STAGE 1: Denial
"This is a joke. He can't have left. This is some cruel joke Azula pulled."
Mai deadpanned to Ty Lee. Ty Lee was sitting on the very futon Zuko and her had... Zuko and her had...
"Mai, maybe he really has left, are you okay?"
Ty Lee whispered taking Mai's hand.
"I'm fine!"
Mai drawled pulling her hand away from Ty Lee.
Stage Two: Anger
"How could he just turn his back on the FireNation? On me?"
Mai chanted as she threw her knives aimlessly at anything that moved.
"It's not fair!"
Mai shouted, she hadn't shouted in years, it felt good.
"WHY ME?"
Mai shouted again relishing in the echoes, then she felt the letter in her sleeve brush against her skin.
"ZUKO!"Mai shouted in anger as she hurled a knife at a servant.
Stage Three: Bargaining
"Zuko, please come back home. I promise I'll be more emotional if you want, just come home."
Mai pleaded to her reflection.
"Please."
Mai sighed. Bargaining was not her forte.
Please Azula spare Zuko, he's crazy, out of his mind."
It would have to do, Mai sighed as she left for the airship that would take her, Ty Lee and Azula to the Boiling Rock.
Stage Four: Depression
"Why bother."
Mai deadpanned at Azula after Azula explained how it was going to work.
"What is wrong with you Mai?"
Azula spat at her.
"You were fine the other day but now, now your depression is getting ridiculous!"
Azula shouted at Mai.
"The airship will land at the Boiling Rock within half an hour, I expect you to be back to normal by then."
Azula hissed inches from Mai's face. Azula then left Mai alone with Ty Lee in the war room.
And then Mai began to cry.
Stage Five: Acceptance
She had a choice, a simple one really. Save Zuko from certain death and perhaps die herself later or let him die. In the instant Mai made here choice. Before a single knife had left her hand she accepted. She accepted everything. Including Zuko's decision.
Mai let her knives fly.
"You miscalculated I love Zuko more than I fear you."
She accepted.