Travels through the Alphabet with Mai

Part 18: Ripe

Stained bright red, her fingers gave Mai away. She stuffed them inside her sleeves and bit her lip before giving the cook a sheepish smile.

Yakumo, a middle aged woman who had been a part of the palace staff for as far back as Mai could recall, patted her on the head and told her not to worry. "You eat all the berries you like, Mai. I won't tell if you won't." She thought for a moment, one flour dusted finger on her chin. "Why don't we bake a tart stuffed with berries?" Mai nodded approvingly. "And when it's done, you can share it with the prince. He likes these berries too." The girl lit up like fireworks on festival day, her nod vigorous this time. "You're not much for talking, are you?" Her smile indulgent and affectionate, Yakumo set about getting the rest of the ingredients and putting Mai to work.

~~~~0000~~~~

She'd escaped to the kitchen awhile earlier. Bored with Azula's war games and bossiness, Ty Lee's effervescence and the day in general, she'd feigned a need to use the bathroom. Wandering to the kitchen instead, drawn by the good smells and Yakumo's kindness, Mai discovered a bowlful of plump, ripe berries, her favorites. Unable to resist, she'd snatched a few, popping them into her mouth and biting down. Juice and flavor exploded on her tongue. Mai grabbed more and soon her fingers and lips wore the tell tale signs of berry eating.

Emerging from the massive, walk-in pantry, humming a cheerful tune, Yakumo had discovered the girl.

"Here, Mai, add the flour, a little bit at a time; like that, yes." She was patient, so much more patient than Mai's parents and the girl soaked up the woman's and the kitchen's warmth like parched ground did the rain.

They made the crust for the tart and added sugared berries and something to thicken it all up. Yakumo centred it in the wood fire oven and dusted capable hands off on her apron.

"We've got to keep a good eye on that tart. Think you can do that, Mai?"

"Yes," she replied with a slight smile.

"I thought so; I'm going to round up the prince." She leaned down close to Mai and grinned. "I know where he likes to hide during the day."

~~~~0000~~~~

Mai crouched in front of the oven and stared, taking Yakumo's words literally. Her pale skin turned pink from the heat. She wiped her forehead and suddenly craved a glass of chilled water. But before she got too uncomfortable, Yakumo returned.

"Did you find him?" Mai whispered the words, her raspy voice full of hope.

"I did. He's in the library now. You know where that is, right?"

"Yes."

"Well then, when the tart is done, I'll make you up a tray and you and the prince can enjoy." She put one hand on Mai's shoulder. "Are you fine with that? I mean, the princess won't mind? You don't need to get back?" A dark implication in the cook's words caused Mai to shudder a bit. Azula had been known to inflict pain upon those who displeased her.

Mai wondered briefly what repercussions Azula might decide upon if any. A trip to the bathroom had become a few hours away. Most likely, the princess would assume she'd headed home. Mai might not find out for days. An unexpected slap or push would remind her that Azula was in charge. But she didn't care. A chance to spend time with Zuko overrode any lingering worry about that. Then she fretted about Zuko. Did the prince know that she was a part of the whole tart deal? Sighing, she picked at the hem of her tunic.

"He knows," Yakumo declared as though she could read the little girl's thoughts. "And he seemed quite pleased."

Soothed, Mai waited. She sat on a stool and swung her legs a bit. Finally, the fruit tart was done and cool enough to slice. The smell was divine and Mai couldn't help but lick her lips.

"All right; let's go." Yakumo accompanied her as far as the library door. She opened it for Mai and then stepped aside. "Good luck." She winked and patted Mai's head once more before retreating back down the corridor.

Mai spotted the prince and he spotted her and they both stared down at the marble floor. Taking little steps, Mai carried the tray to the table and set it down. Grateful not to have dropped anything, she let loose a sigh of relief.

"Hi, Mai." Zuko pulled a chair out for her, fumbling a bit. "It smells really good."

"I helped make it."

"Yakumo told me."

"She's nice."

"She is."

"Here." Mai put a plate in front of him and a glass of lemonade.

"You escaped Azula?"

Nodding, Mai arranged her own dishes and waited for Zuko to taste first. He shrugged and dug in.

"Oh, wow, it tastes great."

"I'm glad. Fruit tarts are my favorite, especially with these berries." The words flowed easier now. Zuko always made her feel comfortable and wanted, no matter the circumstances.

Go ahead, Mai," the prince urged.

Mai had to agree. It was the best fruit tart she had ever tasted. And the company made it all the better. Perhaps not all her days were doomed to be dull.