all the world's a cage

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prologue: a wedding song at a funeral

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The music is haunting.

Enrapturing. Chilling. The kind that makes the world spin just a little bit.

It spins and twists. It repeats over and over and over again.

"I don't like it," Azula says and the music ceases instantly. "It sounds like something for a funeral, not a wedding."

The musician looks nervous, but she brushes him off and flips through this pathetic song book of her uncle's again. Why Ty Lee agreed to let him help by suggesting his music night friends, Azula has no clue.

"Azula," interrupts her brother and she rolls her eyes. He, of course, finds it appropriate to barge into places whenever he pleases. Granted, they are in the palace, but he should have some idea of boundaries. "There's. . . something we need to talk about."

"Hmph." Azula peels herself from the songbook and turns to face her brother.

"I don't know how to say this."

"Spit it out. Or are the words too big for you?" Azula snaps.

Zuko does not even react. This bores her.

Until he replies, "Our father is dying."

Azula does not know what to say. But she talks anyway. "How could you just prance in here and tell me that? I could have fainted or worse."

Zuko narrows his eyes.

"I didn't think anyone would exactly collapse in grief. But he only will talk to you," Zuko says awkwardly and Azula purses her lips. "I just thought I should tell you. You don't have to talk to him."

"I am the only person he wants to talk to on his deathbed?" Azula asks it cruelly, but she supposes it makes some sense. She always was all he had. "Is he an hour away from death or can I finish this first?"

Zuko doesn't know how to respond to that.

Azula sighs; she clearly can't complete this horrific task that Ty Lee assigned her to complete. At least my father is dying is a good enough excuse to get out of helping pick out a song for her wedding.

"Fine. Take me to him." Azula closes the songbook.

She truly despises the feeling inside of her that is scared of what she will find.