Avatar Chapter 35
I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender
Ty Lee was relived, this whole endeavor had been one of the most stressful things she had done in her life. Being all secretive was hard enough given her nature but Azula was not one who was tricked easily, or ever really. Going through people to get money, supplies and to prevent Gaz from blowing something up had been so unnatural for her, and it all for a simple gift!
Once again Ty Lee marveled at what Azula did, the Princess did things like this as if they were minor chores and did not so much as break a sweat. But she was one who had done it this time and it had all worked out, it surprised Azula and she even seemed impressed.
Ty Lee had a spring in her step as they made their way back to the main hall, Azula leading the way, who seemed quite excited now that Ty Lee took notice. "Maybe she has a surprise for me to, it is our one year anniversary… though with all the exotic weapons, military strategy books and model ships I now own maybe its time to tell her I don't need anything else.
Ty Lee suddenly had a dreadful thought, Azula despised being one upped and would certainly get her something even bigger and more spectacular than that tank-train. "Oh crap, what if she gets me a whole ship, then a harbour, then the island! I really really need to tell her not to get me anything else."
"Why so nervous Ty, I am truly impressed with your gift you know." Azula said without so much as turning her head. Ty Lee pouted, she did not know how but her love seemed to have eyes in the back of head sometimes.
"I'm just happy it got here in one piece, it was a challenge to get it down here."
"I can imagine." As they entered the main hall Azula stopped and seemed to think.
"Hmmm, oh yes I am supposed to give a speech soon, aren't I Ty?" the Princess had a deceptively innocent tone, as if to state she really had forgotten.
None the less Ty Lee nearly fainted, everyone was on edge because of the whole Avatar thing and a declaration from the royal family was what most people had come here for, and she had completely forgotten.
"Oh foo, mom will kill me if I made you late, you're not late are you?" Ty Lee asked Azula with great urgency."
Her girlfriend put a finger to her lip and looked even more innocent "Well I don't know Ty, my schedule has been confounded due to recent events." Azula looked at her with big starry eyes and Ty Lee suddenly felt she'd been had.
"That's not nice Azula." She told the smirking Princess.
"You have you methods, I have mine, can't have you getting to confident can we." Azula was now very close and Ty Lee's face started to heat up, the Princess was right, Ty Lee could bat her eyes and act cute but she was still second place when it came to getting her way.
The Princess pulled back "Now I really do have a speech to give so go wait with your family, I think you'll all enjoy this." She turned and walked away, leaving Ty Lee wondering what that meant.
None the less Ty Lee made her way to the crowd, on the lookout for one of her many family members. It was not hard, have six other people with your face and one is bound to be mistaken for one or the other. After a few awkward yet familiar encounters she found her sisters lounging on some plush cushions, all of them with at least three guys tending to their every whim.
Ty Lee looked at the sight with an embarrassed smile, she could probably get guys to do her bidding to, if they weren't all terrified of her, admitting, jealous royal girlfriend. She looked around and saw her parents nearby, chatting up what she assumed was yet another business partner.
Her mother caught her eye and excused herself, Lady Azita had a familiar looking smile on her face as she seemingly appeared in front of Ty Lee and enveloped her in a hug. "There you are my little pinkie pie, how did the Princess like her gift?"
Ty Lee could barely breath, her mother's large chest and strong arms seemed made for crushing the life out of her victims.
"Honey I believe our daughter desires air." The level voice of Lord Uzar sounded. Ty Lee was let go and she took a large breath, "I'm going to die of asphyxiation one day I just know it."
"Oh I'm sorry sweetie, sometimes I forget my figure is that of goddess." Her ever humble mother apologized.
"Even a goddess would have trouble competing with you my luscious fruit." Her father's even tone made the comment even creepier somehow.
"Oh my what a charmer you are tonight, I knew behind those muscles and face fur you had passionate side." Lady Azita give her husband a loving kiss, an impressive feat given he was nearly a head taller than her.
"Ewww, why do they always do this in front of us?" Ty Lee looked over to where her sisters were sitting, they all had the same horrified expression she assumed was on her own face.
A loud ring broke up the moment, to her immense relief, and Ty Lee looked over to royal boxes. The sound of the large gong sounded again and she saw the Fire Lord and Azula make their way to the front of the raised platform.
"I looks like we will have to continue this later my dear." Her father's tone still did not change.
"Oh I plan on it you big hunk o-. " Ty Lee plugged her ears "I am not hearing this." She dashed away andstarted to follow the rest of the guests, away from her overly loving parents.
The crowd had shifted toward the royal family, eagerly awaiting the message their sovereigns would give tonight. Fire Lord Ozai stepped forward and began to speak with a commanding yet pleasant tone.
"Honored guests, today we stand on the eve of a very special year, this summer Sozin's comet will return and with it, the victory we have sought for one hundred years will be realized." The crowd applauded and cheered.
"By the end of this summer, the world will finally fall under total Fire Nation control, we will have spread progress, wealth and prosperity to every corner of the globe, through the sacrifice and perseverance of our ancestors we have achieved this." Fire lord Ozai got roar from the crowd, Ty Lee nearly had to cover her ears.
"However, it appears fate seeks to test us before out final victory, as you are all aware the Avatar, our greatest foe has returned, he is powerful and will seek to undue everything our ancestors fought and died for." His voice had grown quieter, people were mumbling and looking about.
"But he is but a child, the last of a race who had no place in this new world, this country had achieved too much to be hindered by some weak willed boy and those who would foolishly ally with him." Ty Lee had watched Azula's get all political long enough to catch the veiled threat.
None the less the crowd applauded and cheered, non-one would dare show disloyalty tonight. "I encourage all of you to enjoy this year's festivals antiquity, for next years will celebrate the achievement of the dream my grandfather sought, to give stability to a savage and unkempt world, the glory of the Fire Nation will forever be remembered through the progress and order we have wrought, not only across the sea but even here in our homeland, through the efforts of my brilliant daughter."
The Fire Lord gestured to Azula, who confidently stepped forward before bowing to her father. "Thank you for your praise my lord." Azula straightened herself before looking over the crowd.
"My fellow countrymen, as my lord father has said our country is on the verge of victory, soon those who naively defy us will be crushed and forced to submit."
Ty Lee wondered if Azula could give a speech without using words describing destruction or conquering.
"Even with the end in sight I still hope to one day annihilate the all those who would oppose our mission." Ty Lee sighed, apparently not.
"But I digress, in my short time as a useful member of the court I have, with the help of a few loyal and talented associates, moved the Fire Nation towards a new era, as we speak the final leg of the Imperial Railroad is being set, which will connect Plaza City and the Caldera itself to the nation in a way never before seen." There was applause and Ty Lee eagerly joined in, even now they still got reports on the projects progress and it was neat seeing something so massive come together.
"And as luck would have it the brilliant and accomplished Lord Xizan has begun work in the colonies, he assures me that in no time every major costal colony will be connected by iron rail, forever solidifying our hold on our hard won territories." The crowd cheered and applauded again, the colonies were a source of pride for even the most cynical Fire Nation citizen.
Azula raised her hand for silence "Though I have been in office only a short time I have much to offer and great vision for our nation, to one day lead the world into a prosperous and stable future has always been my goal in life, but as we all know stability is something very hard to come by in life, finding people one can trust can be so difficult." Azula's eyes suddenly bored into Ty Lee from across the room.
"To my immense satisfaction I have found someone who is possibly the most trustworthy individual I have ever met, and you has aided me in my transition to court life…among other things." Azula was still staring at her and people were starting to whisper, Ty Lee wanted to disappear at that moment.
"Lady Ty Lee, step forward." People were now looking at her and Ty Lee was beyond nervous and nearly rooted to the spot, Azula was still looking at her.
She delicately walked towards the platform, people parting as she passed, all looking at her with calculating eyes. Ty Lee wondered why preforming was no big deal for her but being called out in the middle of a crowd freaked her out.
After what seemed like eternity in the far too quiet room she made it to the platform and up to where her smirking girlfriend stood.
Azula spoke clearly "Ty Lee, you have proven yourself to be a helpful assistant, loyal retainer and overly affectionate…partner." Azula winked at her and Ty Lee blushed.
"I found myself growing ever attached to you, therefore I announce this night that I, Princess Azula, will take you as my consort, so that you will forever stand by my side." Azula moved away and Ty Lee suddenly noticed the group of elderly Fire Sages she was certain had not been there seconds ago.
As they approached Azula whispered in her ear "When they gesture just face the crowed and kneel." Before steeping back, leaving Ty Lee confused and going over what her girlfriend has just implied.
She had little time to think before the head sage spoke in a strong and booming voice despite his advanced age "Lady Ty Lee, daughter of Lord Uzar and Lady Azita, sister to six identical siblings, the Princess has chosen you to be her consort." Ty Lee was just now starting to understand what her Azula had done.
"Do you accept this blessing? Do you swear on your ancestors and your honor to uphold the responsibilities if your new station? Does your loyalty to the Princess outstrip all other vows?" Ty Lee could only nod her head, though she had feeling she could not say no.
"As her highness's consort you will be given the noblest of responsibilities, you shall serve her mind, body and soul, you will never mislead, adulterate or betray her highness, you will be considered a royal in all ways but blood, and be graced with all the privileges and responsibilities the station holds."
The man made a gesture with his hand and Ty Lee remembered the Princess's words, she turned toward the crowd and knelt down, not an easy task given her billowing pink cloak.
The man spoke again "By the grace and warmth of Agni we sages declare you Princess Ty Lee, consort to Princess Azula daughter of Ozai, granddaughter of Azulon and great great-granddaughter of Sozin, may you serve the royal house with honor, dignity and inner fire." Ty Lee felt something being placed where her braid began and futility tried to see what it was, she looked out to the crowd to see their reaction, only to see everyone bowing down, to her.