A Match of Ice and Fire

Chapter 11: Kaya

The evening drags on. Waterbenders from the master Pakku's academy of Jerks, put on a two hour long peacock-rooster's display, with fire works and camio-performances from Fire Nation circus. I endure it all through gritted teeth, all while sat next to him.

Mercifully, Firelord Zuko only makes two more passes at conversation. Both of which I can swiftly shut down;

'How come he never saw me when he was here last time?' Trying to take the avatar hostage, being the part the Firelord conviently skips over.

It's a straightforward enough answer, "because I wasn't here."

And as for next question, 'what does the rest family do?'

"Your nation murdered them."

That shuts him up for the rest of the night. And so, I keep to my original plan, pretending he doesn't exist.

Firelord Zuko keeps a respectful distance away from me. Despite the table being packed, he seems as keen to maintain distance as i am. Finally, something we can both agree on. He sits with his scar turned away from me, which I'm glad of. I think if I had to look at that face all evening, i'd lose my appetite. It's a pity, really. From this angle, he almost looks... handsome. Untill he tilts his head, and I catch another glimpse of the brutal burn.

I wonder if the rumours are true, if his own father really did burnt it into him as a thirteen-year-old boy. I wonder how much it would have hurt. How much it still hurts. Has he ever considered having it healed? Could it be healed? Absently, I wonder how I would heal it. Maybe with some spirit water, if I did it in sessions, spread out over time, I could remove some of the surface scar  tissue, I'd try to soften the mark and then-

The Firelords gaze flicks back to me, hardening in accusation. "Do you find something wrong with my face, Princess Kaya?"

Why am I even thinking about this? I shake my head, trying to dismiss his challenge.

Thankfully, Chieftain Arnook comes to the rescue, finally calling an end to this night's slow torture, or so I thought. "And now, as is traditional, Firelord Zuko will demonstrate his own abilities for my nieces hand in marriage!"

The Firlord pales. In our tribe, all male suitors, benders, and non-benders alike are expected to put on display of skill in front of their betrothed. I'd be surprised if the Firelord was unaware of this custom. He's likely been honing a routine for months. But perhaps Firelord Zuko thought, given today's cataclysmic introduction  a performance confirming our engagement to the entire Nothern Watertribe, might be a bit hasty...
Firelord Zuko has clearly underestimated how much my uncle wants this alliance. And now Arnook has effectively declared the Firelords offical intentions in front of our tribe. There is no possible way to break the engagement off quietly. Firelord Zuko seems as horrified as I am.

Regardless, everyone here tonight is now watching him. Rising shakily, the Firelord composes himself. A brooding vail descends across his face as he makes his way over to the demonstration platform.

"May I?"

My eyes flick back distractedly to a small round old man. One of the Firelord advisors I vaguely recognised from this morning.

He gestures to sit.

Anyone is better than sitting next to the Firelord. He lowers himself down with a sigh, smiling at me in a strangely knowing way. It's very unsettling.

"Would you like some tea?"

"I'm fine." I say declining the cup he offers. "Thank you though."

I keep my eyes focused on Firelord Zuko as attendants remove his over robes, exposing his lean, bare torso.
He begins his set.