The Earth Empire (Avatar Roleplay)

Katara almost let out a sigh of relief, as the meeting seemed to be coming to an end. She wasn't sure how much more of the rising tension she could take, especially from the girl. Extremely beautiful though she was, Katara could feel a malicious hate flowing off of her. Whoever this girl was, she obviously didn't like being here.

Katara knew enough that she didn't want to be around the girl after this meeting was over...surely the spirits wouldn't that cruel. Imagine, running into her in some room, alone...

Katara tried to mentally laugh, but the prospect of the situation happening was far too real; thank goodness there were always Dai Li around.

Long Feng

"Of course, Prince Iroh. You and your guests are more than welcome to retire for the moment. We can continue these discussions later." Long Feng replied.

"Thank you for the tea," Iroh told him as he stood to leave, ignoring the murderous glare Azula was giving both him and the Emperor, "It was delicious."

Katara gave Iroh a bow, "You are to kind. It was an honor to serve you." Looking over to the girl, who seemed to be trying to incinerate Iroh and Long Feng with her glare, Katara noted that her cup hadn't been touched. She tried to keep from frowning, but was doing a poor job.

Fine then, let her be paranoid; at least her job is over and she can go back home. Katara was eager to leave, but she couldn't forget herself; she was in the presence of the Emperor, and even if she completed what she agreed to do...he might have something else for her. She hoped Sokka was doing okay, then it hit her...Sokka worked in the palace, didn't he?

"Thank you. It was an honor to be served tea by a sweet young lady," Iroh told her with a nod of his head as he and his niece and nephew left the presence of the Emperor.

"You better not be considering his offer, Uncle. If you do, I'll kill you right here and now," Azula commented.

Iroh frowned, "Of course not, Azula. The Emperor's plan cannot lead to real peace. We can only hope that the Avatar returns soon."

The princess sneered, "Your belief in fairy tales will lead to your undoing, uncle."

Long Feng

After the ambassadors left the library, Emperor Long Feng finished his tea and sat for a moment, contemplating the events that had just occurred. After thinking the matter over in his mind, his eyes flashed to Katara, as if remembering she was still there. Long Feng gave her a sincere smile and stood up.

"Thank you for the tea, Lady Katara. It was delicious. Tell me, would you mind staying a little longer? There is something I would like to discuss with you, and show you."

Zuko

"What are we going to do, Uncle?" Zuko whispered to Iroh, fiercely, hoping that the Dai Li agents now escorting them to their rooms wouldn't hear. "The Emperor's request is impossible. I would be one of the first to admit the faults of my father, but I don't think he deserves to die."

Katara audibly gulped. The spirits were against her it seemed; still, she couldn't refuse, "Of...course, my lord. I am humbled...that you would wish to speak with me." Katara gave Long Feng a bow, trying to shake off her uncertainty.

Long Feng

"Thank you." Long Feng replied, smiling again at the girl. "And please, call me Long Feng. I consider ourselves equal, even though my colleagues would disagree."

The Emperor gestured for her to follow him as he walked over to a window toward the end of the library. He looked out, taking in the glorious view that it offered. From the window's position, they could see most of the marvelous buildings that made up the upper level of Ba Sing Se.

"Tell me Katara, when you look out this window, what do you see?"

Toph was down in the lower ring, still debating on whether she would run away or not. Yue looked up from where she swept and frowned. The small girl she saw before her looked like a noble. Why was she down here? Did something happen? Did someone do something wrong? Yue bit her lower lip hoping that nothing bad was going to happen.

"Excuse me," Toph said, walking over to Yue. "Can you tell me how far I am from the wall?"

Katara cautiously approached the window Long Feng stood before, "I'm...not quite sure what you mean. The upper ring has certainly prospered...far better than the lower ring." She turned her gaze to the man beside her, "Why do you ask?" She felt uncomfortable being this close, no doubt there was something hidden beneath his question...but what was it?

Long Feng

"Oh, no real reason. I just wanted an outside opinion about my city. I myself, looking out this window, see a people and a civilization that cares nothing for the men and women they crush under their heels in their bids for power and glory. I pity the peasants and common folk of my empire, for they have little hope under the current way of things. I especially pity your people, Katara. They have it even worse than the filthy beggars in the lower districts. Your kind are treated as savages and slaves, and are viewed as worse than the dirt they are forced to sleep on. I can only hope that, with my current reforms, I can heal the sins caused by my ancestors." Long Feng said. The Emperor bowed his head in disgrace.

"Believe me when I say that I am truly sorry for your plight, Katara. You deserve to be living in the frozen tundras of your home, among friends, family, and lovers. Your people deserve to be equal with those of the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation. But instead you have been reduced to a life of slavery, or worse, by an empire founded on corrupt ideals, and filled with people who believe they are superior to you. I am sorry. I am truly sorry about what my father did to your kind."

"We can only hope to find a third option. Choices are never as limited as they seem to be, Prince Zuko," Iroh told his nephew, causing his niece to roll her eyes, though she secretly agreed.

Katara wasn't sure what to think, standing there before the Earth Empire's rules...apologizing to her. His words hit her hard, seemingly full of sincerity, "I..." No words came to her, forced to take a moment to gather herself, "With all due respect, what your father has done...was cruel, but you have a chance to right many of his wrongs.

"The people of the Earth Empire will never change their opinions of us; well, never truly change. If the minds and opinions of the people are to change, they need a reason; someone to lead them by example, and respectfully, that's hard to do when you isolate yourself from the people you rule...and the people who need you the most."

Katara's nerves were strained, having spoken her mind so openly, and in front of the person she'd heard so many horrible things about. "I'm sorry," she said, trying to calm herself, "may I step outside for a moment?"

Long Feng

"Of course, my dear. Please, take your time. I am sure this all must be so overwhelming to you." Long Feng said with a smile. "Go down the door to your left, and there will be a balcony you can step out into. I will make sure you are not disturbed there."

Katara nodded as she checked the kettle of tea, "Um, if it's alright, may I make some more tea first? It seems that I've run out." She knew she was pushing her luck, but making tea always helped her nerves, especially water bending; the way it cleared her head and helped her focus.

Long Feng

"Of course, my dear." Long Feng replied. "Though I acknowledge the point you made. I know I am more distant from my people than I would like. It was this way in the time of Chin the Conqueror, my great-great grandfather, and it was so in the reign of my own father. I have made efforts to bridge the distance that exists between me and those oppressed by the Empire, but the Courts have made this nigh impossible. I may be the Emperor, ruler of a vast kingdom, yes, but the Courts do not appreciate a revolutionary."

"And if I wish to live on and continue my work, then for the moment I must abide by the wishes of the Nobles while trying to find ways to continue my goals in secret. And believe me, it is not an easy task. I know of several families among the noblemen who would love nothing more than to dispose of me and establish themselves as the new bloodline for the Empire's royal family. But they need an excuse to make such a bold move, and I will not give them the means necessary to ensure my work is for nothing."

The Emperor paused in his tirade, and gave an apologetic smile. "Forgive me. I easily become long-winded and carried away. Though I must say, it is refreshing to speak my true thoughts. I have few trusted allies these days. The only ones I trust with my life are the Dai Li, and...a long time ago, your father Hakoda, when he was among the living."

Katara caught herself, and gave Long Feng a nod before heading towards the doorway, fighting to see through the tears that quickly filled her eyes. Pushing open the doors, she exited into the halls of the palace. Closing the doors behind her, she let her tears fall to the floor.

"He knew my father? And they were friends?" but of course she hadn't known...or had she? Was there anything that he might have said when she was younger that might have even hinted? It was hard to say, it was so long ago, and even though she tried to be strong for Sokka, like she knew he tried to be for herself and Gran-Gran...it hurt every day.

And to think, that so many years later, she should find a link; a friend of her father, and the Emperor no less! She needed to reevaluate things, especially her thoughts regarding Long Feng. Wiping her tears away with her sleeve, she composed herself, registering her surroundings.

"Oh no," she gasped, realizing she didn't remember the way to the kitchen. "No need to panic," thought Katara, even as she began to worry. She quietly began making her way through the halls, hoping that she would come across something soon.

?

"Excuse me, Miss?" a young man of Water Tribe descent, just a few years older than Katara, walked up to her from an adjoining hall way. "Are you lost?"

((I believe a way should be found to re-involve the other characters until Aang is awakened. Sokka could be sent out on a trip to the market and maybe meet up with Toph and/or Yue, AI. And perhaps Zuko and Azula could have some interaction, perhaps with Iroh too?))

(Hm... Sounds good.)

Sokka sighed as he left through the back of the palace. He hated being sent to the market. It always served to remind him of the foods that he and his family would never get to eat. Still, dressed in his work uniform, shopkeepers showed him respect. That was always good. And, if he was careful, he could use the money he was given to buy a little something for him and his family.

He entered a shop next to a tea shop and ordered, "Two cabbages, please."

(Sounds good to me too)

Yue study the young girl who was quiet. Then there was a call from inside the store.

"Yue can you go shopping? We're running out of food."

"Ok sir," Yue replied. She nodded at Toph and started walking. But Toph stopped her.

"Wait. Let me come with you."

"Why?"

"Bored," Toph replied shrugging. Yue nodded not wanting to be rude. After all there was something off about the girl.

(Sounds good)

Katara turned to the young man that had addressed her, quickly noting that he was also of the Water Tribe, "Heh, is it that obvious? It feels like like I've been wandering about for a while...must be going in circles or something. I swear I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere..." Katara realized that she was starting to ramble a bit and cut herself off with a blush.

If she was expecting to run into any others of the Water Tribe, Katara rather hoped it would be Sokka, but she wouldn't look a gift pig-monkey in the eye. "So, just curious...would you happen to know someone named Sokka?"

?

"I figured you were, since your current heading would take you to the bathhouses the male servants use. I imagine you wouldn't want to go in there by mistake." the Water Tribe boy said with a chuckle. "And yes, I do know Sokka, though we're not really friends. I just happen to see him now and again, and we sometimes have a few short chats."

The young man smiled at her and surprisingly gave Katara a formal bow. "Forgive me, where are my manners. I am Hahn Feng, milady. And you?"

Katara returned the formal greeting, "I'm sorry, my name's Katara. Sokka is my brother, and he's been working here for a wile, just wanted to know if he's been doing alright. And no...I wouldn't want to be going in there by mistake." Katara added, pointing in the direction she would have been going.

"So, I don't suppose you know the way to the kitchen by any chance?" Katara asked with a nervous smile.

Hahn

Hahn raised an eyebrow at her for a second, but he quickly nodded his head and held out a hand toward Katara.

"Ah, I see. Very well then, Lady Katara. I would be happy to escort a lovely woman like yourself to the kitchen. I was going to head there myself, sooner or later, depending on what my father had planned today." Hahn replied, giving Katara a suave smile of his own.

Katara blushed, accepting Hahn's extended hand, "Thank you. Honestly, thinks might have ended up pretty bad if you hadn't come along." Katara spoke lightly, running the boy's name through her head. He had to be Long Feng's son, odd though, he didn't really take after his father; assuming of course that Hahn was his son.

Katara hadn't really heard much about Long Feng's children, or even his wife, for that matter. The idea that she may, in fact be in the presence of one made things...awkward, to say the very least. "So, uh, yeah...if you don't mind me asking, um, do you have any siblings?" Not the most subtle way of asking, but he knew about her brother, so it was only fair...even if he hadn't asked, it's entirely beside the point.