Indecent Proposal

[Zuka]

Reputations like that don’t matter in Republic City. I can be what I want there without the stigma.” Sure, there was a social hierarchy but it was nothing compared to the brutal one that belonged to the nobels of any given nation.

Lightly Zuka tapped her finger against the side of her leg as a idea hit her. Her whole reasoning for stopping at this bench was to be close to water so she could soak him and maybe terrorize him a little and while that still sounded like fun his latest comment made her think of something a little more….sinister? Maybe not quite the right word but she had some dark thoughts for sure and the perfect way to get him to either come clean about his intentions or to just straight up turn tail and run.

Zuka gave a look of surprise like she had forgotten something ”Shoot” she said while the surprise turned into the sweetest smile she could manage as she started to put this plan into action. ”I completely forgot I had somewhere I needed to be” she started while sitting up and taking her arm from the back of the bench. Zuka leaned forward slightly and gently rested her hand on his forearm ”but, if you don’t mind spending some more time with me I would love some company.” Zuka removed her hand from his arm and used it to gesture toward the city ”its just a short walk from here. “ There actually was something she needed to do and had forgotten about it until recently thanks to his unwanted distraction but if he came with her then she would be able to kill two birds with one stone so it was a win win.

[Neva]

That wasn't exactly the most comforting answer he'd ever received. His suspicions then were right: Zuka must be involved in the crime there, in some sort of way. Honestly, if she had a poor reputation there he was glad that it hadn't followed her back home. There was so much mystery surrounding Zuka, but he had the sinking feeling that while she had many good things about her, she may be surrounded by scandal that he hadn't yet discovered. Having that hanging over him wasn't what he wanted in the slightest. Maybe it would be in his best interests to take what he had learned and go and think on it for some time. 

However, as Zuka asked him if he would accompany her, he paused. Well, he'd come this far, hadn't he? May as well follow her and see where it led, and maybe he would learn something else about her. She had followed along with his antics this afternoon, and if he declined and left now it would look a little more suspicious on his part than necessary. 

His eyes flickered from her hand to her face, detecting the change in her demeanor. A little unexpected, but he had to admit that he was curious. "I wouldn't mind at all. This has been quite the afternoon and I'd enjoy spending some more time together."

[Zuka]

His agreement didn’t come as a surprise, but she couldn’t help but smile a little. Oh, he was going to be in for such a rude awakening that maybe it would knock him down a peg or two but that might be a little bit of wishful thinking. One thing for sure was that after this Zuka didn’t foresee being bothered by him..or any other men from her past again.

”Perfect.” Zuka told him as she got up from the bench and started leading the way. She allowed him to continue his questions along the way, answering them and keeping up the idle chit chat as they made their way away from the park and into the downtown area of the capital city. Even a place like the Firenation Capital had its unsavory parts and Zuka began leading them down streets where busy storefronts began to be replaced by seedy bars and foreclosed and abandoned locations. Sensing his hesitation Zuka assured Massaru that everything was fine while leading him down a back alley littered with trash. A ways down was a heavy looking steal door with a small square for a sliding window and a lone, red light hanging from the brick above. Casting a eerie glow over the dark alley, even in the mid afternoon.

Zuka beckoned Massaru with her to the door and hooked her arm through his as she lifted her free hand and knocked. At first there was nothing but all too quickly the small sliding window slid to the right and a pair of eyes looked out at them. The eyes wandered between the two before a gruff voice asked.

”Password”

Zuka didn’t skip a beat as she answered ”Sozins Comet”

The widow slid shut abruptly and you could hear heavy metal locks being moved on the other side. Zuka stood there calmly and waited and once the final lock had been removed the door opened to let them pass. Zuka tugged on Massarus arm to get him to follow her and she lead them through a dark, narrow hall. At the end of the hall was a red beaded curtain. Once they passed the threshold of the curtain the room opened up into a spacious, lavish and lively speak easy. All around them upper class men and women drank and partook in many of the vices from back in Republic City and right away Zuka noticed a few familiar faces and was sure her date would too.

She gave him a moment to take it all in and register everything before leading them toward the bar and once there Zuka let go of his arm and pressed herself against the bar and leaned forward to get the bartender attention. The man recognized her and came over immediately and once close enough Zuka whispered something in his ear that caused him to nod. The bartender started to walk away and grabbed one of his colleagues and sent them over to take Zukas and Massarus drink order. Something that didn’t go unnoticed by the others at the bar given that they had been waiting a few minutes to get their drink order even taken. ”Torch, on the rocks.” Zuka ordered once the new bartender had reached them and she turned to her tag along for his order.

[Neva]

Masaru wasn't sure where Zuka was taking him, but he certainly had no idea it would be in such a...degrading area. The more they walked, the farther from his usual streets and shops he went. Masaru's comfort levels decreased rapidly as they continued, and he caught Zuka's encouragement that they were fine more than once. He didn't quite believe her, especially as they approached the red light and the door. Masaru, despite his pride, was tempted to turn back. But it was too late. He stayed rooted to the spot as Zuka gave the password, a shiver running up his spine that they were even in a place that required one. He wouldn't have moved if Zuka hadn't practically dragged him in after her.

Masaru tried to keep the anxiousness he felt to a minimum on the outside, but as they stepped through the curtain and into the room he felt completely thrown off. It was not the type of place he'd ever ventured before, and he was shocked to see that he actually knew some of the people there. He stood, blinking, his eyes taking everything in and attempting to process it. He barely noticed that Zuka led him to the bar, and when he realized how disconnected he was he turned back to find her looking at him expectantly. His eyes flickered between her and the bartender and then he cleared his throat, "Ah, the same for me."

He did his best to ignore the fact that people were looking their way, straightening out his clothing and then dropping his hands to his sides. To try and disguise his nerves, he leaned against the bar facing Zuka, his eyes wandering to the crowd around them as he spoke. "So...you come here often when you're home?"

[Zuka]

”All the time” Zuka answered him as their drinks were placed in front of the two before the bartender hurried away. She reached over and scooped hers up and took a nice, long sip ”the owner is a friend of mine. He used to run in my gang before I left the Fire Nation” Zuka casually let that little bit of information slip. She knew her mother had worked hard to hide the fact that her daughter had been friends with a rough crowd in her early teens but Massaru wanted to know about her and he was about to get his wish. ”I always make sure to stop and see him when I’m in town.”

Another sip and she relaxed her shoulders as the strong liquor did its work and she gave a content sigh. ”Feels like I’m back at home, makes me miss it…of course, this isn’t anything compared to the Blue Dragon but lets keep that between you and me” Zuka looked over and up as Massaru and could still see him trying to process everything and she laughed a little ”loosen up, you stand out too much. Drink a little, relax and don’t look to uncomfortable.” Spotting a waitress with a tray passing near them Zuka brought two fingers to her lips and blew a loud whistle to get the girls attention. The waitress looked around a moment before realizing who was calling her and she sauntered over to where Zuka and Massaru were standing.

”What’ll it be?” the young woman asked while showing them the box of red ash, black fin needles and other things her present company would turn his nose up at.

Zuka was about to tell him to pick something when she heard a loud voice from the back of her club call her name.

”Look at what the cat dragged in!” A mans voice boomed

”Red!” Zuka turned toward the source and beamed as she crossed the distance between them and jumped up into the mans waiting arms and being picked up in a large bear hug. “Red” was a big, tall strong and intimidating looking man that easily towered over everyone in the club.

The two hugged for a moment before Red finally set Zuka down and she turned and motioned Massaru over before he had the chance to slip away. Red looked at the direction Zuka was motioning and rose a brow ”Whos the stiff?” He asked

Zuka gave him a side glance. ”Play nice for now, I’ll explain in a minute” she told her friend quietly before Massaru could reach them.

[Neva]

Masaru looked to Zuka as she spoke, his expression barely hiding his bewilderment. She voluntarily spent her time among these people? She ran a gang? No, this was far from what he had expected when their engagement had been brought up to him, and this wasn't something he could stand for. Someone with this type of history wouldn't fit in, and he couldn't imagine the type of mother that Zuka would be to his children. Hardly the reputable influence, it seemed. He was trying to process all of this when Zuka called the waitress over, and his jaw fell open at the sight of the items on the tray. He recoiled, shaking his head, "Absolutely not, no."

He had half a mind to get up and leave right at that moment, but the arrival of a very, very large and scary looking man stopped him. Masaru watched Zuka bolt over to him, and sat there frozen, holding his drink in one hand. Before he could think to duck out of sight, Zuka motioned for him to come over. He swallowed, gathering his courage, and made his way over and stopped beside her, looking up at the man. "This is the friend you were talking about a few minutes ago, Zuka? It's...nice to meet you."

[Zuka]

Red rose a brow when he was told to play nice as the guy cautiously walked over to where he and Zuka were standing. The stiff was visibly uneasy which made ‘playing nice’ that much harder but he would go along with whatever game Zuka was playing for now.

”Yup! Zuka said cheerfully at Masarus question ”this is Red, one of my best friends. The two of us used to be thick as thieves before I left”

Zuka gave Red a slight nudge with her shoulder to egg him on. Hoping he picked up on what she was trying to do. Red felt Zuka’s dainty elbow in his side and he glanced down at her and he got the idea ”Oh yeah, we used to get in all kinds of trouble. Running from palace guards, starting trouble with the other street gangs.” Red gave a loud laugh ” You should see this girl fight. Red brought his hand up and slapped Zuka on the back in approval which caused her to step forward a little from the force ”just brutal. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a waterbender as fierce as this little girl right here. Hell, she puts some firebenders to shame. And her punches?” Red gave a low whistle ”I tell you what, you never want to be on the receiving end of those. “

Zuka laughed and nudged Red a little. ”stop, youre going to make me blush.” Zuka looked around a little before turning back to her ‘date’ and then glancing at Red. ”Will you boys excuse me. I need to go powder my nose.” Zuka handed her glass to Masaru for him to hold while she was away and before she walked off Zuka turned her back on Masaru and looked at Red, giving him a slight nod and a wink to tell him to have fun before she walked off and disappeared into a crowd of people.

Once she was gone Red turned to the scared looking man in front of him and his expression changed back to the hardened one he used for business ”Let me guess. Military man?” he asked, his friendly manner gone now that Zuka had left.

[Neva]

Masaru looked between the two of them as they reminisced their good times, times which he didn't agree were oh that great. The more they talked, and the more information that came out about Zuka, the more uncomfortable he grew. This was Zuka Ou-Yong? Not quite the delicate, proper woman that had been described to him. Up until now he hadn't thought Zuka to be anything dangerous, but he was quickly rethinking that analysis. And since she wasn't denying it, Masaru had no doubt it was true. And if she was dangerous, then Red had to be worse.

As Zuka excused herself Masaru held tight to her glass, thinking that now would be the best time to escape. He could see the top of the doorway from where they stood, and everything in him said it was his best option. This was not his crowd and frankly, Masaru wanted nothing to do with it. He almost turned to leave, but when Red set his sights on him Masaru froze. Suddenly his friendly attitude dropped to something cold, and Masaru thought it wouldn't be a good idea to try and go just yet.

He cleared his throat, straightening up a bit, clutching the glasses and trying to appear less intimidated than he was. "Yes, I am. Long family history and all of that."

He might have been cocky, but Masaru knew this wasn't the time to be bragging. This was not the crowd he was used to charming, and he had a feeling he was already in hot water. In fact, Masaru was starting to wonder if he was going to make it out of this place alive. 

[Zuka]

"Uh huh..." Red looked Masaru up and down, looking at his hands that were holding his and Zuka's glasses and listening as he proudly said he came from a long military line. That didn't surprise him at all, most if not all of the noble houses in the Fire Nation had ties to the military to some degree. Even now, it was like a badge of honor to them but majority of those nobles would never see a real battle. It was strictly political for them. "You're soft. Too soft. You look like a turtleduck that wandered into a wolfbat den. Not a good look for a "Military man" Red brought his fingers up to air quote. "If it wasn't for your date you would have...well, let's just say things would have turned out much differently for you here." He let the lose threat hang in the air