Jee's Bad Day (written for the prompt, 'fanatic')
Prince Zuko behaved like a tyrant. No one disputed that, at least not while he was out of earshot. The men aboard his 'classic' ship, as Iroh called the old beast, always quick to appease the spoiled brat, all wanted to smack him a good one.
But while Zuko was driven and relentless in his quest to find the Avatar, no matter the consequences to his men, Lieutenant Jee had his own issues.
"There's a spot on the collar. Can't you see it? Did your mother not teach you to do laundry properly?" He held the offending garment out to the ship's hand, careful to keep it well away from his own body. "Well?" he shouted, his face redder than a strawberry and looking as though it was fit to burst, all the juices running out everywhere.
"I, no, I, but you're only wearing it here on the ship to nowhere, sir. What does it matter?" The young man, who was about six years older than Zuko, cringed and dutifully awaited his scolding. He did his best, really he did. But Jee's standards were exacting. Sometimes he had to protest, Of course, as soon as he did, regret filled him.
"I don't care if we drown in these clothes. I. WANT. THEM. TO. BE. CLEAN. Do you understand?" With every word, Jee gave the tunic a shake. It was clear he would rather be shaking the ship's hand. "Now, take this abomination and wash it again. You had better do it right, or I'll make you duel the prince."
"But, but, I'm not a firebender." The young man cowered against the ship's rail and for a moment considered diving into the water.
"Precisely."
Jee marched across the deck, his hands behind his back, whistling a jaunty tune. The ship's hand scurried below to the laundry.
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"Really, Lieutenant Jee, isn't the lad terrified enough just being around my nephew occasionally. He doesn't need two people after him." General Iroh shook his head back and forth rhythmically. "It is just the laundry after all." He realized his error as soon as the words moved beyond his lips and hung in the air like a rank cloud.
"Just the laundry! Do you hear what you're saying, General? If we can't count on clean clothes, what's the point of anything? When I first joined the military….."
"Excuse me, Jee, I think I hear Zuko calling. Yes," Iroh cupped a hand over his ear. "There it is again. I really must be going now."
"But I'm not finished. You haven't heard my story about….that sneaky old man."
Jee stared about him angrily. Would no one listen to his tales of laundry woe?
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A/N: Yes, it is supposed to be mildly humorous. When I thought 'fanatic' all I could come up with was Jet or the FN in general. I've done that
in various forms many times. So I went for something a bit different. I may have failed, but I tried, dammit.
