The trio went down the long slide-like chute, Aang cheering gleefully, Katara debating on whether it was enjoyable or not, and Sokka screaming. Hot black smoke was blowing on their faces and covering them with soot. After a few moments they landed through an metal plate that was loose onto a cold white marble floor. Katara got up and brushed herself off. Where they had just landed on was a huge black spot. She looked up and saw a young girl, no older than twelve, sitting in a large gold chair. It was covered with jewels, rubys, emeralds, and diamonds. But the girl was most intresting. She had pale skin with rosy cheeks. Her long golden yellow hair fell to around her belly button. She was staring at them with pale blue eyes and looking a little startled but she wasn't screaming or crying out for help. The girl wore a long sleeved pale pink dress that hid her feet. It had a white lace hem and waistline. On top of her head, gleamed a silver tiara decorated with diamonds. She just looked at them silently, as though not sure what to say, so Katara broke the ice.
"Um, hi. Your probably wondering what we were doing in your ceiling, well, it's a funny story actually, but, um, we got hurt and a woman took us in and we went out for a while but got attacked by a mob of angry people, we don't know why they attacked us though, but we needed to get away so we came onto the roof and went through this big smokestack type thing to avoid being crushed by the rocks they werew throwing at us and came here." Katara smiled but the girl just stared at them. Well, this couldn't be more awkward. "So, I guess we'll just be leaving…" Katara took a small step towards the doors on the opposite wall and Aang and Sokka followed.
"Katara! It's her! That's Marie! I know it!" Aang hissed at her.
"Are you sure?" Katara whispered back.
"There's only one way to find-"
"Wait!" The girls was now running toward them and with one hand holding up her dress so she wouldn't trip and with the other waving them down. "Please, wait. Do you think I could ask you a few things? I mean, since you're the Avatar and all." She pointed to Aang and overlooked his startled impression.
What's this girl playing at? How does she know Aang? This is all too weird…Katara felt goose bumps rise on her arms as she struggled to find words to express what she wanted to say. "Why, how does, how do you know Aang, Aang's the-"
"The Avatar?" She smiled. "It's a long story. But if you sit down and have some tea with me I'll tell you.
Katara gave her a suspicious look. She didn't feel right in trusting this girl she'd just met. But seeing as it couldn't hurt… "All right."
Sokka, Katara, and Aang followed the girl out of the doors and into a small side room no bigger than a large closet, down the hall. Inside there were two couches facing each other and a large oval coffee table in between them. On the table was a silver platter with a plate of fresh baked sugar cookies and a teapot, cups, a sugar bowl, a small milk dispenser, and small silver plates. They sat down across from the girl and watched as she poured tea in a small cup for each of them in turn before pouring one for herself. They waited until she had taken a long sip of hers before doing anything.
"Well, to start of, I guess we should introduce ourselves. I'm Katara, this is my brother Sokka, and our best friend, Aang. Well, Sokka and I are from the Southern Water Tribe and Aang…" She trailed off not sure whether to tell her or not about Aang.
"Oh I know about all that. I have this gift where I just can know things without knowing how I know them." She added at the confused stares of the trio. "I don't know how I got it but, anyway. My name's Marie, and I'm from an Earth Nation island not too, too far from here."
Aang nudged Katara in the ribs. "See? I told you." He hissed so Marie couldn't hear.
"I was taken captive by the Fire Nation awhile ago and just recently escaped, but since then I've come to live on this island where the protection's better. My Mother and Father were King and Queen once when my mother was pregnant with me and they were attacked. My Father was killed and my Mother taken captive. She had me that night and was killed as well. Not long afterwards the ship was raided and they found me very close to death but I recovered. But, of course, you already know all of this." Marie flashed another smile at them.
"Yes, your highness." Aang inclined his head and beamed as Marie began to giggle and Katara began to glare.
"Thanks, but we really should be going." Katara abruptly stood up and started walking to the doors while Sokka and Aang exchanged blank looks of confusion.
"Katara!" Aang stood up and ran after her. "What are you doing? We could get some information on Zuko from her!" He whispered loudly as they exited the room, leaving Sokka with Marie.
"I don't want to get anything from her until I know for a fact that she's who she says she is." Katara quickened her pace toward the exiting doors.
"But,…" Aang stopped dead in his tracks and started to shout. "Your being so selfish! You know, you're the only one who seems to have a problem with Marie!"
"Well excuse me! I saw the way you were showing off in front of her! And you barely know her! It wasn't even your idea to come here!" Katara shouted back before she stormed out the double doors leading outside and leaving a bewildered and angry Aang behind.