Like most wealthy people we had those rather strange dining tables that somehow predated Avatar Wan, but had fallen out of fashion until the hundred years' war when I guess people wanted to appear superior by sitting in chairs when they ate.
We could host up to thirty people for dinner and have room to spare. Father sat at the head of the Table and my mother at the other end. No one cared about this break of dining etiquette, not even Iroh who has been forced to uphold such manners since he was old enough to dine with the adults. This was 'just a family dinner'-a seven course dinner, really - so we all sat were we wanted. Which ended with Iroh on father's left and I sandwiched between him and Hisa. Naoko sits on father's right -as the heir it was technically his spot- with Eun across from me and Shu at the end at mother's right.
Meaning I am at the best vantage point to make sure that 1) everything goes better than my brother and I have already bet on, and 2) Iroh doesn't run for the hills when he realizes just how dysfunctional my family is.
"So Iroh, are you aware that my darling Mimi is a master Chi Blocker?" my father said casually as if he weren't trying to gauge my betrothed's opinion on the criminalization of that particular martial art.
"Master is an exaggeration, dad. The Kyoshi warriors only gave her the red belt out of pity and your generous donation." Naoko says in hopes to make me look less threatening and change the topic, but really it just irritates me even though I never liked fighting and only learned enough to give me a fighting chance at not dying if someone where to get past my bodyguards.
"We can't all be the best, darling brother." I reply with a bit too much resentment. Hisa discreetly kicks me from underneath the table, mama glares at me and Naoko acts like the sashimi we have been given for the third course is the most intriguing piece of salmon ever served. At least the appetizer and the soup course had gone well.
At this point the table settles in an uneasy silence, we knew we could all face some legal trouble for my Chi Blocking-not that it stopped my parents from engaging a Kyoshi Warrior to teach us martial arts and most forms of the Dim Mak technique.
Eun was also blissfully unaware that my martial arts training was in one of the 'forbidden' moves. Wait until she realizes that most water bending medics and soldiers know how to blood bend. How else could the former NWT soldier turned infamous crime lord Yakone hone his ability?
"Yes, sir, I've known about it for quite some time and you should do well to remember that my Aunt Ty Lee is the current Grandmaster of Chi Blocking. I heard from my mother the other day, that Naoko is spearheading the effort to decriminalize it in the Fire Nation. I hope your party can be successful in passing bill, Naoko." Iroh replies diplomatically and with only a hint of genuine praise for my brother.
I should've mentioned that Naoko is considered a left-wing radical by those who think us non-benders shouldn't even be taught less dangerous forms of the Dim Mak technique or that maybe water bending surgeons should get a life sentence for daring to use blood bending to save a fucking life. Hopefully my oh so perfect elder brother can pass the forbidden arts bill.
"Thank you, your highness. Its is good to know that my sister is marrying someone who shares our views on the matter," Naoko thanks him and we all breathe out in relief. We toast with the plum wine to my engagement and hope for the passing of Naoko's bill.
We continue with dinner as if nothing had happened, the third course has barely started, and I thank Agni for convincing mama not to go through the ten to twelve courses she wanted. If it had been up to me, it would've been just three or four courses, not this exquisite monstrosity with four more courses to go.
"Will we be flipping tables or smashing glasses by dessert?" I mutter under my breath so only Hisa can hear me as Iroh is now engrossed in a conversation with my brother about the growing popularity of the equalist movement.
I should not have tempted fate by saying that last part.
The last three courses have gone relatively well, conversation revolved around the same three neutral topics: the wedding, Hisa and Naoko's children, and the chef outdoing themselves with this fantastic dinner.
The dessert plate had barely been set down on the table when the telephone in the hallway rings. The Butler answers the phone and hangs up only for it to ring again.
Once again conversation at the table stops abruptly, such insistent calling was a bad omen.
He comes back into the dining room, apologizing for interrupting and whispers to my father as to who is demanding his attention at such an important time in my life.
I don't have to guess who is calling as I can see mother's wine glass quickly freezing over before setting it down for the footmen to take. I thank Agni, Yue and La that the dessert course isn't typically served with an alcoholic beverage. There is nothing worse than a bender who is both drunk and angry.
"She said it was a matter of great urgency, your grace." Mr. Ito whispers furiously, he hated this breech of propriety and proper dining etiquette. He also hated father's dishonorable conduct towards his wife and much like the rest of the servants, he knew about Kazaori.
Too bad his voice wasn't low enough for mother not to hear it.
"I apologize, your highness, sweetheart." My father apologizes to Iroh and I , after all this was a special celebratory dinner and he was also hosting both his liege lord and foreign royalty. "I will take care of this and we can resume with dessert."
With that he leaves the dining room. My mother's stone cold rage threatening to burst out of the seams of her serene mask as Shu and Hisa try to jumpstart a lovely chat about the ice cream we have been served. No matter how pretty the plate is, it can't suppress the temper of a water bender.
One could easily forget how volatile the ocean could be just as many forgot the storm my mother could be.
"I told you not to call." My father in his irritation has forgotten to modulate his voice, so as to hide the fact that it is his mistress calling. He remembers once he has said the words and we can't hear the rest of his tirade. He hangs up and returns to the table where we finally begin with eating our ice cream and pretend it didn't happen.
The atmosphere begins to calm, and we all breathe out in relief. It is my turn to speak of something with zero chance of starting an argument.
"You know, mama, we should have ice cream and shaved ice at the charity picnic next week. The weather will be perfect for it."
"That is a wonderful idea, I know for sure that Kuzon's Ice Cream Parlor, you know that one across the Jasmine Dragon down on Main Street, caters." Hisa adds as if she didn't find random excuses to get ice cream from there when she was pregnant last year.
"Oh, yes, Mimi. Perhaps you and Eun could take over hosting it, it will be great for you to get some more practice in hosting gatherings. A little bird told me you disappeared in the middle of a picnic to go frolic by the beach." My mother pretends to be fine -even throws in a teasing smile- and that I wasn't the little bird who told her that I talked Iroh into going to the beach with me.
"In her defense, she was saving me from several young ladies in attendance who didn't take no for an answer." Iroh quips. He doesn't mention that we left because we found it dreadfully boring.
"It was still very irresponsible of you, Mimi." My mother reiterates.
"Which is why mama assigning my incredible wife as her babysitter." Naoko adds, "My darling Eun has the patience of a saint."
"Don't listen to him, your highness, Mimi is a very responsible person and I can guarantee that our picnic will be a great success." Eun chides her husband and reminds everyone that despite my liveliness, I am a capable and responsible adult.
"Thank you, Eun.," I thank Eun and childishly tease my brother who almost two hours ago told me how great it is I am getting married to Iroh. "It is almost as if you don't want me to get married, Naoko."
Maybe this dinner will end better than I thought.
Naoko barely opens his mouth when the damned telephone rings again. Mr. Ito moves to answer it, but my father raises a hand and gestures for him to let it go unanswered. It must be his mistress again.
She calls two more times and at this point we, that is everyone at the table who isn't my mother and father, wonder why mama can't tell society to go fuck itself and finally leave him before she is reduced to a convicted murderer.
That last one becomes less and less of a hypothetical with every second that passes.
Dim Mak is the actual name of the Touch of Death/ Quivering Palm kung fu technique. Chi-blocking is sort of based on it and here it will be the less deadly version of it. Misao's family is considered to be very liberal to the point that they don't believe blood bending and chi blocking should be illegal. I always found it stupid that lightning bending and metal bending had such usefulness when blood bending, combustion bending, and chi blocking are just considered evil.
Next chapter will be the last part of the dinner and the aftermath of it. Please leave a review or check out my Tumblr if y'all want to talk about the fic, the fandom or whatever.