Katara
I lean against a courtyard pillar with Toph watching Aang and Zuko firebend. Aang's gotten to the point he's actually quite impressive, but I'm more here for seeing Zuko without a shirt than anything else. Based on how Toph keeps a foot grounded at all times, I'd say she's here for the same reason, although both of us claim it's because we're also Aang's bending instructors and we need to see how he trains. Too soon, the boys finish up and I try to keep my eyes from following Zuko as he goes and sits down to wipe the sweat off his brow.
"Isn't it kinda weird, hiding from the Fire Lord in his own house?" I voice to Toph, the thought coming to me despite Zuko's assurances it's safe.
"I told you, my father hasn't come here since our family was actually happy. And that was a long time ago. It's the last place anyone would think to look for us." Before he can say anything else, Sokka and Suki run in with a poster.
"Guys! Look! There's a play about us!" Sokka tells us and shows us the Poster.
"What? How could someone write a play about us?" I ask, coming over to look at what he's showing us. He goes to read the poster, and apparently the playwright has traveled all over the world getting stories about us. Zuko pipes up when Sokka mentions who's putting the play on.
"Ugh. The Ember Island Players? My mother used to take us to see them. They butchered Love Amongst the Dragons Every Year!"
"C'mon, this is the kind of good off nonsense I've been missing! A day at the theater? Please?" Sokka whines.
"I'll go if no one else will." Suki says. I smile at her. She and Sokka were really akaward around each other at first, but now they've turned into really great friends. I'm proud of them.
"That sounds great!" Aang pipes up.
"I'm in too." Toph says. "Can't wait to see what kind of bullswine-crap you all got into before I came along." I look at Zuko.
"Please, Zuko? Lets all go together." I ask, wanting to go see the play myself but not wanting to go without him. He sighs.
"Fine, we'll go. But don't say I didn't warn you what a shit show this will be."
We all go to our rooms and get ready, but Toph grabs me in the hallway after everyone else is in their room.
"By the way, Katara, you look really good today." She says.
"Oh! Thank you, Toph-" I start, then remember she's blind. "Wait. What are you getting at?"
"Nothing. I can just tell you look especially good today."
"Okay…how?"
"Zuko's Blood Pressure." She says, and my stomach drops to my feet as my face goes red. Toph laughs and lets go of my arm. "Don't worry, Sugar Queen. I know why you two aren't telling everyone yet. Twinkle Toes wouldn't handle it well."
"Oh, right, I mean-"
"But my silence from Sokka and Suki doesn't come free." She says. I sigh.
"Okay, what do you want?"
"I don't like having chores. You cover my chores, I'll keep my lips sealed." She smiles at me. I roll my eyes.
"Fine. Thanks for keeping it quiet. But I don't appreciate the blackmail." I tell her.
"Don't think of it as blackmail. Just an incentive for you that benefits me." She chuckles and goes into her room.