Maiko Cruise Ship Pirate Pool Party XVII

[RadiantBeam]

Politics aside (although it's a good point and frequently ignored by some Zutara fics... oops, is my inner dislike for Zutara showing too?), I also think Mai's personality is better for Zuko's. She doesn't seem like she'd pity him, but she'd understand him and maybe help him come to terms with himself.

.... That made no sense, didn't it?

[Empy]

Well, that's a reason I've always liked maiko. In his other relationships he's had to deceive people. In Song and Jin's case, he pretended he was someone he wasn't. DO you really think that they would have tried to get to know him if they knew he was Fire Nation? With Mai, he doesn't have to hide himself or his past. She already knows about his childhood and why he is the way he is. That's why she can understand him better than many of the other girls in Avatar.

[Koikitten]

I'm not a regular here, but I adore Maiko and would like to jump into the conversation.

Zuko doesn't have to worry about not being accepted by Mai. She knows his situation, or will catch up with it soon enough. I'm pretty much just restating what has already been said.

But to be honest, Zutara is gaining speed on that issue as well, after CoD. But Maiko has actually been brought up as post-canon in the series, so it's winning the race. Of course, both will be driving off the Season Two cliffhanger soon enough. Disclaimer: I do not support Zutara.

But, we have no idea whatsoever on how Mai feels about the Fire Nation, which could cause a bit of friction later on between Mai and Zuko.

[Holierthanthou]

koikitten said:

I'm not a regular here, but I adore Maiko and would like to jump into the conversation.

Zuko doesn't have to worry about not being accepted by Mai. She knows his situation, or will catch up with it soon enough. I'm pretty much just restating what has already been said.

But to be honest, Zutara is gaining speed on that issue as well, after CoD. But Maiko has actually been brought up as post-canon in the series, so it's winning the race. Of course, both will be driving off the Season Two cliffhanger soon enough. Disclaimer: I do not support Zutara.

But, we have no idea whatsoever on how Mai feels about the Fire Nation, which could cause a bit of friction later on between Mai and Zuko.

Yes Katara was sympathetic and could have accepted him if he hadn't...betrayed her. But she's just an understanding character. She's the nice, sensible one of the group, that doesn't mean she loves Zuzu. I don't think she equals Mai as a love interest either. (Please note I was referring to the CoD scene, not Zutara as a whole)

I love comparing Mai to the other love interests (Katara, Jin, Song) cause Mai is so much better.

[Monk]

anastasia14 said:

monk said:

If Zuko does infact become the Firelord, Mai probably would be a strong candidate anyway for a political marriage as she is the daughter of a Fire Nation governor.

True. Mai also grew up with the Fire Nation royals so I imagine she must of some idea of the politics. Thus making her a better match for Zuzu. Oh and welcome to DH.

Thanks.

holierthanthat706 said:

Mai is also a better match for Zuko personality-wise, IMO. They both seem like the kind of person who could be changed for the better by the other.

Somewhat. I think that Mai would actually listen to him and offer more personalized advice. Iroh also provided Zuko with plenty of softened advice and has tried to guide Zuko, but more often than not, whatever Iroh says typically infuriates Zuko even more. So while Iroh may have been genuine, often the way he would say things to Zuko would often give Zuko the impression that he was not really being listened to.

An Aside : I do not mind Zutara, but the standard Laws of Cartoon Plot Probability is pointing towards Kataang, as weird as even that seems to me. So it seems that the creators have already planted the seeds when Mai was introduced as being a potential suitor for Zuko. As Aang suggested to Zuko early on in Season 1, perhaps if the Fire Nation had not been at war, Aang and Zuko might have been friends. And likewise it is also possible that Zuko and Katara may have been a match made in heaven, but the realities of the political and social climate make it practically impossible.

[avaang15]

But to be honest, Zutara is gaining speed on that issue as well, after CoD. But Maiko has actually been brought up as post-canon in the series, so it's winning the race. Of course, both will be driving off the Season Two cliffhanger soon enough. Disclaimer: I do not support Zutara.

I really don't think it's (or going to be) any kind of race between Maiko and Zutara. One has clear evidence, the other doesn't. Katara sympathizing with Zuko doesn't signal that Zutara's going to happen (if that's the case, then Katara's going to get together with a lot of people 0_o )

The only thing i can see them being are grudging allies in the final fight

and not to mention that other Katara pairing (ya know, that DNA of the show pairing?) will probably happen

[princessmai]

@koi: Actually, I thought the fact that Mai, from what we've seen, isn't an enthusiastic Fire Nation supporter as a plus for a possible relationship. Since Mai fights because it's exciting, and not because she is striving for the ultimate glory of the Fire Nation, I think it would be easier for Zuko to convince her to his side of things considering that she likes him and she doesn't have a very strong position in the first place. I, personally, don't think she is really opposed to his ideals, so there's not much convincing to do on Zuko's part.

I say this because I find some people are worried that Zuko liking Mai would mean that he would stay on the "bad side" which I don't find true at all.

[mindbender18]

anyone else think Mai's going to help Zuko defeat Azula?

[KiwiMarine]

If, in the end Zuko has to defeat Azula, Mai(and Ty Lee?) going up against her would be amazing! Plus it would bring Mai and Zuko closer together.

(Yeah, I'm not a regular here, but a big Maiko fan)

[Holierthanthou]

monk said:

anastasia14 said:

An Aside : I do not mind Zutara, but the standard Laws of Cartoon Plot Probability is pointing towards Kataang, as weird as even that seems to me. So it seems that the creators have already planted the seeds when Mai was introduced as being a potential suitor for Zuko. As Aang suggested to Zuko early on in Season 1, perhaps if the Fire Nation had not been at war, Aang and Zuko might have been friends. And likewise it is also possible that Zuko and Katara may have been a match made in heaven, but the realities of the political and social climate make it practically impossible.

More like the Laws of Romance and Love. (I like nice fluffy stuff, can't you tell)

I am a big Kataang and Maiko shipper, and I believe that they are the two most likely ships in the show. Both of them appeal to me but Maiko seems to have the most potential to change the characters involved.

I'd be fine with Zutara if Aang didn't already have feelings for Katara (and most likely vice versa) But it does interfere with both of my ships sooo....

[RadiantBeam]

Mai doesn't seem like your typical "bad guy". She just joined Azula's group because she was bored, and I'm starting to get the feeling that sooner or later she's going to regret her decision. Could just be the Mai fan in me, though.

[Monk]

I doubt that Mai would shift allegiances out of guilt for being a "bad guy" but merely out of incentive and a change of interest.

[RadiantBeam]

monk said:

I doubt that Mai would shift allegiances out of guilt for being a "bad guy" but merely out of incentive and a change of interest.

... I meant that she might eventually regret her decision to join Azula, not switch sides out of guilt. 0_o

[Holierthanthou]

monk said:

I doubt that Mai would shift allegiances out of guilt for being a "bad guy" but merely out of incentive and a change of interest.

Yeah, she's not the guilty type. Though I do think/hope Zuko is her reason, although vice versa is more likely.

RadiantBeam, I knew what you were saying, I'm just agreeing with Monk on his points.

[RadiantBeam]

Heh, it's alright. ^^

I do think Zuko could be a reason for Mai to change, but it's hard to say. Prior to this point we don't know what her feelings for him are like now, except for that little smile/smirk in "Return to Omashu".