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Description
There were certain emotions Zuko expected to feel during a meeting with his ministers: boredom, frustration, irritation. There were other emotions that seemed quite out of place in one of these meetings. Like the emotion he was feeling right now. He identified it as "lust."

It had all started when Mai had asked him if she could sit in. He'd said yes, of course, because he could deny her nothing. But he warned it that it probably wouldn't be fun, and the ministers probably wouldn't like it, and it was probably better if she was seen and not heard. She'd ignored the warnings.

And then, half an hour into the proceedings, Lord Watoshi had made one of his comments.

They were discussing the topic of women in the military.

"I understand the necessity," Lord Watoshi said, "of allowing females in our armed forces. But as they are obviously the weaker sex, I see no reason as to why their lesser contributions merit equal compensation."

Remembering the amazing strength and courage of all the women in his life--Toph, Katara, Mai, his mother, even his sister--Zuko bristled with righteous indignation. But as he opened his mouth to say something angry, Mai cut him off smoothly.

"Shall I tell your mother you said that, Lord Watoshi?" she asked innocently. "I should love to hear her opinion on this matter."

A snicker ran around the table as Watoshi colored bright red. But Zuko didn't notice. He was staring at his girlfriend. And he'd thought she was attractive before. Never had a matter of politics been so sexy.

Description
There were certain emotions Zuko expected to feel during a meeting with his ministers: boredom, frustration, irritation. There were other emotions that seemed quite out of place in one of these meetings. Like the emotion he was feeling right now. He identified it as "lust."

It had all started when Mai had asked him if she could sit in. He'd said yes, of course, because he could deny her nothing. But he warned it that it probably wouldn't be fun, and the ministers probably wouldn't like it, and it was probably better if she was seen and not heard. She'd ignored the warnings.

And then, half an hour into the proceedings, Lord Watoshi had made one of his comments.

They were discussing the topic of women in the military.

"I understand the necessity," Lord Watoshi said, "of allowing females in our armed forces. But as they are obviously the weaker sex, I see no reason as to why their lesser contributions merit equal compensation."

Remembering the amazing strength and courage of all the women in his life--Toph, Katara, Mai, his mother, even his sister--Zuko bristled with righteous indignation. But as he opened his mouth to say something angry, Mai cut him off smoothly.

"Shall I tell your mother you said that, Lord Watoshi?" she asked innocently. "I should love to hear her opinion on this matter."

A snicker ran around the table as Watoshi colored bright red. But Zuko didn't notice. He was staring at his girlfriend. And he'd thought she was attractive before. Never had a matter of politics been so sexy.