Hou-Ting quotes from The Legend of Korra

Gun

Your majesty, may I present Avatar Korra.

Hou-Ting

[shouting at her servants] You're ruining the koi pond! It's completely overshadowed by the topiaries! Guards, take that buffoon away and get me someone who knows what they're doing! You! Rip everything out and start over! I am surrounded by idiots. [notices Korra] So I finally get a visit from the Avatar. Let me guess, you want something.

Korra

Well, actually, your majesty, I was hoping you could...

Hou-Ting

I hardly think you're in a position to ask me for favors after everything the last Avatar did to the Earth Kingdom. He and Fire Lord Zuko took advantage of my father's weakness, and stole our lands to make their own little empire. The United Republic is Earth Kingdom territory.

Korra

Well, I-I'm not sure what I can do about that.

Hou-Ting

Not that you care, but what's left of my kingdom is falling to ruin. Roving bands of barbarians are raiding villages in the countryside, and now, some of my subjects are refusing to pay their taxes.

Korra

I'm very sorry for your troubles, but actually...

Hou-Ting

[at her servants] That topiary is supposed to be an eel-swan, not a turtle-duck!

Gun

Your majesty, the Avatar has returned with the tax payments.

Hou-Ting

Finally. Secure it in the vault.

Gun

It's being done as we speak.

Korra

So now, your majesty, if I could start meeting some of the airbenders here in the city.

Hou-Ting

The Dai Li thoroughly searched the city, but it seems your reports were incorrect. There are no airbenders in Ba Sing Se. So you can gather your little band and be on your way tomorrow.

Korra

You make me do your dirty work extorting your own citizens for your stupid palaces and topiaries, and then you just want to send me away? We're not going anywhere until we find some airbenders! We know there are some here!

Hou-Ting

Get her out of my sight!

Korra

This isn't over! I'm going to find the airbenders!

Queen Hou-Ting

What is this rifraf doing in my throne room unannounced?!

Zaheer

(bows) Apologies, Your Majesty. But I couldn't help overhearing that the Avatar won't be joining us today.

Queen Hou-Ting

The Avatar is still in my custody! However, eavesdropping on royal conversations will land you in a cell right next to those boys you brought in! Now, if you value your freedom, you'll tell me where the airbenders are, right now!

Zaheer

(coldly) That wasn't the deal.

Queen Hou-Ting

(furious) I will not bandy words with bounty hunters! Seize these hoodlums and throw them in prison, until they decide to show proper respect for the Crown!

Queen Hou-Ting

(cowering behind her throne) GUN! GET BACK HERE AND LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR YOUR QUEEN, YOU COWARD! (arrogantly, as Zaheer aproaches) You wouldn't DARE attack a Queen!

Zaheer

(coldly) Maybe I forgot to mention something to you... I don't believe in Queens.

Zaheer

(angrily) You think that freedom is something you can give or take, on a whim. But to your people, freedom is just as essential as... air. And without it... there is no life. There is only... darkness.