Avatar Chapter 20

I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender

Ty Lee had never doubted the rumor that in the Capital gossip was the fastest way to spread information, but this was a bit much. She had gone to bed last night, after she gave Azula a long, uninterrupted, birthday smooch, and by the next morning she had a servant inform her that she had dozens of letters.

It appeared that their relationship being discovered and approved by the Fire Lord was a signal for everyone who suspected she was romantically involved with the Princess to tell their friends. They then told their friends and so on until the entire city appeared to know of it by the next morning.

Ty Lee began reading them when she awoke and was still at it, most were from her family. Her sisters asked questions ranging from if she was chained to Azula's bed at night, what was kissing a royal like and if she could call the Fire Lord daddy yet.

Her farther stated in his short letter that he was honestly surprised about her preference and stated that just because the political benefits were exponential she did not have to do something she did not want. He then added that if she did want this he encouraged her to do everything she could to become Azula's Royal Consort as quickly as possible.

Her mother simple assumed she was madly in love with the Princess and was very proud of Ty Lee for finding her soul mate, she also included a list of things that a good partner should do. Ty Lee was not sure if she needed to be told to always wear clean undergarments or if learning to cook Azula's favorite would help but it was a nice gesture.

The portion of her extended family that lived in the capital and the surrounding area also sent letters. Most were congratulatory though some voiced their concern at her young age, while one from an aunt, which Ty Lee remembered lived with another woman, promised to send her tips on how to be a good lover when she got older.

She was unsure how she felt about that at first, but then Ty Lee remembered she had no clue how two woman made love, and she was positive Azula had no idea either so that could be useful in the future.

And as she walked through the Palace towards the royal armory Azula told her that as word spread there would be much more interest in her than before. "Well I wanted to be noticed and being the Princess's consort is as noticeable as one can get."

All in all it was good that it was all out in the open, she could be affectionate in public now and they no longer had to hide their feelings for each other anymore. Her good mood took a shot however as they stepped into the armory and she saw the designs for the armor Azula would be getting.

The shape and color were identical to the type she saw in that terrible vision but she refused to let that ruin the day. She was in a good mood about being able to publicly love Azula and her girlfriend had been talking about this day for the past month, wearing the completed outfit would symbolize her as a full-fledged member of the court.

It was interesting how Azula was noticeably happy to be here compared to how unhappy she was being dressed up yesterday, though Ty Lee could easily imagine her looking better in battle armor than the robe she wore at her birthday celebration.

"Ah Princess Azula welcome, today I will simply me taking your measurements and having you try on some test pieces." The armorer was an old man with spectacles and a bad limp but he had strong arms and callused hands, obviously from years of work.

"Very good Master Psijong, these clothes are acceptable are they not." Azula stepped upon a raised platform and gestured to her tight fitting garments, Ty Lee had wondered about the choice.

"Of course, of course, please accept my apologies Princess as I have not created a fitted suit of royal armor for a female in some time. And depending on how you grow some alternations may need to be made."

He grabbed some measuring tape, a quill and some paper before circling Azula with an examining eye. "Ty Lee you may sit down, read through some of your letters to pass the time and why don't you count how many of your relatives want to kiss up to you now, I'm curious to know." Azula spoke without looking at her.

She nodded and sat down at a nearby table, she still had a fair number of letters to go through yet but that number was already at seven do far. "Why do I get the feeling my next birthday it going to be a lot more crowded"

She read through some letters while also watching the armorer work, for an old man with a bad leg her certainly moved fast. He measured the length of Azula's arms, legs, torso and neck; he carefully wrapped the tape around her arms and legs, writing down measurements and mumbling about this and that.

Ty Lee sliced open another letter, this was from one her father's brother and it read much like many others. Congratulations, happy for you, please remember your favorite uncle. "That's eight now, and this is just after a day I hope nobody thinks I can move them up in the world." Ty Lee was already seeing changes, walking in the hall she noticed the way servants, guards and even political figures looked at her now.

The pin she wore still identified her as Azula's right hand but now that it was known she and the Princess were an item people were paying closer attention. And after thinking about it she realized why, every Fire Nation child was taught the intricacies of the court and Ty Lee knew that if things kept going the way they were, she would be known as Princess Ty Lee soon.

All Azula had to do was declare her a Royal Consort and Ty Lee would be a full-fledged royal. She would be expected to do things Azula did, probably just visiting cultural centers, grade schools and the like but it was a big responsibility.

Ty Lee was just now starting to realize just how far up the political ladder she was climbing, and how she was starting to think like Azula. "Ha! The political ladder, when I was a kid I thought there was an actual ladder you had to climb, and now I'm near the top without even noticing."

The would-be circus performer was not sure if she was comfortable with this fact, she had never thought about political influence before and had certainly not based her feelings for Azula around it. But she knew that one day, when Fire Lord Ozai passed away, Azula would be Fire Lord and Ty Lee would, she guessed, be the Fire Lady.

That was possibly the second most powerful position on the planet and though it was years and years off, Ty Lee wondered if she could handle it. She had learned a few things about politics from watching Azula and management from directing her circus but Ty Lee was in no way capable of making big, important decisions.

She was getting nervous just thinking about it, "Crud, I'm not even a Princess yet and I'm already getting cold feet… I wonder if Fire Benders get cold feet, they would just make them warmer right? Ah! Focus dummy."

She pulled on her bangs, being in a relationship was really hard but not in the way she thought it would be. "Hmmm, maybe when I'm Princess I can order Mai to come back, she's good at these kind of things and could help me make decisions, yeah, all of three of us could work together, like some sort of weird, three headed, decision making, thing."

She blinked a few times and sighed "Oh I must have had too many sweets at the party yesterday, my mind's all jumbled." Ty Lee looked at Azula, Psijong was placing metal plates on her body, likely to determine how the real things would fit.

She looked at Azula's aura, she was truly enjoying this and Ty Lee really admired that. This armor was more than protection, it was a symbol, when she wore this it would represent her unquestionable authority.

Unlike her Azula was looking forward to more responsibilities, more power, more influence and not for the first time Ty Lee wanted to be more like Azula. The Princess had always been confident, beautiful, intelligent and a born leader, though most girls in the academy were put off by her love of fire, war and all things political.

None the less when she spoke people listened, and Ty Lee remembered that every girl in the academy would follow the Princess's command, she most of all. Ty Lee had followed her commands because she idolized the Princess, but now that she was in a committed relationship with Azula and facing the possibility of being a royal she would have to change.

She stroked her braid in contemplation, Azula would always know best when it came to politics, war and such but Ty Lee was going to have to start taking a bigger interest. She would have to learn to embrace the attention she had naively craved all these years and accept the responsibilities that came with it.

"Ty Lee, are you there, stop staring off into space you silly girl." Azula's voice broke through and startled the amateur politician.

"Sorry Azula, I was thinking about…taxes."

"Taxes?"

"Yeah"

"Right… What kind of taxes?"

"Uh, the expensive kind?"

"The expensive kind, of course, well take a break from expensive taxes and give Psijong Gaz's gift."

Ty Lee nodded, blushing at her failed attempt to make herself look smart, and reached into the bag she brought. She pulled out the metal device that Gaz claimed could lift the user to any point the metal cable could reach.

She got up and placed it in the armorer's hand, he looked at it intently "Hmmm, what an interesting contraption, perhaps if I? No that won't work, but if I can mould it… Yes I do believe it can be integrated, I will work it into the vambraces Princess."

"Very good, I will leave you to your work then."

"Thank you Princess, I will send a messenger when I your next fitting is required."

The man bowed and Azula acknowledged it before turning away, Ty Lee followed behind and almost ran into her girlfriend as she stopped suddenly. Azula and looked at her intently before addressing the armorer again.

"Master Psijong, I would like to commission an outfit for Ty Lee."

Ty Lee stood up straight, this was unexpected as she had never worn anything even resembling military dress before, the need had never arose. "But that will probably change to." Ty Lee contemplated.

Psijong walked over "Hmmm, ah yes, I already have a general idea, something lightweight that does not hinder your movements or flexibility correct."

"You are very observant Psijong, Ty Lee is indeed an able combatant who relies on maneuverability and speed." Azula replied.

"Please Princess you give me too much credit, a young nephew of mine just happens to be one of the guards Li and Lo drafted as your training partners, he often speaks of his… difficulty, enduring Lady Ty Lee's assaults.

"Oh I didn't ever hurt him did I? I'm usually really good at not causing pain." Ty Lee did not like hurting people so she tried to incapacitate as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Psijong shook his hands in front of his face "Oh Agni's breath no my Lady, you have simply humbled him on multiple occasions, a good thing as the boys ego was beginning to outpace his skill."

Ty Lee sighed in relief, she hated hurting people but every Fire Nation child knew that combat abilities were an essential part of each person's identity.

"Now if you would please step onto the platform my Lady, I will take your measurements." Ty Lee nodded and hoped onto the platform, this was actually exciting, she never had her measurements taken for armor before.

As the man ran the measuring the tape along her body and around her limbs he began asking questions "So my Lady is there a particular style you would prefer?"

Ty Lee had no clue, "Uh."

"Something that curves with her body, keep her profile as small as possible." Azula chimed in.

"Ah yes that would make sense, are there any embellishments or colors you would desire? Do you know how much coverage should I plan for?"

"Oh I like pink!"

Azula slapped a palm to her face.

"Hmmm, I have never incorporated that color before…but interestingly it gives me a very good idea of what to give you." He stepped back and looked at her with a calculating eye "Yes, I believe I know just what would suit you, thank you my Lady, yours will be a very unique piece."

Ty Lee bowed "Thank you very much, I can't wait." The more she thought about it the more excited Ty Lee got, she had dozens of pieces of formal wear to choose from now but this would the only military uniform, and it would be pink!

"You are very welcome my Lady, I will have yours ready around he same time as Princess Azula's"

Ty Lee nodded and once again thanked the man before following Azula, who was already leaving. Once in the hall the Princess addressed her "So…Pink"

Ty Lee smiled "Yup, I will probably be the first person ever to wear pink armor into battle"

"Yes the enemies of the Fire Nation will tremble in fear of Ty Lee the Pink Dragon"

"The Pink Dragon…wow, hey do you think we could add a flower in there, like Ty Lee the Pink Lily Dragon."

Azula stopped in her tracks and looked at Ty Lee, her eye was twitching.

"What?'

Azula looked as if she wanted to say something but then sighed and dropped her head "Alright fine, the Pink Lily Dragon, maybe the enemy with adore you so much they will give up right then and there."

"REALLY! It that even possible, that would be so cool!"

Azula once again slammed a palm into her forehead "You know what, how about we head straight for the outdoor training field, we can discuss this later."

Ty Lee was intrigued, they did not go to the field outside the Palace often, "Ok, are we doing something special?"

Azula face twisted into a smirk "In a sense, tell me Ty, do you like animals?"

Ty Lee blinked, wondering what Azula could mean by that, "Well, yeah, especially the adorable ones"

"Good, that's a good attitude to have I hear." Azula started leading the way, Ty Lee walked behind, wondering what her Princess had planned.

Azula looked over the training field, normally used for large scale Fire Bending practice it was now filled with a number of different animals. Komodo-Rhinos, Ostrich-Horses, and…

"Li, Lo, what are those fascinating creatures." Azula asked, pointing to the large lizard like creature.

"That is a Mongoose-Dragon Princess", "A very versatile mount", "Faster than a Komodo-Rhino and ", "more durable than an Ostrich-Horse"

Azula was intrigued, she loved having multiple options to choose from. She was also starting to wonder if Li and Lo could read her moods as well as Ty Lee could, she had sent them a messenger after her party and overnight they seemed to have gathered some of the finest mounts and trainers.

"Wow Zula, we are going to learn how to ride aren't we!" Ty Lee was bouncing in excitement.

"You are correct Ty, I was impressed by the skills demonstrated at the tournament so I wish to be just as proficient." Azula heard a squeal of joy and felt Ty Lee hug her and give her kiss on the cheek "Oh Zulu I can't wait, I love animals, when can we start, their all so cute!"

Azula blushed, she was being smooched in public and she heard the twin's softy laughing. "Burn it all, my reputation is going to go up in smoke."

She looked around, and saw a number of the younger handlers ogling her girlfriend, still clinging to her side. Azula wrapped an arm around her girl and glared, the apprentice's looked away "That's right you maggot-worms, she's mine… Oh Agni I just made it worse."

Azula realized she would have work on her public image now, she needed to find a balance between loving girlfriend and terrifying Princess. "Maybe vaporizing the next guy to glance at Ty Lee will do the trick…but that would probably make her upset."

Azula let go of a giggling Ty Lee and stretched, this was another one of these relationship conundrums and she was not in the mood to decipher it. She would much rather learn how to make a Komodo-Rhino gore someone at the moment.

"Hey Zula which animal should I go on first?"

"Why whichever one you want Ty, remember your will is their command." Azula made her way to the Komodo-Rhino's, the Mongoose-Dragon's interested her the most but Azula felt the need break something and the huge alpha male in front of her looked especially ill-tempered.

"I suppose I like animals too, those stupid Turtle-Ducks are worthless but these creatures are more my style." Azula was envisioning herself now, mounted on a roaring beast, fully armored with blue fire streaming from her hands.

"WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Azula looked at what she knew was Ty Lee, she was doing a hand stand on a moving Ostrich-Horse and was having the time of her life. Azula smiled, she re-envisioned herself, it was the same as before but her pink clad Ty Lee was right next to her, just as it should be.