Katara woke up to a jolt causing her soft brown curls to cascade and leave a few strands sticking to her forehead. A quick turn to her small dingy window revealed the radiant sun beginning to rise. She threw the cover off her bed with a long extended hand and rushed to her closet, which contained her usual attire. Now dressed and running down the stairs, she frantically braided her hair behind her back. Then, like a perfectly coordinated dance, she leaped over the last step that creaks to avoid waking her grandmother. Katara was finally out the door to begin her long journey.
Prince Zuko woke up at his standard and coordinated time before the sun peaked. Then, after being fitted and dressed accordingly, he made his way to the dining area, where his day would begin.
Katara threw open the barn door causing the animals to look up. Then, in one swish movement, she grabbed the milk bucket by the door and ran towards the cows. "Sorry for the rush, but as you can see, I overslept." Katara narrowed her eyes to a chicken that cocked its head as if saying again.
After getting at least half, the bucket filled, she patted the cow and battled a hen for eggs and ended up running outside with a mouth full of feathers and three small eggs.
Prince Zuko finished his last sip of cold refreshing milk and heard the voice of a castle servant, "Would you care for a refill, my Prince?". Zuko shook his head and continued to finish his eggs. Then, in a swift movement, he rose from the table at the sight of his Uncle.
Katara dumped the hot steamed scrambled eggs into a plate and carefully poured the cold milk into a glass. After setting the table, she passed out on the chair and wiped the sweat that formed on her forehead. When she heard a creak on the stairs, she jolted up and positioned herself in a better manner.
"Good morning, uncle." Prince Zuko said as he saw his Uncle enter the dining hall.
Zuko smiled up at his proud Uncle, who always seemed to fill the space with his radiant personality and a calming smile that was almost impossible not to return.
"Zuko getting ready for the big day, I see," Iroh said as he crossed the room and embraced his grandson.
"I am only announcing a proclamation, uncle," Zuko said as he broke from his tight yet comforting embrace.
"The proclamation that gives you your wife," Iroh said as he walked over to the dining table and poured himself some tea.
"I know, I know, you the story of you and grandma and how your eyes met, and you automatically knew," Zuko said while rolling his eyes at the supposed story as old as time.
"I'm just not sure I could find that."
"Good morning Katara,"Good morning, grandmother,"
"I see you have rushed your work again." the elderly lady said as she dug her fork into the rawly, cooked eggs."
Katara hung her head down. "It was an accident and won't happen again."
"That's my sweet girl. Now go to your work."
Katara stood up without maintaining eye contact with the woman. Before she finished her walk to the door, she turned around, shutting her eyes tight enough and swinging back around to her grandmother.
"School is starting back again. Grandmother and I would like to return," Katara said in one exasperated chunk.
The elderly lady was up and moved faster than any elderly lady could to Katara. "Darling, why would you do that? You failed all your classes even when you studied so hard."
Katara turned her head and whispered, "I was top of the class, grandmother."
The elderly lady croaked her head, "Darling, don't fool yourself; we could never afford it."
"I got a scholarship, to study marketing."
"Darling, you know I can't survive without my dearest grandchild. I am lost without you. Would you break an old women's heart who took you in?"
A few blood-stopping moments passed between the two.
"Look at you as fragile as a flower."
Katara winced at her grandmother's many comments about her height.
"All the schoolboys will do is give you children that will damage your figure and leave you incompetent and foolish. Do you want to be foolish, dear child?
"No, grandmother."
"Now go on to work and be back before dark for our blood-bending lesson," Hama said as she patted Katara's head and made to finish her milk.
Katara, still frozen in the same spot and watched as Hama turned around in almost slow motion.
"Don't ask me about this again."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Zuko could feel the sweat drip from the tip of his hair as he sent a fireball directed at his Uncle.
In a swift movement, Iroh blocked the fire and sent it back with more speed.
Zuko, barely dogging it, kicked up so more for his Uncle, who blocked each.
"You just can't let me win, old man," Zuko said as he threw his head back and looked up the skies.
"You just can't seem to beat me, young man," Iroh said with his signature smile.
"Remember you are announcing the proclamation today in the central parts."
"Like I forgot I would announce the search for my wife," Zuko said as he took a towel from a blushing servant.
Zuko spared her a smile and turned back around, and punched a fireball into the sky.
Katara punched her fist with all her might as she kneaded the bread. "Stupid Hama stupid bread," Katara said as she sunk her knuckles in deeper.
"Someone has a bit of a temper today." Katara looked up to see Jet. She admired his golden tan skin and the confident smirk he wore like a trophy, along with his mysterious appearance that every girl fell for.
He deepens his smirk as her glare continued, and she rolled her eyes in response.
"Why are you here, Jet?" Katara asked as she continued her work.
"I came to see if you were coming to see the Prince's opening search for the new Queen."
"Why would I go see a spoiled little brat's speech about finding some trophy wife, who will make more little arrogant Princes who will eventually want more trophy wives," Katara said as she started to roll the bread.
"I don't know. I thought every girl was dying to see the Prince." Jet said in a mocking tone.
Katara let out a soft giggle that seemed to fill the bakery more than the smell of sweet, warm bread rising in the oven.
Jet taking this as encouragement, continued. "I can't believe he is doing it in the central parts to grace the presents of lowly servants like you and I.," Jet said as he dramatically walked into the bakery and jumped over the counter to be on Katara's side.
Katara let out another giggle, and Jet grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his arm in a servant's manner. "Oh, how I would love to serve the future king in any way possible, I will send all my daughters, and shall that not be enough, I will send my wife and then myself.
Katara's eyes started to fill with tears of laughter.
"Jet, you must stop distracting me from my work."
"Meet me in the meadow when your done," Jet said.
Zuko heard the roar of applause as he entered the platform that was 3 feet off the ground and was surrounded by guards. Making his way to the stand, his eyes washed over the large crowd. "People of the fire nation, as you know, I am now of coming of age to become your new king." The crowd exploded into another fit of applause.
"However, before I can continue the legacy my uncle left, I need to marry and find a queen who is loyal to the fire nation." Zuko looked over to the side to see a guy with foam dripping out his mouth and winced.
"To be considered in the running, all ladies between the ages of 20 and 25 must submit a picture taken by your neighborhood patrol." Zuko felt a relief wash over him as the crowd chanted their support.
"I know you're out there," Zuko said in a whisper.
"I know you're out there Katara said as she made her way across the green fields that were being laminated by the bright crescent moon.
Katara walked to the edge of the small lake surrounded by dandelions, picked one up, and blew.
"You know that once you pick, it dies, right?" Jet said as he leaned against one of the trees.
"Why can't you be romantic and ask me what I wish for?" Katara said as she threw the dandelion in the lake.
Katara started bending some water in an effortless motion.
"You know you're a great bender?"
"You know this is easy to what I normally bend," Katara said. Jet signed and looked up at the bright stars. "After I left the bakery, I went to the speech," Jet said.
"Oh goodie, don't tell me you want to apply."
"Nah, I haven't got the figure." Jet said, waiving, leaning off the tree, and walking towards her.
"He is opening it up to everybody you know, right?"
Katara shook her head, not knowing where he was going with this.
"I think you should at least apply." Jet finally let out.
"Ha, so I can be in a castle all my life."
"No, so you can get a better life more opportunities."
"You just want to rid me so you can be with someone else," Katara said mock pouting.
Jet rolled his eyes. "Kat, I am serious. It is very little this place can offer you, and you and I always knew you could be so much more.
"I have to get back to Hama."
"I will walk you home."
"There is no need; my bending is a lot better than your fighting," Katara said in a cocky tone.
"I am aware."
As the two walked through the streets, they heard shouting coming from all directions and the sound of guards shouting.
Once they reached the turn before Katara's street, they saw a dark-haired girl who seemed to be in another kingdom asking for money in exchange for something not so royal.
Once to her house, she thanked Jet and watch as he zoomed down the streets.
Entering in the house, she was met with a not-so-happy Hama holding a white dress.
"You missed your practice," Hama said while glaring daggers at Katara.
Katara moved her lips to speak, but as usual, Hama was faster.
"Don't lie to me, child. I saw you with that no good of a boy Jet."
Katara bit her tongue.
"But no matter, child, I bought you a dress for the Prince's application picture.
"I never agreed to apply, and how could you possibly not let me go to school, but it is fine for me to be Queen of a nation."
"Don't raise your voice at me. I only wanted you to apply and see if you could maybe make something out of those looks of yours so I can afford to buy the medicine I desperately need."
"Katara bowed her head in disgrace, remembering her grandmother's condition and also her way of making her feel like an immature brat whenever she stood up for herself in any way possible.
"Now darling, you know I hate it when we fight to come," Hama said, embracing Katara and kissing her hair.
"Now go to bed; we must be first in line tomorrow."
So like comment and tell me what you think. I will try to post again on Wednesday. But maybe faster if I hear encouraging words