Blades and Fans

Tales of Ba Sing Se: Zuko

Zuko let an almost audible groan of disdain escape his lips. He had been working at the tea shop nearly non-stop for a couple weeks. Sadly because of Iroh's tea the tea shop has never been busier. He swore people from all over Ba Sing Se would line up, and even a few from the upper ring would come by for his tea. Even though this made Iroh happy, it just made Zuko have to work even harder. Scrubbing floors and tables, serving hot tea nearly around the clock. He got sick of it quickly. Even hearing his Uncle being approached by a rich tycoon did nothing to pique his interest.

"Did you hear, nephew? This man wants to give us our own tea shop in the Upper Ring of the city!" Iroh beamed excitedly to Zuko.

"That's right, young man, your life is about to change for the better!" the businessman boomed, expecting a similar response that his Uncle gave to the news.

Instead, Zuko just rolled his eyes, turning away from the two men. "I'll try to contain my joy," he muttered sarcastically as he walked out the front door. He needed a break. Zuko sighed as he leaned against the wall next to the front door, taking a small moment to himself. He let his eyes close as he did a few calming breaths. But even this small moment was interrupted. "Hey Li...," he heard a gravelly yet familiar voice call for him. Once he looked up he saw a small yet boyish girl, with a stoic young man standing next to her.

"Smellerbee?" Zuko said surprised to see her and Longshot. And almost immediately his eyes shifted around looking for Jet. Half expecting to be jumped by the swordsman. Zuko's hands already reaching for his hidden knife.

She let out a heavy sigh seeing Li's reaction. "He's not here...," Smellerbee answered. "Can we... can we go inside and talk?" she asked as Longshot remained silent, he placing a comforting hand on her shoulder as she began to shake.

Zuko took note of their downcast appearance. He put away his knife and nodded his head mostly out of curiosity. "Sure... we can go to the back and talk," he answered, still wondering if this was all a trap as he waved them to follow.

Smellerbee exhaled, relieved as she and Longshot followed Li inside. "Uncle, I'm taking my break in the back," he said as soon as they walked in.

"Alright, nephew," Iroh answered as he looked at Zuko and saw guests. "Oh, hello Miss. Smellerbee, would the young lady like some tea? Or what about you young man?" Iroh asked trying his best to recover from his misgendering mistake from the ship.

"Ummmm, no, we are alright," she said, brushing past the older man with Longshot remaining silent as he followed behind.

"Well, if you change your mind, I'll happily bring over a pot," he said with a smile as the three disappeared into the back of the kitchen.

Once they were in the back, Zuko pulled out a couple of chairs. They took their seats around the small table nestled in the back room. "So what is this about? What did you want?" Zuko asked, still very suspicious of the two freedom fighters.

Smellerbee remained silent for a moment, matching the stoic silence of her friend. Longshot then reached under the table to take her hand holding it and giving it a small squeeze. Comforted the words finally slipped from her mouth. "Jet... Jet is dead," she said, holding back a sob.

Zuko's eyes went wide in shock, he not truly believing it. "How? What happened?" he asked as his chest felt heavy.

Smellerbee gulped as she tried to find the words. She gripped Longshot's hand hard before she could speak. "The Dai Lee... that... that guy in charge of them... he killed him," she answered, her voice still catching in her throat. "After Jet was arrested... the Dai Lee brainwashed him... they made him their puppet," she began to tell the story of what happened.