Chatterbox: Inkwell

YOUNG FLAME - 

An Avatar: The Last Airbender fanfiction.

Part One- Arrival 

Master Piandao looked at the small girl in front of him. She was staring up at him with large brown eyes. He sighed. “Mina,” he began.

Before he could continue, she broke in. “Please!” She begged. “I promise I will not insult Fat again! And I will-”

The greatest sword weilder held up his hand to stop her. “No.” Her face fell, and if Piandao did not have more words, he felt his heart might have broken. “But,” he continued, and she brightened by a fraction. “I do know where you can find work. An old friend of mine would greatly appreciate your...” he paused to smile at her. “Cooking skills.” 

—————

It was the second year of Prince Zuko’s banishment. The young heir was in his quarters, plotting about where to next search for Avatar. On the deck, General Iroh held the letter from the sword master with a thoughtful expression on his face. Piandao never gave compliments when it was not necessary. And he never exaggerated. The high ranking member of the order of the white lotus told of his connection to the girl’s father, a dear friend, and of the girl’s clever mind and sweet spirit. He emphasized her tea making abilities, probably because he knew that was what would interest Iroh. After reading the letter for the fifth time, his gaze lingered on the remark his friend had made near the closing. “This girl is only twelve, but she beholds the world as a beautiful pearl. She may be daunted slightly by your nephew’s attitude, but I believe she may be part of the remedy he needs.” He smiled, and called for some paper. Without another hesitation, he wrote a return letter accepting the request and slipped it into the messenger hawk’s letter compartment. He watched as it flew off before going below deck to check up on his nephew.

—————

Mina waited somewhat patiently as the master read the letter from General Iroh. He would frown, and her heart would sink only to smile for it to be lifted up again. Then he would frown again and she would feel all hope gone. Finally he looked up from the paper, his eyes studying her anxious face. He smiled. “He said yes.” She cheered, and he laughed at her show of joy. Then he became serious again. “You leave tomorrow for a port in the colonies. You should begin packing immediately.” 

Her smile dimmed and she looked at him sadly. “I will miss you.” 

He felt his eyes begin to water. “I will miss you as well Mina.” All of a sudden, the young girl threw her arms around the man, making him stumble back a few steps. Then he slowly put his arms around her, his grip tightening as the moments passed. After a shaking breath he found his voice enough to whisper, “You are your father’s daughter.” He didn’t know he was crying until he saw his tears land on her red kimono. This is for the best, he thought, pulling away. To keep her here would only put her in danger. He quickly walked toward his quarters, feeling that he would crack if he beheld her eyes, so like her beautiful mother’s, just a moment longer. As he exited the scene, he heard her whisper, her voice wavering, “It’s ok Weiba. I’ll be ok.” 

—————

As they headed toward the small port, the buildings growing larger with the passing seconds, Prince Zuko stormed into the control room, his face contorted with anger. “Why are we stopping here?!” 

General Iroh looked up from his Pai Sho board. “Oh my, did I forget to tell you, nephew?” 

The 15 year old firebender pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. “Seeing as I’m asking you about this, YES!”  

The Dragon of the West moved a tile, causing his opponent to grunt. “Well, Prince Zuko, we are picking up a girl who is kind enough to offer us assistance with her culinary skills.” 

The young man seethed. “We’re delaying my search for the Avatar because of a scullery maid?!” 

Iron calmly contemplated the board while answering, “Zuko, our chef, Yen, just accepted another offer. If we want to eat something other than that unappetizing porridge,” he pointed to some tan colored gruel that had been sloppily spooned into a bowl. “I suggest that we make the best of this opportunity.” 

Zuko exhaled in frustration but didn’t argue anymore. As he stomped off to the deck, he could have sworn he saw his uncle smile. He was right, of course, the stuff they had been eating for the past couple days wasn’t exactly fit for royalty. But nonetheless, the banished prince threateningly thought to himself. It had better be worth putting his search on hold. 

—————

The young prince and his uncle stepped off of the ship and onto land. Zuko scanned the area, his trademark scowl etched onto his face. Iroh was already making his way toward a small girl who clutched fiercely to a bag. Probably to ask her directions, he reasoned. He followed, not at all expecting for the girl to let go of her bag and throw her arms around his uncle. His uncle laughed, and as he got closer, he saw that the retired general was hugging back. “Mina,” he was saying. “It is my immense pleasure to welcome you onto our ship.” Prince Zuko froze. This was the cook? This young kid was supposed to make the meals for the entire crew? The two had separated, and now Iroh was guiding her over to his side. “This is my nephew. Prince Zuko, this is Mina.” 

Mina smiled brightly and curtsied. Zuko’s frown deepened, and he quickly turned around, heading back for the ship. Her smile waned as the watched him go, but Iroh was quick to reassure her. “He is only frustrated because he hasn’t had a good meal for a bit. At the taste of your first meal on our ship, you will see how kind he really can be.” 

At that her joyful expression returned. She nodded, filled to the brim with excitement. She started sprinting after the 15 year old firebender, saying something that sounded like, “See Weiba? I told you it would be great!” The retired general sighed. Was he right to give her this hope? This hope that she could make his nephew’s pain disappear? He had only just behind striding toward the ship when he found that the young girl was at his side again, holding out a piece of parchment that had been tightly rolled up. “Master Piandao said to give this to you!” The moment it was in his hand she was gone again. He chuckled at her youthful energy, shaking his head. It would be good to have such a happy spirit on the vessel.  

^^ Feedback appreciated