The next morning Zuko as usual woke as the first one due to the sun rising. He shook Aang awake for their morning meditation only for Aang to groan and complain. Way more than he usually would.
Perhaps Zuko should have led him sleep. As they found their way to the roof to sit down, it was hard concentration.
There were no beams of sun to warm up their body. The walls were completely blocking the sun when it was so low and honestly. Somehow Zuko felt shut off from the sun itself. It was really hard getting to the meditative state.
They tried to do some stances instead, but neither of them could find the calm they needed to do it.
As they came back down servants had arrived to replace the food.
Joo Dee was there to…. How… Nice?
"I hope you had a pleasant night." Joo Dee smiled her big wide smile.
"Yeah it was nice… Thanks for the food." Aang said looking at all the food that was carried out and the new food that went in.
"Erhm." Katara stepped forward. "It's really nice of you people to give us food. I was thinking though… It's so much. Maybe I could ask for some money and we could buy our own food?" she asked. "That would be easier right? And… Less wasteful."
"If that is what you wish. Then of course." Joo Dee bowed. She waved a hand and a servant ran back to the carriage and then came back with a big pouch which Joo Dee took. "Will this be enough?" she asked just handing Katara the big pouch of money.
"Oh. Yes. Thank you." Katara blinked nearly tripping over as Joo Dee let go proving that the pouch was quite heavy.
"Do… Do we need to use the money only on food?" Sokka asked. "I still really want a sword."
"A sword?" Joo Dee asked. "But they are so sharp and pointy. You don't need a sword. Ba Sing Se is safe."
"There were plenty of people in the lower ring who had swords." Zuko pointed out.
"Did they?" Joo Dee asked. "How funny. Is there anywhere you would like to go today? I will escort you to where ever you want to go."
"We're fine." Zuko assured. "You can go."
"I will escort you anywhere you so desire." Joo Dee pressed on.
"I said!" Zuko huffed suddenly sounding like the Prince who had commanded a ship. "You are dismissed!"
Joo Dees eyes widened clearly in shock over the brunt tone and the way Zuko carried himself. Like someone in command as he glared at Joo Dee, his golden eyes shining with impatience and danger like they had done n the past.
"Yes. Of course. Forgive me." Joo Dee bowed as she backed out taking the servants with her and Zuko exhaled deeply only for Katara to glare at Zuko.
"That was mean!" Katara exclaimed.
"No it was awesome. That lady needs to learn how to back off." Toph proclaimed as she dropped down to grab a stuffed breakfast bun and stuff it in her mouth.
Zuko sighed deeply as he sat down to with crossed legs. "Behaviour like hers wouldn't be tolerated in the fire nation army." he said taking a bun himself.
"Maybe. But this isn't the fire nation army." Katara lectured.
"I'm sorry." Zuko muttered. Now suddenly back to being an insecure, awkward teenager. "She just… She really got to me. I freaked out."
"Oh." Katara realized. "It's okay. She kind of got to me too." she admitted now also sitting down and they all joined together for breakfast.
After breakfast they were all just laying around trying to think of a plan…. Any plan to move forward.
They were all out of ideas.
That was when Katara came running in with what looked like a news paper. "I got it! I know how we can talk to the earth king!" she grinned.
Toph lifted an eyebrow from where she was laying on her back on a big pillow. "How? You don't just drop in on the earth king do you?"
Katara though just read from the paper. "There is going to be a party at the palace tonight for his pet bear!"
"You mean Platypus bear?" Aang asked.
Katara halted then looked at the news paper. "No. It just says bear."
"Certainly you mean his skunk bear." Sokka commented.
"Or his Armadillo bear." Toph tried.
"His Ant eater bear?" Zuko tried.
Katara looked at the news paper. "Just… bear." she looked up and they all looked back at her.
"This place is weird." Toph stated.
"Anyway." Katara shook her head. "The palace is going to be packed! We can sneak in with the crowd!"
"Erhm." Zuko held up a finger then thought better of it and turned his head away.
"Something wrong Zuko?" Katara asked.
"No. Nothing." Zuko assured.
Katara frowned. "What is it?" she asked. "You don't think this plan could work."
"Well… It's not a bad plan. It's just." Zuko halted. "You erhm. You're kind of you know…" he coughed into his hand. "A peasant."
"What did you just call me?" Katara asked.
"Nothing!" Zuko exclaimed.
"How could I have forgotten. You called me that before!" Katara exclaimed. "Water tribe peasent right?"
"It's not like that!" Zuko exclaimed holding up his hand. "It's just.. It's not your fault. Obviously. But you kind of are." and then Zuko bit his own tongue clearly realizing what hole he had been digging for himself.
"Excuse me your royal highness." Katara commented as she crossed her arms. "Do you mind repeating that?"
"I… I rather not." Zuko swallowed.
Then Toph burst out laughing as she fall on the floor hammering her fist on the floor.
"What's so funny?" Katara asked.
"He's right!" Toph laughed. "If you walk in there, you will be figured out in a second!" she stated. "You are a peasant by social standards!"
"WHAT?!" Katara shouted.
"Hey don't be so offended sugar queen. I for one hate the noble social crowd. I like peasants." Toph stated. "Those social parties has so many rules that you wouldn't even believe it. The way you walk, the way you talk, the way you stand. Sip your drink and eat your food. All of that has rules. Rules you wouldn't be able to follow because you didn't waste ten years of your childhood being taught them every single day."
"It's nothing but a big theatre honestly." Zuko said careful. Clearly still a little scared of saying the wrong thing. "I'm with Toph. Those people aren't even authentic. I prefer regular people too."
"Well. Then you guys can teach us!" Sokka stated.
"How hard can it be?" Aang asked as he jumped down wrapping a big curtain around himself. "Greetings your royal highness Princeliness." he bowed for Zuko. "I hope your fire is burning nice and warm tonight."
Zuko looked up at Aang. "Please don't ever address me like that again." he said. "Also that wont work." he groaned.
"Why don't Zuko and I just go in and open a door for you somewhere outside?" Toph asked. Then she grinned. "I always wanted to try having a Prince escort!"
Zuko looked down at Toph and then he groaned. "You do know what this means don't you?"
"What does it mean?" Aang asked.
"We have to make ourselves look pretty." Toph smirked. "Zuko too. He needs a manicure."
"Men have manicures?" Sokka asked with a lifted eyebrow.
"Yes." Zuko groaned covering his face with his hands. "You are not allowed to have split or ruined nails."
"I want to try having a manicure." Katara pointed.
"Well I suppose you can pass as long as you stick with us." Toph commented. "Zuko, Katara and I will sneak in. Then find a way to let you inside." then she beamed as she grabbed Zukos arm. "Make over!"
"This is going to be so much fun!" Katara beamed suddenly on Zukos other side.
"Hey. Hold on!" Zuko exclaimed.
He had no choice though. Both girls had grabbed each their arm and was now dragging Zuko towards the door.
"There was a bunch of clothes in the back room!" Katara cheered.
"This is going to be so fun!" Toph beamed and they were gone with the helpless fire prince leaving Aang and Sokka behind who glanced at each other.
"Girls." Sokka at last said.
"You said it." Aang agreed.
It took hours before the girls and Zuko came back out. In fact it was afternoon and the sun was setting before the door finally opened again and out came two transformed girls wearing long silk dresses. Make up and had their hair arranged in fine earth kingdom styles.
"Wow." Aang gasped by the sight of them. "You're beautiful."
"Where's Zuko?" Sokka asked and finally, the last and tallest member stepped out.
Long flowing robe in silk, fitting his tall lean body as he walked with a straight back. His normally unruly hair was now neat and straight slicked back as was earth kingdom tradition for men.
Perhaps it was the way Zuko carried himself. But he really looked royal. You didn't even notice the scar just how impressive he looked.
Then Zuko groaned. "This is ridicules." he stated.
"I think you look pretty." Toph said and Zuko glared at the blind girl who would have no idea what he looked like nor that he was glaring at her.
Then Zuko inhaled a deep breath and then exhaled. "I guess we need to go." he said as he glanced out of the window. "It's getting late."
And they all nodded as they made their way outside.