Chapter 10: Wrapped in cotton and dressed in silk

"But my lady, you have to sit still!" My 'handmaiden' Mika was pulling at my hair that went down to my waist at that time. It was hellish for her (and for me) to comb it and today she wanted to 'do' it up as well. I'd let her. She seemed excited and I didn't have plans that interfered with a hairdo.

I'd been training all morning with Zuko, and we were both getting better at the 'sparring' part.

But ever since that last time we had trained I'd been careful not to do any confusing tings. Keeping it very pal-buddy-ish. Zuko seemed like it was more than fine with him.

Whatever, I thought.

As Mika dived an ornamented hairpin in my scalp, I winched.

"If you keep squirming I can't do my job my Lady!" She exclaimed and pulled at a lock of hair. I sucked air sharply through my teeth.

Mika and I had been small talking back and forth, but she was mostly talking about palace gossip that included people I didn't know.

However now she said something extremely interesting.

"- And so I heard that they were fighting in the throne room!" She wound a black ribbon around a knot of strands and I twisted to look up at her.

"What? Who was fighting?" I said absently I hadn't been paying much attention.

"The firelord and Lady Mai!" She sighed annoyed. Whether she was annoyed with the hairdo, or me, I couldn't say.

"… Mai?" I felt a twinge of pain.

"MAI!" The twinge became a bazooga blast.

"Yes, I know right? The firelord's girlfriend, well, ex-girlfriend now I suppose, she was so angry that Kuzumi said to Inna that Theo was a very unfortunate-"

"GIRLFRIEND?!" I turned all the way around in my seat and the pin flew out of my hair. "Zuko still has a girlfriend?!" I asked a little too loud.

I had thought that he… Well… I didn't know what I'd thought. Maybe that he was kinda in to me for like the past three years and had realized that Mai was a little… Too sullen? Murky? Grim?

I always found her plain boring, and I would have expected Zuko to feel that way too, now that he knew me! Of course… That was more than a little self-absorbed.

Mika looked startled.

"Well… I think they broke up just now…" She said, still taken aback by my reaction.

Heck, even I was taken aback by my reaction.

I knew I liked him. Maybe, yes okay, I could perhaps be very much in love with him…

But I had never in a million years thought of myself as the jealous type. However it was jealousy that was tugging at my heartstrings.

And worst of all I didn't have the right to be jealous!

I didn't own him or anything! But still, a girlfriend… A girl he'd kissed and done other stuff with when we'd done the hand-holding AND the almost-kissing! Okay… Grey area…

But still what nerve! That's no way to behave if you have a girl on your arm!

My face scrunched together.

"Why did they break up?" I locked eyes with Mika.

"I- I- think it was something about secrets…?" She stuttered.

I sprung to my feet.

"I'm sorry. I have to go. Where is Zuko?"

"In the throne room perhaps?" She pressed up against the wall as I stormed past her.

I was furious and a little hurt at the same time.

I took long strides down the red halls and banged the doors open to the throne room. He wasn't there. I walked out to the garden instead.

Zuko was sitting by the pound and meditating, his yellow eyes immediately snapped open as I dropped down besides him.

I crossed my arm and shot him a glare.

"Can I help you?" He asked a bit irritated at being interrupted.

"I- You-" I went from furious to self-conscious.

You didn't tell me you had a girlfriend that's what's wrong! But I couldn't say that.

I looked away.

"And what happened to your hair?" He smirked.

My hands flew up to the unfinished hairdo and started pulling at the ribbon.

"Goddamn Mika happened to my hair! I tell you I can't stand being in this palace a second longer!" I growled, but the ribbon was stuck and it hurt.

"Do you want me to banish her?" He asked.

"Nooo." I sighed lengthily. "She's fine. I'm just. Not used to being 'royalty'."

"You don't look like royalty. You look like a sky-bison like that. Just a tad shaggier." Zuko let out a short laugh.

"Ha-ha…" I said sarcastically. "I can't even get dressed in the morning without ten people insisting on helping me. It's exhausting. I don't know how you do it!" I sighed and gave up on the ribbon.

Zuko was taller than me.

He gently touched my hair and tried to untie it for me. I stiffened and knitted my brows together.

This was exactly the kind of behavior that would not be okay if you had a girlfriend! You don't touch girl's hair when you're smooching with somebody else! Well if they'd broke up I guess I didn't mind! And of course I didn't mind being helped in this particular situation.

Goddamn - if he could just stop touching me I could analyze things rationally! I thought to myself.

"Just order the servants to leave." Zuko was calm and his voice was almost a murmur as we were sitting so close.

I grumbled as I tried to think about something else than the word 'close'.

"I can't do that. That's rude… Ouch." I cringed.

"… Sorry. Yes you can. Their job is to listen to what you tell them to do. Nothing more."

"I don't see it that way."

"Then you have to live with ten people seeing you... Change." He cleared his throat.

"It's not that good a show." I growled and felt the ribbon loosen. My hair spilled out of it and I tugged it behind my ears. Zuko handed me the black tie.

"Thanks…" I thought about how I could break the ice on that whole Mai thing.

"No problem." He muttered.

We stayed quiet for a moment.

The turtle-ducklings quacked and swam in circles around their mother. The wind was mild and the sun was warm. We were sitting in the shadow of the cherry tree.

"So… I heard you and Mai broke up…" I said. I figured that the straight arrow approach was best after all.

Zuko looked at me with a blink.

"How…" He shifted in his seat.

I shrugged.

"The servants gossip... I didn't even know you had a… Mai, to begin with." I pulled my legs to my chin and looked at the water. Trying to look indifferent.

Flowers floated on the surface.

"She was a friend of my sisters. We grew up together." He sounded hesitant. "We were a couple for a long time but… You could say that we grew apart…" Zuko glanced at me. "She didn't understand what it means to be the firelord - sometimes she wanted me to be someone else. Someone she'd known a long time ago…"

It was odd to talk about Mai. In my head I saw them being close, touching, and it stung more than I would like to admit.

I exhaled.

Did I understand what it was like to be firelord? Did I ask him to be someone else? I considered it. I didn't feel like I wanted him to be the old mean Zuko if that's what he had meant.

"Yeah… You've changed." I mumbled. "But it's for the better. Like Iroh said."

"You think so?" He sounded doubtful.

"Yes. I mean, you're still Zuko. Just a less jerk-ly version." I said and grinned.

He smiled a little, but then dropped it as soon as he understood the insult.

"Hey!" He said.

I laughed and puffed him gently with my shoulder. The breeze played in my hair and a bird tweeted softly in the cherry tree.

"This is nice. Just talking like friends." I sighed.

Without the drama, for once I added in my head.

Zuko sent me a look that I didn't know what meant.

"It is…" He nodded calmly and then added; "you should meet my other friends."

"The avatar?" I asked intrigued. I had wanted to meet Aang properly for a long time - technically I'd already met him on the ship when I was pouring out of a closet.

"Yes. Aang, Toph, Katara and her brother Sokka." He smiled.

"I would love to meet them!" I beamed. "I know that they are really cool peeps. And I want to meet Momo and Appa too. I wonder if I could get a ride. I bet I'll like it better that Toph." I said.

"… It still throws me a little when you know stuff without it making sense." Zuko mumbled and added: "There is the ceremonial solstice in two nights, they'll all be there and I promised I would bring you."

"A ceremonial thing? Ugh… Sounds like more hairdos to me."

"Perhaps… But you don't have to do all that you know." He shrugged. "It's just convention and etiquette – not law or anything. I mean I can't banish you for wearing pants." Zuko said with a smirk. Well, he could, but I didn't feel like pointing that out.

"I can't even wear pants?! That party is going to be so fun…" I sighed and fell up against the cherry tree. Just the thought of being dressed up in tight robes at a warm snooty party with 'important' people was hard to bear.

I rubbed my face.

"It's not so bad." Zuko offered.

"Do you like this kind of thing?" I asked. "Formalities and ceremonies?"

"… No. But it's my duty to attend." He looked drained. "And if my friends are there it really isn't that bad."

We sat quietly for a short time and enjoyed the summer's warmth.

I wanted to make a good impression on the Gaang and that made me a tad nervous. But a little part of me was pleasantly excided about wearing a pretty dress and looking like a real noble Lady for a night. That silly part of me was the same that now glanced over at Zuko, wondering how he would react when he saw me like that.

Iroh had sent a hawk the next day, saying that he couldn't make it to the solstice ceremony because of a tea-emergency. I suspected that he was just as done with formal parties as me.

Mika had prepped me for the big event - even though I hadn't asked for it. She wouldn't stop yapping about which bow to use on which person in what situation.

Very complicated as it turned out.

"And the deepest waist-bow goes, without saying, to the admirals and high priests." She said as she folded robes together and stacked them in my closet. She was picking out my outfit – which I was fine with. But in an obsessive moment Mika had emptied my entire dresser to choose the best ensemble. Pants and layered leggings with short skirts had been discarded, then, anything too bright or too dark! Then anything with a big flower motive, as solstice was more a 'dragon time of year' Mika had said. I was lightly amused by that, the feeling was almost immediately overshadowed by intimidation. This party crowd would be just as obsessive.

"I thought that I should bow deepest to Zuko?" I said ironically and sipped my tea.

"No! You bow sitting down to the firelord when presenting yourself! Like this." She demonstrated. "See? Your forehead has to be a nose's length away from the floor and your hands in a symmetrical triangle above your head." I sipped my tea while she talked.

"… I'm not doing that." I said quite indifferent. She froze mid-motion of getting up.

"But- but- you have to." Mika stammered.

"Why?" I asked in a sigh.

"Because it's etiquette."

"Why?"

"Because that's the way it has always been done."

"Why?" I was being a pest, but she had honestly started it.

"Because! My Lady! You have to do this to show your respect and gratitude to the Fire Nation culture. If you don't do this, shame will be cast on your name! And because you are a close friend of the firelord – his name!" Mika was being hysterical.

I looked out the window and saw the oceans and lush islands of the Fire Nation. It was beautiful. Was I being too stubborn? When was it okay to do something out of character to show an understanding of a culture?

I scowled. It would seem that this was a 'pick your battles' kind of moment.

"Fine. Show me again." I growled and turned back to Mika. She obediently demonstrated and I made a face. It was waaay too humiliating to bow that low – to a friend.

The two nights had passed and it was the afternoon of the summer solstice ceremony.

I had been bathed, scrubbed and plucked pink the entire day. Mika had directed a symphony of handmaidens trying to make me look just right. It would have felt very chauvinistic if I didn't know that the formal prepping for guys was just as thorough and painful. That made the whole thing rather classist instead, which I also had a problem with.

Not easy being a modern idealist in a historical period.

One girl smoothed my long hair with oil, another buffed my fingernails with a kind of glaze, while a third girl rubbed my legs with lotus balm. I didn't complain - and to be honest I was proud of myself for that. I mean, yes it was fun being 'pampered', for like a second, and after that it was just torture! I couldn't move, I couldn't eat I couldn't even breathe as I wanted to because I would inhale clouds of the shimmery powder a fourth girl dusted on my face and body.

I was naked and cold and bored! And when the dressing began I welcomed it like welcoming a good friend.

Because I was wearing a traditional robe I wasn't allowed to wear underthings, I wasn't even allowed to tie my chest in like what I normally did when I trained. So there I was. Naked as the day I was born, while women buzzed about me with oceans of garments -Thigh high white stockings, a white cotton robe, an orange robe, a red robe and finally the silk robe in a darker red. They were all tight may I add. But it didn't stop there apparently. Waist ties and back-drapes were added until I felt completely imprisoned in clothes.

This was in the beginning of summer.

I was swimming in sweat under the layers.

Then face and hair – a tight half-topknot with a golden lily hairpin and dark pink lips –the shade of lipstick was the only thing I was sort of allowed to decide. Mika tried to force me to put dirty-looking powder all over my body as well to make me look tanner 'and more like a real firenation girl' she'd said, but I wasn't having it. I'm all for self-tanner, but one more coat of makeup was just too much. It was all beginning to be too much!

When I finally did cross my breaking point, it wasn't pretty.

"That's enough! Leave me!" I shouted and waved the girls off me with a fire in my hand. "I am done! I don't need any more goo, or gunk or perfume on my skin or sticky stuff in my hair!" I yelled as I kicked a bottle of something on the floor.

"But my lady-" A girl fitting the shoes started to argue.

"LEAVE!" I roared with a flame blasting from my hands, and the girls squealed and scrambled to get to the exit, Mika last, who guided them out by the door. She sighed frustrated before closing it halfway after herself.

For the first time in months I was completely alone in the daytime.

I sank down on a divan and caught a glimpse of myself in the huge mirror. It was hell getting there, but the result was very convincing. I looked like royalty. Gleaming and glowing from every ankle. The dress was too tight to sit in and I lay down on the divan instead.

I looked nice, but in my opinion it hadn't been worth it. Well… That would depend on who noticed I looked nice.

I smacked a hand to my forehead.

"Why am I so pathetic …" I mumbled under my breath.

"You aren't." I heard Zuko and I snapped up. The robe dug in to my ribs. "Not always at least. I heard you're terrorizing the staff?" He leaned against the doorframe to my room with a smile playing in his lips. Zuko was dressed formally too, and the casual standing clashed with it.

"I didn't mean to scare them… I just needed a little space..." I said and felt out of breath.

Damn, being dressed like a highborn woman was painful.

"You almost sat a servant's hair on fire." He wasn't mad about it. I think he thought it was funny, and that it proved his point about asking the servants for alone time once in a while.

I felt bad for the girls though. And embarrassed.

"An exaggeration I would say." I stood and smoothed the silk. As I found his eyes again I blushed. He was studying me.

"… What…?" I touched my hair and my face to feel if it was out of order.

"Nothing. You look like a Lady. It suits you." He said as he turned around.

I was ambivalent about that statement.

"Aang and the others have already arrived. If you wanna meet them?" Zuko looked over his shoulder.

I trotted after him.

The robes were also difficult to walk in and I tripped in the layers of fabric on my way out the door. Zuko grabbed me by the arm as a reflex then lifted his brow in question.

"It may look nice but it's very unpractical!" I huffed.

We walked down the hall, tugging at my dress every few meters, and then I saw him through the window. Out in the courtyard the huge sky-bison made me forget my misery instantly. I lifted my tight skirts and ran towards Appa with a smile widespread across my entire face.

"Kai! Wait!" Zuko ran after me.

"Appaaaa!" I said and hugged the side of the big animal. The bison made a curious sound and the hummed deep in his stomach with content as I patted the soft thick fur.

"Who's the best sky-bison in the world? You are! Yes, you are! You are the best sky-bison in the world!" Appa rumbled happily and flipped over on his back. The ground did a little shake under his six ton back. I scratched him and buried my face in his warm belly.

"That's… What? How? Have you met Appa before?" Zuko said stunned. I looked at him over the shoulder.

"Nah. But he so cute I couldn't help myself." I scratched his belly again and almost crawled on top of the vibrating fluffy mountain.

"Kai get off him." Zuko said in a low voice.

"Mwhy?" I asked muffled by fur.

"Your dress…" Zuko looked away as he spoke and I slid off the sky-bison. I smoothed the robes out.

"Jeez. Don't worry. I wouldn't ruin it." I said - a little offended.

Appa rolled around and licked my hand, well arm, and I let out a laugh.

Zuko was struggling for words and I felt him tugging at the skirts on my lower back.

Appa wiggled his toes in a growl.

"Thanks for backing me up pal." I stroked his big head.

"That wasn't- Arh. Just come on. The others are waiting for us." Zuko pulled me down.

I slid off the animal and into his arms. Effortlessly he put me to the ground.

My skirts were riding up, so I smoothed them again.

I didn't think anyone had noticed it though.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. See you later you beautiful thing!" I waved to Appa. He protested a little but eventually lay down with the tongue sticking out of his mouth. He was so adorable! And I so much more wanted to take a ride on Appa than go to a royal party. What did that say about my priorities.

In the throne room the Gaang were assembled.

They all looked a lot like I remembered from my side of the world, but even more amplified, maybe because people talked so vividly about them. The only one not present was Toph Beifong. She would arrive a little later with her metalbending students. As we walked over to them Zuko and Aang exchanged a friendly look and I felt a little tense.

"Everyone, this is Yokai." Zuko presented me. I waved awkwardly.

"WOAH! WOAH! You are the girl I saw on Kyoshi! GUYS this is the white haired firebending girl that knew my name! SHE REAL! SEE SEE!" Sokka ran to me and grabbed my shoulders to show me to Katara and Aang. Katara dropped her jaws for a second, and Aang blinked.

"You didn't tell us she looked like that, Zuko?" Katara said in a smile when she'd steadied herself. "You really have white hair." She added confounded. Sokka put me down.

"I would call it blond, but yeah." I shrugged in friendly manner.

"Pew, that's a relief. We all thought Sokka had hit his head back on Kyoshi." Aang grinned.

"Don't you remember? We've kinda met before too?" I inquired Aang.

"Have we?"

"I guess… I mean not officially. You helped me out of Zuko's broom closet back in the South Pole. I was stuck because my portal open up a weird place." I laughed.

Aang frowned in sweet concentration.

"Oh yeah, I had almost forgot!" He broke in a bright voice.

"Okay so, hi everybody. Call me Kai. You kai'nt believe how happy I am to meet you all." It would have been funny if they'd known I was joking and didn't think I had a speech impediment.

Zuko wandered over towards me in a smirk. He was thinking the whole thing hilarious.

"Thank the Moon! I'm not crazy!" Sokka exclaimed and spun me around to face him. His eyes grew wider and then he abruptly let me go.

"Heh, no you're not. I was on Kyoshi during your epic fight. I tried to minimize the burning the village." I rolled my shoulders.

"Really. I didn't know." Zuko said in a pondering tone.

"Well. I was avoiding bumping in to you. You would have thrown me off your ship if you'd seen me helping the avatar. Sorry for the bad first impression Sokka and Aang." I made a face.

"I think Zuko is the best at worst first impressions here!" Sokka exclaimed loudly in a smile. The gang let out a laugh and Sokka pulled out his boomerang to explain that even though Zuko kicked him off the ramp, Sokka's boomerang had knocked the helmet right off Zuko's head.

"Since then I've tried to redeem myself." Zuko shrugged, "at least I don't introduce myself with a flame in my hand anymore." He shook his head lightly. I got the vibe that he'd been teased with the boomerang-thing a lot during the time they'd all spend on the road.

"Nice to meet you Kai, I'm Katara." Katara said and dived in for a hug.

She was lovely but had a real admirable aura surrounding her – kindness, wisdom, edge and someone who demanded respect. I felt a little uneasy, because I didn't have that at all.

"And I'm her brother, Sokka: Great warrior and the avatar's personal swords- and boomerang-man!" Sokka said as he wriggled his brows and grinned boyishly.

I smiled. I'd always liked Sokka.

"We've heard so much about you Kai." Katara continued the politeness.

"I hope only good things." I said and glanced at Zuko.

Had he been talking about me? What had he been saying? I fight like a man and dress like a hobo? I felt apprehensive.

"Is it true you can see the future?!" Aang dropped his formal avatar act, and asked in a childlike manner. His eyes were wide with excitement.

I nodded and shrugged. Kind of true.

"Yes we've only heard good things about you, spirit-" Katara said but Sokka cut in.

"Except for the short temper, the stubbornness and flair for the dramatics." Sokka said as he counted on his fingers.

I turned cherry red on the spot. Flair for the dramatics?

"Sokka!" Katara turned to her brother.

"What?!" I exclaimed in mortification.

"I have not said that!" Zuko pushed Sokka away and looked flustered at me.

After that awkward bump, the rest of the conversation flowed loose and nice. We talked about their travels around the world, and I asked about tings that had been nagging me – like for instance, if Aang still kept in touch with the fire nation kids he'd invited to the dance party in the cave. Turned out he did. I also asked about his spirit walks and probed for meditation advice.

Aang returned the interest threefold and asked me all sorts of stuff about the future, the nations, the order of things and restoring harmony in the world.

By the end I was a little tired of having to give half-assed answers.

I simply couldn't answer everything.

I think Katara noticed, and she was kind enough to change the subject.

Then a servant informed us that it was time for the other guests to arrive.

Zuko excused himself and walked off to sit on the throne. Then the gates were opened and people were presenting themselves to the firelord. Guests were called from least to most important. As the ranks got higher the men got older and the women lovelier. I felt too confined in the drapes and my heart began to pound as people started small-talking in between the presentations –mostly discussing politics and exchanging gossip. I was briefed that I was going to be called right before the avatar, which was a great honor, but I was almost positive that I was going to trip or throw up.

Nose length from the floor, symmetrical triangle, polite smile, no teeth, no fumbling around when getting up, don't make a sound.

I didn't know I cared that much until I stood next in line!

It was just fancy humans, not demi-gods, and it was just Zuko sitting up there -not some stranger or even more terrifying, Ozai, on that throne.

I took a deep breath.

"Lady Yokai, spirit guide and keeper of the Crown, of the spirit realm!" The caller said.

My heart jumped out my chest and I walked slowly to the long stretched carpet. I looked at my feet. My cheeks felt red and puffed in concentration.

Don't trip – don't trip!

Then I stood in front of him. I looked up and Zuko was sitting, like a true firelord, on the throne behind the low flames. I'd forgotten everything Mika had said. I grinned at him and did the tiniest of waves. Zuko bowed his head to hide a chuckle. It made me relaxed.

This wasn't a big deal at all.

I kept smiling but I knew it wasn't the end of the world to do this thing.

Then I tugged in my dress, keeled and bowed –like a true Lady.

Dinner was good.

I really liked talking to Sokka. He was blunt, creative and funny. As we sat down he swooped in and sat next to me. I was supposed to sit next to Zuko - as he would have the avatar on his right and his spirit-guide (as Iroh was a no-show) on his left. I didn't mind at all. Sokka was really the nicest guy and he had lightness to his person that I admired.

"A space-sword, really?" I asked, though of cause I knew about the impressive weapon.

"Yeah! It was the greatest of swords!" Sokka paused. "And I didn't even get to say properly goodbye to it."

"Maybe you'll stumble upon it when you're traveling? I mean who knows, maybe the space-sword is trying to find its way back home to you right in this moment." I said as I sipped the sweet nectar wine. It was close to a soft drink, but with a small edge of alcohol. Sokka nodded.

"Do you see it in the future?" He asked.

"Nah. Not really, but who knows!" I laughed. "Besides didn't think you believed in spirit stuff." I said and popped a cherry in my mouth.

"Weird spooky spirit stuff yes, predictions no! If there's no prof, it doesn't exist. And you can't really see the future, past and present? I mean come on! It has to be a hoax right?!" He said waving his fork around. Zuko was sending him an bothered look.

"I guess I can't convince you. How is Suki? And is Ty Lee enjoying being together with the Kyoshi worriers?"

"Well it's all good! I miss Suki, but she is doing so many things right now. Actually I wouldn't have thought mr. fireload would be talking about them." Sokka glanced over at Zuko.

"I didn't." Zuko took a drink of wine.

"… How-? Who-?" Sokka started talking and gaped at me. I smirked.

We ate, talked and drank. I was having the best time with the gang but eventually the party was brought to its feet as the horrid mingling began.

I tried to stay close to the people I actually liked talking to, but they were all quickly pulled in to conversation about their skills.

Katara, being the powerful healer that she was, was consulted about sick relatives and old war injuries. Aang and Zuko were already deep in political consult with lords and emperors. And Sokka had found a crowd that was willing to admire his boomerang.

A pair of elderly folks, that looked almost as dry as the desert itself, approached me and started to inquire about the 'spirit guide' title. As far as I could see, they were trying to figure out how important I really was. As soon as they discovered that I had no power or influence in any direct way, they discarded me as the firelord's good 'friend'.

Though if that had been the case, I would think there would be a little more respect for a future queen. Streams of people passed along with conversation in same manner, which was both humiliating and boring.

I scouted the room for an escape.

Just then Toph arrived with the oddest assembly of teenagers, and they immediately started to hang out at the buffet. I was standing a little out of place in the middle of the room and decided to introduce myself to Toph.

"And one other thing you prissies, if I catch you drinking one drop I'll make sure you sleep in the dungeons tonight!" She corrected her students with a lifted finger. I was about to walk away again. I didn't want to interrupt anything, but Toph turned on her heel.

"Well Well, if this isn't the famous Yokai I've been hearing all about?"

"Ehm. Yes that would be me. Hi." I waved but remembered she was blind. "How did you know?"

"You are the only one with blond hair, remember?" She said in a smile.

"… Yeah but aren't you… I mean can you sense hair color?" I asked stupidly.

"No my students were just talking about you coming over." She lifted a brow and gave me a look like I was retarded for asking that sort of question.

"Oh… Right." I tugged at my robe. The students stared at me -especially one gloomy feller who I think was wearing black eyeliner.

"Now run along kiddies, I'm mean you ogle eyes, the adults are gonna talk." Toph said over her shoulder and grabbed my hand in a firm handshake. It felt like she was about to break my hand and I had to swallow a whine. The students shuffled off.

"So why are you here? And what do you want with Zuko?" Toph asked me in a sharp tone.

"Want?!" I felt blush "actually I don't really want anything… I mean other than to help if I can. I know I can't go back from where I was so…" I said taken by surprise by her forwardness.

"Okay I can feel you aren't lying. Much." She grinned in a smug way.

"I don't know-" I started but Zuko joined the conversation. My face turned even redder.

"Toph it's good to see you." Zuko said.

"Well somebody has to breathe the life in to these boring parties!" She grinned and hit him in the arm. I could only guess at how strong she really was, and if she held back.

"So what are you talking about?" He asked and rubbed his arm.

"Nothing really, we're just talking about what Yokai wants." Toph smirked I held my breath.

"Want? Want with what?" Zuko lifted his brow and looked at me.

"With who is the question-" Toph said and I stepped in front of her and covered her mouth.

"I think I want more wine!" I exclaimed. "That's what I really want!" Toph bit me, and I let go of her. "Ouch!"

"Okay… I don't know what's going on here, but I'll get you a glass Kai." He signaled a waiter with a tray of tall glasses.

"I have to check on my students. See you later you two." Toph winked and walked away. Zuko offered me a glass and took one himself. I sipped my drink and it turned out to be bobbly and sharp in the taste. I was relieved that we were alone but I was still flustered.

"Do you like them?" He questioned and studied my face.

"I do. They are fun and sweet. And a little invading in the sense of privacy." I breathed out a laugh. The music in the background was soft and the strings and horns were beautiful.

"That's a… trait. It grows on you." He smiled and looked down in his glass.

"Mm. I like them a lot." I bit my lip in a smile too.

I wished for a second that Zuko could meet somebody from where I came from, one of my friends! The smile faded. He would never get to hang out with them, and a gloomier afterthought –I probably wasn't either.

"What's wrong?" Zuko put down his drink.

"It's dumb. I was just feeling a little homesick for a second." I shook it off and emptied the drink.

"Do you feel like dancing?" He asked a little uncertain and I look astonished up at him.

"Eh, do you?" I laughed.

"No, never actually. But I thought that because you're a girl you'd like dancing."

"I'm not really the dancing type. I'm more the fighting type. But you are very sweet to ask." I smirked and Zuko breathed out a laugh.

"Sweet? That's a first."

He was just about to say something when a noble man cut in with a question about the time he had defeated the great Ozai, and what governmental stand the current firelord would see himself in. Zuko sighed and glanced at me. I just waved my hand gesturing him to 'just go, it's fine'.

"Excuse me." Zuko said curtly to me and walked off with the gentleman.

I felt left out. But then again, I hadn't saved the world so… I thought to take some fresh air, the warmth and stiffness of my dress was already sucking out my will to live, I didn't need a tedious conversation to help that feeling along.

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