Spirit child

City of walls and secrets

"Look the inner wall! I can't believe we finally made it to Ba Sing Se in one piece" Katara said "Hey, don't jinx it! We can still be attacked by some giant exploding Fire Nation spoon. Or find out the city's been submerged in an ocean full of killer shrimp!" Sokka said "You been hitting the cactus juice again?" Toph asked "yea, you sound crazier than usual, anyways toph I wish you could see this, the vast lands in the outer wall itself is beautiful I wonder how the inner wall would look" Cordelia said kneeling on her seat as she stared outside the window.

"Don't worry Aang, we'll find Appa" Katara said seeing Aang disappointed face "It's such a big city" Aang said full of doubts "He's a giant bison! Where could someone possibly hide him?" Sokka asked at they entered the magnificent city of Ba Sing Se "oh my God it's huge" Cordelia said happily exiting the train.

"Hello, my name is Joo Dee! I have been given the great honor of showing the Avatar around Ba Sing Se. And you must be Sokka, Katara, Cordelia and Toph! Welcome to our wonderful city. Shall we get started?" Joo Dee said with a bright smile "Yes. We have information about the Fire Nation army that we need to deliver to the Earth King, immediately" Sokka said "she sure smiles a lot" Cordelia said as the woman led them towards the city.

"This is the Lower Ring" Joo Dee said as they rode the carriage "What's that wall for?" Katara asked "Oh, Ba Sing Se has many walls! There are the ones outside protecting us, and the ones inside, that help maintain order. This is where our newest arrivals live, as well as our craftsman and artisans, people that work with their hands. It's so quaint and lively!" Joo Dee explained "I see Liveliness" Cordelia said spotting two men holding knives.

"This is the Middle Ring of Ba Sing Se, home to the financial district, shops and restaurants, and the university" Joo Dee said "seems like the citizens are divided by Class, Jobs and money incomes" Cordelia said as Sokka tried to explain to Joo Dee about the news they have to deliver to the earth King "Is that woman deaf? She only seems to hear every other word I say" Sokka said frustrated "It's called "being handled". Get used to it" Toph said with her hands crossed.

"The Upper Ring is home to our most important citizens. Your house is not too far from here!" Joo Dee said leading them to their house.

"Here we are! Your new home" Joo Dee said "More good news! Your request for an audience with the Earth King is being processed, and should be put through in about month. Much more quickly than usual!" She said with a smile as they walked into the house "A month?" Sokka said surprised "Isn't it nice? I think you'll really enjoy it here" Joo Dee asked "I think we would enjoy it more if we weren't staying for so long. Can't we see the Earth King any sooner?" Sokka said angrily.

"The Earth King is very busy running the finest city in the world! But he will see you as soon as time permits." Joo Dee said "If we're going to be here for a month, we should spend our time looking for Appa" Aang said "I'd like to escort you anywhere you'd like to go." She said "We don't need a babysitter." Toph said walking towards the door "I think it would be a great idea, since we don't know our way around the city" Cordelia said standing beside Joo Dee.

"Well, I'm sorry no one has seen your bison. Why don't you go get some rest‌? Someone will be over with dinner, later" Joo Dee said about to leave the group "oh, that's right how about Joo Dee shows me to a repair shop at the same time stopping by a tea shop tomorrow you guys can stay at home" Cordelia said with a giggle "what?" Aang said before she covered his mouth "that sounds wonderful" Joo Dee said before riding away "what was that for?" Aang asked.

"I'm gonna take that smiling Host down to the lower ring of Ba Sing Se, you guys will try to find Appa or get a way to the earth king" Cordelia said "what's wrong?" Sokka asked "while we were out searching and asking questions, the people got nervous after they stared in between Sokka and I, Joo Dee was in between the two of us meaning she must have done something to make them act that way" she said spotting a man in his house peeping through the window.

Next day

"I got it! I know how we're going to see the Earth King!" Katara said running into the house with a paper in hand "How are we supposed to do that? "One doesn't just pop in on the Earth King!"" Toph said mimicking Joo Dee while Cordelia giggled "The king is having a party at the palace tonight for his pet bear" Katara said "You mean, platypus bear?" Aang asked "no, just bear" Katara said "I'm sure you meant monkey bear" Cordelia said "nope" Katara said " This place ... is weird" Toph said.

"The palace will be packed. We can sneak in with the crowd!" Katara suggested "Won't work." Toph said lying down "Why not?" Katara asked confused "Well, no offense to you simple country folk, but a real society crowd will spot you a mile away. You've got no manners!" Toph said Cordelia giving her the side eye on the last statement "Excuse me? I've got no manners?! You're not exactly "lady fancy fingers!"" Katara said.

"I see where Toph is coming from, after all we both grew up in noble households we learned proper society behavior and chose to leave it
...ish, You never learned anything. And frankly, it's a little too late" Cordelia said eating a pastry as Toph picked her nose "Aha, but you learned it! You could teach us!" Sokka said "Yeah, I'm mastering every element. How hard could manners be‌?" Aang said.

"It's not as easy as it sounds, in all my years of learning I still can't understand the concept of 'the art of making tea' it tastes great but mixing leaves with water is not exactly my strong suit, you'd have to learn the noble tongue and by that I mean insults" Cordelia said watching Aang and Sokka act Noble "Katara might be able to pull it off, but you two would be lucky to pass as busboys" Toph said.

"But I feel so Fancy" Sokka said rubbing his head "so, am I still gonna distract Joo Dee or should we hold that off for another day" Cordelia asked "we'll hold it off in case this plan doesn't work" Katara said.

"We're done~" Cordelia said revealing her, Toph and Katara in green dresses "wow, you look beautiful" Aang said staring at Katara before Sokka flicked his forehead "don't talk to the commoner Katara, first rule of society" Toph said using a fan to cover katara face "We'll get in the party, and then find a way to let you in through the side gate." Katara said as the three left the house.

"Invitation please" the guard said in the entrance of the party "I think this will do" Toph said handing the man an official seal of her family "No entry without an invitation. Step out of line, please" he said "Look, the Pangs and the Yum Soon Hans are waiting in there for us! I'm going to have to tell them who didn't let me in" Toph said irritated only to be denied access.

"Sir, I'm sorry to bother you, but my cousin lost our invitations. She's blind. Do you think you could help us? Our family's inside and I'm sure they're very worried" Katara asked spotting Long Feng stepping out his carriage "I am honored, please come with me" he said leading them as they stuck their tongue out at the guard that denied them access.

"It's beautiful, isn't it? By the way, I'm Long Feng. I'm a cultural minister to the king" Long Feng said turning his attention to the girls "I'm Kwa Mai, and this is ... Dung. Ow!" Katara said before Toph pulled her hair "my name is La Mei thank you for your help once again" Cordelia bowed "Now where is your family? I'd love to meet them" long Feng asked "Uh ... I don't see them right now, but I'm sure we'll find them soon. Thanks for all your help" Katara said dragging Toph and Cordelia away.

"Don't worry as your escort it would be dishonorable to abandon you ladies without finding your family first. We'll keep looking" Feng said holding his hand for Cordelia to hold "haha" Cordelia laughed nervously trying not to get close.