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Miss unreasonable and her bell of power!
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So we ate the various tarts and souffles we'd made yesterday. Well, Aang had souffled them. Souffled? Is that a word. Whatever. He'd made them fluffy with his airbending. We were all sitting around and passing around all the cakes.
Can I just say that a meal of cake is a pretty awesome.
Everyone was fussing over me just a little bit too much. It got a bit annoying after a while. I rang then bell and demanded that I needed just five minutes WITH NOBODY TOUCHING ME. Just five minutes without being rubbed or patted or hugged or cuddled or sat upon. And that includes you Aang! Aang has gone a bit quiet (he hasn't spoken for a full ten minutes and this is unheard of). He's been exceptionally cuddly and for a while there I thought he was going to take up permanent residence on my lap. Do you know how hard it is to eat cake with a wiggly, figety, cuddly Aang on you lap.
Gah!
Aang says he wants to be close to me in case I need something. He can be close sitting while next to me. Really now. Aang has needed constant reassurance that I am fine and I am not mad at him. I am fine! Or at least I will be fine. I am not mad at him. I just want some space to myself. Just for five minutes while I finish eating my passionfruit souffle. Is that too much to ask?
Anyway we were all eating cake and congratulating Sokka and Toph on their victory. I didn't want my accident to put a dampener on the day or their victory. Both of them wanted to win so badly this morning and now they were hardly bragging at all and it was most uncharacteristic. I gave them permission to do their customary victory lap and they looked a bit unsure. I demanded that they do their customary victory lap and they complied, but with a little less gusto than usual.
I have demanded a foot rub from Zuko for my other foot. He rubbed some sun poppy ointment into my injured ankle and foot and it had been very nice and relaxing. But then he neglected my other foot. For a while I had one relaxed foot and one tense foot. I felt uneven. The only way to correct this was a second foot rub. So I sat with my foot in his lap and cheered on team boomerang while they did their victory dance.
I felt like music so I asked Suki play the mandolin for me. Zuko offered to get the tsungi horn as well. I'm quite fond of the tsungi horn, however at this point I was a little more fond of foot rubs. So I politely declined Zuko's offer. Not at moment Zuko. You're fine where you are. Suki started playing a tune about spring on Kyoshi. It was nice. Relaxing.
Sokka and Toph returned from their victory lap and Aang returned to his previous position on my lap. Sokka wanted to know what actually had happened in the forest. Aang is much more a storyteller than me so I let him tell it. I only interjected occasionally, because Aang has a tendency to exaggerate sometimes.
He did tell Sokka and Toph that I might be dying after all.
He told everyone else of our daring escape from the razorback adder and how we had run away like big, giggly girls, only to be confronted with an angry mama scorpidillo. He told them about how he had airbended at her but this had made her mad and that was when she struck my ankle. Oh noes! And then Zuko and Suki had come to our rescue. Oh yay!
Zuko finished rubbing my other foot to my satisfaction and asked me how the ankle felt quietly. In truth, the ankle felt absolutely terrible but I was putting on a brave face for everyone. They were all fretting so much and I didn't want to distress them further. Complaining constantly about being in pain would have only worried them and I can only take so much fussing. Besides, the pain wasn't so bad. Just a dull throbbing. I could put up with/ignore that. But when Zuko asked, I just told him the truth. I beckoned him over and whispered in his ear that it was really starting to throb and feel sore at the moment and was this normal for scorpidillo bites? He whispered back that it was to be expected, but he could get me something for the pain and I nodded in agreement. I don't know why I was whispering really. I mean everyone knows I got bitten and that it would hurt. It seems silly to keep it a secret.
Anyway Zuko got up and asked, quite suddenly, if Aang could help him in the kitchen. Except he wasn't really asking. His tone was more like. Aang. Kitchen. Now. Everyone was a bit surprised by this and Aang followed in a bemused fashion. It became apparent that Zuko had just wanted to talk to Aang in private. I don't know if he realized, but we could overhear everything they were saying. All of us in the lounge room abandoned all pretense of doing other things and listened in like the snoopy eavesdroppers we are.
I am among like-minded friends!
The sounds of quick dicing could be heard and Aang asked Zuko what he was doing and Zuko replied (quite tersely – even for Zuko) that he was making a sun poppy tea because it was good for pain relief. Aang asked if he could help quite brightly but Zuko said no, he hadn't asked Aang in to help, he had asked Aang into the kitchen to find out what was going on with scorpidillos. Why hadn't Aang firebent at them?all animals are scared of fire and Aang knew that. Zuko had taught him more than enough for him to be able to frighten some scorpidillos. Aang said that he hadn't wanted to hurt them and he felt better airbending at them.
There was a clatter of something. Zuko made a frustrated noise and said, really crossly, that Aang had to become more comfortable with firebending. Aang and I had been incredibly lucky this time, but I really could have been seriously hurt. Aang protested that Zuko had said that I was going to be fine and Zuko huffed and launched into a rant that said, in a nutshell; that yes I was going to be fine, but that scorpidillo bites are very serious and what would have happened to me if he and Suki hadn't been nearby? He wasn't always going to be nearby to do the firebending for Aang. Aang's reluctance to firebend could have gotten me seriously hurt or killed. Had Aang considered that?
No, Aang had not.
There was a long silence. And then rather frantic shushing and calming noises from Zuko. He said aw hell... Don't do that... Oh for agni's sake!... Don't cry... Oh bollocks... Look I didn't meant to get cross with you okay... Katara's going to be fine okay. Then there was a few sniffles followed by a bit more swearing from Zuko. Aang said (voice coated in snot) that he'd never meant for me to get hurt and it was all his fault and if he hadn't had the stupid festival in the first place...Zuko cut him off and said that accidents happen and that it wasn't anybody's fault. He shouldn't have blamed Aang and that sometimes he forgot how young Aang was and it wasn't fair of him to shout at Aang.
More sniffling. I think they hugged at this point, but none of us could see, so I'm not quite sure.
Zuko reiterated that accidents happen, but he just wanted to Aang to understand that he needed to be more serious about his bending. He wanted Aang to really think about which bending would be the best in a given situation and not just rely on his airbending (Zuko is advising someone to think things through – the world has gone mad!). Aang said he was sorry and he didn't want Zuko to be mad at him. There was a long suffering sigh and then Zuko said he wasn't mad, just disappointed.
There was another pause. Then Zuko said I can't believe I just said that, with some surprise.
-?-
They came back in a few minutes later. We all hastily tried to 'look natural' which really meant looking like we hadn't all been listening in eagerly for the duration of Zuko's scolding. Suki started hastily plucking at her mandolin and soon as they walked into the lounge room and Sokka shoved a huge piece of cake into his mouth and promptly started choking on it. Toph gave him a few strong pats on the back. Aang had washed his face so he didn't have that splotchy-post cry look about him. The only clue that he'd been crying was that his eyes were a little red rimmed. Zuko had a teacup in one hand and he handed it to me – the handle facing in my direction. He said it should help me feel a little better. I took a sip and said that I didn't feel better and Zuko smiled and said I'd have to give it a few minutes. Aang hovered over me and asked how I was feeling.
Still fine, if a little sore, and starting to wish people would stop asking me that.
There was a slightly awkward pause. Aang cleared his throat and said it was still light. This was a true, if a little obvious, observation to make. He asked if Toph and Zuko would train with him because he wanted get more practice with their elements. Toph and Zuko both looked a little surprised and confused at this sudden eagerness from Aang. This surely is one for the record books. Zuko hadn't thought his scolding was going to have immediate effects and he looked rather comically astonished and asked right now? Toph said something sarcastic (no, next year Zuko – of course now!) gave me and affection punch on the arm and got off the couch. Toph was all for a lesson, but Zuko hesitated, looked at me and asked if I would be okay.
Oh for goodness sake!
I have had a small grumpy rant that was directed at everybody. I will be fine. I will still have Sokka and Suki to fetch and carry for me. But I don't want people fawning all over me anyway! I am not some delicate doll to be pampered. Okay I've had a bit of a fright and I'm a bit sore but mostly I am fine. I am just getting irritated with everyone treating me with kid gloves and walking in eggshells around me. Aang needs to work on his bending so they should go and throw rocks and fire at each other while it is still light. And if they didn't go I would start getting stressed and I wasn't supposed to be stressed at all today. So there.
They have complied in the face of my very compelling rant.
-?-
Okay I take back my rant.
I miss people!
I miss people to talk to. Sokka and Suki have taken my strong, grumpy words about being completely fine to heart and have embarked upon some life/health affirming snuggling in the hammock. They are not far away and they are always super quick to come when I ring the bell. Suki once tipped Sokka out of the hammock in her haste to get to me. (He landed flat on his arse. I found this hilarious).
When they'd arrived, I'd tell them that I just needed someone to talk to. They would loiter and chat and I'd get a bit grumpy and send them back. Only to ring the bell again five minutes later. Not sure why I kept doing this. As soon as they came, I wanted them gone and as soon as they went I would miss them. I am just feeling contrary I think. Perhaps it is because I am bored and couchbound and alone and they are upwardly mobile and snuggly and lovey-dovey. The sun-poppy tea had kicked in and my ankle wasn't hurting anymore, so I don't think I can blame my ankle for all this bell ringing. I just felt bored and listless.
The next time I rang for them, I demanded Suki play the mandolin again and Sokka do push ups for my entertainment. Suki complied but Sokka protested. He said it wasn't my birthday anymore and doing push ups was neither fetching or carrying. I said that push up would be good for him and if he didn't do them I would feel stressed and I would tell Dr Zuko that he made me stressed and then Dr Zuko would tell him that he wasn't angry, just disappointed and scold him until he cried.
We have had a small argument. Sokka has declared that I am a most unreasonable sick person, but is doing push ups as I write this.
It is most entertaining.
-?-
I didn't say stop Sokka.
-?-
Sokka got up and wandered away and I got a bit irate and started ringing quite loudly and consistently for him to come back.
He did not.
Suki said that she would play me whatever song I wanted if I just stopped ringing the bell. Cheers Suki.
Just at that moment Zuko burst in, followed by Toph and Aang. They had heard me ringing from the courtyard and wanted to check I was fine. Suki explained Sokka's mutinous behaviour in a very even tone of voice. I claimed that I wasn't being unreasonable and really, more push ups would be good for him and he was just being ridiculously disobedient. Zuko looked like he was trying very hard not to smile. Just that that point Sokka came back and grumpily handed me a book and said here – this will stop you from being bored.
He noticed everyone looking at him and asked why they were staring and Toph piped up we had told them everything and she thought he had push ups to do - in a very teasing tone of voice. Sokka said not you too Toph! and claimed that this was ridiculous and nobody else had to do push ups to entertain Miss Unreasonable (me).
Aang said he would do push ups for me quite happily and wandered over. Zuko picked him up by the back of his robes (as is his habit). It actually looks like he is picking up a stray, unruly kitten by the scruff of the neck when he does this. Seriously, all Aang needs to do is purr and the image is complete. Zuko said that Aang still had training to get through. I agreed and said that I didn't want Aang missing out on training on my account and Sokka was entertainment enough. The three of them trailed out back into the courtyard.
-?-
I told Sokka I was just messing with him and he didn't have to do the push ups anymore and he looked visibly relieved. I turned the book over in my hand. Love Amongst the Dragons? Err, no thanks. Suki put down the mandolin and she urged me to read it and said it was a brilliant book. Sokka agreed and said it would really get me in and that he hadn't been able to put it down and they started gushing about the part where such-and-such met whats-her-face and how it was so dramatic. I said that it sounded a little stupid to me. Long lost twins? Dragons bending? Saucy wenches and incorrigible brutes? I'll pass. Sokka said that I should just give it a go. I could be pleasantly surprised.
I don't think so.
-?-
I have sent Sokka to the shops to get some meat and veggies so that Zuko can make kebabs again. Now that I am out of commission, somebody else needs to pick up the kitchen slack. Suki offered to do the cooking, but I have gently dissuaded her from this course of action. Toph can't cook. Aang can only make desserts and Sokka is too prone to experimenting for my taste. No, if somebody else has to cook, the next (barely competent) person is Zuko.
Surprisingly.
-?-
Okay, so I caved. I have started reading Love Amongst the Dragons. It's very... err...melodramatic so far. To say the least. All the characters are just a little bit hysterical and dramatic and there is lots of intrigue and drama. I am only up to the third chapter and I already have the urge to just go into the book and slap every character with the common sense stick.
How can Sokka and Suki like this book so much?
I'm a bit frustrated with Zara and Kizu at the moment. They both obviously fancy each other and they just can't get over themselves and admit it. They'd be first on my list to be smacked with the common sense stick.
-?-
It was dark by the time Sokka came back and he and Zuko set about making kebabs in a manly fashion. Whenever Sokka and Zuko do anything together – it is always done in a manly fashion. Kebabs were made and set on fire and much fun was had by all. We just ate them on our laps in the lounge room. It's great because we could just hold them by the stick and now there is almost no washing up. Sokka and Suki asked how I was going with Love Amongst the Dragons quite eagerly. I told them I found it a little silly so far. Their faces fell and Sokka told me to give it a couple of chapters. Zuko made me drink another sun poppy tea after dinner when my ankle started throbbing again. It feels better now.
I have to find out how he makes this tea.
-?-
Everyone got all their instruments out (after only a little urging from me) and we played four season all together again. It was tremendous good fun.
-?-
I started to feel pretty tired. It was so early. I felt like a bit of a nanna – but I wanted to go to bed. I announced this and I got Zuko to carry me up to my room (if I have to be carried by anyone, Zuko is my first choice). He tucked me in and it was all very sweet. He got me a water and a sandwich (in case I got hungry during the night) and put them on my bedside table with my bell. he asked if there was anything else I needed. I said I wouldn't mind him talking to me for a bit, until I was tired enough to go to sleep because I was still a little awake. He looked a bit uncertain and I scooched over and patted a spot next to me on the bed and made a sad panda face at him. He sat down next to me and we sort of leaned on each other.
I asked him about the sun poppy tea and he told me that his mother had taught him how to make it. Sun poppies grew everywhere and if you dried and brewed the buds it had a soothing effect. it was a common painkiller in the firenation and different coloured poppies had different strengths. I asked if he could teach me how to make it and he said he'd show me tomorrow.
It's weird thinking those pretty flowers are actually useful.
Zuko said that they had a couple of uses and the petals crushed up were good for taking the sting out of bites and that's why he'd rubbed them on my ankle. But you had to be careful with the tea. It was mostly yellow poppies on Ember Island and they were average strength. White poppies were quite mild and good for headaches. But you had to be careful with the purple poppies. Those ones were really really strong and would knock somebody out and make them a bit loopy. But not my sort of loopy.
What did he mean by that I asked giving him a light tickle. He said he was just referring to my hair loopies and I should stop tickling him right now. For real. Really. Stop it. Unfortunately this only encouraged me to tickle him more – and I did so, with increased gusto until he fell out of the bed in his efforts to get away from my tickle monster ways.
He landed in a bit of a heap, which I also found funny, and got up and brushed himself off and looked like he was trying to maintain his dignity. I know this pose well. Stiff back, stiff upper lip etc. He said If that was all I needed – quite stiffly – and turned to go. And I gestured him back. Don't be like that! I just wanted to talk. If we couldn't let off steam tonight at least we could talk. I pouted at him and he pouted at me. He caved first and came and sat back down.
I said it was just weird that he knew so much about scorpidillo bites and painkilling teas and stuff. He never really struck me as a healing kind of guy. He smiled a little and said that his mother taught him and Azula a lot of basic first aid, in the vain hope that if either one of them were injured, the other would help out. I laughed aloud at the idea of Azula tending to anyone who was injured, much less Zuko, who she has expressed a desire to kill on a number of occasions. Zuko laughed a little with me but said that it hadn't been so ridiculous when they were kids. There was a point when he and Azula got along and until Azula was about five they had always been together and did everything together etc. weird. I can't even picture it actually.
He said that she did have a softer side, but it was really rare to see it. One summer Azula was allowed to bring a friend here and she'd chosen to bring Ty Lee. Wow, dippy flippy was brave. One day Ty Lee had found a scorpidillo in her room and it had moved too fast for her and had stung her.
And there was drama!
His mum had rushed in and treated it and Ty Lee had been perfectly fine (this of course, entirely depends on your interpretation of perfectly fine). And Azula had almost been in tears with worry and had fawned over her and hugged her and taken good care of her for the next few days. And it had all been very sweet.
Until his dad had gone a bit berserk and went on a scorpidillo killing spree. He asked me not to tell Aang this particular detail, it would only upset him. But apparently Ozai had caught a few live ones and chopped off their heads in front of everyone and left them around the perimeter of the property as a warning to the other scorpidillos.
Fun family times with Ozai.
Zuko said that afterwards, his mother hand made sure that he and Azula knew what to do, medically speaking– because they were very active kids and were always getting into situations and shenanigans. She'd taught them a lot of basic first aid and Zuko remembered all of it. His Mum always knew how to make him feel better.
I said that when I was sick, my mother used to sing to me to make me feel better. And I gave Zuko a very meaningful look. He made a face at me and said really? I nodded enthusiastically. I actually just wanted to see if he would sing for me if I nagged him enough. It actually didn't take much nagging at all (though I did have to promise never to tell anyone- ever- that he had done this). He asked me what sort of songs and I hummed the tune. Zuko listened and then started humming along with me. I taught him the words and he said they sounded a little familiar. I don't see how. Who would have sung him water tribe lullabies. Certainly not Ozai – scourge of the scorpidillos.
His eyes widened and he said I knew it! in an excited tone of voice, it was almost like he was shouting out eureka. He turned to me and said I knew you sang to me when I was sick and you lied right to my face!
Bollocks!
That was me. Boo. I thought he didn't remember. But apparently he did. He proceeded to imitate me and what I had said when he asked about it (back at the Western Air Temple- gah, it seems so long ago now). He was talking in a high pitched tone of voice that did not sound like me at all. Apparently I was all: oh Zuko, you're just imagining it, you were delirious. Don't be a silly muffin.
Just for the record, I have never called Zuko a silly muffin. I have called him all and sundry other names, but never silly muffin.
Well now I was just all kinds of embarrassed. I hid my head under the covers and said I was tired now and he could get out of here, because I was going to sleep. And we should never speak of this again. He gave me a little shake through the covers and told me not to be like that. I didn't need to be embarrassed. I shook my head through the blankets and said I was never coming out ever again. He said he'd sing me soft little seal now and then we'd be even in the embarrassing stakes. I poked my head out of the covers and he gave me a big smile. He wasn't making too much fun of me. He was just looking really amused and very pleased with himself.
I emerged from my blanket hidey-hole and told him to continue with the singing then and it was his turn to look embarrassed. He blushed and gave me a shy smile and made me promise not to tell anyone again. I promised again. He sand me soft little seal in his low, husky voice and I snuggled against him.
It was nice.
Then he ruined it by asking me what else I had lied to him about. I gave him a light smack and said nothing quite defensively. Nothing much, at least. Then he truth-bended at me! And I ended up fessing up about the fireflakes. He thought I'd taken them (which I had) and I told him I hadn't and then he'd found Sokka with them and been very confused. He smiled and said I thought as much. Welly well then, who's the smarty-pants know -it-all now?
I got a bit defensive and said that maybe I had told a few little fibs here and there, but I didn't lie to him about anything important. And he smiled at me again and said he knew that. I told him to stop looking at me like that or I'd tickle him again. He looking away, still smiling and started singing soft little seal again. Much better. We sang it as a round together until I felt really sleepy and couldn't stifle my yawns. Zuko got up and tucked me in and told me to ring if I needed anything. Then he left.
-?-
I kind of feel like ringing now actually. I wonder how fast he'd come back. I don't really need anything at the moment. It's like this afternoon with Suki and Sokka. I would miss them as soon as they went, but when they were around I didn't know what to do with them.
-?-
I rang, just to see what would happen. Zuko rushed in first after a few seconds, followed by Sokka and Suki and Aang who were all in the rooms next to me. Aang was wearily rubbing his eyes. Zuko asked me what I needed and I said I was just checking. Zuko tilted his head and made a confused face at me. Sokka smacked his forehead and said not again under his breath. Toph shouted up from the ground floor, asking if I was okay. Sokka shouted down that I was fine and she could go back to sleep. And everyone stood about awkwardly for a sec before Suki said that they should all get back to sleep then in her usual sensible tone. They all turned to go and Zuko looked back and told me to ring if I did actually need something. Sokka elbowed him quite firmly and said you idiot, don't encourage her!
They have gone again.
-?-
Could I get a different bell for each person? That way I could ring for who I want, if I only wanted to see one person in particular, thus avoiding further mix ups when I ring and get everybody.
-?-
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author's notes for your perusal. Long and rambly as usual.
Hello my lovely, wonderful beautiful readers. You've reached the end of Miss Unreasonable and her bell of power. Congratulations and I hope you have enjoyed it. Huge thank you to all my brilliant wonderful reviewers. You guys are fantastic! Snuggles and souffles for all of you! I'm not going to lie, I love getting your praise and comments and constructive criticism!they make my day! So in this chapter everybody tries to take care of Katara and her reaction is a little mixed.
I think Katara is a huge nuturer and comforter. She is used to being the one who has to take care of everybody and she is a bit unused to being taken care of/comforted by other people. In fact in the series, I think she only has two big sad panda emotional breakdowns. Once with Zuko in the crystal caves over her mother and once over Hama. I think the others fawning over her would drive her a little bonkers at the start. I think she can see how worried they all are and she would do her best to put on a brave face for them. I think that's how Katara rolls. She's got a fair bit of stoicism. I think she'd get a bit uncomfortable with overcrowding and been treated so carefully because she is normally in charge and independent. She's not used to being in a vulnerable position and she is a bit of an unreasonable patient because of this. However, I think logically, she would let Zuko in on the fact that she is actually in pain when he asks because he seems the calmest and I think she would not feel the need to keep how she's really feeling from him to the same extent as she tries to hide it from the others.
Zuko for his part really is a bit beside himself with worry but he's not comfortable with the group snuggle. Zuko is a one-on-one snuggler – not a group hugger. So he stands back a bit while everyone is fawning and gives foot rubs. However when Aang tells the story of how Katara got bitten and he realizes this whole sorry mess could have been avoided he gets quite cross and has words with Aang.
Look, I love Aang, but he is so over reliant on air bending and I think he does sort of hope that Zuko will be around to do the firebending/hard stuff for him. Everything just comes so easily for Aang and he is rarely every proved wrong and I think that's a shame. Mistakes would help Aang grow and learn. And I feel, out of all the characters, he did not get nearly enough growth throughout the series. I think that he very rarely gets challenged directly on his behaviour/mistakes and how they affect other people. So when Zuko pulls him into the kitchen for a good scolding he's taken aback. He wants constant reassurance that Katara is okay, from Katara and from Zuko. To Aang, as long as she is going to be okay, then no harm – no foul.
As soon as Zuko points out some very real consequences and Aang has a second to really think about what could have happened, he immediately feels super guilty and has a small cry. I actually think Aang is not good with guilt about actually hurting people. Back in the jeong jeong episode, when he really hurt Katara, he had a big fat woe-is-me sulk. I feel ya Aang. I am prone to them myself. However, he did not go and see if he could help Katara, which would have been helpful, but had a good old wallow in his guilt over hurting her, which was not at all helpful. Katara actually had to come and get him out of his funk. Katara getting hurt is one of Aang's berserk buttons and I don't think he copes very well when he is the one responsible. So he has a little cry. Just a small one. He's only twelve and he's just been shouted at. Aang hates being shouted at.
Zuko was quite mad at the start of his rant. He really is worried about Katara and angry that this whole situation could have been so easily avoided if only Aang had just thought things through. This is ironic advice coming from Zuko, but no less true. I think he is taking out his anger a little on Aang but this very quickly dissolves in the face of Aang's tears. Zuko is not good with crying people (unless the crying person is Katara). Zuko will feel like a right berk for making Aang cry and apologizes immediately for taking his anger out on him. Accidents do happen and it is not entirely Aang's fault. Aang can just be so young sometimes and I think Zuko forgets this. There is a bit of a maturity gap between Aang and Zuko at this point in the series. So he tries to comfort Aang by saying it was only an accident etc. but he doesn't take back his main point. Aang has to start taking bending/his responsibilities a little more seriously. He meant this in general. It was meant to be a general scolding. But Aang is very much an instant gratification, hyper-active kind of kid and he wants to show that he is learning his lesson and wants to prove to Zuko that he is willing to work more on fire and earth. So he wants a lesson. Right that very instant.
I also think Zuko is being a bit of a team dad in the later half of season three, but he doesn't quite realize this until he utters the dreaded phrase – I'm not angry, just disappointed. I think he has heard this many times (oh so many times) from the various adults in his life and he is a bit surprised to hear them come out of his own mouth.
Sokka and Katara are very close and I think that she would take her frustrations at being out-of-commission on him a little bit with her bell of power and the push ups. She is feeling vulnerable and listless and bored and is frustrated by having enforced relaxation time. She's not quite sure what she wants. She wants company but then she feels a little like a third wheel with just Sokka and Suki, who obviously have other things on their mind. Sokka and Suki think, after her cranky rant about being absolutely fine, they have been freed up for some canoodle time.
People are more prone to canoodle after having a big fright. It's life affirming to have a canoodle I think.
They are not being deliberately neglectful and they do come whenever she calls them, but slowly they get a bit frustrated with her bell dictatorship. Katara is so active normally and being couch bound would be hard for her. She just needs something to entertain her for these next few days. Katara will read love amongst the dragons next chapter.
I have made sunpoppies a painkiller here because they are very similar to regular poppies. Poppies are opiates and they were a principle ingredient in laudanum and other 19th century painkillers and as previous established, the Avatar-verse, or at least my version of it, is a using old school medicine.
So Zuko and Katara have a big old snuggle at the end. I am obsessed with them snuggling. I just like it when they snuggle okay. Judge away lovely readers. I actually think that Katara likes talking to him just as much as she likes letting off steam with him. If they can't let of steam at least they can talk. I also think she wouldn't feel the need to keep her brave face on for him. He's already seen her snotty cry face a few times before this after all.
And I also wanted to introduce some more fun with the firenation royal family tidbits. YMMV on everything by the way. Everyone's mileage varies when it comes to Azula. In my head canon, I get the feeling that she and Zuko were quiet close when they were really young. They are close in age and do seem to understand each other quite well. Boy does Azula have Zuko's number. I think Azula has been playing fear and manipulation games her whole life, but she does still have a bit of affection for him, granted it is mixed up with a whole lot of other craziness and bitterness and general homicidal-ness. I think that as soon as the depth and breath of Azula's talent showed itself, Ozai would have been pitting them against each other and this would have contributed the veritable feast of ill feeling between them, but prior to that, they would have gotten along. She still calls him Zuzu which is obviously a childhood nickname and I think part of her will always see him as she did then.
I also think that she is not completely inhuman, she obvious does have feelings and emotions and vulnerabilities but they are so suppressed and she just is terrible at expressing them. I thought it was interesting that the only person she is ever, err ..gentle... with is Ty Lee. I mean Ty Lee is just a delightful chocolate chip muffin in human form, but I think more importantly, she is probably one of the only people that Azula genuinely likes, in her messed up Azula way. She definitely favours her over Mai. I think there is fear and manipulation in all her relationships, but she does seem to feel genuinely guilty when she hurts Ty Lee's feelings in the beach.
In my head canon there is a long story about this beach holdiay with Ty Lee. I think Ty Lee and Azula would have had a small dispute, the sort that Ty Lee is used to, having six sisters, but Azula is not. She is not used to being challenged, even as a kid and can't deal with it. Azula would have let that scorpidllo into Ty Lee's room for revenge and then felt tremendously guilty when her friend got hurt. I think Ty Lee knows that Azula did this (she's not as dumb as she seems) and would be a bit too afraid to challenge her again. At the same time Azula would have shown some genuine remorse and Ty Lee figures that it is easier to be on her good side. I think this little incident would have set up their future relationship, with Azula lashing out at her and then feeling guilty and apologising and Ty Lee being a bit to afraid to stand up for herself and going a long with the flow. Zuko doesn't know the full story and just thinks that Azula's care of Ty Lee in this summer is evidence that there could be a (tiny, miniscule) bit of sweetness inside the magnificent bastard that is his sister.
Ozai-scourge of the scorpidillos – it just seemed like an Ozai thing to do. Who wouldn't want to behead a whole bunch of scorpidillos in front of their kids? I think the family vacations were always a little bit messed up and Zuko just has rosy tinted memories of them because his beloved Mum was there and she made everything better.
With the singing, I think that Katara is testing the limits of how much he's willing to do for her. Singing is a bit embarrassing after all. It backfires on her when he remembers her singing to him when he had cooler fever. She thought he was delirious and would forget about it and she had denied it rather vehemently when he first asked her about it. Zuko remembers but was beginning to think he might have imagined it/was going crazy. But then he hears her song for making people feel better when they are sick and he recognizes it pretty quickly. He has an Aha moment! Quickly followed by a Hardy ha ha ha! Moment.
This also gave me a chance to clear up a few of the little white lies that Katara has been telling. I think honesty would be a huge deal to Zuko (trust issues and all). She has told him a few fibs in the duration of this fic, but they have only really been about small little things. She doesn't lie to him about big important stuff and I thought it would be crucial to establish this. I also think Zuko has developed a has a bit of a knack for telling when she is fibbing or when something is a bit askew with her.
Soft little seal would be the Zutara equivalent of Penny and Sheldon's soft kitty song in the big bang theory, mostly because I love it every time they sing soft kitty to each other.
I just wanted to add that if Katara had a bell for each person, she would ring the Zuko bell with alarming frequency. Bless her cotton socks.
In the next chapter we will find out what Katara thinks of Love Amongst the Dragons.
Til then lovely readers...