Permission was easy to get, this time. The truth was already known to both herself and Mai. There were no more secrets, no shocking revolations that might shake things up. All there was...was the confrontation that was going to happen soon. Ty Lee was content with that, content knowing that Mai was at least going to question Zuko about lying to her...and maybe convincing to help Azula.

Ty Lee was optimistic, because it was her very nature to be so. But she wasn't optimistic to the point of stupidity. She knew that even if things went well, Zuko wouldn't let Azula out. At best, she could expect her to be transferred to a proper treatment place this time. Ty Lee had to smile at the thought. Azula would be better soon.

It was that smile that she was wearing as she entered the room, finding Azula's eyes coming down to look into hers, immediately aware of her presense. If there was any madness in Azula today, it wasn't here now. Another small thing to be thankful for, Ty Lee thought to herself. She was looking forwards to today, to tell Azula the good news.

"Azula." She was excited, her voice was happy, but she didn't squeal like she normally would. It was really quite here, even little sounds carried. She didn't want to hurt Azula's ears. "Mai said shes going to talk to Zuko about you. Your going to be out of here, and put in a better place. And then you'll get to eat good food, and be better treated!"

Azula's eyes didn't change, retaining a sober, almost sad look. "It doesn't matter if Mai talks to Zuko, Ty Lee."It didn't seem like it was possible, but the sound of her voice was...almost defeated. "Zuzu will do exactly what he wants, as he always does."

Ty Lee shook her head. "No Azula! Mai really thinks that this right here is wrong. I mean..." She trailed off, putting a finger to her lips as she try to choose her words. "I mean, she thinks that you should be locked up and stuff Azula. She doesn't trust you like that. But she doesn't think you should be locked up like this."

The former fire princess looked down and away, slightly hanging her head. "Ty Lee...Ty. Zuko wants me here, don't you see? Now that father is gone, I'm the only one left from that side of the family. All of his anger and hatred for them, for his life...its all on me, Ty. I now stand for, and represent, everything in the world that Zuzu hates, everything that causes me pain. In his eyes, I'll die soon and then it will all be forgotten. Thats what he thinks, at least."

Ty Lee shook her head quickly, but didn't reply as fast, concidering what Azula was saying. That wouldn't really happen, would it? No... Zuko might feel that way, but Mai would at least get Azula moved somewhere better. She'd still be locked up, but at least it wouldn't be like this. Mai was her friend, Ty Lee had faith in her. "Mai will..."

"eventually back down because her duties to her country and her love for Zuko outweigh what little care she might have for my wellbeing. Even your concerns, Ty Lee, mean less to her than that. Its not a bad thing though...nothing I wouldn't do in her place. If she maintains any resistance to Zuko, he'd eventually cut her off and become more irritable. Zuzu is already bad enough at foreign policy to begin with. Pissed off, this country would fall apart quick." Azula finished for her.

"That...no Azula...no." But Ty Lee wasn't so sure at this point. Azula had a point, didn't she? Zuko could get really mad sometimes, and if he got mad at Mai, mad enough... it wouldn't be good for anyone. Mai was smart too, she would know that. Was she already thinking that? Did she already know that they were just going to leave Azula here? No...she couldn't, could she?

Her doubt must have showed, because Azula continued, ignoring her comment. "Yes, Ty. Mai would. She knows it already. I taught her a lot, and one of the most important things was to think ahead. She already knows Zuko's moves, knows exactly how he'll react to anything that she says. Mai's a smart player Ty. Theres no point in starting a battle you can't win."

Ty Lee leaned back, resting her weight against the door and then slid down it, hanging her head in something resembling despair. What was all this for if Azula was just going to be stuck here anyways? Was she going to have to just keep coming back, and slowly watch her die? Maybe she could smuggle in some food to her...or maybe she could... "Azula..." She moved in closer, scooting across the floor until she was just outside the cage. The caged woman took her lead, leaning in towards her as far as she could.

"I could break you out."

Her voice was extremely quite, barely audible even the small distance between them. But Azula heard her, because her eyes lit up suddenly, and a slight smile spread crossed her face. But just as quick as it was there, it was gone and she shook her head. "No, Ty. While I...appreciate the sentiment, this place is extremely well guarded and sealed off, from what I remember and what I've gathered since. I can't even firebend Ty. We wouldn't make it out the front doors, let alone out of the city."

Ty Lee slumped back, looking as beaten as Azula had when she came in. "Then what can we do, Azula? Am I just supposed to come in here and watch you die, even if I'm let back in? Or do I just go back to my life, and always be bothered by how your doing, how close to dying you are?" At this point, she was actually crying at this point, tears slowly streaming down her face.

"Nothing that dramatic, Ty." Azula got quite, and Ty Lee had to lean in to hear her, thinking that Azula had something she didn't want overheard. "Be quite for a second Ty and let me talk. There is one other possibility, one other way that we might be able to at least get me somewhere better than this." She sighed slightly, as though she was going to regret what she was about to say. "We ask the Avatar to intervene. Hes a monk. He didn't even kill my father to end the war, despite his crimes. I think he might force dear Zuzu to at least treat me like I'm human."

It was Ty Lee's turn to have her eyes light up. "That...that would probably work." She almost slapped herself. Why hadn't she thought of it? If there was one person that could help Azula, it was defiantly the Avatar. But would he come and help? It wasn't like him or anyone in his group liked Azula...but did it matter? He was supposed to help anyone, and she really needed help.

"But Ty... I couldn't do that to you. It would be dangerous. If Zuko found out, he'd have soldiers sent after you. He'd hunt you, Ty, hunt you down and make sure that you didn't tell anyone what he was doing to me. He can't let anyone know. If anyone found out, Zuzu wouldn't be able to maintain the control over me like he does now."

Ty Lee shook her head and reached into the cage, touching Azula's face in what she hoped was a reassuring way. "No Azula. Your right. This is the only way we're going to get you out of here. I'll make sure that I don't get caught and that he comes to help you. I promise."

A warm smile spread across Azula's face, one like Ty Lee had never seen on the girl before. She had really and genuinely touched her, managed to get through that shell she always wore and make the real Azula happy. Maybe...maybe Azula actually trusted her.

"Thank you Ty Lee...Thank you." A little tear rolled down Azula's face. Outside, a thump brought Ty Lees attention to the hall and she jumped up, moving back towards it. As she turned to greet the guard and leave, she almost thought she saw Azula's smile turn cold. But she wrote it off. Just a flashback of times gone by.