Time went on. And Iroh's tea was becoming very popular. The tiny Tea Shop where in Iroh, Mariah, and Zuko worked in, was now almost always busy.
Inside Iroh finished pouring tea for a wealthily dressed man named Quon and his bodyguards,as Mariah served sweets along side him. As the two walked away, the men sip the tea and tasted the sweets, smiled, then stood and approach them.
"So you're the genius's behind this incredible brew ,and dare I say, sinful, sweets . The whole city is buzzing about you too.I hope Pao pays you two well." Quon said.
"Good tea is its own reward." Iroh answered smiling. Mariah beside him quietly, smiling also.
"But it doesn't have to be the only reward. How would you like to have your own tea shop?"
"My own tea shop This is a dream come true." Iroh said stunned, Mariah's eyes wide covering her mouth with her round tray.
"What's going on here Are you trying to poach my tea and pastry maker." Pao scampering to join conversation said as he throws himself protectively between Iroh and Quon.
"Sorry Pao, that's business for you, am I right." Quon answered.
"Mushi, if you stay, I will make you Assistant Manager. Wait, Senior Assistant manager." Pao spoke increasingly desperatly. In all forgeting Mariah.
"I'll provide you with a new apartment in the upper ring. The Tea shop is yours to do whatever you want. Complete creative freedom." Quon spoke calmly,
"I even get to name the shop?" Iroh asked elated.
"Of course!" Quon answered.
"Uh, Senior Executive Assistant Manager" Pao pleaded.
Iroh set the teapot into the hands of shop owner Pao, who grimaces in pain. Pao walked off as Iroh, Mariah, and Quon exchange respectful bows.
Zuko crossed in the foreground, pausing as Iroh spoke to him.
"Did you hear nephew This man wants to give us our own tea shop in the upper ring of the city." Iroh told him excitedly.
"That's right young man. You're life is about to change for the better." Quon added.
"This is so wonderful! Isn't Lee?" Mariah added.
Zuko continued to walk away towards the front door, setting down the tray of cups.
"I'll try to contain my joy." Zuko answered gravely as he walked outside.
This went unseen to all but Mariah. Since a time ago, Zuko had been less then loving towards her. Hardly speaking, not even a twing of affection.
It sent Mairah back to days before the night at the candle lite fountian.
The day her most greatest wish to not happen, became her greatest secret.
Whall walking through the lower ring of the city, Mariah's peace was broken by a lite ground shaking rumble. With in a few minutes she found herself out in the open.
The great doors were open, people coming a going from the door. She feared some kind of problem had happened, but as she turned she felt short of breath, and her body went cold, the world around her had turned in to slow motion. She felt a presents. As she turned, eyes towards the sky, her breathing became long. There as she turned, eyes met in distance, until he landed infront of her.
"Who are you?" Was all was asked in almost a whisper, by the young boy in front of her. The Avatar...
In present time, at the cramped apartment complex where Mariah, Zuko, and Iroh lived, then inside, where Iroh was packing into a chest, and Mariah beside him helping, the door slided open and Zuko came in side.
So, I was thinking about names for my new tea shop. How 'bout the Jasmine Dragon It's dramatic, poetic, has a nice ring to it." Iroh said.
"And its pretty too." Mariah happily added.
"The Avatar's here in Ba Sing Se.And he's lost his bison." Zuko said showing the two a poster.
"We have a chance for a new life here. If you start stirring up trouble, we could lose all the good things that are happening for us." Iroh stated after taking the poster. Mariah began to hold a few pieces of clothing with a sad look as Zuko walked to stare out a window.
"Good things that are happening for you. Have you ever thought that I want more from life than a nice apartment and a job serving tea" Zuko said spining around to face Iroh, clearly irate.
"There is nothing wrong with a life of peace and prosperity. I suggest you think about what it is that you want for your life, and why." Iroh spoke earnestly.
"I want my destiny." Zuko answered turning to look outside again.
"What that means is up to you." Iroh stated as Zuko walked away from the window.
"The Tea Weevil! No, that's stupid." Iroh shakes his head in disgust. The name only made Mariah giggle as her mind returned.
Now in an alley away from croweds Aang asked again.
"So now will you tell me who you are?"
With no way of getting out of it Mariah pulled her sleve down and removed the bandage on her right rist releaving the flaming heart shaped mark, and showed Aang.
He reached out his hand and touched it.
There was a jolt and the two found themselves surrounded in a blue mist.
"Okay...What just happened?" Aang asked.
"Do not fear Aang." A mans voice stated. There appearing in the mist was Avatar Roku.
"Avatar Roku?! But how?"
"I will answer that question young one." A womans voice spoke. There appearing was a beautiful Fire Nation woman in holy robes.
"High Priestess Lady Cologne!" Mariah spoke.
"High Priestess? Whats going on here? Where are we?" Aang asked.
"Calm yourself Aang. Do to the spiritual force the two of you share, this space has been created. You are not the only bridge between worlds as once thought. " Roku stated turning to Cologne.
"This is High Priestess Lady Cologne. Cologne was the last great High Priestess since my time, she is Fire Nation as am I. And so is the young woman next to you." Roku continued.
"Your Fire Nation?" Aang asked looking at Mariah.
"Yes..I am." She answered.
"Do not fear young airbender. Mariah, like all High Priestess's, she is not in favor of this war." Cologne stated.
"Okay so I got that. But.. Why all this?" Aang asked.
"As you control the elements Aang, Mariah also has special abilites. We were called to give you this information to the both of you." Roku answered.
"You two are not enemys. But after this day you may not meet again until after the event." Cologne added.
"Be friends, and take care." Roku spoke as he and Cologne vanished in to the mist.
The two returned to the alley.
"Well that was werid, but intresting. So your names Mariah? Mines Aang." The young Avatar stated.
"Yes..Nice to meat you Aang." Mariah answered.
"If you don't mind me asking. Whats the High Priestess of the Fire Nation doing here?" Aang asked.
The memories of meeting Aangs friends in the upper ring went throught her mind. An almost fight, befriending Momo and Toph, gaining the trust of Katara and Sokka, even the tears that she weaped from her time with them. It went by so slowly.
Until she awoke in her room.
Iroh had gone out looking for Zuko and had yet to return, now morning.
As she was looking through the window, a downtrodden Zuko entered the apartment, followed by a pleased-looking Iroh.
"Your both home! Thank goodness."
"You did the right thing, letting the Avatar's bison go free." Iroh said.
"He what? Mariah whispered as Iroh closeed the door behind him.
"I don't feel right." Zuko said feebly as he suddenly collapsed unconscious to the floor, breaking a vase in the process.
""Zuko!!"" Iroh and Mariah called alarmed rushing to his side.