Yun walked in from her bath to see Katara and Toph watching Zuko and Aang practice firebending. She couldn't help but look at Zuko's abs while toweling her hair. Wondering if she would ever get abs, Yun sat down next to Katara. It was frustrating that no matter what she did, Yun could never get more than a singular vertical line on her torso. Now, with much lazing around and very little training, she had a little pudge again around her hips again. She sighed deeply in disappointment.
"Isn't it weird that we're hiding from the Fire Lord in his own house," Katara commented, looking at the hallway that they were sitting in. Yun admitted that the house was beautiful, even if it belonged to an evil dictator. The woodwork and glassless windows of the hallway leant itself an open and inviting feel.
"I told you," Zuko said, resting from his practice with Aang. "My father hasn't come here since our family was actually happy, and that was a long time ago. It's the last place they'd look for us." Yun remembered what Zuko had told her about his family and his banishment. Her thoughts were interrupted by Sokka and Suki rushing in.
"You guys are not gonna believe this. There's a play about us," Sokka exclaimed, brandishing a poster.
"We were just in town and we found this poster," Suki explained.
"What? How is that possible," Katara asked.
"Listen to this. 'The Boy in the Iceberg is a new production from playwright Puan Tin, who scoured the globe gathering information on the Avatar from the south pole to the heart of Ba Sing Se. His sources include singing nomads, pirates, prisoners of war, and a surprisingly knowledgeable merchant of cabbage,'" Sokka read.
"'Brought to you by the acclaimed Ember Island players,'" Suki finished reading.
"Ugh," Zuko scoffed in disgust, his back slouching. "My mother used to take us to see them. They butchered Love Amongst the Dragons every year."
"Sokka, do you think it's a good idea for us to attend a play about ourselves," Katara asked.
"Come on. A day at the theater? This is the kind of time-wasting nonsense I've been missing," Sokka said.
"I agree with Sokka," Yun said, her hand raised. "Besides, no one is going to think we are so self-absorbed that we're watching a play about ourselves. It's the perfect place to be!"
"Yeah," Sokka exclaimed, pointing at Yun.
The rest of the group sighed. They were going to end up going.
They ended up going.
"Why are we sitting in the nosebleed section? My feet can't see a thing from up here," Toph complained. Katara assured her that she would make sure that Toph knew what was happening. Yun wiggled in her seat excitedly.
"I wonder if I'm going to be in the play," Yun wondered. Sokka ruffled her hair.
"I bet you will be," he said before snuggling up next to Suki. Yun definitely felt like a third wheel on their bench. Then the curtain lifted and Yun focused on what was happening on stage. There were two characters who bore some resemblance to Sokka and Katara. Kind of. They were rowing a boat. Sokka got excited, seeing his character on stage.
"Sokka, my only brother, we constantly roam these icy south pole seas, and yet, never do we find anything fulfilling," Katara's actress said, laying a hand on her head dramatically.
"All I want is a full feeling in my stomach. I'm starving," Sokka's actor said, looking into the crowd for a reaction. He got some from the crowd but not from Katara or Sokka. Their mouths were open in shock and disappointment.
"Is food the only thing on your mind," Katara's actress asked.
"Well, I'm trying to get it out of my mind and into my mouth. I'm starving!"
"This is pathetic," Sokka hissed. "My jokes are way funnier than this." Toph just laughed.
"I think he's got you pegged."
"Every day, the world awaits a beacon to guide us, yet none appears. Still, we cannot give up hope, for hope is all we have, and we must never relinquish it, even to our dying breath," Katara's actress, who Yun decided to call Hopeful Katara, said. She then started sobbing. Yun, Suki, Sokka, and Toph snickered at what was happening on stage.
"Well that's just silly. I don't sound like that," Katara protested, her arms crossed.
"Oh man, this writer's a genius," Toph said, delighted at what she was hearing.
Then a bright light shone on stage, the silhouette of Aang in an iceberg appearing.
"There appears to be a boy frozen in ice, perhaps for one hundred years," Hopeful Katara said. "But who? Who is the boy in the iceberg?"
Hopeful Katara then "waterbended" which included yelling waterbend and a slashing arm movement. Out came Aang's actor. Yun actually snorted. Was Aang's actor a-.
"Who are you frozen boy," Hopeful Katara said, interrupting Yun's thoughts. Aang's actor, now dubbed Female Aang, laughed a high pitched laugh.
"I'm the Avatar, silly, here to spread joy and fun," Female Aang said.
"Wait, is that a woman playing me," Aang asked in disbelief. Yun patted him on the shoulder comfortingly. Then 'Appa' appeared.
"An Airbender," Hopeful Katara said. "My heart is so full of hope, it's making me tearbend." She then proceeded to wail, clutching onto Female Aang's leg.
"My stomach is so hungry, it's making me tearbend," Hungry Sokka said, grabbing onto Female Aang's other leg. "I need meat."
"But look over there. Is that a platter of meaty dumplings," Female Aang asked.
"What? Where," Hungry Sokka asked, looking around. Female Aang laughed and laughed.
"Did I mention? I'm also an incurable prankster."
"I don't do that," Aang protested. "That's not what I'm like. And I'm not a woman." Toph laughed.
"Oh, they nailed you, twinkletoes." Then Zuko appeared. Yun had almost forgotten how he looked with that hairstyle.
"Prince Zuko, You must try this cake," 'General Iroh' said.
"I don't have time to stuff my face. I must capture the Avatar to regain my honor," Dramatic Zuko yelled. Yun was quite impressed with this actor; his acting was spot on.
Yun watched as the play moved through the different adventures they had. When they were on Kiyoshi Island, Suki and Yun looked at each other excitedly across Sokka. It was their time to appear.
"Does this dress make my butt look fat," Hungry Sokka asked Suki's actress. Yun could hear Suki giggling, but she didn't take her eyes off the stage. It was her time. As Female Aang, Hopeful Katara, and Hungry Sokka were planning on leaving Kiyoshi Island, a five year old boy walks on to stage, rubbing his eye. Yun was confused. Had a child gotten loose and wandered onto stage? She looked around for parents.
"Can I join you on your journey," the boy asked. "I gotta find my mommy and dada."
"Who is that," Yun whispered to Sokka and Suki who were grinning at Yun.
"That's you," Suki said, cooing. Yun stood up and pointed at the boy.
"That's not me! That's a five year old boy," she said over the coos and aws of the audience. Everyone in their group was grinning at her. Yun slumped back down in her seat in defeat. Sokka reached towards her cheeks to pinch them, but Yun bit him.
"Ow, you bit me," Sokka cried out. Yun just scowled at him. She watched as they got through Omashu, met Bumi, and battled pirates with the scowl still on her face. Seeing Hopeful Katara carry that kid through the scenes reminded her of how useless she was back then. It was just embarrassing to watch.
She did sit up to watch the scene where Dramatic Zuko captured Female Aang and the Blue Spirit came and saved him (her?). It was interesting watching it, knowing Zuko and the Blue Spirit were indeed the same person. She saw Jet, the Great Divide, and Sokka with Yue. When Female Aang in the Avatar state destroyed the Fire Nation fleet at the North Pole, the curtains closed for intermission. Yun breathed a sigh of relief. The group went to the balcony area of the building. Yun slumped onto a step. That was a lot to process.
"So far this intermission is the best part of the play," Zuko said.
"Apparently, the playwright thinks I'm an idiot who makes bad jokes about meat all the time," Sokka ranted.
"Yeah, you tell bad jokes about plenty of other topics too," Suki teased.
"Ooooo, burn," Yun said.
"At least the Sokka actor kinda looks like you. That woman playing the Avatar doesn't resemble me at all," Aang said.
"I don't know," Toph said. "You are more in touch with your feminine side than most guys." Aang growled in frustration, standing up, when Katara interrupted.
"Relax, Aang. They're not accurate portrayals. It's not like I'm a preachy crybaby who can't resist giving over emotional speeches about hope all the time." No one said a word. Katara looked around, and then said, "What?"
"At least you aren't a five year old," Yun groused, her chin resting on her hands. Zuko snickered, but quickly quieted down when Yun glared at him.
"Listen, folks. The playwright did his research. I know it must hurt, but what you're seeing on that stage is the truth." They all headed into the theatre again, some more reluctantly than others.
Toph was excited. After all, it was her turn to appear. When she finally appeared, it was a giant hulking, muscled man. Everyone laughed. He looked nothing like Toph.
"My name's Toph," Buff Toph said, pointing at himself. "Because it sounds like tough, and that's just what I am." He then flexed. That muscle tone was unbelievable.
"Wait a minute," Toph said. "I sound like a guy. A really buff guy."
"Well, what you hear up there is the truth. It hurts, doesn't it," Katara asked smugly. Toph grinned.
"Are you kidding me? I wouldn't have cast it any other way. At least it's not a flying bald lady or a baby." Aang and Yun both scowled.
"So, you're blind," Female Aang asked, waving her hand in front of Buff Toph's face. He chuckled.
"I can see you doing that," he said. He raised his arms. "I can see everything you see, except I don't see like you do. I release a sonic wave from my mouth." He then proceeded to scream. Yun covered her ears, but she still could hear the scream in deafening volume.
"There, I got a pretty good look at you," he said. Everyone clapped.
Then Yun saw Zuko and General Iroh splitting up, the group facing Azula, Azula drilling into the wall of Ba Sing Se, and Aang and the group with Jet under Lake Laogai. Yun shuddered when she saw the set. It wasn't accurate, but it brought back bad memories she would rather remain hidden.
"Did Jet just die," Yun asked, horrified.
"It wasn't very clear," Sokka commented. Then came the scene.
"I have to admit, Prince Zuko, I really do find you attractive," Hopeful Katara said. Yun winced.
"You don't have to make fun of me," Dramatic Zuko said, pouting.
"But I mean it. I've had eyes for you since the day you first captured me."
"Wait! I thought you were the Avatar's girl," Dramatic Zuko said. Hopeful Katara laughed.
"The Avatar? Why, he's like a little brother to me. I certainly don't think of him in a romantic way. Besides, how could he ever find out about this," she said, hugging Dramatic Zuko. Yun winced, seeing Aang's back stiffen. Yun watched as Aang got up. Sokka hung over the edge of the seat asked for some food, and Yun punched him in the shoulder for being so inconsiderate.
Yun then watched the scene where Zuko betrayed his uncle for his sister. She knew how badly he felt about that, and for it to be shoved in his face again like that had to hurt. She then saw how Azula managed to almost single-handedly take over Ba Sing Se. She was truly terrifying. Female Aang appeared, going into the Avatar state. However, Azula came in and shot lightning at her. It was scary to watch even in an exaggerated adaptation like this. From what she had seen and what Katara had told her, Aang's heart had stopped for a few minutes. They could have lost him. The curtains closed again, signaling second intermission.
"Every time there's a battle, you guys barely make it out alive," Suki commented, smirking. "I mean you guys lose a lot."
"You're one to talk, Suki," Sokka said, meaning towards Suki. "Didn't Azula take you captive?" Suki pouted.
"Are you trying to get on my bad side," Suki pouted.
"I'm just saying," Sokka said, his hands up in surrender. Yun just shook her head. How did Sokka even manage to get a girlfriend as cool as Suki?
"Does anyone know where Aang is," Katara asked, walking in.
"He left to get me fire gummies, like, ten minutes ago, and I'm still waiting," Sokka exclaimed.
"I'm gonna check outside," Katara said.
"Suki, can you get me backstage," Sokka asked excitedly. "I want to give some jokes to the actor me."
"I'm an elite warrior who's trained for many years in the art of stealth," Suki said, an intense expression on her face. She then smiled. "I think I could get you backstage."
"Can you get me backstage too," Yun asked.
"Yeah, let's do it," Suki said, slinging her arm around Yun's shoulder. With some careful maneuvering, Suki, Sokka, and Yun make their way to backstage with no problems. Sokka made his way over to his actor, while Yun looked around for the young child. She spotted him and walked over.
"Who are you," he asked, crossing his arms.
"I just really like your performance," Yun said crouching down.
"Really," he said, his face brightening.
"What's your name," Yun said, trying not to coo over how cute he was.
"Ty," he said. "I'm four."
"You're four," Yun gasped. "That's such a big number!" Ty grinned proudly. Yun was shocked. He wasn't even five yet.
"Where are your mama and papa, Ty," Yun asked.
"I don't have a mama and papa," he said, confused. "The manager is right there though." Yun's heart dropped.
"Oh okay," she said, trying to save the conversation. "Do you like acting?"
"I dunno. Sometimes, I get chocolate after. Oh, I'm going on stage soon," Ty said.
"Can I hug you," Yun asked. "Before you go on stage?"
"Yup, you can even carry me," Ty said, lifting his arms. Yun laughed, lifting him up and spinning him around. His excited giggles warmed her heart.
"Good luck with your show, Ty."
"Thanks Miss. . ."
"Yun."
"Thanks Miss Yun," Ty said before walking to his manager. Yun saw Suki motioning for them to go. The play was about to start. Yun ran towards Suki, but she felt a hand catch her wrist. Panicked, she turned around quickly. Her eyes widened when she saw Dramatic Zuko, but he didn't have his scar on.
"Who are you," he asked suspiciously.
"I'm a fan," Yun said, eyes darting around wildly. What if she was the reason their group got caught?
"You're a fan," Dramatic Zuko repeated slowly. Yun nodded, trying to pry his hand off her wrist.
"Yeah, I really like your acting. Your variation between subtle and exaggerated expression, your dedication to your craft, the likeness to Prince Zuko himself," Yun rambled, not entirely sure what she was saying.
"Wow, you're dedicated. I like that in a girl," Dramatic Zuko said, his voice suddenly becoming smoother. Yun looked at Suki and Sokka, waiting for them to save her. Instead, they were just grinning, amused at what was happening.
"Wait a second," Dramatic Zuko said. Yun was about to sneak away when he returned again. He gave her a rose, and stepped close to her. He grabbed her hands and looked her in the eye.
"Why don't you meet me after the show here," he suggested. Yun nodded, not sure what else to do. He nodded firmly before walking off. She rushed past Suki and Sokka to their seats. Sokka and Suki caught up with her when she was about to sit down. The rest of the gang was already sitting down.
"What's with the flower," Zuko asked. Sokka laughed gleefully.
"You gave it to her," he said.
"What," Zuko asked, confused.
"It's nothing," Yun sighed. "The kid who plays me is super cute though. It was fun to talk to him. Here, you can have the rose." She shoved the rose to Zuko, not wanting to hold onto it anymore. She certainly wasn't going to go meet his dramatic counterpart backstage ever. Zuko hesitantly took the rose, before they all turned to watch the rest of the play. Ty was back in after Lake Laogai, trailing behind the rest of the cast. He was looking a little tired, and Yun hoped that he would get some rest after the show.
The play resumed with the invasion. Then Zuko joined them. That was it, there was no more content left. Sokka stood up.
"I guess that's it. The play's caught up to the present now." Suki pulled him back down.
"Wait. The play's not over."
"But it is over," Sokka said. "Unless, this is the future."
Fire Lord Ozai stepped up. It was the day of Sozin's comet, and he made some epic villain speech on how he was unstoppable. Azula then came in to warn him that Female Aang and their group was in the palace. Yun was interested to see how it would play out from there on out.
Dramatic Zuko and Azula started fighting as Female Aang went after the Fire Lord. Dramatic Zuko then died a fiery death. The whole group looked at the real Zuko while he looked forward in shock. Then Aang faced off the Fire Lord. They fought for a while, they were evenly matched. Then Female Aang got caught in a large fire blast and died slowly, a drawn out "no," straying from her lips. The play ended with Fire Lord Ozai saying, "The world is mine."
Everyone in the audience stood up to cheer but the group just sat in shock at what they had watched. They walked out almost immediately after the play was finished.
"That was awful," Yun said.
"Yup," Aang sighed. There was a chorus of agreements.
"The effects were decent," Sokka said. As they walked more, they were able to process a little more of what happened.
"So no meeting that actor huh," Suki teased lightly, trying to lighten the mood.
"Nope," Yun said. She noticed Zuko look at the rose he was still holding.
"What happened," Aang said, trying to get his mind off the play.
"She got caught by Zuko while escaping backstage, so she started flirting with him, and he flirted back," Sokka said.
"I didn't flirt," Yun said, grabbing the rose from Zuko's hand before throwing it at Sokka. "I was trying to get out of a sticky situation, and I worked with what I had."
"Was he cute," Katara asked. Yun groaned.
"No you too!" She thought Katara would have been on her side.
"So was he or not," Toph asked.
"I don't know! I was too scared to actually look at him," Yun said. She didn't remember exactly what he looked like. "He had a nice voice I guess."
"Was he cuter than our Zuko here," Sokka said, slinging one arm over Zuko's shoulders and squishing his cheeks with his free hand. Yun could tell how hard the group was trying to not talk about the play itself, so she decided to play along.
"Nah, Zuko is a bit cuter, I guess? Like the original is always better, you know," Yun said awkwardly, hoping that was good enough. Thankfully it was, with the whole group erupting into either laughter or chatter. Yun looked at Zuko, hoping he wouldn't have felt too uncomfortable with what she said. She noticed he was smiling slightly. Everyone needed validation once in a while, Yun reasoned. Even princes. Former princes? Same thing.