AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you for reading and please let me know your thoughts :) More feedback= quicker updates. I don't like to aimlessly write, I like to know what you guys think of what's going on. The first chapter to all my stories tend to be short, sorry!
The Fire Nation was so much different than the Water Nation...everything was red and vivid. Simply being there set off a feeling of urgency in me. The palace was decorated with large expanses of shiny black obsidian draped with miles of red fabrics. The overwhelming shades of scarlet and crimson were not something I'd warm up to anytime soon... Blue was definitely a calmer color, so that's what I wore to dance.
Wanting to get away from my lands for a brief period of time I ventured out to see the other Nations starting with the Fire Nation. Against the wishes of my family, I left. Nothing but the clothes on my back and my bag accompanied me on my journey. The silky cobalt fabrics I wore stuck out like a sore thumb among the sea of civilians wearing traditional Fire Nation colors and I found myself missing my home rather soon but adamantly stayed.
I spent the first morning wandering in search of a street band, shrinking under the scrutinizing eyes of those who looked my way. Once afternoon grazed the horizon I situated myself along a spacious road where an older gentleman played a flute and dropped my bag, leaving the flap open. Giving little regard to the old man's confusion, I nodded for him to continue.
I began swaying to the music and danced slowly. Raising my arm above my head I picked up pace as the old man caught on to what I was doing and played more rhythmic tune. Passerbies stopped to watch me, intrigued. My movement was smooth and flowing like water, unlike their street performers who moved like coursing flames.
Immersed in my performance, I hadn't noticed the men standing at the edge of the crowd. Dressed in armor incrested with the royal symbol. Watchers threw coins in my bag, generous amounts. Amongst the rows of red, I was a gem. They watched layers of blue and silver draped along my waist and breasts swing with the graceful momentum I danced with.
The old man's tune soon ended and I bowed respectfully to my audience. Some dropped more money in to bag and a man from the back yelled out to me.
"What is your name?"
Smiling widely for the people, I held my arms out wide.
"I am Katara!"
Hefting a handful of revenue from my earnings, I placed them in the flute player's palm before bidding him goodbye. Smiling toothily he tipped his hat to me and continued playing. After that I spent the next three days performing on the streets, raking in an adequate profit from the crowds that gathered.
Sleeping on the streets wasn't a problem for me, inns would have eaten up my currency so settling in along an empty shop or cart was not an issue. The streets were relatively calm at night, but that didn't last for longer. The third I settled in for rest I had dozed off shortly after sunset and was suddenly awoken by the sharp edge of a blade pressed along my neck.
"Don't move" a voice warned me.
Through the dark I could barely make out the face of a scruffy middle aged man. He looked down at me before tugging me to my feet. He hefted my bag up and held my arm with a vice like grip. Having had enough of his treatment, I snapped at him.
"What are doing here?" I asked him, wincing as he dragged me along.
"I could ask you the same thing, very unusual to see a blue skirt around these 're probably a theif " he told me, refusing to loosen his hold on me. "Let's see what reward the prince will have in store when I turn you in."
Wrenching myself away I kicked him in the chest and caught my bag. Turning on my heel I ran but he caught me by the hair and yanked me back. No water in sight, so I couldn't bend. Dodging his blade I elbowed him to free myself but a strike to my head and everything went black.
Water was splashed on me, jolting me away. The first thing I saw was polished black tile. Unsure of how much time had passed, I sat up alert with a dull ache in my skull.
"Here she is, Prince Zuko. The thief."
Looking up I saw the man who attacked me earlier, he stood by me with the bucket he had used to dump water on me in his hand. Chest puffed out proudly he waited appraisal. Ready to defend myself against the false accusation, I tried standing up but he kicked my feet out from under me and once again I was on the floor.
"Stay where you are!"he ordered me, throwing the empty bucket at me. "Prince Zuko, will all due respect. My reward please."
The man named Prince Zuko sat in his throne, an unimpressed expression glued to features. Casting a skeptical eye to the man who assaulted me, he spoke to him .
"And what proof do you have that this woman is a thief. I hope for your sake that she is a thief otherwise I will very displeased with this intrusion of my personal time."
The man bristled quite quickly and bowed to the prince.
"Sir, I assure you she is a thief. Her satchel is filled with coin and was asleep on the streets. Simply look at her attire, so unfamiliar."
The prince looked aggravated and completely unimpressed. Turning his eyes to me, he squinted. Pointing at me, his voice bellowed low.
"Have you any explanation?" he asked me.
"Sir, I assure you I am no thief. My name is Katara and I come from the Water Nation, I am a traveling dancer. The coins amongst my belongings are tokens of appreciation from those who watched me during the daylight hours." I explained, wincing as my muscles ached from the impact of my fall. "This man attacked me as I slept outside, I am innocent."
"Lies, your highness! I took this felon off your streets, I request reward!"
Having had quite enough the prince scowled.
"Can anyone verify this story?" he asked, nerves wearing thin.
"Your highness-"
"Silence! You see not a penny until this is straightened out"
Zuko seethed at the man, his skin steaming. A cough emerged from the council behind him and he turned to see who it had been. Out stepped a soldier and he bowed quickly before standing back up.
"Your highness, if I may." he stated calmly.
"Continue."
"This young woman speaks the truth, I myself have attended one of her performances during the previous days. She is no thief, residents of your Kingdom willingly bestowed her with payment. " The soldier explained, "She has committed no crime, Ms. Katara is merely a traveling performer. I am afraid that this man is guilty of fraudulance as well as assault on an unarmed woman."
With a snap of his fingers Zuko commanded he be seized. The man yelled and fought vainly to be released but was dragged away by two men. The throne chamber's doors were shut soundly and I stared up at the prince in anticipation.
"So you're the rumored dancer traveling through my Kingdom. Ms. Katara, is it? I apologize for any injury you have sustained from the apprehended con artist. I have heard recounts of your talents." Zuko spoke to me evenly, staring as I remained on the ground. "I would be interested in seeing for myself. Are you able to stand?"
Propping myself up with my arms I steadied myself before standing. Unfortunately both my hip and thigh were sore from being kicked down by that man and I fumbled, nearly falling to the ground again. The thought of being injured terrified me, if I couldn't dance there was no money. The prince watched me cringe in pain and ushered over a soldier to help me.
"I will see to it that a doctor examines you and tends to your injuries. Guard, escort her to a room"
.