9.24.12
Beginning
His gaze is cold, his mouth set in a hard line. He is not happy to be here.
Ursa straightens, meets his gaze squarely. Matches his expression. Mirrors his stance. She tilts her chin up, defiant.
His expression changes very slightly, eyebrows arching. Still, she refuses to smile, refuses to bow.
"Ursa!" Her mother has rushed over in a flurry of silk robes. "Where are your manners? I apologize, Prince Ozai," she says, bowing deeply. "My daughter is - "
"No," he interrupts, very quietly. "No, there is no need to apologize. Please, Lady Hong - could you excuse us for a moment?"
His gaze has still not left Ursa's face. Ursa is surprised, as is her mother, who has fallen into stunned silence. "Of - of course," Lady Hong murmurs before hastily backing away into the crowd.
Ursa stares at the prince for a split second longer before he surprises her again. He bows, the light glinting off of his crown. "Lady Ursa," he says quietly.
Suddenly embarrassed, Ursa mimics him and bows as well. "Prince Ozai." Inside, she is reeling - the royal family never bows to anyone first. Never.
When they have straightened, her gaze returns to his face once more. And though his expression is still stiff and unsmiling, this time she sees something different: the ice in his gaze has melted just a tiny bit.