ATLA: Azlua

Ambassador Part Two

In the silvery glow of the moonlight streaming through the window of the guest quarters in the Southern Water Tribe's main hall, Ty Lee sat cross-legged on a woven mat. Her hands were folded neatly in her lap, and her face was a mask of serenity, belying the turmoil that churned within. The air was crisp, filled with the salty tang of the sea, a sharp contrast to the warm, smoky scents of the Fire Nation she had grown accustomed to.

Voices are heard arguing outside the door, Its Zira, even with Ty Lee telling her she didn't need to gaurd outside her door, she instead insisted. "Let her in." Ty lee says loud enough to be heard from behind the door.

"Ty Lee," Katara began, her voice steady but carrying an edge sharp enough to cut through ice. "I know why you're here. But I want to hear it from you. Tell me the truth. Why does Azula want Aang's help? After everything she's done, after... after Sokka and Dad."

Ty Lee met Katara's gaze, the weight of her mission pressing down on her. She had known this moment would come, the confrontation she had dreaded. The air between them was charged, it become heavy with the weight of animosity each carried for the other. Albeit it far more tilted toward Katara. 

"Katara, I..." Ty Lee paused, taking a deep breath, searching for the words that could bridge the gap of distrust and pain between them. "I understand why you have every reason not to trust me. I was there that day, and I will regret it for the rest of my life. But I'm here because there's a real chance to prevent further suffering. This rebellion, if left unchecked, will tear apart what little peace we have achieved."

Katara's expression hardened. "That doesn't answer my question, Ty Lee. Why should Aang help? After everything Azula has done, why should he intervene on her behalf?"

It was then that Ty Lee realized the truth wouldn't be enough—not when the truth was as tangled and painful as the history between them. But she prepared for this, She reached for the seed she planted in their previous encounter. 

"Katara, I know what you're going through. I... I lost my brother in the war. He was conscripted into the Fire Nation army, and he... he never came back." Ty Lee's voice broke, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. It was a lie, but the emotion behind it was real—the pain of loss, the grief that came with being part of a war that had taken so much from so many.

Katara's stance softened slightly, the anger in her eyes dimming, replaced by a flicker of sympathy. Ty Lee pressed on, weaving her lie with threads of truth.

"I'm not asking you to forgive Azula or forget what happened. I'm asking you to think of the people who are suffering now, caught in the crossfire of a rebellion they didn't choose. Aang has the power to help, to prevent more loss, more families from experiencing the pain we've gone through."

Katara remained silent for a long moment, her gaze drifting away as she contemplated Ty Lee's words. Ty Lee held her breath, knowing that convincing Katara was key. Without her support, Aang might refuse to help, and the chance to prevent further bloodshed would slip through their fingers.

Finally, Katara spoke, her voice low and measured. "I'll... think about what you've said, Ty Lee. But know this—I'm doing this for the innocent people who are suffering, not for Azula or the Fire Nation. This changes nothing, I still don't trust you but i won't allow my personal feelings to get in the way of helping others. It's what Sokka would have wanted.

Ty Lee nodded, a mixture of relief and guilt washing over her. "Thank you, Katara. I promise, we're trying to make things right."

As Katara left the room, Ty Lee was left alone after a couple moments she plopped down exhausted. It's then Zira gently knocks. "My Lady."

After Katara's departure, Ty Lee felt the emptiness of the room more acutely, reflecting on the weight of her deceit. Despite the calm exterior she maintained during their conversation, the internal conflict was palpable. The room, now silent, seemed to echo back her own uncertainties.

A gentle knock on the door broke her introspection. "My Lady," Zira's voice came through, marked by a blend of formality and concern.

"Come on in, Zira," Ty Lee responded, her tone lighter, trying to shake off the heaviness that had settled over her.

Zira entered, her presence immediately filling the room with a sense of steadfast loyalty. Her eyes softened as she looked at Ty Lee, a testament to the bond that had begun to form between them. "I hope I'm not bothering you, Ty Lee. I couldn't help but overhear... Are you doing okay?"

Ty Lee managed a smile, appreciating Zira's concern. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just a bit tired from all the... drama," she admitted, injecting a bit of her usual spiritedness into the word.

After a brief pause, Zira added, "I also heard about your brother. I'm really sorry, Ty Lee."

That made Ty Lee pause. She exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of her next words. "Oh, Zira, you're so sweet. But, I've gotta come clean. That story about my brother? I made it up. I thought if Katara could think we shared the same kind of pain, she might...you know, be more willing to listen."

Zira's reaction was subtle, but her surprise was evident. "Made it up?"

"Yeah," Ty Lee continued, her voice tinged with regret. "I really don't like lying. It's like doing a backflip and realizing mid-air you don't know how to land. But I thought it was the only way to get through to her. Katara needed to feel that connection, even if I had to... invent it."

The conflict between duty and understanding was clear on Zira's face, She thought of speaking but instead made a worried expression. which was enough to provoke a reaction from Ty Lee.

"i'd prefer you tell me not to lie than make that face. I know lying can be complex,  its not like im trying to become a master at it like Azula but i had no choice. Ugh...Anything for the mission right?"

Zira hesitated, the internal struggle evident in her posture as she weighed her loyalty against her personal principles. After a moment, she finally spoke, her voice still reflecting her commitment to duty but softened by the beginnings of an understanding. "Lying is a dangerous tool, My Lady. It's like playing with fire—you must be very careful not to get burned. I trust your judgment, but please, be mindful of the consequences."

Ty Lee looked at Zira, sensing the effort it took for the guard to express even this measured concern. "You're right, Zira. And I really appreciate you saying that. I'll be careful, I promise. I don't plan on making a habit of it. It's just... this once seemed necessary."

Zira nodded, accepting Ty Lee's promise with a quiet dignity. "Understood, My Lady. Just know that honesty often carries its own strength. If there's anything you need, or if there's any other way I can help you achieve your goals without compromising your values... I'm here."

The acknowledgment, coming from someone as reserved as Zira, meant more to Ty Lee than she could express. "Thank you, Zira. That means a lot to me. Really, it does."

"If there's nothing else you require, I'll take my leave. Please, try to get some rest, My Lady. We have a long day ahead of us," Zira said, preparing to step back into her role as guardian.

Ty Lee, feeling a mix of gratitude and renewed purpose, nodded. "Yeah, rest sounds good. Thanks, Zira. For everything."

With a respectful nod, Zira exited the room, leaving Ty Lee alone with her thoughts once more. As she forced herself to sleep, she kept repeating a mantra to herself. Reminding herself this was all for the mission, all for Azula.