Chapter 11 – Nodding The Truth
"Lea! So good to see you again," Katara spoke to her sister-in-law as she came into the dining room, "Has anything big happened since I left?"
"Well, I learned how to do that trick with the firebending…here, I'll show you…!" She stood up.
"No, Lea, that's fine. Show me some other time." Katara had nearly avoided disaster. Lea sat down at her place.
"Oh, ok," She paused to take a bite of her meal, "Oh, yeah, Uncle Iroh's sick."
Zuko, who until now had simply stared at his food, looked up and caught Katara's eye. He gave her a look that he hoped said that there was more to it than that. Katara, who could pick up the subtlest look or change of mood in someone's face, understood. Lea continued to chat about her latest mishap or firebending accident. Katara and Zuko attempted to have an entire conversation of just looks:
It's more than that.
What's really happening?
He's, well…
Yes?
At this point, Zuko just put his down his head and stared at his untouched food.
Katara tried to catch his eye again.
"…and the tapestry just caught on fire and that wasn't the only thing, the vase was burned too…what are you guys doing?"
Zuko and Katara both looked up, and then at Lea. "Nothing," they both said in unison.
"There's definitely something wrong. You can't hide it from me forever. I'm fifteen and I can figure it out."
"Well, if you're going to be so determined, I might as well tell you."
Another look from Katara: Will it upset her?
I know what I'm doing, said Zuko.
"Uncle's not just sick, he's, um," He paused, "He's going to die, Lea."
Katara gasped and Lea's face froze.
"Oh my God. Is there anything we can do?"
"I've already called a physician, and I was hoping you could do something, Katara."
"Oh, of course. Should I go now?"
"No, no. You can finish your meal."
"I've lost my appetite." Katara pushed away her plate.
"Me too." Lea stared into her half-eaten meal.
