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Post by Krautman on Jul 5, 2012 16:52:27 GMT -5
Ozu, Azula, and Fate go about their daily lives.
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Post by stratofarius on Jul 5, 2012 16:59:20 GMT -5
Azula sighed, and once again dismissed all the servants. They were in the middle of what Azula called "noble training"; since both her husband and adopted child didn't know the traditions of her nation, she had to teach them all about it, especially since they had multiple ceremonies where they participated as Empress, Emperor and Princess. She once again walked to Fate, who was now wearing a gold and red dress that was almost too big for her, and placed a hand on her shoulder:
"No, no, no. Remember. Agni's Honor is the highest type of honor the royal family can give to someone. You're placing this person on Agni's... "most important" list. Ozu, darling, can you please show her how it's done?"
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Post by Krautman on Jul 5, 2012 17:57:29 GMT -5
"Of course, my Empress."
Ozu stood, taking the laurel and placed it on Fate's head. He brushed a bit of hair out of her eyes before picking up the ceremonial sword and placing it on Fate's shoulders one after the other.
"For your bravery, your heroism, and for your service to the empire, I ask Angi to look upon you and find you worthy."
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Post by stratofarius on Jul 6, 2012 12:29:51 GMT -5
Azula quickly grabbed the sword from Ozu's hand. "See?! It's not hard! All you have to do is repeat your father's actions! You're going to be the first woman to ever give someone Agni's Honor, so you have to do a perfect job, understand?"
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Post by EldritchMermaid on Jul 6, 2012 16:31:43 GMT -5
"Yes, Mother. I understand."
Mentally, Fate sighed happily. It was nice to just be scolded rather than beaten for making mistakes.
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Post by stratofarius on Jul 6, 2012 19:36:05 GMT -5
"Alright, do it again. Practice on your father. I want you to perfect it, since the ceremony's a few days away."
Azula sighed, wiping the sweat off his brow and sitting down on a nearby chair. Looking at the Fate, she smiled:
"Besides, think what you'll say to your brother, or your sister, if we ever have one."
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Post by Krautman on Jul 7, 2012 7:02:01 GMT -5
Ozu brushed something off Fate's shoulder before kneeling. He was smiling as well.
"You can take as long as you need to to practice, my child."
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Post by stratofarius on Jul 7, 2012 16:08:44 GMT -5
"But you need to perfect it." Azula added. "Think how shameful it would be if you missed a word, or did something wrong during the final ceremony! The Sages will never listen to me again..."
She turned back to Fate, a weak smile on her face. "See? No pressure."
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Post by EldritchMermaid on Jul 7, 2012 16:40:52 GMT -5
Fate nodded, placing the laurel on her father's head and taking up the sword. It was a heavy weapon, far heavier than the one she was used to wielding. She cleared her throat, making an effort to project her voice above her normal hushed tones.
"For your bravery, your heroism, and for your service to the empire, I ask Angi to look upon you and find you worthy."
She recited, laying the flat of the blade across her father's shoulders as she did so, before lowering it again as she finished.
"How... how did I do that time?"
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Post by Krautman on Jul 7, 2012 18:04:06 GMT -5
Ozu hugged Fate and smiled. Given his usual serious demeanor, this was a notable event.
"Perfect, Fate! Just like that."
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Post by stratofarius on Jul 7, 2012 18:23:06 GMT -5
"Yes, yes, it was good. Although it could have been better. Of course, considering your--"
Azula stopped talking, and looked at Ozu, pointing at her heart. Ever since Ozu removed the effects of the love potion, little bits of Azula's past personality had been resurfacing. That, and the fact that she was also pregnant (a fact they decided to hide from Fate, for now) had been on the couple's minds for quite a while.
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Post by Krautman on Jul 7, 2012 18:34:19 GMT -5
Ozu nodded to Azula and looked down to Fate.
"Fate, would you like to get some air? Your mother needs to talk to someone and I think she's like to be alone."
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Post by EldritchMermaid on Jul 7, 2012 18:38:20 GMT -5
"I think I would, yes."
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Post by Krautman on Jul 7, 2012 18:45:25 GMT -5
Ozu smiled and nodded to Azula, taking Fate to the gardens.
"You know, we never had these plants back in Germany. I always like seeing them."
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Post by EldritchMermaid on Jul 9, 2012 14:33:02 GMT -5
"I hadn't seen anything like them either. Both on Earth and... at home..." Fate's expression saddened as she remembered what had happened back then.
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Post by Krautman on Jul 9, 2012 14:36:42 GMT -5
Ozu saw Fate's expression and kneeled down, hugging her and stroking her hair.
"Fate... remember. Your mother and I will never let her hurt you again. ...You are home, here with us."
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Post by EldritchMermaid on Jul 9, 2012 14:42:44 GMT -5
"I know... I'm sorry..."
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Post by Krautman on Jul 9, 2012 14:47:18 GMT -5
"Fate, you don't need to apologize. You have done nothing wrong, my child."
He slowly stood up, smiling down to Fate.
"Now... I believe I promised you a walk through the gardens, didn't I?"
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Post by EldritchMermaid on Jul 9, 2012 14:49:48 GMT -5
Fate smiled again, albeit a bit weakly.
"Yes... I think you did."
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Post by Krautman on Jul 14, 2012 21:54:06 GMT -5
Ozu walked Fate through the gardens, stopping to feed the turtleducks with her.
"You know, Fate, this is the happiest I've been in years... here with you and Azula, I mean."
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Post by stratofarius on Oct 30, 2012 14:25:29 GMT -5
"I'm fine!"
The two could hear Azula screaming that to one of their servants, who was telling her something in a hushed voice. Azula pointed at the palace and the servant nodded, quietly retreating back to the palace and allowing her entrance into the gardens. "I'm back!" She said, smiling, sitting besides Fate as she fed the turtleducks. "I'm sorry it took me so long. My... conversation... took quite some time."
She looked at the turtleducks, then at Ozu, almost as if making some sort of mental connection. She gently caressed her daughter's hair, looking at the ponds. "Fate, me and your father, we have... something to tell you. Something special."
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Post by EldritchMermaid on Oct 30, 2012 14:36:04 GMT -5
"What sort of special?"
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Post by stratofarius on Oct 30, 2012 14:37:18 GMT -5
"Very special." She said. "This something is so special, it will change your life. For the better, of course. It's something very special not only for you, but for our family."
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Post by EldritchMermaid on Oct 30, 2012 18:41:42 GMT -5
"Well, I'm looking forward to hearing about it, whatever it is."
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Post by stratofarius on Oct 30, 2012 18:51:52 GMT -5
"Fate..." Azula said, giving one last look at Ozu, before taking a deep breath. "You're going to have a baby brother or sister. I'm pregnant."
She smiled, placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder and motioning for Ozu to sit with them. "I-I didn't want to tell you so soon, because..." Because I was afraid my crazy, younger self would make me hurt you. "... because I was afraid you'd be envious."
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Post by EldritchMermaid on Oct 31, 2012 5:57:36 GMT -5
Just hearing those words triggered a flash in Fate's memories. Or at least, the memories she'd been given when she was created.
"So, Alicia, what would you like for your birthday then?"
The two of them were sat together on a blanket out in the garden. There was Presea, not yet driven mad by grief, and... Alicia. The girl Fate had been cloned from.
"Um... Let's think... I know! I want a baby sister!"
Presea recoiled slightly out of surprise.
"If I had a sister, we wouldn't be lonely while you're working, and we could do things for you!"
"Well, even so..."
"I want a sister! Mama, promise?"
"No, I don't think I'm envious. I think I'd like having a little sister, just like she did."
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Post by Krautman on Oct 31, 2012 6:11:54 GMT -5
Ozu sat next to Azula and Fate, putting an arm around his wife and smiling.
"Well, there's no telling what your new sibling is just yet... But I'm glad you'll care for them, Fate."
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Post by stratofarius on Oct 31, 2012 6:29:38 GMT -5
"But it also means we'll have to work hard on the next few months." Azula said. "It's obvious he or she will look up to you, Fate, which means you'll need to be strong and smart for our new family member. So he has even more positive influences... and doesn't end up like me... well, me before I fell in love with your father."
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Post by EldritchMermaid on Oct 31, 2012 6:46:59 GMT -5
"Don't worry. I will."
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Post by stratofarius on Oct 31, 2012 13:15:57 GMT -5
"I know you will."
--------------------------
3 years later...
"It's a difficult task, I know. But we're certain you can do it, Fate."
Azula and Ozu had been called for an important meeting about the Republic City Project. As one of the people responsible for their creation, it was essential that they appeared on this meeting in particular. Azula decided this was the perfect chance to put Fate through a "test." Things had changed quite a while: Jian was already three years old, and Fate was already twelve. Instead of putting a servant as a babysitter, they thought it would be a good idea to have Fate take care of her baby brother.
"I'm sure it'll be easy for you." Azula said, a bit worried. They had brought Jian to Fate's room, and the girl had already gone through three years of classes about history (not only of the world, but of the Fire Nation royalty), geography, science, and other abilities like painting, playing instruments, etc. "But in case you have any problems, you can ask one of the servants to help you, alright?"
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