There was not much Azula remembered about Senzin Zhou. His face wasn't so striking amongst the sea of courtiers and officials she always saw in the palace back home. She didn't even remember that she had met him in her childhood until she was reminded. Most of the things she knows about him: his name, relationship with Lu Ten and her uncle, his 'exile', she found out from her own research. She truly did not remember Senzin Zhou. Except… for one thing.

His smile.

In the past years, they never popped in her mind even once but now, seeing him in the flesh, the memories were flooding in. The few instances she saw him in the palace, he was smiling. Simple smiles directed at her. Not a smile of pride or duty or humor, just a smile.

They held no meaning, or if they did, it eluded her. Azula was confused by it back then but simply dismissed it after Senzin first left with her uncle and again after Senzin was redeployed. She never saw them again so why spend time thinking about them? But now, seeing him again and remembering those times, the confusion intrigued her.

She first thought to simply bring Senzin along on a whim after Mai mentioned him. One other thing Azula remembered was the fondness Mai used to have for the man. Mai thought she was being discreet but like her crush on Zuko, Azula saw how Mai adored Senzin the rare times Azula saw them together. And even with her gloom and doom now, Azula perceived a longing in Mai. Senzin joining seemed like 'harmless' entertainment for her as they tracked down her brother and the Avatar.

But now, Senzin was a mystery Azula was curious enough to solve. He and Mai would still serve as good amusement for her with their potential awkwardness, but Azula was now more invested in explaining what and who Senzin was.

Azula's musings were cut short with the sudden entrance of a group of uniformed men into the room. She recognized the one on the left as the colonel in command of the city garrison but did not recognize the one on the right. She did, however, recognize the man leading the two as Senzin Zhou.

Azula watched them with a hidden amusement as they stopped before her and gave her a deep bow.

"Princess Azula." Senzin greeted respectfully, before slowly raising his head.

Before Azula could articulate any response however, she heard the bubbly voice of Ty Lee speak out.

"Hey Senzin!" Ty Lee greeted happily with an energetic wave, which Azula personally thought was a bit too much energy for any greeting.

Right. In addition to his sappy relationship with Mai, Senzin also apparently knew Ty Lee. His parents and Ty Lee's were apparently in talks about arranging a marriage between the families, and so the two, along with Ty Lee's other sisters, met formally on a number of occasions. Of course, the engagement didn't push through given that Lord Zhou was executed for his support of Uncle Iroh, but Ty Lee did also mention that the engagement wouldn't have happened anyway given how none of the children ever developed greater intimacy.

"Lady Ty Lee. Lady Mai." Senzin greeted back respectfully, giving each one a smaller bow than the one he gave her before bringing back his attention to Azula.

"It's about time you showed up, general. We've already lost three days because of you." Azula said in her offhanded tone, seemingly taking more interest in her nails than the man before her.

From the corner of her eyes, she could she the garrison commander tense in frustration. She inwardly smiled as she enjoyed the thought of him agonizing over his powerlessness in the face of his superiors.

"I apologize. I pray for your mercy so that I may prove my worth." Senzin apologized in a formal tone, giving Azula a deep bow than before.

Azula felt slightly disappointed. She was looking forward to trying to crack Senzin Zhou but apparently, he's now just a boring loyal servant of the Fire Nation. Oh well, he'd still serve fine as entertainment and was probably competent enough for her mission.

"No matter. Since this is a favor for my dear friend Mai, I'll let it slide this once." Azula said in faux magnanimity, savoring the slight tensing of Mai's body at the reveal.

"I thank you." Senzin simply said with not even a slight tilt or quiver in his voice. No matter, Azula had an entire mission to coax a reaction from the general, and if nothing else, Mai's reactions were fun enough.

"We'll be tracking down the Avatar and his group of friends. As you know, they've been hindering the war effort and my father wants them stopped." Azula informed the general, still not looking up from her hand.

"As the Fire Lord commands." Senzin dutifully said.

"Along with the Avatar, my father also wants my traitorous uncle and brother captured as well, for their part in thwarting the Siege of the North." Azula added almost dismissively.

"Prince Iroh, Princess?" Senzin clarified with an almost imperceptible shake in his voice, something that Azula picked up on still.

Azula smiled deviously at that. Maybe there was a way to get a reaction from Senzin.

"Yes, my dear uncle Iroh, though he isn't a Prince anymore." Azula answered, raising her head to finally get a full look of Senzin's expression when she felt an involuntary chill run up her spine.

"Of course. If you shall excuse me, I shall make preparations at once." Senzin said dutifully before quickly turning around and exiting the room, not even waiting for an affirmation from Azula.

Azula remembered his smile. How its meaning eluded her since childhood. It was the basis of her slight interest in unraveling the mystery of Senzin Zhou.

But now, she would more remember his eyes. How a fierceness both burned so uncontrolled yet so caged within his eyes. How the flames shone brightly of intense emotions but also elusively, continuously escaping her understanding.

Senzin Zhou was more complex than she gave him credit. Azula would enjoy putting him under her thumb.