Interface (A Tale of Love and a Library and My Love of Libraries)
Private Fire came up with the idea of Zuko going to the library and getting help from Mai. I, for reasons some know about, couldn't resist. In this story, bending and the four nations still exist. There has been no war and there is no Avatar. Bending may have elitist associations. The world has all the modern tech that we have. And more than anything, the story is strictly for fun, a silly little project I intend to enjoy very much. I may go at it like crazy. I may abandon it. I really don't know. But if any of you out there enjoy it as well, that is a bonus.
What's funny is I hate Modern AUs. This is obviously my first attempt at one.
Chapter 1: Unexpected Encounter
Zuko felt lonely and alone; there was a fine distinction between the two, one he had thought about far too much since the disappearance of his mother some eight years earlier. Stuck in a new city, a dingy, uncultured and strange new city far from his home, he spent all his time either in classes or in the brand new library and community pool complex near his plain one bedroom apartment.
Most of the other students lived closer to campus and used the facilities there. But Zuko's father had insisted he live on his own, just like a real adult, rather than in a residence full of rowdy students. No doubt the rich and powerful industrialist had figured his son's isolation would reflect well in his grades. And so far, that had proved true.
"This is your final chance, Zuko. You've disappointed me time and again, while your sister has flourished. I think that a few years away from home might toughen you up, make you a real man rather than an idealist like your Uncle Iroh. There is no place for idealism in business and certainly not in politics."
Ozai, that was his father's name, had grand political ambitions, and sometimes Zuko wondered if he didn't really want to take over the entire world. The eighteen year old was glad to be away from the machinations, the meetings, the morally suspect men and women who gathered about his father as though he were some kind of savior. It sickened him. Still, he couldn't deny that he missed his room and the luxuries that wealth provided.
His school was inland; away from the beautiful Fire Nation beaches he was accustomed to visiting. It was warmer here, a sticky heat that clung to everything, and made him feel perpetually damp. The pool was a refuge of sorts. Soon he found another one.
~~~~0000~~~~
It was Saturday, and Zuko had already been in the pool. He swam laps, pushing his finely tuned body to its limits, and when he was finished, felt deliciously exhausted. Relaxed, he sat in one of the leather lounge chairs that peppered the huge open atrium of the complex, sipping on a coffee and casually watching the passersby.
When people looked at him, the first thing they noticed was a large burn scar on the left side of his face. It was a gift from his father, years ago, a punishment of sorts, or maybe a reminder of just how much power Ozai had. There were no repercussions for the man. It was deemed an accident and life went on. Part of Zuko still sought the man's approval, some lost little boy part of him that never felt good enough, but another part hated his father with an intensity that sometimes terrified him.
Touching the rough, red skin, worrying the edges of the scar, Zuko stared into the still closed library. He could see people inside, busily preparing for the day ahead, and soon the door was opened, slick new automatic doors that swished when they moved apart. A few people wandered inside, books tucked under their arms or into cloth bags, eager to return them and discover new reading material. A harried mother, two young children dragging her by the hands, arrived next. She flushed, red and embarrassed when one of the children knocked down part of a carefully set up display.
Zuko's eyes, a beautiful gold, though one had suffered permanent damage due to the burn and remained in a narrowed state, rested on a young woman, probably his age, one of the library workers, a tall, thin girl, all angles, with the most striking black hair he had ever seen. It hung down to her shoulders and a thick fringe of bangs covered her forehead. That hair alone captivated Zuko enough to force him up and out of his chair. Besides that, he enjoyed reading and libraries were peaceful places for the most part, soothing and quiet. And he had a paper to write. He may as well get some books while he was here. And something about the young woman tickled at his memory. Had he met her before?
The girl hid her irritation with the mother and picked up the fallen books, replacing them on the table, making sure they were exactly as they had been before. Zuko pretended to read a magazine but really he watched the girl as she bent down, her movements languid and feline like, her body perfect beneath tailored black pants and a burgundy coloured blouse. The tag that hung from her neck on a slender chain declared her status as employee.
She turned to face Zuko, the heat of his gaze too much to ignore, and studied him through elegant square framed glasses, black like her hair with hints of pink as well.
"Do you need help?" Her voice was raspy and deep and incredibly sexy. Thin lips, painted a subtle shade of red, were pulled upward into a smirk. The tone of her words implied that Zuko did indeed need help, and not finding books either. Then something changed in her expression. Zuko watched as recognition dawned. "Zuko?" she asked tentatively.
All the pieces came together in one sudden flash. "You're Azula's friend; Mai. Wow, it's been years." He was hyperconscious of the scar now and longed to hide it somehow. But what was the point? Eventually Mai would see it. He just hoped it didn't disgust her. Many other girls, despite the money Zuko's family had, could not tolerate his facial disfigurement. He figured they weren't worth having anyway. Already he wished fervently that Mai would be different.
"I haven't been Azula's friend for a long time, but yeah, it's me." When she spoke, she looked directly into his eyes, her gaze unflinching and uncompromising. "It's really good to see you, Zuko."
"Mai, you're needed over here." An older woman, Mai's supervisor called out sharply.
"I've got to go; can't afford to lose this job." Turning away she headed toward the library's main desk.
"Wait!" He sounded desperate and Zuko hated that. "I'll need help with some research."
"Give me a few minutes," Mai replied. "Make a list of what you need."
Grinning stupidly, Zuko found a seat at one of the tables, opened his satchel and pulled out a notebook. He chewed thoughtfully on a pencil before beginning to scribble.