Fire Ferrets [3] Bolin

Chapter 27

Bolin sits on my bed and Mako sits on the arm chair in the corner of my room as I pace nervously attempting to figure out what's going on. If it was something bad then my mother wouldn't have acted that way, and there is no way my grandfather would have stood by, greeting Bolin the way he did if it was something bad. So what could have caused the need to bring us all here? It just doesn't make sense to me. 

"Ula, can you stay still for at least a minute?" Bo asks sounding tired of my pacing. I look over to him, my fingers moving away from my mouth to stop from chewing on them. 

"I just don't understand why my mother has brought us here, why wouldn't she let me in the meeting?" I ask. 

"Maybe it's because you're stressed. She did say she wanted you to relax." Mako says. 

"Hey, maybe we could take a walk round the city?" Bolin suggests. He stands up from the bed and walks over to me, a soft smile on his face in attempt to calm me. I look at him for a moment before glancing over to Mako who also sends a smile my way. I sigh looking down towards the floor, though my eyes latch onto a small piece of paper. I open my hands up to reveal a small bit of paper with the elderly man's address on it.

"We could visit that man we helped earlier." I say looking up to Bolin. His eyes widen slightly and his smile drops a little. 

"You want to? Don't you think we should give them some notice instead of just showing up? If they're cooking food they might need some time." He asks. I smile and shake my head. 

"We will not be eating, we shall take some tea with us." I say as I walk towards the vanity on the side of my room. I open up my jewellery box and skim my fingers over the different golden and silver jewellery. I pick up a couple of necklaces and rings, ones which I hardly wear, placing them in a small handbag which I will take with me. 

"Okay then, let's go." Bolin says enthusiastically. I put my handbag onto my shoulder and turn to Mako who remains seated. 

"Are you joining us, Mako?" I ask as I walk to Bolin's side, my eyes still focused on the brother in question. 

"I don't want to intrude." He starts as he rubs the back of his neck. I know that he doesn't want to be left alone in the palace, and I don't want that for him either. 

"Nonsense, no one can intrude when we are drinking tea. It's a time for everyone to come together." I say. Mako smiles in response whilst Bolin lets out a small laugh. Bo drapes his arm over my shoulder and squeezes me to his side. 

"I swear the slight mention of tea makes you spout out words of wisdom and inspiration." He jokes and I chuckle softly leaning into his side slightly.

"Must be because of my great uncle Iroh. My grandfather told me how much he loved tea and how he would give him the best advice." I say with a small chuckle. "So, you coming, Mako?" I ask. He stands up and takes a couple of steps towards us. 

"Yeah, okay then." He says. 

"Perfect, let's go."

--

I look down at the piece of paper once again before looking up at the small cottage in front of us. Brightly coloured flowers spring out of the flowerbeds in front of the home and I can't help but smile at how lively and peaceful it seems. Sometimes I wish that I grew up away from the palace and in a more 'normal' setting so that I could experience the simple things in life. My entire childhood has been around training and royal duties, seeing how other people have grown up makes me feel as though I've missed out. 

I lead the two men up the path towards the front door and I knock gently, quickly lowering my hand to my side again as I wait. A short moment passes before I sense heat approach the door, and it soon swings open to reveal a middle aged woman with rosy cheeks. Her eyes widen and a surprised smile hits her face.