A Kiss in Ba Sing Se
[A/N: Where are we afraid to go?
What are we afraid to admit?
Are friends, truly friends?
How much do we understand about ourselves?
A simple game can make life just so... complex!
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender
Comment if you wish... I always enjoy responding.]
Chapter 51
Let's Play
Mai stared at the group around her in semi shock. It felt as though the world was moving faster than she could think.
"Have we started already?" she asked Fong with a furrow brow.
"Lady Mei Mei, where are your manners. You have forgotten to conduct the formal introductions," the second-in-command reminded her. "Please forgive her. She is use to playing with those who are much more familiar with this game."
Mei Mei bowed to the group. "Yes milords and miladies, excuse my breach of protocol," she apologized, spreading out her arms. "I am Mei Mei Soo Haan, and I will be your Game Master and timekeeper. Lady Fong Bei Fong here will be our judge, deciding on the quality of all kisses and whether or not they will have to be done over. Finally, Lady Lei Soo Haan will be our coordinator, helping everyone with the articles of the game. Does everyone understand now?"
The murmured replies and head nods from the group confirmed that all understood.
Mei Mei smiled brightly. "Very good. I pray that the spirits will guide and enlighten you all." she began. "Since Lady Mai has already chosen the first question and made her choice, she will now select a partner. Lei, please assist her as our coordinator."
"Yes ma'am," she replied as she turned towards Mei, presenting her with the silk bag. "Please milady, remember each persons color. Yours, you hold as it is your turn and the others have placed theirs back in this bag. We have written them down for accuracy. Lady Suki's is blue. Lady Katara's ribbon is red. Her Majesty's Bei Fong's is orange. His Grace Avatar Aang's is White. Fire Lord Zuko's is golden and Regent Sokka's is Tan. Of course as you can see, yours, Lady Mai is a lovely shade of... pink."
The dark lady could only grimace as the others around her snickered.
"Please Lady Mai, pull a ribbon from the bag and may whomever guides your fate, choose the one most favorable."
Mai tentatively placed her hand in the small bag as if it contained fire adders. "Why am I so nervous over a stupid, perverted game?" she questioned herself as she pulled ribbon one slowly, not looking at the color. "It's not like any of this means anything," she consoled herself.
"And your companion for this session is... the red ribbon, Lady Katara," Lei announced.
"Do you accept this session Madame Ambassador or will you retire?" Mei Mei asked with a bow.
Katara jumped to her feet and stood before Fong in the center with a smirk. "Coming Mai?"
The Ambassador has accepted... please now roll the die milady," Mei Mei continued to lead as Lei handed her the heavier than expected block.
The knife thrower tossed it on the mat that served to hold the bags and the die. It appeared almost surreal as it tumbled and turned. As the tricolor die came to rest, she imagined it floating on the sky colored cloth.
"Purple... the color is purple, a single kiss. What a pity ladies. I know all would enjoy seeing such beauties as yourselves sharing more."
"Screw you Mei Mei," Katara snarled.
"Anytime Ambassador, I am here to please," she replied with a bow. "But now your fortunate companion is the Lady Mai. You'll have to indulge her instead, but if thinking of me helps, I am honored."
This time the waterbender just rolled her eyes. As Mai approached, Katara watched her hold her left hand clutched tightly, a thin line of red along the seam. "Mai, is your hand hurt?" she asked taking hold of it and pulling it open.
The tall lady winced sharply, "My blade slipped and I..."
Immediately the waterbender took control of water from a drinking pitcher that sat nearby. A small amount snaked through the air and to her beckoning hand. As it did, it began to glow and hum. Katara focused on the rather deep wound in Mai's palm. "You should have told me about this sooner Mai. Well, at least I can do it before we get the other thing going."
Mai could barely look her in the face. "Th-thank you Katara. I didn't feel I could ask you, especially after..."
"You mean after you were messing with my brother?"
Mai found herself feeling very shy at the moment with the healer holding her hand. "Yes... that. I'm sorry I was so inappropriate. I shouldn't have..."
"No you shouldn't have," Katara agreed. "You speak poorly of him and then you do something like that? I find it hard to forgive such a thing. My brother... he means the world to me Mai, do you understand that? I know you love your little brother, but Sokka, there's nothing I wouldn't do for him... nothing," she stated in a tone that drew Mai's eyes to hers. "And if you try to play with him again like your personal pet, you'll regret it."
Before Mai could respond, Katara had grabbed her face, and kissed her deeply. The waterbender's tongue felt cold within her mouth and Mai had a hard time breathing at the sudden shock.
"Three!" Mei Mei announced mercifully as they broke apart and Mai gasped for air, still seeing Katara's cold cutting cobalt eyes until she turned away.
"Wow, score one for the Water Tribe!" Mei Mei shouted. "Way to go with the flow Lady Katara. Next up is His Grace, the Avatar. Lei please remove the white ribbon and place the pink and red ones back in the bag."
Play continued with more intimate questions and looks from their fellow comrades. Aang seemed to be having the most fun. He would act as though he was going to answer and then default to a kiss. No one had answered a single question posed. With the fourth round starting, Mai seemed rather pensive.
"This can't be happening, not with him!" she thought in utter dismay as the inward shivering started to affect her breathing.
"Ah, purple, with the center dot!" Lei declared. "A first for you milady. Three kisses... passion in full bloom. You can still choose to drop out of the game at this time. Would you like to continue?"
A nod was all she could muster because her mouth had gone as dry as a desert. Mai's head said drop, but her pride said stay. As usual, her pride won out and she had the feeling that she would rue this poor choice not that she wasn't already.
"Do you accept as well," the Mistress of Ceremonies asked the color holder.
Only a nod in return caused Mai to raise a tense eyebrow. "Could he be as nervous as me? Normally, you're so boisterous and full of yourself!" she thought as she watched her counterpart approach. "This is insane! I should just freaking quit!"
"Please, the two of you, stand before the judge and prepare to perform the kisses," Fong instructed them.
"I'll make this an extra slow count, just for you," Mei Mei said with a sinister laugh as she moved into the position.
"Don't do me any favors," the blade wielder replied tersely.
"I'll let you be the judge if it is a kindness or not milady," the Toph replica smirked.
"THAT'S LONG ENOUGH!" Toph yelled from her corner. "If you're getting cold feet Mai, then have the guts to admit it and just quit!"
"I didn't rush you through your turn," she fired back boldly, delivering a cutting scowl. "Can't you be a little considerate?"
The cheeky half smile on the young general's face relayed the answer without a word spoken.
"I should have known better," she said under her breath.
"That's our Toph," her kissing partner whispered into her ear. "Would it be easier if you shut your eyes and pretended…".
"Shut up, how I get through this… i-is my concern," she replied to him. "You just do your part, so we don't have to repeat it more times than necessary like the li'l princess over there did!"
"I can hear you just fine, MAI!" the earthbender corrected her, pointing to her sharp ears. "I couldn't help the fact that Twinkle Toes' tongue was trying to slither down my throat and choke the living life out of me!"
"With a mouth as big as yours Toph, I think you could swallow a sea serpent without gagging!" the waterbender joked viciously.
"Ha, ha, Sweetness, and that's from a girl who just about sucked the life out of poor Suki! For it being your second time kissing another girl, you sure put your all into don't ya? I must say Suga, even as a blind girl, I saw the sparks." the princess quipped. "Hey Snoozels, I think your little sister maybe playing for the same team, sure Twinkle Toes is your type Sugar?" Toph countered, just as maliciously. "Plus, I wasn't counting how many do overs you had."
"Will you two, please stop this nonsense?" the Fan Master requested as she stood up. "This is just a silly game. I've played similar ones with the girls back in the barracks on Kyoshi Island. It only means something if it means something to you. Now, Mai, if Sokka is just an oaf… get on with it! It's only fair, I had to kiss Zuko in the same fashion. I wasn't auditioning for Fire Lady, right? Don't you at least want to get a little payback? C'mon, try to make me jealous!" Suki taunted her. "Oh girl, Zuko tasted just like a ripe plum… mm good!"
"So that was that delicious flavor," Aang chimed in. "I just couldn't get a good enough read from his lips… well in 3 seconds anyway and no tongue... kind of disappointing."
Toph began to laugh, "Good thing too. If it was any longer, Sugar Queen here would have bled out! Her nose started gushing just seeing you two guys holding each other!"
"Erghhh… Toph! I told you my nosebleed h-had nothing to do with Aang and Zuko ki… kissing or hug-hugging! It was merely a coincidence, that's all!" Katara stammered as she had to pinch her nose close once more. "Th-the air is far too dry in this place. "Can I get another tissue please?"
The princess began to snicker, "Whatever ya want to believe Perv Queen!"
"You're so infuriating Toph, believe what you want, okay?" the waterbender retorted sniffing hard, as Lei handed her thick kerchief. "It's only a myth that people get nosebleeds over such things."
The petite general smirked knowingly, "Oh I will Sweetness. Remember, I can tell when you're lying. I bet you were all into that kiss you laid on me, even though it was a total mess. What was all that dripping you were doing? Can ya try not to be so sloppy. I thought I was going to drown on dry land and it was just lips!"
"Hey, woman... that wasn't me," the waterbender retorted. "You were the one slobbering, princess! I thought I needed to start waterbending before I drowned, you were so bad!" she came back bobbing her head.
Toph scowled, "That's a lie Katara! I think Appa kisses drier than you do!"
"I have to agree with Toph," Suki cut in. "Not about the Appa thing… but you are a bit… um damp. When it comes to the kissing department, you have a lot of moisture... but I figured that's because you're a waterbender. Not that I minded… ya know, it was still pretty fun," the Fan Master threw in with a slight rosy hue to her cheeks.
Katara now turned towards Sokka at center stage with his arms loosely draped about Mai's waist. "What do you think about my kissing ability Sokka? We shared a red one with a dot. Did you think it was a total mess like these two?"
"I didn't call it a complete mess…" the Kyoshi Warrior tried to restate, but Katara threw up a hand.
"Well bro... I'm listening. What did you think?" she asked again.
Sokka turned to look her in the eye, "I think… you are my precious sister and that brothers and sisters needn't do such things," he said solemnly, focusing only on her. "That is my opinion, as your brother."
Katara could feel her heart skip hard in her chest. "I'm s-sorry… my precious brother, I didn't mean to offend."
Every head in the room looked away from the siblings, except for Mai, still in his gentle embrace and seeing close up his tender expression. Her heart was pumping wildly.
"Everyone," Fong began to speak, "...we should be giving our full attention and encouragement to the couple before us. Please, Lady Mai and Regent Sokka must proceed or tender their acceptance of defeat. They have one minute more to act they will be expelled from this game."
"GO ON MAI! Give my big bro a sample of that lip smacking Fire just like you gave me!" Katara yelled playfully. "Ya might like playing in water again!"
"Hey Katara," Suki looked over sadly. "Take it easy, he does have a girlfriend ya know… namely me?"
Katara grinned tightly, "Sorry, just trying to get into the spirit of the game and move this along," she apologized sheepishly.
Suki broke into a big grin, "I was just kidding! Bust 'em a juicy one Mai!" the Fan Master whooped. "Lay it on her Big Guy! Show her how the peasants get it done!"
The blade wielder could only look at the handsome auburn skinned young man before her with growing anxiety. The clamoring of her own thoughts, combined with the non-stop pounding of her heart in her ears, drowned out the comments of the onlookers. She felt her body surge forward and then all was dark and silent, except…
The moaning, deep and reverberating, were rising up from somewhere to fill in the quiet spaces.
"Am I making all these strange sounds?" she asked herself, as her knees started to buckle and toes curl. "What is he doing to me? I feel so light and yet so, so… very hot, all at the same time! I don't know how long I can hold out before I… I melt," she thought as the tremors that moved up and down her spine began to spread out across her entire body.
"Two," she now could hear the Mei Mei counting as if she stood across the vast room instead of right next to her.
His tongue, sandwiched hers while she sucked down hard on it, as if by instinct. A combined heavy sigh escaped the couple, filling the room, as all stood transfixed by the spectacle. As he withdrew, her lips hungrily moved across his, beseeching to pull him in once more.
"Three," the final count sound. "First Kiss!"
"I must… have him," rang through her mind as she cared little about being watched now and Mai threw her arms about his neck, taking the initiative.
Sokka became her willing slave, once more pushing his tongue forward into the sanctuary of undulating bliss. There bodies were also looking as they they were trying to become one.
"Kiss two complete," was finally declared when they parted for air.
Hungrily Mai launched herself once more as lips lapped each other and tongues passed back and forth frenetically.
Neither of the participants had heard anything until...
"THREE!" Suki shouted slamming her fist upon a nearby table. "It's been at least 10 cursed seconds Mei Mei since you've said TWO! Shit, break them up or I will!" she threatened.
"Was it? I hadn't noticed," the twisted Game Master chuckled with her customary mocking glance. "Was it sincerely that long? I guess I just got caught up in this wondrous performance. Okay then... three!"
The Fan Master stood, "Do I need to teach an ignorant pig-cow like you how to count," Suki asked poignantly. "I guess you just like fucking with people don't you? Well you messed with the wrong one this time!"
"I must insist that you both keep the peace. This is only a game, ladies!" Fong reminded them with such authority that Suki sat back down. "Mei Mei, their kisses did last longer than expected. You should apologize to Lady Mai and the Vice Regent. It seemed to take a lot of effort to maintain their rather convincing, lustful appearance. I must say, it was every bit as good a performance as the Avatar and the Princess. Bravo!"
Sokka smiled nervously out at the others. He noticed that Zuko would not give him eye contact but Aang gave him a thumbs up. As he attempted to release the still quivering dark lady, her tenuous grasp tightened on his arms. He felt her start to slide towards the floor. "Are you okay Mai? I thought I felt you starting to fall," he asked as he placed an arm about her thin waist.
"It-it must be the wine. I feel a bit light-headed, tis all. Please give me a… a moment more to rest, milord," she requested in a low, seething tone as she laid her head upon his shoulder.
The young water tribesman gulped hard as he heard her strumming in his ear like a happy puma kitten. He couldn't help but to smile when he saw the equally satisfied smile on her face. A soft, gentle, genuine smile.
"Sokka my dear," Suki whispered in a menacing voice from behind him, "...are you enjoying yourself? She sure does look comfy in my spot!"
After that last round, it was necessary to take a long recess from the game, for various reasons.
Mei Mei subtly approached Lei, "How much did she have to drink? The way she was stumbling around, one would think she'd been downing Whale Tail hooch all night long, " she whispered to her cousin.
"To my knowledge, we have only put out sweet wine, and her majesty has had more than the lady," Lei giggled.
The saucy lady stomped her foot, "Damn! I did choose the wrong one to end my demo with. What a lucky komodo rhino bitch! I'll tell you Lei, he moved me!"
"I didn't think that was very difficult," her cousin giggled. "Isn't that why you don't have a pet that licks?"
Before she could reply, a commotion off to the side drew their attention.
"I'm tell you, it was nothing Zuko, I just got a little light headed," Mai exclaimed as she pulled away from him and crossed her arms. "Did you really think an idiot like that could make me… swoon?"
"Well, if it was nothing, why are you getting so upset Mai?"
"Because you keeping bringing it up… Zuko!"
"I didn't know you were that good an actress," he sneered, turning her back around to face him. "It looked pretty convincing to me! In fact, it looked like he could pretty much have his way with you too!" the Fire Lord yelled into her face.
The hard slap across the Monarch's face resonated through the room. "I'm out of here! Go fuck yourself Zuko! Enjoy the rest of your little game, with your simple little friends and I hope you get to kiss that ignorant peasant you've been drooling over all night!" she spat as she walked out grabbing a crystal decanter of port on the way.
"What… what is everyone looking at!" the quite embarrassed firebender railed. "I'm going to the bathroom!"
"I guess she finally got the reaction she wanted," Suki tsked, shaking her head.
Sokka scowled deeply, "Wh-why would you say that Suki?"
She looked up at him with a cynical smile. "Shouldn't it be obvious. Mai has been acting temperamental ever since we got here, and here I mean this palace. Yeah, we've fought along side each other and been in the Fire Nation for awhile, but this is totally out of her element. She's not what one would call, uh, flexible. I think she's been using you to make Zuko jealous. You know, this is partially my fault for sending you to her when she was cracking up. I should have just… woman upped and slapped the crazy out of her. But no, I'm trying to be nice and help her fit in so I…"
The regent dropped his eyes. "Hey, I really think this is my fault Suki. I should have never played along, especially knowing the state of mind she was in and with what happened earlier. I should have…"
"Should have what Sokka?" she asked placing a hand on his cheek. "Trust me, she knew what she was doing and what she was doing was using you to get to him. You can't keep thinking you can fix everything and everybody. It's just not gonna happen, even if you are the best kisser here."
"Even better than Aang?" he asked with a twisted smile. "It kind of seemed that he rocked your world… just a bit."
Suki couldn't help the blush that filled her cheeks. "Okay, truthfully, for me to kiss the 'Avatar', that's like a big deal where I come from, you know that. Hell, most of the guys on the island want to bust one with him," she stated rolling her blue-green eyes. "But he is a good kisser too. Not as good as you are, however."
"Now that makes me a little less jealous," Sokka laughed as he wrapped his arms about her waist. "Still it was tough to watch you two. I can only imagine how Zuko and Katara are feeling right now. You only kissed him once that way. They had to watch it three times… well more with all of Toph's do-overs. Think those were staged?"
She put her arms about his neck and nodded, "Definitely, that girl can flick a scropion-bee off your nose with a pebble from a 100 paces. You're telling me she can't find his lips right in front of her? She didn't seem to have a problem the other night," she stated emphatically with a smirk. "Okay, enough about them Sokka, now onto us. I would say sorry, but watching you and the fire skank making out, swapping spit like that, well I think that was payback enough, if not more. As you said, I only tongued him once. So how about you lay one or two of those panty soakers on me and we call it even," she seethed through her teeth, drawing his face closer.
Suddenly the Fan Master found her arms vacant to her chagrin and frustration. "Hey Katara, what gives? We were in the middle of something here!" she called after them watching Sokka being dragged away.
"Yeah sis, what's up," he agreed, being pulled along.
"We have to talk," was all she said, not looking back at him.
Toph was happy when the waterbender finally broke away from her lover. The two slowly drifted together, hoping they weren't being watched too closely. They ended up meeting behind an ornate column near the entrance.
"How are you doing?" he asked in a gentle soothing tone that lit up her cheeks.
"I'd be doing better if you weren't sucking face with Suki. You know I kind of sense what people feel and she was totally into it. Couldn't you have laid off a bit?" she asked unabashedly, letting her jealously show.
"And if I did, what would the others think my love?" Aang asked as he took her hand. "How then could I kiss you like I did? Do you think I could have held back one bit? Everyone would would have seen that I wanted you... needed you, like I do right now..."
She felt his lips upon hers and quickly stepped out of it. "Aang... huh... Twinkles, what are you doing? They'll see us!" she gasped, trying to ascertain the locations of the others.
"You're between this pillar and the door my love," he explained as he delivered a gentle peck. "As long as we don't go overboard, a few..."
This time she delivered a searing, tongue twisting, strike directly to his lips. From any onlooker, they could only see the Avatar evidently engaged in a conversation with someone.
After a few heated sorties Toph stepped back once again.
"What's wrong my love? I already said that no one can see you."
Toph dropped her face to the floor. "Aang, I-I don't want you to k-kiss her. I don't think I could bear that... not now, not after what we've done."
He smiled seeing her girlish demeanor. "So, you don't want me to kiss Suki, and you certainly don't want me to kiss Katara? Mai has left the game so I guess we're safe there..."
She punched him in the arm, "Don't make fun of me. I'm being serious here."
He chuckled lightly, "How do you suppose I make this miracle happen my love. I mean I would love to be kissing you all night, but in reality, I might end up kissing one of them or Zuko... or spirits forbid, Sokka."
"Why, what's wrong with Snoozel's?" she asked.
"I don't have a problem, he does. Anytime I get the least affectionate with him, he freaks out. I really don't know why," he confided.
She rubbed her chin, "Hmm, that would be rather funny, but it might cause Sweetness to go into a coma too. She could barely handle you and Zuko and that was only a hug and a light kiss."
Aang rolled his eyes, "Regardless of that, how could I even begin to control a game like this. The only thing I could do is drop out. If you want me to, I'll drop. My turn is next and I'll just find a reason to..."
She shook her head, "No, don't do that. If you drop because you had to kiss Sugar Queen, then she'll know what's up. It'll ruin everything. Just forget I said anything. We'll see this out... however it plays," she declared smiling tightly.
He leaned in and kissed her once more. "Now that's the earthbender I know and love. Never back down, rrrright?"
"Yeah... never back down," she sighed nervously.
"Alright, far enough sis," Sokka finally declared as her broke her hold. "What's got you so upset?"
"It's that little mud troll masquerading as a princess!" she snapped, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Toph? You're talking about Toph now Katara?"
"I don't even know why I'm talking to you Sokka, you're just gonna take her side," she contested, slanting her eyes way.
The young man took in a deep breath, "Listen sis, it's been a long night, and even a longer day. Everybody seems to be a bit on edge. If you have some beef with Toph, go talk it out with her. I'm sure you guys can..."
The waterbender ground her teeth, "See, like I said, already taking her side! I'm your sister... just like Aang is suppose to be my boyfriend. I'm suppose to be the one kissing him, not that dirty little floozy!" she decried, sounding almost in tears.
Sokka placed his hands on her arms, "You know I'm always here for you... my most precious sister. Why don't you tell me what's wrong? Why are you so upset with your friend Katara?" he asked in an understanding tone.
"She's cheating! I know she's cheating!"