A Good Read

Maizula: MaixAzula

Dark circles had formed under the princess' eyes in her sickness. Her tired body lay bedridden for almost three straight days without showing signs of recovery. The worst part of the whole situation was not feeling weak or worried about her appearance, but being bored and unable to sleep in her empty bedchamber.

She forbade visits from her friends, hating the idea that they see her in such a feeble state; but she was beginning to regret her decision to be quarantined. She sneezed and groaned into her pillow.

A knock at her door startled her. She heard a girl's voice flatly say, "If she's half as bored as I think she is, she'll let me in. Move." She recognized Mai.

"Azula, may I come in? Your ordeal is much too dull to be left alone. We could both use some entertainment."

Considering for a moment the repercussions of being seen by anyone but the doctors, Azula decided she would rather have Mai's company. Raspy and crackly, she called her in her room.

Mai paused at the foot of her bed. Her face showed no emotion as she said, "You look terrible."

Boiling, Azula rasped, "I could have you banished for that."

"But then who would read you this terrible story?" She waved a leather-bound book lazily next to her cheek. Azula didn't recognize it.

"Ugh. I'm not in the mood for a story. Get me a tactical essay or something more interesting."

Mai sat next to her on the big beg, curling her long legs underneath her. She opened the book and said, "You'll like this one. It's the worst book I've ever read in my life and I was hoping we could destroy it together."

At the sound of destruction, the sick girl sat up a bit more. "Go ahead then," she said.

In her normal monotonous voice Mai began, "Long ago, there was a beautiful Fire Nation woman who lived in a time of crisis, fending off demons of the Water Tribe for the sake of her true love, a prince."

"Please tell me it isn't going to continue this way. I might vomit," moaned Azula.

Mai said with a semi-smile, "Just wait. I'll skip to the good stuff. Basically, this bimbo is fighting a giant fish that has her boyfriend tied to a rock and is threatening to eat him. It never explains how he was captured by the fish, or why the fish can talk. But, whatever."

She read again, "The sunlight reflected off of her flashing purple eyes, which were normally a gorgeous light blue-green, but had changed colors to do battle with the monster." Azula tsked. "The girl, bending the strongest fire in all the land, cried out to her love in a singer's voice, 'I will save you darling!' He bravely called back, "Yes, my love! I know! You are named the Beautiful Phoenix for a reason!'"

At this, Mai could not help but snicker. She said, "Her other names include 'Shining Star' and 'Unequalled Pride of the Fire Nation.' Oh, and she's an orphan that taught herself to be the greatest bender in the world. And her hair is 'the color of gold.' I just thought you should know."

Azula was grinning, "I hope she dies at some point. Please tell me she dies." She had scooted closer to Mai to look at the book.

"Shall I skip to it? I think so, yes. Here it is, 'The noble battle had come to a close and the beast emerged from the sea, holding the beautiful hero in its teeth. The force alone would have crushed a man, but she managed to hold it at bay with the last of her epic strength. With the grace of a dancer, she touched the monster and whispered, "I forgive you for your sins." Her last breath echoed throughout the land, bringing all men and women to tears. They knew she had passed from the land of the living.'"

The two girls were practically in tears themselves. Half-coughing, Azula laughed against Mai's shoulder. Even Mai was giggling slightly.

"The monster, full of regret for the crime he had committed, roared, 'No!' He used his magical powers to revive the beautiful girl, placing her next to her prince, whom he had untied. Cradling her body, the handsome man said, 'My love, you are alive again! Marry me, precious one!'" Azula nearly choked. "Become the princess that you already are!"

"Oh, come on, she was dead!"

"In the most glorious wedding of the age, the two lovers became one. They ruled over the land with justice and heroism, living happily ever after. The end."

Closing the book, Mai bit her lip. Her body shook with silent laughter.

Still smiling, Azula asked, "Who thought it was a good idea to write that down?"

The sick girl was still leaning on Mai, who had just noticed their contact and became slightly flushed. She handed the princess the book and got up from her place on the bed.

Azula felt curiously less comfortable now that Mai was standing. She wanted her to come back.

"Where are you going? I want you to read to me more," she said. Her face was perturbed.

Mai sat back down on the bed, and Azula handed her the book. The princess curled up next to her and ordered, "Read. Don't skip parts this time."

For the first few minutes Mai could hear Azula chuckle at especially stupid sections of the story, but soon the only sound was her narration. Azula had fallen asleep, head on her thigh. Her fingers coiled around the fabric of Mai's dress. Her face was much softer when she was sleeping; in fact, she almost looked like a nice person.

Putting the book down, Mai leaned against the pillows and relaxed. She was beginning to like Azula's sickness. It made the princess stop burning long enough to be warm.

xxxxx

A/N: Sporking Mary Sues is great fun. This chapter isn't especially fluffy, but I never saw these two having a sticky-sweet relationship anyway. Haha. Next time.

PS- I love when bad characters end every sentence with an exclamation point. (!)