And the nights get colder [Milliways]

[princeinexile]

It was late, and starting to grow chill again, when Zuko returned to the suite in silence. He was shivering a little-- sweaty from practice and the bonfire, the sudden cool that had sprung up as people had gone to their room again. Sliding a hand through his short hair, he doesn't turn on the light by the door and instead adjusts to the transitition from the hall's light to his suite.

He doesn't speak. He just pads toward the kitchen, his feet bare over the carpet.

Comments

[ginsengdragon.livejournal.com]

Iroh mostly stayed around the edges of the party. Honestly, he loves gatherings, but this was a bit too much hootenanny for him - Iroh likes a few people, a large amount of tea, some ridiculous dancing and everyone going back to their quarters happy.

Iroh came back to the suite for tea. It's just not the same when one hasn't made it oneself.

"Zuko. How was your evening?"

[princeinexile]

Zuko jumps a little. Damn sneaky uncle.

"Alright. Yours?"

He's been in here all day? Zuko glances over, and then scratches at the back of his neck. "They made it summer outside. Did you see, uncle?"

[ginsengdragon.livejournal.com]

"Never fear, nephew. I have been outside once or twice. It is most pleasant."

He steps out of the kitchen.

"Would you like a cup of tea?"

Iroh has one solution for everything.

[princeinexile]

"Good. Who knows how long it'll be before the ice is back," Zuko says as he drops into a chair. "It was already getting chill when I came in."

So yes. He nods. Tea will warm him.

[ginsengdragon.livejournal.com]

Iroh pours them both cups of steaming tea, and sits.

"For a moment, it was like the climate of home, when the cherries are blossoming," he observes. But that's all. Anything else, Zuko can say.

[princeinexile]

"I--" can't say I honestly remember "suppose."

He sips his tea in silence, face lapsing into something neutral. OR at least, attempts to be neutral. And fails.

[ginsengdragon.livejournal.com]

Iroh glances, for a moment, sipping his own tea. It's always best if Zuko comes out with what he wants himself, but it doesn't always happen. This might be the time to probe.

And it might not. Iroh gives himself a couple more moments to think.

"The party seemed well attended."

[princeinexile]

"Most people went," he says. "But you know I don't-- care for such things, uncle." Social? Zuko? Never.

Not when pretty girls gasp and are repelled when they get a clear look at his face.

(My. That's a hot cup of tea he has. Shouldn't it have cooled a little by now?)

[ginsengdragon.livejournal.com]

"Yes. I understand."

Iroh looks at the steam coming from the tea, and decides that this is the time to go overt.

"Are you troubled, nephew?"

Got to give it a shot, after all; sometimes he can draw him out.

[princeinexile]

"I argued with the Waterbender girl again." She only has a name when he talks to her directly; the rest of the time she is Waterbender or That Girl and it's not hard to figure out who he's talking about. "And Stephanie -- was there."

But nothing happened. Obviously, here he is and he didn't come back with suspicious grass stains, so...

[ginsengdragon.livejournal.com]

So he didn't end up making everything that little bit more drawn out. Good to know.

"An argument?" Iroh says, lightly, in his I want you to tell me everything but am not yet going to say that voice.

[princeinexile]

"She can't not stick her nose in things," Zuko says, and sips his -- ow, hot!! tea. Now the tea is set down, and he's got that burned feeling to his tongue. Bleh!

"She just -- said things, about our mission, goals. The people here."

There were things unsaid, too. Both of them knew it. Just neither would say it.Your father doesn't love you.

[ginsengdragon.livejournal.com]

"Things that you feel went beyond the realm of the polite?" Iroh asks, offhandedly, sipping his tea.

[princeinexile]

"Uncle, she wouldn't even try to be..." Well, okay, that's not true. Even Zuko knows that. His face scrunches unpleasantly, and finally he admits, "She slapped me. That was about the height of it. The day went downhill steadily from then on."

Yeah, that does about sum it up.

[ginsengdragon.livejournal.com]

Must not laugh at nephew-slapping.

"That would certainly seem to go beyond the bounds of rational discourse," Iroh says wisely, sipping at his tea. "Was there no high point?"

[princeinexile]

"She says she doesn't hate me personally, but she hates what I do and what I choose." He rolls his eyes. "We always end up screaming at each other. Especially when she starts -- speaking of things she just doesn't understand."

Like his family, his love for his father, his mission... You know. Everything that has made up Zuko's life these last three years.

[ginsengdragon.livejournal.com]

"She has not had your experiences," Iroh says, placidly. "The road she has taken leads her to a very different point than you, and from the place each of you are, it is difficult to see the other. She judges your path without seeing the terrain, or most of how you reached your position." Sip. "That is not always misguided. A different viewpoint can lead to new insights. When you can, it is for the best to hear her out. Though as you say - and oddly enough - a shout can be the most difficult thing to hear. An argument rarely leads to good harmony. A slap never does."

[princeinexile]

"I don't want to discuss anythnig with her, let alone listen to things she knows nothing about." His face, the war, his father. "And the next time says 'oh, people are just numbers to you!'"

...well, that was Makita and if he gets going on that, he knwos he'll slip.

He sighs, and then says, "As soon as I catch sight of the door, uncle, we should leave. This isn't home, and it's not even a proper way point. We still have things to do."

Things Iroh doesn't really WANT to do anymore, though...

[ginsengdragon.livejournal.com]

"Sometimes those who know nothing can be wiser than the learned." Iroh finishes his tea, lays the cup down. "But if she says that you only see people as numbers, then she is wrong. You and I know better than that."

Zuko cares for his people, in his way, and cares for the esteem of Iroh's little brother more than he should.

"I do enjoy the tranquility in chaos this place provides," he says, tidying up his part of the teaset, "but I understand your desires. We should return."

Zuko because despite Iroh's desires, he can't get resolution here; Iroh because he knows not to leave Zuko alone right now.

[princeinexile]

"There's honestly little tranquility in being a puppet, uncle," Zuko reminds, and then says, "Soon as the door appears, I'll come fetch you." And then they will be gone!

Also, there is no peace in being SHOT. And you know, walking about shirtless with the little, new scars? Unadvisable. Especially when you're lying to your caretaker.