Chapter 4
Iroh
My troubled companion seemed preoccupied (even more so than usual) over the course of the next few days. I saw very little of him that week; he was always long gone by the time I managed to roll myself out of bed for my morning cup of tea, and did not return until late in the night. It soon became clear to me that Zuko was a master of disguise. Every night he returned with a different hairstyle and outfit. His mysterious behavior had begun to arouse my curiosity.
One night, he did not return at his usual time, and I began to worry. In spite of his... peculiarities, I was beginning to grow rather fond of him. I lit a fire in the fireplace and began preparing a pot of tea, intending to settle my nerves. I decided to wait up for my roommate.
Several cups of tea and one bowl of noodles later, the apartment door swung open to reveal a sinister figure standing in the shadows, it's face obscured by a blue mask. Quickly, I leaped to my feet and took my firebending stance.
"Stop!" the intruder cried. "Stop! It's just me!" He flung the mask from his face, revealing himself to be my roommate. I relaxed.
"Ah, Zuko. You gave me quite a fright!" I bent down and picked up the blue oni mask, examining it. "Why the mask? I knew you had been depressed lately, but I didn't know you were feeling so BLUE!" I grinned at him. He glared at me.
"You were supposed to be asleep when I got back," he growled. "I'm tired."
"I would say so! Why were you out so late?"
"I was looking for someone." I could tell that that was the end of that particular line of inquiry. I changed the subject.
"Would you care for some tea, or a bowl of noodles? They've gone cold, but I would gladly heat them up for you."
"I'm tired."
"Ah. Of course. Then you should rest. A man needs his rest."
As he walked past me into his bedroom, I was suddenly aware that the birds were singing outside the window. Sighing, I began to pour myself a cup of tea. After all, I hadn't had one in over 20 minutes. I sipped slowly, savoring the taste and aroma as I watched the sun rise. I pondered life's mysteries.
I would soon have my fill of mystery.