The Heat that Drives the Light

Chapter 6

"These robes are itchy," I mumbled to myself quietly.

"What?" Zuko said, turning to me. We were walking from our room to the main party area for a 'highly important' celebration. In reality, it was just a vague way to disguise politics as a celebration.

"Nothing," I said, turning back around. I promised myself not to give Zuko a hard time at the party, seeing all the pressure he had been under lately as fire lord, but I hated formal parties and Zuko knew it.

"I promise it won't be that bad," he said and I nodded. I knew how to behave: smile at all the important politicians and mingle with their spouses. Seeing as I was now formally 'courting' the fire lord I had a very important persona to put on for the crowds.

I wondered how long I could keep that up for.

I felt all eyes go to us when we walked into the room. Everyone bowed to us and the mummers of respectful comments filled the room.

"Kyoshi went to this festival in her day. If Kyoshi can do it with her fire bender, I can do it with mine." I thought.

Zuko gave a smile and motioned for the party to continue. We walked over to our seats and I felt many stares bare into my head. I was being watched very closely, and there was no way I could mess up now.

"Amara, you're about to crush my arm." Zuko whispered, playfully.

"I'm sorry." I whispered, and gently let go. I guess I hadn't realized how tight I was holding onto him.

We took our seats, and I was relieved to find that I was sitting next to Mai. At least I would have another there to help me.

"Drink something, you look like you're going to faint," She whispered to me.

I grabbed my drink and took a small sip. The liquid hit my taste buds with sweet flavor. I put my drink down and tried to calm my heart.

"You show too much emotion," Mai said.

"Too much emotion?" I questioned.

"When dealing with the nobles here, show them that you don't fear them." She said, "They are going to think that they can walk all over you."

"Is that how things are in the fire nation?" I asked her quietly, "you can't show any emotion otherwise you're deemed weak?

"Pretty much," she said and turned back to the table.

No wonder they hated the air nomads so much. It seemed like they were completely opposite cultures.

At the table sat many stiffly dressed noble people. I recognized some of them as Zuko's advisors. They were all fairly older, and the only younger people seemed to be Sokka, Zuko, Mai and I. It showed in the way that none of the guests seemed to really care for interacting with us (other than Zuko of course).

I did see several people throw me odd glances that only made me more self conscious. Zuko had told me, a firelady (not that I was one) was more of a trophy than anything. I was expected to make the firelord look good as his arm piece and provide heirs. Preferably heirs that could firebend.

That's probably why they hated me so much. I was an earth kingdom girl and if we had children it was less likely they could be able to firebend.

"Amara," someone whispered to me. I turned around to see Sokka standing at the doorway of the servant's entrance, motioning for me to follow him. I hadn't even noticed him get up from the table.

"Excuse me, Sokka's being a little bitch," I whispered to Zuko who was caught in conversation with some old man who looked like he was going to double over at any minute.