Chapter 8

Iroh

Zuko struggled against the comb. "Would you hold still?" I scolded him, dipping the comb in the grease once again and running it through his hair.

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this," he griped.

I sipped my cup of tea as I continued to work on Zuko's hair. "It's like you said, Mr. Zuko. You must get the information from the girl in a way that will not arouse suspicion, and to do that, you must-" I raised my eyebrows, "woo her. And besides, you've been to the shop every day this week. Now you just have to talk to her." I took a moment to pat Zuko's hair into place. "There. All finished." I turned him so that he was facing the mirror. He buried his face in his hands.

"I look ludicrous!" he moaned.

"No, Zuko, no," said I, grasping his chin and lifting his head. "You look dashing. Now come on. We have to get you to the lower ring to see that young lady!" I snatched up my best hat from the wall and perched it on my head. I grinned at him. "And perhaps I can find someone to introduce myself to."

"That hat looks ridiculous," growled Zuko.

"Wrong again, my friend," I replied. "Not ridiculous. Amorous. Let's go. Lock up your daughters tonight, general!"

The journey to the lower ring passed without incident, with Zuko rebuffing all my attempts at conversation. At last we reached the flower shop where the girl in question was employed. I saw her though the shop's window, her back turned, arranging a bouquet behind the counter. I pointed her out to Zuko.

"Now go in there and make me proud!"

Zuko contemplated his feet. "Iroh," he said hesitantly, "I'm not sure this is such a good idea. I mean-"

"Nonsense!" I said. "You'll do fine. Just remember: be-" I ran my hand slowly through my hair- "smooth." I pushed him toward the shop. With great trepidation, he entered it and approached the counter. Then, it began.

I watched through the window in ever-increasing horror as the scene unfolded. Although I could not hear their words, their expressions and body language were more than enough to tell the story.

First, my roommate approached the girl and greeted her in a painfully awkward fashion. She responded with a cheerful hello. My friend then made several pathetic attempts at continuing the conversation, while the young lady observed him with a slight perplexed but otherwise charming smile. Then, he managed a complete sentence, and the smile vanished from her face. She answered him shortly. The characteristic anger returned o my companion's expression. The two began a spirited argument, which ended in her slapping him across the face. Unwilling to witness the remainder of this fiasco, I turned away.

A few moments later, I heard the sound of someone whistling. Turning around, I was dumbfounded to see none other than Zuko. As our eyes met, he quickly stopped his whistling.

"Well," I managed, "how did it go?"

His awkward manner suddenly returned. "We have a d-d... That is to say a d-d-d... A d-d-d-d-"

"A date?"

He blushed flaming crimson. "Yes, that," he mumbled. "For tonight."

Some things can even surprise a wise old man.