ZW 10: 4 - Date

Sora ran her wet rag across the counter for the fifth time, utterly bored. Times were tough, she understood that; there was a war going on for goodness sake. But that didn't explain why her parents' restaurant was so dead today. Only a handful of people had come in for breakfast and lunch; so far only an elderly couple had come in for dinner. This was the most dead she had ever seen the restaurant. Sora had spent most of the day counting inventory of the silverware and kitchen utensils, as well as deep-cleaning almost the entire kitchen.

Sora sighed and tossed her rag into the water bucket beneath the counter. She glanced at the elderly couple. They had told her ten minutes before hand that they were finished eating, but would call her over if they wanted more tea.

They doorbell chimed and Sora automatically smiled, directing her attention to a couple a few years older than herself as they entered the restaurant. They boy was carrying a huge stuffed cat-owl and grumbling about it.

"My arms were getting tired carrying it, Zuko. Besides, you won it, you carry it. You should be grateful I offered to help and take turns."

The boy, Zuko, plopped the toy down in a booth. "I keep telling you Katara, I didn't win it. I just wanted to beat the stupid game." He slid into the booth beside the animal while the girl, Katara, sat across from him.

Sora brought them glasses of water, pulling the menus from her apron. "How are you two doing tonight?"

"Just fine, thank you," Katara gave Sora a smile. Zuko groused, putting his elbows on the table. Katara jerked a thumb at him. "You can ignore Mr. Grumpy over there. We went to the carnival and he won the stuffed cat-owl."

Sora nodded in understanding. "Can I get you two anything else to drink while you look at the menu?"

The guests flipped the menus over and perused the drink list. "I'll have some orange pekoe please," Katara smirked at her boyfriend. He frowned at her. "I want fire juice," he said in retaliation, his eyes squinting to mock-glare at her, his scar contorting just a bit.

"All right, coming right up."

Sora came back a few minutes later and overheard Katara trying to cheer Zuko up by reminiscing about the sights, games, and plays that had been at the carnival. She seemed to be failing.

"Here are your drinks. Are you ready to order dinner?" Sora asked, pulling her pad and charcoal from her apron pocket.

"I want flaming duck," Zuko requested.

Katara tapped her menu. "Are all of your fish really caught from the Poles?"

"They sure are. We got a fresh catch this morning from the South Pole."

Katara's exquisite blue eyes lit up. "In that case I would love the fish platter, thank you!"

"You're welcome." Sora returned the older girl's smile, pocketing her pad and charcoal and then gathering their menus. "All right, one fish platter and one flaming duck coming up!" She ran the order back to the kitchen; then refilled the elderly couple's tea at their request. The left a few minutes later.

Sora watched Katara and Zuko continue to reminisce about the carnival, Zuko finally succumbing to his girlfriend's attempts to cheer him up. He even laughed with her a few times.

Sora watched them, enjoying their playful banter. She was so far off in la la land, dreaming about the day her parents would finally let her date, that the cook came and whacked her upside the head with a spatula. "Their food is getting cold! What are you waiting for, the Avatar the show up?"

Sora grinned at him and retrieved her customers' food.

Upon delivery Katara's face lit up even more than earlier. "Thank you so much! This smells great!" She grabbed her fork and dug into her fish with great gusto.

"Peasant," Zuko muttered under his breath as Sora placed his duck before him. He almost gracefully, if the term could be applied to a boy, picked up his fork and knife. He cut his meat into several neat pieces before eating.

Sora reminded herself it was rude to stare, wished them enjoyment of their food, and fled back to her counter, stifling a fit of giggles. She had never seen anyone, let alone a boy, eat so delicately. She assumed those in the palace and the upper ring of Ba Sing Se ate in such a way, but she had never seen anyone put it into practice before.

Sora went back to their table almost fifteen minutes later when they had finished. Katara wiped her mouth with the back of her hand while Zuko dabbed at his mouth daintily with his napkin. She stifled more laughter. "Will either of you be having dessert?" she queried as she gathered their plates.

"No," Zuko answered.

"Me neither," Katara replied, "I don't have enough money."

'He's making her pay?' Sora wondered curiously. 'Odd…' "Alright then, will this be on one order or two?" she directed the question to Zuko, who seemed a bit frustrated at it.

"Two," he responded firmly, crossing his arms and glaring at Sora.

"Ok then, I'll be back in just a moment," Sora said politely, turning on her heel to deposit the dishes in the kitchen. She heard Katara berate Zuko for being mean and smiled. 'At least one of them knows the manners that matter.'

Sora bent down behind the counter, unlocking the box for the restaurant's seal. 'Maybe they split it? He paid for carnival activities while she bought dinner? Or maybe she offered or even insisted to pay for dinner, maybe the entire evening?'

"Why do people keep coming to that conclusion?"

Zuko sounded annoyed; Sora forced herself not to eavesdrop while she made out the forms and walked back to her customers. "Here are your order forms," she handed them to their respective owners. Katara accepted hers with a smile, Zuko a frown. They dug out and counted their money, handing over the proper payment. "Thank you, have a nice evening. And if I may say so, you two are a cute couple." Sora smiled at them.

Zuko planted his hand firmly against his face while Katara laughed. "That's sweet."

Zuko pulled his hand away from his face, groaning. "Hey kid, know anyone who would take the stuffed cat-owl?" he jerked his thumb at the toy next to him.

Sora blinked, surprised. "Uh, sure, I guess," she stuttered.

"Great. I can't really keep it anyway, now I won't have to lug it with me anymore. Thanks."

"You're welcome, I'm glad I could help."

Zuko and Katara rose from the booth and made for the exit. Sora went back to the counter for her rag.

Katara reached the door first and held it open for Zuko. He stepped outside and Sora just barely caught "Why do people think we're together?" before the door closed. She could see Katara laugh through the wide front window, putting a comforting hand on Zuko's shoulder and patting it in consolation.

"Why aren't they together?" Sora wondered of the empty restaurant. "Especially when they act like it. It's not surprising people make that assumption."