#Agni Estates

[wileycap]

Little snippets of dialogue, showing what I think postwar redeemed Azula would look like:

AZULA: Admiral Asahi seems to be convinced that a return to the old regime would be in the best interests of the Fire Nation. He recently gave a speech where he accused the Fire Lord of being an impotent, cowardly puppet who was leading the country to ruin. Well, if he misses the old ways so badly, we should slather him with tar, put him in a boat at sunset and light the boat on fire after Agni's last rays have left the world, so his spirit will never feel the warmth of the Sun again!

EVERYBODY: [looks at her]

AZULA: But... we won't. Because. We're very moral.

SOKKA: Yyyeah, good save. Not creepy at all.

---

ZUKO: Princess Azula, what do you think we should do about the war orphans?

AZULA: We should train them to be an elite fighting force. They've already lost everything, so their feelings of hate and grief would be easy to twist to serve us.

ZUKO, sighing: Let's try that again. Remember that the Earth King's delegation is going to be at this meeting, so maybe try to avoid saying anything that could restart the war.

AZULA: ... give them jobs?

ZUKO: Child labor is bad.

AZULA: Even if it's-

ZUKO: Even if it's peasant children, yes. And don't call them peasants.

AZULA: What do you want from me? Should I say, 'oh, poor babies, we should fund luxurious orphanages where they can get the best education and care, and many hugs and kisses, where they can weave flower crowns and roll around in meadows of fire lillies?'

ZUKO: Yes.

AZULA: Oh. Well, that one, then.

---

ZUKO: Azula! What did you do?

AZULA: You're going to have to be a little more specific.

ZUKO: Admiral Asahi's estate burned down!

AZULA: That's unfortunate, but I don't see what it has to do with me.

ZUKO: So you're saying you didn't do it?

AZULA: Of course I didn't.

ZUKO: ... really?

AZULA: I hired someone to do it. I am royalty, after all.

ZUKO: Azula!

AZULA: Oh, lighten up, Zuzu. My operative made sure that everyone got out.

ZUKO: Everyone except for Asahi, who was trapped in his outhouse.

AZULA: Yes, well, that was unfortunate.

ZUKO: In his outhouse, where the fire started.

AZULA: A very tragic accident, but he survived, didn't he?

ZUKO: Yeah, but he was covered in... anyways, who did you hire?

AZULA: You know, I'm not entirely sure. She wore a mask, but I think she's called the Red Spirit.

ZUKO: What? You can't steal my secret identity!

AZULA: What are you talking about?

ZUKO: The Blue Spirit!

AZULA: The Blue Spirit was a myth, made up by Zhao to explain the Avatar's escape from Pohuai. Sure, there were some copycat bandits in the Earth Kingdom, but our own intelligence has repeatedly dismissed the possibility of the Blue Spirit being an actual person. Haven't you been keeping up with the reports?

ZUKO: I- you- argh! [stomps off]

AZULA: Bye, Zuzu.

[leoprincess777]

DHANISHTA NAKSHATRA

23º 20’ Capricorn – 6º 40’ Aquarius “Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.” The Dolphin: Alpha Delphini, Beta Delphini, Delta Delphini, Gamma Delphini Ruled by Mars Star of Symphony. Power to give abundance and fame. Symbols: empty drum, an hourglass, bells and bulbs.

Dhanishta is like a death of the inner child. Its essentially inert like sand, of coal or oil. Even the system is a dead thing unless the people actual show up to support it. The death of the spirit begins in Dhanishta and is completed in Purvabhadrapada. The machine  is just a dead thing. There is a suffering here as one is constantly striving to stay ahead of the curve.

Struggles of being controlled by other people, feelings of emptiness and superficiality. They devote themselves to a purpose or a person to deal with emptiness.

As it is within Dhanishta's power to give fame, they enjoy popularity and are often local celebrities. If well placed, they have a good reputation and are loved by people. They tend to mask their inner struggles with a bubbly persona, become an entertainer for other people, play the jester (performative) and seek out external stimuli as a way to fill the emptiness.

Major karma with marriage. Ashlesha is direct across so they often get into manipulative relationships do things they don’t want to do. They display big devotion towards their spouse and are service orianted, however they can get manipulative and use marriage as a means to an end. Often as a result, they are prone to getting controlled by their spouse. They enjoy material comforts.

Planets here are more likely to have feminine characteristics. It may also be seen that women with this placement have a somewhat easier time with the energies of this nakshatra.

Rakshasa: Belonging to the clan of the demons. Less practical, more hedonistic, often many ups and downs in life as the guru of the demons has the power to raise from the dead. Rebirth, transformation, redemption are all part of the system. Cyclical sense of time; mystical sense of reality. Marriage matching with another Rakshasa is best.

Dhanishta's stars form the diamond shaped Delphini constellation. Dolphin’s are unique creatures thought to be even more intelligent than human’s, and with that intelligence comes a childlike nature, playfulness, understanding, and selfless nature. They have a unique way using sonar & echolocation for communication, navigation and understanding the world around them. They are friendly, curious, peaceful, carefree creatures who live in harmony with humans as well as most other creatures of the sea. But they are also fearless in the face of predators and will sacrifice themselves to protect the pod rather than show any fear.

The Vasus such as Agni (fire), Vayu (wind), etc helps lord Indra in his fight with the demons and hence this nakshatra can also indicate some type of fight, competition, and competitiveness in a person’s life. Dhanishtha is also linked with land, real estate and may attain multiple properties. Suitable for real estate business.

Dhanishtas should keep musical insturments in their house as a remedial act and practice performance arts, music, communication and diplomacy.

"Most scientists and historians are born in Dhanishta. Since there is an inherent talent of keeping secrets, you are quite suitable for secret service, private secretaries to senior executives. Whatever may be your academic background, your intelligence is beyond question. In argument you are much ahead of others. Lawyers profession is excellent for you. From the 24th year onward will show progress in the earning field. Any improvement in the financial field will be only after marriage."

Shil-Ponde Female with Dhanishta Ascendant: “This is a talkative and interesting person, particularly successful in lecturing and debating. She is capable of writing mystic novels and is good at story telling. She will be happy in domestic life. She loves nice dresses, especially blue, pink, and purple, and likes curios and antiques.”

pada 2 (virgo): They can do very well in public service, administration, communications, or managing public affairs. They can be very good at the rhetorical, persuasive side or languages, marketing, and communications.

[fanboyzuko]

Zuko's banishment journey so far: A Recap of LTF

A comprehensive summary of each part leading up to the latest, Ripples Make Waves, as requested by Anon. For an added bonus, a visual timeline of where each part falls! Huh, wonder what's happening at the end of autumn year 3...

Year 1

Zuko is banished and healing from the Agni Kai on his ancient warship, the Sazanami. First stop is the Western Air Temple, where he discovers a hidden room dedicated to his ancestor, Princess Akari, and a mysterious egg kept warm in a magical fire. The room is obviously made by Avatar Yangchen, who he was taught had betrayed Princess Akari which led to her death. But the dedication to Akari in Yangchen's home doesn't line up with that... Zuko takes the egg and keeps it a secret, but the seeds are planted to start doubting what he knows about history and the world.

On the way to find the Eastern Air Temple, Zuko starts connecting with his crew, first step is starting medical lessons with the ships medic, Koji. In their first port stop before the EAT, Zuko blows up on the port's commanding officer in defense of his ship's acting captain, Major Hifumi. This solidifies the crew's support of Zuko but oops making enemies in the FN Navy.

At the Eastern Air Temple, Zuko meets Guru Pathik. From him, he learns that Yangchen and Akari were childhood friends, brought together by Akari's spirit dreams. He also learns that Akari died protecting Yangchen, along side Yangchen's earthbending master, Huizhong. This knowledge makes him uncomfortable and he does his best to ignore it, instead focusing on Akari's spirit dreams. He bulldozes his way through his chakra with Pathik in hopes of connecting with the spirits and learning more about his mysterious egg. He can't complete them because his sound chakra is too obstructed by lies. Guru Pathik advises Zuko to discover the truths of the world on his own to eventually unblock his sound chakra.

Zuko decides he's not going to learn any more from the Air Temples and doesn't gun it for the next one. He wanders for a bit, not sure what to do next when he meets Zhao, who gives him a "lead" on the Avatar. The lead, of course, is false, but in the process Zuko is faced with the uncomfortable reality that people of occupied and neutral towns will be distrusting and scared of him if he presents himself as himself. This primes him to be willing to adopt an Earth Kingdom adjacent disguise when Zhao returns to give him another lead for Wan Shi Tong's library.

(He also bonds more with his crew and becomes besties with two of the youngest crew members, Ju Long and Bun Ma. They're from the colonies and open Zuko's eyes to more of the injustices he's been ignorant of.)

In his search for information about the Spirit Library, Zuko creates the identity of Huizhong (aka Hui), a colony-born, aspiring scholar named after Avatar Yangchen's earthbending master who is interested in researching Avatar Yangchen due to his namesake. As Hui, Zuko meets Professor Zei who is more than happy to share his research of Wan Shi Tong's library. Zei also shares his controversial research of ancient civilizations centered around original benders that could bend two elements. One of his theorized animals happens to be a fire/air dragon...

Armed with all he needs to know to search for the Spirit Library, Zuko and Iroh head into Gaoling to hopefully make contact with a sandbender tribe Zei recommended. Zuko meets Toph and they become fast sparring buddies. Toph helps Zuko meet the sandbenders, who were doing business with her father and weren't leaving the Beifong estate. Due to time constraints (and Zuko self-centered recklessness) Zuko strikes a deal by himself with the sandbenders for them to help him search for the library and leaves Iroh behind in Gaoling.

Sarnai and Ghashiun, the sandbender chief's children, are tasked with taking Zuko around on a sand sailer. Sarnai discovers Zuko firebending his egg and promises to keep his bending a secret. In exchange, they tell Zuko a secret about the Si Wong: they aren't just Earth. Once, they were earth and air, and they learned how to bend from giant flying jerboa who bent both elements. But the jerboa have been extinct for so long that they and sandbenders of air are more myth than history.

Ghashiun also learns Zuko is a firebender after he uses his fire to save them from a sand shark. He only agrees to keep it a secret if Zuko and Sarnai accompany him and some of his friends on a raid on a FN caravan. Zuko reluctantly agrees. During the raid, things almost go VERY south, but Zuko, in an act of desperation to help and not expose himself as a firebender, somehow bends the heat out of a firebender's attack.

With the help of Sarnai, he develops a new firebending technique that harnesses the heat of the world around him to bend. It allows him to use a sand sailer by himself, which is fortunate because a Knowledge Seeker appears and he has to leave by himself to follow it.

Finally at Wan Shi Tong's library, Zuko befriends the Knowledge Seekers. He researches the Avatar and comes to the conclusion they're stuck in the spirit world or something. He also researches airbenders and comes to the realization that the Air Army is a lie and the FN was in the wrong. However he's still very conflicted and has deluded himself into thinking that Sozin was tricked somehow, and that the royal family isn't aware of the truth.

While reeling from this discovery, not so giant flying jerboa appear! Wan Shi Tong has been giving them refuge all this time and they enjoy Zuko's heatbending, perhaps why they chose to show themselves to him. Zuko starts doing more research into Yangchen in hopes of learning more about his egg, and eventually is given Yangchen's memoirs by one of the knowledge seekers.

Zuko learns all about Yangchen's life and her friends. In the process, he also learns that his egg is a remnant of a fire/air society, a fire/air dragon called a lóng, and has been waiting to hatch for millennia! Wan Shi Tong cryptically tells Zuko that the lóng will only hatch when freedom has returned to the world...

World view shaken and a new quest on his shoulders, Zuko leaves the spirit library with the jerboa in tow. He leaves them for Sarnai to find and returns to Gaoling. After a quick visit to catch up with Toph, Zuko returns to Iroh and gets a serious lecture. Also learns that Sarnai and Ghashiun lied to their dad that Zuko was an airbender to explain him taking a sand sailer.

Iroh is surprised by Zuko's admiration for Yangchen and hopes this means Zuko has uncovered the truth of the war by himself... but in his probing, he freaks Zuko out. Thinking he'll be branded as a traitor to the FN, Zuko lies that all his research outside of Yangchen was done in the FN wing of the library. So he might admire Yangchen, but the airbenders changed since her time and became the army that threatened the FN in Sozin's time. Iroh backs off... willing to wait for when Zuko is ready to digest the truth.

Zuko wants to go off the spirit gateways and test his theory that the Avatar is lost in the spirit world. Iroh is adamantly against that lol. So Zuko is stuck wandering around for any sort of lead on spirits or the Avatar. To assist his search and identity as Hui, the crew banded together to get him an Earth Kingdom style sailing boat, which Zuko names the Air Lantern after Akari and Yangchen's fire/air bending form.

(Also, Zuko has started writing letters to the girls back in the FN after sending them presents he got while in the desert.)

The anniversary of Zuko's banishment comes around and he has a little bit of a freak out about it. Zhen, the head engineer of the ship, helps him talk through his emotions and in the process learns the truth about the Agni Kai, something that has been a well kept secret from the public despite Zuko thinking otherwise. Zhen has no qualms about spreading this secret now that she knows... Fuck Ozai.

Continue to Year 2&3 in next post :3

[sleepingdeath-light]

marrying ciel’s older sister hcs ; prince soma

requested by ; the-letter-horror-lover (31/05/23)

fandom(s) ; black butler

fandom masterlist(s) ; hub | secondary characters

character(s) ; prince soma asman kadar

outline ; “Prince Soma marriage headcanons with a female S/O who is Ciel's older sister please and a lot more mature. (I'll leave the imagination up to you about the marriage headcanons). *I guess that Prince Soma was not requested as much as the others*”

warning(s) ; references to canon-typical violence, references to parental and sibling loss (reader is ciel’s older sister), references to survivor’s guilt

the day you lost your family you’d been sent to spend the holidays with your aunt, madam red — the two of you had been exceptionally close and she’d offered to privately tutor you so that you could follow in her footsteps

and when the news reached you, you were absolutely shattered and riddled with survivor’s guilt — which caused you to isolate and start suffering from night terrors and panic attacks

your aunt — now adoptive guardian — had saved you from taking your life several times

the day your baby brother came home was the happiest you’d been in years, not fully believing your eyes when you arrived at the rebuilt estate and saw him waiting for you

you were the only person who he actively ran over to hug, and your aunt gave you both a moment before coming in herself

your home was restored, you had some of your family back — and you weren’t about to let anything happen to them

which meant that you were terribly protective of ciel (well, not ciel as he’d told you, but you kept his secret well enough) and refused to let him go out on missions without your help

you insisted on helping him with each and every case and your insight was vital in solving a great number of them — especially since you were the only member of the family to have an active rapport and history with undertaker, making him much more willing to provide assistance to him

ciel was your baby and you were so deeply attached to him that you nearly blew a gasket when you met soma and he started to take advantage of your baby brother

you got into a screaming row over it until agni and your brother stepped in to mediate, with the two of you agreeing to remain neutral whilst he stayed at your family’s town house

and that was the start of a shockingly beautiful relationship

for his entire life soma had gotten everything he wanted — everyone everywhere always bowing to his wants and feeding his ego

until he met you, and that made you all the more interesting to him

so the prince relentlessly pursued and courted you using a mixture of traditions from his home and bits and pieces he’d scraped together from sebastian

showering you in expensive gifts, sending flowers at every opportunity, asking you to accompany him (or offering to accompany you) to every outing and drowning you in compliments

but you didn’t give in, being cordial but not going beyond friendly conversation with him

until he stepped up to defend your baby brother from a rude nobleman who was acting especially snobbish and cruel towards him

that was when you started to return his efforts and after six months of this back-and-forth the two of you started to officially court

you took things slowly, or you tried to at least, going out for regular dates and exchanging so many letters that you’d likely felled a forest between you over the course of your relationship

he sent flowers to the main estate every time you succeeded at a case, sent jewellery and sarees for random gifts and absolutely spoiled you on your birthday

loves introducing you to the sweets and foods and drinks he grew up with — but good luck trying to get him to swallow traditional foods you grew up eating (he loves you but he cannot bring himself to eat jellied eels)

teaches you songs and dances and will encourage and congratulate you even if you misstep or sing the wrong note

you have two weddings: one in bengal and one in england to accommodate both of your cultures

he sticks with you and comforts you during your terrors and panic attacks — he becomes an expert at grounding you extremely quickly

never stops wooing you and, whilst is drawings and handwriting aren’t the best, the content of what he creates is incredible — he excels at love poetry

he’ll randomly just start dancing with you — sometimes it’s traditional, sometimes it’s improvised, sometimes it’s something you taught him, but it’s always intimate and ends with you laughing

constantly brags about you to anyone who will listen — including a cheerful agni and his brothers who do not hold back about teasing him for it

uses so many pet names for you that you almost think he’s forgotten your name — and you only understand a fraction of them

some of his favourites are: mishti, puchki, and shona

you and agni are the only things standing between him and pure chaos — you keep him in line, so to speak, since he can’t say no to either of you

if you speak to him in bengali — especially if you’re flirting — this man will absolutely melt, yes even if your pronunciation is a bit off

he’s incredibly affectionate and is always touching you at all times — whether that’s kissing, hugging, hand holding or otherwise

ciel isn’t too pleased about him being a permanent fixture in his life, but appreciates that soma makes you happy and that you can keep him in line

very emotional and has woken you up in tears after a bad dream involving the two of you getting into an argument so that he can apologise for his words in the dream

[delusinaldreamer19]

✨Fanfic Masterlist✨

I'm going to give the synopsis for each story as it is on Ao3, as well as Trigger warnings where needed, and current status. (When I say Ciel's trauma as a TW, I mean just the general mention of the things that happened to him such as SA, physical Abuse, and PTSD. The intensity of it varies between my fanfics, feel free to ask for any clarification or you can just look at the rating/tags on A03.)

Of All The Unexpected

Agni, a part-time employee at a local coffee shop in the city, and Sebastian Michaelis, a pristine businessman hiding an odd secret, find themselves in a peculiar friendship with one another. After a month or so of knowing one another, Agni goes to Sebastian's home, where the past and identity of the strange, beautiful man begin to reveal themselves. And it all seems to come back to a certain blue-haired boy with an eyepatch.

TW: Alcoholism, Ciel's trauma

STATUS: Ongoing

Audacity

Francis Midford has sent a letter to the Phantomhive estate, requesting to speak with, of all people, the butler. There are questions which have remained unanswered for three years, lingering in the back of her mind, but she knows that asking her nephew directly would not end well. So, for their relationship's sake, as well as the young earls stability, she plans to go through an indirect, more neutral, individual. However, Sebastian ends up not being so keen on providing the answers that she's looking for either. And he has a question of his own.

TW: slight mentions of Ciel's trauma

STATUS: complete oneshot

Heightened Senses

Ciel is invited to stay at a fellow aristocrat's home for a few days to work out a business deal. Sebastian and Bard have come along as well, but quickly find that they will be facing some difficulties. This house imposes strict rules upon the servants, which prohibit them from interacting with their master. But, aside from that, all seemed fine. However, things take a turn when Sebastian begins acting strange. Something in the house of this Lord has put him on edge. Things will be learned, revelations will be made, and overdue words will finally be spoken.

MAJOR TRIGGER WARNINGS: csa, descriptions of gore and violence, Ciel's trauma

STATUS: complete

Exorcism

Ciel and Sebastian are sent on a mission by the Queen to investigate rumors of odd practices taking place within a cathedral. A sickness of paranoia has overcome two of the priests, and they believe that an entity of evil has been hopping between the holy men and women at the cathedral, and they are hellbent on expelling it. In order to save the life of an innocent girl, Ciel and Sebastian decide to 'fake’ her possession, so that the priest’s can have the exorcism they are so desperately after. Except it’s not really fake, is it.

TW (kind of?): religious imagery, (you guessed it) exorcisms

STATUS: Complete

Offspring

Demons are extremely powerful deities, they do not simply come about this world through procreation. However, they can still bear offspring. And they can do so with humans.

But if a demon can’t create a genuine soul, and a human can’t carry the power of a hellspawn, then what exactly is made from it?

(aka a long winded explanation for my head canon)

TW: suicidal ideation, cannibalism 

STATUS: Ongoing

A sweet Solution

Sebastian is baffled by his new master's inability to eat. He searches for an answer, and finds it in an unexpected place. Which leads him to a unique fix.

TW: could be viewed as disordered eating

STATUS: complete oneshot

[anonymousewrites]

One Hell of a Love (Book 2) Chapter Nine

Sebastian Michaelis x Demon! Reader

Chapter Nine: One Hell of a Banquet

Summary: A new game begins for Ciel to prove himself.

            “Well? How much longer do you two plan on staying here at the manor?” demanded Ciel from across the table. Soma was still clinging to Ciel and staying in the manor with seemingly no intention on leaving.

            “I’m staying just so I can spend the long-awaited winter holiday with you, so how could you say that?!” cried Soma dramatically.

            “Don’t go making up your own holidays,” said Ciel.

            “You see, today is that day I beat you at chess!” declared Soma.

            Ciel stood. “Forgive me, but I have to work today. Come, Sebastian, (Y/N).”

            “Yes, Young Master,” said Sebastian.

            “Yes, sir,” said (Y/N).

            Soma pouted. “But you said that yesterday too and played only one game with me!”

            Ciel leveled a look at Soma. “Why don’t you try improving your game by studying up on chess problems while I’m working? You’re too weak.”

            “Dammit! I’ll get you! Agni, assist me with my special training!” cried Soma as Ciel sighed and left the room.

l

            “Sebastian, I’m hungry,” said Ciel as he set down the latest stack of papers from Funtom companies.

            Sebastian consulted his pocket watch. “It is nearly teatime. (Y/N) and I will fetch it.”

            As soon as they stepped out of the office, (Y/N) and Sebastian glanced at each other. They could hear the commotion from the kitchen.

            “It looks like we have some guests,” said (Y/N).

            “The Queen’s butlers, judging by the voices,” said Sebastian.

            “We should probably intervene before we have to clean up blood,” said (Y/N). As for the issue of death…a non-issue to (Y/N).

            “Yes, that would be quite tiresome,” agreed Sebastian as they headed to the kitchen.

            Sure enough, as they opened the door, a man with long white hair and a sword lunged at Mey-Rin, who had her glasses off and pistols in hand. Sebastian sighed and jumped between them, holding a platter of pastries and blocking Mey-Rin from attacking. (Y/N) grabbed one and skewered it on one of the butler’s swords to redirect his attack.

            The servants blinked in surprise as (Y/N) and Sebastian straightened. The demon butler smiled and said, “May we present to you these custard cream puffs, made with plenty of traditionally-raised eggs produced on the Phantomhive estates?”

            “Please, try one,” said (Y/N), smiling and nodding to the puff they had placed on the sword.

            The man with long white hair took a curious bite. “Hm, not bad! I suppose I can give it a passing mark.”

            “Hey, Sebastian, (Y/N)! Who the hell are these guys?” demanded Baldroy.

            “These two gentlemen are—”

            The man with long hair interrupted him. “Oh, right, right, this is our first time meeting you. I’m Charles Grey.”

            “I am Charles Phipps,” said the taller one.

            “We are commonly known as the ‘Double Charleses.’ Weare Her Majesty’s private secretarial officers, as well as her butlers. Nice to meet you,” said Grey. He removed a letter from his pocket and grinned. “And today we’re messengers who’ve come to deliver a letter to the Earl!”

l

            “—And so, per Her Majesty’s urgent request, she would like you to hold a banquet in two weeks’ time in honor of a particular visitor to England and treat him to the kindest hospitality,” said Grey to Ciel after the Earl read the letter.

            “Why me?” asked Ciel. “As I’m not acquainted with him, I find it hard to believe that your guest will derive much pleasure from being entertained by me.”

            “The gentleman in question is a certain German personage, who also happens to be a distant relative of Her Majesty’s,” said Phipps. “He travels here in secret. It appears that he is interested in the industry of Great Britian—the factory of all the world—as well as in popular literature and wishes to discourse with those who have profound knowledge in such matters. Your Funtom firm is one of the British enterprises about which we may boast to the world. With your numerous connections, we believe you will be more than capable of summoning guests in whom our visitor will delight.”

            “If it’s connections you want, would Her Majesty not be better off receiving this visitor herself?” said Ciel.

            “Are you sure you ought to be saying such a thing?” Grey’s smirk was vicious. “Her Majesty harbors doubts regarding your report about the ‘recent incident,’ Earl Phantomhive.”

            Ciel’s eyes narrowed. His report on the incident with Baron Kelvin had been kept vague to disguise how he ignored the Queen’s directive to save the children and had instead destroyed the manor and everyone inside.

            “Are you quite certain that story contains no hint of subterfuge?” said Grey. He leaned forward. “Aren’t these marching orders the perfect chance for you to restore the gleam to your dulled image? You might say this request from Her Majesty is not to the Earl, her Guard Dog, but one simple to the Earl, a nobleman.”

            “Noblesse oblige,” said Phipps. “We should like you to consider it an obligation of the haves.”

            A moment of silence before Ciel inevitably placed the letter down. “Very well. I shall accept the request.”

            Grey grinned happily as if he hadn’t been threatening Ciel. “By the way, I’ll be participating as a supervisor. You’ve no objections, do you?”

            “As you wish,” said Ciel.

            “We’ve already confirmed the safety of this manor. It doesn’t seem like you’ll need additional guards,” said Grey.

            “No need to worry on that account,” said Ciel. “This manor is absolutely secure.”

            (Y/N) and Sebastian smirked at one another.

            “I’m against inviting superfluous personnel into the manor and raising the risk from within,” said Ciel.

            “Very well,” said Phipps. “Then we shall take our leave. You do not need to see us off. We look forward to seeing you again in two weeks.” He bowed with Grey and then set off.

            Ciel waited until they left to address (Y/N) and Sebastian. “Well, you heard the man. Prepare the invitations right away.”

            “Yes, my Lord,” said Sebastian.

            “And get in touch with Lau and the Undertaker as well,” said Ciel.

            “Very good,” said (Y/N).

            They glanced at one another. They knew the tone of Ciel’s voice. There was something more going on here. (Y/N) grinned. They had a feeling they were about to have some real fun at some humans’ expenses, if only in seeing them humiliate themselves.

l

            Two weeks later, (Y/N) felt the same but had yet to see the fruits of their instinct since, as usual, there was plenty of work to be done to prepare for the arrival of the guests. Outside, rain poured down heavily, and inside, Sebastian and (Y/N) kept the other servants on track before they managed to start the dinner off with a disaster as guests milled about in the foyer. Ciel was readied to make an entrance from his office above, and his demonic servants flanked him as he descended towards his guests.

            “Why don’t you leave your teasing of my guest at that?” declared Ciel, leveling his infamous glare at Lau as the man teased Arthur, the writer ((Y/N) and Sebastian had easily memorized all the information available about their guests), about what type of man Ciel was.

            “Eh…a child?” said Arthur in surprise, looking up at Ciel.

            “That little boy is Earl Phantomhive!” said Lau happily.

            “The ‘little’ is unnecessary!” said Ciel before collecting himself. He gazed over his guests and smiled. “I thank you for accepting my invitation on this occasion. I am the head of this family, Ciel Phantomhive. Ladies and gentlemen, those of you with whom I am acquainted through your continued patronage and those I am meeting for the first time, I hope you will allow me to extend my greetings to you anew in person once the banquet is underway.” He raised an eyebrow and glanced at Sebastian and (Y/N). “The guest of honor appears to be missing?”

            “The weather is delaying him, it seems,” said (Y/N).

            “Well, that’s just great,” huffed Ciel. “We can’t have everyone waiting in the hall like this—”

            Mey-Rin barged into the room and hurriedly bowed. Behind her, the doors opened up to reveal Grey and another man. “The guest has arrived, he has!”

            “Pleased to make your acquaintance,” said the German. “I am Georg von Siemens. Thank you for your kind invitation.”

            “Hiya!” said Grey. “Is the party all set to go?”

            Siemens shook Ciel’s hand. “I apologize for having kept you waiting on my account.”

            “Not at all,” responded Ciel. “I thank you for traveling at such length to be here. Let us exchange greetings once the party has begun. Tonight’s dinner is buffet-style, so everyone may speak freely with one another. This way, please.”

            Sebastian smiled. “Ladies and gentlemen, I shall announce each of you, so please go through the dining room when your name is called. First, Irene Diaz and Grimsby Keane.” A famous opera singer and her producer stepped forward. “Karl Woodley.” The diamond magnate walked into the dining room. “Patrick Phelps.” The board member of the Blue Star Line Company walked forward. “Lau and Ran-Mao.” The old friends of the Phantomhive estate walked in. “Arthur Conan Doyle.” The writer walked in nervously. “Georg Von Siemens.” The guest of honor entered the dining room. (Y/N), Sebastian, and Grey walked in behind the nobles. The banquet had begun.

l

            “When his grandfather was Prime Minister, word of the man’s shrewdness reached even as far as Germany,” said Siemens, already discussing politics and history with Woodley. “Still, I must say, he is the spitting image of his grandfather.”

            “Speaking of Earl Grey, he hails from a family of such repute as to have lent its name to a tea. I never imagined the day would come when I could personally offer him my compliments,” said Woodley.

            Grey grinned at the praise of his family. “As I’ve only just inherited my title, I think Earl Phantomhive plays the part far better than I.”

            “Hardly. I still have much to learn. I’ve but managed to start up my company as Earl. As far as business is concerned, Mr. Woodley is the clear expert in such matters,” said Ciel.

            “You are much too modest, my Lord,” said Woodley. “Especially considering how the art of diamond polishing will become an important technology that supports the heavy industries. To have among her colonies diamond-producing nations is a major advantage for Great Britain to be sure.”

            “Even in my country, heavy industries such as steel and shipbuilding are showing growth of late, and our bank is considering focusing most of its efforts on them and their like,” said Siemens. “We may be no match for Great Britain now, but we will most certainly catch up one of these days, you’ll see.”

            Woodley laughed. “We mustn’t let down our guard, eh, Mr. Phelps?” He clapped the man on the shoulder.

            “Y-Yes, I suppose you’re right,” said Phels nervously.

            “Lord Earl, would you introduce me as well?” said Lau.

            “Very well,” said Ciel, though he doubted any good would come of it. Lau would cause trouble, as usual, and think himself humorous. “Allow me to introduce Mr. Lau, British Branch Manager of the Shanghai trading company ‘Kong-Rong.’ ”

            “Kong-Rong?” Phelps said nervously. Lau’s eyes narrowed on him in a single look of warning, and Phelps gulped.

            (Y/N) raised an amused eyebrow from where they watched the goings-on from the side of the room. Now that was an expression Lau rarely used. How significant.

            Lau turned to Siemens with a pleasant smile. “How do you do, sir? I am Lau.”

            “You must possess an extensive network to have a branch in Great Britian,” said Siemens. All of a sudden, Ran-Mao grabbed onto his arm. “Wha—?!” Siemens blushed as Ran-Mao pressed her breasts onto his arm.

            “Dear, dear. Really, now, Ran-Mao,” said Lau, looking barely apologetic. “I do beg your pardon, sir. She can be such a baby.” And then he continued on with the discussion as if nothing was happening. We may have a wide network, but we’ve yet to intrude upon Germany. I do hope to learn many things from you for future reference.”

            “I understand, so please get away from me!” declared Siemens, blushing as he hauled Ran-Mao away from him. He coughed and attempted to regain composure. “If it’s Germany that interests you, I’ll tell you all about it at length tomorrow. I’m curious about the situation in Asia myself.”

            “Excuse us for interrupting,” said a formal voice. Grimsby stepped up with Irene and smiled at Ciel. “Thank you for inviting us tonight.” Everyone stared at the beautiful pair.

            “I am honored to meet the songstress and director who are capable of filling every last seat at the National Theatre,” said Siemens.

            Good. He’s entertained, as was requested, thought (Y/N).

            “I am Irene Diaz,” said the opera singer, curtseying.

            “And I, Grimsby Keane,” said her director.

            “Even people in Germany are talking about how beautiful your productions are,” said Siemens appreciatively. “I would very much like to have you perform in Germany with Miss Irene. If it’s a question of financing, we can discuss that as well.”

            “Is that so?” said Grimsby. “I find that most heartening.”

            Poor Arthur tried to interject and join the conversation, awkwardly unsure of how to converse with the nobles, and his attempts to speak were quickly spoken over. “I’m—!”

            “That should be it for introductions, so what do you say to a toast?!” said Grey energetically.

            Arthur sat down at the edge of the room awkwardly, resigning himself to silence. And so entered (Y/N) and Sebastian, playing their roles perfectly for Ciel.

            “Would you care for a drink?” said (Y/N) as Sebastian held out a platter.

            “Thank you…” Arthur trailed off as he got a look at the servants. His eyes widened. They were both captivating, high-class. It was quite something. And as he stared, he didn’t notice Ciel approaching.

            “May I sit here next to you?” said Ciel.

            “O-oh, yes, of course,” said Arthur.

            Satisfied at having given Ciel the opportunity to speak to the author he wished to “reinspire,” Sebastian and (Y/N) retreated to their jobs as they served the other noble guests. Siemens was very quickly going through drinks, and it was clear he was tipsy as the red glow spread across his face and he grew more forward with the more feminine guests and servants. Irene was of particular interest to him, and as she huffed at his advances, (Y/N) stepped between them.

            They smiled pleasantly, playing the role of dutiful maid and servant of the host. “Sir, in the interest of all the guests present, I believe you should refrain from any inappropriate advances.” They closed their eyes with their smile to further lull Siemens into a sense of security. “That way everyone can enjoy themselves.”

            “And wha…what about me enjoyin’ myself?” Siemens slurred the words together, waving a bottle above his head. “Pretty little things…right ‘ere, and don’t want my attention…”

            (Y/N) was tempted to roll their eyes at his advances. Honestly, it would take a moment to break his arm if he reached towards them. Luckily for Siemens, Sebastian jumped into the air and stole the bottle from Siemens grasp. He popped the cork and poured the wine over a tower of glasses he had created. Sebastian smiled sweetly as everyone looked on it surprise as he easily smoothed over the situation with a distraction. Truthfully, Sebastian was inwardly sneering at Siemens for even getting near (Y/N), but he knew they didn’t have to fear Siemens and Sebastian had to keep up his reputation.

            “This is a fabled wine from Purcari village in southeast Moldova,” said Sebastian. “Please do enjoy it, ladies and gentlemen.”

            “How exquisite…” said Siemens, slightly sobered by the glittering sight. “What is this tree?”

            “When in the world did you have time…?” said Phels in awe.

            “And this aroma!” said Siemens. “I feel like I’m in a flower bed!”

            “Smells deliiish!” said Grey. “Can I have a glass?”

            “I would like one, too,” said Siemens.

            “Me too,” said Lau.

            The guests eagerly moved forward, and Ciel glanced at Sebastian.

            In French, he said, “So that’s what becomes of that stuffed shirt of a man once liquor’s involved, eh?” Ciel tsked. “Seeing him like this, I’d have to say he and the bottle are no strangers.”

            Arthur blinked as he heard him. He understood French and stood close enough to overheard.

            “Even so, seeing him incapable of self-discipline makes me think him either an utter fool or perfectly shameless,” said Sebastian in perfect French.

            “I believe he is both,” remarked (Y/N), their accent perfect.

            Arthur didn’t manage to smother a chuckle as he overheard the teasing remarks between the three. Ciel glanced at him and pressed a finger to his lips with a mischievous smile.

l

            A while later (and many drinks drunk), Siemens lay asleep and snoring on the couch. Poor Mey-Rin had barely evaded him, and Ran-Mao still hung over his shoulder. Ciel deadpanned at the sight.

            “Has Lord Siemens fallen asleep?” he said.

            “Yes, so it would seem,” said Grey.

            “Sebastian, (Y/N), take him to his room. I’ll be retiring myself,” said Ciel. He turned to the group. “Forgive me. I will be taking my leave now as well.”

            “Lord Earl, off to bed already?” remarked Lau.

            “It’s rather past bedtime for a child such as I,” said Ciel. “Please stay and enjoy yourselves at your leisure, everyone.” And then he made his escape from the party as Sebastian lifted up Siemens onto his back.

            “Past your bedtime?” commented (Y/N) with a slight smirk as they walked through the halls.

            “My, my, a child only when it’s convenient,” said Sebastain.

            An irk mark appeared on Ciel’s forehead. “Hold your tongue.”

l

            At one in the morning, Sebastian and (Y/N) were still cleaning up while Baldroy stacked dishes and Mey-Rin lamented having to deal with Siemens. A ring of a bell gained the group’s attention.

            “Gah!” Mey-Rin whined. “It’ scoming from Lord Siemens’s room, it is!”

            “Maybe he just woke up and wants some water?” said Baldroy.

            “I don’t want to go. Really, I don’t,” said Mey-Rin.

            “We shall accompany you,” said Sebastian as he and (Y/N) took off the aprons they’d been wearing while cleaning.

            “Mr. Sebastian! Are you worried about me, are you?” said Mey-Rin, blushing.

            “I am worried about Lord Siemens,” said Sebastian simply.

            Mey-Rin deflated and followed Sebastian and (Y/N) out into the corridor. She shivered as the storm raged outside, lightning flashing through the sky.

            “It is raining very hard, it is,” said Mey-Rin.

            “I do hope it lets up somewhat,” said Sebastian.

            (Y/N) paused before Siemens’s door and knocked. “Lord Siemens, did you send for us?”

            Instead of a proper answer, a scream emanated from within. Sebastian and (Y/N) paused and Mey-Rin froze.

            “What is going on in there, Lord Siemens?!” cried Mey-Rin, banging on the door. “Lord siemens! Lord Siemens!”

            “Something wrong? What’s all the fuss?” The other guests rushed towards the room as the distress was overheard.

            “We have to break down the door,” said (Y/N) to Sebastian. He nodded and stepped back. (Y/N) kicked the door and let it flying off the hinges. Everyone watching gasped.

            Siemens lay in his armchair before the fire. Pure red stained his shirt as he stared vacantly into the air. Phelps promptly feinted, and Irene screamed.

            Arthur spoke the words on everyone’s mind. “…He’s dead!”

            (Y/N) was tempted to smirk. Now things were getting interesting. It's time for everything to go into action.

Taglist:

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[abybweisse]

Hello.

In your latest post you suggested that after discovering the truth Snake might either stay with the Phantomhives or leave after taking the kids to safety. If the latter would ultimately happen, do you think he and his snakes somehow meet Prince Soma and join him? I mean, when we last had seen the prince shortly after Agni's death, it didn't look like his story ender but rater was a setup for future arc. He and Snake would somehow bond over their conflicted feeling towards R!Ciel (Soma's grasping at the idea the person he considered his little brothe has an actual evil twin and Snake's coming to terms with the idea someone he trusted witholded the truth from him and, no matter the reasons, was responsible for the circus crew's deaths).

Leave or stay?

It does look as though Soma was being set up to come back into the story, and I'm not sure if he really knows just yet which twin he's supposed to oppose the most. Our earl wanted Soma and Agni to leave for their own safety, but he just couldn't express that. Then Agni was killed by Polaris under real Ciel's orders. Soma's got reasons to fight both of them, but he might decide to just keep away from both of them. Even with the Right Hand of Kali, he's probably not a match for Polaris or Sebastian.

Snake also has plenty of reason to either oppose them both or get away from them altogether. Even with his snakes, idk if he could do much to Polaris, and we know he's no match for Sebastian. About trust, Snake learns to trust our earl, who has lied to him at least twice now (infiltrating the circus, then lying about his friends' fates)... but the same goes for him trusting Doll. It's through our earl he finds out his circus mates were kidnapping children, and Doll has just confessed to lying about herself at the orphanage. I expect him to confront Doll about the children she helped kidnap, because that's something she still hasn't admitted to him. He (and Finny) will have to point out they were never innocent when they were killed, despite the way she's trying to make it sound. They were kidnapping kids for their "Father", and they had been ordered to kill "Ciel". It's not like our earl hunted them down; most of them showed up on his estate, intending to kill him. I also hope that either Snake or Finny points out that Doll is now under the orders of our earl's older twin, the real Ciel Phantomhive... and ask her what she thinks of that...!

If Snake leaves and runs across Soma, they could be a powerful duo, plus those snakes, but idk if it's enough to gain them much in the way of revenge. They'd be better off teaming up to find new lives elsewhere. Those snakes might enjoy Bengal....

Correction: The circus troupe had orders to capture our earl and take him to "Father", not to kill him. Kelvin would have killed him/had the doc kill him as entertainment... with the hope of dying the same way the other cultists had that night.

[snoffyy]

Aang x Azula prompt: "It's getting harder to hide our relationship but there's a serial killer, several important political figures, your ex, and your family, all in the same place. Now is not the time. "

or Hanahaki disease. :3

OMFG YES AZULAANG. I so very much wanted to explore it in 'And I will Stay' but it was going to take up way too much real estate 😭

I went with Hanahaki disease, but then for once my brain cell decided to work, and... eh, churned out something that really can't be called a ficlet anymore. It reads a little rushed to me, but I also didn't want it to spiral more than it already did, so please forgive the pacing.

Thank you for the prompt, it was so fun to work with!

Azula counts the dust motes floating in her cell.

One… two…

She loses count. They blur together. Floaters in her eyes, or perhaps another speck that drifted from the ceiling.

“Would you seriously rather stare at the wall than talk to me?!”

The Avatar’s incredulous voice, unfortunately, invades her peace. Azula sighs, and with a languorous turn of her head, eyes the Avatar with disdain.

For whatever reason, brother dearest had thought the Avatar would have more luck getting through to her. In a way, she understands, even though she abhors having anything in common with little Zuzu. He hasn’t visited her in weeks. She supposes she can’t blame him. Not when every meeting has them screaming and throwing fire at each other.

There’s too much anger and hurt between them for anything to go anywhere.

“I’m not interested in anything you have to say,” she sneers. “What more do you want, Avatar? You’ve won. There, I admitted it. My father is rotting in prison, my brother is on the throne – my throne, for that matter –”

“You lost the Agni Kai. You aimed for a third party.”

“Semantics,” she waves him off.

“They’re not semantics,” the Avatar protests, the furrow of his brow the first indication of anger he’s shown since these inane little visits started. “You could’ve killed Katara. You could’ve killed my friend.”

Azula appraises him stonily.

The Avatar sighs. “You’re not a monster. I want to believe you’re not a monster.”

“Oh yes?” she drawls sarcastically. “Then why am I here?”

In the corner of her eye, a shadowy figure flit by. A tall woman, the silhouette of the Fire Lady’s hairpiece in the tight furl of a topknot –

She lets out a slow breath, returning her attention to the dust motes.

One… two… three…

“I’m going to give you something,” the Avatar says, grey eyes steely. It’s uncharacteristic of him, and she isn’t quite sure what to do about that.

“What?” she still retorts drily.

Suddenly, the Avatar’s face brightens, a curious childlike gleam in his eyes.

“Freedom.”

Azula barely refrains from an undignified snort. “I beg your pardon?”

“Freedom,” the Avatar repeats. “You’re getting out of here and going on a trip with me.”

She rolls her eyes, scoffs, rakes his face for any tells or hints of deception. When she finds none, she furrows her brows.

“Is that not another prison? You will be holding me hostage –”

“Not hostage,” the Avatar interrupts. “It’s a trip. On Appa. We’ll go to some cool places, try out some local cuisine, maybe even go penguin sledding…”

“No thanks,” Azula says thinly. “I think I’d rather be a prisoner than a tourist.”

“Come on,” he wheedles. “Wouldn’t you want to get out of here for a bit? I promise you no stuffy politics. It’s just fun!”

She summons a ball of flame and tosses it at the Avatar. He yelps, jumps six feet in the air, the top of his bald head threatening to brush against the ceiling.

Pathetic. To think this was what had brought down her father.

Azula smirks. “Now that is fun.”

“Ha-ha, very funny,” the Avatar grumbles, drifting back down.

“Change your mind?” Azula asks airily, tossing a little flame back and forth between her hands. She doesn’t like these games. The games she likes are the ones she knows the rules to, but the Avatar has come stumbling in disrupting everything. She doesn’t know what he wants, and she doesn’t think she’d be much interested in anything he’d want.

“No,” the Avatar says, frustratingly looking even more determined. “Get some rest. We leave first thing tomorrow. Wouldn’t you rather be a prisoner outside than inside?”

He doesn’t give her time to reply. Instead, like a bird, he alights into the air, leaving nothing but a cool wind in his wake. She throws another fireball where he once stood, scorching the stone.

.

She hates it. She hates everything about this trip. She hates the clothes she’s been supplied, the grungy clip she’d been given to tie her hair, the… the smelly, grunting, scraggy flying bison she is clinging onto for dear life as they soar across the sky.

“See?!” the Avatar whoops. “Isn’t this fun?”

Azula thinks she’d rather let herself tip over the edge.

Their first stop is some dinky little island in the middle of nowhere. When Azula finally swallows down her pride and asks what they’re here for, the Avatar shushes her rudely and leads her to the shore.

And then he stands there with his eyes closed.

She indulges him for the first ten minutes. Ten minutes too long, when she discovers he isn’t even waiting for anything. He’s simply standing on the warm sand, facing the ocean.

She tosses fire at him.

The Avatar dodges nimbly, the serene expression still on his face. Azula would be impressed if she wasn’t fed up.

“What are you doing?” she finally rebukes sharply. “This is a waste of time. If this is all you have planned for your merry little trip, then I think I’d rather walk myself back to prison –”

“Shh,” the Avatar cracks an eye open, grinning. “When was the last time you stood on the beach and listened to the waves?”

“Ember Island,” Azula replies bluntly. “Not too long after your apparent death, actually. With my brother and…” the words shrivel up in her mouth. Mai and Ty Lee were her friends. Were.

“Not like that,” the Avatar says gently. “I meant just listening to the waves, letting them wash your worries away. When was the last time you cleared your mind?”

Azula falls silent. A clear mind has always been what she was renowned for. As if to assure herself, she flexes her fingers, feeling the crackle of static dance between them. But, admittedly, in prison, her only company was often her own thoughts.

“Listen,” the Avatar insists. “And don’t try to throw lightning at me. I know how to redirect it.”

“Well, good for you,” Azula huffs.

Still, seeing that there is nothing else to do, she turns her face to the waves.

And listens.

.

She likes structure. She likes it when things go in their correct places, when plans follow through by her meticulously planned steps. She likes it when she can definitively say that one thing is this and another is that.

The Avatar is, unfortunately, not any of that.

His whims are as free-spirited as the winds, billowing this way one moment and that way the next.

Azula knows people. She reads them easier than reading books. Their tells, the miniscule twitches in their expression, the subtle startles of their fingers and feet.

The Avatar wears his heart on his sleeve and his thoughts on his face. And yet, despite the way he bares everything so openly, she struggles to break him down into individual categories.

“I got you something!” the Avatar beams, popping up beside her. They’re in a tiny village somewhere along the borders of the Earth Kingdom, perusing the local market. There isn’t anything of interest, but Azula finds herself looking around anyway, idly noting the trinkets and wares on display.

Azula eyes the small cloth-wrapped bundle suspiciously. When she doesn’t take it, the Avatar grabs her hand and puts it in her palm himself. She swats him away, wiping her hand on her trousers.

He doesn’t take any offence. “Open it!”

Azula sighs heavily. Undoing the twine, she slowly pulls apart the brown cloth, revealing a small pot of rouge. She lifts the lid, trying to ignore the twinge in her heart as she takes in the bright hue, as deeply crimson as the colour she usually used.

She can’t remember the last time she’d used cosmetics.

“Thanks,” she mutters gruffly.

“No problem! See, I’m something of a haggler, and I managed to get it for a ‘special price’. Although, I think it’s something to do with being the Avatar. But anyway, it was pretty cheap! Not that I know how much makeup usually costs –”

“You have more than enough money,” Azula rolls her eyes. “These are simple villagers trying to make a living. I say you just give them the full price. It keeps the economy going and ensures someone gets to put food on the table.”

The Avatar stares at her in surprise.

“What?” Azula bristles. “I’m stating facts.”

“Nothing,” the Avatar rubs the back of his head sheepishly. “I just didn’t think you’d be so… nice about um, Earth Kingdom people.”

It’s probably rude to throw fire at someone who had just bought her a gift, but Azula does it anyway. Much to her satisfaction, she manages to singe the corner of his top, and gleefully watches the Avatar hop around in a panic.

“I simply know a thing or two about running a country,” Azula announces, turning on her heel to head back to the bison.

Later that night, in private, she carefully applies the rouge on her lips. It seems silly, but it feels like a little piece of herself has returned.

In the background of her reflection, she thinks she almost catches a mirroring smile on her mother’s face.

.

He wears her down. Somewhat.

It takes weeks, but eventually Azula can admit she doesn’t think about her humiliating defeat during Sozin’s Comet as much anymore. She is a princess, and she always will be, but she has never been a tourist.

Maybe it’s not so bad trading thoughts of military plans and strategies for thoughts of how long a hike would take and when they should be heading back for dinner.

At one of the towns they stop by, she even buys Zuzu a figurine of a turtleduck carved from ivory.

The Eastern Air Temple is hauntingly still. Echoes of the past rebound throughout the surprisingly in-tact structures.

They tour around it, and Azula… Azula finds herself enthralled.

“It’s great, isn’t it?” the Avatar bounds in front of her, a little too close to her face.

She throws a fireball at him.

The Avatar dodges nimbly, air currents spiralling under his feet as he launches himself into a tree, feet hooking around a branch.

“Hey!” the Avatar grins, hanging upside down from the gnarled bough like a monkey. “You weren’t serious that time!”

A miniscule smile of her own tugs involuntarily at her lips.

“No,” she says slowly. “I suppose not.”

.

It’s ridiculous.

Azula wakes up one morning before promptly retching up small, white petals with blue accents. She stares at her palmful of flowers in horror. Tiny, little things that were as white as snow, painted with vivid blue streaks that reminded her of the arrows tattooed along the Avatar’s arms and legs.

They smell sweet and light, and something about its fragrance reminds her of something she can’t put her finger on.

She burns them.

.

Hanahaki disease.

A myth, a rumour, a deliverance of punishment unto her.

Azula doesn’t get any better despite every fibre in her body praying day and night that these damned flowers would shrivel up and die. But who should she pray to if not to herself? For it is her own problem, her folly to have some stupid, stupid unrequited love.

She doesn’t even know who she is supposedly in love with.

Not with the Avatar, no, no. It’s her first thought, but when she looks at him, she finds herself relieved to find that her heart remains as steady as ever, her gut as still as a tranquil pond, and her breathing as even as a mirror’s surface.

She doesn’t understand. She isn’t yearning for the Avatar’s love. She isn’t yearning for anyone’s love. She doesn’t need love. Love is for fools.

Love is for fools. Just as trust is for fools.

Because they are intertwined, aren’t they? Love makes one foolish. Love blinds you, turns you on your head, turns your own mind against you.

Azula coughs again. Petals spill from her lips, fluttering to the ground in a scatter. If she concentrates, she can taste its perfume in the back of her mouth.

.

“Zephyr blossoms!”

Azula subtly coughs into her sleeve before she turns around, frowning at the Avatar.

“I beg your pardon?”

He picks up a white petal from the ground, and she realises in horror that she hadn’t managed to catch one. A slip-up. A miscalculation.

“Zephyr blossoms,” the Avatar repeats, stroking the petal fondly, looking a little teary-eyed. “How did they get here? They’re native to the Eastern Air Temple. They used to be carried around by the breeze and we’d make a game of catching them. Monk Gyatso used to say that they were created by air sprites.”

“Is that so?” Azula says dully.

The Avatar throws the petal into the air, manipulating the wind around them to carry it off the cliff.

“Anyway,” he says cheerfully, “we should get to the inn. It’s getting late.”

Azula nods. As soon as his back is turned, she throws her handful of petals over the edge.

.

She wakes in the middle of the night unable to breathe. It’s a nightmare, its shadowy fingers still cinching around her throat. She’d dreamt of her mother, of her soft perfume and embroidered sleeves wiping away her tears. She’d dreamt of her mother’s soothing voice, her gentle footfalls, her indulging smile when Azula ran up to her clutching some interesting little thing she’d found and wanted to show off.

She’d dreamt of the happier times, and in so many ways, it’s worse than dreaming of monsters and demons.

A wretched sob tears free from her throat, and with it, a flurry of petals. They lodge in her gullet, and she coughs, hacking up flower after flower.

“Azula.”

Azula’s head jerks up in shock. The Avatar is standing in the doorway, a small sprig of flame flickering on his fingertip, casting a warm orange glow around the dark room.

“Go away,” Azula manages to choke around her mouthful of flowers. Her eyes blur with tears, from choking or despair, she doesn’t know. “Go away.”

“No.”

She shrieks at him, summoning a molten ball of blue rage before hurling it at the Avatar. To her frustration, he dissipates it calmly, and then slowly enters the room.

Azula hunches forward, sobbing into the disarray of flowers.

“Who?”

“I don’t know,” Azula spits. She lets herself sob one more time before she scrubs at her eyes, taking in deep breaths to calm down. But as she sucks in a lungful of air, she inadvertently takes in the flower’s scent.

She remembers.

It’s her mother’s perfume. Her mother used to make it herself, infusing flowers and oils together in a blend that Azula could never follow. Coupled with the other scents, she hadn’t recognised it on the first go, but now… now, there is no mistaking it.

“Azula,” the Avatar cautiously sits on the bed. “Who is it?”

“I don’t know,” Azula repeats, more numbly now. “It’s not you, I can tell you that.”

“Azula…” the Avatar gently touches her shoulder. She doesn’t shake him off. “This… this is a serious disease.”

“You think I don’t know that?!” she snaps, “Maybe it’s a good thing. Maybe I’ll just wither away and die and the little world you saved will be made all the better!”

The Avatar withdraws, shocked.

“That’s right,” she says bitterly. “I know there are officials clamouring for my execution. Maybe I’ll finally give everyone what they want and just fucking –”

“Azula!” the Avatar shouts, horrified. “No! No, no, no, no, no. Why… why are you saying all this? Azula, I thought you… you…”

“You don’t understand,” Azula hisses. “None of you understand. I just… leave me alone, Avatar.”

The Avatar doesn’t leave her alone. Instead, he shuffles closer, asking her, “Do you… do you love yourself? Cherish yourself?”

Her heart stutters to a stop. Of all times the Avatar has to be insightful, it has to be now, when she is at her lowest point, wishing her mind would go blank so her thoughts would finally leave her alone.

“Oh,” the Avatar says softly, “oh, Azula.”

“Get out,” she barely manages to utter through her gritted teeth. “Get. Out.”

She digs her nails into her arms, deep into the sinew, and her fingers start smoking. She doesn’t dare look at him, not when she’s sure there’s a pitying look on his face. She doesn’t need this. She never needed this.

Footsteps. The door creaking open. A click.

Azula hesitantly raises her head.

The Avatar is gone, but somehow, she feels worse than before.

.

They don’t speak about that night.

Azula continues coughing up flowers, and the Avatar continues giving her worrying glances.

She doesn’t see her mother anymore. Sometimes she feels like she doesn’t see anything at all. The days blur past, and they visit different places in solemn silence. In a way, she almost misses the excitable, jovial atmosphere the Avatar brought with him everywhere.

In a quiet teashop, she sits in a private room, sipping tea and counting dust motes.

One… two… three… four… five…

The paper door slides open, and the Avatar steps in, holding a scroll.

“Zuko wants to come see you.”

“You told him?!” Azula hisses angrily. “You told him about – about –”

“No, no,” the Avatar assures. “No. I haven’t told him anything. He sent a letter himself. He wants to see you, Azula.”

“Why?” she asks, forcing her eyes back to her tea. “Why bother?”

“Because you’re his little sister,” she hears the Avatar walk closer. “He doesn’t want to give up on you. He said your father has hurt you both.”

“That’s easy for him to say when he’s the golden child now,” Azula mutters.

“He’s not perfect, Azula,” the Avatar sits. “And neither are you. Trust me, that’s a good thing.”

But she doesn’t trust him, that’s the thing.

Did she?

“I won’t make you do anything you don’t want to,” the Avatar says. “But think about it. Please.”

He gets up and leaves again.

Azula watches the dust motes.

One… two…

She turns away.

.

She sits in yet another inn room, brushing her hair. The rouge is sitting on the table, the dim light showing off its waxy sheen.

“Hey,” the Avatar pokes his head in. “Do you want dinner?”

“I’d like to see Zuzu,” Azula blurts out. The Avatar startles, and Azula falls into embarrassed silence. She clears her throat delicately. “And dinner, yes. But… I think I’d be willing to see my brother.”

“That… that’s great!” the Avatar shakes himself out of his reverie to grin brightly at her. “I’ll let him know.”

“No,” Azula interrupts. “I’ll write him.”

The Avatar nods vigorously in agreement.

Azula coughs, and petals fall from her lips. It hasn’t gotten any worse, but it hasn’t gotten any better either.

The Avatar touches her shoulder, and she turns to the mirror, studying herself. She looks… better. Healthier. Despite the disease racking her chest, she doesn’t look as tired and bitter anymore. But it doesn’t mean that she looks better. What matters is…

“One day,” the Avatar says softly, their eyes meeting in the reflection. “You will look into the mirror, and you will realise that you finally love yourself. The day will come. Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not next week. But the day will come.”

“Save your breath,” Azula manages around the lump in her throat.

“I mean it,” the Avatar insists. “We’ve all been brought to our lowest point. What matters is what we do to get out of it.”

“I don’t even know what to do,” Azula confesses.

“You can start by calling me by my name,” the Avatar smiles.

There are more than petals in her throat now. The Avatar’s name is also lodged in there, joining the jumbled mess of flowers. It’s then that she realises something that now seems so glaringly obvious.

She is content. And she thinks that, for the first time since her imprisonment, there could be happiness in the future.

“Aang,” she says. Her heart skips a beat. But he smiles wider, warm and bright, and she thinks she finally understands why people find sunrises so appealing.

“Azula,” the Avatar – Aang, she corrects herself, reaches out and grabs her hand, squeezing it. She doesn’t set him on fire. “Should we go check out Kyoshi Island?”

She smiles back tentatively, her inner fire growing warmer as she nods.

One step at a time.

[nimblermortal]

Yngling Death Battle: FINAL!

After somehow managing to get a tie out of 13 votes in the last round, I am reluctantly supporting a three-way final. If there's a tie in this, folks, the Ynglings are going to have to share this crown the same way they shared the actual crown: briefly, before killing each other in improbable fashions.

"Reminders," a word which here means "entire sections copied straight out of Lee Hollander's translation of the Saga of the Ynglings:

Once when Fjolnir went to visit Fróthi on the Island of Selund, a great banquet had been prepared and many had been invited from near and far. Fróthi had a large estate, and a vat had been built there, many ells* high, and reinforced by stout timbers. It stood on the lower floor of a storehouse, and above it was a balcony with an opening in the floor, so that liquids could be poured down, and mead mixed in it. An exceedingly strong drink had been prepared. In the evening Fjolnir and his retinue were led to lodgings in a loft close by. During the night he went out on the balcony to find a place to relieve himself. He was drowsy with sleep and dead drunk, and on his way back to his lodgings he went along the balcony and to the wrong loft door and through it. He missed his footing and fell into the mead vat and drowned.

*an ell is around 60 cm or 23 inches

-----

Dag was the name of King Dyggvi's son who succeeded to the kingdom. He was so wise that he understood the speech of birds. He had a sparrow which told him many tidings. It used to fly over various countries. One time the sparrow flew into Reithgothaland and to the farm called Vorvi. He flew to the field of a farmer and fed there. The farmer came up and seized a stone and killed the bird. King Dag felt greatly concerned when the sparrow did not return to him. He prepared a sacrifice, offering up a boar to Frey, to find out what had happened, and received the answer that his sparrow had been killed at Vorvi. Then he summoned a large fleet* and proceeded to Gotland. And when he arrived at Vorvi he debarked with his army and harried there. The people fled in all directions. In the evening King Dag returned with his army to the ships after having slain many and taken many prisoners. But as they were crossing some river, at a place called Skjótansford or Vápnaford, a work slave ran out of the woods on to the river bank and hurled a pitchfork into their flock. It struck the king on his head, and he fell straightway from his horse and was dead.

*as you do

-----

King Agni harried far and wide in Finnland, subjecting it and making enormous booty. He took Skjálf, Frosti's daughter, prisoner and carried her away together with her brother... King Agni had the golden necklace which had belonged to Vísbur. King Agni proceeded to marry Skjálf. She prayed the king to make a funeral feast for her father. So he invited many men of note and celebrated a great feast. He had become most famous through his expedition and there was a great drinking bout. And when King Agni had become drunk, Skjálf asked him to take care of the necklace he wore. So he seized it and bound it fast to his neck before he went to sleep. His tent stood close by the forest, with a high tree over it to shield it against the sun's heat. Now when King Agni had fallen asleep, Skjálf took a thick cord and fastened it to the necklace. Then her followers took down the tent posts and threw the coil of rope over the limbs of the tree, then pulled, so that the king hung high in the branches; and that was the death of him.*

*Skjálf and her men ran to a boat and rowed away.

[wishingforatypewriter]

🎫 for Sola, please?

Hi!!! Thanks for the ask!

After retiring from the Agni Kais, Sola reunited with the love of her life—a woman named Ayano who she met while serving in the Fire Nation military—and they got married. When they first met, their relationship was rocky. Sola dismissed Ayano as a spoiled noble, and Ayano thought of Sola as a ruffian from the colonies. But as they competed for ranks and honor in the military, a begrudging respect developed between them, which in turn grew into friendship, and then love. When the war ended, they went their separate ways, Ayano becoming an imperial firebender in Zuko's court and Sola ruling over Republic City's underground. Ayano got married to a nobleman, as her family expected, though her heart was never in the match. Although she had several lovers over the years, Sola never took a spouse. After years of silence and separation, they ran into each other by chance when Sola was in the Caldera on triad business. Within a year of their reunion, they were both retired and living together in the huge estate Ayano inherited after her husband died under mysterious circumstances.

Ask me about my OCs!

[acollapsar]

@pareidae​​​ asked: ❛ i hope you haven’t been standing out in the cold this whole time. ❜ (from agni >:) )

♞✧° ┊┊ PROMPTED // Accepting!

          There was always a window of a couple of hours in the middle of the night when Sebastian had, in fact, nothing to do. As as soon as the household had gone to sleep, the fireplaces had been cleaned from ashes, and any further preparations for the morrow had been dealt with... he was left with what could be considered as the only free time he’d ever have. Not that he actually wanted any, in fact, he’d prefer to have something to do. As it were though, unless the estate had any unwanted visitors, Sebastian was left with empty hands.

Tonight was no different, and rather than sitting by the desk in his bedroom and go through books or old documents as a way to pass the time, he’d sometimes take strolls around the manor grounds. As such was the occasion tonight, and the butler had eventually found his way to the main garden. Typically, he only ever had one reason to go here ever as long as it was not duty-related. He stood there in silence, looking. Crimson eyes quietly scanned the area around him as he tried to pinpoint the whereabouts of a certain feline companion that the young master had yet to learn the existence of.

Alas... she never came. Not even when he tried to call out for her. As relative as time was, he had no idea how long he’d been standing there waiting. It was strange... it’s been quite a while now since he last saw her. With the arrival of the winter months and the year’s first snow had come to lay like a thing blanket across roads and fields, he feared that perhaps she’s run off to find a warm shelter somewhere. And that appeared to be a ‘best case’- scenario... One can only hope nothing has━

The silence suddenly broke when it was replaced by the familiar voice of a certain Indian butler ━ his sudden presence there enough to make Sebastian question his own senses as how he had not sensed him coming. Did he really now have to explain why he was not in bed fast asleep himself? Not to mention why on Earth he was standing outside in the middle of a cold winter’s night? As simple as his explanation might be, he feared that it might not be enough. After all, what ‘sane human being’ would stroll out in the middle of the night to stand on a fresh snow-covered ground, and look for any evidence that a certain cat was still alive?

          “ ... How long have you been watching me? ” He instead asked as he shifted a tad on the spot in order to offer his friend a glance over his shoulder. “ It is late. I was under the impression that rest was essential to you, no? ” Although he supposed that even humans like Agni could potentially struggle with sleeping from time to time... “ You should return back inside ━ we do not want you to catch a nasty cold, now do we.~ ”

[brrnedoutbrrista]

Agni, after much deliberation, isn't going to visit their family in Unova for Christmas nor spend it at the main estate with their other family members--they just...can't this year. Too drained. Too tired. Instead, they rented out the usual venue to host video games! Again. Many setups provided by them (and the community), food and drinks, and best of all: free to enter! Pot money provided by them across 5 games. Why all this though?

Because they wanted to spend time with people, they didn't want to spend it with family their family already looks at them strange...it's fine it's fine.

Somehow, people showed up: the usual suspects for Strive and King of Iron fist, some top players in Jalur, and other people who's first local is the one Agni's hosting. The Holiday Bracket, they dubbed it. Because they would rather fill their heart with the feeling of Gaming than...you know. Spend it with family that does not care about them.

"..." As they kept on recording matches, making sure stream is up and running for all games, they forced their mind to only focus on that. Feelings hurt and people hurt; that's their universal truth. Despite trying to get closer to people, for them...there's this wall--this distance. Every interaction, the wall gets thicker and thicker for them...and eventually. They're scared. People dropped them, abandoned them, hate them...

...

So what's the point? In a sea of people, there's only Agni: the bright haired gamer who happened to be a Gym Leader. The one who too nice and yet has deep seated rage, the T.O that made sure everyone was comfortable and yet wouldn't budge for customers...

...The one who people see as pure despite having sinned. People hurt and yet they want to get close. To fill this empty heart on a day where people's wishes come true and miracles happen. Such happiness, a miracle isn't possible for Agni.

The concept of 'miracles' was stripped away from them the moment they became a vessel for the South-West Deity.

[good-resort-in-sakleshpur]

Exploring Sakleshpur Trekking Places: A Simple Guide

Sakleshpur, nestled in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Known for its lush green hills, coffee plantations, and serene environment, Sakleshpur offers some of the best trekking experiences in South India. Whether you're a seasoned trekker or a beginner, Sakleshpur has something to offer everyone. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best trekking places in Sakleshpur, each with its own unique charm and beauty.

Top Trekking Places in Sakleshpur:

Kumara Parvatha Trek: Kumara Parvatha, also known as Pushpagiri, is one of the most challenging and rewarding treks in Sakleshpur. Standing tall at an elevation of 1,712 meters, it is the second-highest peak in Karnataka. The trek is about 22 kilometers long and takes around 2 days to complete. The trail passes through dense forests, steep climbs, and rocky terrains, making it a perfect adventure for seasoned trekkers.

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Best Time to Visit: October to February

Highlights: Stunning views of the Western Ghats, rich biodiversity, and the sense of accomplishment upon reaching the summit.

Ettina Bhuja Trek: Ettina Bhuja, meaning ‘Ox’s Shoulder,’ is another popular trekking destination in Sakleshpur. This trek is relatively easier compared to Kumara Parvatha but still offers a thrilling experience. The trail is about 8 kilometers long and can be completed in a day. The trek takes you through dense forests, grasslands, and rocky patches, offering panoramic views of the surrounding hills.

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Best Time to Visit: November to March

Highlights: Scenic landscapes, lush greenery, and a rewarding view from the top.

Agni Gudda Hill Trek: Agni Gudda, meaning ‘Fiery Mountain,’ is a favorite spot for both trekking and camping. The hill gets its name due to its volcanic appearance and is located about 10 kilometers from Sakleshpur town. The trek is short, about 3 kilometers, making it suitable for beginners. Once at the top, you’re treated to stunning views of the surrounding valleys and farmlands.

Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

Best Time to Visit: September to February

Highlights: Ideal for beginners, perfect for a day hike, and panoramic views of the Western Ghats.

Jenukal Gudda Trek: Jenukal Gudda, also known as Honey Rock Hill, is the second-highest peak in Karnataka after Mullayanagiri. The trek is moderately challenging and covers a distance of around 5 kilometers. The trail takes you through dense forests, coffee plantations, and rocky terrains. The summit offers breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea on a clear day, making it one of the most rewarding treks in Sakleshpur.

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Best Time to Visit: October to January

Highlights: Spectacular sunrise and sunset views, dense forest cover, and the chance to spot wildlife.

Murkannu Gudda and Hadlu Waterfalls Trek: For those looking to combine trekking with a refreshing dip in a waterfall, the Murkannu Gudda and Hadlu Waterfalls trek is perfect. This trek is about 6 kilometers long and takes you through thick forests, coffee estates, and streams. The highlight of this trek is the Hadlu Waterfalls, where you can relax and rejuvenate after the trek.

Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

Best Time to Visit: June to September

Highlights: Beautiful waterfalls, serene forests, and the opportunity to explore the coffee estates.

Pandavar Gudda Trek: Pandavar Gudda, or the ‘Hill of the Pandavas,’ is steeped in mythology and offers an exciting trek for history enthusiasts. According to local legends, the Pandavas from the Mahabharata stayed here during their exile. The trek is relatively easy, covering around 4 kilometers, and can be completed in a few hours. The summit offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and valleys.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Best Time to Visit: September to February

Highlights: Historical significance, picturesque views, and a peaceful trekking experience.

Bettada Byraveshwara Temple Trek: The Bettada Byraveshwara Temple is an ancient temple located atop a hill, surrounded by dense forests and coffee plantations. The trek to the temple is about 3 kilometers long and is suitable for beginners. The trail is well-marked and offers a serene and peaceful environment. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a popular spot among locals.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Highlights: Scenic beauty, spiritual ambiance, and a sense of tranquility.

Magajahalli Waterfalls Trek: Magajahalli Waterfalls, also known as Abbi Falls, is a hidden gem in Sakleshpur. The trek to the waterfalls is short, about 2 kilometers, making it perfect for a quick getaway. The trail passes through coffee plantations and thick forests, leading to the picturesque waterfall. The area around the waterfall is perfect for a picnic, making it a great spot for families and groups.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Best Time to Visit: July to December

Highlights: Refreshing waterfall, easy trek, and scenic surroundings.

Amedikallu Trek: Amedikallu, a lesser-known trekking spot in Sakleshpur, offers a challenging trek for adventure seekers. The name Amedikallu translates to ‘Tortoise Rock’ due to the unique shape of the peak. The trek is about 14 kilometers long and is known for its steep climbs and dense forests. The summit offers panoramic views of the Western Ghats, making the effort worthwhile.

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Best Time to Visit: November to February

Highlights: Challenging terrain, dense forests, and breathtaking views from the top.

Kote Betta Trek: Kote Betta, the third-highest peak in Coorg, is another excellent trekking destination near Sakleshpur. The trek is about 10 kilometers long and offers a mix of steep climbs and gentle slopes. The trail passes through coffee estates, dense forests, and small streams. The summit offers panoramic views of the Western Ghats and the surrounding valleys.

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Highlights: Diverse terrain, stunning views, and the opportunity to explore coffee estates.

Streamedge Sakleshpur - Best Resort in Sakleshpur

For those planning to explore these beautiful trekking spots, Streamedge Sakleshpur is the perfect place to stay. Located amidst nature, it provides comfortable accommodation and easy access to all the trekking spots mentioned. After a day of adventure, you can relax at Streamedge and enjoy the serene surroundings. It’s the ideal retreat for trekkers looking to unwind and soak in the natural beauty of Sakleshpur.

Conclusion

Sakleshpur is truly a trekker’s paradise, offering a wide range of trekking options for all levels of experience. From challenging peaks to serene waterfalls, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region. Whether you’re seeking adventure or simply looking to reconnect with nature, the trekking trails in Sakleshpur promise an unforgettable experience.

When planning your trek, it's essential to consider the weather, carry adequate supplies, and ensure you have the necessary permissions if required. Respect the natural environment, and remember to leave no trace behind. Happy trekking!

So, pack your trekking gear, put on your hiking shoes, and get ready to explore the stunning trekking places in Sakleshpur!

[lexapenndari]

Breakfast ~

(Earlier this year)

Stewed apple 🍎 and pear 🍐 with mint 🌿, and ginger 🫚

As the weather gets warmer, and we enter summer ☀️ , I see myself having fruit for breakfast, more often.

So much of cooking is about preparation. Here, I’ve pre-measured the spices into a bowl, added ghee to my pan, and put the kettle on to boil. In another bowl, the whole mung beans are soaking for lunch 🥣 👀

I didn’t peel the fruit or ginger, because they’re organic. Otherwise, it is recommended 🍎🍐🫚

#Food #Nourishing #Delicious #Sattvic #Sattva #Vegetarian #Healing #Ayurveda #Agni #Digestion #Life #GlutenFree

Music: Porcelain

Musician: Silicon Estate

[sanwars1234]

List of Real Estate Companies in Bangalore: Your Guide to Find the Right Property Partner in the Heart of Bangalore

Is southeast Facing Flat: Good or Bad? Let us explore the Pros and Cons

In the realm of the ancient Indian architectural traditions and beliefs, Vastu Shastra holds a significant place. Among the many factors Vastu considers for many aspects of life - harmonious and peaceful living which is considered crucial, as per Vastu. Is a southeast facing house good or bad, should be taken into consideration.

Direction:

The direction a home faces is crucial. Today, Southeast facing homes, in particular, shall be discussed. If the question: “southeast facing flat good or bad”, pops into your mind, then you are at the right place. Let us dive into the topic for a discussion related to people buying or renting a southeast facing house - 

Understanding Vastu Shastra.

Southeast facing homes.

Pros of Southeast Facing Homes.

Cons of Southeast Facing Homes.

Navigating the Dilemma.

Conclusion.

It is to draw attention and speculation related to the question whether a - “southeast facing flat is good or bad“, according to old ancient architectural science of Vastu principles. In this article, we'll delve into the debate surrounding southeast facing houses from Vastu's point of view. Here the answer related to the question: “is southeast direction good for the house”, shall be answered. Let’s dive into the topic and find out the do’s and don'ts.

Understanding Vastu Shastra:

Before delving into the specifics of southeast facing homes, it's important to gather information related to the fundamentals of Vastu Shastra. Vastu is a traditional, ancient Indian system of architecture that lays down principles for designing spaces in harmony with two aspects, mainly - 

Natural elements.

Cosmic energies. 

Various aspects are also encompassed within the Vastu Principles. This includes - 

Directional alignments, that gives birth to the question - “is southeast direction good for house?”

Spatial arrangements.

Elemental balances.

All these 3 factors aim at promote -  well-being, prosperity, and spiritual growth in the lives of the inhabitants.

Southeast Facing Homes:

According to principles of Vastu Shastra, each direction has a significant importance, with specific attributes and energies associated with it. Southeast direction is governed by the element of fire (Agni) and is traditionally considered auspicious for certain activities like cooking. However, when it comes to residential dwellings, the question - “is southeast facing house good” often evoke mixed opinions.

Pros of Southeast Facing Homes:

Sunlight and Energy: The benefits in terms of health and vitality in southeast facing homes is due to ample sunlight, especially in the mornings. The mood of occupants can be refreshed with the natural morning sunlight. This morning sunlight fills the occupants with vigor and enthusiasm. 

Active Energy: The southeast direction is associated with dynamism and activity. This makes it suitable for spaces like kitchens and home offices. It's believed that a southeast facing entrance has the potential to -

to invite positive energy in life.

promote productivity and progress.

Wealth Creation & Financial Prosperity: According to Vastu principles, the southeast direction is linked to wealth creation and financial prosperity. Therefore, some proponents are of the belief that staying in a southeast facing home can attract - 

Abundance.

Success in life. 

This shall help you to live a life of comfort. You shall be filled with positive energy.

In Spite of these advantages, there are many drawbacks from different schools of thought which might make you think - is “southeast facing flat good or bad?” Let’s delve into the drawbacks of a Southeast facing home.

Cons of Southeast Facing Homes:

Exposure to Heat: One of the primary concerns with southeast facing homes is their exposure to excessive heat, especially during the summer months. By this, occupants might face problems like - 

Discomfort.

Higher energy consumption for cooling purposes.

Imbalance of Elements: Vastu emphasises The balance of the five elements is emphasised in this ancient architecture of India which includes - 

Earth.

Water.

Fire. 

Air

Space.

A southeast facing home might lean too heavily towards the fire element which potentially disrupts the equilibrium of Vastu. Is a SouthEast facing flat good or bad? What can be considered?

Health Issues: In some interpretations of Vastu, prolonged exposure to southeast facing directions is associated with health related issues, due to excessive sunlight exposure, related to -

Eyes.

Skin.

Having gained insights related to the pros and cons of a Southeast facing house or home, what pops up in your mind  - “is a southeast facing house good or bad?”

Navigating the Vastu Dilemma:

Here are some guidelines related to Vastu Shastra for creating harmonious living spaces. It's important to approach its principles with a balanced perspective, considering individual circumstances and practical scenarios. 

Here is a list of tips for those considering or already residing in southeast facing homes:

Consultation with a Vastu Expert: If you're not sure about your southeast facing home according to Vastu principles, a Vastu expert should be consulted for gaining personalised insights and remedies.

Optimise Interior Layout: Irrespective of the direction, the interior layout and arrangement play a crucial role, according to Vastu principles. Attention should be paid to factors like - 

Room placements.

Furniture positioning.

Elemental balances within the home.

Implementation of Remedies: In case, you have identified Vastu deficiencies the following remedies needs to be implemented - 

Elemental adjustments.

Placement of energy-enhancing objects.

Architectural modifications.

          These can be considered to make negative influences disappear.

Personal Well-being: The ultimate goal of Vastu Shastra is to enhance the well-being and harmony of occupants. Factors that are needed to be considered in shaping your living environment are - 

Comfort.

Functionality.

Personal preferences.

These remedies shall help you get rid of negative influences in your environment. If you consider a southeast facing home good or bad, consulting a Vastu expert is the best one stop solution. 

Conclusion:

The debate over whether the southeast direction is good for houses, according to Vastu Shastra, is a bit complicated. Some are of the opinion that a southeast facing house is good, while others say it isn’t. 

Advantages of SouthEast facing homes - 

Abundant sunlight.

Active energy.

Challenges imposed - 

Heat exposure.

Elemental imbalance. 

Ultimately, the key lies in striking a balance between Vastu principles and practical considerations, ensuring that the living space fosters well-being, prosperity, and positive energy for its occupants.

There are different points of view on whether “southeast facing home is good or bad”.

[iloveindia-club]

Trishvam Tapovana

Address: Trishvam Tapovana, Survey No 66 Near Chimmecool Estate, Chimmecool Road, Agni Village Hanbal, Hobli, Sakleshpura, District: Hassan, Karnataka 573134Phone: 093619 73230 Trishvam Tapovana is a luxurious heritage resort nestled amidst the coffee plantations of Sakleshpur, Karnataka.Spent a glorious couple of days soaking in the views of the Western Ghats, breathing in the fresh mountain…