#Tui kind of did you dirty but it’s fine

[permafrostthesandicewing]

Wow I need to reread Moon Rising, I feel like my dislike of Moon in that book (and the 2nd arc in general) was fueled by my preteen mind not liking bc she had awesome powers?? Like she’s able to read minds and see the future and tiny me was like 🤬🤬NO🤬🤬I don’t LIKE HER because she has COOL POWERS 

[gumnut-logic]

The Hurt

Thanks to @idontknowreallywhy for reading through ::hugs::

Dumps and runs.

-o-o-o-

He’d left his dirty uniform on a bench in the locker room.

The random thought surfaced amongst a sea of emotion he couldn’t afford right now.

He was clean at least, hair still wet from the shower, and standing at the edge of the caldera. His feet were half covered in warm sand slowly losing the heat of the day.

The water lapped rhythmically against the shore and his heartbeat attempted to meet it, slowing, only to be caught up in the emotion again.

It thudded in his chest.

Slow.

Rhythmic.

He closed his eyes and focussed on what he could hear.

Again, the water, gentle, repetitive, forever.

The wind. Rustling trees. The red blossoming pōhutukawa behind him, its sound more the roar of a distant crowd than the yapping of the palm leaves high above.

Birds.

He counted three…no, four different kinds at least. The ever-present petrels and squabbling tui, silver gulls and a distant sea eagle.

Water seeping into the sand.

The sudden consumption of them all as Thunderbird One swooped in above the Island and righted herself in a roar of engines as she disappeared into her hangar, the pool swallowing her and her soundscape in one.

A moment of silence…

Before the Island came alive again. The petrels protesting, the tui defending their trees…

The wind cooling a tear on his face.

Virgil scrubbed his cheek, wiping it away and stabilising himself.

He started the ritual again.

The sand between his toes, the water lapping…

He let his shoulders settle and his eyes close.

Focus.

On the music.

Just another day. Just another shitty day. He did everything he could. He saved lives. It was done.

Images flashed, and he gasped his eyes open again.

Water rippling across the caldera greeted him.

He followed the waves, tracking them, predicting interference and pattern only to have wind wipe it all away.

It was just another day.

He had done everything he could.

That was the sense of the matter, the logic and reality.

But it hadn’t been enough and it hurt regardless.

He let himself fold down onto the sand, his butt hitting the soft mix of pulverised rock and coral, his elbows landing on his knees and his head in his hands.

It really wasn’t worth getting upset about. It wasn’t the first time, wouldn’t be the last and he should be stronger than this.

Stronger.

All the excuses, the psychological training, the reasoning behind his reaction…it was all there.

Yet, still it hurt.

He scrubbed away another tear.

Goddamnit.

A gentle hand landed on his shoulder and he jumped.

“Hey.”

Scott.

Concerned blue eyes stared at him a moment before his brother sat down on the sand next to him.

There was only the noise of the Island for a long moment.

“Do you think there are more nests this year?”

Virgil blinked. Looking up he found Scott staring across the caldera at Mateo and the petrel colony there.

Virgil stared himself for a bit. “Maybe?” A frown. “I haven’t done the count this month yet.”

He battled to remember the date. Was it today, yesterday or tomorrow?

He had no idea.

He should probably fix that.

“I found Dad out here once.”

Virgil’s eyes darted back to his brother. “What?”

“Early on. You weren’t here at the time. You and Gordy were on the mainland for one of his swim meets, I think.” Scott looked down and dragged a finger through the loose grains of sand between his knees. “It was one of our earliest rescues gone bad, and I have to say, that I swear he was speaking to Mom.”

“What?”

Scott arched an eyebrow. “He did that sometimes. When things were really bad.” His brother looked away. “And that was definitely a bad one.”

Virgil opened his mouth, but Scott held up a hand.

“Don’t start cranking up your medical expertise, Virg, he was fine. It was just a coping mechanism. We got it checked out. Dad was fine.”

Virgil pressed his lips together. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

His big brother shrugged. “Nothing to tell. Rarely happened. Maybe twice the whole time he was here.”

The ‘was’ hurt.

But then that was a simple hurt of existence.

“Why are you telling me now?”

Scott sighed and wrapped an arm around Virgil’s shoulders. “You’ve had a bad one. It’s okay to be upset.”

Virgil looked away and didn’t answer.

“There is no shame in caring.”

And there it was, the knife that cut through all the reasoning his brain could throw at him.

His throat tightened. “I shouldn’t care so much.”

“If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be my brother. You wouldn’t be you.”

Another tear crept out the corner of his eye and he rubbed at it.

The arm around his shoulder tightened and Scott curled his hand into Virgil’s hair, guiding his head to his shoulder. “It’s okay, little brother, it’s okay.”

Of course, that was enough to break all the control he could manage and before he knew it, he was sobbing on his big brother’s shoulder. Scott had his arms around him and everything was messy and embarrassing and god, it all hurt.

Reassuring words and a hand rubbing his back. Somehow he was now five and being hugged by his big brother because he’d fallen over and scuffed his knee.

And all those people had died.

All those children.

Emotion swamped everything.

-o-o-o-

Eventually the wind returned, the water lapped at the shore and the tui started another argument in the pōhutukawa tree at the head of the beach.

Scott was stroking his hair.

Virgil swallowed and pushed himself upright.

His big brother did not let go, his hand still on Virgil’s shoulder.

Virgil scrubbed his face. “Shit, sorry.”

Scott’s voice was painfully soft. “Nothing to be sorry about.”

There was something in his brother’s timbre and Virgil looked up at him.

Scott was intent on Virgil, but there was pain in those eyes and the evening light was highlighting the greys in his auburn hair.

Virgil grabbed his brother and hugged him ever so tight.

“Virg?” It was half strangled.

Virgil didn’t answer.

He just returned the love.

-o-o-o-

[ierotits]

Middle Island Natives Claim - Landlessness Report 1891

Heres a list of some of the most jarring quotes from Commissioner Mckay's report on Ngāi Tahu landlessness. Its a long list so feel free to just skim or pick and choose ones to read, but I feel like it gives a good summary of just how terrible the situation was for my people after colonisation

feel free to send an ask if you have any questions on this, and Ill answer to the best of my ability (I only studied the topic for a semester)

also apologies for any typos

- “I desire to state that our right to the land was sold by others. My fathers land was at Kaiapoi, and was sold by others” – Honai Matiu

- “Hospitals and medical attendance were also promised in 1848, and many died through the want of medical assistance of this kind. My father, Rawiri Mamaru, died through the want of medical attendance a few years ago, as we were unable to incur the expenses.” “All our old mahinga kai have been destroyed by the occupation of the country by the Europeans; and if we attempt to go in search of food we are turned off by the owners of the land.” – Teone Rena Mamaru

- “have received no benefit from schools, and now we have to pay for the books under the present system. Owing to there being no medical attendance, have been put to heavy exoense for doctors. Had to incur a large expense for attendance on my daughter, who died.” – Mohi Te Koaki

- “Cannot get a living on the land, and have to obtain work from the Europeans to eke out a livelihood. Some are able to secure work, but those who are not so fortunate have to leave a life of starvation.” – Henare Te Maire

- “children and invalids from here have to be taken to Oamaru for medical advice. Some can be taken, but others cannot be moved.” – Henare Mauhara

- “Pita Tipa has only recently died. If hospitals and medical attendance had been available he would probably be alive now.” “I am ignorant of the pakeha’s customs and knowledge. Have to obtain outside aid by work to enable me to maintain my family; but it is difficult to obtain work, as I am not a skilled workman.” – Teo Tipa

- “Had only a few acres to grow potatoes on. All former sources of food-supply were cut off. If they went fishing they were threatened to be put in jail, if they went catching birfs they were turned off.” – Rawiri Te Maire

- “the winter was the most suitable time to catch weka, and the Maori in olden times used to set up rahui to protect the birds. The Europeans will not allow the natives to kill the woodhens now, as it is said they are useful to kill young rabbits. The tui and all other birds are gone, and the roots of the kauru and the fern have been destroyed by fire. The Waitaki and all the other rivers have imported fish in them, consequently the natives are prevented from eeling or catching whitebait in season. Can only get meat now by paying for it, and the natives have no money for the purpose. Weka and other birds used to be preserved, to be used during the period while the preserves were protected. The people did not kill the birds out of season in those days, but now the Europeans destroy them at all times. The custom in former times was only to dig as much as was required.”

- “we were stopped from obtaining birds, fish, and berries off the wilderness land as heretofore, consequently our condition has been getting worse every year, until now we are shut in altogether.” – Tahitu

- “all our mahinga kai are now gone. The rivers are closed to us, and our reserves are insufficient to support us. The young men are able to work to procure work at shearing and harvesting, but for a large part of the year, there is no work to do.” – Hemi Paiki

- “I am living on other peoples land. The wages earned at shearing and harvesting soon goes to pay off our debts. Many of us are in debt, even those who have land. Al the old mahinga kai are gone, and owing to trout having been out in all the rivers we are unable to catch flounders, inanga, or eels without risking the chance of being fined or imprisoned. Some of us were nearly put in gaol for catching weka on some of the runs.” “put a notice in a newspaper that natives would not be allowed to catch weka on their runs; wanted to preserve weka for game, and to kill the rabbits; but afterwards the weka were killed on these runs by dogs and poison. Have seen then weka lying dead on the runs in numbers, but the station owners would not allow the natives to kill or catch them; they threatened to shoot us if we went on their land. All our old mahinga kai are destroyed, and we are left without the means of obtaining food we used to formerly depend on.” – Tamati Toko

- “The people strove to adapt themselves to European customs but found it difficult to do so”

- “Europeans go there and kill the eels, but do not use them. This lake is a good fishing place for eels during the season. The Europeans go there on Thursday afternoons, and destroy a large number of eels. This has become a common practice and is looked upon as a sport. The eels are thrown out on the bank, and left there to die.” – Hoani Korehe Kahu

- “Two persons connected with the native schools visited the native settlement and they informed the natives that their children could attend the European school, but the parents found there was a feeling against the children. About ten were sent but in consequence of a statement made in the local papers, referring to the children being dirty, the parents who were unable to sent the children always cleanly dressed took alarm lest they should be turned away, and kept them at home.”

- “it was very desirable that a school should be established for the natives if it was only to employ their time, which was now spent paddling in the water, thereby catching cold, which caused a great mortality amongst them.”

- “native children were first sent to the board school, but only four out of this number now attend. Eight were kept at home by their parents, as they were unable to send them properly dressed. In cases where there was only one child in a family the parents could send it clean, but it was difficult to send a number. The people of temuka had been deprived of the advantage of education for fourty three years through no schools being established.” – Henare Kokoro

- “the rivers are stocked with trout, and the lagoons and lakes are dried up, their fish killed, and the wekas and other birds destroyed by the progress of civilisation.” – Hoani Tikao Wira

- “Metapere Karetai is a widow with four children. Has no land; is living on her parents land. One of them has been ill about three years. If the parents who are supporting her were to cease to do so she would have nothing to live on. Her father is an invalid and unable to work, and the support of the family devolves on the mother.”

- “Irai Tihau stated that the land he was possessed of was insufficient for his support. He got ill and incurred debts, and had to mortgage his land to pay his liabilities. The young people had to go shearing, and the old, who were unable to procure work had to remain at home. The women and families of those who went to work got into debt while their husbands and relatives were absent, and on their return, they were sued by the tradesmen. The old people had nothing but their land to depend on, and as that was insufficient to maintain them they were plunged into debt.”

- “the most of the fishery easements allotted to us by the court are destroyed. The one at rotoroa has been drained. Waimaiaia has been rendered useless by sea encroachment, and Hohoupounamu has been drained. We cannot obtain eels from these easements now; formerly we used to get them in quantities. Waimakariri is the only river that fish can be got in, and we are now barred from going there,” – G. P. Mutu.

- “the doctor’s expenses range from £2 to £3. The people have no money to spend for the purpose, and consequently do not call in medical advice, the result being that lives are often sacrificed.” – H. Tare Tikao.

[wingsoffireaus]

Thoughts on Darkness of Dragons? (Except the ending, of course, since you’ve already talked about that)

Dang it. You mean you don't want me to do another lengthy rant about how much I hate that ending? Well there goes my plans for the evening.

JK that's a fair enough question.

Okay... Oof. Trying to think of things that I don't immediately hate in the book.

Well first off I feel like the B plot was kind of unnecessary. Like I think it's entertaining enough but most of the book, the last book in the arch mind you, is focused on a side quest that once again is focused on the Sandwing throne. Can we not?

If we were going to do this we should have done it towards the beginning of the arch and not the end. Like I totally forgot Onyx even existed and honestly, she's just not that interesting of a character to me. I mean she SHOULD be but... She's not. She's just not. In fact, she had all of the trappings of characters I HATE. A self-entitled brat who doesn't appreciate any of the good in her life.

Yes. It sucks that she was self-exiled with her mother. Yes it sucks that she couldn't fight for the throne (although she would make a terrible queen. Probably better than the three sisters but not by much.) But you know what I'm just going to say it she was better off than most dragons during the war. She had a mother who genuinely loved her. She wasn't forced to fight in a conflict that would have ended terribly with whoever won and she didn't grow up orphaned in the streets of a place like a scorpion Den.

I'm not the type of person who likes to go "your problems don't matter, people are dying" because that's a super damaging psychology that honestly potentially f'd me up for years because I refused to seek psychological help because of that reason.

But you know what if you act self-entitled and bratty about it than I am going to absolutely bitch slap you back into reality because screw you. Sorry. Just ugh. I hate these characters who get away with crap because of sad backstories or whatever. Especially since she's one of the few in this world who actually had a decent parent willing to put everything on the line to protect her. Ugh. Sorry. I never realized how much I really disliked Onyx until just now.

On other stuff.

Vulture and Cobra were fine. That's kind of all I have to say for them. I don't think they were developed enough honestly, I think they could have been but honestly, I don't think I can remember a single line out of them besides the famous line where Cobra approves of qinter. Besides that not a single line. I think they could have been more interesting but I think Sutherland squeezed herself into a corner trying to fit in this sidequest as well as the ending. Rip. I love you Tui but you write yourself into corners when it comes to endings.

Other things... Moonbli is still underdeveloped. We're told that stuff happened but it was barely even a flashback and Moon is blander than bland in this book. That is when she's not making morally wrong choices and treating some serious trauma like it's all just a misunderstanding that can just be talked through. (Winter deserves better. The vase scene pissed me off so much in the fact that he was painted like a villain. I think it was honestly just so Sutherland can make Moonbli look like the best option. It... Really doesn't. )

Let's talk about Winter. I love him in the beginning. Even though it is disturbing to see him brainwashed (again. F Moon, Qibli, and Kinkajou for not taking it seriously enough. Qibli started to but threw it out to play knight in shining armor. Was Winter completely right in this scene? Oh heck no. Breaking stuff and yelling is never okay. But treating something like brainwashing like a joke or a misunderstanding is also not okay and I'm sorry I'm taking his side in this argument. They all should have apologized but nope. We needed that time for the Onyx side plot. Yay. -_-)

Anyway. Sorry back to Winter. Like I was saying. I like him in the beginning he and Qibli have pretty good chemistry with each other that you have to acknowledge even if you don't ship it yourself. I can listen to the weapon box scene over and over again just because the dialogue and character interactions are great.

Also, the scene, when they get to the Scorpion Den and Winter, admits that he has a lot to learn about the world. Just mwah. Absolutely wonderful. And once again why do all the really good character-building moments for these two happen with each other? And we're not supposed to ship it?! Excuse me?!

*Cough* anyway. Side note rant. I really wish that we could have seen the scene where everyone is told about Winter's experience in the ice Kingdom.. and once again I wish it was taken seriously because it's not. Which is upsetting because his PARENTS literally set his BROTHER to KILL him to take his spot on a wall. And it's treated like an in-joke. I mean I'll give it some leeway because even Winter almost jokes about it and I myself will joke about traumatic stuff after they happened as a coping method but I don't know. That was such a big thing and I wish it was taken more seriously by everyone because he literally sacrificed everything to come back only to get screwed over. This is why I have hang-ups with the Jade Winglet. Except maybe Turtle and Peril. Bless em.

Also, why did Smolder and Winter not meet? Golden opportunity and you blew it, Sutherland!

Sorry again. Winter is my child at this point.

Anyway... Yeah. How about I talk about other characters.

I love Qibli as a POV character. He is such a fascinating protagonist. But I do have some hang-ups. Primarily.

Starting a sandstorm that actually killed some dragons. Did everyone forget the dragons sucked up in that with very little chances of survival? And then Thorn barely gives him a slap on the wrist. Um... What? So Winter breaks a vase, end of the world. Qibli starts a friggin deadly sandstorm? Oh, that rascal!

Hmmmhmmmm....

Okay. That's fine and doesn't feel dirty at all. Psssh.

On a positive note, his relationship with Darkstalker is absolutely fascinating and should have been a more primary focus overall. I don't know how she could have fit that in but it should have been built up way more. I mean there was already groundwork in Talons of Power where Darkstalker says it's a good thing that Qibli is not an animus since it would make things more difficult (or something like that anyway.)

Darkstalker was interesting enough. A bit rushed but... There's not much you can do since he only gets a third of the book actually focused on him (at least that's what it feels like. Whatever amount it was it was not enough!!!)

Anemone was interesting. From the little, we see of her which is a shame since the ending of ToP was setting up some pretty interesting stuff for her. Also, I know Turtle was in the dungeons for most of it but seriously. You bring him back and give him his powers and no big scene of his relief after that panic attack he was having after ToP? Nothing? Okay. If that's how you want to play it.

Peril has some good moments in the beginning but is pretty much a nonentity besides roasting some Nightwings.

Oh. Let's talk about the battle. There's some interesting stuff that happened here and some not so great stuff. And I get to talk about Winter more.

The death of Narwhal and Winter joining the battle should have been focused on a little more. Especially since the Jade Winglet act so betrayed after all that crap they pulled. I'm sorry. Narwhal was a right bastard but that's still Winter's father. And oh guess what, that's still Winters brother up there about to go into battle. Not to mention his tribe that he still cares about even though they're pretty shitty to him he still cares. And F you guys. He already gave up more than all of you and all you've done is make fun of his trauma or ignore it. I know he's an asshole, trust me I KNOW, but so far he's put more effort into this. Literally, self exiling himself to potentially never see his home again. What did you do? Oh, go on a field trip that your queens either approved of to an extent or would probably just give you a slap on the wrist. Yeah okay. You can sit on your high horses and act better because fighting is bad. Aghhhhhh!!!!

Side note. I know I'm not being fair. But I don't care. People defend all of these crappy decisions and treat these characters like they can do no wrong. Well at least I admit Winter did do wrong at times but at least he never erased anyone's personality or changed their race because it would do them good. (Sorry. I had to reference it.)

Despite all of this... I do like how they end the battle. I don't like that they send Winter away without thinking. Especially since it's Qibli, mastermind extraordinaire who has a plan for everything, is the one who wrote it and apparently put a lot of thought into it. Honestly, I think it was just so we wouldn't have a conflict of interest with Winter clearly being uncomfortable with rewriting people's personalities.

But I love it when people are treated like people. Where both sides are shown with fears and decently valid reasons for what they do. It's an interesting way to end a conflict. A little forgettable compared to what it was built up as but... You know.

Haha! Bet you didn't expect a friggin essay that only mentions the ending a handful of times. I guess I never fully understood how frustrated I am with this book. Sorry about that, it's all over the place. I literally wrote it on the spot. But it came from the heart. If you like this book. Good on you. But please don't harass me about how I just don't understand the secret brilliance of it all. Because I don't. And I doubt you're going to change my mind. Especially if you come at me with a condescending attitude like that. (Sorry personal experience)

[bellatrixobsessed1]

Wrought Iron Machine (Part 11)

Kuvira stares Baatar down quite furiously, she has no intention of backing down on this one.

“We can’t do a song like that.” He insists. “Combining the two styles.” He pauses. “They just don’t work together.

The more he speaks, the more steadfast she grows. Wrought Iron Machine is her band, she had been the one to form it. She crosses her arms and her frown deepens. “We need to do something new.”

“That’s fine. We can do something new.” Baatar agrees. “Just not that.”

“We are doing that or we will do nothing at all.” She knows very well that he is aware that she wouldn’t make good on this threat. Southern Air Sounds meant too much to her.

“Look, I like metal. I like Jazz. But they should be kept seperate.” Baatar replies. “We should do something like what Tui & La did and…”

At this, Kuvira’s jaw nearly drops. “I don’t want to be like another band.” Frankly, she can’t fathom why he would even try to suggest trying to copy another band.

“...And blend metal with an orchestra.” He presses on regardless of her dismissal. “It can be bombastic and powerful. I’ve always liked classical music.”

“And I’ve always liked jazz.” Kuvira states flatly, she hopes that the argument sounds as ridiculous as it is. “This isn’t about what we like, it’s about creating something new. Something that will change the industry. We need to leave an impression.” She gives that time to settle. “We can be the first band to try to blend metal and jazz, Baatar.” She takes a mouthful of tea. “The first.”

“Perhaps no one has done metal jazz because it doesn’t sound good.”

Kuvira grips her cup a little tighter before setting it down with a force that splashes steaming liquid onto the table. She spares the man a final glance before turning her back on him and exiting.

“You haven’t even asked the other three what they think!”

She doesn’t take the bait, however valid the point is. She is torn between to responses anyways; a prodding, ‘they’d agree with me’ and a kinder, ‘I want your okay first.’ She says nothing.

“You always do this, Kuvira!”

She leaves that bait unbitten as well.

“Why does it always have to be your way?”

It is her band.

It is her dream.

She bites her tongue.

“Why are my ideas never good enough?”

.oOo.

Her bath does little to cleanse the kind of dirty she feels. The filth runs deeper than the water can penetrate. The steam of the springs curls around her body as she washes her hair. She has already scrubbed herself down several times but she still feels a phantom tingle where Zuko had run his fingers under her shirt.

Somehow she feels violated, despite that he was the dreadfully reluctant one and she was insistent.

She wonders, not for the first time, what is wrong with her. Wonders if her mind is fraying again, under the pressure of trying to keep them afloat. She runs the soap along her arms once more. The water pleasantly heats her skin and she tries to think only of how pleasant it is to have a soothing bath.

Her privacy is interrupted by footsteps. Before she can matter an inquisitive, ‘Mai, TyLee, is that one of you?’ a voice exclaims, “I know you!”

But the woman doesn’t.

She doesn’t know Azula at all.

She knows the person The Blue Empress.

A perfectly crafted stage persona.

“Do you?” Azula murmurs, she tries to be spiteful to the fan, but Agni was it vexing to have a private moment intruded upon. She curses, again, the lack of funding to go to a truly private bath house.

“Yes.” The woman nods. “I do. It is your fault that my daughter is out of control! You make her do things that she shouldn’t.”

“Oh?” Azula quirks an eyebrow, she hasn’t realized that she has gotten back into the business of manipulation. “And how did I manage such a thing?”

The woman snarls. “She cusses and sneaks around. Boys in the house every night, making a mess of it! She doesn’t listen to me…”

“That’s nice.” Azula replies smoothly. “But it isn’t what I asked.”

The woman dodges the question again. “She was almost arrested for destruction of public property.”

Azula shrugs, destruction of public property is more work for her father, and that is fine with her. Her passive shrug is replaced by a somewhat satisfied smile. “What fascinating news, I suppose that it’s good to know that I still have an influence.”  

With a curt sniff the woman deflects, “I don’t know what I was expecting from a tramp who so freely shows everyone her chest.”

Azula sighs. “We are in a bath house, shall I bathe with my robes on?” She pauses. “Would you like to tell me how it’s my fault that you have no control over your daughter?”

The woman looks at her as though she wasn’t about to say the most ridiculous thing Azula has heard in awhile. “It’s your music! You sing about destroying things and defying parental figures and she idolizes you and your sleazy brother.”

The words arouse something unpleasant within Azula. An unexpected desire to defend her brother, the very brother she had spoken ill of for most of her life. Perhaps it is because she knows that Zuko was just going along with her schemes. “I assure you, he isn’t…”

The woman cuts her off, splintering her patience that much more. “He is. All four of you are. What you do is the work of Raava, bidding children to rise against their parents..”

Azula decides that she has heard more than enough. With the raising of her temper, her voice lowers into a cold hiss. “I’ve found that children these days don’t ‘rise against’ their parents without good reason.”

The woman’s lip twitches. “I don’t want to hear that from a deviant...a lunatic who has perversion for her own brother.”

Azula swallows. The woman tosses her bathrobe aside and begins furiously scrubbing herself clean, if nothing else she respects the woman for not cowering away after delivering a low blow. Evidently, Azula wants to flee, but she won’t give the woman the satisfaction. She dips her head under the water to mask the tears that managed to escape. The woman is still raving at her from across the room, she can hear her, but only as background noise amid the doubts finally working their way in.

The realization that she has probably made a mistake.

The realization that this isn’t something she can do damage control over, something that can’t be explained away by spinning a tale about too many drinks.

They have the funding they need for their mover. But the woman has successfully left her feeling diriter than before she had entered her bath. The woman left her with the knowledge that people thought her a sexual deviant. She dries herself, trying to come up with a way to save herself.

Herself and Zuko from a lifetime of shame.

She squeezes the water out of her hair and bends to pick up her bathrobe.

“It’s a shame that you’re brother isn’t here to see this…” Azula’s face grows hot at the provokation. “...isn’t it?”

.oOo.

Baatar doesn’t speak with her for the better part of the night, apparently more than content to return her cold shoulder. So she tries something simpler. “Can you pass me some dessert?”

Ming pushes Kuvira a plate.

“I was talking to Baatar.”

“Oh wow, thank you Ming, you are such a good band mate.” She hears Ming mutter to herself, drawing a snicker from Ghazan.

She has half the mind to tell Ming that she likes her better when she doesn’t talk. But she doesn’t want to fight on two fronts, possibly three if Ghazan chose to defend his woman. Kuvira shoots P’Li a look and the woman shrugs.

“Baatar…”

The man pushes his chair in and bids his mother a good night. She knows that she shouldn’t press him but they truly don’t have time to keep an argument going so she follows him. “I don’t have a problem with your ideas--”

He cuts in. “It’s just that yours are better, right?”

Kuvira falters, “I never said that. I wouldn’t ever say that.”

“You don’t have to.” He says dryly. “I get the picture well enough.”

She opens her mouth to speak but they have reached their bedroom and Baatar has slammed the door. Not many things throw her stoic demeanor but that does the job, it leaves her sputtering, “that’s...this is my room too. My pillows are…”

The door opens, but before she has a chance to smile, her pillows and blanket are flung into the hallway. She blinks at the closed door, standing there for a moment, before resigning herself to that she is going to have to sleep on the couch.