The first time it happened, Zuko almost didn’t notice.
He had been skim reading the treaty Song ( again, how in Agni she managed to become an Ambassador he had no idea. Sokka found it hilarious. (Sokka slept on the couch that night)) had sent over for him to read. The words caught his eye, “and one ostrich horse” was neatly written in Song’s handwriting. He blinked. The words were still there. One ostrich horse was owed personally to Ambassador Song.
Zuko crossed the line out. In the case that it was put in somewhere else, he read the entire document with so much scrutiny his essays on the Ember Island Play edition of ‘Love Amongst The Dragons’ were jealous. Luckily, that was the only time it was there. He signed the treaty.
The next morning, he handed it to Song. She inclined her head. “Thank you, Fire Lord Zuko, this means more to us than you know.” There was a glint in her eyes, oh you think you’re so smart. She reached to take the neatly rolled up scroll. He snatched it out of her hands just before she could grab it.
“You aren’t getting an ostrich horse, Ambassador Song.” Zuko scolded before letting her take it.
Song still smirked. “We’ll see about that.”
Subtle mentions to receiving an ostrich horse were inserted 4 spirits-damned times.
Zuko crossed out every one, then re-read it to make sure he didn’t miss one just to make sure he didn’t miss an extra one. Song was a far cry from the girl he had first met, she had a vengeance and a goal: an ostrich horse.
Still, he handed the scroll to her with the same chiding tone. “You aren’t getting one. I got them all.”
Song smirked. “We’ll see about that.”
“Why does she want an ostrich horse so much?”
“Zukoooo. C’mon, tell me.”
“I may have taken one of her ostrich horses.”
Sokka burst out laughing. “You stole her ostrich horse?!”
“Shut up.” Zuko crossed his arms, refusing to meet Sokka’s eyes.
“You stole an ostrich horse from Song? I wouldn’t try taking anything from her if I got a life’s supply of seal jerky!”
“You’re sleeping on the couch tonight.”
Zuko had to admit searching for ostrich-horse references developed his critical thinking skills and his ability to thoroughly read agreements before he signed them. It had saved his ass from not one, not two, but three incidents involving closer calls then he’d like to admit, but it didn’t stop him.
His advisors were delighted.
Song plopped another scroll in front of him. “Big Z! Got another one for you.”
Zuko scowled. “Never call me ‘Big Z’ again.”
Song smiled knowingly. “We’ll see about that.” She walked away.
Zuko sighed, rolling out the scroll. He read the paper, looking all over the page for ‘ostrich horse’. None. Surprising. He signed the treaty, closing it. He had a whole load of work to do that night.
“No ostrich horse, this time?” Zuko greeted. Song gleefully took the scroll from him, opening it up and skimming down the page.
“Nope!” She popped the p. “Not today, Big Z.”
Zuko scowled. “I told you not to call me that.”
Song’s face split into a grin. “Oh? Are you sure?” She turned the scroll to him, pointing to a line on the page.
Zuko squinted. “Ambassador Song is legally allowed to call Fire Lord Zuko ‘Big Z’.“
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