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Does he! How wonderful, I would love to come by. I want to meet all your friends. And you need to meet Jane. We already have so many other mutual friends like Gokudera, Hikaru, Taichi, and a few others.

Here. [She took up a giant ladle, gently blowing on the broth before bringing it over to him.] Try this, and no, I will not be adding chilis or peppers of any sort. This way I can join you while you eat. But let me know if it is to your liking. [She held out the spoon, holding it just in front of his lips.]

[ He'd be ready to comment, to continue on about their mutual friends, but her bringing the spoon to his lips for him startles him, and he shrinks back just half an inch, looking up at her with wide, almost guilty-looking eyes, but wills himself to lower his hand and just... try the soup as told... There's certainly a sheepishness, a bashfulness, about relenting to being fed so casually, and it stirs something in him. But he nods after his taste, meeting her eye despite his nerves at the tiny, tiny care act. ]

...Mmn. It's good.

[ He wants to be amused about the joke about peppers and chilis, but he's a little frazzled now. She's too nice and too pretty to be doing this cute stuff to him, he's too grijsnkf inside... ]

Wonderful! [She pulled the soup away from him and then went back over to the stove.]

We'll let it continue to simmer, the bread won't be done for another 20 minutes or so. Have you had freshly baked bread before? It isn't terribly special, just a simple white loaf but I added some currants and almonds. It... well, it shall be on the sweeter side. [Look, she can't help her sweet tooth, but she does eat lots of veggies and fruits.]

We need only wait for a little. [She took a seat across from him.] When spring comes around again, I'll be able to make so many different things from the garden outback.

[ She draws a fond, lopsided smile on his face as she sits down, unable to take his eyes off her suddenly, her excitement about cooking and baking and gardening so foreign and endearing to him. He's never known these feelings personally. He likes seeing her happy and smiling and talking about the things she likes... It's something simple, visceral. ]

Heh... What do you most look forward to making?

Well, with spring will come all my flowers, and then all my bees will come and make the most delicious honey. But I can make so many delicious tarts and jams and pies. I can make poached pears and cinnamon apple roses, and more modern recipes I'm aching to try like blueberry pancakes once my blueberries ripen. You must try my blackberries, Zuko. Growing up, I would eat so many my fingers would get stained purple. My aunts would call me their berry fairy.

[ He puffs a tiny laugh through his nose, the fond, crooked smile still stuck on his face, and his gaze stuck on Aurora. ]

I don't know blueberries or blackberries... But when we were kids, my sister and I used to eat so many purpleberries our tongues would get stained purple, too, hah... Although no one called us anything cute. Those are summer fruits, though. Cherries, too. Those would stain our fingers red.

[ He never knows what will and will be common between worlds as far as animals and plants... He has to speak about everything with caution it might or might not be understood.

Seldom he has a fond memory to share with Azula, though... His childhood has been painted as fond and fairly normal to Aurora so far, though. Eating purpleberries with his sister, even if she obviously grew up to be mean, working in a teashop with his uncle, seemingly seldom having to clean... It's bizarre how Aurora's managed just to pull the simple, neutral, nicer memories from him naturally. Who else could manage such a feat? ]

I adore cherries! I've always loved black cherries, but any cherry is welcomed in my book. But back home, this would be the season for pears and apples. Have you had apple pie? Or honey pears? I really would like to cook more for you. [She blushed, smiling as she pushed some hair behind her ear.]

I enjoy seeing the faces you make when you try my food.

[ That puts the dopiest, most lovestruck smile on Zuko's face yet, feeling the warmth rise to his cheeks a little, too. He's never had a girl cook for him. Mai delighted in that Zuko could order servants around for her, more than anything. He feels weird thinking about that summer now. Having someone asking to cook for him, because she likes watching his face for his reactions...? There's never been anyone in Zuko's life like that, not even analogous. It makes his heart swell slightly, trapped in the spell of one of those goofy lingering stares that lovebirds seldom realize they're in until it takes them too long to respond... ]

...Oh—! I'd, uh— I'd like that, too... You're a good cook, Aurora.

[ She knows that already, Zuko... But thanks anyway. In fact, Zuko in the past has been known to be something of a picky eater, so the fact that he's liked everything she's made for him so far is truly impressive; but he's not exactly keen to admit to having ever been a picky eater. It's a luxury, for sure. Zuko has scarcely even needed to deal with a cherry pit in his life... Those were removed for him first. But not with any sort of love or affection... just... servitude. A home cooked meal by someone he's close with, whatever it is, has a totally different flavor compared to anything he ever ate in the palace. ]

Well thank you, I try. [She giggled and then got up as her hearing allowed to catch the sound of the soup begins to simmer. As she stood up, she gently caressed Zuko's shoulder, trying to show him comfort in his time of sorrow.

She opened the oven to check on the bread before humming softly, moving to stir the soup once or twice before adding some more salt and pepper.]

You can always add more seasoning, you can't take away... well, no, that's not entirely true, you can take away with potatoes but you alter the taste in doing so. Better to be very careful with your decisions beforehand and add to taste after it's done.

[ The gentle stroke of comfort on her way past draws color to his cheeks, but he doesn't let his eyes follow her as much as he wants to let his gaze wander. He's always so nervous around her. But comfortable. It's hard to explain the feeling. He should say something. But before he even gathers his thoughts fully at the gesture, she's imparting some cooking wisdom on him. He hums thoughtfully in agreement, and glances over his shoulder to reply. ]

Yes... In many Fire Nation dishes, if a cook is too heavy-handed with the spices, it might ruin the whole dish. Flavors in Fire Nation food are strong. It's easy to over-do it.

[ He glances at the mountain lion again, awkward, but suddenly stands to face her and works up some dander for something that... maybe he should have thought to do, like, way earlier. Oops. ]

Do you, um—! Do you need help with anything? I mean— [ She knows what she's doing, he does not; let's rephrase that, prince... ] Can I help you with anything...?

Hmm? [She looks up as he speaks up, pushing some of her hair behind her ear with his shoulder as it got in the way again.] Oh! Yes, if you'd like. There are bowls in the cabinet up there. [She gestured with an idle hand.] The soup is still not ready but when it is, we'll want it warm.

Dishes from my kingdom are all about the perfect combination of flavors.

[ Zuko goes about collecting a couple bowls as told, feeling a little out of place in her kitchen. ]

Mmn. Earth Kingdom dishes are very balanced in their flavors, too... A lot of variety. Fire Nation, most of our food is fairly spicy, and there's a lot of meat. Not as many vegetarian options around... You probably wouldn't like it there...

[ It's a weird statement to make, but in many regards, he realizes it's probably true. He didn't mean to make such a judgment over something so simple and straightforward as food, but... the truth be told, he figures it's probably generally safe to assume Aurora would... not feel quite in her element in the Fire Nation. He's no proof, but— a sudden hunch. ]

Oh but I would, because you would be there with me, and I like you quite a bit. [She offered, smiling at him. Her voice was light but the words were open, honest, and practically telling him her feelings for him. No, not practically, she IS telling him her feelings.]

Besides, I managed here well enough, and this was a much more sudden change from a forest of animals to suddenly all the people all the time.

[ He turns to her at those words, and he looks a bit stunned at first, eyes fixed on her, but a warm, fond grin spreads slowly over his face, returning the smile she offers. ]

...Heh. I like you quite a bit, too. I wish I could show you my world... Maybe those weird flower-tub-things will grow again someday— do you remember that? Gokudera and I got to see each other's memories like we were there. I saw his world, he saw mine... Maybe I could see your home in the forest, too.

[ The vernal soul pools was one of the most incredible experiences Zuko's maybe ever had. He got to relive his other most incredible experience, what's more, and had Gokudera accompany him to see the Sun Warriors and the dragons. That might not be his first memory to take Aurora to, but... it's a nice idea all the same, wherever he'd take her, should he ever get the chance again. He hopes so. ]

No, I'm afraid I did not, I did not have anyone to do such a thing with, so I never went or experienced them. [She rarely does any of the grand adventures of this world. She's not sure what she can offer this place, honestly.]

Well... If it happens again, then you can do it with me. I could show you Uncle's teashop. Although— Ba Sing Se might overwhelm you... it's a huge city. Way bigger than this one. Hmm.

[ That's concerning. He'd want it to be a nice experience. Even for him, Ba Sing Se was sometimes too much hustle and bustle, and he's from the Fire Nation Capital City. The thoughtful knot in his brow lifts as an unexpected thought occurs to him. ]

...Do you know about beaches? Not like the shores on the lake here, like— a tropical island beach.

[Things rarely tended to repeat themselves, she wasn't so sure she would get the chance. She smiled though and shook her head.]

No, not those either. I suppose I'm rather ignorant of many things.

No, no! You're not ignorant! [ He doesn't mean to make her feel that way, puts his hands out in defense. ]

That's normal, I think. Most people don't travel much where I'm from, either... I, uh— ...I had a privileged childhood. My family had a vacation home in a place called Ember Island, though. A small tropical island off the coast of the Fire Nation. It's beautiful. If those flower-tubs grow around town again, I'll take you to my memories there. To see the ocean. I think you'd like the ocean.

I'm sure you have many fond memories from there. [She offered, moving to finally pull the bread out of the oven, setting it on the counter and gently waving a cutting board over it to help it cool sooner.]

I would love to see the ocean. I would love to explore all sorts of things, I suppose I'm just scared to go anywhere alone. Even though I've only known four people my entire life before coming to Camelot, I've never been alone growing up.

But I've read about the ocean. It sounds... beautiful, vast. I think I would appreciate that most of all.

[ He glances aside at the comment about having fond memories in Ember Island. He's glad she's busied herself with the bread to miss the odd face he's making. But he shakes it off, listening carefully, and gaining new ideas as she goes on, paying attention to the tone in her voice. He leans against the kitchen counter casually, not really sure there's much he can do to help, but feeling a bit more comfortable in there now even if he's not doing anything... He really does hope those flower-tubs grow again, because now he's looking forward to this pipe dream. ]

I'd show you the beach at Ember Island. Then my naval cruiser — I imagine you've never been on a ship before, either... That way you could be surrounded by water, in the middle of the ocean...! And— I'd take you to the North— No, the South Pole...! That's where Sokka and Katara are from. A place entirely covered in snow, all year round, full of icebergs and glaciers. Endless winter, everything white and blue. A totally different ocean.

[ Not that his memories of, um... either are great... But his memories of the South Pole are certainly less, uh, traumatic and horrible than the memories of the siege on the Northern Water Tribe. At least the South Pole has more uninterrupted nature, not a big city. She'd probably enjoy that more, he thinks. ]

You imagine correctly, no ship or carriage before Camelot, I've never been to the ocean or the mountains, or experienced an endless winter. It's incredible that people live where there is only endless winter.

[It's just as well HE can't see her face either because she feels... so... plain compared to him. Sure, she hadn't been ALLOWED to go anywhere because there was a fae literally out for her blood, but that didn't change that she wasn't going out far and wide here. She pulled her hand away from the pan of the bread, nearly burning herself and shaking it.

She had only felt inadequate once before in her life, when she had been told she must be a princess for an entire kingdom. How was she supposed to suddenly be a princess for an entire kingdom? What even was a princess? Did they need one if they had gone sixteen years without her already?

But now, she felt it again right then.

And it sat like a weight in her stomach.

Zuko had been all over the world, he and Gokudera had both been to multiple worlds. And while she would never trade her forest for some other life, she knew it to be a sheltered one. The forest had been ever-changing to her, but what was a forest compared to the world, never mind many worlds?

She must seem... so very dull, she supposed. She let out a breath, pushing hair behind her ear again, it was not Zuko's fault she suddenly felt so inadequate and she would not place it there. All he wanted to do was share such things with her.]

I'm sure if I'm meant to see it, I shall. [She offered softly. Not sure what else to say, she had nothing else to offer him.]

[ For once, Zuko is actually fairly perceptive, once he notices that little sigh. He pauses, eyes watching her worriedly, searching for words of comfort for her. He manages to find some, but they're delivered, well, rather awkwardly, uncertainly... But genuinely, too, despite his fumbling. ]

...The bread smells good.

[ Nice start, prince. He clears his throat quietly. ]

...You know— it's amazing you can cook all the things you can cook... I've never cooked anything before I met you. I wouldn't even know where to begin trying to bake my own bread.

[ He's so impressed by her, and maybe... he should communicate that more, he's starting to think... Hikaru told him to compliment her more the last time he got his haircut. So he tags on, earnestly, albeit a little seriously: ]

It's impressive. You have so many useful skills. Very practical.

[ Very romantic and doting, Zuko, way to woo her... ]

Thank you, that is kind of you to say. [She looked over to him, putting on a small smile that she didn't really feel.]

I have hobbies, certainly, dancing has no real place in things. [Except in royal balls, apparently.] But many of the things I enjoy doing all have a... practicality to them. Living in a forest does require practicality.

[All of her hobbies, outside of dancing and singing (though even that), were something useful even if she did thoroughly enjoy them.]

[ Zuko's brow tugs a bit at the way she minimizes her skills, skills he's always been so impressed and taken with ever since meeting her. He did not mean to make her feel this way, and he can tell how she's feeling, he thinks... He doesn't feel prideful of his travels necessarily — they were incidental to him. Which, realizing this, makes him feel almost worse for bringing them up in detail like this... He pauses, dwelling on how best to mitigate this discomfort, uplift her, reassure her. He's grown up in privilege and in isolation, so while he's dealt with confronting his privilege when forced to live as a pauper, and dealt with comparing himself to others when left feeling abnormal, the two conflicts were never related. It's strange he feels he relates to Aurora more than maybe he objectively might, just on the surface level, but... she doesn't know all that, and he realizes this. They are so different. But he likes that... and she should know that.

He searches for eye contact as he finds words to express all this gracefully. Not his best suit, but— he owes it to her after making things awkward just for his eagerness at wanting to share parts of his life with her, tell her about things he thinks she'd like. He fumbles so much around her, like no one else... because he's so impressed with her. ]

...I don't know how to do anything practical, you know. It's admirable, Aurora. And that you've learned it on your own. You can take care of yourself — of others, of animals... I don't know how to cook, or clean, or sew, or garden, make medicine... I know a little about herbs and oils and things because of the ones Uncle used to help me when I was, um— struggling, when I was younger... or... used for healing. [ He does glance awkwardly to the left at that, but turns his face back to her in earnest. ]

But you know how to do so much. These are invaluable skills. You should feel proud to be so capable. It's a true strength. All I know how to do is fight... and play tsungi horn, heh. Which— also doesn't really have a place in things, ha...

[ He's trying so hard to be self-effacing here, he really is. But he's not just gassing her up; he means all this from the heart. Ever since being spirited away, he's realized just how incapable he really is at the bulk of life. His skills serve him well... in a war. In a coup. Not in a home. Not with friends. ]

[She had never really thought of... any of the things Zuko had spoken of. After all, living in the forest and learning what she did was just... what it was. She had to learn to cook and clean and sew because there was no one to do those things for her. Well, there was in her aunts, but eventually, she wanted to do things on her own. She wanted to learn what they knew and do what they could. Aurora watched him and tilted her head.]

Would you like me to teach you?

[She smiled.] No one is born knowing those things, Zuko. I had to learn, and it's not as if I am some ancient being with decades of knowledge. You could learn, you're very smart and determined.

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rediscovering - 2021-12-31 16:03 (UTC) - Expand