Chapter 6: Unity
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Zuko couldn't remember when he'd last been so nervous. He wasn't sure exactly what he was nervous about, but he was so very nervous that he was having a hard time keeping himself from yelling. His uncle Iroh was off "getting the crowd warmed up," which was just making him even more nervous than he'd been before. He didn't have anyone to vent his concerns to. The collar of his white robes seemed to be strangling him, and even though he was sure Mai was going through a lot of trouble to get ready that he didn't have to worry about, being left with nothing to do was not ideal.
Aang and Sokka entered the chamber, each dressed in red ceremonial robes.
"It's almost time, Zuko!" Aang said cheerily.
"Yes… it's almost time," Zuko echoed. He couldn't think of anything else to say. He pulled on the gold lining of his robes, trying to loosen it a bit.
"Oh, is the big, scary Fire Lord nervous?" asked Sokka.
Zuko scowled. "I don't know about scary, and I'm not all that big… but scared… definitely."
Sokka grinned and nudged Aang.
"What?" Aang asked, turning to Sokka.
"You say something! I can't calm him down."
Aang thought for a moment. "You can't be nervous because… because Mai is going to remember this day for the rest of her life, and so are you! It's a great day!"
"And if I mess it up, she'll always remember it!" Zuko nearly dislodged his topknot when he brought his hands up to his head.
"How could you mess it up? All you have to do is stand there and repeat what the guys in pointy hats tell you to say!" Sokka smiled broadly, thinking he'd come to the root of the problem.
"It's not as simple as that, Sokka!" Zuko frowned at Sokka. He gestured to a table on which an elaborate length of silk was folded. "There are a lot of traditions we have to follow here, and even more since we're royalty!"
"What kinds of traditions are there?" Aang asked.
Zuko eyed Aang, remembering the several rehearsals led by Uncle Iroh that Aang had been present for. "Well, there's the tradition of me tying that sash around Mai," he nodded toward the silk again, "and then I have to read a whole oath! What if I can't even get the words out!" He tugged on his collar again.
"I'm sure once you see Mai out there, you'll calm down and everything will go right!" Aang said brightly. "And just think: you'll be reading that oath for Mai!"
Zuko felt he could breathe a bit easier. "Thanks, Aang."
"But, if you do mess it up, Mai will probably hate you," Sokka added.
Zuko took one look at Sokka and then yelled in terror and anguish.
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Mai heard Zuko yell and instinctively rose. She upset the serving maids who were trying to work on her dress.
"Lady Mai! How are we supposed to help you prepare if you react to every little sound?"
"That wasn't a little sound! Zuko sounded distressed!"
"That does not concern you, Lady Mai," came the voice of a man from the doorway.
Mai whirled around, exciting another flurry of protest from her serving maids. "General Chao! Who let you in here?"
"I don't need permission. I can enter wherever I want to," he replied coolly.
"In a few hours, when I'm completely Fire Lady, you won't be so bold," Mai said in an equally cold voice.
"We'll see. But by the sound of that yell of his, he may be having last minute doubts."
Mai's heart twisted. She knew this was just something he was telling her to make her worry. "Keep your assumptions to yourself. I have no patience for them."
General Chao laughed in his throat. "What should I fear from you, Lady Mai? The Fire Lord won't protect you, and you're nothing on your own."
Mai flicked her wrist, and a shuriken was in her palm. She threw it at General Chao, pinning his shoulder to the doorframe. "There will be no intimidating me, General. Get out of here and let me get ready."
The general pulled the shuriken out of his shirt and examined it between his fingers. "How many of these do you have?"
"It's none of your business. Get out!"
The general decided he'd had all the fun he could in one place, and bowed out of the room.
Mai seethed inwardly as she rearranged her mask.
Topekaia entered.
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Aang put a hand on Zuko's shoulder when he'd stopped spouting fire. "It's all right. Sokka was just being insensitive."
Sokka was being very sensitive now, cowering behind a ceremonial vase. "Sorry," he said in a squeaky voice.
Zuko tried to pull himself together. "Yeah… I'd better get out there before I burn something in here. Let's go."
Sokka waited for Zuko to walk by before following him out the door.
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Mai stared at herself in the mirror. Her head was reeling all of a sudden, and the chatter of the servants working on her hair and clothes was driving her insane. "Can I possibly take a break from this?" she asked.
Every one of her servants looked at her stupidly. "You won't be ready..."
Mai's eyes darted around the room for anything that could give her an excuse to be free of so many servants. If there were only one it would be so much easier. "I want my Lady-in-waiting to finish up." She gave Topekaia a pleading look.
Topekaia nodded understandingly. "All right ladies, take a break now, give Mai a chance to breathe. I'll call you all back in when she's ready."
Muttering dark insults about people from the colonies, the servants shuffled out.
Topekaia turned to Mai shaking her head; a smile on her lips. "Well, they're gone now, you can relax." She laughed. "Oh Mai! You are a wreck." She plopped herself on the ground beside the soon-to-be Fire Lady. "You may try to hide it but you are as nervous as a mother hen who's lost her chicks."
Mai blushed. "How can you tell?" What was wrong with her mask?
Topekaia grinned. "Don't worry, to most people you would look rather bored, but I'm an observer. A bored bride, and trust me there aren't any, wouldn't be dismissing her servants. In fact, they would probably be a source of amusement to her. Oh don't look so dejected! Besides, I have a sister who is a lot like you. She doesn't like to show her emotions so I have experience."
Mai hung her head. "I just couldn't take it anymore!" she confessed. "I'm a one-on-one person at best, and at worst I can't stand to have a conversation at all!" She realized she'd raised her voice. She lowered it and amended: "Except... I can always stand a conversation that doesn't require words." She was blushing furiously and shot a very quick glance at Topekaia. There she went, baring her sweet side; that could easily backfire, but if she was already so easily read...
Topekaia looked up at Mai thoughtfully, as if she understood. "You don't belong here do you?" she asked. At Mai's puzzled expression she explained. "You don't belong among the ruffles and frivolity and crowded spaces and false pretenses. That's what I mean."
Mai sighed. "It doesn't matter whether I do or not. I've lived among it all my whole life... and I'm going to make myself belong wherever Zuko is." She flicked a shuriken out of her sleeve. Playing with it made her feel better.
"You don't have to make yourself, Mai. I've seen you. You will belong wherever Zu—I mean, Fire Lord Zuko, is." Slowly, Topekaia got to her feet. "Should I call the servants back in or do you want me to finish your hair?"
Mai smiled a bit at Topekaia's respect for Zuko's title. It made her happy that even the people who were sort of close to her were respectful. Mai considered. She liked having a private conversation with Topekaia. "I'll trust my hair to you for today."
Topekaia pulled up a chair, sat down and began to remove the numerous pins the servants had stuck in Mai's hair. "Good, I had half a mind to dismiss the servants who were doing your hair long before you asked me to. They were trying to build a bird's nest with your hair. I doubt you'd have been able to hold your head up straight when they finished with you." Triumphantly, she removed the last hair pin. "All right then, you choose, Fire Lady: simple and elegant or just elegant?"
Mai smirked. "Just elegant."
"Only the best for the Fire Lady." Without another word, Topekaia began parting and curling Mai's hair until she wore a style with the obligatory royal topknot, but also the side buns Mai was so used to. Into those, and at intervals framing her face, Topekaia had placed small gold pieces of jewelry in the shapes of little flames. "These will match your crown," she mused, making Mai close her eyes in an attempt to control her blush. "Now for your makeup!"
"Oh, no," Mai shook her head, making little clinking sounds with her hair ornaments. "My makeup is fine, Topekaia! You've already done my hair—"
"Please?" Topekaia begged.
Mai sighed. "It's not worth arguing. Go ahead."
Topekaia began applying makeup to Mai's face. "Well!" Topekaia announced when she finished. "You like?"
Mai almost laughed. "Wow. I never thought I could look so different. Thanks. I guess now it's time for the veil..."
Topekaia smiled brightly as she handed over the veil. "Go ahead and laugh Mai! Giggle! It's your wedding day!"
Mai fixed the veil into place with shaking hands.
Topekaia stood back and looked at Mai admiringly. "You look amazing! Fire Lord Zuko won't be able to peel his eyes away from you." She signaled for Mai to turn around for her to inspect the gown. "That's if he can find a way to keep them in his sockets!"
Mai couldn't keep herself from laughing. It was pretty close to a giggle. "That's one of the best compliments I've ever gotten!" she laughed again. Looking at herself in the mirror, she shook her head. "And maybe it's the truth. Keep your eyes open. I'm sure the look on his face will be priceless."
"It most certainly will!" Topekaia nodded and handed Mai her perfume. "The finishing touches and then I can go get ready."
Mai applied a little perfume, and then, after remembering this would be her wedding night, added some more. "I think I'm done. What do you think?"
Topekaia laughed knowing what Mai really wanted to know. "Relax Mai, you'll be all right, everything will be a dream. You won't even remember why you were nervous." With an encouraging smile she exited into the adjoining chamber to prepare herself.
As she looked in the mirror her smiled faded slightly. "Well Kaya, here you are, lady-in-waiting and body guard to the soon-to-be Fire Lady." She sighed as she thought, Then why is it that, in spite of my elation, I feel... trapped?
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A short time later, Topekaia glided out of her room fully dressed. "I'm ready!"
At that moment, Katara, Suki and Toph entered through the front door.
"Mai, Topekaia, you both look lovely!" Katara exclaimed.
"Why thank you," Topekaia replied with an elegant curtsy.
Mai rewarded Katara with a tiny smile, but then counted her bridesmaids. She came up one short.
"EEEEEEE!" The squeal from behind Katara, Toph and Suki set them all on edge as Ty Lee bolted into the room. "Mai! You're gorgeous!!" she exclaimed.
Mai braced herself.
Ty Lee slammed into Mai, nearly cutting off her breathing. "I knew it would happen!" she yelled in Mai's ear. "Here it is! Haha! There's a huge crowd out there waiting for the ceremony to start! And Zuko's already up there!"
Mai grimaced at the thought of all those people, who she'd probably end up having to talk to, but nodded anyway.
Ty Lee pulled back. "Don't be shy! Besides, tonight—"
"Ah!" Mai interrupted her. "Yes, tonight... um... let's not... talk about that." Mai's face was completely red.
Ty Lee giggled and skipped around the room. "We should get lined up," she told the others.
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Mai's family was standing at the back of the coronation courtyard. Tom-Tom squirmed in his mother's arms, trying to move, but he was held still. "Stop making so much noise!" his mother scolded. "We're in public!"
Tom-Tom was confused, but stilled and quieted, knowing his mother was not to be disobeyed.
Shin, the Warden of the Boiling Rock, reached over and consoled Tom-Tom slightly, tickling under his chin.
"Shin!" Mai's mother gave him a pained expression.
Shin put up his hands. His sister-in-law was able to be scarier than him!
Ex-general Iroh stood to the left of Mai's family, watching everything around him. He noted that Tom-Tom was not immune to the same treatment Mai had received, and, possibly, he would become just like his older sister one day. He saw his nephew standing as still as a statue at the other end of the courtyard. Iroh knew that Zuko was probably extremely nervous right now, but as a representative of Zuko's family and his best man, his place was not to be up there giving him advice, but in the back waiting for his cue.
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Princess Ursa stood beside her brother-in-law. Outwardly serene, she watched her son. Pride and sorrow warred within her. Her little boy truly was a man now.
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Aang and Sokka led the other groomsmen to line up behind Uncle Iroh. Haru and Lee were a bit nervous, having spent a very limited time in the Fire Nation, but both felt honored to be part of such an historic event.
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Lee was jubilant that his hero had turned out to be one of the "good guys" after all. Soon after the end of the war, Zuko had sent relief groups to his area, and had come himself to make amends. Slowly, Lee and his family had been able to overcome their prejudices, and now, Lee was waiting to be part of Zuko's wedding.
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From the little time Haru had spent with Zuko during the war, he'd known they got along reasonably well, and probably would have done this for Zuko regardless of politics. However, Haru recognized that, by choosing Haru as one of his attendants this day, Zuko was showing that the Earth Kingdom 's citizens could be involved in the Fire Nation now. Haru was looking forward to making it into the history books.
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Sokka wanted food. He knew that he'd be served food right from Zuko's personal kitchen, and couldn't wait to eat like royalty. He'd stand up on the platform for a few hours if he had to, but he'd get that food. He was also thinking about how he could tease Zuko later, and about the special surprise gift he'd prepared with the help of ex-General Iroh.
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Aang was thrilled for his friend. He knew Zuko had been waiting for a long time for this moment. Aang's thoughts skittered to the necklace he had hidden in the bottom of his bags. Someday, hopefully, this would be him with Katara. Aang swallowed and pulled his attention back to the present, not wanting to miss his cue.
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The bridesmaids lined up behind Mai's family. Mai was behind them, but her feet were dragging.
"Hurry up, Sunshine!" Toph whispered. "You're slowing us down!"
"You try walking in all these robes!" Mai hissed back. "It's so hard to move! Besides, it's difficult to see through this veil!"
Toph chuckled under her breath as Topekaia moved back to assist Mai.
"You don't have to help me, I can do it myself," Mai whispered.
"Oh, hush. I am supposed to be your lady-in-waiting, and that means I am supposed to help you. Stop fidgeting! If you won't let me do it as my job, then at least let me do it as your friend. Stand still! Don't I get to do any jobs?"
"You could… I just don't need this one… I'm supposed to move slowly, anyway."
Topekaia didn't really listen and escorted Mai to her place behind both parties. "Now breathe, Mai." She smiled encouragingly at her.
Mai tried. She really did. But she was still breathing as shallowly as before. At least it wasn't audible. She looked over at Princess Ursa. In just a short amount of time, that woman would be her mother-in-law. She'd often thought about it, but here it was in front of her.
Ursa shot Mai a gentle smile before turning back to watch for her cue.
Mai gulped quietly, remembering once again that she was somehow supposed to measure up to this lady, as she was Ursa's successor, and history would probably compare them for all they were worth. She scolded herself for being so pathetic.
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Drums started playing, and all the witnesses to the marriage to come straightened a bit, because they knew something important was about to happen.
Ursa, Iroh and Mai's family started marching solemnly to the altar, with everyone's eyes raking over their fine scarlet robes. Some people never got to see such fine fabrics in their entire lives. This made Mai's mother turn up her chin a little in pride.
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When the families had reached the halfway point between the back and the altar, the groomsmen and bridesmaids began moving. Citizens of all three nations were in attendance, and were surprised to see their own countrymen in each party. They hadn't realized just how multicultural the new regime truly was willing to be.
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At the altar, the Fire Sages stood, with offerings of rice water, salt, fruit and sake—everything to sustain life.
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Iroh looked up at Zuko's red face with glowing eyes.
Iroh winked, reminding Zuko of the private talks he'd received from his uncle recently, and resulting in his need to look away lest he think too much about it. He appreciated his uncle's attempt to help him, but really, he hadn't wanted to hear as much as Iroh had insisted on telling him about marriage. Of course, he'd been taught at twelve all he needed to know about the physical state of marriage, because he had then been the heir-apparent, and had to know these things. He'd never really dwelt on it, though, as he found it sort of gross to consider. Now, when he was just about to go through with marriage, his uncle was making him feel like that twelve year old again, who just didn't want to hear about it. It was something of an odd predicament, but when he focused on Mai instead of his lessons, the whole thing seemed a whole lot more desirable.
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Suddenly the drums picked up their pace. Mai knew it was her cue. The curtains that had blocked her way pulled back. She heard several gasps and giggles, not the quietest of which was identified as Ty Lee's. She used all her experience as a fighter to make it down the aisle. She kept her head held high, though the veil in front of her face was distorting her vision in an annoying manner. It seemed like an eternity before she gracefully knelt before the altar. She didn't see when Zuko knelt beside her, but she felt the sudden rise in temperature due to his body heat. She didn't look at him, partly because any movement would be very obvious to everyone, and she didn't want to give her mother anything to whine about later.
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The lead Fire Sage had a staff decorated with red paper, and waved it over Zuko and Mai's heads. He then gestured with it to the witnesses. "We are here to join together our new Fire Lord and Lady Mai, paving the way for the new era promised us."
Zuko blushed a bit. He felt as if he were being talked about behind his back. He hazarded a glance at Mai, who was stone still. He wasn't sure whether or not that was a good sign.
Neither Zuko nor Mai listened to the rest of the speech, but they heard when the Sage asked, "Will you witnesses favor this marriage?"
Both of them drew in a breath, remembering that, though they had come to this wedding, many of the witnesses had once been their bitter enemies.
There was a general statement of approval, however, and it made both the bride and groom feel a bit silly for expecting otherwise.
Ty Lee, Katara and Topekaia stacked three cups of sake in front of Mai.
Mai sipped from the first, and then handed it to Zuko. This continued until all three cups were drained.
Zuko took Mai's hand and they both rose.
The crowd cheered, as they were now married.
Zuko removed Mai's veil before presenting her with the obi Aang and Haru carefully presented him with. He tied it around Mai's waist fumblingly, but he'd had just enough practice that it went well. Then he turned Mai around, and took in a deep breath, hoping that he wouldn't stumble over the words of his speech. He bent slightly, looking into Mai's eyes and lifted her face up with nothing but strong eye contact. "You are my wife now, so I want you to know you'll never be left behind. You and I are going to be inseparable." Still gently holding Mai's hand between both of his, Zuko turned to the wedding guests. "I hope it's clear to all of you—" Zuko hazarded a glance at his mother "—that the woman you see here holds not only my heart, but the other half of my throne. I expect the Fire Lady to be treated with as much respect or more, if possible, than I receive. She will—" Zuko turned to the half grim, half mocking Order members, "—be the mother of the Fire Nation's next generation of royalty. I love Mai too much to treat her as a political advantage, and I want you all to know it." Zuko now made eye contact with Mai's mother. "My wife will never be anything less than a woman to me. Don't any of you forget it."
Mai was trying hard not to blush. Zuko's speech was getting personal. Sure, it was supposed to, according to tradition, but it was still… uncomfortable. She couldn't call him a dork and expect him to stop now. He was just going to keep talking and sounding like a grandstanding hero from an old story.
Zuko turned back to Mai's burning pink face, and placed a kiss on each of her blushing cheeks, feeling even more heat accumulating under his lips. This brought a smile to him. "Flustered, are you?" he asked gently.
Mai kissed Zuko back, half on his scar and half off. "A little," she admitted.
As the applause picked up, Mai placed her other hand along with the first between Zuko's clasped ones. "How long did you work on that speech?" She tried to give Zuko a sarcastic smile, knowing he wasn't usually one for words, but the smile came out too gentle and loving. She would've been disappointed with herself if she weren't being watched by so many people. It was probably a good thing to look that way.
"A while." Zuko smirked. "Did you like it?" As he asked the question, Zuko saw the tears in her eyes. "You didn't, did you? I missed something or said something wrong, didn't I? I'm sorry I—"
"Stop worrying." Mai kissed him then.
And Zuko knew it was all right.
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The bridesmaids and groomsmen handed sake to Mai's parents and to Ursa and Iroh. This symbolized that the families were united through the wedding.
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While this was going on, Zuko and Mai exchanged rings.
"That's the end of the main ceremony," Zuko muttered.
Mai nodded the slightest bit. "It's hard to believe," she murmured back.
"You'll believe it soon enough." Zuko squeezed her hand.
Mai suddenly remembered something. "What were you yelling about earlier?"
Zuko smirked and glanced at Sokka and Aang. "I was yelling because Sokka—"
Mai laughed darkly. "Don't worry. I understand now."
"Uncomfortable, isn't it?" Zuko referred to everyone quite obviously gossiping about them.
"Actually, I'm pretty comfortable." Mai leaned against Zuko, and he chuckled.
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Topekaia and Ty Lee started herding their fellow bridesmaids off the platform.
"What are we leaving Mai for?" Katara whispered in confusion. "I thought we were supposed to stay with her!"
Ty Lee's grin was huge. "It's only going to be the Fire Sages, Zuko and Mai when she's crowned!"
Suki gasped. Then she giggled along with Ty Lee as they joined the crowd in the front row.
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Iroh was doing the same with the groomsmen. "It's time for us to get a new Fire Lady!" Iroh beamed, hazarding a glance at Zuko. He noticed there was more pride than embarrassment in his face now. That was a good sign.
Lee turned to get a better look. He was still moving because of the gentle pressure Iroh was applying to his shoulder, but he was able to see Zuko look away from Mai, who was not looking at him, enough to give him a wink.
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As Zuko stood back, Mai knelt center stage. She felt the thousands of eyes trained on her, but detached herself from them. She closed herself off into the world of the platform. She was surrounded by Fire Sages, and off to the right was Zuko.
"Lady Mai, do you accept the responsibility of being a joint ruler of the Fire Nation, and supporting the Fire Lord in all his endeavors?" the lead Fire Sage asked her. His voice echoed around the courtyard, but Mai blocked out the realization that this went against her fantasy that she was in a much smaller room.
"I do," she said, hearing her own words echo similarly.
"Will you help lead this country and provide it with an heir to the throne?"
Mai's face immediately reddened, and she could hear Zuko's uncomfortable shifting. "Of course… I do," she managed. It had been a quick save, because she'd almost left off the "I do" at the end. Zuko had been able to give a speech, kneel down and be crowned. She had to pass a bit of a test, Mai guessed. Let everyone hear her swear. It didn't matter too much; she had been chosen specifically by Zuko. How many of her own nation's citizens knew her? Much less those outside of it. She felt the gold ornament slide into her hair, and the weight of it made her tip her head back a little bit to balance it. She saw the crowd, and examined the faces of her friends in particular. Ty Lee, Suki and Katara looked like they wanted to scream and hug her. Toph was smirking so much it looked like her face would crack. Topekaia was composed, just as Mai herself would have been watching anyone else's wedding, or any other nation's coronation of a new queen. She envied the composure Topekaia was able to keep. It wasn't emotionless composure, though. Mai could see a glint in her new friend's eyes that suggested she wasn't far behind Katara.
"Rise, Fire Lady Mai."
She barely registered the words, but thankfully for her appearance's sake, she was able to follow the instructions.
Zuko was by her in an instant, eagerly tucking her arm into his. He helped her rise out of the bow they performed in synch. A secret part of him was proud of coaxing so much emotion out of Mai that she was unable to stand straight. A not-so-secret part was proud of himself for keeping her steady.
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Mai was soon whisked away by her bridesmaids, who formed a sort of circle around her and escorted her back up the aisle.
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In like manner, Zuko's groomsmen, including Iroh, escorted him to his own chamber to wait some more.
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Once the heavy wooden doors were shut to Mai's readying chamber, Ty Lee exploded. "That was so romantic, Mai!" she squealed. "Now we just need to get you ready for the next part!"
"What was the sash thing for?" Suki asked, eyeing the clumsily tied obi Mai was now wearing.
"It's supposed to symbolize female virtue," Mai said, studying Zuko's choice of fabric. It was purple silk with white peony designs stamped into it.
"Anything special about those symbols?" Suki asked as Topekaia got to work undoing Zuko's knot.
"Purple is the color of love, and peonies… they're just supposed to be good luck," Topekaia answered for Mai, taking the obi with her to the end of the room and hanging it up in a dresser. "Help me get her out of that gown; she needs to put on her furisode."
Katara, Suki and Toph went blank.
"What's that?" Suki finally asked.
"It's a really colorful robe that Mai's going to wear for the reception!" Ty Lee chimed in. "Oh, Mai, you're finally going to wear bright colors in public!"
"Hoo-ray." Mai felt like she could just throw up right then.
"Aw, are you trying to tell me that even though you just married Zuko, you're still not happy?" Ty Lee pouted.
"I'm happy," Mai insisted, still in monotone.
Ty Lee sighed. "At least you're saying so."
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There were dozens of lanterns hanging from the recently erected awning in the courtyard. Tables had also been set up while Mai, Zuko and their parties were getting ready for the reception. As servants set platters in the centers of the tables which filled up most of the floor space of the courtyard, the guests lined up to be greeted by the newly married couple. Two thrones had been set up side by side in the center of the platform. Zuko entered first, with his groomsmen behind him, and sat in his throne. Mai entered next, accompanied by her bridesmaids, and sat next to Zuko. There were chairs behind the thrones and both parties arranged themselves comfortably. They knew they'd be there for a while.
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It seemed like an eternity to Mai. So many faces, so many smiles, so many different ways to lie about being happy to see people. She recognized a few people from the year before, at Ember Island. Each time one of those kids from the beach would walk up, Ty Lee would gasp.
An admiral bowed, his family behind him, and Mai and Zuko were shocked to see Chan among them.
Chan studied Zuko's scar carefully, and raised his eyebrows at Mai. There was no interaction besides his polite bow and fast exit.
Ruon-Jian was a completely different story. His mouth fell open as he saw Mai.
Zuko's teeth clenched and he grabbed Mai's hand, trying to make it look natural.
Ruon-Jian looked from Mai to Zuko rapidly, obviously shaken.
Ty Lee hopped out of her seat. "Hey, Ruon-Jian. Been a long time."
Ruon-Jian spared Ty Lee two seconds' worth of attention. It was now obvious who these two had been all along… He'd flirted with the girl who was now the Fire Lady… and the future Fire Lord had pushed him across the room into a vase… His father whisked him away.
When Ruon-Jian was gone, Mai leaned over to Zuko. "You can stop crushing my hand now."
Zuko loosened his grip but didn't say anything.
Lee's family approached the thrones.
"I'm glad to see you all." Zuko smiled at Lee's parents, and nodded to Lee's brother.
"We are glad to see you've found someone," Lee's father answered.
Lee waved from behind Zuko's throne.
Next was Ursa herself. "Congratulations, Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lady Mai."
"Thanks, Mom!" Zuko said with a grin.
"I'm just glad I'm here instead of that island!" Ursa mused. "I could have missed seeing you and your beautiful wife!" Ursa took Mai's hand and squeezed it. "Welcome to the family."
Zuko couldn't help laughing a little. He looked from Mai to Ursa. He couldn't think of any sight that could make this day better… well, actually… No, that didn't count. It wasn't something for the day.
"Thanks, Princess Ursa," Mai said formally, as she'd always been taught.
"You don't have to be so formal with me, sweetie!" Ursa said.
Mai made a choking sound. "Sweetie?" she repeated incredulously.
"That's right. It's nice to have a new daughter," Ursa said fondly.
Both Mai and Zuko sucked in a breath at that.
"I'm not really… your daughter… because then I'd be… his sister," Mai wrinkled her nose.
Zuko cringed.
"Oh, Mai. You're my daughter in spirit." Ursa gave Mai a little kiss on the forehead.
"Well," Mai said with a blink, "Now you're acting like your son."
Zuko grunted sharply. "Except Mom never does this!" With only that as a warning, Zuko grabbed Mai and kissed her on the mouth.
Mai's eyes were wide open, looking around at the people watching. She saw the laughing Princess Ursa, her own frowning mother, and her skeptical Uncle Shin, stroking his chin as he looked her right in the eye.
Zuko released Mai. "There. I hope that proved something to you, Mai!"
"Yeah," Mai said breathlessly. "You have no sense of propriety."
"I'll see you two later," Ursa said affectionately, and moved off the stage so the next guest could take her place.
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After an eternity of greetings, every last guest had been greeted and took their seats. Food was served to the guests and to the wedding party.
Zuko finally got a chance to talk to Mai privately. Looking at her wearing a dress with so many bright colors was almost blinding. How could such a strange thing happen? "You look different," he commented.
Mai looked down at herself. "I bet Ty Lee had something to do with it. This is more colorful than the last time I saw someone in one of these."
"I like it." Zuko played with the edge of Mai's sleeve.
"Then you wear it." Mai shot him a smirk.
"No, thanks." Zuko laughed.
A few guests looked up at this outburst, as many didn't think Zuko ever laughed.
General Chao stood up. "Now that you are married, Fire Lord Zuko, we of the Order expect you to make good on the promise you made in council."
Mai's eyebrow twitched before she composed herself.
"What promise was that, Zuko?" Sokka asked, his face twisted in confusion.
Zuko's face turned red and he glanced at Mai. "I'm supposed to... we are supposed to... produce an heir..."
Mai's face turned red, too, before she composed herself again.
General Chao nodded. "And soon. You have a year. If the Fire Lady is not at least pregnant by that time, you can forget about our support."
Mai twitched again, and Zuko looked worriedly at her.
"Zuko… that was a stupid thing to promise. You have no idea of the odds… even when we'd be…"
"When we'll be," Zuko corrected.
"When we try for kids… Just having a child born… we'd only have three months to… get me pregnant… and after that…" Mai shook her head. "That was a stupid promise. Human bodies are not bound to keep the promises of their owners!"
Zuko slammed his forehead into the palm of his hand. "I'm so sorry, Mai…"
Aang seized his glass and jumped up. "A toast for the bride and groom!" he shouted across the hall. "To Mai and Zuko, may your marriage be happy and may your reign together be prosperous and peaceful!"
The rest of the guests clinked glasses amid shouts of assent to Aang's blessing.
----------
The feast seemed to fly by. This was mostly due to Sokka's constant exclamations of enjoyment, and jokes about everything.
Mai tried to ignore him, but some of the things he did and said were genuinely funny.
Zuko enjoyed looking at a happy Mai. He felt so proud that Mai was finally happy on their wedding day. He captured the hand she'd left closest to him. "Is my wife happy today?" he asked.
Mai tried to smirk, but she was too giddy at being called his wife. "Yes, I'm… happy." She looked away to collect herself. She was smiling too much.
"Don't put your mask back on!" Zuko nearly panicked, and touched the edge of her mouth, which had begun to turn down.
Mai was doubly startled by the contact and his reference to her mask as such.
"I want to see the real you," Zuko said a bit more calmly.
Something entered Mai's mind and quickly took over. "You'll see plenty of the real me later." This statement was accompanied by a giggle.
Zuko gasped and smiled broadly. "So now that you're Fire Lady you're giggling?"
Mai nodded. It was a bit more complicated than that, but it was the gist. "But it's not just because I'm just any Fire Lady. I'm yours!" She giggled a bit more.
Zuko liked hearing this. He started tracing little circles around her knuckles.
Mai twitched and giggled some more. How was her hand ticklish? "Stop that! I can't handle it!"
Zuko laughed. He tightened his grip on her hand. "Get used to it, Fire Lady Mai!" He pulled her to him and kissed her cheek.
Suki approached the couple's table. "It's almost time for the ball. Ty Lee said I should come get Mai."
Zuko was suddenly irritable. Why should someone come and take Mai away? "Why didn't Ty Lee come get her?" Delay, delay, delay…
"Because she's a bit busy." Suki gestured to where Ty Lee was surrounded by boys.
Zuko growled a bit, looking at Mai. How could he let her go now?
"I have to go get ready for the ball." Mai tried unsuccessfully to tug her hand away.
"Can't you stay in the same dress for that?" Zuko looked at her pleadingly.
"I can't dance with you properly if I'm in this thing," she replied.
At the thought of dancing with Mai, Zuko released her. "Go get ready, then."
Mai finally was able to remove her hand from Zuko's grasp and followed Suki.
----------
"Where's Katara?" Mai asked, looking around the room.
Topekaia had already gotten to work on her, whisking away her outer robe and hanging it carefully in the wardrobe. "Aang took her somewhere right after the feast," she said, returning to undo the second robe.
"I could help you with that," Mai offered as Suki started helping.
"No, you can't!" Topekaia said after her second trip to the wardrobe. "It's traditional for the Fire Lady to be dressed by her lady's maids."
Mai's eyes widened. "Always?"
"Always," Topekaia nodded.
"How do you know that? It's been a while since the Fire Nation has had a Fire Lady."
"You're not the only one who's visited Amaya's library," Topekaia told Mai, who was now standing in the middle of the room in her underwear.
"Oh," she said. She should have realized she wouldn't be the only person interested.
Topekaia presented Mai with a purple ball gown complete with red border. "I thought this would be appropriate. What do you think, Lady?"
Mai shrugged. "Doesn't matter. Just help me into it so I can get out there before Zuko breaks something from frustration."
Topekaia raised her eyebrows. "You think he'd do that?"
"Wouldn't be the first time," Mai and Suki said in unison.
----------
Zuko looked around for the billionth time since Mai had left. He was getting impatient. When would they bring her back? Sokka was getting way too excited, and he couldn't pinpoint the reason, which was making him nervous. Finally, he saw Topekaia and Suki flanking Mai as she entered the room. He released a breath and made to rise.
"Nephew, you should wait for her to come to you," Iroh whispered.
Zuko sat back down, but drummed his fingers impatiently against the table.
Mai caught Zuko's impatient eyes and suddenly an idea came to her. "Hey, Suki, did you see where Ty Lee went?"
"Um, yeah… over there." Suki pointed to Ty Lee.
Mai locked eyes with Zuko, then walked off in Ty Lee's direction.
Zuko's jaw dropped. "Did she just… What was that?" he asked his uncle.
Iroh laughed. "It appears your new wife is playing with you."
"I don't like this game," Zuko said with a pout as he slumped down in his chair.
----------
"Hey, Ty Lee," Mai said, pushing a few of Ty Lee's admirers out of her way. "How are you enjoying the party?"
"It's been fun, but I'm glad you're here. These boys just like me too much!"
"Get married." Mai shrugged. "It'll considerably better your circumstances."
Ty Lee cocked her head. "How would you know? You've only been married for, like, half an hour!"
Mai laughed. "You don't see any of those boys trying to make a move on me, do you?"
Ty Lee considered. "Good point." Then she looked over to the high table. "Why aren't you with Zuko?"
"Sh!" Mai glanced up at Zuko, avoiding eye contact, but noting his grip on the arms of his chair. "I'm teasing him a bit."
Ty Lee giggled. "Great idea! How long do you think you can avoid him?"
"Until the dancing starts," Mai answered with a shrug.
Ty Lee nodded. "Sounds reasonable. You don't think you'll make him mad, do you?" She hazarded a glance up at Zuko. "He looks a bit… strained."
Mai smirked. "He won't be mad. He's just going to be a bit more forceful about keeping me close." She snickered. "It's going to be fun."
Ty Lee laughed along with Mai. "I'll have a hand in it, too. Remember what us friends of the couple get to do!"
Mai laughed louder. "Yes, I remember. I'll be hiding behind you the whole time."
Ty Lee clapped. "I wouldn't have it any other way!"
----------
Sokka approached Zuko. "Hey buddy… you're kind of… twitching… a lot."
Zuko turned to Sokka. "Twitching? I'm not twitching!"
Sokka nodded in mock seriousness. "Right. You're just jerking around a lot."
Iroh stifled a laugh.
Zuko frowned.
"Is it because Mai is sitting over there with Ty Lee?" Sokka prodded.
"Yes!" Zuko shouted.
Several guests turned to see what he was so agitated about.
Ty Lee and Mai giggled.
Sokka scanned the room, noticed that Ty Lee and Mai were doing this to Zuko on purpose and shook his head. "Well, good luck with that." He walked away, glad that Suki didn't do that to him.
"You know that little Mai is only doing this because she loves your reaction," Iroh commented as he took some more roast duck.
"Yes, I know," Zuko pouted. "I just don't know what's so great about it."
"It's showing her how desperate you are for her company. See how she enjoys it. And she's got her best friend in on it. That makes everything twice the fun."
Zuko slumped back in his chair. "I just want her to get over here."
"Why don't you tell her so?" Iroh suggested.
"What? You mean, yell it across the room: 'Wife, get over here!'? She'd HATE me!"
"I don't mean that. I mean, you should go over to her, tell her you really want her to sit with you, and bring her back up here."
This idea appealed to Zuko. He nodded. "All right, I'll go get her." He rose and started off to where Ty Lee and Mai had been sitting. Then he realized that they'd been sitting there, but they weren't anymore. His jaw dropped. Was Mai avoiding him? He shot a glance at his uncle who was shaking his head, letting his shoulders rise and fall sharply with laughter.
Zuko turned to look around the room again. Where did she go? Then he saw that Mai and Ty Lee had slipped into a corner that was full of entertainers. He balled his hands into fists. Here he was, the Fire Lord, chasing his wife around the banquet hall as she laughed at him! He tried to make eye contact with her, but she avoided his gaze expertly. How did she do that? He tried Ty Lee. She looked back at him, but gave him the most infuriating wink he'd ever seen. He looked away. Why did Mai have to have backup? He waded his way through the wedding guests to get to her. When he finally reached that corner, he only found Toph.
"Where did they go?" he groaned down to her.
"You mean Sunny and Sunnier? I don't know."
"But you talked to them?" Zuko prodded.
"Oh, yeah. They told me they were having so much fun tormenting you."
"That's nice," Zuko muttered.
"Mai also told me to pass on a message to you."
"Tell me!" Zuko nearly hopped he was so excited.
"She said if you could find her, she'd dance with you however you wanted."
Hmm… an interesting proposition. Zuko would have to make it happen. "Can't you sense their movements?" He knew pleading with Toph was usually pointless, but at that point, he wasn't going to hold back.
Toph folded her arms and stood very still. "Sunny is dancing. The circus chick is hopping around."
"Thanks," Zuko ran to the dance floor, but pulled up short when he understood what Toph had told him Mai was doing. She was dancing. That meant she was dancing with someone. He pushed his way past a few officials to see that there were only a few dancers on the floor. Among them was Mai, dancing with her uncle, the warden of the Boiling Rock prison.
Zuko cringed. Was she trying to drive him nuts?
Ty Lee tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, you're practically my brother-in-law now, so we can dance, right?"
Zuko's mental image of dancing with Ty Lee sent a shiver down his spine, but at the sight of her puppy-dog eyes he conceded.
When Zuko's arms were offered, Ty Lee squealed in delight.
"Just don't do that," Zuko pleaded.
"All right, we'll compromise." Ty Lee nodded.
Dancing closer to Mai and her uncle, Ty Lee and Zuko overheard their conversation.
"Are you positively certain I don't have to make his life miserable?" the warden was asking.
"It's all right, Uncle Shin. Zuko has learned his lesson." Mai was on the brink of laughter.
Zuko frowned. "Is he going to hate me forever?"
"Look on the bright side; he seems to like Mai enough that he's willing to leave you alone in public." Ty Lee squeezed Zuko's shoulder.
Zuko winced. "Try not to paralyze my arm…"
Ty Lee laughed. "I wouldn't paralyze you on your wedding day." She poked him playfully.
Zuko's face turned as red as his robes.
Ty Lee laughed again. "You blush just like Mai!"
Zuko looked away from those huge gray eyes. He focused on Mai. Mai was the prize being held by the warden, a foe who'd been proven worthy. If he were quick and cunning, he could distract the warden and make his escape with Mai… this time. "Ty Lee. I need you to do something for me."
"I'm already doing something for you, My Lord." Ty Lee smirked up at him.
"Not funny. I want you to be my decoy."
"Decoy? Like… a hunting decoy? I don't want to get burned."
"Like a distraction. Didn't Azula ever get you to do that?"
"Well, yes, she did, but I didn't really expect it from you." Ty Lee scrunched up her face, as if she were disgusted. "You want me to distract Mai's uncle so you can dance with her, don't you?"
"I also want you to keep him from chasing me after I've got her."
"Luckily for you, I have a good relationship with Uncle Shin. He got me out of jail, you know."
"Yes, I know," Zuko said impatiently as Mai and her uncle drifted away slightly.
"I'll have a lot to talk to him about. But we'd better hurry—"
"Then shut up and let's get moving!" Zuko strained to get closer to Mai.
Ty Lee laughed and allowed herself to be led closer to the uncle and niece.
"Go!" Zuko whispered to her, and she jumped between Mai and her uncle.
Mai was so surprised at Ty Lee's sudden appearance, not to mention at being thrown backwards, she fell backwards. Only to be caught by Zuko.
"Got you," Zuko said roughly. "Now keep your promise."
"Will you please… let me catch… my breath?" Mai panted. "That was… random!"
"Sure… catch your breath." Zuko helped Mai to her feet and stood in a dance ready position. "You have to dance exactly as I want you to, remember? So let's go."
----------
Mai sank to her knees. One fan covered her lowered face; the other was behind her back.
"What's going on?" Suki asked.
Ty Lee's face could not contain her smile. "Zuko needs to get Mai to uncover her face. This will show that he can lead her. Normally, that part is a cinch, but this is Mai he's dealing with. She's going to put up a fight—if she even follows him at all."
"I thought the Fire Nation didn't like dancing," Toph remarked.
Ty Lee shrugged. "It's fashionable now. Besides, even the stiffest nobles dance at weddings!"
Zuko put out his arms, palms up, and lifted them higher into the air. He watched Mai for any sign of her eyes.
Mai rose with Zuko's motion, swaying in time to the music.
"Well, that was fast," Ty Lee said. "She could've refused."
"Refused what?" Suki asked.
"His command," Ty Lee shrugged. "He just told her to stand up."
Zuko moved his hands to his sides.
Mai mirrored him with only one hand. The other remained holding her fan in front of her face.
Zuko frowned. "Ma-i," he moaned so only she could hear.
"Zu-ko," Mai shot back.
"Why do you have to drag this out? You're going to make me look ridiculous!"
"No," Mai said, flourishing her extra fan as Zuko took a step closer to her. "You're doing that all by yourself."
Zuko wanted to get her for that, but he knew the rules—no touching.
"He's going to have to come up with some sort of strategy," Ty Lee observed. "Maybe he can trick her into moving the fan."
Toph wiggled her toes. "It feels like Sunshine wants to laugh at him."
"She probably does," Ty Lee said with a shrug. "He's not doing well."
"You think I can't handle firebending forms?" Mai almost laughed.
"You'll have to move that fan soon!" Zuko began a new round of basic forms. "I'm allowed to use fire, you know."
"I'm not afraid, and, besides, you wouldn't dare."
Zuko sent a thin stream of flame from his finger tips. It curled around Mai, just barely missing her. All was well until it reached Mai's fan. It trailed along the edge of the fan, lighting just the tiniest bit on fire.
"I'll put it out when you put it down," Zuko said.
"That's not fair," Mai said. She lowered one fan, replacing it with the other one.
"The floor, if you please," Zuko said, opening his hand over the ground.
Mai sighed and dropped the flaming fan.
Servants rushed in to extinguish the fan.
"Try again," Mai whispered.
"Will you give me a hint?" Zuko whispered back. His eyes darted around to the spectators. They were all watching him with amusement.
"Why, Fire Lord Zuko, can't you figure it out yourself?"
"No."
"Does that mean you give up?"
"Yes."
Mai lowered her fan. "I win."
"That was mean," Zuko grumbled.
"And now the party's over," Mai said. She gave her remaining fan to the ever-helpful Ty Lee.
"Which means?" Zuko watched as Mai and Ty Lee linked arms and walked off the dance floor.
"Which means I'll see you later, Fire Lord!" Mai called over her shoulder.
Ty Lee jostled Mai, and despite herself, Mai joined in Ty Lee's giggling.
-x-x-x-x-x-
I (Nocturna) apologize for the long delay in updates. My return to college distracted me. I'm hoping (but not promising) to update every weekend from here on out.
Many thanks to the kind, encouraging people who reviewed the previous chapter: gloomy maiko lover, Kimjuni2, Lythya, Millie, Silvereyes12 and tweetyberd.