They had a little back and forth, Toku and the official. Jael was only half listening. Toku seemed to think it was a joke. As if a Fire Nation official would waste his time on something so frivalous. Jael didn't feel the need to tell Toku about the Fire Sage's official document that he'd seen. Toku's doubts would vanish before long either way, and then any pretense of his former life would disappear. Let him enjoy the last few minutes of the first part of his life.

Toku turned to Jael. "It could be fun, I guess. It's not everyday I'm wrongly mistaken for the Avatar. And we'd get to go to the palace! So what do you say?" Do we come with this guy or what?"

"Yes, we're going." Jael managed to say. He moved out the door and started walking towards the capital, with a pace that was faster than it needed to be. He really wasn't in the mood to talk to Toku right now, so he figured he'd distance himself.

As he walked, various permutations of the same thoughts he had before kept coming to mind. His subconscious seemed to feel the need to remind him every two seconds that, yes, Toku was indeed the Avatar. Finally Jael put his hands to his head and just gave a big internal shout that echoed through his mind. Enough.

His thoughts cleared a bit, enough for Jael to focus more on the particulars. Toku was the Avatar. What would this mean for their relationship? Jael had taken plenty of joy in teasing Toku in the past, all in good fun; would Toku resent that now that he was the most powerful person in the world? Would he demand more respect, get a big head? It was hard to say. He didn't seem like the sort, but you'd never know what fame would do to a person.

Wait, would he even get to see Toku anymore? If Toku was the Avatar now, that meant he'd have to go off to learn the four elements. And after that he'd spend a large part of his life going from place to place, seeking to keep the balance. If he didn't ditch the job first.

Tch, even if Toku was going away, could Jael seriously just let him go on his own? Someone so irresponsible wasn't fit to be Avatar; he'd need someone to straighten him out. Yeah, that's right; Toku has his role to play, and Jael would make sure he'd play it. He'd be supportive, and be sure to gently nudge his friend down the right path. In a way, that made his role just as important as Toku's, didn't it?

Right now he had to plan. Toku would need to go to a firebending master first. The Fire Sages were good teachers, but also busy running the country. So they'd probably send him to another another firebending master, in another place.

Jael would need to pack. If he recalled his lessons well enough, the Avatar wasn't allowed to have many worldly possessions while mastering the elements. But the teacher had said nothing about whether his companions could have possessions. He'd need to pack some clothes, his favorite books, some money, maybe some food just in case.

Toku didn't have very many possessions to pack in the first place. Even if he did, his being the Avatar would ensure that he was taken care of. Heh, imagine that. People going out of their way to provide for Toku. Toku was going to have privileges for once. Wonder how he'd react to that.

Jael was sort of uncomfortable leaving his home and way of life behind. He was comfortable here, happy. Who knew what sort of hardships he'd have to endure at the Avatar's side. But it was necessary. A person who couldn't spot an opportunity when he saw one was a fool, and this was a once in the lifetime chance. Jael would be able to be at the Avatar's side as he shaped history. Perhaps he could shape some history himself...

Jael continued his planning as he walked, and before long the Fire Nation Capital Palace reared up before them. They climbed the long path of steps leading up to the palace walls, then the soldiers on patrol at the gate opened the doors for them. They moved past the guards and the various important people moving about outside the palace, and came directly to the entrance.

Soon they were inside, and were given a clear view of the beautiful marble and stone craftsmanship of the palace. The walls were all yellows and reds, royal colors of a most elegant variety. Patterns of dragons embroidered the walls, and vast columns were in place every several yards. The floor was pristine, and a straight red path ran from the entrance of the palace forward.

"Follow me," the official said, taking the red path. They went down a long hallway, and then entered a room with a pair of ornate doors. It was the room that bordered the Fire Sage's chamber. The official knocked twice on the door to the chamber.

"Wise Fire Sages, I have brought you the Avatar."

"Very good," An old but strong voice spoke from inside. "Send him in." The doors to the chamber opened. Jael took a few steps to the side of the outside chamber. This was clearly a very personal meeting, so he'd wait outside while his friend realized his destiny.