Sparks of Curiosity

Kaiya sat on a couch, the flickering light from the furnace creating a warm and intimate atmosphere. Lin stood nearby, her posture respectful. Kaiya had been reading a scroll, but when Lin entered, she placed it to the side, showing respect.

"Apologies, my lady. The princess is undergoing emergency training due to the Avatar's return," Lin said, her tone cautious.

"Lightning training, isn't it?" Kaiya's tone was thoughtful, her expression calm.

Lin nodded. "Yes, my lady. It's strictly to remain private."

Kaiya nodded. "Understandable. It serves as the ultimate safeguard against rebellion. Power unmatched by any other firebender."

Kaiya gestured for Lin to sit beside her.

Lin sat on a couch nearby Kaiya, her expression attentive.

"Firebending has always been straightforward for me. But lightning? That puzzles me," Kaiya continued, her voice turning contemplative, her gaze distant.

"What do you think of it, my lady?" Lin looked curious, her tone encouraging.

"I'll never learn it. The royal family wouldn't risk it. And I wouldn't dare try it alone; it could kill me." Kaiya's expression became more determined. "There's more to explore beyond royal techniques. I need space and privacy to push my limits."

"Does the Avatar's return worry you?" Lin's tone turned serious, her eyes reflecting concern.

"It makes me ponder the limits of all elements. Lin, if I may ask, what do you think is the ultimate technique for each element?" Kaiya's voice was steady, her expression thoughtful.

Lin's eyes widened slightly, her tone reflective. "For air, a tornado. Water, a tsunami. Earth, an earthquake. Fire... maybe something with volcanoes?"

"Not clear, is it? Volcanic eruptions and lightning are external forces. I seek the ultimate technique created purely by my own hands." Kaiya's expression grew contemplative.

"This ultimate technique... If you obtain it, what will you do then?" Lin's tone became more curious.

Kaiya's eyes gleamed with curiosity and determination. "If airbenders create tornadoes, waterbenders tsunamis, and earthbenders earthquakes... what else can they do?"

Lin's expression grew thoughtful. "Much more?"

"Much more." Kaiya's voice was filled with conviction.

"What will I be capable of, I wonder? This curiosity is my only drive," Kaiya mused, her gaze turning introspective, her voice soft but determined.

Kaiya and Lin sat in thoughtful silence, the flickering light from the furnace casting soft shadows around them.

* * *

Azula sat at a large wooden table in the palace dining area, surrounded by an assortment of fireflakes, drinks, and other snacks. The flickering light from the nearby brazier cast long shadows on the walls, adding a warm glow to the room. Her eyes scanned the page before her, a rare look of admiration crossing her features as she read aloud.

"...and by disguising his troops as refugees, the general infiltrated the enemy camp, launching a surprise attack that led to a decisive victory. His cleverness was unmatched."

Azula's lips curled into a satisfied smirk, clearly pleased by the recount of the brilliant strategy.

Azula's eyes shifted from her scroll to Kaiya, who was engrossed in her own reading material. Curiosity piqued, she glanced at Kaiya, seated a few seats down from her at the grand dining table.

"What are you reading?" Azula asked, her expression inquisitive.

Seated nearby, Kaiya looked up from her scroll, her tone thoughtful. "Avatar Szeto could control lava from multiple volcanoes at once."

Azula's eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Szeto? Never heard of him."

Kaiya remained calm, her voice steady. "There's much history you don't know. The twin elders entrusted me with this knowledge." Her eyes gleamed with curiosity as she posed a question. "Would you want the power to control volcanoes?"

Azula's tone was dismissive, her expression skeptical. "What kind of nonsense question is that? I excel with my abilities, not some volcano."

Kaiya nodded in agreement, her tone respectful. "Indeed, there's beauty in our ability to conjure fire at will, relying solely on our own power."

She then stood and walked up to Azula, gently grabbing her wrist. Azula's eyes followed her, curious but guarded.

"Go ahead, Firebend," Kaiya coaxed.

Azula's tone was firm, her expression questioning. "Firebend? There's no reason to."

Kaiya's voice was soft. "Do you need a reason?"

"Of course I need a reason. It wouldn't make sense otherwise," Azula replied.

Kaiya's eyes softened, her voice filled with nostalgia. "You remember it, don't you? That rush when you conjured fire for the first time. Your eyes widened. Your heart fluttered. Those feelings can remain if you let them."

Azula rolled her eyes sarcastically, her tone mocking. "Oh, I didn't know you were there."

Kaiya's expression remained serene, her tone thoughtful. "The way someone firebends says a lot about them. So, what does it say about you?"

Almost reluctantly, Azula conjured blue flames in the palm of her hand. The flames danced and flickered, casting a soft blue glow.

"Is this what you wanted to see so badly?" Azula asked.

Kaiya's eyes lit up with interest, her tone appreciative. "Ah yes, that says quite a lot about you."

Azula's tone turned dismissive, her expression impatient. "What are you, a fortune teller now? I don't have time for your silly games."

She stood, preparing to leave the room. Before she exited, she turned back to Kaiya, her tone stern. "We're taking the day off tomorrow, but you're not off the hook. We'll be discussing a lot of battlefield strategy. Don't stay up late."

Kaiya watched Azula leave, her expression thoughtful as she returned to her scroll.