Chapter 4
Katara emerged from the tiny bathhouse refreshed. She had washed her robe out, and was now wearing a shapeless white serving girl's dress and a smock Chen had supplied her with while they hung the water girl's robes out to dry in the sun.
The kitchen captain handed her a white kerchief and face mask as well.
"You make it look like we're working in a hospital," Katara said eyeing the mask before tying it on.
"It's a pretty strict dress code when you go outside of the servants' areas. All the maids and grunt staff – that's you and me – have to wear white and cover our faces. There are serving staff, but they wear black and don't have to wear masks. We have guards in amour and uniform, of course. And then there are the others..." Chen said enigmatically. She smiled wryly. "The mask is more for your protection than anything else, trust me. You'll understand soon enough."
Nonplussed, Katara donned the kerchief and mask and followed Chen out, feeling as if she was heading into a plague zone.
They stepped through the double doors and skirted around the serving staff who lined the long corridor as they arranged their silver platters with filled sake cups and canapés. Chen quietly explained the rules to Katara before walking through the door that led out to the main area: don't speak to anyone unless spoken to. Don't make eye contact with any of the guests. And don't be shocked by what she might see.
The good feeling Katara had about Madame Mai's Court of Joy began to melt away as they walked into the main courtyard.
Katara looked about and thought she had entered some kind of fancy party. Beautiful women and men walked about the paved stone courtyard. Some lounged about on cushions, many of them simply stood and chatted quietly with each other. Here and there, Katara glimpsed men in Fire Nation armour, and she was once again put on alert, but they didn't seem to be there for any reason except to talk and eat and flirt with the girls.
Chen quietly pointed out some of the main features of the courtyard, indicating the archway leading out to the gardens, the all-female Earthbending guards stationed around the perimeter of the room, and the five floors soaring high above them.
"The topmost rooms are reserved for our most esteemed guests," Chen explained softly. "I'll bring you up and show you the empty suites."
They walked briskly around the edge of the courtyard, heading towards the staircase on the opposite side. Chen had explained they weren't allowed to cut straight across the open floor and Katara nodded in understanding: they were a different class of people in that place.
They walked up to the first level of the pagoda. Katara leaned against the railing and looked down at the people below, watching the colourful robes and dresses drift and swirl around. The kitchen captain opened up one room with a key from a huge ring of keys and ushered her in.
The dark cherry wood floors were polished to a shine. The bed had been recently turned, the white down mattress fluffed and scented with jasmine. All the furniture was richly ornate and beautifully carved. It was a room fit for a prince, Katara thought, and this wasn't even the most opulent of the suites. She barely listened as Chen briefly explained who would stay in these lower cost rooms and what kind of services were offered. All she could think about was how soft and fluffy that bed looked.
Chen brought her to the next level, opened up another room, and once again explained the room's functions. It was larger than the first room, and a small collection of instruments were gathered in one corner. But again, Katara did not register what Chen was saying about the services.
And up and up they went, until they reached the fifth and highest level of the pagoda. As Katara peered over the railing and down at the courtyard, she thought she might swoon from the height.
"Careful there," Chen warned. "The railing has been known to be a little loose in places. We've had a few very unfortunate accidents that way."
She pulled open the double doors to one of the guest rooms. There were only four of the VIP executive suites on this level – apparently, not that many people could afford them.
Katara walked in and gasped. It was nearly twice the size of the room Bumi had interred them in during their stay in Omashu. A balcony opened up to a fantastic view of the town and the gardens below; a private bathroom sported a large tub and privy. The bed was enormous, big enough to comfortably accommodate five, and looked just as inviting as the others.
"Madame Mai is the only one who gets to decide who stays in these rooms," Chen explained. "From what I hear, she's preparing this one and the one across the way for two guests tonight. It's probably a special occasion, so we should get back to the kitchen soon."
"Oh, what about the gardens?" Katara asked. "Do you think I could see those before we go back?"
Chen smiled. "Sure."
They walked back down the flights of stairs. The lift, the woman explained, was only for the guests to use.
As they reached the main level, Katara was suddenly jarred into reality as a burly Earth Kingdom man, a little tipsy and leaning heavily on two giggling girls under each arm, slogged by, nearly bumping into her.
"You girls ever feel the earth move beneath you?" He laughed.
The pretty girls tittered and stroked his chest lovingly, purring as they disappeared into a room.
Katara stopped. She felt her eyes go round. She began registering everything Chen was telling her about the establishment, and each piece of the puzzle slipped together, clicking in her mind as they fell into place.
Beautiful girls and boys. Richly decorated suites and fluffy down beds. Copious amounts of food and wine…
Spirits above, I'm working in a bordello.
Katara suddenly didn't want to touch anything in this place.
"Are you alright?" Chen whispered, shaking her gently. She peered at her over the face mask, her dark eyes shining with concern.
Katara stared. This woman, this wonderful, kind, happy woman, was working in a bordello. All the ladies here were loose and fast and bought for a price. She didn't know what to say. All this time, she was washing dishes that had Gods-knew-what on them, had cut vegetables for clients who were only there for one thing…
"I… I think I need some fresh air."
They walked out into the garden.
Zuko had tried to convince his uncle to stay, practically pleading with his eyes; but the old man did not – or would not – get the hint.
"There are some lovely ladies I must pay my respects to," he rumbled happily. "You two young people sit and enjoy the sun, hmm?"
The prince was left to brood and continue not looking at the girl next to him. What had it been? Five? Ten? Twenty minutes of silence?
"You're very quiet." Sienna said suddenly.
Zuko looked up and felt his heart leap again. He decided it was the eyes.
"It's okay," the water girl said. "A lot of people don't like to talk."
Zuko couldn't say anything to that as Sienna refilled his half-empty teacup. He murmured a thanks and she folded her hands in her lap.
"Perhaps you'd like me to play an instrument for you? Or sing a song?"
"No!" Zuko berated himself for answering so quickly and so harshly. He hadn't meant it to come out that way. "No… it's alright. I'm enjoying the… er… tranquility."
"It is a lovely, peaceful place, despite the fact that it's a bordello," Sienna agreed. "When people come here, it's like there's no war going on. We have clients from all over the world, and they all respect each other within these walls on penalty of being banned from the court. Even the Fire Nation soldiers who come and go are polite."
Zuko cocked an eyebrow. It was rather odd that this wealthy and prosperous Earth Kingdom town should slip from the Fire Nation's grasp. Wouldn't it make more sense for them to simply come and take it over and have the women at their disposal? He shuddered at his own calculating mind.
"The Fire Nation would have annexed the town a long time ago if it weren't for Madame Mai," Sienna explained, "She made an agreement that all Fire Nation officers with a rank higher than captain would be given special treatment if they visited. In return, they leave the town alone."
"That doesn't sound like it will last," Zuko said, "Considering the Fire Nation's continued victories."
Sienna averted her eyes. "They could have overrun the city a long time ago, but then what would happen to this place? We'd all be refugees and the Court of Joy would be no more. You see, we're safe because we offer what no other pleasure palace can. We offer solace."
Zuko suppressed a snort.
"But you're right. One day, the soldiers will come, and we will all be forced to flee. But until then, we must appreciate what we have, and never forget that we could lose it all in a heartbeat. Some of us are ready to fight and die, and others are ready to flee. Whatever the fates have in store for us, we must accept it with open arms and open hearts. That is the way of the Court."
She sipped her tea quietly. Zuko was staring openly at her now, his mind splitting her identity with that of the Waterbender's.
"You're a long way from home." He blurted.
She looked up. "I am."
"Why are you here?"
Sienna brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. "I don't think it's a story you want to hear." Her lips pursed.
Put off, Zuko shut his mouth. He was a little cross that she wouldn't tell him. He felt rejected. The look on his face did not escape the water girl's notice. She sighed.
"I was traveling with my parents. We owned a small shipping vessel and made runs between some of the coastal towns in the Earth Kingdom. Pirates attacked and killed the crew and my family, but I was spared and… taken."
Zuko felt bile rising to his throat. He clenched his fists.
"The captain took a liking to me and felt pity for me. Eventually he released me to this town and recommended I see Madame Mai for a job. I have been here ever since."
He was at a total loss for words. "I… I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to apologize for," she smiled sadly. "You didn't do anything."
The prince stared at his hands, clutching the tiny teacup. He felt angry and sad and guilty all at once, and he had no way to express himself. Though he had done nothing to her, he sat unmoving, hoping Sienna would somehow forgive him.
They sat and listened to the whispers of the wind through the trees.
A short walk through the garden did not help clear Katara's head, lovely as the scenery was. She wasn't so rude as to blurt out her disgust – after all, Chen and the other kitchen staff had been gracious and kind and worked harmoniously together. They seemed to genuinely love their place of work, and insulting their livelihood would not earn her more silver pieces. Besides, who was Katara to point and yell "shame!" at them?
Perhaps she was being too prudish. Of course she'd always been raised to believe places like these were immoral, but places like these never existed in her tiny village. If the men and women who worked here did it willingly and happily, then how could she possibly pass judgment on them?
Still, it did not settle her mind as she kept catching whiffs of strange smells on the wind.
Katara and Chen trod a short path skirting one of the walls, stopping short of the veranda. The kitchen captain warned her they couldn't stay out for long and should really go back to the kitchen to see what other chores could be done. Katara nodded: it was late afternoon and she would have to meet Aang and Sokka in a few short hours.
"Can't I convince you to stay for a little longer?" Chen pleaded, leading the way back to the kitchen. "You've done so much today, and I'm happy to pay you the extra if you stayed on, even if it's just until midnight. I think you'd really enjoy seeing a feast prepared for the special guests, too."
Katara shook her head, explaining her important rendez-vous, and the captain understood.
They walked through the double doors leading into the kitchen and encountered chaos.
One of the Firebending cooks was screaming in agony, clutching his arm. Something hot had spilled on it and the flesh seemed to be melting away. Kitchen workers were skirting the puddle of hot liquid oozing out over the floor and simultaneously trying to get to the cook to help him.
"Good heavens!" Chen nearly shrieked. "What happened?"
"Li dropped hot oil over his arm!" One man yelled. "He needs to soak it right now!"
"Call the medic!" Chen barked sharply.
Katara winced at the giant white blisters of flesh oozing on the young cook's forearm. She cast about for some way to help him, then realized she was the way to help him.
The Waterbender called a snake of water into her hands from a nearby basin. She went to the man's side, lightly stepping around the steaming floor as two men pulled him to his feet and out of the range of the boiling oil all over the ground.
"Let me help him," She said firmly. The two men looked up as she formed her healing glove and wrapped the remainder of the water snake along the length of the fleshy burn. Inhaling and exhaling, Katara closed her eyes and willed the wounds to close and heal. The coolness filled her mind and flowed from her fingers the same way it had when she had healed Aang's burn a few short days ago. When she opened them again, the burn was gone and the kitchen staff was silent.
The cook looked down at his arm and gaped.
"I… I don't believe it." He flexed his hand and arm, staring, then looked into Katara's face. He clutched her hands tightly. "Thank you. Thank you so much." He kissed her hands, much to the girl's embarrassment.
"Katara…" Chen managed. "You have healing powers?"
"I just learned about it recently myself," the water girl admitted ruefully. The staff murmured their amazement and awe.
The kitchen captain looked up a little irately.
"What's everyone standing around for? Let's get this cleaned up and keep working! We have a feast tonight!" She said, and everyone snapped back to work. The oil was mopped up, the harried healer took the chef away to be examined, and things went back to insanely busy. Chen turned back to the Water Tribe girl.
"You're more valuable than I first supposed," Chen said in wonder. "You should meet Madame Mai. I just know she can convince you to stay and work here. Your skills are phenomenal!"
The Waterbender shifted uncomfortably. "Really, I can't. I'm going to the North Pole—"
"I'm not saying you have to start working for us right away! Maybe after you've mastered bending, you'd like to come back here?" Chen suggested.
Now that she knew exactly what the Court of Joy was, Katara severely doubted she'd return, but she nodded to stop the overzealous woman's sales pitch. This was going to make an interesting story to tell Aang and Sokka.
"Come on. I'd hate to waste your talents on something like cutting potatoes, but they're not going to cut themselves!" Chen said brightly, seeing the girl's discomfort.
Grateful for the change of topic, she got to work on the vegetables.
The sun set quickly. Katara barely noticed until she looked up from the meat she was pounding.
"Omigosh! I have to go!" She put the mallet down. "I was supposed to meet my brother and friend at sunset!"
Chen furrowed a brow. "Are you sure you have to leave? Dinner's going to be ready soon, and I don't want to send you out on an empty stomach."
"I can't stay. If I do, they'll worry."
Chen sighed. "All right then. I'm sorry to see you go, but I do hope you'll come back and visit us." She relinquished six silver pieces and a handful of coppers – a bonus that Katara could use to buy herself some dinner. "You really should eat more dear. It's not healthy to be that thin."
Katara smirked. "Thank you for the work. I really appreciate it."
"Don't forget your robes!" Chen said, delving into the kitchen work once more. "They're still hanging on the line outside!"
The Waterbender smacked her forehead. How silly would she have looked arriving in that billowing hospital gown and kerchief?
She walked out and started taking down her robe, now dry and a little stiff from the hot sun. As she shook it out, and bundled it up under her arm when a light caught her eye: a red lantern bobbed by, peeking above the tall grey stone wall that separated the gardens from the servants' quarter and kitchen area. She heard a whistle and a whizzing noise. Drums beat out a steady rhythm and then there came a clash of cymbals. Another lantern popped into view above the wall. And another, and another. A whole string of red and yellow lanterns bobbed by, like a strange puppet show, and Katara watched in puzzlement.
"Oh, the tumblers!" Chen appeared at her elbow, wiping her hands on a rag. "Madame Mai must have some very special guests for her to call them in from town."
The captain brought her to break in the hedges and showed Katara a hole where she could watch the procession go by. The troupe was entering the building with great pomp, a spectacular parade of colours and flapping silks. The lanterns were hung on tall poles borne by painted acrobats, who balanced the poles on their chins. Several clowns in silly getups danced by, leaping like mock tumblers.
She gasped.
"Sokka?" She cried through the hole.
The water boy's head snapped around. His face was painted with a perpetually sad red and blue clown face, and he wore a suit of multi-coloured streamers. Only his tied-back hair and the boomerang clinging stubbornly to his back under the streamers had alerted Katara to his identity.
"What are you doing here?" He rushed over to the hedge.
"Working. I was about to come meet you—"
"Hey you! Get back in line!" A voice said gruffly. "We're about to start!"
"Listen, Aang and I just took up these clown jobs and we're performing here tonight, so stick around," Sokka said hurriedly. "We'll meet you right here afterwards."
His face disappeared from the hole before Katara had the chance to mock him.
"Well, as long as you're here, you might as well have some dinner and enjoy the show!" Chen said happily, clasping her shoulder.
Katara shrugged and followed the woman back in. There was no escaping now.