High shining. My sun-prince. For a myriad reigns. Should you have ruled the land. From your Island Palace.

Sayuri walked gracefully through the gilded streets and beautiful plazas of the Light Kingdoms capital.

It truly was a beautiful place.

Vermilion City was beautiful in its harmony, congruency, and aesthetic, sure. Dotted with parks, trees, and gardens. White-washed estate walls, and loud, colourful streets.

But the Light Kingdom capital of Solrin was something else entirely. The brightest colours everywhere, with paved roads, gilded homes, mosaics and murals everywhere. Trees were in full bloom, spilling their flowers and leaves across the capital.

Sayuri could never comprehend how one who lives in such a beautiful place could not wake up every day as if they were in an enternal spring.

She made a mental note to stop by a book store on the way home and grab a book of local poetry. She could only pray their poetry matched their landscape.

For now though, Sayuri had another goal. She was on her way to the palace, surrounded by a small retinue of Imperial soldiers--and likely several of her sister's shinobi watching from the shadows.

She had a meeting with the Light King Cimei. He had recently ascended to the throne. He was young, younger than even Sayuri, but he seemed a capable ruler. Age did not denote skill or capability. Many of the world's greatest rulers had been both too young or too old, and had still changed and reshaped the world as they knew it.

Her great-grandfather had been almost 100 when he died. 98 years old, and Fire Lord for 81 of those years. Honno-ji had been the third in a line known as the Long-Lived Emperors.  Honno-ji, his father, Matahiro, and grandfather, Sokomade, had each lived for 100, or very close to 100, years old, and had sat on the throne for most of their lives.

Fire Lord Matahiro had sat on the throne since aged 14, when his father, Fire Lord Sokomade, died at 100, after ruling for 80 years. Matahiro died at aged 96, after ruling for 82 years.

Each Fire Lord was a product of their father having children late in life.

Sayuri's own grandfather might've reached the same age, but had died on the battlefield during the Ishiyama Hongan-ji War, where her paternal uncle Prince Nobuyuki rose up against Honno-ji and the Crown, rallying nobility and the warrior monks of Mount Hiei to his side.

Crown Prince Nobura was killed, leaving the title of Heir Apparent to her father, current Emperor Nobunaga. It was he who defeated and destroyed Nobuyuki, the warrior monks, and the rebel nobles.

Now Sayuri was here, as an imporant facet of his government, assisting in his massive reforms and overhaul of the entire state.

Which is what brought her here to the Light Kingdom.

The meeting with the Light King, to strengthen and reaffirm the bonds between the two new rulers.

A new king did not always continue the peace of his forebearers. Emperor Nobunaga craved peace within and without. Peace with the other nations, and stability at home.

Sayuri looked up at the wonderous palace. She hid her shock and awe. It was truly beautiful. The fountains, the trees, the gardens, the colours and the architecture spoke to her. Magnifience and light embodied. That was this palace.

Keeping her face plain and serious, she approached the guards at the gate. It did not take long to gain access, or an escort to the throne room where she was to have an audience with the king.

And so she was brought before the king, on his Daybreak throne, in a gorgeous, well-decorated throne room. It was much brighter than the Imperial throne room, though that was to be expected. This was the Light Kingdom after all.

Sayuri bowed graciously to King Cimei after she was announced by the herald. It took him a good few minutes with all of her titles--a fact Sayuri had been quite embarassed by.

"Your Majesty," she declared as she pulled from the bow. "Thank you for your hospitality."

Cimei awoke early to prepare for a flurry of diplomatic meetings, hearings, trials, and lastly, civilian forums. Usually over and done within a few hours, Cimei prides himself at conducting such formalities quickly and efficiently. He had spent his entire life learning and practicing for his future reign. His mother, Due-Lin had spent many years raising him and the Light Kingdom after his birthmother's death. She had to learn the ropes of ruling a relatively young kingdom and thus, was Cimei's greatest mentor in learning how to rule as well as being a skilled bender.

The cool breeze drifted in from the eastern sea, the sun a citrine drop upon a glassy horizon; milk-white curtains swaying ever so slightly. Cimei swung his legs from his bed and reached for a robe hanging from his bedpost. A slight chill ran down his spine when his feet found smooth, polished wood. He glanced over his shoulder to see his unmade bed. His chest tightened with a shaky breath. Oro, the slumbering serpent, coiled neatly upon a cushion near the foot of the bed. Silken blue sheets, reminiscent of the berries that grow in the countryside, seemed to glitter in the morning light.

"Light be the heart that knows itself truly," Cimei whispered to himself, eyes fixed on Skyrend, a weapon worthy of a throne itself, resting upon the ornate rack betwixt his wardrobe and powder room. He could keep it in the armory but something about having it nearby calms him. It has seen the Empire in its glory and- 'How could I forget!'

Cimei snapped back to attention. The sleeping, scaled coil writhed at the sudden commotion of Cimei clad only in his robe, to his chamber's door. He opened the door and scanned the expansive hallway before him. Stained glass welcomed in the morning sun in dazzling patterns - ones that manifest in Cimei's vision when he gets migraines. They told the story of his grandmother, Cyntasia Sakizaya, and her journey to queendom. Amidst the light-stained hallway, an armoured individual stood facing his chamber. They signaled to Cimei an acknowledgment and proceeded to knock twice on the doors behind them.

---

Cimei sat upon the Daybreak throne, posture not quite suited for someone of such regal status. He was almost done with his meetings for the day. The squire informed Cimei that after this audience, the actual exciting stuff was just ahead.

The copious windows, a rainbow of colors flooded the throne room. Tapestries draped between the pillars that lined the perimeter of the large chamber. Plantlife flourished in the myriad of light, if one were to wake up in this dazzling room, they could mistake it for the outdoors. Attention was easy to lose in such details.

A farmer was currently speaking on behalf of him and his neighbors about a new blight that may be cause for concern. The nobles and royal staff shifted uneasily at the news.

'Oh fuck. I'm not strong enough to deal with a society shattering famine,' the king thought to himself. Cimei straightened up - hands firmly planted on his knees, he leaned forward. Anxiety washed over him and his head spun. He felt the urgency from the squat man in what appeared to be his nicest apparel.

"Thank you for informing me of this situation." Cimei spoke, voice firm but laced with his worry, "Lead researcher Mei Hua has full authority of investigating what is going on. You are dismissed." He gestured to a thin woman in deep emerald green robes, her glasses reflecting an impossible amount of light. She stood and gave a deep bow to Cimei. She was one of Cimei's oldest friends, her academic prowess unmatched. Not to mention her skill as an earthbender.

The farmer gave a bow and a quick thank you, escorted by two guards to the giant doors.

With a deep breath in, Cimei slumped back into the throne. A moment of peace before the doors reopened and revealed the final guest. She seemingly glided across the floor before she stopped not far from the throne.

After an almost too lengthy introduction from the herald, the named Sayuri bowed and thanked him for the hospitality.

Cimei couldn’t help but let out a laugh. He stood from the Daybreak throne and gave a slight bow in return.

"Welcome!" he said, not barring the excitement from his voice. "Would you join me for tea?" Cimei asked. It was less of an ask and more command. It would give him some time to breathe away from the eyes and ears of the court.

Without waiting, "Come! Join me in the garden, it's lovely this time year."

Sayuri was more or less obliged to follow Cimei from the throne room to an antechamber lined with windows. "Lemon basil tea is on the menu today and these lovely little lavender cookies." As far as Cimei knew, they were alone.  

"I apologize for the hastiness. I am sure you can understand." Cimei said softly, a distinct change from his usual kingly voice.

Tea! Tea was so very welcome, and Sayuri made sure she said so.

"Tea would be lovely, thank you, Your Majesty." Said Sayuri, bowing her head slightly.

All right, what she said didn't match her internal excitement...but Sayuri had spent so long keeping a demure and calm demeanour that she didn't know if she knew how to express her inner feelings anymore.

But perhaps another royal, especially one as young as burdened with as much as Cimei, would understand this.

Royalty were not all the same, but they dealt with similar issues...especially those who never got to even dream of the throne. The younger siblings, the bastards, the unrecognized ilk. Sayuri was only a younger sibling and never had to suffer, as the princes and princesses of the early days of the Fire Nation. Born to multiple mothers, all concubines of the empire, vying for the Emperor's attention and eventually, his throne.

Sayuri was content with her position, though wondered perhaps if she had not suffered for it as well.

Sayuri was taken to a small side-chamber off the main throne room. Something private and intimate, where the two could talk privately, without the prying ears of servants or nobles.

"Your Majesty," started Sayuri as the tea was being set to steep. "What troubles you so? If there is anything the Empire can do to help you..."

She let her words trail off.

She hated being coy as much as she genuinely enjoyed the company of King Cimei. But Sayuri could not turn off who she had to be, nor take off her mask when she was on the job. She wanted to, to be free and speak as freely as her father did...but she could not, and did not. She kept her mask on.

She could remember the words of her instructors and tutors, who raised her and taught her to be this way, in preparation for her future role in her father's, and eventually brother's, government.

Never promise more than we can give. Never offer help we cannot give. Let them ask you, and if we can help, we shall, and if we cannot, we provide what we can without having worried about promising what we couldn't.

In that way, you also aid in not offending the other monarch.

The tea was ready, and Sayuri's calm face and featureless eyes betrayed the child-like excitement she felt within. She calmly accepted the tea as it was handed to her, and gingerly sipped from the steaming, clay brim.

It tasted like summer in a cup. The light of the sun splashing on the ponds in the Imperial gardens. The sound of cicadas screaming their final cantatas to the sky. The gentle chirp of crickets as the sun begins to set. The smell of the flours, the rustling of the wind in the trees. The cool grass, and loamy earth between her toes.

Her happy place.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Sayuri said, once more bowing her head. She did not say much...though she desperately wished she could say more. But not before the king spoke first. That was proper manners; proper diplomacy.

Guests of the Light Kingdom should be met with hospitality and earnest care for one's wellbeing. Cimei tried his best to keep up with that mantra, even with the seemingly never ending stream of issues that arise on any given day. He knew she could tell that he was stressed. Anyone could have guessed it.

Her offer for assistance seemed to be carried by the wind brought through the opened window of the quaint antechamber they now presided in. His mind raced with potential pleas for help. But that was not how these kind of discussions play out.

His focus trained on the steam rising in plumes from the ceramic cups. He could only give a faint chuckle at the offer because any response to it seemed so ridiculous.

'Ah yes! We could totally use your help with this sudden new blight in our crops. Or maybe you could lend us support against these religious extremists that were organized and led by my family in the past, but now want more. Ooh! How about the shadow government of the Dark Nation that is more than likely capitalizing on the situation of the extremists?'

That is why he laughed. It terrified him to admit the mountain of problems that were his by birthright.

He was brought firmly back into the present, by Sayuri thanking him once again, this time for the tea itself. He could feel the inner turmoil she was facing. Her words lent her no credence to the fact. He knew her words were a mere gesture and little more than that. A probe into the state of Kingdom.

His words finally caught up to him.

"Only troubled by what comes with the job," he responded in jest, reaching for his own cup of tea. The aroma of lemon and fresh herbs was addictive. It was everything good in the world. At least to Cimei it was.

He recalled his recent trip to the Empire. How he made time to go explore the Imperial Palace as well as Mount Ibashi to its north. How perfect it all seemed. He could never be in charge of a place like that.

Oro poked his rough-scaled head from the sleeve of Cimei's gown. His golden eyes met Cimei's. He inhaled and held his breath for a second, before coming to a decision.

"To be square and to the point; it's that damn company. Vantage whatever. As if the Dark Nation isn't enough of a problem, it now has its own free-thinking tumor that has its fingers in everyone's pies." Cimei took another sip. "That was worded weird, but the sentiment remains."

He couldn’t hold his tongue.

"Their presence here in the Light Kingdom is unwelcome. It must be related to the rise in popularity amongst an…" he paused, "organized religious extremist group that has yet to make diplomatic contact with us." The words now spoken out loud.

The rich nobles of the Light Kingdom that flourished under the reign of his grandmother are not keen on the new direction Cimei has aimed the Kingdom in. That much he is sure of. What he is unsure of, is how far these nobles are willing to go to secure their piece of the Light Kingdom's wealth. It felt insurmountable to even begin dissecting the situation at hand.

"Religious extremists, originally founded and established by my grandmother Queen Cyntasia, and led in part by my mother Queen Iliana as a force of stability to ensure no chaos like the Famine Wars happen again." Cimei stood up and approached the open window, its large frame gave a lovely view of the blooming garden.
"I fear for the rise of a force that wishes the same thing Fire Lords Sozin and Ozai wanted. Supremacy. They also want me." He added nonchalantly. Oro wrapped himself loosely along Cimei's neck as he spoke.
"For what purpose? We have yet to find out, but they have a plan that involves me. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a blood ritual. Nevertheless, I suspect our friends at Vantage whatever is tied in there somehow." Cimei turned his focus back towards Sayuri, the snake around his neck raised its head, inquisitive of the quiet being seated before the king and the serpent.

Cimei then approached the stand with the tea and its accouterments. The light purple cookies invited the King to grab one and dip it in the remaining tea in his cup. The soft texture and soft flavor of lavender coupled with the bitter-tart lemon was a delicacy he was forever grateful for. For a second, Cimei forgot about the world.

It reminded him of a place. Cimei sometimes visits his old friend's bakery; that friend and his wife opened up shop down the street from the park he and Cimei would frequent as kids. Something about how steady that life seemed. A simple life. One he envies when he visits and gets to learn of his friend's life, his family, and the future for their bakery. The place where he learned of these absolutely delightful little cookies. Lavender in color and taste.[/color]