Long Live the King (Zula)

[Zuka]

”We’re going to try something a little different tonight” Zuka explained as she led the way down the beach path from her and Kenjis home with Vela trailing behind her. The home where her niece (and sometimes nephew) would come to spend the summers to train with her aunt was just outside of the new city limits, nestled at the beginning of the mountains and close enough to Yue Bay that the family essentially had their own private beach. The mountains and the bay provided privacy and an added layer of security which, on top of all of the other measures she and Kenji had taken to protect their home made it one of the safer places in Republic City. Which is precisely how she was able to convince Zula and Iroh to send Vela here for the summers with minimal palace security.

Of course, Zula and Iroh knew first hand that she and Kenji were more than capable of keeping the next Fire Lord protected but fight and argue as Zuka might to get them to leave the palace guards back in the Firenation things were starting to get a little dicey on the political front. Now that Vela was getting older more and more naysayers were speaking out about the prospect of having a waterbending Fire Lord. The group of purest was small but their ideals resonated with many who were too afraid to act publicly..for now and it was only a matter of time before things came to a head.

They all knew too well the damage a group of zealots could do and the looming threat hung over them all like a dark cloud.

It was the reason Zula didn’t put up too much of a fight when it came to having the guards here but, the agreement was that when she was training they were to stay back at the house, out of her way and not interfere.

As they walked down the small hill toward the beach Vela would be able to see the training area set up. Tonight was a new moon and this summer had been an unseasonably dry one so Zuka thought it was perfect conditions to start a new segment of their training.

Vela had mastered the simple and moderate styles that Zuka had shown her over the 4 years they had been training and Zuka instructed (insisted) that her niece continue to learn the non bending fire fighting style while she was back at home. Zuka always stressed the importance with her sons Sota and Gao and Vela and Kiran that learning various styles and knowing how to apply them to your element is what made a person a great bender. It didn’t matter if you had mastered your element, if you didn't have adaptability then you would be lost in a battle if you were out numbered or unable to bend.

And, in Velas case, it didn’t hurt to have some kind of firebending teaching under her belt.

”Hope you’re ready to show me what you’ve been learning back home”

A sparring circle was set up in the sand and even if there was no moon tonight the light from the spirit portal and the city provided enough that allowed them to see well. ”we are not going to be using any bending until later. I want you to pretend like there is no water around us. Show me what you would do if you were stranded in a dry place with no water to bend. ‘

A dummy was set up in the circle to allow Vela to warm up but after she had they would be taking a more hands on approach to this training session.

Zuka tried her best to not make the same mistakes her mother did with her and Zula. She didn’t want to push too hard to make Vela or her boys resent her but, at the same time given her, Zula’s and Kenjis history it stood to reason that the many enemies that were made in their youth could come back to seek revenge and the stakes were higher now that children were involved.

Zuka didn’t like to think about that.

Most of their enemies were dead or in prison but that threat was always there and she at least wanted Sota and Gao to be able to defend themselves should something ever happen.

”After we’re done here we’ll go get your uncle and the boys and head to the city for a mover and some mochi”

The beginning of the Summer Fire Festival was in a few days and the city was in preparations for decorating and setting up for the weekend fair and festivities. Zuka and Kenji had promised the kids that they would take them to the festival once it started but this was an added treat.

”But, first. When you’re ready, show me what those fire masters have been teaching you”

Zuka stepped off to the side of the sparring circle so she could observe and let Vela demonstrate.

SPOILER: Click to show

in the thing you sent me waaaaay back when vela was 8 I believe so this would put her around 12/13 and I’ll leave it up to you if you want Kiran to be there or not, I figured he would probably come either part of the summer or maybe not every time but *shrug*

[Zula]

Sometimes Vela wondered if it would be considered treason with how much she loved Republic City.

Spending her summers here was the highlight of each year. By the time her regular schooling ending, she was ready to swim across the sea herself to get here. Running around with her cousins, being taught cool tricks by Uncle Kenji, and training with her Aunt Zuka made her forget about life in the Fire Nation, if only temporarily. Despite her position, and truly loving her country, there was something so...freeing about leaving. Even if she did miss her parents. Kiran, too, she missed, but he could only come for half the summer. The rest of it he spent learning how to be a good Fire Nation Prince.

Vela was a good Fire Nation Princess...she just liked to forget sometimes that she wasn't heir to her country's throne.

Besides, in Republic City it wasn't weird that she was a water bender. In fact, it was celebrated. She didn't have to catch pieces of conversation where her mother worried about it, or think about how people eyed her and whispered about her bending. Vela wasn't what they'd bargained for. Zula constantly reminded her that it wasn't a bad thing. Vela didn't think about it much, and quite frankly, she liked ignoring it. She was more concerned with being a great waterbender and impressing her aunt.

And, based on Zuka's current assignment for her, she'd have the chance to do that. Hopefully.

"Show me what you would do if you were stranded in a dry place with no water to bend."

Vela nodded. She kept up on her non-bending training back home, even when she itched to sneak back outside and practice her bending. But Aunt Zuka insisted it was important and Zula always pushed her to listen to what her aunt said. So, Vela put as much of her energy into martial arts training as she did waterbending.

”After we’re done here we’ll go get your uncle and the boys and head to the city for a mover and some mochi.”

At that, Vela broke into a grin. Okay, bribery worked too. She was so excited for the festival coming up, and her aunt and uncle were the best for treating her and her cousins. And she could go without worrying about being a princess...if the palace guards didn't follow and make it obvious.

But that was not her current worry. She hurried into the circle. "Okay! I learned a lot this year. I haven't even shown Grandmother yet."

Vela worried less about impressing Feena since she'd come into her water bending skills. She couldn't be a great firebender, but she could be a great waterbender, and she channeled her desire to impress into gaining Zuka's approval. She approached the dummy and did some quick warm-ups, nothing too strenuous. She was also eager, and a little impatient.

Once she'd warmed her muscles she stepped back and stood in a starting position. Deep breath in, deep breath out. And then she began with her set. Vela had been working on these moves all year, since she'd advanced to the next level. It was easier than it had been before. She was pretty sure she could do the moves in her sleep, even if they weren't perfect.

She started with offensive movements in the fire-bending form, punches and kicks to demonstrate that control and careful footing that she'd had corrected too many times to count. Then she switched to defensive movements, which admittedly Vela found to be easier. She was sure it had something to do with the nature of waterbending, despite the styles being completely different. Side-stepping, ducking, moving in a fluid motion to protect herself from attacks came to her faster.

When she'd finished she stood again and bowed to Zuka the same way she would have to her fire masters. Then she straightened her back and braced herself for her aunt's evaluation.