[identity profile] peoplesprincess.livejournal.com 2009-08-30 04:24 pm (UTC)(link)
We don't need to be exceedingly friendly. This is a marriage of convenience, not love.

Divorces are also extremely uncommon for couples whose marriages were arranged.

I don't want to escape.

[identity profile] thricedeadwind.livejournal.com 2009-08-30 04:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Granted, and from a pragmatic perspective, such is not necessary for one in your position. Yet a friendship shall make the entire situation far easier, not to mention tolerable or enjoyable.

For reasons I am curious if you entirely understand. Azula, for all of my grievances with your manner of rule, you are passionate about your people and strive to remain strong within your position. In many societies given the very nature of marriage, the second individual has a tremendous ability to undermine their partner's position. Even 'harmlessly' - if he turns out to be a boorish individual, his behavior would be embarrassing to your image in the public eye.

Even given all you might claim about him now, I know you cannot say in truth you trust this fiance. Trust is paramount, and when the inevitable betrayal occurs, you will wish to be rid of him.

[identity profile] peoplesprincess.livejournal.com 2009-08-30 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
It already is quite tolerable, and I'm not looking for enjoyment or a friendship. End of story.

Do you really think that someone who would do that sort of thing would have been chosen? This isn't a decision that was made lightly on either end, and you are insulting me, my father, and my advisers by implying that was.

[identity profile] thricedeadwind.livejournal.com 2009-08-30 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Your father's goals, as it has been shown many a time, do not always coincide with your own. And I am far too familiar with foolish advisers.

By speaking with you honestly upon such a subject, I am granting you the respect of my judgment, not the insult of allowing your arrogance and ignorance continue.

Know from one who has intimate knowledge of traitors and governments which have fallen into ruin, by my own hand - any man can hold the seeds of ruin within him. It need not even be with treasonous intent. Say he creates scandal from a foolish mistake - this alone is a betrayal to your goals. Believe what you will, but he will not exist in stasis while you perform more important duties. Unless you truly trust him, any liaison of this severity will be regretted later.

[identity profile] peoplesprincess.livejournal.com 2009-08-30 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Someone who wasn't trustworthy wouldn't have been chosen.

[identity profile] thricedeadwind.livejournal.com 2009-08-30 04:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Out of the millions of untrustworthy individuals breathing and breeding upon every world, you have found so easily one man who is unlike them?

Perhaps that foreboding portent signals not some calamity, yet rather a ruler who will be unable to correct her mistakes, even once she realizes them.

[identity profile] peoplesprincess.livejournal.com 2009-08-30 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Fire Nation citizens are clearly of a higher caliber than those from your world.

[identity profile] thricedeadwind.livejournal.com 2009-08-30 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
If there is but one thing this community has taught me, it is this; humanity is the same on every world. For good and for ill.

[identity profile] thricedeadwind.livejournal.com 2009-08-30 04:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"If someone were to put a proposition before men bidding them choose, after examination, the best customs in the world, each nation would certainly select its own."

I will only continue to hope, in vain though it may be, you might see outside of your arrogance and vanity in the future.

[identity profile] peoplesprincess.livejournal.com 2009-08-30 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not just being biased.