Fists full of red silk clutched in my hands, I dash down the hall. I'm late, horribly, horribly late. You'd think after last week, I'd learn my 'lesson' and be on time. All I need is for him to yell at me again. I know it's important I'm there, doesn't he know I know that? I can't help it that Fire Nation wardrobes take ridiculously long laborious hours to prepare for! Even with two attendants he assigned to me, it's just not my fault! I'm doing this for him, anyway, doesn't he appreciate me at all?
I arrive outside the doors to the dining hall and release the silk, letting the gown drop to the floor in delicate piles. I smooth out the slight wrinkles then straighten up, nodding my head to the doorman as he swings the tall door towards me and I begin my survey of the contents of the room. This evening it's a charity event for disaster areas in the Fire Nation; noblemen and women from across the Country are here in their finest. To my relief, dinner has yet to start and it appears most are still wandering around, greeting and discussing trivial matters I normally find positively boring. Taking in a deep breath in preparation for the night ahead, I walk into the room, making several turn heads, as I kept a friendly smile plastered on my face.
As usual, the whispering started, usually by the Fire Nation women. Comments about my background, crude ideas about Zuko and my relations (no matter how true they may have been), and the ones I hated most were those about my inability to ever be anything but a peasant. I saved these people! I was the one who found Aang, helped him become the Avatar he needed to be, and fought along side him all the way to finally end the wars! How dare they think me weak or unable to do anything! But, I hold my head high, keep a smile on my face, and keep up the friendly banter with these people I mostly despise. The women, so two faced, talk mean spirited about me when they think I'm not listening, then walk up, all smiles and facades of politeness. It's enough to make me ill.
Finally, as my eyes travel around the room, I spot him across the hall, making his way slowly towards the head of one of the tables, mainly reserved for royalty and the highest tiers of nobility. I head that way, knowing this meant dinner would start soon, and I would want to make sure I established my place at the grand table next to him, despite the usual snarls and curses I would receive the rest of the night. Iroh and I were all he had, the most family he has known in the last few years. Keeping my sights on him, his graceful bows and nods to the others around him, I was just about to him, and he to the head of the table, when I feel a tug on the back of my dress, my feet tripping over themselves in the sudden lack of mobility, and I go down, hard. Laughs and gasps of surprise are heard around me as I struggle to get up, turning my head just in time to see one of the Noble women raise their heel from my train, an oh so innocent look on her face, indeed! I scowl as she begins to laugh, but her face faults as a hand appears in front of my face. My scowl disappears; I'd know that hand any day. I place my own into his as he pulls me to my feet, his usually stone solid face showing slight signs of worry as he glances me over.
"I'm fine." I say as I bow to him politely, pulling my gown about me as I shoot a deathly look at the girl who tripped me, but then take Zuko's extended hand once more. "Shall we?" I ask as he smirks, also shooting the girl a knowing look, then looks back into my eyes. I forgive him for my fears of being yelled at, for all of his rules and strictness, and for all of the times he's gotten irate with me for being snide with a Noble; it's little moments like this that reminds me; he's mine, and I'm his, and I'd do anything to keep it that way.