2019: It's been a long, long time guys. Go reread everything. I've changed stuff, twisted things, added a bit more natural characterization on some. Go enjoy. And thank you, always, for sticking with me. The new reviews made my cold, no longer angsty heart melt
And yes, forgetfuldaffodil I am just that melodramatic ;P
They don't see the Earth King. Instead they see the Royal Gardens. It takes from ten in the morning until well into the evening to view The Eastern Lotus Pond, The Western Lotus Pond - named eastern and western even though they're literally right beside each other, The Moose-Lion Grove with its rock formations, and The Je Garden with more rock formations that, the gang is informed, represent the four seasons.
Dinner is an elaborate affair at some noble's house who just wanted to say that they've dined with the Avatar.
That night Katara and Zuko strip off the fancy clothes and don disguises again, ducking between shadows and healing the Lower Ring.
It continues for a week to the group's evergrowing frustration. The whole gang sees the sites - of only the Upper and Middle Rings - during the day then has dinner with some bore before the duo sneaks off into the night. They only went to the hospital three times, Zuko vetoed going again for fear of the Dai Li. They helped out an orphanage with money stolen from Middle Ringers who abused the poor. Tonight, they patrol, looking for the next place to help. Finding out the secrets of the Dai Lee is always in the back of their mind but even in the dark of the night few speak of Ba Sing Se's enforcers.
. . .
Morning dawns over the walled city and eventually Katara stirs. Aang is already up, chipper as usual. Zuko and Sokka are tired but awake. Katara mumbles her hello and shuffles to the door to grab the roll of papers sticking in the mail slot.
"Anything good?"
Katara flips through the letters. "Invitiation to dinner, invitation to dinner, invitation to dinner, and -oh!"
"What!" Aang bounces excitedly and even the two older boys look up.
"I know how to get in to see the Earth King!"
"How? Remember, the Earth King is very busy right now." Sokka mimes Jo Dee.
"He's throwing a party tonight for his," she squints, "pet bear?"
"You mean his platypus bear?"
"Nope."
"Armadillo bear?"
Katara shakes her head.
"Skunk bear then?"
"No."
"Gopher bear?"
"The invitation just says bear."
Sokka grabs the invitation. "Yeah, just bear."
Katara shoots him a withering look. "Obviously, that's what I just said. Just. Bear. Sheesh."
"Ugh." Toph walks in, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "This place is so weird. Who has just a bear?"
"Apparently the Earth King." Katara shrugs. "Anyway, the palace will be packed. We can sneak in with everyone else."
"Won't work," Toph interjects.
"Why not?"
"Well, no offense to you simple folk - Fire Nation princes excluded - but a real society crowd could spot you from a mile away. You've got no manners."
"And excuse you, I've got no manners? You're not exactly Lady Fancy Fingers yourself."
Toph chooses this exact moment to burp loudly. "Eh. I learned 'proper' behavior and decided to ignore it. You never learned anything and frankly it's a little too late."
Zuko gulps before opening his mouth. "Well then what about us Toph. We could sneak in."
The earth bender tilts her head. "You know, that might just work."
"Guys, guys, as much as I love being told Aang, my sister, and I have no manners and so could never ever sneak in, you're all overlooking one very important detail." Sokka states.
"What?"
He waves the piece of paper in front of everyone. "This is an invitation. It means we're invited. We don't have to sneak in."
An awkward pause follows his words. "Oh."
"Yeah. We're all good to go, just have to find some stuff to wear." Sokka sniffs his armpits. "I don't think they really want us showing up like this."
A knock on the door interrupts them. "Package for the Avatar and entourage." Aang opens the door and brings the package to the table where they all crowd around except Toph.
"What is it?"
"Hold your ostrich horse!"
"The note says courtesy of the Earth King and that arrangements have been made at the Huanying Spa."
A chorus of oohs and aahs erupts as Aang reveals several elegant robes. Katara's is a deep blue qipao with long, wide sleeves and intricate silver embroidery. Sokka's changpao echos the designs. Aang's is yellow with bright orange trim and needlework of three of the four elements. Toph's, naturally, is a soft green with flying boars embellishing it. Zuko's Lee'sis dark green with gold embroidery that dances in the light. Each one is gorgeous and made of painfully expensive silk. A knock on the door interrupts the fawning.
"Avatar Aang and company, it is so wonderful to see you." Joo Dee bows to them, her signature smile plastered across her face. "I am here to accompany you to the Huanying Spa. Please follow me."
"Oh no," Toph butts in, "I'm not going to a spa! The Earth King can suck it, I'm not going to a spa!"
Joo Dee gasps, "Mistress Beifong, we mustn't say such things about his esteemed majesty the great Earth King! He has done many wonderful things for us like give us this beautiful city and these safe walls. He is a good man, a noble king! We should be honored that – "
Sokka interjects, "Seriously Toph, you're the one who wants us to look at fancy and," he sniffs, "Prim and proper."
Aang adopts a haughty stance and sniffs too, holding an imaginary teacup, pinky out, "So prim, so proper!"
Sokka bows, "Master Aang."
"Master Sokka!"
"Ugh, fine!" Toph rolls her eyes. "I hate you all, and they can't touch my feet!"
Before they know it, they're at the spa, the men hustled off to one side and the women to the other and some poor matron is attempting to scrub the grime, dirt, and who knows what else from Toph's feet.
"I said no one gets to touch my feet!"
The second woman holding her down struggles to keep her in the chair. "Mistress Beifong, we are simply trying to help!"
"Help this!" Toph squirms again, and earthbends them both right out the door. Katara sighs, her head in her hands.
The mud baths are easier. They both relax, squishing the mud between their toes. "Hey Katara," Toph whispers, "watch this." Right as an attendant walks by, Toph exhales, turning her simple mud mask and cucumber rounds into an exaggerated, jutting out face. The cucumbers stands almost on stalks and the mud around her mouth stands up. The unexpecting woman screams and runs out of the room.
Katara tries to be responsible, she really does. "Toph that was," a giggle escapes. "Toph that was terribly," another giggle. She gives in and laughs, "Oh Toph that was great!"
"I know" Toph laughs alongside her.
Next comes the sauna. Both of their elements combine to create a steam room that soaks their skin. From time to time one girl or the other will add a rock or some water and they stay there, soaking it all up.
"Now this is the life, this is what I expected from Ba Sing Se," Katara sighs, stretching out.
"Yeah, no chores, no problems, no weird Joo Dee. That smile, it gets to me."
"At least you don't have to look at it. It's creepy! There's nothing there, just the smile. Ugh."
"Ha, one of the perks of being blind."
Katara laughs. "Enjoy it I guess."
"Yeah, I do. Sometimes I wonder what it'd be like to see, like really see, but I don't know if I would be able to earthbend as well if I could. I'm not giving that up for anything."
"From what you've said and what you do, you seem to be doing just fine without it. You're an amazing earthbender!"
"Thanks Katara."
"It's nothing."
They sit in silence, letting it stretch easily between them. Their initial enmity a distant memory. After awhile, an attendant summons them to the next room.
Their makeup is done, their nail polish perfect, and their hair weaves through large ornamental headdresses. The spa women help them into their quipaos, properly arranging all buttons and ties, making sure that the many layers are perfectly smooth before sending them on their way.
"Oh Toph, you look gorgeous!" Katara croons.
"Really?" She adjusts her hair nervously. "I'm not normally into that kind of stuff but it was actually really nice. For once, I feel kinda girly."
"I'm glad, it's about time we did something fun together and this was perfect!"
"Yeah, it was."
They enter the lobby, just in time to see the boys walk out. Katara swallows, her eyes wide as saucers. The dark green may not suite Zuko exactly but the gold accents, the gold trim, they light up his eyes like nothing else. He'd relaxed around them, gotten more casual but now he stands tall, like a prince, commanding attention. Her mouth is dry. He's so handsome. Oh she wants to – nope. No. She can't go there with him, but he looks so good! "You look nice," She chokes out. "I mean, you all do. You all look good."
Zuko can't tear his eyes away from her and opens his mouth to reply. Sokka loudly preens, cutting off anything Zuko may say. "Oh thank you Katara! I know, don't I look wonderful! Look at this blue. I look great."
She laughs, "Yeah Sokka you look great."
Palanquins wait outside for them and they carefully climb inside. Katara catches Zuko staring again, his eyes boring into her, and can't help but blush. Toph grumbles something under her breath and rolls her eyes.
…
The palace is alive, courtiers making careful conversations and servants bustling about. Musicians can be heard even before entering the building, and some melodies float over from the gardens. The group begins to head inside, Zuko somehow managing to find his way to Katara's side. She looks like a goddess, like the ocean took human form. "You look pretty."
"Oh, uh, thanks," she stammers and looks away.
Pretty, pretty? That was the best he could come up with, pretty? Uncle would say a goddess like Zuko thinks she is, like a summer day made flesh, a refreshing beauty in the midst of mediocrity, and all that manages to come out of Zuko's mouth is pretty? He's so embarrassed. This woman looks like an angel and he has the audacity to just call her pretty! No surprise she'll never see him the way he wants.
The grand hall stretches out before them. A massive golden badgermole curls over the throne, above all the guests milling around. At the table, much to their surprise, a bear sits, dressed in a little outfit with a little hat and happily chowing down. An announcer loudly calls the names of each group passing him, introducing them to the crowd.
"Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe, son of chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe. Honorary Kyoshi Warrior." Sokka pauses, unsure of how they got that specific bit of information.
"Lady Toph Beifong, daughter of Lao and Poppy Beifong. Champion of the Earth Rumble."
"Master water bender and healer Lady Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, daughter of chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe closely accompanied by," the announcer squints at the paper in front of him, "Lee." The pair jumps, surprised at being close enough to be considered accompanying each other before they realize that they're not.
"Avatar Aang, Master of the Three Elements, Last of the Airbenders, Unagi Rider, and Master of – of Marbles." The hall stops at the mention of the Avatar, everyone gawks.
"Hi, everybody! The Earth King around here anywhere?" The nobles freeze, affronted at the casual tones. "Uh okay then, how about a trick. Look what I can do!" He holds up his hands, pulling marbles from some pocket or another and begins spinning them, a huge grin on his face.
Surprise ripples through the crowd. To think they would get to meet the Avatar tonight! They all knew he was here but to see him, that's something else entirely! Aang jumps up on the main table, pulling liquid out of cups and bending it into a massive swirling ball overhead before jumping on an air scooter and whizzing around. The gentry goes wild! Several marriage proposals are even thrown out by excited mothers. The bear especially is loving the show, clapping it's great big paws together in glee.
While Aang does that the others scan the crowd. There's no way to differentiate one noble from the next in terms of rank. No one stands out as a king. They droop. He has to be around here somewhere.
"I hear you're looking for the Earth King?" An older gentleman appears behind them. The light shines off his balding head as he bows slightly.
"Yes! Can you take us to him?"
"Of course. I'll also fetch the Avatar once he's done enjoying himself." He leads them away from the main hall, down another corridor and into a dimly lit study. "My name is Long Feng, I'm the Grand Secretary of Ba Sing Se and," the door shuts behind them, "the head of the Dai Lee." Toph hisses and the others clench their teeth, fear in their stomachs. "So tell me, what did you need to see the king so urgently about? Did it have something to do with bringing a banished prince into the palace, into our Utopia?"
Zuko looks at the others, "See, I told you it never works."
"Now's not the time," Toph snaps.
. . .
A gong sounds and two lines of guards enter the palace. The final four bring in a large, curtained palanquin between them. Gold and jade embellishments cover it, twisting up the sides. The Earth King pears out from under the gauzy curtains. Aang pauses and bows. "Your Majesty!"
"You must be the Avatar, correct."
"Yes, we've been trying to see you for –" a man in a different uniform from the rest whispers something to the Earth King who cuts the Avatar off.
"Thank you, that will be all."
"What?"
"Thank you Avatar, my bear enjoyed your performance. I appreciate it, that will be all. You may go."
Another man, in the same uniform as the whisperer approaches Aang before he can get another word out. "Your friends are waiting for you in the library, there's something they need to discuss with you." Aang dejectedly follows the man, surprised that his friends would go on without him. Something has to be up. He enters the study, the door locking behind him.
"Did you get to talk to the king?" Sokka questions, before Long Feng can get a word in.
"No, I-"
"The king does not need to be bothered by you."
"The king doesn't need to be bothered? We have information that could defeat the Fire Lord!" Katara interjects.
Long Feng laughs lightly. "The Earth King has no time to get involved with political squabble and the day to day minutia of military activities."
"This could be the most important thing he's every heard!"
"What's most important to his royal majesty is maintain the cultural heritage of Ba Sing Se. All of his duties relate to issuing decrees on such matters. It's my job to oversea the rest of the city's resources, including the military."
"Meaning he's your puppet," Zuko snarls.
"Oh no Prince Zuko," Long Feng scowls, "His majesty is an icon, a god to his people. He can't sully his hands with the hourly change of an endless war."
"It doesn't have to be endless!" Aang pipes up
"Yeah, we found out about a solar eclipse that will leave the Fire Nation defenseless. You could lead an invasion," Sokka adds.
"Enough!" Long Feng stands abruptly. "I don't want to hear your ridiculous plan! It's enough that you brought a Fire Nation prince here, we don't need you bringing the war too! It is the strict policy of Ba Sing Se that the war not be mentioned within the walls. Constant news of an escalating war will throw the citizens of Ba Sing Se into a state of panic." He glowers, "Our economy would be ruined. Our peaceful way of life, our traditions would be gone. In silencing talk of conflict, Ba Sing Se remains a peaceful, orderly utopia, the last one of earth."
Katara clenches her fists. "You can't keep it from all these people. They have to know."
"I'll tell them." Aang points an accusing finger at Long Feng. "I'll make sure everyone knows!"
Long Feng smirks. "Until now, you've been treated as our honored guest. But from now on you will be watched every moment by Dai Li agents. If you mention the war to anyone, mention you let Fire Nation scum in our walls, you will be expelled from the city. Now, Joo Dee will show you home." He sits down, watching them, "Oh and you two, Master Katara and Prince Zuko, you may not want to continue your little excursions to the Lower Ring. After all, who knows what could happen, and the Dai Li may not be able to protect you in time."