Chapter Text
The fliers were everywhere, plastered to every wall, and strewn about in nearly every street in Ba Sing Se.
Aang’s heart dropped as he watched people just step on them, without a single glance.
This was why he did not like big cities. Everyone was so distant, even though they were living together in such a small space. There was no community, just strangers with a few familiar faces people might recognize when passing by.
A speck of bright yellow caught his eyes, and bid his glider downwards.
As he folded the glider away, Aang could not help but stare at the man looking at Appa’s poster. He was maybe a few months older than Zuko, with yellow hair like straw that draped over his back. The attire was much more mundane, with simple beiges and browns that were common in the Outer Ring.
Aang walked a little closer, and the man turned to him. Bangs and sideburns with red tinges framed around his face like a Lion-Dog, and his eyes were wide. Really wide. With an even wider smile.
Suddenly, everything else felt so much bigger. Or Aang got so much smaller.
“Scuse me,” he squeaked. “Uh, hello?”
“Yes!” The man yelled, “Hello!”
“Hi,” Aang greeted, wincing from the volume. “Um, I’m looking for Appa, he’s my Sky Bison.”
“I see!” The other nodded, turning to glance at the poster. “Yes! I understand.”
“Great!” A pause. “Then, can I ask you something?”
“What is it? Let’s hear it.”
“About Appa.”
“What about your Appa?”
“He’s been missing for some time…”
“Was he really now?”
“Yeah, and me and my friends are all out looking for him.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear you have such fine friends!”
“The thing is-!”
“What is it?” Geez, they were outside, but that doesn’t mean having to yell when he’s right next to him.
“We still haven’t found him,” Aang continued, “and we’re still looking. I was hoping you might’ve recognized him, since you were looking at his poster for so long.”
“Right!” The man yelled a moment later, and folded his arms across his chest confidently. Hope fluttered briefly in the air nomad’s chest.
“But I know nothing!”
All of that hope crashed back down into his stomach. “Eh?”
“I have never even heard of a Sky Bison before.” He reached down, and picked up one of the posters lying on the ground. “But it is truly commendable that you all are making such an effort in such a big city like this. All right! End of discussion.” With a turn of his heel, the man did an about-face, tucked the poster under his arm, and began walking.
It took a moment for Aang to register it all. He shook his head, unfolded his glider, and tried again.
City people were weird.
“Uncle!” He called out, “Two Lychee, one Longan, and one Pomelo for Table Three!”
“Hold on, hold on!” Uncle shouted back, juggling three pots on his already damp robes. “One man can only do so much!”
‘Lee’ put down the serving tray, leaping over to grab the wobbling kettles as Uncle finally regains his balance.
“Whoo,” Uncle sighed, putting down the other one. “Thank you, nephew. Rush hour never gets any easier.”
‘Lee’ chuckled, before returning to the front of the shop. Ah, a new guest. “Hello, and welcome to our fine establishment. Table for how many?”
There were many things different about this guest. The bright yellow hair, the drab clothes from the Outer Ring. Not all that different from their usual patrons, but there was a peculiarity that made him jittery.
He hid his clenched fist under his apron when he saw this man breathe. The inhale through the nostrils, how his lungs expanded, before exhaling through his mouth.
There was something to it, and dangerously familiar. He could feel his scar itch, almost warm as this man opened his eyes.
“Thank you!” The man near-yelled. “I’ve heard such wonderful things about your establishment! Table for one, please!”
‘Lee’ swallowed his anxiousness, bowed his head, and stepped to the side. “If you’ll follow me.”
Shortly after placing down the menu, ‘Lee’ quickly excused himself and hurried to the back.
“Table Three, ready!” Uncle chimed. He paused, then put down the arranged ceramic cups. “Nephew, what’s wrong? You look troubled.”
“That blonde guy, by Table One,” ‘Lee’ gestured. Uncle watched appraisingly, as he went on. “There’s something off about him. He’s different.”
“Hm,” Uncle grunted. “You go serve Table Three, I’ll take care of this.”
“Thank you for your patronage,” Uncle crooned, putting on that old, disarming smile. “What will you be having today?”
Thankfully, traffic died down to a still, and Table Three was too busy with their own gossip to ask for much service. ‘Lee’ took a distant but close enough table, and began sweeping.
“Here you are, good sir,” Uncle said, as he cradled a boiling kettle. “The House Special, brewed only here. We hope you enjoy it.”
He took a sip, eyes widened. ‘Lee’ tensed-
“DELICIOUS!”
‘Lee’ scowled. The broom nearly snapped in two.
Uncle beamed. “I’m so happy to hear you say such kind things about my craft!”
Another sip. “DELICIOUS!”
“So kind of you, good sir.”
Sip. “DELICIOUS!”
‘Lee’ took a steadying breath, put aside the broom, and stepped into the back.
Uncle joined him shortly afterwards. “What a nice young man.”
“More like a weirdo.” Even now, he can hear him yell after each taste.
“But anyways,” Uncle said more evenly, his eyes sly. “I think I know why he bothers you so much.”
‘Lee’ turned to face him, his attention piqued. “What is it?”
“I think,” Uncle began, “our guest is a refugee from the Fire Nation.”
‘Lee’ blinked, “How did you figure that out?”
Uncle gestured to the still exclaiming man, drinking his tea. “Look closely, nephew. How he breathes.”
He did, but without the busy noise of the shop, ‘Lee’ focused. Inhale, rest, exhale. Inhale, rest, exhale. Each time he drank, the man took in the tea's fragrance. It was measured, an act done of long practice.
‘Lee’ felt his own body mirroring the blonde’s actions. Inhale, rest, exhale. The slightest bit of warmth flushed through him, and sparks danced at his fingertips. He startled at the sensation, before turning to Uncle with an alarmed expression. “He’s a firebender?”
“Not only that,” Uncle grabbed his wrist, pointing at his palms and fingers. “He has very distinct calluses. When he returned the menu to me, I got to see most of them. In fact, they’re similar to yours, though he may favor the traditional one, rather than your two.”
“So a firebender, and a swordsman.” ‘Lee’ concludes. “Do you think he’s a threat?”
“I do not know,” Uncle answers, “but we can always ask.”
“Your tea is truly exquisite!” Their guest exclaimed. “It truly has no peer!”
“And your kind words flatter me ever more,” Uncle replied. “I am the manager of this establishment, Mushi. May I ask the name of my honored patron?”
The man stood, and bowed deeply and formally. “My name is Rengoku Kyojuro! Your hospitality and services have been excellent! I can see why it is so highly recommended, and will spread word of it as well!”
“Thank you so much!” Uncle said graciously, fully in his host persona. “And Rengoku, was it? I cannot say I have heard of a name like yours.”
“Ah, I apologize!” ‘Rengoku’ bowed deeply again. “In my culture, it is custom to state one’s surname before their given name. My family name is Rengoku, and the honored name my parents have bestowed me is Kyojuro.”
“Kyojuro then,” Uncle corrects. “I do not mean to be rude, but you do not seem to be native to Ba Sing Se. If I may ask, what brings you and yours all the way to the Earth Kingdom capital?”
“I do not know!” Kyojuro yelled. Ugh, does he not have an inside voice?
“You do not know?” Uncle repeated.
Kyojuro shook his head. “I do not know how I came to be in this land. After a battle waged against a dangerous enemy, I came to find myself in this Earth Kingdom, and later, in Ba Sing Se.”
He could see the gears turning in Uncle’s head. “Really? Then where is your home?”
“I do not know!”
‘Lee’ internally groaned. This man is utterly ridiculous.
“Maybe if I were to get a map,” Uncle offered, “Would that be of any help?”
“I have already tried looking for my home with the maps here!” Kyojuro shook his head again. “But I cannot find my home, nor its continent on any of them.”
Curious and curiouser.
“Well, not to brag,” Uncle puffed out his chest, “but I do think of myself as a worldly traveler of sorts. I might even be able to recognize the name of your home, if you’d like to tell me.”
“I hail from the Land of the Rising Sun!” He answered. Yelled. “Nippon!”
… What?
There’s no Fire Nation province called ‘Nippon’. Or Earth Kingdom! He doesn’t look Water Tribe.
And if he’s an Air Nomad, he’ll blow the Tsungi Horn in front of Father and Azula. Loudly.
What kind of story is that? If this Kyojuro guy’s going to lie about where he’s from, at least make it believable!
“I can’t say I’ve heard of such a place,” Uncle said regretfully. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be of much help.”
“Not at all!” Kyojuro bowed again. “Oh, before I leave, do you mind if I were to put a poster here? Someone lost their beloved pet, and they could really use the help!”
Uncle nodded, gesturing to a blank space on a nearby wall.
Kyojuro soon left, and ‘Lee’ sighed.
Now he had even more questions.
He patted his apron, let out a calming sigh-
Only to stop at the poster.
Prince Zuko knew his purpose once more.