Kuvira's Assistant

Chapter 30

"... But don't you agree that foundational equality should be a society's bare minimum?"

"Of course. But Eiji, you're straying off topic..." Toshiro, the eldest of the three siblings, addressed his younger brother. The two young men and Akemi were sitting around a low, round table in Akemi's living room in her modest Fire Nation home.

Jumping in, Akemi replied to the youngest, "Yeah, of course I do. Eiji, I'm not disagreeing with you; I just think that the existence of a unified state, not a lack of, is what can drive societal progress in terms of foundational equality and freedom..."

"Ummm, but this 'lack of' a ruler is what actually brought true and pure freedom to the Earth Kingdom, not the queen's rule... And CERTAINLY not the rule of this new lady whose butt you're ready to kiss... See, I LIKED what the Red Lotus accomplished," he huffed, "The LACK of imposed order and law is the only thing that can purely emancipate the people." He cried as he raised his fist into the air in protest.

His older brother raised a brow. "Sure, go off. But you better keep those thoughts to yourself when Iroh comes over tonight..."

Laughing, Akemi added, "Well, Eiji, since you..." she lowered her voice mockingly, "hAaATe the monarchy..." she added as her voice began to rise again, "don't you think that Kuvira is a way better option than Prince Wu, who I've heard is just going to be another puppet ruler?"

"Whatever. She's still as bad. A handful of 'world leaders' put her in charge. The people didn't democratically elect her to take 'temporary' control of the Earth Kingdom. Plus, isn't her entire venture subsidised by capitalist magnates? How does she get the money to fund all that technology? Is it the common man that's supporting her? Is she working WITH them? OH! No! It isn't! I forgot, the common man is who she's trying to CONQUER." Eiji sarcastically remarked. He could hear Toshiro quietly chuckling, so he gave him the side eye. "Why are you acting so smug, Mr. Commander of a capitalist colony's navy?!"

"Man, relax," Toshiro smiled as he set his cup of tea down and cleared his throat, "Putting all our ideologies aside, let's get to the point... Akemi, you're taking this job? You're really going for it?"

"Well Izumi-"

"Firelord Izumi..." Toshiro corrected her.

She rolled her eyes, "Ok, Mr. Proper, Formal and Conservative... FIRELORD Izumi... Really encouraged me to go for it," she continued, ignoring Eiji's muttered 'of course she would' remark, "We discussed it all at length, and both decided that it would be a great experience for me! The, ahem, world leaders, Eiji, requested my contribution from the Firelord, and we agreed that it's very important that the Fire Nation pays its dues and helps with the stabilisation of the Earth Kingdom. I'm doing it."

A single clap was heard from Eiji, "Well, that's good for you. I don't approve, but if you're happy, then I'm, er, happy. For you." He smiled as he stretched out his arm and let his hand rest on top of Akemi's. The two were very close and had each other's backs no matter what. They both had their disagreements with their older, more uptight and traditionalist brother, but all in all they were a tight-knit family despite their differences.

"Awwww cutie, look at you supporting me and all!" She smiled back at him, beaming. "Oh, do you need help getting up?"

"Hm- I, I got it..." He said as he pressed his palms on the tabletop and extended his arms in order to push himself up.

Toshiro stood up as well and rolled his brother's wheelchair towards him from behind.

"So, farewell drinks tonight, then?! Tell us more of the details when Iroh's with us too." The eldest smiled as he gently helped Eiji up, "Come on, Akemi, get up. Let's go."