You would think with the avatar himself being present. Everyone's attention would be on him.
Zhau-Li wished he was that lucky. This entire thing was tense… and awkward. First there was helping Inuk with the fire.
"Chief Hakoda asked me to help you with the fire and the food." Zhau-Li spoke a bit abashed only for Inuk to roll his eyes.
"Have at it kid." He stated throwing the flint stones right at Zhau-Li who caught them… Oh… erhm.
Well… Hakoda had wanted him to… Well. And Zhau-Li swallowed as he sat down on his knees putting the flint stone aside and put his hands to the wood instead. Soon the logs started to steam as heat dried up the wood.
A gasp sounded next to Zhau-Li and he turned his head to see Inuks blue eyes wide-eyed looking at him.
Zhau-Li let go of the wood. "I… Chief Hakoda asked me to!" he said. "I… I can try with just the flint stone if you want."
Inuks eyes narrowed. "You came with Sokka and Katara." he observed. "And the Avatar."
"Yes." Zhau-Li swallowed. "They helped me. A lot. And I…"
"Continue what you're doing." Inuk then asked. "But no tricks."
"Yes sir." Zhau-Li said his cheeks burning and he continued drying the wood before easily starting a fire.
All the time water tribe people walking by and wide-eyed looked at him in the back while Zhau-Li did his best to try and ignore.
Then he was tasked with cutting up some strange plants and vegetables, and a lot of them while Inuk took care of the pot. Always keeping half an eye on Zhau-li.
Soon the pot was simmering and Zhau-Li's eyes were drawn to the tent where he knew Prince Zuko was.
Katara hadn't come out… Zhau-Li wanted to go check more than anything. But then suddenly the Avatar seemed to dart out from the tent looking scared and Zhau-Li thought better off it.
If Katara was even scaring off the Avatar… It was probably better to just stay away.
Eventually as the sun was setting food was served.
All the water tribes men collected in a circle around the fire and bowls were handed out.
Toph, Aang and Zhau-Li whom was all sitting together also getting one each. And first as all bowls had been filled did they thank Tue and Lai for todays feast before the tribes men started to eat.
Zhau-Li glanced at the stew in his bowl… It seemed a little… Weird. There were odd things floating around in it and the smell wasn't something he was familiar with.
Finally Zhau-Li took a spoonful and put it in his mouth. At once the taste overwhelmed him and Zhau-Li's entire face scrounged as he had to stop himself from coughing.
"What's the matter kid?" A tribes man asked. "Too fancy for fire nation?"
"Oh! No! It's delicious!" Zhau-Li lied through his teeth. "It's great!"
"Is this supposed to be so salty!" Toph suddenly exclaimed loudly. "Are you guys trying to poison me?"
"Toph!" Aang shouted.
"What?" Toph asked. "I'm trying to find out if someone is playing a prank on me. This is kind of disgusting."
"I know but you are not supposed to say it." Aang whispered under his breath.
"Tue and Lai is that seaweed soup!" A voice asked excited and they all turned to face Sokka who stood behind them with his arm in a sling.
"Sokka!" A tribes man cheered.
"It smells so good!" Sokka grinned and was immediately given a bowl he took a sip out off. "Oh. And it tastes just as good as it smells! Amazing! Aren't we lucky guys?" Sokka grinned down at the others.
Aang and Zhau-Li both looked up at Sokka. Toph who was blind was just facing her bowl.
"Okay. I need to know now." Toph said. "Is all water tribe food this disgusting?" she asked.
That earned her the attention of everybody.
"Toph!" Aang hissed. "You can't say that! They have been so nice to invite us in and make us food."
Toph turned to Aang. "How come that you don't have to eat it when someone tries to give you meat. But I have to eat this when I don't like it?" she asked.
Aang halted.
"You declined plenty of food people gave you." Toph said. "Look. It was really nice of you guys to give us food. Seriously. But it's very simple. I just don't like it." she said putting down her bowl. "Thank you for letting me try it though." she pressed her hands together as she made a short bow. "I think we have some berries left over in our own luggage. It should be fine."
Zhau-Li swallowed and put down his own bowl as well. "I am so… So sorry." he said. "I just…"
"Me too." Aang finally admitted putting down his bowl. "Sorry." he pressed his hands together as well.
Hakoda smiled amused. "No. We are at fault." he said. "Water tribe food is an acquired taste for many. I should have remembered that people who are not water tribe are usually very unfamiliar with our food. I have some bread. I want you to have it."
"Are you sure?" Aang asked.
"Very sure." Hakoda said. "And tomorrow we'll make sure to make something everybody likes." he smiled.
Then suddenly the tent behind them opened and out stepped Katara who looked beyond exhausted.
"Katara!" Aang stood up.
"I think I managed to kill off the infection." Katara sighed. "But he still has a fever. And he's delirious." she said. "I need someone to sit with Zuko to try and keep the fever down. And try to get him to drink some water when-ever possible."
"I'll do it!" Three voices shouted in unison.
Aang, Toph and Zhau-Li.
Katara smiled amused.
"Good to see you are all eager." Sokka smirked. "You can take shifts then."
"Yes." Katara nodded. "I would like who-ever is with him to be awake. And if there is any changes. If his heart starts acting out, if he starts to vomit. Or if there is just any major changes. Come find me."
Aang swallowed. "He's going to make it right?" she asked.
"I think he is." Katara said. "But it never hurts to be careful. He was already beat up pretty bad when we found him. And then he went into a very strenuous fight." she shook her head. "What is that guy even made of?" she asked.
They all quieted as they looked down.
"I'll take the first shift." Aang said as he stood up. Clearly both Toph and Zhau-Li was about to object. "Toph can take over after this fire has died down. Zhau-Li is going to wake up with the sun, cause he's a fire bender. You can take over at sun rise."
Clearly it was no use objecting to Aang at that moment as the young Avatar turned to the tent and walked inside.
Katara sighed deeply as her head lowered.
"You've done good Katara." Sokka said. "Now you need to rest yourself. Sit down, there's seaweed soup. It's good."
"Oh that sounds amazing." Katara smiled accepting a bowl making both Zhau-Li and Toph wince. Katara though didn't even notice as she happily ate her soup.