Burning Water

The room was dark save for a single torch on the wall illuminating the large empty space.  At first glance you could miss the single man standing alone next the curtain that lead outside.  He was perfectly still and his face an impassive calm.  The roar of the crowd on the other side did nothing to sway his outward appearance. He was lost deep in thought as everything that had transpired over the last five years caught up with him.  That’s why he was here, he supposed to make a speech to his citizens, reassure them that 5 years after the defeat of his father, their country was still strong and his reign was absolute. The young man sighed, bowing his head slightly and whispering a prayer to Agni.  His hair was slicked back and every hair in place, his crown free of any smudges.  His mantel perfectly centered, a heavy burden on his large shoulders, but he hardly felt that anymore.  

The crowd cheering came to a climax as the curtain was opened for him by a guard standing on the other side.  The bright sun blinded him as he stepped onto the balcony.  As his eyes adjusted to the light, Zuko raised his hand, asking silence from the crowd.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.

She tugged the black cloak tighter around her body as she wove easily through the thick crowd.  She weighed her body easy, finding all her weapons still in place and ready for use.  The sun was high in the sky, the sun almost at high noon this was the appointed time.  The crowd was thick with spectators but they all focused on the balcony in front of them.  Not even the guards seemed to be paying attention, instead they lounged against the walls, chatting idly; she could use that to her advantage.  She pivoted, turning into an alleyway close to her rendezvous.  Her long hair was pulled back tight into a braid tight against her head, keeping it out of her way.  Her clothes hugged tight to her body and a single drop of sweat rolled down the side of her face.  A flick of her wrist and the water was flung to the ground.

The crowd’s cheering erupted to a new level, she turned her eyes back up towards the balcony.  She inhaled sharply as her old friend stood before the crowd, commanding silence.  He had changed so much since the last time they had seen each other.  She took a deep breath, sent a prayer to Lu and Tai and uncorked the water skin on her back.  Katara raised her hand, solidifying the water into an ice dagger while taking a step deeper into the shadows.