A. N. : One step forward, two steps backward. Zuko isn't the trusting type. Also, I have a concert coming up, so I'm not sure I'll be able to update as regularly as usual.
Lin is sleeping.
She fell asleep after lunch and hasn't woken since. And Zuko doesn't have anything better to do – he still doesn't see a solution to the babysitter problem – so he has decided to go and explore the city.
He has Lin tied to his chest – spirits, let her not be drooling – Jet's wheat in his pocket – Lin apparently likes the taste, as she rejected Zuko's attempts to take it from her before lunch – and a hole in his stomach.
He did eat, but there was just not enough food for everyone to be satiated. Lin's needs obviously come first at all times, and Uncle requires enough energy to work all day, so Zuko pretended to be full, and either Uncle bought it or he did the math for himself and let it slide without commenting.
And anyway, compared to that spirits damned desert, it really isn't that bad.
Zuko walks past food stands, clothes shops, and finds himself in front of a healer house. Apparently, they also sell medicinal plants.
Uncle said growing a tooth is painful and it would make Lin grumpy, and Zuko is tempted to go in and ask if there aren't any tricks to ease the process a bit – grumpy firebender means more sparks, and that means even smaller hopes of finding someone to take care of Lin – but he has neither the money for herbs, nor ways to work and repay an advice.
He hears a voice calling Li, and he has to force himself to turn around. He got used to the name faster than he wants to admit, but he always has the urge to tell people they're mistaken.
The person facing him is a very short girl that he has never seen in his life. But she starts explaining that she works at the healer house here, well – mostly it's just getting rid of dirty stuff, bringing tools or getting water – she gestures the jug she's carrying – but it's better than making deliveries and having to bear with annoying merchants –
That – that rings a bells, but –
Jet told her and Longshot he'd met Li this morning.
Oh.
Smellerbee.
And Zuko guesses she had to get rid of the war paint and put some effort into actually kind of looking like a girl to get the job, because it doesn't feel like something she'd do of her own volition.
Still, he doesn't remember her being the friendly type, so her walking up to him to talk is perplexing.
Did Jet ask her to do this ?
As it turns out, he didn't. He merely informed the Freedom Fighters of his intention to hang out, and since he looked like he was fine now, Smellerbee decided to make some sort of effort – think of it as a peace offering.
Don't peace offerings come after a war ?
She adds that whatever Zuko – Li – did to Jet at the station, he'd better not do it again, or he'd find himself in a lot of pain – her hand instinctively goes up to her belt, and Zuko would bet there's a dagger hidden there.
Ouch. That explains the peace offering.
It also means Jet didn't tell his friends about Lin. Which is a good thing, really. Less potential danger to the child. Except – Smellerbee waves a goodbye as she goes into the building.
Except Jet didn't tell his friends. Zuko doesn't have a lot of experience in this field, but he's pretty sure friends are supposed to tell each other when they're upset – and Jet was clearly beyond upset at the station. Breaking down or agonizing, maybe.
And Zuko isn't about to trust someone to watch his back if that someone isn't willing to do the same.
Not that he was going to in the first place.