Momo flew and descended and landed on the roof of a small house.

"What's inside that wall?" Katara said.

There was a tall gate. Three men were standing in the gateway, wearing dark robes and wide brimmed hats turned their eyes toward the group, looking somewhat hateful at them.

"And who're the mean-looking guys in robes?" Sokka said.

"Inside is the Royal Palace. Those men are agents of the Dai Li, the cultural authority of Ba Sing Se. They are the guardians of all our traditions!" Joo Dee said.

Aang was bored and annoyed. "Can we see the king now?"

"Oh no, one doesn't just pop in on the Earth King!" Joo Dee said.

"Here we are! Your new home." Joo Dee said.

Behind the gang looking down at Joo Dee. A messenger comes, gave Joo Dee a scroll, and left.

"More good news! Your request for an audience with the Earth King is being processed, and should be put through in about month. Much more quickly than usual!" Joo Dee said.

"A month?" Kurai said.

Joo Dee Smiled widely. "Six to eight weeks, actually."

"Isn't it nice? I think you'll really enjoy it here." Joo Dee said.

"I think we would enjoy it more if we weren't staying for so long. Can't we see the Earth King any sooner?" Sokka said.

"The Earth King is very busy running the finest city in the world! But he will see you as soon as time permits." Joo Dee said.

Aang turned to look out the window determined. "If we're going to be here for a month, we should spend our time looking for Appa." At the sound of Appa's name, Momo woke up.

"I'd like to escort you anywhere you'd like to go." Joo Dee bowed

"We don't need a babysitter." Reiko said.

Reiko got up and walked toward the door.

"Oh, I won't get in the way." Joo Dee took a step, blocking Reiko's path. "And to leave you alone would make me a bad host! Where shall we start?"

Xxx

Reiko turned around in annoyance. Momo jumped on the bowl and started to eat, but was scared by a cat owl, who screeches at him. In the room, where Team Avatar, accompanied by Joo Dee, was in a pet store and speaking with the owner at the counter.

"I'm sorry, but I haven't heard anything about a flying bison. I didn't even know there were any." Pet Store Owner said.

"If someone wanted to sell a stolen animal without anyone knowing, where would they go ?" Aang said.

Sokka was Slightly frustrated. "Where's the black market? Who runs it?" Sokka Pointed at him accusingly. "Come on, you know!"

Pet Store Owner was Nervous and perspiring. "Uh ..." Pet Store Owner Looked at Joo Dee, who was standing behind Sokka and Aang, shaking her head. "That would be illegal. You'll have to leave now; your lemur is harassing my sparrowkeets."

Momo was eating the birds' food while defending himself from the sparrowkeets.

At Ba Sing Se University, Team Avatar was standing in front of a student. A few students were walking around.

"Hmm ... I've never seen any sandbenders or nomads around here. You should ask Professor Zei, he teaches the class on desert cultures." Student said.

"Right. And which of your professors could we ask about the war with the Fire Nation?" Sokka said, annoyed.

"Uh ..." Student said nervously.

The student looked at Joo Dee, behind Sokka, who shook her head at him. Sokka noticed this from the corner of his eye, but she quickly stopped before he could see it fully.

"I don't know. I'm not a political science student ... I've got to get to class." Student was still very nervous.

He stood up and went away, but trips, dropping his scrolls. He quickly picked them back up, and hurried to go. Joo Dee waved at him, smiling.

Aang, Kurai, Katara, Sokka, and Reiko stood at the steps of their house. Joo Dee was still sitting in the carriage, and talking to them through the window.

"Well, I'm sorry no one has seen your bison. Why don't you go get some rest ? Someone will be over with dinner, later." Joo Dee said, smiling.

As the carriage drove off, Sokka, followed by the rest of the gang, noticed a man in the house across from them peeking through a window at them. The mans head receded back.

Sokka gestured to the rest of Team Avatar to follow him. "Hey, come with me."

Everyone followed Sokka across the street. Sokka knocked on the front door. The same man appeared and opened the door, smiling at them.

"You're the Avatar! I heard you were in town. I'm Pong." Pong said.

"Nice to meet you, Pong." Aang said.

"So, Pong, what's goin' on with this city? Why is everyone here so scared here to talk about the war?" Sokka said.

Pong Shifted his eyes to the sides. "War? Scared? What do you mean?"

Reiko was Slightly annoyed. "I can feel you shaking."

"Look, I'm just a minor government official." Pong Looked to the sides to confirm that no one was present except them. "I've waited three years to get this house. I don't want go get into trouble."

"Get in trouble with who?!" Kurai asked.

Pong Put his finger on his mouth, and whispered. "Shh, listen, you can't mention the War here. And whatever you do, stay away from the Dai Li."

As he closes the door, everyone looked at each other's faces in confusion.

xxx

Kurai headed into the tea shop where Zuko and Iroh were working, smiled, and sat down.

"Would you like a pot of tea?" Iroh asked.

"I'd love one." Kurai said. "But could you have your nephew serve me please?"

Iroh smiled knowingly and pushed Zuko over.

Zuko poured the tea and sat down.

"So you live in the city?" Zuko said. "With the Ava-"

Kurai put a finger to his lips. "How about; just Kurai and 'Lee' live in Ba Sing Se and are having a nice visit in this tea shop. No Avatar, No Fire Nation, No War."

"But—" Zuko protested, but Kurai's lips where on his and he forgot his protests.

"For a little while, just let it be you and me."