Mai was standing in Azula's room, her arms folded across her chest, her narrow eyes fixed thoughtfully on the firebender. Azula didn't like it.
It was day five – the day before the wedding and coronation. Azula had spent the last two days the same way she had spent the first three, sprawled listlessly on her couch. Her mother had come again the night before to coax some food into her. She had eaten, more for the sake of making Ursa go away than out of any actual hunger. Thankfully, Azula had been left alone all day, and she'd had hopes of not being bothered again until morning. But that hope had been shattered a minute or two ago when Mai had walked in the door. The consort had moved silently to stand over the couch, looking down at Azula. She was still standing there.
The silent scrutiny was unnerving. Azula was beginning to wonder what she was doing. Curiosity and annoyance finally overcame her lethargy. Azula turned her head slightly so she could look up at the young woman. Mai's face was expressionless. "I promised your mother I'd see you taken care of tonight," the assassin said calmly, once her eyes had met Azula's. "You'll need a bath and some supper before you sleep. Would you rather I just kept you company while you do them, or do you need me to help you?"
Azula was irritated. "I don't suppose you'd go away if I told you to leave me alone?" Mai shook her head firmly. "Fuck," the firebender muttered, turning her face away.
"Come on, Azula." The assassin unfolded her arms, letting them hang by her sides. "I'm sure neither one of us really likes this idea, but I made Princess Ursa a promise, and I'm not going until it's done. So let's just do it, all right? The sooner we start, the sooner it's over." She reached down and, without ceremony, slid her arm underneath Azula's shoulders. "Let me help you. Just pretend we're back in our first few months of exile."
The firebender remembered. How many times over those weeks had her friends fed her, defended her, even carried her? They had both cared for her faithfully and tenderly – even Mai, which had surprised her at the time, since the assassin very rarely displayed affection. Azula sighed. She let Mai draw her to her feet, and shuffled resignedly toward the waiting bath.
There were two servant girls waiting in the bathroom. Mai turned Azula over to them, and the servants quietly disrobed her and helped her into the water. Azula sat in silence, her eyes fixed disinterestedly on the foot of the tub, as the skilled hands of the servants bathed her. She was aware that Mai was still there. Her presence was...reassuring.
When the bath was over, the servants wrapped Azula in warm towels and sat her down in a chair. Mai stopped them then. "That's enough," she said quietly. "I'll take care of Princess Azula myself. Clean up, and you're done for this evening." Then she turned to the silent firebender. Taking up an ivory-handled brush, she began to carefully tease the tangles out of Azula's damp hair. Her hands were surprisingly gentle. "So," she said after a while, "do you want to tell me what's wrong, Azula?"
"No." Azula's voice was flat and expressionless.
"Okay." The brush continued its work, pulling gently through Azula's hair from scalp to tips. Mai paused to drip scented oil on a comb, then resumed with the new implement. Azula thought grudgingly that it felt good. "I'm not going to make you any more promises, or tell you things will be fine. They will, of course – but I don't think you believe it at the moment."
"Why should I?" The firebender's tone didn't change. "Nothing's ever worked out until now. I'm cursed of Agni."
To Azula's intense annoyance, Mai gave a huff of laughter. The assassin set down the comb and ran a gentle hand over the firebender's hair, patting it down. "Oh, come on, Azula. Spare me the melodramatic bullshit, all right? Let's keep this conversation to what's actually going on." She turned away to pick up a folded crimson robe. "Here, let's get you into some clothes."
"Why shouldn't you believe I'm cursed?" Azula growled, threading her arms unwillingly into the sleeves of the garment as Mai held it for her. "Everyone believed I was favored of Agni once. Why shouldn't there be a curse, too?"
"Because everyone knows that the whole 'favored of Agni' thing just meant that you were beautiful, intelligent, talented, and that your dad liked you." Mai tied the belt of the robe snugly around Azula's waist. "And all you mean by 'curse' is that things haven't been going your way lately. You can't do anything about a curse – but you can do something about a simple run of bad luck. Which option would you prefer?" The firebender scowled, her jaw thrusting out petulantly, but decided it wasn't worth arguing over. Mai took her arm and drew her to her feet. "The servants should have your supper ready, Azula. I ordered it for you myself. Come on."
Azula looked at her sharply, coming a little farther out of her apathy. "Why are you doing all this? You could have just had servants do it all."
"I could have." Mai quickly slipped her arm around Azula's waist as the firebender stumbled. "Watch your step – there we go." They reached the table; the consort pulled out a chair for her. "I could have," she said again. "But you're my friend. And even if you are pulling a bit of a drama queen hissy fit, you're hurting. After all you did for me in Taonan, this is nothing."
The firebender stared for a moment as Mai drew a number of covered dishes before her. "I...didn't do much in Taonan," she faltered. "I even threw the whole thing into jeopardy..."
"You and Ty Lee carried me through miles of wilderness to save my life," Mai said quietly. She opened one of the dishes and began to spoon a fragrant mixture of steaming rice onto Azula's plate. "You let Katara and Toph take you prisoner rather than let me die. And even if that little seduction scheme of yours was stupid, you were trying to help – so I can forgive it." She opened another dish and added a number of pieces of raw fish to the rice. Azula recognized it as one of her favorite dishes from the days when she had been Crown Princess. "Eat," Mai instructed, then began to make up a second plate for herself. Azula hesitated. Then, quietly, she picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of rice.
The two young women ate in silence for a while. The familiar taste and texture of the food filled Azula's mouth; it was good. She wondered if perhaps the world wasn't quite so bleak as she had thought. Mai pushed a small bowl of sauce toward her. "Try this," she said. "New chef – trained in the east of the Earth Kingdom. This is his specialty." Azula wordlessly dipped a piece of fish into it and took a mouthful. It tasted sweet and tart.
When Azula had cleared her plate, Mai served her another portion. "I have a few things to tell you about tomorrow," the consort said quietly. "Zuko wanted to be sure that you knew exactly what was expected of you." Azula glanced at her coolly, but said nothing. "You won't be involved in the ceremony, so you don't need to worry about that. All you have to do is stay quiet and be charming. You know the drill – laugh at the right jokes, dance with the right people, say all the right things, and so on. You're still pretty good at that kind of thing, when you want to be."
"Sure. Great." Azula took another leisurely mouthful of rice and sushi. "I imagine I'll be the wallflower. I'm not exactly in demand here anymore."
"Maybe. But I doubt it." Mai set down her chopsticks and folded her hands on the table, gazing levelly at her companion. "Your being shut up has isolated you from everything that's been going on, and that's been by design, Azula. This will really be the first time you dip into the political pool. There are a lot of people who will want to...well, court your favor. Zuko's enemies still consider you a possible ally. Be careful."
Azula sighed, poking at her remaining rice. There had been a time when she would have welcomed the chance to plunge into the Fire Nation's political game again. And she would certainly have relished the opportunity to plot against her older brother! Now, though, the idea just made her tired. "I didn't sign up for this, Mai. I just wanted to be left alone."
"I know that. But unfortunately, that's not an option for you tomorrow." Mai smiled, just a bit. "Think of it this way. It's just one day. And you'll have guards watching you at all times - from a distance. If you have any problems, you just have to signal them."
"How reassuring," Azula said drily. "Remind me to thank my brother for the favor."
"It is a favor, whether you recognize that or not," Mai said calmly. She glanced down at Azula's empty plate. "Well, I think I've done what I promised your mother I'd do. If you don't mind, I think I have to take my leave. I have a lot left to do tonight."
This is the last night that she can be just Mai, Azula thought suddenly. After tomorrow, she'll be Fire Lady, the queen of this country. Everything will change – again. She felt a pang. Grimacing, Azula looked down at the table. "If you have to," she said quietly. "I wouldn't want to keep you from it."
Mai looked at her keenly, as if she sensed there was more to that statement. Azula didn't meet her gaze. "Okay," was all she said. "I'll see you tomorrow, Azula. Sleep well."
The firebender didn't raised her eyes from the table. I wish I hadn't told her to come here. I've lost her to him, and it's my own fault. Her lips tightened as Mai rose to her feet. "May you live long and burn brightly," Azula said, her voice low. Mai paused, but the firebender still didn't look at her. She'd just spoken words that were only addressed to the Fire Lord or his queen.
There was a long pause. Finally, she heard Mai sigh deeply. "Good night, Azula," she said, and her voice was gentle. She slipped away on silent feet; the door latched softly behind her.
