What is Fate?(Closed: Lovely Firelord Shula.)

Mako had never felt so alive. What was it about the city that made him so damn lively? He couldn't tell you, although the truth was that he was always happy to be in the city. But, the one part that made this particularly exciting, was Kichiro, the young dragon that hade to stand on his shoulders. He had outgrown being carried in Mako's arms, but could still ride on his back without causing any harm. Kichiro looked around with growing interest, he'd never been around so many people at one time. The crowds actually backed away as Mako approached, it made him feel like royalty.

He marched straight up to the palace, and opened the doors, the guards gaped, the slaves scrambled away, the person designated to tell Firelord Shula she had visitors was frozen in place. "Excuse me, could you tell Shula that a traveller is here to see here." The man snapped to attention, but kept his head low, "What shall I tell her is the reason for this visit?", he asked in a frightened tone. "Tell her that Mako brings a priceless gift.", he said, a triumphant smile on his face. He whispered to the dragon, "This is your fate, Kichiro. Your destiny."

Mako had been happy that Shula had allowed him an audience, especially giving his lack of invitedness(Not a word). He stood waiting as the woman appeared, she was beautiful. He had no doubt she was already married, or engaged at the least. If he weren't a penniless traveller he might have asked her out himself.

All these thoughts raced through his mind as she approached, and he tried not to look too disappointed when she took more interest in Kichiro than in him. When she finally did speak, he felt his heart skip a beat, she's definately married. He smiled back, "Well, my lady, I'm actually here because of Kichiro...that's his name." He lifted the young dragon from his back, and, with a great deal of strife, managed to move him around to the front. Kichiro was the color of Red-Rust, and his eyes were a brilliant shade of gold.

Mako's smile saddened slightly, "You see...his mother was killed, and...I'm...not exactly wealthy enough to provide for a growing dragon..." He looked Shula in the eyes, "I was hoping...you might want him...I mean, before Sozin encouraged the hunting of dragons they were used by Fire Nation royalty as companions...and...I thought you might want him."

Mako glanced down, had he just been invited to stay at the palace? The thought of being a guest to the Firelord herself had never entered his mind. Would he, no, more accurately, could he do this? He looked at Shula, and then to Kichiro. He mulled it over, what would he do in a palace? He's lived a simple life, wouldn't being in a place like that change him?

But...then there was her. This woman who looked near his age, and she wanted him here. She wouldn't have asked if she wasn't interested, at least in where Kichiro came from. He looked back, his heart had always been far too attached to travel.

"I suppose...I could stay.", he said. "At least until he has time to settle in..." He smiled weakly, how could he turn down such an offer?

Mako smiled. This had to be without a doubt the most pleasant Firelord he'd ever heard of, and he had the pleasure of meeting her. He had to make her blush more. He was sure he was too, likely from how quickly he was tumbling head over heels for Shula. Maybe from the embarassment of being treated like someone who mattered,

He took a step forward, following her, "No, I don't have any bags.", he said, simple, true, somewhat sad. He shrugged it off, "I travel a lot, work if I have to, buy whatever I can't live without." Kichiro lifted his head, curiousity peaked. This was a completely new experience to him, and he absorbed every part of it.

"So...um, maybe I'm...being inappropriate, but I have to ask: Are you...well, married to anyone?", he asked. "I mean...", he looked up at the cieling/sky(depending on if they've gotten inside yet), his face a light shade of red, "It...just seems so unlikely that you wouldn't be...you know...I mean...uh...yeah...nevermind."

Mako nodded, and swallowed lightly. Yes, say yes you fool. But he couldn't force the words out, he felt like he was a lump of coal among diamonds. He didn't belong here, he should be sleeping in a tree, or an inexpensive hotel, not in a palace. And then, to his surprise, she answered, and her voice echoed inside his head, "No, I am not, in answer to your question."

He paused, what do you say now? She's the Firelord, you don't just ask the Firelord out. No. He couldn't do that, how bold would he have to be to ask? Perhaps, if he just..., "Why not? A woman like you...there's no hope for anyone anymore if a girl like you isn't married." Should've been a poet, travellers aren't looked upon kindly.

Mako smiled, that shade of red. He watched her, studied her, and appreciated every moment. How could she not be married? Once they reached the room, he paused, and looked inside. Another sharp reminder, this was not his kind of place.

He turned to Shula, he was so tempted to just sweep her off her feet, and ask her out to Ember Island for a few days. But no, he faltered for a moment. "Thank you...I...I'm not really... accustomed to this..." He dragged his feet on the ground, Kichiro kicked off Mako's back, and he stumbled forward, looking up into the face of the Firelord, inches from his. The dragon was looking around the room, exploring his new territory.

"Uh...sorry...I...it was...", he couldn't move, but his mouth oozed his thoughts, "I'm still shocked that you aren't married."

Mako nodded, and turned, walking into the room, "You had to kick off me, and shove me closer to her, huh? That was great timing, perfect timing.", he said, closing the door behind him. "Kichiro, I sometimes wonder if you really are lucky, I was sure she would have pushed me away..." He shook his head, falling back onto the bed, "I don't even have anything presentable to wear..."

Mako walked to the door, he'd been doing his best to keep Kichiro from trying to make himself a nest of sorts, out of the pillow stuffing. He only imagined how expensive they must have been. He opened the door, and peeked out, uh oh, she looked a bit too formal, had he already managed to get himself into trouble? "Oh, uh, hey, just Mako...I'm not a very formal person...what's your name?", he asked, somewhat nervous, but cheerful.

Mako paused, "Oh well...no, no I've got...", he sighed, "I don't have anything to wear...", he said weakly. "I don't belong here...this is...I don't belong here." He retreated into the room, but didn't close the door, "I don't belong here.", he repeated to himself.

Mako smiled, and shook his head, "No...I'm fine, thank you for your help. Um...I'm not sure what else I could say.", he said, scratching the back of his head. He stepped around his bed, snatching a pillow from Kichiro, "Um, maybe...something for him...an old blanket or something...I don't want him to tear anything up...oh, and...he's harmless."

"Thank you very much Mei Li.", he said as she disappeared from the room.

Mako turned, throwing the blanket over Kichiro's head, "There, tear at that.", he said playfully, laughing as the dragon worked the blanket off his head, and chewed it curiously. Mako found what appeared to be presentable clothes, and changed into them. He felt like some kind of doll. This was not him, but there was no way he was going to turn up looking so...over-used. He looked at the clothes that he had been wearing, "You asked the Firelord if she was married wearing that? She must think you're crazy..."

Mako had laid down, talking to himself for about ten minutes. Mostly about how he was a fool for being so forward, and how he felt like a fool in these clothes. When the knock came to him, he sat up, his hair was in it's usual place, naturally styled. He heard Shula's voice, and moved forward, opening the door, hiding his body, but peeking out, "Don't laugh at me.", he said, "I already feel foolish enough as it is.", he added, opening the door to reveal his regal attire.

Kichiro glanced up, suddenly very excited to see Shula, he dropped his blanket, and walked over to greet her.

Mako smiled, flushing deep red and looking down, thankfully Kichiro appeared, and offered him something to look at. He was silent as she spoke, watching her with undisturbed focus, almost like nothing else existed. "It's perfect, I think he'll be happy to be able to eat with us...", he said "It's...not a happy story.", he said, almost confessing it.

"I wish I could say...that it was just fate...but...honestly, what is fate? It seems too cruel to be written in stone..."