "I know that."
"You have a talent for explanations and excuses, Akane," Father answers. "But your actions reveal more than your words. Whatever fears you have of Azulon, you will set them aside. You will not allow some absurd fear to prevent you from heeding my instruction. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Father." Simple, concise...you have some thinking to do, and this isn't the place to do it. Not yet. (42)
+ Father does have good points, but he is far from infallible. Learn and accept what you must, but do not forget that you must be adaptable. (47)
You feel that you don't understand Father's instruction. Respectfully/humbly ask him for further clarification in the future. (29)
Father's 'instruction' is violent and misguided. Tell him only that you are grateful for it. (25)
Father's instruction is for your own good, even if he doesn't always go about it the best way. Tell him you are grateful for it. (4)
Whatever fears you do or do not have, he's right that you shouldn't let yourself be ruled by them.
"Yes, Father," you answer.
You straighten and meet his eyes. He glares down at you as if daring you to make some mistake.
"Do not think empty words will satisfy me, Akane," Father warns. "I have no interest in useless sycophants. You will learn these lessons, however difficult it may be for you. You will learn strength."
He doesn't want sycophants, he just wants you to 'learn' to think the same way he does. About everything. It doesn't matter. You'll learn what you can from him - it's not as though he never teaches you anything useful - and find some way to survive the rest of his excesses. Adaptability is key. For now, you can listen and placate him to his face and do your actual reflection later. It looks like you may actually come out of this without the punishment being too severe; you can't jeopardize that now. Any questions you may have can wait until you're on safer footing with him.
"Yes, Father," you answer. "I understand."
You suppose he's already taught you the importance of keeping your guard up with family.
"Do you?" he asks. "I find it difficult to trust your assessment of yourself. From now on, you will prove yourself through action."
"Yes, Father."
"That will be the first part of your punishment," Father says. "You have spent long enough training in the Palace. After Zuko leaves with Iroh, you will depart as well. You will travel to the Earth Kingdom and prove yourself in combat. Without your sister."
You hesitate for a fraction of a second, taken aback. "Yes, Father. For how long?" you ask.
"Until I instruct you to return," Father snaps. "You will prove yourself."
Just like that? He's just sending you away?
"You will be accompanied by a retainer I have selected for you," Father tells you. "She will report to me on your progress. I will allow you to bring your retainer to the Earth Kingdom as well - her talent is wasted away from the war. But if I receive reports that your sentimental attachment to the girl is an issue, she will be sent to another part of the front."
'Sentimental attachment' - he doesn't know. He doesn't even suspect, if he's giving you this much. "Yes, Father," you say, keeping your relief off your face.
You think -
This is a chance to court the support of those dissatisfied with Father's self-destructive policies. You'll have to do what you can to avoid participating in Father's senseless killings. (43)
+ You'll discuss things with Azula before you go, but while you're away you should keep your distance from her. You don't want to bring Father's anger down on you both. (37)
+Remain open to courting those Father's loyalists that are practical rather than sadistic. (33)
+ You have to stay in touch with Azula as much as you can after you leave. You can't abandon her to Father; she's strong, but she's only twelve. (11)
This is a chance to court the support of Father's loyalists in the military. You'll have to set aside your objections to Father's policies and get your hands dirty. (5)
You can work with this. You won't stain your hands carrying out Father's pointlessly cruel policies - you can make your way to a specialist position or something like that, something that lets you aid the war effort without being expected to order the death of innocents like Father's generals and commanders are. Maybe you can even begin courting dissidents within the military who share your views on the killings. You'll have to beware of spies - if Father's telling you about one, you know there will be more he doesn't tell you about. But you can turn this punishment into an opportunity.
The only issue is that you know Father won't let you stay in touch with Azula while you're away. You have to explain things to her before you go, make sure she understands you're not abandoning her because she burned you. But you can handle that. This can work.
"I understand, Father," you say, bowing. "I will bring honor to the Fire Nation."
You keep your expression neutral as you straighten, but you think Father might detect your hope.
"We will see. But as I said," he continues, "That is the first task I have for you."
"What else must I do?"
"You claim you understand your mistake," he says. "You claim to be loyal. You will prove it. You will end your association with Iroh."
You nod. You expected as much. "What should I say to him?"
"'Say'?" Father echoes, voice mocking. "Have you heard nothing? We are beyond words. Your actions will speak for you."
You hesitate for a heartbeat.
"What do you mean, Father?"
"Your promises to break ties with him have meant little before," Father says. "Now, before he departs, you will ensure that he is driven away from you. Permanently."
His expression is neutral. Calm.
Something is wrong.
"How, Father?"
"As you pointed out yourself," Father says, "Zuko is his greatest weakness. His surrogate son."
What is he saying?
"If you have learned your lesson from refusing to burn Azula, prove it," Father says levelly. "If you have no attachment to Iroh, prove it. You will make a spectacle that ensures Iroh never attempts to ally with you again."
He fixes you with his gaze, piercing and calm. There's no anger in it. That almost makes it worse. This isn't a decision made in the heat of the moment.
"You will find a reason to challenge Zuko to an Agni Kai," Father tells you. "And then, in a fit of cruelty, you will scar him."
Somehow, you almost want to laugh. You keep your fists from clenching.
"Why?" you ask, voice polite.
"Because it will ensure Iroh abandons you," Father answers. "Because it will teach you a lesson. Because Zuko learns best when driven by the need to compete with you. Because I ordered you to, and you will not disobey me again."
You just nearly attacked him to avoid burning your sister.
"It will ruin my relationship with my brother," you say. "In the long term, it will undermine my rule."
"If you must coddle your brother to have a stable rule, you are not fit for the throne," Father answers.
Or he has no intention of putting you on the throne, and wants his spare heirs at each other's throats. Fire almost springs into your hands of its own accord.
"Uncle may realize I acted on your orders," you point out, fighting to keep your expression neutral.
"Do you think he'll care why you scarred his favorite child?" Father asks, voice almost soft.
No.
What are you supposed to do? Disobey again? He won't allow it. The punishment will be worse. Lie to him to buy some time? What options do you have? If you go to Uncle for help, what will he do? Do you have the support or the power to resist Father?
Do you burn Zuko after you refused to burn Azula?
"I believe there are better ways to drive Uncle away," you say quietly.
"Are there?" Father asks. "Tell me, then. Tell me your brilliant plan to drive Iroh away. And know that I will add to your punishment each time you suggest a lighter sentence for yourself."
You refused to burn Azula. You were ready to fight for Azula.
And that's why you're here.
Accept Father's orders. You're just making things worse for the whole family every time you disobey. (42)
Lie and tell Father you'll obey. Try to get to Uncle and get his support to take drastic action against Father, whatever the consequences. (42)
Flee the capital with Mitsuko tonight. (34)
"I will challenge uncle to an Agni Kai on the basis that he failed in Ba Sing Se. I will berate him, in front of all who you wish to see, and point out how Lu Ten's death was his own fault. I will emasculate him, I will burn the gifts he has given me, and the ones that Lu Ten has given me, and proclaim that I no longer wish to have anything to do with him, or his failures. I will burn him, or he will be forced to burn me. Either way, I will sever the relationship." (21)
You don't know what to do. You don't know what to do. If you can just buy time -
"If that is what you ask of me -" you begin -
"Do not think you can lie to me, Akane," Father warns you. "Have no illusions that Iroh will save you from your punishment. Do you think I didn't notice your preparations to attack me? Do you believe I, the Fire Lord, am as oblivious to threats as you are? You will obey, or I will cease treating your treasonous impulses with such undeserved lenience."
You have no choice. You have to act. You have to choose.
Obey. Scar Zuko. (39)
Lie. Go to Iroh and commit whatever treason you must. (36)
* * * * *
He's not your favorite child.
* * * * *
97 AC (15 years old)
Royal Palace Dueling Grounds
Words are said. It's not difficult. For the first time, you face Zuko in a duel.
He fights viciously, but there's a reason you've never even bothered to train against him before. Even as numb as you feel, you deflect his attacks without any difficulty.
You could still take a fall. Father would know. He'd move against you within the hour. You doubt you'd even have a chance to go to Uncle, not at this stage. It's too late to back out and have any chance of defeating Father.
You could still take a fall.
Go through with what you came here for. (43)
Take a fall. (19)
He stays on the offensive the whole time. You weather it, deflecting everything he sends your way.
Slowly, you step closer.
"Come on!" Zuko shouts. "Fight back! Hit me!"
Stop asking for it.
With a series of spinning kicks, he sends a tornado of flame at you so vicious that it finally forces you to root yourself and put effort into your defense. It's the kind of thing Azula could have done.
"Did you think I'd just give up?" he yells. "Come on and fight, you coward!"
Enough.
His eyes go wide when you charge him, like he wasn't expecting you to actually do it. When you go on the attack, he can't keep up. Your firebending rattles your own bones with its force, and your brother ends up sprawled out on the stone.
"Yield, Zuko," you command, and he bitterly obeys. It was never in question. This was never a real fight.
You look at the stands. Azula looks pleased. Her fist is clenched in excitement. She nods at you, like she thinks you're doing all this to send her a message. Uncle just looks disappointed. You haven't gotten to the main event yet.
Father is expressionless.
Fine. Fine. It's too late. Fine.
You kneel next to Zuko, and with your hand on his chest you keep him from sitting up.
"What are you doing?" he demands.
What do you even say? What can you say that will justify this?
Scar his chest. He can cover it up. (33)
+"Goodbye Zuko." (33)
+ Tell him you're sorry. (22)
+"I'm sorry I failed you" (20)
Scar his cheek. At least that way there's no risk of it interfering with his bending. (27)
Defy your father and give him a wound that may not scar. (7)
You search for the words, but nothing comes.
"I'm sorry, Zuko," you whisper. "I've failed you in more ways than one."
There's confusion and fear on his face. "What are you doing?"
Your hand presses down on his chest.
He screams as you do it. You hear it as if from miles away. The noise lingers. You have to hold your hand in place for a long time to give him the proper wound.
The only flames that seem to come to you are a low, deep red.
* * * * *
You don't leave the gymnasium after the fight ends. You wash your hands viciously and then go through your forms again, and it only confirms it.
Your fire is red. Low red. Cool red. You can't get it any hotter. It still feels like it wants to explode but now it lacks the heat.
"Your will is your sun, indeed."
You whirl to face him. He's standing in the doorway, expression still blank.
You clasp your hands behind your back. And keep your legs from shaking.
"Have I satisfied you, Father?" you ask. Your voice isn't strained. You stay polite. "It will scar."
"Do you understand now, Akane?" he asks, ignoring you.
"Understand?" you ask. "I understand that I did as you asked. My actions proved my resolve."
"That is not what your actions proved."
What? "I don't understand, Father," you say, clenching your hands behind your back.
"You told me your will was your sun," Father says. "I told you not to let your fear rule you."
Your heart pounds in your chest. "You told me you would punish me for treason if I refused to scar my brother," you remind him.
"And if I had told you again to burn Azula, you would have refused."
What is he talking about? What is he talking about? Is he still not satisfied? How many people does he expect you to burn for him?
"I don't understand what you mean, Father," you say, tone measured. "Do you still want me to burn her? Is that what you're asking?"
"I ask nothing except that you cease lying to yourself," Father tells you. "I ask that you finally understand my lesson."
He is so dramatic every time he winds up to have you maim or wound or kill another member of the family honestly if anyone is an actor here it's him.
"What lesson is that?" you ask politely.
"Your protection of Azula was never an expression of your will," Father tells you. "It was never anything more than you coddling your favored child, just as your Mother did before you."
Your mouth opens, but the words are strangled in your throat. The mask of his expression finally cracks, but nothing emerges but cruel satisfaction.
"That you favor a different child than she did does not change the fact that you have inherited her weakness."
"You ordered me to do this," you say hoarsely.
"And where was your will, Akane?" he asks. "Where was your defiance? Does only one child merit your protection?"
"You threatened me!" Your voice cracks. "You told me you would punish me for treason! You've threatened me and my family every time I've disobeyed you -"
"And where was your will?" Father repeats softly. "Where was your sun?"
He can't do this. He was ready to kill you. You had to bide your time. He can't blame you for this.
He can't do this. This isn't your fault.
"You can't act like you wanted me to defy you," you whisper. "You can't call defiance treason and then act like that's what you wanted all along."
"What I want, Akane, is for you to open your eyes," Father answers. "You presume to quote my lessons back at me while spitting on them with every action you take. You cannot claim your will is your sun as you coddle one child and breathe a sigh of relief when the other is threatened. You cannot reject all of your father's lessons without becoming your mother."
He MADE YOU DO THIS.
"You must choose, Akane," Father tells you. "You can follow either in Ursa's footsteps or in mine. You can reject my instruction or accept it."
"I accepted -"
"You bowed to punishment out of fear." Father sneers. "Just as your mother would have. You accepted my instructions when it only required you to hurt the child you cared nothing for. You have never accepted my teachings when they required you to do what was difficult. You have never been willing to sacrifice."
He told you to do this. He made you do this. This is his fault. All of this is his fault.
"And now you witness the consequences," Father says. "You have no one to blame for this but yourself."
"You can't blame this on me," you whisper. "You made me do this."
"You brought this upon yourself."
"You made me do this!"
"You have suffered only the consequences of your own actions," Father says.
Your heart is pounding. You can't breathe. He can't do this. He can't do this.
"If you had been willing to listen to me from the beginning, to trust my judgment as your father and as the Fire Lord, none of this would have been necessary," Father tells you. "If you had carried out even the simplest of tests I set for you, no burns would have been needed for me to be confident in your will."
As if anything would have satisfied him! As if anything would have been enough! This isn't your fault! He did this! He chose all of this!
"And now, after failing each and every test I have set, you must live with your punishment," Father tells you. "If you had been even strong enough to maintain distance from Iroh, from your political rival, all of this would have been avoided. But you were unwilling to sacrifice even a moment of childish fun. You were unwilling to do what your position required of you, and now you must live with the price of failure. As you will again, and again, until you are strong enough to finally accept my guidance. Until you are strong enough to do what is required of you to grow, you will always return here."
"What is required?" you demand. "Did you want me to defy you?"
"I wanted you to learn your lesson before punishment became necessary," Father says coolly. "As long as you blame me for every mistake you make, you will never grow."
HE MADE YOU DO THIS.
"I suggest you end your childish tantrum quickly," Father finishes, folding his arms. "You would be wise to swallow your pride and begin taking my instruction seriously. You will have little time to train before your departure, and you still have much to learn."
