Fire and Wind: Omashu

Omashu had earned a bit of a reputation for just how impassable its stone walls were. It wasn't quite to the same level as Ba Sing Se, but for anyone who wasn't from the Earth Kingdom, getting inside was an extremely arduous process. Seng had never actually attempted, knowing that she'd likely be turned away at the gate, but for anyone who actually had a reason to be there, there were few safer places than behind the city's stone walls.

Or at least, that was what Seng had always believed. But as she followed Azula and Ty Lee through a stone city corrupted by metal and gazed at the Fire Nation flags hanging from just about every building, she realized that couldn't be further from the truth.

The moment they walked in the city, something in the air changed. An odd tension followed them everywhere they went, silently trailing behind them and Seng was almost certain she could feel eyes on her back with every step she took. She had already tried to find the source, but it eluded her at every turn.

There were few people in the street, and those who were present gave the contingent a wide berth as they passed them by. Their eyes mostly focused on Azula, either recognizing the girl by her face or just her regal bearing, but a few of them eyed Seng as well, clearly recognizing her as the odd one out by her ratty clothing and the bow on her back.

What really struck Seng was the fact that there wasn't a single child present as far as the eye could see. Omashu was supposed to be a safe place. A city where even children could wander free without fear of being endangered or prosecuted. To see the streets so empty and bereft of childish hot was… disheartening.

“It's rather impressive, isn't it?” Azula asked, noticing Seng's staring, “An actual siege on the city was barely even needed. They rolled over at the slightest hint of aggression after King Bumi surrendered. We simply walked in and set up shop.”

“King Bumi surrendered?” Seng asked, surprised, “Why?”

“Who could say? The man is over one hundred years old. There is no telling what goes through that senile old mind of his.” Azula shrugged, “Perhaps he thought that he would be able to take the city back from us once he was imprisoned. Unfortunately for him, he will find it quite hard to earthbend from his iron coffin.”

Seng nearly missed a step at the news, “You killed him?”

“No, but I'm sure he wishes that were the case. Earthbenders suffer more the longer they are away from their native element, and the Mad King hasn’t had access to a single pebble since he was taken prisoner.”

Seng thought about what her words meant as they continued on their way through the empty streets of Omashu. A big part of what made the city what it was was the presence of King Bumi and the danger he represented. The master earth bender may have had a reputation for being old and almost certainly insane, but he was probably the greatest earth bender alive despite his age. As long as he was there to defend Omashu, none had dared to try and conquer its walls, fearing what would happen if they pushed the old man to act.

Except apparently when push came to shove, King Bumi collapsed like a pile of the stones he commanded so easily. And without him, there was nothing stopping the Fire Nation from rolling right in, just like Azula said.

If Omashu had fallen so easily, then what would happen when the Fire Nation made it to Ba Sing Se? Would its walls repel them just as they had before, or would the impenetrable city finally fall?

Seng wasn't sure she wanted to find out.

~~~

Unlike Ty Lee, Mai’s home was actually what Seng would expect a friend of Azula's to live in. It was large, well decorated, and somewhere that Seng would actually think twice about trying to steal from, it just because it would be more trouble than it was worth.

Mai herself was also much different than Ty Lee, in both looks and personality. They were practically polar opposites in every way, and Seng knew that if not for Azula, they wouldn't even be acquaintances.

Presently, Seng was standing beside a pseudo throne that the princess was sitting up in, watching as she effortlessly intimidated Mai’s father, the current governor of Omashu.

“-nd the state of this city is something else entirely. Not only did you let so many of our citizens simply wander out of the gates, but those who are still here don't even feel safe on the streets with this little rebellion you have yet to quell.” Azula spoke, gazing down at the man groveling before her, “My father has entrusted you with this city, and you're making a mess of things. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Apparently, Omashu hadn't been quite as easy to capture as it first appeared. Even with King Bumi’s surrender, most of Omashu’s garrison refused to surrender and had taken to hiding in the city and committing acts of open rebellion against their Fire Nation occupants.

There weren't very many but they were present and more importantly, violent, according to Mai.Much more violent than anything that Seng had ever imagined they would be capable of. They had already killed several people, most of them nobles, and now it made sense why so many people were hiding. They weren't afraid of Azula, they were afraid of the rebels.

Mai’s dad shook as he pressed his face even harder against the ground as if he was trying to bury himself there, “I'm very sorry, Your Highness. We have tried to quell this rebellion more than once but they are like roaches, hiding in whatever hole they can find and only emerging when they know it is safe.”

His voice took on a more urgent tone, “They have even taken my son! He disappeared from our home and is nowhere to be found. It can't be a coincidence that it coincided with the fake plague that swept through my city.”

They kidnapped a child too? What kind of atrocities were these rebels willing to commit if even taking an innocent child from his parents wasn't off limits. Seng's frowned deepened. The more she heard about these rebels, the more she was beginning to think they were just as barbaric as their enemies.

“You disappoint me more and more with each moment, governor.” Azula sighed, resting her cheek on one hand, “Failing to quell an open rebellion is one thing, but being unable to even locate them with the vast amounts of resources available to you is another thing entirely.”

“Thief,” Seng straightened as Azula addressed her, “What would you do in the governor’s position? You have my permission to speak freely.”

Seng just stared at her in confusion and shock, wondering why she was being asked to weigh in on something that didn't even concern her. The room was silent with Seng's lack of response and Azula stared at her as she waited her answer, “Well?”

Wait, she was actually serious? Why did she give a shit what Seng thought? The airbender took a moment to think, putting herself in the governor's boots and wondering how she'd deal with the situation at hand.

“I guess the easiest thing to do would be to have someone infiltrate their ranks.” She finally said, “There are a lot of colonists who at least look like they were born in the Earth Kingdom. Just have them find out where they are and deal with them.”

“And there you have it.” Azula said, gesturing towards Seng, “Even a lowly thief came up with a plausible plan whereas you have yet to do anything but cower before this little uprising. A girl of common birth, who decided that attempting to steal from me was a good idea, came up with a plausible solution to your issue while you sit there spouting apologies. You should be ashamed to call yourself a noble.”

“I… I have no words, Princess.” The governor said.

“Clearly my father was mistaken when he thought you would be fit to rule here in his place.” Azula sneered, “Therefore I will be taking command of this city during my time here so that I may drive the filth out of the streets and allow it to prosper once again. Our campaign did not penetrate the bowels of the Earth Kingdom just to turn the crown jewel of Omashu into a muddied diamond via your incompetence.”

The governor looked shocked at her words and even went to argue. He thought better of it almost immediately though, the shift from panicked to fearful and then obedient happening in less than a second and leaving Seng with some form of emotional whiplash.

He bowed his head once more and spoke in a voice that was whisper quiet, “Yes, Your Highness. As you decree.”

Mai made no attempt to defend her father's title, looking just as noted as she had this whole meeting. Ty Lee looked like she was about to nod off where she was standing, clearly just as unenthused to be here as her friend.

Azula, on the other hand, had a supremely satisfied look on her face as she took command from the man just like that, “Fear not, governor. Once I have cleaned out the rabble, I will be on my way and you can have your city back again, though I expect you to use the time given to you to think about how to run it properly.”

“You are most gracious, Your Highness.”

“I am, aren't I?” Seng rolled her eyes as Azula preened in her golden chair, “As for your son, you don't need to worry. I've already thought up a solution to that problem.”

The governor looked like he was about to cry at the news, “Oh thank you, Your Highness! I would do anything to have him back safely in my arms, and know my wife feels the very same!”

“If that is so, then by all means, feel free to show your gratitude by having your servants prepare a chamber that is more properly suited to my royal status. The master bedroom will do nicely.”

That gave the governor pause, “But thats-”

“Your princess commands it, governor.” Azula's eyes flashed, “Surely you do not intend to go back on your word after so earnestly expressing your gratitude? That would displease me greatly.”

The man swallowed, ans Seng was almost impressed by the control that Azula had over this man with her words alone, “I… No, Princess. Of course not. You may have any room you like. My home is your home.”

“And I'm positively delighted to hear it.”
Azula said, before leaning back and gesturing dismissively, “Oh, and don't take too long having your servants move your things. And I enjoy a good soak after a long journey so have them draw a bath as well.”

“Of course, Princess. As you command.”

Azula waved a hand, “You may leave. I need to discuss things in private with my friends.”

Seng was pretty sure she hadn't seen anyone move so fast while also being pretty much facedown on the ground. The governor practically crawled out of the room, and as the door slammed shut behind him and left the four girls alone, Ty Lee was the first to break the silence..

Quiet laughter rang through the hall as the acrobat practically doubled over, her shoulders shaking with mirth, “Oh Agni, Azula! That was hilarious!”

Azula's smug smile became more genuine as she relaxed in her chair, abandoning her prim and proper pose for something much more leisurely, “Wasn’t it? I thought he was going to wet himself for a few moments there.”

“That would have been worth all of the misery I've been through the last few months.” Mai said dully, though just like her friends, there was a small upturn to her lips as she spoke and Seng was completely confused now.

“So wait, all of that was an act?” She asked, unsure of what she had just witnessed, “Are you not actually going to do any of that stuff you said?”

Azula regarded her cooly, “Of course I am. I meant every word I said to that man, but the way I said it will ensure that he doesn't even consider the prospect of disobeying me. Nobles, especially ones appointed to a station higher than their experience should normally allow, are infamously arrogant.”

And if Azula of all people was calling someone arrogant, then it must be true. Seng nodded slowly, “Okay, I guess I get it. So if you were telling the truth then that means you have a plan to get back the kid?”

“I thought of a plan the moment Mai informed me about the situation outside.” Azula scoffed, “Really the fact that that man has the perfect bargaining chip in the palm of his hand and didn't even think to use it to lure out those rebels makes me wonder why my father thought he was a good candidate to govern a city like this in the first place.

“You're talking about Bumi.” Seng realized, “But wait, Bumi surrendering is the entire reason the rebels are fighting in the first place. Why would they care if you offered him up as a bargain?”

“I won't bore you with the details. I doubt you'd understand them anyway.” Azula said, her smile becoming sharp, “All you need to know is that by the end of the day, we will have both Bumi, and information on the rebels causing so much havoc in our fair city. That, I can assure you.”

As Azula's eyes flashed with malicious intent that promised danger for her enemies, Seng felt an odd flicker of an emotion. She didn't know what it was, but it certainly wasn't fear. It felt closer to admiration but not quite the same.

“Well alright then, Princess.” She said, ignoring the feeling for now, “But if we're going to be fighting rebels, then maybe it's a good idea to give me my spear back? You know, so I don't croak the moment I come across someone with an actual weapon.”

“Your lack of bending talent will be the death of you, thief.” Azula said with a sigh, “But very well. You may have your spear back for now. I expect you to be on your very best behavior, or else I'm using it as kindling."

“You won't even know I have it.” Seng promised.

~~~

Standing in an open courtyard, Seng stared up at the wrinkled face peeking out of the shell of welded iron. King Bumi was humming to himself as the operators worked to lower him to the ground so that he could be transported for the hostage exchange and as he landed in front of them, the four girls felt particularly unimpressed.

“So this is the great and venerable King Bumi?” Azula said aloud as she walked around the man, “I must say, I'm not very impressed.”

“In the wrinkled flesh!” The mad king snorted, before squinting at Azula, “And who are you, missy? My peepers aren't what they used to be so you're gonna have to get in real close so I can get a good look at you!”

“I'm the one who is going to turn this city into something worth remembering.” Azula sniffed, “You won't be around to see it, I'm afraid. Though judging by the look of you, I doubt you have many more years in you to begin with.”

“Nonsense! I'm as spry as I was the day I turned eighty-six! You could learn a thing or two from a well-aged brain like mine” Bumi cackled.

“I'm starting to think the rumors about this guy were true.” Seng said feeling extremely let down for some reason.

“He does seem kind of loopy, doesn't he?” Ty Lee agreed as they watched the princess have a back and forth with the cackling king, “It's like he drank a whole barrel of cactus juice or something.”

Seng blinked, turning to the peppy acrobat, “You’ve used it before? I didn't think someone like you would do that sort of stuff.”

Cactus juice was basically watered down poison that had a very potent effect on the human mind. Some animals could drink it without any issue, but if even a drop of the stuff touched the tongue of an actual person, they were in for a ride for the next hour or so. It wasn't deadly unless you counted the odd case of misadventure while someone was hallucinating, so it sold pretty well with the rowdier crowds when alcohol wasn't quite doing the job.

“Oh, I’ve never had it. But some of the people at the circus use it to unwind or have fun. It's always really funny watching them stumble around and say weird things.” She giggled.

“So not only did you actually go and join a circus, but you just happened to join one that has performers who think drinking poisonous water and hallucinating is fun?” Mai sighed, “Why am I not surprised?”

“Enough gossiping, you three. It's time to move.” Azula walked up to them as behind her, King Bumi was loaded up into a cart for transport, “We'll be heading to the hostage exchange location shortly. Hopefully we can get this done and out of the way quickly so we can figure out what to do about these rebels. I'd rather not waste time entertaining fools who think trading a king for one toddler is something we'd actually be stupid enough to do.”

“We're still gonna save him though, right?” Seng asked. The question was mostly redundant, as she wasn't going to leave a literal child in the hands of his kidnapper, no matter what the princess said. Luckily, the girl once again surprised her by giving her an almost offended look.

“I'm not going to leave one of my dear friends' siblings in the hands of those barbarians.” She said, surprising Seng, “We’ll rescue the child and learn more about this rebellion in the meantime. I, for one, am very interested in meeting the mastermind behind this kidnapping. Sneaking into a noble’s home and lifting their child right out from under their nose is a dangerous skill if left in the wrong hands. It's best to just nip this in the bud while we have the upper hand.”

“If they really do have my brother, then they're probably going to beg to give him back to us.” Mai said, very unconcerned for someone whose sibling was in the hands of the enemy, “He's teething right now and I can't remember the last time I got a full night of sleep without his crying.”

“Awww! His little baby teeth are coming in? That's so cute!” Ty Lee clapped her hands at the mental image.

“Yeah, if you like drool and other… fluids all over your robes and dresses.”

“I don't mind! In the circus, there was a platypus-bear that just had babies and she-”

“Enough, girls. I don't want to hear about odd fluids of any sort.” Azula frowned, speeding walking past the two of them, “Let's be on our way. It wouldn't do for the Crown Princess to arrive late to a meeting involving a king, after all.”

As they followed her towards the cart Bumi had been loaded into, the princess glanced back at Seng, “Thief, you're riding in the rear. I hope you enjoy Bumi's inane chatter as much as I loathed it.”

Seng slowly looked towards the back of the cart where Bumi was talking to himself. There wasn't anyone within thirty feet of the man and yet he seemed to be carrying on a riveting conversation with the air. So exciting in fact, that his coffin was shaking as he presumedly made hand gestures inside the metal box to emphasize his point.

Seng looked back at a smug Azula and gave the girl a strained smile, "I'm sure I'll have a blast."