After Dark
Part 9
Anger flared inside Mai but she kept it well hidden. Looking directly into Ibaraki's eyes, she replied with a dull sounding "No," and extricated herself from the corner. He moved to stand in front of her, blocking her way.
"What do you want?" she asked wearily.
"I just want to know how you're doing, that's all," the man replied.
His eyes were now wide and innocent looking and he wore an expression of obviously fake concern.
"You mean you want to make sure I haven't mentioned your extracurricular activities to anyone."
"Well, there's that too," Kano agreed. "Have you?"
"I said I wouldn't," she stated. "Now, move. My uncle is very protective of me. You don't want to make him angry."
Ibaraki was taken aback and stepped aside automatically. Mai glided by him, not giving the man so much as a glance.
"Jerk," she muttered to herself.
"Why was Mr. Ibaraki talking to you?" Ty Lee asked a few minutes later.
"Trying to make small talk, that's all," Mai answered.
"Maybe he hopes you'll be his daughter-in-law one day soon," the acrobatic girl remarked seriously. "And he's trying to be nice."
"He's in for a surprise then," Mai said drolly. "Why don't you go talk to Kenji? He's right over there."
Ty Lee's big grey eyes grew even larger and she shook her head.
"Oh, no, he's not my type."
"You have a type?" Mai asked.
"Sure; Kenji looks too bookish for my taste. Don't you have a type, Mai?"
The black haired girl shook her head and thought about Zuko again. If she did have a type, he was it, but she doubted there was anyone else quite like him out there.
"Sorry, Mai," Ty Lee whispered. "You're thinking about Zuko aren't you?"
Mai shrugged and walked over to the side table that held the gifts. She looked at all the prettily wrapped packages and then over at her mother who held court with all the other ladies. Ty Lee shadowed her friend, a concerned look in her eyes. Whatever else Mai could say about the twelve year old with the long brown braid, she was sympathetic and hated when people were sad or angry.
"I'm fine," Mai finally replied. "Where's Azula anyway?"
"Right here," the princess replied. "I just escaped from your mother. She goes on and on about that baby. Now they're discussing little boys in general and how wonderful they are. Ugh! Remind me never to have one, a baby that is."
"How can you say that, Azula? Little Tom-Tom is just so sweet."
"Humph," Azula sneered.
Katashi approached from another corner of the room. He looked different from the rest of the men. Though dressed in proper formal robes and wearing his hair in a topknot, he still had a certain hardness of body and a resoluteness that the other men lacked. A feeling of affection washed through Mai and a sense of pride; he was her uncle, the only relative she could stand to be around, the only relative who really knew her.
"How are the young ladies doing?" he inquired, giving Azula and Ty Lee a nod and Mai a smile.
"Okay, uncle. Are we eating soon? I want this whole thing to end." Mai asked.
"Shouldn't be too much longer," he replied and sure enough the cook announced that brunch was served. "After you, ladies."
Katashi bowed and let the girls pass by. Masami meanwhile, made her way through the small crowd and ushered her guests into the spacious formal dining room.
"Princess Azula, I hope you're happy with the seating arrangements. I've put you between Mai and myself. Ty Lee, you sit on Mai's other side."
Azula nodded curtly and avoided eye contact with Masami. She'd had enough of baby talk to last her a lifetime. Ty Lee, ever cheerful, gushed happily about her seat.
"Oooh, I've got Shinji on my other side. He's much cuter than Kenji."
"He's seventeen," Mai reminded the girl.
"So," Ty Lee whispered.
Mai rolled her eyes and eased herself down onto her well cushioned chair. She looked around the table at everyone, Keiko and Kano especially, then bent her head to concentrate on the first course; soup. At least the food was good. The conversation was painful.
"Everything's so pretty, isn't it?" Ty Lee asked Shinji. "Just look at the table."
It was pretty. Mai lifted her head and let her eyes roam over everything. The dishes were exquisite, passed down from Masami's mother, a startling shade of the deepest red, edged with black, and shaped like stylized flames. Teapots were spaced along the huge table, all of them a more lighthearted shade of red than the bowls and plates. Tiny cups sat by each place setting, ready to receive the brew. Beautifully detailed chopsticks, carved from mahogany wood native to the Fire Nation, sat on simple chopstick rests. Centerpieces of red and yellow flowers were spaced evenly, providing splashes of bright color while the tablecloth was a simple ivory, providing a pleasing contrast to all the strong shades.
Shinji apparently wasn't impressed; or perhaps Ty Lee's enthusiasm was too much for him. He grunted out a 'yes' and then turned to talk with the man on his other side. Ty Lee's pretty face looked sad for just a moment. But bouncing back was a specialty of hers and she was smiling again within seconds.
"Mai, isn't this wonderful? The food is delicious."
"Oh, I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying everything," the black haired girl replied, her voice heavy with sarcasm.
"Mai, you can be such so gloomy sometimes."
"It's my specialty," she retorted and picked up a dumpling with her chopsticks.
Azula wasn't faring much better. Masami monopolized the princess and Mai was secretly glad. For once her mother's eyes and attention were focused on someone besides Mai. If only everyone else but her uncle would disappear. The brunch might be almost enjoyable then.
"Princess Azula, I'm just so thrilled that you and my daughter are friends. Mai loves going to the palace to visit you. Her whole face lights up when she gets an invitation."
Mai almost choked on her dumpling. Her face didn't light up. Occasionally it smoldered. She shot her mother a glare that the woman pointedly ignored.
"I didn't realize that your visits to the palace made you so happy, Mai," Azula remarked with a smirk. "Perhaps you should come over more often. I'm sure Father wouldn't mind as long as my training and lessons get completed."
"Whatever," Mai replied emotionlessly. "I don't care."
"Is that how you talk to the princess?" Masami asked in a low tone, making certain that no one else could hear. "You need to show more respect."
Mai looked down at her food again but didn't reply.
"Goodness," Masami exclaimed. "I must apologize for my daughter, Princess Azula. She can be so difficult sometimes and so morose."
Katashi sensed a change in the atmosphere and gave his sister a questioning look. Masami pointed to Mai and shook her head in disappointment. Azula just ignored everything and continued to eat. Family strife was nothing new to her.
Mai glanced down the table to Mr. and Mrs. Ibaraki. Taji was watching her husband and sons with adoring eyes, shifting her glance from one to the next as if they were all that existed in the world. Part of Mai wanted to tell her exactly what her husband did at night, damn the consequences. This woman needed to wake up and see things for what they really were. And if she already knew, somewhere deep down, she needed to acknowledge it.
And Keiko Tanaki's husband was living in a dream world too. His devoted wife slept with the Fire Lord on a weekly basis. Mai looked over at her; she was a pretty woman, petite and delicate looking. But Mai knew the sharp tongue and even sharper mind that lay behind the lady like appearance. The girl wondered if Mrs. Tanaki felt smothered too, caught up in a life of teas and dinners and shopping, no outlet for her intellect. Maybe that's why she visited Ozai; maybe sex with him was simply an outlet. Maybe they were using each other. Or perhaps, she was priming the way for her husband's promotion.
It was all fascinating in a way, like a bad melodrama; overacting, elaborate sets, beautiful costumes and clichéd characters. Mai wished she could leave it all behind. But she couldn't so she may as well enjoy the show for what it was.
Azula made her excuses as soon as brunch was finished, citing important royal duties. Ty Lee went along and Mai was alone again. Her uncle was ensconced in the study with the rest of the men while the women and children, Mai unfortunately included, watched as Masami opened gifts. Tom-Tom was downstairs again, lying in his bassinet, gurgling away happily with frothy bubbles of saliva coming from his little pink lips.
Masami opened each present like it was the first one she had ever seen. She remarked on the wrapping, the little note of congratulations that came with each and, of course, the gift itself.
"Look, Mai, it's a top," the woman declared.
"Hmmm," Mai replied noncommittally.
"Look at the handsome tunic, Mai."
"Hmmm," Mai replied again.
"Oh, it's a kite. Did you see this, Mai?"
"Yes, it's great," the girl replied in a bored tone.
Mai spent the rest of the late morning and early afternoon looking at her fingernails, sneaking more food and finally slipping outside to the garden. She sat under her favorite tree and leaned back against its trunk. It was quiet except for the sound of the wind moving the leaves about. Soothed, Mai shut her eyes and almost fell asleep. The sound of footsteps roused her from near slumber.
"I thought you might be out here," Katashi grinned. "I wanted to get away too. I've had enough."
Mai gestured to the ground beside her and the muscular man sat down.
"So, you're leaving tomorrow, right?" Mai asked sadly.
"Yes," Katashi replied. "I can't stay away from the prison too long. I've enjoyed my visit, Mai. I wish I could see you more often."
"I wish you could too. But, I'm glad you came. And thank you for my gifts, Uncle."
"Ahh, that's nothing. You never ask for anything so I enjoy spoiling you a bit."
"What do you think is going to happen?"
"What do you mean?" Katashi asked.
"What do you think will happen to me?"
"Well, I can't say for sure, but I think that you'll find your place one day soon. And I think you'll find your happiness, on your terms. You're a strong person, Mai, stronger than you think. You're bright and talented. You'll be fine."
"Wow, that was sort of inspirational," Mai replied dryly.
"Hey, watch that smart mouth," Katashi joked. "Now, remember our talk the other day…..be careful when you're out on your own."
"I will be," the girl agreed.
"Alright then; let's get back before anyone notices we left."
"Trust me, no one cares," Mai stated.
Katashi just shook his head and held out his hand for his niece. They went back to the gathering together.
Mai watched as her uncle spent a final few minutes with Masami and Sen and little Tom-Tom. She waited patiently as he cradled the infant and gave him a mockingly stern talking to. When he was finally ready to leave, Mai announced that she would accompany him down to the docks and walk home by herself. Her mother protested immediately.
"I don't think the harbour is a safe place for a young woman alone. We don't know what kind of people might be lurking about."
Mai coughed to hide her laugh.
"She'll be fine," Katashi stepped in. "Mai can take good care of herself. And it's bright and sunny out, not nighttime."
"I wish that you would agree with me just once," Masami complained. "Fine, but don't dawdle. Come home right away."
"I will," Mai replied.
"Well, goodbye everyone; I hope to visit again in a few months."
"Goodbye brother," Masami said and actually gave the man a hug.
He whispered something in his sister's ear and Masami gave Mai a quick glance.
"Let's go, Mai," he said cheerfully and opened the front door.
"What did you say to her?" Mai asked curiously as soon as they were down the steps and walking along the road.
"I suggested that she try to get along with you, that's all," the burly man replied.
He shifted his small bag from one shoulder to the next and looked down at his niece.
"I suggest that you do the same."
Mai frowned but bit back the sharp remark that sat on her tongue. She was convinced that she and her mother would never see eye to eye on anything.
"It will be really boring at the house again," she ventured. "I'll miss you, Uncle. I wish that I could visit you."
"Trust me; the Boiling Rock Prison is not a place you want to be. And that's where my life is."
"Do you ever wonder what your life would be like if you weren't a prison warden?"
"No. Okay, that's not quite true. I've wondered about life with my own family. But, it won't happen. And I'm fine with that. Serving the Fire Nation is all I need. And I have you."
"Not quite the same," the young woman observed.
"Don't worry about me. I'm content with my life. Concentrate on your own."
"I don't even have any control over my own life," Mai stated.
"Remember what I said; things can change. Don't despair, Mai."
"Easy to say," she sighed.
"Come on now; cheer up. Use that target I got you; read; educate yourself."
"I'll try," Mai said resignedly. "I'll try."
As they reached the docks, Katashi gave her a firm hug and then stepped onto the waiting ship. He called goodbye again from the deck and grinned almost madly. Mai giggled and waved back. She walked home slowly despite her mother's instructions. The thought of entering her house again was not very appealing at all.
A/N: Not a long chapter but I figured that since I update fairly frequently, that's okay. Next time Mai will visit the 'underworld' again.
I had an idea the other day and it will not go away. I see Masami signing Mai up for a haiku class or club (a la the one in Sokka's tale) and Mai writing the most hysterically funny, in a dark way, and
intelligent haikus. Instructors and students are horrified yet intrigued and Mai finds it all very humorous. The class bores her, though, and the other girls are typical nobles. What do you think? Stupid idea?
I would have to come up with all those haikus too...hmmmmm, or at least a few.