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His knees shook as he bowed low. Iroh couldn't remember when he'd last been this nervous. Marriage was not a subject he wished to talk about.

But here he was, kneeling before a laden tea table. Across from him sat his father and mother. Fire Lord Azulon and His Lady Ila. Inclining his head, Iroh poured tea for his parents.

Two spoons of sugar for Mother; one for Father. Slightest drop of cream for Mother; none for Father.

Azulon and Ila beamed at their favored son. Well, Ila beamed. Azulon kept his beaming inward; a Fire Lord remains staunch. But his heart swelled with pride.

Such a good son.

They each took a sip of tea. Iroh poured himself a cup.

Please get this over with. Please. Please. Please...

The Fire Lord spoke first. "Many young women are to be presented to you, son. And the choice will ultimately rest with you. But we, as your parents, must give you the advice we can."

Ila set her cup down. "The Fire Nation stands at a brink. The six most powerful families are waiting for your choice, Iroh. And they will act upon your decision."

"Yes, mother."

"The most powerful family, the Huojin, have many daughters available. However, marrying one of them," cautioned the Fire Lady, "would not be in the best interest for the throne. The Huojin have become too powerful lately. Taking one of their girls would only strengthen them."

"And there has been some rumor of mutiny among them. Many of the lesser nobles in that family think that I have too much power and they encourage the Huojin to usurp my throne." Azulon frowned.

Iroh mirrored his father's expression. This was more trouble than it was worth.

"The wealthiest family, the Jinhai, would have been the ideal choice, I believe, but they have no eligible women to present. All too ugly or low. But the elders of the family have presented something else." The Fire Lord paused, glancing at an empty cup of tea.

Iroh leaned forward and poured more tea with one spoon of sugar.

"They have allied themselves with the lowest of the six, the Shan, the people of the Western Islands. The Shan have few girls. And though none are known well, all are adequate choices. The Jinhai propose that you take one of theirs, the least of the families," explained the Fire Lord.

Iroh's mind reeled. The least? Why in Agni--

"Iroh?" prompted Ila. "What are you thinking, dear?"

"I am unsure, Mother," Iroh inclined his head. "If I have your permissions, I would like to retire to study my...options."

"Of course, my son." Azulon stood with his wife. Iroh stood and bowed deeply.

When he rose, he saw something unexpected: they were bowing back. Confused, Iroh fled the room.

Two weeks had passed since the Festival of the Sun and Zania had seen Liro three times. Her heart ached a bit more with each glance, for she knew that she was just being silly. The real world doesn't take notice of a little girl crush held by a Firedancer.

So she kept dancing, her steps light and heart heavy.

"It's a waste of your time," Mistress Ynna would say in a moment like this. "This is your world, and that is his. Forget anything to do with him, and you'll be just fine. Now, show me your fire ribbon one more time..."

And little Zania would comply, Mistress Ynna looking on in pride. Zania was not the best of dancers, but she was a hard-worker. And a natural bender. Neither teacher nor student understood the sporadic blue sparks that occasionally laced her fire. But both understood how valuable that would be on the streets.

I miss her, lamented the dancer as she grabbed a large canvas sack. It was shopping day and the market was just opening. Slinging the straps over her shoulder, Zania left her apartment. The sun shone brightly and Zania picked up its mood, smiling as she walked to the market.

Liro saw her from across the square. She looked so different without a dancer's paint, but the deep amber of her eyes glinted in the morning sun. He'd seen her several times since they'd met, but she hadn't come to his stand and he sure couldn't leave.

She was avoiding him. He'd seen it before. A beautiful woman shows just enough interest to get what she wants and then leaves. In Zania's case, it had been a place to dance.

Well, she can forget dancing by my stand anymore.