Author's Note: Obligatory disclaimer - I don't own Avatar or make any money off it.
"Mortmain" - the oppressive influence of past events or decisions
It had been a long time – a very long time. In fact, it felt like a lifetime had passed since Mai had last laid eyes on this room.
They had arrived in the Fire Nation about an hour ago. Lobsang had lost no time in bringing his cousins to their estate across from the palace. Mai still tired very easily; she had spent most of her time on the ship on her bunk, resting. So, while Tom-Tom went off to explore the place, she had gone straight for her old room.
She stood in the doorway, leaning wearily on the frame, and let her narrow eyes trail slowly over the objects inside. There was her closet, just as she remembered it. There was her bed, neat and spare, spread with crimson coverlets and gold cushions. There were the marks left by her knives in the wall and ceiling. There was her lamp on the bedside table. She didn't think that anything had been so much as touched since the day she had been arrested, except for regular cleanings. It felt very strange to be there – familiar and unfamiliar, at the same time.
"Do you need help with something, Lady Mai?"
She turned to see a servant bowing respectfully at her elbow. She thought she remembered him. Her expression didn't change. "No." A thought occurred to her. "Actually, yes. Send word to the palace that I'm here, and ask what Fire Lord Zuko wants me to do. He made some mention of my appearing in his court." She turned back to her room. "Other than that, I don't want to be disturbed." The servant bowed again as she closed the door behind her.
Strange how easily it all came back. Mai could feel all the old mannerisms reasserting themselves, all the old lessons that had been drilled into her from childhood. Walk softly. Speak gently. Move gracefully. Don't speak until spoken to...
Right now, though, she was tired. Mai locked the door behind her and moved forward, shrugging out of her outer robe. Silk slid like butter against her skin as she slipped between the sheets of her bed. Her eyes closed blissfully. Oh, I missed this. She breathed deeply and relaxed, burrowing her black head in amongst the cushions. It was hard to believe that she had once slept every night in this bed. Her mind drifted to Azula and Ty Lee. They're probably sleeping under the stars again by now. She felt almost guilty at having come back. With a sigh, she put the thought from her mind. Can't worry about that now. I'll just sleep.
She was roused by a sharp rapping sound. Mai sat bolt upright, fumbling in her sleeve for her knives, before she suddenly remembered where she was. Breathing hard, she forced her body to relax again. There came another knock at the door. "Lady Mai?" came the soft voice of the servant. "Fire Lord Zuko has sent you a message."
Mai got up, pulling her robe about her as she crossed the floor. The servant bowed as she opened the door, and held out a sealed letter. She took it from him without comment, and glanced at it. It was sealed with the royal dragon. Yes. That's from Zuko, all right. She glanced at him. "Thank you," she said stiffly. He bowed again, then paused as if waiting for orders. "I won't require anything for a while," she said, and closed the door. So strange to give orders again...
Quietly, she went to her desk, sat down, and laid the letter on it. Then she stared at it for a while. She couldn't help but remember another letter she had once received from him – the one he had left on her bed for her to find on the Day of Black Sun. How furious she'd been to find that he'd deliberately turned traitor, and left her behind! Her lips curved into a rueful smile. Now I'm the traitor. We've come full circle. She took a deep breath, broke the seal, and spread the paper out on the surface of the desk to read it.
Lady Mai Tsang,
His Royal Highness, Fire Lord Zuko, is pleased to hear that you have returned to the Fire Nation. Court will be held tomorrow morning at ten. If you will attend, you will be given your official pardon from the throne.
Well. Unless she missed her guess, Zuko hadn't written this himself, and he probably hadn't expended much energy in having it written. She really shouldn't have expected anything more. She read it again, frowning absently. Huh – so he's going to hand me down an official pardon in court. That means it'll probably be some big, ceremonial production. Mai made a face. The prospect was not an appealing one. Well, I suppose I don't have much choice. I'd better write him something appropriate in return. Her calligraphy things were still where she had left them. She moistened the ink stone, dipped her brush, and penned a few polite lines.
Fire Lord Zuko,
It is pleasant to be back in the Fire Nation. I humbly thank you for the opportunity to see it again. I will certainly be in court tomorrow if you wish me to attend.
Your servant,
Lady Mai Tsang
Mai stopped then, laying down her brush and gazing sightlessly down at her letter. She was not looking forward to appearing in court. The nobles of the Fire Nation were a vicious, power-hungry lot, and she was sure that fact hadn't changed any, despite Zuko's lordship. Even with an official pardon from the throne, she would get no mercy from the gossiping tongues and contemptuous glances. Mai dug the heels of her hands into her eyes. It's just for a few months, Mai. Just until you're strong enough to go and find Azula again. She closed the letter, sealed it with a few drops of wax, and went to find a servant to deliver it. This done, she headed back for her quarters to resume her nap.
After all, she thought sardonically, locking her door behind her again, tomorrow's going to be a long day.
