Hey there everybody! 'Star and .Lady.Meister. here- We just wanted to thank you guys so much for all of the reviews on the first chapter- 21 total! We'd never thought that this story would be such a hit. So now, after a few weeks of patient waiting, we present you with... dun dun dun DUN! CHAPTER TWO!
Chapter 2: Surprising
"Miss, you're going to be late! Hurry along mistress, quickly now!" the old servant said.
The waterbender scuttled out of her room, pulling on her boot in the process.
The maid sighed.
"Stop, stop, stop." the servant said, an expression of motherly tenderness gracing her wrinkled face.
"What is it Gensi?" Expectant blue eyes looked up.
The woman sighed again.
"Mistress, you're attending a royal ball. Royalty will be flowing in and out at their best. The ball is all about presentation and salutation. You must stand straight."
Putting on hand on the girl's shoulder, the other on her back, the maid forced her to stand straight.
"You must be presentable to the eyes. Clothes and shoes in tact."
She glared at the waterbender's sealskin boot, making her blush. "Heh-heh... I-I'll be putting this on, properly now." the girl replied, putting on her boot snappily.
"Presentation is your key. You must wear a smile, a lovely one that says you're a happy person. Try it." the woman informed.
The waterbender gave a small smile, barely visible to the observing eye.
"Come now Miss, you could do better than that. Smile with radiance, with beauty…" the woman urged.
The girl gave it another shot. She stretched her smile allowing her pearly white teeth to show.
"Too toothy" the maid paused, stroking her chin, "it almost looks like you're grinning instead of smiling."
The woman came closer.
"Try to relax a little bit, but yet, let your brilliant smile shine." the servant advised.
"Yeah, well, this is hurting." the girl spoke through clenched teeth.
The woman sighed, "Really Mistress, this ball is no joke. Young princes' and princesses' will be attending, and like you, showing what they're capable of when they arrive. In order to reflect a grand title to the Water Tribe, you must be serious with the whole idea of portrayal, yet soft enough to carry through the ball without people suspecting you're wearing a mask."
"Speaking of mask, who's going to be looking at my face when I'll be wearing a mask, as in literal terms?"
"Regardless what, Mistress, the ball is a reflection of you and your clan and if you fail to impress royalty, then you've failed to highlight your family."
She paused. "It's late, you should be leaving now. Know we all wish you luck and our love is with you." She handed the waterbender a fur-lined jacket.
The girl saddened. Somehow with the pressure she was getting, she didn't feel like going anymore, but Gensi was right, this ball was all about highlighting the water-tribe. It was important people remember her kin who helped fight for peace.
The girl nodded, she would do her best, she didn't quite know how she was going to do it, but she knew she going to give it everything she had, for her family.
"Don't be sad mistress." Gensi spoke.
The waterbender wore a small smile. "I'll try."
She turned to leave.
The woman held her wrist. The waterbender turned, "What is it?" she asked.
The maid, who never seemed to express her happiness, finally gave a small smile of wondrous revelation.
"The ball is all about you, Mistress. What you could do even if you're flawed to some extent, is to just be yourself. Maybe that's the only good advice I can truly give you now. And hey," she held out her hand and caught the girl's chin, "just smile…it's important that you do, and make sure it's from your heart."
The girl smiled. "Thank you, Gensi." She hugged the woman.
"You're welcome, sweetheart."
She broke the hug, "You better be going now my dear, a ball awaits you and," she lowered her voice, "so do handsome men."
"Gensi!" The waterbender scolded.
"Hey, if I didn't admit that, I'd just be lying now wouldn't I?" the woman laughed.
"I guess. Well I'm off Gensi, tell papa I love him and I'll be back some time. Bye!" she bade.
"Farewell my lady" The servant waved, praying her mistress a safe journey.
Oo- Oo- Oo- Oo-
The trip had begun with many days and nights to come.
The coach driver readied the luggage and his mistress. Soon, black full-breed mustangs galloped toward the east, nothing stopping them as they came closer and closer to their destination.
As day and night expensed, the waterbender couldn't help but think of the ball that lie ahead of her. She was fearful for her 'presentation', which would reflect a great deal on her family. She sighed.
Most of her life she was nurtured by men and boys, not because it was their fault, but maybe because she had lost her mother very early in life. The girl saddened. She wished so many times her mother had been there; to take her through predicaments as these, with ease.
She often wished for female companionship, but besides Gensi, there was only her father, who had taken the role of both father and mother to her upon himself. Again, her friends, all boys…they were the only friends she had in life.
Sometimes I wish I had you here with me, Mom.
She closed her eyes and kept thinking of the masquerade.
Many princes' and princesses' will be there. New friends and definitely new enemies will come my way. All I have to do is be at best and anticipate for the worst if ever it should come. I must not let the trivial affect me.
She sighed, This ball is not for me, but for everybody back home.
"You looked stressed my lady, is everything all right?" the coach driver asked.
The waterbender blinked back. She looked up, "Why would you say that Yazo?"
"Forgive me, but I've known you since you were a little girl. I've known you for your anger outbursts, for your moodiness, and everything else." He said.
She gave a small smile, "I guess you're right"
"So, why so down, my lady?" she asked.
"Well…to be honest, this ball should be something I look forward too, but in fact, I really wish I wasn't going." she said quietly.
"But why milady?" he urged.
"Because I'm being pressured into a ball where people of royalty frighten me. Somewhere where my manners have to be at tops, and my posture and composure must be at its best. Instead of being a little girl's fantasy, like something I'd enjoy, this reminds me some sort of crude punishment in a subtle way." She confessed.
He laughed.
"What's so funny?" she gave the driver a quizzical look.
"Well, this may sound silly, but your father was the same thing when he met your mother. I think it was the exact same thing he was going through. For hours he'd be lectured by his old man about the Water-tribe's party. And to no end did he find peace. He was just like you when he said, 'I don't want to go.' But all that changed milady, all that changed." He said.
"What happened?" The girl leaned forward, now interested in the story.
"Well, when he arrived at the Water palace he met some of his friends he hadn't seen in a while. Boys, so to speak. With old friendships renewed, your father and his friends decided to play old tricks on the girls of the water tribe. One of these girls was called Minerva, your mother.
Minerva was the water princess' best friend, and you could say, they carried a somewhat 'pompous' attitude. The boys had planned out terrain for the girls to pass where they would slip and be laughed at. But that night, when the moon alone shone on the graceful ladies, your father's heart had stopped when he saw the bluest eyes he had seen.
Golden tresses that were wavy to no end, fell in the face of true beauty. Your father by all means realized that he couldn't let Minerva slip on the wet floors. Instead he ran up to her and said 'No, don't pass.' At first, she was a bit clueless. A small blush crept its way on her cheeks, and she passed him humbly.
It was then that she went slipping, but before she coculd fall to the unforgiving tile, your father caught her by luck at the waist. Bringing her to a dry place on the floor, she looked up and with anger in her eyes said, 'You planned this.' He gave a blush and embarrassed face. She wanted to pound him, but she saw what he did was, in fact, noble and the right thing to do.
She held his chin in a delicate hand, and in a low voice said, 'Next time you do something like that to me, I'll kill you.' And it was on that night, your father knew that he had found the woman he loved at the party he had no intention of going to.
So you see my lady, maybe this party shouldn't be all about fret and worrying. Part of it, should be about, enjoying yourself, looking for new adventure and who knows, new love?" he asked.
She giggled, "Yazo."
She smiled, "I'll await the adventure, but the love thing. Well, that really doesn't exist for me."
"If you say so milady, if you say so."
She nodded.
"I can't believe father never told me that. What are the odds that fate should repeat itself?" she smiled, "And if it should…I guess I know what to do and what not to do."
Days burned and nights cooled and still the world seem with no end to the Water Tribe heiress. The days went by slow and the evenings even slower. It was hard to imagine this was all for fun, but what if it wasn't? The thought dug deep into her mind.
Then I'd absolutely die. she reckoned.
The days were hot and sticky, but she guessed, she really wasn't in Southern Water-Tribe anymore, she was getting closer to the Fire Nation, where temperatures soared and were extreme. Even through light clothes the heat burned at her skin, and she swore that eventually she would shrivel if she didn't come to her destination soon.
But as the journey came nearer and nearer to its end, she became closer to her coach-driver, who, in fact, told her stories which made her think and dream that just maybe, the ball wouldn't turn out to be such a catastrophe, as she feared it would.
It was one in the afternoon, the sun high in the sky, and earth dry enough, that only sand itself was left, that the coach driver awoke her from her nap.
"Milady, milady" he called to her.
She blinked back, "W-what? Have we arrived?" she rubbed her eyes.
"I believe so milady. I believe so."
In the distance the coach-driver saw a huge fortress supplanted in the dry sands. King Ozai's home. The huge olden fortress was accompanied by a giant steel wall that kept many out. The horses slowed until finally they came to a stop.
Everywhere Yazo turned, sand met his eyes. Who'd live in a dessert'
"We're finally here!" he said.
Anticipation bubbled deep within the Water Tribe girl. Today was the day she would be at her best. All her manners and etiquette would show, and enhance her as a radiant young woman. Knowing that there was no going back, she took a deep breath and opened the door.
Surprised that the door opened for itself, she was shocked when a Fire Nation representative bowed before her and greeted her, "Welcome Mistress, to the Fire Nation Empire, the first." he paused, "I am Shouzu, I'll be your attendant, coming any time, anywhere you want." he said.
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Shouzu." she curtsied lightly and smiled.
The young man known as Shouzu, was 'pretty good-looking' as the girl thought. He had a full head of black hair and piercing green eyes, which gave him a look of edge.
"Right this way milady." he lay out his hand for her, with his head bowed.
She gently placed her hand in his and was brought out her carriage.
"Thank you." she smiled.
"Your welcome milady" with that he took her luggage."Right this way."
It was then the waterbender got a view of the Fire Nation. It was in the middle of nowhere, heat and sand as its true companions.
It was her realization that made her utter, "It's a fortress."
"What were you expecting, mistress?" Shouzu asked.
"Um, well, for starters, how about a castle? Not that I'm complaining, but this has war written all over it." she said
He laughed. "A lot of people are stunned the first time, but don't worry. As I've said, this is just the first Empire. There is another Empire known as Nation 2. That one is run by Master Zuko." He said
"Oh, I see. Who's that?" she asked
"He would be known as the heir and Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation." He said
"Oh, interesting…so who owns this-this monstrosity?" she asked.
"King Ozai. Emporer of the Fire Nation." he educated.
"I see. Well then, maybe sometime you could introduce me to Prince Zuko." She giggled, "just to have a look-see at his home." she laughed.
Yazo gave her a stern look, and the girl realized that she shouldn't be insulting royalty behind their back.
But Shouzu didn't mind what she said. In fact, he blew it off.
As the waterbender was lead down to the cobblestone path, she couldn't help but realize that though the place was only adorn in sand and sun, she heard water, and she could feel it, as well.
"Shouzu?" she called softly.
"Yes milady?"
"I- I know this is going to sound strange, but I'm hearing water. As if from a well." she said.
He gave a small smile. "Yes, you're quite correct. There is an ocean behind the wall, a pool within, and an oasis behind the Fire Nation. It was recently built for the guests of the ball. You may have exclusive access due to the fact you're a waterbender" he paused, "aren't I correct?"
"Yes." she said softly, "how-how did you know I was a waterbender?"
"Who else could feel water, and hear it from such a distance? Only a true waterbender would know. Please follow." he replied, escorting the young girl and her driver into the premises.
Astonished, she looked up at the fortress and could have sworn she saw somebody looking down at her. Must be my imagination.
Shouzu shouted to the guards above, "Royalty of the Water Tribe!", and in that moment, The waterbender was stunned when the huge gates that seem to block of the biggest of beasts, opened for her. Slowly, the gates' parted, and it was then Katara couldn't help but be blown away.
From beautiful Fire Nation statues to flowing fountains of several different rulers, The girl was blown away by the astronomical size within the Fire Nation.
Soldiers lined the walls, all straight and curt and she couldn't help but shiver at their faces. Like classic paintings on a wall they stared back at her. Benches were arranged here and there and small flowers and vines grew and twirled around pillars of gigantic size.
Looking up, she couldn't believe how tall the fortress was.
"My…" with her breath lost, she suddenly felt a tug. It was from Yazo, who was instructing her to follow. Following Shouzu, she was lead to what seem to be an entrance.
Shouzu spoke to the guards at the entrance and without a minute to waste, he turned to her.
"Welcome…to our humble home." He welcomed, pushing back the doors.
Katara was shocked at what greeted her eyes. "Oh my…"
Authoress notes of Etherealstar: Hope everybody likes it. Took me a good while to prepare. I wrote this chapter to redeem myself of Cayla's main chapter, which everybody has to agree, was great. I hope everybody enjoyed chapter two, because I made it just for you guys. Thank you to Cayla for the opportunity, I really had fun doing it. Take care, beautiful people, and a nice day to all.
Authoress notes of .Lady.Meister.- Wow. All I can say is "Wow". This chapter was absolutely AMAZING! I have to admit, I have some tough work to measure up to. Let's give a round of applause to Etherealstar for her beautiful writing- and don't forget to give us some more warm fuzzies! You saw how long this chapter was. You got that for the 21 great reviews. Let's see… Can we reach 50, do you think? Ha- Nah. Just tell us what you thought. We appreciates it!