Again {Private}

[Yuzuki]

"He'll do his job if he leaves the customer be." At the mention of the Royal Fire Academy for Girls, a grin came to her face. So the teachers were still talking about her? Wonderful. Though whenever someone would do better then her they would learn not to. She end up shoving them or hurting them in some physical manner. Sometimes even mentally. Keeping her arms crossed over her chest and watching Hiza, a glint came to her eye. Don't seem all that special? "I can show you. Ryoko herself hasn't seen much of my firebending."

The candle's flame that was on the table had grew, flickering violently for a moment. "They brag for a reason." Closing her eyes halfway, the flame had died down as she averted her gaze to the Ryoko. Hiza didn't seem like she would be able to master anything. She stammered and stuttered just at being asked what she wanted to eat. Not to mention she was now fifteen and still wasn't any better at bending. Then again, she had been imprisoned for the past couple months. "Ryoko. Stop encouraging Hiza and the staff. They are only to do their job, which is take our order and leave."

[Zecarius]

Ryoko blinked, hearing her name mentioned, and looked over at the other two girls, coming back from her random thoughts in time to see the flame grow, violently flickering and twitching in the air. She ooohed and aaaahed, clapping her hands at the demonstration as the flame returned to normal size, missing the rebuke aimed at her. Even if she had heard it, she probably would ignore it; she didn't completely agree to go with Yuzuki's demands, which probably frusterated the girl, but it all worked out in the end, so why change what they had? Besides, the waiters had other jobs besides taking the order, such as appeasing the customer potentially through conversation, and Hiza needed to loosen up, though it was understandable since she was out of the cave for the first time in a long time with her captors.

The avatar watched the flame grow and shrink, and couldn't resist snorting as she giggled, quickly covering her mouth with both hands as she muffled her laughing fit. "Sorry, but that wasn't that impressive," she replied after her chuckles faded away. Taking in a deep breath, she stared at the candle flame and slowly let the air slip past her lips, watching the flame grow as she did until it matched what the older fire bender had made. The flame shrank back down as she smiled and looked at the other girls. Ryoko seemed to be impressed as well by this, adding in a small smattering of applause. "They really shouldn't be bragging about you, should they?"

[Yuzuki]

Yuzuki grit her teeth as she heard Hiza snort and giggle, reaching her hand out and extinguishing the candle from the flame, leaning towards Hiza as she did. "Why don't we go outside then, Hiza, and I'll show you something to laugh at." She was ignoring Ryoko's applause. Besides, it was just foolish encouragement when Hiza would be getting hurt if she accepted the challenge. "Come on, Hiza, or are you afraid you'll get hurt?"

She had been practicing her own bending lately, too. It wasn't like she just sat around doing nothing. She had been trying to bend lightning earlier, and really was only successful in redirecting it, but either way, she did not just sit around. She always looked for new ways to perfect her bending, and lately she had been trying to find a way to increase her fire power while still keeping it concentrated in a small blast. Leaning back in her seat, she took in a slow breath. It was no use letting Hiza get her upset. That got her no where. She needed to stay calm, and calculate what was going to happen.

[Zecarius]

Hiza noticed that the older firebender was getting riled up, and couldn't resist the grin that appeared on her face. Good, good; if she got angry, she'd probably draw a lot of attention to them, and then it would be just a simple drop of words to get out that the avatar was around, but being held hostage, and wait for the right people to come help her. Which meant, as poor as it may end up, she really had one choice. "Sure, almighty Yuzuki, let us go outside and you shall teach me about true firebending. I am ready to learn." She hopped off of her chair and looked at the older girl, grinning; the gauntlet had been picked up.

Ryoko blinked at the challenge, then blinked again at the avatar's acceptance of it. Really? A duel, right now? They were waiting for dinner! Also... she took a look around, and noticed that some nearby tables were looking at them. They were drawing attention. She didn't like it, not at all. She just wanted to eat her roast duck in peace! Maybe with some nice conversation with the other girls and the waiter, but not as a show. She leaned over and lightly tugged on Yuzuki's sleeve. "Calm down, Yuzu-chan. Let's just eat our duck in peace... I thought you were looking forward to it?" Air wasn't that good at putting out fires; it usually fanned it on instead, so if they did fight, she couldn't do much to put out the collateral damage.

[Yuzuki]

Yuzuki stayed quiet for a moment, moving her gaze from Hiza to the candle in front of them. A grin slipped onto her lips, but she kept quiet as Ryoko pulled on her arm. She was not entirely sure if the remark from the girl was a taunt, an insult, or both. Probably both, but even then, it boosted her ego ever so slightly. Holding her hand out in front of her, motioning for Hiza to sit back down in her seat. She slowly spoke, her voice cold but still having a fake friendly nature in it. "Hiza, please. After dinner, perhaps, but not until the birthday girl gets her meal. Waiter. "

The waiter, whose attention had also been on the three girls due to the tension near their table, quickly ran over and bowed his head slightly. "Yes, Ms. Kuroihi?"

"After our meal I want you to bring out your best desert. It is the young ones birthday, after all. We are to celebrate."

The waiter blinked, somewhat confused. When Yuzuki had narrowed her eyes, he had quickly nodded, bowing once more. The waiter could not help but smile, though, at the thought of a celebration. A birthday, too! He had nodded his head slightly to Ryoko, mouthing a thank you. She always seemed to calm down Yuzuki. Yuzuki on the other hand, turned to Hiza, having the strange smile on her face.

A battle out in public with firebending would not be the best of ideas. Especially because if she was going to duel Hiza, she was going to teach her a lesson. It was no use getting other people involved. If they were to duel, she would do it away from people where attention could not be drawn to the two of them dueling.

[Zecarius]

Ryoko released a breath she didn't realize she had been holding as the older firebender chose not to fight, at least not right now; there would probably be a fight afterwards, no matter what she tried to do to stop it. Still, it was postponed, and the people staring seemed to have lay off and stop staring at their table, at least for now. At the thought of eating the duck and dessert, her mouth watered slightly; oh, she hoped it was good dessert! Yuzuki never allowed her to get it when just the two of them came, so she was glad to have some. She nodded in agreement with the waiter, and was glad when he left; she did enjoy his company, but she enjoyed the thought of having food more.

Hiza pouted, glaring at the older firebender; why not fight now? Why not do it in the middle of the restaurant? True, people would probably get injured, but they were well equipped to deal with burns, and it would get more people talking about her, so as long as she could connect herself with being the avatar, then they would know about her being around. However, she sighed and sat back down; it would do her no good to be seen as the attacker and the evil one, even if it was against a jerk like Yuzuki. She sighed, and sat back down, staring sullenly at her glass of water; now what would she do?

[Yuzuki]

Yuzuki was keeping her calm now. Her mind already had a plan, and it was already working alternatives in case Hiza decided to throw in a random factor. She did not show any of this on her face, though, keeping her arms and legs crossed, eyes on Hiza and a somewhat cold and cool expression on her face, a small smirk on her lips. Within minutes their meal had arrived, Yuzuki taking a sip from her wine glass as the roast duck was set in front of her. Looked delicious, too~

"Better eat before it gets cold, Hiza. Afterward we will have your dessert. Is there anything in particular you would like to have?"

The waiter had bowed to them all as he finished placing out the roast duck and the side dishes. He had placed out multiple side dishes along with the roast duck, as that was what Yuzuki usually order... though she never did finish it all. He walked off as quickly as he came, not wanting to cause anymore interference and he wanted to calm the rest of his customers who were still slightly confused as to what had just happened.

Yuzuki on the other hand, picked up her utensils and began to ear her own roast duck. It was perfectly seasoned, with the right amount of spice. Not to mention it was cooked to where the meat just fell off the bone. Perhaps Ryoko was right in why she got the roast duck each time, maybe she did enjoy devouring a small creature. Either way, it was delicious, and she was not going to let it get cold.

[Zecarius]

Ryoko was glad that things seemed to have defuse between the two so that there wouldn't be a fight right now, and even more so when the waiter brought out their food along with some side dishes. With a ferocious hunger, she attacked the meal, opting to take on the duck with her hands and teeth as opposed to the utensils given her, keeping some of the attention aimed at their table due to the potential fight, now focused on her barbaric ways. "Hey, this is pretty good! I see why you get it every time," she remarked to Yuzuki, somehow not getting any seasonings on her lips or face, remaining clean. She placed it back down to tackle a side dish, actually using some utensils for them instead of her hands.

Hiza watches both of the girls begin to eat, unsure about them; they were technically her enemies, so the food could be poisonous... however it looked very good, and her stomach rumbled in objection to being suspicious of tasty real food being offered for her to eat. She carefully cut a piece of meat, observed it with scrutiny, before placing it inside her mouth. Her tongue picked up a rainbow of flavor, and she sighed merrily. "I suppose you're right... it is quite good hot..." she said, swallowing the bite before gesturing for a waiter to come over, ignoring what Yuzuki may say or do. "And what would you recommend for dessert?"

[Yuzuki]

Yuzuki had laughed slightly as Hiza had watched her meal rather suspiciously and then gave into to eating it. She thought it was rather ridiculous, but laughable, at the same time. Did she not make it clear she would not kill Hiza? True, there was poisons that wouldn't kill you but nonetheless... she wouldn't do it here in a public setting. Besides, if Hiza was killed she would have to start her search all over again for the Avatar, and she simply did not want to.

When she had gestured for the waiter, she kept quiet. She continued to eat her roast duck, pretending to ignore the waiter as he walked over. He had smiled warmly to Hiza, being a polite little old man waiter. "Well, Ms, if you like chocolate I would recommend our lava cake. A chocolate cake with hot fudge in the middle and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. It is a favorite of a lot of the customers here."

"Whatever it is she would like, make sure it is ready for her when she's finished." The waiter had nodded to Yuzuki, looking back to Hiza for her answer. The sooner this dinner was over, the sooner she could get Hiza back home, and then the sooner she could get home and rest. Though she had to admit... the roast duck was just melting in her mouth ... the spices just blended together perfectly and the meat was tender. Turning her attention back to Ryoko, who had been attacking her dishes yet still staying clean. "You do not want to fix something that isn't broken, or in this case order something that you don't want."

[Zecarius]

Hiza paused, thinking about it; she wasn't quite sure what sort of dessert was good. She preferred fruit-based treats, but that chocolate cake did sound good... She realized that her mouth was watering some at the thought and the food in front of her, so she opted to nod instead. "The lava cake sounds great, thank you," she replied, watching the waiter leave before taking another bite of the duck. It was a rather tasty meal, and the dessert was going to be exceptional as well... it was almost enough to make her forget about her plight and her plan to draw attention and potentially escape. Almost. Not quite though.

Ryoko nodded in agreement to Yuzuki's remark, taking another bite of the duck, this time getting seasoning on her face. She paused to pick up a napkin and clean off the extra decorations on her lips. "Still, though, you get it all of the time. I knew it had to be good, but I didn't guess it was this good." She took another bite, cleaned herself off again, and then took out a bit more of the side dishes. Considering how she was slightly more civil now, less people were staring at their table watching her eat, going back to their own meals. "Though I will say, you could try eating something else. Plenty more fish in the sea... or birds to eat... or whatever."

[Yuzuki]

Yuzuki only sighed lightly at Ryoko's remark. She had a point, but why change something if she liked it the way it was? Change was only good if she initiated it, and if she was trying another meal well then... she would be initiating it and it might be good, but why take that chance? Everything needed to go her way, go with her planning. It was really quiet easy to do, too, when you calculated everything down to a prefect T.

After finishing the main course, the waiter, much to Yuzuki's pleasing, brought out the desert within minutes of them finishing their meal. It was a chocolate cake, with hot fudge on the inside, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top with chocolate drizzled over it. He had smiled at Hiza, wishing her a happy birthday before setting the utensils down and picking up their dirty dishes. That way their places were clear for the desert. Yuzuki only crossed her arms over her chest, putting the somewhat creepy smile onto her lips. "Yes, Happy Birthday Hiza."

[Zecarius]

Ryoko busied herself with cleaning up her plate and side dishes as to finish the rest of her meal before the dessert came out. If she had been thinking as opposed to being focus on eating, then she would probably have thought about how nice it was to go out with friends; she hadn't been expecting this to occur when she ran into Yuzuki on the mountain getting struck by lightning. That was the nice thing about not planning at all; by being free and adaptive like the wind, it was easy to just go with it all. She knew the older firebender was a control freak, but she was fine with that; she could go with whatever happened.

Hiza ate the rest of her meal, not saying anything as she finished off the chicken and the few sides she had. However, when the cake came out, she smiled at the waiter, giving him a small nod in thanks. "Thank you," she said, pausing for a moment to see Yuzuki's smile and creepy remark. She shuddered, ignoring it as she cut off a piece of the cake, taking a bite from it. It practically melted in her mouth, it was sooooo good. She sighed, smiled, then took another bite. "You can have some if you want," she replied, gesturing at the two other forks placed on the plate, before taking yet another bite. Mmmm, chocolaty...

[Yuzuki]

Yuzuki watched as the waiter brought over the chocolate cake, her own mouth watering slightly at the thought of it. Though she did not always get that desert, or desert at all for that matter, when she did, it always was something chocolate. She had this desert once or twice before, and she always enjoyed it. The warm fudge and chocolate cake mixed with the cool melting vanilla ice cream... but the thought of sharing it with Hiza just ... ruined it for her. As delicious as the desert was, she was not about to take an offering from the Avatar. "No, thank you."

She kept quiet after this, looking around the restaurant at the other tables and every so often looking back at Hiza. Just to make sure she wasn't up to anything or planning anything. In her mind, she was wondering about the Avatar and why so many people held their hopes in just one person. If the Avatar had not learned anything other than one bending skill, how could that Avatar save the entire nation? Learning all four elements and becoming the Avatar was what made them powerful. They were perfect at all four elements. The Avatars drove themselves to learn each and every discipline of the elements and would not accept anything less than mastering. They were almost like her, in a sense... not accepting anything less than perfect. Besides, if she were to be perfect than she needed to learn all four elements. She needed to master everything that she could about her own firebending, and in turn master the other four elements.

[Zecarius]

Hiza looked at the older firebender, as if trying to read her for a moment, then shrugged. "Your loss," she remarked, before having another bite. Inside her head, however, the gears were turning; if she were to stop this war like she seemed destined to, she would first have to get out of this situation, which seemed... nearly impossible, unless someone came and rescued her. But after that... she'd still have to master all four elements. She had the basics of firebending down, but she was no master. And as for the other three... she'd have to find teachers, and she didn't even know where to start. Ryoko could maybe teach her airbending... heck, just watching the girl, she had picked up a bit, though she hadn't practiced. Still, considering how close Ryoko was to Yuzuki, would she really teach her?

Ryoko, on the other hand, wasn't thinking about the war or about the Avatar and her situation, or even about airbending; considering that she was given an open invitation, she had picked up one of the open spoons, and was digging into the side of the chocolate cake closest to her. She couldn't help making a few happy pleased noises as she tasted the first bite and swallowed it. "Oooooh, this is sooo gooooood... I should have gotten this waaaaay sooner than now." She couldn't resist taking a few more bites, chocolate now lightly coating her lips. "You sure you don't want some, Yuzuki? It's really tasty!"

[Yuzuki]

Yuzuki only shrugged slightly, closing her eyes halfway. She wasn't losing anything. She had already had the chocolate cake, and not having it tonight did not mean she lost anything. She knew what it tasted like and did not need to eat it now. When Hiza was near finished, and Ryoko's mouth was coated with chocolate sauce, she stood up from the table. "No. I think this night is over and its time for Hiza to go home. I grow tired of this charade."

In all honesty, Yuzuki was just growing tired. Hiza and Ryoko would most definitely be able to tell something was off with her. Her muscles were starting to ache once more, the ointment starting to wear off. She just wanted to get home and rest.... being struck by lightning two times in one night was not best for ones health. It was true, she did redirect the lightning, but it still did strike her. She hadn't completely mastered redirecting lightning... yet... so she still had the injuries and the pain of being struck by the powerful bolts. Damn! She really needed to perfect her redirecting of lightning... master that and then push towards her lightning bending.