Inspiration is hard to come by, and laziness aplenty. My excuse for the lack of updates in TCR. -_-; I can't apologize enough, and I bet you're tired of hearing them. *sigh* Hopefully Zutara Week 2010 will help my creative juices start flowing and see an update by the end.
ZUTARA WEEK IS HERE PEOPLES! AND I'M AN OFFICIAL PARTICIPANT FOR ONCE! *EEK*
So here's Day 1, FAMILY. Hopes you enjoys!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own ATLA, but the powerful fans own ZW. Peace.
"So…let me get this straight—Zuko's mom invited you to the palace for 'tea'."
"Yup."
"The Fire Nation Palace."
"Mmhmm."
"For tea."
"Mmhmm…"
"Just you?"
"What are you getting at, Toph?" Katara paused in doing her hair in a traditional Fire Nation topknot, and turned to stare at the earthbender, eyebrow raised and hands on her hips.
"Nothing, Sugar Queen, nothing at all," Toph replied innocently, hands raised in surrender. Katara rolled her eyes and turned back to the mirror.
"It's not like I don't want to go. It'll be great to meet the Fire Lord's mother, and revisit with Iroh and everyone."
"And Zuko."
Katara hesitated. "…yes, and Zuko."
Toph smirked. "Ohoho—having second thoughts, Sugar Queen?"
"What are you talking about? I can't wait to go!" Katara huffed, pretending to smooth down her hair to hide her flush. Besides…it's not like I can turn down an invitation from the former Fire Lady…
After approving her appearance—traditional hair, red top and skirt (much like the clothes she wore back when the war was still going on), and sandals—she grabbed her invitation and started for the door.
"How do I look—ugh. Never mind." With that, Katara left, closing the door none too gently behind her.
Toph's smirk grew even bigger.
"Have fun, Katara."
"So how do you like the Fire Nation, Katara?" Ursa asked, sipping her tea. So far, she liked the waterbender—at least, if her fashion sense was any indication. So much more colorful than that other girl...Mai, I think her name is.
"It's very…hot…" At Ursa's chuckle, Katara blushed and hurried her words. "But that's not a bad thing! I mean, it's certainly different down in the South Pole…it's a lot colder…and whiter…and there's snow and ice which is very different from here but the Fire Nation is still wonderful! It's so colorful and bright and…" When she finally realized she was rambling, the waterbender grew even more flustered. With a small cough, she took a sip of her tea, cursing her stupidity.
Ursa's smile grew. "I see. What's your favorite thing about the Fire Nation?"
Katara contemplated the question. In truth, she loved the turtle ducks the most, their curiosity and trusting natures. However, that hardly seemed like a suitable answer for the Former Fire Lady, so she scrambled for something else.
"I…like the beaches. The sand is always warm and the water is, surprisingly, cool." It wasn't a lie, she did enjoy the beaches, especially since there were none in the South Pole.
The former Fire Lady nodded, but she wasn't stupid; she knew the young bender was withholding something.
At that moment, Iroh chose to walk in.
"No one told me we were having tea! Or that a lovely lady was visiting," he said while waggling his eyebrows. Katara giggled and Ursa moved to make room for her brother-in-law on the red couch.
"Zuko is up to his crown in paperwork, and he says he's sorry, but he won't be joining us for tea today. Ah! Jasmine! My favorite!" Iroh eagerly moved to pour himself some tea.
"Oh…that's too bad," Katara said while working to hide her disappointment and relief, unaware she was being watched closely.
Ursa decided to move the conversation elsewhere. "Don't you like the turtle ducks, though? I myself love feeding them…I know Zuko does too."
Katara's eyes lit up. "Oh yes! The turtle ducks are so cute! I once saw a mama duck and her chicks and they were so adorable!" She paused, and her eyebrows knitted together in thought. I wonder…oh what the heck.
"I hope it's not too much of me to ask, but…may I feed the turtle ducks? I've heard that there's a pond in a courtyard in the palace where turtle ducks like to nest…" Katara held her breath, heart pounding.
Ursa could barely contain her grin, noticing the girl didn't reveal her 'sources.' "Of course you can! I'll show you there myself!" With that, the former Fire Lady called some servants to clean the tea up and to bring some bread. When the bread had been brought, Ursa led Katara out of the room.
"Iroh? Would you care to join us?" Ursa called over her shoulder.
"Ah, I'd love to but I'm afraid I promised to help Zuko with some of that paperwork," Iroh sighed. "In fact I'd better go now, or Zuko will be angry." With a wink, Iroh took his cup of tea and left.
The woman guided the girl through some hallways.
"I hope you don't mind if we make a little side trip first," Ursa said, and before Katara could say anything, steered her into what seemed to be a…dressing room?
Ursa snapped her fingers and in an instant, servants seemed to materialize from the walls.
"Um…what are—hey!" Katara jumped as two woman reached for her clothes.
"Stop! What the—"
"I apologize for the abruptness, Katara dear, but we just want to know your measurements. It'll all be over soon, and I promise we'll go feed the turtle ducks."
Uh…what? My measurements? What the heck?
Poor Katara was thoroughly confused, but was too polite to say anything. Still, she couldn't help grumbling as she was stripped down to her undergarments and measuring tapes were held up to her body.
As the numbers were recited to the former Fire Lady, her grin grew larger.
"Hmm…yes, yes…perfect…gown…fit…wonderful!" the lady murmured, and Katara's confusion grew. After a few more minutes, the servants finished and helped the waterbender dress. Eyeing Zuko's mother warily, Katara smoothed down her clothes.
"Ready to go feed the animals now?" Ursa asked. Katara nodded and hesitated only slightly when the former Fire Lady took her arm. They walked the rest of the way in near silence, with Ursa humming softly.
"That's a beautiful song. What's it called?" Katara asked.
"I'm glad you like it! It doesn't have a name, but it is a traditional song played at weddings. Do the Water Tribes have any traditional wedding music?"
And so it continued, the two females exchanging traditions from both nations.
"Here we are! The pond is right over there. I have some things to tend to, but if you need anything, feel free to notify the servants outside." Ursa handed the bread over and left, giggling gleefully as she left.
Uh…that wasn't…weird at all…
Turning her attention to the turtle ducks in the pond, Katara crouched by the edge and threw in chunks of bread, cooing softly. She laughed quietly when two baby ducklings fought playfully over a particularly large chunk and were only pulled apart by their mother. She was so absorbed that she didn't notice that she wasn't alone.
"Can I join you?"
Katara jumped up and nearly fell in, but managed to steady herself.
"Z-Zuko! I wasn't expecting you here…" Oh crap… "I thought you were busy."
"Hello to you too, Katara. Thanks for the warm welcome!" Zuko smirked as Katara rolled her eyes. "Anyway, my uncle offered to finish up the rest. Something about how I shouldn't keep beautiful women waiting. Though I don't see anyone with that description here."
"Me? Waiting for you? Don't make me laugh," Katara teased, and Zuko couldn't keep a smile from spreading across his face.
"So…can I feed the turtle ducks too or not?"
After mild waterwhip in the face, a chunk of bread was offered.
"Ah…young love," Iroh sighed happily, sipping more of his jasmine tea. "So, what do you think?"
"She's wonderful! I got her measurements, and she'll fit PERFECTLY into my old wedding gown! She also likes traditional wedding music! I listened to some of the Water Tribe's wedding songs, and I was thinking we could do a mix of both, maybe we could invite her brother—she told me he was a skilled drum player," Ursa rattled on gleefully.
"The final verdict?"
"I approve."
ZOMG! URSA APPROVES! XD The question is…do YOU, esteemed reader? (I know I'm probably copying that esteemed reader bit from some author…ah well) Ursa just seemed like the biggest Zutara shipper, along with Iroh, in the Avatar universe. I hope I got Katara's feelings (or what I want Katara's feelings to be) about Zuko across-a bit insecure, unsure of what she feels. Mai and Aang are just out of the picture here :D .
So I know there isn't much Zutara interaction, but the "Family" bit I hope I got. Review please!
