I should probably also mention I tweaked the age of Iroh a bit. A lot. Instead of Iroh being 40, I used my magical writer's power to make him 24. Dun, dun dunnn. I thought it would be more appealing and have more sense this way~ It was hard writing this, and I got so tired of opening this everyday to try to make it work that I just finally uploaded it. ;-; Any advice would be great! Thanks so much, guys!

Chapter Two-Thoughts

Fire Lord Izumi sat in her study, flipping through several pages of documents requiring her input for local affairs, the morning sun peeking from between a crack in the long, crimson drapes and spilling onto her desk. It was tedious work. Approval for the construction of a new training facility for young firebenders. Approval for the prohibition of large animals as domestic pets in small homes. Approval of the coin limit for the upcoming Paper Lantern Festival. Decision for conscripting more troops for defense around the borders. Confirming her meeting with President Raiko regarding Republic City's expansion.

Hours of going through the paperwork left Izumi mentally exhausted. She pinched the bridge of her nose and shut her eyes tightly, disregarding the sound of the double doors opening.

"Everything going well, Mother?"

Izumi looked up, tapping the papers against the desk before setting them aside as Iroh closed the doors behind him, moving for one of the cushioned armchairs. He had a pleasant smile on his face, his golden eyes examining his mother. It had been a year since he last saw her. Her skin was still smooth, but her grey hair could not hide her age. She returned the smile, her weariness dissipating with the coming of her son.

"I must say that it's going to take some getting used to, your presence in the palace," she replied, folding her hands atop her lap.

Iroh chuckled. "Eager for me to leave already?"

"Don't be ridiculous. I couldn't be happier that my son is back home." She heated a teapot and dropped an infuser into it, pouring the two of them jasmine tea. "How are you feeling?"

"Never better. I missed it here. Missed you, missed grandpa. Missed my bed every second I was away."

"Well, I'm sure your bed missed you just as much. Hopefully, you'll be able to stay a few months before returning to your post."

"You would think that being the Fire Lord's son would make taking time off more favorable for me." Iroh jested, taking a sip of his tea. They sat silently for a few moments. Izumi studied her son, the way he looked down and into his cup wordlessly. If she knew her son well, she knew that there was something on his mind, and she knew quite well her son was not one to dwell on things let alone have a difficult time speaking up. She waited patiently for him to gather himself, raising the cup to her lips.

Iroh leaned forward, resting his elbows onto his knees and finally pulling his gaze away from his tea. He cleared his throat. "There was actually something I wanted to ask you. It's not that serious."

"So it is serious."

"I just... well, I was wondering, you know all the courtiers, the noblemen and noblewomen... The other night, there was a girl."

"The young lady in the white dress." Izumi smiled slyly.

"You were watching! Of course you were watching." Iroh covered his face with one hand, his face starting to feel warm. "I guess that makes it easier to ask you for her name."

Izumi stood up, grabbing her papers. "I'm sorry to say that I can't help you with that. You're a young and extraordinary general though. You can figure it out."

With a last smile, she exited the room, leaving the confused prince to wallow in his thoughts of the mysterious girl who had made an extravagant entrance into his life and quietly slipped away without a trace.

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Summers in the Fire Nation were mostly cool before noon due to the sea breeze blowing into the city, making it pleasant enough to be outdoors. The Fire Palace courtyard was full of its citizens today, many children and young girls gathered to see the General's return home. Iroh walked down the steps into their cheers and happy greetings.

"Welcome home!"

"It's good to see you again!"

"Great work out there!"

"We're proud to call you our prince!"

Iroh smiled and waved back. Normally, he would stop to converse with his people and engage in local events and politics, but he felt spent. He couldn't quite pin down the reason; it could have been a number of things. Not knowing only troubled him further. He wandered aimlessly with his head held high and his chest sunken inside.

Now roaming the gardens, Iroh strode along the pebbled pavement, lost in thought and going over every possibility for his discomfort. Could it be unease from being away from work? It wasn't too long ago that they had put a stop to Kuvira. In all honesty, he wasn't too concerned about that situation, but it had happened too quickly after Unalaq's attempt at destroying the world so that they had little reprieve. Could that be it? The fear of another threat coming to wipe out the world? No, he was confident that the Avatar would find a way to keep everyone safe.

He pinched the bridge of his nose. Perhaps the feelings were related to being home and feeling unsettled from being away for so long. It had been years since he had been able to settle down at the palace for more than a few days. Though... he still felt familiar with everything. Not much had changed. Was it from knowing he would have to leave eventually? Was it that he hadn't fulfilled familial duties in the way that a prince ought to have? That he had not sought a wife or cared to even start his own family? His mother didn't particularly mind his life choices and supported him fully.

Thinking on everything without much luck towards a conclusion, his heart gave a slight jolt at the recollection of the night the ball was held. He remembered the dainty hands in his, petite and unfamiliar, a ghost of a touch now lingering on his skin. He remembered her thick, black waves falling over her shoulders, flowing with her every movement. And then the eyes. Her eyes were bright and filled with eloquence.

What was it about her that refused to leave his thoughts?

Iroh mulled the same question over and over in his head, knowing he wouldn't find an appropriate answer. As he crossed his arms and exhaled in exasperation, a messenger approached him with a rolled up letter.

"Your Honor, the Fire Lord has asked for this to be sent to you."

As he took off after giving a deep bow, Iroh unrolled the paper and looked it over. The Paper Lantern Festival was approaching this week, the flier advertising dozens of stands and fireworks throughout the night. He couldn't be sure why his mother would bother sending him something so trivial, but he had a strange feeling about it. He swallowed hard suddenly, remembering the bright eyed girl.