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Meifeng was born to an impoverished family in the city of Jilin Ma. Her father's weapons and armor business hardly drew in any money due to the variability of the Earth Bender's abilities, and her mother did tailoring on the side just to keep food on the table. Meifeng made it her goal in life to rise above the poverty and stay there. One way or another, their less-than-ideal lifestyle weighed heavily on Meifeng's personality and attitude toward life; pushing her to become more of a realist and a pessimist, even at an early age. She never believed in fairy tales or prince charming, choosing instead to ignore such fanciful things and the other children who believed in them. in favor of endeavors like schoolwork and weapons proficiency, training often with her father to protect her for the future. As Meifeng grew, so too did her sense of logic; often choosing not right or wrong, but whatever furthers her own gains. Her reserved, mature, and cold demeanor kept her from making too many friends in the city, so she had ample time to herself and her own pursuits, developing her solidarity and independence even further.

Once the fire noble took over the city, both of her parent's professions came into demand. The fire nation soldiers were always looking for new armor and weapons, and few seamstresses within the city were willing to create clothing for their new occupants. As such, her parents, who were willing to do anything to improve their living conditions, soon went from complete poverty to moderate wealth. While their competition was imprisoned or dredged to the depths of society for going against the orders of their new noble, they moved into one of the larger estates on the city, and began seeing their customers in and outside the home. Meifeng herself was often sent to deliver products to the various fire nation encampments and homes, seeing first hand the people considered their "enemies". Although they were soldiers, many of the men and women were just like those of the Earth nation; wanting only to better the circumstances for their people and nation. Some were cruel, but others weren't, and Meifeng couldn't bring herself to refer to these people as "evil", as many of the citizens of Jilin Ma did behind their backs.

As such, Meifeng finds it hard to truly ally herself with her cousin, the rebel leader, and their accomplices. She knows that they're fighting for the people of the city, but with nothing but good things coming out of the fire noble's position for her own family, Meifeng has no desire to see the earth noble reinstated. Her parents have become avid supporters of the fire nation themselves, and she's found herself walking a very thin line between supporting one side or the other in order to appease both sides. She refuses to take a side despite goading from both parties, choosing to follow her own sense of justice and reason between them. Her logical skills, and often biting words, keep others from pushing her too far; though also leaves most at an emotional distance from her. She'll (verbally) stand up to any people whom oppose her, using common sense and rationality, though personally, Meifeng isn't a fan of violence, even when necessary.

Zaya was everything a nobleman could want in a daughter. She was beautiful, gracefully so, from her dark, serene eyes down to the poised walk of her light footsteps. Even more, she was a brilliantly intelligent and sharp perfectionist, attentive to details and subtlety. Her reputation preceded her: a loyal, young, perceptive woman of inner harmony, something surely her noble father would be proud of.

If willing to ignore the fact that Zaya was not his true daughter, of course.

Zaya's real father wasn't a nobleman, but a wandering water bender her mother had not only slept with, but bore the child of; a terrible taboo in the Fire Nation. Seeking a cover up, Zaya's mother blamed the child on a Fire Nation nobleman, convincing him to marry her before she gave birth to Zaya. The cover up worked, and Zaya was born into Fire Nation nobility. The cover up was not without its risks; at a young age, Zaya began the first inklings of water bending that she inherited from her father, drawing up rainwater from puddles and pulling sake from her mother's cup. Her mother suppressed and punished Zaya for these skills. If any discovery were to be found, Zaya and her mother would, at best, be exiled. At worst, the two could be killed. Zaya's mother gave birth again, who she also claimed was the Fire Nation nobleman's child. Later, her mother would use both Zaya and her brother's false heritages alongside her father's impotence to bargain and, eventually, leave.

Memories of early water bending faded from Zaya's mind as she grew up. and Zaya believed she was a true noble daughter of the great Fire Nation. Built upon the belief of her blood lineage, Zaya saw herself in the strict firelight of her nation as a woman whose duties to her country were of absolute importance over even her own life. She saw herself as someone who must use her abilities to bring order to an unruly, filthy, world; a world whose cure could only be administered through the red hotness of the flame. Her opportunities to serve her nation had, at first, been limited. Her father, though he was noble, was not only the youngest but weakest of three children. He had little political presence, and no involvement in the military. Being female and unable to fire bend, Zaya was limited from the Fire Nation's army, unable to command the spread of her nation's flames. And, to her frustration, her presence at meetings was limited to tea rooms, smiling politely as if she were furniture, and sitting silently as the men discussed on.

After her mother left her father, Zaya felt a strong sense of disappointment, both towards her position in life and the position of her father. After the years passed, she harbored anger towards her father, and found herself impatient with him. Yes, he was a scholar, contributing to the knowledge of the nation. But his research did not bear great fruits for the nation's army, and otherwise Zaya saw his contributions as minor. If only she had been another nobleman's daughter, of greater military strength or political power, Zaya could do more for her nation. Then came news of the family's duties to keep order in the newly conquered Jilin Ma. Zaya not only offered to come faithfully with her father to Jilin Ma, but to provide council. Of course, she couldn't command the guards, nor would she preside over the people as her noble father would. But, she promised, she would keep her eyes and ears open for any etchings of dissent when his might be closed. She would stand by his side during meetings and provide political presence and pressure, and she would be her father's most loyal councilor, harboring secrets and ensuring that all loose ends would be tied and firmly knotted. She would be his right hand of guidance, his fist when his strength faltered, and the stranglehold on those who opposed him.

Zaya, though calm, loyal, and rarely prone to emotional bursts, is an extreme perfectionist, holding high standards for herself as well as others, whether they are above or beneath her rank. A job poorly done is a job not acceptable at all, no matter the condition. She is headstrong, and often believes herself a better decision maker than those around her, despite her lack of experience. Her faith in her nation is blind, even when questioning her own superiors. Though her council is thoughtful, she is quick to question and insult the abilities of others, placing those around her under immense social pressure, especially during stressful times. Zaya swore to keep no secrets from her father upon departing to Jilin Ma, promising to reveal everything she discovers to him, but her father still keeps her true heritage a secret. He would never tell Zaya of her real father, nor would he let Zaya know that she was born a water bender. She places great value in her noble birthright, justifying all she does, both good and bad, in the perspective of her nation. However, her noble birthright is false, and though her beliefs are firm, they stand on fragile ice. If the truth were to reach her, her understanding of her own self would shatter.