Heyhey!
This is... kinda early, right? A week? No?
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Boooooo
Oh, just go to bed already!
Jin groaned, flopping down on her thin mattress. She could still hear her parents talking in the next room over, their voices loud enough to be heard, but not distinctly. She'd been forced to douse the candle as her parents had walked by; heading to bed, but the moonlight was plenty bright enough, making a pool of silver on the floor through the open skylight. What are they talking about that's so damn important?
Me, probably. She smirked, returning to her sitting position. Talking about what a loose cannon I am. Seriously, what did I do that was so wrong? It was just the one damn time! I don't deserve to be punished like this for it! Who do they think they are, sending me to bed at nine o'clock at night?
They better not be talking about me... Frowning, Jin pulled herself up from the bed, tip-toeing silently across the room. Pushing her loose hair back, the girl pushed her ear up against the thin wall, determined to find out what couldn't wait until morning.
"... I'm telling you, we have to stop this before it gets out of hand again!"
"Renshu, be reasonable. What are you going to do, lock her up 'til the end of her days? Things like this were bound to flare back up."
"Oh, I am being reasonable, Shan. Jin's only sixteen and she's running around with boys until midnight! It-"
"Happened once."
"Once that we know of! You heard the way she spoke to me this morning! That was completely unacceptable!"
"It was, I agree." Shan said gently. "But what you suggested she did-"
"Come on, Shan! You know perfectly well that is exactly what she gets up to." What! Jin blinked, indignant. Ooh, I'd go in there and hit him if he wasn't right... "I'm sure she's spoken to you about it."
"What? You think I would hide something like that from you? She has done nothing of the sort!" Jin sighed with relief. Good save Ma. Truth was, she'd been confiding with her mother on the subject for almost a year.
"Fine! Cover for her. But she needs to be reined in, Shan! I'm not having a repeat of last autumn. She was entirely out of control and it's going to happen again if we're not careful."
"What, are you going to forbid her from going out? From seeing anybody? She's old enough now to live alone, and she'll leave if you do that!"
"I just want her to be safe! Do you think I want her pregnant? Or arrested?"
"Do you think I do? She's still my little girl, she always will be, but you have to recognize that turning her home into a jail will only push her away."
"Then what do you suppose we do, Shan? We can't let it escalate like it did again."
"Try sitting her down and talking to her like the adult she is."
"Ha! You think she would listen to either of us?"
"You're blowing this out of proportion Renshu. Look, haven't you noticed?"
"Noticed what?"
"That she's miserable! I haven't seen her smile in over a week. Something is eating her up inside."
"Maybe she-"
"Don't you dare suggest that. I am being serious here. She's upset, and you want to punish her further?"
"It's for her own good. I want her home as soon as she has finished work until further notice."
"Renshu!"
"What?"
"Do you think she's just going to stay cooped up at home?"
"I don't think, I know. I'll have a good long talk with her tomorrow, and if she's behaved enough, perhaps I'll be lenient. But let's be fair here."
"Yes, lets! When was giving a sixteen-year-old girl an afternoon curfew fair? She'll hate you for this."
"Very well. But at least she'll be where we can keep an eye on her."
Jin had had enough. She lifted her head away from the wood slowly, both incredibly angry and stricken. What is he on? Does he think that he can tell me what to do? Does he honestly think that I'm going to come home and stay in all night? What is wrong with him? The girl let out along breath, trying to calm herself. It's okay. All I have to do is make sure to be the sweet little sugar princess he wants when he talks to me. That's not hard, right?
Ugh, I just can't believe him sometimes! What's his problem? What have I done that's so bad? I'm hardly a wild child. And besides, he was my age when he had to marry Ma. How dare he say things like that about me! What a hypocrite!
... He's only trying to make sure I don't make the same mistakes. Jin leaned against the wall, sighing. Does he think I'm stupid? Does he think I don't know how to make sure that doesn't happen?
And Ma knows. She knows I'm upset over something... Great, I didn't realise it was that obvious.
But it's okay. Because tonight, I'm going to find things out once and for all. She walked over to her small bedside table, lighting the candle. Cila was useless. Nice, but useless. Barely spoke a word all night... and Ma tried hard, too. But she just clammed up tight. And that Li kid was so quiet... Even quieter than Hai. I've never seen a child so subdued before. It was actually kinda scary.
I understand it's bad, but it's not that horrible. Jin pulled open the creaky drawer, extracting her comb. I should feel even worse than I did when I found out he was a bender... Being the crown Princeof the Fire Nation... That's much, much worse. I guess, after accepting, not caring, who Zuko is, nothing more could stun me. Jin winced as she dragged the bone comb through her hair, the teeth catching on the thick tangles. She tugged the comb through the snared locks without a respite, however, used to battling with her hair on a regular basis. I want to see him. I will see him. But if I looked him in the eye and asked if he was the same Prince Zuko, he'd either lie or clam up and freak out. I've been through that before. If I want the truth, I'll just have to find another source. She set down her comb, gathering her thick dark hair in one hand, groping about the drawer of junk for a hair ribbon with the other. She wound the olive-coloured accessory about the tight fistful of hair, making sure to leave a few trailing locks about her face.
Wish I had a mirror. Jin patted her hair self-consciously. She loosened the sash about her waist, making sure to pull the upper part of her robe apart a little more, before tying it as tightly as she could. Rootling through the nightstand, Jin searched for any spare coins she might have. She didn't want to, but would probably end up paying for a few drinks tonight, if she wanted people to talk. She found three copper coins, which found their way into the little leather pouch hidden in her dress.
I'm ready. She leaned down, and blew the candle out. All right, so her parents were exactly asleep yet, but Jin couldn't wait any longer. She had an hour and a half before the taverns closed, and she had to make it count. Reaching up, Jin grasped the ledge of the skylight, and with considerable effort, managed to haul herself onto the roof, keeping her footsteps as light as she possibly could.
At least it's not cold. Jin mused as she quietly replaced the shutters. The roof tiles were made of terracotta, a substance she knew well, and Jin was able to step effortlessly across, pausing for a moment to take in the night scene, the roofs' bathed in moonlight, the air still. It was almost pretty.
With a sigh, Jin descended down the ladder that leaned against the side of the house, down from a world of silver-brushed rooftops and into a realm of darkened back alleys.
"So I said to 'er, come at me like that again, and I'll show you platypus-bear!" Jin burst into fake laughter, her hand resting on the mans' knee as she leaned in a little closer.
"Oh, you didn't!" She gasped, holding her left hand delicately over her mouth. "That is so naughty!"
"Well, what can I say, huh?" He was tall, but, thankfully, not solidly-built, although his thin face wore a hard smirk that twisted Jin's stomach, cold eyes the colour of stone. "She had it coming to her."
"That's still so horrible, Shiro!" Jin took another apparent gulp of her drink, although in actuality, it was just a sip. Pretences had to be withheld. "You're lucky her husband didn't attack you!"
"Ah, nah." The man waved it off. If she wan't trying to extract information from the man, Jin would have seriously considered crushing him between two large rocks. "Completely spineless."
"Oh, that's okay then." Bastard. Jin rested her chin on one hand. "So if that was in the Pohuai stronghold, you must have seen a lot of interesting places and people. It's a long way from here."
"Where do you think I get my great stories from?" Shiro chuckled, draining the last of his ale. "Mmm, that was good."
"Want another?" Jin suggested, forcing herself to smile. "I don't mind paying."
"Oh, go on then." Jin flashed him another smile, before flagging down the tavern owner, who threw his cloth over one shoulder, raising an eyebrow at her.
"Another drink for the gentleman." She pressed two more copper coins on the wooden tabletop.
"Certainly." The middle-aged man gave a short bow, before taking Shiro's glass, reaching under the counter.
"Gentleman!" Shiro threw his head back and laughed. "Oh, that's a good one, girl. I haven't heard that in a while."
"I'm just being polite." She said innocently, crossing one leg over the other. Just as he wanted to, the pale hem of her dress was hitched up slightly, exposing a little leg.
"Uhuh..." He took the drink that was offered to him, smacking his lips as he gulped down the majority of the liquid in one gulp. "So why're ya buying me drinks, huh?"
"No reason at all." She made sure to sugar-coat her voice. "I want to hear more of your fascinating stories." Pig.
"Aaahh..." He looked at her somewhat calculating. "Any... particular one you wanna hear?"
"What on earth do you mean?" Jin frowned. Shiro snorted.
"C'mon, girlie." He shook his head. "You're a Ba Sing Se girl. I know you don't hear nothing of the outside world."
"Oh, all right, you caught me." Jin smiled. "I suppose I do have a hidden agenda... Of perhaps you could call it more of a... curiosity."
"Oh?" He leaned in a little, and so did she. "What exactly are you curious about?" The tavern owner was still quite close by, polishing the drinking glasses inconspicuously.
"Promise you won't think me strange?" She widened her eyes in an attempt to look more innocent, head tilting to one side.
"'Course not." He smiled, curling the corner of his lip upwards.
"Great." Jin lowered her voice. "Then... What exactly can you tell me about Prince Zuko?" She stumbled out in a somewhat rush, eyes darting side to side.
"Eh?" Shiro straightened up, one eyebrow arched. "Why d'ya wanna know?"
"I'm just curious." Jin kept an innocent look on her face, careful to make sure a flicker of nervousness didn't show through. "Sounds like an interesting story, no?"
"I... Guess." Shiro shrugged. "I only 'eard what everyone else did."
"Which was?" Jin leaned in expectantly, her heartbeat quickening.
"He was banished a few years ago from the Fire Nation by his father." That much Jin knew. It must have been how he got his scar...
"Why?" She asked before Shiro could get a word in, her tone a little too firm for natural curiosity, and she knew it. The tavern owner stilled in his cleaning, a frown forming on his face.
"I don't know fer sure." He shrugged again. "Musta been bad. I heard he killed a guy. Anyways, he can't go back 'til he captures the Avatar and brings him back to the Fire Nation." Jin was silent, her heart slowly sinking. "He got close a few times too. I met up with a guy who was in Chin village when it was attacked... He's burned down at least a dozen villages since winter... Hate to think how many died."
Don't say that. Jin felt sick. He didn't... Couldn't...
"H-he's sixteen, right?" Her voice was hoarse. Looking more confused than ever, Shiro nodded.
"That 'aint the end of the story." His tone darkened. "Turned out he and the old General Iroh turned against Admiral Zhao in the siege North Pole. The Fire Nation lost – thank spirits – but they escaped somehow and've been wandering around the Earth Kingdom ever since. Their reward is massive... the wealth of ten villages." Shiro paused, narrowing his eyes. "You've met the kid, haven't you?"
"No." Jin said quickly, shaking her head. "I was just curious." He regarded her suspiciously, staring her in the eye. "I swear."
"... It's an odd thing to be curious about." He said carefully. "If I find out he's in the city-"
"I haven't met him." Jin said calmly, uncomfortably aware of the tavern owner staring at her. "He may be in the city, I don't know. Truth be told, I'd heard a little of the story... I found it romantic."
"Ahhh..." He broke into a smirk. "I guess if that floats your boat..."
"Yeah, I'm pretty hopeless like that." Jin forced a smile, although her heart was pounding, a cold sweat trickling down her back. He... He has hurt people... "Thanks."
"Ah, no prob." Shiro gave a hopeful glance to his drink, but Jin made no indication that she would pay for another. "Aah, I better go. Curfew kicks in within fifteen minutes."
"Oh?" Jin blinked. "That time already? I hadn't noticed." I was counting down the seconds. "So... I suppose I'll see you around?"
"Mmhmm." Shiro straightened his back, stretching. "Take care." He leered at the girl. "Pretty young thing like you needs to be careful."
"Oh, I am." She said confidently as the man stood up, her false smile widening. "It was good to talk to you, Shiro."
"Likewise." He bowed his head slightly towards her, the leery expression never leaving his face. Jin sighed as he walked away, resting her head in her hands.
It is Zuko. I knew it. And he... He has done bad things. Lots, by the sound of things... She closed her eyes, biting her lower lip. Why am I surprised? I should have known, Zuko was too good to be true. Somebody so painfully sweet and awkwardly shy and handsome... With a genuine interest in me... There'd have to be some kind of catch.
"You know, that is an odd thing to be curious about." Jin lifted her head, staring at the tavern owner across from her. Tall, and somewhat lanky, with the narrow, mournful face that Jin was sick of seeing on every single person she met, he swung the cloth over one shoulder, finding a damp rag to mop up the ale that Shiro had spilled.
"I wasn't aware it was your business." Jin challenged, straightening herself.
"My tavern, girl. It is my business. Especially if it's illegal." He raised an eyebrow, watching as Jin lowered her gaze to the tabletop.
"I know it's an odd thing to be curious about." She said testily. "But I just was, all right? Do you give all your customers the third degree?"
"Just the ones who have a habit of breaking the law." He quickly countered, watching her tense. "Look. I don't mean to pry, all right? I'm just saying; watch who you talk to, and what you say."
"You think I'm stupid?" Jin stood up. "Thanks for the drinks, mister." She turned away, and left the small, dimly-lit tavern without another word.
"Problem, Minsheng?" The man blinked, turning to his brother, who had left the Pai Sho table to join him.
"The girl." Minsheng frowned. "Asking about Prince Zuko. She was real eager, too."
"You think she might be on to him?" He winced.
"Hope not, Jing." The man sighed. "After the effort it took to get them in here... Smuggling them out will be twice as hard."
"No no, we don't have to do anything of the sort." Minsheng shook his head. "We just have to keep the girl quiet."
"We don't operate like that." Jing warned his brother. "Listen, you're overthinking this. It's just an innocent girl asking innocent questions. Zuko and Grandmaster Iroh are fine. He was in here last night playing Pai Sho, for Earths' sake. If something was up, don't you think he would have said something?"
"... I suppose." Minsheng rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "I don't know. Call me paranoid, but... With the Avatar in town..."
"You are paranoid." Jing sighed. "Look, we better start getting these people out, or we'll be fined again."
"All right." Minsheng heaved himself up, stepping out from behind the bar to chase away the last few customers.
Darkness.
Zuko didn't know what, where he was. It was pitch black, not a single glimmer of light in sight. The ground seemed solid enough. But he knew it was a dream. The throne room, the dragons, Mother...
It was all a sick dream.
"If we knew each other back then, do you think we could have been friends too?"
Behind him.
With a gasp, Zuko turned. He knew the voice.
"Aang." His fists crackled with fire. Not to fight, but to reveal his surroundings. As he thought, the boy stood six feet away from him, unarmed, hands at his sides. "What are you-"
"If we knew each other back then, do you think we could have been friends too?" The same sentence was uttered, in the same curious, optimistic tone.
"I don't know..." Zuko's hands clenched, the flames rising. "What is going on..."
"If we knew each other-"
"Stop saying that Aang!" His voice cracked. "Why? Why does it matter? Why does this matter? What's the point of this stupid dream?"
"If we-"
"Shut up!" Zuko grabbed his shoulders, the light extinguishing. "Shut up! I don't know Aang! I don't bloody know! Stop asking me that question!"
Silence. The teenager stepped back, trying to control his breathing. It was almost a full minute before the young Avatar spoke up once more, his voice timid and quavering.
"If we knew each oth- Ah!" He screamed as Zuko erupted in fire, white-hot flames engulfing the pair. The rushing, the light, the screaming...
Agni... Zuko gasped aloud, the thought running through his mind before the descent into fresh unconsciousness.
I called him Aang...
"Good evening."
Jin shot her twin the most evil look she could muster, sleeves rolled past the elbow as she crawled upon the floor on hands and knees, armed with a scrubbing brush and a pail of lukewarm soapy water.
"What?" The teenager kicked off his shoes, filling his mothers' chair by the wood stove. "Hey, this needs more coal."
"So?" Jin grumbled. "Fill it." She returned to her scrubbing, trying to remove a very muddy footprint from the worn floorboards. "I'm not a damn slave, Jiro."
"Didn't you scrub those yesterday?" Jiro pulled aside the little stove door, waving his hand effortlessly. A few handfuls of coal clanged into the stove, and he pushed it closed.
"Yep." Jin huffed angrily. "But Dad reckons I could have done a better job. So I have to do them again."
"Ooooh." The teenage boy stretched his legs, an inch or so of bony ankle sprouting from ragged-hemmed trousers. "He is angry at you."
"They were talking about me last night." Jin muttered angrily, scrubbing the boards with significant force. "While the rest of the house was asleep."
"Really?" Jiro raised an eyebrow. "Was it glowing praise, or..."
"It was 'or...'." Jin threw the brush into the bucket, leaning back and resting on her knees. "They're talking about locking me up in my room."
"What?" Jiro was startled. "Literally? Or do you just have an early curfew."
"Just an early curfew." Jin rubbed at her eyes. "But that's just as bad..." She dipped a hand in the filled bucket. "Too cold." She made a face, standing up with a sigh. "Need to put more on..."
"Where's Ma anyways?" Jiro asked, watching as his sister put a fresh pot of water on the stove. "Out?"
"Buying food for dinner." Jin walked to the open window, dumping the dirty, cold water onto the street. "She'll be back in half an hour or so."
"Hai?"
"Went to see Uncle Shirong about the apprenticeship." There was only a little water left in the large basin beside the pantry – she would have to get more afterward. "Be back by nightfall."
"Chang?"
"Dunno. Out frolicking in a muddy ditch, probably." Jin tried to hide a yawn behind her hand, and failed. "Ugh."
"Man, you need to sleep more." The boy shook his head. "Don't tell me you went out again last night."
"Maybe." Jin said uncomfortably. "It's not your business, is it?"
"Do you want to be locked up for the rest of your life?" Jiro shook his head. "Is this about Lee?"
"What?" Jin frowned. "What makes you think that?"
"Because you're only like this when there's a boy involved." He said patiently, watching as the water on the stove started to heat. "He really must set your heart racing if you're putting yourself in this much trouble." The last comment was a teasing joke, but it struck Jin, who looked, to be honest, close to tears.
"Yeah." Jin sank into her fathers' seat, head in her hands. "It is... I just... I don't know what to do."
"Whoo boy." He sighed. "Are you going to tell me, or are you just gonna mope about it?"
"It's hard." Jin mumbled. "He's got a dark past. He's hurt people."
"Stay away." Jiro's eyes widened in alarm. "What are you, stupid? Mixing up with trouble? What if he's a criminal? You could be arrested for fraternising with him." Jin sighed. You have no idea just how much of a criminal he is...
"I can't do that. I know I should stay away, but I can't. I like him too much. And he's so..." Jin straightened up in the chair, blowing her bangs out of her eyes. "On our first date, he dressed nicely and did his hair." She hoped it would encapsulate Zuko's unintentional effort and awkward kindness.
"What?" It did. "On the first date? What, did you sneak into the theatre or something? What kind of geek..." Jiro snorted. "He was trying to impress you, then."
"He wasn't." Jin shook her head. "That's the thing. He... I don't quite know his intentions. But he wasn't trying to impress me. He was genuine, Jiro. He is genuine. I don't know what to do."
"I still say run a mile." The boy sighed and stood up. "But when did you ever listen to me, huh?" He shot the girl a smile. "I'm gonna get changed and go out for a bit, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah." Jin grumbled, taking the water off the stove and sloshing it into her bucket. Cold water and soap followed, the liquid frothing as Jin vigorously stirred it with a hand. "Have a good time."
"I'll try not to have too much fun without you." Jiro grinned before leaving the room, Jin getting back onto her knees with a long sigh.
Jiro doesn't understand. Why did I think he would? He's a typical loudmouthed boy, that's hardly going to change is it? All he ever wants from a relationship is fun and ability to jump into bed.
Everyone is like that. Everyone I've ever gone out with, all my friends, my family, they're all like that. Oh sure, some make the pretence of being virtuous and decent, but they're not. Zuko is so completely different. I understand why now though... Being a Prince would have ground the whole honour and glory thing into his head pretty hard. And the whole Prince thing... It's a bit scary, but so... Oddly thrilling.
He's a Prince, but more than that, he's a Prince who's interested in me. Who cares. I know it's dangerous, and I know that he's the enemy, but... She sighed, her hands pausing on the scrubbing brush. What girl hasn't had some sort of fantasy where she's courted and falls in love with a prince?
I know it's not just that simple. He might be a prince but he's an exiled, banished prince, with the entire world against him.
He must feel so lonely...
Jin sighed. It was so romantic, in its' own strange, twisted way. A young man, banished from his homeland and sent on an impossible quest... Or maybe I'm just weird...
I got issues. She frowned at the floorboards. I mean... If that's my idea of romantic... What am I going to think next, that he desperately needs to find that special someone to melt his icy heart?
... What annoys me is that I actually believe that. Jin almost laughed. I'm so deluded! As if he would ever be interested if I didn't ask him out. Scratch that, if I didn't push him into taking an interest. I don't understand why... I mean, maybe if he was into that, I would understand, but I highly doubt it. Not somebody as shy and awkward as he is. So then why is he giving a damn? I'm not funny or smart or interesting to talk to...
"Well, I'm off." Jiro walked into the little room, breaking Jin from her increasingly agonised thoughts. "I probably won't be back for dinner."
"Okay, I'll set some aside for you." Jin said distractedly, sitting back on her knees. Jiro rifled through the cupboards, seizing the cooking pot and holding it to the light, trying to see his reflection. "Hey Jiro?"
"Hm?" He was still checking himself out, running a moistened thumb over his eyebrows.
"What is it about me that boys like?" She looked over at her twin brother, who lowered the vessel, confused. "What?"
"Because you're..." He sighed. "You know why. I'm not saying it."
"I'm what?" Jin pressed. "Be honest Jiro, please."
"You know..." He said uncomfortably. "You're... Yeah."
"Easy." Jin muttered. Jiro winced.
"Well, that's a bit harsh..."
"No, it's not." She groaned. "I know that, Jiro. And I know I've gotten a bit of a reputation for it. But it's not like I can help it! I just-"
"I am not discussing this with you." He was alarmed. "Look, what's with the insecurity? It..." Jiro paused. "Lee?"
"Ugh! Why does everything have to be about Lee?" Jin threw the scrubbing brush into the bucket of cooling water.
"Because it is?" Jiro suggested. "Look, what's so great about the guy? He sounds like a complete geek to me."
"You don't get it." Jin shook her head. "It's just... He's the first guy in... I don't even know how long who likes me for me... But I don't even know what 'me' is."
"What do you mean?" Jiro frowned.
"You know... What makes me different from everyone else. Why anyone would give a crap?"
"What are you talking about?" His frown deepened. "Of course you're different. You're the only girl I know who's willing to roll her sleeves up."
"Yeah, but-"
"You put up a damn good fight. You eat like an ostrich-horse. You can outdrink full-grown men, you're a natural bender, you're willing to get in a heap of trouble at any opportunity, you-"
"Those aren't good things!" She protested with a scowl.
"They aren't?" He shrugged. "Well, I think they are. No one wants to date a girl who acts like a complete princess. Look, I gotta go, okay? I said I'd meet the guys ten minutes ago."
"Yeah, all right..." Jin nodded. "Have fun." She stared at the floor as Jiro left, her mind ticking.
Yeah, but... Isn't that someone Zuko would want? Someone who is ladylike and well-mannered and stuff?
I don't know. This is pointless. And it's doing my head in. She fished the scrubbing-brush from the water, returning to her work.
I know one thing. She thought wryly. If I was involved with a Prince, I'm sure I wouldn't be wasting my time with this scrubbing...
Ugh.
Zuko cracked his eyes open, and then closed them again, trying in vain to stop the whirling in his head.
"You should know this is not a natural sickness." Iroh's gentle voice jarred uncomfortably in his head. Zuko was vaguely aware of his uncles against the back of his head, coaxing him to sit up a little. With considerable effort, the teenager opened his eyes properly, his vision still a little fuzzy. "But that shouldn't stop you from enjoying tea." The rim of the cup pressed against his lips, Zuko took a small sip.
"Wh-What's happening?" He managed to stutter out weakly, trying to focus on his uncle. I know it's not normal... Those dreams... the dragons and the throne room... And Mother... and Aa- the Avatar... I've never had dreams so vivid before...
"Your critical descision." Was there a hint of a smile on Iroh's lips? "What you did beneath that lake, it was in such conflict with your image of yourself, that you are now at war within your own mind and body." Again, the teacup was pushed to his lips, and again, Zuko took a sip.
"What's that mean?" The teenager frowned a little, trying to understand. It was hard to do so with his head in such a pounding, whirling state. He coughed, lungs burning, and slumped back onto the mattress, the last remnants of energy spent.
"You are going through a metamorphosis, my nephew. It will not be a pleasant experience." Great. Zuko thought wearily, feeling as though his head had been stuffed with straw. "But when you come out of it..." The teenager relaxed a little as the cooling damp cloth pressed against his burning skin. "You will be the beautiful prince you were always meant to be." Zuko gave a light groan in response, the floating sensation of rapidly approaching sleep already starting to hit him.
"I am so proud of you, my nephew." Iroh murmured after a minute of silence. The young man gave a light snore in reply.
The moment she stepped into the tea shop, Jin knew something was up. Perhaps it was the sombre, slumped-shouldered posture of Pao, who looked even more doleful than ever as he dished the tea into an elderly woman's cup. Maybe it was the significant drop in customers – where the tables were once crowded with chattering people, a few lonesome figures were bent sadly over their half-empty cups, looking wistfully into the little china mugs. But it was most likely the fact that both Zuko and his uncle were nowhere to be seen.
"Hello, Pao." She looked confused, a little suspicious as she approached the man. He looked up,beaming at one of his favourite regulars.
"Hello, Jin!" He smiled, straightening his apron. "Will it be another Jasmine this afternoon?"
"Um, yeah." Jin frowned. "Uh.. Pao, do you think you could tell me... Uh... where's Lee?" She finally stammered out, trying to peer past the tea-shop owner into the little back room.
"Pah! Don't speak to me about either of them!" Pao snapped. "Some merchant from the Upper Ring swooped down and poached them!" Jin froze. "Fancy new apartment and everything! Betrayers, the pair of them!"
"What?" She murmured faintly. "He's... gone?"
"Good riddance to bad rubbish!" Pao was clearly still smarting from his rejection. "You'll never see them in the lower ring again." He rubbed his hands together. "Now... Let me see about that tea..." He turned back to Jin, but only caught the hem of her dress as she tore through the front door, bursting back into the street. "Argh!" He bemoaned, hefting the empty teapot in his hands. "I'll never keep another customer without Mushi!" Pao slipped into the back room, heavy-hearted.
Meanwhile, Jin was almost sprinting down the wide main street, her mind racing. Upper ring... What do I do now? When on earth did this happen?
All right. I'm going to see Zuko. Nothing is going to stop me, especially not a few snooty walls and those pain-in-the-neck Dai Li's. She raised her gaze to the sky, trying to judge the time from the suns' position in the sky. It's Friday. Jin frowned. Jiro finishes early today, usually. When he finishes, he goes and hangs out with the boys' in the little square behind the eastern marketplace. She started to walk again, a quick, erratic pace. He's free with his earthbending around them – bordering on arrogant, really – so he can help.
I was supposed to be home straight after work, but I don't care. I'm through with that. If Dad's going to refuse to listen to reason, how is that my fault? Besides, they'd get over it eventually. Jin was pushing her luck, she knew. But if I'm home before Dad's finished work, Ma might cover for me... I hope. I'll throw caution to the wind. The desire to see Zuko was too great. It was all she could do to not try and see him yesterday, but after talking with her father the night beforehand – and the subsequent breakdown in communication that ended with a shouting match and an angry march to her room – Jin didn't think it was a very good idea to disobey him directly after such a confrontation, but she thought that perhaps two days was enough for the dust to settle. It wasn't really, and Jin knew it, but she was just too anxious to care. It wasn't just the need to confront him, to clear the air and explain that she knew everything and couldn't care less; it was the simple want to see him again. Dammit. She was falling, head over heels, and she knew it.
"Hey." She stepped into the little courtyard with a wave and a smile. Six figures stilled in docile conversation, the exhausted boys attempting to turn towards her. As she predicted, Jiro tried to sit up, but failed, showing vague interest, while her relative Sheng gave a weak wave, but the other four started, straightening their clothes as they sat up, making sure hair was well-placed.
"Jin?" Sprawled out on the tiled floor, Jiro propped himself up on one elbow. "What's up? Aren't you meant to be at home."
"Screw Ma and Dad." She announced boldly, walking towards the boys. "I need your help, Jiro."
"What do you need help with, Jin?" It was the astonishingly tall and gangly Ping who spoke, the male giving her a grin. He still liked her? Oh great...
"I need to get to the upper ring." His interest caught, Jiro sat up, frowning slightly.
"Why..." He said slowly, the expression deepening. Jin sighed.
"Because." Why lie? "Lee got a job there." Her brother blinked. "I know. His uncle was given a tea shop in the upper ring. I need to talk to him. Now. I can't wait any longer."
"Upper ring, huh?" Sheng spoke up. "Fancy."
"Yeah." Jiro snorted. "He'll find a new girl, wouldn't he? I mean, why date a peasant when you can-"
"Hey, shut up!" Jin cut in warningly. "Don't be an idiot Jiro. Look, will you help me or not?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll help." He sighed, pulling himself into a standing position. "Anyone else interested?"
"Yeah, okay." Sheng stood up. "As long as we don't get caught. I've only had one warning and I wanna keep it that way."
"Yeah, I'm on my last, so keeping low would be a good idea." Jiro agreed. "I'll do my best, don't worry."
"I'll go too." Guo, a stocky workmate of Jiro's, offered. "Not much else to do."
"No way man." Ping was startled. "I'm on my last chance, and I'm not messing it up for something like that. It's a high penalty, sneaking into the upper ring." The other two boys nodded in agreement.
"Fine." Jiro shrugged. "Okay, where shall we meet?"
"What do you mean?" Jin frowned. "We're all here, aren't we?"
"You're still in your work clothes." Jiro pointed out. "You wanna meet this guy in the upper ring wearing that?"
"I have no choice." Jin sounded regretful. "If I go home, Ma'll load work on me and I won't be able to leave. It's okay. Lee won't mind." I hope.
"All right." The boy shrugged. "Your funeral." He started to walk out of the square, giving a quick wave to the three figures who remained slouched along the ground. "You really like this guy, don't you?"
"Yeah..." Jin said fondly, cheeks flushing a little.
"I mean... Seriously. You're risking a hell of a lot here. I mean, I know the chances of us getting caught are almost nil, but still. And you're going to invoke the wrath of our parents when we get back. You haven't been this much of an idiot to anyone else before."
"I know." She murmured. "I do like him a lot, okay?" Jin walked between her brother and her mothers' cousins' son, her heartbeat already increasing in anticipation. Crap... I do don't I...She looked down at her dress, sighing deeply. Ugh, I'd kill for something decent to wear... Jin poked at a hole in the skirt somewhat morosely.
Oh well. At least he'll finally get to see dirt-cheap Jin without the pretentious clothing. It was true; the dress she normally wore was far classier than the rags of the peasantry, almost passable for perhaps a servant in the middle ring. Self-consciously, her hands went to her hair, tugging the little tie from her locks. She'd comb it with her fingers and perhaps it would look a little less-
"Oh crap!" She pulled the broken tie from her hair, scowling. "Well, that's just great, isn't it?"
"What?" Jiro looked over at his sister. "What happened?"
"It broke." She threw the useless thing away, heart sinking. "Great." She mumbled, desperately smoothing her hair. "Just great..."
"We can go tomorrow." Jiro suggested, but even as he started speaking, Jin was shaking her head, resolution set.
"No. So what if I'm not my best? Trust me, Lee won't care. He'll just be happy to see me." I hope...
I just hope I'm not going to make a fool of myself. She cast another regretful, nervous look down at her patched, faded dress.
Hmmm...
Katara paused outside the large tea shop, the low stone building taking precedence in the sun-filled square. Casting a quick gaze to the sun, in an attempt to judge the time, she turned to the lemur perching comfortably on her shoulder.
"What do you say, Momo?" Katara considered. "A cup of tea before we get back to the King?" Momo chirruped on her shoulder, and the girl rubbed his head fondly. Although... She looked down at the scroll in her hand, biting her lip. These are highly important documents... I said I'd deliver them right away... I'm sure a cup of tea can wait.
"How about on the way back, hm?" She turned away from the tea shop, Momo's ears lowering. "Awww, I'm sorry Momo, but this is really important." Katara scratched the little lemur behind the ear. "How about we see if the Earth King has any nuts to spare? I know you love those."
Momo have a happy chirrup.
So now it's (officially) AU... And the ball will (finally) get rolling on the action front!
I honestly never wanted it to take this long... I feel really bad... But it was all necessary.
Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to bed to read more of Thomas More's Utopia (Slow read, but most definitley worth it)... The way I spend my Friday nights...
R&R!