Chapter 54.1- And so the Dragons Danced

Food, drinks, and music. That was all that as necessary to have a good party in the fire nation. Things like entertainment tended to come out on their own once the party began to get going. That was the story for the party Toji held for Natsu’s victory in the Northern Water Tribe. He faked a letter from messenger hawk. Faked joy in the throne room where he’d briefly held court in a chair below the steps to the throne like the High General was authorized to do in times of war. Old man Hiro hadn’t taken his demotion well but he had the good fortune to avoid exile for his actions in bending the knee to Zuko the pretender and even drafting plans to help him put an end to the war. He was returned to his family’s lands with little fanfare and warned never to step foot in the capital for the rest of his natural life on pain of death.

He’d faked everything encessary and then announced a party across the entire palace to celebrate the end of the war. The Capital-wide party would coincide with Natsu’s return and coronation to save costs as much as possible, as well as ensure that people learned to associate the end of the war and the almost-punishing taxes that had marked that era with the beginning of Natsu’s reign. Natsu, the first of his name, Greatest Fire Lord ever had a ring to it that brought a smile to Toji’s face even as he watched some of the imperial guard lead Mako about the place.

His job was simple: identify the man that had hired his friend to kill Natsu, and that would give them their first lead into getting to the bottom of the mess they found themselves in.

“Hello, Father. Flame-o hotman” he said, stepping towards the man that had been making a beeline to him, almost on the verge of seeming rude with how he ignored all those who tried to gather his attention in favour of coming straight at Toji.

“Cease this pointless resistance” his farther whispered harshly.

“I have no idea of what you speak.”

“Chinatsu says you have turned her away three times in as many days. High General or not, you still have to do your duty to our family, or there is nothing we could gain from this situation” He said, not even bothering to beat around the bush, instead jumping in machete in hand and cutting through anything that got in his way.

“And I told you I had no interest before you even set this silly thing in motion.”

“I care little for that. Her family has the one thing we need, legitimacy. The nobles scoff at me behind my back and whisper about us. We’ve risen far and we have even farther to go. That’s where you come in Toji. For good or for ill, you have managed to worm your way into the Fire Lord’s confidence and you will lift our boats with your tide” Toji felt his jaw clench.

“Or else what?”

“Silly boy. I have no need to threaten you. It’s what your mother would want” He said, leaving Toji frozen in his wake as he turned to leave.