The day had already gone far worse than Katara had expected. Walking up the dock to the welcome delegation Katara was grateful that Gran Gran and the other women had insisted she change into the formal Fire Nation robes. She had felt foolish at first in such an elaborate outfit when surrounded by the rest of the men and women in their regular practical clothing but seeing the way Iroh and Zuko and the rest of the assembled nobility were dressed she was thankful to not still be in her usual casual attire.

The walk up to meet them was long. She tried to breathe and remember the etiquette lessons Toph had taught her. As her Dad and Fire Lord Iroh exchanged their tense formal greetings she sunk into a low bow and was proud that she had managed to get down so smoothly even in the cumbersome robes she wore. That pride quickly dissipated when Zuko saw her and immediately pulled her to her feet clearly embarrassed. "Don't do that Katara" he said and she fumed. She was barely in the country and he was already embarrassed by her. How dare he when she had gone to so much effort for him. She wanted to yell at him for being an ungrateful cad but didn't want to cause a scene so soon and instead forced her anger down and stayed silent.

She stayed silent even when she was expected to be happy to be carried up to their accomodation. Silent even when her own father was causing a scene. She wanted to remain silent when it was finally settled that she would be shoved to the side as the men walked and had important discussions, but it seemed Fire Lord Iroh was determined to make her talk. The elderly man appeared not to notice her angry silent protest chatting amiably at her about the city as they passed through. After a long pause which Katara refused to break he sighed and asked "do you like tea Master Katara?" It was an innocent enough question so she had begrudgingly nodded her ascent. Iroh continued almost as if she hadn't responded "I enjoy a good cup of tea but some teas are harder to make than others. Some are very delicate and must be handled with care but their results are worth the extra time and effort you put in"

"I see," Katara said, the Fire Lord was known for his fondness for tea and especially Jasmine tea, a notoriously hard variety to brew well, it would make sense that he turned to his favourite subject when faced with her angry silence. She sighed and uncrossed her arms. He was not the one who had been rude to her, she should not take out her anger on him when he was trying to be polite. The man was her future father-in-law and Toph was fond of him so he couldn't be too bad.

"And the interesting thing about tea" Iroh continued "is that it needs both water and fire to exist, without one or the other it would not be as possible." Okay so he is a little weird Katara thought, but she'd need a friend in this place and the Fire Lord himself wasn't a bad place to start. Even if he is a little odd. Deciding to make an effort Katara looked the old man in the eyes and searched for a way to keep the conversation going.

"I heard Fire Lord that during your time in Ba Sing Se you ran a tea shop?" she asked, offering a small smile as a peace treaty.

"Ah yes. The Jasmine Dragon. It was a beautiful place, one day I hope to re-open it." He smiled wistfully.

"But Fire Lord…" Katara started, confused how he could want to open a tea shop when he was in charge of a whole country. The protest died on her lips.

"Please call me Uncle" he insisted, cutting her off. "You will soon be family, there is no need for formalities." Katara smiled sincerely at that remark and decided to drop the issue. This time when Uncle started chatting about the city around them and where to find the best tea she listened happily.

Before long they arrived at what could only be described in Katara's mind as a small palace. The house was enormous. Made out of wood and painted a deep red colour it was completely different to the igloos and tents of the South Pole. As Katara, Gran Gran and the rest of the women were led inside it was revealed to be incredibly beautiful and ornate inside filled with intricate wood carvings on the walls and art of all types strategically placed throughout. The large rooms were filled with things but none felt warm and welcoming at all to Katara. it seemed more of a museum than a home. The place also set her a little on edge as it reminded her of the fancy house that was really a prison that they had lived in during their time in the upper ring of Ba Sing Se. She shivered a little at the thought of living somewhere like this forever and had to actively put such negative thoughts from her mind.

Her own room was thankfully more comfortable despite being much larger than she was used to. Against one wall there was a big bed packed with fluffy blankets and soft pillows which helped to make the room feel cosy. There was also a large window with the faintest view of the water in the harbour, being able to see water put Katara a little more at ease even if it was too far away for her to bend.

To Katara's great delight through a small door just opposite her bed was an elaborate but importantly private bathroom. Inspecting the large bath in one corner Katara was elated to discover the strange nobbs on the wall produced hot water. As the large tub filled she marvelled at Fire Nation ingenuity. Searching the cupboards of the vanity she found delicate glass jars labelled bath salts and generously poured some in. When the bath was full she climbed in luxuriating in the sweet smelling water and let herself relax for the first time since she had woken up that morning, Although she was very careful not to get her hair wet. It had taken Anyu and Tanara two full hours of applying oils and creams and twisting and pinning her hair to create the classic top knot she still wore; and with the party tonight it was important for her to maintain her perfect Fire Nation hair. Remembering the party Katara's giddiness and sense of calm deflated back to anxious worry.

She worried at her bottom lip as she thought about how the evening would play out. She knew plenty of the people at this event would have played a key role in the war and the horrors it had caused. She was almost glad she was going in blind as to who everyone was. She knew she would find it difficult to remain polite knowing what each person she met had personally been responsible for during the war. However, this also meant she would be relying on Zuko to introduce her. If his embarrassment at her arrival this morning was anything to go by then the night would be long and painful. Toph had dictated as many letters as she could for Katara on the etiquette and polite society rules she remembered as soon as she had heard of the engagement but Katara now suspected they may not have been as accurate as she had originally believed. She should have known that with the earth bender's disregard for rules her advice might not be the most reliable.

Reluctantly stepping out of the bath Katara dried off and wrapped a robe of the smoothest silk around herself. Standing in front of the mirror she eyed herself critically. Her hair was done fashionably, her clothes had been made of Fire Nation silk in Fire Nation styles. She was usually not one for vanity but looking at herself now she thought she was pretty enough and had made a suitable effort to fit in with the people here. It had to have been Katara herself that made the crown prince uncomfortable this morning. Although thinking of the incident now Katara realised Zuko had not been angry, speaking gently and so softly that only she would hear. Only now with her temper cooler did she consider how close he had stood to her, there had only been mere centimeters of space between them and the prince had seemed reluctant to step back. His hand on her arms had been warm and he had looked nowhere but her face the whole time. Uncontrollably Katara blushed.

She was saved from examining the prince's actions or her own reactions any further thanks to a sharp tap on the door. "Who is it?" she asked. Judging by the light pouring through the windows it was too early to be Gran Gran or the other women coming to help her change for the evening so she didn't know who it could be.

"Katara it's me" she heard Sokka whisper through the door "we need to talk. Let me in." Worried at his serious tone Katara quickly threw on some loose pants she dug hurriedly out of her luggage under the robe and opened the door.

"Sokka what is it? What's wrong?" Sokka looked at her and couldn't stifle a giggle looking at the slightly ridiculous clothes and hairdo she was wearing. "Urgh Sokka if you just came in here to tease me then just go away, okay I'm not in the mood"

"I actually came with some news, the teasing was just a bonus." Katara just rolled her eyes and let go of the heavy door, a little vindicated when she heard a soft ow from her brother as it hit him on the way through.

"So," she said sitting on the edge of the bed "what's the news?"

"Well while you were luxuriating on the ride up here I decided to do a little re-con and snuck into the Palace" Sokka said with a smirk, obviously proud of himself.

"Sokka" Katara cried incredulously "that's so reckless. What if you had got caught?"

"But I didn't get caught and I wouldn't have. I'm a master spy." Sokka flailed his arms around in a bad approximation of some kind of martial art move, Katara rolled her eyes.

"You tripped over your own feet at dinner a few weeks ago and spilled hot stew all over yourself" Katara retorted.

"Yeah, well" Sokka started but Katara just raised an eyebrow at him. Sokka threw his hands up and sat on the closed lid of one of her trunks "look, do you want to know what I found or not?" Katara nodded surprised he had already found something important out so soon.

"Okay well first of all the palace is huge, like at least twice the size of the one in the Northern Water Tribe." Katara groaned internally. If everything went to plan then that's where she would be living and it would take her months to learn her way around. Externally she kept her face calm.

"Okay that's not a lot Sokka I could have guessed that."

"No it's not much but! While I was trying to find my way around I saw Azula and those girls she's always with."

"Mai and Ty Lee" Katara said more to herself than her brother. Katara wasn't surprised. From what she knew Azula hardly went anywhere without her two minions. This was bad news, she trusted Azula even less than Zuko and Mai and Ty Lee were dangerous in their own rights.

"Yeah whoever, those ones." Sokka shrugged.

"And they were up to something?" Why was Sokka so calm if he had proof the princess of the Fire Nation was up to something shady.

"Less up to something and more discussing… something." Sokka looked down at his hands here and looked a little sheepish

"What? Are they planning to hurt one of us? I bet they'll do it tonight at the party. We should go tell everyone" Katara was shocked Sokka wasn't more worried. If it was serious, then they should be warning dad and the others. They could all be in danger. Standing she went to rush from the room. Sokka caught her arm and pulled her back.

"No Katara. They were, um" he couldn't meet her eyes.

"What Sokka?" Katara was getting angry now. They were wasting time.

"They were discussing you okay!" Sokka shouted, dropping her arm.

"Me?" That froze Katara in place. They wanted to hurt her?

"Look Katara I'm sorry okay. I overheard them joking about the event tonight. How it would be a disaster and that some water tribe peasant girl at the party would be such an embarrassment to the royal family but that after tonight you'll just give up and run away."

"Oh" was all Katara could manage. She felt both too cold and too hot. She had known she and Azula would not be friends and was almost expecting the girl to try one of her tricks. But to hear that she had bad mouthed and laughed at her mere hours after her arrival and appeared to enjoy the idea of her failure was hurtful in a way Katara had not expected. It was super petty and it made her blood boil. Sokka looked nervously at her as her anger built.

"I'm sorry I couldn't find out more but I figured I should get back before I was missed, or you know, caught" Katara just hummed in response. "Please don't do anything rash okay?" he asked as he moved towards the door. Katara just smiled and nodded. The look on Sokka's face clearly said he didn't believe her but he just sighed and closed the door behind him. Of course she wouldn't do anything rash Katara thought. She would just make sure this night was so perfect even Azula would be impressed.

Katara puffed as she climbed the many, many stairs from the courtyard where the escort left them to the palace doors. Her dress was heavy with pure metallic threads woven into the silk and lots of tiny embellishment in the pattern of Fire Lilies. With the wide skirts requiring many petticoats and long flowing sleeves that trailed behind her it was hard to walk and Katara shuddered at the idea of trying to eat. By the time the servants opened the large doors to allow them to enter the ballroom she was sweaty, frazzled and on her last nerves. Her knuckles were white from holding her dad's arm. "Katara" Her dad stopped her just out of sight of the other party guests "if you do not wish to do this then nobody is forcing you. We can leave at any moment." Katara smiled at him. She knew he was not just talking about the party but she had made a decision and a promise so unless there was proof the Fire Nation was up to something sinister she would keep going. Breathing deeply she centered herself and kissed his cheek.

"I'm okay dad, promise" Hakkoda nodded and they walked through the doors arm in arm.

The room was nothing like Katara had ever seen. The splendor of it outmatched even the Earth King's party she had snuck into so many years ago. She was tempted to openly gape at the beautiful decorations but she felt the eyes of the rest of the guests hard on her and resisted, schooling her face into a passive neutral mask. She felt it the second Zuko saw her. He didn't look away scrutinising her from head to toe. He didn't react however and Katara regretted her choice of dress. Maybe it was too much, did she look ridiculous? All she could think from then on was don't embarrass yourself.

This time when she bowed he didn't pull her to her feet, instead he bowed deep and low himself. Even as unschool in Fire Nation tradition as she was, Katara could tell this was unusual and the gasps she heard from the crowd behind her confirmed that Zuko had just broken tradition for her. "My lady" he said in a way that could almost be teasing and she remembered months ago when she had spat similar words at his departing form and blushed at her own rudeness. He smiled reassuringly at her and Katara couldn't help smiling back just a little. He stared at her for so long. Her smile faltered a little and Katara worried there was something on her face but then he motioned to the band "would you care to dance?" This Katara could do. She had always been a good dancer so she eagerly agreed and even pulled Zuko onto the dance floor. He seemed surprised at her abruptness but was happy to comply. As the music started he pulled her so close she could feel his breath on her ear. Once again his hands were exceptionally warm, it must be a fire bender thing she thought. At first the music was soft and gentle and they just swayed together and Katara had the ludacris thought that she was actually having fun. She should have known better. The music changed suddenly to a faster and more rigid beat. Apparently there was a set dance to this music that everyone else knew. Katara floundered unsure what to do so Zuko started pulling her around the dance floor whispering harsh instructions.

"Turn now, arms out, and clap 2,3,4 step step turn - no not that way" and Katara was lost. She knew they must look ridiculous and she flushed deeply. She prayed to Tui and La that it would end soon. Thank the spirits with one more turn there was a final crescendo and Zuko dropped his hands away from her as if she was the one in danger of lighting him on fire. Before he could say anything she cut in.

"Thank you for the dance, my lord." She knew it wasn't fair, it wasn't his fault but she was deeply embarrassed and aware of the hundreds of eyes on her back and couldn't help herself. On the edge of crying she whipped around, her skirts swishing noisily in the silence following the song, and stalked quickly off the dance floor not caring for Zuko's reaction.

Ignoring even the Fire Lord as he attempted to speak to her she walked to the far side of the hall and found a door that led to a small balcony. She gripped the railing tight and felt hot tears slide down her cheeks. Brushing away the tears she heard the door open behind her.

"Just leave me alone Sokka" she said, not bothering to turn around. It would be just like him, unable to give her any space.

"Oh, I'm definitely not Sokka," Azula purred. Katara spun around quickly to face the girl. She was taller than the last time Katara had seen her but just as deadly looking. Katara knew all too well that there was a hidden strength and ferocity beneath the porcelain exterior of the Fire Princess. Azula was also dressed in formal robes. It was unusual and off putting to see her out of the combat clothes she had worn when hunting them.

"Azula. What are you doing here?" Katara asked, unsure of what she could want.

"It's a party Kat I was invited" She smirked and Katara flushed again feeling stupid. She clenched her hands tightly and said

"No, I mean what are you doing out here?" Azula smiled that crocodile-shark smile of hers and said in her fake friendly tone

"Why I just wanted to check on you of course. We all saw that debacle of a dance and your dramatic storm out." Katara cringed, she would never be able to live this down but she knew Azula must want something more than to just rub her face in her failures for her to come all the way out here. Either not noticing or choosing to ignore Katara's silence she just kept talking "It was quite a disaster wasn't it? I mean nobody was surprised" Katara's fists were so tight her nails were cutting into her palm. "Now Kat, seeing as you'll soon be by sister" somehow that way she said that made Katara's skin crawl "I would love to help you out, give you a few lessons on the Fire Nation and our many, many traditions" Katara's temper flared and she struggled to not outright charge at the girl in front of her. Swallowing hard she said in a purposefully sweet voice

"Why that is so kind of you Azula but I think the Fire Nation should be learning to change some of its traditions" Azula's smile dropped "After all, that's why I'm here isn't it?" Azula snarled and all semblance of polite helpfulness vanished.

"Well Kat" she advanced towards Katara trapping her against the railing and a thick stone wall with nowhere to go and no water close by. If she attacked Katara would have to rely on her hand to hand fighting skills and she felt woefully unprepared. "If you want to be accepted in this country, you'll have to learn to do things our way, or it will be very unpleasant for you. And your tribe" Katara just swallowed unable to think of a retort with the Azula so close. The girl just smirked "think about it hard" she purred and walked back into the ballroom.

She snuck out of her own party. In her big dress and expensive jewellery Katara had hopped the balcony and climbed down the jasmine vine and walked the long back to the house alone. The pale gold silk of her dress was dirty and maybe stained but thankfully not ripped or torn. Sneaking into the large house Katara sent a prayer to Yue that Gran Gran had gone to bed early. She had not accompanied them to the party claiming to be too old for such festivities choosing to remain at the house. Katara hadn't wanted to discuss why she was back already when it was still very early, and why she was alone and in such a state. She couldn't bear to see the disappointed look on Gran Gran's face at her failure.

Finally back in her room Katara held herself together enough to shimmy her way out of the cumbersome clothes and pull the hundreds of pins from her hair. It was only when she filled the bath with water to wash the delicate dress that she let the tears flow freely. It had been a disaster of a day from start to finish. Maybe Azula had been right. Maybe she didn't belong here. Climbing into bed the events of the day and the evening played over and over in her mind. As she fell asleep she heard Azula's voice on repeat, threatening her family.

She did not sleep well and refused to get up when both her dad and Gran knocked on her door to rouse her. It was late morning by the time Sokka knocked sharply and called through the door "Time to get up Katara. There's some people here you'll really want to see." Katara just groaned and pulled the blankets up to cover her face. She never wanted to see anyone ever again but Sokka had already gone, not waiting to hear her response. Katara buried herself deeper into the pillows and prepared to go back to sleep so as to forget everything, that is until she heard the tell tale grundle of a sky bison. She shot out of bed and went to the window. Sure enough there in their back garden was the enormous form of Appa. Laughing incredulously Katara threw on some clothes and rushed down the stairs. She heard laughter from one of the front rooms and burst through the doors.

To her great surprise she didn't see Aang as expected but rather Toph and Suki. She almost cried laying eyes on the two girls. She loved her family but it was very boy heavy with just Hakoda and Sokka. Gran Gran was just sweet and did her best but was just so old that Katara could never tell her everything that was going on. Not saying a word she threw her arms around the two girls and squeezed tight.

"Alright sugar queen, we missed you too" Toph choked out fighting her way out of Katara's tight embrace. She still punched Katara's arm when finally released her own brand of love and support, Suki grabbed Katara's hand and gushed

"It's so good to see you Katara, we have so much to discuss. I want to know all about the wedding preparations." Suki was beautiful as always. Tall and elegant she was dressed in her usual training clothes. Katara was suddenly very aware of the state she was in. Her hair was a mess of oily clumps, her face smudged with makeup and her eyes still red and sore but she was so happy to see her friends she didn't care.

"I'm so glad you guys are here. I didn't realise you would be here so early."

"We didn't think we would either but then we got a lift over from…" Toph started explaining but stopped mid-sentence to grin widely

"Hi Katara." Katara turned quickly, her heart beating loudly.

"Hi Aang".