(Please enjoy!)
Dance
From where my parents are, not many people can see them. But the other servants definitely noticed, and all started dancing together. All the other people in the room looked around, at each other, and now seemed confused. One of my fellow servants a few years older than me came over. He asked me if "he could have this dance," and then I saw him.
Prince Zuko is standing all by himself, not in the middle of the crowd, but when I start walking to him people watch. Some guests are already dancing slowly, a little unsure of themselves, but it's better than nothing. I make it over to him, tripping over my dress twice in the process, and he's looking away.
"Prince Zuko…?" I said.
It's a moment before he looks at me and responds. "Servant Unmei" he nods. Of course I blush at this.
"Exciting party, huh? People are dancing, and, uh, the music is playing rather loudly." What the heck am I doing?
"Interesting necklace. I'm sure you didn't receive that from my family."
I look down nervously and bite my lip. "No, I bought it myself. I am allowed to do that." Bum, bum! My heart. . .
"It's beautiful." He says looking away. Is this really the guy who is going to rule this nation someday? Before I can say anything else, someone comes through with his date, dancing colorfully and bumping into me, knocking me into the prince himself. We don't fall over luckily, but it takes a moment to collect myself.
"I, uh… sorry Prince Zuko." I say quietly and quickly, and I turn to walk away, but a hand lands on my shoulder.
"Unmei, dance with me" he says. What? Dance with him? He takes my hand and leads me to the crowd of dancers, and I don't know why he's studying other people's movements until I realize that he doesn't know how to dance.
He puts a hand on my waist and all of a sudden, we start to dance slowly. Fast learner, huh.
I'm smiling, he must be too but I can't really tell because now we are spinning around, and all I see is colors and my mind is racing. I'm dancing! With Prince Zuko himself! Before I know it, we are in the center of the room, my dress flying around in sync with my movements and everyone else is watching. My parents see me and I can't tell if they are happily impressed or discontent with me.
Zuko spins me out and we end the dance that felt like a lifetime when he dips me low.
"Thank you, Prince Zuko." I say this slightly blushing but I'm looking at him. He looks happy, but distracted. He pulls me up.
"You are welcome. I have to go now." He's looking at his father, who is looking at both of us. He turns to me one last time and smiles a little, then walks off.
I'm standing in the middle of the room still but I quickly turn and get to my parents in time to serve the remaining amount of fire puffs.
-Next day-
I slept in. That important meeting about the attack is already over, and I jump out of bed to get dressed.
I'm walking across the top floor hall, and I see Prince Zuko below storming the other way. He doesn't look happy, and I get to the balcony where I can see him better. Zuko doesn't notice I'm waving until I call his name.
"Prince Zuko!" He looks up obviously not expecting me. Zuko looks forward again, and keeps walking. Cold.
I get to the servant dining hall and see a group of people talking. I grab some toast and make my way over there.
".. Heard the prince spoke out against…"
".. Gonna be a match.."
".. With the head general.."
".. His father, I thought.."
This is what I was hearing. Agni Kai? What is going to happen to the prince?
I left and ran to my room staying there until I was called to help.
(end of part 3)
