got cold feet
Azula had horrible nightmares last night. She still was thinking about them as she watched Ty Lee get dressed up to get married. Azula's own clothes and make-up and other finery felt wrong on her skin. This was not supposed to be happening, and she was letting it happen.
Ty Lee turned to her and smiled.
"I'm so excited! Are you so excited? I hope you're so excited!" Ty Lee beamed. She was asking for permission; Azula knew that look.
Princess Azula imagined herself standing up, grabbing Ty Lee by the arm, kissing her, and saying that she was absolutely not permitted to marry Zuko, and Azula would kidnap her if she disagreed. All of that, however, Azula kept to herself.
Like her frequent violent fantasies, it was best concealed and forgotten.
Despite the fact that she could not forget. She could not ever forget.
"You all are clearly excited. I am sure you are happy," Azula commented, standing up. She probably should run, but Ty Lee's dreadful friends were still fawning over her and giggling. Azula was on the outside looking in, as it had been for years now.
"I didn't ask if I was happy," Ty Lee whispered.
Azula pretended that comment was drowned out by the laughter and chattering of everyone who so easily replaced the princess.
Again, Azula saw that beautiful image. She used to just take what she wanted when she wanted it, and she felt like a monster that lost its claws and teeth.
When Azula left, Ty Lee thought about going after her. She thought about calling off the wedding and eloping, but Azula did not love her back. That much was evident. Zuko loved Ty Lee; Azula did not love Ty Lee.
Zuko was close enough, and so Ty Lee pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind and tried to be happy today.