Chapter 8: A Battle of Wills
Back at the castle, Katara lay on her new bed weeping onto her pillow when she heard a knock at the door followed by a voice. "Hello?"
Hearing that it wasn't the Spirit's, Katara sat up and wiped her tears away. "Who is it?"
"It's Iroh my dear." a kind male voice said through the door. "May I come in?" Getting up, Katara opened the door expecting to see someone standing outside but was shocked when a round teapot hopped into the room followed by a small teacup and footstool. "Hello there miss. Sorry if we're interrupting but I heard you crying from down the hall and thought you could use some cheering up. And of course, nothing makes the world seem brighter than a nice warm cup of tea."
"But you're a..."Katara said backing away from the teapot."You're a-" She then banged into the wardrobe which gave a small jump.
"Hey watch it!" Turning around, Katara was once again shocked to see that the large wardrobe that sat next to her bed had also talked and had a face. "What are you looking at sugar queen?"
"Now Toph be nice to our new arrival." Iroh advised to her.
"This is impossible." Katara said sitting on her bed trying to make sense of it all. "This is can't be real."
"Yeah well it is." Toph said leaning against the bed causing it to sink down. "But don't worry you'll get used to it. I'm Toph by the way, the castle wardrobe dresser."
"And I'm Aang!" said the little teacup as he looked eagerly up at Katara. "I'm a page boy. But mostly I bring the master his tea. And this is my pet, Momo." He said gesturing to the footstool which made a happy chirping noise and began rubbing against Katara's ankle.
"It's nice meeting you all." Katara smiled as she bent down to pet the footstool, which began to purr. "I'm Katara. I'm from a village somewhere far from here."
"See Iroh, I told ya she was pretty." Aang said looking sideways at the teapot.
"Alright Aang that'll do." Iroh said pouring some tea into him. "Now move slowly and don't spill."
Aang then slowly hopped over to Katara who gently picked him up "Why thank you. I am a bit parched." She said taking a sip of tea. "Mmm, this is delicious."
"Hey wanna see me do a trick?" Aang asked as Katara finished sipping her tea. Taking a deep breath, he started blowing large bubbles out of his head.
"Aang! Where are your manners?" Iroh scolded as one large bubble popped, causing tea to spill on Katara's dress.
"Oops." Aang said sheepishly "Um, Sorry."
"That's alright." Katara said setting him gently on the floor before taking out a hanky to wipe her dress. "So...if you don't mind me asking, how is it your all able to...you know, walk and talk? I thought objects were supposed to be...well, stationary?"
"Well we're not really objects-" Aang started to say till Toph and Iroh shushed him. Katara looked curiously at them but they merely smiled back.
"Oh don't concern yourself about that my dear." Iroh said smiling innocently at Katara "Right now you should be focused on getting ready for dinner. The master will be expecting you. Toph, why don't you help our guest with picking out a new dress?"
"Way ahead of ya." Toph said as she opened up her doors, causing some dust and moths to fly out. She then rummaged through her drawers and took out a few dresses, holding them up for Katara to see. "Ahh, here we are. So tell me, what kind of dress do you prefer? Long sleeve? Low cut? Silk? Don't ask about colors though, I'm no help in that department."
"Oh, that's very kind of you but...I'm not going to dinner." Katara said.
"What do you mean 'You're not going'?" Toph asked skeptically. "Of course you are. You heard what the master said."
"Yeah well he can dine alone with himself tonight because there's no way I'm leaving this room." Katara said stubbornly.
"But Katara" Aang piped up "The master said you have to-"
"He may be your master but he isn't mine!" Katara said angrily as she crossed her arms and sat on the bed.
Toph, Iroh and Aang looked nervously between themselves before Iroh hopped onto the bed next to Katara. "My dear, I know it's been a hard day for you but I really think it best that you humor the master for now. He has a terrible temper and will come after you if you disobey-"
"Then let him come." Katara said still crossing her arms. "I'll take him on. He can yell and punch and burn the whole room down if he has to, but there's no way I'm having dinner with him. Not after what he did to my father..."
Seeing she was still upset about that, Iroh tried a gentler approach. "You know...that was a very brave thing you did. Taking his place." Iroh said. "Not many people would do that you know."
"I agree." Toph nodded. "You got some guts girl."
"Definitely one of the bravest I've ever known." Aang said as Momo chirped in agreement.
Smiling, Katara started to calm down and uncrossed her arms. "Thank you for that...Sorry if I was rude before but everything's happening so fast. It's all so overwhelming. I lost my father, my dreams...everything."
"Cheer up my dear." Iroh said in a comforting tone. "I know things seem hopeless and bleak right now, but you'll see it'll all turn out alright in the end."
"And in the meantime, you have us here to help you." Aang added as Momo chirped in agreement.
"I guess I should count myself lucky in that aspect." Katara said as she affectionately patted Aang's head.
"Well we must be on our way." Iroh said as he hopped off the bed. "Still got a dinner to prepare. Please let us know if you change your mind. Come Aang."
"Nice meeting you Katara." Aang then jumped off the bed and onto Momo's back who then followed Iroh out of the room.
"So are you sure you don't want to go down for dinner?" Toph asked nervously. "Cause I've seen the master get mad before and he gets REALLY mad."
"I'm sure." Katara said looking at the dresses. "Though these dresses are very pretty. Especially this green one right here."
"Is that the silky short sleeve or the one with the wrap-around satin sash?" Toph asked.
"The one with the sash." Katara said looking curiously at the wardrobe, noticing that she had no eyes. "Toph, can you not see color?"
"Worse. I can't see anything." Toph admitted bluntly. "I've been blind my whole life and the only way I can tell outfits apart is by feeling the fabric or memorizing the design."
"That's awful" Katara said. "But then why be a dresser? Why not something that you don't need your eyes for?"
"Don't you think I would if I could? But I'm kinda stuck with the job now." Toph said gesturing to her drawers "Luckily the master doesn't seem to notice my mistakes much. Though he did get mad the time I accidently gave him his blue cape instead of his red one. I spent three whole days in the dungeon for that."
"He threw you in the dungeon because you got him the wrong colored cape?" Katara asked "That's terrible!"
"Well, not only was it the wrong color but it also made the master itch really bad. Probably from all that special 'starch' powder I threw onto it when he complained about the old one being too wrinkly." Toph smirked.
Katara laughed. "Wow Toph, you are daring."
"Yes I was...at the time." Toph said sadly. "But I never want to face the master when he's angry like that again. Which is why I think you should reconsider going down to dinner. Trust me, you don't want to get on the masters bad side. Heck I wouldn't be standing here right now if it Iroh hadn't convinced him that I grabbed the wrong powder."
"I can handle myself Toph." Katara assured. "Besides, I already know what I plan to do in case he comes up. Speaking of which, is there a bathroom around here?"
--
Down in the dining room, the Spirit was impatiently pacing the floor while Sokka, Suki and Iroh nervously watched. As he continued to throw glances at the door and at the clock every five minutes, his impatience worsened. "Ugh! What's taking her so long? I told her to come down for dinner and she's not here!"
"Don't fret about that sir." Sokka said. "It's normal for women to take anywhere from 15 minutes to 4 hours to get ready."
"Please try to be patient Zuko." Iroh pleaded. "After all, the girl did lose her father and freedom all in one day."
"That would be hard on anyone." Suki added.
"I don't care! I told her when to come down and she has to do what I say!" Zuko said stubbornly.
A brief silence passed as Zuko continued to pace, till Sokka decided to speak up. "Hey master, you do think that perhaps this girl could be the one to break the spell-"
"Well of course she is!" Zuko yelled. "I wouldn't be keeping her here if I didn't think she was. I'm not a fool."
"Well good." Sokka said cheerfully. "Then all we have to do is get you to fall in love with her, get her to fall in love with you and POOF! The spell is broken! We'll all be human again by midnight!"
"I'm afraid it's not that simple Sokka." Iroh said. "Matters such as this take time and must be handled delicately."
"But we don't have the time to be delicate!" Sokka exclaimed. "The rose has already begun to wilt!"
"Iroh's right Sokka." Suki said. "People don't fall in love just like that."
"Maybe not with you." Sokka said snidely earning a good slap behind the head.
"That's it!" Zuko growled angrily. "I'm going to bring her down right now and I don't care if she's ready or not!"
"Please sir!" Suki asked jumping off the table and running in front of him. "Let me go fetch her instead. She may not take kindly to you barging in on her...particularly if she's 'indecent'."
Zuko paused for a brief moment to think over her words then turned back toward the table. "Fine. But be quick about it!" With a small bow, Suki quickly ran out of the room.
Sitting down at the table, Zuko let out a frustrated sigh and buried his head in his arms. "Oh what's the point? She's not gonna fall for with me. She's so...beautiful and I'm- well look at me!" He said gesturing to himself.
"He does have a point." Sokka whispered to Iroh who shushed him.
"Now, now Zuko." Iroh said leaping onto the table next to his nephew "All hope is not lost. You just have to work a little harder to help her see past your...exterior."
"I don't know how." Zuko moaned turning away from his uncle.
"Well for starters" Iroh said hopping around the table so Zuko was facing him. "You can make yourself look more presentable. Now straighten up!" He then poked both of Zuko's arms, forcing him to sit up in his chair. "Straighter! Try to act like a gentleman."
"Also when she comes in, make sure to give her your most dazzling smile" Sokka said also jumping onto the table. "Come on, show me a smile!" However, Zuko just stared blankly at Sokka through his mask. "Okay we'll work on that later."
"But don't frighten the poor girl-" Iroh advised.
"Impress her with your humor and wits-" Sokka added.
"But be gentle-"
"Shower her with compliments-"
"But be sincere-"
"And above all-" They chanted together "YOU MUST CONTROL YOUR TEMPER!"
Getting irritated, Zuko was about to retort when the door started to open.
"There she is!" Sokka said. "Quick stand up straight!"
Standing up, Zuko waited anxiously for the door to open but was disappointed to see that it was only Suki.
"Oh, hi there master." Suki said nervously. "How are you doing?"
"Well? Where is she?" Zuko asked.
"Who? Oh you mean the girl...well actually, she's in the process of um,....well the circumstances being what they are-" As Zuko began to bare down on her, Suki bit her lower lip and said in a small voice. "She's not...coming."
"WHAT!?" Zuko bellowed. "NOT COMING!?"
"I'm just repeating what she said sir!" Suki said recoiling in fear. "Please don't hurt me!"
"Oh really? Well we'll just see about that!" Zuko then ran out of the room and stormed up the stairs.
"Your highness wait! Let's not be hasty now!" Suki called out as she, Sokka and Iroh followed him up the stairs, hoping that Katara had remembered to lock her doors.
--
Within moments Zuko was in front of the door to Katara's room and banged loudly on it. "I thought I told you to come down to dinner!"
"I'm not hungry!" Katara said through the door.
"I am the master of this castle and I am telling you to come down to dinner now!" Zuko commanded.
"And I'm telling YOU I'm not hungry!" Katara retorted loudly.
"Nephew please control yourself!" Iroh pleaded as he and the others finally caught up. "There's no need to-"
"You're hungry if I say you're hungry!" Zuko yelled ignoring Iroh.
"You can't order me to be hungry! That's just stupid."
All the servants flinched and looked anxiously at Zuko who was emitting a large amount of smoke from his hands and nostrils."How dare you! If you don't come out right now, I'll break down this door and drag you!"
"Um master." Sokka piped up nervously getting between him and the door. "Hehe, far be it from me to tell you how to do things but...that may not be the best way to win the girls affections. Course I could be wrong!" Sokka added upon seeing the angry look in his eye.
"Please sir." Suki pleaded standing next to Sokka. "At least attempt to be a gentleman."
"But she is being so difficult!" Zuko said glaring and pointing angrily at the door.
"Now nephew, calm down." Iroh said hopping toward him. "Just stop for a moment and take a deep breath."
Shaking with rage, Zuko stepped back and took a deep breath allowing himself to slightly calm down.
"Now then." Iroh said. "Try asking her again. But this time, gently."
Facing the door, Zuko tried to stay as calm as possible. "Will you come down to dinner?"
"No" Katara said simply. Zuko slapped his palm against his head and was about to retort but was quickly hushed by the servants.
"A little more polite master. Soft and Genteel." Suki advised.
Growling in frustration, Zuko took another deep breath and tried politely talking through his teeth. "It would bring me great pleasure, if you would kindly join me for dinner-"
"Ahem" Suki cough "Please. Please!"
"Pl...plea...pleee...." Zuko stuttered having never used the word before. "....please?"
"No thank you." Katara said simply.
"You can't stay in there forever!" Zuko shot back.
"Oh yes I can" Katara retorted.
Not taking anymore, Zuko finally snapped. "That's it! I'm giving you till the count of three to open this door! Otherwise I'm breaking it down!" The servants gestured for him to stop but he was too mad to pay them mind. "One!... Two!...............Two and a half!...............Two and two-thirds!......You're trying my patience!....Two and three quarters!.............Thr-" Just then there was a click as the door knob began to turn. "Ha! You see?" Zuko said to his servants. "All it takes is persistence and commanding tone to-"
Just then a blast of water shot out of the room which nailed Zuko in the stomach and sent him flying against the wall. Before he could even stand up, he felt the water freeze around him causing him to stick to the wall. Struggling against the ice, Zuko caught only a brief glimpse of a hand as it went back into the room and shut the door. The servants rushed forward to help but quickly backed off when Zuko's hands ignited with fire causing the ice around him to melt. Filled with rage, Zuko stood back up and began attacking the door with his fire and claws. However, the door refused to open or even budge despite his relentless pounding. He soon found out why when he noticed that the knob and space under the door quickly became covered in solid ice.
"Fine!" Zuko yelled at the door. "You want to stay in there, then go ahead and starve!" He then gave one final punch at the door before turning angrily to his servants. "If she doesn't eat with me, then she doesn't eat at all!" He then ran down the hallway, violently slamming the end door behind him which caused a ceiling tile to fall down and shatter. The servants stared at the end of the hallway, shaking their heads in disbelief that things had gone so bad.
"Well that went well." Sokka said sarcastically. "I can see them exchanging love notes already."
"Oh it's hopeless!" Suki groaned. "At this rate we'll never be able to break the spell!"
"Come now you two." Iroh said "Are you just going to give up like that?"
"Iroh you saw what just happened." Sokka said gesturing toward the door. "She's barricaded herself in her room and he's madder than ever! Things are even worse than before."
"Now you listen," Iroh said sternly. "I won't hear of this pessimistic talk. We finally found the girl we've been waiting for all these years, and I for one will not rest till I fulfill my promise to Aang that he and Momo will one day be happily running and laughing through these halls."
"Iroh's right Sokka." Suki said confidently. "We mustn't give up, not while there's still a chance. In the meantime though, why don't you stand watch at the door while we go clean up? And make sure you inform us at once if there's the slightest change. Also, no slacking off."
"Who me? Come on, have a little more faith then that. You can count on me" Sokka said smugly as he started pacing outside the door. Satisfied for now, Suki and Iroh began making their way toward the kitchen.
--
Up in the west wing, Zuko burst through the doors to his room and began angrily kicking all the broken furniture to the side. "I ask nicely and she refuses. I even use the 'P' word and she still refuses! What does she want me to do, beg!?" Looking around his room for more things to smash, he spotted the magic mirror which sat on the pedestal next to the rose and bell jar. Wondering what she could be doing, he grabbed the mirror and said "Show me the girl."
The mirror then glowed a bright green and in a flash showed Katara sitting angrily on her bed with her arms crossed next to an anxious looking Toph.
"You really shouldn't have done that." Toph said. "At this rate you'll be stuck in here forever."
"I don't care." Katara scoffed. "At least now he'll leave me alone."
Letting out a sigh, Toph faced toward Katara. "Look...I know the master is very temperamental and...Well, a downright brute...but I'm pretty sure he's not all bad. Maybe if you gave him a chance to prove how good he can be-"
"A chance?" Katara asked. "Did he give my father a chance?"
"Well no...but I'm sure once you get to know him-"
"I don't want to get to know him!" Katara said angrily. "I don't want to have anything to do with him!"
As the vision ended, Zuko let out a sad sigh and set the mirror down. "I'm just fooling myself. Thinking that someone like her could love me. She'll never see me as anything...but a monster." He then looked at his claw-like hands which were now protruding through his worn charred gloves.
How long must this go on?
This cruel trick of fate?
I simply made one careless wrong decision
And then the witch was gone
And left me in this state
An object of revulsion and derision
Hated...
Is there no one
Who can show me
How to win the world's forgiveness?
Then out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a petal from the rose break loose and fall onto the pedestal. "No! Not now!" Zuko said looking at the dying rose. "Urgh...I have to do something! Sokka was right, I am running out of time..." Pacing around his room, Zuko tried thinking of what to do. "Come on Zuko think...what did Uncle say to do?....Be polite....impress her with your wit....act like a gentleman." Just then an idea formed in his head. "That's it...act like a gentleman." Casting one last glance at the rose, Zuko turned on his heel and ran back out of the room.
--
--
Haha, Zuko got pwned :P Water tribe style!
So will Zuko be able to make up for his bad behavior? Well that's yet to be seen. Cause we all know which chapter is coming next :) *takes out top hat and cane and starts dancing*