Fic: The Way Things Are. Chapter 6
I'm baaaaaaaaaack! Did you miss me? Did you realise I was
away? Do you remember where we left off? Ah so many questions. All that
matters is that I am back with another chapter of TWTA for you guys to
read and hopefully enjoy. I hope you like it and don't
forget to review...they do make me oh so happy!
Enjoy!
“You’re going to faint if you’re not careful.” Katara said for the fifth time, but no matter how many times she tried to warn Tarrik about the heat, he continued to ignore her. The journey to the Fire Nation capital was hard on the both of them. During the voyage, Katara began to think about the possibility that Aang could be there and all the awkward situations that might present themselves because of that. Although she was over the break up, that sense of guilt felt just after she had left him began to creep over her again, and she grew anxious at the thought of seeing him after so long. As they stood on the deck of the ship watching the waves rise and fall, questions flowed through her head nonstop. What would she say to him? What would he say to her? Is he happy? If he is, should she feel hurt by that? Would it hurt him that she was happy? Though it was not all bad, sometimes her thoughts wondered to the things she was looking forward to due to coming to the Fire Nation. She had missed Zuko and Mai as well as other friends she had made in the Fire Nation and was looking forward to seeing them again.
Tarrik on the other hand saw nothing pleasant about this trip. Not only was he going somewhere he really didn’t want to, he was doing it with someone he really disliked. He hated this “Babysitting Mission” as he frequently called it. And then there was the constant nagging...
“I know you don’t like me...”
“Really? No!” he replied sarcastically.
“But you will faint if you wear that fur cloak any longer. It’s already boiling hot, and we will reach port in about an hour which means there’ll be less of a breeze and you are already sweating quite a lot.” Katara said point to his drenched brow.
“Look, Katara. These are the traditional items of clothing worn when meeting royalty.”
“Of the Water Tribe!”
“No, royalty period, and unlike you I am not so quick to disown my culture.” Tarrik replied ignoring the interruption.
“Tarrik you’ve got to stop thinking this way. Embracing another culture doesn’t mean you’ve rejected your own. Hopefully your trip here will show you that.” Katara said looking out towards the sea. The tops of the mountains near the Fire nation capital could now be seen as could schools of flying fish. “Look there!” Katara said pointing to the brightly coloured fish; Tarrik on the other hand rolled his eyed and turned more out of courtesy than interest. “In the Fire Nation, it’s said that seeing a whole school like that so close will bring you good luck. Flying fish are usually quite shy. “
“Fascinating.” Tarrik replied, sarcasm all too present in his voice. “I’m going down to check bags.”
“They’re fine Tarrik. Look I’m trying my best so that we can at least be civil to each other.” Katara said tiredly. The constant jibing and petty arguments they were having were starting to get on nerves not to mention the heat.
“Fine. I’m going to down to get away from you and your annoying attempts at conversation. There, is the truth civil enough for you.” He said while walking back toward his room.
“Ugh.”
oOo oOo
“Finally, we’re here.” Katara said while handing her luggage to a porter. “Please, take these to the Palace and tell Lei Min that they belong to Katara of the Water Tribe she’ll take them from there. Tarrik he could take yours too.”
“Why are you not going with your luggage?”
“I have to meet someone first. I promised them that the next time I came here I would visit them before doing anything else.” Katara said chuckling at her own personal joke. “Besides, although it’s not that far to their house, I don’t want to have to carry such heavy bags when I can have them waiting for me at the palace.”
“Oh so you this is your justification for treating people like slaves.” Tarrik said judgmentally.
“What? No! Ugh Tarrik, why do you keep doing this, he’s a porter and it’s his job to take people’s luggage. Just like all the other porters here, see?” Katara said signalling to all the other porters collecting and depositing luggage. “Now do you want him take yours or not?”
“No. I trust no one with my luggage, least of all a...”
“I assure you Sir, I’m very trustworthy and quick. My ostrich-horse is the fastest in all the Fire Nation.” The porter added as-a-matter-of-factly.
“I’m sure...” Tarrik replied cynically. Katara on the other, frustrated with Tarrik’s blatant rudeness rubbed her temples tiredly.
“I’m sorry errr...”
“Lee.”
“I’m sorry Lee, my friend here wishes to carry his own luggage, how much will it cost for you to take mine only?”
After Katara had paid the porter they began their journey towards Katara’s friend’s house. Katara noticed how little the people of the Fire Nation had changed since the last time she had come here. They still seemed to carry themselves with an almost regal like quality but at the same time seemed to be happier, more carefree and less uneasy. She wondered how such a contradiction of characteristics could exist.
“Why is it that I have to come with you to visit this friend of yours?” Tarrik whined.
“You don’t have to. You could go to the palace by yourself, introduce yourself to all the people you need to whilst avoiding all those you don’t without insulting anyone.” Katara replied smugly. “I’d forgotten how hot Fire Nation summers are. You must be roasting in there.”
“I’m fine.”
“Well then that’s all that matters. “ As they walked in an awkward but much needed silence, Katara noted the beauty of her surroundings. No one could deny that the Fire Nation capital was stunning, but this particular part always seemed to take her breath away. Even though it was only a walk away from the port, it was beautiful. Trees lined the walkways and wildflowers seemed to grow everywhere. “We’re here.” Katara said walking up to a large house. Its door was a deep burgundy colour which was odd. Usually front doors of Fire Nation homes were white. “Please Tarrik, these are my friends, please try to be...”
“Civil?”
“Yes, civil.” Katara nodded as she knocked the door.
“Hello? Katara! It’s been too long!” A middle age woman said while hugging Katara almost forcefully. “Come in come in. Papa has gone on a business trip; I told him he was too old but does he listen?”
“I know. Err, this is my friend Tarrik.” Katara said awkwardly, praying that Tarrik didn’t behave the same way he did when they first met.
“Nice to meet you Maam.” Tarrik said charmingly whist offering his hand for a handshake.
“Nice to meet you Tarrik, my name is Wei Wei. Well take a seat, take a seat. I’ll go and get Neyla, she’s in the garden.” Wei Wei said, rushing off towards the back of the house. When she had left, Tarrik looked around at the large room in which he was seated. For its size, it was moderately decorated, however there were numerous paintings of flowers and various landscapes. Some big, some small but all very beautiful.
“Who painted all these?” Tarrik enquired. Katara grinned. She knew it was a good idea to bring Tarrik here first.
“Neyla, she loves flowers and painting and so the results of her two passions are what you see.” Katara said waving her hand towards the various paintings.
“Katara?”
“Neyla!” Katara said getting up to hug Neyla. “Oh I’ve missed you, you’ve grown, you’re what, 19 now? Wow, you’re as tall as I am! How are you?”
“I’m great now that I’ve seen you.” Neyla chuckled
“I told you I would come back. Tarrik this is Neyla, she was one of my greatest friends while I was staying in the Fire Nation and still is.” Tarrik shuffled to his feet almost awkwardly. To Katara, he seemed as if he were lost for words.
“Hello Tarrik, I’m Neyla.” She said smiling.
“Tarrik.” He replied. “You’re beautiful.” That caught both Katara and Neyla by surprise. Katara expected many possible things that could have happened at this point due to Tarrik’s unique personality; this however was not one of them.
“Thank you.” Neyla replied nervously while fiddling with her straight jet black hair.
“I’m sorry,”Tarrik replied quickly, trying his hardest to backtrack from his outburst, “I meant your eyes, you have nice blue eyes. Urm, I think I’ll wait outside.”
“Err Ok Tarrik.” Katara said confusion evident on her face. After Tarrik had left due to his embarrassment, Katara turned to face Neyla and smiled. It had been a few years since she had seen her last and she was glad that she was glad that she seemed to be doing so much better than she had before. “Sorry about Tarrik, he’s...odd. So how have you been doing really? You seem better but I want to hear it from you.”
“Well, I am. I did what you said and ignored those fools at school...Wow school. I haven’t thought about it in ages. Well yes, I just ignored them and focused on my painting and from then on I’ve been a lot happier.”
“That’s great, but aren’t you lonely?”
“No not at all. Not too long after you left, a new student from the colonies joined our class, Jehna, and we’ve been friends ever since. Mom calls us the two “Ah’s” because our names rhyme.”
“Well I’m happy for you Neyla. I’m so glad you’re happier now. Now that I’m back we should do something together, like shopping. What do you think?” Katara suggested cheerfully.
“That would be great. How long are you staying?” Neyla asked.
“That’s a good question. I think most likely 2 weeks, but you know how things are in the Fire Nation.” Katara said winking. “Anyway, I better get going. It was so nice seeing you again.” She said hugging Neyla.
“Yeah, wait. Are you going to the palace?” Neyla asked.
“Yes.Why?”
“Well, it’s a long-ish walk and with that heavy suitcase, you might as well take our carriage.”
“Thank you Neyla, that would be nice, and I’m sure Tarrik will appreciate it.”
As they made their way outside and Tarrik began to load his suitcase onto the carriage Katara looked at her surroundings peacefully whilst trying her hardest not to think about what was about to come. Thoughts of her possible reunion with Aang began to slowly resurface and she began to wonder how things would turn out.
“We’re ready.” Tarrik called, bringing Katara back from her musings. As Katara said her goodbyes whilst Tarrik nodded respectfully, his eyes lingered on Neyla. He had never seen anyone like her before and that thought... unnerved him. When the smiling faces of Neyla and her mother could no longer be seen from the small but extremely comfortable carriage, overcome by his curiosity, Tarrik swallowed his pride and began to ask questions.
“So who is she?” he asked, feigning nonchalance.
“Wei Wei is the daughter of Businessman Yi. They are one of the richest families in this area, and the nicest.” Katara replied smiling.
“No, Neyla.” He said almost breathlessly. “How do you know Neyla?”
“Why? And where did this “Polite Tarrik who actually wants to have a decent conversation” come from?” Katara said smugly. The all to obvious discomfort at the subject amused her greatly.
“I...Well...It’s just...” Tarrik stuttered.
“It’s OK. I won’t embarrass you any further. I met Neyla just after the Fire Nation Civil War had ended. Aang and I were still travelling around the Fire Nation and we eventually came here. While Aang did his “Avatar thing”, I volunteered at the local school. That’s where I met Neyla. She was being bullied and I sort of took on the role of a mentor to try and help her get through it.”
“Why was she being bullied?”
“He father was Water Tribe, from the Southern Water Tribe in fact.” Katara replied.
“What was his name?”
“Why are you asking me these questions. Surely if you interested, you should ask Neyla herself.” Katara suggested. Tarrik looked at her as if she had grown two heads. “She may be Fire Nation but she won’t bite. She’s a lovely girl...No, woman and I’m sure she wouldn’t mind talking to you as long as you acted...”
“Civil?”
“Yes Tarrik. Civil. Besides, a more important question is, how and why have you not fainted yet? The heat must be really uncomfortable by now.” Katara said fanning herself with her hand.
“I told you, these are the traditional robes worn...”
“Yes yes I know, but you’re probably not even going to see the Firelord today.”
“What?” Tarrrik squeaked. Katara on the other hand smiled whilst facing the window. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“Would you have listened?” she replied without turning to face him, her grin growing slightly.
Before long, they had arrived at the Fire Nation palace and while Katara thanks and said farewell to the carriage driver, Tarrik stared up at the palace having never felt so small before. Caught up in his thoughts, he jumped slightly when he felt a presence by his side.
“Ostentatious, isn’t it?” Katara asked while watching Tarrik’s reaction to the grandness of the palace.
“I would simply use the word “Big”.”
“Well, it’s beautiful nonetheless, but very “Fire Nation”.” She said chuckling lightly. Nevertheless, as quickly as her humour came, it left, and Katara’s face became serious in a way that Tarrik had never seen before. Almost as if she was nervous. “Tarrik.” She said placing a hand on his shoulder so that he turned to face him. ”For your own sake, please try and be civil here. The Fire Nation and in particular it’s nobles and politicians are very ... fussy...when it comes to etiquette and I wouldn’t want you to... get yourself in trouble. So please.”
“I won’t embarrass myself if that’s what you’re saying.”
“Ah , and I was just starting to like the nicer new Tarrik.”
oOo oOo
As they began to walk through the palace towards their designated rooms, led by a plump but very pleasant man, Katara noticed how little it had changed since the last time she had been here. Yes the decorations were different, to welcome the arriving visitors, but the overall feel and look of the palace and those working there remained the same. After climbing what felt like an eternity of stairs, they reached a hallway which consisted of many empty rooms. Each one seemed lavishly furnished and all too welcoming. Slowly, the three of them walked towards one in particular.
“Well this is where we part.”Katara said, while the plump pleasant man discreetly stepped back a few paces to give them privacy.
“Katara, there is an empty room right beside this one, I wouldn’t call it parting.”Tarrik said confidently.
“My room isn’t on this floor, but one or two floors above us. I can never remember. This place is so big.” Katara said shrugging.
“Why am I not surprised. “
“Tarrik, listen. It’s only because I’m Zuko’s friend so please don’t go into one of your sulks. But before I leave let me give you some advice about what you should do, what you can do and what you shouldn’t do around here.”
“More?”
“Yes more. Firstly, in a few hours, because we’ve missed lunch, some servants will come to you room to inform you that dinner is ready, and ask would you like it in your room or would you like to have it in the main hall. I would suggest for the first day you have it in your room, I will be, but if you would prefer not to take my advice and decide to dine in the main hall, try to sit and converse with members of the water tribe if you can, though guessing from the amount of empty rooms, I doubt they’re here yet. If not, whoever you speak to, keep conversation light. No politics at all. Now, if you want to go out and look around=d the palace feel free. There are servents everywhere who will tell you where you can go and where you can’t.
Let’s see what else. Ladies. Ok. Earth Kingdom women with rings on their middle finger are married, Firenatioon women with two or more golden bracelets on their left wrists are married. Try not to intentionally or unintentionally flirt with them. The last thing we need is a scandal.”
“I would never...” Tarrik began.
“I know. But I’d rather tell you anyway. In the morning, a servant will come in to wake you and ask if you need any help dressing. Do not be insulted. If you don’t want their help politely decline their offer and thank them. That’s the first rule of living in the palace, ‘Do not upset the servants’. You will regret it later. Tomorrow dress casual. There will be no meetings and I doubt you will meet the Firelord, formally at least. I’ll be having breakfast in the main hall if you’d like to come but if not, I’ll see you later on in the day. And...I think that’s all.” Katara said taking a much needed breath.
“Right. Don’t be stupid. Don’t be charming. Don’t be rude. Anything else.” Tarrik replied curtly.
“I know it might seem like I’m nagging but believe me, with all these politicians and nobles here, you have to stay focused. I’ll see you tomorrow.” And with that Katara left and followed the pleasant plump man to her own room which was one floor above Tarrik’s. After saying thank you to the servant whose name she had forgotton to ask for, Katara stepped into her own room which was obviously intended for her. Unlike Tarrik’s guest room, hers was slightly larger and decorated with a variety of blue and white silks and fabrics.
“Oh Lei Min never forgets anything does she.” Katara thought to herself. In addition to her lavish surroundings was an adjoining bathroom with a bath tub big enough for 3. “That looks heavenly.” She mumbled to herself.
After having a much needed bath and dressing in some fresh clothes, Katara decided to have a little walk around. As she walked through the hallway nearby her she noticed that the two other rooms on her level were also vacant.
“Aang must not be here yet.” She thought to herself as a wave of both relief and disappointment washed over her. Seeing as dinner would not be ready for another few hours, she decided to walk a bit further along the corridors in order to reacquaint herself with the palace’s layout. As she walked almost mindlessly and took in the many visual pleasures that the palace had to offer; for it was a very beautiful palace especially during the day when light would pass smoothly through its large windows, she found herself at the door of the library. “I haven’t read in ages.” She said to herself while walking inside. The inside was, like many things in the Fire Nation, both extremely large and extremely beautiful. The lamps on the wall filled the room with a warm glow and the large bookcases were made from an almost golden wood. As Katara scanned the vast shelves of books and scrolls that made up this wondrous library, she heard what could only be described as frustrated mumblings. As she moved closer and closer and their origin became clearer and clearer she berated herself for not working out who they could have been coming from earlier.
“Zuko. It’s nice to see you.” She said smiling.