time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted.

[pyroelectric]

Who: Azula + y'all
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: HS MARSIVA BABY
When: Idk, now.

[Oh, she's furious at first. Waking alone in a strange place, with no one to answer for her predicament? Azula is not happy about that. But she refuses to lose her cool under pressure. She won't waste time throwing a temper tantrum. Instead she gets to work. When she can't find anyone, she looks for exits. When she can't find any exits, she finally resigns herself to examining the-- the "communications log", her augment helpfully supplies.

Hm. That's new. She absorbs that information and continues. Figuring out how to use the system is somewhat of a learning curve at first, but the augment helps her along until she has the gist of it. She snorts in derision as she reads and watches one log after another, published by individuals clearly once in the same predicament as herself. Every post the same as the last. "Where am I? How did I get here? How do I get home?" How ridiculous, she thinks. If only they had bothered to take a few extra minutes to figure out how to access the network records, all their questions would have been answered, and they would have been saved the indignity of looking like a fool. Well, no-one will catch her looking like that, that's for sure.

The more she reads, the less she likes. Her scowl deepens the longer she spends. After a while, few unpleasant facts make themselves readily apparent:

1) This is not home. Few here will recognise or respect her authority as crown princess of the Fire Nation.
2) Her ability to threaten or intimidate people into doing what she says while she's being held captive on a completely separate vessel to everybody else is virtually nil. First rule of thumb: don't give threats unless you can actually follow through on them. Otherwise you only look stupid.
3) She currently has no money with which to bribe people with, either.
4) Her brother is here, has been here for a while by the look of things. She doesn't understand how that's possible, but there's no point in debating the facts. He's also had time to make allies.
5) She, on the other hand, has none.

All in all, it's an extremely unfavorable position to be in. All her favourite tools have been summarily taken from her. Arms crossed, one finger tapping on her arm, she tries to think of the best way to spin this horrible situation to her advantage-- at least until she can leverage herself some bargaining chips, or isn't on the Marsiva. She reads further back on the network some more, until one particular post gives her an idea. A brother, separated from his siblings. The sympathy pouring in for miles. It's a masterful stroke, really. ... Well, that settles it. Mind made up, she uncrosses her arms and turns on the video feed, prepared with her most innocent smile.]



Good evening, citizens of this... ah, fleet. I am Princess Azula, of the Fire Nation. Your newest arrival, of course. Not to worry, I've already availed myself of the answers to the standard newcomer questions.

I'm addressing you today because I believe some of you may already be acquainted with my dear brother, Prince Zuko. I do hope he's all right-- ever since we were young, you see, he's had this knack for getting himself into trouble. If it's not too much to ask, I'd be extremely grateful to anyone who can put me in touch with him. Or at the very least, let me know how he's doing. From what I understand, apparently he's switched his message apparatus off to take a long nap. I wouldn't want to interrupt.

In any case, I look forward to ... co-habitating with all of you. [No, she absolutely does not.] I suppose if you wish to introduce yourself, you may do that too.

[If it's a competition the Atroma want, she doesn't intend to lose. But she can't do anything from her current position without backup and information. As irritating as it is to have to fake interest and politeness, this will help her get the lay of the land much more efficiently than causing a scene right off the bat. There will be time enough for that later.

Plus, it will absolutely infuriate Zuko, and that's always hilarious.]

Comments

[pyroelectric]

Of course I am. My country needs me, after all.

But from what I understand, it's impossible from my current position. So there's not much in getting all worked up about it.

[eyeforaneye]

I would've assumed your country was in better hands than that of its princess. Surely the current ruler isn't that dependent upon you.

[pyroelectric]

What better hands than that of it's princess? I've been raised to rule it since birth, and I have extensive experience both in commanding our troops in battle and leading missions in the field. Father can't be expected to see to every little thing when he's so busy with the war. He trusts my judgement implicitly.

[eyeforaneye]

I see. [ He takes another moment to lock down his emotions, keeping his expression painfully neutral. He's a pro. ]

If your father is managing the war effort and you're guarding the home territory, what is Zuko's role?

[pyroelectric]

Well, Father is supposed to be grooming him to take over as Fire Lord, but... between you and me, I think he's been finding adjusting to life back in the palace after returning from exile to be all a bit... overwhelming. We've been giving him space.

[eyeforaneye]

[ Right, between you, me, and everyone likely reading this unencrypted conversation. Like Zuko himself. ]

That carries a number of implications on its own. Do you plan to usurp the role, then? [ Bluntly... ]

[pyroelectric]

I wouldn't dare dream of it. The crown is Zuko's right by birth, after all. I am the younger sibling.

[eyeforaneye]

I understand the feeling. [ Big brothers can be complicated. ]

But is that really your honest answer?

[pyroelectric]

Of course.

[No it isn't.

But Azula is an excellent liar.]

I'm not sure what you've heard... it's true that Zuko and I have had our differences in the past. And he does have a way with dramatics.

But he is my brother. Contrary to popular belief, I do care about him. I would never do anything to take away his birthright.

[eyeforaneye]

It's not a popular belief I'm touting. [ Not when he knows how much you can actually care about someone while also actively ruining their life. There's always the possibility. ]

So you believe that he is the person most fit to rule over your nation, then. I'm sure you wouldn't put attachment above the future of your homeland.

[pyroelectric]

It's not about what I believe. That's the law.

On the other hand, if Zuko were to step down... of course I would do my duty.

[eyeforaneye]

I'm not asking about the law, so what it's 'about' is up to my own line of questioning.

Do you believe he's best for the position or not?

[pyroelectric]

Since the only candidates are myself and Zuko, now that our dear Uncle has committed treason, what you're essentially asking me is do I think I'm better than Zuko. Am I correct?

[eyeforaneye]

If you're incapable of envisioning a greater variety of scenarios, then yes.

That's what I'm asking.

[pyroelectric]

There are no other contenders.

In terms of simple facts... it's true that I've always surpassed Zuko in every area of our education. He's just a slower learner, that's all. It's nothing he can be blamed for. But I'm sure Father will live a long and healthy life. He has plenty of time to catch up.

[eyeforaneye]

War makes everything uncertain. He may or he may not. [ Not that Sasuke doesn't already know exactly what will happen to him, but he's not exactly denying that he does. ]

Your avoidance makes your opinion obvious enough, though, even if you're mistaken in what you're saying.

[pyroelectric]

Please. There's no one who can take down Father. Not even the Avatar is strong enough. He's powerful beyond your imagining.

And you're entitled to your opinion, of course. But you'd be wrong.

[eyeforaneye]

I highly doubt that he is. My world and what qualifies as 'powerful' there are not the same as yours.

But what I'm talking about is simply a fact. You say you've surpassed him in every area of education, but that's false.

[pyroelectric]

[Azula only seems amused.]

Is that so? Why don't you enlighten me.

[eyeforaneye]

You haven't struggled enough. [ simply stated ]

You learn far more through failure and loss, and even aside from that he's had the experience of being separated from family and court life in order to actually better understand the outside world. That kind of knowledge is irreplaceable. [ And chasing someone with a cadre of helpers isn't exactly on par with actually living in Ba Sing Se and traveling through the Earth Kingdom alone. ]

[pyroelectric]

... Is that so.

[She won't offer an opinion on that-- she knows bait when she sees it. Instead:]

It sounds like you're quite close.

[eyeforaneye]

I've been here barely more than a week.

[ Another truth to potentially dispel an assumption before it can take root. ] I just value certain ways of learning over others.

[pyroelectric]

I see.

So in actual fact, it sounds to me like you already knew your answer to the question you asked. And you seemed to already know my answer as well. In which case... the only reason you could possibly have for asking would be to try and show me up.

Not very welcoming behaviour to someone who's just arrived, is it? Some would call it downright rude.

[eyeforaneye]

I know one side of a story. [ Which he'd already decided was the correct one, sure, but that's beside the point. ]

I asked you to hear yours. I assumed you were tough enough to handle it. [ A pause. ] And I'm a rude man. [ yw ]

[pyroelectric]

[Azula isn't really insulted in the least. She's just covering her bases so if anyone else is watching their conversation, it doesn't come off looking like she's the bad guy.]

Sounds like you've already made up your mind.