Katara waited patiently for Zuko. She didn't really know what to wear, but based off of what Zuko was wearing earlier, she settled for a pair of high waisted jeans and a white cropped tank top.
A knock was heard from the door and Katara immediately stood up to open it. Zuko was standing outside with his hands in his pocket.
"Your shirt is different," Katara noticed. Zuko looked at her wide eyed for a second and then looked down at his shirt.
"Yeah, I wasn't feeling the other one," he replied hesitantly. Katara gave him a questioning look before shrugging it off.
"Ready for dinner?" She smiled up to him.
"Yeah," he said beginning to walk in the direction of the dining room
They made small talk on the way to the dining room, easing the growing frustration between them. Conversations of basically nothing felt comfortable between the two.
Just as soon as they started the long walk to the dining room it ended with both of them chuckling as they entered the large room. Iroh and Azula were already seated at the table both looking at Zuko and Katara. The chuckling between them stopped as they noticed Zuko's family looking at them intently. Iroh with a large welcoming smile and Azula with a smirk that screamed "I'm plotting something".
"Ah! Nephew, Master Katara! You are just on time," Iroh said with the widest smile Zuko had ever seen. Katara bowed deeply.
"Thank you for inviting me, Fire Lord Iroh," Katara said still in a bow.
"Master Katara, please lift your head," Katara quickly stood up from her bow as if she was being commanded to, "and I told you to cal me Uncle Iroh."
"Then I insist that you just call me Katara," She said smiling at Iroh. He smiled back softly.
"Have a seat!" Iroh gestured to the empty seats to his right. Zuko and Katara quickly shuffled to the right side of the table. Zuko moved to take the seat closest to his uncle, but before sitting he pulled out the chair next to him for Katara to sit in. She said a small thank you to his gesture as she sat down, Zuko pushing her chair in so she would sit comfortably at the table. Iroh's eyes never left the pair.
Azula was also watching them, smirk still prominent on her face, "Thank you so much for joining us, Master Katara," she said. Zuko already didn't like the tone in her voice.
"I'm the one that should be thankful," Katara said oblivious to Azula's plotting, "I'm very fortunate and grateful for the opportunity to see the Royal Palace and be invited as a guest."
The servers came with dinner, drawing everyone's attention the the sudden rush of servants bringind dish upon dish to the table. Katara was overwhelmed with the sheer amount of food they brought out for just the four of them. Just as suddenly as they appeared the servants left after putting a final dish on the table.
"Wow," Katara said shocked at the spread. There were 5 different types of dumplings, 2 different types of noodles, grilled meats, and steamed vegetables.
"Please help yourself," Iroh looked at Katara gesturing for her to dig in. Just as Katara raised her hand to scoop some noodles on to her plate, Zuko stopped her. Katara looked at him bewildered.
"Spicy," Zuko said and Katara instantly dropped her hand. She looked at him with a thankful smile. Zuko then scooped some of the other type of noodle on her plate and plopped a few different dumplings on there without asking before serving himself. Iroh excitement seemed to grow watching his nephew cater to Katara.
"You know quite a bit of Master Katara's preferences," Azula teased from across the table as she she began piling food on to hear plate, "Remind me, Zuzu, how many hours have you known Master Katara?"
"Zuzu?" Katara repeated looking at Zuko with a hand covering her mouth. She was desperately trying to contain a giggle. Zuko felt his temper rising as he tried to maintain a cool facade.
"She mentioned that she wasn't good with spicy foods in passing," Zuko said coolly, trying so desperately to not throw a chopstick at his sister, "It's not hard to remember something so recent."
"What did you have for breakfast this morning?" Azula said with a smirk knowing very well that Zuko has no recollection of what he ate before heading to the palace gym. Zuko glared at his sister. They continued to eat in relative silence until everyone was done. The Servants quickly came out to whisk the left over food and their plates away, and set the table for tea.
"So, Katara, what brings you to Caldera?" Iron asked as the tea was being served.
"A change of scenery," Katara half lied, "Ba Sing Se is great, but I had the sudden urge to travel."
"In all honesty, Katara, you choose the wrong time to come to Caldera," Iroh said before popping a dumpling into his mouth. Zuko looked at his uncle suspiciously. Caldera was a great place to be all year round. It was always warm to some degree even in the wintertime, "Summer can be brutal to those who are not used to the heat here."
"I see," Katara pondered. She thought of her problems back in Ba Sing Se and haven't really considered what it would be like in Caldera since it was just the soonest and cheapest flight.
"That's why I propose you check out Ember Island!" There it was. Zuko shot a look at his uncle who out right ignored him, "It's the best place to be this time of year!"
"Oh, really?" Katara seemed interested now. She thought of how much money a ferry to Ember Island would be and considered the other expenses of traveling.
"Yes, absolutely," Azula chimed in, catching on to her Uncle's plan, "There's white sand beaches and the night life is to die for."
"That does sound pretty fun," Katara said still in thought. She was completely oblivious to the plot of the whole situation, "But I'm not sure I have the funds for a vacation on my… vacation?"
"We have a private beach house," Azula mentioned casually, "you could stay there."
"Oh, no," Katara said frantically, "I couldn't impose anymore than I already have."
"Great idea, Azula!" Iroh complimented, "You can even take the royal ferry!"
"Uncle, Katara just got here," Zuko finally found his chance to chime in, "Wouldn't it be better for her to rest and catch up from her jet lag before traveling again?"
"Nonsense, Zuzu," Azula countered, "She can do all the resting she needs and more on Ember Island."
"I really can't accept anymore from you," Katara insisted, "Just being able to stay at the palace has already been a dream."
"Katara, I insist," Iroh pled with her, "To not show such an honored guest the best my country has to offer as the Fire Lord would be a shame." Katara quietly pondered for a second with Zuko's eyes glued to her. She looked up at him and shrugged.
"Alright," Katara finally said, "I'll take you up on your offer. But, I will pay my own way there."
"You don't have to do this," Zuko suggested, "Please don't let my family force you into something you're not comfortable with."
"You don't have to go, Zuko," Azula said with a conniving smile, "I'll take her. We can have a girl's trip." Zuko winced at the idea of Azula stealing another girl from him.
"I insist Zuko goes," Iroh spoke up, "He absolutely has to go."
"I wouldn't want to force him," Katara looked up at him with begging eyes. Zuko could tell she really wants him to come with her.
"Fire Lord's orders. If Prince Zuko refuses to go and show Master Katara a good time on Ember Island, I will take it as a personal blight and he will be banished from the Fire Nation," Iroh said playIng his "I'm the ruler of this country" card. He didn't need to take it that far, but he was determined to get his nephew on a beach vacation with a beautiful woman. Zuko groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Uncle Iroh," Katara said sweetly looking over to the Fire Lord. She had hoped her sweet tone would lessen the harshness of his command. "That is a little extreme."
"I'm only ensuring you have company," Iroh reassured her, sweetness also in his voice.
"Fine," Zuko said through his teeth, "I'll take Katara to Ember Island."
"Perfect!" Iron said happily, "I will book tickets!"