[This is my first publication on this site, and I hope someone finds it enjoyable! I'm trying to find my writing-groove again, so it won't be very smooth, but I will come back and edit everything eventually to make it flow even better! Also, does anyone know where I took part of this scene from? I borrowed it from another "story" when I just couldn't get it out of my head! Anyway, I'm looking forward to continue writing and hearing everyone's critiques! Thank you!]
A gaggle of girls surrounded Iroh, waiting for a chance to talk to him or even to simply catch his eyes looking their way. The young general kept a friendly disposition, listening to the girls chattering away to him. How is it overseas? How long will he be staying home in the Fire Nation? Will he leave again? Does he have a girlfriend? What's his favorite sweet?
He didn't want to seem rude, but he couldn't keep his attention from slipping away. His eyes were starting to glaze over helplessly. He had been in this position for over an hour already, and he was ready to leave the party despite it barely starting. Fortunately, it didn't seem like anyone noticed that he wasn't listening any longer. How many more hours did he have to remain stuck against the pillar?
Suddenly, the conversations slowed to a stop as a familiar face approached him. Tall and voluptuous, the new girl held a regal demeanor about her as the daughter of a nobleman. The long red dress she wore hugged her body, accentuating her hips, her slender leg slipping out of the slit on the side with every step she took. The group parted for her, shushing as she passed through them. She stopped before him and took a quick look around him at the girls.
"You're quite the celebrity, Iroh," she drawled, smirking at them before resting her emerald eyes back onto him.
He smiled. "Saya, it's been a while. You look well."
"Only well?" When he didn't reply and only kept smiling, she moved to stand beside him to observe the room. "Your mother throws quite the ball in your honor. Is she hoping you'll find a bride here tonight?"
"I've never known my mother to be that sneaky," he laughed.
"In that case, why not make the most of it and interact with the others? No need to stay here just to politely entertain half the population of Fire Nation girls."
The girls looked at the two uneasily, slowly dispersing in shame. A few shot angry glances Saya's way, but she paid no heed to those she felt were beneath her. Iroh quickly retorted on their behalf, drawing sniggers from them. "I'd be happy to politely entertain you if you're feeling envious."
"Please, I'm not desperate for your attention." Saya rolled her eyes in irritation and folded her arms, miffed.
She stood with him as the girls continued to flock around him, wanting to get far away from Saya but wanting to stay close to the general. How could they not want to be in his presence, she thought. He's such a catch. The Fire Lord Izumi's son and the youngest general ever to be in the United Forces. Such a catch. Even I can't seem to pull myself away from this ridiculous scene.
Iroh willed himself to stay in the company of the girls a while longer, dreading another hour of idleness and wishing he had heeded Saya's snarky words instead of rising to the defense of their humility. What could he do to mentally occupy himself without giving away his boredom? He could think of the errands he would have to run tomorrow. He could go through paperwork in his head. He could plan out the rest of his life and his retirement.
As he mulled it over, he caught a glimpse of a seemingly lost girl in the distance. She walked in front of his line of view, looking around in admiration of the grand room. She ran a hand through her thick black hair and took a deep breath, turning and locking eyes with his. A smile played at her lips as she lightly cocked her head, observing him. Without breaking eye contact, she made her way to him. The people around him seemed to have melted away, and the orchestra was a light buzzing now. Iroh was entranced by her forwardness with him.
She stopped before him, her hands clasped behind her back shyly. "You're the best looking guy here. Dance with me?"
Saya stiffened but said nothing, only glancing to see how Iroh would react. Iroh was fixated by the girl's uncommonly grey eyes, noting the small beauty mark under her left one. Agitated that it wasn't the reaction she wanted from him, Saya turned her head away and watched from the corner of her eyes as she tried to hide her discontentment.
When Iroh didn't respond, the girl straightened her back, hands at her hips.
"Let me guess. You'll only dance with someone you like." Then without hesitation, she drew her hand in a circular motion in front of his eyes as if to bewitch him. "You're-going-to-like-me. You're-going-to-like-me. ...did it work?"
Surprised, he chuckled and scratched the back of his head. "I can't dance."
"Of course you can. Everyone can dance!" Without hesitation, she seized his hand and pulled him away from the girls and a fuming Saya and that cursed pillar, dragging him into the crowd of dancing couples as the band transitioned into a waltz. She faced him and directed his hand onto her waist and into her hand, a light blush on his face as he felt the soft silken fabric of her white dress against his skin. She swayed off into one direction, guiding him side to side and in circular motions as he clumsily kept up. He fumbled, but she patiently redirected his hand to start again. When he fumbled once again and knocked into another couple, he turned and hurriedly walked away in embarrassment as they angrily looked their way while girl stuck her tongue out at them. She rushed to him and pulled him back in, positioning his hands once more.
"Try again!" They began to dance once more. "Don't think; just move."
They glided and weaved through the many couples, Iroh surprised that he was keeping up. She gradually let go of the reigns, and soon, he was leading, twirling her out and pulling her back into him. She smiled playfully at him, and he couldn't help but smile back. As the music slowed to a stop, so did they, their hands pressed against one another's as the lights dimmed and fireworks shot into the sky overhead, lighting the room through glass ceilings. She looked into his eyes before peering past his shoulder. Letting go of his hands and making a goodbye motion, she walked away briskly. Iroh watched her figure disappear through the crowd as the adrenaline slowed, bewildered and unsure of what he was feeling. His heart, on the other hand, remained fluttering.