The New World: Chapter 1

Welcome to the sequel of Tarlaka!

And let the story begin . . .

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"They were staring at us like we were animals," Sokka sneered. The image of people dressed in red flooded into his mind. He was getting off of a metal ship and everyone had stopped what they were doing to stare at him.

"We are new to them, Sokka," he ignored his sister. How did she not get it? These civilized people disgusted him but she seemed fascinated with them. The way they talked, the way the dressed, the way they held themselves—it was crude and proud. They had absolutely no dignity.

"Brother," his sister spoke again. She put her hand over his. Sokka looked up at her. The room was dark so he could only see her silhouette. They were both sitting cross-legged on his bed. He and his sister had spent almost every minute together for the past few days that they had been in the new world. He didn't know what he would do if he didn't have her here with him now.

"Perhaps we should try to embrace their culture more than be so completely opposed to it?" she suggested. Her voice was smooth and soft. Sokka shook his head. He briefly imagined his modest, sweet sister wearing one of those dresses that the women wore here. It nearly made him sick to his stomach.

"Can you really imagine me wearing something like Zuko?" Sokka asked lightly. His sister laughed. It sounded like soft bells.

"It's very late. You need to sleep," She leaned forward and kissed her brother on the cheek and then slid off the bed. "Good night, Sokka," she said while opening the door.

"Are you sure you'll be able to find your way back?" He asked. The palace halls always confused him.

"Yes, I'm sure," she said with a smile and left the room.

Katara shut the door quietly behind her and walked down the corridor slowly. The pillars were always intimidating at night. However, she reminded herself that she grew up in a far more dangerous place. Katara felt a breeze drafting in from somewhere and she smiled a bit. The air here was so different from the air back in Tarlaka. It was lighter somehow, crisper, but soft. She liked it.

She continued down the corridor to her own room. It was on the south side of the palace, further away from Sokka's than she would have liked. However, her good friend, Zuko, had chosen it for her because it was one of the few rooms that faced the ocean.

When Katara finally reached her room, she opened the door and stepped in. She always took a moment to take in the beauty of her bedroom. It was three times the size that her home had been on her island. There were white velvet couches set up as a sitting area with a middle table in the middle. A ways back from that, on a raised platform, was her bed. It was the most comfortable thing she had ever laid upon. The blankets were white with intricate red patterns embroidered into them. Beautiful paintings hung on the walls and hand crafted knick-knacks sat around in perfect places. The colors of the room were light and fresh.

The wardrobe was made from the same wood as her bedframe and the table between the couches. An archway led to the private bath on the left and a glass door on the right opened to the balcony. Katara walked over to the glass doors and opened them as wide as they would go. She breathed in the air and looked down at the city.

The streets were busy with moving lights but she could hardly make out the people. Luxurious houses dotted the hills with yellow lights shining from their windows. It was beautiful. Katara then looked out at the ocean. The water was black with the exception of a ship here and there. She couldn't hear the sound of the waves but she could smell the saltwater and that was good enough for her.

Reluctantly, Katara stepped back into her room, although she kept the doors open. She changed out of her day clothing and into a simple, silk, white nightgown. Katara undid her braid and combed through her hair with her fingers. She walked over to her bed, her bare feet cold against the marble floor, and pulled back the heavy blankets. Katara crawled into her ginormous bed and relaxed. She let her mind slow down and she tried fall asleep. However, she realized after just a few moments, that that would be impossible.

Her mind was buzzing with thought.

Katara knew the things her brother said were true, but, she just couldn't bring herself to hate the people of this odd new world. They were ignorant, she believed, not purposely cruel. She found the way they spoke quite astounding. They had a very complicated language of body and speech.

Also, who could not love the clothing? It was so rich and soft and just so beautiful! Katara loved all of it. This world was the adventure she had been waiting for and now it was finally here. She wasn't going to spoil that by being prejudice or pejorative.

However, she did understand where her brother was coming from. The people seemed to view them as objects instead of fellow human beings. Then again, how had her people treated Azula and Zuko when they were first discovered? Azula was raped by about twenty men and Zuko was beaten and tied to a pole. She and Sokka definitely had no right to judge.

Eventually Katara was able to drift into a dream full sleep. She dreamed of the new colors of the New World.

Azula circled around her friend and searched for any flaw in the red fabric that adorned her body. She had been spending the last few days preparing a new wardrobe for the waterbender. The noted that the red silk looked very glamorous with Katara's chocolate skin, however, she felt it clashed with her eyes. Azula shuddered when she looked into Katara's blue eyes and she pushed a particular image from her mind.

"What do you think of this one?" Katara asked Azula.

Azula had quickly regained her composure and smiled. "I think it really compliments your figure," she replied. "Here, try this one now," Azula picked up and more formal gown and tossed it to her. Katara tossed the dress over the back of an ornate chair and began to pull the one she was wearing over her head.

The two girls were in the middle of the royal tailor's paradigm room. The walls were lined with nearly finished gowns, cloaks, casual wear, night clothing, and even jewelry. One wall of the huge room was dedicated to all shades of fabric while another was only for shoes. Display cases held the most elaborate of jewelry. In a nut shell, this room was a girl's heaven.

Katara finally managed to escape the previous dress and now she only wore her underwear. She found the black lace strange and slightly uncomfortable; she preferred her animal skins. Katara retrieved the other dress from the chair and tugged it over her head. She had difficulty with it but felt Azula hands begin to help. Azula slid the dress down Katara's body with a quick motion. The dress was made of a thick black fabric and had a dragon going up the side. It was split to mid-thigh on both legs. It had a high neck line and a tear drop shaped hole that revealed cleavage. Azula smiled and nodded.

"Of course," she said, "You'd have to put your hair up, but this is just wonderful," she appraised.

Katara looked in the mirror and turned from side to side. "It looks scary to me," she commented.

"That means it's perfect," Azula smirked.

"Wow,"

Katara and Azula both jumped at the sound of another voice. They turned to see Ty Lee leaning against the back of one of the couches. She was looking over Katara's current attire. The waterbender blushed and Azula looked prideful, as is she were the cause of Katara's beauty.

"Who would have known animal skins were hiding such beauty," she commented with a genuine smile. She came around to lounge of the couch and picked up a necklace that was sitting on the table nearby. She looked at the emeralds and then set it down once more; she preferred amethyst.

"Do you need something, Ty Lee?" Azula asked impatiently. She wanted to get Katara into the next dress.

"Nothing in particular," she shrugged, "I was just a bit lonely." She admitted. TY Lee had spent much time alone since they returned from Tarlaka.

"I bet you could find the warrior in his room," Azula suggested, "Zuko is probably in the library or something," she added with a quick glance at Katara.

Ty Lee nodded thoughtfully though she could tell she was not welcome her for the moment. That was fine; she was used to Azula switching between her and Mai a lot.

"Perhaps I'll go get some fresh air," she said and stood. Azula smiled and wished her a good time. Ty Lee hardly acknowledged it. She walked out of the oversized closet and into the empty corridor. Ty Lee sighed and just started walking in a random direction.

When Ty Lee rounded the corner, two servants were walking the opposite way. They were both carrying linens and giggling about something. Ty Lee paid them no mind until one of them said:

"Oh, he is so handsome isn't he?"

"Who?" the other asked.

"The Tarlakan warrior, of course!" she sighed and said something about a dream she had had about him. The servants continued to walk on and Ty Lee was alone once more. She felt a spark of jealousy shoot through her and her pace quickened. She had noticed before now that any woman who was around her warrior—Sokka—fell for his striking good looks, but it was annoying all the same to hear it.

Ty Lee really wanted to get to know Sokka better and learn who he was as a person whereas very other girl wanted to learn who he was in bed. They didn't care about his personality the way she did. It nearly infuriated her. However, she was also irritated by the fact that she didn't know how to talk to Sokka. She had no idea what he liked or what he didn't. Normally, Ty Lee was a very charismatic person but she just couldn't talk to this one man. He was the only one she cared to talk to, though. Oh, it was so frustrating!

Ty Lee stopped when she saw the very person she was thinking about. He was standing in the garden looking at a patch of flowers. He still wore his brown animal furs. Ty Lee's heart skipped a beat and she continued to the garden.

Sokka stared down at a beautiful flower that he was sure he had never seen before. In his home, in Tarlaka, there was an abundance of all types of flowers all over the island. He knew the name of every single one; however, he had no idea what his one was.

"It's a Fire Lilly," a soft voice said form behind him. Sokka knew the voice and frowned. He turned to see that small girl standing a few feet behind him. Her hands were clasped in front of her and, though she was still, her stance was graceful. Her long brown hair was down and danced in the breeze. She smiled gently.

"It's nice," Sokka simply said because he didn't know what else to say.

"It's very beautiful," Ty Lee said in a way that sounded like she was agreeing. She stepped closer to him and then walked past him. Ty Lee tucked her hair behind her ear as she bent to smell one of the lilies. She smiled and then straightened. Ty Lee turned back to Sokka. "So," she said, "How do you like the Fire Nation?" she asked.

Sokka shrugged and then said again, "It's nice," Ty Lee sighed. This was exactly what she had meant before. She could try all she wanted but she never got a response. Not a decent one anyway.

"You know." She tried, "I really liked Tarlaka. In fact, I think I'd like to go back there some day . . . I've never seen a place so beautiful."

Sokka smiled a bit at this. Her smile widened. "Yes. Tarlaka is the most beautiful of lands. It is my home," he said. Ty Lee thought his accent was adorable. Sokka didn't speak their language as well as his sister but he had already improved greatly.

"Do you miss it?" she asked.

Sokka sighed and looked away from her. He nodded. How could he not miss his home? It was ignorant to question such a thing. Sokka looked back down at the girl. He was always taken aback by her gentle beauty; even her voice was as soft as her face.

Ty Lee looked up at Sokka and gave him a timid smile. She wanted him to open up to her more so she started talking about something all men liked; food.

"How do you like it?" She asked him, "The food of the Fire Nation?" Ty Lee slipped her arm through his and started pull him into a walk.

Sokka let the girl pull him along. "The foot is hot," he answered simply.

"Hot?" Ty Lee questioned. "Well, you certainly wouldn't want to eat it cold," she stated.

Sokka shook his head, "No," he said, "Not that kind of hot. I mean, it stings my mouth," he said with his accent thicker than ever.

"Ah, you mean it is 'spicy'," she said with a smile.

"Maybe that is the word. I do not know," Sokka shrugged.

Ty Lee smiled, "Yes, I think it is,"

They continued to walk through the garden for quite some time. They discussed many things, well; Ty Lee talked about many things while Sokka listened. She told him about the gossip that was running through the court and new betrothals and old divorces. She talked about festivals and parties. Much of it made Sokka feel sick to his stomach. Did woman really do such things in this world? Attend parties where they consumed far too much alcohol and did things they should be very ashamed of? Yes, yes they did.

In the distance, they two young adults could see Zuko and Katara sitting on a marble by the turtle duck pond. Katara was bent over laughing and Zuko was smiling at her. Sokka wasn't sure how he felt about this firebender. Sure he had helped his people during the war but he was talking to his sister. Sokka didn't like the way he looked at her, either. In fact, he thought about going to butt into the conversation but Ty Lee pulled him in a different direction.

Katara held her sides against the pain that laughing had brought on. Zuko had just finished telling her something that she found completely ridiculous and couldn't help herself. Besides, everyone needed a good laugh now and then. Zuko smiled down at the girl and laughed a bit himself.

Once she was finally had control of herself, she looked up at Zuko. The sun light reflected off her blue eyes and he was stunned for a moment.

"You can't be serious," she said with a smile.

Zuko smiled even wider. "I swear it's a true story."

Katara shook her head and then tore a piece of bread from the loaf in her hand. She tossed it into the murky water and a trailing of turtle ducking came racing for it. She watched as they devoured the little piece of soggy bread. Katara tore off another piece and tossed it in. Zuko watched her as she did this. The sun glistened off her caramel hair and her chocolate skin looked soft and delicate. However, Zuko new she was anything but delicate; he had seen her in action. Katara was a lethal waterbender.

Zuko noted that the red fabric she wore made her skin look warmer. Katara wore a very modest dress; the neckline was shallow, the skirt continued a bit past her knees, and the fabric had a very simple fabric. He doubted this one was picked out by Azula.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Katara asked.

Zuko refocused and realized he had been staring at her. "I was noticing how lovely red looks on you," he said honestly. Katara blinked and then blushed. Mockingly, she punched Zuko in the shoulder lightly, as if she were 'one of the guys'. Zuko laughed and put his arm around her waist. Katara leaned into him.

Zuko loved spending time with her. During their time in Tarlaka, Zuko had come to trust Katara completely and there were only a few people that he had ever trusted in his life; his uncle Iroh, Mai, and his mother . . . although, sometimes, he wasn't sure about Mai.

Unfortunately, he had been so busy lately, that Katara had been left at the hand of his sister. However, Azula seemed to truly love the girl like a sister. Which was odd. Azula didn't even love him as a brother and he was her brother. Oh well.

"So," Katara said but didn't continue.

"So?" Zuko asked.

Katara began swinging her feet over the water of the pond. However, she stopped when it frightened the ducklings.

"When are you going to show me the city?" She asked. She had only seen about five minutes of it before she was shoved into a closed litter and brought to the palace.

Zuko smiled. "How about tomorrow? I could take you, and Sokka if he would like, through the best areas of the Imperial City. We would have to be back by the evening, though. We will have guest form Kyoshi tomorrow."

"From where?"

"It's a little settlement close the Earth Kingdom," he said casually.

"Oh. Who is coming?"

Zuko laughed. She was always curious about everything. "You'll see tomorrow. What time would you like to go to the city?"

"As early as possible. What time do you wake?" she asked.

"Katara, I rise with the sun. It is you who has the problem of getting up early."

Katara laughed. "Okay, true,"

"How about one hour after sunrise?" he suggested.

Katara looked up at him with mock horror. Zuko laughed loudly at her expression.

"What do you think of the palace?" he asked all of a sudden.

Katara looked up at the very large building. She pursed her lips and studied it for a moment.

"It's all right," she finally answered. She tucked her head into Zuko's shoulder so that he couldn't see her smile.

"'All right'? Are you serious? It's grandeur!" Zuko exclaimed. How could she think anything less of it? She had come from an uncharted island for goodness sake!

Katara started laughing. "First," she said, "I don't know what 'grandeur' means. Second, of course I'm not serious, Zuko!" She laughed a bit more, "Yes, the palace is amazing."

"Good. I was worried you had lost your brain somewhere," he chuckled.

"Zuko," Katara said seriously.

Zuko frowned slightly at her change of tone. "Yes?"

"What does of 'grandeur' mean?" she asked as though it were some secret.

Zuko relaxed and smiled. "Çok çok büyük," he explained in the little bit of her language that he knew.

The sun was beginning to set but Katara remained snuggled into Zuko's side. They were both perfectly content. She opened her mouth to ask him something when a different voice broke the gentle silence.

"There you are!" Zuko tensed and then straightened at the sound of Mai's voice. Katara slid slightly away from him. She knew they were just friends and that they weren't doing anything behind Mai's back, but the noble girl was not an understanding type.

Mai hadn't seen Katara until she saw the girl straighten. She suddenly felt defensive. Mai didn't trust this woman nor did she like her. She felt Zuko should have left her on her damned island in the middle of the ocean. She came closer and could see the two clearly now in the light of a lantern that was nearby.

"Mai," Zuko greeted smoothly. He smiled up at his girlfriend and stood from the marble bench.

Mai looked at Katara who smiled and then back to Zuko. "I've been looking for you," she said and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Well you found me. I have been speaking with Katara,"

"I can see that," Mai looked at the girl again.

Zuko sighed.

"Come on, I need to talk with you about something," She took ahold of Zuko's pale hand and began pulling him away from Katara. She didn't say a word to the girl.

Katara felt her mouth open with shock at Mai's rude behavior. Maybe, here, that wasn't rude, but she highly doubted that. Zuko turned, though he was still be dragged practically against his will, and cast an apologetic smile to Katara. She nodded and smiled in return. Once they were out of sight, Katara rolled her eyes and stood. She headed back through the grounds into the palace. She had some studying to do anyway; this language wasn't going to learn itself.

Fire Lord Ozai watched the young waterbender walk through the garden alone. She was completely vulnerable right now; as were her people. She'd left them without the protection of waterbending. What a selfish girl. His daughter had told him about the riches of the land. Riches of bother minerals and people alike.

"General Iroh," Fire Lord Ozai said to his brother, "what would you think of making a visit to Tarlaka?"

Iroh didn't reply for a moment to his younger brother. He watched the foreign girl walk as she walked to the palace and then he said:

"I think you shouldn't act rashly,"

Fire Lord Ozai glared at the general. He turned back the view bellow him and watched Katara disappear into the palace.

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-Kayleigh