She keeps a careful eye on his hands, reading the uncertainty he put out. It makes her wonder— is she that off-putting? Distance is nice, being alone, or alone with Hana. It’s exhausting when many others are around— but she hadn’t meant to scare others into thinking she was mean.
Not that she minds others being afraid of her. It’s a fun power to hold over someone, she knows, as twisted as it might sound.
Her lips press thinly together as she slips her hand into his, giving a firm shake as her father had taught her.
“Mai.”
No she wasn’t off-putting (in that sense anyway), Lee just wasn’t prepared for this conversation was all. Any and all attempts to talk to either twin over the past five years had proven fruitless, and here she was randomly coming over to talk to him on her own.
For half a second Lee had to remind himself that he had to let go of Mai’s hand, it wasn’t normal to continue holding the hand of someone you just got properly acquainted with. But he did when he was supposed to, but an internal reluctance probably crossed his face when their hands pulled away.
“So uhh… did you need something? I don’t think we’ve ever met before today. I mean I knew you but I didn’t know you. You kinda just stick to your sister whenever I see you.”
 | belovedbetrayal-deactivated2015 asked ; She considers lying, for a moment, to see if he'll ever catch on. But-- she doesn't wish to be Hana. Continuing the trickery washes away the difference they've created. "Mai," she speaks up, finally. "You're Lee." It isn't a question-- a statement, not one even looking for confirmation. |
And that’s good that she didn’t, neither Zuko nor Lee could truly tell them apart just yet since they’d seldom outright spoken to them. They’ve only ever pulled the twin switch on their mother in the past, but that hadn’t happened since they were little.
Huh, at least one of them could tell the twin difference already.
Holding out his hand for her to shake, Lee yanked it halfway back a second later but not all the way. Was a handshake too formal? Would she think he was too uptight if that’s the first motion he made? There was a moment of awkward deliberation on the noir’s face before his hand got offered again and stayed there. Smooth Lee, smooth in front of one of the girls you like.
“Uh yeah, I’m Lee.”
| belovedbetrayal-deactivated2015 asked ; It's subtle, but there's a hint of a smile at the edge of her lips. She's amused with his display-- that's what brought her over here, after all. It isn't a secret that he holds some sort of affection for her and her sister-- chances are, he can't tell who is who, and Mai's well aware he'd deny it without hesitation. But still, it's clear in every nervous move he makes. She stays silent, watching him go on. |
“So, uh… are you Hana or Mai?”
You gotta throw him a bone here, otherwise he’s really gonna be awkward in this.
| belovedbetrayal-deactivated2015 asked ; She slides into the empty seat next to him, wordless as ever, passing her silent glance over his text in curiosity. |
It took him another second or two, but yes he did notice that the seat beside him was suddenly taken. And by someone he wouldn’t have been expecting to come over on her own, so hopefully the surprise on his face wouldn’t be too obvious. Who’re we kidding, it is.
“Hey. . wasn’t expecting you to be sitting here. Not that you can’t sit here, you can, just. . yeah.” He didn’t ask for your name yet Mai, he’s not exactly sure which twin he’s talking to, this might actually be the first time he’s getting to speak to one of them.
| belovedbetrayal-deactivated2015 asked ; [quietly watches Lee from a distance] |
He’s busy reading a textbook at another table. Going to have to do better than that to get his attention Mai.