Challenge
Chapter 4
"Oh and I suppose you've had a slew of fools chasing after you?" Zuko spluttered out, extremely indignant at Katara's comment.
"Well I wouldn't say a slew, but one or two yes." Her voice was getting agitated, "Look, do you want my help or not?" her arms were crossed over her chest, she raised on brow at him.
Zuko glared at her for a moment, "Fine." he let out from between gritted teeth, "teach me."
"Alright," Katara started, "a lot of what you're gonna have to do will be impulse, like I walk up and do this..." she walked close to Zuko and held his head in her hand, "now act on impulse." Zuko closed his eyes and leaned his head into her palm, "good. Mostly that's all you'll have to do- act on impulse. The thing I'm worried about is your perceptiveness. " Katara stepped away, "I can't always be the one to make the first move, you need to be able to perceive my moods and react accordingly."
At this Zuko's eyes bugged out. "You expect me to do what men have be attempting to do for centuries? And, I might add, failing at for centuries?"
"Oh hush all I'm asking for is a bit of attention, if I'm making dinner say it smells nice, offer to help me with chores sometimes, if I look sad come by and give me a hug, that sort of stuff."
Zuko was nodding, then he stopped and put his head in his hand.
"I've just thought of something," he said, "What about Toph, won't she know we're lying?"
Katara was about to answer but then thought harder,
"The only way to get around that is to get very deep into the acting, besides acting isn't the same as lying. I've seen actors and actresses who hate each other then get into the role and for as long as the acting lasts they're in love, but as soon as the scene is over they hate each other again. We just need to get used to each other."
"How do you know so much about acting?" Zuko asked sincerely curious.
"Back in my village, there was always a week or two in the middle of winter, were it was impossible to get out of the igloos. The snow and terrible temperatures would kill you if you went out. There were ice tunnels connecting every igloo to a communal ice room. There we all would gather and have challenges. Some were for best dancers, best singers, best artists, and best actors among other things." Katara's eyes got wistful remembering those happy times, "I remember once, before, my parents were called up onto the stage. They were given the roles of two people having a very intense argument. Well, I was only five years old and my parents were very good actors. Half way through the scene I started crying, thinking they were actually fighting. They both noticed this at the same time and ran off the stage to explain to me, still yelling out the lines but with no longer the same anger in their voices. They won the acting prize that year." there was a small smile on her face but deep sadness in her eyes.
'knock knock knock!'
"Katara?" Sokka's voice rang out loud through the door. Katara's face snapped out of it's trance, "Oh! Sokka don't open the door! What do you want?"
"Well I was... why don't you want me opening the door?" Sokka interrupted himself.
"I'm, uh, changing! Don't come in! I'm not decent at the moment."
"Oh!" the embarrassment in Sokka's voice was evident, "Well I was looking for Zuko," at the mention of his name Zuko's face drained of the little color it usually retained, "I need to, uh, talk to him. Yes I need to talk, to him."
"Well I'm sorry but I haven't seen him. I've been doing girly things like trying on hair styles and clothes all afternoon." she called through the door. She rolled her eyes and started counting on her fingers. She had only gotten two fingers up when an obviously hurried answer rushed from Sokka and footsteps receded down the hall.
"Oh! Okay Katara I'll see you later!" Katara swaggered over to her bed, sat down, crossed her arms over her chest, and smirked, looking very pleased with herself. Zuko watched, completely confused as to why Katara was so smug.
"Ummm... what was that?" he said skeptically.
"That was me saving your butt. Did you want to talk with Sokka?"
"No! But I mean the counting and the smug look on your face."
"Oh that!" Katara giggled a little, "that's my way of getting rid of Sokka. If I mention anything girly, like make-up or clothes, he hightails it out of there. Ever since Kyoshie Island..." Katara giggled harder.
"What? What happened on Kyoshie Island?" Katara recounted Sokka's little adventure into cross-dressing. Zuko bust out laughing.
"And he got a GIRLFRIEND out of that!"
"I know! It's so hysterical." Katara was laughing now, too, "I honestly don't see what Sukki sees in him."
"I think that's a mystery we all ponder, Katara." they shared a smile.
"Alright tomorrow you need to come by my room. We'll have to find a secluded place to practice acting. But at the moment, you need to get out of my room so I can change. I have to keep Sokka believing." Katara pushed Zuko out the door, "Bye Zuzu!"