"Right. Then it's her move," he muses, nodding in agreement. His eyes are still glued to Appa's, and after a moment's thought, he reaches a hand out affectionately for the small bison to sniff before seeking to pet him. It'd been a while, after all. Zunyan scurries down to the seat between Aang and Zuko, craning its neck out to sniff at Appa itself, jealously curiously.

"...Thanks, Aang. I'll let you know how it goes."

Somehow... he feels better than he'd expect about this. Not okay, but— knowing he'll have Aang there behind him, a measuring stick for the truth, trusting him even with years of time and space between them, the Avatar's presence softens the same blow it strikes.