notes: iroh really can't catch a break dealing with bratty teenagers.
"I don't suppose you want to come out now? Or talk about it? Or have your supper?"
"I told you the last three times you knocked, Dad, I'm staying in here for the rest of my life."
"Your aunt's worried. She's let her supper freeze waiting for you to come out and stop being foolish."
"Well, she'll be waiting a long time, then."
"I'm not going to let you hold a grudge against her because of this nonsense. She raised you like a mother would— she deserves your respect. And Zuko's been hoping to show you his new kata all day."
"She's not my mother. If I want to kiss twenty girls a day, I will."
"From what I've heard, you haven't had much luck getting one girl—"
"I hate you."
"If you'd like, I'll bring the rest of the family over to the door so you can feud with them, too."
"Okay, I can't even get one stupid girl to want to kiss me! Happy? Not only did I break my betrothal contract and make Auntie blow her stack, I also don't even have a nice memory to make up for it!"
"What's her name?"
"... Rika. Himura Rika."
"Her house should be thrilled that a prince is interested in her; her father's lost their entire fortune on craps. You could do— you're doing better."
"So? She's the prettiest girl in the Caldera, and I'm in love with her. Except... she doesn't like me like that."
"You're fifteen. You'll fall for all the pretty girls in the Caldera, trust me. And what's wrong with your betrothed?"
"There's nothing wrong with Emi. I just don't love her. I don't even know anything about her. She says stuff her mother thinks I want to hear, and that's it."
"Even if you don't love her, you still have to marry her and be faithful, Lu Ten. There are responsibilities that come with your position— sometimes we must sacrifice for the good of our clan."
"Auntie already said that— at a way louder volume."
"But... I think once you really learn more about Emi, perhaps even after you're married, you may grow to love her for who she is. Your mother and I had hardly met before our wedding, yet I can't imagine that a more perfect woman could have been my wife."
"... You really loved Mom, huh? I mean, I guessed so, but I can't remember."
"I did. You'll have to take my word for it, but I did. These things just take time."
"... Okay. Rika said she definitely isn't interested, and Emi might be all right."
"Now will you come out and have your supper? You can apologize to your aunt and look at Zuko's new kata and drink some nice ginseng— and I'd like to hear how my son thought the palace meat lockers were a prime place for seduction."
(There is a sound remarkably similar to a hand colliding with a forehead.)
