"Masks are somewhat redundant don't you think? Faces do the job far more efficiently." Azula said with a touch of frustration.

The princess tried to move her feet but found them stuck to the floor, such a bother- she hated when that happened. The acrobat walked up to her in an entirely normal fashion that was somewhat disconcerting considering it was Ty Lee, and suddenly they were both seven again.

Ty Lee leaned in close and with her face pressed up against the princess's ear whispered a wailing chasm. As the winds swirled around the pair and all hope and love drained away from the world all Azula could do was stand, while all Azula wanted to do was hug her friend and never let go.

The prodigy's face streamed with tears as she choked out her reply with steely determination "I'm going to kill you."

The princess woke to someone screaming, she quickly realised it was her.

Fire Lord Zuko burst in to the room- and found Azula sitting at her dressing table taking long delicate strokes of her hair. "I know that this whole Fire Lord thing gives you the right to do just about anything Zuko, but I would prefer you not burst in to my bedchamber." Azula sighed the words with mild indifference.

"I thought... no- I did hear a scream." Zuko was flustered and confused, the scene before him was too far detached from what he had expected.

"When they say 'gone mad with power' I'm not sure this is what they meant dearest brother." Azula's tone shifted from amused to slightly annoyed, attempting to subconsciously usher her brother from the room. "Perhaps you could limit your paranoia to the daylight hours, where people are better rested?"

"Yes- I apologise, I did not mean to disturb you."

"Of course my lord- if you happen to see father make sure to give him my love."

Azula could clearly see the nervous twitch assault Zuko's face even with their backs turned to one another. If it wasn't for the overwhelming dread she felt inside she would have keenly enjoyed taunting Zuko. Instead all she could do was stare at the door and stroke the ghostly outline on her lower back that had somehow bruised her heart.

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