Travels Through the Alphabet with Mai
Part 16: Passion(less)
"Is that what you and Zuko have been whispering about?" Princess Azula sneered and pointed at the charcoal drawing of Mai and Zuko that hung on the wall. It was one of the few decorative pieces in Mai's room. She didn't like frills and preferred a minimalistic sort of setting. Clutter impaired her thinking. "Did you have it done so you can remember what he looks like, you know, in case he leaves again?"
Azula deserved a smack for that or worse. She pranced about Mai's room as though it were her own; touching things that Mai did not want her to touch. The princess sat on the bed then and smirked at Mai while she ran her hand over the coverlet. She didn't need to say anything. Her meaning was obvious.
Mai bit back all the smart retorts that came to mind and kept her clenched hands hidden inside wide sleeves. Nothing would be gained by battling Azula now. The princess could have her fun and mock and hurt. Mai would continue to present her bored face. She would show no passion for anything. That would be like exposing all her vulnerabilities. And Azula was the best at taking advantage of those.
"Always helps to be prepared," she finally replied, her tone as dry as the soil after a long, hot Fire Nation summer. Mai glided to the window and stared across the street to the palace. Zuko was there, somewhere, perhaps in his room moping, perhaps training, perhaps sitting by the pond contemplating the turtleducks. He wasn't with her. That was the point. His sister was and she was a poor substitute.
"So Zuko spends a lot of time over here, doesn't he? He's always creeping across like some criminal. Geez, you might as well get married. This big house, you and Zuko alone; can't imagine what you get up to."
Mai turned back to Azula, keeping her face blank, offering nothing but a shrug. "Not much."
Irritated, the princess leapt up from the bed and headed toward the door. "Having a conversation with you is like talking to a corpse. I actually think the corpse might be livelier."
Mai shrugged again, secretly pleased. She watched as Azula left, stomping down the stairs and out the front door to her waiting palanquin. Before jerking the curtains shut she glared up at Mai's bedroom window. Cheekily, Mai gave her a wave.
"Thank Agni," the raven hair girl declared.
Not long after, still at her window, Mai spied the prince headed toward her house. Delicious warmth spread through her body. Her heart hammered hard inside her ribs. Her hands were unclenched now, open, waiting to hold and caress. She darted down the same stairs Azula had just used and yanked the door open, striking a casual pose on the spacious front porch.
"I thought you would never get here." Mai pretended indifference.
But both she and Zuko knew better.