Zuko finds Ty Lee, who's angsting about being an Airbender, and worried about how everyone else will take it. While characters like Ty Lee are not necessarily free of angst, they're less likely to show it, and generally only do so when their attempts at putting on a happy face fall flat.
In any case, Zuko and Mai try to calm her down and reassure her that she's still the same person at heart, and not even Aang is trying to change that. I definitely agree, since Aang gets infuriated at the Air Acolytes' attempts at emulating his culture in "The Promise," although after calming down and recognizing their good intentions, he decides to teach them. Aang might have worked well at this point by helping Ty Lee understand what it means to be an Air Nomad, a bit like his son does for his brother and the other newcomers in the sequel series. In any cas, though, Ty Le calms down, and reiterates that she's not up for shaving her head or having sex with her sisters, causing Katara to wonder what sorts of ideas the Fire Nation put in her head.
Meanwhile, Jet's having some trouble with Elsa the eel hound, while Kuei and the Dowager are arguing about Song. Aang's friends play with him while he's chi-blocked, and he apologizes to Ty Lee for upsetting her. Katara notices how well Iroh and Hakoda are getting along, and worries that they'll talk about her and Zuko.
Katara notices that Zuko has a hard time relaxing
She ends up massaging Zuko, during which time Zuko admits that he's "fancied" her since the Western Air Temple, and she's fancied him since Ember Island, which is a long time ago. They're glad to have some time without anyone interrupting them (since the author doesn't have to worry about sticking to canon anymore), but at that moment, Arnook and the Dowager approach.
Katara, after contemptuously noting that the two are old sticks in the mud, notices that Arnook is willing to argue about the necessity of change, but he does so using cyclical changes, like the seasons and the phases of the moon, and the Dowager is quick to point out that Kuei's "foolishness" is very different. Luckily, though, while the Dowager is unhappy with the idea of Kuei marrying a commoner, she's open to the idea of making the woman in question into a noble, so that the marriage is more palatable to the people. Arnook, also on the subject of surprisingly useful ideas, proposes that the Dowager help Kuei, rather than constantly criticizing him.
On that note, I'd like to segue into one thing that somewhat annoys me about this fic, and many others (such as Team 8)- the fact that the vast majority of the reviews are overwhelmingly positive to the point of being sycophantic, particularly saying that this work is Better Than Canon. You don't even need to look that hard to find flaws in this fic, even minor things the author can improve upon, and the fact that they don't means that they're either too caught up in the fact that it's a Zutara fic to think critically, or perhaps are scared of offending the author.
Of course, when Arnook proposes impressing upon Kuei the importance of keeping his relationship with Song secret until the time is right, the Dowager agrees, but out of the hopes that the relationship will fall apart as a result. Arnook's a bit appalled that she would wish for her son's unhappiness (I do have to wonder if he remembers that Yue wouldn't have been happy marrying Arnook), but the Dowager insists, and says that this is the only way the message will get across to Kuei- that kings and peasants can't fall in love any more than birds and fish can.
If the parallel to Zutara isn't obvious enough, Katara picks up on it, and becomes concerned at the implications that her relationship with Zuko might be doomed, even if they don't keep it secret. Zuko and Katara make out, desperate for reassurance of some sort (the kind that the author's critical of Aang for seeking). Katara then begins wrestling with the metaphor and thinking of it literally- surprisingly enough, she doesn't even consider ducks and geese, who can live close to the water.
It's understandable that the story needs some conflict, and the author would want to lay down some barriers to them getting together, but it's disheartening to see, at this late stage, no one making much of an argument in favor of their relationship, while the critics get free reign.
Speaking of a lack of progress, Katara once again treats the Joo Dees, and is depressed to see how many there are and how little help she seems to be to them. Katara does, however, make some progress with one Joo Dee, who reveals that she had children once, although Yugoda calls her out for "playing favorites."
Katara goes back to the Jasmine Dragon, finding her friends waiting for there, and Ty Lee, evidently at Aang's suggestion, feeling better about being an airbender (although the author doesn't show or even tell us what he said). Toph's mother shows up, and gives Toph some gems to bend, which Toph makes into a necklace for her mother, leading to their reconciliation.
The author points out that the Dowager has a point, and Zuko and Katara's relationship can't remain secret. That much is true, but with four chapters left in the story, and the penultimate one being titled "Secret's Out," there will hardly be any time to explore the ramifications.
What I liked
- Toph and Poppy reconciling
What I didn't like
- Ty Lee's angst felt Out of Character
- Zuko and Katara unable to make much progress against their critics.
