Two days later, the tension in the air had largely lifted. Ty Lee had finally awoken from her coma. Her life was out of danger, and she could begin her recovery in earnest. The four were lounging about on nearby a high ledge overlooking the steep, rocky mountainside. Huge, ancient pillars lined the stone ledge. Azula was leaned up against one of them, letting her foot dangle precariously over the edge. Jet and Mai sat together opposite of her, for once just relaxing in each other's company instead of talking or laughing. Ty Lee sat between them, both feet over the ledge, head in her hands, looking bored as can be. Her crutches sat beside her. The view was to magnificent, to die for even, for from there the four could see for miles. Nothing but mountains and wilderness as far as the eye could see. No civilization in sight. It would take a miracle for anyone to find them here.
Despite the picturesque scenery, Ty Lee wasn't in the mood to appreciate it. Her acrobatic prowess and agility was part of who she was. It gave her joy. Now she had been robbed of it, albeit temporarily. A bird with clipped wings, sitting helplessly on its perch, condemned to stare at the open world it could no longer enjoy.
For the rest of the group, they felt more or less similar. There wasn't much to do up there in an abandoned temple, and anything they could do would exclude the crippled Ty Lee. The acrobat was a social butterfly who thrived on human interaction. Someone had to keep her company, otherwise she'd go totally insane. Still, they were getting restless.
"This place is so huge," said Azula with a frustrated tone. "And for the past three days we've only been hanging around this one little part."
Mai shot her a frown. "Azula, I'm bored too, but most of the stairways and bridges are collapsed. The only we can explore is by climbing, and Ty Lee's in no shape to do that."
"You guys can go on, really. I'll be fine here," said a dejected Ty Lee, not raising her head. "I don't wanna hold you guys back."
"We're not leaving you here alone, Ty Lee. Who knows what or who could show up. Plus we can't enjoy ourselves if we knew you'd be down here being so sad," said Mai.
"I'll be sad anyway."
Mai sighed in frustration.
Jet smiled. "How about you two go on and explore. I'll stay here and keep Ty Lee company."
Mai looked to her boyfriend. "Really? You'd be cool with that?"
"Yeah, sure, besides its getting a bit cramped around here anyway. You're great and all, Mai, but I'd like some personal space," he said with a snicker.
Mai grinned back. "Oh, okay, I see how it is. You want me gone so you could make your move on Ty Lee. This was your plan all along, wasn't it?"
Jet raised his hands in a joking surrender. "Alright, fine, you caught me."
Mai gave him a playful shove and even wider grin. "Jackass."
Ty Lee showed a slight smile. "You guys are so cute. I'm starting to wish I had someone like that."
Azula perked up a bit at that. Mai raised an eyebrow.
"You mean like, a committed relationship?" she asked, for that had never really been Ty Lee's style.
She wasn't one to stay tied down for long. All of her relationships had been flings.
"Yeah, I don't know, maybe it's time. I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. Not much else to do. I've never wanted to rely on someone like that before, it always seemed like such a drag. But now that I'm like this, and I have to rely on other people, I just wish I had someone who cared about me like Jet cares about you, Mai."
"We care about you," said Mai. "You know we do."
Ty Lee shook her head. "It's not the same, and you know it.'
Mai frowned. "Yeah, I guess I do."
A moment passed in silence. No one really knew what to say. Ty Lee had spoken very candidly. Azula suddenly seemed a little anxious. Mai was stunned. She had never heard her friend talk like this before.
"Well, after you're all better, you can find someone. I mean, if I can do it, you sure can," said Mai.
"Yeah, I hope so."
That's when Azula finally decided to speak up again. "So, Mai, you want to come with me or not?"
Mai looked to Jet. "You sure?"
"Yeah, go on. Just be sure to bring back anything cool for me and Ty Lee," Jet nodded.
Mai shrugged. "Alright, we can do that. Let's go, Azula," she said as she rose to her feet.
Azula nodded, standing up.
"Have fun guys," said Ty Lee, forcing a smile as they walked off.
"We'll try not to be gone too long," said Mai.
The two girls made their way further up the exterior of the temple, exploring the unknown. There were plenty of inner sanctum to explore, but there was a much higher likelihood of getting lost in the dark, twisting hallways. For now, they were satisfied with roaming the outside and appreciate the view. They would head to the very top, then make their way back down. The climb up was rather perilous, but nothing the two nimble women couldn't handle.
After nearly twenty minutes, they came to a winding staircase leading further up the mountainside, but it had collapsed ages ago. The only way up would be to scale the sheer vertical wall before them. A fall could mean severe injury or death.
"Finally, a challenge," said Mai with an eager grin. "Up for a climb, princess?"
"Always," said a confident Azula.
The two started up the wall at the same time. Azula's steel tipped boots were useful for digging her foot into the cliffside. Mai and Ty Lee were always better at these kinds of things than her though. It wasn't long before Mai overtook the princess, soon a full body's length away.
"Looks like your skills have waned a bit, Azula. Should I slow down, wait for you to catch up?"
Azula scowled. She hated to be outdone, and Mai knew that.
"You should know better than to taunt me, Mai," she said back, climbing faster now, more recklessly.
"What're you gonna do?" Mai went on, a snarky grin on her face. "You're not in much of a position for threats. How're you gonna shoot lightning at me when you're falling from a mountain?"
She looked down again, her grin vanishing when she saw Azula gaining fast. Her competitive spirit had taken over, throwing caution out the window.
"Azula, wait, don't go too crazy," said Mai, suddenly regretting her jests.
"I'll teach you to spite royalty, Mai," said the grinning princess.
She lunged upwards, grabbing for a protruding rock not far from Mai's right arm. She latched onto it, gaining a firm grip. She pulled herself upwards.
And it snapped off.
"Azula!"
Mai shot her hand outwards and snatched Azula's hand our of the air, stopping her freefall short. Azula hung there, dangling in the air, looking to Mai with frustration.
"I would've been fine, Mai."
Mai frowned to her ungrateful friend. "What was I supposed to do, let you fall? I can still do that, you know."
Azula grumbled to herself, before digging herself back against the rock wall and resumed climbing. Mai rolled her eyes and did the same. They were nearly at the top when Mai heard Azula say something softly, almost not loud enough for Mai to hear.
"Thank you," came her reluctant, embarrassed voice.
Mai just smiled to herself, not looking down. "Forget about it."
The rest of the climb was uneventful. Mai hoisted herself up over the edge, stopping so to help Azula do the same. They sat on the ground for a while, catching their breath. Ahead of them was quite a sight to see. An overgrown stone pathway, which at one time must have been a pristine cobble road. White , smooth arches lined the path, although most had fallen long ago. Long faded and dilapidated statues adorned each side. Some looked like warriors, others looked like wise men.
"Do you think this place had airbenders?" Mai asked, rising to her feet.
"It's not one of the Spirit Temples, I know that. Everything's too damaged and barren to make out. Could just be an old Earth Kingdom palace. Maybe even before the kings. I honestly couldn't say," said Azula.
Mai spotted an old pillar that had fallen across the path long ago, more than large enough for them to sit against and relax for a moment.
"Let's take a break. I'm a bit winded from that," said Mai, heading over.
Azula nodded. She had something she wanted to talk to Mai about anyway. In private. Azula sat suspiciously close to Mai, enough for Mai to notice and wonder why. There was plenty of room.
"Azula, not even my boyfriend is allowed this close to me," said Mai jokingly, for they were nearly shoulder to shoulder. "How about a bit of personal space?"
Azula ignored her request, and turned to look her in the eyes.
"Listen, Mai, remember that offer you gave me back in Omashu? About helping me find someone? Romantically?"
Mai shot her friend a curious look. "Yeah? Have you actually been considering it?"
Azula breathed in, then nodded. "Yeah, I have. And I want your help."
Mai looked a little astonished. Now she understood why Azula had sat so close. "Wow, um, okay," Mai said, sittingup straighter, but not moving away. She wasn't quite sure how to handle this. She hadn't expected Azula to actually take her up on her offer. "So, how would you like me to do that?"
Azula looked away, looking very nervous. "Can I tell you something, Mai? What I tell you has to stay between us."
Mai made a puzzled face. "Yeah, of course. What's got you so freaked out?"
Azula took another deep breath. "So, since my release, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. A lot of going over everything in my head, trying to pick up the pieces after everything blew up."
Mai nodded, letting her go on. She wasn't sure where this was going, but Azula definitely had her attention.
"The thing is, I've never been interested in chasing boys before. I used to think it was because my duties made me too busy."
"Or cause all the men were so scared of you," Mai added.
"Yeah, that too," said Azula.
Azula was silent then for a moment, trying to think of how to explain this. Mai had her eyes locked Azula, studying her face intently. Azula still hadn't looked back at her friend. Mai wanted to make her feel more comfortable. She curled her arm around Azula. The princess cast her gaze upwards, looking a bit surprised at the melancholy Mai's show of affection. Mai could tell this was a difficult for her, whatever it was she was going to say.
Mai showed a warm smile. "It's okay, Azula. Just tell me."
Azula managed a smile back, finding new found courage for her confession. If she didn't say it now, she might never say it. Azula felt like she was about to explode. She had to let it out now before she burst.
"I don't think I like men, Mai. I think I . . . I think I'm attracted to women."
Mai just stared for a moment, as if Azula's words had come out in a foreign language totally unknown to her. Then the reality of her statement started to settle in. Mai blinked, once, and then twice. Her mouth slowly fell agape, her eyes stretching wide. She felt goosebumps creeping across her arm and then up her neck. She wanted to say something, but found no words to speak.
She was floored.
Azula just bit her lip, waiting for Mai to say something in response. Mai would need a while longer. She blinked again, then looked off, away from the princess. A few seconds later she snapped back to her. She didn't dare take her arm away from her friend's shoulder, fearing it would signal disgust or rejection from her. Azula had confided in Mai in a way no one had ever before. Mai took a few breaths, realizing she had left Azula in total suspense. She had to say something, just to break this unbearable silence.
"Holy. Fucking. Shit." said an astonished Mai, still catching her breath. "I, I can't believe I never put that together."
Azula gave a curious look. "What do you mean? I didn't even know until a few months ago."
"Because, because, it's so obvious!" Mai said, feeling like a total fool. She was putting it all together in her head, going over every memory. "Looking back on everything, it all makes sense now. Your father would have never approved of this. You've been shutting it in for years, you just didn't know it!"
Mai rose to her feet, standing in front of her friend with a whole new understanding. A brand new light.
"Azula, you're gay! That's great!"
Azula wasn't sure how to react to her friend's reaction. She looked positively thrilled. More thrilled then Azula had ever seen her. Why? She was glad Mai had accepted her sexuality with such open arms, but it was as if she was the one who found out she was gay.
"Mai, why are you so happy? You're scaring me," said Azula, feeling unnerved.
"Because, because this is a big deal, Azula! This is huge for you, and you chose to tell me before anyone else!"
"Uh, alright," said Azula, still not fully understanding.
Mai realized she had totally overwhelmed her friend, and promptly sat back down next to her. "I'm sorry, I'm just excited," she said, still smiling.
Azula nodded. "Clearly."
"You have to understand, the whole reason I broke up with Zuko was because he wouldn't let me in. He shut me out. I felt like every time I tried to talk to him about what was going on in his head, it was an Interrogation."
"Oh, I see," Azula said with a nod. "You're flattered I confided in you.'
"Exactly, and this is such huge news!"
"Yes, I know."
Mai chuckled, trying to calm herself down. "I'm sorry, this moment isn't about me. It's about you. I totally just hijacked your big confession."
"No, it's okay," Azula said, holding up an open hand to calm her. "I'm just glad you didn't react negatively, but, I'm actually not done. There's more."
Mai just shook her head. "There's nothing you can say to me that'll surprise me now, Azula."
Azula smirked, now feeling challenged. She wasn't sure she was going to tell Mai this next part, but she had done this to herself.
"Okay, hold onto that thought," Azula began, feeling much more confident. Fearless, even. "Mai, I think I like Ty Lee."
Mai's smile dropped. She just stared back at Azula in silence for almost a minute. Azula actually grinned.
"You sure seem surprised to me, Mai."
Mai took a few more long seconds before she finally spoke again. "Azula, are you serious? Don't joke around about this kinda thing. This is our best friend we're taking about."
Azula's smile faded, and gave a long sigh. "No, I'm not kidding, Mai. It's true."
". . . That's, wow. I honestly don't know how to react." Mai turned away, trying to take this all in.
She had not been prepared for today.
"How long have you known that?" she finally asked, trying to relax herself more against the wall.
"A few weeks. I have no idea what to do about it, honestly. I can hardly look at her lately."
Mai bit her lip. "Azula, you have to tell her."
Azula shot a terrified look in Mai's direction. "Are you crazy? I can't do that. She'd never look at me the same way again. It could ruin our friendship. I just want things to stay like they are."
Mai shook her head again, but this time with the face she wore was deadly serious. "It's already not the same. You just said you can't even interact with her normally anymore."
"I'll get over it," Azula said, looking away.
"No!" shouted Mai.
Azula flinched, looking startled. Mai took a breath.
"Azula, where has bottling up your feelings gotten you so far? Haven't you learned your lesson yet? You already lost your mind once, you wanna do it again?"
The princess didn't have a response to that. Mai had a point.
"Besides, your mind is going to the worst case scenario right away. What if, what if she shares your feelings?"
Azula looked skeptical to say the least. "Ty Lee? Interested in me? Come on. She loves the boys."
Mai blinked, as if realizing something. Then a knowing grin crept upon her face. "You don't know, do you? That's right, you've been away the past six years."
"Know what?" Azula asked, crossing her arms with a squint. "What are you on about?"
Mai snickered, savoring the moment that she knew something Azula didn't. Meanwhile, Azula's eyes were growing more narrow, her scowl more intense.
Finally, Mai showed her mercy. "Azula, Ty Lee is bisexual. It's not even a secret. She figured it out years ago."
Azula's scowl disappeared. "What, really?" she asked, looking so much more uncertain than before.
Mai nodded. "Yeah, really. You might have a shot here. Are you really just gonna not take it?"
Azula was silent, suddenly breathing heavier than before. "I, I mean, you really think she would consider it? That she could love me?"
Mai sighed, looking exhausted by now. "Azula, I don't know. She's always had a soft spot for you. When everyone else hated your guts, including me, Ty Lee just wanted to help you. Maybe that's just Ty Lee being Ty Lee, but you'll never know unless you tell her, and you're not gonna get over this until you talk it out with her either way."
Azula swallowed hard, finding herself shaking. "Mai, I, I'm scared," she admitted. "I'm absolutely terrified about this. I hate it. I want it stop."
Mai gave a smile, placing her hand upon Azula's to calm her. "This kinda thing scares everyone. Remember how scared I was when you hooked me up with Jet? It's always scary at first, but no matter what happens, I'm gonna be here next to you. And so will Ty Lee. She's not the type of person to let this ruin a close friendship."
Azula turned away, "I want to believe you, Mai, it's just-."
"Azula, look at me," said Mai suddenly.
Azula took a moment before doing as her friend asked, locking eyes with Mai. They felt soft. Reassuring. Understanding. She had never felt such warmness emanating from Mai before. Had Jet brought this out of her? She wasn't sure.
"You and Ty Lee are gonna figure this out one way or another. Maybe it won't end with you two living happily ever after, but Ty Lee would never break your heart then just walk away. She's not like that, especially not to a friend as old as you. No matter what happens, it's gonna be okay, alright?"
Azula let Mai's words soothe and wash over, calming her wildly beating heart. She gave a nod.
"Okay. I'll tell her."
Mai nodded back, "Good. You don't have to do it right away. You've got a whole month with her to yourself."
Azula smiled, feeling a renewed sense of confidence. That's when the pair heard foot steps in the not so far distance, and getting closer.
"Hello? Is someone here?" came an aged, curious voice.
They both turned, rising up from behind the fallen pillar to see a elderly man with a long white beard. Totally bald. Very skinny. Everything about his appearance screamed hermit. A monk, maybe. The location certainly made sense, but they still hadn't expected to find anyone else here.
"Who are you? What're you doing here?" asked Azula.
The man looked over the two Fire Nation girls with a hint of suspicion. "My name is Pathik. I live here. For the past four years. What're you doing here?"
Mai and Azula traded glances, neither knowing how to respond.