"Old man, I know you wanted to see your friend, but you should have let people know we were here. It feels weird just standing around here." Unlike Zuko, who wanted to maintain some decorum, Shisui cut right to the chase. He walked up to King Bumi, slapped him on the shoulder, and spoke to him as an equal. Clearly, he had no fear of repercussions for his obvious lack of respect.
Zuko visibly banged his forehead in response, while Ty Lee, Petra, and Toph laughed uncontrollably. Azula, ready to follow Shisui's lead in everything, stood beside him, gazing at the king with her golden eyes. The others stood stiffly, unsure how to react.
"Hehe, Sage Shisui, you have a point. I've been careless, but you must understand how excited I am to reunite with a friend after a century," declared Bumi, patting Aang on the back, stepping away, and walking straight toward Zuko.
"Welcome, diplomats of the Fire Nation! Welcome to the King of Omashu! I, King Bumi, welcome you!" He extended his hand to Zuko in the traditional Earth Kingdom greeting. The prince, relieved by the situation, returned the gesture with ease.
"It is a pleasure for us, the Fire Nation, to visit the Kingdom of Omashu. I thank you for the warm welcome you have given us, Your Majesty!" Zuko continued with the appropriate words, ensuring that the event proceeded smoothly.
However, Bumi's ear twitched as he strained to hear something. Annoyed by the silence, he turned around and looked at the general, who now had a sour expression on his face.
"General Fong! Where is the welcoming band? Why is there no music? Why is there no fanfare!?" King Bumi shouted, waving his arms and gesturing wildly.
General Fong had no adequate answer because, in reality, it was the nobles' responsibility, not his. What would he have gained by saying that? What would he gain by taking the blame? The answer to both questions was nothing.
He might offend the nobles or the king, both terrible outcomes, but luckily, among the nobles, there are often incompetent people who believe themselves to be wonderful. They promote their errors and mistakes as great achievements.
A figure stepped forward from the group of nobles: a young man dressed in luxurious green robes bearing the emblems of the Earth Kingdom and Omashu. Toph, who was keenly attuned to auras, sensed a familiar one associated with the young man.
"Oh no, it's him. Hide me," Toph muttered, positioning herself behind Petra and Ty Lee. She tried to conceal her figure, but the man's gaze fell upon her for several seconds before returning to King Bumi, who was visibly angry.
"Your Majesty, we won't let the band through because they're here for the celebration. Aside from a few people, no one here is in the mood to celebrate," the man said confidently. He drew many glances, which made him feel excited.
"Young man, I think old age has finally caught up with you because I think I misheard you. Repeat what you said, and this time, do it right," said King Bumi, completely serious. His regal authority bore down on the man. The man swallowed several times reflexively, as he wasn't prepared to feel such power all at once.
He knew the king was strong. It was no wonder he had never faced a threat in his kingdom. However, he was also old, which gave some people a sense of confidence, even though Bumi appeared healthy. This was just a small test to see if the lion was still fierce.
Well, he still was. Everyone felt King Bumi's presence, which silenced all whispers. A king would not tolerate disrespect in his presence, even if he was a joker like Bumi.
At that moment, an elderly figure stepped out of the group of nobles. The atmosphere grew tense because he was a well-known and controversial figure: Bumi's own son and the crown prince. Though he looked much older than his father, his green eyes shone with cunning.
"Father, perhaps you heard wrong, or the boy made a mistake. The band was only briefly delayed. They'll be here soon," the prince said without a trace of shame. He brushed off the young man's offensive words, playing it off, though anyone with any sense could understand the subtle implication.
Had the king misheard? Was it just a noble trying to be presumptuous? Or would everyone act as if nothing had happened and continue with the reception? Bumi knew what was at stake, but as an Earthbender, he was open-minded, so he looked at Shisui.
The prince's pupils dilated for a moment before returning to normal, hiding his fear. Depending on which group you asked, the Sage Shisui was known for many things and would have additional titles.
To the nobles, he was the destroyer of their way of life. He took the strongest steps to ensure that the entrenched nobility lost power year after year because of his actions and thoughts. The most significant of these was the near-complete eradication of the Fire Nation nobility. The near-complete eradication of the Fire Nation nobility.
Shisui was basically the nobles' enemy! He had no respect, manners, or consideration. Instead of using his status to perpetuate his legacy and power, he constantly stirred like raging waters, going against the literal meaning of his name.
Shisui was a nobleman who destroyed nobles! He was adopted by the royal family of the Fire Nation and was betrothed to the princess of that country. He was also the grandson of the current chief of the Northern Water Tribe. However, Yue, Shisui's aunt, was now the one leading them!
Add to that his recognized status as a Sage and Enlightened One, and he was permitted to address King Bumi as an equal because his status was not far removed from that of a ruler.
When his name was mentioned, a strange smile spread across Shisui's face, evoking an ominous feeling in those who didn't know him and curiosity in those who did. What had caused this trouble-loving fellow to return to his old ways?
Shisui didn't look at the nervous elderly prince, but at the equally nervous young man. The guy was decent; his aura was unblemished. He was clearly an innocent fool, the perfect scapegoat for the nobility.
"You bastard, I do have good ears. Why isn't anyone celebrating our arrival in Omashu? I hope you're being honest with me," Shisui said confidently, taking the pompous nobles by surprise.
"Sage Shisui, I believe that…" The elderly prince began, but Shisui cut him off with a raised hand. The gesture made the older man's face scrunch up in annoyance. He wanted to know why he'd been interrupted so rudely. However...
"Sorry, Zhuge, I was talking to a bastard. Are you a bastard? Bumi! Didn't you marry that guy's mother? Why are you answering when I'm talking to a bastard? That's bad, Bumi! Babies born out of wedlock are frowned upon, which is why I plan to marry Azula before Terumi is born.
I don't want her to feel like I'm talking about her when I talk to other people in the future. That would be awful! Azula would burn me alive. Her flames have become more sinister lately. Could it be menopause? But she's not even 40 yet! Still, a 40-year-old Azula would certainly be attractive..." It was Princess Azula's sudden slap to Shisui's head that finally silenced the sage's tirade.
Who would have thought he'd say those things so quickly that no one could stop him, yet everyone could understand him? He dragged a king, his future wife, and his unborn daughter into this whole mess!
"Hehe, Shisui, it seems adulthood has only made you wilder. How wonderful! Don't turn into a boring old man like my son. Yes, I married his mother and loved her until the end. I don't know why he snapped back when you called him a bastard.
Maybe that's how he feels. I'm not judging. You know? When I met Aang, I also met an Airbender girl who identified as a man, so I'm very understanding. Not to be outdone, King Bumi picked up on Shisui's words, making the latter burst out laughing. However, he felt a sharp pinch on his waist from Azula, which calmed him down a bit. But he wasn't finished.
"Anyway, I don't judge either. Getting back to the topic at hand... Hey, you! Do you have hearing problems too? I asked you a question!" The sage pointed at the young man from before. This time, neither the prince nor anyone else stepped in to intercede or speak on his behalf.
"Um... I-I'm not a bastard! You're the one who is!" Rather than answering Shisui's friendly question, the young man retorted, hitting on a key and somewhat sensitive point: Shisui really was a bastard!
After all, his parents weren't officially married in any country, and he was born on the day he became an orphan. Shisui could only admire the guy's courage. He really had the guts to be the first to bring up that topic in front of Shisui.
"Oh, yeah, so what? Does that affect me in any way? No, so are you going to answer my question, or do I have to beat it out of you? I've only tolerated you because I'm a patient guy.
I don't like beating around the bush or playing games. I usually get straight to the point. So, I'll repeat myself just once more: How come no one is celebrating our arrival in Omashu?" Shisui asked again, and this time, the young man fell silent, unwilling to answer a question he had realized was a mistake.
He just wanted to gain power and be accepted by the nobles! His naïveté and ambition had been used against him. Why had he agreed to participate in something like this? How could he have dared to say something like that to his king? No matter how old he was, he was still the King of Omashu!
Now, he stood before a figure who was just as dangerous and intimidating as King Bumi. He knew he had to answer the man's question, but he didn't dare. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead, and his pupils dilated.
Fear overwhelmed him, paralyzing him completely except for his chest, which rose and fell with his ragged breathing. The courage that had allowed him to insult Shisui had long since left his body. It had long since left his body.
"Relax. I know you had nothing to do with it. You're insultingly stupid. Go away and learn to keep your mouth shut." Shisui waved his hand, dismissing the boy. The boy took this gesture as a reprieve and ran off. Instead of returning to where he had been, though, he positioned himself behind Yun, making his stance clear and forceful.
"All right, I know there are people who don't want us here. I've been flying around for a long time, and while a cabin is comfortable, it's not good for your bones. So bring me the band!
Bumi! I hope your banquet is sumptuous. I want to try your peach wine. This time, I'll be taking several gourds with me!" Shisui's words caused many to breathe a sigh of relief. Others remained cautious, knowing the Sage wouldn't forget this matter and would strike at another time. They hoped to be ready for that moment.
Soon, the merry band arrived. Although the music was good and there was a brief parade to the palace of Omashu, few were in a festive mood. The only exception was the small group that gathered around Bumi, staring at him intently.
"Old man, bring out the wine. I didn't travel all this way just to see your face. Aang did, but I didn't," said Shisui. This made the king frown since it was the wine he'd been hoarding for decades. But there was Shisui, circling him like a vulture, and he'd even brought his friends.
"You're that brat from Hakoda, aren't you? Don't you have your own ice wine? Why do you want to try this old man's wine?" As king, he quickly figured out Sokka's identity the moment he realized who Katara was. Sokka had emblems of the Southern Water Tribe on his clothes, and he looked a lot like the chief of that place.
"Your Majesty, wine is wine, no matter where it comes from," Sokka replied. This caused Bumi to roll his eyes before looking at Zuko, who shrugged while pointing at Shishui.
"Ah, well, I'll give you two gourds, nothing more. That wine is too strong for you. Its effect on your chi won't be obvious, so I don't see why you insist on drinking it," Bumi relented. Yun and Aang were surprised by his words. What kind of wine did Bumi/his father make to have those effects? The two young men thought this simultaneously.
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AN: TheAnPlayer2 gave me a tip: Promote my original stories every 5 chapters. So, read my original novels: Steam and Heart, Lunar Mechanism, Blood Sequence, and Witch's Adventure. You may or may not like them, but give them a chance. c: