The Great Game
Chapter Four: Of Noodles & Men
"So, how did it go?" The older peasant asked, his hands rubbing together in anticipation. "Did you get the job?"
Azula nodded as she fell backwards onto the couch, allowing the fluff to consume her. She wasn't in the mood to talk to the peasants - she wasn't ever in the mood - but, now especially. Dealing with Narook had taken a lot out of her and as she tried to disappear beneath the peeling fabric, she could only pray to the Agni that they would decide to forego questioning her any further.
Of course, that didn't happen.
It never did.
And, before she knew it, the younger peasant had his face shoved in front of her own, bright green eyes peering down at her with curiosity.
It took all of Azula's willpower not to burn him right there and then. But, she wasn't Ozai, nor did she wish to jeopardize her housing, no matter how annoying her hosts were. Quite simply, there weren't many individuals in Republic City that were kind enough to take a person in without asking questions and she was in no hurry to exhaust her rather limited options.
Therefore, dealing with the hyperactive peasant and his firebending brother had become something solidified within her life. Their questions even more so.
"When's your first day? Do you have a cool uniform? Do you think you could serve me sometime? This is just so awesome and..."
The questions fell out of the peasant's mouth rapidly and as a result of having grown accustom to his ramblings, Azula tuned him out, focusing upon his brother's bemused smile instead. Although she certainly found the interrogation rather annoying, part of it amused her as well, similar to the way a god found its creation's interactions humorous.
Now, her fellow firebender was certainly no deity, but she appeared to have been incorrect in assuming that they were as radically different as she once perceived them to be. He was still a filthy underling, though. Nothing could ever change that.
"Ty Lee, are you even listening to me?" the younger peasant whined, large eyes blinking owlishly at her.
Azula sighed and the only thing that was keeping her persona from slipping was the endurance she had gained from the rigorous training of her childhood. "Y-yes, Bolin. I'm just t-tired."
"I'm sorry, Ty Lee!" He apologized. "I didn't realize! Your interview must have been hard and now you're exhausted and I've been bothering you…"
Azula cut him off with a wave of her hand, forcing a smile upon her face. It was hard to imagine that the younger peasant and her were actually the same age - well, the same age physically at least - when she had to constantly reassure him after all of their interactions.
Truth be told, it was an insanely irritating habit of his and made her rather thankful that his older brother had long outgrown that stage.
She was even more grateful when the older peasant interrupted the younger's drivel, invoking a ceasefire from the apologies.
"Perhaps, we should give her some time to rest, Bolin? After all, she's had a rather busy day." he said pleasantly, gently steering the nuisance away from her. "Tomorrow, you can question her a bit more. Isn't that right, Ty Lee?"
"Of c-course," Azula responded, despite the fact that she would most certainly not be explaining anything tomorrow.
Considering the attention span of the younger peasant, any inklings he had about her new job should be long gone by then. At least, she hoped they would be. Talking about her workplace just wouldn't work out, especially when considering the fact that she hated it.
It wasn't as if her hatred was unjustified either, because the restaurant had numerous negative characteristics - so many, that they were practically overflowing.
For one, Narook, himself, was a problem. He utterly lacked the concept of personal space, daring to touch Azula and having gone as far as to throw his arm around her shoulder like they were comrades, which they were most certainly not. Azula was so far above him that it completely eluded her how the water tribe man failed to grasp it.
Not to mention, the entire lack of screening was rather appalling. Even if Azula were to get a recommendation from a trusted ally, which two loyal customers did not constitute as, she would still conduct a detailed interview. Rules such as that were put in place for a reason and to ignore them headlessly was ignorant. For all he knew, Azula could have been a murderer. In fact, Azula was a murderer - just not in this lifetime.
The whole setup was just bizarre and, not to mention, extremely understaffed. The establishment only had four individuals working at one time which was a stark contrast to the hundreds that the Fire Nation palace enlisted. It was not as if Azula didn't realize that royalty typically had a bit more and that hundreds of people at one's beck and call was a bit irregular; however, four was still a terrifyingly low number.
In fact, with the shop having only ten workers overall, disaster awaited Azula in the future. With such limited staffing, she was projected to be working outrageous hours, which was something she was rather hoping to avoid. Sure, two hours here or there wasn't that bad, but the eight hours that Narook appeared to be implying? Well, that man might just end up being caught in a freak, accidental home-fire. A fire that Azula would have no knowledge about. No, none whatsoever.
To be entirely honest, Narook's death was an extremely appealing idea and Azula would follow through with her desire if it weren't for one thing - Narook's cooking was surprisingly good.
Although the noodles hadn't even looked a tad appetizing, they were marvelous and something that Azula would have found in the spirit world (assuming that the spirits actually ate, which, in itself, was an ongoing dilemma that she was facing). However, the fact that the delicacy was water tribe cuisine didn't make any sense to her.
How could something so amazing be produced by such lowly origins?
The answer eluded Azula and was quickly creating an existential crisis for her, which meant that Narook would be unfortunately staying alive until she figured it out.
"Sorry about that, he can be a bit of a handful," the older peasant said sheepishly, interrupting Azula's musings.
"It's fine," Azula responded and she was struck with the distinct impression that the two's bond was far more paternal than brotherly. "You a-act an awful lot like his parent or, a-at least I-I've noticed that y-you do." She said, voicing her thoughts.
Tonight, although still rather annoyed with the peasants as a whole, she was feeling rather gracious towards the firebending one. She doubted he was growing on her, since he didn't have much to offer. No, it was probably just her exhaustion as opposed to genuine friendliness. After all, Azula would never exchange pleasantries with a peasant while having no ulterior motives. Yes, it had to be her body's need for sleep - nothing more, nothing less.
The older peasant scratched his neck in embarrassment, his cheeks heating up with that ridiculous blush of his. Honestly, Azula had gotten to the point where she was willing to just teach him how to control it herself. Silly peasant.
"I-I meant it as a c-compliment," she explained, not wanting to ostracize him. Which, was thankfully for her benefit more than his; Azula wasn't ready to handle any more enigmatic kindness on her part.
"Well, thank you," he responded and a funny look appeared upon his face as he sat down on the opposite end of the coach from her.
Azula dipped her head in response, staring out at the illuminated Republic City and its roaring nightful.
The lights seemed to gaze back at her, beckoning her forwards into the new age with their twinkling eyes as they shone invitingly and ever so tempting.
Azula wanted to leap up then, search the city for its secrets as the crisp midnight air enveloped her. She hadn't felt like this for awhile, no, not since she had met her match in Avatar Aang - not since she had looked into Koh's eyes and saw herself reflected back.
Because, for the first time in many years, Azula felt alive.
Disclaimer: All rights reserved to the original creators
Author's Note: So, more of a filler chapter than anything else, but we got to see some nifty character development from Azula. Yep, the "firebending peasant" is still dumb and annoying, but he's okay to talk to sometimes...it's not like they're friends or anything teehee. I've also got to apologize. I kept trying to write the first part in the present tense for some reason so it's all wonky and doesn't flow as nicely as usual, plus I'm not sure if I caught all of my slip-ups. So, if you see anything, please give me a heads up! I'll appreciate it a lot. Also, this isn't edited that well since I'm dead from XC starting up (don't competitively run - it's rough) so feel free to point out grammatical errors. I'll try to fix them :)
JimmyHall24: I'm going to be honest, I don't really like that pairing that much simply because I see the two of them as rather incompatible. Korra is a worthy avatar and I enjoy her character; however, I can't see Azula choosing someone so impulsive and naïve. Korra's definitely going to be important in this story and I plan on pairing up with another girl (as a hint), but I don't think that girl's going to be Azula. If this causes you to abandon the fic, I understand. Thank for sticking with me this far :)
Aristanae: Thank you so much; I'm glad you like it! And, yes, the spirit world is going to be making another reappearance rather soon.
Fukosas: You've got that right!