Zuko stormed across the Fire Nation capital’s impressive throne room, scattering advisors and guardsmen with barked orders. “I forbid it! If they’re going to hunt down Azula, then I’m going with them! Cancel their supply orders and get me my armor!” Zuko’s vehemence was enough to prompt Mai to stroll almost lazily into the chamber, barring his exit from the room directly in front of the doorway. Her voice had little more enthusiasm than her body language. “So…you’re going off to stop Azula from taking over the fire nation.” Zuko stopped short and raised an eyebrow. “You can put it that way. I expect that’s her ultimate goal.” Mai gave Zuko a second to put two and two together, then continued when met with silence. “So you believe the country will be best protected with the emperor and only firebender who has defeated Azula one-on-one sailing around aimlessly away from the capital with the better part of the military?”

Zuko’s eyes narrowed. He opened his mouth to shout something, then slumped his shoulders ever so slightly and relaxed his expression. “Azula’s not stupid, Mai. She’s not going to charge in and face me until she knows she can win. I don’t like sitting around like this, stagnating, waiting for her to lay some trap for Aang or Katara! She’s not above finding a way to kidnap you for bargaining power, either!” Mai looked into Zuko’s eyes with sincerity, her voice becoming clear and direct. “I know. She was my close friend for a long time. I won’t let myself compromise the safety of you or the Fire Nation. She gave a little smile. “Besides,” Mai put a hand on her hips. “The way I lounge around the palace all day, I’ll probably be too fat to kidnap; my butt just won’t be able to get through the windows.”