Sorry I've been out of it the past two days with a major migraine that is still lingering so I missed Harmony and Date (maybe later I'll get to those). But I'm back for AU. This is actually a sampling of an upcoming story I've got planned called "The Courtesan". Takes place in 18th century Europe.
Day 6: Alternate Universe (AU )
Katara fanned herself leisurely between sips of wine as she waited for Iroh to move the chess piece. The lace at her elbows swishing softly in time to her motions.
The sunlight poured into the large windows of Iroh's stately manor home. Tapestries covered the walls, the luxurious furniture meticulously arranged upon fine imported rugs in the game room in which they played their daily game of chess. Iroh, a former general of the Fire Nation, now retired in the great city of Ba Sing Se, sat in this opulent room with his courtesan, Katara. He had paid greatly for her and sincerely enjoyed her company. While she was certainly a beauty, he was not interested in all the duties that her title held. Unlike most men his age, at 19, was too young for his tastes and he relieved himself in women more fitting his age. Her ripe flesh was better suited for a younger man. The only reason he had taken her services was for her charm and grace. To have her on his arm during social events earned him more than enough looks of jealousy and envy from his peers and this was worth every gold piece in his coffers. Truly though it was a pleasure being around her. Being a widower had made him lonelier than he expected and her presence had been a blessing to his old soul.
He grumbled a bit, plotting and planning, stroking his grey beard thoughtfully then finally moved his piece triumphantly. Katara pretended to ponder her dire situation then gracefully grabbed her piece placing it in its preordained space announcing "Check mate."
In mock disgust, Iroh barked out a laugh, running a hand over his thinning grey hair kept loose. "You have beaten me yet again. This is a farce to the greatest degree!"
Katara merely smiled, swishing the fan over her face then fanning her heated companion who smiled into the breeze she created for him on this hot afternoon. "I am very sorry that I won again. Perhaps, we could play a game better suited to your abilities. Maybe a game of cards? You can cheat better with those." She winked knowingly at him. Their games always for sport.
A rap against the door intruded on their afternoon game. Iroh stood adjusting his waistcoat while Katara sat back into the velvet-padded chair sipping her wine.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, General," the butler bowed, "I have come to inform you your nephew has just arrived." They had been anticipating the boy's arrival for the past month and Katara couldn't be happier for the simple fact that it was all the old general could discuss.
Iroh beamed, vocalizing his happiness to all. He assisted his lady in getting up from the chair, linking her arm in his they made their way downstairs to the foyer. "Zuko!" General Iroh called out before they were even halfway down the curved staircase. The boy turned from the servants he was helping move his belongings inside and smiled up at his beloved uncle greeting him in return, "Uncle!" His smile faltered as his eyes slipped to the woman on his uncle's arm. He had been told he had taken a woman but he expected some old crone. Not that goddess that stood by his side.
Katara half expected a boy not quite out of the reaches of childhood from the way Iroh spoke of Zuko. Her mind conjured a young Iroh, short and stocky, and for so long she had held onto that description, that the one before her took her breath away. Instead there was a man of 21 standing tall in the marble foyer. His red cutaway tailored coat opened to expose the white satin waistcoat. Katara could tell that he was in fine physical form, not a trace of fat straining the fine material. His dark breeches hit at his knees giving way to attractive calves covered in white silk stockings. His black hair was brushed back and tied back at the nape of his neck with a ribbon. His pale clean shaven face was strong and masculine. A regal nose topped full lips. This was not the nephew she expected. If only for the matching gold eyes, Katara would hardly have suspected their relation.
Katara brought the lace fan to her face, hiding the flush of her cheeks, giving the two men a moment to embrace and give their gratitude for a safe arrival. She shouldn't have been acting like this. She had been around men since her introduction to the world at age 15. She had entertained ambassadors, princes, and high merchants and every class in between. From an early age she had been raised to manipulate the hearts and wills of these men that desired her like her mother and grandmother before her. Now here she was, her heart fluttering like a maiden on her wedding night. It had been too long since she had been bedded and this virile young man in her midst was sparking a desire laid dormant since she entered the general's home two years ago. While she too enjoyed the 64-year-old's company as a dear friend and was grateful for his keeping, she also longed for love. True love. Mother and Grandmother warned of her of such feelings. They were dangerous for courtesans. It is better to maintain emotional distance from her lovers and so far she had done that well. Before Iroh, there had been several other men who were her keepers and she enjoyed each one for varying reasons.
Taking a deep breath to compose herself, she approached the two men and Iroh swept his arm proudly introducing his Katara. "She has been a wonderful addition to this household and I praise the heavens for her arrival," the old general boasted, amber eyes sparkling at his mistress.
Zuko bowed respectfully to his uncle's courtesan as she curtseyed to him. When his eyes lifted, he felt his breath stall for a moment. Again. The low-neckline of her cream colored gown adorned with blue rosettes exposed her ample 19-year-old bosom almost to the nipples, her delicate throat adorned with the sapphire necklace inherited from her mother, the pads on her hips made them look appealingly large while the beaded stomacher pointing the way to her nether regions as if an invitation. Forgoing the formal wigs, her brown curls were half piled on her head the remainder draped across her shoulders. Her blue eyes sparkled with both intelligence and sweetness. She was like no woman he had seen before. The women of his lands were pale, literally and figuratively, compared to her. A surge of desire passed through him, especially at the knowledge of what she was, that soon passed as the remembrance of who she belonged to. He would not betray his uncle in that manner. To do so would be shameful.
He took her small hand in his large one and kissed the knuckles. His golden eyes met hers, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Zuko saw the color rise in her cheeks for the briefest moment, feeling a heat pass over him as well, and she smiled broadly, "It's an honor to welcome you to our home. You must be tired from your journey."
She was truly well-bred from Water Tribe blood and her lilting voice and gracious demeanor proved it. Though she wasn't a wife, she took command of the widower's household and ran it as if it was hers. Such a bold move for one of her standing but she was so loved by the staff that they hardly minded. Plus she made the old general happy and for that they were grateful.
"Come!" General Iroh announced loudly gesturing to the sitting room, "Let us have tea and enjoy each other's company. It has been far too long."
"It has, Uncle," Zuko agreed, his gaze scarcely leaving the woman who hooked her arm into the old man's. She turned her head slightly back at him and gave a demure smile. It has been far too long, he thought. Except tea wasn't what was on his mind.
It's obviously not as refined as I would like, but it'll do for now.
