Well, here's another chapter. Since in the episode "Imprisoned" you don't see Zuko until the last five seconds or so, I came up with my own stuff to try and fill the void, while still keeping what happened in those last five seconds. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA or any of the characters. I only own Kala.
Weeks had passed and there were few signs of Aang and his friends, whom I still couldn't place how I'd known them. Zuko was becoming more and more frustrated with the lack of progress, but continued to direct us to the North. After all, he still believed that was where Aang would be heading. I knew otherwise, but couldn't bring myself to tell Zuko my ideas. I knew Aang would be going to the Earth Kingdom. He had to learn Earthbending.
Rather than dwell on the information I was keeping from Prince Zuko, though I knew it would have helped him regain his honor, I decided to train myself in Waterbending again. I walked onto the deck of the ship and pulled up a stream of water from the sea. Remembering what little I'd been able to discover on my own, I relaxed my body and allowed myself to feel the water's movements.
Flow like the water, I reminded myself as I began moving with the water following my hands. My movements started off a bit shaky, but as I continued to work with the liquid, they became more fluid-like. After a few minutes, I felt comfortable enough to close my eyes as I began spinning around. I twisted on the balls of my feet, moving as though in a smooth dance. I felt free and at ease as I was Waterbending. It felt natural, as though it was as much a part of me as my azure eyes.
"What are you doing?" a voice asked from behind me, causing me to jump and drop the water I'd been working with. I hadn't expected to be interrupted in my training. My eyes snapped open and I whirled around to face the speaker, Prince Zuko. I bowed to him, my eyes averted to the floor.
"I-I was just practicing, Prince Zuko," I murmured.
"I've never seen you do that before." It was then that I realized he'd been correct. Normally, when he saw me Waterbend, it was with quick movements, or with very little water. Never before had he seen me fully Waterbend, as I had just been.
"It was just some simple bending, that's all. I'm not a master, so I try what I can." I stared out at the sun as it was beginning to set. My bending was always stronger at night, as I'd noticed, but Iroh had a music night planned that evening. He insisted I join him and the crew. I then noticed that we were nearing another Fire Nation fort, one that looked as though it had taken much damage. My eyes widened as I stared at it. Even from a distance, I could see holes in the structure. "What could have happened there?"
"That's what I'm going to find out. You stay on the ship," Zuko ordered. I nodded and walked back inside, to the common room where I could find Iroh in front of a Pai Shō board.
"Ah, Kala. Would you like to learn how to play?" he asked upon seeing me.
"I doubt I will be very good," I answered, my voice dropping in embarrassment. It seemed everyone on the ship at least knew the most basic rules of the game. Even in watching, I had been unsuccessful in learning the game. Iroh merely laughed heartily.
"I'm sure you will do fine. Sit down." I did so and stared down at the tile board. "Now, the object Pai Shō is to create the most harmonies between the flowers. It is much like Ikebana, the arrangement of flowers." A smile crossed my features.
"I know a little about that. I learned from watching the servants in the dining hall." Iroh nodded with a smile before continuing.
"Each player may take one of four moves during their turn: Play one piece on an intersection, move one of the pieces up, down, left, or right to an adjoining intersection, as long as they don't interfere with tile rules, use the wheel to rotate the pieces around the wheel clock-wise, or pass their turn." I nodded, understanding that part of the game. "Certain flower tiles go along with other tiles. This is called a harmony. They will also go against other tiles in a disharmony. At the end of each game, for each set of tiles that are in harmony next to each other give the owner of the harmony one point. For each tile that is in disharmony next to each other causes the owner of the tile to lose a point. Pieces must be owned by the same player to create harmony or disharmony. I will explain the harmonies in just a moment. To form a harmony, the two tiles must be owned by you, and they must be connected by any number of the lines in one cardinal direction. There can be no opposing or disharmonious tiles in between your two tiles. However, there may be boat and neutral harmony flower tiles in between."
From that, my head was already swimming. Iroh continued to explain how to play the game, showing me with the tile board. I had to admit, I learned better from watching as he explained it, rather than just listening to him or trying to pick it up on my own. He spent much of the evening teaching me the game and was very patient as I struggled to grasp certain aspects. Whenever I asked a question, he would answer it as though it was no trouble to him at all.
"Okay. I think I'm beginning to understand this," I murmured. "But, what is this tile?" I pointed to the tile Iroh had placed in the center of the board. It had a white flower with what appeared to be pale pink petals.
"That, Kala, is the White Lotus. It is much like a 'wild card' and has no harmonies or disharmonies. You gain a point for every tile within three spaces of the White Lotus. Not many see the worth of this tile. I can assure you, though, it has a great value," he explained. I looked down at the White Lotus tile and smiled. It certainly was pretty. It was also the simplest tile to remember, as I wouldn't have to think of harmonies or disharmonies.
"Well, I like it."
"Well, then, I'll just have to find one for you one of these days for you to keep."
"I don't think I'll play very much, Sir. I barely understand it." To that, he only laughed.
"You never know, Kala. The future holds many surprises."
I smiled softly and noticed Zuko walk by the room Iroh and I were in. In his hand, I saw a small turquoise object dangling from a leather strap. Immediately, my hand went to my neck, where I still wore the necklace I'd been given by that woman from the Water Tribe. It was still there, so where had Zuko gotten that one? I then thought of the girl traveling with Aang. I still didn't know her name, but perhaps it had been her necklace. Zuko seemed unhappy as he walked by quickly, not bothering to greet Iroh or me.
"He doesn't seem in too good a mood," one of the ship's crew members mumbled. I glanced at him with a small nod.
"He will be fine by morning," Iroh answered easily. "Now, let's go on deck for music night. Kala, can you play an instrument?" I shook my head as I stood.
"No, Sir. I've never learned," I answered. Iroh placed an arm over my shoulders, leading me out of the room.
"Then it appears you will have to sing while we provide the instruments." My eyes widened in shock and I shook my head.
"No, I couldn't possibly."
"Nonsense. I'm sure you have a lovely voice." I didn't get any say in the matter as I was led up onto the deck to perform with the rest of the crew.
Lol. Don't worry, this won't become a songfic. If anything, I'll use actual songs from the show that can be heard at various points... though there aren't a lot of those. Anyway, Iroh's explanation of the game of Pai Sho is actually what I found for the rules. Because it's a fictional game, some of the rules are still being debated, but what I found makes sense, I suppose. If you'd like to know where I found the rules, just ask and I'll be happy to let you know. Please R&R.
