Peace or Not (Avatar Roleplay)

Haru's face went pink and he shook his head.

"No we wouldn't. I prefer girls. And even if I did like guys Jet is not my type. He's too out there."

"Oh you hurt me so," Jet said, clutching his heart. "It's nice to see you too Haru. Do you have any more insults you'd like to call me?"

"I didn't mean-"

Jet waved his hand at Haru, cutting the other boy off. "I was just joking. So Suki how have you've been?"
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"Well at least you guys aren't the stuffy nobles. I will admit that I'd rather deal with your...colorful nicknames than have to listen to another guy tell me about politicals or something else equally exciting."

Zuko paused and looked behind Sokka and Toph to see a small caravan coming up. "Ah this must be the performers."

Shizuka stopped behind Sokka, trying to hide her body behind him. Her face was becoming uncommonly hot and she knew she was sweating up a storm. Agni, why was she so nervous about seeing him again?

"I've been better," she admitted with a smile, "But I'm doing fine. The Kyoshi Warriors are starting to travel more so I'm seeing the world."

*

"Well, it's hard to imagine Toph talking about trade or subtly manipulating anyone," Sokka said with a smirk.

"Um..." Shizuka said, once she found her voice, still behind Sokka. "We are....um...." Shizuka was beginning to panic. If things continued like this she was going to have a heart attack. Now wouldn't that make a great impression on her old childhood friends.

"We are the performers you hired. We just wanted to let you know we're here. Actually we have to go and get things set up and the like, but Shizuka here will tell you everything you need to know."

Shizuka shot Yuu a dirty look, but he just mock saluted back at her, mouthing "Good luck" before leaving.
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"Sounds like fun. I'm glad you're keeping well."

(almost Mai can recognize Shizuka as well since she would know her too.)

"You look familiar," Mai said, uncharacteristically thoughtful. She eyed, Shizuka, trying to recognize her, "What's your name?"

"Knowing our luck, it's probably the reincarnation of the last Fire Lady," Sokka muttered dryly. Mai shot him a look and he stepped behind Toph.

"Shizuka," she said, trying to appear calm.

"That name sounds familiar. You're right Mai. Have we met before?"

Shizuka couldn't take it. Her nervousness was channeled into anger. "Oh just for two years of your youth. Not that it matters."

Zuko went wide eyed and studied Shizuka closer, coming closer to her. Shizuka felt her face get hot again.

"Shizuka? Is that really you? Oh my. I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you."

"Nah it's ok. You were always slow."

"Tell me about it," Mai noted dryly with a small smirk at her betrothed's expense. She looked Shizuka over. She remembered her playing with Zuko and wishing she was her, instead of having to put up with Azula's torment. Then she disappeared and she was ashamed to be glad she was gone, seeing how Zuko seemed to have missed her, at least a bit.

"Yeah. You had a crush on him as a kid right? Talk about oblivious," Sokka teased with a smirk. Mai glanced at him and then Toph and shook her head.

"That's rich coming from you," she noted, confusing Sokka greatly.

"Wait, what?" he asked.

"Me like Zuko? Of course not. He was never my type." With this said, Shizuka felt herself relaxing.

"What is that suppose to mean?"

"Nothing. But it doesn't matter now does it?"

Zuko looked at Mai. "No I guess it doesn't. So you finally choose to become a dancer?"

Shizuka nodded and did a little twirl. "Yup! Though I'd never guess I would be dancing for you again. Thankfully I'm much better at it."

(LOL. Sokka was talking about Mai)

"Did you ever perform with Ty Lee, by any chance?" Sokka asked, getting a feeling of deja vu when comparing the circus girl with the dancer.

*

"It is. What have you been up to besides the obvious?" Suki asked curiously.

(I was wondering who he was talking to. I thought it was Mai, but I wasn't sure.)

"Yeah we did. It was fun...kind of. Not something you want to be standing near."
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"Nothing much beside that," Jet said as they approached the palace. "My life has been boring. But there are still smaller conflicts going on."

"Yeah. But I have to say compared to the war, things are pretty dull. Not that I'm wishing for another war."

"So I imagine," Sokka muttered, remembering how deadly Ty Lee could be if she wanted to. The fact that she had a crush on him scared him when they were enemies.

*

"Just don't start anything," Suki warned, remembering Jet's past with Zuko and the Fire Nation, "Zuko is a good guy."

"No you don't. Shizuka dances with her firebending. Factor that to a ten year old who isn't the best at either and well."

"I didn't get my burns from fighting a ten foot tall firebender. Though that story seems to impress people more," Shizuka commented with a smile. "Anyways it's good to see you and you too Mai again. I promise we will do our best to entertain you." With that said she bowed low.
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"I won't unless he does," Jet said defensively. "But you know though crazy urges. Sometimes you just can't resist."

"Just don't get yourself or anyone else hurt ok," Haru pleaded. Jet nodded.

"Jeez. You act as if I'm planning an attack on the Fire Nation." They walked up to the guards as he said this. Seeing one stare at him, he winked. "But if I have to, I promise that I will behave myself."

"Jet!" Suki scowled at him, "The last thing the world needs is an international incident to plunge the world back into war! I swear that if you are not on your best behavior, I'll forgo my fans and go straight for my sword and I will make sure you don't ever have any children!"

*

Mai sighed, "Please don't bow to me. I get enough of that from servants and nobles that want something from me or Zuko. I'm not Fire Lady yet so I want to enjoy my last day of freedom."

"You know," Sokka started, intending to make a smart comment, but a knife just barely missed his foot and he gulped.

"Zuko... You're crazy," Sokka told the Fire Lord flatly.

Jet raised his hands. "Ok, ok. What do you want me to do? Swear an oath that I won't cause any trouble?"
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Shizuka nodded. "I'll remember that. So Zuko is there anything you need to know?"

"Yes but that can wait til later. I still have people I have to greet."

Shizuka nodded against. She winked at Mai in a "Good Luck" way and then did a handspring and was off.

"Thank you Sokka," Zuko said dryly as he turned back to the others. "Fire Toph insults me and now you. I can't wait to see everyone else."

"Just stay out of trouble," Suki told him with a sigh, "Sorry. I just don't like you joking about breaking the peace."

*

"Hey. I'm sarcastic and she's blunt," Sokka told Zuko with a shrug, "What do you expect from us, pleasantries?"

"I'd never do something like that. I don't want to give the Freedom Fighters a bad name. There are still people who doubt we're any good."

"Don't worry Suki. As long as he's not left alone with Zuko it'll be fine."

The guards looked at the three expectantly. "You going to tell me your names or you just going to stand out here chatting all day?"

"Oh I'm Haru."

"Jet, my good man."

"I'm Suki of the Kyoshi Warriors," Suki told the guard with a bow. Someone had to be the mature one and, as always, it was the girl. She presented her invitation.

"Ok you three may go in, but he," the guard jabbed a finger at Jet. "Should be accompanied by someone at all time. Understand?"

"Of course sir."

The guard nodded to let them in. Haru was getting anxious. He hadn't seen anyone else yet. He spotted Zuko, Mai, Sokka and Toph ahead.

Zuko smiled as Suki and Haru came over, but it twitched into a frown for a second when he saw Jet.

"Li-I mean Zuko how good to see you. Last time I did you were trying to kill me."

"You tried to kill me first," Zuko replied.

"Well regardless it's still so nice."

Haru shook his head. He could already see this going badly.

Suki stopped, taking a quick look at Sokka before looking away, turning her attention instead to Zuko and Jet. She already had a feeling of dread in her stomach. She knew that he was going to ask her about their break up and she'd have to lie to hide her secret and he'd take it badly.

Sokka meanwhile, felt his stomach wrench. He should have known Suki would be here. He suddenly felt very awkward. How was he supposed to act around her? Should he ask her about their break up or should he leave it alone?

Toph shoved Sokka to snap him out of his stupor. She had a feeling she knew what he was thinking about. She was already thinking it herself.

"It's about time you people got here," she said. "I left late, and I still got here before you."

Suki smiled at Toph's bluntness and nodded at her, glad to see nothing had changed. She spoke, "Hey, Toph. How are you?"

Sokka meanwhile blinked and nodded at his friend in thanks before watching the conversation between his friend and ex.

"Eh, fine. Better now that I'm not on some stupid boat," said Toph. "Seriously, I'd rather ride one of those air-ships than a boat."

"Even the last ones that we sent crashing into the ground," Sokka noted with a grin as Suki rolled her eyes. Same old Sokka.

"Well, you're on dry land now. That's good, right?" she asked.

"Sure. But now I'm hungry again," said Toph. "And I plan on digging around in the kitchens until I find something tasty. Come on, Snoozles. You're my date, remember?"

She grabbed his arm and dragged him towards the palace.

Sokka nodded, not really able to say anything before she dragged him into the palace. He staggered after her.

"Thanks for the help back there. I wonder if they have any Barbeque," Sokka wondered aloud as he tried not to think of Suki.

*

Suki meanwhile, watched them go with mixed feelings. She was glad that Sokka had apparently gotten over her, but she was a little annoyed he managed to so quickly. Well, maybe she wouldn't have to explain anything after all.

"It's the Fire Nation. If there's burning and roasting involved, you can bet it's around."

Toph barreled her way through the palace. Having visited before, she knew where everything was. That included the kitchens. It did not take her or Sokka long to walk into the busy chamber.

"Something smells good," she said.