The guards outside the doors stood up straighter when their Fire Lord left, relaxing only when his tall form disappeared around the corner and to the party. Despite being dismissed for the night, the guards were ever wary. No one wanted to risk the assassination of the Fire Lord on such a night.
"Are you ready for your introduction Fire Lord Zuko?" A heavily masked and costumed servant stopped the Fire Lord at the entrance to the party.
"Can't I just go in?" Zuko asked, almost pleadingly. He had no desire to stand in front of such a large group and act like he was overjoyed to see him. It was his least favorite part of his new position; acting like everything was perfect in his mind and around him. It never was.
"Sir, it is customary for the Fire Lord to be introduced when going into a large group." The servant didn't budge, eager to do his small part to make this party go off without a hitch. Zuko understood his fervor but couldn't help but let the anger flash in his eyes.
"Fine." The servant nodded and stepped quickly through the curtain and into the room beyond. Zuko could hear him addressing the partygoers.
"Everyone please rise to greet the Fire Lord! Fire Lord Zuko, champion over Azula, nephew of Iroh, friend to the Avatar, and leader of our great Fire Nation!" Cheers and applause followed the introduction. Traditionally, the Fire Lord was introduced with the name of his parents and siblings, but Zuko was a special circumstance. Azula and her father were only talked about in passing or when discussing their defeat. No one wanted to remember the less desirable parts of history.
"You may enter now sir." The servant held the curtain aside, allowing Zuko to pass. The servant was obviously pleased with himself and wanted to start his own celebration, his job complete.
"Thank you." Zuko smiled weakly and walked through the archway into the main hall. His appearance was marked by more applause, and a few more cheers. Zuko plastered a smile on his face, pretending to adore the applause as he acknowledged everyone in the room.
"Zuko! It is about time you got here! Come and have some tea with your old friends." Uncle Iroh quickly grabbed Zuko's arm before he could escape, pulling him to a table where Aang, Sokka, Suki, Toph, and Katara were already seated.
"Zuko! Good to see you buddy!" Sokka rose from his seat and patted Zuko hard on the back causing him to choek on his tea. Instead of a mask, Sokka was wearing the warrior face paint of his tribe. "You remember my fiancée, Suki?"
"Of course he remembers me Sokka! We all lived together!" Suki shoved Sokka playfully, smiling at him. "It's good to see you again Zuko." Suki bowed to Zuko, who returned the respect. Her mask was also makeup, the traditional face paint of a Kyoshi warrior. She positively flowed next to Sokka, the two obviously in love.
"Don't forget about me!" Toph stood, demanding a hello. Her mask was a simple dark green piece of fabric tied across her eyes. The letters BB were embroidered on it in gold thread. There were no eyeholes. "How's it going Fire Lord?" She asked with a smirk.
"Hello Toph." Zuko smiled at the master earthbender, amused at her choice of mask. He had heard the stories about her times as the Blind Bandit and wasn't surprised she was so proud of her deception.
"Zuko. It's good to see you again!" Aang leapt up from his seat, walking around the table to hug the bewildered Fire Lord. The Avatar wore no mask, the accessory was not required when there was an arrow tattooed on your forehead. Aang may have looked a year older but he still had the joy in his eyes of a twelve year old.
"And you Aang." Zuko awkwardly returned the hug, glancing at the last member of the party. "Katara. It's been a long time." Zuko's voice dropped in volume, his gaze straight at Katara. Her blue eyes stared straight back.
"Yes. It has." Katara didn't stand. She toyed with the edge of her mask, a half face number like Zuko's, painted in different shades of blue. A silver moon circled one eye, orange flames engulfed the other. She seemed as surprised to see water on Zuko's mask as we was to see fire on hers.
"Now that all the formalities are out of the way, let's have some tea!" Oblivious to the new tension at the table, Iroh grabbed Zuko's arm and tanked him down onto a seat. He poured some tea for everyone and immediately struck up a conversation.
While the others laughed and joked, Zuko looked at Katara. She too was not participating in the banter. Every once in awhile she would glance up at Zuko, a puzzling expression on the visible parts of her face. He knew he should look away from her but didn't want to miss a second. He only had her for so long.
"Uncle, I am going into the garden. I…" Zuko trailed off, Iroh not noticing he had even spoke. Standing, Zuko kept his eyes to the floor and quickly exited the hall into the deserted garden.
Small fires lit up the pathway, convening at a large fountain. Zuko extinguished the flames with one sweep of his arm, wanting to be alone in the dark for awhile.
He hadn't seen Katara in months. How was he to know that it would be so hard for him? Everything about her, from her choice of mask to her misdirected gaze confused him. How did they both choose to associate their masks with one another? His covered with her water, hers with his fire.
But then again, Katara had always confused him. She always would.
When Mai had left, Zuko had assumed he was alone and would be for a long time. But every memory from then was filled with Katara. Her laugh, her eyes, her smile. She had made herself a presence in his life after Mai had left.
But then she had just left. No explanation. He awoke one morning and she was gone. He hadn't seen her since. Sokka gave him a weak story about rebuilding. The warrior never had been a good liar.
Sitting on the ground at the fountain's wall, Zuko leaned his head back and sighed. This party was not going well, and he had only been in attendance for five minutes.
Angry with himself, Zuko let out a growl and shot a bout of flame from his fist, punching the ground next to him.
"Careful Zuko. You might hurt someone."