My name is Saito. Ex-governor of New Ozai now renamed Omashu. Though I'm no longer governor, I know I can still be someone important in the Fire Nation.
And contrary to what you may think, I love my family.
That is all.
Here I am, stuck at home with a Firebending toddler and a Water Tribe infant who flings everything she touches as if the world is a giant sandbox. At least she’s humouring mother while I attend to… business.
Saito’s heart and thoughts raced frantically as he followed Asuka’s father to rejoin the party. He thought about the proposition that he had put to him, and at the same time he thought about the way he had spoken to Asuka’s mother. There was obvious tension there between the two of them. Besides, the disapproval of him wearing so fine a pair of robes as was worthy of their son was clearly shown on her face.
Saito felt nothing but remorse and shame. How could he marry into a family like that? There was no honour in marrying Asuka just because her father had offered to fund his studies and get him a good post in the military. Even though his feelings for Asuka were genuine, it would appear to everyone that the penniless tutor (regardless if he was a student of Piandao or not) had married the student just for the money. And it wouldn’t look good for the family either. They would appear to be foolish in allowing their prized daughter, their only shot to move up among the ranks of the wealthy Fire Nation families, to marry a man of low pedigree.
“Excuse me,” said Saito, almost stuttering. “But I have to - ” he gulped. “I have to find Asuka. If I may, sire.”
Asuka’s father stopped in his tracks and gave Saito a long, curious look. Finally he nodded and replied, “Of course.”
Saito bowed and dashed off to find her.
Saito was thankful that Asuka’s father could not see his face at the moment, because, to put it simply, Saito was astonished to hear those words coming from his mouth. A man of high position and nobility uttering words like that! Saito had dealt with many well-to-do families in the not too distant past, but this was the first time he had heard such words uttered.
After he had finished changing, he stepped out from behind the curtains, feeling somewhat awkward wearing something that belonged to the family. The materials were smoother and definitely felt very good against his skin. So this was what luxury felt like…
“You mean, you want me to marry her? Marry Miss Asuka?” asked Saito disbelievingly. When he saw the arched eyebrow on the other man’s face, he stopped short and reddened. “Not that I don’t want to,” he said hurriedly, “She is a very lovely person, both appearance and personality-wise…” he felt himself smile as he said that, then he continued, “but I don’t think it would be wise. After all,” he hung his head, “I am no one. I come from a remote village, with no property to my name other than a small house and the tiny plot of land that my mother uses to grow vegetables. How could I possibly give her the life she deserves?”
Saito’s eyes widened when Asuka introduced the man who had just arrived as her father. He had never met him before, even though it was technically his money that he was receiving as payment for his tutoring services. He was even more surprised when her father bowed to him first. Why would a rich lord such as himself bow to a lowly tutor like him? Her father was an extremely unorthodox man to do so. It was such a surprise that her mother seemed to be the complete opposite of him.
“Greetings, sire,” he said to Asuka’s father, trying hard not to stammer, but he could not suppress a slight blush when he mentioned that Asuka had written things about him. “I am - I am honoured that Miss Asuka has conveyed such favourable things about me to your knowledge.” He couldn’t help using the formal manner of speaking; anxiety usually caused him to automatically switch to the stuffy manner of speech.
“Now, now,” said Asuka’s father with a wave of his hand, “no need to go all high and kingly with me. I’m not impressed with any of it. And I do believe I will take Asuka’s word for it when she says that your character is most admirable and you are a man of high honour, despite your background.”
Saito could not help but blush for real this time as he snuck a glance at Asuka, who had turned red as well, “I am most flattered, sire, but - “
“No buts!” said Asuka’s father with a hearty laugh. “And what did I tell you about calling me sire, eh? Call me father! From what I’ve read, I should be proud to call you my son!” He gave Saito a friendly slap on the back and laughed again when Saito nearly stumbled out of surprise.
“Alright then, uh, father…” said Saito with a weak grin. He didn’t think her mother would take to it kindly…
Saito fingered the edge of his robes gingerly as he stood at the corner of the room, well out of sight of the wealthy, popular kids that filled the party area. He had on his best robes, but even his best was paltry compared to the rich, lavish attire worn by the affluent attendees of the party. No one spoke to him; even the hired waiters did not bother to ask if he would like any refreshments. He caught a few looks of disdain thrown his way and he felt his cheeks burn up with embarrassment.
He looked up, perhaps a little too eagerly, when Asuka was presented to the party guests, and couldn’t help but beam at the way she looked that night. She was absolutely stunning, and Saito was proud to be acquainted with her.
Saito stepped down from the ostrich horse carriage and while the driver attended to his trunk, he carefully moved a precious glass box from the carriage seat, trying his best not to disturb its contents. He covered the box with a red cloth, paid the driver and carried his…
Saito beamed happily as he hugged her with one arm and kissed both her and Tom Tom on the forehead. “Guess what, darlings? I have a surprise for all of you!” At the word ‘surprise’, Tom Tom’s eyes widened and he clapped happily. Saito held up the glass box covered with red cloth. “Close your eyes first!”
Asuka looked momentarily panicked but did as her husband demanded, close her eyes and covering TomTom’s with her hand. “Alright, let’s have it, my love. What’s this surprise?” She asked
Saito drew a deep breath and whipped off the red cloth. “Ta-daa!” he announced. Inside the glass box were two fluffy little turtle ducks, huddled together in what little water they had left in the box. Once the cloth was lifted, they blinked at the sudden blast of light in their vision and quacked.
Saito stepped down from the ostrich horse carriage and while the driver attended to his trunk, he carefully moved a precious glass box from the carriage seat, trying his best not to disturb its contents. He covered the box with a red cloth, paid the driver and carried his…
Saito beamed happily as he hugged her with one arm and kissed both her and Tom Tom on the forehead. “Guess what, darlings? I have a surprise for all of you!” At the word ‘surprise’, Tom Tom’s eyes widened and he clapped happily. Saito held up the glass box covered with red cloth. “Close your eyes first!”
Saito stepped down from the ostrich horse carriage and while the driver attended to his trunk, he carefully moved a precious glass box from the carriage seat, trying his best not to disturb its contents. He covered the box with a red cloth, paid the driver and carried his trunk together with the box into his front yard.
“Hello?” he called out as he set his trunk on the compound. “Anybody hooome?”
Saito nearly spat out his food when he felt a hard kick aimed at his shin under the table. He coughed, wiped off the traces of spilled gravy on his chin, and glared back at Asuka as he flung the napkin onto the table. “Fine. Please excuse us,” he said tersely to his mother and her ‘boyfriend’ and got up to follow his wife into the kitchen.
Asuka smiled at the elder two politely as she entered the kitchen, closing the door behind her. One the door was shut she turned to Saito “What is your problem?! Your mother has someone she obviously really likes and you’re acting like an asshole! I mean, you’re attacking an innocent old man! What the hell is wrong with you?!” She hissed as the servants tried not to watch them and continue with their work.
Saito blinked back at his wife. “What’s my problem? I should be asking you what’s yours! My mother has brought back a stranger for dinner! A stranger who she has kept secret from us AND not only that but a stranger who apparently is romantically interested in her!” He threw his arms up in the air, feeling flustered. “How do you think I’m supposed to act???”
He couldn’t help but snicker upon hearing that. “Oh, you’re going to play the ‘we-just-happened-to-meet card now, are you?” he said sharply. He could see a flicker of confusion in the older man’s face. “Well, that is true,” said Huan, bringing forth his crooked smile again. “I have been alone for a very long time, and I dare say that when your mother walked into my life, well, it was as if an angel had strayed into my dreams.”
“Angels aren’t old,” said Saito incredulously with a harrumph. “Seriously. You’re either delusional or a frightfully remorseless liar.” He was having a very very hard time believing this man. He knew this sort of person. This was the type who did not have a problem with lying to get whatever he wanted. Saito had dealt with many merchants and traders with this sort of disposition, and had learnt from experience that business with these people would only bring him loss.
Asuka kicked him under the table, both she and his mother glaring at him. Huan cleared his thoart “Alright then, and why exactly would I be supposedly preying on your mother?” Huan asked, trying to keep his fist from clenching “Just because you’re mother isn’t twenty doesn’t mean she isn’t beautiful, sir. Why, when your wife reaches our age will you think her ugly? No. You will not.”
Ayu smiled over at Huan, her cheeks flushed. Asuka was still glaring at her husband “Darling, may I speak to you in the kitchen?” She said between gritted teeth.
Saito nearly spat out his food when he felt a hard kick aimed at his shin under the table. He coughed, wiped off the traces of spilled gravy on his chin, and glared back at Asuka as he flung the napkin onto the table. “Fine. Please excuse us,” he said tersely to his mother and her ‘boyfriend’ and got up to follow his wife into the kitchen.
