The next scene gets back to Tylaang, but also shows the first cracks in the relationship. Aang's disappointed by Ty Lee preferring dating to riding Appa, and doesn't take it well when she calls him "funny," causing him to worry that she's already rejected him. The interesting thing about a Beta Couple, particularly in fanfics in which authors are virtually required to designate the alpha couple in the story summary and/or character description, is that it's not always clear whether it'll work out. It's interesting to see that element of certainty present with Tylaang, although I do have to wonder whether this relationship only exists to prove Aang's flaws as a boyfriend.
As for the alpha couple, I'm personally of the opinion that some resolution is required. Them getting married is nice, albeit something that might not happen for stories involving teenagers, but at the very least, there should be a kiss or an "I love you." If they fail to get together or break apart, it makes for a potentially good Downer Ending (or even Bittersweet Ending), since at least there's resolution there.
Meanwhile, Maiko is having a great deal of trouble, as there's an argument over Zuko seeing Mai, since Mai understandably has no desire to help Azula (although considering that the author is fairly sympathetic to Azula, perhaps this is a point against Mai, even if the author says otherwise in her author's note). Mai storms off, while Zuko pretends the argument never happened. Zuko makes it clear that he's not particularly in his uncle's advice, since he palmed off his coupon on Aang.
Suddenly, in the middle of the night, Katara learns that Azula has escaped. Katara tracks her down to the turtleduck pond, and begins scolding her. Azula's even more unhinged, and starts dropping a Cluster F-Bomb without the P censorship, but wants to know why Katara's so nice to her. One reason happens to be that Katara wants to be better than Mai (especially since she says her getting back together with Zuko to be the kind of thing that's so outlandish she couldn't make it up), partly because Zuko would be, and partly because Katara understands her. She's able to calm Azula down, relatively speaking, and Azula willingly goes back.
The author's note points out that one consequence of Aang's actions is that people won't be willing to trust him to be the Avatar, resulting in Zuko keeping secrets from him because he can't handle it (which will undoubtedly result in Aang not taking it well). There will also be "shenanigans" with Ozai and Toph's parents, but given the kind of events that will likely take place, that word seems too lighthearted for the subject matter.
What I liked
- The fic keeps us guessing as to whether Aang and Ty Lee's relationship will work out.
What I didn't like
- Tylaang seeming like less of a viable alternative for Aang and more a tool for exposing how bad he is at relationships.
- The cursing seems to be an unnecessary way of making the fic edgy, and sounds Out of Character coming from Azula.
- The story returning to the plotline of deconstructing Aang's decisions
