A Work of Art
Alright so this is pretty short, it's an intro for the next chapter. Thanks to everyone who's been reading!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything Avatar, but I do own Zhen
Aang and Katara sat peacefully while sipping on jasmine tea in the lobby of the inn. He couldn't stop the goofy grin that made its way onto his face after taking a peek at her, even a simple look was enough to make his stomach flutter. He thought back to the good old days, right after the war when he could kiss her whenever he wanted. As they grew older, Katara insisted they slow down and go back to being just friends; that they had all the time in the world to be romantically involved with one another. As much as it frustrated him, he would wait. He'd wait forever if Katara wanted him to. He sighed and slurped his tea, careful not to burn his tongue.
"Aang did you hear me?"
"Huh?"
Katara chuckled. "I was talking about Sokka's leg."
"What about it?"
"I was just saying that it's looking better…well at the very least he isn't complaining about it anymore. I bet in a couple more weeks we could keep moving on."
Aang offered a smile. "Maybe, this place is actually starting to grow on me."
Katara nodded. "Yeah me too, everyone has been really nice to us. I even got to try something new."
"You did?" he asked.
"Did I not tell you? I visited Zhen and she showed me how to make a coil pot," Katara sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck, "although mine looked hideous compared to Zhen's work."
"Oh yeah, she told me that she'd run into you. I didn't know you spent time together though."
"It was nice, she said she'd come get me after it's fired so I can glaze it. She seems pretty quiet though." Katara said.
"I noticed that too, she was overly polite."
"Same to me, maybe that's just how she was raised. I wonder what happened to her family." She tapped her chin.
"I'm kind of curious; she seems pretty secretive about it. I bet it was serious."
As if the Spirits had known they'd been gossiping, Aang noticed Zhen's figure walking past a window. His throat tightened as guilt settled into the pit of his stomach. He shouldn't have been gossiping and he knew it too.
"Ah that girl." Said a frail voice from behind him.
He looked back and saw two older women seated at a table; they'd also noticed the ceramic artist walk by.
"You know it's a shame what happened to her."
The other woman nodded. "Isn't it? That accident really took a toll; I remember how rambunctious she was when she was a child."
"Now she hardly speaks unless it's necessary."
"Poor kid."
The two women talked about Zhen for a few seconds longer before switching subjects. Aang exchanged a look with his companion before pushing away from the table and heading upstairs to their room. When they arrived, Katara shut the door behind them.
"So there was an accident," she started, "that's so sad."
"It's not really any of our business though, if Zhen wants to tell us then she can. We shouldn't try to pry or anything." Aang stated, wanting to preserve the young woman's privacy.
"What is Zhen gonna tell us?" Sokka asked from his spot on a cushion.
"Nothing in particular." Katara said.
"Well alrighty then, did you get that steamed slug like I asked?'
Aang slapped his forehead. "Sorry Sokka, I forgot I was supposed to do that."
Sokka's stomach took that moment to release a loud grumble and that's how Aang found himself at the market with a basket in tow. He found a vendor that sold the steamed slug Sokka had asked for. While he waited for his purchase, he felt a tug on his pants. He looked down and saw the small girl who he'd given the goldfish to. She grinned, revealing a gap where her two front teeth should be.
"Hi mister Avatar!" she greeted.
"Hello to you little miss." He grinned.
She giggled. "My name isn't miss! It's Nu Wa!"
Aang squatted down and held out his hand. "Nice to meet you Nu Wa."
She eagerly shook his hand. "What are you doing tomorrow night?"
He shrugged. "Not much, is something going on?"
"Opening night of Love Amongst Dragons is tomorrow," Nu Wa began bashfully kicking around some dirt, "I was wondering if you'd come watch it with me."
Her cheeks had become a vibrant shade of red. Aang smiled and placed a hand on her head, ruffling her thin black hair.
"It would be an honor to go with you."
Nu Wa released a loud girlish squeal that made his ears ring. She instructed him to meet her outside the theater thirty minutes before the show was to begin. When she skipped away, a slow clap could be heard. Aang looked over his shoulder and noticed Zhen was producing the clapping. She pulled her wagon and stood beside him.
"You've made that little girls year."
Aang shrugged. "It's nothing, she's a sweet kid."
"Nu Wa has always been energetic, I'm sure everyone will know you're seeing the play with her by sundown."
Aang's steamed slug was finished and he passed along a few silver pieces before walking with Zhen towards the inn.
"Are you going to go see the play?" he asked.
"I don't think so; I've seen it a lot."
"Oh come on, it's going to be fun."
An uncomfortable look settled onto Zhen's features. "I don't know Aang…I'll think about it okay?"
He couldn't help but feel a bit of remorse, he had no intentions of causing her discomfort. It seems he couldn't catch a break when this woman was involved.
"Alright then, well I think you should come with us, it'll be fun," he suggested, "I'd better get going, I don't want this to get cold."
They said their goodbyes and Aang returned to the inn. He handed off the steamed slug to Sokka before plopping down onto a cushion. He informed them of their plans for tomorrow night to which Katara happily agreed.
"Oh that's so exciting; Zuko's always said good things about it." She exclaimed.
"Plus we're going with Aang's new girlfriend." Sokka teased.
Aang rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say Sokka."
"Oh Aang, did you remember those moon peaches I asked for?" Katara asked.
"Darn it!"
Pretty short and sweet. See you guys next time.