A/N: 2 questions keep coming up...will Mai get pregnant and will the gaang be in the story. There will be NO pregnancy. And yes, the gaang will play a large part in the tale, just not as large as in the show since it is a Mai and Zuko story.
Equivalent Exchange
Chapter 19: Of Meetings and Awkwardness
Gaoling finally came into sight more than three weeks later. Their ride was uneventful, boring even, but they were all grateful for that. The city itself was nestled amongst mountains, a cheerful patch of green surrounded by browns and greys. It reminded Mai and Zuko of the Fire Nation's capitol city. It was neat and organized with everything in its proper place. Streets were swept clean and vendor's stalls and storefronts were all kept immaculately. The people were polite and friendly but only up to a point. Even Iroh's famous charm couldn't quite melt every person they encountered.
"We'll be living on the outskirts of town," Iroh informed everyone. "Keung lives on a rather large estate."
"So he's wealthy?" Zuko asked.
"Yes, the estate has been in his family for generations. They made their money in trade. Keung, though, has abandoned the family business. He was the only son and inherited when his father died. But he decided to continue with his studies in history and culture and open his home to those who wish to learn rather than trade in copper and gold."
"Is that when he became a member of the Order of the White Lotus?" Mai asked.
"He came to our attention because of his love of beauty and knowledge. We offered him a place with us and thankfully, he accepted."
They continued riding through town, catching a few curious looks here and there. When he saw an apothecary, Iroh stopped his ostrich horse and tied it up to a convenient post.
"Just wait out here," he instructed everyone. "I'll be back in a few minutes."
"Oh," Mai said, and looked over at Zuko.
"What?" Zuko asked.
"He's getting something for me, for, you know, preventing pregnancy."
"Oh, OH," Zuko replied. "That means we're going to get 'the talk'."
He rubbed his face with his hands and groaned.
"Yes, we are," Mai agreed.
Iroh came out of the shop, a small package in his hand. He smiled knowingly at Mai and handed it to her.
"We need to talk once we get settled in; you and Zuko and me; I should have done it months ago. I apologize for that."
"Uncle, really, it's okay."
"No, it's not. At the very least I need to give Mai the instructions for using these herbs. If you are going to engage in activities that can have unwanted consequences then you need to be informed and to protect yourselves. I'm sorry that I didn't talk with you back in the fall."
"Were we that obvious?" Mai asked with a faint blush.
"You were even happier together than before. I figured it out," the former general replied with a wink.
"That's all great but do we have to have this discussion on a public street?" Zuko whined. His eyes darted back and forth as if looking for eavesdroppers. "I'm sure that Jee's not interested either."
"Doesn't bother me," the lieutenant said mildly.
"I forgot where we were," Iroh stated with a shake of his head. "As soon as we get to Keung's and say hello, we're having a chat. It won't take long."
"Fine, fine," Zuko agreed irritably. "Can we just go now?"
Iroh hopped nimbly up on his ostrich horse and they rode on through the town proper. The buildings grew further and further apart and eventually there were mansions surrounded by huge well kept grounds, lush and green, filled with blooming trees and flower beds. Each estate was fronted by an ornate gate with some sort of family crest or mythological animal representative figured prominently. Iroh stopped in front of a gate with an eaglefox.
"Here we are," he said excitedly.
Iroh fished around in his pocket for the old, worn white lotus tile that he treasured so highly. He showed it to the lone guard who stood sentry and they were let in without question. Once up the long drive that led to the house, a servant met them, took the ostrich horses off their hands and instructed them to use the ornate door knocker.
"Here we go," Iroh said and rubbed his hands together.
After a few knocks another servant opened the door, a woman this time. She ushered them inside, tisk tisking at their less than perfectly coiffed appearance and announced their arrival to the master of the house, Keung.
He wasn't what one would call handsome, but Keung's face was interesting, a mix of shapes and sizes that didn't match yet somehow worked perfectly despite that. His nose was small and delicate while his chin was broad and square. His dark brown eyes were small, almost beady but full of great intelligence. He had long brown hair pulled back into a neat topknot and crooked teeth that looked funny when he smiled which seemed to be quite often.
"Welcome, welcome," he said and then made a wide sweeping gesture with his arm. "My home is your home. You may go anywhere you please but my private office and my bedroom. Please, come into my sitting room. Grandmaster Iroh, it is an honour to finally meet you." He bowed deeply to the former general and then lifted his head again, a huge grin on his face. "You must introduce me to the rest."
Iroh bowed back and flashed an almost mischievous grin.
"My nephew, Prince Zuko, our hope for the future; his betrothed, Mai, a highly skilled warrior and bright young woman…."
"A real beauty too," Keung interjected, looking Mai up and down innocently enough.
Zuko fumed which made Mai giggle quietly to herself.
"Yes," Iroh continued. "She is indeed. Jee, a good man who served under me in the military. He's joined us on our journeys and we're all very glad."
"Prince Zuko," Keung said with another bow. "You have a hard road ahead of you. I admire your determination and courage. And Mai, your road will be difficult too, supporting your betrothed and finding your own path along the way."
"What is this guy, a philosopher?" Zuko whispered to Mai as soon as Keung moved on to Jee.
"No, but I have studied philosophy," the man said with a smirk. "And I have very good hearing."
"Sorry," Zuko mumbled, more like an ordinary fifteen year old boy than a member of the Fire Nation royal family.
"Don't worry about it. I tend to ruminate about people a lot. I like to look at them and try to imagine where they might be in a few years. I can tell a lot about a person after just a few minutes."
"Sir," the servant broke in. "Should I show them to their rooms?"
"Yes, Liang, that's an excellent idea. You must be tired," Keung said, turning back to them. "I took the liberty of providing a variety of clothing for each of you. Pick out what you like. The clothes that you're wearing will be washed for you. Feel free to take a bath or a nap or whatever suits you. Dinner is served at 7 every evening."
"Thank you, Keung," Iroh said. "Your hospitality is much appreciated. I hope that we don't become tiresome after a few weeks."
"No worries," the middle aged man replied. "I can go places in this house where you will never find me. Besides, you are the ones trying to end the war. I'm delighted to help in any way that I can. And young Zuko and Mai, our lessons will start tomorrow."
"Um, sure," the prince replied.
"This way please," Liang said and they followed her up a huge set of stairs.
"Zuko, Mai, come into my room," Iroh instructed as soon as the servant left.
The couple sat down on a pair of chairs across from the sofa where Iroh had flopped down. They waited without saying anything, shifting uncomfortably every few seconds.
"Don't be embarrassed," Iroh began. "Sex is natural and a wonderful thing and obviously you know how it works. I'm glad that you have each other. I admit that I was hoping you would wait a bit longer but I understand. I see the closeness that you share and it was the next natural step for you. But, I don't think either of you wants to be a parent right now. Am I right?"
They both nodded.
"Either you've been lucky these past months or Zuko, you haven't …"
"That's right, I haven't," Zuko shouted before Iroh could say the words.
"Alright, alright, that's good," Iroh stated. He made a calming gesture with his hands. "Now these herbs, Mai, you need to put a pinch in a teacup and add hot water, like you're making ordinary tea. One cup a day and you'll be protected."
"Is it a guarantee?" Mai asked.
"My dear, death is the only guarantee. But it works very well if taken every day without fail."
"I can do that," she stated. "Does it work right away? Or do I need to take it for a few days before I,we…"
"The woman in the apothecary said a week," Iroh replied. "So, if you plan to make love.."
Zuko turned a brilliant shade of red and closed his eyes.
"Just kill me now," he said dramatically.
"Nonsense, Zuko, we're all mature people here. I did have a son, remember?"
"Yes, Uncle," the prince squeaked.
"So if you plan on making love before the week is finished, use the other method just as a precaution. Do either of you have questions?"
Two heads shook from side to side.
"You're sure?" he asked once again.
"Yes, can we leave now?" Zuko begged.
"Fine, fine, you may leave. Mai, start the herbs tonight, before bed perhaps, but make sure that you take it the same time every day."
"Okay," she replied.
They got up from their seats in a hurry and retreated to their own rooms saying only a quick goodbye to each other.
By the time they had rested and bathed and dressed in their new clothes, it was almost time for dinner. Zuko knocked on Mai's door and when she opened it his breathing stopped for a moment as he took in her beauty. She wore robes of the palest green trimmed in white and gold. They fitted her arms and breasts tightly and then flowed loosely to the floor. Her hair was pulled up in a sort of twist and decorated with two dangling hair ornaments. She wore paint on her lips and a hint of colour on her cheeks.
"I take it you approve," Mai remarked.
"Ye,yes," Zuko stuttered. "You're so beautiful. I'm so lucky."
"You look pretty good too," she added and he did.
Zuko wore a simple dark green tunic over black pants. A gold sash tied off to the side added a bit of flare.
"Do you want to go for a walk before dinner? The gardens looked nice."
"Yeah," Mai replied and stepped into the hallway.
They made their way down the stairs, through the foyer and out the front door without meeting anyone. A guard patrolled the grounds but he never even glanced their way. The couple walked aimlessly, enjoying the warm spring air and the last of the day's sunshine. Keung's gardens were impressive. There were many small ponds stocked with koi fish, little curved bridges crossing the water in the center. Flowering plum trees were everywhere, littering the ground with petals and providing dramatic splashes of pink wherever the head turned. There were peach trees and bamboo and pines. Stone benches were placed frequently so that one could sit and enjoy the peace and beauty that the gardens provided.
Zuko led Mai to one of the benches that sat underneath a tree laden with white blossoms. They drifted down in the wind, landing in their hair and on their shoulders. The prince brushed a few from Mai's bangs and then kissed her.
"It drove me crazy, all that talk about sex. We haven't had a chance since we left Jeong-Jeong's," he said when the kiss ended.
"I know," Mai said softly. "Soon."
"I hope," Zuko replied.
Their opportunity came later that night.
Dinner was traditional Earth Kingdom fare, course after course of delicious foods that Iroh especially enjoyed. Keung was the perfect host, including everyone in the conversation and trying his best to appeal to everyone's interests.
"Piandao will be here in a few weeks," Keung announced. "He's already written to me about teaching Mai how to use a sword. What do you think of that?"
"I think that's a great idea," Zuko enthused.
"I don't know," Mai said hesitantly. "I can't picture it."
"I think you'll do well," Jee said. "You have the concentration and the discipline already with your knives. You'll pick it up quickly."
"Give it a try," Iroh encouraged her. "What's the worst that can happen?"
"I stab someone," she replied drolly.
Keung laughed.
"I like your dry wit," he declared.
"My mother didn't," Mai said in an even drier tone.
Keung laughed again.
"Oh, you've got a real gem there, Prince Zuko."
"I know," Zuko said and the words were hard and brittle coming out of his mouth. "I don't need you to tell me."
The last part he said quietly enough so that only Mai heard. She gave him a perplexed look and grabbed his hand under the table, rubbing her thumb across his knuckles. It calmed him and he felt the inexplicable surge of jealousy disappear.
"How about we retire to the sitting room and have some drinks," their host suggested once the meal ended.
The men got into the whiskey. Mai and Zuko watched and listened as the conversation got stranger and stranger and the men got drunker and drunker. After two hours, the singing began. Mai and Zuko left, finding their way to Mai's room through the dimly lit hallways.
"Retiring for the night?" Liang asked as they walked by the kitchen.
"Yes," Mai replied.
"Ring if you need anything," she stated.
"Thanks," Zuko replied. "I've got everything I need."
He looked at Mai with soft eyes and grabbed her hand, leading her quickly to the staircase. They entered Mai's room and locked the door, lighting only a small lamp. Their shadows mimicked their movements, a pantomime played out on the pale walls. Mai took her time undressing. She enjoyed the look on Zuko's face as piece after piece of clothing dropped to the floor. When she stood naked before him, she unpinned her hair and it fell like a black cape over her pale skin.
Zuko was less graceful. He yanked his robes and shoes off, leaving them in a crumpled heap by the bed. They stood before each other, not talking, not touching, just looking; soaking up the sight of the other. When she was ready, Mai climbed on to the bed and her betrothed followed, placing kisses everywhere, lingering at his favorite spots.
Wanting to be the one in control, Mai urged Zuko to lie on his back. He complied. Zuko would do anything to please her. Mai ran her hands through his short hair and over his face, touching the edges of his scar with a poignant tenderness. She caressed his chest and the hard muscle of his stomach before venturing lower.
Zuko's eyes were glazed with love and lust and passion and he was pliant under her ministrations. When she finally lowered herself onto him, they both gasped loudly, the pleasure was so intense. And when it was over they curled up together, legs and arms entwined, looking like one person and unwilling to separate for the night.
When Iroh stumbled by Zuko's room hours later and found it unoccupied, he smiled widely then chuckled to himself.
"No point trying to keep them apart," he said loudly, slurring his words. "You can't deny true love."
Once in his room, Iroh collapsed on his own bed, still fully dressed and spent the rest of the night that way.
"Good morning," Keung said brightly to his guests when he joined them at the breakfast table. "I've got great news."
The scholar was completely unaffected by the alcohol he had imbibed the night before. Iroh and Jee on the other hand looked like a pair of rummies who had spent the night by the side of the road.
"You're shouting," Jee complained. "There's no need to do that."
"I'll whisper then." Keung replied. "My neighbors, the Bei Fongs, have invited us all to dinner tonight. Iroh and Zuko, you'll both need to use different names, however. You'd better think of them and not forget."
"Great, a fake name," Zuko whined.
"Let me choose it," Mai said with a grin. "How about Deshi*; I think it suits you."
"Oh, okay, sure; Deshi it is."
"Good choice, Mai, I've got mine too," Iroh added. "Shen**"
"Deshi and Shen," Jee repeated. "I've got it."
"I'll probably be the one to forget," Keung stated.
"What are these Bei Fongs like?" Iroh asked.
"Pleasant people, sort of uncomplicated; it's an old family like mine with a lot of money."
"Sounds dull," Mai observed. "It sound like what I left behind."
"I can't promise excitement, but I'd like you all to try to blend in while you're here. Refusing to visit with people would be seen as suspicious."
Breakfast continued in quiet and when it was over, Keung crooked his finger at Zuko and Mai, beckoning them to follow him. He led them to a massive library. It was bright and sunny with two levels, both filled with books and shelves of pottery and paintings. Tapestries hung on bare patches of wall while potted plants filled every corner. Lounge chairs were placed here and there as if to accommodate the reader who found something intensely interesting and wanted to get started right away.
At the centre of everything was a large desk; Keung's desk. It was organized neatly, much like the house and the city. And when you looked closely, you could see the outline of a white lotus in the shiny stone of the floor.
"I'm going to tell you about a time in Earth Kingdom history, a time long before Kyoshi, a time when the world was at peace and the elements in balance."
The lesson took more than an hour and when it was over, the scholar gave them permission to train in his huge courtyard at the back of his house."
"Just keep the firebending subdued. We don't want any neighbors to see it."
No neighbors saw anything, but one girl knew exactly what was going on.
The group walked down the long drive, out the gate and half a mile or so down the road to the Bei Fong estate. They were all dressed formally, in various shades of green, little bits of white and yellow giving variety.
"Exercise is important," their host said. "I refuse to get soft."
"Ah, I agree," Iroh said and clapped Keung on the back.
Two ornately dressed but barefoot guards stood in front of the large wooden gate. A flying boar, the Bei Fong family symbol, dominated the space above the door, carved into heavy marble and resting beneath the pagoda styled roof of the gate house. The guards opened the gate, and then closed it behind them, continuing their silent watch. A long, wide path that led through the gardens took them to the house proper. It was white with a green tiled roof as were the smaller buildings like the raised watchtower.
There was a huge pond with a curved bridge and tidy hedges and bushes made up the majority of the vegetation. Unlike Keung's garden, there was little colour. It was like walking through a sea of green. To their right, as they walked toward the house, and outside the white stone fence, a narrow river flowed.
A servant opened the main door almost immediately and they were ushered inside and told to wait in a tiny sitting room off the main hall. After a few minutes, three people entered, a man, a woman and a girl who looked to be about ten or eleven years old. She was pretty with black hair and fine features. A milky white film covered her eyes, yet despite her blindness, she moved with a cocky confidence, striding along behind her parents and taking in the group with unnerving acuity.
"Lao, Poppy and young Toph," Keung exclaimed brightly. "How wonderful it is to see you. I should introduce my guests. They are from a small town in the northwest. This is Jee, Mai, Shen and Deshi. They're here to learn from me."
Lao bowed to each in turn. He was a handsome man in his thirties, with black hair and brown eyes, and a long, thin moustache that hung down past his chin. His clothes were of obvious exquisite quality and he wore them with ease and dignity.
Poppy had a wide, heart shaped face and wore white paint on it, a sign of great wealth. Her eyes were narrow and green, her mouth and nose tiny, almost getting lost in the breadth of her face. She was pretty, though, and was also dressed elegantly with rings on her fingers and a lovely necklace of green gems around her neck. Demurely, she bowed to her visitors.
Toph didn't bow, just nodded and then tilted her head to the side as if listening intently. Her dress was filmy white and fell almost to the floor, not quite covering her bare feet. Her hair was piled on top of her head, two bits hanging down to frame her face. She looked bored. Mai sympathized immediately.
"Please," Poppy began in soft tones, "come into the dining room. Cook has prepared a wonderful meal. And you can tell us all about yourselves."
"Thank you, kind lady," Iroh/Shen said in his sweetest tone. "We're very happy to make your acquaintance."
He made a sweeping, exaggerated bow and Poppy giggled. Another woman won over.
Dinner was awkward. Zuko made stammering replies to any questions posed and eventually, after a kick from Mai, kept his replies to 'yes' and 'no'. Iroh and Keung picked up the slack, weaving a tale that anyone would find believable enough. Throughout it all, Toph, who it turned out was eleven years old an earthbender of moderate ability***, and blind from birth, wore a smirk on her face. Mai was positive that the girl sensed something about them. But she kept up the pretense. She was just a simple girl traveling with her betrothed and his family, staying in Gaoling for a few months of education. The older men were great believers in nurturing the mind.
Mai was taken back to her days in her own home, or her parents' home to be more precise, where dull conversation and endless meals were the norm. Toph's parents reminded her a bit of her own. They made slightly disparaging remarks about non nobles and they avoided delving too deep into any topic. They would pick at the surface of one and then move onto the next.
When dinner was finally over and they moved to the sitting room for dessert, Zuko sighed with relief. He just wanted to go back to Keung's place where he didn't have to pretend. Lying was never his strong suit. He got red in the face and stumbled over his words, making the falsehood evident to anyone but a complete idiot.
"Father, is it alright if I take Mai and Deshi out into the gardens for a walk?"
"It's dark, Toph! Goodness knows what could happen to you."
"It's always dark for me, Dad."
Mai's lips twitched. She liked this Toph already, three years younger or not.
"We'll look after her, sir," Zuko said gallantly.
"I suppose it's fine but don't be too long."
"Thanks, Dad," Toph said sweetly.
She led them out into the garden. The moon shone down brightly and illuminated the grounds well enough to make walking easy. Waving away the guard who wanted to accompany them, Toph took them to a far corner of the estate, whirled on them and grinned broadly. She began to laugh, a cackling, harsh sound, completely unladylike and perfectly suited to her.
"So," she said. "Just who are you, really?"
Mai and Zuko exchanged nervous looks, hesitating for as long as they could.
"I know that you just looked at each other and I know that you're both nervous. I may be blind in one sense, but I can see way more than almost everybody. So spill it. I'm not letting you leave until you do."
The diminutive girl assumed an earthbending stance and within seconds, both Mai and Zuko were surrounded by a wall of earth, hard and immoveable.
"Since we obviously have no choice," Mai said dryly, "I'll begin."
*means virtuous in Chinese
**means spirit in Chinese
***remember this is everyone else's view of Toph...we know she's got much more than moderate ability
A/N: I was laughing when I wrote the 'talk' part. I can just picture Zuko's face.
Of course Toph can see through anything, so confession time is next. Ah, Toph, she's so much fun to write.
Thanks for all the lovely reviews. Keep them coming..they're inspiring.
Alabaster