The sun blazes high and hot, the ocean breeze is a rare mercy. Azula lounges beneath a parasol, Ty Lee is doing cartwheels in the sand and Mai sulks beside me under a wide-brimmed hat. They do this little escapes every so often, it used to be a way to let her ladies in waiting indulged in a bit of rest, but now, it's turned into an excuse to look at pretty boys in the beach.

I have a war to win, I should not be drooling over so peasants. Azula thinks, and still, her eyes are glued on the ones coming out of the water.

“Azulaaa!” Ty Lee suddenly calls in that bubbly tone that grinds her gears. “Come play with us! We are starting a game!”

A game? She muses. Azula raises an eyebrow. A group of local peasants—sunburned, grinning, and far too enthusiastic—are setting up a volleyball net. Surprisingly, Mei is already reluctantly standing up. Oh, joy. A display of coordination and teamwork with complete strangers. My favorite things. But if even gloomy Mai is up for it...

"I suppose I can indulge the commoners,” She says, with mock grandeur, rising to her feet. “It might be… educational.”

Mai groans softly. “You’re going to burn someone again, aren’t you?”

“Only if they deserve it.”

I hope they will...