Chapter 89: Answering the Call of Destiny

They'd made several attempts to see the Earth King, most of them overt. Aang had tried, several times, just walking up to the Palace gates and asking for an audience. That had resulted in various Dai Li agents telling him that the Earth King was 'unavailable at this time, but His Majesty has been informed of the Avatar request for an audience'. They'd tried making official requests, through the proper channels; this had resulted in them being told again and again that the Earth King was a busy man but he should be able to make time for them in six to eight weeks.

Zuko had taken to scoping the Palace out at night, face concealed behind his Blue Spirit mask. The mask was chipped and damaged from years of use, though the most obvious damage came from saving Aang at Pohuai Fortress. Still, it was structurally sound and, what's more, he felt a connection to the mask. It reminded him of his mother.

The others were unaware of his night time surveillance; well, most of them. He was fairly certain that Toph knew he left their compound most evenings, though he doubted she knew exactly where he was going. She'd dropped a few comments about his 'nightly exploits', but had otherwise not mentioned it.

For now, though, it was the day time and he was wandering the Upper Ring.

Zuko hated it.

It reminded him far too much of Caldera. The extravagance, the wealth, the… separation from how most people lived. If anything, it was more apparent here than it was in Caldera; Ba Sing Se had literal walls and guards separating the rich from the poor. Likewise, Caldera's laws were strict, however Ba Sing Se's were… sinister.

He'd watched people get taken, in the night, by the Dai Li. Some whose 'crimes' were as simple as talking about losing a loved one to the war.

Of course, "there is no war in Ba Sing Se".

It made his blood boil. Part of him, a part that he didn't like to acknowledge too much, wished that Uncle Iroh had torn down this city's ridiculous laws and forced them to face reality. The rich and pompous Earth nobles who believed that poor people deserved to be poor; that they deserved to starve, to watch their children starve, all the while slaving away to make life more pleasant for their 'betters'. It made him sick.

Zuko shook his head and sighed. It wasn't their fault.

It wasn't their fault anymore than a Fire Nation soldier was at fault for fighting in the war. They didn't know anything else. They were born into it, raised to know nothing else. It didn't make it right, but it did explain a lot.

He sighed again. Then he paused.

There was… It was almost like an itch, at the back of his neck. Like something was pushing and pulling at him.

He turned, scanning around. It didn't feel like anyone was watching him (well, no more than was usual in Ba Sing Se), but there was a feeling. It was instinct.

That's when he saw it.

A large, squat building, painted bright green with a red tile roof and gold accents. The wooden doors were thrown open, wide and inviting.

Zuko squinted at the sign.

The Jasmine Dragon.

Zuko walked closer, as if pulled by an invisible force.

He got to the threshold and was confronted by an array of smells. Jasmine and ginseng, mint and chamomile, and the unmistakable scent of oolong.

A teashop. The Jasmine Dragon was a teashop, one filled with the scents of delectable teas. There was also a pleasant smell of fresh pastries and fruit.

Strangely, it brought a tear to Zuko's single, working eye.

It made him think so strongly of Iroh. Everything about the place, as Earth Kingdom as it clearly was, reminded him of Uncle.

The tea, the food, the openness.

Zuko took a deep breath, forcing the tears away. While he thought, hoped, his Uncle was in city, he couldn't possibly be here. A Fire Nation Prince and General in hiding would not be able to gain such lavish real estate, nor would Uncle be so bold as to include the word 'dragon' in the name of his teashop. It was practically asking for trouble.

Zuko shook his head.

Despite these thoughts, though, Zuko had the irresistible urge to enter.

He sighed.

"One cup of tea." He muttered to himself. "Just one."

Zuko entered the Jasmine Dragon.