Azula had taken over Ba Sing Se earlier, it was now twilight, and with the Dai Li and Long-Feng gone, Azula literally had the city to herself. Mai slouched against one of the jade pillars, twirling one of her many knives. Ty Lee sat loyally at Azula's side, seeming perfectly content, thinking.
"Mai!" Azula said sharply, startling the assassin. "Mai, you can leave if you want to, I understand that during the day, you can barely stay awake. I do not know if it is from lack of sleep or sheer boredom," Azula paused, choosing her words carefully, "I respect my friends' wishes and advise you to get to bed." Azula finished. Mai stared in awe, not quite processing what the princess just said. After it registered, the assassin got up, bowed, and left.
"Hey Azula," the pink acrobat started, looking up at the princess, "why were you so nice to Mai?" Ty Lee asked, curious. "Because, if I'm to capture the Avatar and hunt my brother, I need my companions in healthy condition so you and Mai can fight when I command you to." Azula said in a "matter-of-factly" tone. "But…" Ty Lee began again, only to be interrupted by Azula's footsteps becoming fainter and fainter as the young princess walked away. Gloom washed over Ty Lee's normally cheerful face, she hated when Azula left. It was like an empty space in her heart and she hated that feeling of loneliness.
Azula made her way through the winding hallways, making it to her room and slipping inside. The slam of her door echoed through the soundless corridor. Her mind was elsewhere, but Azula wasn't thinking about malicious torture or new schemes. No, the princess was thinking about one person only and that person was Ty Lee. Azula sighed and leaned against her door, relaxing in the silence. Azula sighed again, pushing her self away from the cold marble door and making her way to the queen sized bed, laying down on the fine silk comforter and released a stressed groan. "Damn it." Azula hissed, running her hand over her face, pushing back her face frames that usually hung in her face." I let another chance slip, again!" the princess thought to herself. Azula lay on the bed for a few minutes, staring at the ceiling. Getting up, Azula readied for bed, pulling on her crimson satin robe and pants, and undoing her topknot, letting her brunette hair fall to her waist. Azula's mind momentarily let go of Ty Lee and focused on her hair. "I need to get a haircut." Azula muttered, inspecting a lock of straight, brunette hair. Tossing the lock behind her shoulder Azula walked to the bed, blowing out the bedside candle.