Sorry this took so long to get out, I was still figuring some kinks out with plot etc. ^^;
Disclaimer: Nothing owned by me
Murmurs, voices. The scent of springtime grass and green, growing things. Azula was vaguely aware of these things, but right now they weren't important. Her head throbbed painfully and she groaned as she tried to get back to sleep, back to the blissful slumber where her world was free of voices, hallucinations and Agni knows what else was wrong with her…
Something poked her in the back. She rolled over irritably, growling an indistinct warning as she tried to get back to sleep. She was just drifting back to her slumbering haven when it poked her in the back again, this time more forcefully. Before she had time to react, something wet licked her face, causing her to blink open golden eyes to stare ferociously at whoever was foolish enough to end her nap prematurely. Yellow eyes stared back at her, slitted pupils like a cat. Whiskers twitched at the end of a long narrow snout as the beast sniffed her cautiously. She growled, baring her teeth as she rose, sitting up on her knees as she gazed down at the thing imperiously. A squeal sounded from behind her as she felt a weight slide off her back before landing with a resonant thump. Whipping around, she glared down at it, her lip curling with disgust as she saw it was a grubby little panda thing, which was staring up at her with huge round eyes. Paying no heed to it, she got up and brushed herself off, chastising herself for falling asleep on the ground like a common dirt peasant. Where was she anyway? Judging by her surroundings, it appeared she was in a forest of some sort, with large trees surrounding her on all sides. Remembering her "adventure" through the Forgetful Valley and the reaction from the Mother of Faces (a bit of an over-reaction, she privately thought), she concluded that she was somewhere in the Spirit World. Wonderful.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the whiskered beast-spirit thing began to lick at her feet. She hissed angrily, kicking it away.
"Don't you dare touch me," she growled, rounding on it. The spirit cowered, crying out in fear. Azula felt a glimmer of satisfaction at its reaction. Good. It knew its place.
"You know, that's not a very wise move here," a voice drawled from the treetops. Azula narrowed her eyes, scanning the canopy for the owner of the voice.
"Oh? And perhaps you'd be polite enough to explain why," she replied, honeyed venom lacing every word. She'd show these things. No-one, human or spirit, dared to mock her.
And yet, what was your own nation doing to you in the months after the war? A voice hissed in her ear, sounding suspiciously like her father's. She shook her head angrily to clear it, snarling under her breath. They couldn't return now, not when she needed all her senses with her.
"Talking to ourselves, are we?" It was coming from behind her now, sounding vaguely amused. "Well, we don't judge here, if that's what you're worried about." And with a faint rush of wind, a large white barn owl landed on the branches above her, gazing down at her with unblinking black eyes. If birds could smile, this one was, tilting its head this way and that, examining the princess from all angles. Seemingly satisfied with its inspection, it leaned back, relaxed. "I know I talk to myself sometimes. I am my own best company," it hummed.
"Well, thank you for that wonderful piece of information. Now how do I get back to the Material World," she queried, making it sound more like a demand than a question.
The spirit blinked. "But you just got here." It sounded genuinely confused.
"Yes, and I'd like to go back home again," the princess hissed through gritted teeth. Agni, was this owl dense? Humans didn't mix with spirits, so she had no idea why it seemed hurt that she wasn't sticking around.
The owl's feathers ruffled in agitation. "But you haven't gotten what you came for."
"And what is that?" she growled quietly, her patience beginning to wear thin. The owl's head shook slowly in confusion.
"When regular humans travel to the Spirit World, it normally means they're looking for something they can't easily get in the Material World. Whether that be a new heart, a new face, a new life…"
"Yes, well, I already asked for one of those from the Mother of Faces, but she wasn't in a very generous mood. And now that I've come to my senses, I realize how pointless that endeavor was and I've decided to go home." Azula whipped around and stalked off in the other direction, away from the infuriating bird. She really had had enough of spirits and would be quite happy never to see one-
"WAIT." The owl flapped suddenly in front of her face, nearly smacking her with its wings. She leapt back, snarling.
"I swear, if you hit me with one of those-"
"I know one that can help you," the owl gasped out hurriedly, settling back into a more steady rhythm.
"With what, exactly?"
"Your wish for a new life." The owl landed on the ground, staring up at her. "I know the Mother of Faces isn't exactly generous, especially at this time of the year, but I know another Great Spirit that can help you with what you want."
Azula's eyes narrowed dangerously. "And why should I trust you?"
The owl blinked, confused. "Uh, because I work for her…?"
"Which gives me all the more reason not to listen to you." Azula turned around, prowling off into the other direction. "For all I know, you could be luring a foolish human like me, into one of your little spirit traps," she spat, tossing the words over her shoulder. She'd read the stories as a little girl. Humans lured into eternal spirit torments with promises of whatever they wanted most. She wasn't falling for that.
"But she can help you get back to your world," the owl called after her, desperation edging into its tone. The princess paused. The spirit, seeing her reaction, pressed onwards. "If you don't want to complete what you came here for, that's fine. My mistress can transport you back to your world and you can forget all about this mess. You have my word." The bird bowed, pressing its forehead to the ground.
"Fine then." She brushed past the spirit, not even sparing it a glance. "Show me."
It was quite a grand building, Azula had to admit. Tall spires reaching up to the sky, though the unsightly vines covering the face of the library had to go. Or maybe spirits had a different idea of beauty to people. She shook her head. She didn't have time to debate the aesthetic preference of spirits. She glanced over at the owl spirit hovering next to her, who was looking up at the sky. Dozens of winged shapes circled high above. More owls. Ugh. As Azula watched, one landed at the highest window. She caught sight of what appeared to be a scroll tied to its leg just before it hopped inside. So these spirits were messengers of some sort. Interesting.
Her thoughts were interrupted as the bird hovered around her head uncertainly, gesturing towards the entrance. The spirit had become a lot more uneasy around her since her outburst, seeming to recognize she wasn't like the other humans that had come seeking guidance or more sinister prizes from the spirits. She didn't really care what the spirits thought as long as she could go home as soon as possible. Though it would pay to be respectful. She wanted to get out with as little drama or complications as possible, though she knew it wouldn't be easy. Always be on guard when dealing with a spirit, especially one who was powerful enough to command other spirits.
Stepping inside the library, the owl halted, motioning for Azula to stop as well. She huffed irritably.
"What's now?" she snapped.
The owl dipped tilted its head, staring at her with unblinking black eyes. "We must wait for news of your arrival to reach the Mistress. Then she will summon us and hear out your request. If she decides to grant it, you'll be let off for free."
"And if she doesn't?"
The spirit squirmed uncomfortably underneath Azula's scorching gaze. "Nothing."
"Tell me."
"Well, you'll just be left to wander around the Spirit World until another spirit decides to send you back. Or she'll turn you into a fox spirit and send you to her brother. It kinda, ah, depends on her…mood?" The owl sputtered as Azula grabbed him, slamming him into the nearby wall.
"Now you listen here, you feathered idiot. I am the princess of the Fire Nation, the crown jewel in a nation destined for greatness and I am not about to throw it all away just because one measly little chicken-rat decided it would be a good time to play a trick on a lost, little girl," she spat venomously, amber eyes blazing. Raising her free hand, she summoned the familiar azure blaze, ready to wipe the treacherous beast from existence.
Nothing. The heat never came. No sparks, not even a pathetic little ember. Her anger vanished momentarily, replaced by an emotion. Shock? Fear? Horror? Azula didn't have time to dwell on it, preoccupied by the fact that her bending seemed to have vanished. She tried again and again to summon something, anything, but the flames never came. She pinned the owl back to the wall. "What have you done?" she snarled furiously, the faintest hint of panic starting to creep into her voice. The owl wheezed.
"Nothing! Ah, when humans come to the Spirit World," he gasped out, chest heaving as Azula's grip tightened. "They lose their bending. It's temporary and it comes back when you return to the Material World!" the spirit screeched out, panic starting to set in as he flapped desperately, trying to get oxygen. Azula dropped him, turning to stalk out of the library. She'd had enough of spirits. She'd find her own way back to the Material World by herself.
"Are you leaving without even saying good-bye? Terribly rude of you," a serene voice sounded behind her. Azula tensed, whipping around. What was with spirits and sneaking up on people? The spirit that greeted her, however, was very unlike any of the spirits she'd encountered so far, which, Azula had to admit, wasn't a huge number. She was tall and elegant, like the high-bred ladies at court, except she had shining silver hair like the moon. Azula had heard tell of the Water Tribe girl, but it was one thing to hear about it and another to see it. And that wasn't the oddest thing about the woman. On top of her silver head twitched two pointed animal ears, like a fox's or cat's, with a long trailing tail waving behind her. She raised an eyebrow. "Well?"
Though it went against all of her instincts, Azula gritted her teeth and bowed quickly. Respect could go a long way, especially with spirits. "Great Spirit." Ugh. "I was hoping I could request some assistance from you. You see, I seem to have stumbled into your delightful little residence and though your helper has generously offered to return me to the Material World, I wouldn't want to bother him or you with petty human affairs and I've decided to find my own way back." Perfect.
The spirit tilted her head, regarding her with a misty gaze. She looked her up and down slowly, an eyebrow raised. Then she shook her head. "Nice try little dragon. Very convincing. But I know, and you know, that is not what you came here for."
Azula's eyes narrowed. This spirit was living up to her reputation, or what little of it Azula had deduced from the owl. She'd have to be careful and attack the problem from a different angle. Like an airbender, she thought with some distaste. "Dragon?"
The spirit smiled softly, her misty eyes seeming to focus in an instant. "Even a creature as old as I know that golden eyes mean that a Child of Fire stands in my presence." She laughed softly. "Agni and I may not see eye to eye on some things, but I must show respect to one of his descendants," she explained airily. "Come, we must talk." And with that, the spirit disappeared through the doorway. After some hesitation, Azula sighed and followed, on guard for whatever the spirit wanted with her.
Reviews etc. are appreciated. Lemme know what you think, it helps a lot, especially since I'm still a newbie with this type of thing ^^