Katara feels confident that Aang will not try to bring up their relationship around so many people they each knew.

No, not relationship. They just kissed. That's not a relationship...Whatever it is, Aang isn't bringing it up here. This comforts Katara greatly. She's not usually one to beat around the bush about things, but she's also not one to hurt Aang's feelings.

Not that she would hurt Aang's feelings. It's not like she would reject him. Maybe.

It doesn't matter. They're not talking about it now. And she's glad.

"Are you staying in Zuko's palace tonight?" Aang asks instead.

"Yeah, I don't know where else I would go," Katara agreed.

"You could go back to your tribe. They've probably heard what happened. They might make you some sort of leader."

"And I'd be happy to contribute to the water tribe in any way I can. But Zuko could use all of us to support him through this whole Azula fiasco."

"So after the Azula vote, where will you go?"

"We just ended a war, Aang. I haven't really thought that far ahead."

"You haven't?"

Katara can feel Aang studying her, looking for his own answer. She doesn't look back at him, suddenly quite engrossed in her last fire flake. She hopes he doesn't think about it too much.


As Mai and Ty Lee begin to leave the restauraunt, Zuko trots up behind her.

"Mai, wait! Can I walk you home?"

"I guess, if you want," Mai replies brusquely. She's not sure why does that. She'd be flattered if Zuko walked her home.

"Can your Uncle walk home by himself?" Ty Lee asks.

"Hey!" Iroh calls from behind the group. "I'm old, not incompetent!"

"Perish the thought, Mister Iroh, Sir!" Ty Lee chirps. "Would you mind if I walked you home anyway?"

"I'd be honored, young lady!" Iroh smiles at her. Ty Lee bounds over to him, and takes him by the arm.

"Bye, guys!" Ty Lee calls out cheerfully to the couple she leaves behind.

"Geez, does she ever power down?" Mai sneers at her retreating friend. She starts with Zuko toward the palace.

"She's certainly cheerful," Zuko agrees. "But Aang's like that sometimes, too."

"Aang's a kid. Ty Lee is supposed to be a warrior."

"Azula seemed to think she was a warrior," Zuko recalls. "She recruited both of you to take down the Avatar."

"Speaking of Azula," Mai brings up the elephant in the room, "where'd you get the genius idea to let everyone but you decide how to handle her?"

"I've learned the hard way that I don't always make the best calls, so I wanted to give the Fire Nation a say for once."

"Yeah, because the Fire Nation is full of sensible people who always make the best calls."

"Did you have a better idea?"

Mai shrugs. She reaches out to hold Zuko's hand, pretending it's an absentminded gesture when she's been mustering up the courage to do so since they started walking.

"Do I get a vote tomorrow?" Mai asks him.

"I don't see why you shouldn't. You're a Fire Nation citizen."

"Well, I do live at the palace with you. Some people might think me voting would only serve your interests."

"Lots of people live at the palace now," Zuko tells her. Aang and all his friends had been holed up with him since the war ended.

"Yeah, when are the squatters leaving, by the way?" Mai scowls.

"Where else would they go?"

"Back to their homes? The blind one has rich Earth Kingdom parents. She doesn't need to stay here. And that waterbender girl could go back to the water tribe."

"I don't want Katara to go yet. I could use her counsel as Firelord."

"What makes her a good counselor?"

"You clearly haven't had a conversation with her."

"You didn't mention the other one."

"Huh?"

"I mentioned Toph and Katara. You only mentioned Katara."

"Well, I want Toph to stay, too," Zuko says. "She's got good instincts. And did you know she metalbends? I didn't even know that was possible."

Mai studies him for a moment. "Huh," she decides to say.

"You said their names," Zuko notes.

"What?"

"A second ago you called them 'blind girl' and 'waterbender girl.' You acted like you didn't know their names."

Mai shrugs, defensive now. "I guess it came back to me."

Zuko considers pressing the matter. Why does Mai take such great strides to act like she doesn't care about anything? How was he ever supposed to be sure how she felt about him? But pushing it would just close her off more, he decides, so he lets the matter drop.

"How are you voting?" Zuko changes topics. "For the Azula trial."

Mai has clearly thought about the issue, but choose her words carefully. "Azula tried to kill you. And I know what she's like now. She'd do it again, if given the chance."

Zuko knows this. It doesn't phase him.

"I never want anything to happen to you, Zuko. And if she lives, something will."

Zuko stops in his tracks, eyes wide. He releases Mai's hand. She pretends it doesn't bother her.

"'If she lives'?" he echoes her, dumbfounded.

"Yeah," she nods. "I'm voting for execution."