Holy crap! over 3000 hits! That's a nice number. Anyways. I just got done watching one of my favorite movies of all time. The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra. Many people would probably watch it and be like 'Okay Katie, you're a complete dip.' But all I can say to them is..."I know" I just love it. It's a spoof on old horror films from the twenties. Now excuse me as I spout out various favorite quotes just to get them out of my mind: "But Paul, my legs already feel like two heavy slow things." "Yes. Kro-bar. My husband." "Quick wife! Bend at the middle!" "Tiiiiip tip tip tip tip." "I wanted to inform you of a horrible mutilation in the area so that you aren't also horribly mutilated." "My name's Ranger Brad. But you can call me Ranger Brad." "If I had wanted a dull life, I guess I shouldn't have married a man who studies rocks." "Rowr""That's not my problem! I sleep now!" "'Oh! It's so horrible! I can't look!' 'AndI can't not look away'" "Moon? Teaspoons? those are too big of ideas for me to comprehend."
Hee hee hee. I love that show! Anyways, now that your I.Q. has been sapped.
Zukoscute2: Eh, she can just smack him down for being insensitive if he does get angry.
Skovmand: Here's that next chapter you've been waiting for.
Titan09: It's just something I say. If it were up to me I would've married bunches of my favorite cartoon characters by now. I haven't ever seen a cheetar, but it sounds rad. My MJ has a nose too, but other than that, he's a clone. I'm glad you liked the chapter, I hope I don't disappoint anyone with how I present Ozai. And I can't wait to read your Liz Sherman story.
O-dragon: I haven't been doing a disclaimer on every chapter just because I don't want to repeat myself. I figure that if I didn't own avatar on chapter one, chances are that I don't own it now either. Now that I think about it, Imoen is a lot like my aunt Yamasaki. All I need to do is throw in some crude jokes and a really loud laugh. I already know what I wanted to do with the black fabric, but you had some really good ideas. Thanx for them. Ew, why would you give vitamins to dead fish? Were you feeding them to something? I can't really think of a story to top that! I'm sorry to hear about your thumb. Maybe that mosquito was possessed.
Khazia: Yeah, it's Zhao again. And yeah, there's tons of Strongbad merchandise, but most of it is of The Cheat. If you want to find some, go to your nearest 'Hot Topic' store at any mall. I was just in our 'Hot Topic' the other day and my eyes were all big and anime-y because of all the luverly stuff and I was sad because I only had ten bucks on me.
Athenera: I hope you're not getting bored w/Zhao popping up. He's at the palace because it's a ball that's summoning all nobility and being an Admiral is right up there in status. I wish I could post a picture of the dress I'm thinking about. But I can't so I hope I can do it justice in a wordy description.
Alright, I'm kind of a person that writes people as being more laid back than they actually probably are, so I'm sorry if ya'll hate my presentation of Zhao.
Imoen called for Katie to come to her room the afternoon of the ball. Katie was really excited to see the dress. She hadn't had the chance to speak to Imoen since her first day at the palace and was really missing the friendly conversation.
"Now. Prepare your eyes to behold my masterpiece." Imoen said mysteriously when Katie entered the room.
"Oh, I'm prepared all right." Katie said. Imoen shoved aside a screen that had been hiding a mannequin wearing Katie's dress. It was breathtaking. The thing she had seen Imoen make before was almost more like an under dress. Over the top of it was what looked like a long coat made of the shiny black material. It hugged the torso, then split at the waist and flowed behind the red skirt like a cape. The sleeves were tight and went ¾ of the way down the arm, and then it just seemed to transform into the wide flowing sleeves of the red dress. "Oh wow." Was all Katie could say.
"Well, come on. Let's see how well it fits you." Imoen said excitedly taking the gown off the mannequin and handing the pieces one at a time for Katie to put on. The dress fit like a glove.
"Do you have a mirror?" Katie asked looking around.
"You can't see yourself yet! I still have to do your hair and makeup." She said leading Katie to a chair and forcing her down. Imoen stood in front of Katie and inspected her like a painter may inspect a canvas before setting to work. Imoen had a number of bottles of oils and things which she used to do Katie's hair. All Katie could tell was that her hair was being pulled into five small buns on top of her head. It took nearly three hours before Imoen was finally satisfied with her work and moved on to Katie's face. "You know. I think I would kill for your lips. I don't think I've ever seen a bigger pair." Imoen said as she applied some dark red lip paint.
"You obviously haven't seen Angelina Jolie." Katie said chuckling. Imoen chuckled as well even though she had no idea who Katie was talking about. Katie was going insane with waiting. She desperately wanted to know what she looked like. She had never had a makeover before. Her sister-in-law had always threatened to give her one but never had.
"I think we're almost done." Imoen said standing back a ways to admire her work. There was a light knock on the door and Katie heard Zuko's footsteps enter the room.
"We're expected downstairs within the next twenty minutes. Are you almost done?" He asked.
"Come see for yourself." Imoen said taking Katie's hand and helping her to stand up. Katie took a deep breath and turned to face Zuko. His jaw had dropped and his eyes were wide. So Katie had a good feeling about the way she looked.
"You…um…you" Zuko stuttered. Katie smiled at him. Zuko coughed nervously and pulled something from his pocket. "I got this for you to wear as well." It was a small red velvet box. Katie took it from him and opened it. Inside was a silver necklace covered in dark red gems. Katie nearly laughed out loud. Garnets were her birthstone. She wrapped her arms around Zuko's neck and kissed his cheek. Zuko gave her a pleased grin and took the necklace from the box. Katie untied the black cord of her X necklace and felt a slight twinge when she set it aside. It's time to put away that life. She thought to herself as Zuko put her new necklace around her throat.
"Thank you Zuko." Katie murmured kissing him. Imoen stood off to the side watching them with a smile.
"Before you go down, would you like to see yourself?" she asked.
"Heck yes I would." Imoen led her to a full-length mirror that was covered with a white drape. She pulled the drape aside and Katie stared at herself in disbelief. The dress was perfect. Katie had always been an athlete and had accepted her bold structure, but the dress gave the illusion that she was a lot slimmer. She could even be considered petite. The dress hugged her curves, accentuating them giving her an almost perfect figure that she knew she didn't have. Her face was made up to look slightly paler than it actually was and Imoen had expertly concealed the scar on Katie's cheek. Her lips were blood red and her eyelids were powdered with dark gray, causing her eyes to look more of a charcoal color than dark hazel. Her hair had been pulled up into the five buns as she had expected, but now she understood why it took so long. Each bun had been crafted to look like a delicate rose, her hair had even been tinted so that it reflected a copper or bronze color in the light. Katie took a deep breath, finally realizing that she had been holding it. "Oh wow."
Katie stood outside the doors to the ballroom arm in arm with Zuko waiting for their names to be announced.
"I forgot to mention, you look great." She murmured to Zuko, the silence in the hall was unbearable. Zuko still had his hair up in its customary ponytail, but was wearing a new tunic that was almost as dark a red as her dress. It was embroidered with purple thread and his pants were the same dark purple. His boots were black with red lines crafted all over it to give the impression of flames.
"And you look beautiful." He murmured, giving her arm an encouraging squeeze. Music echoed eerily from the closed door. Another couple took their places behind the two teens and after a few more seconds the music stopped. "This is it." Katie took a deep, quivering breath and the door in front of them opened.
"Prince Zuko, and princess Katie Lin." The announcer called out in a high voice that carried throughout the large room. The two stepped into the shimmering light from hundreds of candles to be greeted with numerous applause. There was a dark red carpet that led them to a giant throne surrounded in flame. Katie could barely make out the outline of the man behind the flame, but she could feel his eyes on her. What am I doing here? She wondered to herself as Zuko led her towards the Firelord. She held her head up high and straightened her back. She was suddenly very aware of herself. She felt like she was all hips, arms and teeth. I'm going to fall flat on my face. I just know it. I'm going to make a total idiot of myself, these people are going to see right through me and I'll probably be guillotined or whatever they do to imposters here. By now they had reached the base of the Firelord's throne. Katie took a deep breath and dipped into the proper curtsy as Zuko bowed next to her. The flames in front of the abated a little, the sign that they could move on. Once they had melted into the crowd Katie let out a huge sigh.
"That wasn't so bad." She said smiling weakly. Zuko smiled back and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"You did everything perfectly." He murmured. The announcer called out the name of another couple and everyone's eyes turned away from Zuko and Katie. Every pair except one that watched them closely through the flames. After a few more couples were announced, the music began once more and Zuko led Katie out to the floor. The congregation fell into the steps of a waltz as though it had all been choreographed. They found an opening and joined in the dance, before long Katie actually began enjoying herself. At eight 'o'clock the music ended altogether and the guests moved to a dining room that Katie had never been in before. She was surprised to see actual chairs around the giant tables. It was customary to sit on cushions, but as she looked around at all the expensive clothes she understood the necessity of chairs in this case. An escort took her arm and pulled her away from Zuko, placing her in a designated seat in the middle of the table while Zuko was taken to sit three chairs from the head where Ozai was to dine. When everyone was situated perfectly a gong was struck and everyone stood as Ozai entered the room. Once he had a seat at the head of the table the gong was sounded again and everyone took their seats. For the first time, Katie got a good look of her father-in-law. She immediately understood where Zuko got his looks. Not only was the man good looking, but he also radiated a dignity that gave him a supernatural glow. Katie watched him for a few seconds before realizing that he was gazing right back at her. Katie immediately looked away, focusing her attention instead on the people surrounding her. Four seats down and glaring was Zola. She was wearing a pretty Kimono type dress that was a pale pink at the bottom but gradiently turned to a bright red, then a light purple as the eyes traveled up her body. Several more seats away was Zhao.
"I must say you look absolutely lovely princess." A young man in his twenties sitting across from Katie said. She looked over at him for the first time. He had long black hair and sideburns like many of the men and looked quite plain. But his pale brown eyes made him stand out. They were identical to Marius' eyes and it really unnerved Katie for a few seconds.
"Why thank you very much. May I ask what your name is?"
"My name is Anomen. My father is the scribe and council to Firelord Ozai."
"Well, it's an honor to meet you."
"And you must tell us who you are, we are all dying to know." He said giving her a calculating look.
"As was said before, I'm Katie Lin. My father is (searching her mind frantically for something more impressive than farmer) a priest and elder in his quorum."
"A holy man? Really? Just what work has he done?"
"He traveled abroad for several years as a missionary. Currently he teaches youth." Katie said sticking with her father's church callings.
"I have a cousin who is a priest, he's very…" Katie let out an inner sigh of relief as conversation shifted away from her. She took the opportunity to glance around the table once more. She watched Zuko for a second before he threw her a glance and a small smile. Several seats away from him was Iroh who was talking animatedly to a few other old men and a few seats from him was Ozai. Katie glanced at him and saw that his eyes were still on her. Katie turned back to the people around her quickly and joined in their pleasant conversation as they ate a delicious meal. When servants had cleared the table an orchestra began playing music and gradually people began dancing.
"May I have the honor of his dance, princess?" Anomen asked holding out a hand in invitation. Katie gave him a wide smile and took the proffered hand despite the fact that she really didn't like him. "Just smile and dance with every man that asks" Iroh had told her. So that's what she was going to do. After one dance with Anomen another man stepped in and asked her to dance as well. Katie looked around desperately for Zuko to save her but he was across the room dancing with a heavy woman in her forties. Several dances and dance partners later, Katie found herself face to face with Zhao.
"Would you care to dance with me…princess?" He asked holding out one hand. Katie swallowed and placed her hand in his as the music began once more. He wrapped an arm firmly around her waist and puller her closer than she found comfortable, but it was best not to make a scene. "My, but you certainly have come a long way from the barely dressed mountain slave I met three months ago." He murmured leaning his face close to hers. He smelled like charcoal. She gave him an icy smile.
"And you haven't changed one bit." She said conversationally.
"You think you're protected here? Good. Fall into your little sense of security. I'll be waiting for it to happen." Katie glared up into his eyes; there was a silent staring contest between them when someone tapped lightly on Zhao's shoulder. "What is it! Oh. Excuse me my lord." Standing beside them was Firelord Ozai.
"I wish to dance with my new daughter-in-law." Ozai said, his eyes intent upon her face. Zhao looked taken aback. This obviously wasn't a regular occurrence. He bowed and stepped away, shooting Katie one last glare before disappearing into the crowd. Katie was at a loss for what to do. Dancing with the Firelord wasn't something covered in her crash course. So she decided to wing it. She dipped into a respectful curtsy before allowing him to take her hand.
"It is an honor my lord." She said in her most royal voice.
"The honor is all mine dear child." He said looking into her eyes. His eyes were so much like Zuko's that Katie almost felt as though she knew this man. She gave him a small smile and placed a hand on his shoulder and they began waltzing. "There has been a rumor circulating that you were once a slave on my son's ship. And yet you hold yourself like royalty. Which one is it?"
"I was never a slave my lord. That was merely a story for my protection." Katie said truthfully. Why can't I look away from his eyes? She wondered to herself. She decided to try and do her part to impress the firelord so she continued. "Although my family isn't currently royalty, my ancestry dates back to Lady Godiva. A queen who did what she thought was right for her people." She decided to leave out that she had done this by protesting her husband and streaking through the city. The Firelord merely nodded. Katie doubted he was listening to a word she was saying.
"You look lovely." He murmured.
"Thank you my lord." Katie said nervously. Ozai raised his hand from the place it rested on her waist and brushed her bangs out of her eyes with one finger. His eyes were glazed over as he stared into her face, lost in memories. Katie couldn't take his gaze any longer. She was growing more uncomfortable with each passing moment. She glanced around desperately for Zuko and saw him twenty feet away, watching her closely. She gave him a pleading look and he nodded. Zuko disappeared into the crowd causing a weight of despair to drop in the pit of Katie's stomach. She turned her attention back to Ozai whose intense gaze had not shifted in the least. Slowly, he lowered his face towards hers, his lips parting slightly. "Um, My lord?" she asked leaning backwards and placing her hand firmly against his chest. Ozai seemed to snap out of a daze and looked at her in confusion. It took them a few seconds to realize the music had stopped and Iroh had stepped up on a platform. Everyone's attention drifted to the old man. Katie pulled out of Ozai's grip and took a safe step away from him.
"Let us all remember the reason we are here. To celebrate the marriage between my nephew and his lovely bride." Iroh said holding out his hands. Everyone began clapping. "Would the two of you please come up here?" Zuko was suddenly at Katie's side. He offered her an arm which she took gratefully, hugging it close.
"What's going on?" She asked as they made their way to the platform.
"I have no idea, I just told him to make up a reason to get you away from my father." Zuko said apprehensively.
"Everyone here knows prince Zuko. But none of you know his new wife and your future queen. In the time I have come to know her, I have seen that she is a talented, high spirited, lovely personfrom the inside out." Iroh said as they came to stand beside him. He was now holding his hands behind his back. "Did I mention she's talented?" With this he pulled his hands out from behind his back. He was holding Katie's Ukujo. Katie gaped at him in horror. "And to show you that talent, she know she would be absolutely pleased to sing a song for all of you." He placed the instrument gently in her hands and gave her a nudge. Katie gave him her most deadly glare but he just smiled back at her. She glanced over at Zuko for help, but he looked just as interested as every other face staring up at her. Katie swallowed nervously and plucked absently at the strings to check the tune.
"Um…yes. I would love to share with you my talent." She glanced behind her for inspiration and saw the orchestra. She couldn't believe her eyes, but there tucked under the arm of one of the performers was a violin. Katie smiled and turned back to the crowd. "Unfortunately, my throat is too tight to sing." She shot another glare at Iroh for announcing that she would. He merely shrugged and watched in amusement. "But I have prepared something else." She handed the ukujo back to Iroh and walked over to the violinist. "May I borrow this?" she whispered. He looked stunned, but handed it over to her. Katie placed the violin beneath her chin, allowing herself to become readjusted to it. No particular song came to mind, so she just let her fingers go. Allowing them to flit over the strings as they pleased. There were hints of various other tunes that her fingers remembered. Slowly the people began dancing once more. She played for as long as she figured an actual song would last and let a final note ring from the instrument. The people stopped dancing and applauded her. She smiled and curtsied, returning the instrument to its owner. Then she went to Iroh's side and tried to refrain from slapping him.
"You know, I thought the whole idea of this was to give your brother a good impression. Not humiliate me!" She said furiously.
"But you did give him a good impression. That's the first time I've seen a tear in his eye since his wife's death." Iroh said softly. Katie glanced over at Ozai and sure enough his eyes were a bit sparklier then they had been a few minutes before.
"Come on. I've been wanting to dance with you for the last hour." Zuko whispered, leaning closer to her ear. Katie smiled and allowed him to steer her out to the floor. She didn't care about doing a waltz or any other choreographed dance. She wrapped her arms around Zuko's neck and rested her head on his shoulder, just happy to finally be back in his arms. He held her close and they pivoted on the spot as the world moved on around them. After a little while he began humming softly in her ear.
I really think my description of Ozai sucked in this chapter, I'll try to do a better job later on.