R n' R in Ba Sing Se (Kouzai, Niki)

Eldunar woke up, lying in the middle of his very large bed.  Down-filled, like his pillow and the blankets that covered him.  With a yawn, he stood up, and draped himself in the crimson bathrobe that lay on the back of the chair that belonged to the desk by his bed.  He was staying in the Imperial House in the Ba Sing Se Upper Ring.  This mansion was gifted to Fire Lord Zuko after the 100 Year War by Earth King Kuei Peng.  It had not been used much in the 737 years since, but ever since Owlan came into power it had been full maintained even when no one was living here.

Cooks were added to the kitchens, house maids and ladies maids were stationed to all of the rooms, and there was even a butler, an under-butler and two footmen.  It was a full staff.  Though most of the year, the house remained closed in terms of livability, it was opened for the week for Eldunar's rest and relaxation in Ba Sing Se.  The stresses of the job were beginning to wear on Eldunar after fifteen years, and now that his nephew, Izanagi was finally old enough to take the throne as promised, Eldunar was beginning to make preparations for that.

The Coronation plans were to be held in a few days, and Eldunar was preparing to shuffle the political positions around in his family once more.  Raijin was to be First Minister, serving as Izanagi's right hand, and would even sit the throne for Izanagi when he himself could not.  Izanami and Alyssandra would jointly take over the duties as Ambassador of the Empire and its Royal Family, leaving Naina alone to care for Tenchi with her daughters who would soon take the title of Regent Lord of Tenchi themselves.

Eldunar was to return to Ember Island for another decade or two, to become Regent Lord of Ember Island once more.  His son, Morohito would be promoted to Head of the Imperial Vanguard on Ember Island and his other son, Hiruko, would be returned to the island by force if need be to be groomed into becoming Regent Lord of Ember Island, once Eldunar chose to retire.

Eldunar's brother, Erolass would no doubt return to his estate outside of the capital and continue with his secluded life as an artist and with running the wineries and liquor distilleries that belonged to the family.  Eldunar laughed, he was getting old and now he had to face it.  With another yawn, Eldunar walked over to the window and looked down at the mansion grounds below.  The grass was cut clean, the topiaries were shaped like dragons.  The sun was rising over the Upper Ring's stone wall.  It was a beautiful site.

Then Eldunar walked over to wardrobe.  It wasn't the wardrobe he was interested in exactly, but the cord beside it.  He pulled on it, causing a bell to ring somewhere in the basement of the house, where the staff lived.  He didn't hear the bell, but he knew how this work.  This system of cords was strung throughout the house in every room.  Each room a separate cord that was attached to separate bell down in the servant's hall.  Each time a different cord was pulled, the bell matching the cord would ring--the bell was labeled as to know which room a servant was needed.

This bell rang throughout the entire servant's hall, but it signaled only one person.  That was to say, only one person was allowed to answer it.  The valet.  Eldunar's valet.  His own personal valet.  The last one Eldunar had had, Hiroshi, retired last month.  It was a shame really, Hiroshi had been Eldunar's private valet for the past forty years.  Now Eldunar was forced to adjust to this new valet.  He wasn't a bad valet, but he had yet to earn Eldunar's trust.  A valet's job was to dress the Emperor after all, and thus, he required the utmost trust.  He was the closest servant to the Emperor at all times.  Sometimes even his most trusted confidant.  Well, Eldunar didn't have much choice.  This man was his valet now, and he would have to stick with him.

Takashi heard the bell from the Emperor's room ring and stacked up the papers he was working on neatly and swiftly proceeded to head to the Emperor's quarters.
He entered the lavishly decorated room with his head bowed down, showing respect. When he was ordered to stand up properly, he did, and assessed what Eldunar needed with just one look. Without a word, Takashi walked over to a giant wardrobe and picked out a formal yet comfortable outfit for the old leader to wear.

With the neatly folded clothes in his arms, Takashi walked back over to the bed and helped the Emperor remove his sleeping robe. Whilst he was undressing Eldunar, he could tell the man was uncomfortable with the situation, or rather Takashi himself, so he politely kept his eyes on his own hands as he helped the man into his clothes. He grabbed the silk belt and looped it around his waist, tying it up securely with sure fingers.
Once he was done, Takashi stepped back and bowed once again, his long hair falling messily around his face.

"Is there anything more you need, master?" Came Takashi's smooth and controlled voice.

The boy was efficient, Eldunar could not deny. Without a word he knew what to dress Eldunar in, whatever the occasion, whatever the weather. Eldunar need only say the word and Takashi knew exactly what to pick out. Often something Eldunar would have grabbed anyway. Either this boy thought exactly as Eldunar did, or he had learned his habits, taking them to heart and using them to get the old Emperor dressed. Eldunar looked in the mirror as he was being dressed and let out a laugh. "My hair has always been white, you know?" he said to Takashi, striking up conversation as he would have with Hiroshi, "Owlan and I were born with white hair. The Ezofuji family is known for its white hair; even though there have only been three people in the history of our family have had white hair. It started with Tsukuyomi, he was the one who started it."

Eldunar let out another small laugh and scratched his eyebrow, "When I was young my hair was white because that's how I was born. Now it's going to be white no matter what I do. I'm old." With a smile he examined his completed outfit with a sense of pride and appreciation. Then Takashi asked him if there was anything else, to which Eldunar replied. "Yes, I'll be heading into the shopping district of the Middle Ring in a bit, as valet I trust you can make arrangements with the chauffeur at the carriage house," he said, "In the mean time, if you could have the butler bring my breakfast up to my office I shall have it in there. Once I'm done we'll set out to the Middle Ring."

And with that Eldunar dismissed his valet and left his room shortly after to go to his office down the hall. Izanagi was on the throne for the day or two until Eldunar returned, so there was no work for him to do. Perhaps he would read? Perhaps he would radio his son, Morohito, and see how he was doing. Erolass was in the capital as of yesterday, helping Izanagi with the work load. Leaving Morohito in charge of Ember Island for a week.

Something about that worried Eldunar, but at the same time, Morohito had done good for the island as a vigilante and a member of the guard, protecting the people from common criminals. They loved him. There was no way he'd mess up their lives. Too bad at least. Morohito often got distracted, and his head often grew too large for his own good with an overblown sense of pride. Perhaps Morohito would radio him, just to make sure he was okay. Unlocking the door and entering his office, Morohito walked to the small CV Radio sitting on a window table. He picked it up, tuned the frequency to the same one as Ember Island and spoke into the microphone. "This is Emperor Eldunar calling Ember Island, repeat, this is Emperor Eldunar calling Ember Island, is anyone there?" there was a pause, no response, and finally, someone came in across the radio, "Your Grace, how can we help you?"

"I'd like to speak with my son, if that's all right," responded Eldunar. Another pause, longer this time as they went to go look for him, and finally someone returned and responded, "Sir he is not in, shall we search the city for him?" Eldunar shook his head, "No, no that's all right. Do you know where he is? I shall call him when he is returned." "He is currently our with a guest of ours, some lady friend of the young Lord's," responded the man on the other end. Eldunar smiled, "Lady friend eh?" scratching his chin and chuckling a bit. He hung up the radio and sat down at his desk, with a final yawn he grabbed a book laying off towards the edge of the desk and began to read it. "Hehe, lady friend, that's my boy," he whispered to himself.

Takashi immediately left the room and set off to do the Emperor's orders. He called for the butler and gave him clear instructions on what to tell the cook to prepare for the leader’s breakfast and to get it sent to the man’s office.

After that, Takashi walked into his own office and went straight to the phone and rung the carriage house, making preparations for the Emperor to visit the Middle ring in the best carriage available. A while later, he was all done with the preparations with the chauffeur, and pondered on what to do next. He had practically finished all the paperwork he needed finished, the small portion left over could be done at his luxury. So he decided to do nothing and wait in his office, as he knew the Emperor liked to eat his morning meals in solitude. Takashi sat down at his desk and dropped his head into his palms, the exhaustion of about 2 hours sleep the previous evening getting to his brain, his eyelids drooping and his breathing mellowing out. As he sat there in his office, he let his mind wonder: something he rarely allowed himself to do as he led a busy life catering to the Emperor’s every need.

He thought about his childhood and how lonely he used to feel. He compared himself in the past to him now, and thought about how things could have turned out if he had gotten adopted by someone before the age of 18. Would he have lived a happier life and maybe have come out of his tightly sealed shell he enveloped himself in? Or would he have gotten restless; itching to get out of wherever he was and travel the world?

Takashi pondered more over the topic of his supposed emotional deprivation. He thought of feelings as weaknesses, and strictly forbade himself emotions that would make him think irrationally or thoughtlessly. He thought of men that allowed themselves to bask in the different enigmas that were emotions and thought of them as foolish, as they would only hurt themselves in the long run.

His thoughts boiled down to the revelation that the reason for his emotionless façade and strictly serene state of mind and being was caused by the fact that Takashi hated being underestimated, seemingly weak or judged, just as he had been when he was a child.

Takashi snapped himself out of his train of thought, and looked up to the clock hanging on the wall, noting that it was time to head up to the Emperor’s quarters and see if he was done eating his breakfast and escort him to the carriage that would be waiting outside in a little while.

And so he set off at a brisk pace to the man’s office, and knocked calmly on the door. Once he was given permission to enter, he bowed yet again, facing the floor.

“Your highness, have you finished your morning meal?”

Eldunar continued to read until his breakfast arrived.  He happily took the tray and laid it on his desk.  A traditional Earth Kingdom breakfast, as he had requested.  Fried breadsticks, which the Earth Kingdom people called crullers, and congee, made up of left overs from the night previous.  This morning it was Roast Duck Congee.  Eldunar ate it fervently, allowing the warm rice porridge to trickle down his throat.  It was surprisingly refreshing.  Finally he finished with the crullers, and wiped his hands on the napkin, then dabbed his mouth.  He cleaned his face and hands with the warm towel that was left rolled on the side of the tray and then proceeded to polish his rings with them.

The red ruby ring, with the diamond held in a dragon's mouth.  The band was a dragon made of gold.  It was the ring of the Emperor; worn only by him.  Then the signet ring of the Ezofuji family; this was worn by the head of all three branches of the Ezofuji family.  The Ezofuji crest was carved into the silver metal.  Then there was the signet ring of the Ezofuji-no-Tsukuyomi family, worn by the eldest member of said branch.  The crest of the Ezofuji family was too carved into this ring's signet, though instead of a circle, a crescent moon between the two dragons.  Next came the rings of the Warden of the Light and Dark States--these rings were soon to be retired relics of the Empire, once the two states became indepedent--a black diamond and a yellow sapphire set in two separate golden bands.

Finally came his wedding ring.  A simple golden band, nothing too fancy.  Empress Han Shu had passed on a year or two prior from sickness brought back from Nippon.  Eldunar had never really been the same, nor had he made any effort to move on.  Eldunar had met her thirty years ago at the start of the Ullondorian Crusades.  He was the Regent Lord of Ember Island still, and Han was a traveller.  Eldunar had brought her into the palace of the Regent Lord and treated Han like a queen.  The two fell in love and had two children.  Hiruko and Morohito.  Hiruko was a prodigy of a fire bender; he could bend white flames, and had the long white hair the Ezofuji family was known for.  His skills as a bender were equal to his skills with a dagger and sword.

He was a master thinker and a beautiful strategist that could even rival Owlan and Izanagi sometimes.  But he disliked politics and preferred taking a more active role in saving the world.  One day while he was visiting Eldunar's sister, Naina, and her children Aryianna and Audurna at Tenchi Palace, he found a wounded and dying old man.  The man gave Eldunar his task that he could not fulfill a task granted by the spirits.  Eldunar would have the name of several men tattooed onto his arm by magic.  These men were evil men that the spirits needed killed in order to bring peace to the world, or at least, maintain it.  And so Eldunar did it; each time he killed a name would be removed and replaced by another.

Eldunar did not want his son doing this dangerous mission, travelling to gods know where killing who knows.  But they agreed, that as soon as Eldunar retired from politics, Hiruko would become Regent Lord and give up his quest.  This left Morohito on Ember Island while Eldunar was Emperor.  He stayed there and assisted Eldunar's youngest brother, Erolass, in running the island as temporary Regent Lord until Eldunar was finished as Emperor.  Morohito was a man of the people; a vigilante and a hero guard who protected the people of the island from criminals and crime.  The people loved him, but his mind often got over inflated by their opinion of him.  Though, for a non-bender, the only one in the Ezofuji family since...well actually Eldunar was fairly certain there was never a single non-bending Ezofuji.  Not one who was blood related anyway, those who came into the family through marriage didn't count

Now Morohito was seeing a lady friend, and treating her just as Eldunar had treated Han, he assumed.  It made Eldunar reflective of his life.  He smiled, a bit saddened, but still smiled.  Then Takashi entered and asked if he was finished.  "Yes, yes of course, my apologies!" said Eldunar as he placed everything back on the tray and his rings on his fingers, "Look at me, and old man getting sentimental and thinking about my life.  Come, let us go into the Middle Ring shall we?"  With that, Eldunar left the tray for one of the footman, or under-butler, or butler; whoever's job it was to bring it back down to the kitchen.  Eldunar walked down the hallway, and then down the steps towards the front door, Takashi walking behind him.  When he reached the front door, the butler swung the door open for him, and he stepped out onto the large estate, with gravel carriage way.  The carriage was there, fastened up to a horse.

Bringing back horses from Ullondor was the smartest thing Owlan did.  They were much faster than Ostrich-Horses and much more majestic.  Though Eldunar missed his dragon, he could not ride a dragon around the city of Ba Sing Se; too many black market poachers looking for their next mark.  The chauffeur opened the carriage door, and Eldunar slipped in, he waited for Takashi to follow.  A valet and his master could never be too far apart, after all.

As Takashi climbed into the carriage that awaited the Emperor, he wondered what business the man had in the shopping district, but did not speak his thoughts out loud as he knew he was in no position to ask questions.

He sat opposite Eldunar, his eyes lay unfocused on the bare wall beside the Emperor’s head, face calm and composed as always. As he sat there, he thought of the lunch and dinner preparations and wondered if the Emperor needed anything else done.

The repetitive sound of the wheels of the carriage rumbling over the paved streets calmed Takashi and his thoughts slowed down and his eyes softened slightly in relaxation.

Eventually, the carriage stopped and the chauffeur pulled open the door, allowing the Emperor to step out. Takashi waited until he was three steps away from the vehicle, and then stepped out himself. He shut the door behind him and awaited further instructions from Eldunar.

Eldunar sat silently in the carriage with Takashi, thinking over his son Morohito. Was Morohito going to marry this girl? Was he even seeing her? Perhaps Eldunar was rushing things, but he was reaching his sixties very soon. His other siblings were on their way as well. Owlan was Spirit King, sure he'd be able to see his great-great-great-grandchildren and never had to worry about getting old or dying, but Eldunar was not so lucky. Naina may have grandchildren soon, Audurna was 30, so it was possible. Hideyoro was dating the Princess of the Earth Kingdom, so he too was soon to give grandchildren to Erolass. Which left Eldunar. One son off gods know where, and the other usually alone without many friends.

This was a big development for Eldunar. The possibilities soared before him. Grandchildren, visiting them as often as he could. Spoiling them and bouncing them on his knee. Helping them out when their parents refused to let them do something. Helping the child sneak out to play with his friends when his parents were mad at him. Eldunar smiled whimsically at the thought. As a father, Eldunar had always beens strict and serious. But not unkind. But as a grandfather things seemed to be different, at least in his eyes. You are not the same parent you were to your kids. These children weren't yours...there was something different about them though. It was a different kind of experience and responsibility.

So long as they grew up happy and learned to be good people from Eldunar, what else could he ask for? He wasn't responsible for much else. The rest was spoiling time. Eldunar chuckled. He remembered his grandfather, Fire Lord Aijou. Aijou died when Eldunar turned 14, but for many years in his youth, Fire Lord Aijou used to spoil him and Owlan, and Naina and Erolass. Their parents were never around, and other than their teacher and guardian, Sun Yan, their only adult authority figure was Aijou. He treated them much like Eldunar planned to treat whatever grandchildren he would ever had. So that's what Aijou felt like?

Eldunar smiled widely as he continued to think. Then, as if by some subconscious desire to release all his feelings, he blurted out randomly. "Do you suppose there will be grandchildren soon?" wondered Eldunar aloud, mostly to no one, but he supposed it was subconsciously to Takashi. He was the only other person in the carriage after all. Eldunar would wait as long as he needed for a response, but he did want one. He would've spoken to Hiroshi about these things, so why not Takashi?

"Do you suppose there will be grandchildren soon?”

Takashi quickly snapped his eyes from the bleak wall of the carriage to look at Eldunar, slightly surprised that he had acknowledged Takashi about something personal, but not showing it on his face. Takashi blinked once, processing the question and thinking about the answer. The question was obviously about Eldunar’s son, Morohito regarding the new romantic interest he had acquired.

“Well, your highness, there is always the possibility of grandchildren appearing in your life soon. If Morohito continues to form feelings for the girl he has recently gotten to know, then there is a high chance that it might happen soon. It is, after all, part of his responsibility to your family line.” Takashi paused to let the Emperor take in his words. “Once you step down from the throne and your son takes over, you will be able to form intimate bonds with the child; that is, if a new child actually does come into the picture. You could teach them the ways of your nation and make sure they grow up to be a good leader, as they will be a possible heir to the throne someday. Do you ask me this question because you are opposed to the idea? Or do you simply want a different perspective on this matter?” Takashi spoke smoothly, head tilted slightly to the side and his hands clutched loosely in his lap.

Eldunar chuckled, "Well, my son Morohito is the second son of the soon be Regent Lord once more," noted Eldunar, "His duty is not as great as Hiruko, my eldest.  Hiruko is my heir, but not to the Imperial throne, to the Regent Lord of Ember Island position.  Izanagi, my younger brother's eldest son, will be Emperor very soon.  That was the deal I made with my brother; rule until Izanagi was old enough.  But I suppose you're right; what is a life with a love and children?  Morohito will need to marry eventually, and have children."

"Yes, I do suppose I could teach the child everything he needed to know," smiled Eldunar, "Just as my grandfather did for me.  Fire Lord Aijou, after retirement that is, he was just Lord Aijou then.  He taught my siblings and I how to Fire Bend; except Erolass, he was a late bloomer.  He taught us the history of our family, and our nation.  And he taught us how to use weaponry.  So did Sun Yan, though Sun Yan doted over Owlan more than any of us.  Owlan was Sun Yan's prodigy.  Though he supported me when I was to take the throne...when I turned it down it was Sun Yan who helped Owlan take it legally.  The throne was never an aspiration of mine, though I suppose in the end I got it."

Eldunar wanted to be just like Lord Aijou was to him and his siblings, he would need something in retirement after all.  He wasn't an artist like Erolass, nor was he a socialite like Naina, and Owlan was Spirit King so he could do whatever the hell he pleased.  What a better hobby than helping his grandchildren grow?  "I don't know why I'm asking to be honest," smiled Eldunar, "I suppose I'm just thinking about the future; a very possible future.  At this point in my life, the future is all I have--for the next twenty years at least.  But, of course, this is all speculation.  I do not know the manner of the relationship between my son and this woman.  Though if it is of a romantic nature, I can only wish him well."

Soon the carriage stopped in the middle of a market square, and Eldunar exited prompty, Takashi following shortly after.  "Wait for us here, we shouldn't be but an hour or two.  Here is some gold, should the horses need water, food or the like.  Or should you get hungry or wish to buy anything while you wait," said Eldunar to the drive, who bowed and began to look after the horses.  "Well, Takashi, shall we get going?" asked Eldunar as he looked at all the stalls and shops, "I suppose I would like to start with the antique shops."

Takashi stepped out of the carriage, staying silent as Eldunar have the chauffeur some money and bowing his head respectfully as the Emperor acknowledged him.

"Well Takashi, shall we get going? I suppose I would like to start with the antique shops."

"As you wish." Takashi said calmly, straightening from his now after the old man started walking and matched his pace, but staying three paces behind him at all times. As they walked, Takashi kept a careful eye on the man but also looked out for anyone that looked even the slightest suspicious. His entire job was, after all, to assure complete health of the Emeror.

The streets were fairly busy, considering it was mid-morning.

Takashi decided to speak up and see if he could help. "Your highness, do you need any help?"