Though appreciating the fact that Qin had wisely chosen to warn the camp's officers that she had temporarily commandeered the dining tent for her own purposes, Azula was still less than pleased thanks to the simple fact that her companions had yet to join her.
As a firebender of Sozin's bloodline, her mornings usually began as soon as the first rays of sunlight breached the horizon. Which meant that she had plenty of time to implement the first stages of her plan to force Ketsueki into the role she had prepared for him.
Forcing the War Minister to have his personal cooks create a breakfast that, while lacking the ingredients of the palace, was nevertheless above the quality of what she had been forced to consume following her decision to abandon the royal procession was simple enough. Though it did cause her to question how such a easily intimidated man ever rose so high in her father's court.
And she had managed to install the fear of Agni into those who had been selected to serve her companions throughout the course of the meal. Which meant that not only would they show treat them with the proper respect, but would also keep what they witnessed to themselves lest they desire to share the same fates as though two incompetent officers.
But while she had managed to construct the perfect stage for her self appointed mission, it was marred by the fact that the key players to her performance lacked her punctuality.
In truth she had somewhat suspected that Ketsueki would cause some complications with her plan, if only by refusing to adhere to the same sort of punctuality one would expect from those in the Fire Lord's service. But Ty Lee and Mai's lateness was inexcusable.
Or at least it would have been if she hadn't spotted the lone figure of the dreary knife thrower making her way to the dining tent.
Ensuring that her usual smile was in place as she watched Mai take her place at the left side of the table, Azula gave her friend a moment to select some of the servant provided food before shattering the silence with a greeting.
"Glad to see your finally up and about Mai. Was starting to wonder if perhaps my efforts to provide us with a...adequate breakfast would have gone to waste".
Her words causing the knife thrower to halt her movements, if only momentarily, Azula found herself sporting a look of satisfaction as Mai proceeded to, in her own less than cheerful way, reaffirm her loyalty.
"Apologies. Ty Lee kept me up longer than I usually prefer. And since you hadn't scheduled anything important for today, I thought I'd take the chance to have a bit of a lie in. Though rest assured that if I had known you had gone to such...efforts, I would have arrived at the appropriate time".
Nodding her head to show she accepted her friend's apology, the firebending princess took a sip of her tea before replying in a more verbal manner.
"Completely understandable Mai. Agni knows Ty Lee has a tendency to chatter on about the most inane things. So I will overlook these hopefully infrequent occurrences during the time we are here. Speaking of Ty Lee, I trust she will be here shortly? I took the effort to prepare this meal for the 4 of us, and would hate to have it wasted".
Adopting an expression that had convinced countless individuals, her mother included, that her words possessed on the purest of sincerity, Azula found herself frowning as Mai proceeded to inform her that her morning wasn't going to proceed as she had plan.
"Doubtful. After you chose to retire to your tent last night, Ketsueki decided to take advantage of your absence and prodded Ty Lee for more details of her...training. I drifted in an out of the conversation before we turned in for the night, but I did manage to catch Ty Lee accepting an offer to spar with our...companion".
Her eye's narrowing in annoyance at the cheerful acrobat's presumably unintended betrayal, the princess of the Fire Nation took a moment to regain her usually collected composure before offering an insincere smile to her expressionless friend.
"I see. Then perhaps we should provide our companions with an appreciative audience. I always enjoyed having my training observed by those who recognized my talents, and judging from last nights performance, I suspect that Ketsueki possesses a similar mindset".
Receiving a nod of acceptance from the black haired knife thrower, Azula's already false smile became a touched more strained as Mai proceeded to ask her something that should have been addressed the previous evening.
"Speaking of his 'performance', I have to ask if it was your decision to have Ketsueki render Ty Lee and I both death and blind? Cause if it was, I appreciate your attempts to protect Ty Lee's innocence. For unlike us, she never had to deal with the more…competitive nature of our nation's elite. The benefits of being the youngest child of a family of 9 I suppose".
Having never considered to take into account just how Ty Lee's upbringing would effect her ability to handle something as brutal as an execution, though her father's assassin had made it clear that he had possessed that sort of insight, Azula found herself nodding her head as she recognized the benefits of twisting the truth to her non bending friend.
"And yet despite her status as the youngest child, Ty Lee has managed to achieve skills that few people possess. However since I too had questioned our friend's ability to witness such punitive actions, Ketsueki received my full support for his actions. I trust however that you weren't too upset at having your sight and hearing temporarily taken from you"?
Having expected the knife thrower to silently and obediently accept her explanation, even if it did show a level of concern that was largely absent from their usual interactions, Azula was unsurprised when Mai nodded her head to show that she had bought her excuse.
Which meant that she could spend the next few minutes on modifying her plan to get Ketsueki to transfer his loyalty from her father to herself.
It would take time, and perhaps more patience than she was willing to expend, but she was confident that in the end she would be successful.
...
Though I had expected the acrobat's abilities to be unrefined and sloppy, I had honestly never expected her to be confronted with this...embarrassment.
Her movements revealed that she at least had a bare understanding of the basic forms of my people's fighting style, but her total lack of lethal intent while performing them was enough to make me question my decision to undergo this little bonding experience.
Something that must have shown in my face as Ty Lee's smiling expression morphed into one of concern.
"Is everything ok?
Taking a moment to decide on how to answer that particular question, for my response could result in a variety negative consequences that I had no intention of dealing with, I kept my tone reasonably polite as I asked a question of my own.
"Tell me Ty Lee, when you battle someone, what is it that your trying to achieve"?
As expected, my question caused a look of confusion to pass across the normally cheerful face of the pony tailed acrobat before she managed to find the words to answer my question.
"To prevent them from fighting anymore".
Sighing at the girl's response, I attempted to keep my tone level as I moved to criticize this answer.
"Then why are you're moves so...passive? While I cannot deny that you're target would be unable to fight once you've robbed them of the ability to move their limbs, they will be able to return to the field of battle after a period of rest and recuperation. If you truly wanted to prevent them from fighting ever again, you will have to employ more...permanent techniques".
Fighting the very real urge to choke something as my words appeared to go over her head, I felt my irritation increase as the deceptively cheerful tone of Ozai's brat interrupted my lecture.
"And what permanent techniques do you speak of Ketsueki?
Turning to see Azula's smiling countenance, though I could detect that such an expression was hiding her own irritation at something I had probably done, not that I cared of course, I decided to answer her question without my usual mockery".
"Crippling or death your highness. While Ty Lee lacks the strength to sever a limb with her current abilities, she nevertheless possesses the skill set to not onlu deliver a fatal blow to the more exposed weak points of the body, but could also render a limb permanently useless. Only problem is, her mindset is currently not suited for it".
Ignoring the crestfallen expression that was currently being worn by the normally perky acrobat, though I suspect that I will have to do something to sooth her feelings if I am to get the best from her, I allowed a small look of surprise to cross my features as Azula agreed with my description.
"Not surprisingly really. While I have done my best to provide a more...pragmatic lesson plan when it comes to combat, I'm afraid that Ty Lee is a somewhat less than adequate pupil. Thus to save myself the headache, I decided to let her utilize her skills in a less lethal manner".
Shaking my head in amusement at the noticeably possessive wording of the golden eyed royal, and noticing the look of hurt that had crossed Ty Lee's face as she heard her patron's/friend's comment, I decided to change the direction of our conversation by softening my tone as I addressed the pony tailed girl.
"Considering that she possesses enough skill to successfully take on a duo that has bested numerous patrols of trained soldiers, I suspect that your approach has some merit".
A lie of course, for the soldiers based in the colonies were only good for securing the rear, but I saw no need to clarify this point since I suspect that it would result in a more depressing relationship with the girl. For while her grasp of my people's techniques were, to say the least, sloppy, she was at that age were improvements could be made.
However, I was prevented from conveying that more...graceful opinion thanks to Azula's inability to allow others to remain the center of attention.
"Since the pair of you seemed to be finished with your exercises, why don't you join us for breakfast? Originally I had hoped to observe your training methods Ketsueki, but since Ty Lee lacks your...stamina, I think this would be a good time to take a break".
Catching the pony tailed girl's gleeful expression at the promise of food, which I suppose made sense since my training was best suited towards those who could enhance their endurance, I nodded my head in acceptance with this offer. Though I had no intention of allowing Azula to keep that smiling expression of hers.
"I suppose your right. Though it is in my experience that most women lack the 'stamina' to keep up with me. A shame really since I prefer longer lasting sessions to multiple spaced ones, but I suppose I can't complain too much. My partners always seem to enjoy themselves when there with me, and that's what matters".
For a moment, I thought that this comment would pass over her head, for she was the only member of the female trio that wasn't sporting an embarrassed look. But that feeling soon passed as I caught that moment where her eyes widened in shocked recognition before they turned into a glare.
Though I had to admit, her attempts to regain control over her composure were admirable. Even if her words left me with the desire to put the brat in her place.
"A rather selfish viewpoint, but one that is correct. However, since the supply of trained and experienced women is somewhat lacking at the moment, I suspect that you will have to be satisfied with comparing your endurance with male partners. Ty Lee of course is too young to have developed the necessary skills to compensate for her inability to keep up with you, and Mai has never really shown much interest in such training, so I'm afraid your options are limited".
...
Pleased at the reaction her words had caused, for it had been some time since she got the chance to enjoy the feeling of superiority that came from winning a contest of words, Azula's smile turned into a frown as Ketsueki recovered his composure and managed to throw her for a loop.
"And what about yourself your highness? Young though you might be, but you already possess the capability to stand against numerous more or less competent combatants. Surely that is proof that your...endurance is, if not prodigal, then at least substantial enough to make it worth my while".
Doing her best to smother the sudden desire to incinerate the impudent assassin, the golden eyed princess decided to do something she had never once enjoyed in her life.
Beating a dignified retreat.
"I'm afraid that at this point we will never know if I fail or meet your expectations Ketsueki. Now, since you've managed to ascertain Ty Lee's current abilities, I think we will leave you so as you can develop a more...tailored training regime in peace. Because while you are a...competent combatant, I do not think you possess the necessary attention span to concentrate while we are distracting you".
Wordlessly gesturing for Ty Lee to follow, and directing one final glare towards the currently smirking assassin, Azula made her way back to the dining tent.
Eager to begin planning on how to not only mold Ketsueki for her own purposes, but also how to get back at him for his disrespect.
...
ANNNNNNND that's enough for now XD. A very nice Christmas present if I do say so myself XD.
Serves as a bit of a filler chapter before the next episode, but an important one I believe since it continues to antagonistic relationship between Azula and a man who isn't intimated by her. I promise there will be further development on this front, but for now, am enjoying the conversation between these two.
Also wanted to cover Ty Lee's and the OC's interactions a bit during training. In my mind, which has been heavily influenced by other fanfics, wikis, and board rooms XD, Ty Lee would make for an ideal Air Bender due to the fact her moves seem to follow their philosophy (I.e. no lethal blows). And to my mind, wouldn't take tooo much effort to ensure that her blows could be transformed into something a little more lethal.
Anways, next chapter I HOPE to cover the Library Episode. However, as a fanfic, will be making SOME alterations with it XD.
And to address an earlier comment how some of the characters are protected by plot armor...I assure you that is only in place for the moment. Needed the Gaang and Fire Royals alive and well for the early parts for plot/character establishment, but that doesn't mean that some death/crippling can't happen between now and the end of the 2nd season.
Anyways, hope your enjoyed this chapter. Reviews welcome. Flames not.
Again merry Christmas.
Til next time.