Chapter Text
“Hey, Jet, we need you to float today,” Song called to him as he clocked in. It wasn’t uncommon for him to be dragged to another department when they were low on staff. Honestly, he probably spent half of his time being floated between departments.
At least it made things interesting. “Where you sending me?” he asked distractedly, clipping his ID back to his shirt.
“Merch.”
Jet laughed loud and shook his head. “Sure you are. You know that Azula is just gonna send me back the second I show up.”
“She wanted someone to staff and wanted them to be over 18, she’ll take you or she’ll make due being short staffed,” Song answered with a shrug. “Head to the Blue Room and she’ll tell you where you’re going.”
“See you in about fifteen minutes,” he shrugged, turning on heel to humour her.
It was already starting to get uncomfortably warm and it was barely after ten, so he knew it was going to be insanely hot today. He longed for the air conditioning of the photo studio but he knew he’d be back soon enough.
“Morning Jet!” Aang called as he passed by, already with a broom and dustpan in hand and a big smile. “Where are they sending you today?”
“Hey Aang,” Jet nodded back. The other guy was always in an insanely good mood considering that his days consisted of cleaning up messes and hauling garbage around, but it was sort of impossible not to be on good terms with him. “Merch.”
Aang let out a whistle and shook his head. “Good luck,” he offered.
“Catch me back at the photo gallery later.”
As expected, the second that Jet walked into the Blue Room and Azula saw him her jaw hardened.
“Absolutely not. Get out,” Azula snapped, crossing her arms over her stomach and causing the stiff baby blue fabric to wrinkle.
“Song says you can ask another department for a float if you don’t want to take me,” he gave a lazy shrug, though the smirk most associated him with was present on his face.
He didn’t want to work with Azula, she was the worst, but he did like that his presence was annoying her. He reveled in the temporary power.
She grabbed her walkie talkie and spoke into it quickly. “Merch calling Food.”
It was almost instant the response that came back. “This is Jin, go ahead for Foods.”
“Do you have anyone you can spare for a float?”
It was almost sad how clearly Azula was hoping for a yes.
Jet didn’t care much either way, leaning back against the wall and enjoying the AC.
“Give me a minute. Foods go to 3,” Jin answered and there was silence.
“Merch this is Yu,” came another voice through the walkie talkie.
Yu was the president of operations of the park. If it was anyone else being called, they’d probably be nervous but Azula didn’t even break a sweat.
“Azula. Go for Merch.”
“Song told me she floated someone to you already? Did you get another call out?”
There was a deep sigh and Jet couldn’t help the shit eating grin on his face. Azula was well and truly fucked now. She would either have to lie or admit that she simply didn’t want to work with Jet.
“Oh, he just arrived,” Azula lied smoothly, shooting Jet a death glare as if it were his fault. “Foods, disregard.”
“I’m not working with you,” she hissed and pressed the walkie button again. “Azula calling On Ji. Go to 5.”
“Copy.” On Ji was another Merchandise supervisor, though Jet had limited experience with her as he always ended up running into Azula. “Go on 5.”
“Hey I need to swap my float for one of your regulars. I’ll let them work cash and stock in the main store and the float can take one of your carts.”
“I’m sending a 17 year old,” On Ji warned.
Azula swore colorfully and Jet cast an amused glance her way, knowing that if she accepted this trade she’d have to mess with her whole break schedule to make sure they didn’t break labor laws for the minor.
Mai sauntered into the Blue Room at that moment with Ty Lee, the peppy games operator greeting everyone with a smile as Mai barely acknowledged them.
“Mai would you-” Azula started as soon as she saw her.
“No,” Mai cut her off as she clocked in. “I’m off to my stand. See you for my break.”
No one else would have dared to be so flippant in their disregard for Azula but Mai seemingly didn’t care, lingering only for Ty Lee to get her cash bag from the cash drop.
“See you later!” Ty Lee called as she exited with Mai, chattering happily to her.
“Azula, do you want that 17 year old or not?” On Ji said over the walkie.
Azula glared darkly at Jet and muttered for a few moments. “Send them over. I’ll send you the float to the Green Room,” she finally said.
“Pleasure doing business with you,” Jet said sarcastically, giving Azula a mock salute.
“Fuck right off, Jet,” Azula answered easily.
“You first,” he replied as he turned to leave. He was sure that he was going to suffer at some outdoor stand for the rest of the day as a result, but at least he wasn’t going to have to deal with Azula if he was on On Ji’s side of the park.
Perhaps Haru would even swing by and save him from some of the inevitable boredom that would certainly happen at whatever stand he was stuck at. Maybe, if he were lucky, he’d end up next to Smellerbee’s Dippin Dots cart or at one of the stands that were near Longshot’s toy weapons cart.
As he walked toward the Green Room he saw Zuko and June from rides walking briskly together, only a portion of their conversation catching him.
“Why are we sending them to Sokka though? My teams could-”
“If the two of you could make decisions without clashing I wouldn’t have to get involved-”
“Well that’s not-”
Their voices faded and Jet shook his head, glad that he wasn’t floated to rides for the day. That department was a mess (he’d have to ask Haru for the details later).