Ch 6
~Iroh~
Jin Lian sat across from him, nervous as a mouse as she arranged her tiles on the board. He arranged his pieces as well, ready to begin. "Ladies first," he said, motioning his hand towards her, palm up.
"Very well," she replied, and made her move, picking up a tile delicately between her pointer and middle fingers and placing it down onto the board. Iroh placed his piece down as well, the two taking their time strategizing. Iroh noticed that Jin Lian was playing cautiously, her defenses high with no room for attack. He went on the offense quickly, aiming to distract her by attacking a less defended area of her board. It wasn't until a few moves in that Jin Lian had somehow managed to arrange her pieces such that she had created disharmony between all his pieces and maximized the harmony between her own.
"Well, then, Prince Iroh?" she asked, sitting back. "Do I get my mask back?"
Iroh, still baffled by the loss, looked back at her. A small smile twitched at her lips, as if she were hiding a secret. "Best 2 out of 3," he replied gruffly. His pride as an excellent Pai Sho player was at stake here.
"Yes, your Highness," Jin Lian acquiesced, bowing her head. They rearranged their boards and restarted the game. This time, he noted, the young woman played aggressively, not even allowing herself time to strategize. Iroh, on the other hand, refused to be caught up in the quick pace of her play and attempted to work around her. Nevertheless, she once again defeated him soundly, taking over nearly 80% of the board and pushing him in a small corner. The third game ended with the same result, but this time, she had completely avoided confronting his pieces, and beat him with the White Lotus tile, mocking him with his namesake's strategy. Iroh sat back in his seat in disbelief. He rubbed his face, mentally exhausted.
"It's quite late now, my Prince," Jin Lian said as she reached for her mask. "I shall excuse myself."
Iroh looked at the clock on his wall, noting that much time had elapsed since they had started playing. He also noticed that Jin Lian had taken her hair out of its bun, long, dark waves slightly tousled when she would fidget with it while thinking about her next move. She was just about to leave, the phoenix mask in her hands when he heard her heels clicked softly as she turned to face him again.
"After this 'job interview', your Highness," she asked him. "Do you believe I am qualified to be your strategist?"
He rose from his seat and crossed the room to stand before her. "Why do you think that this is a job interview? You've already been appointed by the Fire Lord herself." he asked.
"I am not so shallow to believe that the Prince of the Fire Nation simply wants a Pai Sho partner," Jin Lian answered smoothly. "Tell me, what have you learned of me after these games?"
Iroh had thought to use Pai Sho to understand Jin Lian's thought processes, but each game she played was completely different than the last. "You're adaptable, quick witted, and unpredictable," he replied. Running a hand through his hair, he took a breath and said, "Welcome to the United Forces, Strategist Yang."
"Thank you, Prince Iroh."
"It's General to you, now."
The small smile played at her plump lips again. "Yes Sir."
~Jin Lian~
Jin Lian stood at the docks of the Fire Nation capital, dressed in the gray uniform of a non-bending United Forces Colonel. Her hair was pulled into a tight, low bun that rested below the gray cap that perched on top of her head. The gray, buttoned jacket had a black belt and a metal buckle that fastened at her waist, while fitted gray pants were tucked into high, leather boots. A single, red stripe on her shoulder indicated her higher rank. The United Forces soldiers before her were a mix of all benders, save for Air, as well as non-benders. They all appeared well rested during their extended stay on land, but their faces turned dubious as Prince, no, General Iroh introduced her as their strategist.
"As Strategist Ping has been honorably discharged from service, Strategist Yang will be his replacement. I expect all of you to show her the same respect you've given him."
"Yes Sir!" the men and women replied, saluting.
Jin Lian stepped up. "Thank you for having me, I will do my best to help the United Forces fleet." She saluted with a fist over her heart, another hand behind her back.
"Let's ship out!" Iroh called out, stepping up onto the gang plank. Jin Lian followed him, stepping carefully as the warship rocked in the waves that lapped against the shores of the Fire Nation Capital. One particular wave pushed the boat upwards, making Jin Lian lose her balance as she began to step off the gang plank. She let out a yelp as she toppled forward, bracing herself to meet the cold, hard metal of the deck. Strong arms caught her, one around her waist and the other grasping her hand. Jin Lian felt Iroh's radiating warmth before she registered his touch. As if in slow motion, she felt him draw her into his chest, so typical of him to be the gentleman, even when he was her commanding officer. In an instant, she pushed off his body and stood straight. She met his confused look with a cool stare, "thank you for the assistance, General. I'll watch my step next time." Jin Lian could feel his gaze bore into her back as she walked away, head high and proud.
Jin Lian walked through the halls of the ship, mentally mapping out routes and key locations. She visited the engine room, chatting with the engineers and learning about how the ship was powered. They reported that the Golden Dragon was a state of the art warship, powered by the steam created by burning coals and fire bending technicians. With pride, the head engineer boasted the ship's speed, weaponry, and defenses. Her head spun with the overflow of knowledge, but politely thanked the grease covered woman before leaving to wander the corridors again. As she rounded the corner, the young strategist overheard some soldiers chatting.
"So, how was the Fire Nation? Enjoy the sights? They're really different from the Northern Water Tribe, huh?"
"It was nice, really hot though. I'd take the glaciers and snow over fire flakes any day."
"Speaking of sights, did you get a load of our new Strategist? Not sure how the General appointed someone like her to make up battle plans. She looks like she would fall over with the wind!"
Raucous laughter filled the halls as Jin Lian silently slipped by unnoticed. She bit the inside of her cheek in an attempt to rein in her temper, stalking down the corridor and up towards the deck. The light of day shone brightly and the sea air filled her nose when she emerged. Squinting, Jin Lian spotted the General standing at the railing, his head leaning back ever so slightly as he allowed the sea breeze to blow over his face and hair.
Being at the helm of the United Forces flagship was a breathtaking site, Jin Lian had to admit. The twin dragons at the bows of each ship in the fleet were intimidating as they glinted in the sunlight. The turrets, painted with the Fire Nation emblem, were unmanned at the time, but towered over her threateningly. She could also see the domes where the Earth benders could launch their projectiles off the sides of the ships.
"What do you think of the fleet, Strategist Yang?" Iroh asked, not once turning to look at her.
Jin Lian cleared her throat. "It's impressive, General. These ships are top of the line and incredibly sturdy. However, what we have in size and speed, we lack in maneuverability." She saw Iroh's bold eyebrows lift questioningly as he turned his head towards her. "Please elaborate," he said to her.
"I've read your reports on piracy in international waters," she said. "Based on your description of their movements, their leader is a water bender. The fact that you've never seen or identified them by face is understandable."
"What makes you think that?" Iroh asked, his voice tight with bruised pride.
"Their strategy is very opportunistic, General," Jin Lian explained. "They wait for when ships are a day or two from the harbor and then systematically attack and loot them. Earth benders would leave nothing left, and there is no evidence of scorch marks from fire bending on the surviving ships. Not to mention we're in the ocean and they can easily escape our ships through mist and smaller boats."
She noticed Iroh regarding her carefully. "What are your recommendations then, Strategist Yang?" he asked her. "It would not be feasible to suddenly ask the world leaders to fund chase boats for every fleet."
"Of course not, General Iroh," Jin Lian replied smoothly. "I would suggest some training exercises in different battle formations."
"We are well versed in naval formations, Strategist Yang," Iroh replied shortly. "I believe there's a book on it in the control room that Strategist Ping used."
"Yes, I've skimmed it. Very old school, if you ask me."
"Oh?"
"If you don't mind, I'd also like to address the misconception the crew has of me," Jin Lian added. Iroh fully turned his body to face her, giving her his attention. His hand grasped the iron bar tightly.
"Have they been rude?" he asked, concern filling his golden eyes. A frown marred his sharp features, she could see the resemblance between him and his royal mother when they scowled. The wind tousled his hair sideways.
"Not directly," she answered, shrugging. "But it'll be hard to obey a strategist in battle if you think she doesn't know what she's doing."
"Give them time," Iroh replied. "I'm sure they'll come around once they see you at work. Like I did." Jin Lian blushed faintly at the compliment. She swore she saw the barest hint of a smirk twitch at the corner of Iroh's lips. "Now," he said, pushing off the railing of the deck. "With all of your traveling over my ship, have you found your room yet, Strategist Yang?"
"No, sir, I haven't. I assumed I would be bunking with the female crew members."
Iroh grinned good naturedly, like he had a present to show her. "You're second in command, you wouldn't be with the crew. Follow me." He turned and walked into the ship, Jin Lian close on his heels. They passed crew members on the way, each of them saluting respectfully. However, she could see the doubt in their eyes as they walked on. She ignored it, for now. They came up to Iroh's quarters, the metal door identical to all the others with the exception of his name on a placard above the room number on the wall: 'General Iroh'.
"Your room will be next to mine," he explained, moving one door down. There was no name on the wall, only the room number to identify itself from the others. "Strategist Ping was a night cat-owl. His partial water tribe heritage really showed; he could talk until the sun came up if I gave him the chance. We put our rooms close together so he didn't have to trek the ship at night."
"I see…good thing we're Fire Nation, then," Jin Lian joked. Being raised by fire benders meant that when the sun rose, you rose with it. While it was a habit of hers to rise early, she still lacked the boundless energy that fire benders had at dawn.
Iroh chuckled and opened the door for her with a key he produced from his pocket. "You'll be needing this," he said, placing the cool metal into Jin Lian's hands after the door opened with a loud clank. The door swung in on its hinges loudly, making the two cringe slightly at the noise. "Ladies first," Iroh said with a royal air he carried as the Prince, not the General. She stepped over the threshold and into the room, her footsteps muffled by the carpet laid throughout the midsized cabin. It was a thin and sand colored with brown, geometric patterns running along the trim. A bookshelf filled with maps and novels lined one wall, while a simple bed stood opposite of the door, under a porthole. A small desk and chair was placed opposite of the bookshelf, still leaving a good amount of room to walk in and out. It would fit one person nicely, but was a bit too cozy with two people, Jin Lian realized.
"How do you like it?" Iroh asked, leaning against the sturdy wooden desk. She felt his golden eyes follow her movements, watching her fingers graze the books on the shelf lightly. The back of her neck tingled lightly from his proximity.
"Comfortable," Jin Lian replied easily. Her eyes scanned the room appreciatively, her gaze settling on her luggage at the foot of her bed. "I believe I had a staff with my luggage, would you happen to know where it was placed?"
Iroh's brow furrowed in deep thought. Jin Lian found it funny that the Prince of the Fire Nation adopted his grandfather's habit of placing his thumb and forefinger at his chin while he was thinking. "It could be in the armory, since it is a weapon," he answered slowly. "Shall I send for it?"
The pale woman shook her head. "No need, General" she answered. "I'll go for it when the time comes." It wasn't like there was a need for close combat anyway, most naval battles would be conducted at a distance. They also lived in a time of peace where the worst thing they could face was a pirate or a giant unagi. How boring. The evening light glowed orange through her porthole. Jin Lian sighed and pulled the gray cap off her head, strands of black hair escaping the low bun and forming bangs that framed the sides of her face. "General…despite my unusual appointment, I'll do my best to serve you and the United Forces," she said, turning her head. The young woman looked at the man in her room, the light of the sun giving his skin a golden hue and turning his eyes to the color of molten gold. She wasn't sure if the room was heating up or she was getting flustered. "I don't want any special treatment from you," Jin Lian continued. "Please, treat me like any other soldier…and not like the woman you met in court."
"Very well then, Strategist Yang," Iroh replied. He pushed off the desk and Jin Lian saluted him. A bell rang throughout the ship. "That would be the dinner bell," he said, cocking his head towards the sound. "Let's get something to eat, soldier."
The show doesn't really go into details on how to play Pai Sho, so I used the rules I found on a fan site. Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter!