Book 4 Air
Chapter 23 Flowers and Jewelry
The scene closes in view of a garden surrounded roses and other exotic flowers. As two people are seen embracing one another tenderly. Katara was lost in the Fire Lord's tight hold, never wanting to let go as she buried her face in his chest. As soon as it happened it was over as Katara suddenly pulled away from his form, embarrassed of her previous outburst. Slightly discontent Zuko smiled faintly, "Feel better now?" Zuko said as he gently traced her curled lock of hair out of her face with his fingers.
It was a sweet yet intimate move from the Fire Lord as he subconsciously tried to comfort the girl. Katara lifted her head and nodded her head lightly as she wiped away her dried tears. Zuko nodded in response as he turned his attention to the crystal clear pond.
Looking at the Lord's sudden interest, Katara held her hands as she admired the beauty in the garden. Everything was in perfect order yet natural at the same time. The brushes of bright green swayed in the breeze as the sweet scent of the flowers filled the area. The pond rippled against the light wind that flowed pass the two benders as they inhaled the air. It somehow relaxed Katara and soothed her mind. Looking back at Zuko, Katara wondered if Zuko visited the garden often.
"Thank you."
Katara looked up at Zuko in surprise. Thank you? Why is he thanking her?
"For what, Fire Lord Zuko?" Katara asked with curiosity.
Zuko turned his head, his eyes set firm yet held a small hue in them. "For being yourself." Zuko said softly as he then dismissed himself.
Katara blinked as she watched him walked away into the vestibule of the palace.
"For being myself?" Katara said out loud with wonder.
The view of a long marketplace crowded with eagered merchants and expensive buyers. The sight of a carriage entering into the main shopping center was seen by the superstitious traders. The carriage was rimmed with gold and was of a high noble family. Many merchants prepared to contribute their services. Once the small coach door opened and the sight of a petite girl dressed in her previous gown from the Fire Nation festival. Women called out in awe, envious of the small girl's exquisite kimono. Merchant's gleamed with joy due to the girl's obvious first impression of royalty and money. Others slowly drifted away from the scene as they noticed the second person who exited out of the carriage.
"That's the Avatar?" a person whispered in the background.
"Yes, that the one…" another person whispered back.
"What's the great Avatar doing here I wonder?" a third person asked in the mist of the huge crowd forming around the carriage.
Unaware of the people stares, Aang took Toph's hand. "Come on Toph, let's go find your mother a present." The airbender said with enthusiasm.
"Sure, Aang, whatever you say…" Toph said with slight regret.
'I shouldn't have let Aang join me…I can already hear the rumors everyone that are spreading through the Earth Kingdom…' Toph thought herself as she tried to hide her face with her long bangs.
Leading Toph into one of the shops, Aang released her hand looking around. "What kind of gift are you looking for Toph?" Aang asked the blind earthbender as she stood next to him.
"Something fancy and small. Like a trinket or a necklace." Toph said as she waved out her hand in a bored matter.
"Alright, let's see." The airbender said with interest.
Walking up to a shelf, Aang looked from right to the left. All of the jewelry was big and bulky; nothing appeared to fit a smaller, more elegant charm to Toph's description.
"Good afternoon young sir, may I help you find anything?" a man said as he walked up to the counter. The man was well dressed and neatly shaven. His hair was tied in a long braid and his small slanted eyes appeared to sag over his lids, barely seeing the color of his eyeballs. Lined with faint signs of wrinkles on his face, the lean merchant smiled friendly as his face lined deeper. Cupping his hands together pending for a possible customer, the merchant waited for Aang's reply.
"Well, we're looking for some small, a trinket." Aang said as he looked at the man.
"Ah, we just might have such a rare charm in my shop." The merchant said as he walked pass the two children and into a back room.
Waiting for the man to return, Toph grew impatient.
"He better give us something good, I can't wait all day." Toph said as she folded her arms over her chest.
"Just be patient, he'll come back." Aang said as he placed his hand on the girl's shoulder trying to calm her down.
Just then the merchant walked out of the room and behind the counter.
"Here, I think this will suit the young lady." The man said as he pulled out a necklace. Aang looked at the long thread of the copper that held a round nickel sized jade stone carved with the symbol of the Earth Kingdom. It was strong yet delicate.
Aang felt it didn't suit Toph's mother. Turning his attention to the blind girl, Aang spoke.
"Feel it Toph, see what you think." Aang said as he watched the girl reach out for the necklace.
Gripping on the stone roughly as she took it out of the merchant's hands, the Blind girl slowly rubbed the sleek copper binding and circular stone lightly before deciding. Toph shook her head.
"It won't do." Toph said flatly as she placed the jewelry on the table.
"Is there anything you would like? I am sure that this suits you very well." The merchant said as he tried to bargain with the two children.
"It ain't for me. I'm buying something for my mother." Toph barked out as she grew more impatient with the man.
"Oh, alright then, I'll see what else we might have." The man said as he quickly paced himself into the back room.
"Toph are you sure you don't like it?" Aang asked the blind earthbender.
"Of course I don't, besides my mother likes something lighter. That necklace will weight her down." Toph said as she chews slightly on her tongue.
"My mother likes anything with gold. So if he doesn't bring something worthwhile, we're leaving." Toph said loudly as she leaned against the counter.
Aang sighed as he turned his head to the merchant walked up to them, "I am certain you will be fond of this piece." The man said as he opened a small case revealing the necklace. The necklace was a medium lengthen gold chain with small green gemstones embedded into the rims in a diamond like shape throughout the whole bind.
"Wow it looks beautiful. I think your mother will like this one." Aang said with a smile.
Toph took the light gold chain into her hands, rubbing the soft metal and rough gems. "I suppose it will do, I'll take it." Toph said as she handed the merchant the jewelry back.
"A fine choice my dear." The man said as he opened a drawer and started wrapping the present.
"I think she's really going to like it Toph." Aang said as he looked at the blind earthbender.
"Alright already, you make it sound like I'm nervous are something." Toph said in defense as she turned her head away from the airbender.
"What? There's nothing wrong with being nervous, besides I never say you were. I just think it's so great that you finally are going to see your parents and mend your relationship." Aang said with assurance.
"Yea, right…" Toph said as she turned her attention to the merchant.
"That will be 20000 yuan." The merchant said as he gave the airbender the gift.
Toph took out a golden seal and handed it to the man, "I think this will cover it."
"Of course." The man said as he rang the price and then gave back the seal to the girl.
"Alright Twinkle-Toes let's go." Toph said as she headed for the door.
Aang started to follow the earthbender only to look back as the displayed necklace of copper and jade.
"Are you interested in buying anything today?" the merchant asked the Avatar.
"Oh no…Sorry." Aang said as he walked up next to Toph.
"What's with you?" Toph asked as held her gift close.
"It's nothing…" Aang said as he blushed.
"Well come on, let's go." Toph said as she took the airbender's hand.
Aang's cheek tinted a darker shade of pink as he walked with Toph outside of the shop.
'Twinkle-Toes sure is acting strange…' Toph thought as she felt the boy's heartbeat suddenly jump and palm sweat underneath her hand.
'Pheesh and I'm the nervous one…' Toph remarked to herself in a sarcastic tone.
The two children soon walked up to a local food market, the smell of cooked squid and soup filled their nostrils.
"That smells good. Hey Toph you want to grab a bite to eat before I leave?" Aang said as he pointed to the small restaurant.
"I'm not hungry…" Toph said as she lifted her head in protest.
Suddenly a low growl gurgled in her lower area, Aang laughed out loud as Toph blushed in embarrassment.
"Ha-ha, come on, let's eat!" the airbender said with excitement as Toph lay behind.
"I already told you I ain't hungry!" Toph said in annoyance.
"Come on, let's relax ok?" Aang said as he placed his hands on the girl's small shoulders.
Feeling her cheeks warm up, Toph brush his hands off and sighed.
"Alright, whatever you say." The blind earthbender said as she agreed.
Aang smiled as he led the girl into the restaurant.
As a note, yuan is Chinese money. 20, 000 Chinese yuan equals to 2 928.48 U.S. dollars. I hope you enjoyed a little extra Taangness. More Zutara coming soon along with the villains.
