Survival
As Zuko, Jong, and Zhin approached the next town, they paused outside to confer regarding the situation. "We're a bit short on money and supplies," Jong pointed out. "We need to find a way to resupply."
"Well, begging's out," Zhin replied. "We don't look pathetic enough. We all look well fed, even with our clothes looking ragged we look well kept, and our muscle definition is plain."
"How do travelers normally get money when they're short?" Zuko asked.
Jong shrugged. "Haven't met any travelers of that sort before. Though I'd guess they'd work for it."
"Odd jobs and the like?" Zuko clarified.
"Yeah," Zhin confirmed. "Of course, those odd jobs are generally dirty. They're the jobs the local townsfolk are either unwilling or unable to do themselves."
"Then we'll just have to do that, then," Zuko stated. "It's the only option we have available."
"It would be best if we each tried to get our own 'odd job' in town," Jong indicated. "Three people all together wouldn't be hired for the smaller jobs, and there's going to be more small jobs than big ones."
"That means each of us is going to have to be humble, begging for work," Zhin added with a smirk. "Can you be humble, Highness?"
Zuko glowered at him until all three burst into laughter.
By the end of the day, the trio had gone through town, getting whatever work and payment they could. Once they were done, they met up on the other end of town.
"Alright," Zuko began, looking somewhat downtrodden. "What'd you two manage to get?"
Jong jangled his purse. "Quite a few of the roofs had leaks, especially on the homes of the elderly. No one was rushing since we're past the rainy season, but they were appreciative of the effort."
Zhin set down a bag full of meat cuts. "The local butcher's assistant had slipped and broken his leg. I did all the carrying he needed for the next few days, and he paid me with all the meat cuts he couldn't sell, along with a few good cuts. The good cuts will make good meals tonight, and we should be able to smoke the rest for travel rations rather easily."
"How'd you do, Zuko?" Jong asked. He then waved his hand in front of his face. "And...what's that smell?"
Zuko frowned, glancing away. "I mucked out the ostrich-horse stables," he grunted unhappily. "I was paid in rice and cabbages, and I need a bath." He turned back to glower at the other two as they chuckled.
"There's a pool nearby, spillover from the river," Jong mentioned after a quick look at the map. "We'll carry all the new supplies until you get cleaned up. If you're careful, you can even heat the pool a little."
The pool wasn't far, and Zuko eagerly used the cold water to cleanse himself of the stench of the stables. Meanwhile, Jong worked on smoking the meat after cutting away the excess fat and a few of the spots that had started to go bad. Zhin noticed the one part of Zuko's belongings that wasn't stinking of ostrich-horse droppings. "Any new messages from Mai?" he asked, nudging the pouch gently.
"Not since she confirmed that Azula had recruited her and Ty Lee to hunt down Uncle, Cadence, myself, and the Avatar," Zuko replied, getting out of the pool. He bent his fire inward to generate enough heat to quick-dry himself and his clothes. Taking the pouch, he hung it back around his neck. "She said she'll try to keep me informed...but I honestly hope she doesn't. I'd rather be sure she's safe than having her risk Azula's wrath to protect me."
"I wonder how Iroh and Cadence are doing?" Jong spoke up, packing up the smoked meat.
Zuko stared into the campfire, where the meal for the night was cooking. "I've been trying not to think about it..."
As Iroh and Cadence entered the small village together, they sat down by the side of a major thoroughfare. Iroh laid his hat upside down in his lap, content to beg for the odd coin. Cadence, for her part, curled in his lap and looked up pleadingly at anyone who paused long enough to consider adding a coin or two. She was very good at it, and to preserve the image of 'desperate beggars', Iroh had been forced to empty his hat into a bag behind him several times.
At first, Iroh felt guilty about asking for more money when they'd already been given so much. Then he thought about how quickly they'd gone through the money they'd brought from the ship, just to keep them both fed. Despite her size, Cadence ate quite a bit, and fresh produce was both expensive and difficult to come by during a war. In point of fact, the only one that was relatively easy to acquire was cabbages. Unfortunately for Cadence and the cabbage merchant, Cadence proved to be allergic to the vegetable, resulting in explosively sneezing if she tried to eat any.
At one point, a younger man with a confident swagger approached. "How about some entertainment in exchange for...a gold piece?" He held out the gold coin like a taunt.
Iroh started to stand up, ready to sing for the coin, since gold would get them much farther than the silver and copper they'd been getting. Before he could, however, he found his pipa in his hands, Cadence's head lifted towards the air. Taking the cue, he began to play as Cadence sang.
She didn't sing any words, leaving the impression that she was an animal, a pet...but her voice was pure, sweet, and clear, and before the song had ended the entire village had gathered to listen. As she ended her song, Cadence turned and nuzzled Iroh's side...only to be startled at the thunderous applause and shower of coins. The confident man who'd offered a single gold piece was in tears, and tossed them a full pouch.
That evening, Iroh and Cadence left town on a new ostrich-horse that Iroh had bought, to save the wear on his feet and Cadence's hooves, as well as keep up with Zuko a bit better. "I hope Zuko is doing as well as we are," Iroh murmured.
"I'm sure he is," Cadence replied, tucked in amongst the supplies. "He wouldn't have gone off alone if he couldn't handle himself."
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The difference between the two...
XD The power of cuteness prevails again!
Who here is surprised that Iroh and Cadence are getting by thanks to Cadence's POWER OF CUTE?
Thought so.
6695895
The crickets are surprised?
6695898
6695901
Another enjoyable chapter. Good job.
Iroh and Cadance are better [discount] con artists than the Gaang XD
6695893 If only the power of cuteness was enough to win every battle, Cadence would be the new Fire Lord, or perhaps Fire Lady would be the better term?
6695926 ah tats you trolly...dragon thing? I don't what your profile pic is
6696111
Dragon-Pheonix hybrid.
Heeheehee, I feel so bad for the cabbage guy XD
Awesome chapter! :D
6696148
"MY CABBAGES!"
6696193
Hahahahaaww, poor guy XD
6695893 pony cuteness again proves to be a top tier level cheat. It will bend all to its will.
I see the luck of the cabbage merchant is so bad he can't win even with a starving vegetarian as a customer. That was a fun little bit.
Glad to know that guy didn't decide to pull out his blades and make Iroh dance for the gold coin this time
He was an asshole
I can bet that most of Cabbage Corp's misfortunes can be traced back to Mi Amore Cadenza, Spirit of Love and Cabbage-Bane.
6696111
6696118
I was thinking lung/long (depending on how you pronounce it), or tatsu. Both of which are Chinese and Japanese translations of dragon. And it honestly looks like what I would imagine an Asian Dragon looks like without being a copy of every Asian Dragon.
Iroh and Cadence: The Dynamic Duo.
6696345
I think the entire clan is just naturally cursed with bad luck
6696479 That, too!
6695898The crickets are encoring.
So cuuuuuuuuuuuute.
And I just had an epiphany now and am writing it down so I don't forget later, since ponies generally have a longer lifespan than humans, and alicorns even more so, wouldn't cadence be able to live up to the point of the Korra timeline, but just be in her late adult life in pony/Alicorn years?
That was fun, may I have another? Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
Yep.
Indeed.
*snerk*
Well, iroh has his old man wits and harmless look to him and Cadence is adorable.
Clever.
WOW, the poor guy just cannot win.
Nice work. Also, at least her voice wasn't,
hoarse.
Probably.
6695901 I think that's a no...
6696830 1. Tats has already said he wasn't going to do Korra.
2. If this follows the path of every other PWNYverse story, Cadance will end up dragging Iroh to Equestraia long before Korra's time. Although I could see the Spirit portal from season 2 of Korra as a gateway there.
Cadence using the power of cute and song to get extra cash is awesome. I can totally see Zuko staring at Iroh and Cadence when the two groups meet up and glaring at how well they've been living... until Iroh praises him for being willing to get dirty and do a hard day's work to get funds and supplies.
6696239 In Skyrim, I make it a point to never pick up cabbages, the one time I saw a cart I spent a good five minutes trying to blow it up. The guards were annoyed with me, but since I was the Thane of the city we were in I got off scott free
Now I'm curious what Cadence was singing...
How many times does that make the cabbages destroyed?
The power of cute compels you! The power of cute compels you! The power of cute compels you! The question is, is it to surrender your money, or to surrender the war?
6697409 Why not both?
6697493 Because there is only one Cadance.
6697507 Still cute enough to do both.
6697197 oh I didn't know that, but okay.
Is it wrong that when Cadence and Iroh did their duet, this is the first thing I thought of?
How to be successful: Get a pony.
How to be safe: Get a pony.
How to have fun: Get a pony.
How to not have the worst time ever: Get. A. Pony.
...poor Zuko.
6696479 Should we call them... The cabbage patch?
Zuko really stuck his neck out doing that job and mucking about. At least he wasn't horsing around at it eh?
I don't think our donators for Iroh and Cadance could coin the fact that she could sing and that she practically had them all in the pouch. Such a musical moment isn't it?
Allergic to cabbages... eesch.
That means no delicious coleslaw for Cadance... un-unless.... 
I... best go keep an eye on 'im. Me human kin be more'n a wee bit o' crazy at times. Loved hear'n' Caddy sing, though, an' I be lookin' forward t' more.
6697289 Too many to count.
6697739
Sans, is that you?
i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/046/670/0bb.png
6699310 Wow.. that joke must have rattled your bones~
6697613 not at all its a good song.
Are they going to meet Toph again soon?
brilliant
This chapter!
But he isn't alone.
6704953 I think you should put some backbone into your jokes.