Briefest of Stops <Omashu, Earth Kingdom>

[prodigy]

A push to the east was necessary at this point, Azula had decided after obtaining a letter by messenger hawk that the Avatar's bison, a comedic and foolish creature had been spotted near the Earth Kingdom city of Gaoling. They were further south than the Princess had anticipated.. throwing her entire plan off kilter. Where there was the Avatar.. there was Zuko. That was how it always was.

The Princess had driven them back to Mai's hometown of New Ozai.. a former Earth Kingdom city called Omashu. What a silly name.. Now the City was a shining pinnacle of Fire Nation Occupation. Industry had been brought to the city, in the form of a great metal statue of Fire Lord Ozai being constructed at the highest point of the city. Roofs had been re-tiled in the bright, crimson of the Fire Nation, the gold polished till it shown like the wings of Agni herself. Flags and penants flew proudly across the city and as the Fire Nation Governor and his staff settled in.. citizens adapted with little resistance. Save for a small group of soldiers that were resisting but with their precious King Bumi, a man crazier than a Nut-loon bird, imprisoned.. they had no chance.

A brief stay.. That's all this was. To resupply, to send word back to Father, a chance to rest their mongoose dragons which were not used to the temperate climates of the Earth Kingdom. Nothing more.

Sitting in her Palanquin, the Princess bowed her head deep in thought. To her sides, outside the draped sheer rose fabric, Mai and Ty Lee walked. Evening had come to the City of New Ozai and the young women were taking a walk to discuss their next plans of action. Guardsmen, Mai's Personal Guard in fact, had surrounded them and the small fleet of servants who were carrying the palanquin and following the three women. Azula's hands were intertwined in her lap, her legs crossed as she leaned forward.

"Mai," She commanded the young woman's attention. "Your father will provide us with swift transport back to the Twin Great Lakes, correct? If the Avatar was seen in Gaoling after being spotted last to the east of here.. then he is moving quickly.. and more than likely going to go around the Si Wong Desert. Through it would be foolish and suicidal.."

[mizuki]

Ty Lee held a small mirror in front of her face. Tears seared her eyes and she quickly blinked them away. That stupid Kyoshi! The acrobat fingered a lock of her brown hair with a depressed expression. Their battle... raid really, recently hadn't turned out too well. Not only had the three girls been overwhelmed, but when Ty Lee had been grappling with a warrior of Kyoshi Isle, the wench had sliced off her perfect braid! Now, neatly brushed hair hung, thick due to humidity, jagged at her shoulders. Quickly, Ty Lee thrust her mirror into the waiting hands of one of the guards and rubbed at her eyes furiously. A sly grin curled her lip into a slight snarl, if ever that Kyoshi Warrior saw this circus girl again... she would be sure to regret it.

Azula spoke, and like every time words left her lips, Ty Lee snapped to attention. The words were light and could have been casual, but they cut the air like a red hot sword and held command only rivaled by King Ozai. Ty Lee stifled comments, as she had done her entire life where Azula was concerned. It would not do to cut across the Princess, even if they were best of friends. The young firebending prodigy's fuse was shorter then a rhino's and more explosive then a dragon's breath. Ty Lee cast a glance around the front of Azula's Palanquin to look at Mai, Ty Lee eagerly awaited the answer.

[mab]

Returning home had not turned out to be such a bad experience after all. Now that she was a member of the princess’s party she felt almost out of reach from her parents, who had regarded her with respect and consideration rather than warmth and welcome. They still fussed over Tom-Tom with the same garish attention they always had so obviously there elder daughter’s departure had not been too hard on them. Folding her arms across her chest so that the billowing sleeves covered her hands Mai’s pointed face turned to Ty Lee.

The poor girl could not help lamenting her now shortened locks. Shaking her head she spoke in a soft, restrained voice, “Stop worrying so much about it. It’s just hair, it will grow back.” Ty Lee couldn’t possibly be this vain, and there weren’t even any boys around. Unconsciously lifting a pale hand to one of the locks that fell down her chest, the thin fingers feeling its silky texture, Mai had to admit thanks her mother had taught her to wear her hair up. That and she had enough sense not to come so close to the warrior’s sword.

Upon hearing Azula’s clear voice ringing in the air Mai snapped her head forward at full attention. “Of course, Azula.” She replied smoothly. “You heard him earlier; his only desire is to help you in your efforts.” It was the usual sort of prattle people spoke that Mai could not help but repeat. And of course it was true. Everyone needed to do what was needed to help the Fire Nation’s cause; luckily for Mai it also turned out to be quite convenient. “He has fresh mongoose dragons awaiting us, and briefly mentioned something called an eel hound. Though I don’t think he has much faith in the latter.” Some of the fastest modes of transportation had been explored recently as her father thought it would be something of interest to report back on. Anything would be better than the full caravan he always insisted on using. “He would be honored to have them ready at our earliest convenience.”

[prodigy]

Why she was asking again after meeting with Mai's family was puzzling.. and probably a bit annoying for the other two girls. Perhaps it was because Azula wanted to make sure her wishes were met with haste. Or maybe she simply liked hearing her self talk and use her power over people. She crossed her arms across her chest as she lifted her head and straightened her back, just barely resting against the padded seat, spurs of gold protruding from the edge in a mimicry of flames. "Eel Hounds..?" She questioned quietly, searching her memory banks for what the creatures were. They must be an Earth Kingdom creature. She knew all of the creatures used by the Fire Nation Military and their various uses, pro and cons. The Mongoose Dragons had been choosen by the girls for their mounts because of their terrain crossing abilities. Able to scale nearly anything as well as cross small bodies of water.. they were perfect for the chase. Shame they were so limited in number, hard to breed and also took many years to train or they would be in greater supply for the military. Ah well.. She tilted her head to the side with a whimsical sigh.

Her golden eyes shifted to one side of the palanquin, a slender, well manicured hand rising up to twist a hanging tendril around her fingers. "Ty Lee.." Azula said, drawing the acrobat's attention. "I want you to get your hair fixed up before we leave tomorrow morning. It's embarrassing.." referencing the now shaggy sort of bob the girl was sporting due to one of the swords of the Kyoshi warriors. Having such an un-coiffed member of the entourage was.. as she had said. An embarrassment. The three women and their servants continued walking along one of the high walkways of the city, being escorted from Mai's family home to a ornate house that had been set up for them quickly. They were hastily led through the gate into what had once been an Earth Kingdom Garden but now had been replaced with Native Fire Nation Plants. A golden flame had been placed on the double door, the wood painted red. Already, members of the Royal Guard were stationed outside, their figures opposing and grand. The Servants carried the palanquin into the small courtyard, lowering the palanquin to the ground. Two of them, stepped forward, bowing their heads as they brushed back the rose colored fabric, allowing the Princess to step out.

Azula rose and took a careful step forward, the golden points of her boots touching the ground daintly. She lifted a hand to her shoulder, brushing invisible dirt off as she glanced around. Her nose lifted into the air. "..This will have to do, I guess."

[mizuki]

Ty Lee's lower lip quivered at Azula's displeasure. Sure, the chi-blocker had noticed the scowls and annoyed expressions the Princess had thrust at her hair since the horrible affair. But she was right, as Azula often.... ALWAYS was. That was something Ty Lee had to learn at quite an early age. The Princess's word was law, and Azula was always correct. Though... in this circumstance, Ty Lee agreed, rather agreeing from fright and loyalty. The shoulder-length brown hair was mangy and uneven, hanging at different lengths all around. What more, Ty Lee hadn't had the time or directive to attend to it. The normal primping and beautifying of her hair that had taken a good twenty minutes before bed every night had been spent frowning at a mirror in the nights since.

Ty Lee wasn't stupid. More... simple-minded and easily led. Her short attention span was good in the heat of battle when she ended the confrontations quickly. Probably the only reason Azula tolerated her bubbly and hyper ferocity outside of it. So... because of Ty Lee's simple mind, she knew that there was only one alternative for her to wear her chocolate locks clean. They would have to cut the hair to the bottom of her chin at least. Ty Lee knew that the Princess and Mai probably knew as well as her what was to be done. Which is probably why Azula looks so smug all of a sudden, the acrobat thought irritably. When they approached the gate, Ty Lee gave a flutter of eyelashes and a small smile at the guards who were instantly under her charm, more or less.

It was good to have that type of manipulation over those under you. The only thing that made a person want to protect another more then fear was affection of some kind toward that person. Although, in Azula's case, fear won no matter what the circumstances. The circus girl shrugged at the garden with it's familiar plants and completed a row of front-hand-springs through the flower bed. Ty Lee didn't disturb a single leaf nor did the air mark her passing besides the fluttering and fanning of her skirts.

Ty Lee turned back and smiled a wide, false grin at her friends. "I know," she said with eyebrows knit in a frown. "I'll have someone to cut it as soon as possible." The girl gave a happy nod to one of the guards who immediately set about getting the task done. Ty Lee felt a mixture of guilt and satisfaction as her will was taken care of so easily.

[mab]

Following just a step behind the princess, Mai kept her chin tucked down as they passed through the gates that led to the picturesque little dwelling her mother had quickly ordered set up. She was able to foresee Azula’s disapproval before the words left her lips though she gave the remark little consideration. Mai had not been the one setting servants to cleaning and sprucing the place up, as she could well imagine her mother doing, so she saw no need to feel any offense. And when the young noblewoman had been living here she too felt some level of displeasure. However something about the princess’s tone did furrow Mai’s eyebrows as she watched Ty Lee flip through the space.

The sweet fragrance of the new fire lilies was almost overwhelming; personally Mai didn’t see why so many were needed in the first place. It wasn’t likely any of the girls would be found peacefully walking the grounds. This was simply a little side-trip to regroup before continuing their chase. It was too much of a game of hawk and frog-mouse for Mai, even if it kept her involved in something away from New Ozai. They tracked the banished prince one day, the Avatar and his company the next. Acting this way couldn’t be the most efficient. “At least it’s only for a short while.” She replied, ignoring the guards who inclined their heads at the girls’ approach.

As the doors were opened and the pair of men went off to make arrangements for Ty lee’s needs, Mai glanced in. The foyer was quaint yet perfectly decorated with the warm reds and golds of the Fire Nation. The stone floors were highly polished with a rich maroon rug spread out while wall hangings displaying various glories of their home land covered the walls. No doubt hastily retrieved from the shipments her mother had been expecting before Mai’s departure, decorations for the coming summer and fall months. “When were we leaving again?” Nothing felt soon enough.

[prodigy]

Ty lee's cheerfulness was sickening, Azula thought as she watched the young woman in the deep cerise shades of pink crossing her shoulder collar, her elbow-lengh sleeve shirt that revealed a toned mid-drift and her flower-like shirt. The Princess arched one slender eyebrow at her wide smile, friendly and bright gray eyes, all without a single muscle moving. It truly was impressive how deadly a punch Ty Lee possessed. Not only was she able to block the nerve impulses of someone, but also their bending chi.. and finally, she knew the deadly spots which would completely incapacitate a person... and quite possibly kill them.

Her talents were wasting in the Circus.

The princess stepped forward, leaving behind the palanquin and the prostrating servants. A group of all female servants, all dressed identically in fine long sleeved robes, their skirts swishing at their ankles in dark falu pink. They went ahead of the three girls, having been instructed before hand by the head of the Governor's household. Azula's narrowed, golden eyes watched without approval, but also without disapproval. Ty Lee gave her best smile to the Guards, a discouraging number of them maintain their stotic faces and expressions while others blushed and bit their cheeks. They would be punished later for flinching. These were not the Royal Procession, a group of elite fire bending bodyguards issued to the Royal Family, but rather standard Guardsmen of Mai's family. Mai certainly felt similarly of their actions.

Azula's attention turned to Mai, and even though she did not look at the girl with the shadowed eyes, it seemed she could read her thoughts. "I know this sudden change of plan may seem.. not effective.. but.. if Zuzu is as close on the trail of the Avatar as he was in Gaoling, then we simply have to follow the Avatar before we come across him and Uncle." She spoke, so nonchalantly as if it was the best plan in the world. Her voice was smooth as she watched Ty Lee standing so.. pleasantly in front of them, one of the servant women trying to keep a guard from hacking away what was left of her hair. ...So strange.

“When were we leaving again?” Mai asked, already sounding bored. Azula did not blame her. The princess buffed her claw-like nails on her double shoulder collar. She pursed her lips. "We leave at dawn." Answering, the Princess stepped forward, letting her pale hands fall to hips which swung with each step under the knee-length wrapped maroon skirt she wore, her golden toes glittering in the firelight. The two door man fell over themselves to open the door for her, bowing deeply as they held the doors open. "Best be getting our sleep."

[We'll head to ThrowDown! After we finish up here. Azula out]

[mab]

Servants dutifully following behind the trio, the young woman cast once last sidelong glance over the sleepy city. “Perfect,” Mai’s monotone voice sighed. Watching without much interest as one female servant began her efforts working on Ty Lee’s hair, Mai began loosening the straps that kept her wrist holsters in place just enough so her arms might be able to begin relaxing. Something about keeping up appearances for her mother, despite the fact she felt no real care what she thought, had worn on the young noblewoman. It was just a certain look she could throw Mai’s direction that would make her automatically mentally-check her posture, all a part of her childhood grooming. No doubt the sooner they could be up and out of the city the better Mai would feel.


Keeping her thin arms folded across her chest thin fingers pressed into the carmine colored sleeves with the wide ends brushing the belt at her waist. Zuzu. Azula was so sure in her plan as she laid it out before them. Aloud it sounded straight-forward and simple but in practice..All Mai had to do was follow what the princess ordered at the moment. It would be ideal if they could take out two problems with one strike, though a part of her doubted and almost hoped the former mentioned party Azula spoke of would not enter the equation just yet. Soft boots treading steadily to her quarters, Mai nodded. “I have a feeling we’re going to need it.” Azula’s targets had a way of meeting up with her sooner rather than later.

[Mai Out]

[mizuki]

[Ty Lee out. Sorry I couldn't post. Completely devoid of any inspiration.]