Chapter Text
君蘇58 年 5月 16日 草稿 DRAFT 草稿 氜武 Ri Wu
GREETINGS, HOTMAN!
So my parents are forcing me to work on my printing since I’m “behind” at school. But instead of doing those dumb worksheets I want to practice with letters! I just think it’s more fun that way. I was gonna write anyways. Plus, I like getting stuff back handwritten from you . Makes it feel like we’re not really that far from each other. So don’t be suprised if you start getting way more mail soon.
I don’t have much to atcual really talk about. The weather’s been bad so I’m stuck inside. Haven’t played a match of fireball in a while so it’s getting VERY boring. And Yujin won’t leave me alone. I have to keep kicking her out of my room.
I feel like the sun is over there right now. I remember seeing art from other Air Temples— not yours, but they might be simal similar. I bet the trees are huge and dropping tons of fruit like in those paintings. Maybe we should do a round trip on Appa the next time you come so I can see for myself. It’s only a few years til you finish your training and I’m done with school anyways… we’ll be able to go anywhere we want then!
How have you been? I know it’s been a while. You’re probably busy doing important stuff at the temple, I know you’re like one of the best airbenders out but I didn’t want you to forget about our plans for your own birthday! Just wait til you see my gift. No spoilers, but I think it’ll blast your cap off!
I’m not sure when you’ll get this though. I guess the messan mail hawks have been slower. Maybe if I can get my hands on a personal one from the town aviary they’ll get to you faster. I’m thinking about it...
Anyway, if this gets to you after your birthday, I hope it’s a hot one! No worries about our plans. and I can keep your gift safe til you get the chance to fly over. It can be anytime you want. But write to me first, hotman!!
FLAMEO
庫宗 Kuzon
龍年 5 月 31 日
Kuzon, my Hotman:
Don’t worry about your print or anything! I really enjoy getting your letters actually. Feel free to send me anything you want! You’re right about that too. How you feel closer.
Even though I know the Monks wouldn’t like it— I might be writing these secretly and slipping them into the pile of mail we send out to the other nations every few weeks. Right now they’re teaching us about “worldly attachments” and how they make your spirit heavy. They say it’s not good for airbending… I don’t know about them, but I think my bending’s just fine.
It’s really cloudy here right now, even though the heat has been the same all summer. It’s kind of weird weather, I’m not a fan, even if the fruit trees love it. If your parents ever let you, I’d totally bring you over. Hopeful that summer will have more normal climate.
I’m sorry for not writing as much as I used to. A lot has been changing for me, really fast.
Ok, you know my tattoos? Last time we saw each other I didn't feel like talking about it cause they were so fresh - and we didn't have much time, between the dragon and its egg and those hunters, haha. But usually, Airbenders can only get their tattoos after we master the 36 tiers of Airbending. I only mastered 35 tiers, but the monks decided I was ready for it then and so it just happened. It was kind of a dumb reason too… for that Air Scooter game I came up with. They said I’m the youngest person ever to get airbender tattoos. Most people spend their whole life trying to master the tiers. I don’t know how to feel about it. It’s awful to say out loud, but I don’t really feel like I deserve it.
then a few days ago the monks told me something crazy, and I think they made a mistake but they
Also, not gonna lie… I forgot about my birthday… sorry! I promise I’ll make it up! I’d fly over there right now if I could. But everyone is really pushing to advance my training now. It’s a lot of pressure. I know I should feel grateful instead of guilty, but also… I can feel they’re keeping something from me. But that’s ok— I mean, I have something to keep from them now too.
Hold onto that gift for me, hotman! I’ll be over there ASAP. I’ll probably send another letter before that happens. I have a feeling it’s gonna be a while… but til then you can send me anything you want. Is it weird to say I read these all in your voice? Maybe I didn’t realize that’s what everyone does.
P.S. — What is 氜武 Ri Wu ? That’s a new thing I’m seeing in your letter headings. It sounds cool.
Flame-e-o my friend!
— Aang
君蘇58 年 6月 17日 草稿 DRAFT 草稿 氜武 Ri Wu
My good hotman!
I had no idea you were so advanced in your training! I’m excited for you already, even if you aren’t. Look, this just means you’re one step closer to becoming a master.
I totally think you deserve it. Your tattoos looked awesome too, even if they were fresh. You’re the best Airbender I’ve ever seen. Even if you’re the only airbender I know. You’d still be the best airbender if I knew more
And how on Earth could you forget your own BIRTHDAY, Hotman?? Is that like another worldly thing you’re not supposed to hold onto?But don’t make it up to me— make it up to yourself! Maybe when you get the OK to come, I’ll hatch something even bigger than the old plan I had.
Honestly, I feel bad about making you sneak letters in secret
About your mail problem: maybe we can work something out with a messenger hawk? Our neib nai NEIGHBORS just got one for their family, and I heard it’s trained for really long trips. Like, the hawk stays with the person that gets the letter until they write back, so it doesn’t get too tired from flying back and forth. Maybe when I get one I can train it like that too.
you read these in my voice?
Also, Ri Wu is a new time mesurement we’re learning about now. They’re way longer periods than years of Fire Lord reign. More like Avatar lifetimes… I think? Maybe I was asleep for some of that lesson. Apparently we’ve entered the Superior Military (Ri Wu) era. I did hear something about more military assemblies happening at the Palace but that’s probably irellevant. That’s all dumb adult stuff though, ya know? I don’t really care about letter headings that much, it’s just a habit really.
Take care while doing your training! Even if you don’t beleiv I know you’re gonna be a GREAT master one day, Aang. And I’ll be right there with you when And don’t forget about your hotman when that happens!!
See you SOON
庫宗 Kuzon
君蘇58 年 8月 8日 草稿 DRAFT 草稿 氜武 Ri Wu
Dearest hotman,
I know you said it’d be a while until you’d get back to me, but I didn’t think you’d go this quiet. Maybe your letter got lost? I’m sorry if that’s what really happened. That means I was the one who never responded.
I wanted to give you some spac
I just wanted to check on you to make sure you aren’t to see how you are.
Me, I’m fine. School’s been over, but this summer feels different than last year. Nothing’s happening as much. the whole town is quieter. Yujin is begging to go to the beach, I mean in the really annoying way that our parents don’t usually ignore, but our father says it’s “not the time to travel”, even though it’s literelly vacation. I’m trying to pay more attention to the news. I think something’s hap I wanna stay in the loop and stuff, espescespecially since my birthday’s coming and I’m gonna be a teenager and all that. I feel like 13 is when news gets more important.
Not to be a sap, but I miss ya, hotman. I’d fly over there myself if I could. Fiero the messenger hawk will have to do for now. Did I mention I got a deal for one downtown? He’s got the longest tail feathers you’ve ever seen. I wish you could see for yourself I guess you WILL see him for yourself, if this gets delivered properly. I’m training him like I said I would, so he’ll come home with your letter and we can skip the usual wait time.
Just hope you haven’t been eaten by a giant komodo-frog or something. Not really sure if they have those in the Air Nation. But, just do me a favor and write, would ya?
Flame-e-o, brother
庫宗 Kuzon
君蘇58 年 8月 27日 草稿 DRAFT 草稿 氜武 Ri Wu
Hotm
Aang,
I hope you’re ok. It’s been a couple months since I’ve heard anything from you. I wrote twice already, so this is the third letter I’ve sent with no reply, in case they haven’t been delivering. I guess Fiero got lost on the way. He just never came back. so I’m back to using the public mail.
My parents are gonna be so mad when they find o
I’m thinking about the last two letters I sent you. I’m looking over the drafts
maybe I wrote something that hur
I know you don’t normally like to hold a grudge. So if I did something to hurt you, I’m sorry.
I get carried away sometimes but I care about you more tha I dont think you know how much
You’re my friend, and I don’t want to hurt you. But if you’re in trouble, send something to let me know. You remember the secret signals? Or the written code? Anything works. Just so I know something.
Stay flamin’
庫宗 Kuzon
君蘇58 年 9月 19日 草稿 DRAFT 草稿 氜武 Ri Wu
Aang,
If you’re still there, I don’t know if you want to talk to me, but that’s ok. Even if you throw these out when you get them, I hope you’re still reading.
Maybe someone’s intersepting these or something. Maybe you actually write back every time but they’re all lost or stolen or there was some big storm that made the mail ru route impossible. Maybe I’m just hoping for that instead of
I don’t know how to describe what’s happening here in town. It’s because I don’t really even know. Four different newspapers stopped delivering and now we only get something called The Imperial Bulletin. It’s only full of boring paragraphs about whatever the Fire Lord is doing overseas. I tear pages from it to burn up for fun when I’m bored. Sometimes Yujin folds them into cranes.
My parents act like it’s nothing but I can tell they’re faking it. I’m thirteen but they still treat me
I wonder if the monks know what’s happening too. You said they might be keeping something from you. But that can’t be it, can it? You’re kind of far, I mean.
My father says that we should be happy and not ask questions. We’re the lucky ones to be living in the most powerful nation in the world. He just wants to shut me up. I don’t really beleive anything an adult says to me anymore. Kids are more honest. You and I were both
This draft is really rough. I’ll rewrite everything properly later.
君蘇58 年 11月 10日 草稿 DRAFT 草稿 氜武 Ri Wu
I never rewrote that one draft. Whatever
The rain and heat stopped and now it’s just breezy sometimes. I don’t know why I’m mentioning that. You always put the weather in your notes
Can I confe You might laugh at me for this.
So I stole a Tsungi horn. The one you learned to play here. At least I HOPE that one was it. all of them sorta look the same. There are rumors that the school’s getting rid of the music program, and I didn’t even care that much honestly, you know music isn’t my thing. So I don’t know why my first thought was to take your instrument, but
Do you remember that month? When you came just before school let out and I skipped class for a week straight so we could do whatever we wanted? You felt so bad that I was missing class for y because of you. But then we broke in at night with Bo and Uyen and flipped the desks in all the classrooms and Uyen convinced you it’d be fun to learn to play that horn. And you picked it up in like a week.
You’re a smart guy, hotman. I’m glad you got your tattoos early, no doubt you earned them.
I don’t remember a thing I actually learned that year. Maybe besides the f
But yeah, this time I got caught. Those things are huge. I didn’t really have a plan for what to do if i got away with it.
The school’s also replacing our uniforms and some of the teachers. Classes are different too. And they’re saying stuff about new books— you know what, this is all probably really boring.
I bet you’re so busy training they won’t even let you write. Maybe the monks found out about the secret mail and stopped the delivery or something. Maybe by the time you come you’ll already be a master bender, and I’ll have to catch up, but you’ll be here, and we’ll do everything like we planned for it
I dont think I’m gonna actually send this one
氜武
THE IMPERIAL BULLETIN
HEADLINES FOR 君蘇59 年 2月 22日
Prosperity Soaring: Value of Gold and Fire Nation Currency Climbs Higher Each Day
Recent economic developments in the Colonies have proven to be worthwhile investments as…
Prices of Coal, Produce, and Exotic Imports Reach An All-Time Low as Nation Establishes First Factory in EK
With the market for imported goods expanding, alongside increasing availability and consumer demand...
The Fire Lord’s Naval Academy Hosts New Grand Openings in Yu Dao Colony
Bright young minds are preparing for their first term at the new Naval Academy location in the Nation's first-ever colony...
The Following Oath, Composed by The Honorable Court Scribe Gaozu, To Be Recited in Schools Across the Nation In The Coming Days
AS YOUTH EDUCATION Reaches new heights of success, His Majesty Fire Lord Sozin has commissioned an Oath to be recited at Fire Nation schools across our prosperous Empire. With eloquent sensibility, it seeks to inspire the youth of today towards action for the betterment of the Homeland. The Oath, in full, will be recited as followed:
My life I give for my country
and with my hands I fight
for Fire Lord Sozin,
and our forefathers before.
With my mind I seek ways
to better my country
while my feet move onwards,
Marching towards civilization.
君蘇59 年 5月 18日
Happy 13th birthday, Aang. I hope that you
氜武
THE IMPERIAL BULLETIN
HEADLINES FOR 君蘇59 年 8月 12日
Another Victory for the Nation’s Great March
A FEW MONTHS PRIOR, The Fire Lord’s Troops encountered the Air Nation Army in a conflict resulting in major Victory with zero casualties on the front lines. Now with protective measures against invasion from enemy armies, the Fire Nation is overseeing the reconstruction and technological enhancement of the Air Nation’s states, beginning with the Temples and other large sites. Plans for cultural development and prosperity continue with the civil aid of the Fire Lord.
After a series of extensive conferences and international communication between the Fire Lord’s Royal Cabinet and the Earth Kingdom’s military leaders, plans for an formal treatise between the nations have yet to be finalized. The march continues, however, with the goal to extend territories and share the prosperous culture and welfare of the Homeland with other impoverished populations neglected by the Earth King, in an attempt to…
君蘇59 年 9月 2日
I can’t sleep. It doesn’t make sense. Last year you disapeared and my hawk never came back and I don’t think my letters were sending at all.
I tested my theories out. I sent mail to the Earth Kingdom and to other Fire nation towns really far away and they all sent fine and i got mail back in response
but your letters
The newspapers lied to everyone. I know the Air Nomads didn’t have an army. You didn’t even use weapons for self defense.
what did they do to you? what did they do to the temples?
氜武
THE IMPERIAL BULLETIN
君蘇59 年 11月 19日
Travel Suspended to Certain Areas Amidst Security Risks and Unforeseen Circumstance
AS OF THE END OF NOVEMBER Of the 60th Year of Lord Sozin, The Royal Cabinet has decreed a cancellation of all travel, postage, and shipments to and from any Air Nation and Water Tribe destinations for the time being in order to insure the safety of all Fire Nation subjects. It is stated that these are precautionary measures, taken to avoid a wave of hostile attacks at the borders of certain Colonies from independent, radical groups outside these territories. State intelligence has confirmed that there are none such suspects within the borders of the Fire Nation mainland.
In the event of a security threat to our Nation, the Imperial Guard is prepared to mobilize with...
The Midnight Lantern
Headlines by the People
君蘇59 年 12月 5日
A Nation Prepping for War? Alternative Perspectives on Gov’t. Dealings by Contributor 3 (PAGE 3)
Student Essay of the Week — Semantics in Deceptive Media: How News Becomes Fiction by Contributor 16 (PAGE 6)
Poem of the Week — Resilience with Love by Contributor 7 (PAGE 9)
Weekly Digest: Latest Event Commentary, Propaganda Translations, and Grapevine Intel
This week’s report on the strange behaviors of the Fire Lord’s Cabinet: A total ban on Air Nation travel, mail, and immigration. We’ve received next to nothing about the reasoning behind these new restrictions besides the elusive covers fabricated by the official post.
This leaves Air Nation citizens who reside in the Fire Nation extremely uneasy, some facing dire situations complicated by the ban. Most are Air Temple pupils, who are now left with zero means to contact their families or mentors.
Are these Citizens at risk?
We have reports from numerous individuals, with close ties to several Air Temples, who insist that none of the Air Nomad orders participate in war dealings nor have any sort of military. According to our sources, the Monk’s spiritual beliefs do not allow them to use weaponry or participate in formal battle, either. So, what is Royal Cabinet really planning?
We will continue to collect as much information as possible on this developing account.
Could one of the Air Temples have spontaneously gone against their sacred codes of conduct to form a military in response to an invasion of Fire Nation troops? This is not likely, but not impossible. The truth is that we cannot be certain. It is clear that we have been fed blatant lies from the Imperial Bulletin. If they weren't suppressing the truth, there would be no reason to defund and ban other media outlets.
At this time, the coalition is prepared to protect our members who have been affected by this ban and to have their voices heard. We continue to collect as much intel as possible in hopes of redistributing the truth behind the Fire Lord’s dealings. Do not hesitate to contact an Editor if you have a source to share.
Reminder to New Readers: For the safety of our coalition, we ask our members not to discuss Midnight Lantern publications in the open. Stick to Code when interacting with other members outside of meeting times, and keep alert!
We are the people, we will not be silenced.
FENGHUANG YOUTH ACADEMY
Class II Suspension Form
STUDENT NAME: Lua, Kuzon GRADE LEVEL: 3rd Form SUPERVISOR: Song, Tian
History of Misdemeanor: Truancy, Theft, Plagirism
Description of Offense: Kuzon was caught off-campus during school hours by local guardsmen, involved in a violent altercation succeeding a disorderly demonstration, or riot, incited by several upperclassmen. The commotion seemed to uphold anti-establishment sentiments and threats to the Royal Cabinet. It is suspected that an illegal, anarchist-type gang has formed amongst students across several campuses, as this is not the first mass incident to be documented.
Official Infractions: Truancy, Disorderly Conduct, Off-Campus Illegal Activity, Gang Relations
Length of Suspension: Due to the nature and severity of these offenses, the Academy has no choice but to suspend him for the rest of the Term, until the next school year. The Academy recommends a Reform School, such as the Fire Lord’s Military School for Youth, as an alternative system if the family so chooses.
SIGNED: 田松 DATE: 君蘇60 年 1月 3日
君蘇60 年 2月 14日
I had a dream that you appeared at my door with the latest copy of the Lantern in your hand. You were soaked in rain and shivering. I took you inside and gave you a chair and tried to warm you up by holding a little fire out in my hands. I don’t know why we didn’t have a fireplace.
But then you took my fire right from me and held it on your own, like you could bend it too. I wasn’t even surprised, I just stood there watching. And you just smiled at me, and neither of us said anything, but I felt something coming over me the whole time, like there was no more air left in the room and my body was giving out, I was dying. It hurt so much that I woke up coughing.
氜武
THE IMPERIAL BULLETIN
HEADLINES FOR 君蘇60 年 3月 9日
Plans To Close Border Included in New National Security Procedures
ACCORDING TO INTELLIGENCE From the Fire Lord’s Court, including esteemed General Xuan Lee, plans for a temporary closure are in the making, due to rising security risks detected by the Imperial Guard on the borders of the Homeland. The Fire Lord’s Cabinet urges citizens against trepidation, and once again ensures absolute safety for all citizens within the borders of the Nation.
Continuing the Nation’s March, troops have advanced across the Earth Kingdom, having recently defeated a violent extremist group in the Colonies and liberated citizens from the grips of its agenda. Other international relations, including negotiations with the Earth Kingdom for…
The Midnight Lantern
Headlines by the People
君蘇60 年 4月 12日
Poem of the Week — In the Throne Room by Contributor 7 (PAGE 2)
Reports of Air Nation Citizens Going Missing — What You Need To Know for Your Safety by Contributor 3 (PAGE 4)
Weekly Digest: Latest Event Commentary, Propaganda Translations, and Grapevine Intel
This week’s report addresses a rumor we’ve all been whispering about: Is a mandatory draft for the Imperial Army in the making?
Our intelligence sources can confirm a high probability of this. In our opinion, it is not safe to print anything more on this topic. Keep your eyes open for the date and time of our upcoming in-person meeting.
Reminder to New Readers: For the safety of our coalition, we ask our members not to discuss Midnight Lantern publications in the open. Stick to Code when interacting with other members outside of meeting times, and keep alert!
We are the people, we will not be silenced.
君蘇60 年 5月 18日
Happy 14th, Hotman.
氜武
君蘇60 年 8月 11日
OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT NOTICE:
All Fire Nation Male Citizens between the ages of 15 and 55
CALLED TO ACTION;
If not previously registered for
THE FIRELORD’S ARMED FORCES CONSCRIPTION
You must do so by the
15th of the 9th month in the 60TH YEAR OF SOZIN.
FAILURE TO REGISTER
Will Be Met With
ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT
SEVERAL YEARS BANISHMENT,
or OTHER SEVERE PENALTY
as determined by the ROYAL COURT.
BY COMMAND OF FIRELORD SOZIN,
ON BEHALF OF THE HOMELAND.
HEREIN FAIL NOT, AT YOUR PERIL.
君蘇60 年 8月 13日 草稿 DRAFT 草稿
Dear Yujin,
You might not be old enough to understand yet, but I need you to read this letter and keep it very safe. Don’t let anyone else see. Keep it until you’re very grown, for as long as you can, and read it over on your birthday. Every birthday. OK?
I know I don’t say it out loud, maybe I never have, but I love you very much. I want you to be safe and take care of yourself because you are such an important and special person. Don’t let anyone tell you different. And don’t let anyone boss you around, not Father, not your teachers, especially not any guards or Fire Palace people. They’re very powerful because they like to pick on weak people. And you ARE NOT weak, so don’t EVER let them win. This next part’s for future you, when your vocabulary’s a little bigger:
Question authority. Do it often. Question what they teach you at school, make friends with people who don’t put their faith in dictatorial behavior, and keep them close. Be vigilant and be smart. You will be ok.
庫宗 Kuzon
君蘇60 年 8月 15日
ORDER TO REPORT FOR
THE FIRE LORD’S ARMED FORCES PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
To:
LUA, KUZON
You are hereby directed to present yourself for the Fire Lord’s Armed Forces Physical Exam
by Reporting to:
ASSEMBLY ROOM 5
GENERAL XUAN LEE’S HEADQUARTERS
in THE ROYAL COURT at the FIRE LORD’S PALACE
on 年 8月 20日 at SUNRISE
Failure to Report In a Timely Manner Will Result in Severe Penalty.