Coming Together

The Meeting

This meeting was going to go on forever. The southern watertribe princess was sitting upright with perfect posture in her delicate silken navy robes. On the inside however, she wanted to be slouching with her head on her hand in boredom. These council meetings had the tendency to run on into the late afternoon due to the fact that many of the older men loved hearing themselves talk. While the earth kingdom representative droned on, Katara resisted the urge to drum her fingers across the table, slipping her eyes over all the other men in the room and stopping at a friend, who caught her glance. Their eyes locked and the Firelord rolled his eyes, giving a little smirk that spread across the room to her face. Neither her, nor Zuko could stand to hear this drabble much longer. As the man continued to talk consistently about what could be counted as a pet within the limits of Republic City, Firelord Zuko stood and interrupted him, much to everyone's relief.

"Excuse me for interrupting, but I believe we are all clear on the guidelines and restraints, Councilman Tao."

The man hesitated with his mouth agape, but decided to defy the Firelord another day.

"Yes, well, perhaps we can continue this tomorrow..." He said meekly.

With that, the head councilman took his gavel and woke everyone who was sleeping with a loud clang, announcing that meeting to be adjourned. As all the men got up, so did she, staying behind and stretching, relaxing with a soft sigh. Zuko came up to her and smiled, feeling slightly sheepish for how he had embarrassed the poor man.

"It was a kindness to everyone." She said, knowing exactly how he was feeling.

"You know me so well, Princess." He chuckled and she cringed.

"Stop that, you know I hate that." She ordered him.

"That's why I do it, your highness." He said with a small bow to her.

"I mean it. If you don't stop I will soak you where you stand, oh great Firelord." She threatened with a warning glare.

He held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, I'm done. I promise."

Her look softened and she started to walk towards the doors, motioning for him to follow. He did and walked by her side, stepping through the massive city hall building together.

"It's nice to see you again Zuko. It's been a few months since we've last met. What brings you out here? Certainly not these tiny, trivial meetings."

"No, I am actually meeting an old friend here. He's new to Republic City and needs to be shown around."

"Ah, some old geezer who'll lose his way?" She said with a smile that she tried to cover with her hand.

"No, but he is very important to the making of this city... I've told him all about you..."

Katara stopped walking and eyed him with a grimace. He looked back to her, curious as to why she stopped.

"Oh Spirits... not another one..." She said and crossed her arms.

"He's different from the other ones-"

"Zuko, no. No more blind dates! You are awful at finding decent guys for me to go out with. And for the last time, I don't need a man!"