The Apprentice's Choice (an Avatar: The Last Airbender Fanfiction Zuko X OC)

Chapter 11: Terms and Conditions

"My Lady!!!" Sol and Ai shouted in unison as they saw her climb up the palace steps together with Fire Lord Zuko. "A-and Fire Lord Zuko!"

Chiyo smiled and hugged both handmaidens excitedly. "It's great to see both of you again! Did you do as I requested?"

"Of course, my Lady! We made sure the Fire Lord ate his meals, even if he worked late!" Sol beamed proudly.

"We also served him Jasmine tea during the evening. Did you know that he would always ask for you, and if you had any letters for him?" Ai added in a whisper, but it was loud enough that Zuko could hear it.

He cleared his throat in slight embarrassment. "We should head inside. It will be dark soon."

"You're back early."

They all turned to the accusatory tone behind them, surprised to see Lady Vira escorted by a few girls trailing behind her. In place of the usual smiles, there was a deep scowl and harsh look of disappointment in her face.

Chiyo moved forward and bowed. "Forgive me, Lady Vira. But I did send a letter by messenger hawk both to you and to Lady Reiko back in Hira'a."

"You mean this?" The older woman pulled out a parchment from her sleeve and tossed it at her feet. "Don't you know it's rude for an entertainer to leave her work unfinished?!"

"But, I—"

"Man Wol paid good money for this project with you, among several other things lined up for you! We were lucky he was foolishly excited to agree to our terms..." Lady Vira's voice was low, but venomous. "Chiyo, we need that money to fund the troupe! If that playwright decides to cut your pay for leaving, do you want to see your fellow apprentice entertainers tossed out onto the streets and live like beggars?"

Behind the troupe leader, the girls cringed, but kept their heads bowed low. Chiyo saw their scared faces and empathized with them.

She had been lucky to have been taken in by Lady Suiren, the most successful entertainer at that time. Being her apprentice meant that she could live in comfort and luxury.

But the same cannot be said for her other, less successful colleagues. With few requests and projects around, some entertainers had to resort to manual labor to sustain their daily needs.

From that need, the Salinja Troupe had taken them in. With pooled resources of the members, the women were fed, dressed, saved from the streets.

"If money is the issue here, then have this." Fire Lord Zuko had intervened and held out before them a small sack. "That should be enough for Chiyo's time with me. And I'm sure the playwright would not mind if the Fire Lord borrowed her for the time being."

Lady Vira took the pouch and opened it, her dark sharp eyes widening the slightest in surprise. There must be at least five hundred gold pieces in there and she quickly pulled the string close. "Very well... This should be enough to satisfy the terms of Chiyo's service." She turned to Chiyo. "I expect you back in Hira'a as soon as possible to finish the play. We'll be on our way." With a small bow to the Fire Lord she turned on her heels and walked down the palace steps, the girls following her silently.

"Zuko, you didn't have to pay her." Chiyo said once the entertainer had left. "I chose to be here. I chose to leave Hira'a and go to you."

"That money is a small price to pay if it meant I got to spend time with you." He reached out and held her hand, running his thumb over the white knuckles, hoping to relax them. "Things will be different from here on out. But whatever comes our way, we'll face it together."