The Fire Prodigy {ATLA}

{18}: Tales of Ba Sing Se pt. 1

"You look very nice today, Hana. Whereabout are you heading to today?" Iroh asked, as I was making my way out of the apartment in a little bit of a hurry.

"I actually joined an all-girls club. It's called the Five-Seven-Five Society," I said with a grin.

"Oh, that sounds lovely."

"Where are you headed today?" I asked, realizing he was also taking a basket of stuff with him.

He smiled sadly. "Today is a special day for me."

I frowned for a moment, before it hit me what day it was. I widened my eyes. "Oh, I am so sorry, Iroh. I totally forgot what day it was. I know it's a hard day for you."

"I'll get by."

"I can totally cancel my plans for today and join you, if you want me to," I offered, but he shook his head and gave me a soft smile.

"No need to cancel your plans. I am glad to see you are adjusting to our new life here so nicely," Iroh said with a smile.

"Are you sure?"

"Don't worry about me. I think a little alone time might actually do me some good."

I sighed, knowing he wouldn't change his mind about this. Instead, I walked toward him and gave him a tight hug. "Alright then. Please sing him his favorite song for me, alright?"

I felt him nod over my shoulder. "I'll let him know you sent him good wishes for his birthday."

I smiled before resuming my trip out of the apartment and to the meeting place for the club. I had only heard about this club from a few ladies who had stopped by the shop a few days ago. They invited me over to join them, and I agreed almost immediately. We'd been in Ba Sing Se for quite some time now, and I knew that I had to start making some friends other than Zuko. Besides, he was busy sulking in his own misery most of the time.

"Ah, but if it isn't Hatty!" Macmu-Ling, the leader, said, as soon as she saw me enter.

I smiled at her. "Hi. I'm really happy to join you girls for today."

"Welcome, welcome. Please, take a seat. We're about to begin our session," she said, and I did as she told me.

One of the girls beside me stood up and walked towards the stage. "Through all the long night, winter moon glows with bright love, sleet her silver tears."

I smiled, but before we could compliment her poetry, we heard a loud cry and turned to see a boy stuck on the window. I widened my eyes and held back a gasp when I recognized him; it was Sokka, the Avatar's Water Tribe friend.

"I am so sorry. Something struck me in the rear. I just... wound up... here," Sokka began, before his eyes fell on me and he narrowed them. "Wait a minute. You're..."

"Five, seven, then five, syllables mark a haiku. Remarkable oaf," Macmu-Ling said, as Sokka made his way through the window all the way to the stage.

"They call me Sokka, that is in the Water Tribe. I am not an oaf," Sokka said, probably enjoying the giggling girls' attention.

"Tittering monkey, in the spring he climbs treetops, and thinks himself tall," I muttered, but they all heard me. The girls made an intrigued 'ooh' sound to encourage the conflict.

"You think you're so smart, with your fancy little words, this is not so hard," Sokka retorted to me with a smug smile.

"A lucky first try, talent unfound, stop faking, it is not easy," I snapped back firmly.

"I calls it easy. Like I paddle my canoe, I'll paddle yours too!" Sokka said, making everyone laugh.

"Paddle mine you wished, scared and running you will be, you should watch your tongue," I said, at this point, standing up before him and staring him down.