CHAPTER 39: Girls will be girls…
"I recognize my own depth. The entirety of the universe is fashioned inside of me."
Katara felt relieved when the meeting was over.
She was glad that they had come to an agreement and that Aang came to his senses regarding the Phoenix loyalists. It brought her a sense of reassurance - that they were united in their determination to face the threat.
It gave her strength.
She was also looking forward to seeing her dad.
It had been almost a year since she had last seen him, a year filled with trials and tribulations as she and Zuko had started seeing each other romantically.
She and Zuko knew that their relationship might stir controversy and commotion throughout the world, igniting gossip and speculation among their people and beyond.
They knew that as the Fire Lord and a prominent member of the Water Tribe, their union would probably be met with both personal and political skepticism and resistance from both their nations, and the thought of facing judgment and scrutiny from all corners had weighed heavily on their minds.
However, they had agreed that as long as they were merely romantic interests and not more seriously engaged, they were to keep their love hidden from the world, shielding it from prying eyes and wagging tongues.
The decision was not borne out of shame or insecurity, but out of a desire to protect each other and their people from the inevitable scrutiny that would surely follow.
Her dad, of course, was supportive of their love.
When she had explained her feelings for Zuko and the complexities of their relationship, Chief Hakoda had met her with nothing more than unconditional acceptance.
As memories of her father flooded Katara's mind, she could not help but to feel a pang of longing deep within her heart. She missed his warm smile, his gentle words of encouragement, and the comforting embrace that always made her feel safe and loved.
After the meeting, Katara had practiced her fighting techniques with Suki.
Suki was always a great sport, and Katara had so much to learn from this skilled warrior.
In the middle of their session, she had noticed Aang and Nii walking together along one of the many courtyards around the palace.
She felt worried.
She really hoped that they were okay despite their disagreement earlier at the meeting. Nii had really seemed angry with him.
And Katara understood her completely.
Sometimes, Aang was just so… Aang.
But when Katara saw how they looked at each other later that day, as they were all enjoying some time together in the sun in one of the many gardens of the palace, it was very clear to everyone that they were not mad at each other.
At all.
The sun hung high in the sky over the breathtaking oasis that was one of Katara's most favorite places in the entire palace. And by now, she thought that she had seen most of it.
The garden was divided into sections, each one meticulously designed to evoke a different mood and ambiance. In one area, a serene koi pond reflected the dappled sunlight, its surface shimmering with the graceful movements of the fish within.
In another section, a tranquil bamboo grove rustled gently in the breeze, its slender stalks swaying in rhythm with the wind. Here, stone benches nestled beneath the shade of towering trees offered a secluded spot for quiet contemplation.
And at the heart of the garden, a magnificent cherry blossom tree stood tall and proud, its delicate pink blossoms ablaze against the blue skies above. Beneath its branches, a stone pagoda rose majestically, its intricate carvings a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Fire Nation.
Lush greenery flourished in every corner of the garden, with vibrant flowers in shades of crimson, gold and amber cascading from intricately sculpted trellises.
Katara could not help but to look over at Aang and Nii, who were sitting beneath the sprawling cherry blossom tree, their heads bent together in quiet conversation. Aang seemed to listen attentively while Nii animatedly gestured, her words accompanied by bursts of laughter that floated on the gentle breeze.
It was still so weird seeing Aang like this.
With each glance, each fleeting touch between them, his eyes sparkled with adoration for her and his smile seemed to light up his entire face when he looked at her.
Katara could not help but to smile herself.
They were so cute together.
Katara and Zuko were both reclined on a pair of stone benches overlooking the koi pond, their fingers intertwined as they watched the colorful fish darting beneath the water's surface.
"You see them?" Zuko hummed next to her, causing her smile to widen as she turned her gaze to him and saw him nodding his head in Aang and Nii's direction.
"Oh yeah," Katara snickered and she raised her eyebrows in quick movements, earning for him to chuckle.
"And you told me not to talk to him…" Zuko replied nonchalantly, a mischievous grin tugged at the corners of his lips, while a hint of trickery danced in his eyes.
Katara sent him skeptical eyes.
"Really? What exactly did you say to him?"
Zuko just shrugged his shoulders with a curl on his lips and said: "Oh, you know, just some good old-fashioned Fire Nation wisdom on relationships and stuff."
Katara shook her head in amusement as she saw him puffing out his chest in pride, and she could not help but to chuckle at his antics.
"Hey, don't laugh," he said in his raspy voice as he squeezed her hand in his. "Let's just say that thanks to our conversation, there might be a few more Airbenders running around in the future."
Katara looked at the tentative smile tugging at his lips. He seemed to revel in satisfaction.
"You mean to tell me that you're the reason Aang… got lucky?" she teased, before wincing slightly. "Spirit, that sentence just sounds so wrong."
Zuko shrugged his shoulders again, his grin widening into a full-blown smirk.
"I guess you could say that," he replied, before his smile faded a little. "And don't do that. He's just a guy, like me."
Katara could not help but to burst into laughter, her amusement bubbling over as she struggled to compose herself.
"Right," she bantered. "As if he'll ever be able to keep up with your… needs."
Zuko rolled his eyes at her, a fond smile tugging at the corners of his lips despite his obvious attempts to play it cool.
"How would you know?" he rasped.
Katara smiled at him a little before she turned her gaze back to Aang and Nii at the cherry tree. Aang was grazing his fingers over Nii's hand, while looking at her with a slight curl on his lips.
Katara's expression softened, while her smile grew a bit more reluctant.
Zuko was right.
She did not know.
She felt curious.
Katara rose to her feet in a swift movement, letting go of Zuko's hand.
She could tell that he was widening his eyes at her, surprised by her sudden motion.
"Hey Nii?" Katara chimed through the warm summer air of the garden. "Wanna come with me to my room? Have a girls' talk?"
Nii tore her gaze away from the seemingly intense conversation with Aang, and Katara could see the reluctance in her eyes, the lingering warmth of their exchange still evident despite her efforts to mask it.
"Uh, sure," Nii said with a slight pinkish flush over her cheeks, before she rose to her feet.
Katara could feel the annoyance in the eyes that Aang sent her, but she quickly turned her gaze to Sokka and Suki.
"Suki, you wanna come too?"
"Yup!" Suki quipped in a smile before she rose to her feet too in a fluid and graceful motion.
"Toph?" Katara voiced, letting her eyes travel to the Earthbender laying on a stone bench beside the bamboo grove with her eyes closed.
"No way, sugar queen," Toph exclaimed bluntly. "I'm staying put with the boys."
Katara, Suki and Nii soon made their way to Katara and Zuko's bedroom, situated within the heart of the palace.
Both Suki and Nii's eyes widened in awe as they took in the grandeur of the room.
"Wow," Suki whispered, her voice barely a reverent murmur, as they stepped through the double doors, her gaze sweeping over every intricate detail of the lavish space.
The bedroom was expansive, with high ceilings adorned with intricate golden motifs that caught the light streaming in through tall, arched windows. Rich crimson tapestries hung from the walls, depicting scenes of Fire Nation history and culture, while ornate sconces bathed the room in a warm, flickering glow.
At the center of the room stood a magnificent four-poster bed, its carved wooden frame adorned with motifs of dragons and flames, symbols of the Fire Nation's power and strength.
Along one wall, a grand fireplace crackled merrily, casting a soft warmth throughout the room. Above it, a mantle displayed an array of precious artifacts and mementos, each imbued with the Fire Nation history and heritage.
In one corner, a cozy seating area was arranged around a low table, perfect for private moments of relaxation. Plush cushions adorned with intricate embroidery invited to linger and converse in comfort.
The three girls moved over to the seating area.
Katara noticed that Nii approached one of the armchairs gingerly, her movements hesitant and cautious. As Nii lowered herself into the seat, her posture remained stiff and awkward, as if she were afraid to disturb the pristine upholstery.
It seemed like she was afraid to get the armchair dirty, as if she was worried about sullying its pristine appearance with her presence.
Katara felt a slight pang of sympathy for her, and she sent her a gentle smile.
Firstly, they talked about the meeting earlier, and Nii told them that afterwards, Aang had shared details from The War and his history with Avatar Roku and how the meeting had been a reminder that sometimes, inaction can be just as harmful as making the wrong choice.
"That makes sense," Katara reflected, as she too recalled memories from before the end of The War. "I remember how hard it was for Aang to decide what to do when he finally faced Ozai. He spoke to Roku a lot back then."
Images from long ago flashed before Katara's eyes.
It seemed like a lifetime ago.
Suddenly, Suki sighed out dramatically, causing both Nii and Katara to look at her.
"I thought we were gonna have a girls' talk and not rehash old war stories," she voiced in a light tone.
There was a hint of mischief in her eyes as she glanced pointedly at the others, her words carrying a playful challenge.
"Right," Katara said, shaking her head lightly as if to shrug off the war images from long ago.
She turned to Nii and leaned in conspiratorially, a twinkle in her eyes.
"So, spill the tea, girl. You spent the night together, huh? That must mean that you've definitely kissed by now."
A playful grin tugged at the corners of Katara's lips as she watched for Nii's reaction, her gaze dancing with amusement.
Nii's cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, but there was also a spark of amusement dancing in her eyes, her smirk betraying her enjoyment of the memory.
"Yeah," Nii nodded in a breath. "We kissed alright."
Katara and Suki's eyes widened and they whined out, both their hands flying up to their cheeks in exaggerated delight.
"And you spent the night together?" Katara whispered, her tone teetering on the edge of a light girly giggle.
Nii looked down on the hands in her lap, another flush of pink covering her cheeks, as she tried to hide a smile.
"Oh my spirits!" Suki gasped while clutching her chest in mock horror. "I can't believe it! Aang, the innocent little monk, getting up to mischief? What has the world come to?!"
They all dissolved into a fit of giggles.
Katara could not help but to imagine Aang attempting to impress Nii with his airbending antics.
"I bet he's all sweet and romantic, isn't he? With his innocence and puppy-dog eyes," she teased, unable to contain her amusement at the mental image.
But when they saw the look on Nii's face, Suki and Katara glanced at each other with raised eyebrows.
"Well," Nii began, her voice tinged with playful awkwardness as she looked at them. "He IS really sweet and gentle, but… I mean, he also kinda surprised me a little…"
Suki and Katara had wide eyes at her and their mouths fell open.
Nii quickly raised a hand at them.
"But we didn't! I mean, it wasn't, uh…" she stalled before letting a sigh escape her lips. "We just fooled around a little."
Suki's eyes lit up with a trickery glint as if a brilliant idea just sparked in her mind. With a playful grin, she brought a finger to her lips in a conspiratorial gesture.
"What if we dressed you up in one of Katara's dresses for dinner?" she said, her voice barely a whisper but filled with excitement. "I'm talking a dress so stunning that Aang won't be able to keep his hands off of you!"
With a theatrical flourish, she gestured to Nii while looking at Katara.
"Oh yes!" Katara buzzed playfully. "Oh please, Nii. Can we?"
Nii sent them both a reluctant smile.
"Oh, I don't know…" she said in a hesitant voice, squirming a little in her seat. "I don't think Aang really cares what kind of clothes I'm wearing."
"Just you wait," Katara said with a playful glint in her eyes, her enthusiasm contagious. "I have the perfect dress for this."
And soon, the three girls made their way into Zuko's massive walk-in closet, where a rack had been cleared for some of Katara's clothes.
"I know I have something here…" she said as if to herself as she quickly skimmed through the different colors and textures. "Zuko gave it to me, but I've not worn it yet… Where is it? Oh, yes, here!"
She pulled out the most exquisite golden silk dress.
Its fabric shimmered in the light like spun gold, and as Katara held it up for the others to see, Suki gasped out in awe and admiration.
"It's perfect," Suki whispered in reverent tones, her eyes shining with excitement.
With a flourish, Katara held out the dress for Nii, a playful twinkle in her eye as she teased: "What do you think, Nii? Ready to dazzle Aang and sweep him off his feet?"
Nii looked scared as she took in the sight of the dress.
But she did agree to try it on.
Suki and Katara watched in excitement as Nii slipped into the exquisite gold dress, her movements hesitant and awkward. It was clear that she was not accustomed to such extravagance, her discomfort evident in the way she tugged and fidgeted with the fabric.
"Here, let me help you," Katara offered, stepping forward to lend her a hand.
With gentle guidance, she assisted Nii in adjusting the dress, smoothing out the wrinkles and ensuring that every detail was just right.
As the transformation neared completion, Katara could not help but feel a sense of pride at the sight before her. Nii looked absolutely radiant in the gown, her beauty shining through despite her uncertainty.
"Wauw, Nii," Suki exhaled. "You look absolutely AMAZING!"
The fabric of the dress seemed to cling to her curves in all the right places, accentuating her figure in the most flattering way. The shimmering material draped elegantly around her in a way that was both tasteful and alluring.
Katara immediately regretted that she had never worn it herself, as she looked at Nii taking a few steps, causing the dress to sway gracefully over her body, drawing attention to her every movement, while the plunging neckline hinted at a tinge of allure beneath the surface.
Its back was left daringly open to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of her skin, and when she moved, the fabric parted to expose the most stunning tattoo that adorned her spine, tracing its delicate design down her entire back.
It was as if the dress served as a canvas for the tattoo, allowing it to take center stage and command attention with its intricate patterns and delicate motifs. It was a striking contrast to the opulent elegance of the gown, adding an element of mystery to her appearance.
But when Nii caught sight of herself in the mirror, she furrowed her brows.
"Oh Katara, I can't wear this," she said as she pointed to her chest. "You can see my nips through the fabric!"
It was barely noticeable, so Katara just waved a dismissive hand at her as she shook her head.
"Don't worry, Nii," she chimed in a voice that was filled with lighthearted reassurance. "If anything, it'll just add to the allure!"
"But…" Nii said in flushed cheeks. "Your boyfriends are gonna see me too!"
"I don't mind," Suki quickly quipped, tilting her head slightly. "I have mine just where I want him."
Katara giggled.
"Yes you do, Suki."
The three girls laughed together.
Nii still looked slightly uncomfortable as her gaze found Katara's.
"And you're sure Zuko won't be angry that I'm wearing one of the dresses he gave you?" she asked with a concerned eyebrow at Katara.
"Zuko probably won't even remember he gave me that one," she insisted with a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Can I do your hair, Nii?" Suki thrilled. "Uh, and Katara, can I borrow a dress too?"
And off the three girls were to make themselves look like princesses for the casual dinner later with the rest of the group.
Well, as casual as it gets in the Fire Nation palace.