“Avatar Hanuel, I cannot stress enough how excited we all are to have you back in Ba Sing Se!” The news reporter beamed. Hanuel didn’t remember his name, or even what news channel she was being broadcast to, but none of that mattered- the only thing that did was that she remained poised, graceful and confident. The perfect Avatar, just like she had been taught to be.

“I’m excited to be back!” Hanuel said, flashing a smile to the camera. “While I enjoyed my stay in Gaoling, nothing compares to my hometown!” That was a manufactured lie, like every other part of the script she had been given before the interview. The real avatar Hanuel was from Zaofu- born and raised among her metalbender heritage. But that, at least according to Mira, went against the idea of a ‘unified nation’, since ‘Zaofu always fancied itself a separate part of the world anyways’. Hanuel didn’t know if she technically believed in all that, but it made Mira happy and it made the people happy, and that’s all that mattered.

“So,” the news reporter continued. “We’ve all been wondering, but what’s next for the avatar? Following in your grandfather’s footsteps and mastering lavabending? Travelling to the fire nation to move onto firebending? Connecting with the avatars past?” He gave a forced laugh.

Hanuel laughed in reply, hers all as fake as his. “I don’t think I’ll be lavabending anytime soon,” That part was true, no matter how many times Grandpa Bolin had tried to teach her, she couldn’t get the hang of melting rocks, she figured it was because she was a metalbender- no one, not even the Avatar, could do both. Hanuel continued to the next of the news reporter’s points. “As for fire, the Prime Minister and I have discussed going to the Fire Nation and starting my firebending training in the near future.” That was one thing Hanuel was actually excited for- and she was happy to disclose it with the public, even if it meant her training would no doubt be highly publicized.

The rest of the interview passed without much happening, it was the same it had ever been, a comforting routine. After the cameras shut off, Hanuel met Yu Yan backstage, ready to spend the rest of the day relaxing.

“You did wonderful.” The woman said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Unfortunately, you have a meeting in five minutes with the national senate.”

“Really?” Hanuel groaned. Relaxing would apparently have to wait.

“I cannot allow the ban of immigration in my province!” Senator Yumi declared. She had always been one of Hanuel’s favorite senators, almost always showing up in full Kysohi Warrior attire, complete with the war fans on her belt. She was younger than most of the other senators, and stood out among the crowd, both in appearance and political stance.

“Kyoshi Island is so close to the Southern Water Tribe, their influences on our culture are so important and long withstanding that without them, we wouldn’t be Kyoshi Islanders.” Yumi continued. “For the spirit’s sake, Governor Suki was married to the chief of the Southern Water Tribe! We can’t ignore that cultural connection.”

“If you and your blue-wearing historical reenactment troop want to join the Southern Water Tribe, that’s between you and Chief Saila.” Senator Lu of one of the northern states retorted. There were too many UDES states- 27 in total- for Hanuel to keep track of, but she knew all of the senators, at least a bit. “I won’t have any of that ‘cross-contamination’ happening in my nation.”

“Cultural- what?” Yumi stammered. “Kyoshi Island is just as Earth Kingdom as anywhere! The last earth avatar was from my homeland!”

“She was also half air nomad and a criminal by oath.” Lu said while Hanuel pondered how both senators knew more about her own past life than she did. “You’re painting Kyoshi to be much more of a paragon than she actually was, as is typical for you.”

Yumi seemed about ready to give Lu another retort when she was stopped by a hand on her forearm and a calm, pleasant voice. “Senator Yumi, calm down. It’s not worth it.” Jade Beifong, Hanuel’s mother and the Senator of the State of Zaofu, said. “Senator Lu, I think what Yumi is trying to say is that the legislation you’re proposing would destroy the cultural link between the residents of Kyoshi Island and those of the Southern Water Tribe, a link that has been built since before the Hundred Year War.”

The discussion went on for what seemed like a few hours, with neither side of the argument relenting. Eventually Mira had to call time on the debate lasting too long, and everyone had to shuffle out of the room uncomfortably.

“That could’ve gone better.” Jade complained as she and Hanuel walked out to the lavish palace hall. Like Hanuel, Jade had curly black hair and light green eyes, although Jade was shorter than her daughter by about half a foot. She wore the signature metallic jewelry and floor-length robes of Zaofu, but in a fashion that accommodated her metallic leg prosthesis, operated by metalbending. They made her footsteps echo across the halls, Hanuel had memories of hearing her mom from rooms away back in Zaofu, where everything was made of metal and the sounds were so much clearer and sharper.

“Yeah…” Hanuel sighed. “I think I’m gonna try to visit home for a bit, I know I just got back but it’s been forever and….” She trailed off.

“You should at least try.” Jade smiled, putting a hand on her daughter's shoulder. “Even the Avatar deserves a break.”

“You’re right, thanks mom!” Hanuel waved goodbye as she ran off to talk to the prime minister.

Mira was still in the meeting room, and seemed to be finishing a conversation with the senator of Gangbei.

“Hello, Avatar.” She greeted as Hanuel approached her,

“Hi,” Hanuel greeted. It was an exceedingly casual way to greet a world leader, but Hanuel could get away with it, being the avatar. “I was wondering if I maybe could visit my family in Zaofu, at least for the weekend?” She gave the most convincing smile she could muster.

“Hm, what purpose would this visit serve?” Mira put a hand to her chin.

“It would serve me well to reconnect with my family,” Hanuel said, coming up with excuses as she said them, “And I could better refine my metalbending techniques, there’s no better place to learn metalbending than Zaofu! And I should probably patch up all my earth skills before moving on to fire.” Hanuel concluded.

Mira seemed to think it over for a moment. “Very well. You and your companions may visit Zaofu for the coming weekend. I do want you back by next week, though. We have business to attend to.”

Hanuel nodded, a smile growing on her face. “Thank you!” She thanked Mira about four more times before setting off to tell her friends the news.