Katara, of the Fire Nation

Chapter 24

Katara and Zuko walk into the dining room, Zuko opens the door for Katara and then follows her, Aang and the others are already waiting. Zuko steers Katara away from the end of the table, her usual place, and sits her to his right, the place of a Fire Lady.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting," Zuko says, his apology hollow as servants start to bring out their dinner.

"We're still waiting on one," Aang sighs, suddenly the other 'one' bursts through the door, in typical Toph style.

"Fussy Britches!" Toph beams, "Is that you?"

Katara laughs and stands, she runs over to the earth bender, who now stands head to head with her.

"It's good to see you," Katara says, wrapping her arms around her old friend.

"Same to you," Toph beams, "you know, now that I can actually see you. How do you live in the snow without your feet falling off?"

"Shoes," Katara chuckles, sitting the bender down next to her.

Toph and Katara sit and chatter amongst themselves as they eat dinner. Zuko and Aang talk with each other, but Zuko notices how Katara refuses to even look at the avatar.

"The earth king has finally given us sanction over a small chunk of land in the earth kingdom," Aang announces.

"Land?" Katara asks, breaking into the conversation, "What do you need land for?"

"Aang has a vision," Zuko says, sighing as he finishes his dinner, "A vision for a city where benders and non-benders from all across the globe can come and live in harmony."

Katara frowns as the avatar beams with pride.

"It's going to be my legacy," he says, puffing his chest in pride.

"Sound's complex," Katara notes, she raises an eyebrow at Aang.

"It's not!" Aang smiles, he holds up a finger and then whooshes off, returning once the table is cleared.

"Now you've done it," Toph sighs, leaning into Katara, "You're going to regret asking. "

Aang dumps several maps and documents onto the table with pride.

"Here," Aang says, pointing to a small, outlined piece of coast on the earth kingdom, "That's where it will be."

"The center of the map," Katara notices, "So it will be your cultural hub?"

"Exactly," Aang smiles, his eyes sparkling at Katara, he puts another map on top of the first.

This map shows the land up closer, already it's covered in rough sketches.

"Think of it!" Aang beams, he points to the center, "Here will be a giant building, a hall were the leaders of the nations can come together, it will be a city of peace, I think this could stop a lot of wars."

"Or start them," Katara frowns, "All three nations living together? It's asking for trouble."

"I'm going to run the town," Toph says with a manic laugh, "Beating up the thugs."

"No, she's not," Aang sighs, "There isn't going to be a reigning force presiding over the city, it will run itself, like how the air nomads did."

"But we're not all nomads," Zuko says, leaning back, watching how Katara looks over the map, "having a law enforcement will be crucial. It will help when riots ensue."

"There won't be riots," Aang snorts, "it will be a peaceful city."

"Are you expecting all the people to share one mind?" Katara snorts, "Please, eventually you'll do something that the people don't like, sure it might be the right thing, but you will have three nations living in one city, things will get ugly."