She's dressed in white robes with a red band around her right arm. Her hair clumps on bony shoulders and amber eyes stare blankly at white walls. There is a sallow glow to her skin, contrasting sharply with her bright red lips that move in a frenzy with ghosts of her words. Occasionally, she pulls up her knees and buries her head in between. He expects her to scream—it would be better than the haunting silence.
"My lord," the nurse next to him says. "It might not be safe in there… by yourself."
"Has she tried to escape?"
"No, sir." He hesitates. "Not even an attempt."
"Then," Zuko forces a smile. "I should be fine."
The nurse smiles back and unlocks the door. "Will fifteen minutes be enough, my lord?" He bows at Zuko's nod and closes the door behind him.
Zuko takes off his cloak and drapes it across the lone chair in the room. His eyes flutter around, from the bed in the corner, covered in lush but bland blankets to white walls with peeling paint. There is a damp quality to the room, making it impossible for even a master firebender to create even a spark. A glare settles on him. He turns around to face her, fully expecting a loathing look.
But there is none.
She's standing now, her shoulders hunched forward and a million emotions running through her eyes: fear, confusion, disgust, shock. And for the first time, she speaks. "Zuzu?"
Zuko is speechless. In that moment, everything adds up. The look in her eyes, her changed demeanor, her questioning glance. Azula can't remember herself.
"Zuzu, is that you?" Lost, broken.
"Yeah, it's… me."
His voice seems to trigger something in her. She reels back in shock and her knees buckle. Collapsing onto her knees, she clutches her head and lets out an agonizing shriek, rocking back and forth. Her lips move again, forming unspoken words.
Zuko feels panic settle in. He drops to his knees and grabs her wrists. "Azula, stop," he commands. "Zul… please."
His relapse into a childhood nickname makes her pause. She looks up ad Zuko finally gets a close look: golden eyes with the life sapped out, tear stains along pale cheeks, grey skin sagging under her eyelashes.
"Oh Zuzu," she sounds… sad. Not remorseful… but more pitiful. Like she feels bad for him. "They fucked us up real good, didn't they? Father. Even mother."
Zuko stares. This is Azula. Strong Azula. Brave Azula. Independent, bossy, boisterous Azula. Princess Azula, daughter of Firelord Ozai and Firelady Ursa. Great-grandaughter of Sozin the Great, of Avatar Roku. Azula. Firelady Azula. Phoenix Queen Azula. Sweet Azula. Evil Azula. Sneaky, manipulative, lying Azula.
Weak Azula. Mad Azula. Broken, lost, lonely Azula.
Zuko wraps his arms around her head. "Yeah." is his simple reply. "They did."