This chapter makes reference to a comic book story were Zuko and Mai run into Jin between seasons 2 and 3 while still in Ba Sing Se. I've only read a summary of it so pardon any continuity errors. And thanks to Alabaster86 for allowing me to use her name and background for Iroh's wife.y
Unexpected Visitors Pt. 2
"Mother?" a new voice said, making Zuko turn around. "I heard voices from the room next door and couldn't sleep." In the doorway, a teenage girl in a green robe and thick, bushy ponytail stood. A very familiar girl.
"Jin?" Zuko felt his throat close up and squeak for the second time that night.
"Li?" The girl said, still rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "Is that really you? Or should I call you Firelord Zuko now? Am I supposed to bow?"
"No, please. Don't." Zuko held out a hand to stop any such motion she might make. "I don't want any of that here. Call me Zuko, or Li if there are customers around. But I don't want any special treatment. Not from you."
"I'm glad," Jin said and smiled that familiar smile that she used to come in with at the old teashop.
"Jin, have you met Mai?" Iroh asked, ready to starve off any potential rivalry.
"Actually, we have," Jin said. This caused a raised eyebrow from Iroh and a curious look from Xian. "They,"she pointed to Zuko and Mai, "were on a date at the Firelight Fountain and we just happened to run into each other. Of course that was back when Li, I mean Zuko, told me they were with the circus. You are a pretty convincing knife thrower," Jin told Mai. She turned to her mother. "She even gave me a lesson."
At this, Xian's eyes widened, but Mai and Jin missed it in their moment of bonding.
"You weren't bad for your first time," Mai admitted. "Of course, your aim was a little off. Right, Zuko?"
Zuko, who'd been remembering their last meeting as well, blushed in embarrassment at the memory of getting dunked in order to avoid a skewering by the slightly misaimed projectile Jin had thrown at the object on top of his head.
"Did I ever tell you about the first time he dunked me in a fountain?" Mai asked with a wicked smile.
Xian exchanged a pleased but surprised look with Iroh that acknowledged the youngsters were getting on better than they'd thought.
"I wouldn't mind hearing that story," Xian admitted. "I'm sure there are many to tell. I don't think we can expect to sleep after so much excitement."
"Yes, I suggest we all go downstairs and talk. The ladies can get better acquainted while Zuko and I brew up another pot of tea." Iroh motioned to the teapot his nephew had thrown up in. "Please bring that with you, nephew."
"Yes, Uncle," Zuko muttered, but picked up the stinky object and followed.
Xian couldn't help but smile at the young man's obedience. Zuko may be the Firelord, but in that family, the General still gave the orders she observed as she watched the king who had once gone on a date with her daughter. Despite the unexpected visit, Xian looked forward to getting to know him and his lady. Ever since Iroh had trusted her with his own identity, she knew things were bound to get interesting. She also suspected from the Firelord's reaction to her, uncle and nephew also had a few private things to discuss.
Iroh had indeed put Zuko to work scrubbing out the pot he'd messed up. Zuko had hauled buckets of water in from the pump outside for both washing and for tea. He hadn't seen Lao at any point, suggesting the man had gone back to his room on the lower level which he'd accessed through a door to the back garden.
"What is she doing here, Uncle?" Zuko whispered once he and Iroh were finally in the kitchen and safely out of earshot while Iroh decided which tea to make.
"Xian is the new cook," Iroh said. "I wanted to expand the menu so a position was open. I was shopping in the lower ring and ran into Jin who introduced me to her mother. She was perfect for the job so I hired her along with her daughter as a new waitress."
That much Zuko had deduced already. When they'd first gotten downstairs, Iroh remembered they had some leftover teacakes from the day and offered to bring them out. Xian had promptly given Iroh a tongue-lashing stating that stale teacakes were not going to be the first food of hers she allowed the Firelord and his lady (as she insisted on calling them) to experience of her cooking, vowing to fix a breakfast fit for royalty tomorrow. Zuko and Mai had just started never seeing anyone talk to the Dragon of the West that way before and were equally surprised when Iroh had apologized so quickly. Jin had just shrugged, knowing how protective her mother was of her own reputation as cook as Iroh was about his tea. She was used to such exchanges by now. Zuko had never known his Aunt Kotomi who'd died of illness shortly before Ursa had learned she was pregnant with he first child. But Zuko remembered hearing that despite her sweet demeanor, Aunt Kotomi could have quite the temper on occasion. Xian, though she was Earth Kingdom, certainly had some fire about her. But that still didn't answer Zuko's main question.
"That's not what I meant and you know it!" he snapped, allowing some of his old testiness back into his voice. The pot in his hands still smelled like vomit, despite three healthy lathers of soap and his bangs were in his eyes again, making it hard to see. He tried tucking the strands back, but between their awkward length not quite reaching his chin and their refusal to stay behind his shrunken ear, that proved to be a futile effort. He only succeeded in getting his bangs wet and sudsy, growling in frustration. "She was in you room," he hissed.
"There is nothing wrong with a late night game of pai sho with a pretty widow," Iroh said over his shoulder as he measured out the right number of leaves for five people and added them to the teapot. "Remember nephew, a true gentleman never reveals the details of such things when a lady is involved. I do not pry into you're your affairs with Mai, do I?"
Only when you hint about wanting grandnieces and nephews, Zuko thought bitterly, but he sighed. At least uncle didn't remind him in such a way like his counselors did who stressed the importance of producing an heir as quickly as possible. Still, he had at least more surprise for his uncle in that department.
"No, Uncle." It really was none of his business. "But I can't believe you didn't even write me about her." The Firelord sounded unintentionally sulky.
Iroh chuckled. "I wanted to nephew, but you were busy on your ambassadorial mission* and messenger hawks don't like to fly as far as the North Pole. It has been a month since -"
"You've been courting her for a whole month?" Zuko whirled around to face his uncle.
"She's been here more like two, but we only started officially courting a few weeks ago."
Seeing his nephew's pale expression, Iroh came over and placed a comforting hand on Zuko's shoulder. "Please, nephew. I know it is a lot to take in right now and these things take time to accept, but Xian has become very special to me and it would mean a lot if you would give her a chance."
"Of course, Uncle. As long as she makes you happy." Zuko placed a hand on his uncle's and squeezed back. "She certainly shares your appreciation for a good meal. I think you're putting on weight again."
Iroh looked down following Zuko's gaze and saw his nephew had a point and sighed. Ah, well. He was retired anyway he reminded himself as he patted his stomach heartily.
"And it doesn't hurt that her daughter is a friend," Zuko added.
"Yes, Jin has been nothing but a joy to have around. She has a keen mind for learning about many things and already is on her way to becoming quite a tea maker. In fact, she is the one who helped create the blend we are having tonight," Iroh said. Zuko raised his eyebrow curiously in response. "You shall see soon enough." Iroh looked over the efforts of his nephew to revive his second favorite teapot and sniffed. His nose wrinkled, but the odor no longer contained the pungency of before. Zuko reached for his scrubbing rag again, but Iroh waved him off. "The rest can wait till morning. I believe the tea is almost ready."
By the time Iroh and Zuko came out of the kitchen the women were already in deep conversation. Mai was explaining about the recent trip she and Zuko had taken to the North Pole. They had gone by navy ship that served as sturdy yacht, which was currently docked in a nearby port where the men and women of the crew had been given shore leave, allowing the Firelord and his lady to sneak off for a few days with the Avatar and company without the need for a guard escort. Both Jin and Xian who had never been outside the walls of Ba Sing Se were impressed with Zuko and Mai's adventure to the Northern Water Tribe.
Xian stated it was always her childhood dream to travel but her family had never had the money or reason to living safe within the capital where there was no war, so she enjoyed hearing news of those lucky enough to do so. This then led to Zuko saying that if they could ever afford to get away from the teashop they should come and visit the Fire Nation. Xian took the invitation with the same polite surprise she had his apology earlier. Jin's eyes got wide with a question of "Really?" to which Zuko nodded before she began all kinds of questions about the geography and climate of Zuko's homeland.
Jin couldn't decide if she wanted to see a volcano or the beach the most. Xian admitted a rainforest sounded like paradise. Zuko and Mai exchanged a look. Zuko couldn't help but feel a puffed-up pride in his homeland. Despite all talk of balance, he knew a least one way in which the nations were not equal and the Fire Nation really was superior. And after three months in the frozen north, he and Mai missed the heat terribly. At least the Earth Kingdom shared many of the same comfortable temperatures as home, even if it lacked the Fire Nation's island beauty.
With the tea poured, Zuko and Mai sampled the blend Iroh and Jin had invented, the new house special called, Jasmine Dragon Delight. The green tea was blended with lemon and strawberry. Mai loved the fruitiness of it. Zuko had suspected she had preference for such blends when he'd begun to experiment to find the perfect tea for Mai just as Uncle had for him. He'd discovered red raspberry to be her favorite. Meanwhile, Zuko liked the sweetness of this new blend with its "secret ingredient" of Earth Kingdom brown rock sugar Zuko was addicted to. Jin and Xian were also lovers of fruit teas he learned as Iroh and Jin talked about how the blend came into being.
"She has a talent for flavor," Iroh admitted.
"That's because my daughter is a smart girl." Xian gave her daughter a look of pride as only a parent can.
Talk went on about tea until it turned to food and Xian took over discussing a subject near and dear to her heart. No too surprising for Zuko, one of her specialties was noodle dishes, remembering what Jin had ordered on their one and only date. Xian, while humble in most other things from what Zuko had seen of her so far, bragged that her food was the match for any royal cook and began quizzing Zuko and Mai on their favorite foods, determined to create the perfect menu for them to experience for the duration of their stay. She would pamper the Firelord and his lady in that one department as was proper if nothing else. Considering the earlier teacakes incident, no one had any objections.
At one point, Jin got around to asking Mai about the necklace she wore. Both mother and daughter expressed interest and admiration spinning out of a conversation on Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom fashion. So they were surprised to learn Mai's choker and pendant was a variation on a Water Tribe style.
"Zuko made it for me," Mai explained with a bit of a blush.
"Well, you're so hard to find gifts for," Zuko teased and Mai kicked him under the table though he blushed himself.
Jin, Xian, and Iroh leaned in to get a closer look. Of the three of them, only Iroh knew the significance of such a necklace, but he wasn't sure if his nephew and Mai were aware and had just found it pretty. He'd though the piece commissioned and was surprised his nephew had tried his own hand at crafting which strongly suggested the pair did know the deeper significance of such a necklace. A simple red ribbon served as choker while the pendant was of polished stone that Zuko said an "earthbending friend" had helped him shape along with the clasp. Iroh could easily guess who that person was. Into the stone was carefully burned the Fire Nation symbol, reflecting his nephew's growing skills as a master bender. Though said earthbender again was the only one who knew how many stones the Firelord had gone through to get it right.
"It's an engagement necklace," Zuko explained, confirming Iroh's suspicions and went on to tell Jin and Xian of the tradition. "Mai and I have actually been betrothed since we were seven so it's not like it's a huge deal." Another kick came at him from under the table. "I mean, but it is a huge deal because I wanted to renew that commitment, something that was our choice and not just something our parents chose for us. So I guess that's one more surprise of the night after all."
This time a hand reached for his under the table. Zuko took Mai's hand and squeezed it tight. Iroh's eyes were misty. It was actually Xian who had enough voice to be the first to wish them congratulations.
"That's so romantic and exciting," Jin chimed in. "I'm happy for you both!"
Finally, Iroh wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes. He reached out his hands to both Zuko and Mai across the table. Xian placed her own hand on Iroh's shoulder and he relaxed into her gesture of comfort with a smile in his eyes.
"I am so proud of you both," he said looking at his nephew and soon to be niece. "It's a rare thing to find love in a royal arrangement, but you two are made for each other. I pray to the spirits blessing for a long life together. And for what it is worth, you have my blessing too."
"Thank you, Uncle. It means more than you know." Zuko felt his eyes tear as well. Ozai would never had said anything like that to him. But Uncle was the one whose blessing that mattered and always would. Zuko felt at least one tear fall from his good eye. Beside him Mai sniffed and tried to blink back her own tears. Curse Uncle for his ability to turn them into blubbering messes. Zuko looked to Jin and Xian. "Thanks to all of you."
They expanded the circle of hands until all five of them were joined together in happiness and prayer once again asking for the intersession of Agni and the spirits of both fire and earth in all their lives along with some hastily firebended incense candles and offerings of more Jasmine Dragon Delight tea.
As they finally departed for their rooms for the night, Zuko and Mai had the same thought. This is what had been missing all those years at home with Ozai and Azula and Mai's distant parents. Tonight they had experienced what real family was supposed to be like. It was...nice.
To be continued…
Notes: I almost could have ended this here couldn't I? But there's at least one more chapter to go, maybe two depending on how much I decide to get the rest of Team Avatar in on this.
*Zuko and Mai's North Pole trip with the Gaang is something that has been in my head and I will also write eventually either as multiple chapters in this fic or as its own fic. Mai's necklace was also something I wanted to do, which will be its own North Pole chapter. Maybe it's a little odd for Zuko to "propose" that way, being Aang and Katara territory, but I wanted it for that unexpected element, besides it's too predictable for Aang to do that again, I'd love to see him do it Air Nomad style for Katara when the time comes in a Korra flashback.
The Jasmine Dragon Delight tea blend is a real Teavana blend that I mentioned back in my chapter 6 notes. I just changed the name a bit for the fic, since Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearls sound cool but a bit pretentious for Iroh. Zuko's hair trouble is partly inspired by a Deviant Art piece called "Manly Man Hair," I believe.
