Chapter 4: Truth, Lies, and Tea Leaves (Part Two)
Azula's mind ran through a number of possible scenarios to explain her own existence. Though it was imperative that she find a suitable tale she did so slowly as to avoid opening it to Ursa anymore than it already had been.
In its damaged state, she feared that the slightest push in the wrong direction could unravel all the progress she had made since escaping her mother and the accursed Fog.
She watched Kiyi for a moment, looking into her brown eyes for any sign that she would let things go but when she found none she settled on an old play she had seen when she was just a little girl hanging onto their mother's robe. It was Azula experience that the more pathetic the story sounded the easier it was to believe.
"I never knew my parents" Azula finally said. "My grandmother told me, before she passed away, that my mother was a beautiful woman, and kinder than the world deserved to have. She was born blind, but her fire was strong." Azula paused waiting for a sign that the old woman believed her tale before continuing. "Grandmother said that despite her blindness, she was brilliant… but she was far too naïve."
"Why did your grandmother say that, Azula?" Kiyi asked in a soft tone, her features became more sympathetic.
Azula sighed and frowned, trying to appear smaller, as uncomfortable people tended to do when brushing a subject they'd rather keep hidden. ""Grandmother told me that she cared too deeply and loved far too easily."
Kiyi nodded her head as if understanding some untold truth.
"My sire was born to nobility and according to my grandmother he was a rather handsome man." Azula stared at the simple teacup., she slowly wrapped her right hand around it, and warmed her cup until steam swirled out. "My grandmother did not approve."
'He didn't stay…"
"No, he did not."Azula said weakly, adding a bit tremble for effect.. "Their romance lasted through the summer, but once fall came he left never to be seen again. She told me that she died giving birth to me…" There were few things Azula had never been able to do, one of them was her inability to fake tears. Usually that was a disadvantage, but it added to her little story beautifully.
Sometimes the absence of something spoke much louder than its presence.
Kiyi pressed a sympathetic hand on Azula's shoulder. "I'm sorry, I know your life couldn't have been easy with, but if you need anything, please, don't hesitate to ask…" Azula fought the smile that threatened to creep onto her face. "The inn is going to be full, due to the coming festival… you can stay with me until you figure things out."
The former Fire Nation princess shook her head, she had already bound herself to the island for the next three days, the longer she stayed in Hira'a the easier it would be for Zuko to find her. But on the other hand she knew nothing about how the balance of power was spread after the war or how long it would take her to regain her strength… who knew how long it would take her to get stable footing in a new world…
"I don't want to impose."
"Nonsense, you wouldn't be imposing," Kiyi objected. "I'm offering you a bed, food, and clothes. You're fighting an Agni Kai for a battle that was never yours, it's the least I can do,"
Azula remained silent for a few moments, weighing her options in her head before she finally nodded. "Thank you."
"There's no need to thank me," Kiyi said smiling and for a second Azula swore she saw Ursa in the old woman's eyes. "we are family after all."
Azula looked away and tried not to vomit. It was all so sweet… truly her mother's influence.
She mumbled a small thank you and drank away her tea.
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Azula had never known the pleasure of a waterbender's touch but she was quick to appreciate it. After breakfast, Kiyi had deemed it necessary that they go to the town's doctor, a young woman Water Tribe woman probably six years older than Azula going by the named Katara. Apparently the peasant girl had made a name for herself after the War, making the name quite popular with the peoples of the Water Tribes.
It was a cold and dark room that smelled of ice with the barest hints of summer. There was a single tub in the floor the floor hat she currently occupied
Azula hadn't trusted the healer at first, but eventually she sat on the table and let Katara undress her while Kiyi left the room in search for some clothes..
Not that there was much to undress considering the state of her ripped clothes.
The healer remained mostly quiet during the session, choosing to focus completely on healing Azula's mal nourished body. She kept the water centered in Azula's lower back before running it down her legs and then back up.
"Your body needs proper nourishment if you wish to continue bending." The water bender informed while running her hands on her shoulders. "and you'll need months of light rehabilitation if you want your body to return to its former state." The waterbender then began to wrap her in bandaged from the soles of her feet to the base of her neck. "These will help with your recovery, you'll want to remove them when you by sundown." She turned to Kiyi, who had just returned, and informed her that she should keep an eye on her for the next few weeks.
"I will." The old woman assured.
The clothes were, admittedly…nice, for commoner wear. Kiyi had bought her clothes similar to those that a woman would wear if she were going to participate in an Agni Kai. The clothes were simple in design, a red, sleeveless Fire Nation qipao, that just covered her stomach and a pair of loose, black pants that stopped at her ankles.
Azula entered the most basic of stances and proceeded to test her range of mobility. Her new clothes did not protest against rapid movements nor did they hinder her flexibility, but she could certainly feel her muscles rebelled against her.
It started as small tremors at first but quickly developed into shockwaves that were almost crippling. Azula almost staggered but pressed on, moving faster with every strike.
Her father had put her through so much worse. It wasn't until tendrils made from water wrapped around her limbs keeping her in place. "If you are going to be participating in a duel, I recommend that you don't strive to injure yourself. " Azula nodded her slowly, trying to hide the irritation that was clearly visible in her yellow eyes. The waterbender released her and handed a role of bandages to a patiently waiting Kiyi.
Once the two left the clinic Kiyi leaned in close to Azula and whispered. "My daughter is the same way."
The former princess's response was to lift a single delicate eyebrow and watch as her half sister giggled.
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A/N: next chapter we have the Agni Kai and things finally start picking up.
Hope you enjoyed the interaction.
See you next time.