The Order of the White Dragon

Chapter II

Ba Sing Se

A few days after sending the letter to Suki, Princess Yue and the Elders, Mai heard back from the Elders and Suki. Naturally, it would take longer for Princess Yue to reply, she does live in the Northern most part of the globe. The Elders are spread out all over the world, Mai sent their letter by meeting up with a messenger from the Order of the White Dragon just outside of Ba Sing Se. They promised to make sure the word gets to the Elders. This was how communication worked in the Order, most of the time, Mai relied on her instincts and listening to anyone who overly uses Pai Sho as a metaphor.

It was tricky leaving Ba Sing Se or even going out to the Middle and Lower Rings without Azula knowing. This was why Mai volunteered to do rounds in the Middle and Lower Rings, to read how soon the people are proceeding with the inevitable uprising. She also had another reason of equal, if not of greater importance. It was now common knowledge that Princess Azula and her companions, Mai and Ty Lee, infiltrated the city of Ba Sing Se under the disguise of the Kyoshi Warrior uniforms.

Before they arrived in Ba Sing Se, Mai, Ty Lee and Azula encountered the Kyoshi Warriors in a forest. It wasn't hard to pretend to not know Suki. They were both trained for this just incase they met each other out of official Order business, after all. What was hard for Mai was sparing Suki from being transported to the Boiling Rock Prison and smuggling her to Ba Sing Se. This was the other reason as to why Mai volunteered to keep watch of the Lower Ring to avoid suspicion. It was her only way to roam around the Lower Ring to meet up with Suki regarding Order business.

Suki's letter arrived first, of course. Suki felt that it was pertinent that they assembled soon to carefully devise a plan. Mai agreed.

On the day the Prince is expected to arrive, Mai did her rounds in the lowest ring of Ba Sing Se during sunrise. Suki mentioned in her letter that she is working as a waitress at the local tea shop. Now, Mai was in a quest to find the apartment complex where she is currently living in the maze-like Lower Ring.

Mai greatly distastes the green robes she was wearing but grateful for them because they camouflaged her from people knowing that she is Fire Nation. She walked right next to grimy walls and in dodgy alley ways to avoid using the main roads as she travelled to Suki's apartment. Luckily, there weren't a lot of people in the streets, just a few vendors that are trying to ready their stalls for the day.

When Mai saw the apartment complex where Suki is apparently residing in, Mai was glad she was not the one who had to live there whilst undercover. The railing of the apartment complex was lined with clothing as improvised clothes lines. Every wall was peeling, Mai scrunched her nose at the smell of what she believed sewer smells like.

Mai arrived in front of Suki's apartment door, she knocked to a certain beat. She heard shuffling inside and Suki's voice was heard from the door crack, "Mai?"

"Yeah, it's me."

Suki opened the door. Suki was wearing normal green Earth Kingdom robes like Mai. She did not look familiar at all without her signature Kyoshi Warrior uniform and war paint. "Come in". Mai stepped inside and Suki searched the apartment hallway for any watchers before closing the door.

Suki's place was small. There was a kitchenette, a couch that looked more like a bench and what looked like a door to a room or a bathroom. Other than that it was empty. "Nice Apartment," Mai really did try to compliment the apartment like the nice guest she was but it just sounded like her usual sarcastic remarks.

Suki rolled her eyes playfully, "Gee, thanks." She directed Mai to sit on the wooden bench, "I'd make you tea but I doubt your noblewoman stomach can handle it,"