Katara looked up from the dinner she was cooking to see her brother cleaning some animal skins and her father bringing in another catch. She remembered a less stressful time in her life, one that was not filled with constant work.
Her father was chief of the tribe, but that didn't mean their family was above the other members. Her father was the best trappers/hunter, but they had lost all their wealth and most of their tribe in a freak boating accident. It took her mother from her. The rumors were that Pirates had pillaged and left no survivors.
Her father blamed himself about his lite wife's fate. If his arm wasn't broken at the time then he would have been there on the boat instead of her. Then their children would have known their mother.
Katara sighed and returned to her work. She and her family had to work hard to make ends meet now days, ever her grandmother. Although, Gran Gran took up the jobs that let her stay inside, like mending clothes. Dad even had to make three trips a season now, one to each nation. The feat was impossible, but somehow he managed to do it.
He was actually going to set out on one tomorrow. It was late autumn and Dad was sailing to the Fire Nation to trade furs and meat for supplies to make it through the winter months.
That next morning she stood at the dock with Sokka, wishing their father farewell. "I'm going to miss you guys." Dad hugged them tightly, "Sokka, you take care of you sister and grand mother." Katara buried her face in her father's parka not wanting him to leave.
"Always." Came Sokka's resolute reply.
"Feed your brother, Katara. He's still a growing man." Dad addressed her. She only nodded her head, hugging him tighter.
Sokka and Katara stood watching as their Dad's ship sail away until it was a tiny dot against the horizon. Sokka sighed and led Katara back to their hut.
Since the accident Gran Gran had sort of shut down. She had become a hallow shell of her former self and stayed on a pile of furs next to the hearth.
"Kya." Gran Gran called Katara over. Katara placed another fur on her grandmother's lap and started their supper. Oh, and Gran Gran didn't seem to remember Katara at all. Only Kya, Katara's mother.
Hakoda was walking back to his ship from a good day of business at the market. He sold everything except the clothes off his back. He was going to restock his supplies tomorrow for the trip home along with the items that they would need that winter.
Roused from his thought, Hakoda looked up to read the road signs and didn't recognize any of them.
Where am I? He wondered.
"Hey you!" Came a voice from somewhere to his right. There was a group of four thugs and they were looking for trouble.
Selling his boomerang and club and knife was a horrible idea Hakoda realized. Regardless of the price he got for them. He could see the poor creatures were starved and crazed with the thought of an easy mugging.
He was smarter than to stay there for another second to see what they would do. So, he ran.
If he could get enough space between them then he might be able to find help. A glance over his shoulder told him that the Lady Luck was not on his side, the thugs were right on his heals.
There was a gate up ahead. Hakoda was able to gain just enough distance so he could climb over the gate before they pounced. He didn't stop running until he reached the front door; he turned to look back at the criminals as they sneered and taunted him for running before they finally gave up and slinked back into the labyrinth of houses.
The door behind him opened. Strange. Should I enter?
"Please, come in." A lovely voice called.
Unsure, Hakoda entered slowly, cautiously. It was surprisingly warm inside and the place looked well maintained despite the vines that he had briefly seen outside. The door closed slowly behind him revealing a beautiful young woman. She was dressed in finery, elegant enough for a princess. Her long black locks fell well past her waist giving her a sense of feminine elegance and power.
"Hello, handsome." She said.
Hakoda shuffled backwards a coupe steps, "Uh, hi."
"My brother allowed you to enter into his palace for a reason. He sent me to escort you to the evening meal." She gently brushed passed him and down the hall, when she noticed that he was not following she glanced over her shoulder slyly, "Are you coming?"
"Um… Thank you mam', but can you tell me where I am? I lost my way in the dark."
"You are presently in the Fire Nation capital, dear sir."
Hakoda already knew he was in the capital, but where in the capital, "Is the harbor far from here? I have to get home as soon as possible."
"As you wish, but I formally extend to you an invitation if you wish to stay the night. The dock is about an hours walk from here. I do not advice traveling at the moment, it becomes quite dangerous after the light has faded."
They had reached the dining room where there were two other people waiting for the lady, Hakoda presumed.
The young woman took her place by the young man sitting at the head of the table, whose torso was shielded by the shadows. "Please, sit." Said the raspy voice of the young man. It sounded barely used, yet held the note of authority and power.
Hakoda sat opposite the young man, the chair closest to himself, "Thank you, sir, for inviting me in."
"There is no need to thank me. It is my pleasure to help the weary traveler, I have been one myself many a time." He replied. He gestured to the young woman, "I see you have already met my sister."
"Yes, sir." There was a lapse in conversation while dinner was served by four small women. Hakoda took his time to look around the room. There was an aging man sitting to the left of his host. The entire place was decorated elaborately, showing the wealth of the people who owned it. The plate that was set in front of him was gold with the most expense looking meal that he had ever seen. There was fresh grilled fish topped with squid next to that was a side of fresh vegetables and rice. The following dish was a small bowl of soup. A pair of chopsticks and a soupspoon was placed next to his plate. Hakoda all but gaped at the luxury that was being laid out in front of him.
The host picked up his pair of chopsticks and took a bite signaling that it was okay for his company to eat as well. The food was better than anything he had ever eaten before, outside of the tribe that is.
Dinner was quiet, not at word was uttered during the entire meal. It was so different from the meals that they had at home. Little did Hakoda know, the host had not taken his eyes off of his guest during the entire meal.
The dinner ended with a golden cup filled with sake, apparently these people only partook the greatest of finery. The host cleared his throat, "Sir, would you mind telling us your name please?"
"Sorry. My name is Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe, sir."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe." The aging man greeted.
"And you too, Sir…" Hakoda prompted them for their names as well.
"Do you not know who we are?" The host seemed puzzled.
"No sir, I don't. I'm Sorry."
The young woman lazily sipped on her glass of sake, "My dearest brother is the one and only Fire Lord."
Holy shit I dined with royalty…. "Fire Lord? Oh, Fire Lord Zuko. Please, forgive me." Hakoda quickly dropped his eyes to his plate, reviewing all that he knew about dealing with the nobles at markets. Begging and groveling were highly accepted, he hated doing it—and wouldn't if given the choice—but if he didn't get out of here alive then his family wouldn't survive the winter.
"Please, do not grovel. I get enough of that from my servants. How you were is perfectly fine, quite refreshing actually." Fire Lord Zuko's raspy voice cut through his thoughts, it held a touch of mirth. When Hakoda looked up the Fire Lord gestured to his sister and the aging man respectively, "This is Princess Azula and our Uncle, Prince Iroh."
"It's an honor."
There was a silent exchange from the "royal" side of the table then Princess Azula stood and walked toward Hakoda.
"It was nice to meet you, Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe. Have a safe journey home and rest well." Fire Lord Zuko dismissed him.
Princess Azula brushed her hand across Hakoda's shoulders, causing him to shiver in aversion, as she walked toward the door where she waited for him to follow. Hakoda gave another heartfelt 'thank you' and 'good night' before he stood and followed Princess Azula.
They walked in silence to wherever she was taking him. What is it with these people and talking? It's not like it's going to kill them.
Princess Azula halted in front of a seemingly random door and opened it for him, "Here is the quarters in which you may stay the night. Please, feel free to inconvenience me at anytime during the night. I am happy to help with anything that you might desire." She let her hand gently brush his as she passed him. She glanced over her shoulder giving him another once over, "By the way, nice parka."
"I wasn't planning on staying the night." He mumbled and shook his head in confusion, what was with that girl? He went into his room for the night and upon second though locked the door.
The next morning Hakoda woke to the sound of a large bell ringing. Not a second later, there was a knock on his door and the jolly voice of Prince Iroh, "Sir Hakoda, I am here to escort you to breakfast whenever you are ready."
No sooner had Prince Iroh finished his sentience than Hakoda opened the door, "I'll be one minute." He left the door open and quickly tied his hair back. Prince Iroh patiently stood in the doorway chatting about the beautiful morning and sunrise.
At least one of the Royals can talk normally, Hakoda thought wryly.
They entered the same dining hall as last night except that a small bowl of fruit was in the middle of the table. The room was bright and cheery in the morning light. The gold decorations gleamed against their black and gold backgrounds.
Princess Azula was there already and was sipping on a glass of… something. She greeted them with a nod as they sat down. When they had servants brought out bowls of fruit and rice for the three of them.
Hakoda noticed that both of the royals were eating already. Fire Lord Zuko must not be joining them for breakfast then.
Once the dishes were cleared Princess Azula spoke, "The Fire Lord wishes to provide you with an ostrich-horse for your journey along with a small coin purse."
"No, please I—I don't take charity. You've done enough already. Thank you." Protested Hakoda shaking his head.
She sighed and shook her head annoyed, "I'm afraid to Fire Lord insists. He is a very generous man at heart."
Hakoda tried to protest, but she would hear none of it. Instead she led him and Prince Iroh to the stables where she presented him with the money purse.
Hakoda against his better judgment (and after much persuading/threats) accepted the gift, but when the weight of the purse lay in his hands he was shocked at how heavy it was. He turned to Prince Iroh trying to say that he could not possibly accept a such a grand gift, but Princess Azula cut him off yet again with a dark glare.
Prince Iroh brought him an ostrich-horse and handed him the reigns with a large smile. Giving him directions to the harbor.
With one last thank you, Hakoda rode off into the bright morning feeling hopeful and praying to Twi and La for a swift journey home to his family. On his way out, just before the giant gate, he saw a rose bush. The color of these roses were what actually caught Hakoda's attention, they were a pale blue. Like the sky after a snow story. He suddenly wanted to bring one home for Katara.
He reached down and plucked one of the tender blossoms from its branch then lifted it to his nose to smell its sweet perfume.
There was a thunderous roar and fire from the direction of the palace. Hakoda was thrown from his mount after the fire had scared it half to death. Suddenly, a hideously scared man was rushing toward him shouting, "I invite you into my home, feed you, give you a safe place to rest your head and this is how you repay me? Stealing?! Give me one reason why I should let you live?" …It was the Fire Lord, Hakoda was able to recognize him by voice.
"Sir, please. I have a family! I didn't mean any harm!" He pleaded as he noticed guards appearing watching the scene as it played itself out and help in necessary.
"Always the same excuse, a family and children. Why did you even pick the rose in the first place?" The Fire Lord growled.
"For my daughter, she hasn't seen flowers before." Hakoda kneeled in front of the infuriated man.
The Fire Lord relaxed slightly, "Your daughter?"
"Yes, sir."
"And you need to return home to support your family?" He asked somewhat more gentle. Hakoda nodded slowly not sure where this was going, "Guards, throw him in a cell."
"Please, you cannot do this! They depend on me. There must be another way. It was just a flower! Please, take it back. If this is its price I don't want it!"
Fire Lord Zuko snarled in disgust, "It is too late to give it back, the rose is already picked. Already dying. Get him out of my sight."
Zuko stood looking out his window staring the rose bush gate. He knew that Uncle had witnessed the whole fiasco and Zuko was not proud of what he had done. But why did he have to touch Mother's rose bush? The only thing that held a special meaning to Zuko and the moron had to pick that one. Why?
Uncle was silent, but all Zuko could hear was screaming disappointment.
Posted 7/30/14