Chapter 3

Zuko

The weeks spent with Iroh were interesting ones. Not content to leave me to my isolation and inner fury, the old man was constantly trying to get me to participate in his... activities. I cannot recount the number of times I rejected his offer to play the tsungi horn during his "music nights."

Today was no different. Immediately following my return from town, he attempted to engage me in conversation.

"Mr. Zuko, you MUST try this cake!" The cake was yellow.

"I don't have time to stuff my face! I have an important problem to work on!"

The old man eyed the remainder of the cake lustily. "Well," he said, "while you work on that problem, maybe I'll work on another slice!"

He did work on another slice, and another, and another. The sight of someone enjoying their life only made me hate my own even more. I retired to my bedroom and took a seat at my desk. The chair was a simple, straight-backed affair. I could not afford to take part in the grossly indulgent lifestyle of my roommate. I was a man with priorities. I unrolled a map across the surface of my desk.

I began to ponder the events that had brought me here, from the heart of the Fire Nation to the impenetrable city of Ba Sing Se. All in search of one man. All the evidence had led me here, and I felt confident that I was closing in. Before long -

"Would you care for a cup of tea, Mr. Zuko?" Iroh's face had appeared in my doorway.

"You've already forced 3 cups on me today! I'm sick of tea!"

"That's like being sick of breathing!"

"Maybe I am sick of breathing!"

Iroh shrugged. "Well, I am going into town to engage in some hedonistic delights." He grinned slyly. "Have fun by yourself!" He departed, whistling 'It's a Long, Long Way to Ba Sing Se.' I thought of my father. I cried.