Kirana sat at the Royal Table between Aurora and Jo. Her new fancy parka was a little uncomfortable since she was wearing her armor underneath. She had spoken earlier with the King and Queen and they too had thought it best that Kirana left during the party so the fact that she was leaving would not be so obvious. Only halve listening to the Kings speech Kirana scanned the area. Her Unzarin training had made her cautious and knowing that Zu Ling had half his fleet near by increased her awareness. Jo elbowed her.
Kirana stood up and turned slightly so she was facing both the table and audience. "I would like to congratulate Princess Aurora Northern Light Borealis on her 15th birthday." Kirana bowed to the princess as a gasp spread through the crowd and table. No one knew the Avatar could speak like a member of the court. "I would also like to thank their majesties the King and Queen for their hospitality. Also, to the Waterbending Masters, I thank you for teaching me despite my being of the Fire Nation." Again Kirana bowed and received bows and head bows at her words.
The Queen and King rose from their seats at the middle of the table. "Let the party begin!" The King's voice rang out and almost echoed of the snow walls.
Standing everyone filled our in order after their royal highness. Kirana followed behind the princess with Jo beside her. She glanced at him and remembered what he'd told her earlier. The masters had asked if he would come and teach the students some Unzarin Warrior moves seeing as the Unzarin' s had barrowed techniques from all four of the nations. Jo had told them he would have to speak to the leaders first before he could answer, but Kirana knew that he would make sure the answer was yes.
The courtyard was full of people by the time the royal procession stopped. Tables stood next to the west wall and were loaded with food and drinks. The center of the courtyard had been cleared for the dancers. The royal family and Aurora's escort filled into the middle while everyone else circled them and bowed. The Queen looked over at Kirana and motioned for her to join them. Kirana sighed, but knew she could not disobey a direct order.
Jo leaned close to her ear as they joined the royals. "Don't worry. In my spare time I learned how to dance." Kirana shook her head in disbelief but said nothing. Tonight she would have plenty of time to vex him. He pulled her close and gently guided her through the first few rounds. Kirana was left handed so she didn't have to much trouble, but she did step on Jo's foot a couple of times. But luckily Kirana was a quick learner.
Soon others had joined them and then the dance ended not long after that. The citizens moved back to form a circle around the King and Queen and the Avatar and Jo followed. The circle was alternated between male and female separating Kirana and Jo. The bands drummer beat out a slow beat and everyone started to clap along. The two monarchs stared to circle each other, coming closer and spreading out. The drummer beat faster and the two moved faster, but with the grace of a river. They were soon dancing, stamping and had a wild look in their eyes. Then the moon rose and the King and Queen threw back their heads and let out a strange cry that was copied by everyone else except the Avatar and her guard. They were children of the Sun. Even the fact that she was the Avatar did not convince Kirana to join in the Moon Rise Dance.
Cries of joy rang out at the rising of the moon from the gathered tribesman, then the band struck a lively tune and a young man approached Kirana. He was tall and had brown hair the same color as her's. "Avatar, may I have this dance?" he asked in a rolling voice.
"What's your name," she asked.
"Tsurara Hikari."
"Interesting name. But I would be like to dance." Kirana recognized him as Aurora's escort. "You're sure the Princess does not mind?"
Tsurara smiled and chuckled. "That should not be a problem, look." He pointed to the left and Kirana saw Jo dancing with Aurora.
"He's such a pain sometimes," Kirana said quietly as she saw the look on Jo's face.
The party continued for another two hours, though if you asked Kirana she would have said all she remembered was that it was a blur of fun and happiness. But she remembered the presents quite well.
When it came for Aurora to get her gifts everyone lined up. Kirana and Jo stood at the end of line; their gift would only work if it was the last. Otherwise no one would pay attention to the other gifts the Princess would get; even Aurora wouldn't be able to! Kirana and Jo watched as the Princess got a new icespear from Master Vicey, a scroll form Master Drex, and a new hair pin from her mother. Kirana had long since gotten used to seeing other girls enjoying time with their mother's but she still envied them sometimes.
By the time Tsuara Hikari was to present his gift Kirana and Jo were the next in line and extremely nervous. The young Waterbender presented Aurora with a necklace. A gasp swept through the gathered guests and Kirana smiled. Though Aurora wasn't old enough to be married, she could be engaged. Aurora had a big goofy smile on her face as she accepted the necklace form Tsuara. Her parents cheered and soon everyone, including the two Firebenders, were cheering along with them. Tsuara took a seat next to his bride-to-be and Kirana and Jo stepped up.
"With the permission of your royal highnesses, we would like to give our gift. A display of our mastery over fire," Kirana said after bowing low. Cries of outrage rang out from the people, except for the Waterbending Masters and the royal family.
Kirana turned to face the Water Tribe; liquid-brown eye's hardening and glowing with an inner fire. "I am the Avatar; the keeper of peace, the giver of justice, the bringer of happiness. Yet here you are, refusing to let me show my thanks and give you a show of a lifetime." She shook her head. "If the Fire Nation had wanted to take over your Tribe they would have waited until I'd mastered all four elements. But seeing as they are not I see no reason for your fear."
Jo stood beside her. "The real threat is Dark Avatar, a group of Firebenders lead by a madman. They are the ones you should fear, not the Fire Nation or the Avatar." The sincerity in his voice seemed to hit home and drive Kirana's words home.
Kirana opened her mouth to say something else, when she was cut off by the King standing up. "We have decided to let you perform Avatar. But we ask you a favor in return."
Kirana bowed low and said, "I will do it if it is within my power to do so."
The royal family smiled. "We ask if you could set up a meeting with the Fire Lord. We would like an alliance." The Kings words shocked everyone. Kirana gazed up at him with respect and admiration.
"Your Majesty I would be honored to."
Kirana and Jo stepped back to the middle of the courtyard, and Jo spoke because his voice carried better. "Please do not come close; we do not want any injuries."
They stood about 1.52 meters apart and took their stances. A fireball formed it's self in Jo's outstretched hands. He swung it around himself and sent it flying at Kirana.
She 'caught' it and swung it around in a different pattern, then 'threw' it up and caused it to explode.
For the next hour and a half Kirana and Jo swung fire in graceful arcs, caused it to explode, and did some of the Fire Waltz. The tribe was entranced by the swirling and unpredictable patterns and ohhed and awed. By the end they were tired and began to breath hard. When they had finished, their audience took a moment to get over the display; the amount of concentration it seemed to have taken eluded them. So they gave the two what they deserved, thunderous applause and cries for an encore.