**Van. The Fire Lord's Palace.**
Our training ground gained some new furniture. I managed to find a simple yet sturdy table with matching chairs, where Ursa and I now sit comfortably.
I doubt she'd find it comfortable to stand by the veranda for an hour, supposedly "unnoticed." So, I thought it'd be nice to get to know her better, armed with the finest tea and fresh pastries.
Our first conversation was awkward, more like an interrogation. I fielded endless questions while she answered tersely. In the beginning, at least for most of our meetings, I did all the talking, sharing stories from my life, hobbies, and tales of life in the Earth Kingdom. I tried to engage her. I almost gave up, but then, unexpectedly, the ice broke…
"In our town, the theater was the only entertainment, and I could spend hours there as a child," she shared vividly. This happened after two weeks of "effort."
"Hold on," I interrupted, "Keep practicing your firebending routine instead of chatting." I scolded my students, who, like me, were curious to learn more about their mother.
It was clear she craved simple human interaction. Even Zuko and Azula were taken aback by their usually calm mother's behavior. Each new meeting—or rather, their lessons—we discussed a new topic. Honestly, I was impressed by her knowledge. She could easily discuss local physics, astronomy, her people's history, and more. Was it because she was a magistrate's daughter and well-educated, or had she spent ten years locked in the palace, self-improving out of boredom? I lean toward the latter.
Every two or three days, Mai and Ty Lee visited, adding more color to our lives. With them, there's never a dull moment.
I convinced the kids to perform some popular Fire Nation plays. They grew stale quickly, so Ursa and I started writing our own scripts. It was fun watching the children act.
"You'll never win back your beloved! You're too weak! Boo-ha-ha-ha," Azula delivered her line, adding a villainous laugh. She suits the role of the antagonist perfectly…
"Yeah, yeah, come back in twenty years, maybe you'll be our equal!" Ty Lee played the villain's assistant this time.
The story was cliché: a wealthy heir's bride is kidnapped on their wedding day, and he must overcome trials to rescue her. The hero must always suffer and prevail.
"You can't stop me, my…" he stammered, turning red, "My love knows no bounds! It gives me strength!" he managed to finish, as his mother chuckled softly. She'd written this scene.
"You enjoy making fun of others," I thought, tearing my gaze from her face, now even more attractive with her radiant smile.
"…" Mai, already red-faced, covered her face with her hands, not knowing where to look.
All this couldn't help but bring us closer. I began to worry Ozai might say, "Van, what's this? Getting too close to my family?" But… days passed, and he never commented. Maybe he has bigger concerns. Who knows?
**Ty Lee. The Li Family Estate.**
"I'm home!" I shouted, expecting some reaction.
As always, there was none…
"Young mistress, I've left you food," Aunt Lia bowed. As far back as I remember, she's been the one looking after me. My parents were too busy, and my sisters had their own interests. "How was your time with your friends?" Ugh, only you care about my life.
"It was great! Van, as always, showed off his cool firebending, and Azula gets so funny when I steal his attention," I recalled today's events, feeling warmer inside. That's where I belong.
Azula's changed a lot, and I wouldn't say for the worse. No, no, no, she wasn't bad before, but she seemed afraid to let people close. Now look at her running after her teacher.
"You often mention Mr. Van in your stories. Do you like him?" Lia asked curiously while heating the food.
"No, of course not," I shook my head, "He's handsome and funny, and…" I stopped, realizing I'd said too much. "How do you do that? You ask one question, and I spill everything," I pouted.
Though I know I only show my true emotions and speak my heart to those close to me.
"I understand," she said with a knowing smile, "Then you should show him your intentions. Age doesn't matter," she waved off my protest before I could speak, "Right now, you're too young for him, but time will pass, and you'll grow into a stunning beauty," I blushed at her words, "Then he'll realize the treasure right under his nose."
"Besides, older guys often start looking at younger girls." She placed the food on the table, "And you have one big advantage…"
"What?" I leaned forward.
"Your phenomenal flexibility," she raised a finger, "Later, you'll understand…" she trailed off.
"Did you take your sisters' books again?" she asked sternly, seeing me flush at the mention of flexibility.
"Heh-heh," I scratched my neck, "They're such slobs, leaving them all over the house," phew, I think I got out of that.
"Tell me again about your circus adventures," I tried to change the subject.
"Aren't you tired of hearing the same thing?" she began her tale.
The most important thing is for Azula to share Van with me. We're best friends, we can share a husband… So, we'll sleep together as three… Aaaah, get out, naughty thoughts!
**Ursa. The Fire Lord's Palace.**
"Hurry to my room," the same thought drove me each time to my sanctuary, away from prying eyes and whispers.
"Hurry to Azula and Zuko's firebending lessons," I don't know when my thoughts shifted, but now, like a thirsty traveler craving water, I long to see Mr. Van.
He's become my breath of fresh air in this palace reeking of dirt and intrigue, interrupting my existence but giving me life in return.
"Such poetic words, like a girl in love," I smirked at my reflection. "Better stop this before Ozai gets to Van," I said regretfully.
"At least I'll have a true friend, something's better than nothing," I tried to cheer myself up, "Especially here, where everyone's ears and eyes are everywhere."
"I've let myself go," I pinched some fat on my once-slim belly. "But the extra weight's done some good," since having children, my breasts, once less firm, now proudly rise, adding a cup size.
"Time to wear that dress with the lower neckline again," it's nice to see a young, handsome man glance at you. His hot gaze on my D-cup breasts was hard to miss.
"What have I come to, wanting to seduce a man much younger than me?" though my voice held no judgment. "Still, I should exercise," just to stay in shape, not because I want Van to like me more…
"Completely forgot about them," I saw several books I'd borrowed from the library. "Need to return them somehow."
They were my only silent companions for years. Hmm, I just finished the section on herbs and poisons. Never thought this seemingly useless knowledge would come in handy, but it was nice to see Van's surprise.
"What to wear," being the Fire Lord's wife has its perks—a full wardrobe. Some things no longer fit, "I can give them to Azula. Can't throw them out."
"Sorry, Azula, for being such a bad mother. Here are some clothes," I said with a fair bit of irony.
You're doing great, Ursa! Only now do I realize how I treated an innocent child. Oh well, it's not too late to fix it! I hope…
**Azula. The Fire Lord's Palace.**
"Stupid Academy! R-r-r!" I've said this countless times but still do my homework. Only a month left before school starts. "Finish it faster, more time for other things," I wonder if Teacher Van thinks I'm too clingy?
"Now I can't concentrate…"
No, he's too kind to think that.
"And Ty Lee, always hugging him. Let her find her own teacher to hug," I grumbled, my hands automatically answering cultural questions about the Fire Nation.
In my shirt's inner pocket, the dagger he gave me cooled my skin. I haven't practiced with it and probably won't, don't want to damage it.
"Maybe I should give him something too, but what?" I paused, ink spilling on the paper, "Aaaah, don't want to start over!"
**Yuki. Northern Water Tribe Capital.**
"I'll get you back for this," I hissed through clenched teeth, filling out yet another document. "Work on these papers, understand them. No need to find a replacement right away," I mocked my father.
Who knew he'd leave all the paperwork for new residents moving from the polar outskirts to the capital to me!
"I'll get you back too," Sokka echoed, whom I'd tricked into helping, "There's nothing to it, Sokka. You wanted to rebuild the Southern Water Tribe, here's your practice," he mocked me. Guilty as charged.
Glancing to the left side of the large table, I saw more stacks of papers. Maybe I shouldn't have looked.
"Brother, we brought you food," Yui and Katara peeked in with steaming dishes.
"Food's welcome, bring it here," my stomach growled in agreement.
"I can ask Father to help you," Yui said sympathetically, placing the food on the only free space.
"No, I'll manage! I must!" I can see his mocking face: "Some papers got the best of you?"
"Hands are full, feed me, please," I asked my sister, my eyes scanning a document while one hand held the next sheet, the other signing it.
"Sure," she quickly agreed, "Mmm," she brought a spoon to my mouth.
"Katara, you can feed me too," Sokka raised his hand.
"Feed yourself," she scoffed, "Here, Yuki," Katara joined in feeding me.
"And they call themselves sisters," Sokka grumbled.