Thread: Fire and Rain [Azecreth & rosita red]

Fortunately for Zuko, the trip from the palace to Mai's residence was a short one. The hardest part was getting there without having a cumbersome retinue following him, but a belligerent Fire Lord was the bane of all servants, so he managed to badger or lie or intimidate his way through to the freedom of outside, and he quickly took the path towards Mai's place, for the important meeting he was to have. As he walked, it gave him time to think. Distracting himself from his anger at the nobles, he had to plan out the upcoming conversation with Mai, to try and placate her or otherwise make it obvious that this was not his idea and he definitely did not approve. Other than the thoughts that held his attention though, it was a nice enough walk, with good weather and not much going on. Sure, he may have been made a better target for assassins that would seek to kill him and put his father, or sister, or anyone else on the throne, but he accepted that as it came, confident in his skills to keep him alive. Soon enough he arrived at the familiar front gate, memories surging back of times spent in the past. A servant was there waiting for him as he came to a stop. Go get Lady Mai and tell her that Fire Lord Zuko wants to meet with her. In private, he barked, a bit of that hostility he still held in his tone, and the servant bowed before scampering off to make words a reality. It was a short wait then, but a seeming lifetime for the impatient Zuko, before at last Mai emerged, her neutral, emotionless expression shifting with a small smile that he was practiced enough to pick up, and her presence couldn't help but elicit something of a smile in return. Ah, Mai. It's certainly not for lack of trying, he replied, perhaps a bit more harshly than he meant to. Hands clenched as he glanced away, though he did step closer to her. Those stupid nobles are insisting I marry Katara for spirits know what reason, even though i don't want to. I doubt she'll even want to. Well, might as well confront the obvious now. ---------- A plume of black smoke spearing into the sky heralded the arrival of the dark grey ship from the Fire Nation far before it came into sight, making good time through the ice infested waters to the dock that had been prepared for vessels such as it a long time ago. Yet all visible signs, including the banner it flew, indicated that it indeed was not one of the usual supply vessels, but something else, a ship here for something more important. But what that might be would have to be waited on by the Southern Water Tribe. The ship pulled up to the ice dock and came to a halt, a metal ramp sliding down to the ground as the vessel was secured in place. The ship itself disgorged fire soldiers, in traditional uniform, but not enough to be an invasion force. Instead of advancing, they took up position on both sides of the ramp, apparent an honor guard of some kind. Then from the top of the ramp and the ship emerged an envoy, white hair with a distinguished beard, looking down at the water tribesmen and women as he descended the ramp to the ice below. He wasted no time then, walking straight up to Chief Hakoda. Chief Hakoda. I bring an official message from the Fire Nation regarding future relations between our two nations. I would like to speak to you in private, if possible. He glanced around to those present before returning his gaze to Hakoda. Your daughter Katara should attend as well.