Zuko’s intense gaze bore into your eyes, searching for sincerity. You had come to him with a proposition, a trade for your knowledge about his mother in exchange for training you. You had no control over your firebending and would burn everything you touched.

Zuko’s voice cut through the air, his tone laced with skepticism, “My mother? How would you know anything about my mother?” Zuko’s arms folded across his chest as he leaned against the wall of the shop.