Chapter 9: May I Have This Dance?

"I hope you feel better now Katara"

I looked at Zuko whit a smile and cupped his face: I do Zuko, thank you.

Zuko put his hand on mine and gave it a kiss before returning my hand.

So now that we're here we should talk to the guests to gather as much as intel as we can.

"I agree, however we shouldn't stand out much, so I think that we need to have a signal if one of us is in trouble."

Yeah that can work, if someone gets a bit to interested in you I can bail you out.

"And the other way around"

So what should the sign be?

"Something subtle but noticeable for us"

Oh how about I flip my hair away from my shoulder?

"That is great Katara, than I'll pull my sleeves up."

That should work, and we should face each other from a distance.

"I agree"

Than let's do this.

Before I could walk away, Zuko grabbed my hand: "Wait, Katara".

I turned to face Zuko.

Zuko squeezed my hand: "Be careful."

I squeezed his hand back and said: I will, you also be careful

He smiled and let go of my hand.

Zuko and I started to mingle in the crowd as the music continued to play.

A servant offered me a drink and I accepted. Thank you, I bowed. The servant smiled and bowed back.

"You were very nice towards that servant, it's something you rarely see these days".

I turned around and was greeted by a girl wearing a beautiful beige dress. Her hair was black and in a bun. Her eyes were brown.

"Greetings, my name is Opal." She bowed.

"Hello Opal, nice to meet you" I bowed.

"You look very pretty, I really like your two piece dress"

Thank you Opal, you also look pretty, I really like your dress as wel.

"So what do you think of this ball?"

I think it is very kind of the King to arrange this.

Opal nodded:"I agree, it is a great way to meet new people"

I can't help but to wonder why the King decided to throw this wonderful party.

"I happen to know that, actually"

Do, tell.

"The King threw this ball to welcome the Kyoshi warriors, I heard that they're friends of the Avatar."

I see..

"The King said that they're here to serve and protect us, he even let them inside his throneroom and I believe he'll discuss the battle plans with them"

He must really trust them than, Opal how do you know all of this?

"Can you keep a secret?"

Of course I can.

"I happen to be the friend of one of the front soldiers for the battle plan."

Thank you for explaining this Opal.

"Of course I'm happy to help..Katara"

How did you..

Opal came closer and whispered: "Your necklace is showing, here I'm covering you so you can fix it"

Opal I..

"Shh, don't worry, your secret's save with me, I know you are here to help the King."

I bowed my head: Thank you Opal.

"It's my pleasure, now go back to the fire lord's son and quick".

How did you....

"I told you, friends with a soldier, we know you have good hearts, so we support you"

Thank you Opal.

"Goodluck"

Meanwhile at Zuko's:

"Would you like a drink sir?"

Zuko grabbed the glass and bowed his head before thanking the servant: Thank you for the beverage

The servant smiled and bowed his head.

"Seems like I have spotted a worthy nobel"

I beg your pardon?

"The way you speak, the manner you walk, you sir are indeed a wealthy man"

I suppose I am.

"Ah forgive my rudeness, my name is Lee."

Zuko looked startled, he mumbled: Really, Lee.... of all the names it had to be Lee, there are a lot of Lee's indeed..

"Excuse me, are you alright?"

Oh yes I apologize, it is nice to meet you Lee..

"Likewise, so what is your name?"

Zuko mumbled, I can't say Lee, now can I? Great I have to come up with something quick...

My name is... is uh... Mu...Mushi...

"Mushi?.."

No not Mushi, it's Musin.

"Ah I see, I must have heard it wrong, I apologize"

No need to, so Lee, do you know why the King decided to throw this exquisit banquet?

"As a matter of fact I do"

You don't say, care to explain?

"I'll be happy to, so it's mainly to welcome the Kyoshi warriors as everyone knows."

Of course.

Thoughts*: Get to the point already...

"But that is merely a facade"

Zuko raised his eyebrow: Is it?

Lee nodded: "This banquet is actually to celebrate Bosco"

What is a Bosco?

"Not a what, a who, the bear of the King to be exact"

You have got to be kidding me...

"No it's the truth"

I see.. well it has been good talking to you.

"Wait, there's more"

Thoughts* Do not turn around, do NOT turn around..... annddddd you turned around.

What else is there to it?

Lee came closer to Zuko and whispered: "Promise not to tell anyone"

I promise.

"This party is infested with Dai Li agents, just in case someone suspicious tried to harm the King"

I see.

"You may not know, but the servants are Dai Li agents. And people that act all snobby towards them are being handled immediately."

I see, so that's why..

"Yes that is how I recognized you were a true noble. Even nobels who are snobby aren't nobels in my book.

And neither does the King think that, that"s why they get escorted away."

I understand, thank you for telling me.

"Not a problem, so should we walk around the place?"

Zuko strolled up his sleeves and I noticed.

The music changed to a slow slong

I walked over towards Zuko: I'm sorry to intrude, but may I have this dance?

Zuko smiled and said: Excuse me Lee, perhaps another time. He grabbed my hand and said: It would be my pleasure.

Zuko held onto my waist and I had my arms around his neck.

Lee huh, I giggled.

"Don't even start, Zuko said whilst blushing"

Looks like I came at the right time.

"You did"

Zuko grabbed my hand and danced around the room with me. He twirled me a few times and gently dipped me.

You're a really good dancer Zuko.

"Thank you Katara, seems like all those lessons paid of after all"

You had dance lessons?

Yes my Uncle taught me when I was little..

Wait do you mean....

Zuko blushed and said.. yeah he danced these dances to teach me.

How sweet.

Zuko blushed and said: "Looks like I have to thank Uncle after all"

I put my arms around his neck again and leaned in for a hug: You better thank him yes and so will I, for raising such a wonderful guy.

"Katara I.."

I mean it Zuko.

"Thank you Katara"

Zuko embraced me tightly and kept swaying me.