Earth Kingdom Ambassador

"Ah, Ambassador!" Hakano said wryly. "The Blue Palace is a place of business and titles. Outside its walls, such familiarity is acceptable, but in this room, between such distinguished officials, a given name is never enough. Even with my own grandson, to call him by any other name but Chief would be an insult to his station."

"Whatever." Nakkoa snorted. "I'll call him moron whenever and wherever I choose."

Kano laughed. Even Hakano couldn't suppress a small smile.

"My granddaughter's levity aside, I think we should stick to titles while we're here. But know, when we speak of you by rank or station, we speak with a fondness otherwise reserved for the dearest of friends. For what else could our allies of the Earth Kingdom be?"

Kano had to admire how honeyed his grandfather could make his words. No wonder he was an adviser and diplomat of such honored reputation.

"As to the issue of getting to know one another..." Hakano continued in a sort of regretful tone Kano knew to be that which his grandfather often used in times of great misunderstanding. "Given the brevity of this relationship thus far, I do not think it appropriate for us to engage in conversations of such a... personal nature. My meaning when I said Chief Kanoei intended to come to a personal understanding of you, Ambassador, was that he wanted to see just what kind of man you are. At the risk of speaking of things beyond my right... I dare say he finds you an able representative of the Earth Kingdom."

"I do." Kano said, nodding slowly. "In time, we may come to be excellent comrades. But that is something only time will tell. For the moment, you have an embassy to put in order. We've already arranged a facility for you. It's a fine old building. It should serve you well. The Air Nomads chose to maintain a small shrine near the city gates for their embassy. The Fire Nation ambassador has withdrawn from the city, however. It seems Novai is no longer interested in talk."

"We thought that might happen." Hakano said. "It's no surprise. He's never been one for level action. One of the reasons it has come to this is his quickness to vindictive action. The withdrawal of the ambassador was simple the official end to our treaty with the Fire Nation."

"Agreed." Kano nodded. "I'm worried about this delay. They should have reacted to the defeat at the Western Air Temple by now. The fact there hasn't been a counter-attack yet is somewhat troubling..."