A/N: I gave a little (or rather not so little) throwback to the Jasmine Dragon, hope you guys don't mind. And I forgot to mention in the last chapter, thanks to my friend L'ange-sans-ailes for the title to this story, and for all the encouragement.
Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil. –C.S. Lewis
"Why are you waking me up so early?" Iroh groaned as he slowly propped himself up to look at his mother.
"Because if one of the servants came in you would end up throwing something." Iroh glared at her, "Don't look at me like that, you're the one leaving Jeong Jeong waiting outside for you. And don't forget you did promise to take..."
"I didn't forget about lunch," He said, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
"Good, because I made reservations for you at your favorite restaurant." She paused, then sighed, "Please talk to him about his behavior. His latest antics have servants quitting left and right."
"Alright, I'll see what I can do."
After a quick wash and a trip to the royal physician Iroh made his way outside. He stayed in the protective shade of the building while looking out-Jeong Jeong was passing the time with a small figure in the palace court yard. He lingered for a moment and watched as his best friend interacted with the six-year-old who was jumping around and pulling on Jeong Jeong.
Iroh called out from the shadows, "Ozai, leave the man alone."
"It's alright," Jeong Jeong smiled back, "The young prince is filled with fire this morning."
The boy bounded up to his brother, "You didn't forget about taking me to lunch, did you?"
Iroh chuckled to himself, "Was that today? I completely forgot to make reservations."
Ozai gasped, "No!"
Iroh outright laughed, "I think they'll make an exception for us."
"Yes!" The boy jumped up and down.
"But," Ozai stopped jumping and listened intently, "You have to give me some time to do my patrol. Go get ready."
"Okay," the young prince beamed and quickly disappeared inside.
Jeong Jeong looked at Iroh and smirked, "Looks like you had a rough night."
"How are you not in pain?" Iroh said as he shielded his eyes from the sun as he stepped into the courtyard.
"How are you in pain? You barely had anything to drink; you spent the whole night NOT talking to Kaida." The pair started walking out from the palace gates.
"I'd just as soon not talk about that failure, if it's all the same to you," He said while trying to stretch the hangover from his body.
"If it makes you feel any better, I think the girl I went home with last night robbed me." They turned just outside the gate and followed the road to the nearest market.
"What makes you say that?" Iroh asked.
"I woke up naked in the middle of my empty room." Jeong Jeong said, nonchalantly.
"Wait, didn't you drag me home last night?"
"I have a life outside of you." Jeong Jeong spat out as they passed a cabbage vendor.
"Since when?" Iroh asked, feigning shock.
"Since you decided to become mentor to that teenage vandal."
"Oh great spirits of the sky, did I really offer to train the boy?" Iroh put his hand to his brow.
"Yes, yes you did." Jeong Jeong said, clearly exasperated, "And don't think I'm going to have any part in that fiasco."
"Not even if I offer to pay for drinks?" Iroh looked at his friend and pulled a long face.
"Don't look at me like that. You may look innocent now but I know you just want to see that girl again."
"I told you I don't want to talk about that." Iroh sighed.
"If you don't make a clear move on her tonight, you know I will!"
Iroh thought for a moment, then said, "I'll make my move if you help me with training."
Jeong Jeong took a hard look at his friend, "Are you seriously playing that card?"
"Well I am the witty prince."
"I'll believe that when I see your moves tonight."
That ended the conversation. The pair continued their rounds in a comfortable silence. As they came near the town's best restaurant, the Jasmine Dragon, the friends stopped. There were two royal guards posted outside the door.
"I suppose this is my stop," Iroh said as he walked towards the entrance.
"Leave me alone with that boy and they won't find his body." Jeong Jeong called out.
"Duly noted," Iroh smiled at his friend as he slipped inside. His brother wasn't hard to spot; the entourage of armed guards immediately gave his position away. He made his way to the table, sat down, and waved his hand at the guards, "Leave us."
The lead guard stepped forward, "Prince Iroh, we have been ordered to stay with Prince Ozai. The Fire Lord has..."
"The Fire Lord is all the way in the palace and I am right here. What do you think I'll do if you don't give my brother and me some quality time?"
"But-" The guard started to protest before Iroh interrupted again.
"The least you could do is wait outside," The guards bowed and left the brothers alone.
Ozai looked at his with wide eyes, "That was awesome!"
"It's the least I could do for not being at home more often." Iroh raised an eyebrow, "I hear you're causing a lot of mischief."
"Who's going to stop the prince of the Fire Nation?"
Iroh raised both eyebrows.
"I can't help it," Ozai whined, "it's so boring."
"That's no excuse. Boredom means you are wasting your time."
The younger prince crossed his arms and flopped back in his chair. "You never make any sense."
"Sense comes with age, brother.
True to his word, Iroh was at the south gates of the palace on time. He found his trusted friend and his new trainee standing on opposite sides of the gate, facing away from each other.
Iroh grinned as he stepped closer, "Alright, let's see what the boy can do. Let's go inside."
"I have a name!" Piandao said angrily.
"No one cares," Jeong Jeong stated. The trio walked inside the gates.
"Why is he even here?" Piandao exclaimed, very exasperated, " Why am I fighting this deadbeat? I bet he couldn't burn a coal!"
"Jeong Jeong is a skilled fire bender. Plus, if I'm sparring with you I can't thoroughly watch you. What have they taught you in that camp?"
"Basic offense, a little weapons training."
"What about bending?" Asked Iroh.
Piandao hung his head, but said nothing.
"Silence?" Jeong Jeong threw up his hands, "Thank you spirits for this reprieve. I'll-"
Iroh put his hand on his friends shoulder, stopping him. "You can't bend, can you?"
"No." Piandao hung his head, "My parents were both masters. They were so ashamed of me they left me on the front steps of the orphanage."
Iroh nodded, then stepped back, "Now I know what we're working with. Take your stances, let's see what you can do."
"You're still going to train me?"
"I told you we would. Bending is only a part of fighting. Admiral Katsu, who you were unfortunate enough to meet last night, can't bend. But he still made it to that rank because of his focus and skill."
"Not to mention his bloodlust," Jeong Jeong said, "Are we going to stand here and talk all day or are we going to spar?"
Iroh nodded and stepped back. Piandao and Jeong Jeong faced each other and took basic offensive stances. They circled each other for a tense moment, then Piandao took initiative and charged. He tried to put a blow on Jeong Jeong's shoulder, but as soon as he got close enough the elder grabbed his arm and easily flipped him onto the ground. The teen jumped back up, unfazed, and charged again. He got in a few good hits, and the match lasted a good ten minutes. All the while, Iroh was shouting out advice, but Piandao was no match for the experienced soldier. Jeong Jeong quickly got Piandao on his back again, and this time the wind was knocked out of him.
"Alright," Iroh said, as Jeong Jeong helped the wheezing teen back up, "I've seen enough for now. Walk with us, I'll give you pointers."
"Where are we going?" Piandao asked enthusiastically.
"We shouldn't be taking him to that bar," Jeong Jeong said, "he'll throw your game."
"Don't worry, my friend, I have a plan." Iroh smiled.
"Oh really-the last time you had a plan we got stuck with him," Jeong Jeong stuck his thumb at Piandao.
"So Prince Iroh is a genius," Piandao grinned.
The trio made it to the bar and sat at a booth in the back. Kaida saw them sit down, said something to the bartender, and slowly made her way over to them.
"Ok, Prince Genius, I'm ready for this plan of yours." Jeong Jeong said quietly.
When she got to the table, he said, "Hi, I'm Iroh."
"Yes, I'm well aware of who the crowned prince of the Fire Nation is," She said with a hand on her hip.
"Smooth," Jeong Jeong said quietly.
"Shut up," Iroh said through his teeth.
"Just order her to go out with you." Jeong Jeong said.
"Well..." Iroh thought for a moment, "No that's dumb."
"Hello? I'm standing right here!" She said, slightly agitated.
"Your smoothness is beyond measure," Jeong Jeong whispered.
"Look," Kaida sighed, "If I agree to one date with you, ONE, will you quit bothering me?"
"Yes?" Iroh said, slightly confused.
"Alright," She said, "Meet me tomorrow at noon, by the fountain outside the Jasmine Dragon."
After she left, Jeong Jeong pat Iroh on the back and laughed, "I can see why you like her! Straight to the point-you need that, my friend."
After a short while Kaida came back with beer as well as dumplings for the trio at the back table.
"See," Iroh turned to Jeong Jeong, "They're getting better." He turned back to reach for the plate, only to be surprised that half of the food was gone already.
"Are you going to save any of those for us?" Jeong Jeong asked. Piandao had his mouth stuffed, so he just shook his head. Jeong Jeong raised an eyebrow, "Oh? How are you going to stop me?"
Piandao grabbed the plate and hid underneath the table. Iroh laughed, "He's a crafty one."
"He ate our dinner."
Iroh was about to respond when, with a great commotion, three men stepped through the door. It was Admiral Katsu with two of his henchmen.
"Wench, my soldiers and I are hungry! What does this sty have to offer?" The Admiral said loudly.
Jeong Jeong leaned over and said softly, "I believe he just called your date a wench."
Iroh nodded and got up, "I heard."
"Where's he going?" Piandao asked nervously, coming up from under the table.
"Boy, you are about to witness the most polite ass chewing of all four nations." Jeong Jeong said while managing to steal the last dumplings off the plate.
"Admiral Katsu," Iroh gave a polite smile, "I understand that you and your men are so hungry you may have forgotten your manners. I forgive you because I know that you are capable of gratitude, but the young lady may be less forgiving because she has only seen this dreadful side of you."
The admiral turned red.
Piandao asked softly, "And if the admiral doesn't like what he had to say?"
"Not even this admiral is fool enough to pick a fight with the crowned prince of the Fire Nation," Jeong Jeong responded. Admiral Katsu leapt to his feet, sword in hand. Jeong Jeong stood up and muttered, "Didn't see that coming."
Iroh said calmly, "I wouldn't do that if I were you."
"Your father can't save you here, boy," Katsu spat out.
"You're right, he can't but..." He paused for effect. Jeong Jeong leapt onto the admiral's table and dispatched his two henchmen, while Iroh finished, "You're outnumbered."
"And outclassed," said Jeong Jeong as he jumped down from the table.
Katsu was visibly shaking, but managed to keep his sword raised at Iroh, "One of these days I will end your little friend, Iroh, and you will face me in singles combat." He started walk briskly towards the door, leaving his henchmen behind.
"That's Prince Iroh to you, Katsu!" Jeong Jeong called out, defiantly. They made their way back to the booth.
"Why did you stick up for him?" Piandao asked Jeong Jeong.
"That's what friends do," Jeong Jeong gave a rare genuine smile.
Kaida came back up to the table, shaking, "The owner wants to talk with you."
Iroh looked at Jeong Jeong, "Take him home?"
Jeong Jeong nodded, finished his beer in a quick swig, and said "Let's go."
After they were out the door, Piandao asked hopefully, "So, same time tomorrow?"
Jeong Jeong sighed, "I believe Prince Iroh has tomorrow booked, with that date. Afterwards he has a meeting he can't miss, and that will take the entire afternoon." He looked at Piandao, who seemed disappointed at the news, "But if you want, I can take you shopping. I can tell the clothes you are in now hinder your movement, but I'm afraid we don't have anything that would fit your stature; you're too thin."
The mention of shopping seemed to cheer Piandao up. Jeong Jeong added, "Do you know what street the tailor is on?" The teen nodded, "Good, meet me there tomorrow afternoon."