Azula's Recovery - Avatar: TLA

8.2 - Mai

Mai shifted awkwardly in her seat, fiddling with a tiny hidden knife in her sleeves. She didn't know why she was so nervous, was it the party? Her mother? Zuko? Azula?

She was feeling a little guilty about what she'd said at tea that day, but she'd meant it too. Azula had done a lot of bad things and despite all of Ty Lee's talk about forgiveness being good for auras or something, Mai couldn't deny how angry she still felt. 

"Mai, would you stop frowning? It'll give you wrinkles," her mother tutted.

Mai and Ty Lee shared a look.

"What? I'm just saying I want you to look your best for tonight. Who knows? There could be a few noble sons at the party, you need to think about your future." Mai knew what that meant: marry rich so I don't have to work anymore.

Her mother started fussing with Tom-Tom then, so she missed the face Mai pulled just after that.

Ty Lee giggled, "Are you excited for tonight? It's going to be so fun!"

"Yeah, I guess." Mai returned to looking out the window at the brightly coloured lanterns that were coming to life as the sun dipped below the horizon.

"Maaaaaaaiii!" Ty Lee groaned, "Can't you at least pretend to be excited for tonight? You look incredible, and there's going to be heaps of fun games to play and foods to eat." Ty Lee's face broke out into a wicked grin, "And Zuko is going to be there..."

"Oh, shut up!" Mai said, but she couldn't hide the smile in her voice.

Ty Lee didn't get a chance to respond though, as their carriage turned around the corner to a side entrance of the palace. They got out, and were escorted through the palace to a small room where their friends were waiting, while Mai's mother stalked off to meet with a few of her old friends from court.

Mai noticed that only Katara, Toph, Sokka and Aang were in the room, and she tried not to feel too disappointed at Zuko not being there. Mai hugged her friends, and complimented them on their clothes. She ended up talking with Toph about her metalbending school. Mai had never really been all that jealous of benders, but with these guys it was hard not to feel a little envious. She imagined the possibility of bending the metal in her knives, to hit the target every time, to change directions mid-air...the possibilities!

They were soon interrupted by the doors opening again, when Ursa, Noren and Kiyi arrived, with Zuko entering behind them.

Kiyi shrieked when she saw Mai and Ty Lee, and ran over to hug them immediately. She became instantly obsessed with Mai's deep red dress and Ty Lee's dusty pink top and skirt.

After Kiyi had moved on to say hello to all the others, Ursa greeted Mai, pulling her into a hug. "How are you my dear, you look so beautiful tonight!"

"I'm well thank you. And you?" Mai said politely.

"Oh, I'm wonderful!" Ursa's face practically shone. "Can you believe it? A celebration? In the Fire Nation! And it's so wonderful having my family back. Seeing Zuko all grown up, and as Fire Lord, no less. Kiyi loves living at the palace, and Noren and I get to go to the theatre as many times as we'd like!" Ursa's face softened then, "And of course, having Azula back has been better than I ever could have imagined. You know we have tea each week now? She talks to me about firebending, and planning all her different things. It's so good to be able to talk to her...to get to know her."

Mai's chest twisted at Ursa's words, and her wistful expression. The Azula that Mai knew would have flame-roasted her mother for fun – how could Ursa possibly be standing her so happy now?

"I'm...so glad to hear that," Mai said, with a tight smile.

Ursa's face turned to alarm, "I'm sorry! I heard about your tea together. I shouldn't expect you to feel the same way. Although... She is really trying Mai, and though she didn't really say it, she seems devastated that you don't want to be her friend again."

Mai found that hard to believe, but she didn't have the chance to respond before Suki and Azula entered the room.

The two girls were laughing at something, and it struck Mai how strange it was seeing Azula look so normal. So at ease. That look of comfort changed the second she saw Mai though, and Azula tensed up instantly.

"Azula!" Ursa rushed to her daughter and instantly began fawning over how beautiful she looked in her dress.

Suki hugged Mai, "You okay?" she asked.

"Sure."

Suki tilted her head, "It's just one night okay, and the palace is huge. You probably won't even see her that much."

"That's not the issue." The issue is that I'm torn between wanting to make her pay for everything she's done to to you guys, to Zuko, to me, and wanting to forgive her and get past this.

Suki frowned, but was picked up from behind by Sokka who spun her around excitedly before she could respond.

Mai heard a deep laugh behind her, and turned to find Zuko standing there. He wore fine black robes lined with golden swirls, and of course the huge Fire Lord crown. His hair had started to grow out too, and he wore half of it up in a topknot while the rest fell loose around his shoulders. He had grown much taller than her now, and had bulked up too. He looked good, really good. Get it together Mai!

"If I had ever tried doing that to you I think I would have ended up with a knife or two in me," he grinned and Mai shoved down all the butterflies rising up in her stomach. 

"Maybe..." she couldn't hide her smile.

"You look great. Though I'm sure you've heard that a thousand times tonight already." Zuko was still grinning at her, and she realised she was too. Ugh, dammit Mai – stop smiling!

"I haven't, but thank you. You look good too. Very Fire Lordy."

"Thank goodness," he said feigning relief, "That was the look I was going for."

They both laughed but were interrupted a second later by a servant who told Zuko that it was 'time'.

Zuko nodded and announced, "Uh, guys? Let's go, we've got to get this party started."

With a few cheers from the others, they all filed out, and Zuko led the way to the guardhouses above the gates. Mai chatted with Katara on the way, talking about the new renovations in the Southern Water Tribe.

Before long, they arrived at the wall above the gates and the finely dressed crowd assembled below them cheered when they saw their Fire Lord.

Zuko raised his hand and the crowd died down. "Good evening and welcome! Thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate another year of peace and growth, and to welcome the new year!"

The crowd cheered at his words, and Mai couldn't help but grin as she felt a swell of pride for Zuko. She knew the people below them were feeling the same.

Zuko raised his hand again, "Tonight we celebrate peace and prosperity, but also family, and new beginnings." He turned to Azula, and grinned. She returned his smile, and Mai felt that weight in her chest again.

Zuko turned back to the crowd and raised his arms wide, "Enough talking. Let the festivities begin!"

The gates opened and the crowds chattered excitedly as they entered. Mai and her friends went to the railing to look out over the courtyard. The place was filled with stalls selling food, clothing, jewellery and other stunning wares. Other spaces were dedicated to entertainers, all different kinds of benders showing their skills, or musicians and dancers playing to their hearts content. Other stalls had games set up, where people could win stuffed animals or other prizes. It was incredible.

And it didn't end there, the palace entrance was open too, and people were able to go inside to look at artworks, or see exotic animals. Mai looked around to her friends, who all seemed to share her awe and shock.

Then they turned to Zuko who had the most ridiculous grin on his face, "I'm guessing you guys like it?"

"Yes!" they all shouted.

Zuko laughed, "Well come on then, let's get down there!"

Sokka yelled something about the last one down there being a loser and then they were off, racing down the stairs like children to get down to the festival. 

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