Travels through the Alphabet with Mai

Part 20: Tea

The air bison let out a tremendous bellow before lifting up and off the ground, up into the sunset painted sky over Ba Sing Se. Mai watched from the balcony, one hand shielding her eyes, until the huge beast appeared smaller than that one annoying freckle on her shoulder.

She started a bit at seeing Iroh when she turned about to face the Jasmine Dragon.

"You should have gone with them." The old man examined Mai with shrewd amber eyes. "The fireworks must look spectacular from that high."

Mai dismissed his words. "I've seen plenty of fireworks." She tucked her hands into wide green sleeves and stared blankly at the stonework beneath her feet.

"Ah, all right then. Would you like a game of pai sho? Or perhaps I could show you how to make the perfect cup of tea."

Mai weighed the options. She'd had her fill of pai sho and tea. But watching a master at work was always interesting. "Tea," she declared and gave Zuko's uncle the slightest of smiles.

"Tea it is." Iroh led the way to the kitchen at the back, chatting with exuberance about the shop and his expanding clientele and his experiments. The man loved his tea as much as Mai loved her blades.

Mai had to admit that the kitchen was impressive. Spacious and well organized, it contained everything Iroh could possibly require as owner and operator of the Jasmine Dragon. Huge pots for brewing gleamed in the lantern light. A neat row of jars sat atop the counter, each containing different tea leaves. Iroh explained that all tea came from one kind of plant, but underwent different aging processes to obtain their unique flavors and colours. And then there was tea you could brew from herbs. He dabbled in that too but mainly added herbs to tea leaves in different strengths and combinations, making his own special brews.

Those herbs were kept in pretty porcelain pots decorated with a painting of the plant in question. Mai pulled the lid off the jar of mint and then sniffed.

"Would you like to make a mint tea?"

She shrugged. "Sure, whatever."

"Fill that smaller kettle there with water."

Iroh lit the fire with one quick movement of his finger. Mai filled the kettle and put it on the stove.

"I find that mint goes well with white tea. Are you all right with that?"

"Sounds good."

"You're a woman of few words, aren't you?"

"Is there something wrong with that?" She fiddled with a jar, turning it this way and that before lining it up with the others once more.

"No, no, not at all; you and Zuko balance each other out well. He's happy, tired but happy and that's in large part to you."

"How do you know that?"

The water began to steam. Iroh pointed to the kettle and then the tea pot, indicating that she should rinse the pot first with warm water. Mai did so.

"Zuko looks at you like, well, like I looked at my wife all those years ago when we were first married."

"I'm hoping you loved your wife."

"More than anything, my dear; she was my light. And when she burned on that bier, a huge part of me burned with her." Mai blinked but said nothing. "And look at the group of lovely people he has now. It's the first time in his life that he's had friends. Oh, there goes the kettle."

They busied themselves making the tea and all talk of love and friendship ceased for a few minutes. But when they sat out front enjoying the tea and some moon cakes, the old former general began anew.

"I sense you might still be uncomfortable with Zuko's friends."

"You call them his friends, not ours. Doesn't that say everything?"

"I suppose Zuko knew them first; but I think they like you just fine, Mai. And you were enjoying yourself too." He winked at Mai. "Don't deny it."

"Hmmmm, perhaps."

Her childhood had been devoid of friends, excepting Ty Lee and Zuko. Azula did not count. This idea of friends, an actual group of people who were interested in her and cared, was a new concept, one that made her slightly uncomfortable. Mai wasn't quite sure what to do with all that warmth and kindness.

"You and Zuko both are in the midst of many changes. It takes time to grow accustomed, Mai. But it will happen and one day soon these people will mean the world to you. I feel it."

"Weren't we supposed to be talking about tea?" Mai's tone was teasing but she got her point across. She wasn't ready to open herself up to Iroh or to Zuko's friends, the war heroes, the gang; not yet. Things shifted inside, slow and steady, tiny, incremental movements, pushing her toward a different existence, a freer one; but Mai would not rush this transformation.

"Talking about tea is like talking about life."

Mai could not resist an eye roll. "So when Zuko says you're obsessed with tea, he's not exaggerating?"

Chuckling, Iroh reached across the table and patted Mai's hand. Mai allowed it and took a small amount of comfort from the old man's gesture. Not for the first time, her uncle came to mind. Though he and Iroh were as disparate as the South Pole and the Fire Nation, both had been saviors of a sort, Iroh for Zuko and Katashi for her. Perhaps, she would be lucky enough to have a second savior.

"Obsession has such negative connotations; how about we say that I appreciate tea, its benefits and its wonders."

Mai shook her head. "You're obsessed." Humour sparkled in pale gold eyes. "I recognize the symptoms."

Outside, the fireworks began. Every thunderous bang was accompanied by a shower of colour visible through the shop's large windows.

"Come, Mai; bring your tea. We're watching the fireworks. There is so much to celebrate." He leaned in close and whispered, "And so much more for you and Zuko."

Protesting would take more energy than walking out to the balcony. So Mai went along with the plan, sipping her tea and staring up at the bursts of vivid reds and purples and greens. She supposed they were pleasant enough.

"I never get tired of fireworks; never." Iroh pointed upwards, laughing with simple joy.

The tea maker's laugh wove its way into Mai's fabric and she joined him, hers in low, throaty contrast to the sweet sound he made. When Zuko returned he left his group of friends and sought Mai out, finding her still with his uncle.

"Hey," he greeted her shyly. "You should have come."

Glancing at Iroh, Mai answered, "I had a perfectly good time right here." She reached for his hand and linked her fingers through his. Iroh took Mai's cup and scurried away, pleased to give her and Zuko some privacy. "Uncles are kind of amazing."

"Yeah," Zuko agreed.

She rested her head on his shoulder and just let her feeling of contentment be. There was plenty of time for worry and stress and work. Right now, at Iroh's tea shop, far from home, Mai had everything she wanted.

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A/N: Six left and after that I have no earthly idea what I will write.