Mai
Part 10 – The Truth Will Out
Ty Lee sat cross-legged on Mai's comfortable bed, a huge smile on her face. She had a large green pillow on her lap and her elbows sunk deep into its softness.
"So how was your walk last night, Mai?" she asked, fairly bubbling over with enthusiasm.
"Okay," Mai replied, revealing nothing.
"Aw, come on, Mai. We know that you went looking for Zuko. What happened? Did you see him? Did you talk to him?"
"I saw him. We didn't say much. End of story."
"Grrr, you're so frustrating. Was he happy to see you? How does he look? Help me out here."
"Look, Ty Lee, I'm not going to get all worked up over Zuko. He might stay here in Ba Sing Se, so what's the point?"
"Because you're totally in love with him and always have been, Mai. Everyone knows it. And Mai, you never get worked up about anything," she added with no trace of sarcasm.
"Seriously, Ty Lee, just drop it please. I'm not sure how Zuko feels about me right now. If he decides to come home with us, then I'll worry about it."
"But you love him, don't you?" Ty Lee persisted.
"Ty…" Mai replied warningly.
"Alright, but I just know you two are meant to be together." The acrobat put her hands together in a gesture of glee and smiled widely. Mai just looked at the girl quizzically.
"I'd like to be alone now, Ty Lee. I have some reading to do. Go be cheerful somewhere else."
"Fine, see you at lunch."
The acrobat jumped off Mai's bed and bounded toward the door, leaving Mai by herself. As much as she liked Ty Lee, Mai got tired of her quickly. Her perpetual happiness could be too much sometimes. The dark haired girl opened her bedside table and pulled out her copy of 'Love among the Dragons'. It was, of course, the copy Zuko had given to her all those years ago. She thumbed through the worn pages, looking for her favorite passages. Her lips moved as she read the words to herself, and a smile tugged at her lips. Mai wasn't normally one for overly romantic literature, but she had a soft spot for this play, Zuko's favorite. The fact that Zuko liked the play and was willing to admit it warmed Mai's heart.
Done reading, Mai went in search of a training room she could use to practice her knife throwing. The girl made it a point to practice often, never wanting to lose her extraordinary skill. She wandered the palace, poking her nose in this room and that, until she found something suitable. As always, when she threw, the rest of the world disappeared. Only she and the target existed. After a training session, Mai always felt more clearheaded and sure of herself.
When she arrived at the dining room for lunch, Mai was in a good mood. She greeted her friends and sat down to eat, helping herself to pork and vegetables and washing it all down with a steaming cup of green tea.
"What's got you so cheerful looking, Mai," Azula asked suspiciously.
"I had a really great training session and I feel good, that's all," she answered briskly.
"Hmmm," Azula pondered. "Have you seen Zuko since last night?" the princess questioned further.
"Why does everyone want to know whether or not I've seen Zuko?" Mai asked angrily, her good mood quickly vanishing. "It's none of your business."
"Fine, fine," Azula responded as if she were trying to calm a wild sabretooth mooselion. "Don't tell us anything." The princess's eyes were wide with surprise at Mai's unusual display of temper.
Mai got up from the table, ready to leave. She had the urge to be alone once again.
"Oh, before you go, Mai, I have something to tell you," Azula announced, glancing quickly at Ty Lee, who hid a smile behind her hand.
"What is it?" Mai asked, back to her usual blasé tone.
"We're all expected at dinner tonight. Admiral Liang is visiting and wants to meet us all. Be in the main courtyard at seven."
"Whatever," Mai replied tartly. "I wouldn't want to miss that."
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Mai strode into the courtyard. She wore a stylish Earth Kingdom gown that layered differing shades of green over cream colored sleeves. A light green sash with a decorative tassel and a darker green cloak completed the ensemble. Despite its color, this outfit Mai loved.
She expected to see Azula, Zuko, Ty Lee and Admiral Liang. But only Zuko stood by the table which looked surprisingly romantic for a 'political' dinner. There was a white linen tablecloth, three lit candles and several lanterns that dangled from a protective canopy. Food was already waiting but there were only two place settings. Zuko looked as surprised as she felt.
"Where is everyone?" Mai asked the prince. "Azula told me that Admiral Liang was visiting and wanted to join all of us for dinner."
"She told me the same thing, Mai. She's up to something," Zuko replied in a perturbed tone.
Despite Azula's obvious machinations, the pair decided to take advantage of the food. Mai observed that it didn't look completely inedible and she was hungry. They sat down and began to eat, exchanging quick glances. A Dai Li agent appeared with a mandolin and began to play. The off key sounds hurt Mai's ears and Zuko asked the man to leave, complaining that the playing gave him a headache. Mai was secretly enjoying herself. She was having dinner alone with Zuko, something she had often fantasized about.
They both heard snickering from the bushes. "Azula and Ty Lee," Mai thought. "Just like old times."
Zuko jumped up from his seat, and called his sister out. Mai decided at that moment to take a chance. She felt somehow transported back in time to those days when Azula and Ty Lee had manipulated her and Zuko, creating situations for them to be together and then teasing them relentlessly. Those moments were awkward and painful but they were also bonding times for her and Zuko. This moment could be one too.
"Let's get out of here," she whispered conspiratorially to the prince.
When he agreed, the knife throwing girl breathed a quiet sigh of relief. The couple walked with no particular destination in mind. Neither said much other than an occasional comment about their surroundings. The streets were busy with merchants selling everything from fish to jewelry to toys. People shopped and strolled, enjoying the late spring evening, still blissfully unaware of the recent coup that put their city in Fire Nation hands.
Ba Sing Se was the first large city Mai had really visited. She didn't count Omashu. There she was a Fire Nation noble, unable to wander the streets like one of its citizens. Here, this night, she was for all intents and purposes, an Earth Kingdom girl out for a walk with her friend, free to stop and go as she pleased.
"Ugh, do people really eat this?" she asked Zuko as they passed a stand with odd looking fish sitting on a bed of ice.
With uncharacteristic evenness, Zuko replied, "It's not so bad once you get used to it."
Mai's thoughts turned quickly to Zuko's three years traveling the world. Of course he experienced all kinds of different foods and customs. The fish wouldn't appear so strange to him.
A girl's voice broke through her ruminations. "Lee," she called and approached Zuko. "Lee, I can't believe it! It's been so long."
"Lee?" Mai stated questioningly.
"Who's this?" the girl asked Zuko, pointing to Mai.
"Oh, hi, Jin, um, er, this is just my friend from …the circus. Yeah, she's the knife thrower."
Mai frowned. This girl, Jin, clearly knew and liked Zuko. And he was very uncomfortable. Instead of staying angry, Mai decided to have some fun with the prince. She would show him some knife throwing. Mai pushed Zuko over to a nearby fountain. It was lovely with two tiers of cascading water and several lamps to give it a soft, glowing look. Taking full advantage of Zuko's obvious desire to remain 'Lee' for this girl, Mai grabbed a fish from a nearby stand and placed it on Zuko's head. He wouldn't dare protest. She laughed inwardly at her little prank, her harkening back to that incident years ago involving a young Zuko and Mai, a burning apple and another fountain.
She broke off an icicle from the same fish stand and threw it with deadly acurracy at the fish atop Zuko's head. Natually, it speared the fish and spared the young man. Jin was amazed at Mai's skill. Mischieviously, Mai suggested that Jin try, knowing full well what would happen. The Earth Kingdom girl gamely threw the icicle that Mai had extracted from the fish. Her throw was wild and Zuko, fearing for his life, dodged out of the way. He lost his footing and fell backwards into the cool water. While Jin looked mortified, Mai leaned over the sputtering prince, a smirk on her face, and said, "Now we're even."
Without waiting for Zuko, Mai skipped off down the street, her feet hardly touching earth. A real sense of lightheartedness and joy pervaded her being. She couldn't remember feeling that way for such a long time. Mai laughed, a true laugh, right from her belly. Zuko gave chase and yelled after her something about her being crazy and almost getting him killed. He caught up and reached for her arm, asking Mai to stop. That was their first touch in more than three years. Both blushed and Zuko cradled the hand that had made contact, as if it was precious, special for having touched the girl. They looked away from each other.
"You finally seem to be enjoying yourself." He turned away completely. "I've missed seeing this side of you."
Mai felt a long held tension leave her body. Zuko cared. He hadn't forgotten her. He had thought about her over the years. For the third time that evening, Mai was bold.
"Well, a lot has changed since the days when I used to throw mud in your face. But not everything's changed."
They blushed again. Mai reached for Zuko's unscarred cheek and pulled him close, placing a gentle kiss on his lips. They closed their eyes, relishing the sweet moment.
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The kiss over, both Mai and Zuko opened their eyes and looked at the other. Their faces were still pink and Mai felt warm. She felt Zuko reach tentatively for her hand.
"We should be getting back to the palace now," he suggested, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze.
Mai squeezed back and began to walk. Despite her attempt at wariness, Mai had already fallen hard for Zuko all over again. The feel of his hand, warm against hers, made her heart beat faster. She smiled and then began to laugh.
"What's funny?" Zuko asked.
"I'm remembering the look on your face when Jin heaved that icicle at you."
"Ha, ha," the prince said, feigning anger.
"C'mon Zuko, you know it was funny."
"Maybe from where you stood," he retorted huffily.
"Who was that girl anyway?" Mai inquired, irritated by her own curiosity.
"Well, she came into the first tea shop Uncle," he choked a bit on the word, "and I worked at."
"And you called yourself Lee," Mai prodded.
"Yeah."
"She seemed to like you," the ebony haired girl stated in a jaunty tone that belied her jealousy.
"I don't know. I guess. She asked me out on a date and Uncle," again a hesitation, "sort of accepted for me."
"And how was this 'date'?" Mai asked.
"Fine, but I couldn't be myself. I made up the story about being a juggler in the circus."
"And what a story that was," Mai said dryly.
"It was the first thing that came into my head. Anyway, I kind of left her and never saw her after that."
"Hmmm," the girl stated neutrally. "How many other dates did you have?"
"I spent three years on a ship, Mai, surrounded by men, and then traveled across the Earth Kingdom, running away from my crazy sister, hungry half the time. There wasn't time for dates," the prince snapped.
"Whatever, Zuko," Mai replied, her tone even, but her eyes stinging a bit.
Zuko sighed, and squeezed her hand tightly. "We're almost back. Do you want to sit in one of the courtyards for awhile? "
"Sure, as long as no one else is there."
They entered the palace and found a quiet, out of the way courtyard, with several benches surrounding a peaceful pond. A narrow wooden bridge arched over the water. Koi fish, both orange and black, swam lazily in the pond, disappearing and reappearing as they made their way through the water lilies. Zuko released her hand and climbed the bridge. He paused at the top and stared down into the water. Mai joined him. The prince reached inside his robe, fingers searching for something. He smiled as he pulled it out of a pocket, and held it out to the girl.
"You kept it?" she asked wonderingly, looking at the heart shaped rock she had given Zuko shortly before his banishment.
The prince smiled shyly, pink tingeing his cheeks again. "It reminded me of you," he stated simply.
They stood like that, side by side, for a long time. Neither spoke. Their shared silence said more than graceless words ever could. Eventually, the pair realized the late hour and left the courtyard, heading for the wing of the palace that held the bedrooms.
Standing in the hallway, between the two rooms, Mai stated bluntly, "So, I'm leaving tomorrow."
Zuko nodded. "I know, Mai," he said sadly. "I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I'm almost afraid to go home. I've wanted nothing else for so long and now….I don't know how my father will react to me. And my uncle, I hurt him…the way he looked at me…."
"But he sided with the enemy Zuko. He's a traitor, isn't he?"
"I suppose," the prince hesitated, dragging his hands through his unruly black hair. "But he's been with me for three years. He went through so much with me."
"Okay, but you'll never know what it's like unless you do go home. Don't you owe yourself that much?" Mai asked.
Zuko closed his eyes tightly and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm confused, as usual. I want to go with you, Mai, but I really don't know if I can do it."
"Wait here a minute," Mai requested brusquely.
She opened the door to her room and said a silent prayer. Cool moonlight came in through the open curtains and cast everything in a silvery sheen. She moved with ease in the semi-darkness, making her way to her bedside table. Pulling it open she took out "Love among the Dragons" for the second time that day and walked back out into the hallway. She handed the book to Zuko, who took it, eyebrow arched. He looked down and read the title.
"Oh," he stated. "You still have this."
Mai watched as he looked up at her, something like astonishment in his expression. He handed it back to her, brushing his fingers ever so slightly against hers.
"What about the wrist holster? Do you still have it?" he inquired.
"I have it plus another one, plus ankle holsters, plus,"
Zuko held up his hand, smiling. "I get it. You carry a lot of knives and darts. And I'll bet you're as deadly accurate as you always were."
"I'll show you one day," Mai replied casually, her unspoken hope for Zuko's return to the Fire Nation hanging in the air like storm clouds, ready to let loose their fury.
Zuko looked down at the carpet. His hands twisted together nervously. Mai could almost feel the confusion and despair oozing from his pores.
"Mai," he said as if pleading with her to understand. A long pause, then "Let me walk you to the ship tomorrow. "
"Sure," she agreed, carefully keeping all emotion out of her voice.
He turned towards his bedroom door slowly but changing his mind, swung back around, and swiftly placed a kiss on Mai's lips. Briefly she looked startled but regained her composure in a flash.
"Goodnight, Mai. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Zuko."
As soon as the prince entered his room and closed the heavy wooden door, Mai hung her head. It seemed as though Zuko had already made his decision.
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She couldn't hide in her dreams; sleep opened the lock she placed on her emotions during waking hours. Mai found herself back in the Fire Nation, out in the palace garden near the sturdy apple tree that always supported her. She watched, stuck as if in thick goo, while Azula, her face all assurance and power, struck Zuko down. Her lightning was even more potent than in real life. Its blue fierceness flew towards the prince while he stood rooted to the spot like Mai. The blue was reflected in their eyes and their hair edged upwards from the electrical force. Zuko's face was strangely composed as if he had been expecting this assassination all his life. As the bolt struck his chest and the current coursed through his heart, he dropped to the ground, sprawled out and twitching. Mai tried desperately to move her leaden feet forward. Her hands stretched outward toward Zuko as if in entreaty.
"Don't die," she screamed. "Don't die!"
Dream Azula began to giggle. She sounded happy, like a little girl at a birthday party, opening gifts and cutting a cake ablaze with candles. "Does it hurt, Zu-Zu?" she asked the dream prince as he lay there, moments away from death.
He didn't answer. His mouth gaped open, but no sound came. The twitching stopped.
Mai twisted and turned in her sleep and gripped the green silken sheets tightly. Her face was contorted with sadness and distress. She left the garden and was now walking the hallways of the Earth Kingdom palace. A figure walked ahead of her, close but always out of reach. Green formal robes brushed the soft carpeting and flowed gracefully behind him. Mai knew it was Zuko, though she couldn't see his face. She quickened her pace but still could not catch up. Dream Zuko entered a room and shut the door firmly behind him. Mai reached the door, opened it and found not a room, but another door, also closed. She opened that door as well and found another smaller one. The doors shrunk in size every time she opened one. Eventually, there were no more doors, and Mai stared at a blank green wall. She pressed her hands against it and pushed with all her strength. The wall vanished just as Zuko had and dream Mai stood in complete darkness.
The girl's breath hitched and she rolled over, burying her face in the mound of pillows beneath her head. Mai's long black hair spilled outwards from her head and onto the yellow and green pillowcases. Eventually, her breathing smoothed and she dropped off into a dreamless, deep sleep. That sleep was all too short though. A knock on her door woke her early the next morning.
"Mai," Ty Lee called. "Azula wants you to get up now and come to breakfast."
The knife throwing girl cursed under her breath. She sat up in bed and yelled to Ty Lee. "I'm not hungry and I'm still tired. The ship doesn't leave for hours yet."
"Fine," the acrobat replied. "But she's going to be angry."
"I don't care," Mai shouted.
Fuzzy images of her princess friend shooting lightning at Zuko flitted through her mind. She waited until she was certain that Ty Lee was gone and then slipped out of bed. Once awake, Mai rarely went back to sleep and the thought of a bath was very inviting. She shrugged out of her thin maroon nightgown and walked into the adjoining bathroom, washing quickly with cool water in an attempt to wake herself up fully. Feeling slightly less groggy, Mai dressed and put up her hair. She didn't feel like doing her makeup and packed it up in its case, ready for the voyage home.
With a heavy heart, the governor's daughter began to pack her belongings. She was traveling lightly so she was soon done. She left the bag on the end of her bed, ready to go to the ship. Not wanting to face Azula's taunts or snide remarks or Ty Lee's never ending perkiness, Mai wandered through the hallways and found herself outside in the gardens once again. She wondered if Zuko might be feeling the same restlessness as she was. Her eyes scanned the garden, looking for signs of the prince. She was alone except for the occasional Dai Li agent walking his rounds.
Mai's stomach reminded her loudly of her lack of breakfast. Sighing, she rose from her seat on the bench and headed toward the dining area. Perhaps some food would still be set out. If not, she would have to go to the kitchen. Azula passed her on the way. Dai Li followed the princess slavishly.
"I missed you at breakfast, Mai. I'm sure I sent Ty Lee to wake you."
"Yes, you did but I didn't feel like breakfast."
"Really, Mai, but you're always hungry. What's bothering you?" Azula inquired her voice smooth like honey.
"Nothing," Mai replied vaguely.
"Hmm, alright then, remember, the ship leaves in two hours," the princess reminder her, voice all business like. "Come along, men," she ordered the Dai LI agents who were waiting patiently, hands behind their backs.
Mai continued on to the dining room and found plenty of food to sate her. She walked back to her room, fingers inside her sleeves, fiddling with her arrows. The wait was driving her around the bend. She walked up to Zuko's door and knocked, wanting to remind him of his promise. He appeared a few minutes later, dressed in an Earth Kingdom outfit.
"I haven't forgotten, Mai," he smiled. "We have a while yet, don't we?"
"Yeah, we should leave in an hour or so."
Mai's unspoken question hovered on her tongue momentarily. She swallowed it down.
"Um, do you want to walk around for awhile before we go to the harbor?" Zuko asked hesitantly.
Sure," Mai agreed. She wanted to do something other than wait. "Let me grab my cloak from the room."
The girl stepped inside and took her scarlet cloak off the bed. Her bag was already gone, probably waiting in her cabin on the ship. She stepped back into the hallway and Zuko took Mai's hand. They walked out of the palace and through the streets of Ba Sing Se, heading toward the harbor. Their pace was leisurely, as if to delay their possible separation.
The harbor soon came into view. It was surrounded by tall, jagged mountains devoid of any greenery. Two huge Fire Nation vessels were being loaded while several guards observed. She noticed Zuko looking up at one of many red flags that contrasted with the green Earth Kingdom symbol prominent on the imposing outer wall of the city.
She could see Azula and Ty Lee waiting for them. The princess had her hand on her hip as if impatient while the acrobat clapped her hands together with delight at the sight of Mai and Zuko together. Before the others moved closer, Mai raised her hand to Zuko's cheek, this time the scarred one and looked into his golden eyes.
She asked, "So….are you coming with us? With me?" It was a plea, her last chance.
"I'd like to Mai. I'm just not sure I…." the prince faltered.
Before disappointment set in, Iroh walked by, heavily shackled and accompanied by two guards. The former Dragon of the West kept his eyes averted and his head down.
"Poor, poor Uncle," Azula began, "I wonder if he'll even survive the trip home."
Mai watched as Zuko turned to look at his uncle. His eyes widened and sadness swept his face like a curtain closing. Mai held tightly onto his hand.
"Well, we must be going. I suggest you bid farewell to your girlfriend, little brother," Azula addressed Zuko.
She waited for them: the fumbled goodbye, the awkward kiss, and the whispered 'I'm sorry', but they never came.
"No," the prince declared. "I…I'm coming with you. I'm going back to the Fire Nation."
Mai walked up the gangplank ahead of Zuko. He held gently onto her hand.
By the time the ships finally pulled out of the harbor, the sun was setting over the western horizon. The giant orange ball seemed to kiss the sea and then sink slowly into it and the evening sky was streaked with pink. Mai and Zuko stood together on deck, watching the sun go down. Neither spoke. Mai looked at Zuko and saw the turmoil and sadness etched into his features. She sighed. Zuko glanced over at the girl, eyebrow raised.
"Are you going to mope all the way home?" she asked.
"I'm so unsure of so many things, Mai. I have a lot on my mind."
"Well, all this orange is making me ill. I'll be in my cabin."
Zuko nodded. Mai gave him one last look. She walked along the deck, her shoes making a clattering sound. An hour later there was a knock on her door.
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Author's Note: That was truly the most difficult chapter yet. I've been over it so many times, trying to make little improvements, but I still don't know if I'm satisfied.
I've never written a dream sequence before so that was interesting. I figured it was the best way to show some of Mai's fears and insecurities. She isn't going to come out and describe them, is she?
JillRG, I gave a little moment of Mai rebellion here to foreshadow her future big one.
What will happen in Mai's cabin??? I'm not sure myself.
Zuko will do some more moping on the ship next chapter. He and Mai will get closer. I think I'll move along to the Fire Nation quickly.
Mai's uncle will make an appearance again. Yay!
Please review!