2:

The appetizer for the dinner was a hot, spicy vegetable soup. "…So the little scum begs me, 'Please don't burn down my village! Take me as prisoner, but leave the rest of the villagers alone!' So I took him." Zhao paused and took a bite of soup. "Then, as soon as he was on the ship, I had my fleet burn down his stupid village anyway!" He laughed uproariously at his story.

"Um, aha, ha, ha," said her father weakly.

Sitting across from Mai, she noticed the son named Zhao-Yen had been staring at her all evening. Staring, and smiling. She ignored him.

"Your new son is quite handsome," said Zhao. "Reminds me of Zhao Junior as a baby!" He slapped Zhao Junior on the back, causing his son to spill soup off his spoon. "Have you given any thought as to which military branch you'll enroll him in?"

"I…I hadn't," said Mai's father. "To tell the truth, Zhao, since my injury, our family's interests have been more political than militaristic."

Their interests, not mine, thought Mai. She was finding it harder to ignore Zhao-Yen. She wished her mother hadn't taken her knife.

"Of course, but I have no doubt that your son has the makings of a great soldier. Perhaps," he smiled wryly into his cup. "Someday, he'll serve under one of my boys." He lifted his drink. "To our sons, the future of the Fire Nation!"

Everyone but Mai followed his lead. "The future of the Fire Nation!" They chorused. Mai's mother shot her a toxic look. Mai rolled her deep yellow eyes and raised her cup.

Whatever.

It was nearly ten o'clock. Mai had excused herself early and went to her bedroom. Anything to avoid the arrogant Captain, even with her mother's promise of a rare later bedtime.

She was holding her favorite knife, a medium weight dagger with a copper hilt. It wasn't fancy, nor expensive, but it was sturdy and the perfect size. Secretly, while in town, she had had her name engraved in the blade, which was a double-edged stainless steel. Most girls had a favorite stuffed animal; Mai had a favorite knife.

There was a knock on the door, and Mai stuffed the dagger under her pillow. She didn't want this one taken away too.

Her mother opened the door without waiting for an answer. "Mai, are you awake?"

"What is it?"

Her mother looked excited as she sat on the bed. "I have wonderful news!"

"Zhao's leaving early?"

Mai's mother ignored the smart aleck remark. "The Captain's son, Zhao-Yen, has taken an interest in you!"

"So what?"

"He wants to take you out tomorrow!"

Mai didn't hesitate to answer. "No."

"Mai!"

"He's too old for me! What is he, fourteen?"

"Fifteen."

"Are you mad?" Mai interjected. "That's two years older than me!"

"Your father's nine years older than I am!"

"That's different!" Mai protested. "You were twenty-five when you married Dad! You didn't even know him until you were twenty-two!"

"Listen," said Mai's mother, leaning forward. "Dating a son of Zhao could benefit our family greatly! This could be your father's big break!"

Mai turned away and pulled her knees up to her chin. "All you care about is Dad and his stupid career. Do you even care about my feelings?"

"Of course I do! Mai, we do this for you! You and your brother! A governor's child will have so many open doors in life! You'll be able to attend banquets, be invited to parties, sit in the company of the Fire Lord himself! And when it comes time to marry, you'll have your pick of the finest men the Fire Nation has to offer! Besides," her mother smiled slyly. "Do you know how good you would look hanging on the arm of a son of the Fire Navy's rising star?"

"I don't care what celestial body Zhao's rising on! I won't date Zhao-Yen!" Mai slipped under her covers and pulled the blanket over her head.

"Mai!" Her mother shook her. "Mai, please!" She sighed and stood. "All right. At least think about it, Mai. For your father." She kissed the cover where Mai's head was hidden and blew out the candle.