Yin & Yang

Chapter 14.

A soft knock on Katara's door woke her from sleep. Rubbing her eyes as she sat up, yawning, "come in." The door opened up and a small lady bent at her waist, soft brown hair spotted with gray in a bun entered. Her brown kimono clad body almost looked frail in the morning light that filtered in through the door behind her.

She bowed respectively. "My Lady Katara, the Fire Lord requests you join them in the meeting rooms at once. Shall I help you get ready? They will be meeting in less than a few minutes." Katara nodded and the woman closed the door behind her then proceeded to the window to open the heavy curtains. The light blinded Katara and she absentmindedly groaned about it. She was not used to being up this early. "We have already been down to the markets for your clothing. Lady Mai told us the shops and everything has been picked up. Now, since you are meeting with the Fire Lord and his council, it would be more appropriate to wear something very formal." She walked to the door and allowed a few ladies into the room, carrying a black lacquered chest. "These ladies will help you with your hair and bath. Quickly now. The Fire Lord is waiting." Pushing Katara out of the bed, she ushered her behind a screen where the three women promptly stripped her. A tub of water sat in the corner which one of the women walked up to, placing her hands into it. Steam soon slowly rose from the surface.

Katara drew up her hand and bent the water around her body in a quick wash as the women had turned around to fetch brushes and scrubs. As they walked back to her, Katara was placing the water into the tub once more for it to rest. Looking at each other, they seemed unsteady now. "Under robe." The fire bender servant said as she offered Katara a light white robe. Dressing quickly, they quickly walked to a desk with a mirror. Sitting down, the three quickly began working on untangling her hair from the simple braid it had been in during the night. Pinning it up here and braiding it there, she soon had half her hair pulled up on top of her head, the rest draping down a flowing way to her shoulders. They bowed to her and exited the room.

The brown robed woman walked up behind her and placed a comb into her hair. Thin dangling chains jingled together. The ends weighed down by small dragon shaped stoppers. "Come, now." Urging Katara to stand up and walk to the bed where a different under robe and a kimono Katara didn't remember ordering were laid out. She started to protest when the woman promptly undressed her and redressed her in the yellow material. "You will thank me later. This one is more suited for a long meeting such as the one you will be in, my Lady." Katara looked down. It looked horrible against her darker skin. The front of it was also cut to cover only most of her chest. A large "V" shape stood out with her breasts looking like papaya. A few adjustments and they were lifted, showing a deep cleavage. Katara admired the work. The straps used to make them look like this could not be seen unless it was something you were looking for. She held up the kimono for Katara to step into. Katara sighed and obliged. "Just one more touch." The woman stated with a smile on her face. She opened up a small box that contained smaller containers of paint and long-bristled brushes. Face paint. Wonderful. Katara huffed out a quick annoyed sigh.

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"Sire, the southern water tribes will never allow us as close as Dey-Wa is suggesting we make our post. It is best, if we don't want to start another war, to set up camp farther west of them." The gruff voice of the elderly man spoke out. He rubbed his graying beard in self-accomplishment as the other four members with Dey-Wa excluded mumbled to themselves in agreement.

"Xin Shen, I have been to the south. The area you speak of is nothing but ice cliffs. There can be no establishment made. Have you even thought of the wild life that live there? The bear seals and seal turtles there will not tolerate the presence of humans in their territories." Dey-Wa slammed his fist on the table-map. "Before you make assumptions, do your geography." Zuko held up his hand and he fell silent. Opening his mouth to speak again, he stopped as the echoing of the opening of doors to the room sounded. The four men turned to watch Katara enter the room.