Avatar Chapter 10
I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender
It had been a brilliant night so far and Azula was quiet proud of her speech, she had been practicing her public speaking and it was fun having a large crowd hang on to her every word. The next few days promised to be relaxing, she had to admit it was a relief not having to actually plan anything; for the past six months she had worked herself hard to make sure everything was perfect, her bending, her studies and her work with the ministry.
Anyone who said the royal family was a bunch of lounging slobs obviously had no idea what it took to run this country. Her father spent all his time in meetings and in council with his advisors, she barely saw him outside official functions and only for formal dinners.
These dinners always made Ty Lee nervous but she would have to learn to be in the same room with the Fire Lord. Speaking of Ty Lee she was in the process of preforming along with a group of traveling acrobats. Azula had to admit she was impressed, not many twelve year olds could balance on a tightrope over twenty feet high, especially with two overweight jesters bouncing on it.
The girl suddenly leaped off and the gathered guests gasped in fright, until Ty Lee grasped a previously unseen bar which she used to fling herself back up to the rope. Azula smiled, Ty Lee never fell and she had seen the black clothed attendants slide the bar into place.
Azula had no idea how Ty Lee managed to convince the troop to let her preform with them, she supposed Ty Lee could have threatened them with unimaginable pain but that was more her hobby.
In any event she was very much the star of the performance, the leaps and spins were flashy and she had every guest in the large brightly lit courtyard watching her every move. Azula was not oblivious to the fact that this was Ty Lee's dream, even in the academy she had talked about preforming for an audience.
But Ty Lee was hers alone and her talent would be wasted at a circus or in a performance group… of course Ty Lee could technically just buy her own circus; even without the power that she now possessed her family was one of the wealthiest in the Fire Nation and Lord Uzar had a reputation of loving the stuff he could buy with his vast sums of gold about as much as the gold itself.
The man was watching his daughter right now in fact, Azula admitted he was hard to miss. He was a very large and incredibly fit man despite his advanced age, he was around her uncle's age at sixty summer though with a full head of short white hair and think mustache. He always had a harsh look in his eyes that reminded Azula of her own father, though Uzar was kept in check by his wife.
Lady Azita was a very beautiful and what the spa girls called buxom when it came to her female curves. She was a good few decades younger than Lord Uzar and Azula had thought as child she was little more than an opportunistic gold digger, though after some research she discovered that Azita was a vicious merchant with connections and that she loved gold just as much as her husband. The joining of their two families had given Ty Lee a father with a mountain of gold under his feet and a mother with factories, shipyards and plantations to her name.
The two together, if rumors were true, were made for each other; which was seemingly confirmed when their first child turned into seven, a good investment with interest many said though Azula did not see the beauty of the statement. In fact taken all taken together Ty Lee's entire extended family included scores of members and enough wealth to build a freighter made of solid gold and encrusted with jewels, "I wonder if such a thing would float, probably not, though I suppose it would be amusing to see it sink."
That all said the one thing Ty Lee's family did not have was the political influence that some other noble families had, such as Mai's father who flaunted it by having a house just steps from the Palace. That was the most likely reason as to why they had no problem with dropping whatever plans they had for Ty Lee for the chance to have a daughter be practically glued to the Crown Princess.
Azula leaned back and watched as Ty Lee dived off her rope and proceeded to swing off a number of bars until she hit the ground. The crowd cheered as Ty Lee and the rest of the troop bowed. "Most impressive, I commend your foresight Azula, Lady Ty Lee possess impressive skills and I have no doubt you are putting them to good use."
Azula looked to her left, where the Fire Lord sat in his own private palanquin. "Thank you father, I have many plans to optimize her abilities."
She could see the Fire Lord smirk through the curtain "I have no doubt" but his smile vanished as he looked at something outside. Azula followed his gaze and saw a number of boys congregating together near the buffet, but were casting glances at the royal family from time to time. She then noticed it was her specifically they were looking at and she did not recognize, nor like, the look.
"Princess Azula, I would like you to engage those young men in conversation and see what caused them to look upon you in such a way" Ozai's voice was neutral and Azual had no clue what he or the pompous looking boys wanted. None the less she gave a short bow and climbed to her feet, perhaps she would get to test how this outfit fared in battle.
Ozai put his head upon clasped hands and watched intently as his daughter walked towards a group of boys he knew had been encouraged by their respective families to… get to know Azula.
He watched as the lead boy, the best looking and most confident stepped forward and bowed to Azula. He saw him sweep back his hair and lean on a pillar in a way Ozai was embarrassed to admit he had a tried in his youth to try and look cool for the ladies.
"Agni! I am certain I did not look like such a pompous sod back then, he is completely botching the look…though if my theory is right it won't matter.
Ozai watched as the overconfident doormat spoke to and then listened to Azula, he saw his face fall from a smile, to a frown, then to a horrified expression. He saw his friends reel back, steeping behind a slow looking yet large fellow with hunk of meat hanging from his mouth.
He watched as Azula ignited an intense blue fire in her hand, he did not know what she said to them but the large boy's mouth dropped open and the cooked meat fell to the floor a spit second before the entire group darted in the opposite direction with lead boy looking as if he wanted his mother.
Ozai buried his head in his hands and sighed, he knew some of those boys were sons of some of the fiercest fighters in the country and his daughter had probably scared them more than their parents could ever hope to.
"Of course. My daughter can manipulate and outwit a raven-fox, master political theory and take part in intense negations so one would think she could at least speak to a boy without sending him running but noooooooo."
Ozai knew he would have to accept Azula was as powerful and terrifying as a dragon… and that any potential suitor had a better chance of mating with an actual dragon then getting Azula to so much give him a kiss on the cheek.
"I am going to need a flaming miracle at this rate! Ancestors I beseech you, send me a paragon of courage, fearlessness and sheer tenacity.
Ty Lee was in no way courageous, fearless or tenacious but she was proud of herself, she had finally done it. She had performed before a large audience and it was incredible, the eyes that hung onto her every move, the gasps as she did death defying feats and the best part was that Azula had watched her the whole time. She saw the Princess watch her with those golden eyes and it was a chore not to stare at them the entire time.
She would have to ask Azula what she thought, she bet herself that the word satisfactory would be used, but first she had to actually get through the crowd and quickly before…
"There you are my little blossom!" Ty Lee suddenly found herself gathered up in a vice like hold and then smothered by what she knew were to be her mother's ample assets. "H-hi mom, you're suffocating me again." Ty Lee tried to say while waving her arms around.
Lady Azita let go and Ty Lee took in a gasp of air, being denied air through hugging was awkward and she promised to keep that in mind the next time she gave one to Azula. "Oh I'm sorry sweetie, I just haven't seen you in such a long while that I forget myself." Azita leaned down and placed a long wet kiss on her daughter's cheek, which caused Ty Lee's face to heat up incredibly fast from embarrassment.
"I just wanted to let you know that your father and I are very proud of you, it's good that you took the initiative and got yourself such a high level position, you have brought a large amount of honor to our house my little bouncy-fuzzy-wuzzle-bear.
Ty Lee clasped her hands together and looked to her feet, her face was red hot "Oh Agni please let me become an Earth Bender and sink into the ground." Ty Lee had no illusions as to where she got her attitude. Ty Lee felt hands on her face tilt her head up and saw her mother examining her face "Oh dear, that performance of yours has smudged all your makeup…by the way very exciting sweetie but next time let me know when you're about to risk your life, I have half a mind to put you over my knee just for that little dive off the rope."
Ty Lee nodded quickly, she was aware that she also got her deceptively thin yet strong figure from her mother. Lady Azita pulled out a small bag from her robes and started to repair the damage the exertion had caused to Ty Lee's carefully applied makeup.
It was slightly humiliating, especially with so many people watching but it really Ty Lee could not complain, her makeup was a mess. After Azita finished she looked Ty Lee over and gave a smile, and another kiss on her forehead.
"So Ty Lee how has it been, you've done everything Princess Azula as told you to do right? Remember that she can ask you to do anything and you have to do it."
"Everything's been okay mom, Azula's very good at telling me what to do… how are thing at home?" Ty Lee did not want to talk about her time with Azula, less she inadvertently reveal her true feelings, and she was genuinely curious about the rest of family.
"Oh it's terrific bouncy-bun" Ty Lee pouted at her mother ability to think up cute nicknames "Your father and I have just had a boon of business opportunities, all thanks to your appointment in fact so be prepared for your birthday and let's see… oh your sister Tal Lee kicked a poor boy in his privates, his own fault for really, Tu Lee rescued a cat-owl and has been taking care of it for months now and… ah yes your aunt Kikimo became an officer in the navy."
Ty Lee's head was swimming, sometimes it was hard having so many family members to keep track of but her mom was still going.
"Tel Lee and Te Lee got into a fight over who was the most handsome student from the boys academy, Ta Lee managed to double her investment in her dragon fruit stand, To Lee got a one way trip over my knee for breaking a vase a few days ago but then I felt so bad I bought her a solid gold necklace, your uncle Rohzar put forth his son as a candidate for the Princess's hand and… "
"Wait!-what about Azula's hand" Ty Lee had a bad feeling.
"What, oh that's right this is probably odd for you, your friend getting suitors this young, but in all honesty if what I just witnessed is any indication Princess Azula is not going to be tied down anytime soon."
"What you saw?"
"Oh yes it was quite a spectacle the Jejal boy and his friends were throwing glances at the Princess in her palanquin, with Fire Lord Ozai sitting right beside her no less, and then she came over and started to talk to them.
Ty Lee was shocked, Azula actually interacted with people?
"We all thought maybe one of them had caught her attention, but in all of two minutes she had all of them running for the hills." At this Lady Azita let out a small giggle "Oh Ty Lee, you should have seen their faces, actually one of boys is right over there and he still looks the same."
She looked to where he mother was indicating and a saw a young man of about fifteen standing next to a fierce looking general that had to be his father. The general however appeared to be trying to console the his son who look as if he had just seen a demon eat his mother, burn down his home and devour his flesh…or Azula.
But Ty Lee felt very troubled, she had not considered the idea that other people would be looking to get that close to Azula. She did not know what she was going to do, but she had to find Azula, now.
Ty Lee quickly bowed to her mother "I'm sorry mom, but I really need to find Princess Azula"
Lady Azita smiled "I understand honey-buns, your duty is to your Princess." She gave Ty Lee another smothering hug and kiss on the cheek. "But one last thing Ty". Ty Lee suddenly felt a very quick and firm slap to her behind, it caused a good sting that caused a small squeak to come out of her lips.
"I know you're the Princess's attendant and all, but if wear an outfit with such a low neckline and short skirt before you actually look like woman again I will make sure you don't sit for week, understood."
Ty Lee nodded and inadvertently rubbed her bottom "Yes ma'am"
"Very good now go find the Princess, love you sweetie!"
With that Ty Lee took off through the crowd, she had a feeling she knew where Azula would be after terrifying someone. She ran to where she knew the Fire Bending demonstrations were and thanked the spirits when she Azula watching a man crate a dragon-tiger out of bright yellow flame.
She now walked and again was struck by her lack of foresight "What are you going to say to her dummy?" Ty Lee could feel her heart beating and knew she would have to go by what her heart told her in the next little while.
As she reached Azula the Princess turned her bored eyes towards Ty Lee.
"Azula, can I speak to you, in private" Ty Lee was a bundle of nervous energy.
Azula looked at her with an appraising eye before she spoke "I suppose, follow me I know a place."
With that Ty lee followed her Princess, not knowing why but knowing for certain that this was going to be an impotent night.
Azula walked with Ty Lee until they made it to the edge of the Caldara, where one of the Royal families many private meeting points was built into the hill. The two guards saluted and moved aside as Azula led Ty Lee into the small building.
From here the view was amazing, one could see most of the Palace city, Plaza city, the ocean, and the surrounding landscape. Azula looked at Ty Lee and saw the girls face was red, she had either spent too much energy during her performance or she had sampled some sort of alcoholic beverage that was thrust in her face.
"Well Ty, we are in private and away from the celebration you adore so much, why am I here?" Azula was completely perplexed for once, Ty Lee was not one for secrets or subterfuge so it must a personal matter.
Said girl was currently looking at her feet like a child, refused to meet her eyes and had a blush on her face, again. "Uh, yeah, I mean yes we are and that's good, um, so Azula we're friends right." Ty Lee stammered out.
Azula raised a perfectly formed eyebrow, "I would say we are, but I doubt you needed that clarified"
"I-I didn't, I just wanted to know how close we are and how much you trust me" Ty Lee was now looking at her with worried eyes.
"If I trust you? Ty Lee what are you implying, we are as close as… is someone blackmailing you, who is it! What do they want! Of course they would go through my attendant to get government secrets, Ty Lee just tell me who it is and I'll deal with it." Azula was convinced Ty Lee had been coerced into giving away secrets that she would have access too, and this odd behavior was her airheaded friend's form of secret code.
Ty Lee was shaking her head and waving her arms, "No, No, No it's nothing like that, it's just that, um, oh I'm not very good with words"
Azula scoffed "A tremendous understatement, now Ty Lee tell me who is putting you up this and I will show you that quick action is more powerful than any threat thrown at you by some bottom feeder."
Ty Lee looked at her with tick in her eye and was pulling at her braid, "Flame it Azula it's like I'm talking to a big stupid hippo-cow! You know what fine, I'll show you action!" And with that Ty Lee closed her eyes, grabbed Azula's stunned face, and kissed her.
It was childish kiss, like the ones Azula saw mothers give their kids and it lasted for only for a few seconds but Azula was rendered speechless. Even as Ty Lee pulled away looking very pleased with herself, Azula stood there and brushed her fingers over her ruined lipstick.
"Wha-bu-why, huh" Azula had stopped thinking, of all the things that had happed in her life this was by far the most bizarre.
Ty Lee on the other hand looked relieved, as if a huge weight had disappeared. "Azula, I know we're friends, true friends, I knew it back when you asked me to stay with you, but… I don't know I just wanted more. Over the last little while I wanted to be your best friend and talk about things friends do and we have but I realized I wanted even more than that."
Azula felt Ty Lee take her hand, and was startled by the feeling that her hand that was shaking while Ty Lee's was steady. "Zula… I like you, I really, really, reeeeally like you, oh who am kidding, Azula I love you! And" Ty lee let out a sad sigh "And I know you well enough that you probably don't feel the same way, I don't even know if you even can feel that way towards someone, but I know that you need me and I've decided that I will stay with you no matter what you think of me."
Ty Lee let go of her hand, sank to her knees and bowed, Azula actually needed to grip the railing to stop from falling over. Her mind was racing and she had no idea what to do, never in her wildest dreams or meditations did this scenario come up. She looked at Ty Lee, her best friend who wanted to be much more than friends. The girl who Azula had allowed herself to grow attached to over the past few months apparently wanted far more from her, but in a way Azula was totally unprepared for.
"What do I do?! What do I do?! She said she LOVES me, me.., what does that even mean, I-I-I" She was starting to hyperventilate so Azula intentionally burnt the inside of her own hand to snap herself out of it "Enough, I can handle this, so she is infatuated with me, of course she should be I am…attractive, I guess, but it cannot possibly work out we're both girls, or maybe it can what did the scroll on imperial laws say again, oh Agni burn you Ty Lee!"
Azula managed to straighten herself and calmed her voice, somewhat "Yo-you may rise Ty Lee" The pink girl rose and looked Azula in the eye, she had a radiant smile on her face.
The knowledge of Ty Lee's aura reading made Azula realize that this was an issue she would not be able to talk herself out of, she did not know what she would say anyhow.
"We will talk more in my chambers" Azula quickly started walking, she heard Ty Lee's footsteps behind her, she realized she rarely went anywhere without the sound anymore.
She made her way through the city, avoiding the heavily populated areas and not interacting with anyone beyond a quick order to move out of the way.
She tried to think of what she would do once she got to her room, would a relationship be possible? Would it be allowed? Did she actually want it? Was she, Azula, prodigy, capable of this?
Far too soon she was at her room and the servants had already pushed the doors open so she was left with no more time to think. She waked in, dismissing the servants who intended to help her undress, and looked at her attendant.
She was pretty, more cute then beautiful but they were twelve so that was not really the point. "Do you want me to help you undress my Princess" The formal language was unusual and Azula felt infinitely more uncomfortable, Ty Lee was being the image of proper and it felt…out of place.
Azula could only nod and stood upon a raised dais, she tried not to flinch as Ty Lee started removing her clothing. Too late she realized she would be indecent in front of Ty Lee, and suddenly it all came into place, the stares, the blush, and the way she would always be watching at just the right moment in the spa.
It was all so obvious, and yet she had completely missed every single indicator. Ty Lee handed her a sleeping robe and Azula quickly wrapped it around herself, suddenly very self-conscious "Does she think I'm pretty, all the other girls were more dolled up, does she like that?"
Azula looked at Ty Lee, she was waiting patiently for her command. Azula knew she had decision to make, this was not something that could be ignored. Calming herself she breathed in and out deeply, she could feel the fire in the room and within herself respond to her will, it always calmed her.
She walked up to Ty Lee and started to circle her, she looked over her friend over from top to bottom before speaking. "Ty Lee I am going to ask you directly, do you wish to pursue a…relationship, with me."
The girl beamed "That would make me very happy Azula, just as long as it's what you want to"
Azula swallowed, that did not help at all, if she said no Azula knew Ty Lee would stay by her side, still be her friend, but of all the things she had done to her this was something that Azula knew would make the Ty Lee do more than cry.
But if she said yes… what would happen, how would Ty Lee treat her from now on? What would father and the court think? What would be expected of them as they grew older? And then Azula realized that what really bothered her, it was not what other people or even what Ty Lee would do, it was what she could do, or could not do.
Azula did not feel anything when the world love was used, it was as foreign a concept to her as Water Bending. She did not know if she could learn what it meant, but she knew that people who were in love seemed happy.
Of course they could all be imbeciles but ever since her mother left she was not as… complete, as she could be, until Ty Lee came to her balcony and suddenly the world was better, with her in it. And some part Azula wanted to at least try, she wanted to have someone who she could trust, with absolutely anything and everything, she wanted someone who would stay with her and only her.
The idea of Ty Lee getting into a relationship with someone else, though she never thought of that scenario before now, annoyed her. Ty Lee was hers and hers alone, and if she said yes then Ty Lee would be hers in every way possible, forever. But Azula knew this would be different, Ty Lee would…love her, and she would expected to love her back and Azula was deathly afraid she would fail at achieving that goal. She took a deep breath.
And, knowing there would be no going back, she took Ty Lee's hand in her own and looked at the eager girl. "Very well Ty Lee, I suppose I would not be against a-" Azula was silenced by squeal as the girl tackled her onto the floor.
"Oh Azula, I'm so happy, I know this isn't easy for you but I promise I will show what love is, I know I can." Ty Lee kissed her again before she grasped Azula in a tight hug.
Azula, not quite knowing what to do, decided to take a chance and wrapped her own arms around and Ty Lee… it felt nice.