avocado_love

SCENE OPENS -- IT IS A WARM SPRING EVENING IN THE FIRE NATION.

Prince ZUKO is excorting his rival, Waterbending Master KATARA, down the long flight of stairs leading from the Fire Palace. While they are walking together, there is a careful distance between their bodies. Katara's arms are crossed over her chest and she looks annoyed. In contrast, Zuko is stiff in his formal robes.

KATARA: I can walk myself, you know

ZUKO: It's my job as prince to escort all visiting dignities. Besides (Camera pans to Katara's POV. Zuko has turned to her, smiling. It does not look at all natural on his face.) I thought it was a nice night. I wanted to share it with someone just as... nice.

KATARA: (Clearly disturbed, inching away.) Ummm...

(KATARA is interrupted by a bouquet of flowers thrust rudely in her face.)

ZUKO: (Still smiling -- a false, stiff smile that does not reach his eyes.) Here. Fire Lilys aren't found outside the Fire Nation. You should have these. (Pause) They say that flowers have a language all of their own.

KATARA: (Holding the bouquet gingerly, as if it might bite her) So what do Fire Lilys mean?

ZUKO: (Continuing down the stairs without her. He does not look over his shoulder as he speaks.) Why don't you find out for yourself, waterbender?

(KATARA'S face darkens and it looks like she might throw the beautiful bouquet on the steps. But as camera pans in there is a scrap of a paper hidden among the red flowers. Katara picks it up and opens it. In scraggly, block writing it reads:)

Narrow shot to KATARA'S eyes, wide in shock.

Shot of ZUKO'S back as he reaches the foot of the long stairway. His shoulders are still stiff. He does not look back.









Get it? Get it? *elbow nudge* Okay, I admit this is one of those things that seemed a lot better in my head than on the screen. haha. But I decided to post it anyway because I simply MUST cross everything over with Avatar. :D