She Walks in Beauty
A novel of the nineteenth century
"Multa fernut anni venientes commoda secum, Multa recendentes adimiunt."
Chapter Two:
Affinity
Zuko glared at the man and a fist rose to meet his chin, Zuko ducked and undercut the man in the stomach. He gasped in pain and stumbled backwards. The young Sozin rolled his eyes inwardly, he was fighting a drunkard! He gave the drunk another blow to the jaw and the man fell to the ground.
Zuko hovered over him and whispered darkly, "Don't ever come near her again." Then he spat next to the where the man was trying to stand.
The drunken man nodded and limped away hurriedly. Zuko made his way over to the woman, expecting to see her weeping. He was taken a back when she had already stood up and was wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Zuko's cheeks colored at the sight of her.
Her chocolate brown hair had been let down and was curling and waving down her back. Her blue dress had been torn at one shoulder, showing dark, smooth skin. But the most appalling was how low cut her dress appeared to be without the support of one shoulder. It sank down low enough to give Zuko a glimpse of her white corset.
The woman didn't even notice it, or did not care because she rushed over to him. Surprising and embarrassing Zuko, she threw her arms around him and buried her face in the crook of his neck. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She exclaimed, her voice muffled. Zuko's blush grew fiercer.
The girl spoke again, "Might I ask what my rescuer's name be?" She asked in a commoner's accent.
Zuko bobbed his head and replied, "Yes, 'tis Mr. Zuko Sozin. Might I ask what M'Lady's name be?"
The girl beamed. "M' names Katara Kuruk, Zuko Sozin."
Katara. Katara Kuruk. Her name was melodic and Zuko had to stifle another blush. Why in the world was he getting all hot and bothered? Oh yes, there was a half naked girl embracing him. "Yes, Katara, well I hate to be rude, but I'm expected somewhere, so–"
"Oh! Excuse m' own rudeness, Mr. Sozin," she gave him a curtsy before sliding next to him, "If I might be so bold as to ask where you're going, sir? P'haps we be headin' the same direction!"
Zuko doubted it but nodded dumbly, "Uhm," he stuttered, "I'm going to Jasmine Dragon. It's a tea shop, although I'm not quite sure where it's at."
Katara laughed. "Oi! I used to work there me self! The nice ol' bugger, Iroh Sozin, owns it." Then she gasped. "That woul'nt by chance be your kin wou'it?"
Zuko nodded again, wondering when he lost the ability to speak. "Spirits be damned! It 'tis a small world after all, aye?" Zuko chuckled at her swearing, he had never heard a lady curse before. Stuck in his trance, Zuko didn't reply.
Katara gave it no thought. "Zuko, m'boy. Why's we standin' in thee rain? We's better hurray under cov'ah."
Zuko pointed out of the alley way, "Uh, err–Lady Katara, I've got an umbrella out on the street; I dropped it in my rush."
Katara blushed. "Oh, yah, about that. Jet's a real nice lad an' all, but he's a nasty drunk. Usuall-ay it's not this bad," she gestured to her clothing, "or else I 'as gotten rid o' him months ago."
They strolled arm in hand past different shops, Katara narrating the whole way. Every place she passed she seemed to have a story to go with it. When they neared a deserted vegetable stand, she laughed and told him an amusing story.
"Aye, Zuko! 'Is –ere vegetable stand 'tis owned by a sour ol' man, we's call –im Cabbage Man. 'E's always getting' so work'd up'n 'bouts –is cabbages. The chil'dun like to knock –is stand ovah ever' once 'n a while. I can't say I's blames 'em." Then she laughed and they continued to walk in silence.
Finally they reached a well looking shop that had a green sign scripted with curving letters, "Jasmine Dragon". Zuko sighed in relief for being out of the rain, at last.
They walked up to the door and Zuko held it open for her politely. Katara giggled into her hand and curtsied, "Aye, you's a real gentleman." Zuko blushed and followed in after her, folding the umbrella up and placing it beside the door. The shop was slightly crowded from all the rain, but still seemed cozy and casual. He was going to follow Katara with hope that she might lead him to his Uncle, but she had disappeared into the restaurant.
Sighing, he made his way to the counter and rang the bell that sat in need of assistance. It was barely heard over the bumble of the people. He scowled. Zuko walked over to an empty table with a single chair and sat down angrily. Among the other things he hated, crowds were one of them. He was raised with (mostly) loving parents and was used to being doted on. He didn't like waiting either, he had absolutely no patience.
Taking a look around, Zuko saw the young couple he had seen earlier. He glared at them. Where had they run off to? If they had been going to Jasmine Dragon, he could have followed them instead of getting lost. He decided to pay more attention to travelers next time. The boy in yellow was holding a handful of marbles and blowing on them, smiling and laughing when his date punched him in the arm. What was with this place? Zuko thought. Everyone's manners and proper etiquette had been thrown out the window.
But then again, maybe this was normal life now. Zuko had to admit that after his mother died, he was less social and didn't communicate with other children very well. He had grown up too quickly and too soon, he supposed.
"Zuko Sozin! We' I's a fancy meetin' you's 'ere!" Zuko turned around to see Katara laughing and coming his way.
"Well's, Zuko, ye find yours father yet?" Zuko shook his head and corrected her. "No, no. Iroh is my Uncle. Not my father." Katara smiled and grabbed his arm, starting to drag him behind her. "Katara!" He whispered harshly. She just shushed him back.
She pulled him through a pair of swinging doors and the overwhelming smell of tea overtook him. He crinkled his nose in distaste. He realized that they were in the back where the tea was made and she was taking him to see his Uncle.
"Iroh!" She yelled, hands on her hips. Suddenly, an old man with a big belly and gray whiskers appeared in front of them. The man blinked for a second then realization showed in his eyes. He moved forward to wrap Zuko in a tight embrace. When he pulled back, his eyes were shining. "Zuko, m'boy. It has been a long while, has it not?" Zuko nodded and Iroh smiled.
"I see you have met Lady Katara." He gestured to Katara and she gave a funny looking bob/curtsy before smiling goofily. "She is a wonderful person, it is a shame she work's here no longer."
Katara laughed. "A shame, huh? I's still comin' in here to do work for you, old man." Iroh laughed at her and put his hands on his belly as he did. Zuko smiled awkwardly. He felt as though he were interrupting something.
"Yes, well, Zuko. As you can tell, we are extremely busy today, so we will not have time to talk properly until after we close. You may stay here if you like, or you can leave." Iroh smiled and bobbed his head quickly, and then he left to go attend to a customer.
"You ain't leavin', Zuko. You's helping me run shop today." Katara tossed an apron to Zuko which he caught clumsily. She had already tied hers around her waist and Zuko was aware that she had changed out of her ripped attire in an olive green, short dress that had lace surrounding all of the seams. She smiled as she handed him a tray of tea before shoving him out the door.
Zuko's grinned was wiped off his face as the tea on his tray was knocked over by a tan-skinned customer in blue. He sighed. "Agni."
Today was going to be a long day.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed revised chapter two! leave a review! xD
