- Location
- Site 19A4
Ozai must be eliminated before he does even more harm to our nation from his short-sighted idiocy.
Deep Red (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
- Thread starter kosm
- Start date
Ozai must be eliminated before he does even more harm to our nation from his short-sighted idiocy.
RoninSword
Sky God
- Location
- Canada
SO the interlude isn't posted here yet, or am I missing it somehow?
Firedon
Lazy Sleepy Cat
- Location
- Germany
Correct.
- Location
- Massachusetts
I like this interlude, gives us a nice perspective of someone in the colonies.
RadiantPhoenix
Trudging up the Hill
- Location
- USA, Earth
- Pronouns
- She/Her
There's a link to the story's main location back on the first page.
Jamie Roberts
Hávamál 127
- Location
- N/A
- Pronouns
- she/her
I think its very classy how people are commenting here on a chapter which has not yet been posted here. Its not obnoxious or spoilery at all.
Interlude: Kori
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...
* * * * *
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?
* * * * *
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?
* * * * *
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.
-----
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)
+ 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)
+"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)
+ 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.
Last edited:
Shadow Archon
Protoss Preserver
- Location
- Louisiana
I love this interlude. It's so interesting and disturbing to see how propaganda and cultural bias has warped not only Akane but also someone like Kori.
...The snapping wince I did reading this physically hurt me.
Wow, the White Lotus are on the ball when it comes to their attempts at influencing Akane, and they're doing it so subtle too. Unlike canon, it seems like Iroh knows Akane isn't a lost cause like Azula or Ozai were. Can't wait to see what they do next.
...The snapping wince I did reading this physically hurt me.
Wow, the White Lotus are on the ball when it comes to their attempts at influencing Akane, and they're doing it so subtle too. Unlike canon, it seems like Iroh knows Akane isn't a lost cause like Azula or Ozai were. Can't wait to see what they do next.
- Location
- Somewhere!
- Pronouns
- She/Her
So is the white lotus thing to just habitually open with it, in case literally anyone you play was another member? I Feel like doing it with Kori is odd when he should know she's not in, especially if he's done it before.
Well it's official, Kori is adorable.
We must protect our little student, she will learn well under our guidance!
We must protect our little student, she will learn well under our guidance!
Last edited:
- Location
- Leeds
Terran Imperium
[French]
- Location
- Southern France
Not necessarily. She's just a child from his perspective, he just took out his own Pai Sho to play.
The Freemasonry equivalent in the Avatar World.
The secret society of old guys.
Nix's Warden
Welcome to Hades
- Location
- United States
White Lotus he may be but Mr. Lao gives good advice.
- Location
- USA
It could just be a coincidence. Influencing a colonial princess is always a good idea; they just got lucky that Akane is now talking to Kori.
It might be to avoid suspicion. This is a bit (or a lot) paranoid, but if you think someone is spying on you, usig a different opening move when playing with one person (ie. your White Lotus contact) vs. another person might be noticed.
Rem
fite me
I imagine it's become a bit of a harmless habit.
It would be slightly more conspicuous to open with the same piece every time you play a stranger, but only then. By doing it every time it gets written off as just one of your quirks to those not in the know.
- Location
- Somewhere!
- Pronouns
- She/Her
This does fit, but then the actual countersign is a very specific sequence of moves that literally draws a white lotus out around it, and a call and response as part of that. So I think someone would notice that more than the opening move
Still, it works in the show so presumably no one is watching pai sho that much? And opening every time means no risk of missing out on someone, even if they got turned or recruited by someone else after oyu'd already met them.
Takareer
Words and feathers
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
Little do they know that Akane will consume them, too... in time.
- Location
- UK
- Pronouns
- They/Them
This made me chuckle.
Generally fun update. Great to see Akane and Kori keeping in touch, even better to see Akane inspiring others to find and adapt what they can from other bending styles. Also nice to see her be such a moderate influence rather than just feeding into patriotic fanaticism.
- Location
- Ural, Russia, Earth
Kori is adorable.
I'm somewhat glad Akane didn't take her to the Capital and didn't crush her idealized view of wise and benevolent Fire Nation by exposing her to the racist viper's nest of the Palace.
...On the other hand I'm sad Akane won't be around when it inevitably happens.
Iroh and Akane sit down to play Pai Sho. Iroh opens the game with the lotus tile. Akane takes it and eats it. Iroh is confused. Akane leans forward and whispers "You are next".
I'm somewhat glad Akane didn't take her to the Capital and didn't crush her idealized view of wise and benevolent Fire Nation by exposing her to the racist viper's nest of the Palace.
...On the other hand I'm sad Akane won't be around when it inevitably happens.
And now I have the strangest mental image:
Iroh and Akane sit down to play Pai Sho. Iroh opens the game with the lotus tile. Akane takes it and eats it. Iroh is confused. Akane leans forward and whispers "You are next".
Shadow Archon
Protoss Preserver
- Location
- Louisiana
Oh no. Akane went full Azulon. You never go full Azulon.
Quick Iroh! Grab the table!
- Location
- Site 19A4
Nah, going full Azulon would be ranting about how Iroh "is corrupting your palace and family" before attempting to strangle him with lightning hands.
Give us some credit - if we're going to dispose of someone, it'll be done properly and with the upmost level of efficiency... Man, I can't wait until we get our guards unit ready; we'll have plenty of wetwork for them to do to pave our way to the throne.
Last edited:
- Location
- Leeds
What fraction of an Azulon was Azula at by the end of TLA?
