A/N: May 4 Be With You, this is no Jedi mind trick, I have another chapter done. The sheer force of goodwill helped me to complete this installment, thank you to my new follow and favorite from Lain laku. Thank you, thank you from Touslesnoms and the review.
Disclaimer: Please don't send Boba Fett after me, I do not own any rights to Avatar the Last Airbender.
The Royal Archive is a place that Azula rarely visits. It is full of such useless information of what and why but mostly covers the broader topic of who cares. Information, open and accessible, is uninteresting, but news that can be tempted or teased, now that is enthralling. However, Azula can admit there are moments that reinforcements are necessary for certain assignments. A job can be tedious and some endeavors could be hurried along with assistance. Long Feng possesses an ability to train minds toward more favorable ends. He has particular usefulness, usefulness which will benefit Azula.
Long Feng lives in the permanent servant dwellings, created to house senior domestics, who are called upon more frequently or in an advisory capacity. Evening signals that the more prominent servants, not directly caring for the royal family, are in their flats-designated within a compound situated at distance from the main palace.
It matters little to Azula that she is going to Long Feng, rather than summoning him. The dwellings could be quickly transversed via a tunnel under the lake, which separates the palace from the servant quarters. Azula chose the garden route-no reason to call more attention to her mission by encountering undesirables underground. Besides, Azula likes the grounds at night; there is a sinister quality and unapproachability to nature in its cloaked appearance. You have to strain to see or understand where you lie within the creation.
Automatic lamps flutter on and off as Azula crosses the gardens, but the light is soft and only allows for visibility within the immediate casted circle. The lowest tier gardens are marked by the large crater lake which can be accessed on a pathway around its perimeter. Pausing in front of the lake, the moonlight reflects across the surface in bright rippling streaks. The lake is devoid of structures and is a dark reflecting circle. Waves flow into each other, harkening Azula back to a time when a structure did exist.
A six-year-old Azula hops from one pylon to the next, along the rickety dock. In the sky overhead, a flock of herren-flamingoes soar on wide wings over Azula's head, and then glide down into the water. The birds' fluff their wings and then begin dipping their heads to search for food beneath the watery surface.
Ursa gasped when the birds had appeared, a rare sight for the endangered creatures. Noticing her daughter near the animals, Ursa cautioned, "Oh Azula, be careful, you could fall on those precious creatures, they are protected." Ursa teetered on the edge of the dock, straining to reach out to her daughter.
Azula hops away from her Ursa's grasp. "Mother, who cares about some old birds. Look at what I can do." Azula twirled around on one foot, while poised on top of a pylon.
Ursa said crossly, "Azula, please, be respectful." She glanced nervously from Azula to the grazing herren-flamingos. Their pink plumage with grey streaks made a colorful splash against the dark waters.
"Mother, but watch me..." Azula demanded to her mother. Ursa shifted and the vantage provided the perfect angle for the sunlight to reflect off Ursa's metal broach and flash into Azula's eye. The light momentarily blinds Azula, causing her to lose her balance and fall onto a nearby herren-flamingo. Azula rolled off the pink and grey bird, landing in the water. Azula's hair hung in messy clumps about her face as she sputtered water and embarrassment.
The injured herren-flamingo thrashed about in the water. Its splashing and painful wails startled the other herren-flamingos birds into a winged frightened flight, leaving their injured brethren behind. The abandoned bird limped with cries, stirring up the water around it into agitated waves.
Ursa lamented over the bird, not even noting if her daughter had been hurt. "Oh Azula, how could you, I told you to be careful!"
Azula was drenched in mud and misery. "But I was only trying..."
"Hush Azula, you are careless and cruel, these birds have no one to look after them." Ursa ran off the dock and onto the shore, trying to reach the bird, who kept skirting away with fear from Ursa.
Zuko jumped to attention. "Mother, I will fetch the gamekeeper; he will know what to do."
"Thank you, Zuko, I will help you locate him." Ursa had smiled lovingly at her son. "You have such a good heart." She turned to Azula and snapped. "Stay here and watch the injured bird, while I help Zuko."
Azula had watched miserably as her mother and brother ran up the bank. Azula lifted up her hand and saw a gash on her wrist. Blood had mingled with the black mud. She held out her injured hand. "Mother, my..."
Ursa tossed over her shoulder without a glance, "Azula, I don't have time for your excuses, stay there, I will be right back."
Zuko and Ursa had disappeared under the cherry blossoms, gone from sight or concern. Azula was alone with the injured herren-flamingo, who tried flapping its wings to no avail. Feelings of anger surged forth in a blinding blue blast.
Suddenly, Azula was the only solitary figure in the pond. She was surrounded by the faint smell of roasted meat and a haze of ash in the air. After issuing the lightning strike, Azula had cried out in pain, clutching her hand; her injury had exposed a weakness and by using firebending she had gotten burned. Her wound had blackened into an ugly charred welt.
Azula wiped away any hallmarks of tears, creating ashy, tinged with the faintest of red, streaks across her cheeks. She spoke to the emptiness bitterly. "I spared you a cruel life of pain, bird." Azula's eyes narrowed to the haze where the herren-flamingo had once stood. "Trust me, this world is hard on those who are weak." Azula rose with regained dignity and slowly walked out of the waters, up to the bank, and toward the Royal Infirmary by herself.
The old pier had suffered the effects of time, like the now extinct herren-flamingos. Both gone; the only vistage which remains are faint memories for those who choose to recall. Azula rarely thought of the past or considered how her own mother chose pathetic and weak Zuko over the more infinitely talented Azula. Is this what Zuko feels with father? No! Azula won't let it bother her. She has grown beyond the needed coddling of a mother's love. A thin smile and a surge of chi, she won't waste time waiting for a paladin or walk around the lake when she can fly. Blue light shoots out of her hands and feet, propelling her across the dark waters.
Azula arrives on the distant shore as her chi begins to dissipate. She walks up to the embankment toward the main gate. Crossing under the arch, she moves toward Long Feng's bungalow. A Dai Li guard stands at attention in front of Long Feng's flat. Azula ignores the guard and moves past, but the guard steps in front if her.
"Princess Azula, Sir Long Feng has asked to not be disturbed."
Azula inspects the guard. He towers above Azula, but she makes it plain she doesn't feel intimidated by his command or stature. "How quaint that the once magnificent Dai Li have been reduced to pathetic guards," Azula quirks an eyebrow. "And guarding servants, no less."
"I am the captain of the guard, Princess Azula."
"Captain but not Lieutenant or General?" Azula looks around at the quiet surroundings. "No, you wouldn't gain any chance of glory here."
There is a shifting of the eyes under the cone hat, but the guard did not move or indicate he heard Azula speak. Azula could strike. The Dai Li all look alike; one wouldn't be missed. Her instincts to destroy what is in her way are stilled. She does enjoy goading; she folds her hands behind her back to signal a game is beginning.
Azula circles the Dai Li captain in a sensual manner. His eyes are the only thing that registers Azula's movements. "I have always wondered what the Dai Li look like under their robes." She scans him for any sense of the silhouette hiding beneath the dark, green fabric. "Why wear such old-fashioned attire?" She leans in closely to the captain. Inches away, Azula can feel tension radiate from the captain's body. She can note the perfume of fear. The sensation makes her heady with its scent. "Long Feng must have promised you much to debase yourself in this way." Her words taunt the captain with the humiliating truth. Azula wets her lips. "When someone rises through the ranks, like Long Feng, they never remember who helped them reach that height." Azula presses closer; she can sense the captain's body through the robe. "As a Princess, I don't owe anyone anything, who I choose to associate with and where I go is my business." Azula runs one finger lightly down the captain's chest. The robes aren't really that thick as they appear. Azula can feel the ridges of the captain's chest down to the indentation at his hip. "Mindless duty can be so tasking at times. It would do well for you to remember that and choose with whom you associate."
The captain's voice is deep and guttural. "Princess Azula, Sir Long Feng will see you now."
Azula steps away and holds out her hands. "I have found the key to unlock the barred door."
The captain bobs his head and bows deeply. "Thank you, Princess Azula."
Azula moves forward and places her fingertip under the man's chin, raising his head so to look into the captain's emerald eyes. "What is your name?"
"Gongli, Princess Azula." Gongli's jaw tenses, as he stares at Azula's lips.
"Gongli, I'll remember that." Azula drops her hand and then suddenly grabs Gongli's crotch. It is vibrating within her palm, tight and rigid with longing. She strokes it, throbbing it into a tighter submission. "Yes, I'll remember you well." She drops her hand and strides away from Gongli toward Long Feng's door.
Azula twists the brass knob of Long Feng's flat, entering without announcing her arrival. The room is dim and her eyes adjust to the low light. The darkness makes the space seem bigger, but Azula knows the apartment is small, adequate at best. There is a personal washroom adjacent, rather than a typical communal bathroom. The only comfort that would distinguish this servant dormitory from the other servant compounds. The limited light is attributed to the candles scattered around the room. Mirrors reflect the glow which allows for a wider distribution of illumination.
Adjusting to the light and shadows, Azula notices a round bed with three women and Long Feng, all intertwined in a pleasurable twist. Long Feng lies across the bed with one woman riding up and down on his ugani. She moves with deliberate, even motions while leaning over to kiss another. The two women's tongues interplay, making the hurried sounds of kissing each other. Each woman strokes and twists the other one's nipples to hard peaks. A third woman is hungrily occupied between the second woman's legs, lapping at the red lips. The third woman's bottom waves back and forth seductively, while her own hand teases her erogenous button, making her titillation known with soft mews of enjoyment.
Long Feng glances up to view this carnal scene but is greeted with the sight of a new spectator. He thrills at the presence of Azula, who is witnessing this heady display of sexual feats. Long Feng stares pointedly at Azula, challenging her to not look away. Azula meets his dare with a bored shrug.
This only encourages Long Feng to increase his performance. He grips the low back of the woman, driving her down onto his ugani with harder thrusts. The woman meets his urgency but must drop her focus from kissing her friend. Long Feng's hears her yelp with eagerness as she grinds in time. Both of them grunt in a satisfying climax.
Long Feng rolls the woman off of him. She lays across the silk sheets in a contented repose. The other two women hungrily climb on top of their satisfied compatriot, one tastes the delights of male and female pleasure still fresh between the reposed woman's legs; another moves onto the prone woman's face, slowly moving her own intimate lips onto the satisfied woman's mouth.
Rising from the bed, Long Feng makes a show of his body and relaxed ugani to Azula. He slowly dons his robe, allowing it to drape open to reveal flashes of his manhood. "Princess Azula, we always have room for one more."
Azula stands at the head of the bed. "You do love the cliches, don't you; three women, it would be much more interesting if you had three men instead."
Long Feng knots the belt with an irritating motion. "Nothing about me is cliche', Princess Azula."
"Cliche' is having three mind-melded women at your whim." Azula watches as the women roll next to each other, limbs crisscrossed, idly stroking their intimate places as they stare lasciviously at Azula.
Long Feng smiles slyly. "Ladies, are you mind-melded?" Each of the women crawls up to him and drape their naked bodies around him, caressing and fondling Long Feng. The one who he had satisfied, whose mouth is now wet from her friend's intimate release, kisses Long Feng with the taste of her friend still upon her lips. Another woman reaches through Long Feng's robe and begins to stroke his ugani. He pulls away from kissing and playfully slaps the third on her tight behind. "No, these beauties aren't part of the mind-meld program." He holds out his hands to each one. "I prefer willing participants for my personal recreation." He moves toward Azula with predatory intent. "As you are well acquainted, I have saved my sexual mind-meld consorts for the royal family's disposal."
Azula speaks sharply with blue fire laced in her voice. "Leave us!" The women slide away from Long Feng toward the main entrance, disappearing between the shadows of the candles' flickering flames.
Long Feng asks in his liquid voice. "What can I do for you, Princess Azula?"
Azula holds out her hands. The candles blaze with blue light. The room immediately reveals all, including its paltry size and that it is devoid of lurking sexual consorts. Azula presses her hands together. The candles cloak the room in a fluttering and shifting darkness. "I need you to perform your reeducation on my brother." She casually inserts her own word that seems more genteel compared to mind-meld.
Long Feng raises an eyebrow and barely registers an expression of surprise. Though internally, he is fascinated that the royal family would move against each other this way. "Is Prince Zuko having his nightmares again?"
Azula's voice has a careless quality as she looks around the room, "Nightmares, no, I want you to make Zuko more pliable to my will and desires."
Long Feng goes to sit down on a wooden chair, the arms rise from the curved seat. Long Feng sits rigidly on it since there is no back to support him. Draping his arms on the chair's supports, he looks up at Princess Azula. "Mind-meld doesn't work on just anyone. There must be a broken spirit that I can tap into."
Azula rolls her eyes. "If Zuko doesn't have a broken spirit then I don't know if your method truly works or is merely some hypnotic parlor trick."
Long Feng bolts upright. "How dare you! You have experienced the ecstasy of a reeducated servant." His hands fiercely grip the wooden slats that form the arms of the chair.
"Then you can do it." Azula smiles slowly, almost bored by the fact that her little provoking ploy worked so well.
Long Feng controls his voice. This is his chance to move and change his position into another more advantageous station. "I can, but it will require many hours of concentrated effort." Long Feng challenges. "What will you do for me?"
Azula can hear the slither of Long Feng's implied question. She stands in front of a large wardrobe. She hadn't noticed it, until her illumination check. It had been concealed in the shadows, aided by its dark coloring. She wonders what is behind the black doors. "I will be grateful to your service that is done in the name of the crown," Azula adds quietly. "That should suffice;" She turns around and says flippantly. "The gratitude of a Princess is not a paltry prize."
"I was thinking of something that would help line my coffers." Long Feng holds out his hands which illustrate that nothing is on his palms or up his sleeves. "I don't have the luxury of royal birth to help fund my interests."
Azula bursts out laughing. The sound makes the candles flicker with blue sparks. She sobers and steps with one foot purposively in front of the other. "Pray tell, Long Feng,"
Long Feng steps forward boldly and states. "Sir Long Feng needs gold to compensate for such a delicate task."
Azula holds up one sharpen fingernail as if she hadn't been interrupted. "You aren't attempting to threaten me of all people?" Her red tip points to her chest.
Long Feng's voice goes smooth and liquidy. "Princess Azula, I was stating how it would be unfortunate if Prince Zuko got news of your plan." He smiles thinly. "You know how gossip travels in the palace."
Azula shakes her head warningly. "Long Feng, if you are trying to persuade me, you said so yourself that a subject must have a weak mind. I'm not weak. Besides, this idle gossip would only be your word against mine, a Princess..." Azula points her red-manicured nail at Long Feng. "Not some opportunist, bootlicker blackmailer."
Long Fen feigns surprise. "Princess Azula, I prefer to think of it less like blackmail and more like an arrangement." Long Feng folds his hands.
Azula tolerates a game only so far. "The last I checked, you are already the paid help. But if you are unhappy with that arrangement, I can suggest a new position…" Azula pretends to contemplate, knowing her answer resides within the bowels of the underworld. "within the coal mines."
Long Feng shifts nervously but doesn't admit his miscalculation. "That wouldn't be a proper way to utilize my gifts. I'm quite valuable to the crown with my talents."
Azula smiles widely. "One is never as invaluable as presumed. We are all easily replaced."
"Even you?" Long Feng's eyes narrow.
Azula laughs, "I am a different category. I have certain birthrights that make me superior, but my talent lies beyond name only, I know what to do to remain on top."
Long Feng presses his advantage. "Then you won't be upset if Prince Zuko discovers your intentions?"
Azula strides forward. "Long Feng, you are boring me. And I don't like to be bored." Her palm opens and blue fire dances on it.
"You misunderstand me completely, Princess Azula." Long Feng backs away while bowing. He backs toward the front door, opening it and revealing the waiting women. They immediately enter, rubbing their hands down each other in caressing motions. Long Feng lifts up each ample bosom, letting the breasts bounce on his palms. "I was proposing a mutually beneficial proposition, Princess Azula. I have been trying to make you understand."
"I'm not interested in your playthings." Azula's flames rise into blue blazes. "As you stated, I have my own playthings."
Long Feng snaps his fingers. The women drift away, and the door closes. His voice starts out tentatively but gains a liquid persuasive strength. "I have other playthings that might entice you to be more generous with your appreciation of me."
Azula raises an eyebrow. The blue light lowers with intensity but still flickers on her palm. "Go on."
Long Feng moves to the black wardrobe. He turns a key. As the doors swing open, the contents reveal racks of whips, silks, and leather ties. "I believe we share the same interests."
The flames disappear from Azula's hand. Her eyes sparkle with interest. She moves over to the cabinet and runs a hand along the instruments of titillation. With gleaming eyes, Azula pauses upon one whip. She takes it and likes the immediate feel of the handle within her hand. The grip is sure but there is a smoothness to touch. Azula inspects it and finds the beauty in its creation. The craftsmanship is evident with the charred blackness of the leather, indicating it won't break. Orange stripes zigzag down to the separated tail.
"Very interesting indeed." Azula whirls the whip over her head. The long leather whistles, making the room's candle flames flutter. Azula brings the whip down to the ground with a decided snap. "Tiger of fourteen tails how remarkable." She cracks the whip again with pleasure. "This, I like."
Long Feng raises an eyebrow, pleased that he has gained favor. "You don't have one?" His mind dances with how that favor will be rewarded in either gold or a larger apartment with more attached rooms. Long Feng was growing tired of his current quarters.
Azula glances up and smiles slowly. She moves next to Long Feng and runs her hand along the opening of his robe. "What I find remarkable is that you have something of such crafted beauty."
"We can experience that beauty together." Long Feng smiles an oily satisfied grin. "Then you can reward me in other ways, too."
Azula runs the tip of her tongue along her lips and leans forward, feeling Long Feng's engorged eagerness pressed against her. She whispers in his ear, almost nipping him with her words. "You presume much, including that I, a princess, would be interested in the likes of you."
Azula closes her eyes and breathes in, concentrating all her energy and let the chi flood her body. She can feel the synergy as it flows and fills her with its burning power. She steps away When she opens her eyes again, they are glittering as she snaps the whip and sends a bolt of lightning through the braided cord down the multiple striped tail. She snaps the whip at Long Feng's robe, catching the hem on fire.
Long Feng screams and sheds the robe, scuttling away from the blue flames which gobble the robe into a pile of fine ash. "You furocing thunt!"
Azula looks at the whip. "Yes, I like this a lot."
Long Feng stands naked, patting down his body. "You will regret this."
Azula marches up to Long Feng; he backs away in fear. "No, I won't." Azula traces a finger down the shaking side of Long Feng's face. "You see there are two things about me that people should always know. One, I never do bargains." She made sure to stress the word never and all that it implied. Azula lowers her voice to emphasize the next point. "And two is the most important." She glances down at Long Feng's slack and shrunken phallus. "I don't ever miss what I'm aiming for. You'd do well to remember that last one." Azula spins around and cracks the whip again. "Thanks for the gift. When I bring Zuko to you, be ready and don't disappoint me." She strides out of the room with her new toy.
Azula arrives at her quarters and finds Mai and Ty Lee lounging in her salon. A living room of red wallpaper festooned with blooming fire lilies placed between panels of painted red. Fire lily sconces glow between the paper coverings' bursting blooms. Azula's feet sink into the plush carpet, which has a dizzying fiber pattern of fire flames. The fiery motif is more vibrant due to the intricate arrangement of stitching, showing off the talents of skilled weavers.
A servant appears and cowers next to Azula, waiting nervously for a barking order. Azula hands her new toy to the servant, who refuses to look the princess in the eyes. Azula sighs over the palace's spineless help. "Put that with my special things."
"Yes, Princess Azula." The quivering servant holds out her hands and backs away.
"Be careful with my toy, I would hate to banish you." The servant is already disappearing up the winding staircase to Azula's bedchamber.
Mai perches on a delicate chair cushion of dark blooms. She is wearing a grey shirt of silk so fine that a wisp of a breeze would cause it to wrinkle and yet it is impeccably presentable. Her blouse is tucked into a tightly cinched waist of a slightly different hued grey skirt. Mai's legs are angled in a modest slant, balancing a saucer on her hand, while drinking from the matching teacup. The tea flavor is inconsequential to Mai; the act of drinking occupies the tedious waiting.
Across from low marble table, which has a silver tier stand of bite-sized sandwiches and sweets, Ty Lee lies on her stomach on a curved backed couch of pinstriped black velvet. Wearing a pale pink bouse with oversized puffy sleeves, Ty Lee's shirt looks impractically tight. Her legs wave back and forth, causing her brown skirt to reveal her bare legs and petticoats. Ty Lee's hands are folded so that her chin rests on top of them as she listens to the bronze radio on the side table with rapt attention.
The radio's silver speaker vibrates out an enthusiastic telecast. "All that glitters is gold for the unveiling of a premiere opera, Yue, the Moon Goddess. It is a rather scandalous choice as it resides outside the Fire Nation's operatic canon. However, a bit of scandal has never dissuaded Imperial City's best from attending any function. The glitterati is arriving in anticipation for a royal sighting and a chance at being seen. Our illustrious Crown Prince Iroh has not arrived as of yet, but we do have a sighting of Commander Zhou. He has returned from a recent mission in Southern Waters." The woman's voice becomes more serious as she hails. "Commander Zhou, it would be delightful if you would speak to the public." A haughty voice feigns the reluctance to speak. "Far be from me to deny the public anything."
Azula strides over to the radio and runs her hand along the radio's half-mooned body. She switches it off as the droning of boasting exploits are regaled. "Commander Zhou was and will always be a pompous dung-ass."
Ty Lee hops off the couch and stretches. Her brown skirt falls to the floor, hiding her bare feet. She slips into her shoes. Sitting back on the black the couch, Ty Lee reaches for a silver teapot on the tray and pours the brown liquid into a teacup and saucer which matches Mai's set.
Mai takes a drink of her tea and returns the fine-boned teacup to its saucer. "Your riding lesson went long."
"I had some business to attend to which delayed my return." Azula lowers down onto the duplicate chair near Mai. "I hope you weren't too bored by my absence."
Mai takes another sip of her tea. "No, not when you can order what you like on the royal account."
"That was rather presumptuous of you." Azula can still sense the buzzing effects of her previous sparring with Long Feng and influx of chi. Her limbs feel relaxed and supple.
Mai shrugs, "I didn't think you would mind the radio." She takes another sip of tea and then adds. "I'm surprised you don't have one."
Azula crosses her legs and says flippantly. "Normally I would, but I have other things that are more important to do than mindlessly listening to drivel."
Ty Lee interjects with an infectious lilt, highlighting the benefits of possessing a modern contraption. "Azula, you will love the radio, Madame Milana is a whiz with gossip. The other day, Madame Milana suggested that Yolanda DeEsposa was given a gift by her lover." Ty Lee looks between Azula and Mai, who register neither surprise or interest. "Her lover gave her ropes of diamonds." She squeals, "Her lover is supposedly Commander Zhou, can you believe it?"
Azula sighs, "Actually no, I can't. That idiot of a woman debased herself by having a dalliance at the very minimum or spirits worse, endured Commander Zhou humping between her legs. Commander Zhou's, whose idea of pleasure is taking a shite near a royal influencer, getting off on the chance at possibly moving up the ladder of the military, as if that is an accomplishment." Azula drums her nails on the curved wooden arm of the chair. "Besides, I have ropes of diamonds."
"But you never wear them," Ty Lee leans back on the couch. "I would love to wear ropes of diamonds."
"You could have your own if you were Commander Zhou's lover." Mai quips and then takes another drink.
Ty Lee pulls a face. "His aura is all off, very brown with negative emotions."
Azula holds out her hands, palms open. "As I said, a total dung-ass shite."
Mai takes a quick drink before bursting out into laughter. She recovers, "Zuko didn't like him either."
Ty Lee tilts her head. "Mai, your aura looks very red today. Are you in love?"
Mai glares. "My aura is nothing of the sort." She places the teacup on the side table with a slight clatter.
Azula is bored by the conversation and moves the focus to herself and her plans. "Girls, I have a little project."
Ty Lee twitters with delight and tilts her head. "I knew you looked extra purple, a sign of ambition."
Azula tosses her head. "As if I would be anything besides the color of royal purple."
Ty Lee shrugs and peers closely at Azula. "Most of the time, it is very green."
Mai distracts Azula from possibly torching Ty Lee. "What is your project?"
"We are going out."
Ty Lee claps her hands. "I hope it's a party!"
Mai stands up, tired of sitting. The level of non-excitement exudes from her voice. "A party, how exciting, can't wait."
Ty Lee nods. "I know, right?" She places her undrunk tea on the marble table. "Where are we going?"
"We will be guests in Uncle's royal box." Azula hides her enjoyment, knowing the distaste that Mai feels for the activity. "Uncle's royal box at the opera, Yue, the Moon Goddess."
"The opera?" Mai groans. "A party is bad enough but the opera."
Ty Lee squeals, popping up from the settee. "The opera, oh I wanted to see it." She dances around Azula, who is ignoring Ty Lee's antics. Ty Lee stops in front of Azula. "May I borrow one of your dresses?"
Azula stares at Mai. "Yes, both of you must look presentable, so each of you may take one of my last season's frocks for this evening."
Ty Lee hops away and runs to the side room, which contains Azula's immense collection of clothes, shoes, and accessories. "Thank you, Azula."
Mai turns her head sharply. "Me? I have my own dresses to wear, thank you."
Azula smiles, "What part of presentable did you not comprehend, Mai?" She stands up and walks over to the small table with the radio.
Mai is tense with a strained look to her eyes but then suddenly she relaxes and bows slightly. "Thank you, Azula, I didn't relish going home to change."
"You see, Mai, I can be very generous," Azula taps the radio pointedly, "but don't take advantage of my generosity. It never bodes well."
Mai quietly responds without any emotion. "Yes, of course, Azula."
"Mai, it's time for you to get Zuko back." Azula moves behind Mai, running her hand up Mai's sleeve.
"He dumped me, remember." Mai stands rigid. "Why would I want to get him back?"
Azula blows a puff of hot breath behind Mai' ear. "Why indeed?" Azula's head throws back from the scent of fear, wafting from Mai. Azula steps away from Mai and responds with a straight forward answer. "I need Zuko off his game tonight. Do whatever it takes."
Azula snaps her fingers. "Make yourself presentable, but ready for anything." Servant girls appear and began removing the clips from Azula's hair. Thick dark locks tumble down her shoulders. "Be at the royal coach in forty minutes." Azula raises an eyebrow at Mai. "Make that forty-five, and Mai, try to not look dowdy. I need you to be your best for Zuko."
Mai bows and says stiffly. "Of course, Azula." She rises and spins on her heel, heading into the closet where Ty Lee is preening with delight. Mai's hand falls to her sides. She can feel the steel of her knives within her garter belt, hidden; its steel presence renews Mai with pointed purpose.
Azula heads up to her bedroom via the circular staircase. She runs her hand along the wide wooden railing, confident that the evening will be very successful, stimulating even. There were so many ways that Azula can entertain herself, and she couldn't wait for all of them to happen.
A/N: It will be a long night indeed, what could happen? If you would like to know, fuel my chi with a follow, favorite, or review.
