Over the next two weeks, we settled into an unofficial schedule. Each morning, I provide everyone with a steaming hot breakfast—usually slightly charred since the backpack refuses to give me a microwave. Then, Zuko would teach Aang the art of Fire bending while I—and sometimes Toph—would watch. He would break to teach me also, so I can defend myself in the Fire Nation. Lunch is usually light, some food bought from nearby villages. After we eat, I try to teach Aang Time bending. It's slow going though (no pun intended), since I learned in a dream; it's difficult to bring that into reality, let alone teach every detail. When I'm done cursing under my breath and Aang cannot successfully freeze time (I would know because I'm immune to other Time benders abilities—kind of like Zuko's immune to mine), Aang shows me some Air bending techniques. My mother said I could bend a little of every element, to use as a disguise in case we went into deep cover in a town or village.
Then we break for some free time and relaxation. It's really just the time of day that we grow sick of each other's presence, and when the most fighting occurs. Zuko and I usually hang out together, talking or playing with something from my backpack. So far, I've taught him how to use an iPod, Nintendo Gameboy, and a laser—we spent nearly three hours making Momo chase after the beam. Other times, Zuko teaches me about life in this century, like how to test if the water is clean, the mannerisms of the people, and, most importantly, who to avoid.
For dinner, Katara and I have been alternating each night. It still surprises me that none of the guys offer to help with it, but it's almost easier this way. After dinner, we sit around the campfire—which Zuko and Aang start, saving us a lot of cursing—and just talk and laugh. I really feel like I'm becoming a part of the group.
Tonight, Zuko decides to make us tea. His Uncle Iroh would drink it all the time.
"No one can make tea like Uncle," Zuko tells me as he pours it, "but hopefully I learned a thing or two." We carefully carry the tea to the rest of the group.
"Would you like to hear Uncle's favorite tea joke?" he asks them.
"Sure!"
"I like jokes."
"Bring it."
Zuko smiles. "Well I can't remember how it starts, but the punch line is, 'leaf me alone! I'm bushed!'"
Everyone stares blankly for a moment.
"I think you need the start of the joke for the punch line to have punch," I say gently.
"Well, it's funnier when Uncle tells it," Zuko whispers back.
"It's nice to get a chance to relax a little," Toph says. "It hardly ever happens." We all agree. Of course, I know nothing about their life but this relaxation.
When Zuko goes to give Sokka his tea, Sokka asks if the two of them could talk alone for a second. While they go off and talk, the rest of us talk about what we want for breakfast the next day.
"Could we have those toaster waffles again?" Aang asks eagerly.
"Or maybe the strawberry crepes," Katara adds. "The strawberries are delicious!"
"They were both yummy," Toph concurs. "But they would be yummier if we could mash them together!"
"Maybe we can," I think aloud. "What if we get strawberry jam and spread it on the waffles?"
"Yum!"
"Perfect."
"Make sure there's enough for me!"