Avatar Chapter 9
I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender
Half a year had passed since Ty Lee spoke to Azula on the balcony and Ty Lee was certain she was going to go mad. The second quarterly review had gone off without a hitch, which meant it went the same as the last one but without having to meet with Fire Lord one on one.
Being Azula's constant shadow was always interesting, training was going well and was always a highlight. Studies with Li and Lo were really fun now that they brought a small libraries worth of old scrolls on the ways of chi, auras and forces of the universe. Azula was warming up to the idea, "hah…warming up", that Ty Lee could tell the emotional state of almost anyone but refused to believe in anything about fate, destiny or singles from the universe.
No, everything was great, except for Azula's constant, cruel and inhumane torture of her emotions state and wellbeing, which was made even worse since it was probably the one time Azula herself did not know she was doing it.
"I don't think I can take another training session, she just looks soooo beautiful and graceful, oh Agni what if start to stare and blank out again." Ty Lee had naively believed that accepting that she had feeling for the Princess would bring her peace and make her aura a thing of vibrant joy. Instead she was constantly worrying about what she said, how she acted and the like.
Ty Lee could not help it, she was a very emotional person and was incapable of holding things in. But one does not simply walk into Princess Azula's chambers and announce that you love her with all your being, not unless one wants a fireball to the face.
And being by her side from dawn till dusk, through training and a number of spa visits Ty Lee was blessed in a sense as she got to see Azula in all her splendor. The spa was an interesting affair, ever since their first joint visit Azula had insisted they go at least once a week and they often went many more.
Ty Lee now knew most of the servants in the Palace by name and the ones in who attended Azula, and herself, in the spa were actually very friendly despite Ty Lee's peculiar first experience. And by speaking to them she realized that having a crush on Princess Azula had a very odd problem, being that Azula was incapable of recognizing it, at all, in any way.
In fact one of things Ty Lee learned over the past few months was that Azula was totally and completely incapable of being "normal". Everything was always about efficiency, or strategy, or crushing ones enemies like the vermin they were, Azula used that one often.
Conversely Azula had no idea how to do normal things, the first time a pimple had appeared on her face she had immediately declared it to be the sign of an assassins poison and would have torn half the Palace inside out if Ty Lee, Li and Lo had not convinced her that it was part of growing up.
Obviously this resulted in Azula completely misreading Ty Lee's behavior over the past few months. When Ty Lee was caught staring at the Princess in the training room, she asked the chi-blocker if she wanted combat tips. When Ty Lee got to close and started to blush Azula would interpret it as a result of overtaxing herself while training.
"Oh Zula, I love you but you can be so flaming dense sometimes! You're going to make be actually come out and say it aren't you!" Ty Lee had thought that dealing with the aftermath when Azula discovered her true feeling would be the difficult part, but it was obvious that the Princess was not going find out unless someone spelt it out to her.
"This sucks, Zara, Kiko and all the rest of them can tell but now they just embarrass me." It should not have surprised her that the teenage girls had recognized the signs where Azula had not, and now whenever the prodigious Fire Bender wanted a spa treatment they were always capable of putting Ty Lee in the worst, or perhaps best positions, all while giving her sly smiles.
Zara was the worst, she was the oldest there at nineteen summers and was apparently well versed in the arts of romance. She always made sure that Ty Lee got a good look at the Princess when she was indecent, and would whisper mild yet jarring statements when Ty lee was not expecting it.
Commenting on Azula's hair style one moment and then telling Ty Lee that it was a joy to run her hands through it the next. Azula seemed completely oblivious to all this, to busy enjoying being pampered in every conceivable way, all at once.
Ty Lee pulled on her braid and wondered if beat- sparing a training partner into the ground would clam her nerves, Azula enjoyed it. But at least she had something to look forward to, it was the eve of a New Year.
And as such there would be a festival honoring the past and looking towards the future, celebrating the strength of the nation and giving thanks to the royal family for leading said nation. Azula and even the Fire Lord would be giving speeches and throughout he Fire Nation parties, celebrations and the like would be held for nearly three days straight.
"Ty Lee quit your daydreaming and tell me how this billowing mass looks on me." Azula's annoyed voice echoed throughout the large changing room. Ty Lee looked over and sighed, this was the fifth dress Azula had tried on.
"Azula they all look wonderful on you but remember what Li and Lo said, it has to signify that you are the "radiant flower of the Fire Nation"." Ty Lee thought it was a beautiful sentiment but Azula thought otherwise.
"I am NOT a flower nor do I wish to look like one; how am I supposed to defend myself with these long sleeves, and I am positive I can't perform proper footwork with all these ribbons and bells." Azula was again ranting on the combat ineffectiveness of a formal gown.
"Zuuula, you're not going to be Fire Bending remember, that's what the performers are for." Ty Lee always found it cute when Azula was flustered and could not keep the playful tone from her voice.
"Oh really, you seem excited about your little demonstration, all those tumblers and daredevils seem to have taken a liking to you." Azula was right, apparently fate was a wondrous thing as Ty Lee was going to demonstrate her acrobatic abilities in front of large audience, in Azula's honor of course.
Azula was apparently not supposed to have any hand in the preparation of the New Year's festival, it was to be surprise for the royal family as well as the guests. Ty Lee on the other hand was capable and encouraged to put together some form of entertainment, and since Ty Lee was confident in her own skills she might as well take part personally.
Li and Lo had given a long explanation of how publically demonstrating her abilities would improve both her and her families standing in the court, if she did a good job that is, displaying loyalty to the crown and proving herself an effective servant of the Princess.
Ty Lee would have done it anyway just for the chance to live out her dream but doing anything in the capital seemed to have some sort of political affect. Of course the only thing weighing on her mind was the fact that her family would be watching. She had not spoken to them since she had been appointed as the Princess attendant, though they had not tried to contact her either which caused Ty Lee wonder how any meeting would go.
"No, absolutely not! I feel like a puffed pastry in this why is there not anything even remotely practical!" Ty lee looked over and giggled, the light red robe Azula now had on did indeed make her look quite round.
"Don't you dare laugh! I do not have the luxury of merely choosing the pinkest thing in here, and where is the rest of it anyway?!" Ty Lee smiled and looked herself over, she had found what she was going to wear formally almost instantly; it was obviously bright pink and resembled what an exotic dancer from the southern islands would wear.
It did show off a bit more flesh than most other formal gowns but in even in winter the Fire Nation climate was always hot and humid. Ty Lee put her hand on her hip and posed for Azula "I think it suites me perfectly Zula, how about you choose something that matchers your personally like I did, this is unorthodox, pink and makes me feel free-spirited"
Azula glared at her before looked at the servants attempting to dress her "Fine, you two. " Azula said pointing at the closest servants "Get that red robe over there with the dragon on, no not that one you fools the one that actually looks intimidating!" Azula than pointed to another servant "And you, go get that large chest of accessories I saw, the black one" as the servant scurried off Azula turned to her fashion advisor. "And Ty, you go get the makeup and jewelry box, since you seem to be bursting with ideas"
Ty Lee smiled and with a bounce in her step hoped off the raised platform she was standing on and skipped over to the box containing all manner of makeup and several hundred pieces of finery, it was more of a cart than a box.
Ty Lee watched as the servants dressed Azula in a blood red robe with a menacing dragon stitched in. Azula than pointed at the large chest which contained various ornamentation, solid gold bracelets, flashy headdresses and the like. After a lot of trial and error Azula finally had an outfit on that satisfied her.
It was almost entirely red and black and the servants were not happy that she had chosen military style foot wear and armoured bracelets but Ty Lee had to admit it did look like Azula. "Now everyone get out…not you Ty Lee I require your assistance dolling up my face."
Ty Lee followed Azula towards a large vanity, she was giddy that her friend wanted her help with her hair and makeup. Azula sat down and crossed her arms, "Now do what you think is necessary and no more, I am trusting you to know what is best."
Ty Lee was shocked "Azula said she trusts me" She nearly had tears in her eyes, so what if it was only makeup. Calming herself, Ty Lee went to work finding what would make sure friend look good. Aside from lipstick Azula never wore much makeup and no jewellery aside from her crown so Ty Lee knew Azula would only enjoy a minimalist approach.
It was quiet as she worked in the dressing chamber, the large room held all the formal wear that the royal family would ever need and then some. It was brightly lit and had a calming atmosphere, good for last minute discussions before important events.
"Soooo, what are you going to do at the party" Ty Lee spoke as she carefully applied lipstick to Azula. "If you think that I am going to mingle with you forget it, I have no interest with talking with a bunch of scheming nobles." Azula replied.
"Ah, but Azula there will be a lot of cute boys there, and maybe we will run into someone we knew from the academy. " Ty Lee was ashamed to admit that's she mostly just wanted Azula there in case she ran into one of her family members.
"The boys will not be cute and even less intelligent, also I spent years avoiding the clucking of out classmates at school and I have no intention of getting involved now." Azula seemed firm with her decision and opened her eyes, she then sighed.
"Ty Lee if you don't want to see your family you can simply order them out." Ty Lee was startled by Azula's comment and started sputtering out words, the Princess was unfazed. "You are without a doubt the worst scheming noble in the country Ty, I don't even need to try anymore to know what you're thinking." Though the words sounded harsh Azula had a somewhat gentle smile on her face.
Azula then looked at herself in the mirror and seemed content, she stood up and placed her hand out to the side and Ty Lee understood the gesture, reaching over to a very ornate box she picked out a solid gold crown with red gem outline.
She placed it the Princess's hand and Azula herself secured it in place on her head. Azula turned towards Ty Lee and spoke "Well?" Ty Lee knew Azula wanted an answer but she was too busy staring at her Princess, she looked absolutely beautiful in a half regal half military general kind if way.
I sharp pain on her forehead broke Ty Lee from her ogling, and as she rubbed her head she realized Azula had flicked her. "By the burning coals of our nation Ty stop doing that, I know my radiance is breathtaking but I expect some decorum from you by now. Now tell how I look." Azula seemed both impatient and nervous at the same time.
Ty Lee smiled "You look wonderful Azula, you just look like well, you. Everyone is sure to notice you."
Azula crossed her arms and gave an impatient snort "They had better as I will not make it a habit to dress myself in these, I feel some sort of prized bull-pig." With that the Princess made her way to the door with Ty Lee happily skipping behind.