"Forget it, Katara, I'm not wearing that, and I'm not going to some stupid ladies' tea!" Toph yelled at the tenacious Water Tribe princess. "I left high society behind for a reason!"
"Toph, Zuko's mother invited us personally. It would be rude to reject the invitation," Katara said. She planted her hands on her hips. "Now you get your butt in that bathtub and put this dress on right now!"
Toph jumped to her feet, her hands balled into fists at her side. She wished she could shift the ground just enough to knock Katara on her backside. That would knock her down a peg. "Fine. But if I do this, you owe me big time."
"Okay, whatever you want, it's yours, Toph. Just go get cleaned up," Katara said, glad the blind earthbender couldn't see the satisfied grin on her face.
With a heavy sigh, the blind earthbender disappeared into the bathroom of her own personal Earth Kingdom-esque apartment.
When she had returned to her room following the summit, Katara found that someone had slipped a note under the door, inviting her, Toph, and Suki to tea that afternoon. The invitation was from Princess Ursa herself. Katara had hurried into the city to buy herself and Toph appropriate attire for a formal event. Zuko's unexpected ball that evening was another reason to get new clothing. She only wished that there were more diverse options at the boutique she had shopped at: both of their outfits were Fire Nation colors.
Katara laid out Toph's dress, a soft red kimono with a black sash and gold embroidery on the sleeves and collar. It wasn't exactly Toph, but it would work.
She turned away from it and ran her fingers along her own dress. It was a full-sleeved qipao with golden trimmings and a gold sash, with flowing silk skirts that reached the floor. The gold embroidery on the fitted bodice detailed dragons and fire lilies. The price for it had been steep, but when Katara had told the dressmaker who she was, the woman had refused to take the silver pieces Katara had offered.
Katara changed out of her blue robes and put on the new dress, tying the sash behind her. She pulled half of her hair up into a top knot, her signature hair "loopies" linked to it. The rest of her wavy curls cascaded over her shoulders. She left on her mother's necklace, even if it didn't quite match the dress.
She studied herself in the looking glass, barely recognizing the girl standing before her. She looked like true royalty now. Katara smoothed out the skirt of the dress, feeling girly and pretty and maybe a bit shallow. She had never been to a tea party.
The bathroom door slammed open. Toph came out and stormed over to where Katara had put her dress. "If I look stupid in this, I'm going to end you, Katara," the girl grumbled. She ran her fingers over the material. "Well, it doesn't feel like it's ugly." She pulled it on over her head.
"I'll do your hair for you, Toph," Katara volunteered.
Toph's gruff demeanor softened. "Thanks." She shifted the material of her dress over her chest. "Jeez, do you ever get used to having these things on your chest? Boobs are so annoying!"
"Eventually," Katara said with a snort.
Katara helped the younger girl get ready. Katara knotted the sash against Toph's narrow waist, only wishing her friend could see how beautiful she looked in her dress. Katara wrapped her friend into a hug.
"Oh no, don't get all soft and mushy on me, Sugar Queen—"
"You look really pretty, Toph," Katara said softly. "We better get going. We don't want to be late."
The tea party was in an unfamiliar part of the Royal Palace to Katara and Toph. Thankfully they ran into Suki on the way. The Kyoshi warrior wore a soft green dress with golden fans stitched into the skirt; a reminder of her heritage and her warrior status. Katara noticed how her betrothal necklace was captivating against her neck.
Her future sister-in-law was able to guide them to the tea right on time.
The tea was in an open room on the north side of the palace. There were floor-to-ceiling windows along each wall, allowing the room to be flooded with golden mid-afternoon sunlight. Soft cushions were set in a circle around a low table that held various tea and delicate snacks. Princess Ursa and five other girls were present in the room, one of whom was considerably younger than the others. That must be Kiyi, Zuko's half sister.
When Katara, Suki, and Toph entered the room, Zuko's mother rose to her feet and bowed respectfully.
"Princess Katara, Lady Toph, it is an honor to meet you at last," Princess Ursa told them reverently. "My son speaks highly of you both. And as always, Suki, it is a pleasure to see you."
"Likewise," Suki said, bending at the waist.
"It is an honor to meet you as well, your Highness," Katara said. She and Toph bowed in the traditional way of the Fire Nation: one hand with straight fingers pointing upward over their fist.
She placed her hand on Katara's arm. "Please, just Ursa will do. We don't always have to be so formal, do we?"
Katara liked her already. She smiled. "No, we don't. Then you can just call me Katara, and Toph is just Toph."
"As you wish." Ursa smiled. It reminded her of Zuko. "Please, come join us for tea. I would like you to meet some of the nobility of the Fire Nation. They'll be attending Zuko's ball tonight as well. And I'm sure you already know Ty Lee."
The three of them followed Ursa deeper into the room. Ty Lee was amongst the girls seated at the table. She sprang up and wrapped them into one big hug despite Toph's protests.
"I'm so glad you girls are here!" Ty Lee chirped. "Sit down! The tea is delicious!"
Katara, Toph, and Suki kneeled down onto the plump cushions.
Ursa gestured to the girls in front of her. "Princess Katara, Lady Toph, Lady Suki, this is Princess Saura of the Shimashima colony, Lady Akemi, daughter of renowned General Yoshiro, and Lady Kemeko, daughter of esteemed Admiral Jee. And of course, this is my daughter Kiyi."
"It's nice to meet you all," Katara said. She smiled brightly as she took each of them in.
All three of them were gorgeous and dressed in finery. Kiyi looked much like Zuko, but with darker hair and her mother's eyes.
Lady Saura had soft fair skin and coal-black hair. Her tawny eyes were slanted and surrounded by thick dark lashes. Her mouth was full and red. She was slender and Katara could see the intelligence in her eyes. Lady Akemi was small, delicate, and waif-like. Her skin was light, her eyes bright and round. She had an air of grace around her, and Katara wouldn't be surprised to know she was a skilled dancer. The last one, Lady Kemeko, was the most beautiful. She had almond-shaped eyes the color of honey beneath perfectly arched brows. Her lips were bow-shaped, her nose a gentle slope. Her raven-colored hair was loose, tumbling down to her waist. She eyed Katara with an unreadable expression. Katara squirmed uncomfortably beneath her cool gaze.
"It's nice to finally meet you," Kiyi said, grinning. Her top two teeth were missing and she had a slight lisp. "My brother talks about you guys all the time!"
"Does he now?" Katara replied. She gave the young girl a mischievous look.
"Hopefully it's all good things," Toph added with a grin.
A servant came forward and poured tea for the newcomers. Katara was grateful for the excuse to look away from Kemeko.
"This is quite good," Katara remarked to Ursa after she had tasted it.
"I hope so. It's Iroh's, imported from Ba Sing Se," the princess replied with a light chuckle. "It's his own special blend. He calls it dragon jasmine, after his tea shop."
"I've had it before. He serves it every time I go and visit him," Toph said as she took a drink. "It's his pride and joy. Well, beside that weird tapioca tea he invented."
"Ah yes, a man ahead of his time," Ursa sighed good-naturedly. She looked at Katara. "So, how did the summit go? I was unable to speak with Zuko about it before tea."
"It went well. The rest of the nations are on board. I'm sure Zuko will be ready to move forward with his plans soon," she answered. Katara sipped her tea. She didn't miss the way the nobles appraised her at her flippant use of Zuko's name.
"I'm glad to hear that. I feel this is a positive change for the world," Ursa replied. If the Fire Princess was surprised by Katara's omission of his title, she didn't show it.
"It will usher in a new era of community," said Lady Akemi over the rim of her tea cup. "The four nations will no longer be separate. They will start to merge."
"The borders will not fall any more than the walls of Ba Sing Se," Kemeko said. "But I do think this is a positive change in the world."
"Isn't there something more...fun we can talk about?" Ty Lee interrupted. "I feel like all we ever talk about is politics and peace. Where's the gossip?"
"Leave it to Ty Lee," Toph muttered.
"I agree. Trade talk is boring," Kiyi piped up.
Ursa set her tea cup down. "She's right, Toph. I didn't gather us all to talk about politics and trade. We have enough conversations about that. What would you like to talk about, Ty Lee?"
The tea party was entertaining, to say the least. Katara had never been through anything like it. The conversations were interwoven with the social nuances of the Fire Nation. Katara had never spent much time in higher society (as Toph had pointed out on more than one occasion) but she realized that the gossip was more than just that. It was the nobles' way of extracting information from one another with a subtlety that Katara found fascinating.
She didn't say much, but she listened to every word. Ty Lee, Ursa, and the noble girls talked about court affairs and the nobility of the Fire Nation, with Kiyi inserting funny comments here and there. She gleaned that the young girl and her brother were quite close. Katara made mental notes of names and tucked them away for later as she sipped tea and snacked on mochi and sushi.
She studied the girls closely. Ursa had mentioned they would be attending Zuko's ball; Katara wanted to know why. She got the feeling that there was more to their presence than she was initially led to believe. Katara knew that Zuko and Mai had been broken up for some time. Was his mother trying to set him up with someone new? Katara didn't know all of the formalities and expectations of Fire Nation court life, but she suspected that it was expected for Zuko to marry, and soon. He was nearly twenty-three years old. Producing an heir was probably more important than anything else. At least that was how it had been in the Northern Water Tribe.
"And so now you're engaged to Sokka," Ty Lee said to Suki. She sighed dreamily. "How romantic! I've always thought he was a cutie. And he's so strong and brave!"
"Are you trying to get on my bad side?" Suki quipped, but she was smiling at her comrade. "And what about you? There's gotta be a guy out there for you, Ty Lee."
She waved it off. "Oh, no, I'm not ready for all of that yet. I'm having too much fun just being a Kyoshi Warrior."
"Yes, so how does the daughter of Fire Nation nobility first join the circus, and then an Earth Kingdom troupe?" Princess Saura inquired. She seemed less than entertained by the entire affair, but Katara wasn't fooled by her blase attitude.
"The Kyoshi Warriors are an esteemed clan of trained fighters started by Avatar Kyoshi herself, thank you," Suki said defensively. She pierced the noble with a cool gaze.
The princess smiled, but it lacked any warmth or humor. "Of course. I meant no offense. It's just that the Kyoshi warriors are so little-known."
"It's like the trade deal, or the colonies," Ty Lee explained. "I don't confine myself to one nation, and neither should anyone else. It's good for your aura."
"I agree, Ty Lee," Katara said kindly. She eyed Saura distrustfully.
The princess turned her eye on Katara. "And you, you're with the Avatar, aren't you?"
"Yes," Katara replied curtly.
Her lips curved upward. "That must be a lot of pressure, isn't it? He's the last Airbender, and the Avatar. Surely his duties pose a challenge."
"We get through them together," Katara retorted tersely. She didn't like the way this conversation felt like an interrogation. What was the colony princess getting at?
"Of course." She sipped her tea.
"Is it true what they say, that he's trying to bring back Air Nomad culture?" Kemeko inquired.
"It is. I've heard about it from my fellow scholars at Ba Sing Se University," Akemi said. "They're called the Air Acolytes. They're getting a lot of notoriety."
"What about me? Have you heard about my metalbending academy?" Toph wanted to know. "I am the greatest earthbender to ever live, you know."
"Hm, no, I've never heard of it," Akemi said blithely.
Katara's blood boiled. They were a bunch of stuck-up jerks! Why did Ursa even tolerate them? She can't really think any of them are a good match for Zuko. He can't stand shallowness.
"I'd like to see it someday," Kiyi chirped happily.
Toph beamed a smile at her. "And you're welcome to any time, kiddo! I think you'd love it." She turned her sightless eyes on the nobles. "That's a shame. It's really impressive."
A mischievous undertone had come up in her voice and Katara watched her young friend closely. Akemi was stirring her tea with a metal spoon. Without warning the spoon seemed to jump right out of the young girls hand and tumbled to the floor with a clatter.
"Oh my!" Akemki cried. She hurried to dab the tea that had dribbled onto her delicate robes with a linen cloth. "What slippery fingers I have!"
Toph, Suki, and Katara chuckled knowingly. Kiyi giggled behind her hands.
"So what do you ladies do for fun?" Saura drawled inquisitively. She sipped her tea daintily.
"Well, bending is sort of my thing," Toph answered, still smug. "I practice all the time. It's really therapeutic."
"I practice my bending too," Katara said.
Kemeko looked at her. "You're a waterbender, right?"
"That's correct," Katara replied. She gave her a friendly smile. It didn't matter what games these girls played: she was Southern Water Tribe and she was raised to behave better than that. "I'm a Master."
"Firebending is far more powerful and noble," said Kemeko. "It's quite like dancing, don't you think, Akemi?"
"Yes, quite like dancing," she said. "It's so...poetic. Artistic."
Katara gritted her teeth and forced herself to smile. She wouldn't let them get the best of her. "Are any of you firebenders?"
The girls tittered. "No, not us," Saura answered. "But Akemi is a very talented dancer, and Kemeko and I aren't so bad ourselves. I'm sure you'll see tonight at the ball."
"Bending is an art, no matter which nation it comes from," Princess Ursa interjected. "Each element is more alike than you would believe."
"That's right," Katara said hotly. "I've improved my bending by studying other bending forms, including fire. And I know Fire Lord Zuko uses other forms as well. Including water forms." That'll tell them.
Saura turned to Princess Ursa. "Speaking of whom, I hear he's looking for a bride. This ball is a perfect opportunity for introductions, don't you think?"
"My son extended the invitation, so I would presume that is his intention," Ursa replied. Her expression was placid as she sipped her tea. "I thought it would be fitting to invite you all to tea to welcome you to the Royal Palace before the ball."
"It is an honor to be granted this opportunity," Lady Akemi said to the Fire Princess. "I look forward to meeting the Fire Lord. I hear he is quite...charming."
Lady Kemeko turned to Katara. "So you're the Princess of the Southern Water Tribe. Should we consider you our competition?" She added a flowery smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"I'm with Aang," Katara reminded her. She flashed an even brighter smile.
The noble girl nodded as if considering this. "Oh, that's right."
They locked eyes for a moment. Katara wasn't sure what to make of it. Did she really think Katara was good enough to be considered a Fire Lord's wife, or was she just being cruel?
"That was the most awful tea party ever!" Toph complained when they got back to her apartment. She flopped onto a cushion. "Those nobles were horrible!"
"I can't believe we just spent two hours with them. They gave me a headache," Suki groaned.
Ty Lee shook her head. "I wish Ursa would've just put them in their place."
Katara chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully. "I think she was sussing them out. I think they were invited here for Zuko," Katara voiced her suspicions.
"Oof," Toph muttered.
"Well, if that's the best the Fire Nation has to offer then Zuko is in trouble," Suki said. "None of those girls are good enough for him."
"Shallow and stuck up!" Ty Lee agreed.
Katara folded herself delicately onto a cushion. "I just hope he knows what he's getting himself into." Poor Zuko. She did not envy him one bit.
Katara made her way back to her apartment. She wanted to freshen up a bit before the ball, so she'd told the girls that she would catch up with them later. When she entered her rooms she found her brother and Aang playing a game of Pai Sho in the middle of the floor.
"Oh wow, Katara," Aang said. His eyes grew wide. "That dress is...really nice."
"Thanks, Aang." She smoothed out the skirt.
"Is that what you're wearing to the ball? Where did you get it?" Aang inquired.
"Yeah, I am." Katara picked up her comb and pulled it through her hair. "After the summit we were invited to a tea party with Zuko's mother, so I went into town and bought Toph and I dresses. We needed one for tonight anyway."
"Is that where Suki's been all afternoon? At some boring tea party? Eck." Sokka rolled his eyes. "No wonder I couldn't find her."
"Yeah, she was there too. And get this," Katara said, leaning in conspiratorially. "There were three noble girls there and I think they're supposed to be potential wives for Zuko."
"Why do you care?" Aang asked, casting his eyes down at their game.
Katara pulled back, frowning. "I don't, except for the fact that Zuko is a friend and I don't want him to marry some shallow girl only looking to improve her social standing."
"Is that what those girls want?" Sokka asked.
"I think so. They weren't very nice," Katara said. "It doesn't matter anyway. I don't think Zuko will like them." At least I hope he doesn't. "Shouldn't you guys be getting ready to go to the ball?"
"Are you kidding? I am ready," Sokka said, gesturing to his clean tunic. "I might not be Mr. Fancy Pants like you, but this is as dressed up as I get."
"Me too," Aang said with a shrug.
Katara rolled her eyes. "Whatever." She disappeared into the bathroom.
Katara tried not to think about the three girls and Zuko, and failed. She couldn't imagine Zuko being happy with any of them. Sure, they were beautiful and members of esteemed families, but there wasn't much else going on. And if she knew Zuko half as well as she thought she did, she knew he would see that too.
But why do I care so much? Katara wondered as she washed her face with cool water. He's my friend, yeah, but ultimately it's up to him and I shouldn't get involved. He may be my friend, but his love life-or lack thereof-is none of my business.
Yet even as she thought about her own love life, Katara felt...nothing. She loved Aang, and she suspected she always would, but Katara wasn't sure it was that kind of love: the forever kind. Glimpsing into her future, Katara wasn't sure she liked what she saw with Aang. It would always be the two of them...and the Air Acolytes. His duty to the world as the Avatar. His responsibilities. Where was Katara in all of that?
Her mind flashed to her dream of the children. Were they Aang's kids? Or someone's else entirely? Katara wished the children would look at her, show her their faces. The dream haunted her every night and she still didn't know.
There was a rap on the door. "Hey, Katara, we're heading to the ball," Sokka said from the other side. "Don't take too long."
"I won't." A few moments later, she heard the door close behind them.
With a sigh Katara left the bathroom. She needed to get to the party. With a start, she realized the room had a new occupant in it.
Princess Ursa rose to her feet. "I didn't mean to startle you, Katara. Aang and Sokka let me in on their way out."
"It's not a problem, Princess Ursa. What can I do for you?" Katara tried to hide her surprise.
Ursa smiled gently. It reminded Katara of Zuko. "Can we speak freely for a moment, Katara? There is something I want to talk to you about."
"Of course." Katara gestured to the cushions and knelt down.
Ursa sank gracefully to her knees. "It's about Zuko."
Katara's mouth went dry. "What about him?"
"It's about the noble ladies that are here to win over my son." Ursa sighed. "I invited you girls for tea because I wanted to see something. And I was right."
Katara waited, her nerves wound tightly. What was the Fire Nation Princess getting at?
"Akemi, Kemeko, and Princess Saura may hail from influential families, but they're not right for my son. Well, Kemeko might be suitable, but I'm not convinced," Ursa said. "I need your help to show him that. He needs to find a wife that will satisfy more than just the court."
Katara swallowed hard. "W-why me?"
Ursa's gaze was cool and earnest. "I trust your judgment, Katara. And more importantly, Zuko does as well." The Princess shook her head. "My son is under a lot of pressure, Katara. Don't let him fool you. He's a great leader, but he still battles with his own court for his rule. They watch his every move like dragon hawks, waiting for him to slip up. His failed relationship with Mai…well, let's say it did not improve things."
"What happened there, exactly?" Katara asked. "Zuko never said."
"I'm afraid it's not my place to tell, and I don't think I know everything that transpired between them myself," Ursa said. "And that isn't the most important thing anyway. What is, is that Zuko feels this drive to win favor with the court. He thinks that it will improve his chances as a successful Fire Lord."
"Will it?"
Ursa spread her hands, a doubtful look on her face. "It might, but to me, the things he does for our nation and the rest of the world are more important than what he does to appease the nobility. These girls were picked by the court, I just know it. I can't help but feel as if there's an ulterior motive behind it."
Katara's eyebrows shot up. "Do you think it's a move to grab power?"
"I'm not sure, Katara. Whatever it is, I don't like it," Ursa said. Her brow was knit with concern. "Not only because I want my son to be safe, but because I also want him to be happy. His father robbed him of that for too many years. He doesn't need a marriage like the one between his father and I: loveless and political. He deserves happiness."
"I couldn't agree more," Katara said truthfully. She was glad she wasn't the only one who didn't care for those girls. "What do you need me to do?"
"For tonight, I want you to observe, Katara," Ursa told her. "See how the girls act toward Zuko, and how he responds to them. I'm sure you can read him easily enough."
Heat rose in Katara's cheeks. "Observe...the Fire Lord? All night? But how will that help you?"
"Because he trusts you," Ursa reiterated. "His judgment is clouded, and if you steer him in the right direction...it may save him some grief later on."
Katara was still a bit confused about why his mother chose her out of anyone else, but she wasn't going to argue with the Fire Princess. "I will, Ursa."
Zuko's mother placed her hand over hers. "Thank you, Katara. That means a lot to me. I'm glad to know my son has such trustworthy friends. I only wish you and I had been able to meet sooner."
Katara smiled sincerely. "Me too."
A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! We are getting to the good parts, I promise! As always, a special shout-out to LadyFaePhillips for being my amazing editor and beta-reader. Without her this chapter would not be so well done!