ATLA: Azlua

      After a brief rest, Mai emerged from her alcove, carved meticulously into the earth walls of the rebel base. Even after spending time here, the sheer scope of it still struck her. The skywalks, like intricate spiderwebs, spread from the central pillar, connecting various sections of the underground base. It was impressive—far more than she had expected from a rebellion still in its early stages.

As Mai scanned her surroundings, a short, black-haired teen approached, her bright green eyes sparkling with excitement. She wore a loose-fitting tunic, the blend of Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation influences in her features making her heritage clear.

The girl stopped in front of Mai, gave a half-hearted bow, and then beamed. "Lady Mai! It's an honor to meet you!"

Mai blinked, slightly taken aback by the teen's enthusiasm. There was something about her energy, her brightness—it reminded her of Ty Lee. For a moment, Mai felt an unfamiliar flicker of comfort in the girl's presence, but she quickly pushed the feeling aside.

"What can I do for you?" Mai asked, her voice neutral, though it was more a way of asking for the girl's name.

"Oh! Right, introductions," the girl said, as if suddenly remembering her manners. "I'm Asha. I'm an apprentice, learning under Boss Rangi." She gave another excited smile. "He asked me to take you to the war room."

Mai found herself giving a small smile at the girl's antics—so unguarded, so full of life. "Lead the way, then, Asha."

Asha's eyes lit up even more as she turned on her heel and began leading Mai through the network of skywalks and tunnels. Behind them, the Yuyan Archers silently moved into formation, following Mai closely as they always did.

As Mai walked alongside Asha, the girl's boundless curiosity became apparent almost immediately. Asha bombarded her with a flurry of questions about the Fire Nation.

"Is it true the seasons change more dramatically there? I've heard the summers are hotter and the winters warmer! What's it like living so close to a volcano? Are women really allowed to hold positions of power in the Fire Nation? You're a noble, right? Does that mean you have servants and a huge estate?"

Mai, initially reluctant, found herself caught in the whirlwind of Asha's excitement. At first, she gave short, clipped answers. "Yes. The summers are hot." "We live near a volcano, not on it." "Women can hold positions of power."

But Asha's eager persistence, her wide, sparkling green eyes, made it hard to stay detached. Something in the girl's innocent curiosity pulled at her, and after a while, Mai decided to play along. She began answering the questions more earnestly.

"The seasons change differently in different parts of the Fire Nation. In the capital, we have intense summers, but the winters are relatively mild," Mai explained, surprising herself with the detail she was giving. "And yes, women can hold high positions in government. Fire Lord Azula herself is—" She stopped, her tone shifting slightly before she continued. "Well, she's in charge now."

Asha listened intently, hanging on every word, her excitement making Mai's small smile grow without her realizing it. The girl's energy was infectious in a way Mai hadn't felt in a long time. Just as the smile tugged at the corners of her lips, Asha jumped in excitement, her eyes alight with joy.

"You look so much better when you smile!" Asha blurted out, her voice full of sincerity.

Mai blinked in surprise, her head tilting slightly in confusion. Before she could respond, Asha pointed ahead.

"We're here!" she said, skipping forward, her steps light as if she had just discovered something wonderful.

Mai watched her for a moment, the girl's carefree spirit reminding her so much of Ty Lee. She smiled faintly, a fleeting thought crossing her mind. The two of you would love each other, she murmured under her breath, her voice barely audible.