Katara and Aang unpacked quickly. Katara wanted to have some alone time with Aang; but before she could catch him, he was out the door.
"Aang?" Katara ran after him. "Where are you going?"
Aang turned around and grabbed Katara's elbows.
"I'm sorry, Sweetie. But I need to meditate by the stream. I haven't gotten the chance in awhile, and I have to. I'm going to go crazy." He pecked her quickly on the cheek. "I love you!" And he was off.
Katara huffed, sitting down on the nearest rock, head resting on her hand. Maybe she needed time alone to think herself.
But in an air temple full of chatty Acolytes, that wasn't going to happen.
"Master Katara! Glad we found you. There's some new information about the Acolyte boy and Penelope!" Ogi squealed, racing over to Katara with a flustered Penelope at her hip.
"Oh. Great." Katara tried to sound as excited as possible. She was, but she was mostly just tired. You think that all her years sleeping on the road in tents would make her used to it. Nope.
"Oh my gosh! It was the most romantic thing ever." Ogi squealed.
"Ogi. Don't exaggerate." Penelope snapped.
"But it was, Master Katara! Penelope pretty much fell into his arms. He was all: 'Oh! Penelope! I didn't see you there!' and she was all: 'You know my name?' and he blushed and goes—"
"Okay, Ogi! That's enough." Penelope was brighter red than a tomato. Katara laughed.
"Aw. I think it's cute. So this Acolyte boy. What's his name?"
"His name is Chang." Ogi said the name as if it was the fanciest, sexiest name in the world.
Katara nudged Penelope. "Ooo. Chang: Flourishing. Prosperous. Smooth. Fluent."
"Long." Ogi added. Katara and Ogi giggled. Penelope looked monstrously enraged and embarrassed.
"Oh, c'mon, P. We're only teasing. He is a catch, and he's totally in love with you." Ogi placed a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Can you give me any advice, Master Katara? You and Avatar Aang are so great with love!" Penelope piped hopefully.
"The most important thing is to be yourself. Act as least interested as possible, but send him subtle hints. Like whenever you're around him, play with your hair. Oo, or ask him how you look. Get him blushing. Tease him with pecks on the cheek and hugs, too."
"Wow." Ogi and Penelope said at the same time.
"Trust me. I had a lot of fun with Aang before we were dating. And I didn't even know I loved him yet! I knew there were feelings, but it wasn't until we kissed after the war ended until I realized how strong those feeling were."
The girls were fascinated. They sat with their head in their palms, eyes glistening.
"Tell us more!" Penelope said.
"Well," Katara blushed slightly, thinking about all the fluffy moments she and Aang shared before they were officially a couple. "The first time we kissed was in a—"
"Hello, girls." A snide voice interrupted from behind Katara. She turned to see Ming, walking over in regular clothing next to them. "Katara." She said as plainly as before.
"Ming, what are you wearing?" Penelope said, bewildered.
"My regular clothes, idiot."
Ogi glared fiercely. "Hey, don't call her an idiot! She had a valid question. You know we're not supposed to wear anything but our airbending clothes at the temple. We have to preserve the ancient rituals of the Monks."
"Oh, calm down, prissy-pants. There's a bonfire tonight. It's not like that was some ancient ritual of the Monks. Aang just wants us to have fun. And I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I wore this." Ming gestured devilishly to her tight Fire Nation clothing which shaped her curves very well and showed off much of her skin. Katara stood up to face Ming.
"I don't know what you're implying, Ming, but I sure don't like how you're treating the other girls. Apologize immediately." Katara said firmly, trying to hold her anger in.
Ming laughed loudly. "Look who finally talking! Miss Perfect Waterbending Master. You think you're tough shit! Well I got news for you, Katara," She spit Katara's name rudely. "Just because you're the Avatar's current girlfriend, doesn't mean you can boss us around. You're nothing but a distraction to Aang, who doesn't actually care about you. What he really wants is someone who understands his culture and supports him fully." Ming turned to leave, but added sarcastically: "Good luck with that!"
Penelope and Ogi's jaws dropped as Ming strutted away. Katara boiled with rage.
"Who does she think she is, talking to me like that?! I am not just the Avatar's 'current girlfriend'!"
"Try not to let it get to you, Master Katara. She's just jealous." Ogi assured.
"Jealous of what?" Katara sat back on the rock, self-consciously folding her arms. "She's gorgeous." She said under her breath.
"She's jealous of your relationship with Avatar Aang." Penelope sighed.
"Totally. If any Acolyte is overly-obsessed with Avatar Aang, it would be Ming." Ogi added.
"What?" Katara's heart raced.
"Oh, yeah. That's all she ever talks about. How she's going to marry Avatar Aang one day and rule the world with him." Penelope explained annoyedly.
Katara didn't realize how much the thought of this affected her until she noticed her knuckles were white from clenching them in rage.
"But I wouldn't worry about her." Penelope consoled, placing a hand on Katara's shoulder. "She's just a power-hungy bitch. I'm sure Avatar Aang sees right through her!"
"Yeah…I'm so sure…" Katara muttered sarcastically.