The Origin of Roh-Shan

New Yelsu

Mayor Suley was still adjusting to his new office. Odei's office had been obscenely large with so much wasted space that a whole family could live there. And that's exactly what Suley did. Walls were put up, and the office now housed the entire family of one of his top advisors. Other unnecessary rooms in the palace, such as the library, dining hall, and some bedrooms were also being used to house other families of his advisors and generals. The master bedroom was still fire-damaged. Repairing it would be a waste of taxpayer money. Although, now that there are no taxes in New Yelsu, he wasn't sure where the money for heating and plumbing would come from. Nobody was paying the mayor for his services.

He would figure that out later. For now, he was trying to figure out how to stop tripping over the tablecloth that had been draped over the small folding table he was using as a desk, in an old office that was slightly larger than the table itself. All the desks in the mansion had been sold, and no mayor needed anything more than a folding table, right? He could keep files in boxes next to him, but it had still looked unprofessional. So he draped a tablecloth over it. Now it looked good. But the tablecloth was too big and kept tripping him.

Just as he was bent over to tuck the cloth in, the door flew open.

He bolted upright, smoothing out his robes before realizing who it was. "Hey! I don't barge into your room without knocking, do I?"

"Sometimes." Ara coughed.

"I told you not to return until you have the Avatar, so I assume you're bringing good news?"

Iden nodded, copying Suley's stiff, formal stance while Ara slouched unashamedly. "Yes, and one of her friends as well. We caught him trying to tag along."

"So where are they?"

"Uh, well that's what we came to ask. We were going to bring them to the holding cells in the basement, but those... aren't there anymore. So they're right here. Where do you want them?" Iden gestured just outside the doorway, where Roh and Haider stood shackled, two guards on each.

"Oh, excellent. Bring the girl in."

Roh was led into the office and pushed into a chair, still cuffed.

Suley waved the guards and his siblings away, and they stepped outside, closing the door.

Suley sat down in his chair, nonchalantly kicking the excess tablecloth under the desk. He smiled warmly. "Avatar. I'm so glad to finally meet you in person."

"Wish I could say the same." Roh said in a low voice, looking at him with her head tilted down, eyes narrowed. She was smudged with dirt and scratches, dust from the Air Embassy still speckling her hair.

"I understand these aren't ideal conditions, but I saw no other way to get you to speak with me."

Roh snorted. "You coulda asked."

"You have to understand, I've had many misfortunes in my life, and when I finally achieved my dream of becoming mayor, and getting a chance to reshape the city for the better, I had the misfortune of it being the Avatar's hometown. I want you to understand that this is not personal, and I truly never expected the Avatar to be thrown in the mix. That being said, I'd like to show you what New Yelsu is truly about, the true freedom and cooperation of a society, and I think you'll share my vision for the future of New Yelsu."

"I'll never give you my support, if that's what you're asking."

"Now, that's a very closed-minded approach, isn't it, Roh-Shan? You haven't even seen it yet. You should never say never."

"You. Will. NEVER have my support. Never."

Suley rubbed his temple and muttered, "I never expected so much of my job as mayor to involve arguing with teenagers."