Chapter 174: The Royalty
"You're too quiet today... is everything alright?" Ursa looked over from their dinner table and inquired while observing Azula carefully. Not only Azula, but Zuko was also too quiet, too. He would usually try to eat even if he isn't feeling too great but he had barely touched his food right now. Yet, although gloomy, the two would rarely miss dinner.
"Nothing..." Azula muttered idly, perfectly masking the sheer chaos bubbling within her. What should she even say?
—Last night I gave Zuzu my blessing to force his way into my girlfriend and today that almost happened to me?—
Azula rolled her eyes internally. It wasn't the attempt... nay, the act of Mai successfully bullying her. Growing up, Azula had buried several charred corpses that attempted such an act but none of them had the same ability as Mai did... THAT was crucial indeed.
"Nothing, huh," Ursa picked up a piece of baked potato and gently blew over it before eating. Hot dang! Her cooking is still the best! " Well, Jin had something to say. It was quite interesting. Would you still admit that nothing happened?"
Faced with Ursa eating peacefully, Zuko gulped.
"Did she tell you everything?" He inquired and felt his throat gripped by pressure.
Ursa didn't know what Zuko was on about but she wouldn't have been able to raise the two troublemakers if she didn't know how to weave around with words, "Of course, she did."
She hadn't.
But Zuko and Azula didn't need to know that, right?
Unlike Zuko, Azula was more... connected to her mother. It was actually quite a simple reason. Ursa and Azula just had more time to talk since Azula would always try and find topics of interest. So, Azula almost immediately knew that Jin may not have shared anything with Ursa but Zuko just might!
"Well, if she told you everything, we don't have to tell you anything, right? Quite honestly, it would be a waste of time."
Azula's words made Ursa purse her lips while Zuko's expression became more terrible.
"Zulon... is there something you want to tell me?" Ursa eyed Zuko and inquired. She could imagine Azula and Jin getting into a heated argument but what did it have anything to do with him?
"I—" Zuko bit his lower lip.
"How about you start, for a change, mother," Azula interjected and scoffed, "You knew who's inside that tea store and after years and years of nagging to not let us get discovered, you end up taking a job right under his wings."
Ursa's expression changed slightly and she frowned, "Who told you that?" She didn't deny anything, knowing full well that it won't work on Azula.
"I know things. Zuzu likes that side of me," Azula smirked, "That's why we get along... but do you think that if HE knows where to find us then our Lord Father wouldn't?"
Color began to drain from Ursa's face as she grew silent. These days have been especially peaceful... but now that Azula mentioned it, a storm is always preceded by an unnatural period of calmness.
"What are you talking about?" Zuko frowned.
"I'm saying that our Dear Uncle has found us. The mighty Fire Lord is... brewing tea for villagers. Hilarious. How long do you think the Fire Lord can actually stay away from the Fire Nation? He will return. Do you think he's here to make sure that we return with him?" Azula pressed on while Ursa continued to grow more and more horrified... yet, her trust in Iroh had been reignited through his own efforts of not trying to meet her or her children.
"Your uncle is not like your father, Azu..."
"Oh, you should know I understand that more than anyone," Azula narrowed her eyes and stated seriously, "But what happens when we are eventually discovered by our Lord Father?"
"Mother... why didn't you tell us?" Zuko questioned, "If we knew that Uncle is here then we would have already moved by now. You've never really talked about it but... if you don't want to be with father, there must be a good reason for that."
Ursa shook her head silently.
"Dear... I... at least, want to know what your uncle wants. Maybe he can help us. Back then when I took the two of you away... it was because I didn't want your father's poison flushing your veins... but your uncle, Iroh, he's a good man. I never intended to meet him before discussing it with the two of you." Ursa smiled slightly, "After all, you're grown up now. I'm sure you both are smart and will think for the family..."
Zuko lowered his head with a shameful expression this time while Azula's mood dipped slightly, too.
"As for... when your father finds you. It's about time we make one thing clear. Obey him, no matter what. He will try and hurt me... but you two are his blood. If we're found out. Forget about me that very moment. Alright? Promise me this!"
Ursa leaned forward on the table and asserted firmly as Azula and Zuko frowned.
"I'm amazed. You even got a sense of humor after working for a few days again," Azula scoffed.
"Never," Zuko growled, "And stop saying morbid things like this, especially in evenings!"
Ursa groaned, rubbing her temples, " Listen well, you two... I'm not saying that this is the only way. But no matter what happens, I want you two to be safe!"
"This kind of sappy talk is all I needed to ruin my appetite. Well then, I'll be going back to my room... oh, and I'm going to meet Uncle tomorrow. Any one of you is welcome to join me. Apparently, something interesting happens there every day slightly before dawn."
"If you're going... I'm going, too," Zuko frowned.
"Who told you all this?" Ursa frowned finally.
Thinking of Nik and Mai... once again recalling her helpless figure in that cave... she gritted her teeth, "Oh... a well-wisher. Don't worry, I repay all my favors."
Azula soon slipped into her bedroom, while Zuko wasn't in the mood to stay either. He wanted to drown his sorrow away with alcohol.
---
Jin was a nervous wreck. She gripped a portion of the fabric of her robe way past her knees and looked past the board of Pai Sho. Experience suggested that when her thoughts were in a pure state of chaos, she should find Iroh but...
"I win?" Jin placed a pai sho tile and looked at Iroh weirdly who had a stunned expression on his aged face, too.
"Mushi... are you alright?"
"I am well," Iroh coughed softly and sipped from his tea—
At least, that's what Jin thought he would do only for him to end up gulping it entirely!
This was unnatural. She hadn't known Mushi for a while but his presence had been calming. THIS, however, wasn't calming. Jin gazed at Mushi worriedly as he exhaled a deep sigh. Dawn was almost upon them and Nik had already warned everyone about Azula and her possible visit.
He may be honest... but he wasn't a fool enough to actually admit what he and Mai were upto to yesterday. Even Mai tacitly agreed to forget about it like Nik. Azula?
They just met her on a busy street. They chatted and laughed and then returned to their homes. That's all that happened yesterday.
"He's more nervous than you," Nik chuckled and patted her shoulder. He'd been watching the game between the two idly while others had made themselves comfortable in the diner beyond the kitchen.
"And you don't have to worry a single bit. I'm right here," Nik smiled comfortingly.
"You don't know her... sorry, Nik... she may just..." Jin mustered as Iroh felt even more terrible at the sight of the girl so very frightened by his niece. How should he even bring up the topic that he's their uncle?
The world wouldn't have Iroh gather his bearings to do just that as Nik suddenly looked towards the door. His hand over Jin's shoulder tensed for a moment as the exit from the kitchen to the back alley was whipped open. Allowing a smirk to plaster over her painted red lips as she'd dolled up, especially for the occasion, Azula stepped into the kitchen and zeroed down on Iroh in an instant. Her golden eyes glimmered as she chuckled, "Why hello, Uncle. You should have announced your arrival. I would have made sure that Zuzu and Mother welcomed you warmly."
"Oh, and there you are Jin," Azula turned to look at Jin and her eyes narrowed down at Nik's hand on her shoulders. Yet, with a smirk that didn't quite reach the sheer intensity of her eyes, Azula greeted the duo, "It's great to see you in good health. I see that you found great company in my Uncle's board game and Nik's presence."
Jin registered it finally.
Uncle?
She mechanically looked towards Iroh who kept gazing back at her apologetically.
Yet, when Jin was about to speak up, she saw the cause of Azula's restrain follow-up from behind, "Azu! Didn't I tell you to walk WITH us?"
"I did," Azula smiled and gave way while Ursa and Zuko entered the kitchen, too.
Ursa let out an exasperated sigh as she looked at the trio settled on the ground around a board of Pai Sho but she forced herself to silently confront the man sitting in a daze as he stared at her family.
"Respected Brother-in-law... it has been a long time. I hope you have been healthy in our absence and have taken good care of yourself."
Ursa decided to be as formal as she could get while Zuko who had been staring at Jin with a complicated expression seemed like he wanted to say something. Yet, causing Azula and Zuko to flinch, Nik's hand slid from Jin's shoulder to her back as he rubbed it softly and whispered, "Jin, how about we give Ursula and Mushi some privacy. I'm sure Mushi won't mind clearing all your doubts later..."
"... Yeah," Jin looked at everyone present and nodded. Her first instinct was to blame Iroh for having betrayed her trust. Fortunately, she waited before making such accusations. Can't falsely accuse someone, after all.
"Good chat, you all," Nik tossed a look over his shoulder, smiling as he left the room with Jin.
His arm still around her shoulders, well, stopping right at the back and rubbing the area of Jin's shoulder in an effort to comfort her successfully.
Zuko... had a bad taste left in his mouth. He'd heard it that night— June's passionate screams and wanton moans that filled the tavern after meeting with Nik within an hour. So, he instinctively felt a little pressured seeing Jin of all people IN his hands... hand.
And while the eldest of the siblings had only heard it, Azula had seen it. Her lips quivered for a second. She had half the mind to forego a chat with her 'Dear' Uncle and pull Nik away... then capture him and Jin and keep them away in locked cells only to have her way with both of them and let the other watch. Many schemes bubbled within her at the time. She couldn't stand the thought of Jin's comely body ravished just as Mai's was yesterday... and possibly similar to the other girls within the store.
"Ehm, behave," Ursa was quick to notice the strangeness her children displayed.
Iroh finally stood up. Slowly. As he did, Zuko and Azula came to be and they observed their surroundings. As far as a kitchen goes... it was clean. Intuitive in a way with how shelves were arranged. This was something Nik had seen in Mitsuko's kitchen but there was only so much they could do with hardened rocks.
"Ursa..." Iroh's tone quivered as he held back all the emotions he felt, "Oh, Zuko... Azula. How big you've grown..."
"Certainly we have. That's how a body works, Uncle. Look how old you've—"
"Azula!" Ursa snapped and Azula visibly flinched, "What did I say you must do if you really wish to meet your uncle?"
Azula grew silent. She would listen to her mother, of course. She always listens to her mother and today won't be anything different.
Cupping her fist, Azula bowed deeply, "Honorable Uncle, Great Fire Lord, It is... n-nice to see you."
Ursa nodded her head in satisfaction while Zuko looked at Iroh and did the same. He didn't have the same reluctance, no. In fact, meeting his uncle relieved him slightly.
If it wasn't because of his foolish actions and Jin's presence, he may even have given his uncle a hearty hug.
"Uncle, it's really great to see you in such good health. You haven't changed one bit."
Iroh gazed at the duo before looking at Ursa. His eyes slowly began to warm up and his nostrils felt sour. As a single tear rolled down his wrinkled face, Iroh bowed deeply, "Ursa, Zuko, and Azula, I... am overwhelmed. But one thing even this old man can understand is the huge debt of apology I, nay, the entire Royal Family owes you. But how can a person speak for someone else? So, I can only state my regret... I'm sorry. I should have found you sooner."
---
"And then what?" Katara questioned without minding Jin, "They've reunited. But our main objective is still not even started... Toph, any luck?"
"Nope!" Toph had her feet resting on Poppy's lap as she lay on two more chairs with her hands under her head, "Nik said he'd get us a map yesterday. So, that was a lie."
"Oh, come on. I told you, Mai and I didn't get the time," Nik rolled his eyes as he sat next to June while Jin settled not too far away.
"What do you think they are talking inside?" Michi inquired after a moment of silence. Everyone was curious, after all.
"Can you hear it?" Suki looked at Nik, attracting everyone's attention to him.
"Oh, yeah. Every word," Nik grinned.
Personal space? What's that?
"You can hear through closed doors?!" Jin gasped.
"Yes," Nik shrugged, "But it's controllable to some extent now."
"So? What are they talking about?" Michi inquired quickly.
Now, Nik had two options. Whether he could refuse to divulge the group Ursa's personal life and make them more insistent.
Or he could agree with ease, filling the curious kittens with a dose of gossip.
But...
"Oh, my!" Nik gasped as Yue quickly questioned, "What happened?"
"Hmm, they are speaking a lot of saucy stuff," Nik smiled as others blinked and waited but... he never did.
"Woah! They really did that?" Nik suddenly began to haw and hummed, "I see, that makes sense."
"What's going on?" Toph sat up and touched the ground to determine his location and looked in his direction.
"Oh, you know, they're talking."
"But what?" Michi questioned again, her interest piqued.
Nik smiled as he looked at them, "Heh!"
That smirk was all they needed to know he wasn't planning on satiating their curiosity as he leaned back on his seat, "Oh, who would have known that this was the reason why they separated~"
He chuckled as scoffs escaped from the lips of the women around him.
"Damn... and I woke this early," June complained, leaning in on the table and resting her head down as Nik continued to cackle, "Sucks to be you!"
"Real mature," Katara narrowed her eyes as Nik's smile broadened. Jin, meanwhile, silently tried to digest everything and wrap her head around the situation. While the reunited family continued to chat about what Nik claimed to hear every word of, Jin was honestly stunned to see Nik taking platters of dishes out from... nowhere for their breakfast!
---
"I see," Iroh and the trio sat on the ground around the same board of Pai Sho. Of many things Ursa had still not admitted to her children to not poison their minds inadvertently, she did relay the truth about what had happened that led to Ursa running away with her children.
His gaze was slightly dim and Ursa didn't dare match his gaze at the moment. Iroh, the Fire Lord, who had lost his son finally realized the truth about his father, too. And it certainly was as corrupt and fueled with a desire for power as the teachings of the Royal Family from an early age.
"Uncle, what mother did—" Zuko frowned and decided to speak but Iroh raised his hand in a calming gesture, "Sorry, child. I already knew it... but when I think about what the three of you must have gone through after you left... alone... it just breaks my heart."
He rubbed the middle of his brows as his words shook Ursa, Azula, and Zuko.
"Did Ozai... admit it?" Ursa inquired, her eyes widening at the thought. How could HE admit to it? The one who wanted everything... she may have escaped for now but deep down, Ursa always felt he'd return... she took something from him and NOBODY steals from him. She couldn't imagine him admitting to this act of betrayal even to Iroh...
"He did not," Iroh punctuated each word with newfound clarity, "I was... informed but it doesn't matter now. In the past, that is."
"Hmm, and we should just forget everything and return? Is that why you're here, Uncle?" Azula hummed.
"Actions often speak louder than words... but words are simply more understandable so I will opt for them," Iroh exhaled and he glanced at Zuko, "Zuko, I regret not watching you grow up into such a..." he wanted to say 'fine' but thinking about Jin's situation, even Iroh felt that this nephew of his could use some help... and tea, "Into such a handsome man. You've taken after your mother's grandfather," Iroh chuckled as Ursa visibly stiffened up.
Zuko tilted his head sideways, "Oh, she doesn't talk about them. Who was he?"
"A fine man," Iroh smiled.
"Just that?" Azula pouted, "That's all we hear about him?"
"Out of countless people in the world, your Grandfather valued his relationships with others— friends and family... that itself is a quality of fineness." Iroh gave Azula a meaningful glance as she frowned while Iroh continued with a cheeky smile, "And Azula, how fine you have grown. Prettier than your mother when she was at the age of betrothal. It is nice to see some of the royal blood of the family working its wonders."
Azula scoffed, crossing her arms but didn't stop her from trying to envision her mother in her younger years. She was a total babe, if Azula had to give her humble opinion but... Ursa simply looked so much more generous now.
"And Ursa... the debt the Royal Family owes you is... too deep. I'm not here to take any of you away. It is not my right. I just wish to spend my time with you all until I have to eventually leave... that is all."
Ursa gained a sudden burst of understanding as she recalled how alone Iroh really was, and still is. She nodded curtly.
"I am grateful, Brother-in-law."
"Well, then," Iroh chuckled as he stood up, "I am sure none of you have eaten this early in the morning. Do make yourself comfortable with others outside. And let me also be clear that they, well, aside from Jin, know about the three of you."
"It's alright. Jin deserves to know it given how long she has stayed with us." A smile crept over Ursa's lips as she nodded. She trusted Jin as she would trust her daughter.
"Do we have to?" Azula lazily stretched her arms while Zuko once again looked conflicted.
"Yes, we do," Ursa commented firmly.
Ursa and others soon reached for the door leading to the seating area and Iroh began working with the pots, manually filling them with water and already missing Katara's maneuverability.
On the other hand, Ursa and others fell into a daze as they stepped into a rowdy hall.
"Hey! Mom, I got a drumstick in my eyes!" Toph panicked as Poppy hurriedly cleaned Toph's face, "And that is why you should not play with food!"
"Yeah, blind bitch," June smirked, earning glares from around as Suki stood up, "Now that was definitely over the line!"
"She shouldn't have thrown a spoon of curry towards Mai either way. She got a deadly shot, after all..." June shrugged as Mai ate silently, a splatter of curry over her robes.
Truly, no one told Toph to throw food without seeing it just because she was bored and wanted to see if she would hit someone. Had it been Nik from before, he would have been mildly annoyed like he was with Kurumi just before jumping worlds... but he had gotten better. He wasn't just mildly annoyed. This was a world torn by war and conquest... food was even more precious here than on his homeworld. Thus, he was outraged, yet it wasn't his place to punish her. He wasn't her father...
Luckily, he was filling in the role well as a form of step-father and he looked at Poppy, "Please try to not waste food... it's upsetting."
He doesn't usually reproach so whenever he did, the women around him elected to hear and be understanding of it. At least, the mature ones did... that's why Nik doted on them even more and fucked their kids even harder to bring them out of their rebellious phase.
Poppy nodded, a little embarrassed, "Toph is just..."
"I'm right here, punk! You got a problem with me? Take it up with me and don't go off running to my mum or throw drumstick like some weapons! Gosh!"
"You gotta say, it was an amazing shot," Katara smirked as she poured Yue a glass of water who grinned, "Opened my eyes~!"
"Mai, you too," Nik looked at Mai and ignored Toph's outburst as if she didn't have thirty more in a day. It was just easier to ignore or play along with her shenanigans.
"Exactly," Michi nodded and then looked towards their guests, "At least, don't embarrass your Poppy and me in front of guests."
Others looked towards the door, too, while Toph sat back down with an audible grumble escaping her lips.
"Um," Ursa swallowed thickly as she looked at everyone... and questioned internally why only Nik was the male within the group...
"What my mother just said, in her single-worded eloquence is that her real name is Ursa and not Ursula as you all know already, except for you, Jin." Azula stepped up and smiled, her gaze landing on Mai who looked up and smirked back oh, so smugly.
With her lips twitching, Azula continued, "I am Azula and my brother is named Zuko. We are the family of the Phoenix King, as you have guessed. Now that our status is clear, I am famished. You, waiter." She sat down on the nearest chair and pointed at Nik, "Bring me something to eat, will you?"
Nik blinked and he agreed without thinking too much. After all, it is just food. And wasn't he already a waiter at this point?
But...
"Just wait for a few minutes. I'm only down on my fifth bowl of broth and seventh loaf of bread," Nik commented.
It was time to establish dominance over others once again using his appetite.
Others smirked visibly while Michi invited Ursa over to their table...
Surely, Zuko also saw Mai...
There was just too much to talk about. Yet, he didn't move with his mother... after all, Jin was at that very table alongside June and Nik.
"Hello?" Azula frowned.
"Alright, no need to embarrass me, too," Ursa sighed, "Azula, just come here and take something to eat."
'Tch.' Clicking her tongue internally, Azula followed what Ursa said.
"Nice to see you again, Azula. We just never met... back then we used to play in the palace. Let's catch up soon enough." Mai didn't forget to greet her.
"Oh... of course," Azula returned with a smile. Her glance once again landed on Jin who was just in a state of shock after all she heard about them— one of the reasons why Ursa chose to sit at this table so that she could ease Jin into the situation.
***
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