The Mistress of the Fire Lord

Chapter 02 - Time For Tea

Some days have passed with no major incidents. I still went to the training grounds when no one was around, and I didn't see the Fire Lord again - even though I felt I might have passed by one or two of the soldiers while walking around the Palace.
And then, at tea time… I saw him again. He was there, as if looking for something. I could see the smile on his eyes when he saw me, but the smile was not on the rest of his face. He went straight in my direction. That didn't surprise anyone, as I was the exotic exquisite piece of their collection, coming from the water tribe. When he got close to me, I bowed.
-- You honor us with your presence, My Lord.
He didn't answer. Instead, he sat in front of the tea table, waiting to be served.
I started carefully serving the tea, obeying the ways of etiquette I've been taught, like a good girl. I hoped I were perfect, not actually knowing why I wanted so much to please him, as I've never been into hierarchies, another aspect of my personality I had to drown after working in the Palace.
We both drank silently, with me knowing I should try to think of something to say, but I was just so nervous that the words didn't come out of my mouth.
I was middle sip when he broke the silence:
-- I haven't seen you in the training grounds recently. A bender shouldn't stop practicing.
I froze. I didn't want the others to know I could bend water - they'd probably make me bend the tea, or make me present my bending as if my bending were some sort of entertainment. No, it was just too personal, and I wasn't confident enough of my skills. My begging eyes met his, and I knew he understood me, as he moved to a whisper:
-- Have you given up practicing?
I shook my head negatively.
-- I have just chosen better my practicing times, I don't want to bother anyone.
I was uncomfortable. I felt exposed in front of him, I felt myself stripped from the ever peaceful mask we are supposed to maintain.
-- How are you called?
-- Karima -- I answered, feeling as if I gave him even more power over me by giving him my name.
-- And how did you end up here, Karima? Entertain me with your story.
And I did. I told him of the northern water tribe amongst the ice, I told him stories from there. I told him about the Princess who died and whose spirit has always been with us, I told him how much I wanted to see the world, and how happy I was when I was chosen for the cultural exchange between our peoples. What I didn't tell him, though, is that I wasn't smart enough to come as a scholar, as others from my tribe came, nor was I resistant enough to pain to be sent as a warrior, which meant I had come only as an entertainer. No, that part he didn't have to know.
He was a good listener, and then told me about his friends from the South water tribe. I had heard about them - Sokka and Katara. The siblings who helped the Avatar. Katara was the Avatar's wife now. Everyone knew about them, for all my accounts.
Time had passed and the dark of the night had already descended. The tea was already gone.
-- It was a pleasure, Karima of the water tribe.
-- It was my pleasure, my Lord. - I answered while ignoring my pumping heart.
Then, he left, and I stayed, feeling that empty feeling that I've come to hate.