Urzai Month April 1st: Song
The second-born prince wandered the empty halls with a sigh, hand ghosting along the red columns. The parties his father hosted for Iroh had nothing to do with him, and yet his elder brother always tried to drag him into them, if not to get him drunk, then to try to have him hook up with some girl. The first few times Ozai was willing, but things soon got boring and repetitive.
He walked down the steps and into the small part of the garden that held the turtleduck pond, where there were less people. A few girls giggled at him from the other side of the garden, and he flashed a charming smile at them briefly, causing them to giggle louder, wave, blush, and run off. Ozai rolled his eyes and made his way silently towards the pond.
A heavenly voice suddenly disturbed the silence that had settled after those stupid airheaded girls left. Ozai paused, and hid himself behind a small willow tree, gazing at the lone figure sitting beneath the largest tree in the garden. Her audience were the turtleducks, who were, for once, completely silent as they listened to the woman beneath the tree.
Gaze upon my face my love,
How ironic, Ozai thought, as he waited for more. He did not believe in love at first sight, but the way the moon's ethereal beams shone on her lovely, pale face…
I implore you, say my name.
I remember naught but you,
a moth drawn to your flame.
What have I to lose, my dear,
when all I need is you?
There's nothing in this world
that I need more than you.
Ozai found himself drifting away, imagining that she was singing to him. He knows this song. He loves the arts, and whenever he has free time he spends it in the library practicing his calligraphy or painting, or reading up poetry and traditional music. He was curious as to how she will sing the next part for a man usually sings the next verse.
Come to me, my lady,
you have got nothing to fear.
Throw your body into mine,
I'll always keep you near.
Her voice had descended from a breathy soprano to a rich tenor, yet Ozai knew that he could do better than that—the verse was sung in baritone. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth.
Your name, your name, your name,
you whispered in my ear.
And now to make you remember,
your lovely name, my dear.
The woman started at his smooth voice, and he smiled at her, encouraging her to continue the song with a nod, and she prepared herself again.
Oh tell me, my love,
what is the title I bear.
I know your name, my love,
so this is hardly fair.
Ozai sat next to her and looked at her as he sang, making her blush delicately.
Do not be impatient my lady,
for you have said it there.
Your name was on your lips,
you're named after the bear.
The maiden flushed even more, but kept on singing.
Oh my darling, my love, my prince,
now we can finally marry.
So when I call your name,
you can cry out for me.
Ozai smirked at this verse and looked into her ochre eyes before singing his part.
My sweet, sweet, Ursa,
we belong together now.
Nothing in this world,
will break our loving vow.
They both sang the last part, as was written by the songwriter.
"My princess—"
"My prince—"
"I love you so."
"Hold onto me—"
"I'll never let go."
By the time they were done, a soft cherry hue had spread over the maiden's cheeks, and warmth stirred in Ozai. It was a foreign sensation.
"Pardon me, my lady, but I have yet to learn to your name?" Ozai asked, raising her hand and kissing it softly.
"My name's Ursa. My parents named me after the woman in the song, in hopes that I will find someone who loves me as much as the man loves the woman." She said, smiling. Ozai quirked an eyebrow.
"And what kind of man were they expecting?" He asked.
"They want a good son-in-law who will not break my heart." Ursa said boldly. "I have not found a suitor as of yet, because most men in the Fire Nation are pigs."
Ozai laughed loudly at this, and Ursa bowed her head. "Forgive me. It was not my place to speak out."
"Oh no, don't apologise for that. It was quite refreshing for a change." Ozai chuckled. "Goodness knows this nation needs more girls like you, and less like the ones who ogle me every time my brother holds a ball."
"Your…your brother?" Ursa gasped. "Forgive me, Fire Prince Ozai, I did not recognise you." She prostrated herself in front of him, but he caught her, making a disapproving noise. She shied away from his touch.
"Please, lady Ursa—sit up." He chuckled. "What brings you to this part of the palace? Shouldn't a lovely young lady like you be enjoying herself with other boys from the noble families?" He queried. Ursa shook her head.
"Nobles or not, they're…" She hesitated, struggling to find the right word.
"Pigs, I know." Ozai said wryly. "Which is why I don't spend time with them either." He said. "My brother, on the other hand…" He sighed dramatically. "He is married, and yet flirts with every person he sees who doesn't have a d—" He stopped himself just in time, looking at Ursa's raised eyebrows. He coughed. "Pardon me, my lady. I…get carried away at the worst of times." He apologised, a light pink dusting his otherwise pale face. Ursa brought a hand up to her mouth to stifle a giggle.
"No, it's quite alright, my prince." She said. Ozai tried not to look too affected by the title. He has heard the title from many people before, be they servants or girls hoping to catch his attention, but none have made him feel like this before. The foreign sensation from before was back. "If I may be so bold to ask, how does a prince of the nation know such a romantic song?" Her voice held a teasing quality in it.
"I…read. A lot." Ozai said, fumbling with his words. Ursa smiled.
"Or you're just a hopeless romantic at heart." She said. The teasing was more prominent now. The gears in Ozai's mind whirred, trying to come up with a suitable reply.
"Well, if I am indeed a hopeless romantic, my lady, will you allow me to lead you onto the dance floor?" He stood, extending a hand down to her. Ursa looked at him in surprise, taking his hand and standing.
"I would be honoured to, my prince." She said, sending a shiver down Ozai's spine. Curse this girl for making him feel this way.
"Please, just call me Ozai." He said, hoping the reduction of the 'my' in front of his title would lessen the effects of the strange feeling.
"Of-of course, p…Ozai." She said, giving him a stunning smile. Ozai swallowed.
Nope, switching 'my prince' to 'Ozai' only made it worse.
