Welcome to Urzai month! I started this because of my love for Urzai and I hope you can all share in this with me! It begins today on April 1, 2013 and if all goes well, I hope to continue
The first prompt is song. Let's see where that takes us!
Dedicated to Elle (fictitiousburn, xavalos on tumblr) ! Also to my Ozai (exfirelordozai) for being such a wonderful RP partner these past few months. Here's to what we've done and hopefully much more!
In addition I want to say the timing was inspired by Lady Avatar's birthday being this past Saturday. I wanted to start on then, but starting at the beginning of a month seemed the best.
To Urzai!
As usual, Ozai wandered the palace after dinner. He tried to do it as often as possible when work allowed. Thankfully tonight was one of those nights. It was his thinking time, his peace, his solitude and silence. Tonight however, that silence was broken with a song.
The young prince was curious at the sound. It was coming from the direction of the Royal Garden. Odd as it sounded like a beautiful voice. He was curious. It was a woman, which narrowed down the possibilities significantly. It was the Royal Garden, meaning it had to be a member of the Royal family. The only female currently alive in such was his wife? That didn't quite make sense to him.
This wasn't something he heard often, music in general. He wasn't one for it himself, though he didn't loathe it. Iroh was more of the music person, though he certainly didn't have the talent. His father never liked it much at all. And he never found a need for it. So hearing someone, likely his wife, singing caught him off guard a bit.
He walked towards the garden, listening to the unusual song coming from her lips. He couldn't figure out what it was at first…But then he realized why. It was in the old tongue. It hadn't been used for years; only the sages still used it now. Even they used the modern language most of the time. He'd had lessons in it as a child but he never excelled in that area, nor had he cared to.
Her beautiful voice didn't diminish as he realized it. In fact, he was impressed. It seemed there were many things he didn't know about his wife. What surprised him though was that she didn't say it. It shouldn't considering in their marriage of over a year, he still felt as though he hadn't finished getting to know her.
To ensure no interruption, Ozai stood off to the side while she finished her song. He wanted to listen but he wasn't sure how well it would be received if he walked in. Besides, she might stop and he didn't want her to do that.
Ursa looked sad, or pensive at the least as she continued the song in her beautiful soprano voice until it reached it's climax, and eventual end. He listened and watched, trying to figure out what she would do next. If she was going to sing again, he wasn't sure he wanted to interrupt. However it didn't seem like that would happen as shortly thereafter she sat by the turtleduck pond and began talking. He moved slightly closer to see if he could hear what she was saying. He wondered if he'd realized he was there. But as she began, he could tell she certainly wasn't talking TO him.
"So many things have been happening lately…I feel like my life has been flipped upside down lately. I suppose it shouldn't be that much of a shock now. It's been over a year. But somehow…this makes it seem more real. It hits home so to speak." She paused, looking out at the water as if she was pondering what she just said.
The speaking became more of whispering so it became harder for the Fire Prince to hear. "It's strange isn't it? How circumstances make all the difference. I'm surrounded by people, sometimes more than in the village, but I feel so alone. That feeling of being in a crowd yet being alone…Though I don't think I'll be alone now. I'm not sure that'd even be possible." Ursa laughed slightly, looking down at herself.
"I also imagined our circumstances to be different. I thought we'd meet in a difference place, in a different time. But that wasn't how it was meant to be. I thought I would be with Ikem. I thought we would marry and spend the rest of our lives together. I thought we'd have children together…But it isn't so."
Princess or not, she was still herself. She never forgot her past. "Forgive me if I seem ungrateful at the moment. Maybe it's you doing this to me, making things out of sorts. " Her hands shifted from their position in her lap.
"But I believe we can learn to work together. It may take time, but I believe it. I didn't anticipate this happening so soon but I'm somewhat grateful. For the first time since I've been here…I feel like maybe things will be alright. It makes things hit home sooner, which is why I think this rattled me so much." She sighed and took a calming breath. "Everything happens for a reason…" With that she let herself sit in silence, taking in the cool night air.
After he heard silence for the longest time, he finally stepped out of the shadows to approach her. "Are you done talking to yourself now?"
Startled, Ursa turned around to face him, dropping her hands. Normally she would have picked up on his presence sooner but she was so lost in thought that she'd let herself slip this time. "How long have you been there?"
"Long enough." He responded, looking at her curiously. "You sing." Ozai stated, a fact not a question.
Relieved, his wife nodded. "I do. I suppose you heard me then."
"Why did you hide it? It's a desirable enough trait in a potential wife. My father may not have much of an appreciation for music, nor do I, but we wouldn't hold it against you." Truthfully he liked it even if he wouldn't say it aloud.
"Some things, Prince Ozai, are private." The response was simple and brief. She stood up to leave but stopped, nearly falling over.
Ozai moved quickly and caught her, sitting her down. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just a little dizzy."
"First you excuse yourself for not feeling well at dinner, now you nearly faint. Clearly it's something." He wondered if she was ill.
"Really. I'm fine. It's completely normal." Ursa assured him, attempting to gain her bearings.
"How is almost fainting normal?" His voice betrayed some emotion despite attempting to keep himself collected.
"Dizziness isn't uncommon in the earlier part of pregnancy." She'd seen many of the women in her village have children and several of her friends had their own. Ursa knew, plus she'd talked to the healer.
Ozai stopped in his tracks. "Pregnancy? You're…pregnant?"
She nodded, taking a deep breath. She wasn't sure how he'd react to the news.
"You're sure?"
"One hundred percent. I spoke to the healer just this morning."
"I'm…going to be a father?" This both terrified him and excited him. He knew his father would be pleased he'd finally produced an heir. But terrified because…he had no idea how to be a father. And he did not want to be like Azulon was with him. Nor did he like the idea of being as foolish and lax as Iroh.
"Yes." Ursa took his hand and placed it on her still small stomach. It wouldn't remain that way for too much longer. "Are you mad?"
Despite his conflicted feelings, mad wasn't one of them. "Why on earth would I be mad? I'm going to be a father…" The second son looked down at his hand on his wife's stomach then looked back up at her.
Once more Ursa nodded, hoping he was alright since he kept asking that.
"I'm not sure I'll be a good one. You've seen me with Lu Ten. I don't really do children." Though it was his duty to produce heirs. He'd always known he'd have them but he never really thought that part through.
"No one knows what kind of parent they'll be until they are one. Besides," Ursa said, putting her hands on top of his. "We're in this together. All three of us."
"All three of us…" Ozai repeated, looking down at her stomach again before kissing her. "As terrifying as that sounds, I think I could get used to that."
His wife kissed him back, smiling. "I think I could too."
A/N: SOO there's my first submission for Urzai Month. Sorry it sucks. XD I couldn't get the ending right. But there we go. I did it. And I'll work my butt off to do the rest! J Because how would it be if I didn't do them and I started this thing? I'll try to get ahead on Spring Break next week. So I won't be as rushed as Zutara Month…for which I still need to write 4 prompts and post the rest. But hey, it's a start to getting me back into writing! Gotta love Urzai!
Also check out my tumblr formerprincessursa if you want to read some Urzai! I rp with Ozai as stated above and it's so much fun!
Thanks for your patience!
~ Kait
