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Post by iazo on Jan 28, 2007 18:00:36 GMT -5
Through the flames, Ozai saw a silhouette of the princess entering, and the doors closing. As traditions spoke, he gently tilted his head downwards, as to a forty-five degree angle, to signal that the princess may get up and that her words had been accepted. With a wave of the Fire Lord’s hand, the flames slowly let down, until they were completely diminished. The Fire Lord studied his daughter’s face without a word. Because he knew her so well, reading the princess’ face was not too difficult for him, although it was sometimes much harder to read than his own.
As the last of the flames disappeared, and the smoke cleared away, Ozai reached out his hand, and motioned his hand slightly, calling Azula to the throne. The throne in the audience chamber was unusually large, although it was indeed exceedingly comfortable and glamorous at the same time. The Fire Lord took a breath and moved his lips, “Azula, daughter, how do you do?” The Fire Lord’s voice was deep, and it showed great command and authority. Finishing the study of his daughter’s face, Ozai spoke once more, “Azula, you seem somewhat troubled, judging by the look on your face, have you been in a meeting before this which may have upset you?”
Azula was one of the few people the Fire Lord genuinely cared for. In total there were about five or six. To get on Ozai\'s good side was a feat itself, as was staying there. To get the Fire Lord pleased with you could be extremely difficult, and benefiting with many rewards, but to change sides was very easy and punishable by death. Feeling he had said enough for the moment, the Fire Lord waited for the answers to his questions.
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Post by prodigy on Jan 29, 2007 21:43:34 GMT -5
The princess moved up the shallow wooden stairs, to the cushioned dias that her father sat on in his splendid glory. She knelt on the cushions of fabulous, rich, royal purple.. the most unique color of flames. She dropped her head to her father, so that he could not see the curl of her lip. Her voice slipped into a the sweet tone only a daughter would use around her father. Her head tilted to the side, strands of dark hair falling along her cheekbones as she tilted those almond shaped eyes of liquid gold up to his aged face. "I am just filled with excitement over the news from the front line and the honorable Admirable Ashuku, dear Father.." She clasped her hands together under her chin, a jesture of thought as her eyes slipped away from her fathers. Her voice became more.. flat and monotone when she next spoke. " That young Lord Raiku.. Son of so and so.. managed to slip into the Palace, Father. Seems some of the Royal Guard have relaxed.. I was not please to suddenly have him.. sneak up on me.. just to ask if he may join the Royal Entourage heading to Ba Seng Sei.."
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Post by iazo on Jan 30, 2007 0:50:28 GMT -5
The Fire Lord listened as his daughter spoke to him, gazing into his young prodigy’s eyes. The two golden jewels seemed to attract each other, just like the personalities of father and daughter. The Fire Lord gave a nod as Azula mentioned the admiral, Ashuku, and once again when she spoke of the Lord Raiku. “Lord Raiku, yes,” He mumbled to himself, “The youngest lord in the court if I am not mistaken. He wanted to join the Royal Entourage, you say?” The Fire Lord raised an eyebrow, “He always was looking for adventure.” A brief sigh escaped the great firebender. “He reminds me of myself, at a younger age. though he is obviously more foolhardy.” This was a most peculiar comment from Ozai to make, although it was one of the finest comments one could ever expect out of him. “It does concern me , however, that the Royal Guard have begun their leisure. I will send a note off immediately replacing them.”
Ozai then cleared his voice, “How is this admiral attacking Ba Seng Sei? Certainly not from Fire Navy Ships, as his title suggests?” As he said this, the Fire Lord’s eyes gleamed with excitement, hopeful that Ba Seng Sei’s walls would finally bow down to those of the Fire Nation. He waved his hand, “But no matter, I do not know ho he managed to get a hold of foot soldiers, but if he succeeds in the capture of the Earth Kingdom Capital, make no mistake that I am prepared to amply reward him, along with the opportunity to have even more soldiers at his beckoning.” Suddenly the Fire Lord stiffened, and his voice became anxious, “Tell me this, however,” he said, “Will the avatar be present?”
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Post by agni on Jan 31, 2007 21:17:08 GMT -5
The slender, golden head was canted to the side, watching with brushed bronze eyes. Those of Her Favored Race talked with polite tones below her. The Fire Lord -- Ozai, she believed his name was -- and his daughter, whom Agni knew as Azula. Two of the purest race in the world -- those who manipulated Flames. With a graceful movement, Angi smoothed a few feathers with her hard-as-nails orange beak and continued watching the pair.
They talked of a young lord who had snuck up on a not so pleasantly surprised princess, and Angi agreed that the Royal Guards should be less lax. The royal family was a sacred and blessed thing; no lowly lord should be able to walk in on them on their silly whim! Alas, though; her Fire Lord promised to do somehthing about it. Angi say much command in the man, and she was glad.
The subject changed to a certain Admiral Ashuku, and his plot of attacking Ba Seng Se. Angi was so pleased it was hard to contain herself. Would Ba Seng Se finally fall? The day of cleasing drew nearer. Her prue Flame would spead through the land and the people who sumbitted would become pure and finally see her rightful divinty.
With a graceful flutter, Angi took flight, her flame-tuffed feathers creating beautiful colors of scarlet, orange, and gold around her and against the walls. The phoenx let out a soft cry, circling over the royals' heads three times before landing on the raise dias that the Fire Lord's thrown sat on, surrounded by fire.
First glancing at Ozai then fixing her fierce gaze on Azula, A certain glee in her gut at such a grand entrance. Certainly they would recognize her, and so she did not introduce herself to the Princess and the Fire Lord, instead wanting to see what they do in her gloried presence.
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Post by prodigy on Feb 2, 2007 11:44:25 GMT -5
Her golden eyes widened as the translucent, sparkling and glorious bird decended from the heavens, the spirit of the flame allowing herself to be seen and gracing the prescence of the Fire Lord and Princess. Azula's skin paled just a shade, for even she cowered before Agni of the Flame. The princess turned on the cushions, so that she faced the spirit. She had been kneeling on the cushions, so she dropped her forehead to the soft velvet, hands out infront of her. The same formal bow she had used before her father. Even the Fire Lord and his family had to show respect for the Phoenix.
"Great and Blessed Lady Agni of the Flames.. You honor us with your prescence and your blessing on this wonderful day, this day of the Sun's reign.."
Azula then lifted her head slowly, eyes rising to meet the preadtory eyes of the phoenix. This was not the first time that Agni and Azula had met.. Azula often dreamed of Agni as a child.. but whether those were true meetings or the childhood fascination the princess bore to the patron spirit of the Fire Nation was never determined. The Princess was born during Agni's month of rebirth, a favorable sign according to the Fire Sages. The dreams had continued even now, when she was fifteen years old, and now they were filled with burning ambition, a desire to see the walls of Ba Seng Sei burn. One particular dream recently had Azula clutched in the claws of the Great Agni, soaring over the charmed and still smolding remains of the great Earth Kingdom City, banners of crimson and sparkling gold fluttering about the city. And Princess Azula named Queen of the Earth Kingdom, under the Great Emperor the FireLord..
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Post by iazo on Feb 2, 2007 19:54:52 GMT -5
The flames around the Fire Lord's throne suddenly rose, their bright orange and reds growing as time passed. The Fire Lord's lips curved into some sort of a half-smile, as a smirk spread across his face. He bowed his head once more, though this time deeper than the courteous one he had given to Azula. “It gives me great honor to harbor the honorable Agni of the flame, should you need this.” Taking into consideration the great power one mortal could harness if the power of the spirits was on one side, The Fire Lord paid respect to each and every spirit he could.
He had met the spirit frequently, although each time he met her, the Fire Lord retained the same excitement and the same feeling of power that continuously emitted from the spirit. The Fire Lord rose from his seat, and bowed his head down once more. “Noble spirit, I am sure you have heard the news regarding to this meeting. There can be no better wisdom than from you, my queen, should you wish to speak, know that you are welcome.” Ozai then turned to Azula, “I do want my questions answered.”
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Post by agni on Feb 3, 2007 22:10:11 GMT -5
Agni canted her head again. "Your praises are most welcome, dear Princess and dear Prince. I am quiet interested in this seige of Ba Seng Se you plan with... Admiral Ashuku. Correct, Princess?" A pause. Agni looked the Princess in the eye, gold meeting bronze. "You shall take me there. I wish to see the walls of Ba Seng Se fall myself. I do hope the second time will prove more fruitful than the first, blessed be Iroh by the Flame. It was tragic that his line has ended, but it has indeed given rise to a powerful Lord..."
She paused, knowing full well she had interrupted a conversation and left Ozai without answer to a question. She didn't much care. She had not been amoung her subjects in quiet a long time, and it had been awhile since she had seen Ozai. Fluttering up to him, she landed on his shoulder neatly and bent her neck to his ear to whisper to him.
"A shame about your son... he would have made a fine Lord for our people. Handsome, just... a pity, really. And yet... he is your son. Perhaps he will still become Lord after all." She paused, and then whispered in an alluing manor: "Or perhaps you shall have another son? It's never too late." She looked up at Azula, who had quite a look on her face. She parted with Ozai's shoulder after a few more whispers: "Although a Fire Lady would not be discouraged..."
Wings lifting her body, she glided to Azula's shoulder and settled lightly on it. "Answer your dear father's questions, my sweet, and finish your conversation."
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Post by prodigy on Feb 3, 2007 22:52:20 GMT -5
The Princess was digusted hearing the Lady Agni speak of her brother, the exiled and disgraced Prince Zuko. She fought to keep her face and expression calm in the prescence of the spirit. She bowed her head to the spirit, the firelight glittering on the scarlet enameled diadem flame perched on her fan-shaped topknot. "Of course, Lady Agni.. you may do as you wish. However, perhaps we should keep your prescence a secret, lest the Royal Entourage become like a snake without a head.." She bit her lip, her face hidden in shadow right now. Iroh would have been a weak leader after the death of cousin LuTen. He gave up Ba Seng Sei when it was within his grasp! He was a failure who preached of unity and balance between the three remaining nations. A traitor. Lifting her head, the princess's head turned elegantly towards her father, as the fluttering, ghostly phoenix landed on her should. A Fire Lady...? Very few had ever reigned within the history of the Fire Nation.. and usually as regents to sons who were too young to rule in practice. Azula was now the sole heir to the throne by law, as her brother was exiled from the Royal Family, but the law favored male sucession.. and more than likely would accept Zuko back. The idea made her sick.. "Father.. Admiral Ashuku does not believe the Avatar is even aware of his troops movements. The last report of the Avatar was on the Western Coast of the Earth kingdom, near the annexed city of Zhy. There has no word since.. and dear brother, Zuzu has not sent a report in months.."
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Post by iazo on Feb 4, 2007 14:52:53 GMT -5
As Agni mentioned Iroh's name, the flames that surrounded the throne stirred, then turned to a deep blue. Though Ozai remained silent, but as the spirit flew up to him and began speaking about his son, Ozai could hold it no longer. "Agni, you are respected and honored in all of the Fire Nation's boundaries, but within these walls, we never mention my dishonored brother's name. Should you wish to speak about him, kindly give him a title, such as Dragon of the West, for his name has no identity here."
The Fire Lord then faced Azula, as the spirit fluttered off his back and flew to hers. The goddess spoke of a Fire Lady, and Ozai softened up, before hardening once more. "Unfortunately law does take the side of the male succession, but should Azula get married, the law favors her side." he spoke gravely, "Should this happen however, power of Fire Lady will be Azula's, not her husbands." Ozai looked at Azula with his deep, golden orbs, then sighed. "There is time," he said, "I will not die soon."
Suddenly, a minuscule tear formed in Ozai's eye, as his dear wife's name, Ursa was mentioned. He shook his head at the goddess. "No," he said, "I will have no more, lest Ursa come back." He took a deep breath, and the flames returned to their normal golden color. "Tell the admiral to sent reports about the Avatar's whereabouts, and should he turn up..kill him."
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Post by agni on Feb 6, 2007 0:03:30 GMT -5
The flame-bird looked at Ozai pointedly. Her eyes turned hard, the flames that tipped her feathers intensified, and she screeched so loudly it reverberated in the hall. "You... dare scold me?" she said controlled and coolly. She had every right to mention who ever she liked. "You sit on your thrown by my grace, Ozai Fire Lord; do not ever forget that."
She turned to Azula, ignoring Ozai for a time.
"You will not want to kill the Avatar; it will only cause him to be reborn again, and this time as a Waterbender. No, we must contain him somehow. Seal his chi... clog his chakra..."
The bird lowered her magnificent crested head in thought. Perhaps some sort of bonds, even. She might have to call on Won Shi Tong for information on the Avatar; she never did care much to educate herself on it. Oh, she should have spoken to Avatar Roku, the noble Firebender Avatar, before he died. She should have concerned herselves with these things..
But it was no use dwelling on said things. She must go forward, lead her people to victory.
"Well, I daresay Azula will figure out a way." Her head lifted, and she stared at Ozai once more, still angry with him. "As for my presence being a secret, I will assume a human shape for now, and travel by your side as an equal, dear Azula."
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Post by prodigy on Feb 6, 2007 18:36:18 GMT -5
"Of course, Lady Agni.. I would not be so foolish as to try and kill the Avatar.. the Late Admiral Zhou made that mistake.." Azula nodded towards the flaming bird who sat on her shoulder. The princess smiled at the bird coyly, just a small upturning of her lips. "And to be in your prescence is both an honor and a blessing. I shall tend to your every desire and need, Lady Agni."
Azula agreed with her father however. Uncle Iroh was a shameful prince and general who gave up Ba Seng Sei when he had it in his grasp.. and after the North Pole debacle, a humiliating loss for the Fire Nation, a traitor. However she, unlike her father, remained tight lipped. She tossed her head a bit, letting her tendrils of hair drape across her cheek as she looked to her father with the large, adoring eyes of a loving daughter... or a maniplative one. "Dear Father.. may I have permission to begin preparations at once, with the goal of a fleet launch at the end of this week?"
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Post by iazo on Feb 6, 2007 19:14:20 GMT -5
Ozai stared into the goddess’s deep golden eyes, then to Azula’s. “Should the avatar die, and be born a waterbender, by the time the avatar realizes that he is who he is, Sozin’s comet will have arrived and this war will have ended. Should you have the opportunity to squash the little pest, don’t hesitate, but if you can, under Agni’s orders, bring him alive, but as dead as possible.” The Fire Lord then pulled out a scroll from a stack near his throne and pulled out a large quill, before stamping it with the Fire Nation’s Royal Emblem.
“Of course, I will give you permission to leave,” Ozai said, “Please begin your journey as soon as possible. The faster you reach the Earth Kingdom Capital, the sooner the walls will fall.” Ozai waited for a small moment before speaking, “Please keep the Royal Entourage as compact as possible, as so news will not spread across the Fire Nation, and worse, to the other nations.” The Fire Lord nodded to Azula, before adding in “And be sure to make companions out of the entourage, you would be surprised how helpful they will be in the future. Nobody can do everything by themselves.” The Fire Lord then nodded to Agni.
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Post by agni on Feb 7, 2007 1:37:01 GMT -5
The spirit launched off her princess' shoulder, hovering in the air for moment. Flames grew and engolfed her body until she was nothing but flame. Slowly, it too the form of a slender young woman, and the fire began to die away. It was a young woman who very well could have been born to a noble in the Fire Nation. The girl was short but lithe, in the prime of her life. She had the soft curves of a woman, and the long, dark chocolate hair, done up in a high ponytail, and golden eyes of someone of the fire nation. She wore a simple scarlet silk tunic and trousers outfit bordered in gold thread and matching slippers.
Agni sighed and looked at her body. True, it was merely an illusion, but she hadn't taken a human form too often. It was... interesting. She looked at Azula, who was a little taller than her. Her face did not move -- she was unused to human expressions -- and it took her a moment to form what looked like a very strained smile. "How's this?" she asked, her voice very different from her natural one... it was human. Very much uncomfortable.
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Post by prodigy on Feb 7, 2007 15:05:24 GMT -5
The princess looked bemused.. though her initial reaction as.. utter ...disgust.. at the seemingly.. average and boring incarnation the great godess had taken. Azula quickly put on a face however, her alizarin painted lips curling into a soft smile. She bowed her head to the girl standing before her and her father, before sliding off the throne's persian indigo cushion and to her feet. She extended her arms out infront of her as she descended the golden stairs and through the golden fires that surrounded the throne and it's canopy. The princess placed her hands on the girl's shoulders and smiled. "Noble Agni.. we have much work to do, if you would honor me so."
First things first.. that hair.. it was so.. Peasanty. Though Azula's hairstyle was simple, effected and reminicent of the hairstyles Fire Lords had worn for eons, it still took an hour at least everyday to have done. Lady Mai's hair took anywhere between and hour to two! The Princess could think of much.. more suitable hairstyles, not to mention clothing for the goddess. "And we must come up with a suitable story.. as why this friend, and noblewoman herself, of the Princesses has never been seen at Court."
The princess then turned to face her father, letting her hands fall from Agni's now human shoulders. She stepped forward, the firelight casting glittering highlights across her maroon and sangria uniform. She had heard his comments about making companions out of the nobles who would be traveling with her. Azula bowed her head, but a dark shadow washed over her bright eyes. She did not like that Lord Raiku. He was arrogant and needed to be put in his place. As for Ty Lee and Mai.. well they had been by herside since their early days at the Royal Fire Nation Academy for Girls.. Their loyalty was not faltering. "I will not disappoint you, Father. The city of Ba Seng Sei will fall and in it's place, a city dedicate to your greatness and to the great and awesome power of fire shall rise out of the ashes. I promise you, Father.. I will not fail you."
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Post by iazo on Feb 7, 2007 18:44:59 GMT -5
Ozai drew in a deep breath as the goddess transformed, thinking that the transformation would be something god-like. However, as the flames began to disappear, the transformation did not seem as he had imagined it, although it seemed suitable for simply fooling those citizens of the Fire Nation. As Azula slid herself off of the throne, the Fire Lord smiled and nodded his head at his princess. “Well,” he said, “I’m sure that’s not my department, to think of a suitable story.” The Fire Lord looked away, rolling his eyes only slightly. He had never been able to understand the complications of a woman’s dressings and style, but simply accepted it.
Although the princess bowed her head down at Ozai’s request, Ozai knew better. He knew his daughter’s stubbornness, and although he would like to deny it, he knew how helpful contacts could be, in a variety of different areas. Even some he did not like, he stayed with because of the influence he had on society. “Well,” he told himself silently, “She’ll turn around.” The Fire Lord turned back to Azula and Agni once more. “Have fun,” He told them, “I trust you will not Azula, you have my most wonderful graces.” The Fire Lord was about to speak the common phrase of, “May Agni be with you,” but decided it was simply too ironic.
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