Author's Notes:

I had thought I would break up "Educating the Avatar" into two parts, but have decided to go with three parts instead.

The events here immediately follow chapter 19 and are still taking place simultaneously as those in chapter 18 when we last saw Zuko, the Dai Li, Sokka and the girls.

Breaking the Promise

Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember;
involve me and I'll understand."

- Chinese Proverb

Chapter 20 – Educating the Avatar (Part 2 – Conversations)

The proprietor of the Jasmine Dragon and his partner stood off to one side surveying the commotion in their kitchen. Iroh laughed heartily as he watched Ping fume over the sight. As much as his partner would hate to admit it, there was something to be said for their employees. Their staff worked beautifully together, each at their station doing their part in creating the sumptuous food and tea the Jasmine Dragon was renowned for. Sadly, the same could not be said for the motley crew preparing dinner tonight.

Cooking itself was not the problem. With the exception of the Professor, the men could hold their own in a kitchen. Keeping out of each other's way and off of each other's toes was a completely different story; which is why Aang and Katara spent more time scrambling out of the way than helping with the meal.

Iroh's eyes shone brightly with amusement. Once again immersed in the role of adopted uncle, he pulled the teens aside and suggested, "Why don't you two run along and find something to do while we take care of things here, hmm?"

Aang quickly accepted the offer. "We'll do that, thank you!" He grabbed Katara's hand and quickly guided her out the kitchen before an unhappy Ping could object.

The lighthearted and optimistic feeling of the morning had returned. They giggled as they exited the back of the tea shop and walked hand in hand around to the front and the plaza.

"We missed it," Aang commented sadly.

Katara grew concerned. "Missed what?"

"The sunset."

"Oh." She relaxed again. The memory of their kiss, at this very spot, nearly a year ago, brought a smile to her lips.

Aang tugged on her hand and led them to the stairs where they sat down side by side, looking out towards the horizon.

The plaza was empty. The usual evening crowd had been successfully turned away from the Jasmine Dragon. Lights dotted a window here and there, but for the most part, the denizens of the upper ring were well into their nighttime routine.

"I wonder how Appa and Momo are."

"I wonder how Sokka and Toph are."

They fell silent, thinking of the others.

He placed his hand on her knee comfortingly. "They're fine." Answering his own question, he continued, "I'm sure Kenji is taking good care of them in his zoo. They have plenty of space, food and friends."

"And Sokka and Toph?"

"I bet they got Mai on their side and have gotten Zuko to rationally consider what he is going to say to Earth King Kuei."

"Let's hope they haven't caused an international incident by annoying them."

Aang thought about it. "Sokka could eat Zuko out of house and home."

"Toph will challenge everyone to a bending match."

Their imaginations ran away with them. Soon they were picturing boomerangs versus blades and a match between earth and fire where Toph let Zuko have it for burning her feet. They valiantly fought the need to burst out laughing, their lips twitching upwards. They dared each other not to laugh.

Katara lost that battle. She laughed freely. It was a beautiful sound which magically lifted Aang's spirits. He got a rush which he usually associated with riding the wind on his glider. The two dissolved into fits of giggles. Sentences broke between peals of laughter. ". . . pin him to a wall . . . rockalanche the palace . . . ."

When the laughter died down, he stared at her. She was beautiful and she loved him. That was the best thing in the world! She made him soar as if she were the wind itself. He reached over, placing a hand at the back of her head, the other between her shoulder blades, he guided her closer. The distance between them gone, he kissed her. It was soft and gentle at first, but it intensified once she kissed him back.

The feelings were back, those they had experienced earlier back at the guest house that morning. A shudder went through Katara. They pulled apart slowly, hesitantly. When she looked at him she could see her longing reflected back in his eyes. They were inexperienced and feeling these things for the first time. They were unsure about it all.

They sat side by side again, shyly stealing glances at each other.

Her thoughts turned to the future, being married to Aang and starting a family. Aunt Wu had predicted she would marry a powerful bender and have a great romance. She smiled as she looked over at Aang. She was happily in love and he was indeed a very powerful bender. Her mind drifted carefree, recalling moments here and there since she had met him. Hope came to mind. She remembered her, so small and fragile, and the difference she made in Aang. He had been so focused on detaching himself from everything and everyone because of losing Appa, so afraid to get hurt again, that he lost his joy of life. Hope's birth had brought him . . . hope again. She could imagine him holding their first-born. In her most fanciful moments, she envisioned a little girl. She had even chosen a name for her: Kya, after her mother. Immediately, her thoughts turned sad at the memory of her mother causing her to look away into the distance.

Aang had noticed the change in her. "Katara? What's wrong?"

She tried to dismiss it. "Oh, nothing."

"Are you sure? It's just that, well, you look so sad."

She turned back to meet those beautiful grey eyes, once more filled with worry. "I was thinking about the future, and the past."

"What about it?" He was concerned that she might be having doubts again about what was to come.

Katara wavered. Her self-confidence seemed to have vanished. She found it strange that at times she would suddenly become unsure and nervous around him. Perhaps it was natural? Maybe it had something to do with the new sensations. Regardless, she was feeling a bit vulnerable, not sure how he would react to her daydreaming. Would he think her silly? Would it scare him? After all they were still young and it would be years before her father allowed them to marry.

"I was thinking about how things are going to change and about families."

Aang misunderstood. At the mention of families, his mind picked out the one they had been talking about for days now. "The Mayor's family will adapt to whatever comes. So will the other colonists. But we'll have to wait to see how things will turn out after Zuko and Kuei talk."

His mistake had brought them back to reality. Katara didn't correct him, but cringed inwardly when she saw the change in him. Their happy moment had ended.

"Things will change," he assured her. "There has to be a compromise! We'll find it together. We can work anything out. Once Zuko and the Earth King calm down, they'll see that this isn't something to go to war over and we'll work on finding the best way for everyone to be happy."

The waterbender knew things weren't that easy, but his optimism was contagious. He was the Avatar. He saved the world. With him, anything was possible.

They heard footsteps approaching from behind them and turned to see who it was.

Professor Yu-Tang called out, "I'm sorry to interrupt. Do you mind if I join you?" There was a hint of excitement in his voice, no doubt for the chance to speak to the Avatar.

"Of course not, Professor," said Aang.

"How are things inside?" asked Katara.

The Professor joked, "I've been banished from the kitchen. My cooking is edible, but . . . let's say it is not for others." That got the laugh he intended. He slipped past them down the stairs and settled himself sideways three steps below where they sat so that he could look up at them.

"I am used to cooking for myself as I live alone, but I mainly go out to eat."

"Is that how you met Iroh and Ping?" ventured Katara.

"Yes! The tea and food are great." Thoughtfully he added, "But the company is even better."

Katara burned with curiosity. How did one become a member of the White Lotus? They don't exactly advertise. It used to be a secret order, but since the Day of Sozin's Comet and their part in ending the war, it wasn't so secret anymore. She never did ask Grandfather Paku how he became a member. She would have to remember to do so when she next visited him and Gran Gran. "How did you learn about the Order?"

Professor Yu-Tang was pleased at the opportunity to speak about the Order. "I had frequented the Jasmine Dragon daily and got to know Ping first. We talked at length about many, many things. One day, he introduced me to Mushi. We talked and I was invited to play Pai Sho. One thing led to another and the conversation turned to matters of interest. There were friendly debates, open discussions, and then one day they revealed certain things."

Aang wanted to hear more. "Like what?"

"Like that Mushi was in fact Prince General Iroh, who brought down the outer wall; that they belonged to the Order of the White Lotus; and that they were interested in knowing if I would share my thoughts and work with others. I was beside myself! I was in the presence of a major living historical figure and they were offering me the chance to meet more such people. Imagine what that means to me!"

The teens were wide-eyed at the Professor's enthusiasm.

"Before the end of the war, history pretty much stopped when Earth King Kuei ascended the throne after his father's death. Everything had fallen under the control of the Cultural Ministry and all but scant information was allowed to be addressed about the 52nd King's reign. University faculty was subject to checks; teaching material was edited. There was to be no mention of the war, much less the plight of the refugees arriving almost daily at our gates. Of the Dai Li, we could only teach about their founding by Avatar Kyoshi and promote their part in protecting our cultural heritage. Nothing was taught without the approval of the Ministry. The Dai Li's presence could be felt everywhere. We couldn't even hold an honest conversation without fear of repercussion."

"That's horrible!" cried Katara.

Aang grew angry. He knew the Dai Li did terrible things. They had manipulated him and his friends, they had put them in danger, and they had kept Appa from him. They had brainwashed all those poor women and turned them into mindless puppets. They kept knowledge of the war from King Kuei, and the Counsel of Five from the king. They were not only suppressing the truth, but controlling the knowledge disseminated to the people. The Fire Nation had started that way under Fire Lord Sozin. He took control of the Fire Sages and his version of the truth was taught and passed on from generation to generation. Aang hated to think about what would have happened if Long Feng had remained in power unchecked.

Katara sensed that Aang was working himself up. Quickly she asked, "But things are different now, aren't they Professor?"

Oblivious to Aang's reaction, the Professor carried on excitedly. "Oh yes! Of course they are! We, at the university, are all very excited about things. We are learning so much and piecing things together. One day I hope to publish a paper on the history and political influence of the Dai Li; how they changed the course of Earth Kingdom history. We still have to tread lightly though. The military has taken control of anything Dai Li related: the secret files they kept on people, records of their interrogation and conditioning methods. It will take some time before academicians are allowed to review sensitive information; till then there is still a great deal available to us for study and plenty of people to interview. We are cautious on the subject of Long Feng and his ascension to power. It is a tricky area. We cannot afford to insult or undermine the sitting Earth King or the Counsel of Five. Politics, you know." He cocked his head to one side, and said, "Perhaps one day we could sit and talk about your roles in the end of the war."

"Why not now?" asked Aang.

"I'm afraid it will have to be another time. Master Liu will have the floor tonight."

"What do you mean?"

"There is something that Master Liu wishes to speak with you about. It is part of the reason why he is in Ba Sing Se. Ping was correct when he said that it was fortuitous for the two of you to be here at the same. Normally Master Liu does not leave the orphanage."

Interested, Katara asked, "What brought him here?"

"Master Liu was hoping to find information regarding the Fire Nation, their culture, history, anything really. We didn't have anything recent by way of texts thanks to the Cultural Ministry. Several months back, we reached out to Fire Nation Scholars in the hopes of forming an information exchange. I'm afraid that a lack of trust on both sides has slowed the process down. Anyway, we were just about to meet with the director of Anthropology when we got word that Ping had arranged a meeting with you. Naturally I wanted to tag along and am very glad that they let me."

The teens looked at each other, knowing that it could not be possible. "Professor?" asked Katara. "Is the head of your anthropology department Professor Zei?"

"How strange that you would know who held the position prior to Professor Fei*. Professor Zei went missing over a year ago. No one knows what happened to him. Rumors were that he ran afoul of the Dai Li."

"No, he didn't," she said. "We met the professor on our travels and helped him find Wan Shi Tong's library."

"Really? The library? He found it? That's incredible! It was his dream to find it." His excitement turned into confusion. "But where is he now?"

They hesitated, not wanting to be bearers of bad tidings. After a quick exchange of glances, it fell upon Aang to deliver the bad news. "Wan Shi Tong decided to take his library back into the Spirit World. He didn't want anyone to use the knowledge within for violence and destruction. It sank into the desert with the professor still inside." Aang tried to put a good spin to the news. "He seemed happy to stay among all the books, surrounded by all that knowledge."

Unblinking and not knowing what to think, the Professor simply said, "Oh."

.

.

Inside, the men were tending to their dishes, stirring, basting, adjusting seasonings and whatnot.

"That smells wonderful, Liu," said Jianguo appreciatively.

Jianguo caught Iroh's eye and silently asked if he should bring up the matter they had spoken privately about. Iroh spread his hand and shrugged his shoulders. His friend whispered to him, "You're no help." He then braced himself. He knew well enough that he was going to provoke Liu by questioning what he wanted to do. He was torn between leaving well enough alone and his belief that the timing was all wrong. He ultimately decided that it was best to bring the subject up as casually as possible and rope the others into the conversation as well. He opened with a question directed at no one in particular. "How do you think he will take it? I mean he is only thirteen. Would it be too much for him? He has a lot on his shoulders already."

Ping, busy with getting things back in order before their employees arrived in the morning, missed the underlying purpose of the questions posed. "He is the Avatar. Whether he is thirteen, one-hundred and thirteen, or two-hundred and thirteen, what does it matter?"

Liu, however, had not missed it. "What he is asking is if I should keep quiet."

Ping blinked rapidly to clear his brain fog; then looked to Iroh for confirmation. A simple look from the Grand Lotus let Ping know that he had better pay attention.

"I am just concerned about overwhelming him," said Jianguo defensively.

Liu felt everyone's eyes on him. They knew each other well. He was aware that they were sizing up his current temperament. He calmly responded, "I understand what you are saying, but the boy is the Avatar and as such he needs to know certain things. It would only be detrimental if he didn't."

"Agreed," continued the shop keeper. "But is burdening him with it now, with everything he has to face tomorrow and through the end of this confrontation, a good idea?"

Liu, a very passionate man with many strong opinions, started twitching. He took a calming breath. Ping and Jianguo exchanged looks before turning to Iroh. Though Liu was infamous for his temper, it did not rival Iroh's, or any of those descended from the royal lineage. They looked to the former general for to intercede if necessary.

Iroh remained watchful and silent. He would referee if he had to, but the conversation was still civil.

"This is a matter that needs the Avatar's attention," said Liu.

Jianguo reiterated, "But why now? What is he going to do about it? It's not like he can magically create a solution, and it only places a greater burden on him."

Ping placed a hand on Liu warningly and to remind him not to lose his temper. "This is what we do," he reminded his friend. "We talk things through and bring out into the open that which needs to be said. Remember, it is important that we focus on the issue and keep it clear. We stand a better chance united than divided. If Jianguo has doubts, we'd better settle this now. We cannot debate it in front of the Avatar."

Liu focused on his breath and relaxed. "He needs to hear this. It ties in with what is going on. It is bigger than the colonies. There are too many who are lost. Whatever happens in Yu Dao will directly affect what will happen to them."

"Not directly, Liu," protested Jianguo.

Liu sighed heavily, trying to contain his emotions. He knew his brothers were right about one thing. They had to be united on this. He needed their support in order to keep calm. He had to be able to present his case in a comprehendible way. But, if his brothers did not see the need to present the situation to the Avatar, what hope did he have of ever bringing the dilemma to his attention?

He rethought is approach and tried again. "I've already spoken to Yu-Tang on this. Let me ask you now. If Avatar Kyoshi had the slightest hint that the Dai Li would turn out as they did, would she not have thought differently about creating the organization? Would she not have at least thought of a way to try to prevent their corruption?"

"Be reasonable," begged the shop keeper. "One cannot possibly know how things are going to turn out a year from now, much less a century. This isn't a game where one can calculate every possible move. This is life. There are so many variables and even the Avatar cannot be expected to foresee the pitfalls of a single action."

Ping was visibly uncomfortable, having given this round to Jianguo.

Liu persisted. "He doesn't have to foresee anything, but he has to at least know what is going on around him. Iroh, would it be safe to say that had someone told Avatar Roku what Fire Lord Sozin was doing behind his back that it would have changed the course of history? It is not like when Avatar Kyoshi chose to stop Chin the Conqueror only when he got to Kyoshi. She made that decision consciously. Had Avatar Roku known that the Fire Lord had gone in and claimed territory for a colony, before it was built, would things not have turned out differently?" Liu was impassioned now, his arms outstretched, pleading for agreement. "The fact is that he didn't know. For whatever reason, the Avatar did not have knowledge of what was happening under his own nose. All I want is to make Avatar Aang aware that things aren't as simple as preventing a war and solving the issue of the colonies."

He calmed down again and addressed Iroh once more. "I am sure that your nephew and the Earth King will bring about a solution suitable for the colonies, but to let the Avatar counsel them blindly is wrong and you know it. There is more to his role than maintaining order."

Iroh bowed his head thoughtfully. When he raised it again, he looked each of his brothers in the eye. "I think we are agreed that presenting this to the Avatar is not the issue. Jianguo is right. This will overwhelm him."

Glumly, but with conviction, Ping noted, "We will be there to support and counsel him." He feared that Liu had lost his chance and felt badly for getting his hopes up. When he had convinced Iroh to stay in the Earth Kingdom and speak to the Avatar, he thought it was possible to open the boy's mind and expand his perspective on the situation. Politics aside, Yu Dao and the colonies were but a microcosm of the problem.

Master Liu was decorous. "In the end, it is for the Avatar to decide what direction to take us in."

Jianguo watched Iroh carefully, knowing full well that the matter wasn't yet settled. "So, is it now or later?"

Ping asked hopefully, "Iroh? You are Grand Lotus. We will follow your lead."

Iroh spoke, his voice laden with resignation. "It is best that he knows going in that this will have far reaching consequences. We need to be careful about presenting it."

"I don't know how else to present it, other than by just coming out and telling him," admitted Master Liu.

Ping was optimistic once more. "That is what we are here for. We'll temper things as we go along."

Author's Notes:

*No I didn't choose a name to rhyme with Zei. I googled "Chinese anthropologist" and up popped "Fei Xiaotong." I liked it and decided that Zei's successor would be Fei. I think it is neat-o that it rhymes too.

"How am I doing?" – NYC Mayor Ed Koch (1924-2013). Let me know what you think. Constructive criticism is welcome.

Thank you for reading. Stay tuned for more.

Private Fire