Shades of Cool | Prince Zuko [Book One: Water]

Book 1: 3

Eira slowly inhaled and exhaled, keeping her breathing steady as she stood in the middle of her bedroom while water flowed around her. Eira moved her hands around in a continuous motion, shifting her weight around with her movements. She was practicing her waterbending.

Eira's ears perked up, hearing a knock at her door. "Come in." She looked to the side and saw it was Iroh. He was holding a scroll and smiling at her. She refocused on her bending. "What's that in your hand, Iroh?" Eira bluntly asked, already knowing something was wrong from the look on his face. He was too smiley.

"Bad news," answered Iroh. He entered her room, avoiding the water, and stood by the door.

"I'm guessing it has to do with the Avatar?" Eira questioned.

It's been days since their first encounter with the Avatar and the two Southern Water Tribe siblings. There have been multiple sightings of the airbender all around the Southern Sea, but whenever they check they come out empty. The majority of the time, they arrive too late. Once they get to one place the Avatar pops up in some other. It was frustrating, to say the least. The crew has been walking on eggshells the last couple of days since then.

"You are correct," confirmed Iroh. He focused on the water moving around the room, "Your waterbending has improved a lot over the years, Eira." The teen girl's heart squeezed as happiness bubbled in her chest. She lavished at the feeling and hearing how proud he was of her.

Eira smiled shyly as she said, "Thank you. That means a lot coming from you, Iroh."

Iroh hummed. "You can show your gratitude by accompanying me to break the bad news to my nephew."

Eira let out an airy laugh. "How bad is it?"

"We have no idea where the Avatar is."

Eira's eyes burst open, snapping out of her relaxing state. She whipped around and exclaimed, "What?!"

Iroh did not flinch as all the water Eira was previously bending fell to the floor. It was a reaction he had gotten accustomed to over the years.

"What do you mean we have no idea where he is?!" The girl's earlier calm and collected demeanor was far gone. Eira noticed some water splashed on the older man's clothes, making a part of the fabric darken. She felt her face flush, embarrassed of her outburst, so she decided to take a second to calm down.

"Sorry..." Eira muttered before proceeding to bend the water out of Iroh's clothing. She also bent the water that fell on the floor, letting it flow in the air. She then carefully bent into the barrel in the corner of her room before freezing it. Eira had barrels in her room in case of emergencies and to practice in her room when she didn't feel like practicing on deck.

Eira looked back at Iroh, who was grinning and waited patiently for her response. She sighed, finally giving in, "Okay, I'll go with you."

"Perfect!" Iroh happily said, offering his arm to her. Eira sighed once more before smiling and grabbing the man's arm.

The two headed towards Prince Zuko's quarters and Iroh was the first to enter the room. They found the room was dim. The only source of light was coming from four candles. The Prince was currently sitting down, meditating as he usually did to practice his breathing. The candle's fire got big and small as he breathed.