Book 4 Air
Chapter 84 Practicing
Part 2
Two hours passed as Iroh instructed the two teens their final pose in their performance. "Make sure you place your hand in his grasp, Miss Katara." Iroh said as both teens panted lightly. Sweat beaded their bodies as Zuko slowly pulled Katara up on her feet as they never broke eye contact.
"Good…Good." Iroh said as he then hear someone enter behind him. "Teaching them the abrazo?" a woman said with a soft chuckle. Iroh smiled, 'So…She took the opportunity to live again.' Iroh thought as he recalled his last conversation with Ursa.
"I know your sorrow, princess…But please, you can't let despair consume you. No matter what…You must fight it, you must learn to live again..." Iroh said with wisdom and experience as the woman turned away from the man.
Iroh then turned to the two teens, "Please step aside…" Iroh said.
Zuko and Katara blushed as they pulled away from one another then stepped to the back end of the wall.
Ursa stepped in placing her hand on Iroh's shoulder.
"Perhaps we should show them a demonstration instead teaching them step by step." Ursa said with a kind gesture as Iroh arched an eyebrow turning to the woman.
"As you wish, princess, now shall we...?" Iroh said as he then encircled the woman slowly.
Ursa smiled lightly before quickly turning towards Iroh. The space between them enclosed as they performed the dance in a fluid motion rather than quick jabbed steps that the two teens did. Both Zuko and Katara blushed cherry red as they watched the two adults dance the intimate display across the wooden floor.
It was only then Zuko noticed his mother's outfit. The dress was shorter than usual and flared on the bottom like a wild fire of silk. He blushed at the exposed long legs she had from the loose fabric.
It was rare for royalty to show their legs, much less in this fashion. Would this mean Katara will wear something as revealing as this? Zuko pondered as he gazed towards Katara who appeared to be in awe of the performance.
Iroh then skillful removed his outer robe, giving him move freedom in his movements as he led Ursa professionally in a circular dance before spinning Ursa freely. Iroh held an intense gaze as he then caught her in a tight embrace before departing a short distance.
Katara watched she quickly picked up the moves, and realized how the dance relates with the story of the two forbidden lovers.
For the lovers to drift apart only to come back closer, their passion and love for one another was seen through the flowing steps of the dance.
As the musicians played their song, the beat started to grow louder, stronger as the two dancers performed rougher, even far more intimate than the teens' previous lessons. Ursa was pulled away only to fall back, embracing Iroh from behind as her leg raised up his thigh.
Iroh's firm hand softly caressed the bare skin of her knee before they both quickly parted away. Expect this new stance was seen as Iroh charged at her. Ursa gracefully backed away like in the story. How the Fire God Agni chased after his lover.
Ursa fell on one knee before gesturing her palm up in front of Iroh, stopping him in his tracks.
Katara recalled how the hime refused for Agni to chase her, to be with her…at last.
Ursa and Iroh continued as the beat became even louder and faster in the rhythmic performance of lover's dance.
Then Iroh lifted Ursa up from her hip as she kicked out her leg. Iroh then swung her down as they both kneed to the floor gazing at one another closely as the music stopped suddenly. The instrument was then plucked, three more strings ending the song and the dance.
Iroh then stood up, helping Ursa stand as they both bowed to the two teens. Zuko and Katara were dumbfounded by the performance as they clapped.
"And that, my nephew and Miss Katara is how you do the dance." Iroh said as he took a breathe then bowed to Ursa. "Thank you Ursa for that demonstration." Iroh said as woman smiled.
"The pleasure was all mine, General Iroh." Ursa said as she then turned to her son and future daughter-in-law.
"I hope you both saw the character you will need to put into this dance. Remember to do your best." Ursa said with encouragement as she then left the room with a smile while Iroh turned towards the two musicians and mentioned something to them.
Zuko then looked at the girl next to him as she blushed. "We need more practice…" Zuko said as Katara then gazed at the Fire Lord.
"Yea…" Katara said with a nervous smile.
Walking down the hallway, Azula smiled to herself. The young woman was seen dressed in the uniform of the cleaning servant. The outfit had a distinct difference of a noticeable head wear; over Azula's hair and low bun. A new design rarely used from the usual servants in the palace. Even so, Azula seemed to blend in with the staff as she passed by nearly five servants and four guards. The princess was pleased as she continued down the hall to find the Fire Lord.
The loud slurping was heard from the small lips of an earthbender as she ate her bowl of soup on her lap. Aang watched with amusement as he quietly bit into an apple pear. Toph then put the spoon down as she lifted the bowl to her lips. Now seeing her drink the broth, Aang couldn't help but chuckle.
As she placed the bowl down, the girl smiled with drips of her soup on her lips. "It was good!" Toph said with a smile.
"What kind is it?" Toph asked as she then licked her lips.
"Well, I heard it was vegetable soup." Aang said as Toph moaned.
"Vegetable? Ah, what ever happened to the meat kind?" Toph complained as she then placed the bowl and spoon on a nearby night stand.
Aang chuckled as Toph then placed her hands on her lap. "You know…You don't have to stay with me. Why no try meeting with the others for a while?" Toph said as a small tint of pink was seen on her cheeks.
"They're fine…Besides…" Aang said with a pause, "I much rather be with you." Aang said as Toph lowered her head hiding her flaring blush.
Aang smiled warmly, he liked making the earthbender blush. It was amusing and cute.
"Are you still hungry? I can get you something more if you'd like." Aang asked as he started to stand up from his chair.
Toph thinned her lips as she nodded her head. "Yea…This time I want something with meat." Toph said as she lifted her head as her cheeks tinted darker.
Aang smiled as he nodded his head, "Alright. I'll be back." Aang said as he left the room.
Toph then lowered her head as she smiled to herself.
"Hmm…I see. Ever since Ryuan was promoted into the rank of imperial, I've noticed the high security of the palace." A man said as the other man nervously spoke out. "Please…Tell me when I can meet with the royal guards." Sho asked as the man narrowed his eyes.
"The royal guards would not respond to a former general, unless you had some value information to his majesty…" the man said as he rubbed his long beard.
"Y-yes…I think the royal court will much agree to my sources…" Sho said with a dark grin as he handed the general a scroll.
"Hmm, very well I will inform the top guard in command, until we meet again, Sho." The general said with a bow as he then pulled out a seal to the man. Sho curtly bowed his head as he greedily fidgeted his fingers towards the seal. "Much oblige… General Bujing." Sho said as he gripped tightly on the seal.
"Hm…" the general said as he left the man down the hall.
Sho then lifted the golden seal of the dragon up into the light. "Ahh…At last. I'll be able to enter the catacombs!" the man said as he then tucked the paper underneath his robes then hastily ran down the hall as the shallow voices rang in his ears.
"Imperial Ryuan, reports of the princess has been seen near the outskirts of the upper ring." A servant said as he bowed passed his waist to the man.
"I see…Please inform General Iroh." Ryuan said as he kept his gaze at the window.
"Of course, sir!" the servant said as he lifted his head.
"Any other news, Xi?" the man asked as the servant bowed his head. "No sir…"
"Hmm…I see…Then how are the preparations for the dance? All in order I assume?" Ryuan asked as the servant nodded his head.
"Yes sir…Shall I recruit the guards for their routes around the ballroom?" the servant asked as Ryuan turned to the man.
"Hmm, yes that will be appropriate for the time being…Make sure every outlet is secured and heavily guarded, three men pre post." Ryuan said as a serious gaze crossed over his features. The personal servant bowed then left Ryuan's office.
The general then sighed.
Even after all the men he's posted along the palace walls. Still news about the princess managed to reach him. She was drawing closer…Putting the Fire Lord's life at risk. Should he allow the dance to continue? Ryuan thought heavily on this…The pressure was weighting his near twenty years of command on his shoulders.
"I will find Iroh and speak to him…He will know what to do." Ryuan said out loud as he turned to his desk and sighed.
Time was running out…He needed to make the right decision for his majesty and his reputation.
The performance Iroh and Ursa displayed is similar to this scene from "Take the Lead" I posted the link below. I did some research and thought it was the best clip to express the passion of the dance. And yes, the dance is tango, aargentine tango to be exact.
Also abrazo means embrace, I decided to call that the dance instead of tango. Also many might be more familiar with the other form of tango. Like for a ballroom. The striking difference between Argentine tango and ballroom tango is in the shape and feel of the embrace. Ballroom technique dictates that partners arch their upper bodies away from each other, while maintaining contact at the hip, in an offset frame. In Argentine tango, it is nearly the opposite.
I thought this was appropriate for both Zutara hotness and the culture of the Fire Nation.
Close in the spaces before checking the link.
(http:/www. /watch?v =ce2N_LprfeI&feature=channel_page)
Also more on Zutara yummy-ness, Taang and the history behind the generals in the palace.
PLEASE REVIEW!!!
