Zuko,
I don't know what you wrote to Sokka but he giggled a lot at it. He's been in a pretty bad mood ever since he learned that Princess Yue was engaged, so thanks for that. They left a few days ago and he's been getting better.
And thanks so much for the necklace! I love it so much and I put it under my Mom's, the blue fits. It's a little funny that you made me a necklace because that's the betrothal tradition down here so everyone is teasing me more. I don't care, though, it's one of the best things I own. It reminds me of you.
And your birthday is coming up soon too, you sixteen-year-old :). I don't think that you want jewelry so I sewed you a top — it's in silk like you wear in the Fire Nation, but it's blue, so hopefully it reminds you of me. The stitching isn't perfect but you have everything you could ever want, so I couldn't come up with anything else. You'll probably still be in the Earth Kingdom on your birthday, be sure to celebrate!
And in terms of getting out — it sounds so fun, to go out in the world and do whatever you want! All I have is the tribe, and I know literally everyone here. I'd get attention wherever I go in the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom because I'm so clearly Water Tribe, but at least people wouldn't have seen me as a naked baby. Because everyone here has seen me as a naked baby. Privacy doesn't exist. I like the culture, of course, but I want to know more about the outside world than stories.
Sometimes I think it would be fun to just run away, maybe to the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se, as you said, and just wear a lot of makeup and pretend to be someone else. I guess playing pretend isn't extraordinarily healthy but it would be fun. I could pretend I was a random Earth Kingdom girl, go on a regular date, eat at a regular place.
You're a really good guy, Zuko, you know that? Not many people would do that for other people, or acknowledge their privilege — I have it too, you know, being the daughter of a chief. Everyone always wants to impress me, and I've never starved. It should be a mission that we take on in life, to look at the world and realize that happiness is what matters.
Tell me how Omashu and Gaoling and Kyoshi Island go! I want to know about the warriors, they're all my age, aren't they? That's so cool!
— Katara
A/N: Steambabies ahead, by almost unanimous vote. I've decided my next arc for this and I'm so excited.