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Peace and prosperity!
Would you help me with a problem?
A few days ago I drank from one of those red vials. I'm now discharging electricity from my hands.
I can't control it properly and I don't want to hurt anyone. I know that you generate fire and that's not exactly the same. Still, it's similar enough that maybe you could advise me.
Naturally I'll compensate you fairly for your time! We can talk contract, if you're willing.
- Tayrey
Would you help me with a problem?
A few days ago I drank from one of those red vials. I'm now discharging electricity from my hands.
I can't control it properly and I don't want to hurt anyone. I know that you generate fire and that's not exactly the same. Still, it's similar enough that maybe you could advise me.
Naturally I'll compensate you fairly for your time! We can talk contract, if you're willing.
- Tayrey
[Well, isn't that fascinating?]
Hello again, Lieutenant.
I'm flattered that I was your first choice. In fact, I happen to have some facility with electricity as well, and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Price can be negotiated, my motivations aren't monetary. Suffice it to say that I find it more valuable to have an ally who is proficient with her newfound abilities than I do anything else anybody has to offer in this place.
-Princess Azula
Hello again, Lieutenant.
I'm flattered that I was your first choice. In fact, I happen to have some facility with electricity as well, and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Price can be negotiated, my motivations aren't monetary. Suffice it to say that I find it more valuable to have an ally who is proficient with her newfound abilities than I do anything else anybody has to offer in this place.
-Princess Azula
I should be clear at the outset. I can't offer any kind of unconditional alliance, because I have pre-existing contractual obligations. That said, from what I've learnt, I suspect we'll find ourselves on the same side of things more often than not.
[Very diplomatic, Tayrey.]
My main trouble is that I keep sparking without meaning to - and then it doesn't always work when I actually need it. It's more of a liability than anything right now. How do I keep it under control, and learn to use it reliably? Is there some technique?
[Very diplomatic, Tayrey.]
My main trouble is that I keep sparking without meaning to - and then it doesn't always work when I actually need it. It's more of a liability than anything right now. How do I keep it under control, and learn to use it reliably? Is there some technique?
All alliances are conditional; even a contract has terms. Some people are just in denial about it, and you don't strike me as that delusional.
[Azula, everybody.]
Is there something that causes the unintentional sparking? Emotional state, pain, distractions, anything like that?
[Azula, everybody.]
Is there something that causes the unintentional sparking? Emotional state, pain, distractions, anything like that?
[Alright, no diplomatic tiptoeing necessary! That's good to know.]
Right. Very succinctly put. So a contract for the monetary compensation, and we'll call the rest informal goodwill. From all I've heard about this place, having competent people beside you in a crisis is far from guaranteed. I'll value that as much as you do.
Providing that I figure this out well enough to count as competent with it. Otherwise, I'm sticking to the axe.
Now that I think about it, there are triggers. Pain, surprise. Frustration, if it's strong enough to start tipping into anger. I'm not an excessively emotional person.
Right. Very succinctly put. So a contract for the monetary compensation, and we'll call the rest informal goodwill. From all I've heard about this place, having competent people beside you in a crisis is far from guaranteed. I'll value that as much as you do.
Providing that I figure this out well enough to count as competent with it. Otherwise, I'm sticking to the axe.
Now that I think about it, there are triggers. Pain, surprise. Frustration, if it's strong enough to start tipping into anger. I'm not an excessively emotional person.
[Hm. Similar to untrained firebenders, then, though lightning in particular isn't something one could produce by accident while firebending.
On the plus side, 'not an excessively emotional person' is a strong merit in her books.]
In this case, the path to controlling your accidental use is likely by mastering your intentional use. I suggest you practice with the power using regular drills. Even as it improves your talent at using the lightning, it will also improve your control with it.
Are you averse to waking early in the morning?
On the plus side, 'not an excessively emotional person' is a strong merit in her books.]
In this case, the path to controlling your accidental use is likely by mastering your intentional use. I suggest you practice with the power using regular drills. Even as it improves your talent at using the lightning, it will also improve your control with it.
Are you averse to waking early in the morning?
Not at all. I'm used to starship shifts, so I'm not especially attached to planetary timekeeping.
[She means it. Tell her 5am and she'll be there bright and caffeinated!]
You'd be willing to meet in the morning and show me these drills? Whatever time works for you, I can do.
[She means it. Tell her 5am and she'll be there bright and caffeinated!]
You'd be willing to meet in the morning and show me these drills? Whatever time works for you, I can do.
Every day at sunrise I do drills and calisthenics on the shores of Lake Omen. Show up when you want, I won't be waiting for you.
I'm not interested in inconveniencing myself on your behalf, which I imagine should ease your sense of debt obligation some.
I'm not interested in inconveniencing myself on your behalf, which I imagine should ease your sense of debt obligation some.
[Sunrise constantly changes, so it seems a very imprecise way of doing things to Ari! But she'll arrive at a sensibly close time.]
I'll be there tomorrow, thank you!
I appreciate it, but I certainly don't mean to put myself in debt. We can discuss a more precise contract when we meet.
I'll be there tomorrow, thank you!
I appreciate it, but I certainly don't mean to put myself in debt. We can discuss a more precise contract when we meet.
Hello. My name is Raina Wraithblade. I was directed to you via Lieutenant Tayrey with regards to joining the defense force. What qualifications must be met to do so?
The only qualification is that you know your own capabilities. I do not intend to sacrifice manpower to save anybody who gets in over their head.
Not yet. I'm currently accumulating resources for a fortified base of operations for the defense force. Once I've accomplished that, organization, training, and drills will be possible.
What precisely do you need resource wise that might speed up the process?
[On the 24th Azula will find a small bag of chocolates with her name on it, along with a holiday card that reads,]
[The chocolates are shaped like a flame. They are dark chocolate and spicy! Although he was careful to make sure they weren't too spicy so that she could still enjoy them.]
Merry Christmas!
- Arrakis Faylare
[The chocolates are shaped like a flame. They are dark chocolate and spicy! Although he was careful to make sure they weren't too spicy so that she could still enjoy them.]
[Delivered quite kindly by the mail mice to Azula's home is a bag of homemade potpourri and a little handmade Christmas Pixie. Last but not least, there are some Christmas cookies (some are a little misshapen but it's clear they were made with care).
Attached is a card inside is delicate handwriting:]
MERRY CHRISTMAS YOUR HIGHNESS!
I made the cookies myself with some help!
I'm sure you're used to much finer things but I hope you like them anyway.
Hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
Again, Merry Christmas!
Love,
Alice Liddell
Attached is a card inside is delicate handwriting:]
MERRY CHRISTMAS YOUR HIGHNESS!
I made the cookies myself with some help!
I'm sure you're used to much finer things but I hope you like them anyway.
Hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
Again, Merry Christmas!
Love,
Alice Liddell
[Azula's gift is left by her door, waiting for her when she comes back from a run. It certainly wasn't there when she left. A folded cloak made from wolf fur, and a small curved knife with a sheath. There's a note as well.]
Know you got the fire powers to keep yourself warm but why expend the energy if you don't got to? This'll do the trick and let you conserve your energy for when you need it more. Dagger's for the same purpose. Figured you could do with something light and easy to hide for emergencies. Ah...anyway, havin' a bit of a to do end of the month. Nothin' fancy, but I'm gonna cook up some stew and have some people over. Be nice if you could stop by for a bit. See ya round, kid.
-T
Know you got the fire powers to keep yourself warm but why expend the energy if you don't got to? This'll do the trick and let you conserve your energy for when you need it more. Dagger's for the same purpose. Figured you could do with something light and easy to hide for emergencies. Ah...anyway, havin' a bit of a to do end of the month. Nothin' fancy, but I'm gonna cook up some stew and have some people over. Be nice if you could stop by for a bit. See ya round, kid.
-T
[On Christmas morning, Azula will find at her doorstep a bag of various teas including a strong Assam, spiced Chai, and Jasmine. Paired with some white tea- and ylang ylang-scented candles from Ari's business is a card inside a wax-sealed envelope, with Azula's name scribed in elegant cursive on the front in both Roman and Persian (أزولا) alphabet. The card's message reads:]
Azula,
I'll soon be arranging a new congregation place for the council; it's an arduous process, so I request we put our regular meetings on hold for a few weeks. In the meantime, I hope these will make your own building arrangements for the defense group easier. There's enough tea for you to share with a friend, if you're so inclined.
Good luck.
Jasmine
Azula,
I'll soon be arranging a new congregation place for the council; it's an arduous process, so I request we put our regular meetings on hold for a few weeks. In the meantime, I hope these will make your own building arrangements for the defense group easier. There's enough tea for you to share with a friend, if you're so inclined.
Good luck.
Jasmine
(continued from here)
Hm. Immediate negative reaction. Apparently accepting was the wrong answer.
Or at least not the one he expected.
What was he? She's no closer to an answer. And she's rapidly beginning to doubt she'll get one handed to her by accident. She doesn't know who or what this Jasmine is, but she assumes she's supposed to. She knows that she knows him. His face has been the most familiar thing in this place, despite her complete lack of an explanation, and it's like a needle under her skin that she can't figure out why.
She'd have to be honest, then, and trust that he wouldn't harm her. The very idea rubs her the wrong way, feels foolish, dangerous, but if she doesn't figure this out she'll go insane.
"... Vaeros."
It was one of the few names she'd remembered and had a response to.
"He... did something to me. Made me forget everything. Or so Bakugou told me. I didn't even remember my name until he reminded me."
She hisses a breath of frustration, ignores the feeling that she's making a mistake, and just blurts it out.
"Who are you?"
Hm. Immediate negative reaction. Apparently accepting was the wrong answer.
Or at least not the one he expected.
What was he? She's no closer to an answer. And she's rapidly beginning to doubt she'll get one handed to her by accident. She doesn't know who or what this Jasmine is, but she assumes she's supposed to. She knows that she knows him. His face has been the most familiar thing in this place, despite her complete lack of an explanation, and it's like a needle under her skin that she can't figure out why.
She'd have to be honest, then, and trust that he wouldn't harm her. The very idea rubs her the wrong way, feels foolish, dangerous, but if she doesn't figure this out she'll go insane.
"... Vaeros."
It was one of the few names she'd remembered and had a response to.
"He... did something to me. Made me forget everything. Or so Bakugou told me. I didn't even remember my name until he reminded me."
She hisses a breath of frustration, ignores the feeling that she's making a mistake, and just blurts it out.
"Who are you?"
Edited 2024-02-15 20:10 (UTC)
Azula, would you care to stop by for dinner this week? I'd like to talk to you.
You're talking to me now, aren't you?
Or do you not know how to spell it? Sound it out, it'll come to you. I have faith.
[Surlier than usual today, apparently.]
Or do you not know how to spell it? Sound it out, it'll come to you. I have faith.
[Surlier than usual today, apparently.]
I can certainly spell it, I just have other things to do than argue with you through text. Thought it more efficient to do it in person.
[Ugh, he was going to be annoying about this, wasn't he?]
Fine. I can find time for a conversation.
[A conversation, not a meal. Deliberate word choice there.]
Fine. I can find time for a conversation.
[A conversation, not a meal. Deliberate word choice there.]
Tonight? My house? I won't even force you inside.
As if you could.
[Sigh. Fiiiiiiiine.]
I'll be there. This had better not be a waste of my time.
[Sigh. Fiiiiiiiine.]
I'll be there. This had better not be a waste of my time.
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