Avatar Chapter 8
I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender
Outside the throne room Ty Lee was fidgeting in place and ignoring the two guards who stood next to the throne room entrance. Today Azula was meeting with Fire Lord Ozai for her "quarterly review", Ty Lee thought Azula had done wonderful job but her dad was probably much more demanding, even more then Azula herself.
"Stop worrying she'll be fine…but what if she's not fine, what if her dad is mad at her! I won't be able to help, I should rush in there and tell him that Zula is an excellent "Transportation Minister" and that no trail had gone neglected, no ship has arrived late and that the forces of nature are no match for Princess Azula's obsessive need for perfection and organization!"
Ty Lee sighed, not only was that completely lame but she knew if anyone could properly represent Azula, it was Azula. Not to mention the fact that she was terrified of the current Fire Lord, she had been terrified of him when he was just Prince Ozai, of course former Fire Lord Azulon was terrifying as well even if all she had to go by were history books and Azula's tails.
Now that she thought about it almost everyone in the royal household scared her to some degree, perhaps being scary was a prerequisite. Focusing on the now, Ty Lee simply tried to calm her nerves and wait for the Princess who had gone in only a minute ago.
Ty Lee was not sure how long the meeting would take when Azula told her of it a few weeks ago, she had a feeling Azula had no idea either, but it apparently was not long as Azula brushed aside the think curtains after only a quarter of an hour.
Her excitement at Azula's return, unharmed, was dulled by the look on the Princesses face. She did not need to read any auras to know that Azula was not okay and Ty Lee was afraid to ask what had happened. Before she could open her mouth Azula spoke "The Fire Lord would like to see you Ty Lee"
She blinked and wondered if she heard right, Azula could not have possibly said what she thought she heard. Hands landed on her shoulders and she was startled by the look in her friend's eyes. "Ty Lee, you remember the protocol for meeting with a sitting Fire Lord don't you" Ty Lee tried to think but "Um" was all she could spit out.
"Blast it Ty… fine just listen, walk in there, only walk, and keep going till you reach past the last pillar before the throne, you then bow to the ground and you stay there understand! You do not raise your head, you do not speak and you do not look upon the Fire Lord unless he tells you so, okay"
Ty Lee was shaking but nodded her head, the stories of what happened to Zuko where filling her head. "Okay Ty, just go in there and answer any question he asks of you, don't ramble and only say what needs to be said" Azula breathed in "Now go in, he does not like to be kept waiting"
Azula actually had to give her a push towards the curtains before Ty Lee snapped out of it and with a short look back at the frowning Princess she walked into the throne room for the first time in her life.
It was much darker than she thought it would be, of course the room was larger than she imagined as well. Making sure to take slow steps she walked towards the end of room, where a wall of fire was burning from one end of the room to the other. As she got closer the heat from the fire became more intense and sweat was beginning to form on her brow, from either the heat or shadow of a person she could now make out.
With a sudden realization she looked towards the floor and wondered if the Fire Lord could see her through the fire. She was coming up to the last pillar and remembering Azula's words she bowed to the ground as smoothly as she could, from this close the heat from the fire was more than uncomfortable.
Ty Lee waited, she tried to think about what the Fire Lord would want with her, what he might ask her, what he would do to her if she disappointed him.
"Lady Ty Lee, you may raise your head" Came the voice from behind the wall, clear as day despite the roar of the fire. Ty Lee rose her head up but did not look upon the shadow of man sitting on the throne, she cleared her throat.
"Now then tell me, what exactly is it you have been doing in the Princess's service since your…appearance in the Palace?" His question was straightforward but Ty Lee had done a lot of things with Azula, but then she remembered they all stemmed from a common source.
"I, um, do what Az- Princess Azula tells me to do" That was a slip and she knew it, Azula let her drop the formalities in most instances but she suspected her father would not appreciate it.
"Everybody does what she commands, whether she speaks of it or not but you seem to have been afforded much more privileges than most, why do you think that is?" The Fire Lord's tone did not change.
"I…I don't know my lord, she said that I belong to her and that she would make use of me." Repeating what Azula had said on the balcony a few months back was all she could come up with, her nervousness had made her mind go blank.
The Fire Lord paused at her answer, and then in an amused voice spoke "You belong to her do you, tell me Lady Ty Lee have you seen or heard from any members of your family since you came into my daughter's service?"
A bit shockingly, Ty Lee realized she had not nor had she tried to contact them "No my Lord…me and my family don't see eye to eye" Ty lee did not know why she added the last bit.
Still amused Ozai spoke again "Of course you don't" The fire lord sighed "It appears your appointment was much simpler than I thought, tell me my dear do you consider yourself and loyal servant of our mighty nation?"
She was not sure where this was going but answered none the less "Of course my lord" The Fire Lord spoke again "And…do you know what happens to those of our nation who are not loyal?"
Ty Lee swallowed a lump in her throat "They are punished, my lord" She could not keep and tremor from her voice. "Indeed they are" At that she saw the wall of flame lower and the man behind it stand up, he began walking down the steps.
She dropped her gaze to the floor, she heard his steps getting closer until he was standing right in front of her, Ty Lee's mind spun at what might happen.
"Lady Ty Lee I am certain that my daughter has her reasons for keeping you around, I also suspect it had something to do with the specialized training you both receive." Ty Lee was caught off guard at that last statement, but she was shaking and was not able to truly think straight.
He continued "I can guess why Azula has placed such faith in someone of your…nature, but none the less you have been granted power and knowledge that many in this city would kill for, as such I will remind you that any disloyalty to the crown will be met with extreme retribution."
Ty Lee's overactive imagination raced with all kinds of cruel scenarios, she could not even spit out a reply. "Lady Ty Lee, raise your head and look me in the eye"
Slowly she raised her head trying not to think about the stories of Zuko's last meeting with the man in front of her. Trying not to tremble like a child she looked upon the most powerful man in the world, the golden eyes, the cruel smirk and flaming background made him appear like a demon from her worst nightmares, it was all she remembered before she saw nothing but black.
Ozai was honestly surprised when the girl, wearing far too bright pink, let out a sound like that of a small rodent underfoot before her eyes rolled back and she crumpled like a heavy sack. "Hmmmmm, perhaps I overdid it, but at least I know why the Azula would choose the girl as a confidant; her backbone is as strong as a wet noodle."
It was as he suspected, royals in line to the throne had much to learn and rarely left the Caldara or the Palace for that matter. Therefore they often had loyal individuals of noble birth, or of significant intelligence, stay with them for meaningful conversation.
In truth he should have suspected Azula would choose an old school friend, but perhaps one who was a bit more complex. The Mai girl would have been a superior choice in his opinion but if remembered correctly she was with her father in the colonies, a loyal daughter to a loyal if slightly incompetent man.
Of course the girl seemed entertaining enough, though her fainting was a bit much "If Azula has not instilled what will happen if she steps out of line Ty Lee will defiantly remember this, hopefully". He was also amused by the knowledge that Azula had still not learned how to share after all these years, in her youth it was stuffed animals and wooden soldiers but now she claimed people as her possession, he almost felt bad for the highborn girl.
He decided to trust his daughter's choice of attendant, she was not the most sophisticated but if the guards Azula obliterated daily in training were to be trusted the girl had some ability in hand to hand combat, which could be useful.
Assured he nothing to worry about Ozai called for the guards to enter. When they approached he ordered one to take Ty Lee to her quarters and the other to inform the Princess that he was satisfied with her servant.
After a quick salute one picked up the girl and they both made their way to door, while Ozai ascended the stairs and sat once more upon his throne. All in all in had been a good day, his legacy was well on her to learning the complexities of ruler ship and he had managed to scare a twelve year old half to death, a trivial accomplishment but amusing none the less.
Ozai reached over a poured himself a warm cup of tea and savored it with a smile on his face.
The Princess of the Fire Nation sat in a warm bath, trying to ignore the sad girl blowing bubbles underneath the water surface in front of her. "Ty Lee would you stop feeling sorry for yourself, it's only natural that you would fear the Fire Lord and though passing out in front of him is somewhat extreme it is understandable."
Ty Lee looked at her like she was about to cry "But Azula, I fainted in front of Fire Lord Ozai while he was asking important questions, what will he think of me now!" She had a quivering lip and puffy eyes.
"I doubt that will color his opinion of you Ty, he probably wanted to assure himself of your loyalty" That was all Azula could deduce form Ty Lee's rambling after she bolted up and screamed in the Princesses chambers.
"But, but, but what if he wants to speak with me again and you're not there! He'll probably see me as some sort of weirdo who faints at the color red or jumps at load noises or has to sleep with a candle and stuffed toy and" Ty Lee's imagination was out of control again and Azula decided not to remind the girl that she had fainted at the sight of blood in the academy, hid under covers when there was a lightning storm, and Azula was positive she still cuddled one of her many fluffy animals at night.
In truth Azula was glad that all Ty Lee had done was pass out, she had been so focused on making sure everything was in order for her review she somehow completely forgot that her father may wish to meet with her attendants without her present.
The ten or so minutes waiting for Ty Lee, even though she could have just left, were spent standing stone still and regal on the outside but internally going over every possible scenario of what might happen in the throne room.
She had slipped up, and when the guards had been called in she feared the worst especially when the one carrying Ty Lee pushed the curtain aside. She was wondering if she needed a doctor when the other guard told her that the Fire Lord was pleased with her servant, who was simply unconscious, and she was being taken to her quarters.
Azula immediately ordered them to bring Ty Lee to her chambers, making sure to put on a scowl and use a tone that signified she was most unpleased with the Ty Lee. The two guards despite their elite status left in haste after they arrived, not wanting to know what would become of the pink clad girl.
Azula had no time to celebrate her acting skills before she sat down and berated herself for overlooking Ty Lee's appointment. She should have predicted her father would wonder about Ty Lee, she was not yet skilled enough to demonstrate any of her abilities so it should have been obvious that the Fire Lord would want more information.
As Ty Lee laid on the couch she tried to figure out her lapse of judgment, it was not like her to miss a single detail. It did not take long however to realize that in Ty Lee's case she had always simply been there, in the academy and now in the Palace she was the energetic girl who followed Azula around all the time.
She was annoyed with herself for forgetting that being made a royal's attendant made Ty Lee much more than that now. Her flow of thought was broken by Ty Lee jumping up and screaming, Azula actually had to give her a slap before the girl calmed down enough to speak in complete sentences.
After a lot of rambling and apologies Azula ordered Ty Lee to follow her to the royal spa, it had been a stressful afternoon and a hot soak would do wonders for both of their nerves.
Which lead to now where Azula tried to relax and Ty Lee was now calm, somewhat, and was now looking around in awe. "That's right she's never been in here before, the royal baths have a strict no child policy."
"Are you impressed Ty Lee, I admit being able to use the royal spa whenever it suits me is a fantastic perk of being a Princess" Azula truly enjoyed being pampered, most of time she did not like being touched unnecessarily, sans Ty Lee's frequent hugs, but having her every whim taken care of while relaxing on a comfy chair was a welcome experience even if she had been too busy to take advantage of it lately.
Of course at the moment both of them were simply sitting in the very warm water of one of half a dozen soaking tubs. It was a wonderful place with all manner of herbal waters and amenities, along with a great view of the surrounding city since only a wooden railing and stone pillars separated the tub area from the outside world.
"Yeah, this is really nice Azula…thank you and, uh, um" Ty Lee speech seemed to taper off as she was now avoided Azula's gaze, she also had a blush on her face. Azula sighed "What is wrong Ty, the water's not to warm is it I choose the mildest temperature there was"
Ty Lee started waving her hands in front of her "No, no the waters fine Azula I, um, just don't see you like this all that often" The girls blush was intensifying.
Now Azula was just confused, Ty Lee was technically right as they bathed separately and this was the first time Ty Lee had seen her in anything less than her sleeping robes. But that no reason for her current behavior, they had seen each other exposed on multiple occasion in the academy, a result of few too areas to bathe, along with most of the other girls.
It had been embarrassing but even back then Azula would not let herself be defeated by petty issues of modesty, even if it did annoy her to no end. "Perhaps she's self-conscious, the irony would be wonderful but how could it test it? Oh I know"
Azula had a smirk on her face and waved over a group of servants who waited with a large cart of all number of amenities. Ty Lee looked up as they approached and became nervous as Azula whispered something in one of the older girl's ear.
The older servant girl nodded and quickly spoke to the others who began getting out a number of soaps, cloths and brushes. Four them went over to Ty Lee who now looked innocently confused, they stripped off their simple robes to reveal a thick one piece bathing suit underneath.
Azula saw Ty Lee had a look of understanding appear on her face before the servants slipped in, and begin to thoroughly wash the girl. Azula relaxed as a number of other girls slipped in and began washing her, while another kneeled behind her and placed a thick cushion behind Azula's now reclining head before she began to message the Princesses neck and shoulders.
Azula kept her eyes on Ty Lee, or where Ty lee should be, and was greatly amused. She had ordered the attendants to lather up, clean and soak the girl until not speak of dirt, grime or any other blemish was present, and then told them to repeat as necessary.
She knew from experience that the four girls currently scrubbing down Ty Lee were very methodical and did not leave any nook or cranny untouched. As she watched them scrub, wash and dunk Ty Lee into the warm water, who could do little more than catch her breath as she tugged one way or the other, Azula picked a berry from a floating tray and plopped it in her mouth "Ah it's good to be me"
After about twenty minutes of listening to Ty Lee taking deep gasping breaths, squealing in surprise as the girls scrubbed any particular sensitive area and being essentially thrown around like a dirty rag doll Azula was pleased to see the girls get out of the tub and reveal a now exhausted Ty Lee.
She looked wonderful of course, her hair was shiny and smooth, her skin was spotless and they had somehow even managed to trim and clean her nails. "Why Ty Lee you look simply stunning, perhaps I should have the girls pamper you like this every night"
Ty Lee cast a glance as the four obviously pleased servant girls and shock her head rapidly "You don't need to do that Azula! I um, would not want to be a bother."
Azula noticed that once again Ty Lee had a blush and refused to look at the Princess, "Mmm, she survived being manhandled better than I thought so why the nervousness." Azula looked outside and realized the sun was starting to sink, it was time to turn in for the night.
"Well than if you don't wish for anymore "pampering" tonight Ty Lee I suggest we return to my study and prepare for tomorrow" Even as Azula spoke Ty lee nodded furiously.
Azula promptly rose from her oh so relaxing position and singled for a towel and bath robe. As she waited she noticed Ty Lee was sneaking glances at her, with a red blush covering her entire face, and when a servant whispered something in her ear Ty lee let out a squeak, grabbed the waiting towel and shuffled across the room towards the drying area.
Azula was now very confused and rolled her eyes. "Well this has been fun day, I passed my review with splendid commendations and somehow managed to embarrass Ty Lee, not as impressive but infinitely more fun."
With a smile on her the Princess made her way to where she knew Ty lee would be waiting for her.