She and Ty Lee, summoned like loyal pets, return to the throne room without fanfare…and without any warning as to who else awaited them there. Her perfect porcelain mask slips, shatters, when she sees him. In spite of herself, she stares, wide - eyed; the first thing she notices, of course, is the scar. She’d heard about the Agni Kai only after the fact, once Zuko and his ship set sail. Azula had been thrilled, and regaled her with the full details, many of which her parents omitted.
Looking upon him now, she can’t help but think it’s been years, a lifetime, since they were all kids playing in fountains. Azula, savouring their shock, makes her casual introductions, ❝ You remember Mai and Ty Lee, don’t you ? ❞
Ty Lee recovers first, and bounds up the steps, grinning from ear to ear. She greets him warmly, as though he hasn’t been their target as much as the Avatar, and Mai follows like a shadow, riding the coattails of Ty Lee’s welcome with a silent nod. Azula’s in a good mood, and they quickly learn why — the Earth Kingdom has fallen, along with the Avatar. ❝ I’ll be finishing up the arrangements for our trip back to the Fire Nation. We’ll be gone by tomorrow night. ❞
Finally. They’re dismissed to pack and get some rest, and they leave Azula to it. Ty Lee is quick to excuse herself and run off, commenting on the sheer volume of clothes she has to find and fold. Mai considers following suit, although there’s little she plans on taking with her from this abysmal place. Certainly not any of the Kyoshi Warrior regalia.
She looks at him a long moment. A stranger. Funny, after so many times acting out this scene in her head how she has no clue where to begin.
❝ Never thought I’d see the day when you and Azula were working together. ❞
( Suffice it to say, that was never among the first lines she’d rehearsed, either. )
( “No , he betrayed you.” )
The words ring in his head , cacophony uninterrupted , along with all that's transpired in the last few hours. (The sun had not risen , set , and risen again . . . yet so much has happened.) Blood roars in his ears , the clash of Bending arts from the conflict replaying in his mind to the extent they seem to echo in his ears now though there is silence between he and his sister. He stands next to the Earth King's liberated throne , stance shifting to allow his elbow a spot resting upon it , head falling into his hand.
At once he straightens , ears having caught the faint sound of shifting earth. Azula casts a glance at him , only to immediately look to the doors at the far end of the throne room as the sound grows more prominent. ( Ty Lee . . . ) The more enthusiastic of the two practically leaps forward once her head swivels between himself and his sister. She lands before him with a smile more illuminating than the victory their Nation experienced this day. A simple "Hey," is uttered to the energetic girl, uncertainty evident in his tone as he finds his voice. The greeting is brief , however , as his gaze is quick to seek Mai once Azula announces their nearing departure time.
He'd not missed the fracturing composure upon either of their faces as they neared enough to see the Royal siblings in perfect clarity. He's ACCUSTOMED to such , yet it doesn't prevent it from creating a sigh internal. As such , as he acknowledges Azula and Ty Lee's exit with the swivel of his head and quarter-turn of his body , he fails to return to the position facing anyone who would enter the throne room . . . he maintains a forward shoulder whilst turning his head only a portion of the way back to regard her with a single eye.
Years had changed both of them ; they were no longer the carefree children that could fall victim to Azula's teasing torment whilst playing in the Royal Courtyard. And yet they were of the same soul . . . one that's grown and matured , changed in ways neither of them could fathom of each other with simply a stare.
" . . . you're not the only one. " The words are spoken quietly, despite the sound of the door toward the back of the throne room closing. " I . . . " Despite the UNFAMILIARITY of the girl that stood before him now, there remained still their childhood's happiness (his for seeing her , someone just as unenthused about Azula's pranks , in their home) that flickered faintly within him. " . . . it's been years. How . . . uh ,” He sounds as awkward as he feels. “ -- have you been?"
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