[Rabbithole: Loo and Sokka, post Mikideath]

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The Fire Palace is techincally a series of much smaller buildings grouped together and locked by walled footpaths and ornate gardens. The Imperial audience chambers are in the centre, near where the Royal family live in a smaller, heavily walled domicile. Guests are quartered in expansive rooms in one of the outer rings, a short walk away from the temple, used by all who live in the Palace.

One of the low buildings in the temple itself is dedicated to memorials to the departed. Smoke rises in thin worms from a thousand incense sticks, set before rolls representing the dead, individually or collectively. At the front, facing the worshipper as he enters, are twin rolls representing the parents of the current Fire Lord - one handsome king with his face marked by a hug burn scar, and one exotic looking blue eyed woman, sporting a scar of her own. As only four people in the world have ever met Melaka Fray, no one's arguing the likeness.

The victims of the recent border attack are in a temporary position next to Zuko. Each name is written out in perfect and careful calligraphy grouped by nation, and not one is left out, no matter who they might have been or which element they subscribed to. The sand in front of that scroll burns with more sticks than anywhere else, today.

Comments

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"The fire," Louise explains.

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Sokka swallows back a sigh but can't stop from making a face. "I forgot meals were taken in the throne room. Man, I hate the throne room..."

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"Everyone hates the throne room," Louise says. "No one as much as Iroh, though, so try not to whine too much?"

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Giving in and making it extra theatrical, Sokka heaves a great, heavy sigh. "Oh, all right, I suppose I can try. Hey, is the Northern Tribe sitting closest to the fire? You should have Ursa show them her bending. Possibly on the table."

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"If Issorak starts giving his opinions where she can hear, she won't just be demonstrating," Louise says. "Honestly, he thinks the kids here are stupid."

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"He thinks that about everyone, it's just more obvious with children," Sokka replies with a snort, shaking his head in irritation. "He spoke the same way to Sakari when he first met her and then complained to the chief after she water-whipped him across the face. You ever wonder why he wears bangs? It's to hide the scar she gave him on his forehead, looks like a perfect bulls-eye.

"I thought it was hilarious. Especially since what he said to earn that scar had to do with my daughter's likely conduct in the North since she was just a Southern barbarian with no sense of manners or propriety.

"Strangely, Arnook didn't seem to agree with my choice of punishment for Sakari's actions."

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"Cowards hide their scars," Louise says, well aware that she's one of only a very few who know the meaning of the old scars still visible on Sokka's temples.

"I just... Jesu, Sokka, is it bad that I'm glad Ai-Ling was at the border and not married to him?"

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Making a noise to go along with his shrug - that's Sokka's response to scars and whether or not they're hidden. He doesn't think anything of the sort, but Mel and Zuko always did.

"Spirits, of course not," is his far more animated response to Issorak and marrying, snorting with the words. "Appa was nearly loaded down with all the gifts we sent when she turned him down. Sure, watching Issorak suffer with a wife that wouldn't just take his bullshit would have been fun, but I like Ai-ling too much to want her to suffer like that."

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"I was so proud," Louise says, glowing with pride. "She translated everything she said in the letter into Chinese and sent it with her letter to me that week. I wanted to frame it, it was so perfect."

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Sokka just laughs, mostly at Louise's expression and pride. "She's a good girl, too," he adds once he's able to speak again, grinning at him.

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She grins, but it fades almost instantly, to a sweetly fond smile as she leans her head on his arm.

"I'm going to come see Kanna soon," she promises quietly.

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"When you're ready," Sokka replies, equally quiet as he squeezes her hand. "Not before."

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"And when you're ready, maybe she can come stay here for a bit?"

That note of pleading in her voice must be his imagination. The General of the Fire Nation army just doesn't sound like that.

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"Hey." He doesn't just squeeze her hand, Sokka stops and puts his hands to Louise's shoulders, turning her to face him. "She's safe here. I won't worry."

...

"When Steph will be ready to let her go for a while is more of an issue."

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Louise rests her hands on his, smiling up at her uncle.

"That's what I meant," she says. "I wouldn't want to take her away from her grandmother."

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Sokka makes a noise, not agreeing or arguing the statement, but the message is there nonetheless - there's another grandmother to worry about.

"Maybe I can convince Steph to risk one more sea trip," he says quietly, turning to continue walking, looping Loo's arm with his. "Escort Panya here with our granddaughter. It's only proper."

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Louise turns and walks with him, smiling for that idea. "They'd both be welcome," she says. "And I'm sure the warmer weather would do wonders for Steph's bones."

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"That's what I'll argue," Sokka replies, smirking a little at her. "She doesn't complain but the cold certainly doesn't help. Even the short trip to the Earth Kingdom had her moving better."

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"Then she'd love it here," Louise says firmly. "We have the best care programs for old soldiers. You have to send her here, Sokka. Even if you hafta knock her out to get her on the boat."

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"Trust me, I will." He sighs deeply and keeps his eyes ahead, squeezing her arm gently. "Because old or no, she'll kick my ass as soon as she realizes I'm trying to leave her here."

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Louise sighs, melodramatically. "She thinks that little of us, doesn't she?"

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"No, but she does think I can't wake up in the mornings without her shining presence to start my heart up again."

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"You're managing here OK," she points out, and leans on him again. "I guess you'll both have to stay for a while."

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"The only reason fits weren't thrown about me leaving for this long this time," Sokka points out, his voice soft, "is because of Miki. Even if my tribe said nothing about their chief being in the Fire Nation for months, every other leader of every other nation would have plenty to say. I can't ignore all of it.

"...no matter how much I want to."

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Louise is silent for a second, looking down.

Sometimes it's worryingly easy to think that nher country is the only one that matters.

"You're right," she says. "That was selfish of me."