Close Encounters of the Worst Kind

[Katara]

OOC: to turn a phrase from a movie

It was late, Katara decided, and far past time for to be back in the safety of her home, with Sokka and Gran-Gran, and that strange young man they had found. There was just something about Aang that worried her - worried her greatly. There was a power that radiated off of him - a power that made her just a twinge uneasy. No more so then when her own power came out. That frightened for a bit - before she accepted it as who she was. She took a cleansing breath and headed back, only the path she took this time, would alter her life forever.

The path she chose lead past what she thought was the old abandoned Fire Nation ship. Unfortunately for Katara, this was far from abandoned.

[Iroh]

Iroh's feet sent small patches of dust into the air as he made his way out of the old ship. His nephew had stalked off in anger when the older man tried to correct his stance, and was nowhere to be found. It was getting late, and he was beginning to fret.

"Anything could happen to him out here," he murmured to himself while carefully stepping out of the ship. "Frostbite, wild animals, Water Tribe warriors..." He gave a worried little shudder and looked around. He was quite startled to see someone standing there.

[Katara]

Katara's blue eyes widened and she took a step back, and then another as she stared wide eyed in shock at the sight of people from Fire Nation. Her left hand clasped the charm on the necklace she wore around her neck. "What... what are your people doing here?" she asked, her voice shaking.

[Iroh]

His golden eyes twinkling, Iroh gave the young woman a short bow and a kind smile. "Oh, no, I think you misunderstand my position," he said apologetically. "I am only here with my nephew and a small crew to work our ship. We intend no harm, I assure."

Stepping forward, he reached out a hand, still smiling. "My name is Iroh. May I ask for yours?"

[Katara]

Katara's blue eyes searched his own, trying to see if he was lying. Seeing no falsehood, she returned the bow slowly. "Katara of the Southern Water Tribe," she said, looking a bit wary.

[Iroh]

"That's a lovely name, Katara," Iroh said kindly. He stole a glance at the old Fire Nation ship behind him before turning to face the Water Tribe girl again, this time with a small worried look etched onto his face. "If I may ask you a question... have you seen a young lad from the Fire Nation around? My nephew stormed off a few hours ago and I can't seem to find him anywhere. I'm afraid to say that I'm getting rather worried."

[Katara]

"You're the first Fire Nation person I've seen since the attacks on my village when I was a child. So, no, sadly, I haven't seen him. I can help you look for him, if you wish."

[Azula]

"Set course to the South Pole," Azula commanded, the breeze ruffling her hair.
"Of course, Princess Azula," replied the first officer. His face was unrecognizable because of his Fire Nation mask and attire. He bowed quickly then strutted towards the main cabin of the ship to give the orders. Azula took a moment from her duties as commander as a small fleet to take a look at the vast ocean before her. Someday, I could own every square inch of this ocean... Azula thought, a smile creeping onto her face. Just as soon as Father croaks, this could all be mine. Mine!
"Princess Azula," a scratchy male voice said. Frowning because her thoughts were interrupted, she turned to face the person who spoke to her.
"What is it?" she said, with an annoyed tone. She focused her golden eyes on the man.
"Oh, it's YOU again. Go back to your duties. I could care less about whatever it is--"
"It's a mutiny, m'lady. All the help-- they're turning the boat around!"
"WHAT!" Azula screamed, lightning darting around her fingers. A slightly wild expression shone on her face. She stormed into the cabin, eyes aglow with anger.
The first officer looked at her and smiled wickedly.
"Your fate is sealed, Azula."
Then everything went black.

[Iroh]

"I'd appreciate it very much if you would help me look," he replied happily. "I haven't a clue where to even begin... where would you like to start?"

[Katara]

"Perhaps we should start where you last saw him and go from there?" A small part of her was wondering why she was helping him since he was from the Fire Nation, and they were the ones that brought the war, and murdered her mother. There was just something about this old man that warmed her nigh frozen heart towards the Fire Nation, and made her want to help.

[Iroh]

"Ah yes, that would make sense," he said with a sagely nod. "Ah... that would be back at the northern shore, near our ship." He shifted uncomfortably and watched the girl out of the corner of his eye.

"Unless you have any objections to going there, of course," he added, glancing at the abandoned ship behind him with an understanding smile.

[Azula]

Azula woke quickly with a pounding headache. Being careful to not draw too much attention to herself, she analyzed her surroundings. She was tied up in metal handcuffs that were fastened behind a chair she was seated on. Her mouth was gagged. To her surprise, her legs were left untied.
The crew must have been in a hurry when they tied me up. I'm guessing they kept me alive because of the large ransom Father would pay for my life. She shuddered with anger. Well, they've dangerously underestimated me. They should never underestimate Princess Azula of the Fire Nation! She grinned evilly. She stood up, which looked pretty funny considering she was still tied to a chair. She used her blue fire to fly right up into the ceiling, hitting the chair against the steel rafters and shattering it into pieces. Azula fumbled through her pocket for her dagger, which was amazingly still there. Boy, these people are stupid. she thought. Suddenly she froze as she heard footsteps coming down the hallway. I'm going to electrocute those people who just kidnapped me... The second the door opened, she sent one thousand volts of electricity to the unsuspecting crew member. Oops... maybe I gave it a little too much that time. Oh well. Carefully stepping over the crew member, she ran back up to the deck, fire showing in her golden eyes. Immediately she was surrounded by all of the crewhands. Pointing to the fallen person on the lower deck, she made an announcement.
"This, this is what you all will become if you attempt to fight me. Right now, I could annihilate you all with one deathly stroke of lightning. This time I'm going to let you off easy, but bear in mind that I may not be this generous again. If you don't resume to doing everything I please, you will end up lying facedown on the ground like this man is. Understand?"
It was silent. The tension in the air could practically be broken with a needle. Quiet murmurings passed through the mass of crew members. A slight breese combed through Azula's hair, making her seem even more invincible.
"Yes, m'am." the first officier said silently, not meeting her gaze.

[Katara]

Jul 17, 2008 10:45:55 GMT -5 Iroh said:

"Ah yes, that would make sense," he said with a sagely nod. "Ah... that would be back at the northern shore, near our ship." He shifted uncomfortably and watched the girl out of the corner of his eye.

"Unless you have any objections to going there, of course," he added, glancing at the abandoned ship behind him with an understanding smile.

"I think I can handle it," she said. "Provided your crew stays on the ship and if they must come out, they don't come near me. Understandably, I'm not one hundred percent trusting given my past with the Fire Nation."

[Sokka]

OCC: Forgive me for jumping in but now seems like a good time for Big Brother to show up

"KATARA!" Soka yelled hopping hopping out of his canoe. "How many times do I have to tell you not to wander...." he trailed off noting she was not alone. "Who are you?!" he demanded, wondering what a fire nation man was doing here.

[Katara]

"This is Iroh. His nephew wandered off and I offered to help him. He... he's not like the other people from the Fire Nation, Sokka."