(Dragonstone: 8/10/298 AC) Margaery II
Together, the Lady Mai and Margaery Tyrell, walked side by side. The final rays of the setting sun were just peaking over the horizon in their final attempts, until tomorrow, to bring light and warmth to the world. The two had begun their journey back towards the Academy grounds, and in the comfortable silence, Margaery began to think more of her mentor, deciding to use these few precious moments with the one woman who was closest to Ty Lee, to learn more of her.
"What was she like when she was younger? Ty Lee, I mean," Margaery asked, as a cool breeze swept through her loose hair bun. 'It's kind of cold,' she thought.
"Much as you remember her," Lady Mai responded. "She was kind and had a positive outlook on life. Not to mention, she was a great acrobat. Better even than Azula, who gave her much grief over it. Ty Lee never let it get to her, though."
"The Firelord was jealous?" she inquired, the soft sound of grass crunching beneath their feet.
"Of course she was," the Lady Mai responded, "The Firelord didn't like anyone being better than her, at anything. She only ever recognized one superior, back in her youth, her father. The now 'previous' Firelord was a terrifying man to behold. Ty Lee would often speak to me of having nightmares of him."
"Was he really so monstrous?" she asked, the sun had already faded from view, and they walked in the twilight. The soft warm glow of torches illuminating the path, leading to the Academy, up ahead.
The Lady Mai paused, before stating, "He burned half of his own son's face," she snarled. "Even when he had asked for mercy and forgiveness, and knelt before him, he still burned him. He was responsible for continuing a war of genocide across our world, where countless men, women, and children were being killed, being enslaved every day. He plotted to have his brother removed from succession after his brother suffered the loss of his own son."
'How cruel,' she thought.
"He cared not, he held no pity. And, more to the point, he kept the then, Princess Azula, firmly under his thumb. If you think someone, of such titanic personality and ego, could be kept under one man's heel, you can imagine how imposing he was. The man's cruelty would make even Tywin Lannister blush. As much as we had both denied it, I think Ty Lee and I had remained 'friends' with Azula solely from fear of reprisals, not just from her, but from him," she turned towards her, the faint red glow of torchlight, illuminating the right side of her pale face. "And do you know what is terrifying?"
Margaery shook her head, 'no,' in response.
"As ruthless, as cruel, as the Firelord is, she is at least tempered by the fact that she does genuinely hold her family close to her heart. It keeps her grounded, and prevents her from giving in too much, to the excesses that her father succumbed to."
'Well that's good,' she thought in relief before the Lady Mai added.
"But, Ursa, she does not," she muttered ominously.
Goosebumps rose across Margaery's arms, in response to the name. Ursa terrified her, and rightly so. At the age of eight, before being sent to Winterfell, she bested firebending instructor Chang. A man nearly thirty-five years her senior, and a firebending master in his own right. He had been second best Firebender in the world, before Ursa took him apart with contemptuous ease during her sparring match to impress the Firelord. The entire Academy had been present, with the Firelord presiding over all from atop her viewing balcony. Ursa had nearly killed the man, before the Firelord commanded her to stop. Steffon had held a horrified look on his face, as did many others. Ursa knelt before the Firelord and remained kneeling, even in the unnatural quiet of the stunned crowd in the Academy courtyard. No one spoke for what seemed like an eternity, before the Firelord dismissed them all, and summoned Ursa, and Chang to her throne room.
"She is more like her grandfather than she realizes. And I think the Firelord realizes this, about her daughter, as well," the Lady Mai stated. "It is only Ursa's fear and respect of Azula that keeps her in line. I fear what would happen without Azula around to reign her in."
"Madness," she uttered, before adding, "Was that why Azula sent her away?"
"I'm sure that was part of it, but not the whole reason," the Lady Mai replied, as they continued walking. "Whatever reasoning was behind it, is between Ursa and the Firelord."
Margaery and the Lady Mai, walked in silence, as Margaery thought, 'this conversation took a dark turn.'
"Forgive me, Margaery," Lady Mai said, "the conversation got away from me. You wanted to know more about Ty Lee?"
"Yes, if it would please you to reveal more, Lady Mai," she chirped, trying to cast away all thoughts on the previous conversation.
"Did you know, that Ty Lee had a keen ability to attract boys?" she stated with a slight grin.
Margaery felt her heart skip a beat in equal parts sadness and anticipation. "So she told me on occasion," she replied, before lowering her head slightly. "She never taught me how, though."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…" the Lady Mai began.
"No, it is quite alright," she responded sadly, casting a soft smile. "I wonder if maybe you know anything about attracting boys?"
The Lady Mai blinked in surprise, before letting out a harsh, but not completely unfriendly scoff. "No. I was never interested in learning how to attract boys, barring the Firelord's brother," she said ruefully, before casting a look towards her. "Fortunately the boy I sought to attract, and the boy you seek to attract are very similar in temperament and behavior."
Margaery felt her cheeks grow hot. "I do not know what you are talking about," she stuttered pathetically.
"Oh please, Margaery," the Lady Mai uttered in mirthful tone, "everyone knows you have feelings for Steffon."
She panicked, "Not everybody, I hope?!"
The Lady Mai's, normally porcelain still face, broke into a full smile. "If Steffon knows of your feelings, he doesn't show it. And if he doesn't know of your feelings, then he shares more likenesses with his uncle than I thought."
As they continued walking down the path leading towards the Academy, the glow of torchlights grew brighter, and before long they came across a patrol consisting of a trio of Flameguard, and a single Firenation cadet. "Lady Mai. Lady Margaery," they said, bowing their heads, before continuing on down along the path that she and the Lady Mai had come from.
She and the Lady Mai walked a few paces more before Lady Mai cast a quick look back to see the patrol disappear over the hill. "As I was saying, he would share more of his uncle's personality, if that were the case."
As much as Margaery had wanted to know about her mentor, the idea of gaining some insight into Steffon was too intriguing, and Ty Lee would approve, if not downright encourage her curiosity. "How so?" she inquired, as they passed under the archway leading towards the Academy courtyard, and the two Flameguard that guarded it. She had noticed the Lady Mai nod towards them in acknowledgment, before continuing on.
"Well," the Lady Mai began, as they neared the fountain located at the center of the courtyard, "the Firelord's brother, was less than 'observant' when it came to noticing the affection I held for him," she smiled. "The Firelord, Azula, had pushed us closer together in one of her unpleasant games, but it at least forced us to realize there was something there. Even as Zuko came barreling forward to put out the apple, Azula had set a flame, atop my head. We had both been, awkward, as we splashed down into the fountain that had been nearby." The Lady Mai paused before chuckling to herself and saying, "as we lay in the water, Ty Lee said we looked cute together. It was perhaps the only time in history where Azula's cruelty had a positive outcome."
"Whatever became of the Firelord's brother? This, Zuko?" she asked.
The Lady Mai's porcelain mask returned to her, and she responded glumly, "I do not know. I had wanted to write to him, during his exile, when his father had cast him out. However, I was afraid. I was unsure if Ozai was watching me, watching my family, so I refrained from writing him. We had heard he was still hunting down the Ava…" she paused, "hunting down someone of importance, before we had been transported here. Azula had apparently been close getting Zuko home before something caused him to deny Azula's request to accompany her." The Lady Mai sighed, "If only he had come, maybe he could have been here too. At least I would not have been alone," a sad expression lined the Lady Mai's face, as she stared at her. "As much as I loved Ty Lee. As much as I loved having her friendship, I needed more than what her mere friendship could provide. I didn't want to be alone."
Margaery could not help but feel for the Lady Mai. She had picked up much of Ty Lee's empathy, and Mai's sadness washed over her like a flood.
"That's why," she continued, "I will help you in your efforts at courting Steffon. You are a good person, an honest person, and I feel you would make for a good wife and confidant, to the heir of Dragonstone. I do not want the opportunity at happiness to pass you by, as it did me. Spirits know Steffon needs someone good in his life. Especially after the childhood, he has lived."
Margaery felt butterflies in her stomach.
"I do not seek to replace Ty Lee, for she is irreplaceable, but I do extend the hand of friendship if you would have it?" the Lady Mai whispered to her.
"I would," Margaery uttered, "and thank you."
