The gloomy Fire Nation noble who joins Azula’s team with Ty Lee is Mai.
Mai is a reserved aristocrat from the Fire Nation capital. She grew up surrounded by wealth and strict expectations, but her privileged upbringing left her bored and emotionally detached. Her most recognizable combat skill is throwing metal knives and other projectiles with remarkable precision.
Azula recruits Mai in Book Two after visiting her family’s home. Mai agrees to join the pursuit of the Avatar partly because life in the capital has become dull and partly because she is closely connected to Azula. Her dry, pessimistic personality contrasts sharply with Ty Lee’s enthusiasm and optimism.
Mai is often confused with Ty Lee because both become members of Azula’s traveling team. Their roles are different: Mai is the gloomy noble and knife-thrower, while Ty Lee is the circus-trained acrobat and chi-blocker. Mai’s relationship with Zuko also becomes important, especially when her loyalty to him conflicts with her fear of Azula.