They are absolutely going to go to jail forever because Azula is into this girl. This girl who doesn't even know her name. This girl who is going to wind up livid that Azula lied to her, of course. Because Azula can't hide that she is a princess forever. It is literally impossible.
The night is becoming deeper and darker, the stars more prominent in the sky. Mai does not think that Azula has ever been this far away from the people meant to watch her, and she is not sure if that means something very bad or not.
Ty Lee looks absolutely and utterly gleeful as her eyes light up and look around excitedly. Azula is captivated and confused by it; she has never met someone who actually wants to drink in their surroundings. It is unusual and Princess Azula has no clue what to make of it.
Mai can only look at them both and roll her eyes. No one sees Mai doing this kind of reckless action, but she has to admit it is much more interesting than walking around in the planned circles with Azula.
The princess walks quickly to walk with Ty Lee at last, making her mind up. She was not sure if she really could go through with this. Azula has always been the absolute perfect daughter, but right now, she just wants to be with this girl, right in this moment, at least until the summer dies.
Come autumn, it will all go away. Azula knows that, and so she wants to make this last for as long as possible. Even if her father will try to stop it.
Mai is left behind, and realizes she probably is going to have to deal with the carnage Azula's little escape is going to cause. But she watches them fade away into the crowd and decides that she does not honestly care.
"This is a good place," Ty Lee says and Azula looks up at the thick tree in the park by the quaint shore.
In the distance is a pier for warships, closer a set of merchant docks, and then beaches that are probably polluted, but the Fire Nation tries to cover it up by growing trees there (or at least not chopping them all down like they usually do).
"I've never climbed a tree," Azula admits honestly and Ty Lee looks at her skeptically for a moment. "It never crossed my mind to try."
Ty Lee hesitates for a moment before smiling, nodding and saying, "Well, I am absolutely honored to be your teacher, Museum Girl."
The hot summer swelter sticks to Azula's skin and somehow just makes her better judgments and inhibitions fly away like butterflies. And so, when Ty Lee begins to climb the tree, and holds out a hand to the princess, Azula does not even think before grabbing it.
It is something she could never even fathom doing. To allow someone to do this with her, to risk herself, to not think carefully about each move. But she does it anyway, and it is the most liberating thing she has ever experienced in her life.
Ty Lee gazes at her with this strange, dewy gleam in her eyes. Azula does not quite understand it as she climbs higher, Ty Lee following with complete ease.
"You learn fast," Ty Lee says brightly before settling beside Azula on a thick branch with a perfect few of the pitch black, distant sky.
"I do," Azula replies calmly and Ty Lee slowly inhales, a bit puzzled by this girl.
The scent of fire and festival permeates the air, overriding even the salty breeze coming from the sea. It blows Azula's raven hair around, and she cannot remember when she moved the careful bun. Oh, right, she took it out because she didn't want this girl to recognize her as Princess Azula.
Azula all of a sudden feels her heart pound with horror. She realizes that they are probably already looking for her, and then she can feel the panic of trying to imagine what her father would do if he found out that she was here instead of where she is supposed to be.
It is so ridiculous. This is a fleeting affair with an expiration date; she will be a princess for her entire life. It is so absurd that being loyal to her father gives her all things bright and beautiful, yet, Azula still only wants whatever she can't get.
"Why are you staring at me?" Azula snaps more viciously than she intended to. Well, if that doesn't make this girl hate her, she... probably can think of worse things that she has done.
Ty Lee hesitates for a moment and Azula feels a swell of rage and fear and something else. It is just the heat. Or inhaling the pollution from the hundreds of steel ships.
"Because you're just really pretty," Ty Lee says and Azula is confused by how she cares so much for a compliment that she knows is true. Countless people have told her that...
But this is the word of someone who has no idea that Azula is the heir to their empire.
Azula nods and turns away. Ty Lee cocks an eyebrow, but before she can say a word, the sky is alight. Beautiful hues of red and gold, lighting the dark night. If the Fire Nation knows anything, it is gaudy celebrations and explosives.
"They're pretty too," Ty Lee remarks between the bursts.
"Well, yes. While I am partial to fireworks, I think they are slightly absurd."
"Why?" Ty Lee asks, squinting.
"They are only explosions. Everybody is so excited to see them, as if they're some wonderful feat. Nobody claps or is in awe if some Earth Kingdom city is being blown up, which is much more significant use of this technology than a petty light show. There are much better things I could think of." Azula leans back against the tree as Ty Lee bursts into a fit of giggles.
What even is this girl? Azula does not know what to think of her sudden and odd infatuation.
"I guess." Ty Lee shrugs, not having a better response to that.
They are in silence as they want for a little while longer.
"So, uh, can I ask something?" Ty Lee says during yet another very brief break. "When I told you that you were really pretty, why didn't you kiss me?"
Azula kind of just wants to jump out of the tree and start running. "I was unaware... of... was I supposed to?"
Ty Lee giggles again. "Yeah. I mean, only if you wanted to. I just was getting a, a vibe from you that you thought we had a spark too."
"We've known each other for two days."
"Alright, I'm sorry. I would like to know you for more than two days, though," Ty Lee says with a small smile curved on her face.
Azula contemplates kissing her, but decides against it.
"I would like that too," Azula says honestly.
Ty Lee smiles again.