II. illness
Ty Lee faked being sick to avoid Azula. It was a first and Ty Lee was terrified by it. Azula was able to tell when people were lying. It was a gift or something. A scary gift.
So, Ty Lee had to commit. Her sister was sick and in bed, and therefore left bowls of soup empty and in the hall. The minute Azula scheduled an outing, Ty Lee licked every single spoon, and the bowls for good measure.
It worked; she was pretty sure she was going to die. However, dying would be preferable to having to look Princess Azula in the eye after all that had happened.
Unfortunately, Ty Lee was not so lucky. Azula showed up at her door after Ty Lee wrote back with the news that she was burning up and hurling regularly. It must have seemed like a very obvious lie, and so Ty Lee was truly grateful for her splitting headache and sick stomach.
"I honestly thought you were lying," Azula said and Ty Lee felt impressed. The princess never admitted when she was wrong or if she ever made a mistake. "It does seem like the kind of thing you would do, to be honest. You have not spoken to me once since…"
"I've been sick," Ty Lee explained, hoping her anguished expression and sallow skin would cover up any lies that Azula could see. She coughed for good measure.
That was what made Azula notice. Princess Azula did not like it when people thought they could manipulate her. They could not, especially someone as dumb as Ty Lee. Of course, Azula had no desire to tell Ty Lee that. This could get very fun.
"I am so sorry you don't feel good," Azula purred. Ty Lee looked grateful but was silently alarmed. "If there is anything I can do, just tell me."
"I'm fine. Have fun with Mai." Ty Lee smiled. She coughed for real this time.
"I will," said Princess Azula, flashing a faux smile.
Azula left with thoughts of revenge coursing through her veins.
Mai and Azula walked through the streets of Caldera. They were colorful, more colorful than they usually were. Cooperation between the nations sickened Azula; she wanted dominance above all else. Who didn't?
It was evident that Mai knew. Azula figured that Ty Lee would be incapable of keeping that to herself. She also figured that Ty Lee was not quite dumb enough to tell anyone other than Mai.
"She told you that we slept together, didn't she?" Azula said to Mai within seconds of them seeing each other.
"Yes," Mai replied, not bothering to lie or be evasive. Azula knew, even if she would pretend that she was only innocently asking and that Mai was the one who offered the information freely. "She's not the brightest star in the sky."
"No, she isn't. If she was, she would be here with us," said Azula, brushing her bangs out of her face. "I almost feel bad for her."
No, you don't, Mai considered saying. Instead, she said, "I feel nothing."
"I know."