Fire Nation Civil War

[brynna]

Her passive face didn't show the struggle within. It would be so easy for her to help them, but she was afraid. It would be hard to make Azula accept her back, but she was the only one who could infiltrate at that level. She wanted to, to finally be able to show how much she cared for Zuko, but the dark girl feared his sister almost as deeply as she loved him.

"The mail chutes? What are we doing in a mail chute?" asked Lin curiously as she settled down behind Mushi. The answer hit her as soon as the chute began to move.

[Sarcasmic Canadian]

Mushi grinned like a little child as the chute began a rapid desent.
"Having fun yet?" screamed Mushi, the wind blocking out low sounds, forcing him to scream. He grinned and then did something incredibly stupid; stuck his hand out of the speeding chute. He tocuhed the ground for a few moments, bnut that was all he needed. He formed a jump up ahead, directly in their path.

OOC: Is BB in or out? If he is, I'll make my Zuko work for him.... if not... well then I'm going back to what i already had.

[setzer]

Jang smashed another helmet to pieces, along with the skull of the man inside. This was it, this was why he'd been born. Fighting was what he lived for. He ordered his men forward, off the coasts of Chang Min Island. The naval base lay just ahead, and it would soon belong to Azula.

[Beebs]

A man with thick grey hair and a wise exterior was slowly sipping his tea, having carefully blown to cool it down just before. "Youch!" He said to himself, calming the scalded tongue with his breath. "Apparently still too hot." The man cocked a brow and continued to lower its temperature in the same manner until he was sure it was just right. He took another sip. "Perfect," he thought to himself with a wide grin.

The man placed his now empty porcelain cup onto its saucer, picking up a soft white cloth and wiping the edges of his mouth politely. He grinned once again, now reminiscing about what his wonderful tea had tasted like. Soon, a hawk perched itself on the windowsill of the room and cawed for the man's attention. The old man's smile quickly turned into a frown as he got up from his seated position and slowly walked over to the bird. He saw the bird held a parcel container, which caused his expression to become even more grim, since he assumed in times like these one would not send a messenger hawk to deliver good word. He unwillingly began to unravel the pouch and pulled out a rolled up piece of parchment. The grey-haired man gulped and finally opened the letter after a long pause. It read:

Dear General Iroh,

An opposing war-front has encroached upon our shores at Chang Min Island and their assault is well underway. Although we believe our soldiers can hold them off for the time being, I'm honestly not sure how much longer we can last. Their force is great and their strength is brutal, they've killed dozens of us mercilessly. The styling of their offense seems delicate and fierce, almost personal in a way, as if it were a direct message to our beloved prince Zuko from his sibling. I urge you to please send reinforcements our way and deliver this news to prince Zuko yourself, as his temper always seems to settle in your presence. We are counting on you, sir.

Sincerely,
--Commander Xiou-San

P.S.
I look forward to having tea with you again one day, my dear friend.

Iroh firmly clutched the parchment in his hand, causing it to become crumpled. His face appeared grim as his suspicions from before had been confirmed. Nothing good could come of a day like this and the grey-haired man knew so. He went over to his desk and reached for a quill, dipping it in ink and scribbling something down on the back of the note, which was slightly crinkled from before. He rolled it up once more and returned it to the hawk, which flew off back in the direction from whence it came.

Iroh's expression was bleak, yet he trudged on and left his quarters towards his nephew's chamber, leaving his teacup and saucer out on the open table.

[setzer]

Azula read over the message General Jang had sent her. He had cut off the island, but lacked the men necessary to take the naval base. For a moment she considered just ordering him to destroy the harbor and withdraw, but she liked the idea of having Chang Min Island in her possession, like a knife at her brother's throat. She wrote a reply, saying she would send reinforcements. She sent a servant off to the aviary, then returned to her chambers. Ty Lee was there all along, like a shadow, but she seemed unusually quiet. "Ty Lee... is something wrong?"

[Beebs]

"Hm?" Ty Lee responded bleakly, looking up from the floor. "Oh, it's nothing Azula." A fake smile arose on the young woman's face and she began to approach her friend with slight caution; it had become a habit for Ty Lee to have a looming fear of Azula.

Ty lee had always felt things to be dangerous around Azula, but lately things had become much worse. A few months after being forced to side with the princess, Ty Lee met a young man named Rai. Rai was one of Azula's troops and was quite skilled in his work. Soon after meeting him, Ty Lee instantly developed an attraction for the young man. A few weeks later, the two began to date as much as one could in Azula's Fire Nation. They had been together ever since.

However, a few months prior to the girl's meeting at hand, Ty lee questioned why Rai had such a lowly position in the war front, when he obviously displayed more useful talents. Ty Lee could only assume that Azula considered this action a challenge to her leadership and accordingly punished the girl passive-aggressively. Rai was assigned to a naval battalion, far from the land where Ty Lee was assigned to.

The young woman clenched her firsts at the thought; just looking at Azula made Ty Lee very upset and angry. She knew Azula's cruelty knew no limit, but to do something so blatantly childish and mean made Ty Lee sick to her stomach.

[setzer]

"Ty Lee... you're lying. I thought you knew better." Ty Lee still had the scars from the last time she'd lied to Azula. Not where anyone could see them, unless they knew exactly where to look. "You can trust me wih your secrets." If you know what's good for you. Is it about that new boyfriend of yours? The one who looks so good in orange?" She smiled in a way that almost made her look sweet.

[Beebs]

"Rai's not my new boyfriend, Azula," Ty Lee responded, a blank expression present on her adorable face, "After all, we've been seeing each other for more than a year. And I know, I shouldn't hide things from you; it's not very friend-like of me. It's just...I was wondering when you'd let-- I mean, when I'd be able to see him again...like if he goes on leave." She forced an innocent smile, but couldn't displace the sadness looming within her eyes.

[setzer]

"My mistake. You used to go through them so quickly I never bothered to keep track. He's a nice one. Strong, loyal. You made a much better choice then Mai." Her fists tightened, then opened again. Zuko's betrayal had affected her worse then she thought. She was getting angry all the time, and hat interfered with her judgment.

Azula sighed, and wrapped her arms around Ty Lee. "I need capable soldiers like Raiin the fight. You know the idiots I'm forced to make use of. You don't have a thing to worry about. Once we finish this campaign, I'll have Zuko on the defensive, and I'll have some time to properly train the army. We can go visit him then. I sent him to the front because I know he'll distinguish himself there." She threw herself on her bed, and stretched out. "By the way, Ty Lee... does he have any friends available?"

[Beebs]

Ty Lee thinned her eyes at Azula, who knew perfectly well what the answer was. "Not that I know of," Ty Lee almost bitterly responded, before changing her tone into a cheery one, "Most of his friends back here were either shipped off or killed in battle. I wouldn't know about any he has now, since we haven't seen each other..." Her voice trailed of as she realized how hostile she was being; that certainly wasn't the best attitude to have around Azula. She continued, subtly sneaking in traces of her own vendetta,"B-But you know, there's probably lots. Maybe when you do bring some of the soldiers back there'll be plenty to choose from. Anyone would be honored to have you on their arm, Azula."

[setzer]

"That's the problem. Anyone. I can have anyone. But you know most people. Fawning flatterers, idiots, or traitors. Once I take my throne, I'll need an heir to inherit it. I can't just pick anyone. I need a man worthy of me, and an heir I can teach everything I know." She turned on her side. "Good men are hard to find, Ty Lee. Make sure you hang onto yours." She sat up and smiled. "And if he ever treats you badly, just let me know, and he'll die screaming as I roast him alive" Surely Ty Lee would cheer up after I made such a kind offer... right?

[Beebs]

Ty Lee's eyes widened with shock for a mere moment, before she collected herself and smiled, replying, "Yeah Azula, you do deserve someone perfect. And don't worry, I'm keeping mine in line, so hopefully no roasting for him! Heh..."

Ty Lee paused for a bit and frowned. The more she thought of Rai, the more she wished this stupid war was over and she could go back to being a performer, spending the rest of her days with the person she really cared for. But for that to happen, someone would have to win. Honestly, Ty Lee sided with Azula, not only due to the pressure, but because frankly she believed Azula had a much greater chance of success. Zuko had never been one for leadership, in Ty Lee's opinion, and Azula's madness is what made her such a strong ruler...dreadful, but strong. She was cunning, strong-willed, and powerful; everything that qualified you to lead an army to victory.

Ty Lee's naivety made her essentially unaware of the effect this war had on others; to her it was just another annoyance. Perhaps that's why Ty Lee then chose to drop the subject of her own love troubles and flop down onto the floor, contorting herself in various positions. She stared up at the ceiling and asked, "Hey, Azula, have you ever actually...had a boyfriend?"

((OOC: I can't recall if they discussed this in 'the Beach' or not, but meh. xDD))

[setzer]

OOC: It's a good character developing moment. We'll go with it.

"No. No I haven't. I've met some men at court functions, dinners or ceremonies. Bunch of lousy fakers. I could see it in their eyes, thinking I would get a crush on them like some stupid silly girl, they'd ask father for my hand, and end up inheriting the throne that way. They never felt anything for me. They just wanted me for my royal blood. It was enough to make me sick. Father never actually formally arranged a marriage for me, but I hear he had plans to do so."

Suddenly, a memory came to her "Do you remember that time we all went to Ember Island? I asked you for some advice about getting guys to like me, and you said to just laugh at everything he said? That guy Chan took me on a tour of his house, and we went out on the balcony. Talked a bit... and he kissed me. I told him together, we would be the most powerful couple in the entire world! We would dominate the- Oh I was such an idiot. Or maybe it was him. That was the first guy I kissed. And my only one. I just don't get romance."

[Beebs]

((OOC: Together, you and I shall become the strongest couple in the universe. We will dominate the earth! xDDD))

"Oh, Azula," Ty Lee said sympathetically. She couldn't help but feel sorry for Azula; she never chose to be brought up so...strangely. "Romance, love is something you just...feel; you know it's right there with you, always. it makes you feel special, loved, and happy all at the same time. It's a lot more complicated than it seems. I guess you can't really understand it unless you've experienced it, but surely you've felt it for someone, hm?"

Truth be told, Ty Lee couldn't imagine Azula being romantic with anyone. Malevolence dwelled within her heart and the young woman didn't see anyone falling in love with that. Ty Lee soon pondered her own relationship with Azula; it was essentially based on lie. Could it be that Azula had never been truly loved by anyone, nor loved them in return?

[setzer]

Azula said nothing. She thought of her Uncle. He was rather distant, he'd always been away on campaign. She'd never gotten any closer to him. Anyone could see he had given up, that the once great Dragon of he West was nothing more then a lazy old man now. Well, Iroh may have been fat and lazy, but he wasn't stupid. When she turned Zuko in Ba Sing Se, there was sorrow in his eyes when he looked at his nephew, but hatred when Iroh looked at her. He clearly believed she was just using Zuko.
No, she didn't love her Uncle, and her uncle didn't love her.

How about Zuko? He was born two years ahead of her, and sometimes seemed decades behind. Her whole life she'd watched him stubbornly struggle to master skills that came easy as breathing to her.
But things didn't really get bad until she was about 8. They'd often had fun together. Those days were long gone, and it almost seemed like those years had been lived by another person. And under he surface, there was that sneering resentment on her part, and the clumsy anger from Zuzu. He was always jealous of her, and how easily she could torment him. Maybe she could have grown to love Zuko, like sisters were supposed to love their brothers, but his part in father's death had destroyed any hope of that.

Her mother? Mom had definitely loved Zuko. She let him cling to her skirts until the day she disappeared.
Bu it seemed she never understood Azula, just like Azula never understood her. She could never fathom why Mom loved a failure like Zuko, and seemed scared or disgusted by her clearly superior daughter. Azula always knew Mom loved Zuko more then her. But did her mother ever love her at all?

"What is love anyway?" she wondered outloud. She knew her father took pride in her bending talents, her keen brain, and her total lack of mercy towards the enemies of the Fire Nation. They made her feel special. But was that love? Zuko had never done anything to get Mom's love, but she loved him anyway. So love wasn't something you took. Did that mean there was no way you could get it? That made no sense.

Azula knew she wanted to be loved. She saw Mai and Zuko, and how they seemed to be happy simply by being around each other. It was like nothing could possibly bother them. Zuko never forced Mai to love him, so why did she? How do you get something that you can't take? Father had always told her that the only way to get what you wanted was to take it. Ozai had no regard for anyone who wasn't useful. Was he just using her as a tool to win the war? She didn't mind that, since she would sit on the throne after him. But did her father ever love her? He'd never treated her like she'd seen Mom treat Zuko. It seemed everything he did had the ultimate aim of making her a worthy ruler. Surely that meant he loved her? He wanted to ensure he'd be a success in life. But was that because he loved her, or because he didn't want his empire to fall apart because a weak person ruled it. Azula had a near flawless memory. She tried to recall anyone ever saying they loved her. Surely they would have. She must have heard the words a million times, from father to mother, Iroh to Lu Ten, Zuko to mother, any number of people around the palace... but never her. The realization made her feel sick.

When Azula spoke next, her voice was trembling and weak. She barely recognized it as her own.
"No. No one has ever told me that they love me." She suddenly wanted to cry.

OOC: Man this was tough to type up.

[Beebs]

((OOC: Wow...that post actually made me hate Azula a lot less. o.O))

Ty Lee was stunned, truth be told; not only by Azula' revelation, but her response...the sense of sadness in her voice was not like Azula in the least. "That's so awaful," Ty Lee thought to herself, since she was at a loss for words, "Never? Is that even possible? I've heard it all the time, from my sisters and boyfriends...it may not have always been so truthful, but I know that people have loved me and I've loved them too. No wonder Azula is the way she is...with a life like that, who could blame her?"

Ty lee bit her lower lit in anxiety. It had been a good five minutes since either of them had spoken; it wasn't because Ty Lee didn't have anything to say, she had plenty of words floating around her head, but couldn't think of anything that might not make Azula angry. The awkward silence became almost unbearable, so the former acrobat finally spoke. "Azula...I'm so sorry."

Not caring what came after, Ty Lee soon stood up, leaned in and hugged the young woman; the girl knew this is what Azula needed right now, even if she didn't seem to like it. "Would it be too much if I...hm..."

Finally, she spoke again, "And as your friend, Azula, I love you."

And it was true on some level. Sure, Ty Lee spited Azula for things done to her in the past, but even through this fake relationship they had built, there was a real affection for Azula looming within the young woman. They had been through so much together, it was very difficult not to care for her.

[setzer]

Azula wrapped her arms around Ty Lee like a drowning man might cling to a lifeline. Before she knew it, she was crying, powerful body wracking sobs that felt like they would break her."And I... I love... you too..." she managed to say between sobs. "I know... there have been times... I hurt you. I'm so... please... forgive me..." It seems all I do is hurt people. Did I deserve it? Growing up with no one who loved me?

She buried her face in her friend's shoulder. That just... came pouring out. I don't even know why I'm feeling like this. Am I turning into some sentimental idiot like Zuzu? But... this feels so right. She didn't say this because she wanted to flatter me, or wanted a promotion from Dad. She said it because she was honestly concerned for me. After all I've done to her. If I tell her about that day at the circus, will she still love me?

[Beebs]

Ty Lee smiled at Azula, her eyes beginning to water was well; she didn't quite cry though. As if anticipating the young woman's thoughts, Ty Lee responded, "I know that sometimes we might say or do things that hurt one another, but deep down we do care for each other; almost like family does. Best friends, right?"

[setzer]

"Yes." She smiled, and sat up. "I care for you so much. I've always felt I could be me without worrying about how you'd react. That's probably why I just poured out my soul. I've never talked about that with anyone else. I can't appear weak in front of my subjects but you... understand me. Thank you, Ty Lee."

[Beebs]

Ty lee returned the smile and nodded accordingly, glad that she Azula had this certain breakthrough in their friendship. Things felt easier now; more at peace, one might say. She felt more comfortable in the presence of the young woman, her fear lessened and her cowardice broken.

She flopped backwards onto the side of the bed she sat on and, much like she did before she and Azula had their falling out, began to speak, "So, what do we have planned for the rest of this week? I hope it's not another one of those boring war meetings, no offense. I'd rather be doing something more exciting, y'know?"