Thread: Fire and Rain [Azecreth & rosita red]

Zuko was angry. Now, as anyone could attest, Zuko being angry was not exactly an uncommon occurrence. He'd gotten better about it during his trip with Aang and the rest of his friends when they were fighting to stop his father from burning the entire earth Kingdom to a cinder during the day of Sozin's Comet, but he was still prone to bursts of anger in spectacular proportions. Call it a result of his upbringing and fiery nature. Fortunately, he was the Fire Lord, so anything he might damage could be replaced, though he made an effort to try and keep from breaking anything too valuable. At the moment he was out in one of the many courtyards in the palace, venting his rage in kicks and punches, flurries of fire flying everywhere and he growled and shouted, very, very angry and wishing that the object of his rage was here now so he could remove it. Sadly, he would just have to do with his imagination for now, lest he ruin his public image through murder, even if it was, in his mind, well deserved. His current target was the nobility. He didn't have much respect for them. They were either spineless fools, yes men for his father, or racist bigots who were completely blinded in ideas of their superiority to the rest of the world. Of course, the hatred was mutual, but now he had to deal with this latest nonsense. Somehow, they'd gotten it in their heads that in order to make some form of atonement for what they did in the war, like he was trying to do, he should take a foreigner as a wife. But not just any foreigner. Specifically, Katara, companion of the Avatar, of the Southern Water Tribe. In any other universe, this might not be as much of an issue. Through experiences together the two had grown to tolerate each other, perhaps even enough to be called 'friends' as well. But there was one problem, and it had a name. Mai. Aah, dang it, he shouted, releasing another burst of fire into the air. In his display, he didn't notice as Iroh entered the courtyard, carrying s teapot and some china cups, his uncle having come back from Ba Sing Se for a visit, and to be his advisor. And spirits help him, he needed it. Fire Lord Zuko. I hope you are not imagining sending all the nobility in the Fire Nation to Boiling Rock, he commented as he sat down beside the koi pond. A last blast of fire, and Zuko turned to face Iroh, panting and in a ruffled state. How can they expect me to do this uncle? I'm not just going to go off and marry Katara like it's nothing. Especially not for a silly reason like 'making some small repayment for the devastation caused to the Southern Water Tribe by the Fire Nation over the duration of the war.' I've already got a girlfriend. Iroh sighed as he sat, facing down his nephew's anger. Zuko, my nephew, I understand how you feel, and I agree with you. However, there are many among the nobility who still support the rule of Ozai and oppose you. To continue to alienate them will only result in revellion and possible civil war. ZUko growled, pacing about like a caged lion. I know that Uncle. But I'm not in love with Katara. Even a blind peasant can see that the only one she's interested in is Aang, he said, gesturing widely. I wish our nobility had the experience of being blind peasants. They might learn something, Iroh replied. Still, an arranged marriage for political reasons is nothing new. You may just have to accept it for the moment. I doubt Katara is happy about this either. That was true. So, at least he could take solace in the fact that he wasn't the one who would have to get Katara here. That would be up to the envoys that were sent to her. They would probably be persuasive in that regard, but if Aang objected, then things would get messy in a hurry. So yeah, he would rather it not be him making the trip down to the South Pole at the moment. Zuko's eyes widened and his face drained of color as a realization. Mai. Oh god, he was going to have to tell Mai. She was going to kill him. No, check that. She would pin him to the wall with knives, castrate him, then kill him as an example. If he was lucky. For all it was worth having a girlfriend who could defend herself and nearly took down the Avatar, it was also very scary to be her boyfriend. Still, he had to tell her, and he had to face it with the courage and dignity of the Fire Lord. So he mustered his courage, tightened his fists and rose, glancing to Iroh as he moved for the door. I'm going to go tell Mai, he said simply, before exiting the room. Iroh finished pouring a cup of tea for himself as he called after Zuko. I will make sure the royal coroners are waiting, just in case, alright? Zuko didn't dignify that comment with a response as he left to go find Mai. This was going to hurt. A lot.