Chapter 3: Unexpected
The sight in front of Katara awed her to silence. Servants bustled every which way, preparing the large main hall for the masquerade the following evening.
Fifty-foot high pillars, extravagantly carved with different symbols unique to the Fire Nation, supported the massive ceiling. Marble statues lined the walls, honoring the past rulers of the powerful country.
The granite floor, red and black in color, was accented by tiny flecks of gold in such a way, that when viewed from a higher floor, the speckles formed the Royal Fire Nation insignia.
Walking forward, Katara continued to be amazed at the profligate beauty of the fortress. Led down a narrow hallway by Shouzu, Katara noticed that each of the doors on the sides of the corridor were the symbols of the different elements: Water, Earth, Fire, and Air.
Stopping at a door with the Water insignia, Shouzu opened it and led her inside. Giving Katara a quick tour of the spacious suite, he explained where the different rooms were, how to get certain things, where to find them, etc.
"I hope you find your stay here to be very enjoyable. Just remember, if you need or want anything, please, don't hesitate to pull this rope," he directed, motioning towards a large rope by the bedside, "a servant should arrive shortly after you do."
Finally finding her voice, Katara replied.
"Th-thank you, very much. This is… incredible. I never knew the Fire Nation would go so far out for its guests…"
"Well, Lord Ozai wants his visitors to feel at home as much as possible. I'll be going now, but please, take your time settling in, and enjoy your stay. Good day, Mistress Katara."
"Ba-bye, and thanks again!"
With that, the door was closed, leaving Katara to truly take in her 'room'.
The walls, painted a pale blue, coincided with the dyed furs, scattered in various places across the wooden floor. The canopy bed was a real masterpiece, with its sheer navy netting and blue silken sheets.
The curtains were also made of sheer material, each side bearing the Water Tribe emblem. Accents of silver completed the stunning décor.
Sauntering over to the window, Katara caught a small glimpse of the oasis, meant especially for the enjoyment of waterbenders such as herself. Making a mental note to visit it later, she walked over to the alluring bed and flopped onto it, tired from her long days of travel.
Closing her eyes, Katara drifted off, dreaming of dancing princes and princesses, herself included.
Oo-Oo-Oo-Oo-
I hate this. I really hate this. Why am I required to do this?
Set before the Prince of Fire were several floral arrays, china arrangements, and color swatches.
Why can't somebody else pick the stupid designs? I don't even want to go to the damned thing.
Randomly marking one of each choice, Zuko carelessly got up to walk out of the room when Iroh entered. Noticing the annoyed countenance surrounding his young nephew, the retired general inquired as to why.
Huffing, Zuko replied.
"Because… I'm being made to attend an event whose sole purpose is to waste a night of my life trying to find an annoying, arrogant woman to court and most likely marry. And the fact that my father is trying to include me in the preparations."
The Prince emphasized the last statement with a gesture towards the table of arrangement choices. Thinking for a moment as for what to say, Iroh replied.
"You know he loves you, yes?"
"Who, my overbearing father?"
"No, my big toe. Of course your father! He just… expresses his emotions differently, that's all."
"Yeah, well, I'd rather he not express them at all!"
With that, Zuko walked out, closing the door with a not so gentle bang.
Oo-Oo-Oo-Oo-
Knock-knock
The interruption was quiet; gentle even, yet the waterbender's keen hearing caught it nonetheless.
Getting up, Katara walked over to the door and peered through the peephole. Standing there was a young man, perhaps her own age, if not older.
By his attire, Katara could tell he was from an Earth Nation island, of sorts. Sensing nothing disturbing about the visitor, she opened the door and invited him in. A softly spoken introduction reached her ears before she had the chance to say a word.
"Hi! Umm… my name's Haru. I heard that you had moved in yesterday, and so far, we're some of the only guests who have arrived-"
Katara's mind whirled. Haru… where have I heard that name before?
"-and when I asked your name, they wouldn't tell me, but I eventually got it out of them. For some reason, you sounded familiar, and I couldn't help but ask you… have we met before?"
Ignoring the man's ability to talk for what seemed an eternity, Katara searched within her memories, trying to match that name with a face. A few moments later, she figured it out.
"Y-yes, I believe we have met. I think I was with Aang- I mean, the Avatar, and my brother, Sokka, at the time."
Seeing Haru's face cloud over in slight puzzlement, Katara tried to further remind him of the somewhat brief encounter four years in the past.
"We helped save your father and the men of your village…"
His features now lit up in understanding, the earthbender quickly responded.
"Oh… I remember now! Wow... it's been so long!"
Impulsively, Haru hugged the waterbender, overjoyed that he had found his long-lost friend. Hugging him back, Katara smiled warmly.
"So… how've ya been in the last… oh, I dunno, four years?"
"Not bad, actually. I started my own construction business with the help of my father. It's been prosperous. People like to live in houses, so we build 'em."
Haru laughed nervously for a moment before continuing.
"So, uh, what about you? Anything exciting?"
Katara smiled a little, slightly embarrassed that she hadn't done anything really significant with her life.
"Not much, really. Aang and Sokka are over in Bah Seng Sei helping to stabilize it in case of an invasion, and I've been at home with my village, helping teach waterbending and various little stuff… so, yeah."
An awkward silence filled the air between the two, as they had become distant from each other in their absences. Wanting to relieve the tension, Katara suggested they take a walk outside.
"Sure. I've actually been meaning to, but I'm always doing something else."
"Okay, great. Just give me a moment, and then we can go."
After a few minutes, the two made their way to the outer garden, the atmosphere sweet scented and tranquil. The friends talked as they sauntered along, discussing past issues and events that had occurred, while at the same time observing the beauty of the nature surrounding them.
Katara brought to light a certain species of flower that stood out among the rest.
"Hey, Haru, look over there. Do you see that flower, the white one?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"It's an ice cap flower, named so because of its snow-like appearance. My mom used to love to garden, and those were her favorites."
Noting the sad look in Katara's normally sparkling blue eyes, Haru put an arm around her to comfort her.
"I miss her a lot, and for some reason, lately it's been harder without her. I know it's been ten years, but it's just… I'm not even sure how to explain it… it's just hard."
Not knowing what to say to this, Haru tried to console her the best he could.
"Well… to tell you the truth, I'm not quite sure how to help you with that, but I'm here anytime you wanna talk. It helps a lot to talk to a friend when you're hurting."
Wiping away a stray tear, Katara responded.
"Thanks, Haru. I almost forgot how much fun I used to have talking to you."
"Anytime, Katara. I'm glad to help."
Noting the position of the sun, Katara noticed that it was getting late.
"I guess we should head back now to get ready for the ball. I'll see you later, then?"
"Sure thing, I'll be lookin' for ya! Bye!"
"See ya!"
With that, they started towards their rooms, thankful that they had found a friend.
Oo-Oo-Oo-Oo-
Zuko was frustrated. Frustrated that he had yelled at his uncle, frustrated that his father was so persistently stubborn about this masquerade, but most of all, he was frustrated at life.
And, on top of all that, this stupid dream he kept having wasn't helping his predicament one bit.
For the last several nights, he'd been dreaming of a young woman, her caramel skin glowing in the soft sunlight, her blue eyes bright and mysterious. She was a beauty, and several times he caught himself wondering if she even existed.
In his dream, he would walk towards her, to caress her cheek, to graze his fingers through her flowing auburn waves; yet every time he advanced, she dissipated, like her element, into the wind.
Zuko had thought about telling his uncle about this 'dream girl', but decided against it, thinking that all Iroh would do is make some weird premonition of sorts… or something worse.
The Prince shuddered at the thought of the horrible possibilities. He settled down to meditate, to rid his mind of the disturbing thoughts, but as hard as he tried, he couldn't shake the image of those mesmerizing blue eyes…
Oo-Oo-Oo-Oo-
After a pleasurable, soothing bath, Katara began the rather ephemeral process of readying herself for the special event that evening.
First, she dried her hair, letting the long waves graze her lower back. She decided to leave it down this one night, only adding an ice diamond comb, expertly crafted into the shape of a crescent moon.
Katara then moved on to her facial appearance, applying a pale blue shimmer to her delicate lids, enhancing her dark tone. Next, she added eyeliner, defining her icy ocean orbs.
Wanting to preserve some of her natural beauty, Katara refrained from using the powder and blush, and lightly applied a red tint to her full lips.
Her makeup now finished, Katara then moved to the wardrobe and carefully lifted out her mother's bridal kimono. Memories flooded the waterbender's mind as she let the soft silk slide over her supple curves, the dress accentuating her slender form.
Tying the bow in the back, Katara observed her reflection in the mirror. Finding the mask and her boots, she donned both, and headed towards the door.
For a moment, she hesitated, unsure of herself as her hand hovered over the doorknob. Finally pushing all thoughts of doubt aside, the waterbender entered the corridor.
Oo-Oo-Oo-Oo-
Tightening the last tie on his regal attire, Zuko headed out the door towards the main hall. He was late, very late, and his father would most certainly be angry, but he didn't care. He was going, wasn't he?
Entering the large room after being announced, the Prince quickly addressed the people, then headed down the stairs to 'mingle'.
Personally, Zuko hated to mingle, but his uncle had told him it was vital. The Prince recalled the general's last minute advice.
'Be sure to make eye contact. I know you hate to, but you must mingle! And don't forget to be polite. Follow these guidelines, and you'll be sure to get on everyone's good side. Trust me.'
Coming back to the event at hand, Zuko sat down, for once glad that he had a mask to hide his well-known features. Observing the crowds, the Prince's eyes settled on a lone, shy-looking girl dressed in an elegant blue kimono. Unlike the other women, she stood alone, her back partially to the mass.
Getting up from his resting place, Zuko made his way towards the girl, her mysterious aura intriguing him. Not until she turned around did the Prince of the Fire Nation notice that, looking through that sparkling sapphire mask, were the clearest, bluest eyes he'd seen only in his dreams.
Etherealstar's Authoress Notes: Chapter was indeed awesome.Hope you enjoyed the clever works of the lady herself, .Lady.Meister...
.Lady.Meister.'s Authoress Notes: Wow. I made a cliffy. Yay? Anyways, I greatly enjoyed writing this chapter. Hoped everyone liked it. Oh, and we'd also appreciate some more warm fuzzies, since you guys are oh-so-good at giving them- lol. Thanks again!