|
Post by belated valentine on Aug 16, 2010 16:32:26 GMT -5
Aang laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "Well it's not like I have money weighing down my pockets...or jelly beans. I mean, I don't get paid for being the avatar." He said, turning when she did. He could hear voices up ahead, which probably meant they were getting closer to Zuko. "But I guess we could go with what you said and just let you gamble so we can pay it back." He said. They passed a room where he heard Iroh's voice and another familiar voice.
"Heeeeeeey! It's the avatar arrowhead!" Shuei said, placing his tea cup down. "What are you doing here in the south pole?"
Aang widened his eyes, doing a double take, looking at Toph to see if she noticed. Was he delusional? "Um.." He said, looking back at the man. "This is the fire nation, how did you get here before us?" He asked.
"Oh no no, this can't be the fire nation. It's much too quiet. Have you met my new friend?" He asked, pointing to Iroh.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fateful on Aug 16, 2010 16:41:19 GMT -5
Toph smiled at him. "I'm well aware. I didn't get paid to train you either, but if you recall, when you have me, you have an unlimited supply of money. The cons tend to work better if I have someone else with me, it looks more believable. Zuko couldn't believe it the first time I showed him." As they walked down the hallway she paused then completely stopped. "That voice..." She whispered.
As many people never forgot a face, Toph never forgot a voice.
Then, it spoke to them. Turning to face him, her eyes widened. "It's... a little hot for the south pole, don't you think?" She asked, resting a hand on her side, but she smiled in Iroh's direction. Standing beside Aang, she glanced towards him. "Guess this means we don't have to find someone else to make me the ointment again. I'll have Zuko buy it and I'll pay him back later."
Iroh waved his hand, smiling at Toph and Aang. "Don't worry about it, We'll deal with it. If you're hurt and need something then it's not a problem." He gestured towards the table, asking them to sit. "Join us for some tea, we have green and jasmine." He pointed to the two tea pots and the empty cups which had yet to be used. "I'm expected Zuko to come and see me in a short while, you should be able to wait for him here. He'll give you rooms, though I believe you already know where yours is, Toph."
She nodded. "Yeah, I remember." She walked over to the table and sat down. "Sparky in a meeting?"
Iroh nodded. "Yes, unfortunately. Azula has been becoming much more daring. She attempting to escape two days ago and they're attempting to find a way to calm her and fortify her room and constraints so she's unable to break out or attempt to escape again."
|
|
|
|
Post by belated valentine on Aug 16, 2010 17:04:08 GMT -5
Aang jumped onto one of the seats on the floor, rubbing his hands together. "Sweet! You make the best tea, pour me some green tea please!" He said, holding out the cup and waiting for him to pour some. When he did, he took a sip and let out a sigh of relief. "You would do that? Thanks, I'll pay it back as soon as possible. I promise!" He said, smiling. "And the avatar always keeps his promises."
Sitting up, he sipped at his tea. "He's really having a hard time with that, isn't he? I mean, Zuko was able to change but Azula never did...but then again, I don't think Zuko was ever bad to begin with, just confused. Azula though...she was just different, really different." He brought the cup up to his mouth again, taking another sip. The hot tea ran down his throat, heating him from the inside out.
Shuei blinked. "But I thought the snow just melted. Oh well, I guess then I must be careful. Wouldn't want firelord Ozai to know I was here." He said, laughing. "Everyone, shhhh...be calm. We'll be okay, we just can't let any firebenders see us. Oh, speaking of which..." He looked over at Aang. "Did I ever tell you I once married a fire bender?"
"Yes, yes you did.."
|
|
|
|
Post by Fateful on Aug 16, 2010 17:19:33 GMT -5
Toph sat down next to Iroh and rubbed his side. "I know this is a stupid question, but do you have any ointment with you? My side is starting to sting like I was stung my a vulture-bee." Picking up the tea Iroh poured for her, she drank it simply and closed her eyes, getting comfortable on the cushions on the floor, keeping one of her feet rested on it so she could see those around her. "Why don't they just imprison Azula in a special cell underground? Like one that's fortified by metal and a lot of expensive thick doors that her lightning will just bounce off of rather than penetrate? You can shoot lightning, so if you can't get through it that means she can't."
Iroh poured Aang some tea and sighed. "I don't think that such a thing would be wise... Azula could end up hurting herself, or someone else. Besides, Zuko believes it's cruel to leave her by herself, locked away alone. it won't improve her madness."
Toph rolled her eyes. "You know nothing will change her. She'll be like that until the day she dies."
The dragon of the west sighed, but nodded. "I know, but it's not that simple."
Shrugged her shoulders, Toph looked at the mad doctor whom she had the feeling was going to be around for a while. "Yeah... imagine what would happen if firelord Ozai heard us." She mused, a grin on her face.
|
|
|
|
Post by belated valentine on Aug 16, 2010 17:54:49 GMT -5
Shuei nodded. "I will prepare more ointment for you. However, it will cost you more and your friend has not paid me thoroughly. I will make it double if I do not get my money soon. A poor old man like me has to make a living too, you know! It's not all fun and games and candy." He added, picking up his cup and downing the liquid. He widened his eyes, forgetting that it had been hot. Sighing, he rubbed his neck and cleared his throat. "Anywho...Why the heck is Azula in jail?"
Aang nodded. "Despite everything she's done, I think Zuko still thinks of her as his sister. I doubt he'll do anything that puts her life in danger." He said, blowing at the steam that started to rise out of his cup. "I mean, I couldn't even kill Ozai..." Staring down at the cup, he blinked, watching his reflection do the same before he brought it up to his lips again, taking a gulp of hot liquid.
"It'll be really hard to figure out a way to keep her mentally stable, safe, and completely locked in at the same time but I'm sure if we think hard enough there will be a way. I'd offer to try and take her bending away but I'm not really sure if it would work...I mean I don't think it's a good idea. Ozai almost over took me when I did it and I think Azula is stronger than even him...She's definitely more determined."
|
|
|
|
Post by Fateful on Aug 17, 2010 7:29:15 GMT -5
Iroh nodded. "We will pay you for the cost of the ointment now. How much was it?" he motioned for a servant to come over, which they did and stood at the table, ready to take orders. "I'll have someone get it now so you can make some more as soon as you're able." Pouring himself some more tea, Iroh sighed. "Azula unfortunately sided with her father on matters relating to the war, and well, ultimately fell with former Fire lord Ozai."
"You couldn't kill Ozai because you seem to think that everyone has good in them. To be honest, I'd rather go to prison then die. But I only say that because I can break out of it. If you took my bending away I wouldn't be able to see at all, so breaking out wouldn't be possible. If I had the choice of no bending or death, I'm pretty sure I'd choose death." Toph shrugged her shoulders, and picked up her tea, holding it in her hand, allowing it to warm it, before putting it over her injury to relieve some of the pain. Bring the cup to her lips, she took a sip of it and laid down on the pillows literally the floor around the small tea table.
Iroh nodded. "I agree with you Aang. Zuko doesn't want Azula to be killed, she is, after all his family. He assumed for years that his mother had been killed because of his war, so the thought of killing more of his family is too much. And a brother killing a sister for power wouldn't look well for him. Much of the fire nation didn't agree with his choice to end the war, but are coming to accept it."
Toph sighed. "I don't think she was even mentally stable to begin with. She was trying to kill her brother, serving a psychopathic father who wanted to kill all the other nations. I'm not quite sure what about this you seem to think makes it worth treating her like a person. Keeping her underground keeps her away from people, keeping them and her safe. I don't see the downside besides she doesn't get interaction with other inmates."
|
|
|
|
Post by belated valentine on Aug 17, 2010 8:16:35 GMT -5
Aang nodded. "Yeah. I only got to know Zuko a little before the comet, we never became 'best friends' but it was enough for me to understand that he was never actually a bad person and that even though his sister has tried to kill him countless times, he doesn't want to kill her." He said. Looking over at Toph he nodded. "Yes but...I don't think Azula wants to die, even if her bending were to disapear. As you said, without yours you would be unable to see. But Azula, I think she would still continue to think of ways to escape."
When Iroh mentioned Zuko's mother, he looked up, slightly confused. "Thought she was dead? You mean Ursa's alive? How do you know?" He asked, his cup of tea forgotten on the table. When Zuko had brought up his mother a long time ago, Aang had assumed she was dead since he seemed so sad when talking about her. He had no idea she could have been alive.
Shuei touched his chin. "Ursa?" He asked, glancing at the others. "Awhile ago while I was heading to Ba Sing Se, I met a very nice woman named Ursa. She was very beautiful but she was gone within a few days." He said, recalling the memory. Shaking his head, he gave a sigh. "I asked her to marry me but she told me no. What a shame...Anyway, is this the same Ursa you are speaking of?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Fateful on Aug 17, 2010 8:25:50 GMT -5
Iroh nodded. "She is alive, yes. Ozai banished her when Zuko was a child. Ozai mentioned to out father that he should be heir rather than I due to the fact my son had died. In exchange, fire lord Azulon demanded that Ozai killed his first born son to understand my pain. Ursa found a way for Ozai to become firelord and save Zuko's life. For her crimes, she was later banished." He looked down at his tea, shaking his head. "It seems my brother had a way of getting what he wanted, no matter what happened. Ursa did it to not only save Zuko's life, but to protect him. My assumption is that he wanted to kill Zuko, but banishment seemed like the only thing he was able to do after Ursa was also banished."
Toph lifted her head. "Yeah... I wish I had a mom like her." She rubbed her eyes and looked blindly at the ceiling above her. "I met her the last time I was here. Did she leave?"
Iroh shook his head, then remembered she couldn't see him. "No, she's still here, though I'm not sure where in the palace she happens to be."
Toph grinned. "Yeah, you most likely met her near Ba Sing Se. She was staying in the earth kingdom considering she was banished from the fire nation. She fits in anywhere though, from what everyone's told me, she's truly beautiful."
|
|
|
|
Post by belated valentine on Aug 17, 2010 9:00:53 GMT -5
"Toph, dear, you speak much too highly of me." A womans laughter entered the room. Ursa stood in layers of long and elegant silk robes, her hair styled neatly and out of her eyes. She slowly made her way into the room, her hands tucked into the long sleeves. "Iroh, you didn't tell me we were expecting guests. I hope you've been taking good care of the Avatar and his friends." She said, smiling.
Aang looked up, surprised. "You're Zuko's mother, aren't you?" He asked, gray eyes wide with wonder. She gave a nod and a smile. "We've heard so many good things about you! You're very brave, but I'm sure many people have already told you that. Iroh was just telling us the story of how you saved your son's life."
Ursa looked over at the air bender, she gave a light smile. "Thank you. But courage has little to do with things. It's a mothers job to protect her children. I can't say that I was fearless going up against my husband, but my fear was over weighed by my love for Zuko and his wellbeing." She looked around. "Speaking of which, has that boy returned from his meeting yet? He's been gone an awful long time." She asked, taking a seat next to them.
"Ah, so it IS you!" Shuei spoke up, pointing to Ursa. "You are the mystery woman that I met years back! You would not tell me anything more than your name!"
"You do look very familiar, but I've met countless people...I can't say I remember you, what's your name?"
"My name is Shuei, and please tell me you will marry me this time!" He asked, placing his hands together and bowing.
Ursa backed away slightly. "Oh right, I remember now.."
|
|
|
|
Post by Fateful on Aug 17, 2010 9:19:12 GMT -5
Toph grinned, balancing the cup on her injury so that the heat went straight into her body without her having to hold it. "I like you better than my mother." She said simply. "Iroh and Zuko like you, so that was all I needed when we met." She tilted her head in her direction and smiled at her happily. "Besides, anyone who risked her husband killing her to save her son has to be an amazingly strong and beautiful person. I like your voice, and considering that's what I got, it's enough for me to call you beautiful too." Momo jumped from Aang's shoulders onto Toph's stomach, curling up on her body, amazingly without spilling her tea. Contently laying in her lap, he made a few noises before starting to go to sleep.
Iroh sighed. "Well, considering it's a meeting baout Azula, I expected it to take quite a while. And I'm always respectful to my guests Ursa, you know that. They like it here, you know how Toph makes her self at home." He gestured towards her teasingly.
"What ever happened to you marrying a fire bender?" Toph asked, turning her head in his direction. "Why are you trying to marry her too?"
|
|
|
|
Post by belated valentine on Aug 17, 2010 10:31:44 GMT -5
Ursa leaned over, pulling Toph into a hug. "Thank you Toph, you're very sweet. I consider you my daughter almost."
Shuei nodded. "Yes, I did marry a firebender. I also married a waterbender. I've lived a long life and have had many wives. You see, I was quite the handsome one." He said, rubbing his chin. "However, I was very disappointed when Ursa here rejected my marriage proposal. I know we were almost strangers but I knew we would have lasted!" He sighed, placing a hand over his chest, the spot where his heart was. "Oh...what a shame."
Ursa cleared her throat, a somewhat nervous laugh escaping her mouth. "Almost strangers? I didn't even know who you were. You came over and asked me to marry you, I don't remember telling you my name either..." She said, pouring herself a cup of tea. "Needless to say, I won't marry you. However, there is Ms. Wei, one of the chefs, downstairs who is a lot closer to your age than I am, perhaps you should ask her instead."
"Closer to my age? I am almost 100 years old! I don't want a wife who is my age or anything close to it. I don't want a hag.."
|
|
|
|
Post by Fateful on Aug 17, 2010 10:49:35 GMT -5
Toph smiled and hugged her back, showing showing the pain that ripped through her side in doing so. "Well compared to what you have for a daughter, I will take that as the ultimate compliment." She leaned back on her arms, putting the tea down on the table. Under some miracle, it didn't spill. "Don't worry." She whispered, leaning close to her. "He may be making me medicine, but I can still earth bend."
Covering her mouth, Toph muffled a laugh. "Handsome, right." She said, as if pretending to agree with her, then stretched her arms above her head. "My side hurts, Shuei, could you please make me some more ointment?" Resting her hand on her side, her eyes closed. Then she pulled up her shirt, touching the bandages that still wrapped the injury. "Hey, Twinkle toes, am I bleeding?" She questioned, feeling moisture, but was almost positive it was the ointment soaking through the bandages rather than blood.
|
|
|
|
Post by belated valentine on Aug 17, 2010 11:27:56 GMT -5
Aang sat up, putting down his tea. He leaned closer to her, touching her side. He could feel the moisture too. Looking down, he noticed the red stain that was slowly appearing on her side. He looked up at the doctor who was joyfully pouring another cup of tea. "She's bleeding, maybe you should take a look at it before you make more ointment?" He asked.
Shuei sighed, standing up. "Come along, Taph." He looked back at Iroh. "Do you have a room anywhere you don't mind getting blood on anything? Also.." He pulled a list out of his sleeve and handed it to him. "Those are the ingredients needed for the ointment. While I'm checking and rewrapping her side, could you get someone to grab those for me? Thanks Uroh."
|
|
|
|
Post by Fateful on Aug 17, 2010 11:41:03 GMT -5
Toph grumbled, not pleased with her body had decided that it should dump more blood than it usually did. "Whatever." She stood up, holding her side and let her shirt fall back around her waist. "Let's just get this over with so we can work on your earth bending." Him working on his Earth bending was more for her than for him, she rarely had anyone that could earth bend with her especially since most Earth benders felt threatened by her.
"Let's go." He'd never said her name right, so correcting him was a waste of time. Pushing herself to her feet, she started to walk out of the room. "You can do it in my room, it's not like seeing the blood with bother me." She said, pausing at the door for him to follow.
Iroh nodded. "We'll have one of the servants bring you some clean sheets later, so don't worry about staining them or anything." He said, pouring Ursa some tea and gesturing for her to sit down.
|
|
|
|
Post by belated valentine on Aug 17, 2010 12:07:59 GMT -5
Shuei nodded. "Thank you." He said, following Toph out of the room.
Aang watched as he left with Toph, glancing at her side and at the blood that was starting to cover a great deal of her shirt. He looked away, not wanting to see. Blood had never really been his thing, especially when it was on one of his friends. He looked back at Ursa and Iroh, picking up his tea cup. "I'm actually kind of glad that weird doctor followed us here. At least Toph has someone to look after her wounds."
|
|
|