Indecent Proposal

[Neva]

"Ah, yes, of course." Admittedly, he'd forgotten about Zuka's father, but it made sense. He must have incited her love for travel at an early age. Though, he couldn't bring himself to see Republic City as anything more than trouble. Like any place it had its good points, certainly, but to Masaru, it was more of a nightmare than a dream. After all that had gone down there with Amon, his opinion had solidified without even needing to step foot in the city. Sure, their country had a rather tainted history, but it hadn't been civil war within their walls. They had improved, but Republic City, well...it was a failed effort for something that could never be.

But he listened to her explanation anyways, nodding along as she spoke. It didn't persuade him to think differently, though he found it at the very least amusing to hear her take on it. At the mention of her making a life for herself, he found his interest redirected. These were the details that he needed to know to make his decision. "Is that so? And what exactly have you been doing there? Surely something has been keeping you busy."

[Zuka]

He was very interested in knowing about her and Zuka was starting to get a bit uncomfortable. Normally people like Massaru couldn’t wait to talk about themselves and while he did do that slightly he seemed far more interested learning everything about her. Normally it wouldn’t bother her as much because that was what you did when you wanted to catch up with someone but they had hardly known each other when they were younger why go through all the trouble now?

”I’m a business woman” that seemed accurate enough without getting too much into the details of just what her business was but it was time to try to turn the spotlight off her for a bit ”you had a sister, didn’t you?” If she recalled correctly Massaru had a younger sister that was closer in age to Zuka ”How is she?” Maybe if she got him talking about his family or his work he would lose interest in learning about her. It would be boring but at least there wouldn’t be more gossip about what she did in the big bad city going around the social circles.

[Neva]

Business woman? That sparked his curiosity. Usually he could take a guess at what type of career or interests a person had, but Zuka was a mystery to him. She didn't fit the mold like most of the nobles he associated with. Zuka had different hobbies, a different mindset, and that was becoming clear the more they talked. Considering Republic City's reputation, he was eager to know just what type of business she dealt with. A lady typically didn't go into that sort of thing, but perhaps she'd surprise him.

Before he could ask she changed the subject, and he supposed that he would have to entertain her own questions for now. He had been firing off his inquiries for long enough, so he would grant her a break. Masaru nodded, "Yes, I'm surprised you remembered. She's doing well. Actually..." 

Well, it was sort of ironic, but it was the truth. "She just married about a month ago to one of the Yakedo boys. Seems to be the right time for it."

He didn't know if this was the time of year or it was all just one big coincidence. Masaru chuckled a little and then continued, "But she is happy, nonetheless. She had no reservations about marrying young."

[Zuka]

Zuka gave a small nod, honestly she remembered his sister more than she remembered him, it had just taken a bit longer to job her memory. His answer didn’t surprise her either, most women in the noble class married as soon as they were of age. It was all about securing their future and keeping the blood lines strong. You would think that even after all these years and all the strides that the world had taken that they would let go of their archaic past. Zuka was fine with tradition, there were traditions that she still kept to even to this day but there was a line. But, she supposed she couldn’t fault people like Massaru and others like him for their way of thinking, it was hard to get past when it was shoved at you every day, in every way at a early age.

”I’m glad she found someone, even if she is young. I wish them both happiness.”

Absently she looked around the park and took in their surroundings. It was a beautiful place and even if the park in Republic City was grand it wasn’t the same. The rich volcaninc soil of her homeland allowed many types of vibrant, colorful flowers and plants to grow..something that would never survive the coldness of the mountains. Zuka let herself get lost for a moment before coming back to the conversation, figuring she should keep it going ”what about you? Do you have a family?” It would surprise her if he didn’t, by her calculations he was…27, if not older and since he seemed to be a model noble it would surprise her if he hadn’t found a like minded wife by now, especially with his military and family record.

[Neva]

"Thank you," he said in regards to her well wishes, giving a small nod. His sister had found marriage on her own, rather than having it arranged for her. Arrangements were common still among the noble families, but there was always the chance that two nobles would decide on their own to marry. Luckily for her that had been the case, and so the event had been a joyous one. He could only hope that his own wedding day be as great a celebration.

At Zuka's question he shook his head, looking to her, "I'm a little late to that one. It's been a hope of mine, but nothing has come my way in the last few years."

Until recently, but he kept that to himself. Masaru looked back ahead of them, "Of course, I'm not opposed to the idea. It is about time that I settle down and start the next phase of my life. It's just the task of finding someone."

[Zuka]

Well that was surprising. Zuka would have been willing to put money on the fact that Massaru had found a prominent noble woman to marry by now but then she supposed his career had gotten in the way of that. "Well, I'm sure you'll find someone." It was the best she could offer and really she didn't feel like she needed to say more than that. She was sure Massaru would find someone; he was good looking and well off so girls had to be throwing themselves at him at every party.

Now that that was out of the way however Zuka was once again left at a stall. What else could she talk about? Normally she didn't have a problem striking up conversation with people but most of the time those were like minded indivusuals that she didn't have to step on eggshells around. They were people that came to The Blue Dragon for one reason or another and it was that kind of setting that she strived in, not the upper crust chatter.

Maybe at one time in her life but not anymore.

"So..the rest of your family well?" That was the only thing she could think of besides talking about the weather and even she wasn't that desperate yet.

[Neva]

Since she didn't pick up on anything, Masaru assumed she was still oblivious to his intentions. That worked fine in his favor--the less she realized, the better. As it stood, he found Zuka to be fitting his conditions for the most part. He liked that she was a challenge in a way, the kind of challenge that he felt he could manage. He liked that she was well cultured, well educated, and came from a noble family. So far, the pros outweighed the cons with her. If they married, he could draw her away from Republic City and back home where she belonged. Feena had expressed that wish as well to him that Zuka return home. He could have that arranged easily.

He liked where this was going.

"They're all doing well," Masaru answered simply. "Everyone is in good health, enjoying their lives. I have to say that there aren't many worries with anyone."

He knew that conversation was starting to drop off, and he needed to recover that. And as much as Zuka had tried to turn the attention away from herself, he needed to bring it back. They were halfway through the path, and before he knew it they'd be back where they started. He needed to begin asking the important questions.

"I have to admit, I am intrigued," Masaru began. "I haven't heard of another noblewoman running a business of their own lately. What is this business that you run?"

[Zuka]

Well, that didn't take long.

Zuka inwardly sighed as conversation was once again brought back to her and what she did in Republic City. Really, it was her fault for even mentioning her business but you know what? Fine, why should she be guarded about her accomplishment after how hard she had worked to make it a reality. It wasn't like she was going to tell him about what goes on at the Dragon behind the scenes and for all she knew he had visited on leave. Lots of foreign nobles and military men came through the Dragons doors.

"I run a nightclub, The Blue Dragon." Zuka shifted her eyes to the side to glance at his reaction "I also sponsor a probending team or two on top of other projects." Massaru's surprise and intrigue in her business was to be short lived she was sure given the nature of her work. It was what it was.


Maybe he would even be so appalled that he would cut this reunion short and she could return to her quiet afternoon. it was a nice thought and Zuka hoped she could only be that lucky.

[Neva]

His eyebrows rose immediately. That was not the kind of business he'd had in mind at all, and certainly not one he'd consider respectable. It was one of those types of establishments that most nobles turned their noses to, and Masaru couldn't say he felt any different. It was one thing for Zuka to be successful, but that sort of thing seemed well...below her. He looked to her, surprise written all over his face. "I can't say that was what I imagined of your business. Not many women of your standing would choose that sort of life."

And as odd and off-putting as it might be, he still found himself to be intrigued. Feena hadn't mentioned it, perhaps for good reason. Still, he was willing to see this out further. The pros still outweighed the cons, even if the cons were starting to add up to a point he couldn't ignore. "What made you decide on to venture into the...entertainment business?"

[Zuka]

His reaction was expected but Zuka nd had assumed that he would excuse himself soon after and yet here he still was, and once again still asking questions. Alright, this was getting a little odd. Massaru was so interested in her life and kept trying to dig deeper and deeper into things that she was starting to wonder just what was really going on.

"That's why I like it, whats so wrong with that?" Zuka said, almost daring him to say something against it but she had a feeling her wouldn't. Something was going on and she was sure she wasn't going to like it but Zuka wanted to test this theory a little more and push a little harder.

"It was a easy choice really" Zuka started to explain casually. As she did she started to take off the arm band covering her scar and carefully folded it before tucking it into her bag. There, now that it was exposed it was only a matter of time before he noticed it and Zuka made sure to become a bit more animated when she talked to make sure. Eariler Massaru had been on the opposite side and had not walked behind her so he wouldn't have noticed but now that it was out in the open it would be hard to miss the red splotch on her forearm and the lines that traveled up the back of her arm to her shoulder blade where the lightning had exited her body. Zuka even stepped a few steps ahead so he would be able to see her exposed back. "Being in my line of work it was the best option" there, let him hang on that for a bit, she wanted to be vauge enough to give him the option to pry further or to excuse himself.

[Neva]

At her question Masaru simply looked back at her, not about to push his luck with that. He knew that she must be growing tired of him constantly asking her about her life, but he couldn't let her go that easily. Especially when he was just now getting to the interesting parts; the ones he had no idea about. This was as intriguing as it was slowly becoming horrifying. Entertainment didn't have to be a bad thing, but the way she was talking he didn't know that he liked the sound of it.

As she spoke, walking slightly ahead of him, his eyes caught sight of the mark on her arm, and he could feel it show on his expression. What a horrible injury she appeared to have had, and that caught him off guard. He wanted to think that perhaps she'd obtained it in some sort of accident. But as she walked and he saw it extend to her back, he picked up on the markings. As a firebender, he knew a lightning scar when he saw one. Could she have gotten in a fight with a bender? 

Now that wasn't something he could tolerate. Ladies didn't go roughhousing with other benders. But he looked to her, needing to know more information, even if his face bore his hesitance. He needed it partly for the matter at hand, and partly for his own curiosity. Though, as it stood, he almost worried to find out more. She obviously hadn't answered him straight for a reason. "And your line of work would be what, exactly? Something...reputable?"

[Zuka]

His further prying into her life even after she knew he would have seen the scar was enough to back up her opinion that something more was going on here and Zuka was beginning to piece the puzzle together. It wouldn't be below her mother to go to that length, in fact she should have expected something like this to happen if indeed this is what was going on but Zuka wanted to believe that not even Feena would be that manipulative.

"Something reputable?"

Zuka let out a small laugh and shrugged her shoulders slightly "It depends on who you ask" she looked back at him slightly before turning her attention back toward the park. They were coming up on one of the larger, more secluded ponds in the park and one that not a lot of people visited at this time of day. Since they had walked half the park by now she figured they could stop and take a small rest. "But in the city that's hardly a concern. You'll be hard pressed to find a honest business in Republic City" Zuka walked over to a empty bench close to the waters edge and took a seat "do you mind if we rest a bit? I always loved this spot"

[Neva]

He had to admit that he didn't like where this was going. Before he had assumed that Zuka was merely uncomfortable with the questions coming from someone she didn't know all that well, and he'd been able to understand that. However, she didn't seem nervous to him anymore. Masaru felt inclined to believe that, by the way she explained herself, there was much that Zuka kept hidden about herself. The more questions he asked, the more he worried she was slowly becoming unfit for his wife.

But, of course, it would depend upon the situation. Perhaps there were things he could overlook. Not all nobles had clean records, after all, and every family had their own weight to carry. Zuka's might be something that he could brush under the rug and ignore in favor of her better qualities. He just had to figure out how deep into any unsavory business Zuka was involved in. 

"I don't mind at all," he said, taking a seat next to her on the bench, keeping a natural distance between the two of them. He sat facing the pond mostly, but inclined his body a little in her direction so that he could still speak to her. Then he looked to her curiously, "I know you must be tiring of my questions, but I can't help but be fascinated. It's all so...different than what I expected."

This wasn't at all how he'd expected the conversation to go, especially dealing with a noble's daughter. He knew she could refuse his questions and she may dance around them, but he had no choice but to press on now. He was far too curious to let it go. "If Republic City is so dishonest, how do you operate your own business? Do you buy into the city's reputation?"

[Zuka]

Zuka sat there quietly for a moment before turning slightly so she could face him while he asked his questions. As she turned Zuka bent her arm and rested it across the back of the bench to make herself more comfortable. There, now she could look at him directly while he kept trying to dig information out of her.

”Your fascination explains why you’re still here. Most people would have found a reason to excuse themselves by now.” His curiosity would almost be endearing if he wasn’t so suspicious. To the upper class of the Fire Nation Zuka was a anomaly and she could understand someone of Massaru’s status being interested in how the other side did things but this went beyond that and Zuka wanted to flush out what his true intentions were, even if she was sure she had a pretty good idea.

The next question kept trying to dive into weather or not she had her hand in the crime that ran rampant in the city and while she could just come out and tell him yes where was the fun in that? No, Massaru had come this far, he had to work for the rest. ”Which reputation are you referring to?” Zuka asked while she tilted her head slightly and rested it in the palm of the hand that was on the back of the bench. Would he say it or would he dance around the topic more? Zuka wasn’t sure but she had ideas for either.

[Neva]

Wow, this was tough. Masaru knew he was walking a line and he was very close to stepping off of it one way or another. Zuka certainly didn't make it easy for him. He knew he was one wrong word away from completely offending her, which would lead her most likely walking away. And he was far too invested to give up this little game of getting to know her to let that happen. Still, he knew she had to have the knowledge of what many nobles thought of the city. And if she wasn't expecting him to ask that, then she wasn't catching on in the way he thought. 

And well, they'd been talking long enough. He could at least tell her enough of how he felt since he'd already gotten a decent read on her so far. Masaru waved his hand, as if gesturing to the reputation, "Well, as far as I've heard, Republic City is nothing but a meeting ground for criminals and violence. I can't see a woman of your standing being there in the first place, I have to say. But it is the reputation that I'm most familiar with."