#also figure his political and financial endeavours would make him take an interest in ed now that they've struck out on their own

[seafavoured]

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐄'𝐃 𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍, but one to which he was unfortunately well accustomed. royal blood seemed a hard thing to shake, for instincts had them bending to rogers' will from the moment they'd arrived at his villa. one of them, anyway. the man was wealthy and well traveled, with a vast home in each nation. this particular abode was nestled in the heart of the earth kingdom, and was nearly as stunning as that of his northern water tribe dwelling.

it was a matter of bittersweet nostalgia, to be surrounded by all this pomp and ceremony. a feast and ball held in their own honour, as prince and avatar both, and proof of friendship. for rogers claimed no grudge upon eleanor, nor any remaining allegiance with edward's father. it seemed the man's concerns lay solely with their business ventures and the fortune which followed. clearly, if the evening was but a sample. a lavish ballroom of blue and silver tapestries, crystal chandeliers hung overhead, decorated with all manner of fineries, the centerpiece of which was a huge, marble fountain.

it was where ed sat now no, not ed, not really. the avatar, prince edward of the northern water tribe, was who sat perched at the fountain's edge beside woodes rogers. fingertips traced idle patterns just above the water's edge, and ripples rose to follow the almost-touch. the other man seemed to be mirroring the motion, and was angled in toward them, leaned close in talk.

they rose the very moment their eyes fell upon jack in the crowd, and rushed forward to meet him. dignitaries in his path parted way with ease and accompanying bows or respectful nods. ed himself was clad in fine silks and shimmering cashmeres laid out upon his bed that evening by rogers' servants. sent especially for them by the man himself, the staff had said. all hues of blue and silver, to match the tapestries of the room. fine jewelry adorned neck and wrists to match, hair freshly cleaned and braided.

❛ oh, fuck. thank tui and la you're here, i was bored out of my skull, ❜ hissed under their breath to jack the very moment they drew close enough. hands rose to catch the other's and a kiss pressed to his cheek. ❛ the good news is, he's on our side. ❜ a subtle jerk of his head back toward where rogers sat, observing them closely. ❛ he's not a bad man, just ... well, a businessman. he was my waterbending master back home, but there's no love lost between him and my father. all that he asks in return for his support is a favour, and a dance. ❜ they didn't mention with whom. maybe jack would assume eleanor, and let the matter drop.

@pyratezlife / ned.