You wake up to see the orange light of the setting sun spilling through your window, bathing the room in soft, warm tones; sunset, indicating that Jet will be here soon. You wonder what exactly he plans on showing you. He had better explain how he knows Lee, why they caused such a scene at the tea shop, and maybe you'll ask him about the name 'Zuko' later. After yesterday, your mind has been making up the craziest stories. What terrible secret could Jet possibly know about Lee? And Mushi too?
Unsure of what kind of adventure to expect tonight, you pull on a long-sleeved, black top, but wear your familiar dark pants and leather boots. You prepare for the very worst, knowing your luck, tucking your daggers snuggly into their usual spot. The wooden box holding your kunai catches your attention. Crossing over to it, you lift the lid, inspecting the crimson wrapped weapons. "Better safe than sorry," you mutter as you grab a few and store them in their own special pocket.
Feeling sufficiently armed and ready to take on… whatever, all you have left to do is wait for Jet. Bored, you decide to tidy up your living quarters. Might as well be productive.
You find an old candle amongst your possessions. It's the colour of amber, adorned with a thin black ribbon tied into a bow. You forgot all about this! It was a present for your 16th birthday from Scar-Nose. He had jokingly called you smelly when he gave you the gift, and you fondly remember threatening to cut off the rest of his nose so he wouldn't have to smell you anymore. Ah, good times.
You fetch your spark rocks from the remaining mess in your room, and light the cinnamon infused candle, placing it by your window ledge. The smell of the burning candle reminds you of training with Gopan. He always had candles lit around the training area, softly illuminating the room with a warm glow as the two of you sparred. You felt nostalgic, lost in thought as you stared absent-mindedly at the flickering flame.
Without warning, something bursts through your slightly ajar window, knocking over the candle. You jolt back, your heart racing from the sudden surprise. Your dagger is already drawn, and you glimpse around the room, looking for the culprit. That's when you feel something rubs against your leg.
You peer down. At your feet is a black cat, purring as it demands your attention. It gazes up at you with its bright, feline eyes. The intense stare seems to reach into your soul, and it's hard to tear your eyes away. You snap out of it, and reach for the feebly smoking candle, which fortunately blew itself out as it came crashing down. You set the now unlit candle back on the ledge, close and latch your window, then stare at the black cat as it roams your room. It's the second time this same cat has broken into your house. Why is it back? You certainly don't keep any food in your room long enough to attract animals.
You make your way to the door to let the cat out, but suddenly the door opens without your touch. The door swings open and Jet lets himself into your home.
"Hey [Y/N], It's almost nightfall, let's go." He prompts as he barges into your home, scaring the cat. It hisses at him, before running past his feet and out of the open door.
A look of confusion flashes across his face, but he shakes it off almost immediately. "You coming?" He asks, pointing a thumb out the door.
"This better explain everything." You reply, following him outside. After locking the door, you and your friend disappear into the streets.
—
In the silent twilight, you follow Jet's every step. He leads you through side streets and alleys, almost without a word. Within minutes, the two of you stop and you assume that you've reached your destination.
"Almost there," says Jet, breaking the silence. He walks beside the nearby building wall, then clasps his hands together before bringing them down in front of him. He's motioning for you to use his hands as a boost to get up the wall. You oblige, stepping one leather boot into his hands, then letting him raise you so that you can reach the ledge. In one swift motion, you already find yourself gripping the edge of the nearby building and pulling yourself up.
Turning back to Jet, you're about to lend him a hand before you see him scale the wall his own way. He unsheathes his hook swords and jumps, catching their hooks onto the ledge. From here, he walks himself up the wall and within seconds you find him standing at your side again.
"It's just up ahead." He whispers and continues along the flat rooftop. The sun has completely set, leaving Ba Sing Se in the dark cloak of nightfall. You let your eyes adjust to the darkness, and you listen to your surroundings. Chirping crickets flood the night, and you seldom hear your own footsteps on the old rooftop. As you walk, you skillfully dodge hanging laundry left up on the roof. Jet, however, carelessly walks directly through the drying clothes, letting some fall down. Together, you approach the edge of the building.
"We're here" he whispers to you when suddenly the sound of a voice drifts through the silence.
Quickly, you both crouch behind a hanging sheet for cover.
"Would you like a cup of tea?" You hear a voice say. Peeking out from behind the sheet, you look for the source. From your laundry lookout, you and Jet have a perfect view of the side of a neighboring building: a two-story residential complex with small, modest apartments. Only a handful of rooms are lit up, you scope each one until your eyes land on one in particular. A bearded man stands barely visible in the lit kitchen window, tying an apron around his waist. Mushi.
"We've been working in a tea shop all day! I'm sick of tea." Replies Lee, his voice sounding as annoying as usual. You see him lounging a green cushion seat.
"Sick of tea?! That's like being sick of breathing!" The old man gestures in disbelief. You can only assume his nephew ignored the statement, as Mushi turns away with a sad shake of his head. He begins searching for something in the lower cupboard.
"Have you seen our spark rocks to heat up the water?" The man calls to his nephew. The next voice you hear comes from beside you. Jet speaks with a low, sly voice.
"They're not there." You turn to him and watch him open a clenched fist. In his palm he holds a pair of emerald green... spark rocks.
"You'll have to firebend, old man."
Did he just say firebend? You watch Jet shove the rocks back into his pocket, then quickly bring your gaze back to the window of the tea makers apartment, watching in suspense.
"Where are you going…" mumbles Jet as Mushi disappears from view. The old man returns momentarily.
"I borrowed some from the neighbors. Such kind people." He says to his nephew, striking the rocks together and lighting the cooking fire under his teapot. Jet sighs angrily and you turn to face him, seeing the visible frustration in his expression.
"Why did he do that? Stupid old man!" he mutters furiously.
"Hey," you whisper back, "What's the big deal? I mean, what did you expect him to do? 'Someone' stole his only spark rocks."
"Shut up and watch!" He hisses at you. You're taken aback by Jet's change of tone. He's almost like a completely different person compared to the slick, cool and collected boy you hung out with at the WWE arena. He seems... obsessed. However, Jet is your new friend and you plan to give him another chance to… prove whatever it is he's trying to prove. You cautiously shuffle closer to Jet and place a hand on his shoulder.
"Do you really think that the sweet, elderly tea shop employee is a fire bender? There's no way, he's too soft and nice. And he loves tea."
"You don't get it, I saw the old man heating his tea—"
"He works in a tea shop,"
"NO! Without a fire! Well, actually, with fire but not a fire-fire, his bendy fire- Oh nevermind."
'
"Jet," You place your other hand on his other shoulder. He's now in your grasp, facing you, no longer spying on the tea shop employees. "Why don't we leave, and you can just explain and tell me everything. I willing to listen."
"You don't really believe me, do you? You'll believe it when you see it." Jet stands up, and you panic, thinking he'll jump into the window and challenge Mushi to a sword duel. Instead, he turns around in a huff and starts to leave.
"Jet?" You followed after him, but he breaks into a sprint. "JET!" He's already jumped onto another neighboring building. You stand up and get ready for a chase.