Cake – Visiting Hours part 2
He comes again, with another gift. "Zuko said today's your birthday, so I brought you these."
She stands at the door of her cell this time, cautious but interested in the plate of mooncakes. "My brother told you that?"
He avoids her eyes. "Well, I overheard him telling Mai about it and…anyway, here." He pushes it through the little door at the bottom of the cell.
She picks it up. Her gaze drifts to her face, caution in it. "How do I know these are…safe?"
He looks right at her and says, "I didn't do anything to those cakes. All I can give you is my word, so if you don't believe me that's your choice, but I swear they're clean."
She inspects the cake she's holding thoroughly before taking a tiny bite out of it. While chewing it, she nods slightly but says nothing.
He smirks and says, "Not bad, huh? Your uncle gave me the recipe." Like a child, he waits almost hopefully for her approval.
She finishes it and grabs another, almost greedily. Aside from a slight crinkle in her brow, she does not react to the mention of Iroh.
He waits until she finishes the cakes, then takes the empty plate she pushes out. All is quiet for a moment; then he asks, "How are you being treated here? You were awfully eager for those cakes. Don't they feed you enough?"
She narrows her eyes. "I'm fine. Bored beyond reason, but fine. You're the only one that comes to visit, you know. Why do you bother?"
He shrugs. "I told you before, I feel bad for you. Beyond that, I don't really know why."
She seems to think that over for a minute, then says, "Thank you."
He starts, not believing his ears for a moment. Finally composing himself, he answers, "You're, uh, you're welcome." He waits, but she does not speak again, and he gives up and leaves, but not feeling defeated as he had before.