December 17th: Midwinter Madness; Mai/Zuko
There are three tantrums going on at the same time, and Zuko is so overwhelmed that he is paralyzed. This cannot be how a single, tiny, small, three-day vacation to Ember Island is going to start.
It's sunny there!
Zuko regrets saying that above all else in his life. Really. He would rather be spending his winter in the South Pole. He has heard of midsummer madness, but this is midwinter madness to an extreme before unheard of by man.
"Relax," Mai orders, halfheartedly rubbing his shoulders once before changing her mind. "I've got this under control."
"Really? Really? Ty Lee is crying hysterically, Azula has burned four priceless artifacts, and Izumi will not stop screaming!" Zuko roars before sighing and sitting down. He decides to let his wife 'handle it' if she thinks she can.
Mai cocks an eyebrow at him, turns on her heel and approaches Izumi first.
"Go find your dad. He has a gift for you," Mai says and Izumi's eyes brighten.
Zuko squints; he does not have a gift for Izumi, but it does instantly shut her up. He thinks her tears dry within seconds of hearing the word gift.
Mai walks past her, takes a deep breath, and turns to Ty Lee.
"Why are you crying?"
"Because Azula is so upset!"
"Stop crying. Go find some⦠ice. That would help Azula calm down."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Do I look stupid to you?"
Ty Lee shrugs. Mai tries not to be offended. Ty Lee runs off to find ice somewhere on Ember Island for her beautiful, crazy wife.
Now is the harder part. Mai glares at Zuko, mouths it's your sister and you should be doing this, and then walks inside. She shuts the door behind her and Zuko hopes she does not burn alive. That would be sad.
Zuko waits. And waits. And worries if he should check on her. Azula does quiet, and if it were not for the soft sound of her voice, he would think Mai had just slit her throat to make her shut up.
Ty Lee returns with ice moments before Mai opens the door and a strangely calm Azula walks out.
"I brought you ice," Ty Lee declares.
Azula knocks it from her hand. "Why were you not consoling me? I had to have Mai console me and you bring me ice?"
Ty Lee starts crying. Izumi starts crying when she realizes there is no gift.
Mai sighs and leaves the summer palace, slamming the door on her way out.
She doubles back, opens it and says to Zuko, "It's all yours now," before slamming the door again and leaving.
