Steamboat Ghost's Note: This is a combination effort by fuzzytomato and myself to write a Blue Spirit/Painted Lady fic, or bluepaint if you will. We've been working on this off and on since the episode "The Painted Lady" aired and its just now reaching completion.
The idea for the incinerators used in this story for garbage disposal was directly inspired by another bluepaint fic, Mask and Veil, written by MacFie and Mahatista. Its a great story and I'd recommend checking it out if you like Blue Spirit/Painted lady interaction.
Fuzzytomato's Note: This fic is the brain child of myself and Steamboat Ghost. It takes place after the episode "Sokka's Master", and before the disappointing episode "The Beach", taking the plot in a comletely new direction. We've been kicking this idea around since "The Painted Lady" aired but both have been working on bigger projects aka Brothers in Arms for fuzzytomato and The Swiftly Tilting Balance for Steamboat Ghost.
Please read and review and let us know what you think. Thanks in advance.
Ch 1: Rebirth
"The situation in Shanxi can no longer be ignored. Coal production in the village has dropped to an unprecedented low and the citizens, in an open act of treason against their nation and Fire Lord, refuse to work. Only so much can be done until someone from the palace has to be sent to take care of the situation. Now is the time, Prince Zuko, for this setback to be taken care of and I want you, my son, to take care of it."
Ozai's words continue to echo in Zuko's mind as he walks down a long, ornate passageway in the palace, heels clicking against the stone floor in rhythm to his purposeful stride, amber eyes narrow and unyielding as he takes no notice of the servants that scurry out of his way. His thoughts linger on the conversation with his father and the undertaking set before him and though he has convinced himself he is welcome back in the Fire Nation, he cannot help but absently wonder about his father's true motives. He has only been home a short time and already the Fire Lord is sending him away. Though his father seems generally pleased with him and he knows he should be honored to have such responsibility thrust upon him so soon after returning home, he remains wary.
He is to travel to Shanxi with a group of officials and soldiers to get the village's coal production moving smoothly again and though he knows the basics of the situation, he has little idea on how he is going to accomplish the task. Ozai was more concerned with his demands to give the people no leeway, no relief from their punishments until coal production reached higher levels than before, rather than giving Zuko specific instructions. This wasn't going to be easy, but hopefully the mayor of the troublesome town would provide the information needed. Regardless of his doubts and questions, Zuko knows he will get the job done; he is his father's loyal son.
"Mai," Zuko states expectantly as he enters the room, pushing aside the heavy red curtain blocking the occupants from view to reveal his girlfriend sitting on a plush cushion, idly toying with a stiletto.
She turns and gives the prince her attention, facial features morphing from bored to interested, eyes lighting at his appearance. Zuko, however, stops short because both Azula and Ty Lee are present, directing their attention to him as well.
His piercing gaze settles on the two extra girls and he waits, silently urging them to take the hint. They only stare back, Ty Lee with a wide mischievous smile and Azula with her ever present smirk.
"Do you mind?" he finally asks in annoyance, his voice slicing through the silence.
"Not at all," Ty Lee replies with an open grin, propping her head up in her hands to gaze at the prince from where she lays. Azula elbows her in the side, eliciting a cry of pain from the acrobat before she gets up and leaves the room in a huff, the curtain flapping madly at her exit.
Azula gets up to leave as well, but lingers as Zuko walks over to his girlfriend.
Placing his hands on her arms as she stands to meet him, Zuko speaks, "My father is sending me to Shanxi to help restore order. I don't know how long I'll be away."
Smiling, Mai wraps her arms around him in an embrace. "I'll miss you."
"Will you come with me?" he asks hopefully.
She pushes away from him, a look of clear disgust on her face, "To Shanxi? That place is a dump. No thanks."
Azula, listening in as she makes her delayed exit, takes this opportunity to turn around and speak up, "Mai, how could you pass up a chance to leave the palace like this?"
Both Mai and Zuko turn to regard the princess in surprise, neither knowing she had been listening in on their conversation. Zuko frowns at his sister's presence as Mai attempts to read her expression.
"How could you make Zuko go alone?" Azula continues, walking towards her friend and placing a hand on each of their shoulders, "Since we got here we've all been cooped up in the palace; we should all go to Shanxi. I'm sure dad won't mind."
Zuko is surprised by what Azula says and Mai sighs her response, "I'll pack my things."
As she walks past Azula, she glances at her out the corner of her eye, a look which Azula surreptitiously returns. Zuko notices nothing as they pass each other and his eyes trail Mai as she leaves the room.
"Thanks," he says after she disappears in the doorway, turning to smile genuinely at his sister, something he can't remember ever doing.
"I just want you to be happy," Azula replies, matching her brother's smile.
A coach driven by Komodo Rhinos transports the Fire Nation's prince, princess, and two nobles into Shanxi. It's a large town, the largest village in this part of the Fire Nation, and it's in severe decay. The living conditions are terrible; stagnant water plagues the streets and all a manner of garbage litters the alleyways.
Seated next to Mai, Zuko looks out the slit of the coach's window curtain to see the poverty of the place and to see the people he would be dealing with.
"Whats that smell?" Ty Lee asks, holding a hand over her nose as the odor drifts into the carriage.
"Garbage. Waste," Azula answers coldly, "The incinerators were shut down weeks ago in retaliation for the workers strike. Without any way to dispose of the trash, it just sits here."
"It's making everyone sick," Zuko comments while staring at the people who wonder feebly through the streets about their business, staggering and coughing, "Why would they do this to themselves?"
"They claimed they were already sick, that working in the coal mines to give the Fire Nation the needed resources to end this war was too uncomfortable for them," Azula explains, "They demanded better working conditions and medical supplies that just aren't available for people of their status. When they refused to get back to work, the incinerators were shut down and their food supply taken away."
"They're worse off now than they were before."
"They brought this on themselves, it serves them right. Maybe waiting in the ration distribution lines and wallowing in their own filth will teach them a lesson," Azula says as she shakes her head, "It's shameful really; even Earth Kingdom peasants behave better."
Zuko remembers how, not so long ago, he was living among the Earth Kingdom peasants she referred to. He had been thrown into the life of a refugee with only the clothes on his back, attempting to live with the barest of amenities. He wasn't so different from any other displaced Earth Kingdom citizen, at the time. But he didn't belong there. This is where he belonged, with the Fire Nation, with the royal elite, with the ruling class.
"Really, Zuko, I'm surprised by all the questions. I'd think you'd be on top of this since father put you in charge." Azula states, regarding her brother with concern, "You're not surprised by any of this, are you?"
"No," he answers simply, continuing to gaze out at the town slowly sliding by.
"Hey," Mai speaks up as she pulls him gently away from the window, "Don't worry about it, everything will work out fine."
Smiling, Zuko wraps an arm around her, thankful for the distraction from the world around him.
"Don't get too busy," Azula says, interrupting him as he leans in to kiss his beloved, "We're here."
Stepping out of the carriage, Zuko looks up at the statehouse. It's larger than any other structure in the city, with imported marble gleaming in the sun as well as intricately carved dragons embedded in the design. A large wall rings the estate with an imposing wrought iron gate that the carriage had pulled through and was now creaking closed behind them. Opulence at its finest, sticking out like a sore thumb considering its dire backdrop.
Though it's significantly cleaner here where the town's officials reside, the high walls cannot keep out the stench from the decaying town. Zuko thinks to demand that the garbage disposing incinerators be made operational again, but recalls his father's instructions to withdraw no punishment from the people. Zuko was just going have to get used to the smell.
"Welcome, welcome!" a squat little man shouts as he runs down the steps that lead up to the building's entrance, "As mayor of Shanxi its my privilege to welcome the Fire Nation's two finest war heroes, aside from the Fire Lord himself of course!"
Coming to halt in front of both Azula and Zuko, the man makes a quick bow before grinning openly at the siblings, wiping his sweating forehead with a cloth.
"Is this how you greet the prince and princess of the Fire Nation?" Azula asks, standing over the mayor.
"Apologies, princess," the man quickly spits out, dropping to his knees and pressing his face to the ground, "It's an honor to serve under Prince Zuko and Princess Azula. I know if anyone can get this town back on its feet, it's you."
"You can get up," Zuko says, looking down at the man, still unused to people throwing themselves before him.
The man, still on his hands and knees, throws a thankful look up at Zuko and turns his head to look up at Azula. Seeing her approving glance, he returns to his feet, his grin returning full force.
"I really must humbly thank you for your efforts in the war. I understand that using your combined intelligence and bending prowess that you defeated the Avatar and conquered Ba Sing Se. As a collector of Earth Kingdom artifacts, primitive as they may be, I've found that since the walled city is now under Fire Nation rule I'm able to import them at a much grander scale than ever before. You have no idea how difficult it was beforehand—"
Zuko's gaze narrows as unbidden and unwelcome images and feelings from the day Ba Sing Se fell course through him.
"We are here to solve your problems with coal production so there is a faster end to this war, not reminisce about the past events of Ba Sing Se!" he snaps, interrupting the little man's chattering.
The mayor cowers under the fierce amber gaze.
"Yes, your highness," he squeaks, then manages, "I fear that the problem lies with the workers. You see, our efforts to control them have had little success."
"And why is that?" Azula asks calmly, glancing at the tense posture of her brother.
"Its nonsense really but," he leans in and his voice lowers, "they refuse to get back to work because they believe some spirit they call the Painted Lady is going to save them. Its all over the country side."
"How provincial," the Fire Princess smirks while studying her nails.
"Yes, well, now that you're here I'm sure everything will begin running smoothly again and," he says as he wipes his forehead again, "if you'll excuse my saying, this talk of spirits is making me thirsty, for a different kind spirits mind you. I'm sure you are tired from your journey. Please do come inside and we can continue our talk over some food and wine."
The little nervous man claps his hands and several servants rush forward to gather the foursome's belongings. Noticing Zuko's increasingly troubled expression, Mai steps up and wraps her arm around his, firmly placing herself at his side as a comforting gesture. She feels the prince slightly relax as they walk up the stairs and enter the house.
Zuko groans and turns in the silk covered bed, attempting to get comfortable. After a few moments, he turns again, and finally gives up, staring at the plaster ceiling, his mind spinning
Why does he feel this way? He's actually getting along with Azula, he has his father's favor, he has Mai's affection, his assassin is tracking down the Avatar; everything is perfect. He has everything he's ever wanted. But none of this feels like he thought it would. He should be happy, he should be confident, but he's only lost and confused, more than ever before and he doesn't know why.
For some reason, his thoughts cannot be stilled and they seem to focus on his uncle, his decision in the crystal caves. Pressing the heels of his hands against his eyes, he sighs and once again rolls amognst the pillows and sheets trying desperately to forget.
He needs his uncle. Iroh always knew what do say, what wisdom to share, and what comfort to give. Even if complete peace of mind was out of reach, Uncle's voice alone was enough to comfort him. But he was gone.
Zuko closes his eyes and shudders. Iroh had ignored him for his decisions when he visited him in the prison. It had been Iroh's choice to ignore him when he visited. Iroh had rejected him.
Getting up from lying sleepless in his bed, Zuko crosses the room and opens the door. Looking down the darkened hallway, he decides to take a walk to calm himself.
Shadows dance on the walls as he walks in silence, trying to clear his mind but unable to escape the tormenting feelings that plague him.
A door slides open and her turns in surprise to see Ty Lee.
She's also surprised but flashes her ever present grin, saying, "Hey Zuko."
"Hi," Zuko returns the greeting, not meeting the girl's gaze.
"What're you up to, shouldn't you be in bed?" she questions innocently.
"Couldn't sleep," he answers simply, ready to be finished with conversation..
"I bet Mai could help..." Ty Lee replies, grinning mischievously.
Zuko looks up and stares at the girl a moment before walking off without gracing her with a response. She only smirks before retreating back into her room.
He finds it annoying that the girl is so interested in his relationship with Mai. He loves Mai, but that's between him and her. Private. Even so, right now he needs more than Mai to soothe him. She's a part of the feelings he wants to escape, so he searches for comfort elsewhere.
He walks through the empty foyer of the statehouse, hears a noise, and walks silently to investigate.
Stepping through the open doorway, he watches as a pair of officials load several large crates into the room from a nearby passageway leading outside.
Noticing him, one of the men states, "Imports from the Earth Kingdom. The mayor loves the stuff."
Zuko merely nods his response, ignoring the man's disrespect in not addressing him as the prince, and watches as they finish bringing in the boxes and leave. Alone, he ventures up to one the crates and reads the label.
'Festival Decor'.
Prying the lid open, he pushes it aside before curiously pawing through the packaging material and the artifacts inside. Just a bunch of junk he decides.
Suddenly, his hand freezes as he spies a familiar splash of blue and white. Removing a clump of packing hay, a vacant smile gazes back at him amid the box's contents. He stares at it, captivated, and slowly allows his fingertips to wander over the smooth ceramic surface. Reverently, he wraps his fingers around it and holds the mask up at eye level.
Without thinking, he stows the mask in his clothing next to his rapidly beating heart. Quickly and clumsily he straightens up the items in the crate and replaces the lid.
He rushes back to his room, not running but keeping a determined pace with one intention in mind. Closing the door behind him, he pulls out the mask once again and regards it.
The Blue Spirit dashes through the night, duel swords strapped on his back. He's unsure of his destination, but it doesn't matter. He feels free. Free of all thoughts, worries, expectations. He pauses on the edge of a rooftop, staring down into the dimly lit square below.
Grabbing the edge of the rooftop, he tumbles over the side and swings down into the open window of the building. The room is empty and he stealthily slides along the wall to a doorway and peeks through. He sees an empty hallway, lit by a single lantern and lined with more doors. A stairwell is situated on one side and he carefully moves along the walkway, looking down the stairs for any sign of another person.
He feels the rush that comes with sneaking around. It feels good, relieving even.
He hears a voice in one of the apartments and silently cracks the door open to peak inside.
"Mommy, I'm hungry," a girl cries.
The mother sits leaning against the wall on the palette they share, holding her daughter and pressing her lips to the child's forehead as the father strokes the girls hair saying softly, "Tomorrow honey, we can turn in the ration ticket tomorrow."
The Blue Spirit backs away silently from the doorway.
These people were suffering. Not just this family, but all of them. Fire Lord Ozai had commanded that they be subdued for struggling to eke out a living and there was little Prince Zuko could do to help them if they refused to work. But the Blue Spirit couldn't stand by and do nothing while they starved.
Knowing that the state house kitchen was well stocked with food, the Blue Spirit dives back out the window, grasping the ledge nimbly with his fingers and flings himself back onto the rooftops. He sprints across them with ease, staying within the shadows until he finds himself standing in front of the mayor's home.
Without his mask he is a guest in this place, a welcomed member of the upper class, but behind the blue and white he is a thief, unwelcome vile filth, enemy of the Fire Nation. Strange the difference a ceramic façade makes.
Slipping around the back, he passes by the boxes of Earth Kingdom bounty with a smirk then darts into the hallway. Keeping his eyes wide for guards, he stays close to the ornate walls, using the occasional tapestry as cover before ducking into the kitchen storage area. Swiftly, he grabs a burlap sack, and fills it with fruits, breads, and cheeses, enough to feed the small family for several days.
What would feed the mayor, his officials, and their royal guests for breakfast is enough for a family to survive for a week and the Blue Spirit absently wonders if the cooking staff will even realize the food is missing. The thought causes an unexpected twist in his gut that feels suspiciously like guilt and shame.
Hefting the sack onto his shoulder, he peeks around the door frame only to snap quickly back into the shadows. He sucks in a breath as two guards walk down the hallway, their heavy red armor creaking as they near the open door.
"Hey," one asks the other, "you hungry? We can check to see what they've laid out for breakfast and sneak a morsel."
"Good idea," the other responds, "I could use some food."
The Blue Spirit looks around wildly for a way to escape or someplace to hide. Rocketing across the room, he steps on a table, upsetting a teapot, before leaping upwards.
"Did you hear that?" the hungry guard asks, walking into the room, lighting flame in his palm.
They look around anxiously but only spy the teapot on its side and find nothing else out of place.
The Blue Spirit holds his breath, spread between two rafters, high in the ceiling, the bag of food resting on his shoulder blades. Sweat beading on his forehead and rolling down his back, he grips the beams in his hands and presses his feet against them, leg muscles trembling, burning as he waits for the guards to leave.
"Oh man, they didn't lay out any food," one pouts, leaning against a counter.
The other, flame still lit, walks around, still looking for the source of the disturbance.
The sack of food suddenly shifts precariously as the Blue Spirit's hand slips. He turns his head, and sees an errant moon peach teetering. Gritting his teeth, he attempts to shift his weight but instead stares in horror as the fruit falls.
"Let's get out of here," the guard states, heading for the door, his colleague following him.
Behind them, the moon peach hits the floor, breaking the silence like a firecracker exploding in the sky.
The guards whirl around, flames lit, seeking the cause of the noise. A squeak in the corner confirms their fears.
"Elephant-Rat!" one of them yells, "I knew it!"
"Gross! Kill it! Kill it!"
The first guard makes a jump at the animal but it scurries away in the darkness.
"Oh hey! A moon peach. Score!" the second guard says as he grabs the fruit off the floor, rubs it on his sleeve, and takes a bite.
The Blue Spirit watches the two unobservant guards leave and listens for their footfalls to disappear down the corridor.
Allowing himself a huge breath of relief, he silently drops to the floor. The thought that he could have avoided the predicament in the first place by taking off the mask and pretending to be getting a late night snack as Prince Zuko didn't even occur to him.
Making his way off the state house grounds, he runs in the starlight back to the family that inspired his nighttime escapade. He sits on their roof, and scribbles a message on the bag of food. He slips into the window, sneaks down the hall and places it at the door. With a swift knock, he escapes.
The door opens and the father looks down in shock at the large bag. Picking up the scrap of parchment he reads.
"Enjoy this. Save your ration ticket for another day."
"Who is it, darling?" the child's mother asks as she joins her husband.
He hands her the paper and she gasps.
The little girl squeezes between their legs and opens the sack, eyes widening in delight. She reaches in and pulls out a large piece of fruit. Biting into it, she sighs and allows the juices to run down her chin.
"It was the Painted Lady," she informs her mother and father after they bring the bag into their meager apartment, "It had to be. She's helped us!"
"Whomever it was, they deserve our gratitude," the mother chimes, wiping the fruit juice from her daughter's face.
The little girl runs to their only window and looks out, sees no one but whispers regardless, "Thank you."
The wind carries the heartfelt thanks upward to where the Blue Spirit still sits, listening. His work done, he stands and runs off into the night.
Dropping through the window to his own room, he crouches in the darkness a moment to be sure no one is there waiting for him. Deciding the coast is clear, he stands, and unties the mask from the back of his head. Taking it off, he hides it with his swords where no one will look.
His tormented conscience salved for now, he collapses in his bed, falling asleep almost immediately. He'd need his rest for tomorrow. Prince Zuko had a lot of work to do.