I wrote this several months ago and forgot about it until I was fishing through my writing exercise document. Have an Azula blurb prompted by my morbid fascination with her~~
It is common knowledge that the color blue symbolizes the cold. And yet, blue flames burn hotter than red.
Children learn by example.
Princess Azula, raised as only royalty was raised—by countless cooing nannies, careful tutors, and a warm mother—learned in just this manner.
She learned, through their weakness and simpering pleasantries, how not to behave.
Her father was mysterious. She and Zuko barely ever saw him. She heard the maids and servants talk, though. A constant stream of information about the children was relayed to the invisible man. Azula never failed to demand information regarding her father. "Where does he reside? Will he want to see me? Does he like us? Is he in here?"
The last question was answered with the door she had been inching open being hastily shut again by her anxious mother.
"Sweetheart, your father is in an important meeting, and you must never presume you are invited."
Six-year-old Azula glared at her mother before noticing Zuko peering nervously around the woman's skirts.
"I suppose ZuZu's invited."
Her brother glowered at her before turning a worried eye up to their mother.
"Yes. He is eight—his father has requested his presence."
Azula snorted. Her mother sounded as though eight-year-olds had no business sitting in on war councils. And the thought of Fire Lord Ozai requesting anything was laughable, as was the idea of Zuko sitting in.
But in the Crown Prince went, fingers smoking nervously. Azula rolled her eyes at the shut door.
"Will I be able to enter when I am eight?"
Lady Ursa looked down at her small daughter, sad. "If that is what you and your father both wish."
"Yes."
Ursa sighed and left.
...
It takes another few months for Azula's demanding questions to become orders. All of which are followed to a tee. Except for the one where she demands entrance to the war council.
By the time she's fifteen, Azula waltzes into the private chambers and takes her seat without so much as a glance at the guards by the doors, or at Zuko's long empty seat.