[IC] Frozen Soul, Blazing Heart {FernStone & AgniSpirit}

[AgniSpirit]

Zhen hated the cold.

In retrospect, Zhen hated a lot of things but cold weather was at the top of his list. Still, his hatred didn't stop him from boarding a Fire Nation ship heading to one of the coldest regions on Earth. If only he didn't owe the new Fire Lord such a huge favor...

No, he shouldn't think like that. Zuko was a good friend and a great Fire Lord. Despite all the hostility towards the Fire Nation, he didn't hesitate in sending diplomats to the other two nations just a few months after the war. Although most convoys were greeted with rocks to the face when visiting key cities in the Earth Kingdom, Zuko was relentless in showcasing his good nature. Zhen even heard a few of the cities finally accepting the diplomats right before they set out to sea. Maybe the violent hostility most convoys were facing was the reason why Zhen was asked to become a diplomat for the Northern Water Tribe. From what he had heard, the battle with the Southern Water Tribe left some deep scars on the nation. They had lost a princess because of the Fire Nation and almost lost their guardian spirit because of Zuko. It was no surprise the Fire Lord wanted to deal with them last. Zhen had to be on his best behavior and ensure that he would not antagonize the citizens, even if he were to be bombarded with snow and ice. At least he was allowed to defend himself.

A knock at his bedroom door interrupted the tanned boy's thoughts. He turned away from the window and saw a solider enter the room. "Sir, we'll be arriving in 15 minutes." He stated. Zhen just nodded and began the arduous task of bundling up once the solider left. He dressed himself in the normal Fire Nation military armor but added another set of pants, gloves and a red scarf. He even sported a knitted hat he had bought before he left over his signature mohawk, making sure his ears were warm and toasty before leaving his room. He ventured through the metal ship and climbed up to the bridge, the large window greeting him with a magnificent view of the Northern Water Tribe gates.

"Remember boys, no Firebending." He announced to a couple of soldiers standing a few feet away, "We need them to like us."

"Like you should talk." One of them chuckled. Zhen knew the comment was just light-hearted teasing but it still took all his power to just give a smile, albeit a bitter one.

"Yeah, yeah..."

[FernStone]

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

The last thing Ikhari wanted was to show some Fire nation diplomat around. Of course her father had waited until that morning to notify of what were to be her new duties in serving her tribe. It didn't matter what she thought. She did not want to be forced to spend time with whoever this was to make sure his stay was as easy as possible. She did not like the fire nation and with it the people. While she was sure that they were going into a new era of peace and had change with the new Fire Lord she still wanted to minimise her contact with any people from that nation. Especially fire benders. She had lost her mother during the same attack that had caused her tribe to lose their princess. She had a reason to not like firebenders.

But here she was standing in wait for the ship to arrive with her father and a few other advisers. The chief of the tribe himself was not there as he was busy with other, supposedly more important things. The diplomat would get to meet him later. A lot of the other citizens had gathered to watch as the gates were opened to allow the ship in. It was odd, really, as for most the last time they had seen a fire nation ship was when the city was attacked. Now here they were welcoming one in as to attempt so the fire nation could rebuild its relationships with the other nations. Ikhari watched with narrowed blue eyes as she folded her arms. It was quite a cold day, colder than normal, but the thick fur coat she wore offered a reasonable protection against that. And anyway she was used to the cold so it didn't bother her all that much.

"You must treat the diplomat politely," her father turned to her with a frown. "But with a certain amount of caution. I would not trust him."

"Of course, father," Ikhari replied with a nod. She didn't know why her father was telling her that. She knew to be polite. She was always polite and had spent most of her life restraining the slightly more rebellious side of her nature to be the perfect woman. Thankfully the sexism within the tribe was beginning to change, but it was only starting. At least she could now properly learn martial waterbending. Before it had been forbidden and, well, she had taught herself most of what she knew in that area. Healing was great but it wasn't the same.

There was a certain sense of dread growing inside her as the ship approached. Soon enough whoever was on it would be disembarking and she would meet the person she was going to have to spend a lot of time with in the upcoming weeks.

[AgniSpirit]

Zhen and a couple of Fire Nation soldiers waited at the base of the ship as it docked onto shore with no trouble. The front then began to open much too slowly for his taste. Finally, after what seemed like ages, the door fell onto the snowy ground. Awaiting him and his group just a few feet outside were a collection of Northern Water Tribe citizens. Zhen observed each person of the small group closely. Most of the members were crotchety, angry old men but in the middle of that group was a young woman not that much older than he was. He raised an eyebrow, already intrigued at her appearance. From what he had heard about the Northern Water Tribe, they valued the separation of men and women to specific roles. To see a girl in their midst was surprising enough as it is.

Those thoughts were blown away when the sheer coldness of the land finally hit Zhen full on. He was shivering all the way to his boots by the time he stepped onto the snow. He immediately tightened the scarf around his face as he neared them.

"Welcome Diplomat Zhen." One of the men greeted with a wide grin brimming with fake happiness, "We are eager to have you and your convoy."

"Not that glad to be here." Zhen immediately responded, mentally kicking himself a second later. He quickly coughed, ignoring the shocked looks on the old men's faces.

"I-I mean... It's really cold. I'm not that used to it."

"O-of course. Well, we hope to make your stay as bearable as possible. We hope to begin talks of peace relations between our tribes and the Fire Nation tomorrow but tonight, we will celebrate your arrival with a feast."

"... Seriously?"

"Of course! We are certainly honored to have you here. But you are obviously cold so let us lead you to your room. Here is your guide for the majority of your stay." The man turned around and gestured to someone behind him. Zhen followed his gaze to the girl he had been looking at before. A smile grew on his face in spite of himself.

"Cool, hi there. I'm Zhen." He greeted casually.

[FernStone]

Ikhari's gaze followed the diplomat and his group as the walked down from their ship. It was quite obvious that he wasn't used to the cold, and the warmer clothes he had put on over his fire nation uniform were quite entertaining to say the least. He seemed around her age, which was surprising. She had expected an older and probably more responsible man. Then again she guessed the Fire Lord wasn't too old himself. At least age wise it wouldn't be too difficult to spend time with him. She was sure they had some... similarities. Maybe.

She folded her arms and remained silent as she listened. The feast tonight was certainly something that she wasn't looking forward to and she was sure it was being held to try and make the diplomat feel more comfortable. She thought it was entirely unnecessary. Anyway, it wasn't like he had done anything to warrant a feast. His arrival was nothing to celebrate.

Ikhari stepped forward as she was gestured to, nodding slightly. "Ikhari," she replied with a smile that didn't quite reach her blue eyes. "A pleasure to meet you, Zhen. If you would follow me." She led him away from the group of advisers, who probably had nothing more to say to him, heading deeper into the city. "While the chief himself would have liked to welcome you he was unable to make it due to important matters that required his attention." She spoke politely, but lacking in conviction and emotion.

"It is one of his advisers, my father, who has offered you a room in his home. Of course if it is not to your liking we can find somewhere else." Of course there were rooms in the palace. They just didn't trust the diplomat enough to have him stay so close to their chief. "We have tried to make it as comfortable as possible for someone not used to the ice."

It didn't take long to reach that actual house, which was large and made out of ice as they all were. The fact that it was her father's house, and also where she lived, was partly why she had been chosen. It would be much easier. She only hoped these duties didn't prevent her from attending her bending lessons. If they did... that would explain her father's eagerness to get her to be Zhen's guide.

She entered, gesturing for him to follow her. While the interior was also ice it was much warmer, although probably still cold for him. A lot of the floor was lined with animal furs as were some walls here and there. "The rooms further towards the centre are warmest. We installed a fireplace into yours, and we believe it will work without melting down the house."