A Truth Universally Acknowledged

[waterwhip]

[ The time it takes to get from the Southern Water Tribe to the Fire Nation by boat is, as it turns out, significantly longer than the time it takes to get there on Appa's back. Katara knew that going in, of course, and there was no way she'd be able to borrow the flying bison for this trip--Aang had flown off almost as soon as he'd found out the reason why Uncle Iroh had come all the way down to the South Pole for a visit.

Katara was just as surprised, of course--flabbergasted, even--but she didn't really have the option of flying away this time, did she? The request being presented is beyond anything she could have anticipated. She knows for certain that it wasn't Zuko's idea; he'd never even think of asking her something like that.

The White Lotus coming up with the plan, on the other hand, is totally believable. Iroh laid out their wishes in the most logical, methodical way possible, reasoned calmly with an obstinate Hakoda, and asked Katara for her thoughts.

She thought it was insane that they were asking her, of all people, to marry Zuko, but more importantly, she thought it was something she needed to talk directly with him about before making a decision that would fundamentally change the course of the rest of her life.

So, she'd packed a bag and embarked with Iroh on his Fire Nation ship.

Zuko was advised not to meet them at the docks, since the point of the visit was to allow them to talk without raising too many eyebrows, and the Fire Lord arriving to greet them would have done just that. Katara was given a red sarong to wear so she'd blend in with everyone else as much as she could with her dark, warm skin, and eventually, everyone was settled in around a low table in one of Zuko's private chambers just drinking tea (at Iroh's insistence) waiting for him to arrive. She's tired, but listless, too. What did he think of all of this?

When the door finally opens to admit him, Katara is on her feet in an instant, excited and anxious and even a bit afraid. In the past she might have hugged him, but that hardly feels appropriate in this particular instance. ]

Zuko! It's... been a while.

Comments

[restoredhonor]

That was different.

[ In his opinion it was different. She'd been trying to save the world from his father, and eventually his younger sister. She'd done so much, changed so many things... so many people, including him. It'd been their talk in the crystal cave, before Azula had hurt Aang, that had started him on his path. And here they were, forcing her to change a nation as well.

... To be fair, his first thought had been: if anyone can do it, Katara can.

Still; it's a harsh reality she's stepping into. Then she agrees and his head yanks up as if on a string. He stares at her, his eyes exhausted, but hopeful. He needs just a smidgen of hope to cling to. ]

Katara... are you sure?

[ He hears his uncle snort, or make some other noise, but his focus is on Katara. If she has one doubt, he'll find another way. She deserves all the happiness that the world can offer. He... He will pay for his family's mistakes, probably most of his life, if not all of it. And he's prepared for that. ]

[waterwhip]

Think about it, Zuko. I know Kuei isn't a bad guy, but he doesn't actually know anything about ruling a nation. This is his advisors counseling him to do something, wanting to make the Earth Kingdom look strong after the war. They're the biggest country in the world, and if they ever took the Fire Nation, what would stop the Water Tribes from being next? There's not a lot we could do in a situation like that.

[ She shakes her head, knowing, reasonably, that even if they did agree to his demands that there isn't necessarily anything stopping the Earth Kingdom from doing that anyway, if they wanted to. ]

We need good diplomatic relationships with them. The whole world needs that, or things will fall out of balance again.

[restoredhonor]

[ He buries his face in his hands. He can't deal with all of this. ]

We can't have another extinction.

[ He whispers the words. Despite what people think, the thought of the Air Nomads being wiped out, and then someone else following suit horrifies him. He hates his grandfather for having done that. He can't believe... No, Kuei might not know how to run a nation, but he knew how to pin Zuko in the corner and make him stay there.

He can feel the tension surrounding him. ]

Alright. Alright.

[ He doesn't release the tension, but he does feel better saying it. He takes a deep breath and finally looks up at Katara. He stands up and takes her hand. ]

We're going to wait, but if you're okay with it, so am I.

[waterwhip]

I... I'm okay with it. I am.

[ It feels surreal to be here, discussing her future so dispassionately. Not just any future, either--her future as the Fire Lady... Zuko's wife. She can almost feel the weight of responsibility settle on her shoulders; it's an enormous burden for someone who isn't yet sixteen, but to look and see him standing there with his hand extended towards her...

Katara puts her hand in Zuko's, feeling suddenly shy. ]

What happens next, then?

[restoredhonor]

[ Zuko squeezes her hand, suddenly realizing the enormity of what they're embarking on. This isn't hunting down the Avatar. This is... forever. This is his life, her life!

But he can't rail against what fate and meddling old men have brought into his life. There isn't time. He has other concerns. ]

Pakko insists you have an engagement necklace. I'll start work on that.

[ Somehow, someway. ]

You also need to come in for an official visit. Preferably with your father and grandmother, if possible. Then, your education will start. We only have a few months before Kuei's demand runs out.

[ He scrubs a hand over his face, exhausted. ]

Thank you, Katara.

[ That's so inadequate to what he's feeling, but he doesn't have the words to express it. ]

[waterwhip]

Zuko, it doesn't matter what Pakku insists. The engagement necklace is a Norther Water Tribe tradition--I didn't even know about it until I went there, so it has no significance to me. The necklace I have is important to me because it belonged to my mother, and not for any other reason.

[ She squeezes his hand back before releasing it. Iroh is still there, after all, uncharacteristically silent as he lets the two teens work things out between themselves. At the mention of an official visit, he does chime in, though.

"We'll begin arranging for your visit immediately, Master Katara. However, since you are here already, there's no need for you to return to the Southern Water Tribe. We'll house you in one of the royal estates until invitations are issued through official channels and your relatives have enough time to arrive. You'll return to the Caldera with them at that time. We'll also make arrangements for lessons in the finer details of Fire Nation history, policy, and etiquette. You'll have nothing to worry about."

Katara very much doubts that last bit, but she is still a bit overwhelmed and she doesn't want to contradict Iroh, so all she can really do is bow in thanks. ]

I guess things are about to change for all of us.

[restoredhonor]

[ While it may not matter to her, it matters to Pakku, and Zuko doesn't have many friends. He needs all the ones he can get. He'll design the necklace and have one of the royal jewelers make it. That will solve that. ]

Thank you, Uncle.

[ He looks at Katara again, his golden eyes exhausted. But some of the burden has been lifted off of his shoulders because she's agreed. ]

I'll go send the invitations, immediately. Then, we'll get you to the palace, and work on the wedding. Anything you want, tell someone, and it will be done.

[ Even Iroh's eyebrows rise with that statement. ]