My Lord...(Firelord Shula)

Mei stepped into the palace, this was a long awaited meeting, the Firelord herself. He hadn't had the pleasure of meeting her, and seeing that it had been years, he thought it best to meet his Firelord. He had his hands folded behind his back, and was beckoned in by a nearby noble guard. As he stepped into the Firelord's chamber, he glimpsed at the guard, each man measuring the other. The guard looked nervous.

Mei continued into the chamber, looking straight ahead toward the Firelord's chair. He stood for a time, making the symbol of firebending, and bowing his head, "My Lord.", a simple, two word phrase that carried immense weight. "I have a request."

Mei stood quietly for a time, this was a new experience, and he knew he was younger than most other generals the Fire Nation had seen, and he certainly wasn't the best. He thought hard about how to word the request without making it sound demanding, or rude. She seemed to be of sound mind and judgement, but Firelords always seemed good and wise, that's when the madness showed. He seemed to lose most of the confidence that had stood behind his voice initially when he spoke next, "Mei is acceptable...my Lord...I'm proud of my title...but not to the point of constant reminders during conversation."

He managed a polite smile, walking alongside Shula, stopping in front of her rather than standing at her side. Mei had never been in such a place, the palace, he spent more time living in beaten down shacks or other cheap renovations, the setting itself unnerved him. "Just tea, thank you."

He stood still, holding his hands tight behind his back to avoid her seeing his tensity. "I'm sure you've recieved word of Ex-Admiral Kai, and his band of...traitors.", his voice did not so much quaver as heighten in passion, a certain deep-seated anger toward the group. "I have come to request your permission to take a Battleship and a task force after Kai and his accomplices."

He took one more step, this time knowing he may be acting too boldly, "A Battleship, two scouting blimps, and 40 Firebenders...and...", he stopped midsentence, somewhat shocked by his own demeanor, "Forgive me, I seem to have gone too far.", he said hastily.

Shula Njoo

Shu's friendly gaze hardened momentarily at the mention of Admiral Kai, before she worked to loosen her own expression. Memories of traitorous men she at one point in time trusted always brought back anger and pain--Novai took her whole kingdom, after all. She flicked a finger at his apology; she understood the passion with which he spoke--she often spoke the same way. "I suppose that would be acceptable. I would like to have this problem remedied before it becomes too large. I want you to understand though, if you are able to subdue Admiral Kai and his followers, I want him brought back to me, preferably alive. I understand the troubles of battle, and do not expect such. But if you are able, then I would like him brought to me so that he may be fairly trialed in the Fire Nation court," she stated, feeling like her father. Never had her father passed judgement on a man without a fair trial--she herself was quick-tempered, and would much rather tear the man to shreds with her bare hands. Her ferocity certainly came from her mother; her calm and concise thoughts and judgement from her father; her skill for firebending and passion for life from her grandfather--and her playful ways from her childhood. She stood, then, wanting to show something to the tense man standing before her. "Follow me." She stated simply, not waiting for a response--this was not a question. She wanted to show him the pond in the courtyards, where the turtle-duck mothers were just barely teaching their ducklings to swim. This always made her smile, and she rather disliked stiff-backed members of nobility. They were such a bore; after exile and war, Shula was more concerned with ruling with passion and playfulness than with customs and rules. A new era was dawning, one that called for new traditions. One of them being to loosen up in front of her. Yes, yes, she was the Fire Lord--but she wasn't going to kill anyone if they didn't remain completely rigid in her presence. She led him through the Palace, going through the back halls towards the private courtyards of the Fire Lord and the Royal Family. She and her specified guests were the only ones allowed to visit such an area and tend to the gardens there. Not even gardeners and servants could enter unless she wished them to. When she opened the large door leading there, she frowned at how the grandeur and beauty of such a place had fallen during Novai's rule. But, nothing could be done about it right then--after all, no other Royal Family existed to tend to such a place. She waited for some sort of response from Mei Fong--the turtle-ducklings were flapping and kicking in the water and she couldn't quite help the small smile that turned the very corners of her mouth upwards.

Mood: Wonderful Condition: Quite Fabulous, Actually

I'll Put a Link Here....Eventually.

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Mei was silent through out most of the walk, aside from the occasional shaky sigh. How could he have been so bold, foolish, even pushy, to the Firelord? He condemned his actions, and silently cursed himself, and his upbringing, had he been raised properly he may have not made the same mistake. At least she had reacted favorably, he hadn't been burned yet, that was good.

The more he explored the palace, the more he wished to be free of it. He was, in a sense, trapped in a strange place with a woman who could vaporize him where he stood and no one would say a word about it. No doubt he would be buried in a grave somewhere, no one would attend the funeral, his would be a silent exit from the world. No grandure, just a hole, a box, and the smell of freshly dug dirt.

He practiced his breathing to keep himself calm, deep breath in, slow exhale, repeat. He watched the Firelord warily, if she was angry, it didn't show, but one thing was sure, she hated the traitor Admiral as much as he did.

Once they reached the garden, Mei's inhibitions started to melt, if only a little. He looked down at the turtle ducks, a creature he'd never taken the time to appreciate. Perhaps he was too serious. The saddest part of the current situation was that as he looked upon the ducks, he saw a possible blueprint for a war machine, a battleship topped with a shell to shield the men and women within.

The Firelord appeared to enjoy these little creatures though, that smile. He looked at her for a time, she really was quite young, and beautiful, how had she avoided marriage thus far? Surely men could look past her nobility, or perhaps it acted as a deterent, fear kept them away. What a lonely life for a woman to lead.

He finally loosened up enough to speak, and kept his eyes on the ducklings. A smile touched his face, "If only our lives were so simple.", he said quietly, both to himself, the turtle ducks, and to Shula. He wondered, would he have been happier if he had remained ordinary, lived his life like one of the Airbenders, take life in stride rather than force your will upon it, live free of restrictions. He didn't bring up Kai again, he had his permission, no need to ruin whatever moment the Firelord was creating.

Mei was silent for a time, she was just an ordinary girl, at heart. She wanted a normal life. He frowned, and lightly touched her shoulder, "I know how you feel.", he said. As if reading her mind, "The resrictions placed upon people...of position, are harsh, and can often be seen as unfair to those that ae trapped within them."

Mei smiled, "I have no further questions or requests..." He removed his hand from her shoulder, stood back and bowed again, "Shula, I hope that when next I meet with you, it will be when I have Ex-Admiral Kai kneeling at your feet, begging for your forgiveness." He looked up, and with the most sincere voice, he said, "I wish your days were of greater simplicity, but I know you'll make the best of the responsibilities you have been given, and I will do everything in my power to lessen those which I can."

"Thank you for your time. If you ever...feel overwhelmed, don't hesitate to send a messenger hawk, I am always willing to listen."

Mei nodded, and turned his back on Shula, making his way out. She truly was alone in this place. He shook his head as the doors were opened and he made his way out into the city. He hardly expected her to write, she was, afterall, above writing to a general on any matter aside from war advice. It saddened him to know that the offer would likely remain as empty words less than actually care.

He asked himself often as he navigated the roads, 'How can such a young girl be expected to bear such a heavy burden?'

[Exit]