Jun bristled defensively at being grabbed, but exhaled slowly through his nose to calm himself down. Firebender breathing exercise – don't let the anger take the reins. Still, his free hand, the one he didn't wield a blade with clenched uselessly around the hilt of his sword. "I am [i]not[/i] a mercenary," he grumbled, staring the man with the Fire Nation armour dead in the eye. "Word is in Lulan that you have some... dissenting opinions breeding in this town. I'm down with that."

Leaning in further and watching one of the men twitch with a clear itch to grab his weapon, Jun grinned weakly that quickly morphed into a more serious expression. "This is the only way I can get back my uncle," he said. "So as far as you're concerned, I'll be as loyal to the [i]rebellion[/i] as any of your friends there." His stubborn pout made him seem more like a nineteen year old – or younger – than ever before.
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Suyin clambered to her feet from her meditative exercises, rolling her shoulders as she greeted her brother with all the respect and dignity of a young Fire Nation lady. "Ran!" She dropped herself into a quick bow more out of habit than necessity before continuing, "Oh, don't be so stuffy. Neither Father nor the men are here; we can do what we want."

Their family's boat swayed from side to side, knocked by the currents, and the girl shook her head violently to clear it of seasickness. It was only her second trip away from home and while she didn't long to be back at the manor with tutors and trainers, anything would be better than the rhythmic rocking of the boat. She was sure that with the ship's gold colouring and castle-like structure it would be a fine target for the pirates to attack, but likely they knew it was a general's vessel already.

"I hear they have waterbenders on the ship. Traitors from the Northern Water Tribe," she mused. "As far as tactics go... we need a small force of our firebenders to light their ships on fire and the rest to clear they way to the captain's hideout. They have a larger than usual crew, but the men should suffice."

With a wicked smirk she continued, "We're going after the captain and his protectors – the best job, am I right?" Suyin was so glad that her brother always deferred to her, always looked to her for commands like a good, loyal soldier should.