Book 4 Air
Chapter 5 Royal Pain
Katara and Toph walked down the hall to the main doorway; suddenly they were stopped by two servants.
"You are not allowed to attend the festival yet." One servant said as she bowed.
"And why not?" complained Toph.
"You ladies were given a surprised gift from the fire Lord himself." The other servant said she handed out two thin bamboo cases to the two girls.
"He instructed us to help dress you for the occasion." The other servant said as she lifted her head.
Katara and Toph gave an awkward look and decided it was alright.
Entering into the eastern wing, the girls were amazed of the sheer size of the dressing room. Decorated with golden rims and red velvet walls the elegance of it was astonishing.
The first servant walked up to Katara and Toph. Opening a huge chest, the servant pulled out two bamboo cases, Katara gasped as the servant opened the case to reveal the beautiful gift in front of her. It was an extraordinary ruby red kimono.
"What? What did Zuko give us?" asked Toph.
Katara smiled, "They're rare kimonos" the waterbender said as she brushed her hand across the fine silk.
"Yes, Miss Katara." The servant said as she took the outfit out of its case.
"Woven from the silk of the fire worm." The servant said as she lightly narrowed her eyes in admiration.
"Wow…an actual fire worm?" asked Katara stunned.
"Weren't those bugs extinct?" asked Toph with her voice laced in curiosity.
"I believe so, but some say there might still be a few left in this world. But of course these kimonos were passed down from a high ranked noble. A gift to the Fire lord, and now a gift to you…" the servant said as she bowed.
The servant pulled out the folded kimono and extended out the sleeves. Katara's eyes widen at the beautiful detailed designs and patterns sewed into the dress. The wide shape of a golden crane was at the middle of the back and its feathers were stretched out over the shoulders. Faint specks of green and peal white seams formed countless shapes of small lilies and magnolias spotted against the sleeves and a few at the bottom.
"Alright, let us start, shall we ladies?" the second servant said with a light smile.
"Simply terrible…tragic really…" said a man as he shook his head.
"Should we report this to the Fire Lord, Lieutenant Huo?" asked the nervous guard.
"No…Not yet, we'll investigate this further before letting the Fire Lord know…" Huo said with a firm tone as he stared down at the blood drenched floor.
"Sir look at this..." said one of the men who were cleaning up the bodies.
The lieutenant walked over and noticed smeared blood along the floor. It seemed to write out something. The Lieutenant's eyes slightly widen at what he saw.
On the cold ground were symbols written in blood...it said 'Death to all, death to He.'
"What do you think it means Sir?" asked the guard.
"I am not sure...But I have a guess...Send out for a message hawk, there is much to be done." Huo said seriously as he turned and walked out of the cell.
Katara felt like her chest was going to burst from the lack of oxygen, as the servants tighten the restrains around her body. Keeping Katara from inhaling deeply, she whimpered.
"Are these even necessary?" whined out the waterbender.
"It's called being handled, get used to it…" Toph said as she put her arms down as her servant finished earlier.
"Wha- she's done already? How come you got less than me?!" complained Katara.
"It is your hips, Miss Katara. The Fire Lord ordered that his guests are given every custom of the Fire Nation including the royal dressing." Replied the servant as she wrapped another cloth over her bindings.
Katara blushed lightly, "And what about my hips!" Katara said flustered.
The other servant tried to control herself from laughing, "In the Fire Nation's royal dressing preparation, a lady must show no appeal to others. Especially men…" Said the servant as if it was something so commonly to except.
"What? That's ridiculous. And how on earth can my hips do that?" Katara said.
"You have a very womanly figure, even at such a young age. Men would do anything to get what they want…" the servant said.
Katara blushed again; she never thought of herself as attractive enough to appeal other people, much less guys.
But this custom as they put seems so conservative and strict. Almost like at the Northern Water Tribe…
'It must be a royal thing…' thought Katara as she thinned her lips trying not to cry out.
Once the servant completed the thick bindings she then helped Katara put on the kimono. And that was an even harder task in it'self.
Katara thought it was going to one simple robe of silken cloth. But no, it was nearly three layers of clothes piled onto her thin shoulders. One layer was a cotton white silk, which felt nice against her skin. It almost felt like her normal water tribe clothes. The second layer was a thicker material of satin. Its color was a deep rich burgundy that gleamed dully on the other side.
The final piece was the kimono that Katara saw in the bamboo case. It felt almost like rice paper. The waterbender was afraid to even place her arm through the sleeve.
"It's alright Miss Katara, it may be thin, but they're strong." Chuckled the servant as she pulled Katara's arm in the course of the sleeve and then folded the ends over Katara's chest then tied the obi which was a shimmering gold of silk wrapped around her waist.
After the girls were fully dressed, the servants tied their hair in a fashionable bun and knots then eached place a small clip full of sakura blossoms as a final touch. The two servants stepped aside.
"There, we are done." Said the servant.
"Shall you show to the carriage?" asked the other servant.
"Yes of course." Katara said with a smile as she took Toph's hand and followed the servant girls.
'I wonder what the other's look like...' thought Katara excitedly.
Guess being in royalty isn't all sugar and tea uh? Haha…Well please review!! And as far as Toph's kimono you'll find out next chapter what it looks like…I got lazy tonight…Sorrys…More reviews and comments, means the sooner you'll see the next chapter!
It's only fair, because you encourage me…that's all.
