AtLA Rewritten: Edition 1

Chapter 71

"I can't do it, Zuko," Athlea announced. She took a step back from the door, a frown on her face.

Zuko turned, taking her hands in his and leaning down to look her in the eyes. "If you don't do it, I will. You need this. Your family needs this. Our baby needs this. You can do this."

"I can't."

He let go of one of her hands, knocking. Athlea's eyes widened. They waited a minute or two before the door opened, revealing a woman with curly brown hair, tied in a bun, a few strands loose and framing her face. She was wearing a nice dress and cape. Clear frustration was written across her face, and she crossed her arms. "If you're here to ask again about some Irene and her family, again, I'm sorry, but I don't know anyone. Can we please stop wasting my time?" The woman sighed and rolled her eyes.

"We don't want to ask about Irene," Zuko said. "I was wondering if we could, uh, talk to you about some Fire Nation disputes we had? We've heard you travel a lot, and we guessed that you know how to deal with people." He glanced back at Athlea, his eyes wide with panic and regret.

The woman looked at them and her gaze immediately softened. She tilted her head to the side. "What exactly do you need help with?" she asked, letting her arms down now. Athlea remained silent, a frown on her face as she looked away. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, looking over at Zuko and then back at her.

Zuko narrowed his eyes, getting frustrated but withholding. "My wife and I are expecting a child"--he gestured at Athlea--" but we know many people aren't happy with our leadership. We were wondering if we could discuss good leadership tactics you've seen." Athlea glanced at him, frowning.

The woman looked at them for a second, her blue eyes moving to Athlea, scanning her up and down. Her eyes settled upon her stomach and then back on her face before looking at Zuko, a smile appearing on her face. "Sure thing," she said and turned around, heading inside. "Come on in, and also... the name is Aiyana."

"Thanks," Zuko responded. He gave Thea a look, and they followed her inside, where Aiyana was preparing tea. "Please, take a seat at the table." She brought three cups after a few minutes and poured the tea. "Alright, so what sees to be the root of people's unhappiness?"

"Well, as Fire Lord Ozai's son, they seem to expect me to be violent like him. And unfortunately I have his temper, so I'm struggling to show my people that when I really must do something confrontational, it's not because I'm following in my father's footsteps." He held Athlea's hand firmly.

Athlea glanced at Aiyana, then Zuko. Aiyana crossed her arms, and Athlea took a sip of her tea. "Mmm..." Aiyana hummed. "Confrontational situations require different reactions. What I recommend would be to show your people that things have changed now that you're ruling, and they'll get it accustomed to it. But don't fail to show justice when you have to." She shrugged.

Zuko nodded. "I try to do everything I can to not be violent or anything like that, but as a leader of a Nation, sometimes it's impossible." He put an elbow on his knee, leaning forward. "Speaking of confrontation, may I ask who Irene is? Is she someone you know? Sounds like you've been pretty bothered about it." He squeezed Athlea's hand again.

Aiyana sighed, leaning against a chair, her elbow at the top of it. "Again with this Irene." She shook her head. "I don't know her, that's the problem. I've been told over the course of the past week that I am Irene and look alike to a woman named Irene. That I have a family, a daughter, and everything... I am a lonely woman, and there is no Irene. It is simply Aiyana; me."

Athlea took a deep breath and looked away for a moment. Then she faced the woman, frowning. "We apologize for the disturbance that we may have caused," she said, nodding respectfully. "We are simply looking for my mother whose name is Irene, and maybe they confused you for looking alike." She stood. "Once more, we apologize for the disturbance and thank you for your words of guidance." She bowed respectfully, then turned to the door to leave.