I'M NOT DEAD!...I'M GETTING BETTER!...
Hey everyone I'm back :) sry for the month long hiatus. For sum reason May has never been a good month for me (for various personal reasons) but thankfully its over and thankfully I managed to make time for writing. This isn't my favorite chapter nor my favorite song in the musical, but I did what I could with it. Enjoy!
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Chapter 15: Human Again
A few days had past since the Katara and the Spirit first shared breakfast together and another snow storm had covered the castle in a new blanket of snow. All the servants were hard at work giving the castle a complete scrub down including the stables where Appa was snoozing away. Inside Katara's bedroom, the Spirit sat quietly beside Katara's bed listening to her read from another one of her favorite books while Toph, who was pretended to be asleep, sat in the corner listening to their every word.
As the Spirit predicted, Katara had caught a cold from playing out in the snow and had to stay in bed. The Spirit then took it upon himself to care for her and with help from the servants, Katara was able to quickly recover. However, the Spirit urged Katara to stay in a bed a little longer, partly because he didn't want her relapsing and partly because he secretly enjoyed taking care of her. It actually made him feel good having someone rely on him for a change.
"For never was there a tale of such sadness and blue, then this of Oma and her dearest Shu…" Katara said as she put down the book. "The End."
"What a beautiful story." Zuko said admirably.
"I knew you'd like it." Katara smiled. "This was always one of my mothers favorite books."
As she was about to close the book, the Spirit grasped onto the cover. "Wait…do you suppose we could read it again?"
"But I just finished reading it." Katara said.
"I was thinking maybe, I could read it...to you?" Zuko asked awkwardly.
"Oh" Katara said in realization. "Oh yes! Of course. We'll start right from the beginning." She then re-opened the book and was about to flip towards the front when she paused briefly and looked back up. "Actually before you start, there's something that I wanted to ask you."
"What is that?" he asked curiously.
"I was thinking, since I'm feeling much better now…" Katara then started to blush "Maybe you and I could have dinner tomorrow night?"
The Spirit looked at her in surprise. "Dinner? Just me and you?" Katara nodded.
Intrigued by the idea, the Spirit thought briefly "Will we be dressing up for the occasion?"
"If you want to...personally I was thinking of wearing one of those evening gowns that Toph keeps in her drawers."
As he began picturing Katara in an elegant evening gown, the Spirit felt his head go a bit fuzzy but managed to snap back to his senses. "Yes. Yes Katara, I will have dinner with you tomorrow night."
Katara smiled brightly "Wonderful. I can hardly wait." She then reopened the book and laid it on the Spirit's lap "Alright...lets start right here." she said pointing to the top paragraph.
"Okay then...um...twoe?"
"Two." Katara corrected.
"Two." Zuko repeated. "House holds...alike in...dig nighty..."
"Dignity." Katara said as she leaned closer and began silently reading over his shoulder.
While Katara continued to help the Spirit read, Toph smiled to herself and began to slink sideways toward the door. Her steps were loud and clunky but the luckily the two barely noticed and she managed to squeeze through the still open door. Toph then immediately set off down the hall toward the dining room, eager to tell the rest of the servants the good news.
--
"Are you sure this is a good idea Suki?" Sokka asked as he looked nervously around them. Down in the dining room, all the servants had gathered around the dinner table before Suki who stood on top along with Sokka and Iroh.
"Of course it is. Besides you heard what Toph said. Katara and the master are going to be dressing up which means its going to be a fancy dinner." Suki explained. "So not only are they going to need this room, but they're going to need that other room as well. So it must be cleaned and cleaned properly by tomorrow night."
"But everyone's been cleaning none stop for the last couple days!" Sokka exclaimed. "This might just kill them...assuming they don't kill us first."
"Nonsense, they can handle it. It's their job after all." Suki said pompously.
"Careful Suki." warned Iroh. "A mule can only carry so many loads, until that one twig breaks it's back."
"Iroh's right...I think." Sokka said hesitantly. "On second thought why don't I make the announcement instead? It might be easier coming from me-"
"I'm the head of the household so I'll be the one to announce it...Alright everyone listen up!" Suki called from the head of the table to the group of cleaning products. "We all know why we're here-"
"I don't!" called out the dustbin.
"Okay...most of us know why we're here." Suki corrected herself. "Thanks to our wardrobe lady Toph-
"Yo!" Toph called out from the back.
"Yes...thanks to Toph, we now all know about the special dinner date between the master and Katara and can prepare accordingly for the event. So far you've all done a satisfying job cleaning the castle these last few days. Today however, not only are we going to finish cleaning the dining room, but we will also be cleaning a new area of the castle...the grand ballroom!"
All at once, the servants let out a horrified gasp as Suki continued. "So if my calculations are correct, we have exactly 12 hours, 36 minutes and 48 seconds to get that ballroom spic and span and ready for romance. So who's with me?" she then looked expectantly at the other servants who rooted to the spot with their mouth open in shock.
"But no ones been there in ages!" piped up the mop.
"It's filthy!" shouted the broom.
"All those dusts and cobwebs...it'll take us weeks to clean that room alone!" one of the feather duster exclaimed.
"My backs still sore from doing the bedrooms!" complained the step ladder.
"People please!" Suki went on. "I know it seems like a big task, but if we work together-"
"Don't make us climb up those windows!" yelled the window wiper.
"Aren't there labor laws against this sort of thing?" asked the shovel.
"Who's bright idea was this anyway?" Ty lee shouted angrily.
"Not mine!" Toph muttered loudly as she began inching away toward the door.
As Suki tried desperately to regain their attention, the servants continued to complain loudly and began throwing things. "People please! Be reasonable! We- Hey" Suki then narrowly ducked as a sponge came flying at her head. "Okay now who threw that-" Suddenly a rag nailed her right in the face followed by a bar of soap which knocked her backwards off the table.
Shaking his head, Sokka jumped forward and let out a loud whistle causing everyone to stop. "Come on now you guys, grow some backbone! We've all cleaned worse before! Now I may not agree with most of Suki's methods-" He then looked on the floor where Suki sat rubbing her head. "But it's because of her that we've gotten this far and if she says cleaning that ball room is the right thing, I say we follow what she says."
He then looked at all the servants who were muttered skeptically to themselves. Knowing they were still not convinced, Sokka took a different approach. "Look guys...I know this seems like an impossible job but this isn't some meaningless leisurely chore we're doing. Need I remind you all that we are on a time limit here? It's been nearly a week and so far, the rose has lost more then half its petals! Unless we don't do something drastic to help the masters chances at winning Katara over tomorrow night, that last petal will fall and the spell will never be broken! Are you really gonna let that happen because you all can't clean a simple room?"
All the servants looked awkwardly at each other and off in different directions, feeling ashamed of themselves. Iroh then leaped next to Sokka and looked kindly upon them. "Come on now everyone, don't doubt yourselves now. You are all part of the best royal staff this nation has ever known. Each one an expert in his or her fields. I'm confident that with your combined efforts, we will make tomorrows dinner one of the most magical, romantic nights this nations ever known!"
"Those guys are right!" Toph shouted from the back. "We can do this thing!" Immediately all the servants began to perk up and start shouting in agreement.
Suki then appeared as she climbed onto the table, wiping soap suds off her face. "Thanks you guys. I can handle it from here... Alright now that that issue has been addressed," she said turning toward the servants "I want all of you to divide into two groups. One will stay and clean the dining room and the rest will follow me to the ballroom! Now let's move it, move it, move it!"
Immediately all the servants charged forward but instead of organizing, they ran in different directions all over the dinging room. A few of the brushes even jumped onto the table and began scrubbing it down. Sokka and Iroh managed to dodge out of the way and land gracefully, but Suki was knocked right off and fell to the ground with a crash.
"Ow..." Suki moaned rubbing her backside. "So much for single file."
"Oh lighten up Suki." Sokka said as he helped her up. "You did what you needed to do. Everyone's motivated and working hard and soon the castle will soon be spotless. Tomorrows dinner is in the bag!"
"How can you be so relaxed when the rose could lose its last petal at any given day?"
"Because I have faith in our fellow servants and in our master." Sokka said smugly. "All we can do now is wait and let nature take its course."
"I have to agree Suki." Iroh agreed. "After all, it's obvious that there's a spark between those two. Just look at how caring and attentive my nephew's been toward Katara during her illness."
"I guess your right." Suki nodded. "But still, it doesn't hurt to fan the flames a little."
"True, true . With any luck, we can help make that spark into a bonfire." Sokka said confidently jumping onto a chair. "I'm telling ya guys, the day we have waited for will be at hand!"
"Haha, I sure hope your right Sokka!" Iroh chuckled.
"Ahh yes, the day when we'll all be...human again!" Suki said with an eager sigh.
"Human again" Iroh repeated happily.
"Yes, think of what that means!" Sokka said as he started to fantasize. "I'll be cooking again. Be good-looking again. With a beautiful girl on each arm."
When I'm human again
Only human again
Poised and polished and gleaming with charm...
I'll be courting again
Chic and sporting again
"Which should cause several husbands alarm!" Iroh added with a chuckle.
"I'll hop down off the shelf" Sokka said as he jumped off. "And finally be myself. I can't wait to be human again!"
As they wandered around the dining room, all the servants were quick at work cleaning the table, cabinets, windows and carpet. Now that they were motivated, they were cleaning twice as fast and twice as efficient, leaving no chair or plate unturned.
When we're human again
Only human again
When we're knick-knacks and what-nots no more
Little push, little shove
They could, whoosh fall in love
"Ah yes it'll be romance galore!" Ty Lee gushed as she dusted and danced around the wine cabinet.
I'll wear lipstick and rouge
And my butt won't be huge
I can make someone else do my chores!
I will dress with a flare!
I'll wear gowns! I'll have hair!
It's my prayer to be human again
"When I'm human again" Suki said as she shined a wine glass. "Only human again. When the world once more making sense. I'll unwind for a change-"
"Really? That'd be strange." Sokka said with obnoxious smirk as he polished another glass.
"Can I help it if I'm t-t-tense?" Suki said to him irritably.
In a shack by the sea
I'll sit back sipping tea
Let my early retirement commence
Far from fool made of wax
"I'll get down to brass tacks and relax- OUCH!" Suki shouted as Sokka whipped her with the shining towel. She then grabbed another one and they began chasing each other around the room.
Within an hour, the servants had finished the dining room and moved onto the ballroom. Opening the large grime covered doors, a large dirty sight met their eyes as they stared nervously into the dusty cobweb ridden room. Cringing slightly, they all took a deep breath and stepped into the room where they began attacking every particle of dust with a gusto.
So sweep the dust from the floor!
Let's let some light in the room!
I can feel, I can tell
Someone might break the spell
Any day now!
"Shine up the brass on the door!" Sokka said as he wiped down the knob while the shiners waxed some of the candle holders.
"Alert the dust pail and the broom!" Toph called out as mops and brooms began sweeping up the dirty floor.
If it all goes as planned
Our time may be at hand
Any day now!
"Open the shutters and let in some air" Ty lee said as she and the other feather dusters helped open all the filthy window.
"Put these here and put those over there" Iroh said pointing to random spots as some of the furniture began to rearrange themselves.
Sweep up the years of sadness and tears
and blow them away...
--
"Just look at that! Only a couple of hours passed and already we're more then halfway done with the ballroom!" Sokka exclaimed as looked at the much improved ballroom. He then turned to Suki with a smug look on his face. "And you said we couldn't do it."
Suki then playfully smacked him in the back of the head. "Oh hush up you jerk."
Sokka stuck his tongue out at her and ducked as she tried swatting him again. "Well, better go help the others finish."
"Just a moment Sokka." Iroh interrupted. "I want to check on Aang and make sure those two are still doing okay first."
"Good idea Iroh." Suki said. "In fact why don't the three of us go check? The others can handle the rest on their own. "
Immediately the three went to the East Wing hallway and spotted Aang who was sitting on top of Momo. Both were peering into the small crack between the doors when Sokka tapped them on the back.
"Oh, hey guys!" Aang said happily as he turned around. "How's the cleaning going?"
"Almost everything is in ship shape." Suki said confidently. "Just a few more details and it'll all be done."
"Great! I can wait to see it. Bet it'll be awesome!" Aang said as Momo chirped in agreement.
"And how's our two lovebirds doing?" Iroh asked.
"Come see for yourself. I think you'll be surprised." Aang said looking back into the room. The three gathered behind Aang and peeked in. They were instantly amazed at what they saw. As usual Katara and the Spirit were reading a book outloud, but this time it was the Spirit who was reading to Katara. And he wasn't doing too bad a job of it either.
"Shu then grasped Oma's hands and kissed them tender-elly." the Spirit read on. "'Good night my beloved. A thousand times good night.' Shu said to which Oma replied 'A-doe A-doe my dearest Shu. Parting is such sweet sarrow. They then shared a loving kiss before finally parting from each other. Oma then watched from the balconey as Shu hopped over the wall and disappeared into the night."
"Wonderful Spirit!" Katara said excitedly. "You read that entire passage almost perfectly. I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks Katara." the Spirit said bashfully. "I couldn't have done it without you helping me."
"Aww anytime Spirit." Katara said affectionately putting a hand on his shoulder.
The Spirit then paused for a second as if in thought before responding "...Zuko"
"What?" Katara asked curiously.
"Zuko...that's my name. I just thought you'd like to know." From the doorway, the servants eyes widened in shock.
"Oh" Katara said in a surprise tone. "I didn't realize..."
"It's okay. It's just an old family name...I don't use it too often..."
"That's a shame, cause I think its a really nice name...Zuko." Katara smiled.
The Spirit could feel his face grow hot at the mention of his name but despite his discomfort, he was secretly happy to hear her say his real name. He then looked back down at the book but realized he lost his place. "Um...where was I?"
"You were right here." she said leaning over him and pointing to the page. "The paragraph at the bottom."
"Right. I knew that." he said sheepishly before continuing to read on.
From behind the door, the servants looked excitedly at one another and had to move down the hall before cheering loudly with joy.
"Didn't I tell ya?" Sokka asked excitedly. "Its all in the bag! They're even on a first name basis now!"
"I haven't heard Zuko say his real name in nearly ten years..." Iroh said in a sentimental tone. "It does my old heart good to know he still uses it."
"I didn't even know he had a first name." Aang piped up.
"I must admit, I've officially caught the optimism bug along with the rest of you." Suki smiled. "I believe we can actually do this!"
"Got that right Suki!" Soka agreed. "It'll only be a matter of time...When we're human again. Only human again. When the girl finally sets us all free!"
"Cheeks a-bloomin' again. We're assumin' again." Suki sang as she started dancing around with Sokka. "We'll resume our long lost joie de vie."
"We'll be playin' again. Holiday' again" Iroh said as he hopped along after them.
"And we're prayin' it's A-S-A-P!" Aang chimed in with Iroh. Together, the four of them headed down the hallway toward the ballroom happily singing together.
When we cast off this pall
We'll stand straight, we'll walk tall
When we're all that we were
Thanks to him, thanks to her
Coming closer and closer
And closer and...
As they threw open the doors, a magnificent sight met their eyes. The grand ballroom now stood gleaming like the day it was built. All the floors, windows, ceiling and furniture had been scrubbed down and cleaned to utmost perfection. It now looked as if it could host a dozen dinner dates. Filled with a sense of accomplishment, everyone grabbed a partner and began happily dancing around the ballroom.
We'll be dancing again!
We'll be twirling again!
We'll be whirling around with such ease
When we're human again
Only human again
We'll go waltzing those old one-two-threes
We'll be floating again!
We'll be gliding again!
Stepping, striding as fine as you please
Like a real human does
I'll be all that I was
On that glorious morn
When we're finally reborn
And we're all of us human again!
Cheering out loud, they all shared high fives and congratulated each other on a job well done. Assuming that things went well between their master and Katara, everyone was now confident that by the next stroke of midnight, the spell on them would at last be broken.
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Huzzah! Next chapter will be the one that I (and I'm sure alot of you) have been most been looking forward to *gets on dancing shoes*
I know Ive made this promise before, but I will attempt to update more often. Currently Im in the middle of moving and finding a new job so Ill be plenty busy, but now that i have a new personal work space, I can better concentrate on writing. Also, I have 2 announcements:
1) After watching numerous shows (both broadway and off) Ive decided what my next 2-3 storys are going to be. Course I will still keep the poll on my homepage open so anyone who hasnt voted yet can still cast it. Im also open to new suggestions and will try to consider all of them accordingly.
2) This satuday from 10-6, I will be attending the AnimeNext Convention in Somerset NJ to indulge in sum good ol anime/manga goodness :P Like the nerd that I am, I will also be cosplaying. However instead of my usual atire (I normally go as Bandit Keith from YuGiOh) I will be dressing up as the Angry Video Game Nerd from and my brother will dress up as the Nostalgia Critic from (for info on either, go to youtube). So anyone who plans on going, hope to see ya there and be on the lookout for me and my brother duking it out :P And for those who wont be there, I will tell ya all about it and shall be putting up pics on my deviantart account (my username is eframTrabbit)