It took Zuko longer than he cared to admit to realize how odd of a situation he was in, relatively speaking. The airdock where they had landed was attached to a military base, and it was into this compound that Ursa directed him. It wasn't odd that there was the base; this one had also existed in his own timeline but Junhae was never established as an official colony. It was more that Ursa seemed to be in residence here, when she ought to have been staying with the governor.
Zuko only realized this after his mother brought it up as they walked into the residence hall she had taken over.
"Of course I would never force such a large retinue on a small manor." Ursa continued as Zuko frowned.
"You're very thoughtful mother." He said offhandedly. He almost missed the furtive glance from Ursa, but smoothed out his face when he did.
"Have you been comfortable here?" Zuko asked.
"As comfortable as a mother can be while waiting for the return of her son." Ursa answered gently and smiled. Zuko's bones melted a bit and he focused on not tripping.
"I'm happy to be here." He said, with more honesty than he felt necessary.
"As am I. Now," Ursa straightened and smoothed out her own features with obvious performance. "You must tell me all about the South Pole. Those native children look so exotic!"
Zuko cringed inwardly, but smiled weakly. He had forgotten a lot about court life. As always, the best decision was to stay quiet, so he merely smiled weakly back at her. As they continued on he did try to start a conversation about the trip, but Ursa cut him off to make some observation about how much he had grown or something as equally banal.
Just like in his memories, Zuko trailed after his mother quietly. She showed him around the base and introduced him to various people he was supposed to be introduced to as a prince. Meaning the same middle aged faces that he saw everywhere else.
Everyone they walked past or talked to deferred to his mother, but Zuko noticed how they were always followed by guards, and many people moved mechanically.
It really was, then, an open secret that his mother had killed Azulon. To her credit, Ursa didn't seem bothered by the activity; clearly she was used to it. And all the while, the Fire Lady's crown sat pinned in her topknot. Reminding them all where she stood.
Something about the way she held herself kept Zuko from speaking directly to Ursa. She seemed aloof or distant, and Zuko's first thought was that he was in trouble.
"Here we are." Ursa said aloud, still not speaking directly to him. The door was the same heavy metal slab they had passed in the halls, but as a servant opened it, Zuko found a room from his childhood.
It was clearly an addition, as the rest of the base was the standard iron and steel. The dark planks of wood could very well have been lifted from the royal halls and pieced together here. Rich red tapestries hung on the walls and a small fire pit was carefully raked in the center of the main room. Smaller rooms were further back and Zuko had to remember to breathe.
"Just like on Ember Island right?" Ursa remarked with a lilt in her voice.
"How long have you been here?" Zuko asked. His mother stayed quiet and walked past him, heading to the fire pit.
"Would you help me, my son?" She inquired. Zuko went obediently and lit the small fire as Ursa set about making tea. During their trips to Ember Island, they always reduced their household and Ozai had found it quaint that his wife would make him tea. As if he were some minor feudal lord, Ozai would sit in a kimono and read a newspaper as Zuko and Azula would run about tossing down floor pillows.
Sitting back on the steps, Zuko stared at the pressed dirt patch. He remembered burning their home on Ember Island, razing those memories to ash.
"I am very glad to see you Zuko, but you're worrying me." Ursa said as she came to sit next to him.
"What do you mean?" Alarmed, Zuko tried not to scrutinize his mother's face.
"You were supposed to stay with your cousin. Our plan won't work if you don't know what he's doing." Ursa replied. Frowning, Zuko felt the emptiness of his mind.
"Don't you want to see your sister again? I know she misses you." Ursa continued. Zuko froze.
"I can't wait till I have both of my children with me." Ursa said and laid a hand on Zuko's cheek. He couldn't feel it.
"What." He said. Shaking himself, Zuko stood up and walked away from his mother. He flexed his fingers, clenching and unclenching them as he felt the heat build in his palms.
"Zuko? What's wrong? Are you ill?" Ursa went after him and Zuko felt nauseous.
"Why are you here? Why are you not with Uncle?" He asked. Ursa looked pained and looked back at the firepit. The kettle started to steam and she walked slowly to it.
"Things have gotten complicated. Your uncle takes Zhao's council more than mine right now, and your father isn't being helpful. Things will change after the wedding." She said as she made the tea.
"Yue is a child." Zuko remarked.
"She is also a princess. It gives Zhao what he wants while also keeping him out of our way." Ursa replied.
"Why does Uncle want a Waterbender from the South Pole?"
"You know I can't tell you that. There are things about your uncle's plan I can't discuss. But it will be fine." Ursa walked over and handed him a teacup.
It was then that he saw the gash on her arm. The scar was thin and neat as the physician had burned the wound with precision.
Ursa saw him looking and quickly retracted her arm, hiding it again in her sleeve.
"Your uncle will always protect me. What he does is for the good of our family." She stated. "And I will spill as much blood as necessary to make certain of that."
She sat down next to him and Zuko's heart trembled. Where spirits and blood were involved, only ruin would follow. He didn't need his uncle's wisdom to tell him that.