"Aang? Aang Duc?"
Scanning the list of names containing the members of her father's 17.00 martial arts class, Azula raised an eyebrow in annoyance. Considering how popular these training courses were, people really should know better than to enrol just to go absent without notice.
"Aang? He's not here. Where's Master Ozai, by the way? Another hairdresser's appointment?"
A ripple of stifled giggles passed through the assembled class. Azula's amber eyes blasted the speaker with bolts of fury.
"I already told you that he's taking the day off for urgent business. I'm his daughter and I'm filling in for him. He'll be back next week."
Blue eyes twinkled at her. "Oh? What, does that mean you won't be here? Why, that's a shame! You're by far the best looking teacher that I've ever had." Seeing the flames of fury erupting from the new instructor's eyes, the speaker checked himself quickly. "I mean, by the look of it you're an expert. You probably know how to teach us a trick or two."
Bright scarlet stained Azula's cheeks. However, she disciplined herself and regarded the speaker coldly, checking the list of class members.
"Sokka Roualt, right? Well you'll be happy to know that I sometimes assist my father in his classes, so you'll have the one-sided pleasure of meeting me again. Now then, since no one seems to know the whereabouts of Aang Duc, I'll erase him from the list of class members. There…"
Staring down at the paper sheet on her clipboard, Azula frowned. Something was niggling at her mind, jarring insistently. Now, where did she recognize that boy's name from? For some reason, it was awkwardly familiar.
"Excuse me? Please, Miss Duchamps… I mean, it isn't like Aang to be late for anything. I'm in his Theology class, and he generally turns up earlier than anyone. He's really dedicated." The speaker, a pretty girl with long platinum blonde braids had placed her hand on the blue-eyed joker's muscular arm as if for support.
"Oh, just give it a rest, Yue! He's probably home in bed with a headcold, being coddled by Katara. He'd prioritize her over any other type of action. Now, Miss Duchamps or whatever your name is, can we get fucking started already? I wanna learn some new moves. That is, if you know any!"
The tiny girl planted her feet in an aggressively wide legged stance, directing her milky green eyes in Azula's direction. Their stand in teacher regarded her coldly. She really didn't have the patience to handle disability cases.
"Why Toph, congratulations on an amazing start! You managed to locate me solely by the direction of my voice. We'll see if your kicks are just as accurate. But first, let's go through the series of warm up exercises that my father emailed you. I assume you've all been practising them diligently during the past week."
As the group of class members went into position, moving into the pre requisite kicks and jumps, Azula nodded in approval.
Hm. Not bad. There's definitely some talent here. Pity most of them seem intellectually challenged.
After 10 minutes of exercises, the majority of the group of martial arts trainees were flushed and sweating. However, Azula was annoyed to notice that both the blue-eyed joker and the tiny blind girl were keeping up the exercises with unflagging stamina. Really, they were both too cocky by far. Frowning, she tried to determine which one of them was the most deserving of a thorough putdown. So far, the tiny girl looked like the fastest and strongest of them, unlikely as it might seem. Also, she was the one who'd explicitly asked Azula to teach them some new moves. However, the guy wasn't far behind, while additionally having twice the girl's height and muscle mass. Also, he'd managed to annoy Azula with his unwanted compliments. Yes, he was probably the best choice.
"Alright, class! Stop right where you are. Yes. Right there! Don't move a muscle, any of you." Azula advanced down the line of frozen youths, examining them head to foot with cruel golden eyes. A derisive smirk played on her red lips.
"As far as I'm concerned, you're all a bunch of clumsy wimps. There isn't a single drop of talent amongst the lot of you. When my father returns, he'll probably kick your asses out the door and cancel classes for this term."
While some of the students reared defensively, others slouched in defeat. Azula watched their reaction keenly.
Hmm. Interesting.
"But Miss! Miss Duchamps! I did four terms of Martial Arts while I was at Ba Sing Se University! The Master said that I was number one in his class every single time!"
The tiny girl and the tall blue-eyed student both turned on the moustachioed speaker like predators.
"Ah, shut up, Haru! Only Special Ed cases do Martial Arts at BSSU! Everybody knows it!"
"Man, remember when we were in fencing class last year together? You kept dropping your weapon so often Master Piandao threatened to glue it to your hand! I mean…"
Azula's eyes narrowed. "Shut up, you idiots! You're wasting the entire lesson, as well as my time. As far as I can tell, you're all equally useless. However, one has to start from somewhere. In order to demonstrate today's lesson, I need a volunteer. Any takers?"
"Excuse me? Is this Master Ozai Duchamps' Martial Arts class?"
The bright female voice cut through the squabble of students' vying to get picked. Annoyed, Azula raised her head to stare the newcomer down. A tall young woman in her twenties, auburn hair cut into a sensible bob. The physique underneath the plain green training outfit looked muscular and fit, indicating that she exercised regularly. With a slight tilt of the head, Azula allowed her to approach.
"Who are you? This isn't a drop-in class."
"No, no I'm aware of that. My name's Suki Lamarr. I came here to…"
"You're not on the list."
"No, I came here to… I was led to believe that there would be an empty slot…"
"Hm. Well I guess since Aang Duc has decided to drop out without notice, there is indeed an empty slot to fill. Miss Lamarr, you are in luck. Right now, we're searching for volunteers. I'm Azula Duchamps. Consider me your teacher."
With an evil grin, she took up fighting stance, indicating with a minute nod that the newcomer should do the same.
