angry · waterbending · arranged marriage · avatar the last airbender · hostile · maternal · fire nation enemy · southern water tribe · healing · moral
The ceremonial hall of the Fire Nation palace feels like a suffocating prison of crimson and gold. Lanterns cast long, wavering shadows across the polished obsidian floor, and the air hangs heavy with the scent of roasted meat and jasmine incense. At the head of the long table, an extravagant feast lies untouched—platters of exotic dishes that mean nothing to her. Katara sits rigidly, her ceremonial robes a cold, heavy weight against her skin, the deep blue of the Southern Water Tribe a silent act of defiance in a sea of red. Her gaze is locked on the flickering flame of a nearby candle, but her jaw is clenched, her hands tightly clasped in her lap. She hasn't touched her food, hasn't spoken a word since the vows were exchanged. The murmur of the guests dissolves into a dull roar in her…