Merry Christmas! I apologize for this chapter taking so long to write, but life has been keeping me busy. I just thought this would be a good day to publish this.
As a reminder, I own nothing here.
Enjoy, and have a great holiday!
Aang sat down and meditated for what he felt was going to be his last time doing this at Airbender Island. The ship would arrive by nightfall. And by the day after that, he would be at the South Pole.
Aang's regrets were major in scope, but they were minor in number.
He had no regrets about the life he had lived. He and his wife loved each other, and that love was shared with his children. One of whom was a person he trusted with all his being to safeguard the airbender traditions and way of life. And he knew that his grandchildren would continue that legacy even after that.
Speaking of the children...
"Grandpa Aang? is it true? Are you going with grandma again?"
Before Aang could even open his eyes, Ikki, Meelo, and Jinora had already rushed into the room and taken seats near him.
"Why would you even want to go down there? Won't you get a cold?" Meelo asked.
"No Meelo. Airbender can manipulate the air around them. I never have to worry about being too hot or cold."
"Dad taught us that Meelo. Don't you remember?" Jinora admonished.
"Nope," Meelo popped as he rested his head on Aang's leg. Happy to be with his grandchildren, Aang rested a hand on Meelo's head and hugged Ikki and Jinora closer to him.
"I will miss you three children dearly. You always know how to heighten my mood."
"Then why are you leaving? I thought you were happy here with us?" Ikki questioned.
"I am happy. Truly," Aang assured the trio. "But it had been a long time since I've seen your grandmother. Far too long."
"But you'll come back here, right?" Jinora asked.
Aang smiled sadly. He wasn't sure if he would see them again once he left. So he held them all tighter.
"I love the three of you so much. I will miss you the entire time I am gone."
Watching from outside the room, Tenzin smiled at seeing his own father enjoy time with his children. He knew that Aang's time was limited just as much as he did.
And once he was gone, the responsibilities in Republic City would fall on to him. He only hoped he was ready for them.
Elsewhere...
The city was a little different today. Zuko hadn't been a resident for very long, but even he was able to notice the whispers and interest with which the people were discussing.
"I heard he was huge.."
"Who uses swords these days?"
"Is he going after anyone else...?"
"Maybe I should pay him back...?"
"You think a turkey cat is a good present...?"
A lot of the gossip and conversation Zuko overheard had to do with himself. More specifically, it had to do with his late-night escapades.
Thinking about the night reminded Zuko of something he was set to do this night. Something he wasn't sure how it would work.
Dating was not a subject even remotely close to Zuko's mind when he came to the city. He had just woken up from a seventy-year forced nap and a visit to his younger sister who was now decades older than him. He had come to the city hoping to make some use of himself.
And then a pretty girl almost ran him over and offered to buy him dinner.
Zuko had a feeling that Iroh might try to make a proverb out of it. Maybe something about silver linings? He wasn't sure.
What Zuko was sure about was that he wasn't ready. But he was also sure that it was too early for him to think about it.
Deciding not to focus on the impending disaster that would occur tonight, Zuko instead got to the gym and entered.
Seeing Mako and Bolin already training, Zuko quietly got his gear and found his own circle. He started to practice the movements and sequences that Mako had shown him.
The best way Zuko could describe the way pro-benders fought as opposed to the benders in his youth (why was he thinking like that) was that the style was simpler and also flashier. This was a style developed for an audience, so that made sense.
Still, it was easy to get used to physically, but Zuko still had to make mental adjustments. He had learned firebending from the dragons and from his uncle, both ancient sources of knowledge. This style was newer and less expressive, which meant that Zuko had to hold back a lot of techniques and skills he had learned before. It wasn't easy, but it was something he had to do to avoid being caught.
As Zuko focused on his footwork and getting the jabs right, he failed to notice the person walking up behind him at first.
"...hey, are you lost in thought?"
Turning back, Zuko saw Bolin approaching. He was smiling and waving, making Zuko feel obliged to wave back.
"I was calling at you for a while. Guess you were focused on your moves, huh?"
"Oh. Yeah, I guess I was," Zuko said as he rubbed the back of his head. He really should learn to not lose focus so much in training.
"That's cool. It happens to Mako a lot too," Bolin said. "By the way, what was on your mind?"
"Just thinking about how pro-style works. And... a thing I have to do later."
Zuko hoped that would be the end of it. Bolin seemed fine, but he was still just a stranger with a name to Zuko. the little brother of a person who showed him a different and simple fighting style.
Unfortunately, Bolin was too much like Sokka.
"A thing? What thing?" Bolin gasped. "You don't work for the triads, do you?"
"Who? The what?"
Bolin frowned. "The triads. The big crimes guys in Republic City. How do you not know about them?"
"I've only been in the city for a little over a week. They're not the first thing I've heard about," Zuko said plainly.
"Oh. Then what's the thing you doing later?"
Zuko internally debated whether or not he should be honest. There wasn't any reason for Bolin to know, it wasn't his business. But at the same time, telling him wouldn't exactly cause any issues.
More than that, Zuko had no idea what to do tonight. So maybe a bit of advice might help. It wouldn't hurt.
"I.. got a date. I'm not exactly sure how I'm... I don't really know what I'm supposed to do."
Bolin gasped. "You have a date? With who? Where?"
"Um, she said her name was Asami. I'm supposed to meet her at a place named Kwong's."
Bolin's eyes widened. "Kwomg's?! She invited you to Kwong's?!"
Bolin had gotten closer to Zuko, so the scarred firebender took a few steps back.
"Um, yeah. Do you know where...?"
"That's the fanciest uptown restaurant in the city! You got a date with a rich girl?!"
"Apparently. Do you know..?"
"Whatever my brother is about to suggest, don't listen."
Mako was back in the room, and he immediately grabbed Bolin to keep him from arguing back.
"Loo, I'm not going to ask how you got a girl to invite you to Kwong's. Just enjoy the food and try not to mess it up. All I can say. Come here, little brother."
"But I have good advice."
"No, you don't."
Mako dragged Bolin away, leaving Zuko alone to contemplate his dilemma alone. As he trained, he came to another realization.
There was another person he could ask for advice.
Fire Lord Island...
Zuko needed to learn how to use this thing properly.
Kiyi had said that it was a direct line of communication between the house and the royal palace. No one but her and her advisors would know about this phone, so they didn't need to worry about anything they said getting out.
All Zuko had to worry about was making sure he followed the instructions correctly.
"Ok. Take out the... handset. Ok. Then turn the knob."
That was the complicated part. The knob had to be turned in a specific sequence, otherwise, the thing wouldn't work. And if it didn't work, then he would start again. And possibly again. And again until he got it right.
"No. It goes here... here... and here."
Zuko let the knob rest on the final part of the sequence, and then he lifted the thing that needed to connect to his ear up to his head.
It took a few seconds, but Zuko did eventually hear another voice on the other side of the phone.
"Hello? Are you alright Zuko?"
This was going to take time to get used to. Not just because Zuko could now talk to Kiyi when she was continents away. But also because he was still working on separating the young girl's voice he remembered from the more mature voice he heard over the line on the other side.
"Kiyi? I need some advice."
"Advice? What is it?"
"I, um, accidentally got a date."
There was silence on the other end for a moment.
"Honestly Zuko, I am pleasantly surprised that you managed to get a date. But what do you mean accidentally?"
"She almost ran me over with some... bike type of thing. Then she offered to buy me dinner at a restaurant that I am just now learning is upscale. What am I supposed to do?"
"Upscale restaurant? Do you mean Kwong's?"
"Yeah? How do you know that?"
"I've been to that restaurant plenty of times. Myself, Mai, and Lu Ten love the food there. I'm assuming it's a wealthy girl that almost ran you over?"
"I guess? I only know her name. I probably won't know more about her until tonight."
"Tonight?" Kiyi asked in shock. "You're going to have to get ready quickly, older brother."
"What? Kiyi, I-"
"You should have called me sooner. Lu Ten has some outfits in a room near the master bedroom. There will be a closet with outfits, try to find something that fits you. Something presentable."
"Oh. Presentable, ok."
"Also, there are things you should not bring up to a girl on a first date like this."
"Well, Kiyi, I-"
"Do not ask about her money, it will make you seem shallow," Kiyi began. "Make sure your compliments don't pertain only to her clothes and status. Try to find other things to praise her for if you can. But don't make her feel that her effort was wasted on her choice of dress, just keep it subtle."
"Subtle? Kiyi, I don't..."
"I'm sure Iroh taught you about table manners, so I won't talk about that. But do make sure that you don't look like a slob. I know that you liked to spend time in the forest with Druk, but keep your setting in mind Zuko. And don't make her feel inferior Zuko. Try not to sound arrogant."
"Since when do I-?"
"Try to pay for anything if you can. Don't make it seem like you are only going out with her for her privilege. And try to find a connection with her. I'm not saying you need to marry her in the future. But you never know-"
"Kiyi!" Zuko had yelled, but he took in a deep breath to calm down. "I appreciate you wanting to help me. Believe me, I do. But this is just a dinner date. She's paying me back for almost running me over."
"I understand that Zuko. But this could be a wonderful opportunity," Kiyi said. "You're new to the city and already on a date. I'm not promising that it will work out, but it is a chance for you to make a new bond in the present. You don't have to be stuck talking to old-timers like myself."
"You're not an old-timer Kiyi," Zuko assured. "You're my sister. Older or younger, it doesn't matter. That's not going to change ever."
"I appreciate that Zuko. Truly. But that doesn't change what I said. You can't stay in the past. No matter how much any of us might like that."
Sighing, Zuko knew that Kiyi was right. He was... too young. Physically, anyway. Anyone that he knew from before the ice was going to die long before he did if they hadn't already. He was going to be in the present far longer than any of them. And as much as he loved Druk, he knew he was going to need more company than him in the years to come.
"I'll take a look in Lu Ten's closet. Any other last-minute bits of advice for me?"
Zuko could practically hear Kiyi's smile from across the phone.
That Night...
Zuko felt out of place.
Considering the circumstances of his birth and the way he had been raised as a child, one might think that Zuko would feel right at home among the wealthy and elite. But there were two important details to keep in mind.
Zuko was in a different location and time from when he was a child. He was surrounded by lights that didn't come from lanterns, metal machines that seemed to work like carriages, and he didn't recognize half of the rest of the stuff he was seeing.
The other issue was the fact that this entire place seemed spotlighted. There was a lot of attention being directed to this place, and anyone who came near it.
And anyone who knew Zuko knew that crowds were not his specialty. Even when he had been a child, standing before a large group of people had always made him anxious. It was probably for the best that he never became Fire Lord.
He also felt just a little underdressed.
When he ha managed to find Lu Ten's closet, he noticed that a lot of the outfits were either military or had the Fire Nation Royal insignia embroidered on them. That left him with few options on what to wear to this place.
In the end, he had to choose something simple. Red trousers, a black neck-covering shirt, and a red jacket covering that. His shoes were also black, though he didn't think to bring anything like a watch or necklace. He was bare of accessories. And he didn't have time to do much with his hair. All he did was brush it more to his left side, hopefully covering his scar at least partially.
He would rather be stared at for being cheaper than everyone else than for looking disfigured.
Not wanting to waste much time just standing in front of the restaurant, Zuko approached the server.
"Excuse me? I'm here to meet someone named Asami."
The server took one moment to examine him.
"You match the description. Miss Sato is waiting inside."
Thanking the server, Zuko entered the building.
And he immediately realized why the place was so praised. Every line of tapestry on the walls was intricate. The floors were shiny enough for Zuko to almost see his reflection in. The chandeliers and furniture all seemed to be of high-quality material. And not to mention the smells of the food.
"You look good."
Hearing the voice, Zuko was ready to turn around and follow Kiyi's advice. Say she looked good, extend an arm like a gentleman, and make sure the evening proceeded pleasantly.
But Zuko's mind stopped functioning properly once he saw Asami.
Saying she looked good was like calling a desert dry. True, but also a massive understatement.
She looked stunning in her red dress. Her hair was also glossed and shining. And her makeup seemed to have been amplified for a day.
Feeling that he was shocked for too long, Zuko immediately tried to make up.
"You too. Look good, I mean. Not anything else. No, wait. What I mean is..."
"I appreciate it. Thank you," Asami said gracefully, saving Zuko from embarrassing himself anymore.
Clearing his through, Zuko tried to make up for his misstep. He extended his arm out, giving Asami room to take it.
"Shall we dine?"
Smiling at Zuko's attempts, Asami took his arm.
"Let me show you where we're sitting."
Asami led Zuko to one of the nicer-looking tables. And all the while, the secret avatar hoped he didn't somehow mess things up.
Elsewhere...
Amon was ready for the next night. His pans were laid out, and the location was secured. Most importantly of all, the technique he had been perfecting for years was ready for its public reveal.
He even had his test subject ready.
Still, there was one small alteration he had recently made to his plan.
His main enforcer came in the room after knocking.
"The stage is set, sir. We're ready for tomorrow night."
"Good. Has the invitation been sent out yet?"
"No sir. But soon. Our men are already working on the airwaves."
Nodding, Amon dismissed his enforcer. Once the message was sent out, it was Amon's hope that a potential ally would come forward.
This is where I will stop for now.
The city is now well aware of the fact that there is a masked vigilante roaming the nights. And among those people are the equalists.
And moving on to the subject of Zuko's date, I'm going to have fun writing about it next chapter. It will either be a pleasant experience that Zuko will want to remember, or it will be like his date in Ba Sing Se with less of a happy ending. Either way, it will be memorable.
As for the outfit Zuko is wearing, I actually found some inspiration online. Just look up modern Zuko online, and you get plenty of fanart with turtlenecks
Anyway, please leave reviews, tell me what you think, and I will see you all next time.
Bye!
