voice&action❚entry eighteen

[pyromatics]

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[hatersbehatin]

[After the conversation she had with Zuko earlier, Mai didn't hang around her apartment for long because she was in a darker mood than usual, I know hard to believe but it's true! She knew that if she stuck around too long, than Ty Lee would show up, and that girl had a sixth sense for picking up when Mai didn't want to talk to anyone, and took it upon herself to help. And so, Mai got out of there fast.

Not having anywhere really to go, she ended up wandering, her head down and steps slowly taking her along as she kept thinking about stuff she didn't want to think about. She kept thinking of this City, the curses that she would have to eventually deal with; Being here with hardly anything familiar to her, and even the things that were familiar to her were different.

To say things were confusing for her would be a grave understatement, and the best way she knew of to deal with all that was going on was by not dealing with it. That method normally worked out for her, but lately... it hasn't been as reliable and she was struggling with

[o_tea_p]

[The tea shop is almost ready for customers again. Iroh is examining the room, planning out the new decorations and trying not to worry about Zuko.

He turns around when he hears the door open, wondering who would be stopping by at this time. He's surprised to see Mai.]

Mai! What an unexpected pleasure. I hope you are not here to fight with my nephew again.

[hatersbehatin]

[She grumbles a little, both at his greeting and also at his expressed hopes. Without looking at Iroh, she strolls over to a table back off in a corner and sits down.]

That depends. Has he done anything reckless and stupid in the last thirty minutes?

[o_tea_p]

[Iroh chuckles]

I believe he's sleeping again.

[He heads out into the kitchen and comes back with tea service for two. He settles down across from her and pours.]

I hope you don't mind an old man keeping you company.

[hatersbehatin]

[Her head tilts enough to follow his movements from the corner of her eyes, and when he sits, she shifts in her chair to sit straighter.]

I don't care what you do.

[There's just a few moments of hesitation before she reaches for the cup meant for her and she stares down at it. Feeling what warmth she can through the cup.]

Have you seen the turtleduck yet?

[o_tea_p]

[Iroh lifts an eyebrow.]

You know about the turtleduck?

[hatersbehatin]

[Staring down at her tea, she still shows no more interest in it than letting it warm her hand.]

Yes.

[o_tea_p]

Did everybody learn about the turtleduck before I did?

[hatersbehatin]

He wanted it to be a surprise for you.

[Her head lifts, but she keeps her eyes away from him, looking across the room instead.]

If I actually thought he would have gone through with it I would have told you about it.

[o_tea_p]

[Iroh sighs]

I doubt I could have talked him out of it anyway. Hopefully it will be temporary like Zuko said.

[And then he smiles.]

So you two are on speaking terms again?

[hatersbehatin]

Hmpt.

[She narrows her eyes, and tilts her head back to look at her tea to stare at it as she thinks of how to answer. If she should even answer at all. It seemed fairly obvious to her what her presence here meant. She was sitting here wasn't she? Shouldn't that speak for itself that she apparently can't help herself from being close to Zuko?

There's a quiet sigh as she lifts up the cup, pausing to sniff it before taking a small sip.]

What do you think?

[o_tea_p]

I think you care about my nephew a great deal.

And I'm glad. He cares about you too. He was very upset about hurting you.

[hatersbehatin]

Then he shouldn't have done it in the first place.

[The words aren't bitter, surprisingly casual actually. But her fingers did tighten their grip on her cup before she took another sip. When she's done, she tries to forcefully take control of the conversation.]

Living like this, pretending all this is normal... is this really okay with you?

[o_tea_p]

[Unlike Zuko, Iroh doesn't bother fighting with Mai about the issue. She needs to be able to process it for herself.

So he takes a sip of his tea and lets her steer the conversation away.]

What do you mean?

[hatersbehatin]

[She presses her lips together and rolls her eyes, letting him see how the question irritated her. She doesn't want to explain that their acceptance of this place bothers her. Not when she was fine with just sitting around without putting in the effort to get out.]

Forget it.

[The tea cup is set back down and she pushes it away with her fingers, moving it closer to the middle of the table.]

But maybe you can explain to me why going against the Fire Nation to help the Avatar is such a great idea.

[Because the way she remembers it, Iroh did the same thing back in Ba Sing Se.]

[o_tea_p]

Well now, I suppose that is a matter of perspective.

[He takes a long sip of his tea as he contemplates what to say.]

Tell me, why are we at war with the other nations?