AtLA Rewritten: Edition 1

Chapter 81

They arrived a few hours later. Dai glanced at Sokka as they rode into town. "Uh... I didn't tell them, by the way."

"That's alright. We can announce it at dinner," Sokka responded with a smile.

Athlea was the first to head toward her room as they reached the Palace. "I'll go take a rest."

Zuko was following Athlea, but Dai brushed past him, heels clicking on the floor as she rushed toward Athlea. Dai put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. "I need a spy," she said quickly, taking a breath. "I need you to spy on the people working for and with me, and talk badly about me and see if anyone agrees with you." She bit her lip. "Only you can do it, though. If anyone else joins, it'll be suspicious. Why would a bunch of my friends hate me, right?" She took a step back. "That, and your babies will be safer."

Katara had headed off to the kitchen, going to see if she could help. Zuko followed slowly after Dai, blinking and looking at Athlea. "I think that's a good idea, Athlea," he said gently.

Athlea looked down for a second, then let out a sigh. "Alright." She glanced back at Dai, then asked, "Who are those people?"

Dai nodded. "Well, I'll... explain at dinner, but all of my family and our workers will be in the palace in the next few days for... reasons." She bit her lip. "So, basically anyone you can talk to. At this point, I have no suspects. Of course, she'd be a woman, but almost all of my workers are waterbenders so they can fix the Palace, and..." She trailed off. "You get it," she said.

Zuko could tell that Athlea was stressed. "Thanks, Dai," he responded, linking his arms with Athlea's. "We need rest before dinner, now." Dai nodded; it was late, but dinner would be late because of their unannounced entrance.

They gathered a while later. Irene was still with her family. Dai was eating quickly. Athlea was picking at her food, something from each platter on her plate. She let out a sigh. "I want some more tea..." she mumbled, adding another piece of food to her plate.

Aang glanced over at Athlea. "I saw your parents a few minutes ago," he said.

"Oh, really?" Athlea asked as she began eating.

"I don't know if they were fighting or if that's just how they talk," Aang admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh, yeah, she really seemed to take out some anger. Maybe that's her love language: hitting her partner," Toph giggled.

Katara snorted. "Have you seen Athlea with Zuko? It's genetic," she teased.

Zuko nodded, giving Athlea a serious look. "I only hope she doesn't beat the children like she does me," he teased.

She glared at him. "I don't hit you. I yell and scream at you. And throw pillows," she responded innocently, taking a bite of her food. Zuko made a face, gently pinching her leg.

"I wonder how the kids will be," Toph added. "I hope they have Zuko's anger. That'd be hilarious."

"I hope not!" Katara laughed.

"Tea!" Dai stood suddenly, bumping the table. She glanced around at one of her staff, who nodded and moved off. Dai cleared her throat. "Some for me as well," she said before sitting, drinking her water quickly and sitting again, her cheeks pink.

Aang blinked. "Okay, Dai, what's wrong with you?" he asked bluntly, crossing his arms. "This is very unusual of you. If there's anything, you can tell us."

Sokka glanced at her and raised an eyebrow. Dai glanced from Aang to Sokka, jaws parted. He sighed, setting his fork down. "Guys, we have an announcement to make," he started as he looked at everyone, a smile on his face. Katara put down her fork, frowning, glancing between the pair, while Zuko took another bite, eyes narrowed. "Dai and I have an announcement to make." He glanced over them, smiling. "Dai and I are engaged," he announced proudly.

"You're what?" Katara was the first to react, practically jumping on Sokka and hugging him. "That's so great!" Dai looked down, crinkling her nose as Katara bounced over and hugged her. "We have to get flowers and a dress and--"

"A ring," Zuko said, grinning at Sokka. The waterbender just gulped.

Athlea blinked in surprise, glancing at Zuko. "Get my plushies when you go shopping for a ring," she added, smiling.

Zuko rolled his eyes, kissing Athlea on the forehead. He stood and grabbed Sokka's hand, pulling him in for a hug and clapping a hand on his back. "We need sleep, first, but we'll go ring shopping first thing tomorrow."

Aang smiled, nodding at the two of them. "Congratulations."

Dai bit her lip, nodding at Aang. Her eyes gleamed, and she raised an eyebrow. "I believe you're next," she teased.

Katara blinked, spluttering awkwardly. After a moment, she shook herself and managed to speak. "This is... interesting timing," Katara pointed out. "What are we gonna do about the person trying to kill you?"

Dai lifted her chin confidently. "We have a spy working for us, now." Katara blinked, frowning. "So. Tomorrow Zuko will take Sokka to get a ring, and the women will go try on dresses with me. I want you to all get tomorrow, too. The day after, I need Sokka to decide decorations and things with me. Then we'll all decorate together." She nodded. "The ceremony will be held four days from tomorrow."

Katara tilted her head. "What about the necklace?"

Dai blinked at her, her hand moving to Yue's necklace. "Sokka can do that in his own time. Now, let's get to sleep."

***

A/N Dai is secretly so sad that she might have to get rid of Yue's necklace or at least stop wearing it... anyways, rushed wedding woo!