witchesreign | 006 - [Week I, DAN 101, M0800]

[Zuko had been up at the crack of dawn, rising with the sun. As always. Even while on vacation in Dollet he had never slept in. As soon as the sun peeked over the horizon, Zuko was up with it. It didn't matter if he'd only fallen asleep at two or four in the morning, he would be up with the sun. Which sucked because what he'd said to Katara about how she rose with the moon and he with the sun - it was the dead honest truth.

He had spend a good portion of the weekend frowning at his schedule. Home economics? Ballroom Dancing? And now that it was Monday morning and classes started bright and early at 0800 hours, he was headed there after breakfast, ignoring the other cadets in the elevator on the ride up.

Entering the ballroom on the second floor, Zuko spares a glance around the room. He misses Katara leaning against the far wall mostly because she's not dressed up in the Fire Nation clothing. Or her own Water Tribe colors. To him she looks like any other cadet in the class, dark-skinned or not. Hell. Zuko's almost relieved to not see her around, especially after the incident in the Training Center days ago.

Which he has still yet to forget.]

[Her eyes were fixated on the glass ceiling when a steady stream of cadets began to filter in. Upon hearing some idle chatter start up amongst students who had spotted their friends and acquaintances, Katara glanced over to the entrance, eyes flickering as she scanned the crowd.

It was weird, to think that she'd have to dance with a complete stranger from the looks of things. She couldn't recognize a single face, which wasn't too surprising seeing how she was an off-worlder and it seemed like most of her classmates were natives. She only hoped that they would receive her kindly, especially with what had happened down at the beach in Dollet.

Her eyes lingered on one male faced away from her, the fact that he was a bit taller than those around him catching her attention. He held himself up with a manner that was much different than the males who slouched with bad posture as they waited for the arrival of the instructor, and the fact alone intrigued her. And she couldn't help but notice the broad shoulders, too.

Katara thought she saw the slightest sign of movement from him, so she quickly averted her gaze, glancing sideways to avoid being caught staring.]

Edited 2010-08-17 04:38 (UTC)

[He was kind of in the same boat, golden eyes scanning the crowds and taking in the faces of so many natives to the world they were stuck in. Zuko ended up frowning at some female cadet with blond-white hair and bright green eyes, his expression impassive and deadpan when she smiled his way.

What did he look like? Really. He wasn't stupid. But girls made him awkward.

This wasn't going to be a very good class for him.

From the looks of more cadets pouring into the room, the numbers of females vs. males was just about at an equal standpoint. He went to stand on the other side of the ballroom, unaware of the scrutiny from a particular girl. He leans back into the pillar with his arms folded across his chest, and as he looks up and across the dance floor he spots her, tensing immediately. Or well her legs, which seem almost endless in the short cadet skirt.

Zuko is just going to stand there staring at her legs - that'salotofbaredlegwhydidn'thenoticetheothergirl'slegs?! - until jerking his attention and head to his left, jaw clenched.

Why is she here?!]

[A few moments pass where Katara is determined to look anywhere but back at the male. But curiosity gets the better of her after a while-- a quick glance wouldn't hurt, right? Maybe she'd be able to catch his face. So her blue eyes flicker over in his direction, and she balks at what she sees.

That was Zuko?!

The heat of her cheeks flare up as she remembers the incident from just over the weekend. Just great, they were going to be stuck for an entire quarter in the dance class together. What were the chances?

At first, she thinks to slink away and hide behind a pillar, but she realizes that's the cowardly thing to do and she wasn't going to let even Zuko force her to resort to such measures. So she tilts her chin up instead, her gaze darting around the expansive ballroom in hopes of avoiding eye contact with him. Maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't notice her.]

Edited 2010-08-17 05:06 (UTC)

[Too late for such wishful thinking, Katara. He's already noticed you, Sugar Queen, or your legs more like it.

Zuko stays exactly the way he is for another few moments but eventually his gaze ends up back on her. He notices the way she's tilted up her chin and looking everywhere else but in his direction.

That's fine with him.

He settles for glaring across the dance floor at her only to end up glaring at her mouth. Which only makes him think about the weekend all the more; he shifts his weight against the pillar, the motion almost restless.

Zuko's more than ready for this class to be over now, even if it hasn't even started.]

[Don'tlookoverdon'tlookoverdon'tlookov--

UGH.

It seemed like her brain was determined to defy her. Before she knew it, her eyes were cast in his direction again, and for the briefest moment she catches his gaze. It takes a moment for her to realize the implication of this.

Had he been staring at her?

Not that she cared or anything. For all she knew, Zuko could be staring at her and wishing her a slow and painful death. There's a small huff of breath as she crosses her arms over her chest and her shoulders tense, and she gazes back with a look of challenge (no her cheeks were not reddening further).

This staring contest is on.]

[It's the movement from her arms crossing over her chest that break his concentration. Cause it does take a lot of energy just to glare at someone apparently!

Zuko brings his eyes back up to meet hers. That look of challenge in hers have him straightening against the pillar, his stance still tense, jaw still tightly clenched. His brows furrow deeper in that irritated look.

Was she challenging him? Why did she always have to challenge him? Agni - she was too stubborn for her own good. He hated it when she challenged him, which only seemed to be happening recently, or whenever they bumped into each other inside or outside of the Training Center.

Zuko not once broke the glare, still staring at her. He turns his hand just slightly away from his arm and his fingers flex briefly, the small ball of flame igniting. No, he wasn't showing off. But if she wanted to challenge him with a staring contest, he wasn't against taking this challenge to the Training Center really....]

[Her eyes catch the movement of his hand, and she sees the small spark of fire which only causes her to narrow her eyes further. Was he stupid? Sure, perhaps inside the Garden was the safest place for them to practice their bending, but especially after her little stunt down at the beach even the native Cadets were a bit wary of the off-worlders and their abilities-- and they happened to be surrounded by them at the moment.

Besides, it was just a little staring contest-- no need to get so competitive, Zuko! Though, if he really did want to start something she wasn't about to back down, even with the disadvantage of the absence of her element.

But for once, rather than to fuel his irritation, Katara looks away, but not without a scowl and a huff.]

Edited 2010-08-17 05:54 (UTC)

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