Set: #2
Week 3: Song
Genres: Hurt/Comfort/Friendship
Rating: K+
Setting: Fire Nation mental health institution (just prior to The Promise)
Song
"Leaves from the vine…"
He was instructed to follow the voice.
"Falling so slow…"
Despite the major key, her desolate tone added an eerie quality to the tune.
"Like fragile, tiny shells…"
Her back was toward him when he arrived at her cell.
"Drifting in the foam…"
She was too preoccupied painting one of the walls to acknowledge his presence.
He cleared his throat. "Uh, hey, Azula."
Paint dripped from her brush as she turned around. "Why, isn't it the Water peasant? What brings you to my humble abode?"
Seeing how frail she'd grown rendered him speechless. "I-I – "
She rolled her eyes. "Who sent you here and why?"
"Your brother… h-he's worried about you."
"Please," she scoffed. "If Zuzu were really worried about me, he'd visit me himself. But instead he sent you."
"Yeah… so…" Trying to change the subject he asked, "What were you singing?"
She sighed, turning back around to resume painting. "Some song Uncle used to sing to his son. Singing helps keep Mother from poisoning my mind."
"I see…" It was then that he actually noticed what she was painting, or more like, composing. Her entire wall was covered in music notes. "I, uh, didn't know you were into music."
"Yes, well, I figured I may as well adorn my room with things that please me since I'm going to die in here."
His face twisted. "You don't… really think that, do you?"
"Let's look at the facts. Zuzu won't let me out until I'm 'better'. And although the orderlies tell me I'm going to recover, I can hear them whispering behind my back that my insanity is beyond repair."
"Azula – "
"So if I don't stand a chance at recovery, Zuzu won't release me, and thus, my life will eventually end in this hellhole. Where a trip to the bathroom is a luxury because it's the only time I can leave my room." She turned back toward him. "Stop looking at me like you care. You wouldn't even be here if Zuko didn't send you."
"Yes, but – "
"You've seen me. You've done your civic duty. Now you can leave."
"Wait one second." He sprinted down the hall. Several minutes later, he returned with an orderly who cautiously opened her cell.
"What's going on…?"
"They're letting me take you outside!"
She choked. "R-really?"
"Under the condition that you stay attached to me the whole time." He extended his hand, which she tentatively took.
Immediately upon stepping out into the courtyard, she kicked off her sandals, her golden eyes gleaming as the grass tickled her feet. She tilted her head back, basking in the summer sun's kiss. "I missed this," she smiled. "The sun on my face."
He wasn't sure what it was, perhaps the serenity of it, but all he knew was that he wanted to make her smile like that again.
Suddenly, she threw her arms around his neck, pressing her cheek to his. "Sokka… will you come visit me again?"
He hugged her tightly. "I will. I promise."