Peace or Not (Avatar Roleplay)

(Cool.)

Mai stood next to Zuko with a frown on her face. Ever since they received the message, he had been busy either in his study, the throne room, and wherever else his Fire Lord duties required him. Fire Nation troops were alerted to Azula's escape and strictly ordered not to speak of it. The Fire Lady wondered how long that would last. Now, though, she was left with attending to their wedding guests. Most had left, but something troubled her.

"Where's Toph and her idiot?" Mai asked her husband with a frown. Their disappearance wasn't convenient, given the situation.

*

The Blue Spirit sighed as he was being led to a room. It was lightly furnished, but contained no windows. It was little better than a prison cell with a comfy bed, desk, and a bowl of fruit.

*

Sokka sighed as he woke up to a ray of light shining on his face. It was the sunset, he found. How long had he been asleep. He smiled when he felt a familiar weight against him and poked Toph.

"I think it's about time we head back," he told her.

"Uh?" Toph yawned and was slow to respond. She smacked her lips and yawned again. "Oh, right." She frowned. "How long were we asleep? It's cool. Is it night, or something?"

Zuko was tempted to pace around the room. The activity was something he did when he was stressed. But he didn't want to annoy Mai. Still he was finding it hard just to stand still. He was concern. He did not like the idea of his sister somewhere out there.

"Guard bring me the Blue Spirit. I have a couple more questions to ask him."
-------------------
Shizuka was back by the turtleduck pond. It was one of the most peaceful places. The palace was buzzing with tension and activity ever since they learned that Azula had escaped. Her troop had left, but Shizuka wanted to stay behind. She was worried about Zuko.

"Sunset," Sokka told his friend, now girlfriend, truthfully. He stood up and looked around. The city had slowed down somewhat. He offered her his hand, "Let's hope they didn't notice we were gone."

*

"Here we go again," the Blue Spirit stated as he was led into the Fire Lord's prescence. He inclined his head and asked, "What can I do for you, Zuzu?"

"Don't hold your breath. If we're missing for more than five minutes, everyone assumes we're up to no good." Toph took his hand and stood, still yawning. "They're probably looking for us right now."

"Don't call me that," he yelled. Then settling down, Zuko took a deep breath. "Where were you when you were given the job of attacking us?"

Mai glared at the masked man and the guards tightened their girp. The Blue Spirit frowned. He didn't need to be hitting the nerves of a man that could literally give him the Death Penalty.

"I was in the southern Earth Kingdom," the Blue Spirit reported, "I was minding my own business when two men ambushed me, using earth gloves. They brought me before a masked woman, flaming red oni mask. She was... intimidating. Insane, but in the smart way. I was told what I was going to do before I even accepted the job. Still, it was good pay and sounded like fun."

*

"Oh, joy," he told her sarcastically as they headed back towards the palace, "They're right to be, I suppose, but we're not always up to something."

"Nah. Just most of the time," she said, laughing. "I guess we'll just face this storm together then."

Zuko nodded. So Azula might still be in the Earth Kingdom. That wasn't good news, but it meant she wasn't back in the Fire Nation yet. or so far as they knew.

"If you completed the job where were you going to get paid? And by who?"

"Sounds good. We could always tell them we were making out," Sokka told her with a laugh, imagining the others' expressions.

*

"I was to visit a man named Hahn in Gaoling. Water Tribe nobel," he told Zuko with a shrug, "I was to leave the Fire Nation as soon as I could."

"Hahn?" He didn't recognize the name, but if he was Water Tribe, Sokka or Katara might. Aang too. He would have to ask them when he saw them. "So you would have meet Azula only once? You would not see her again after completing the job, correct?"

She snickered. "Oh, yeah. That sounds good. I'd love to hear their reactions. It'd be priceless." She pocked him in the arm. "Maybe we should do it in front of them, just to prove that it happened."

"Nope. Not at all. She would make sure I'm killed if I failed... Oh crap," the masked man told him with eyes widened beneath his mask, "Dude, she's insane! She'd kill me slowly! She's worse than me. At least I kill for the adrenaline rush! She's just cruel."

*

"Hey, I'm game," Sokka told her with a smirk, blushing just a little. To tell the truth, he rather liked the idea.

"I guess it's a plan then," she said. They were almost to the palace by now. "Let's get our game faces on."

"Well if you live I'm sure you'll remember not to take jobs for insane people again," Zuko said, a little harsh. "Did she say anything that might tell us where she is now?"
---------------
Haru was walking outside and spotted Shizuka. He decided to talk to her since he had little to do.

"Hey Shizuka."
---------------
Jet, also bored wandered the halls. He was given weird looks and he wondered if anyone thought he might be in league with Azula too. Not that he would ever team up with someone from the Fire Nation, much less the insane ex-princess, but he doubted anyone would give that much thought. They just knew that Jet dislike the FN.

"No," the masked man told him, shaking his head, "That Hahn guy is your only lead, I'm afraid."

"How do we know you're not lying?" Mai asked with a frown, a knife poking out of her sleeve.

"Because you're scary," he told her with a gulp before giving Zuko a look, silently asking him why he married her.

*

Sokka grinned as the entered the palace, hand-in-hand, looking for the others. He spoke, "Wonder where our audience is."

"Who knows. A lot of stuff went down last night. Maybe they're caught up in that," said Toph. She spared Sokka a smile. "Maybe we'll get away for being no-shows all day after all."

Zuko just shook his head. Not at the Blue Spirit, but at not having any leads.

"You are dismissed. Thank you for your information. If you wish you may remain here. It is one of the few safe places for you."

"That would be great," Sokka told her with a shrug. He smiled mischievously, "Can we still make out? I was looking forward to it."

*

"I'd like that. Just one question. Is that Shizuka girl single?" he asked with a shrug.

She returned his mischievous smile. "If you're that interested..."

Zuko stared at the Blue Spirit in disbelief. The question took him by surprise and he almost didn't answer.

"I believe so. Why?"

"I am," Sokka told Toph with a smirk , leaning in a little. Some things about going out, he rather liked.

*

The masked man laughed and said, "I just want to woo the girl."

Mai rolled his eyes, "You're bipolar."

"I never denied it," he told her with a grin.

"You didn't have to say it aloud. I can tell by your heartbeat," she teased, patting him on the chest. She could feel him leaning in, so she leaned in too.

"Well...um...good luck with that," Zuko said. He turned to a guard. "Where is the Avatar? I need to talk to him. Also Katara and Sokka if they are around too."
-------------
"What are you doing out here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Shizuka said, running a finger through the water.

"It's nicer out here. Besides I've never liked being indoors all too much."

"Must be an Earthbender thing, ey."

Haru laughed and nodded. "Yeah something like that."

Sokka grinned and wrapped an arm around her before kissing her passionately. He found that he was getting quite used to this.

*

The Blue Spirit grinned as he walked through the palace. As usual, the guards accompanied him, ready to strike him down given any reason. He stepped into the garden.

"Ah, nothing like relaxing after being interrogated, "he stated.