Author's Note: Actually, I wanted to proceed a bit further in this chapter, but I ended up not doing so, since it was already almost 6000 words long, so, all the action will come in the next chapter. Generally, this chapter serves a bit as a setup for a lot of things that will come later. Not just next chapter, but much later in part. It also explains a bit more of the Beifong/ Bumi relationship and has a little bit of romance in it too. So, here we go. PS: Thank you very much to musicluver246 for the review. It is very much appreciated.

Ba Sing Se, 100 AC

The next morning, a firm knock was heard on the door of a house in the Middle Ring. It was short and sounded professional. Concerning the early hour, Aang rubbed the sleep out of his eyes before opening.

He was greeted by Zhenzu's tight-lipped smile. The servant stood there alone in her dark uniform, her hair, as always bound into a perfect bun on the top of her head, adorned only with a small, green jade pendant. The middle-aged woman bowed before him, "Good Morning, young Avatar. Her Highness sent me over to help you today. She figured, she would not be of much use, and will stay at home for the day."

"Uhm,", it was all a bit much for the airbender, that early in the morning, "Thanks, I guess. Please, come in, we're not ready yet."

As soon as she stepped in, the servant noticed the small girl with her hair undone, apparently, Toph had just woken up. She giggled briefly, "Do you need help, Miss Toph?"

Toph scratched her stomach, "No, not really. I'll be ready in a minute. I don't need a nanny."

This probed an arched eyebrow from Zhenzu, "And I am not one. But sometimes it is good to have somebody look out for you. You see, I've been taking care of your sister for a few years now, and while she doesn't really need my help to survive, it has proven beneficial for both of us."

"Speaking of her, why isn't Lin coming today? I can't see too, and I'm still going to go help.", the small girl asked, crossing her arms.

"Her Highness doesn't think she can help, but in between us, I also think she wants a day off to process the news you brought of Omashu. It might not have shown as much, but it hit her. She's been very depressed the whole evening and this morning too.", she sighed, her aged face showing real concern.

Later that day, Zhenzu was handing out flyers to various people in the Lower Ring. They had figured that she was more effective in that than any of the teenagers, since they all, maybe except for Toph, looked like strangers. The servant looked familiar and more trustworthy.

Around lunch time, she found herself in front of Pao's Tea Shop. It would not be good if the banished prince saw the flyers she had. But then again, maybe she could kill two birds with one stone. So, she stored the flyers away safely in the bag she had slung over her shoulders and went inside.

Zuko was waiting the tables. This day had an irritating air to it somehow. The customers today were even more peculiar than the other days and his mood grew fouler by the minute. The fact that Lin again hadn't showed up only added to that. He knew that her sister was in town, and she was probably spending time with her, but he still felt left alone.

When he saw Zhenzu entering the tea shop alone, he was even more irritated. That was highly unusual. But the middle-aged woman came straight up to him, so she was probably not coming for a cup of tea.

"Young Master Lee,", she began talking rather quickly, "I don't have much time, but I was in the area, so I thought, maybe you'd have a moment to spare for this old servant."

For a moment it left Zuko astonished. He wasn't used to her talking a lot, even less to him. Then he smiled at her, "You're not that old, Zhenzu. What is it? Is Lin busy with her sister again?"

"Well, actually, I'm the one busy with the Young Miss and her friends today. They're searching for someone, and her Highness has sent me to help them, since she figured, she would not be of much help.", Zuko nodded, wondering where this would lead, "They brought some bad news though.", she leaned closer to him, so not every customer could hear them, "It appears that Omashu has fallen. Apparently, King Bumi surrendered for whatever reason. It left her Highness in misery and depression. She didn't want to go out today, and now she's sitting at home all sad and lonely, so I wondered…", she paused shortly and then began the sentence anew, "Well, I thought, I'm busy, but maybe you could look after her a bit. I would be very grateful."

Zuko's head was buzzing from all that information, so he just nodded. Lin's sister had brought information about the war. Lin had said that she had lived in Omashu for a few years, but he wasn't sure why it meant so much to her. Nevertheless, he asked his uncle if he could leave earlier today. Surprised, the elderly man agreed.

Just as he wanted to take his apron off and go, a customer stood up and walked over to his uncle. By the looks of it, he must've been from the middle or even upper ring of the city. With a well-trained, slick smile he approached Iroh, "So, you're the genius behind this incredible brew. The whole city is buzzing about you! I hope Pao pays you well."

Flattered, Iroh responded, "Good tea is its own reward."

"But it doesn't need to be the only reward. Someone tipped us off about your tea-making skills, and since she seemed to be more than right about it, my friends and I have come together to make you an offer. How would you like your own tea shop?", the businessman cut him off smoothly. Zuko said nothing, but a feeling crept up inside him who "she" was. His thoughts went back to Lin talking business at a palace party.

His uncle looked shocked, "My own tea shop? This is a dream come true!"

Pao, their boss, had listened warily, before he now intervened, "What's going on here? Are you trying to poach my tea-maker?"

"Sorry Pao, but that's business for you, am I right?", Quon tried to shut him up.

Panicking, Pao turned to Iroh, "Mushi, if you stay, I'll make you assistant manager. Wait, senior assistant manager."

The professional smile on Quon's face turned into a smirk, "I'll provide you with a new apartment in the Upper Ring. The tea shop is yours to do whatever you want, complete creative freedom."

An apartment in the Upper Ring. That meant he would no longer have to cross large parts of the city to get to Lin. They would maybe even live close by. And that also meant better clothes, better furniture, finally, he and Lin wouldn't look that odd as a couple. Zuko blinked twice, before he quickly proceeded with what he was doing before the man stood up. He got rid of his apron, before hastily hurrying out. He hardly noticed himself running to the train station.

In the shop, Iroh smiled a bit sheepishly at the investor, "My nephew is trying to contain his joy."

An hour later he knocked onto the front door of Lin's small house. Everything seemed silent, almost dead. He knocked again, and this time, slow, soft steps came to answer him. The banished prince had known that Zhenzu probably wasn't there, but he was still surprised when Lin opened the door herself. It was just so unusual.

He was even more surprised by her appearance. When the servant had said that Lin was sad and depressed, she hadn't exaggerated at all, it seemed. She wore a loose, simple, white robe, that might as well be her sleeping attire, and a wide bottom length, green overcoat with a delicate yellow pattern and short, wide sleeves. Her black hair hung openly onto her shoulders, framing her flushed face. It was marked by tearstains, as if he couldn't tell from her bloodshot, puffy eyes that she'd been crying. Zuko felt like an intruder, just her appearance today seemed far more intimate than when he'd seen her bathing.

He didn't say a word for a whole little while, taking in this new side of her, not noticing the time. And thus, he jumped when she spoke, her voice cracking and tiny, "Hello? Who's there? Zhenzu? Is that you?"

His heart melted and he stayed silent for a moment longer. She sounded so helpless, so in need of protection. All he wanted to do was hug her and never let go again. Only when he saw her eyebrows tremble and her face became wary, he finally found his voice, "Lin, it's me, Lee."

She was visibly surprised. For a long moment she stood still, before she opened the door wider. All of sudden a gracile hand shot up, first firmly grabbing his jaw, then moving first to the right side of his face before finally settling on his scar. Only then her touch softened. An apologetic smile appeared on her lips, "It's really you.", she sounded relieved. "What are you doing here?"

Before she could retrieve it, he grabbed her hand and leaned into her touch, before putting a light kiss on it, "Zhenzu came to the shop today, she told me your sister brought bad news and that you're sad and could use some company. So, of course, I asked my uncle if I could finish my shift earlier today. It was unnecessary anyway, but…", he trailed off.

Lin laughed briefly, then she shook her head in slight disbelief before cuddling into his shirt, "Zhen always takes care of me. Even when I send her away.", Zuko immediately returned the hug and began running his hand through her silky black hair, the girl in his arms chuckled, "Sorry for my appearance today, if I had known that you'd come today, I'd have taken care to look a bit more presentable."

The banished prince chuckled in return, putting a small kiss on the top of her head, "You're joking. You look absolutely beautiful,", her cheeks reddened, "Maybe not like your usual, goddess-like appearance, but still very beautiful, delicate, uh, …", he trailed off again. He knew, she hated appearing helpless or fragile, so he desperately tried to dance around words that could insinuate both.

Luckily, she only laughed at his rambling, "You're sweet, Lee, thank you.", she ran a hand over his shirt, "Now that you're here, don't you want to come in?"

The question stunned him for a quick moment. He literally hadn't thought that far. Usually, they would always go out. "Uh, sure.", he hastily choked out.

Lin smiled in his direction, before she took his hand, turned around and led him inside. The banished prince only now noticed a crest above the doorframe. It was gold on a dark green foundation, depicting a winged, apparently flying hog. It glistened in the afternoon sun, that must've had caught his attention. Suddenly he remembered seeing it before. Back when they had first met, Lin had shown her passport to the ticket lady. It must be her family crest, he thought.

The whole situation reminded him of happier days in his childhood when his mother would sometimes bring him and his sister to another noble's house in the hopes of him and Azula finding friends.

Inside, the first thing he noticed was the perfect order everything seemed to follow. Even though the servant was not there, she seemed to do impeccable work in every aspect. Everything was clean as if new, and nothing seemed to lay around randomly.

Lin led him slowly through a sparsely decorated floor, whether that was because she couldn't see and thus walked slowly even through known surroundings, or if she was aware that he would want to take a curious look left and right, he couldn't fathom. Silently, she halted for a moment between two large, open doorframes, as if to think where to turn next. To their left was what seemed to be a dining room, complete with a small, round table, hidden under a pale green tablecloth and dark green, ornate chairs. In front of them a staircase led to the second floor.

But Lin turned to her right and led him into a salon with two sofas and a fireplace. On a small table next to one of the sofas a good-sized, steaming teapot and a single cup waited for the girl's return. Jasmine aroma filled the air.

He was woken from his trance-like state as Lin's hand was suddenly gone from his. Quickly, she had turned around and sat down next to the teapot and buried her face for a moment in her hands. Zuko thought, he saw her shoulders move as if she'd cry, but no sound was heard. Then she let out a long sigh and looked at him with a sad smile, "Do you want some tea?"

"Uhm, sure.", he stammered, "I guess the kitchen is on the other side? I'll go and get a cup."

"I can…", she started, but Zuko had already turned around and quickly went towards the dining area he had seen before. On his way out he saw a slim table with various pictures on it. Pictures in a blind person's home? He wondered about it and decided to ask Lin later. To his relief, the kitchen was really just a door away from the dining room, and he immediately found what he was looking for.

When he returned, Lin still sat on the same sofa as before, but now with a steaming cup in her hands. She smiled at him, as he sat down next to her. The sofa was incredibly soft, he noticed. Even more so than those in the Royal Palace of his home. Those were made for grim officials and battle-hardened generals, this one here, was made for a young beauty relaxing on it.

Said beauty silently took the cup from his hand and filled it with tea in a seemingly much practiced motion. She smiled shyly as she handed it back to him. "I hope you like it. It surely can't rival your uncle's tea…"

"You made it yourself?", instead of an answer, Lin just raised an eyebrow as if to ask, do you see another person here? Hastily, Zuko tried the beverage. It was surprisingly good, though it had more of a flowery, sweeter touch than his uncle's. "It's… it's good. I, uhm, it's different from uncle's but it's not much."

"Really?", Lin asked somewhat surprised, "Or do you just say that to flatter me?"

"No, no. I mean, it's great, it's really great.", he started to ramble, which made the noble girl giggle.

Her smile widened and she laid her hand on his, squeezing it slightly. "Thank you, Lee.", smiling, he took her hand in his. They stayed like this for a little while, quietly sipping their tea.

"Omashu seems to mean a lot to you.", Zuko said, softly running his thumb over her hand.

Lin closed her eyes for a long moment before she answered, "I've got family there. So, yes, it does mean a lot."

"I thought, your family is from Gaoling?", he asked reclining a bit on the green furniture.

Lin chuckled, "It is. My father's house is in Gaoling, but I've got more family than my parents and my sister. Did you notice the pictures Zhenzu put up?"

"I did, but I didn't take a closer look at them. I just wondered, why you would keep pictures.", he smiled as a light red color appeared on Lin's pale cheeks.

"It was Zhenzu's idea. She said I should keep some, so I could show them to visitors and such.", she replied shyly, adding, "I don't really know what they look like, if they're close to reality or not, but Zhenzu likes them and says they're pretty."

Curiously, Zuko stood up, letting go of her hand, and walked over to the slim side table to look at the paintings. The biggest one hang on the wall, right in the middle and a little above everything else. It was a family portrait, seemingly from a few years back, and it reminded him strongly of one of his own family which should still hang in their vacation home on ember island. It was framed with a black-lacquered thin bamboo frame and drawn with a great deal of precision down to the shading of every character.

On the left, a tanned man clothed in ornate Earth Kingdom fashion sat. He wore his hair in a top knot that was adorned with an elaborate headpiece and a small beard grazed his slim, somewhat strict face. He looked straight at the viewer, while his hand laid on the shoulder of a young girl, with almost white skin and pale colored eyes. Her hair was kept in a strict bun but adorned with two white flowers. Her dress was quite different from the ones he had seen in the city so far, and Zuko thought, that that must be the fashion of the Southern Earth Kingdom. It was also very light in color, maybe white. Her expression reminded him of himself on similar portraits, and he guessed that noble children across all the four nations would be thought some version of that.

On the left a woman sat, in contrast to the other side, she smiled at the viewer. Zuko was struck by how much Lin resembled her mother, from the pale skin to the form of her face, although, he noticed after a moment thinking about it, that Lin's face was a little slimmer, her cheeks not that round, her eyes seemed bigger, and that her expression seemed to swing between her parents. Finally on the woman's lap a small child was upheld by its mother's hands. She wore a similar dress to Lin, but her hair was too short for any kind of updo. The little girl smiled and seemed to giggle, most likely caused by her mother, as one of the woman's fingers pinched the little one's chubby cheek. Above the group, the family crest was seen and an inscription, "The Beifong Family".

In front of it stood a smaller frame of the same material. The picture seemed to be from a few years after that, though, not too many. It showed only the two girls, still in similar light dresses, but this time both had their hair in an updo, which told him that some time must've passed between the pictures. It was way less formal, Lin had her arms slung playfully around her sister, hugging her from behind, while the other girl had her little arms around her sister's, both were laughing and seemed very close. Here, the inscription read, "The daughters of Lao Beifong, Lin and Toph".

Another picture caught his gaze. It was larger than the last one, but not as large as the family portrait. It showed an ancient looking man in rich clothing. His hair went in all direction in no form or hairstyle, and he wore rings on every finger of his hands, one resting on his throne-like seat, the other on the shoulder of a girl kneeling by his feet. He had a very content, proud smile on his face, like Zuko wished his grandfather had at least once smiled at him, but the ancient man's gaze rested on the girl by his side. It was Lin, no doubt, a few years younger than now, but also clearly older than in the other pictures, maybe ten or twelve. She smiled at the viewer confidently, wearing a green dress, one hand on the old man's hand on her shoulder. Zuko's eyes went big as he read the inscription, "King Bumi of Omashu and his great-granddaughter, Princess Suyin".

"When you said, you had family in Omashu, I didn't think you meant the king.", he said, returning to his place by her side.

Lin blinked twice, then she looked down, "Does it matter now? He surrendered, and as far as I know, he's still held captive.", she seemed to want to say something else, but refrained from doing so, just choking somewhat, which made Zuko pull her into his arms.

"He'll be alright, don't worry.", he tried to soothe her, obviously, the old man meant a lot to her.

"What do you know? You don't know how they're keeping him, and I bet it's not pleasant. The man is one of the greatest earthbenders to have ever walked this earth, don't you think, they'll chain him? And at his age… I mean, he was always in good health, but he's 112 years old, and it makes me worry about him.", she sounded, and looked suddenly irritated.

The sheer number made Zuko's eyes widen for a moment, a hundred and twelve years old, that was really ancient. That man was older than the war for Agni's sake! Lin's voice ripped him from his thoughts, and as he looked at her, he saw a small smile creeping onto her lips, "But maybe you're right, he lived through so much, maybe he'll persist once again.", the irritation from just a moment before seemed completely gone, as if a summer storm had appeared all of sudden, just to disappear without a trace, minutes later.

Casually, Zuko laid his arm around her shoulders and immediately, Lin leaned in towards him, "What do you mean?"

"Well,", she spoke with a sad, compassionate undertone, "people always talk of him as the mad king, they miss his genius, his masterful bending, his prowess, but also the many tragedies that he has experienced. I mean, he's 112, what does that tell you?", when Zuko didn't answer immediately, she continued, "His wife, all of his children, even a great deal of his grandchildren are dead.", it hit Zuko like a gut-punch. Suddenly he saw the implied tragedies that were, apparently, so often overlooked. Of course, one living so long was bound to see many others die. His eyes wandered to the green-tiled floor, he had never met the old king, but he felt compassion for his fate.

Lin continued, almost whispering, "When I ran away from home, I thought, I needed nobody. I could take care of myself. Unconsciously I had wandered towards Omashu, and I hid in the cave of two lovers without realizing it. That was where he found me. Actually, he quite literally stumbled over me. We didn't realize at the time that we were family, yet still, he asked me not to be afraid of him and took me back to the city. I didn't tell him my real name right away, so I lived there as Suyin.", she paused and giggled, "He would tell anyone who asked that I'm one of his great-grandchildren, which was odd enough, since none of the others were living with him, but it silenced all questions. Only later did I tell him who I was, and we realized that there was more truth to our lie than expected. His eldest daughter had married Yun Beifong, my father's father."

"Why did he send you away?", Zuko asked, leaning backwards on the sofa and pulling her with him.

For a moment, Lin seemed surprised, then she chuckled before speaking, "He sends everyone away, sooner or later. I think; he would phrase that differently, but I think, even then he was aware that Omashu was a likely war target, so he took care than none of his descendants would remain in the city, especially those who are still children. As long as the Fire Nation doesn't capture them, there is still hope. It maybe doesn't seem that way, but he cares a lot, about his family and his people. He knows they rely on him. I think, he surrendered, so no one would get hurt. After all, love is brightest in the dark.", she ended her monologue by cuddling into his shoulder.

For a moment, they both just enjoyed the close proximity silently, before Zuko said, "That sounds like a proverb from uncle."

Lin lifted her head from his shoulder, looking bewildered, "Don't tell me you don't know the founding story of Omashu?", she sounded like that was the most outlandish thing.

Cold sweat appeared on Zuko's neck, did he just tell her he wasn't from the Earth Kingdom by not knowing a popular story. "Uh, I didn't… come across it… sorry.", he rambled.

Giggling, Lin shifted her position, so she now sat a bit away from him, "Alright, then I guess, I should enlighten you."

The banished prince drew a deep breath, thankful that the situation played out that way.

"A long time ago, two villages sat on either side of a large mountain in which badgermoles lived. The villages hated each other and were constantly on war. Yet, one beautiful afternoon, a man named Shu was on the hunt on the lower parts of the mountain. His prey escaped him and he followed swiftly, not knowing where his feet would bring him, until he stumbled over a root. As he looked up his prey was gone, but he saw a young woman in front of him. Her name was Oma. They fell in love, but there was a problem. Oma was from the other village, so their relationship would never be accepted."

Captivated, Zuko shifted his position too, to listen more attentively. Involuntarily his mind wandered, finding similarities between the tale and reality. A relationship between two warring parties…

Apparently not minding his movements, Lin continued, "They still found a way to meet. The badgermoles taught them earthbending and they created a labyrinth inside the mountain and under its outskirts where they could meet. The walls were ever moving, and such, nobody could follow them. But one day, Oma waited and waited, but Shu didn't come. It was only when she returned home that she learned that he had been killed in battle.

Mad with anger and grief she stepped between the two groups, not minding the arrows flying around her. With her bending, she fought against anyone, no matter from which village until they ceased all fighting. Together, they build a new city on the very mountain that once separated them, calling it Omashu, and Shu's son, whom Oma gave birth to the following year, became its first king."

Zuko raised his eyebrow, "You mean, she was pregnant when she fought them all?"

Lin shrugged her shoulders, "Maybe she didn't know back then, or if she did, maybe she thought it was necessary still. Oma remained alone for the rest of her life, and they're both buried underneath the mountain. You can visit their graves, if you're brave enough."

The banished prince flashed a rare grin. Smugly he asked, "What would be there to be afraid of?"

Lin grinned back, just as smugly, but sounding like the most innocent little girl, "Well, the badgermoles are still around, and they can be quite fierce. If they don't like you, maybe you end up buried there too, and would that be a pity.", she ended putting a small kiss on his unscarred cheek.

Smiling genuinely, the banished prince pulled Lin towards him, and she cuddled into his chest. After a few moments he asked, "So, why are you called 'Suyin' in the picture with King Bumi?"

The pale girl chuckled, but it sounded somewhat hollow, "When I ran away, my father sent bounty hunters after me. Thus, I did not use my real name back then. My great-grandfather agreed that it was better to call me Suyin for the time being. Nowadays it doesn't matter as much. I think Dad has come to terms with the fact that he can't force me to come back. Not that it was his intention in the first place."

"What do you mean? Is sending bounty hunters after you not a bit extreme anyway?", Zuko asked confusedly.

Lin shook her head, "Grandpa, I mean, I just call him that, great-grandfather isn't that handy, and Dad had an exchange of letters, and I think he explained him why I wouldn't return. He told me that Dad thought, since I hadn't left a note that I had been kidnapped and he was terrified as any parent would. Especially since there came no message from any kidnapper, he feared that they might've done something to me. You see, I can't really be mad at him, he just wanted to protect me.", her smile vanished as she paused briefly, before continuing in a quieter tone, "But instead he put me in a golden cage."

A long pause ensued, Zuko wasn't sure what he should say or do, so he just sat there, her head on his shoulder and his arm around her waist, holding her close. All of sudden, Lin said, "You know, he was always afraid that something like this might happen. I bet he still is."

Zuko raised an eyebrow, "Something like this? What do you mean?"

"Well,", she said in that sweet, innocent tone, "my father was always afraid that a nice young man would come one day and conquer my heart. And basically, only care about my inheritance and not about me."

The banished prince chuckled, "I'm not in for the money, in case you're worried."

That made Lin laugh too, "I know that."

"How?", he asked curiously.

The blind girl chuckled, "I'm good at catching liars."

This made Zuko pause for a moment, fear flaring up inside of him. He was lying all the time. He lived in this city under a fake name, everything she might think she knew about him… He corrected himself inwardly, thinking of their talk back in the park, their feelings were true, so the names didn't matter so much. Noticing that he had been silent for too long, he tried to overplay the ensuing awkwardness by hastily saying, "Maybe I'm a good actor?"

Lin laughed loudly, "Sorry, but, no, you're not."

"Oh really? How do you know?", he pouted.

Giggling, Lin put a kiss on his cheek, "Don't worry. You're good at other things."

Quickly, he turned his head, cupped her face and started kissing her, mumbling, "Is that so?"

"Yes.", Lin gasped between kisses, slinging her arms around his neck and pulling him closer, "You managed to lift my mood today and… you're really good at this kissing thing.", which made both of them chuckle.

Zuko didn't exactly recall what happened next but suddenly he found himself on top of her, their lips still intertwined and her arms around his neck, refusing to let him back off. As his hands began to search for whatever held her garments closed, a thought rang through his head, What are we doing?

Just as he decided to ignore the thought, a distinct sound was heard. Someone was opening the front door of the house. Both teenagers froze in place for a moment, before hastily scrambling back into accurate, totally appropriate, separate sitting positions.

A moment later, Zhenzu walked in, smiling widely at two reddish faces. Apparently, her mistress' sad mood was all but gone. As dignified as ever, the servant stepped into the room, bowing, "Your Highness, I'm back. Young Master.", she nodded towards Zuko, "Thank you for accompanying her Highness today."

"Uh, it was no problem at all.", Zuko smiled back at her, one hand reaching behind his head nervously. Lin just chuckled and laid her hand on top of his other hand.

The servant turned back to the noble girl, "Your Highness, the young miss has asked if you could meet her soon where you met last time."

"Oh, then I guess, I should dress up.", Lin laughed, her tone much lighter than before. She reached out and Zhenzu took her hand and began leading her towards the stairs.

"The young miss has also given me a present for you. She was very concerned when she learned of your mood today and thought it would cheer you up.", the servant added.

All of sudden, Zuko felt like an intruder again. So, he quickly stood up and grabbed Lin's free hand, "Before I go, today, a man came into the shop and offered my uncle his own tea shop here in the Upper Ring. He mentioned someone giving him a tip.", he put a kiss on her cheek, making her blush, "Thank you."

"It was nothing, really. Goodbye, Lee.", Lin squeezed his hand lightly, before letting go of it and waving at him. Hastily, the banished prince hurried out.

It was only after he passed the gate of the train station that he slowed down his steps. He didn't know why he had run, but he had suddenly felt so out of place, so not belonging there that he had needed to get out. Now panting he slumped on a bench in the train.

Zuko laid his head back and closed his amber eyes, feeling the last rays of the sun dance on his skin. His mind was racing in a lot of different directions all at once and he needed to bring order to the chaos. She had told him that secrets were okay, that she would tell him everything when the right time was there, but now she had opened herself up so much. He had learned a lot, about her, her family. Why must her family be involved in the war? That her great-grandfather was a king was on the one hand great. If he hadn't been banished, she would be considered a suitable match for him, if not even a desired one, given her family's wealth and status. But with the war situation as it was, it meant that she was personally involved. She didn't say so, but she probably hated the Fire Nation for imprisoning King Bumi. She would hate him if she knew…

Good at spotting liars, she had said, not knowing that she was talking to a lying liar who lies, he thought. He felt shabby, she had told him so much, had spread out her life in front of him, but yet, she didn't even know his name, his home, his element. He sighed and his heart felt heavy.

As he got out of the station in the Lower Ring, a flying piece of paper got stuck on his sleeve. Curiously he picked it up and his eyes widened. It sported a sight he knew, the Avatar's bison. It seemed the boy had lost it and was desperately searching for his pet. It came somewhat unexpected, he hadn't reckoned with ever getting another chance of regaining his honor, but there it was. A thought rang through his mind, ever and ever again, if I he could regain his status as a prince, Lin would be a suitable match. He had to take this shot.

Back in the Upper Ring Zhenzu had helped her mistress dress into her dark green outfit from the day before. Now she presented her Toph's gift, holding the heavy object up.

Lin ran her hands over the cold material. It felt quite familiar, and she knew what it was. Smiling she said, "What is the little pebble thinking, Zhen?"

"Well, she said, that it's yours anyway, since you're the original Blind Bandit. And that it should be worn by an adult anyway.", in a millisecond the weight was gone from her hands, and as the middle-aged woman looked up, Lin adjusted the belt to her slim waist.

"Does it look stupid?", the teen asked with an apologetic smile.

"Not at all, your Highness. It looks like it just found the place where it belongs."