"Prince Zuko, I'm sure there's a good reason for the change of course," I attempt to reason. He was fuming.
The prince stops abruptly in front of the door, turning sharply on his heel to face me. "This is my ship. My word is the only word that matters. I don't expect you to understand. Stay out of my way," he practically spits.
Looking away from his amber eyes and towards the ground, I let out a sigh as my shoulders drop. "As you wish."
Zuko storms into the room angrily and I trail in behind him. "What is the meaning of this mutiny? No one told you to change course!" He yells at the person steering, who shrinks back in fear.
I glance pass the man and make eye contact with Iroh who was smiling bashfully, rubbing the back of his neck. I wasn't surprised to see him with other crew members playing more Pai Sho.
"Actually, someone did. I assure you, it is a matter of utmost importance, Prince Zuko," Iroh speaks up, scratching his beard.
I shift my focus to the prince, worried about how he'd react. "Is it something to do with the Avatar?" He asks hopefully, and I only grimace when I see Iroh become stressed.
"Even more urgent," oh lord.. "it seems I have lost my lotus tile," Iroh finishes as he moves a lily tile forward.
"Oh no! Iroh, I'm so sorry! I can help you find it?" I offer, knowing how crucial this was.
"Thank you, Liena, but I've already looked everywhere."
"Lotus tile?" The prince says in confusion which makes me glance at him in surprise.
"You're the nephew of Iroh, and you don't know about the lotus tile?"
Zuko turns on me, smoke coming from his nostrils as his face turns pink, "shut it, peasant."
Of course, this only makes me smile.
"It's for my Pai Sho game. Most people think the lotus tile insignificant, but it is essential for the unusual strategy I employ." Iroh explains and I nod in agreement. This really was an emergency.
"You've changed our course for a stupid lotus tile?" Zuko exclaims in disbelief.
"See, you, like most people, underestimate its value. Just give me ten minutes to check the merchants at this port of call. Hopefully, they will have the lotus tile in stock and I can get on with my life."
Zuko breathes fire up at the ceiling, causing Iroh to smile. "I'm lucky to have such an understanding nephew."
The smoke from Zuko's outburst fills the room quickly. But his tantrum wasn't finished yet.
Prince Zuko punches the table, causing it to break right in half and the two ends to fly upwards. I must've been standing too close, because as one of the ends flew up it smacked me right in the forehead.
Everyone turns to me quickly in concern as a small trickle of blood rushes from the new injury. My mouth slightly hangs open as my head began to gush more and more.
"You're bleeding!" Niko yells out frantically. Iroh, Niko, and the other soldiers all rush towards me to inspect it carefully—fretting over me like a newborn child.
Glancing past them I see Zuko looking completely shocked and flustered.
"I believe you owe Liena an apology, Prince Zuko." Iroh says, as he comforted me. The other soldiers quickly nod in agreement.
"No, it's okay. Head injuries just bleed a lot. It's not a big deal!" I blush.
"I'm-uh-I-ugh!" Zuko throws his hands up in frustration as the medic rushes in—somehow sensing someone was hurt.
Cleaning up the fresh cut and applying a bandage, I was all fixed. But this didn't stop the men from asking me every two seconds if I was okay. It was honestly kind of sweet and it warmed my heart, but it did become a bit much after awhile.
***
Iroh and I had woven our way through every shop on the port—but no luck.
"I'm really sorry, Iroh. I'm sure we can convince Prince Zuko to stop at the next port.." Despite what I was saying, there was a lot of doubt in my voice. Yeah, I didn't believe myself for a second.
"Worry not, Liena, we must hold onto hope that we will restore what's been lost."
Once we met up with Zuko again I mentally prepared myself for his reaction to the news.
"We've checked every shop on the pier. Not a single lotus tile in the entire marketplace." I nod my head regretfully at Iroh's revelation.
"It's good to know this trip was a complete waste of time for everyone!" The prince's anger radiated off of him, almost knocking me over.
"I disagree."
"Yes, quite the contrary nephew. I always say the only thing better than finding something you're looking for-" I look past Iroh to see the crew mates arriving with some of the things he bought on our adventure. "-is finding something you weren't looking for at a great bargain!"
"In this case, we found a lot of 'something's'." I grin and Iroh nods, as one of the people helping plays the tsungi horn.
"You bought a tsungi horn?" Zuko says in disbelief.
"For music night on the ship," Iroh's explanation didn't seem to put the fire prince at ease, but before he can lash out I point towards a ship.
"Look! We missed a shop!" Quite literally bouncing from my excitement, I look towards Iroh for permission.
"This place does look promising," he agreed. The two of us immediately rush aboard with the prince trailing behind.
"Wow, this is incredible!" I couldn't help my wide eyes as I browsed through the impressive merchandise. There were scrolls, books, weapons, artifacts, and more.
I came to a stop at the jewelry section. There were bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and headpieces. I hadn't had my Kyoshi uniform or even the headpiece since my...uh..departure from my friends. So, you could say I was due for a 'place holder,' if you will.
I hope these aren't too expensive. I'd unfortunately left the majority of my money in Appa's saddle as well.
Scanning each section of jewelry for a perfect match, I couldn't help but gasp when my eyes landed on a particular bracelet.
Not only was there representation from the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, and Fire Nation, but there was also the representation from the Air Temples. It's the only thing from the nomads that I'd come across on the ship and it was absolutely breathtaking.
The calm heather blue captured my attention, parts of the braided bracelet were coated in a glistening gold and a couple of charms hung from the string.
One being the air nation's symbol, and the other being Avatar Yangchen.
"This was said to bring good luck when worn on the left wrist, since it's closer to your heart and because the left side is believed to be the receiving side of the body." Iroh's voice made me jump as he walked up beside me.
"It's really beautiful." I nod as I held it, inspecting it further. I still had my necklace my father and uncle got me, but I'd be honored to expand my air nation attire. "How much for the bracelet?" I ask the man who had wandered over to the two of us.
"300 gold pieces."
The frown settled on my face and I couldn't help the disappointment that instantly crept through me, my shoulders slumping. I guess I'll have to find something else.
"I see."
"What do you say? Buy the bracelet for your pretty little girlfriend?"
Glancing back, I notice the man nudging Zuko lightly, who looked highly unamused by his antics. "She's not my girlfriend."
"Ah, but she could be if you-"
"Not another word." Zuko growled, storming to another area of the boat.
"Well if he won't, I will." Iroh smiled and my mouth dropped open.
"You don't have to do that!" I exclaim as I frantically shook my head and a blush covers my cheeks.
"I want to."
"But-"
Iroh hands the man the money before I had a chance to refute. "No returns allowed!" The man says, making me wonder if he could be trusted.
"I guess that means you have to accept the gift, Liena." Iroh says cheekily.
"Oh alright," I sigh. "Thank you so much, Iroh!" I exclaim, throwing my arms around the jolly man making him chuckle lightly. Holding my new bracelet delicately in my hand, I was barely able to contain my overwhelming joy.
I look up to see Iroh had already moved on from the touching moment, as he inspected a monkey statue with red jewel eyes. "Oh, that is handsome!"
I held in a laugh. Guess I'll have to try to put it on myself. Struggling to clasp the bracelet on my wrist, I couldn't help the budding frustration within my chest. The two ends weren't meeting up correctly and when I thought I had it, I'd accidentally drop one end and have to start over. Deep breath, Liena.
Turning to Zuko who was watching me with pure amusement in his eyes, I stare up at him with a desperate expression. "Could you please help me with this?"
"Hmmm.. let me think about it...no."
"Please! I'm desperate here." I practically beg which made the prince snort—which in turn made me almost gasp.
"Only because this is really sad to watch." He grunted, walking over to me. Zuko took hold of my wrist, surprisingly gently, in his very warm hands. "Your wrist is tiny," he muttered, almost too quiet to hear. Once it was tightened onto my wrist I glance up towards him and almost leapt backwards in embarrassment.
We were standing so close, I could feel his breath on my face and his fingers still brushed my arm slightly. "Uh... thank you Prince Zuko." I manage to stammer out, to which he nodded at.
My breath caught in my throat as Zuko's eyes landed on my forehead, his hand started to reach towards the bandage, getting closer and closer, making goosebumps appear all over my skin, and my breath catch in my throat. His fingers just barely made soft contact with the surrounding skin—but then, of course, he was interrupted.
"We lost the Water Tribe girl and the little bald monk she was traveling with." One guy in the shop says to another.
At this, Zuko drops his hand and whips around to face the two at the counter. "This monk, did he have an arrow on his head?"
*************************************************
A/N: OMG GUYSSS WHAT DID YOU THINK? Is Zuko turning into a softy?
I hope you liked the chapter! Hopefully I'll post in a day or two, I have so much going on but my ideas are currently flowing—making it the best time to write.
Here's the inspo for Liena's bracelet:
Todays my last day at my job I've had for 3 and a half years and I'm so excited! Anything exciting happening to any of you? Let me know in the comments!!!
Xoxo,
Mir
Published: 1/12/21