øzai.

“In this world, you can either do things the easy way or the right way.”
MDNI • #ATLARP • Modern!Ozai

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

“You can't depend on anyone. Sooner or later, you need to learn, that no one else is gonna take care of you.”

-🔥-

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

That.. would truly be great. I’m convinced that we had an amazing path set ahead of us back then. And I’m sure I’m not alone in those thoughts.

The children.. they were the circumstance that tore apart what we had built. But they have their own lives now, and so do we.

[Lady Ursa slow replies @banishedursa]

“I think with everything that came with the kids- time just pulled us into different directions. And we stopped being ourselves.

I remember everything too. More than I like to admit.”

A pause.

“Maybe one day we can try and possibly amend things.”

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

Therapy is a woke mind trap. I will not endorse it.

[‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ 𝖒𝑜𝑜η ┈ 𝚜ᵒᵃ𝓴ɛ𝘥. ৻ꪆ @macabrlovr]

you should start believing in things like therapy.

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

No. I suppose your idiocy reminds me lots of my son and unfortunately he is not within my vicinity to withstand the rage I contain.

[‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ 𝖒𝑜𝑜η ┈ 𝚜ᵒᵃ𝓴ɛ𝘥. ৻ꪆ @macabrlovr]

a talking point if they ever get stuck in an awkward conversation, i guess. — did my dad hire you to scold me, or something .ᐣ

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

Truly the behavior of an ungrateful and worthless child. What exactly do you contribute to compensate for your audacity?

[‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ 𝖒𝑜𝑜η ┈ 𝚜ᵒᵃ𝓴ɛ𝘥. ৻ꪆ @macabrlovr]

just argued with my dad instead of just sighing and smoking a cigarette for the first time in years

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

Aha! Precisely! We had a great bond going for us all those years ago. Before our firstborn. I remember it so vividly… Since when did you and I find ourselves so far apart?..

[Lady Ursa slow replies @banishedursa]

“I suppose a long time.”

She uncrossed her arms, her expression softening despite herself.

“Perhaps for once in our lives we could have a proper conversation without arguing or fighting.”

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

How long has it been since it was just us? Without the children’s involvement?

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

I am not eliminating my presence solely because you have decided to curse me with your own. It is up to you to walk aside, since you deem that the most ethical solution.

[ A moment passed where Ozai remained silent. ]

Or… you could stay, I suppose.

++

[Lady Ursa slow replies @banishedursa]

It was then that she crossed
her arms. Glaring at him as
she fought the urge to roll her
eyes.

“You obviously haven’t lost your
attitude. And there is the option
of walking away from me. You do
not have to stay.”

But there was a part of her that hoped
he would stay.+

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

"Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free."

Here, you shall regain your way. Here you will be saved. I, as your father, am here to set you on the right track. And this is how.

Do not cower before the fire you started, Azula.

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

[ Ozai continued living within his own world as the drive kept on. His eyes were only concentrated on the road and the GPS screen. He was steadfast and he was unmoving. Which is not typical behavior for him. ]

[ He is erratic and he is irritable usually.

[ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ 𝒜𝓏ᴜ𝖑𝔞 ᅠ ᅠ . . . @bluagni]

“ Keep mumbling to yourself. Maybe Mother will hear your so sad sob story. “ She pricked at him. Each jab towards a sensitive spot to the man seemed heavenly. She felt no shame in her bones: only prolonged frustration.

Out of annoyance, she spoke up, “ horrible father .&&

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

[ Once the two made their way to the camp, and Azula’s arrogance had shifted back into panic, Ozai smiled. It didn’t reach his eyes, his smiles hadn’t done that in a long time. Not since before his firstborn. ]

Proverbs 11:21.

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

Tch. It is merely coincidence that you happened to see me here like this. I’d have been truly delighted never having to see you again.

[ A lie. Or was it? Ozai didn’t know for sure. A loud part of himself was quick to bury his doubts. ]

[Lady Ursa slow replies @banishedursa]

She too was feeling a mixture
of emotions, but compared to
him, she was having a difficult
time managing to keep eye
contact with him as she tried to
keep her composure.

"I could ask you the same, since we've
apparently

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

[ In fact, in his ideal world, he’d be giving his daughter a scar that matched her brother’s. Letting the siblings have something to bond over like the gracious father he is. ]

[ But no. ]

[ Ozai continued driving. ]

horriblechildrenhorriblehorrible. lord be rid their demons…

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

[ But he shouldn’t. Azula Chae is a walking money printer. To harm her is to harm the brand and to harm the illusion he spent years building for the public’s gaze. ]

[ He didn’t fear her. He wasn’t like the wretched woman he married. ]

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

[ But throughout it all, he didn’t entertain Azula’s newfound attitude. Or rather, her discovery of the attitude that had been locked away for so long. ]

[ He daydreamed as he idly drove off to this unknown place. Thoughts of inflicting more pain on her for this audacity… ]

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

[ Ozai showed no reaction to the pain his thoughtless driving had inflicted upon his daughter. In fact, Ozai showed nearly no reaction to anything at all aside from those mindless mutters under his breath as he drove. ]

thesechildren.. ungratefulrottenchildren. consumedbyevil.

[ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ 𝒜𝓏ᴜ𝖑𝔞 ᅠ ᅠ . . . @bluagni]

The immediate swerve of the car only sent Azula crashing into the side again. Her shoulder connected awkwardly with the material, an injury to remember. A loud gasp left her followed by her own voice breaking.

A dislocated shoulder. A pain she did not experience in a long time.

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

Ursa…?

[ His jaw clenched, a complicated mix of emotion rising within Ozai. He couldn’t allow it to be obvious. ]

Now what brings you here, woman?

[Lady Ursa slow replies @banishedursa]

@CEO_zai

“Hello, Ozai.”

Her voice was quiet as she spoke.

“It’s been a while.”

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

[ Back on the highway, he sped up. ]

You both took her from me.

[ Almost at the speed limit. But not quite there. ]

No weapon formed against me shall prosper. And every tongue which rises against me in judgement, I shall condemn.

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

[ The sharpness of the hit that Azula landed on Ozai had him shaken. Entirely caught off guard. So much so that he nearly swerves and crashes right there, but he didn’t. He swerved into the next exit, it was conveniently placed. ]

. . .

[ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ ᅠ 𝒜𝓏ᴜ𝖑𝔞 ᅠ ᅠ . . . @bluagni]

Once they entered the highway, Azula felt all hope drain from her body. He’d be reckless in ways that weren’t enough to kill them, but frighten Azula out of her own skin. Azula did not feel scared - she shouldn’t, from her Father’s expectations.

[øzai. @CEO_zai]

The evil lingering within you will be expelled soon. You’ll be safe, Azula.

[ The businessman’s voice was eerily low, but still faltering due to the barely hidden rage. ]

This must’ve been what Ursa saw in you. It was you two all along. You evil, wretched children…