♚ one | text.

[indebts]

[Instead of the usual standard text, this is all written in flowing, perfect cursive. The strikes are just that - writing with a line crossed through it.]-　Pai Sho. Contact Lau; information in one week, shipment within two.
-　Duel Monsters. Look into stores that will stock it if the deal is a success, plan selling.
-　GameBoys. Continue looking into "

Comments

[peoplesprincess]

Pai Sho exists on your world?

[indebts]

It may exist somewhere in Asia. If it does, Lau will be able to find it.

I take it that you're from the same world as Zuko, ma'am?

[peoplesprincess]

I am.

[indebts]

I see. [He doesn't really care about her, but he wants to know if she's in a position of power too, and where she stands with Zuko. He needs to prioritise his relationships, after all.] It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Earl Ciel Phantomhive.

[peoplesprincess]

I'm Fire Lord Azula of the Fire Nation.

[indebts]

[Oh, it's lucky this is text, she can't hear him almost laughing. He saw Zuko's post the other day.]

Fire Lord, you say? That's rather strange, because Zuko already introduced himself as such. It doesn't sound like the sort of position that more than one person can hold.

[peoplesprincess]

He's a traitor who was crowned by a traitor. He might think that his current position on the throne means that he's the "real" Fire Lord, but those of us who have any respect at all for bloodlines and proper succession know that is far from the case. My father, Fire Lord Ozai, was the one who crowned me. Zuko can play pretend as much as he wants, but the only way he would ever be a true Fire Lord would be if I passed the throne onto him-- and I haven't.

[indebts]

I've heard that you "no longer hold any of the responsibilities or duties of the position", I'm afraid, Miss Azula. Who crowned you is of no importance; if you've had something stolen from you, it's no longer yours, is it? If he's currently holding the position of the Fire Lord, then at least for the time being, he is the Fire Lord.

[peoplesprincess]

No, that isn't the way it works. The throne has to be passed-- it doesn't just belong to every person who gets it into their head that they have a right to sit in it. Zuko has done nothing but prove time and time again that he's unworthy. He's not going to be on the throne forever, and her's certainly never going to be a real Fire Lord.

[indebts]

I don't particularly care about your politics. He has stolen. You have been stolen from. It's as simple as that. You are powerless at the moment, and I am only going to recognise him because he is not. He currently rules the Fire Nation, official position or not, correct? Hence, he is the Fire Lord.

[peoplesprincess]

You have no idea how succession works.

[indebts]

But I have an excellent understanding of how business and power work. He could order all of those people to see you killed, and you could not. Isn't it obvious who I should be siding with?

[peoplesprincess]

Does the fact that he has to whine to and recruit an army of friends to defend him seem particularly powerful to you?

[indebts]

The fact that you can use the word "army" to refer to it is powerful in itself. Ties are important when it comes to power. Tell me, Miss Azula, what kind of "army" could you recruit if it was necessary? Would it be nearly as vast or as powerful as what Zuko could bring forth?

[peoplesprincess]

It was a euphemism. They aren't literally an army.

When it comes time to take the throne back, there will be a large number of people ready to fight for the glory of their country, and the idea of the proper Fire Lord being back on the throne. The Fire Nation people are nationalistic and proud-- there will always be cowards and traitors in any group, but we have fewer than most.

[indebts]

Well. Until that time, it's none of my concern and I don't really care. As it is, I must recognise Zuko as the Fire Lord right now. Whether you understand or not, that's business, and that's how it works.

Please, do contact me when you've reclaimed your stolen throne. I very much like to keep the right connections.