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twelve. scars !

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐏'𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐅-𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐀 yet again was derailed the moment Katara burst into the room, her steps quick and her energy almost radiant despite the gloom that had shadowed their days. Hini, who had been sitting cross-legged near the corner, fiddling absentmindedly with the hem of her sleeve, blinked up in surprise. The scroll in Katara's hand flapped as she held it up, her smile brighter than the midday sun.

"I’ve got it!" Katara exclaimed, her voice ringing with excitement. "I know how we’re gonna see the Earth King!"

Hini exchanged a wary glance with Sokka, who was sprawled upside down on the couch, looking half-asleep. Toph, on the other hand, didn’t bother looking at all. She remained lounging on the floor with her arms crossed behind her head.

"How are we supposed to do that?" Toph drawled, her tone steeped in skepticism. Her face twisted in mockery as she mimicked Joo Dee’s eerily lifeless voice: "'One does not simply pop in on the Earth King.'"

Hini winced at Toph's impression. Despite her attempts to let the city’s strange customs roll off her back, Joo Dee’s monotone warnings still lingered like an itch she couldn’t scratch. She sighed and leaned forward slightly. "Toph’s got a point," she muttered, brushing a strand of dark hair from her face. "It’s not like we can just waltz in there."

Katara, however, seemed unfazed. She scanned the scroll again, her determination unwavering. "We’re not just waltzing in," she said confidently. "The king is having a party at the palace tonight. For his pet bear."

The room fell quiet for a beat before Aang’s voice piped up from where he lay on his back, staring at the ceiling. "You mean, platypus bear?"

Katara paused, her eyes flicking over the parchment. "No... it just says 'bear,'" she replied slowly.

Sokka twisted his head to look at her, upside down and skeptical. "Certainly, you mean his pet skunk bear."

"Or his armadillo bear," Toph added lazily.

Hini tilted her head thoughtfully, her brows furrowed. "Gopher bear?" she guessed.

Katara shook her head firmly. "Just... bear," she said, the word hanging oddly in the air.

The group collectively went quiet again, and Toph broke the silence with a shrug. "This place is weird."

Despite the strange revelation, Katara’s enthusiasm refused to waver. "The palace will be packed tonight," she said, her tone rising with excitement. "We can sneak in with the crowd!"

Hini frowned, chewing on her bottom lip. She didn’t want to dash Katara’s hope, but her practical side gnawed at her. There were too many variables. Too much risk. Before she could speak, though, Toph sat up abruptly.

"Won’t work," Toph said flatly.

Katara blinked, taken aback. "Why not?"

"Well, no offense to you simple country folk," Toph began with a smug smirk, "but a real society crowd will spot you a mile away. You’ve got no manners!" To prove her point, she reached out and snatched a pastry from the table, taking a large, unceremonious bite.

"Excuse me? I’ve got no manners?!" Katara shot back, her voice rising indignantly. "You’re not exactly ‘Lady Fancy Fingers!"

Toph smirked, lounging comfortably on the floor. "Not now, but I used to be," she said with a shrug, throwing her half-eaten pastry to the side.

Hini stretched where she lay, propping herself up on her elbows. "She’s right," she chimed in, her tone light but tinged with nostalgia. "We both learned all the proper society behavior. And then we chose to leave it behind."

The thought caught Hini by surprise. The Beifong estate, once so familiar, now felt like a distant dream. Memories of perfectly pressed gowns, rigid posture, and empty conversations came to her mind, but they felt hollow. She wasn’t sure if she missed that world or was glad to have left it behind.

"Exactly," Toph said, snapping Hini out of her thoughts. "We learned it and decided we didn’t need it. You never learned anything. And frankly, it’s too late." To drive the point home, she nonchalantly picked her nose and flicked the offending snot away.

Sokka, unbothered by Toph’s bluntness, suddenly sat up with a triumphant grin. "Aha! But if you two learned it, you could teach us!"

"Yeah!" Aang chimed in enthusiastically, his grin wide. "I’m mastering every element — how hard could manners be?" He grabbed a nearby curtain, draping it over his shoulders like a noble’s robe, and adopted an exaggerated, nasally tone. "Good evening, Mr. Sokka of the Water Tribe, Ms. Katara of the Water Tribe, Lord Momo of the Momo Dynasty. Your Momo-ness."

Sokka immediately leapt to his feet, grabbing another curtain to mimic Aang. "Avatar Aang! How do you do? Go on," he said, matching Aang’s over-the-top tone.

The two began a ridiculous back-and-forth of exaggerated bows, each one trying to outdo the other until, inevitably, they knocked their foreheads together with a loud thunk and collapsed onto the floor.

Katara sighed, exasperated, as Toph smirked. "Katara might be able to pull it off, but you two would be lucky to pass as busboys!" she quipped, making her way over to Katara.

Sokka groaned from his spot on the floor, still tangled in his makeshift robe. "But I feel so fancy!"

Hini couldn’t help but laugh softly, but her amusement faded as a realization hit her. Preparing for parties like this always took hours. She had underestimated how much she hated the process — or how much it dredged up feelings she had tried to bury.

The day slipped by in a flurry of activity, each task pulling at a different corner of Hini’s emotions. The girls’ hair had to be styled first, with elaborate updos held in place by ornate headdresses. Hini started with Toph, brushing her little sister’s hair with gentle care. It wasn’t easy — Toph’s hair was thick and unruly, and Toph grumbled the entire time.

"Ugh, I can’t believe we’re doing this again," Toph muttered, but Hini caught the faintest hint of a smile on her sister’s face.

"You’re not alone," Hini replied softly, her hands moving with precision. It felt oddly familiar, like something from a past life.

When Toph’s hair was finally done, Hini turned her attention to Katara. Her movements were slower now, her instructions gentle as she helped guide Katara through the intricate process. Despite Katara’s inexperience, there was something grounding about her determination to get it right, and Hini found herself smiling faintly at the effort.

But when it came time to do her own hair, Hini froze. She sat in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. Her shoulder-length hair framed her face in a way that made her feel… off. Was it disgust she felt? No, not quite. Maybe it was shame — or something deeper, something she couldn’t name.

Her eyes flicked to Toph and Katara, who were chatting quietly. Forcing her hands to move, Hini began gathering the front strands of her hair, pinning them back with a delicate clip. Her fingers trembled slightly, but she ignored it.

As the day wore on, makeup was next. Hini helped Toph first, giggling as Toph squirmed and complained. "This is ridiculous! Who cares if I look like some fancy doll?"

"Stop moving, or you’ll look like a messy doll," Hini teased, her smile softening the words. When Toph’s makeup was done, Hini moved to Katara, carefully explaining each step and offering guidance whenever Katara hesitated.

But when it was her turn, Hini faltered. Her reflection stared back at her, and her gaze settled on the deep scars that ran down her face. No amount of powder or pigment could hide them. The scars had faded from angry pink to pale silver, but their presence was unyielding, carving her face into something unrecognizable.

Her fingers brushed over the largest scar, the one that cut from her forehead, past her nose, and through her lips. It etched the left side of her face into a permanent frown. She felt the familiar weight of shame creep in, but she pushed it down, reaching for the makeup with shaking hands.

But as she dabbed at her scars, trying in vain to blend them away, her heart ached. She knew the truth: no amount of makeup could erase what was there.

Hini resisted the urge to cry as she slipped into the silk robe. The pale green fabric was impossibly soft, almost mocking her with its luxury. It felt out of place against her skin — too delicate for someone who had spent so much of her life roughing it.

Turning toward the mirror, she froze. The girl staring back at her wasn’t someone she recognized. Her reflection showed a poised young woman, her face framed with elegance. For a fleeting moment, she almost believed she was looking at a stranger.

But no — this was an echo of the old Hini. The little girl who once thought she could earn her parents’ love by being perfect. Every movement, every detail of her appearance had been meticulously crafted to impress them. It was a role she had long abandoned, and seeing it reflected now made her stomach churn. She looked away, her chest tightening.

Before she could dwell any longer, Toph burst through the door with her usual lack of subtlety. “Let’s go, fancy pants!” she declared.

Katara grabbed Hini’s hand, pulling her toward the living area. Hini let herself be dragged, though the tension in her chest lingered.

In the living area, Aang and Sokka were engrossed in a heated round of the Four Elements game. Their laughter died instantly when the girls entered. Hini froze as both boys turned to look at them.

For a moment, the silence was deafening. Aang blinked in surprise but quickly recovered, offering Katara a wide, boyish grin. Sokka, on the other hand, remained rooted in place, his mouth slightly open as he stared at Hini.

Hini felt her cheeks heat. Suddenly self-conscious, she grabbed her fan and held it up, covering the lower half of her face.

Sokka seemed to snap out of his stupor, standing abruptly and clearing his throat. A wide grin spread across his face, though it faltered slightly when Hini giggled softly at his reaction.

As Aang moved to talk with Katara and Toph, Hini hesitated. She glanced at Sokka, who was still watching her. Summoning every ounce of courage, she lowered her fan, revealing her face fully.

Sokka’s expression shifted instantly. His grin faded, replaced by something softer — almost reverent. For a moment, he looked as though he’d noticed something he hadn’t seen before, and then his brow furrowed thoughtfully. Before Hini could ask what he was thinking, Sokka abruptly turned and disappeared into a nearby room.

Hini stood frozen, her mind racing. She wasn’t sure if seconds or minutes had passed when he returned, a damp cloth in his hands.

“Sokka?” she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he stepped closer, his movements careful and deliberate. Hini’s breath hitched as he reached for her face, the cloth in his trembling hand.

“Hold still,” he murmured, his voice low.

She felt the cool touch of the cloth against her forehead, and her body tensed instinctively. But Sokka’s touch was impossibly gentle, his hand steady as he ran the damp cloth from her forehead down to her lips. His fingers lingered there for a moment, hesitating before pulling away.

Hini’s eyes followed his every movement as he inspected his work, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Hmm,” he muttered to himself.

“What are you—” she began, but he interrupted her by moving closer again.

This time, his hand hovered over her right cheek, his brow furrowing as though he were committing the placement of her scars to memory. With the same careful precision, he wiped the damp cloth over her skin, his touch featherlight.

When he finally pulled back, his smile widened, and for a moment, the room seemed to grow warmer. “There,” he said softly. “Now you’re even more beautiful.”

The words seemed to hang in the air, and Sokka immediately flushed bright red, his eyes widening as though he hadn’t meant to say it aloud.

If Hini’s heart had been racing before, it was in overdrive now. She was thankful for the powdered blush on her cheeks, which concealed the real heat rising to the surface. She opened her mouth to thank him — because what else could she possibly say? — but before any words could escape, Toph’s fan shot up in front of her face.

“I thought I wouldn’t have to remind you not to talk to commoners,” Toph said, her voice dripping with mock sophistication.

Hini’s mouth snapped shut, her cheeks burning hotter than ever as Toph grabbed her arm and began dragging her toward the door.

“Toph—” she began, but her sister cut her off with a sly grin.

As they walked toward the palace, Toph’s smug expression refused to budge. “What are you smiling about?” Hini asked, narrowing her eyes.

Toph simply shrugged, her grin widening. “Oh, nothing.”

But the look on her face said otherwise, and Hini couldn’t help the small, flustered smile that tugged at her own lips.

The cool night air brushed against Hini’s flushed cheeks, doing little to calm the heat of her earlier embarrassment. She drew in a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. This was a mission, and she couldn’t afford distractions — not from her thoughts or the memories of Sokka’s lingering touch.

By the time they reached the palace, Hini had composed herself. She straightened her back, lifting her chin to exude an air of confidence as they approached the guard stationed at the entrance. The imposing figure barely spared them a glance before barking his demand.

“Invitation, please.”

Toph stepped forward, slipping easily into her well-practiced role. Her voice took on an aristocratic tone. “I believe this will suffice.” With a flourish, she and Hini produced the official Beifong family seals, holding them out for inspection.

The guard’s face remained stony. “No entry without an invitation,” he said flatly. “Step out of line, please.”

Hini felt a pang of frustration as Toph’s expression twisted into one of exaggerated indignation.

Toph channeled every ounce of irritation a spoiled high-society brat might feel. "Look, the Pangs and the Yumsoon-Hans are waiting in there for us. I'm going to have to tell them who didn't let me in."

The guard remained unmoved, pointing toward the side. “Step out of line, please.”

Hini sighed as they reluctantly obeyed. The girls moved aside, frustration simmering beneath their calm facades.

Then Katara’s voice broke the silence. “Look.”

She gestured toward a carriage pulling up some distance from the main crowd. The ornate vehicle glinted in the moonlight, its arrival commanding immediate attention. The guards by the entrance straightened, bowing deeply as a tall figure emerged from the shadows. Hini’s breath hitched; whoever this was, they had to be someone important.

Without hesitation, Katara grabbed Hini and Toph by the wrists, dragging them toward the mysterious man.

“Sir, I’m so sorry to bother you,” Katara began, her tone dripping with innocence. She clasped her hands in front of her, wide eyes brimming with fabricated worry. “My cousin lost our invitations—”

“She’s blind,” Hini interjected quickly, gesturing toward Toph. She winced as Toph’s elbow jabbed her ribs in retaliation, but she kept her expression calm.

Katara pressed on, her voice trembling just enough to sell the act. "Do you think you could help us? Our family's inside and I'm sure they're very worried."

For a moment, the man said nothing, his face unreadable. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his lips, and he inclined his head. "I am honored, please come with me."

Relief flooded Hini as they fell in step behind him. The man led them back to the entrance, his presence commanding immediate deference. The guard who had dismissed them earlier snapped to attention, bowing deeply as the man approached.

The girls followed closely, barely able to suppress their grins. As the guard moved aside to let them through, Hini, Toph, and Katara stuck out their tongues at his back, and giggling as they passed.

Inside, the palace was breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over gilded walls, and the air hummed with the murmur of voices and the soft strains of music.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” the man asked, his voice breaking through their awestruck silence. He turned to face them, his smile polite but unreadable. “By the way, I’m Long Feng. I serve as the cultural minister to the king.”

“I’m Hwamei, and this is Dung,” Katara announced with a strained smile, gesturing to herself and Toph. The latter couldn’t resist tugging at a decorative string dangling from Katara’s elaborate headdress, earning a sharp glare.

“And this is—” Katara began, turning to introduce Hini, but before she could conjure up something mortifying, Hini stepped forward.

“I’m Kyolin,” Hini interrupted smoothly, flashing a polite but entirely fake smile.

Long Feng nodded, his expression carefully neutral. “Now, where is your family? I'd love to meet them.”

Katara and Hini exchanged a fleeting, panicked glance before pretending to scan the room for a family that didn’t exist.

“Uh… I don’t see them right now,” Katara replied, her voice sugary sweet. “But I’m sure we'll find them. Thank you so much for your help!”

The girls attempted a hasty retreat, but Long Feng smoothly stepped into their path.

"Don't worry, as your escort it would be dishonorable to abandon you ladies without finding your family first," he said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "We'll keep looking."

Trapped, they had no choice but to follow as Long Feng led them through the lavishly decorated palace. The grand hall was a whirlwind of elegance: glittering chandeliers, richly dressed nobles engaged in polite conversation, and the soft strains of music mingling with the gentle clinking of glasses. Amid it all sat a bear — a real bear — at a table, tearing through an enormous platter of meat with gleeful abandon. The people seated near it looked torn between horror and composure, their smiles visibly cracking.

Hini barely stifled a laugh but quickly sobered as someone approached Long Feng. The man bowed low, his every movement dripping with exaggerated deference. His oily tone and sycophantic smile made Hini’s stomach churn.

Her suspicions about Long Feng deepened as she watched the exchange. There was a weight to the man’s presence, a sense that he was not someone to cross lightly.

A tug at her sleeve broke her thoughts. She looked down to see Toph’s small hand clutching the silk of her robe.

“What is it?” Hini whispered.

“I think Aang is here,” Toph murmured, her eyes narrowing as if focusing on the vibrations underfoot.

Hini’s brow furrowed. “But how? We were supposed to let them in—”

Before she could finish, Toph was already pulling her through the crowd, weaving deftly between clusters of nobles. Katara remained behind, stuck at Long Feng’s side.

It wasn’t long before Hini spotted them. Sokka and Aang were unmistakable, though their disguises as busboys were laughably thin. Both carried trays piled high with food, their movements a little too cautious to seem natural.

Hini bit her lip, fighting back a giggle as they approached. With a mischievous spark in her eye, she reached out and tapped Sokka’s shoulder. Then, summoning her most imperious noblewoman voice, she said, “Another crab puff, please.”

Sokka turned slowly, his eyes landing on her, and for a moment, he simply stared. His face lit up like the sunrise, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks.

“Hini!” he exclaimed, his voice cracking slightly in his excitement.

“I’m here too, you know,” Toph said dryly, crossing her arms. Though her smirk made it clear she was enjoying the moment, her teasing tone held no real irritation.

“You found us!” Aang said, his surprise evident as his wide eyes darted between the two girls.

“I’d know your little footsteps anywhere, Twinkle Toes,” Toph replied, a smug grin spreading across her face.

Katara caught up to the group, her expression somewhere between exasperation and relief. She shot a pointed glare at Hini and Toph, who had the audacity to look entirely unapologetic.

“Thanks for leaving me alone with Long Feng,” Katara hissed, her voice tight with annoyance.

“Thanks for letting us in!” Sokka chimed in, dripping with sarcasm.

“Sorry!” Katara replied, crossing her arms. "But the guy who escorted us in won't let us out of his sight!" Katara explained.

Hini stiffened at the reminder of Long Feng. A chill ran down her spine as she glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting to see the man looming behind them. In Ba Sing Se, the feeling of being watched was constant, like an unwelcome shadow that never left.

Sokka, noticing her unease, turned to scan the sea of finely dressed guests. His eyes darted suspiciously from one unfamiliar face to the next. “What guy?”

Before anyone could answer, something — or rather, someone — far more unsettling appeared.

Joo Dee materialized from the crowd, her usual plastered-on smile conspicuously absent. Her wide, fearful eyes darted around the room before settling on them. She looked like she’d just spotted a pack of firebending rhinos barreling her way.

“What are you doing here?” she whispered, her voice sharp and urgent despite its quiet tone. “You have to leave immediately, or we’ll all be in terrible trouble!”

She stepped forward and shoved Sokka, her hands trembling. He blocked her with his tray, raising an eyebrow. “Not until we see the king,” he said firmly.

“You don’t understand!” Joo Dee hissed, panic rising in her voice. “You must go!”

She shoved him again, harder this time. Sokka staggered back into Aang, who lost his grip on the pitcher of water he was carrying. The contents splashed all over a nearby guest, soaking her extravagant gown.

The guest gasped in outrage, her sharp voice cutting through the hum of conversation. Heads turned toward the commotion.

“Sorry! No, don’t shout—” Aang stammered, his hands flailing as he tried to calm the situation. Thinking fast, he sent a gust of air toward the woman to dry her off.

It worked… sort of.

Her dress dried instantly, but her once-perfect hair now resembled an exploded bird’s nest. Her makeup ran in streaks down her face, and her accessories hung at odd angles.

As if the situation couldn’t get worse, the gust of wind also knocked Aang’s hat clean off his head, exposing his tattoos for all to see.

The guest froze, her mouth hanging open in brief shock. Then her expression shifted to one of awe.

“The Avatar!” she exclaimed, her voice ringing out across the room. “I didn’t know the Avatar would be here!”

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Every head turned toward Aang, their murmurs rising into a crescendo of excitement.

Joo Dee’s panicked smile returned, forced and brittle. Her lips twitched at the edges as though she were physically restraining herself from screaming.

Meanwhile, Aang blushed furiously, offering a sheepish wave to the crowd. His nervous laughter rang hollow as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Sokka leaned in close, his voice low and urgent. “You keep their attention. I’ll look for the king.”

“Well, uh… watch this, everybody!” Aang called out, his voice cracking slightly.

With a quick flourish, he shrugged off his busboy robes and leapt onto the long dining table. The guests gasped in unison, their eyes following his every move.

Sokka grabbed Hini’s hand as they slipped into the dense crowd. His grip was steady, grounding her amidst the swirl of chatter, laughter, and music. He led her deftly through the sea of finely dressed nobles, their eyes scanning the vast hall for any sign of the Earth King.

It wasn’t until they were halfway across the room that Hini realized something crucial. “What does the Earth King even look like?” she whispered, leaning closer to Sokka.

Sokka didn’t stop searching, his brow furrowed in concentration. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “Rich? Snobby?”

Hini stifled a laugh, covering her mouth with her free hand. “That’s what everyone here looks like. Even me.”

Sokka glanced at her briefly, a slight blush creeping up his cheeks. “You look pretty…” he started, then caught himself. “Pretty nice. You look pretty nice.”

Before Hini could respond—though she wasn’t entirely sure what she would’ve said — the low murmur of the crowd shifted into a wave of gasps and whispers. All eyes turned toward the grand entrance as two lines of guards marched in, their heavy footsteps echoing across the hall.

At the center, eight guards carried an ornate, curtained palanquin. Through the sheer fabric, Hini could make out the silhouette of the Earth King, seated regally on the platform. The crowd parted like water, marveling at his presence.

Sokka nudged Hini, his voice low. “There he is.”

The two pushed through the throng of people, trying to get a better view. Sokka’s excitement grew as he caught sight of Aang nearby, still entertaining the King’s bear. “Aang! The Earth King!” he called, pointing emphatically.

Aang glanced up from the bear, his face lighting up. Without hesitation, he summoned his air scooter and zipped toward the Earth King, still several feet away. “Greetings, Your Majesty!” he called cheerfully, his voice carrying across the hall.

But before Aang could get any closer, the palanquin shifted. The guards hoisted it again, turning sharply as they carried the King away. A line of additional guards moved to block the path, their stony expressions unyielding.

Sokka’s hand found Hini’s again as he tugged her toward the retreating procession. “Come on!” he urged.

But they didn’t get far.

Hini barely registered the firm grip on her arm before her wrists were yanked behind her back. “Let me go!” she shouted, twisting to see her captor. Her heart sank as her eyes locked onto the cold, expressionless face of a Dai Li agent.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Sokka struggling against another agent’s iron grip. Just her luck — of all days to leave her sword at home.

The agents didn’t speak. They simply marched them out of the bustling hall, their movements precise and unrelenting.

Hini and Sokka were led into a dimly lit room, the air thick with an eerie stillness. The flickering green light of a low hearth illuminated the space, casting long shadows across the walls. Shelves lined with scrolls and books hinted at a library, or maybe it was an office?

The room felt like a trap.

Soon, the door opened again, and Toph and Katara were ushered in, their expressions ranging from irritation to worry. Hini’s heart sank further when the door creaked open a final time, and Aang was brought in. Trailing behind him, his steps measured and deliberate, was Long Feng.

Hini’s eyes narrowed. There was something about the man — his smooth movements, his calculated gaze — that sent an icy shiver down her spine. She had known from the start that there was something off about him.

The double doors closed, the sharp sound reverberating through the dim room. Long Feng settled himself in the chair by the green-lit hearth, his movements slow, his piercing gaze fixed on the group.

It was Sokka who broke the tense silence, his voice sharp. “Why won’t you let us talk to the king? We have information that could help us defeat the Fire Nation!”

Long Feng’s expression didn’t falter. His tone was calm, almost bored, as he replied, “The Earth King has no time to concern himself with political squabbles or the day-to-day minutiae of military affairs.”

Aang took a step forward, his frustration evident. “This could be the most important thing he’s ever heard!”

Long Feng’s eyes shifted to the Avatar, his voice still eerily composed. “What’s most important to His Royal Majesty is maintaining the cultural heritage of Ba Sing Se. All his duties pertain to issuing decrees on such matters. It is my responsibility to oversee the rest of the city’s resources, including the military.”

Hini felt the weight of his words settle like a stone in her chest. Her voice barely rose above a whisper as the realization struck her. “So... the king is just a figurehead.”

Toph’s finger shot out, pointing accusingly at Long Feng. “He’s your puppet!”

Long Feng shook his head, his lips curving into a faint, condescending smile. “Oh, no, no. His Majesty is an icon, a god to his people. He cannot sully his hands with the hourly changes of an endless war.”

Sokka’s frustration flared. “But we found out about a solar eclipse that will leave the Fire Nation defenseless! You could lead an invasion—”

“Enough!” Long Feng’s voice rose, cutting through his words as he stood abruptly, his calm demeanor replaced by a sharp edge of annoyance. “I don’t want to hear your ridiculous plan. It is the strict policy of Ba Sing Se that the war not be mentioned within these walls.”

He began to pace slowly, his tone shifting to one of cold justification. “Constant news of an escalating war would throw the citizens of Ba Sing Se into a state of panic. Our economy would be ruined, our peaceful way of life – our traditions – would disappear. In silencing talk of conflict, Ba Sing Se remains a peaceful, orderly utopia: the last one on Earth."

The group stared at him, a mix of horror and disbelief etched across their faces. For a moment, no one spoke.

Katara was the first to find her voice. “You can’t keep the truth from these people,” she said, her voice trembling with anger. “They have to know!”

Aang stepped forward, pointing a finger at Long Feng. "I'll tell them! I'll make sure everyone knows!"

Long Feng moved closer, bending slightly to meet Aang’s eyes, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. “Until now, you have been treated as our honored guests. But from now on, you will be watched every moment by Dai Li agents. If you mention the War to anyone, you will be expelled from the city."

He straightened and turned back toward the hearth, his shadow flickering against the green flames. “I understand you’ve been searching for your bison. It would be quite a shame if you were not able to complete your quest."

Aang’s fists clenched at his sides, his face shifting from fear to anger, but he said nothing.

The doors creaked open again, the sound jarring in the oppressive silence. No one dared to look away from Long Feng until his voice broke the quiet once more. “Now, Joo Dee will show you to your home.”

Hini turned slowly, her stomach sinking when she saw the woman standing in the doorway. Her heart skipped a beat. This wasn’t Joo Dee.

The woman’s smile was identical—wide, unnatural, and plastered onto her face—but everything else about her was different.

“Come with me, please,” she said in a cheerful tone that only made her presence more unsettling.

Katara’s voice was sharp with disbelief. “What happened to Joo Dee?”

The woman’s head tilted slightly, her smile unwavering. “I’m Joo Dee,” she replied, bowing gracefully. “I’ll be your host as long as you’re in our wonderful city.”