[002 | Luceti | Action] Training

[rocket_feet]

[Just because she's in a strange, new place doesn't mean Azula is going to let herself slip. She's reluctant to let the whole world know about her Firebending just now, but she is going through the movements - besides, keeping herself sharp at unarmed combat is just as good. She's found a spot up the road from her new apartment building (honestly,

Comments

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[tatzenkreuz]

[Tormod was spending some time outside after all that stuffy rain. As he comes around the barracks he stops when a familiar face catches his gaze. Huh, he hadn't seen her in person before. The fact that she's exercising already reminds him of someone.]

Hello, Azula! Newly arrived, and you're already training?

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[rocket_feet]

[Azula drops her stance and turns to face Tormod. Who was he again...? Oh, that's the right. The hideously naive one from the book.]

Of course. It pays to stay in top condition, after all.

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[tatzenkreuz]

[And he continues to remain sadly oblivious. He nods as he approaches.]

I couldn't agree more. What's your style, exactly? Or do you fight without a weapon?

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[rocket_feet]

[Azula laughs.]

Oh, I don't need a weapon. I usually fight with my hands, but that hardly means I'm unarmed.

[She's not tipping her hand just yet.]

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[tatzenkreuz]

No? So . . . you can be armed even though you don't have a weapon? How does that work?

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[rocket_feet]

[Azula smiles. If she can get him to trust her completely, he could be useful.]

It works like this.

[She turns and with a few simple gestures sends a burst of red-orange flame from her fist. It impacts on a rock nearby, dissipating. Azula hastily hides her frown - the flames should be blue, not orange-red.]

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[tatzenkreuz]

[His gaze quickly follows the flame as it hits the rock. He doesn't notice Azula's frown; not that it matters, he looks plenty hyped up.]

Oh, I get it! You're a firebender!

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[rocket_feet]

[Azula's smile doesn't even slip. It's a given that since Zuko and his friends are around, people will know the term.]

Precisely. I take it you know my brother, Zuko?

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[tatzenkreuz]

I sure do -- [wait a minute, wasn't Zuko the ruler of a nation?]

Wait, he's your brother!? That must mean . . . you're royalty as well? As in, princess?

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[rocket_feet]

Princess Azula of the Fire Nation. Zuko is the eldest of course...

[She sighs, letting her expression fall.]

Unfortunately, my brother and I have never quite seen eye to eye.

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[tatzenkreuz]

Ah, I seem to have a habit of botching this up . . . [He's more talking to himself when he hears the last bit.]

You and him do seem rather . . . different. Princess.

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[rocket_feet]

[She doesn't question him on the first bit.]

Yes. That's part of it, I suppose... Still, I've done my best to try and help him but he always seems to think that I mean him ill.

[She sighs.]

He thinks I want to kill him - me! His younger sister! That couldn't be the furthest from the truth - I just want to... help him.

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[tatzenkreuz]

Seriously? You're his sister. There must be some major misunderstanding going on here. [Thinking back on it, he vaguely remembers Katara mentioning something about helping Zuko fight "Azula."]

If you don't mind me asking, why would he think that?

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[rocket_feet]

[Azula can lie through her teeth and make her story sound sad - she just has to omit certain truths.]

Politics, I'm afraid. You see, my brother thinks the best way to help our nation was to turn on it and try to take down our father from the outside with the help of the Avatar - I remained loyal, of course. So, sadly, we're pitted against each other. I can't very well just abandon my father and country, can I? Or let them be destroyed, however noble Zuzu's motives might be?

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[tatzenkreuz]

[Tormod is not good with politics. Still, Azula's telling of the story is simple and he sort of understands -- even if some parts of it seem to be missing.]

I see where you're getting at. So he thought the best way to aid the nation was by ascending to the throne himself with the Avatar's help? He . . . Zuko didn't strike me much as the type to do something like that. And you two ended up on opposite ends because of it.

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[rocket_feet]

Essentially. Although he's denied he wants the throne. He still claims he's doing it for the good of our nation, though. I just want him to see that he can serve our nation by staying loyal rather than siding with people who want to see us destroyed.

[Which is true, in a manner of speaking.]