Yet another example of thinking on my feet.

Staring down at my soup, I put on a sad expression, but inside I was in a bit of a bind. I hadn't expected this question. Still, I was getting good at thinking on my feet...so let's see what I could do...

"I had to make sure I was never found...if an escaped slaves...I'm sorry, 'servants'... gets caught, they're usually killed on the spot...at least, that's what they told us...constantly while we were on the market, so to speak," I lied. Mai's eyes widened a bit at this. "I...I never heard of that law..." she said, sounding stunned. I rubbed the back of my neck. "I don't think it was so much a 'law' as a policy. I think, by law, they're supposed to take us back alive...but kill us if we resist too much. Surprising how many resist too much." My meaning was clear, Mai went back to stirring her soup.

Okay...she believed me so far...had to keep it up. "Anyway...servants like us had to stick together. No servant would stab another in the back. That would only get THEM killed too. ...but apparently that didn't stop people from spreading false information...creating traps for us," I went on. "There was a rumored service that could get us back to the Earth Kingdom...one that could put us directly in the safe haven of Ba Sin Sing...so you weren't too off the mark when you went there."

"Only it was one of those traps..." Mai finished for me. "John, how could you believe such a story? No one gets into Ba Sin Sing without approval from the Da Li...and they wouldn't take in a Fire Nation servant." I tossed my hands up. "**** time, **** measures," I protested. "It was my only chance...I had to give it a try. What did I stand to lose that simply getting caught wouldn't net me?" That made her fall silent.

Sighing, I drummed my fingers. "I wish I could tell you what happened. I arrived at the location...the next thing I remember was the wooshing sound of flame and the heat of bent fire...when I opened my eyes again, I was in another place...and another time. The rest you already know." Mai clearly believed every word...as she was programmed to...but what's her reaction to the "truth"?