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Music, Conversation and Wine – Chapter Twelve
"I have to say Azula…you do seem fond of this girl." Mai commented while gazing at Azula as the spoiled woman lay back upon her seat as if it was a throne.
All the while Elle lay with her head upon the woman's belly sighing peacefully with the princess's palm in her hair.
"Of course, I am fond of her Mai. What's not to like about her? She's practically the servant that I've always wanted. It's only natural that such a wonderful pet will have privileges that others could only dream of." Azula remarked as she turned with her plate in hand while scooping up another mouthful smiling widely as she did so.
"Well! I wish you two all the best!" Ty Lee cheered while gazing down at Elle with a warm smile about her.
"I-I am overjoyed that you think so Azula-sama. There's nothing not to like about you either…" Elle trailed off while swooning with a crimson traveling down her cheeks as she traced her finger along the woman's belly.
"Hm. I know but I do enjoy hearing you tell me how perfect I am." Azula responded while lazily gulping down yet another delicious bite of her meal.
"Then I will continue to do so Mistress. May I show you my cool stuff now?" Elle requested with childish joy in her voice while the reclining woman gazed down at her still eating her food.
"Fine. Show me your 'cool stuff'." Azula answered in mid mouthful before swallowing it with grace as she wiped her lips with a napkin.
"Yay! I am so happy that we're best friends Azula-sama. I just know we'll share so many wonderful memories together…" Elle cried out as she sat up on the much taller woman's lap while Azula gazed down at her with deadpan amber golden eyes.
"Aww…" Ty Lee giggled as she took careful note that her cruel friend was being quite gentle with her adopted sister.
For Azula this was astonishingly tender behavior.
"Oh, of that I have no doubt…best friend." Azula stated with a trace of wryness that was lost on the seemingly simple girl's little mind.
"Best friends with Azula-sama!" Elle cheered with innocent joy lighting her cheeks as she grasped her backpack.
"You have a strange choice in both best friends…and caretaker's Elle." Mai spoke while they all watched the girl sit in the princess's lap while beaming as she dug into her bag.
"Mhm. I must say. This is my idea of a 'best friend'…one who is complete subservient to my will. You should take note Mai…you as well Ty Lee..." Azula taunted while pointing an entitled finger down at the back of Elle's head only for the other woman to snort derisively.
"I'll survive." Mai replied in monotone while Azula peered down at Elle with amused amber golden eyes.
"What are you going to do with Elle when we have to go on day long wartime missions?" Ty Lee inquired while peering at their young companion's adorable face.
The words caused Elle to snap her head around with a suddenly distraught gaze that Azula just adored.
"D-days on end without Azula-sama…." Elle mumbled like a saddened puppy as she sunk in sorrow while Azula leaned against her seat smirking in approval.
"Hm? Several days without serving me is too much for you to endure?" Azula pondered while holding a palm beneath her chin.
"F-far too long. Just too long. A day without my princess is a day without joy." Elle responded glumly while plopping her head on the regal woman's folded knee frowning deeply.
"There are thousands…perhaps millions…that will disagree with you Elle." Mai sighed while finding the girl's clingy behavior to be rather sad.
It was proof that beyond Elle's happy smile was a pain so vast that she latched onto Azula for comfort.
"Well don't worry your little mind over it. I have good news for you servant. Do you want to know what it is?" Azula purred in a silken voice that instantly spurred Elle to peer upward upon her knee with her innocent eyes aglow with wonder.
"Yes Azula-sama. Please tell this loyal girl the good news!" Elle chimed while staring up at Azula with hopeful amber eyes.
"You won't have to spend even a day without me. You'll be spending every day of your life under my dominance. How would you like to come with me wherever I go? You can serve me even in travel." Azula announced while staring down at her pet's ecstatic little face with her lips curving into a pleased smile.
Any other servant would have gazed back with horrified eyes over the spoiled woman's declaration.
But Elle…
Soon erupted in a bafflingly overjoyed tone just as she leaped into the princess's lap before plopping on the grunting woman's belly.
"I would love to Your Highness! I want to spend every moment…of every day…with you Azula-sama!" Elle exclaimed while embracing her mistress's belly while the princess swallowed another mouthful of her curry.
"Your enthusiasm to serve pleases me…" Azula sighed while patting the girl's head once more with a possessive hand.
"A-Azula-sama is my home." Elle mumbled timidly while closing her eyes peacefully under the princess's patting hand.
Her words earned her a composed glance from the princess before she returned to her meal.
"This is so cute Azula! But I do have one question. Isn't it dangerous to bring Elle on wartime missions? I mean…what if she…" Ty Lee trailed off while gazing in Azula's direction while her leader continued to eat the remainder of her dinner.
As Elle lay upon the princess's belly while she breathed happily never once bothered by how the woman treated her like a kitten.
Regardless, the fact that they were discussing a servant's safety with Azula was all the validation that they needed to know that the princess had become fond of the young girl.
"And I have a question for you in turn Ty Lee. Do you really think that she is better off in the palace without me? I have no doubt that she would quickly attract ample negative attention from Father wandering about the palace like a lost child." Azula spoke while gazing pointedly at Ty Lee's wincing face.
"Yeah. Point taken." Ty Lee agreed while nodding as she smiled at the adorable sight that was the princess patting the small blonde's head.
"She is clearly better off under the direct supervision of her mistress." Azula stated with her lips curving into a graceful smile while removing her hand from her beaming admirer's head.
"I would be saddened if I was without you Azula-sama. I cherish our daily routine. Tea with Her Highness at seven on the dot…followed up shortly afterward with breakfast. And then naptime on my princess's thigh at around eight." Elle chirped with a bright smile while sitting up as she turned to pull her backpack onto the seat.
The girl's joyful declaration had even Mai snickering at Azula who was now glaring at the back of the naïve girl's head with narrowed amber golden eyes.
"There will be no further naps at the foot of my throne." Azula retorted while she pointed her finger down at the girl as she hummed joyfully all the while.
"I am so excited to show you and my oneesans the stuff from my homeland." Elle commented with a broad grin on her face while Azula eyed her in the same manner a parent would humoring their child.
"Not as excited as I am…no doubt." Azula remarked dryly while sighing as she peered down at her little handmaid with a flicker of fondness in her cold stare.
"Oh, don't be rude Azula! This is our chance to learn about Elle's homeland!" Ty Lee chided warmly while Azula rolled her elegant eyes in response.
"Of course, Ty Lee. I am certain that my servant's toys will teach us a great deal about this land…" Azula trailed off while she waved a hand before her face when the girl withdrew an unseen item.
"You've got even me slightly curious…what is in that bag other than Azula. Azula. Azula?" Mai pondered with faint curiosity to her usual monotone voice.
"Several things! When I ran away from Felix, I brought everything that I cherish along with me on my back. I haven't shown this stuff to anyone yet…since Azula-sama is my best friend…and the princess I wanted her to have the first look." Elle explained while turning to peer up at her mistress's deadpan countenance.
"That's so cute Azula. You get the first look." Ty Lee chirped while the princess swallowed another bite of her meal.
"I am honored. I assure you." Azula commented lazily after gulping down the last of her meal before pushing her plate aside.
"I just knew you would be happy that I considered you first Azula-sama. Check out my music player!" Elle exclaimed as she leaned into the woman's lap while Azula sighed as she stared down at her.
"Oh, very well servant. Show me your music player." Azula remarked dryly while she peered down at her happily grinning pet with surprisingly patient amber golden eyes.
"Music player?" Ty Lee repeated with evident curiosity in her voice while leaning forward on the tabletop with her wine cup in hand.
Even Mai was staring at the young girl with a twinge of intrigue in her tawny eyes.
The three women observed in amusement when their young companion held up a small item before Azula's mildly curious face.
"This is it!" Elle cried out as she proudly held up her mp3 player before her princess's face while the regal woman scrunched up her brows in a display of grudging interest.
All three women now found themselves gazing at a small black box, that easily fit in the palm of Elle's petite hand.
It had strings attached to it that split along the middle with two circular pieces at the end of the cord.
"That…is a music player?" Azula asked as she sat up above her small pet while trying to conceal her curiosity in the girl's strange device.
"Mhm! You place these ear pieces around your head and you can listen to all kinds of music." Elle explained with a joyful smile while Azula peered down at her with stony eyes.
"How charming servant…" Azula trailed off sighing while the girl propped herself up upon her stomach once more.
"That sounds amazing Elle! But how does it work…what powers it?" Ty Lee inquired with fascination in her voice as she eyed the device in evident interest.
"Well in my land much of our technology is powered by electricity through various ways. Electricity powers it…which is conducted through a charge cord…which is in my bag. The cord is plugged into either a power outlet in the wall or another charging device. Sadly though…I don't know if I will ever be able to power it up again once the battery dies because I don't think the cord is compatible with the power system here.…and because I lost my solar charger…" Elle answered with a glummer voice all the while the princess swallowed more of her wine.
"How unfortunate." Azula snorted as she already sensed two pairs of eyes zoning in on her much to her rising annoyance.
"Azula, I bet you could devise a substitute for Elle's cord to charge her music player." Ty Lee suggested while Azula glared over in her direction with her eyes narrowing icily.
"You expect the Crown Princess of the Fire Nation to devote her time and energy into powering a servant's toy?" Azula snapped with her words causing the girl's shoulders to slump sadly.
"Well, Azula you are the smartest person in the world after all…" Mai commented in a deadpan voice while gazing at the princess's scowling face.
"Azula, relationships are about doing things to please each other. Not just pleasing you." Ty Lee informed in a patient voice while the princess eyed her through the corner of her callous amber golden eye.
"The girl has been sitting in my lap all night Ty Lee. I have been pampering her for several hours now. Elle is hardly mistreated. Not in the least." Azula scoffed while gazing down at her timid pet with a strict countenance.
"I know that Azula. But I am sure it would mean a lot to Elle if you helped her out with the matter…just look at her! She adores you." Ty Lee reasoned with a smile returning to her face as she surveyed the bonding duo.
It was apparent that beyond Azula's harsh exterior that she was considering assisting Elle in the matter.
Just by how she was staring down at the bashful girl with a thoughtful gleam in her eyes.
"Not only must I replicate your…breather…. you also wish for me to power your little toys? Is that right?" Azula questioned while peering down at her handmaid's adorably pouting face.
"S-sumimasen Azula-sama…I am sorry to be a bother…" Elle trailed off while sulking with her face propped up on her mistress's toned belly.
"Indeed, you are quite the bother…but I will not have it said that Princess Azula is incapable defeating her admirer's toy. So be it Elle. I will lend you my brilliance once more." Azula announced with her lips curling into a smile when Elle cried out in joy.
"A-arigatou gozaimasu Princess!" Elle squealed with her innocent face overtaking a radiant grin while she peered up into the woman's hardened eyes.
Ty Lee smiled just as brightly while nudging Mai's shoulder as if to say see they make a cute couple.
Mai just sighed deciding to make no comment.
"Humph! It is clear that I am the optimal romantic candidate for you. I excel in all categories. Even in the repair of toys. Now let me have a look at this…music player." Azula remarked while puffing out her chest pridefully as she smirked down at her blushing pet.
Both noblewomen just stared on in amusement over their royal friend's rather bizarre way of posturing for her young love interest.
It was adorable…in a strange fashion.
"R-romance with my princess charming…I am the most fortunate girl in the world." Elle stammered while peering up at the woman's beautiful face with her cheeks as red as a tomato.
"On that we can agree. I have long since concluded that a girl such as yourself is only compatible with a woman of upmost power such as myself. You are incapable of protecting yourself…therefore I will subjugate you. It's…for your own good anyhow." Azula spoke with a smug smile while removing the device from her quivering pet's open palm.
"O-oh Azula-sama…you are so dreamy…" Elle gushed while swooning with her hands on her cheeks as she shifted in the woman's lap.
Azula's friends were somewhat baffled by her declaration that Elle required her protection and therefore enslavement was in her best interest.
But there was no point in trying to convince the princess otherwise.
"Of course, I am! What a strange little toy you have here…" Azula trailed off while she blinked down at the device as she pressed her finger on one of its buttons.
Her amber golden eyes observed in concealed interest when a light flashed on the screen as it began to power on.
"It's probably got about a half hour charge left…put it on your ears and try it out Azula-sama." Elle advised happily while leaning against her love interest's left arm.
"Hm. Very well Elle. I can only hope that this music player lives up to your continuous pleas for my attention." Azula declared before placing the ear pieces over her ears while her friends observed with amusement in their eyes.
"It will! It's really cool. Not as cool as my princess but still cool!" Elle exclaimed while leaning forward while Azula peered down at her curiously when she began pressing buttons.
"There is nothing as 'cool' as…me." Azula boasted only for her callous face to scrunch up with her brows furrowing when a melody began playing in her ears.
"Don't keep me in suspense Azula! What does it sound like?" Ty Lee blurted while tilting her head inquisitively while she noted Azula's pricelessly taken aback face.
Azula's eyes were widening in an uncharacteristic display of sudden interest all the while staring down at the young girl lounging with the back of her head just below her breasts.
"What sort of strange music is this?" Azula pondered with comical puzzlement in her voice while Elle peered up at her giggling.
"Oh, that's called jazz. It's usually upbeat and highly energetic. Oftentimes it is instrumental only." Elle replied as she gazed up at her princess's blinking eyes with the regal woman processing the functionality of the device.
"I see. I confess it has a certain draw to it…you informed me that there are over ten thousand songs on this device…is that correct?" Azula responded while the other noblewomen gazed on in amazement while Elle nodded her head.
"Ten thousand? How can it hold that much?" Mai inquired while setting her empty cup of ale down.
"In my homeland artists have been able to sell their music on multiple formats. Once the user purchases any of the formats one can compress the music files…essentially copying a data file onto a small data bank inside the music player." Elle explained in a patient voice for one so young while Mai nodded in fascination.
"Wow! That is really neat Elle. Your homeland has some really interesting inventions! Can I have a look at it Azula?" Ty Lee requested while gazing on in amusement to notice that the princess seemed to be enjoying the device.
"I have determined that further investigation is necessary on the matter. After I conclude my inspection Ty Lee…then of course…by all means you can look at it." Azula remarked while smiling in the direction of Ty Lee's sulking countenance.
"But Azula…I thought that it was just a toy?" Mai taunted with a slight smirk about her while the princess reclined in her seat.
"Hm. Indeed it is Mai. Just a toy, Elle's toy and I have no doubt that she'll cry if I don't solve her little dilemma. Now hush Mai. I am lending my little pet my genius…this is yet another burden that I must bear…. perfect as I am." Azula spoke while gazing down at the music player as she began to fiddle with the buttons.
"I don't know Azula…it sounds like you just want to hog it all to yourself." Ty Lee grumbled while Mai rolled her eyes over Azula's gargantuan ego.
"Oh Azula-sama…let's just hug all night long…" Elle trailed off while embracing the woman's belly with the princess comically paying her little mind.
"I am not quite certain what you just said…but certainly. Yes, to whatever you just said." Azula commented dryly while waving her hand before her with a wide smile on her lips.
And just like that both noblewomen were gazing at Azula in amusement when Elle cried out in joy apparently only hearing her idol say yes.
"R-really? All night long? We're having a snuggle night?" Elle stammered as she peered up at Azula with adorably happy amber eyes.
In an instant it would seem that Azula realized her error while removing the ear pieces from her head.
"What do you mean snuggle night?" Azula questioned with her eyes narrowing down at her pet's blushing little face.
"You just agreed to an all-night cuddle session." Mai informed while Azula glanced down at Elle with marginally widened eyes before hardening her gaze into a piercing stare.
"No. There will be no snuggle night." Azula stated in a strict voice that brook no argument while she glared down at Elle's now sullen face.
"B-but Azula-sama…you just said we would…" Elle trailed off in a somber voice while the princess leaned back in her seat scowling.
"I had ear plugs on. It doesn't count." Azula replied as she watched the girl's shoulders slump in a saddened manner.
"A-am I unsnuggable? Is that it?" Elle mumbled pitifully with a frown while twiddling her thumbs while the three highborn women gazed at her comically over her silly terminology.
"Unsnuggable? Ugh…" Azula sighed while rubbing the bridge of her nose while glancing down at Elle's now depressed little face.
"Azula…" Ty Lee spoke while gesturing to their young companion's innocent face while Azula met her gaze all the while rolling her amber golden eyes.
"Elle, I command you not to cry! If you cry, I will punish you!" Azula barked while pointing a finger down at the petite girl's now worried face with her eyes narrowing callously.
The two noblewomen could only sigh upon hearing Azula threaten to discipline Elle if she cried.
"Y-yes Princess I-I won't." Elle agreed with her lips beginning to smile once more already while her princess peered down at her humming in approval.
"Hm. That's a good girl. You must remain on exemplary behavior for me at all times…that is if you wish to continue our current morning schedule…." Azula purred as she held a finger beneath her chin while grinning down at her handmaid's widening little eyes.
"Yes Azula-sama! Always as you say…I'll be a good girl." Elle assured sweetly while folding her palms in her lap as she met Azula's pleased gaze.
"Mhm. That is what I like to hear…now. You wish to have tea and breakfast with me tomorrow morning at seven…is that right?" Azula pondered while lazily brushing her hair from her eyes with a seductive confidence about her.
"Oh yes! I wish to start every morning beside Her Highness!" Elle chirped with a joyous smile while her mistress peered down at her with her fingers trailing through her fine dark hair.
"Then…be a good girl for me okay?" Azula cooed in a silken voice while peering down at her fingernails with her eyes always following Elle's brightening little face.
"Wakaru Azula-sama!" Elle cried out just as the woman's hand patted her hair while happily sat back beside her idol's much taller frame.
"Good. Very good. Just do as I say Elle…and we'll see what becomes of the two of us." Azula instructed in her usual stern voice just as she removed her hand from her pet's head.
"Well I for one don't find you unsnuggable! You are super, totally snuggable!" Ty Lee exclaimed while her friends rolled their eyes over her gushing behavior.
"I-I am glad that you think so oneesan…" Elle spoke with a slight blush as she gazed over at both of her big sister's.
Ty Lee's smile broadened after hearing the lovable words while she jabbed Mai's deadpan countenance as if to ask if she agreed.
"Leave me out of this." Mai muttered dryly while sighing as she folded her arms over her breasts.
"Elle…share another drink of wine with me." Azula remarked while Elle glanced up at her beaming before reaching for her wine cup.
"Yes Princess…my princess charming…" Elle responded while placing a hand on her cheek all the while swooning over the regal woman's charms.
"Now…regarding this…music player and your breather as well. My brilliant mind has conquered a most wonderful idea." Azula announced in a tone of great self-importance while drinking a mouthful of her wine.
The words managed to grasp even Mai's attention as all three girls turned to their undisputed leader with curiosity in their eyes.
"Wow Azula! Tell us your idea!" Ty Lee exclaimed while Azula reclined with Elle leaning into her toned bicep once more.
"There is an Earth Kingdom inventor…. a mechanist that has done impressive work for the Fire Nation before. Unfortunately, recently he has taken up arms against the Fire Nation. But…I have a feeling that I can persuade him on the matter." Azula explained while lowering her cup smiling in a way that bore hints of violent intent.
"That mechanist…I see." Mai stated while eying their young companion with intrigued tawny eyes.
If Azula was willing to go to that much trouble just to replicate Elle's breather…it spoke volumes about her fondness for the girl.
Even if that affection was…somewhat twisted.
"A-arigatou gozaimasu Azula-sama…" Elle murmured timidly after swallowing a meager sip of wine all the while blushing in a buzzed manner.
"As I have said many times before…consider yourself fortunate that I am fond of you…Elle." Azula spoke while peering down at her little servant with imposing amber golden eyes.
"I am…a most fortunate girl…" Elle agreed while tracing her finger along the woman's well-muscled arm with a look of deep admiration in her eyes.
"I am glad you see things my way servant. I was thinking…that there may well be a way to power your music player…with firebending. It…is just a theory but…it may well work." Azula commented while rubbing her chin thoughtfully as she drank another swallow of wine.
Elle's lips broke out into a grin as she peered up at the regal princess with appreciative amber eyes.
She truly cherished her princess…more than anything in life itself.
"That's a great idea Your Highness." Elle replied while her mistress smiled down with spellbindingly confident eyes.
"I am pleased that you think so…" Azula purred while purposefully adjusting her seating so that her breasts pushed down on the girl's soft head.
It was a baffling sight that did not go unnoticed by the other two women but they knew better than to comment on it.
"Azula-sama…would you care to listen to a song with me?" Elle requested in an adorably bashful voice while her heart began to race as she leaned back into the woman's soft chest.
"Hm? But there is only two ear pieces?" Azula pondered inquisitively while Elle turned to hold up one end of the headphones much to her amusement.
"Yep! One for me and one for you." Elle answered while the princess briefly gazed down at her before accepting half of the headset.
"I suppose that could work…" Azula trailed off while grasping onto the headset as she began to raise it upward while the girl began to pitifully stretch her neck attempting to reach her head.
"Um…could you bend over to my height?" Elle inquired lamely while Azula gazed down at her rolling her eyes sighing all the while.
It was a request that earned her a giggle from Ty Lee and a wryly amused gaze from Mai.
If anyone else had asked Azula to lean her head down to reach their eye level her answer would have been a resounding no.
But…
"You are really small…you do know, that right?" Azula scoffed while leaning down before Elle's reddened face while holding onto one end of the headset.
"G-gomen. I have always been on the small side." Elle stuttered while pressing her face into the beautiful princess's neck as she leaned into the other end.
"Have you? I didn't notice." Azula stated dryly while gazing through the corner of her eye at her little admirer's flushing cheeks.
"Azula…Elle has no control over her height…just listen to a song with her." Ty Lee said with a gentle smile as she gazed over at the two musing that they were cute together.
"I am well aware Ty Lee…but I do enjoy teasing her." Azula commented with a smug smirk while glancing at Elle's face pressing into hers.
Her callous eyes continued to peer onward while Elle boldly placed her palm upon hers.
It was an action that caused her to appraise her pet curiously but she nonetheless chose to permit it.
"I am so excited to bond with you Azula-sama…oh my mighty princess…" Elle gushed in a love-struck voice while beaming at Azula through the corner of her vision before pressing play.
The princess glanced back at her companion with her lips forming a composed line before a pleasant melody began to play in her ear.
Her eyebrows quirked as she began to listen to the music from her admirer's homeland all the while musing that it was grudgingly appealing to her ears.
All the while Elle sat beside her blushing lovably over her song selection with the lyrics earning her an entertained glance from the conceited woman.
"Maybe I wanna be your girl. Maybe all I need is you." Chieko's voice rang out in their ears while Azula gazed back at Elle smirking confidently.
Even the other two noblewomen could hear the foreign song playing across the table.
Their mutual intrigue over the strange device grew upon hearing the music playing all along Ty Lee giggled with her palm over her mouth.
Elle's love for Azula really was quite adorable.
"Annani mou soba ni ite mo…konnani mou aisarete mo. Jikan ha mikata shite kurezu ni. Anata no kanojo ni narenai atashi." The voice continued to sing while the princess furrowed her brows in a questioning manner unable to discern the lyrics.
Yet the meaning behind the song was quite clear.
Judging by the way Elle was embracing her neck with a peaceful smile on her young lips.
"You certainly are a clingy little peasant." Azula remarked with a stoic countenance yet she nonetheless allowed her little admirer to lean in cheek to cheek.
"That's so Azula-sama…" Elle murmured while tracing her finger along the woman's belly with a serene smile about her.
"Sore demo iitte nandomo omotta. Anata wo dareka to shea shiteiru keredo. Soreja iya datte nandomo naiteru. Uso demo kiyasume demo atashi dakette itte." Chieko sung in their ears all the while Azula peered back at Elle narrowing her eyes when the girl began to snuggle her cheek.
"Don't push your luck servant." Azula stated strictly while eying the girl's radiant face through the corner of her vision.
Instead of cowering Elle just giggled sweetly while smiling up at her idol.
"Princess…" Elle whined while latching onto the powerful woman with adoration in her innocent eyes.
Azula just sighed in response while adjusting her bottom upon the seat while still craning her neck down to Elle's eye level.
All the while listening to the bizarre music with amused amber golden eyes that never left her young admirer's grinning face.
And before long just like that, the song was already at its end.
"Maybe baby. I wanna be your girl, maybe I wanna be your girl. Maybe baby. Maybe all I need is you, all I need is you…" The singer concluded in a melodious voice while Azula's amber golden eyes peered back at Elle's overjoyed countenance.
Elle squeezed the taken aback princess's neck while she giggled all the while.
"Aww…that was so sweet Azula." Ty Lee spoke while gazing at the two with her eyes practically sparkling.
"Hm. So, I take it that you want to be my girl?" Azula questioned as she exhaled hot air upon Elle's reddened cheeks which sent a shiver down the servant's spine.
"Y-yes Azula-sama it is so." Elle responded in a timid voice while gulping under the weight of the regal woman's intimidating gaze.
She hadn't been lying when she claimed that Azula's eyes were her favorite part of her princess's body. Her backside being a close second…
"I am astounded anyone wants to be Azula's girl." Mai stated dully while calmly taking another drink with Azula turning to glare at her icily.
"I am going to pretend that I didn't hear that…" Azula trailed off while rising to her full height with the small blonde gazing up at her once more in admiration.
"I-I do. I really do! I want to be Azula-sama's girl. There is no one that loves Her Highness more than me!" Elle exclaimed with a childish pride about her all the while puffing out her small chest.
The three women were amused by the young girl's tendency to attempt to appear tougher in the hopes of impressing Azula.
It would seem that Elle was the only one who failed to realize that she looked petite and cheery no matter what expression she overtook.
"Mhm. I believe you. Have some more wine." Azula spoke while raising her cup once more with Elle obediently following suit.
"Oh Azula-sama I love it when you tell me what to do." Elle sighed dreamily before hiccupping with her naïve eyes peering up at her amused mistress.
"It pleases me to hear that. From now on I will control every little aspect of your life. Your will belongs to me now!" Azula snarled while possessively grasping ahold of the quivering girl's hair.
"I-I belong to Azula-sama." Elle stuttered as she gazed up at Azula with her heart racing so wonderfully while a warm hand brushed over her eyebrows.
"That's right…my pet." Azula purred as she ran her fingers alongside her pet's cheek while dominantly clutching her hair.
"W-well…at least Elle is happy." Ty Lee stammered nervously while Mai glanced at her with deadpan tawny eyes.
"Azula-sama…" Elle murmured as she held a hand to her cheek while she swooned like a love-struck schoolgirl.
"Simply the best pet. That is what you are…" Azula cooed as she gazed down at the trembling girl with dominance overflowing forth from her harsh stare.
"I-I am delighted that Her Highness thinks so." Elle stated as she smiled while she felt her mistress set her hand in her hair.
"I most certainly do think so." Azula remarked in a purring voice as she settled her hand on top of her handmaid's golden head.
"Can I show my music player to my oneesans now?" Elle requested while she peered up at the princess's looming visage.
"I don't see why not. I have researched the matter enough for the time being…" Azula trailed off while her friends excluding their young companion rolled their eyes at her.
"Have a look!" Elle cried out while leaning forward with the princess's domineering hand never leaving her head.
It was a silent message that was clear to Ty Lee and Mai.
It was Azula's way of declaring that she owned Elle.
"Thanks, little sister!" Ty Lee chimed as she reached to grasp the small device with Mai gazing down at it in slight interest.
"You go ahead. I can look at it after you." Mai informed calmly while her cheerful friend nodded in gratitude all the while slipping the headset over her ears.
"So…how do I turn it on?" Ty Lee inquired while blinking in puzzlement until the young girl reached over to assist her.
"That button on top is the power button…and the buttons to the left and right cycle between songs. The furthest down button is the play button." Elle explained with a helpful smile while Ty Lee gazed back at her warmly.
"Oh! I think I get it. Hm now let's see…" Ty Lee stated before fiddling with the device just as music began to play in her ear.
Ty Lee listened attentively while her eyes widened in fascination as she quickly began to see why even Azula took an interest in it.
It was really amazing!
"I must admit you've piqued my interest. Is such a device available to commoners and peasants far and wide?" Azula asked with her lips pursed into her usual composed gaze while Elle sat beneath her hand.
"Yep. Pretty much anyone can buy one. I mean…unless you are homeless." Elle remarked while the woman glanced down at her in amusement.
"Like you were?" Azula taunted with her brows in slight mockery.
"I wasn't homeless until I came here Azula-sama. I had a roof over my head…even if it was a very unpleasant place to live." Elle answered with a marginal decline in her cheer.
Elle's plummeting joy was noticed by all three of them while Azula continued to stare down at the girl before sighing under her breathe.
In fact, Ty Lee was so concerned that she removed the headphones from her ears without delay while gazing back at the girl with saddened eyes.
"I really like your music player Elle…it's very pink…but right now your aura isn't pink at all…" Ty Lee commented before sliding the music player to her friend beside her.
But the noblewoman did not reach for it.
Mai too was glancing at Elle with faint concern in her calm tawny eyes.
"O-oh well I am glad that you like it oneesan." Elle murmured while attempting to smile back at the other woman's worried countenance.
"If you ever want to talk to us…any of us. We're here to listen." Ty Lee declared warmly while the princess turned to her with her eyes narrowing callously.
"Ty Lee." Azula hissed in a venomous voice that promised a miserable punishment if the other woman continued.
Ty Lee visibly flinched with sweat dripping down her brow while attempting to smile reassuringly in her leader's direction.
"I…am just afraid of Felix. It's…not the sort of fear that leaves you…even when he is an entire world away." Elle confessed with her palms folding in her lap.
The fact that the girl was beginning to shiver when she spoke her brother's name was all the proof and more of the abuse she suffered at his hands.
"Calm yourself servant…even if you should ever see your brother again. This Felix is no longer a concern of yours. You serve me now…and that entitles you to the privilege of protection." Azula announced in a stony voice while gazing down into her little handmaid's fearful eyes.
"I-I know…and I am so very grateful. But…I will always be afraid of Felix. I just hope…that I never see his face again." Elle muttered while her hands shook as she voiced the words while they listened patiently.
"It will be okay Elle. I mean…you've got Azula protecting you. That's about as safe as you can get. And you have us too!" Ty Lee assured with a resolute nod while turning to her fellow noblewoman.
"Ty Lee is correct. You are safe now." Mai informed with a slight break from her monotone as she stared back at the emotional girl's moved countenance.
"A-arigatou gozaimasu…minasan." Elle spoke timidly while blushing under the bulk of their combined attentions.
The three women noted that her mood had perked somewhat…yet an underlying trace of worry still lingered.
Azula found herself strangely displeased by her little admirer's fear.
It was a truly foreign feeling to her…
Yet she chose not to dwell on it. She simply waved it off with the fact that the girl belonged to her and therefore she was just concerned with the quality of her service.
With her decision already set in stone she peered down at her petite servant with cold amber golden eyes.
"Servant…" Azula trailed off while observing in delight when the girl's head snapped upward immediately after hearing her voice.
"Azula…please call her by name…" Ty Lee almost groaned while leaning forward to gaze at her leader with chiding eyes.
"Yes Mistress?" Elle inquired while managing to muster a smile as she gazed up at the regal woman's looming face.
"Don't move…it's on your head." Azula began with her friends already glaring at her when she pointed at the now pale faced girl's mane of blonde hair.
"W-what is on my head?" Elle stammered as she already began squirming while her mistress ran her fingers through her hair.
"There is a spider on your head…right here." Azula commented with a slight smile while Elle glanced up at her with comically horrified amber eyes.
"Azula!" Ty Lee exclaimed only to fall back in her seat when a piercing scream shot through the air.
Ty Lee quickly covered her ears alongside Mai who was wincing while she did the same.
And judging by the expression on the princess's face she just may be regretting her cruel prank.
"T-there's a-spider in my hair! G-get it off Azula-sama! S-someone get it off my head!" Elle shrieked as she began to hop about with Azula now also holding her hands over her ears.
"Why did you have to do that Azula?" Mai demanded with both aggravation and disapproval in her voice.
The petite girl suddenly leaped into the grunting woman's lap while Azula now gazed up at Elle's panicking face with irate amber golden eyes.
"Calm down!" Azula barked while reaching out to prevent her pet's squirming by placing a stern hand on her shoulder.
"P-please get it out of my hair Azula-sama!" Elle whimpered pitifully while her big sisters stared at her in sympathy.
"There isn't a spider in your hair. Now stop hopping about!" Azula remarked while Elle finally sat back upon her thighs with realization in her eyes.
"T-then why did you say there was!" Elle exclaimed with a trace of humorous anger in her normally timid voice.
"Because she's an asshole. That's why." Mai stated while gazing at Elle's distraught face with a flicker of anger in her eyes.
"I don't think I care for your tone…what do you…" Azula trailed off while frowning as the girl spun around with her eyes narrowing up at her.
"D-don't you play a joke like that on me again!" Elle cried out with hurt in her voice while the princess gazed down at her in shock.
"For your information servant I only said that to get you to stop moping!" Azula snapped while glaring down at her sensitive pet's nearly crying face.
And just like that Elle's anger began to fade as she peered up at Azula with a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
"Y-you did?" Elle stammered while staring up at the princess's nodding face with calming eyes.
"Yes. Now cease this behavior at once…and in the future watch the tone that you take with me." Azula stated strictly while glaring down at her pet's now guilt-ridden face.
"Seriously Azula? You couldn't think of anything else other than that?" Ty Lee demanded with her lips curling into a scowl.
"I-I didn't know Princess. I…should never have doubted your judgement." Elle mumbled while turning around with a rising smile on her meek lips.
The two noblewomen were somewhat taken aback by how quickly Elle accepted Azula's reasoning.
"You can be a bothersome servant…do you know that?" Azula questioned while reaching her hand down to trace her finger along the girl's once more submissive cheek.
"S-sumimasen Azula-sama…" Elle trailed off shyly while she sat obediently enjoying how her mistress's palm stroked her cheek.
"Hm. I'll let it slide…" Azula purred in a controlling voice all the while she gazed down at the girl with a domineeringly stare.
"Um…I have been meaning to ask…just how frequent will I see those huge spiders in the Fire Nation?" Elle pondered nervously while gazing up at the woman's stony face.
"It's okay Elle! They aren't that common…they usually are only seen in very deep forests. It's only on occasion that one or two makes it over by boat in a fruit shipment." Ty Lee assured gently while Elle nodded with clear arachnophobia in her stare.
"She's not wrong. What you saw today was an occasional occurrence." Mai commented with a relaxed nod.
"Oh good. Because if that becomes a common occurrence, I am moving to the coldest place there is." Elle muttered while Azula peered down at her with her brows raised.
"I will not permit that. I have already decided that I am keeping you little lady." Azula remarked with a callous frown while Elle glanced up at her huffing.
"Then you had best keep those disgusting abominations away from this little lady…Your Highness." Elle grumbled while folding her arms over her small bust in another show of comical displeasure.
Ty Lee was soon giggling once more even musing that she found the bizarre manner in which Azula tended to Elle to be rather adorable.
"Humph! The princess of the Fire Nation could slay a thousand volcano sac spiders!" Azula scoffed only to scowl when the girl leaped in fright once more.
"G-gross! Don't even say the name!" Elle cried out while landing in the seat beside Azula with the woman staring down at her with deadpan eyes.
"What is it about spiders that has you acting so ridiculous?" Azula demanded while sighing as she began to drink more of her wine.
"Well…let's see. They are repulsive…they crawl up the walls and drop down on me in the dark…and Felix likes spiders. He used to drop them on me in my sleep." Elle confided while all three women turned to her unsurprised.
"It sounds like something that someone I know would do to Zuko." Mai stated while gazing at Azula's guiltless face with cold eyes.
"Hm…perhaps." Azula replied while scanning her finger nails smugly all the while gazing down at her handmaid's lovely face.
"Once he dropped a tank of a few hundred of them on me. The next day I tried to put nails in his cereal." Elle announced while her new friends glanced at her with shock in their eyes this time.
"I…can't even picture you doing something like that…for you to try that…he must be a real monster." Ty Lee stated softly while gazing at Elle with taken aback eyes.
"I am surprised that you have the capacity to try that." Azula spoke with a genuinely puzzled voice all the while pondering if she could toughen her admirer up after all.
"Yes…well. He found the nail and told me that I had to do better than that." Elle explained to her baffled friends.
"He's clearly a wretched person. Try not to worry about him anymore. You're safe from him now." Mai informed with a faint fondness in her tone while the small blonde peered back with emotional eyes.
"Arigatou…oneesan." Elle spoke warmly with her innocent words managing to earn a small smile from the noblewoman.
"Think nothing of it." Mai responded while placing her palm on the tabletop.
"It's his fault that I am so low on medicine…I had a stock of ten inhalers but Felix confiscated them in hopes of keeping me from leaving." Elle admitted while the princess now glanced down at her with annoyance in her eyes.
And the two noblewomen were just appalled that the girl's own brother would go so far as to take away her medicine that stabilized her breathing.
"You would have ten more if not for your stupid brother?" Azula demanded with aggravation oozing from her voice.
"Y-yes. That is so Azula-sama." Elle answered while scratching her cheek nervously under the woman's imposing stare.
'What a nuisance. Even a world away this man manages to inconvenience me.' Azula thought while scowling in a displeased manner.
She had already made up her mind that she would kill him if she ever met him.
Now she was going to kill him and torture him.
"It will be alright Elle! I am sure that the mechanist will be able to figure it out." Ty Lee exclaimed hopefully while nodding in the young girl's direction.
"Azula-sama? Can I ask you something?" Elle pondered while the woman glanced down at her curiously.
"You just did." Azula replied with a hint of playfulness in her voice that had the girl pouting cutely.
"W-would you consider putting a small desk in my quarters?" Elle asked meekly while inclining her head respectfully much to the princess's approval.
If any other servant were to be so bold as to ask Azula for her to upgrade their quarters she would banish them without hesitation.
But Elle was no ordinary servant…was she?
"Hm. What for?" Azula inquired while turning to gaze down at Elle's half bowing in her seat.
She truly approved of her little admirer's respectful demeanor.
"F-for my writing and for my arts and crafts…it's difficult for me to do it from my cot." Elle explained in a timid voice while remaining in a respectful bow in her seat.
"Very well. Consider it done." Azula agreed without delay with a slight trace of fondness in her cold voice.
The regal woman gazed on calmly when her little handmaid cried out in joy before latching onto her stomach once more.
"A-arigatou gozaimasu Azula-sama!" Elle cheered while embracing Azula while the woman stiffened in her embrace.
"You are welcome servant." Azula spoke with her eyes closed while sighing under her breath with her friends gazing on in amazement.
They never thought they would see the day when Azula took requests from a handmaid.
Unbeknownst to Elle and her childhood friends.
Azula had already been contemplating having a higher quality bed put in Elle's chamber in replacement of the standard servant cot.
The idea had been on her mind since earlier today when she had gone to the girl's chamber to see if her breathing had improved.
Strange as it was…she had found that the girl's current cot did not seem like an appropriate sleeping arrangement for her most loyal servant.
With her mind already made up…she decided that she will install a new bed along with the chair and desk.
"Aww! I am happy that you are taking such good care of her Azula. Elle is a nice girl. She deserves to be happy." Ty Lee stated while gazing at Elle's adorable face as the girl still hung onto her friend's belly.
"As I stated earlier Ty Lee. Elle is my most devoted servant…therefore it is to be expected that she will be rewarded in ways that no other servant will." Azula declared as she opened her eyes to meet her smiling friends gaze.
"Let me guess Shorty…this desk is Azula related? Isn't it?" Mai queried much to Azula's pleasure while the princess turned to peer down at the girl hugging her side.
"U-um…y-yes. My back starts to sore after writing for several hours on my cot." Elle answered with shyness adorning her cheeks while her mistress glanced down at her with pleased amber golden eyes.
And yet at the same time she also made a mental note of the girl stating that her back gets sore writing on her cot.
"Ugh. Several hours? So, you do stay up all night thinking about Azula after all." Mai muttered while the young girl blushed a dark shade of crimson.
"Silence Mai. This is to be praised…not scolded. Tell me servant…about what goes through your little mind during your free time." Azula announced with her stern eyes peering down at Elle with her lips forming a refined smile.
"After Her Highness dismisses me, I spend one hour every evening archiving the days many orders and all that I've learned from my day of serving Azula-sama that I wasn't able to record in the day. I must remain on my toes after all! Azula-sama must be pleased." Elle explained in a joyful voice while gazing up at Azula's satisfied countenance.
In Azula's opinion the expression on her friend's faces as a result of her handmaid's words was just priceless.
"What a good girl. So well behaved. When I become Fire Lord…you will remain kneeling beside me at the foot of my throne." Azula purred while reaching down to cup the now quivering teenager's chin.
"R-really Azula-sama? You will keep your Elle close by at all times?" Elle stammered while peering up into the dominant woman's enrapturing amber golden gaze.
If you asked Mai that didn't sound anything like dating.
Though she knew better than to broach the subject in Azula's presence.
"You are mine girl. You will bow before me!" Azula spoke with her eyes narrowing into a soul piercing glare while gazing down at Elle's gasping face.
"O-oh Azula-sama…I will always bow before you…" Elle trailed off while swooning with a blush that quickly overtook her young cheeks.
"Your place will always be at the foot of my throne…no matter where that throne sits…that is where you belong." Azula declared with her brows scrunching up while tightening her grip on her pet's chin savoring how the girl melted under her stare.
"Yes, because Azula-sama is home." Elle agreed while bashfully twiddling her thumbs under the woman's imposing stare.
"Mhm. My favorite servant." Azula remarked with a twinge of fondness to her cruel voice while staring down at Elle just as the girl leaned into her bicep.
"H-Her Highness's favorite servant…" Elle trailed off dreamily while hugging the princess's powerful arm with adoration in her love-struck eyes.
"That is correct. Now…I command you to share another drink with me." Azula ordered with her strict eyes flickering down to the girl latching onto her bicep.
"As Her Highness commands. Always as she commands." Elle mumbled while clutching at her cup with her mistress peering down at her with a smug smirk adorning her crimson lips.
"Azula…you're not really going to make Elle bow all day, long are you? Please try to remember that she's human…not a dog." Ty Lee commented while observing the two's strange method of bonding with a margin of worry in her gaze.
"Of course, I know she's human Ty Lee. Do I look stupid to you? Her place is before my throne…but I will always keep her well being in mind. It's not as if I intend to abuse her. I should think that would be apparent by now…" Azula remarked while taking a long drink of her wine before sighing in a content manner.
Her amber golden eyes observed her little handmaid taking another gulp of her wine all the while leaning against her elbow.
She was still a bit uncertain about the girl's clingy behavior but even so.
Elle was without question her most devoted servant and a subject of romantic intrigue.
With that in mind she chose to permit a certain level of neediness.
Even if only to maintain their amicable relations.
The princess was soon torn from her thoughts when the girl yanked on her sleeve in a hurried manner.
"Actually Azula-sama I am not human…I am an alien sent here to destroy your world! Rawr!" Elle exclaimed childishly with an innocent smile on her lips while Azula now glanced down at her with her brows furrowing in a rare display of bewilderment.
No matter how much time she spent in the girl's company there were certain behavioral traits that remained an enigma to even her.
The two noblewomen just watched Elle in amusement as the girl gazed about the room with her hands cupped over her mouth in an adorable attempt at roaring.
"…Then you have got to be the most pitiful conqueror this world has ever seen." Azula snorted with a trace of amusement in her hardened voice before gracefully sipping more wine.
"…I don't know Azula. She's pretty scary if you ask me…" Ty Lee trailed off giggling when her leader rolled her amber golden eyes in response.
"Listen to my best roar Azula-sama!" Elle whined while pulling on the groaning woman's sleeve once more.
Ty Lee never thought she would see the day when a servant was asking Azula to listen to their 'best roar'.
It was certainly an adorable sight to say the least.
"Have you already had too much to drink?" Azula pondered while gazing down at her lovely pet with entertained eyes.
Then Elle sucked in a great intake of air all the while Azula watched with deadpan eyes when her pet puffed up her little chest.
"Rawr!" Elle cried out while pounding her chest in an effort to appear tough before sinking back in her seat with a prideful smile on her face.
"How terrifying." Mai stated dryly while gazing at Elle with a similar look of bafflement in her eyes.
Even for a thirteen-year-old girl…she was prone to acting as if she was eight years old or younger.
It was…strange.
"You are a peculiar girl. But not one that I dislike." Azula announced with her palm resting on her knee while Elle now beamed up at her smiling from ear to ear.
"T-those words mean the world to me Azula-sama." Elle mumbled while hugging her mistress's arm once more.
"Just don't get too clingy. This…won't be happening in the presence of anyone other than Mai and Ty Lee." Azula spoke while gesturing to her arm with the petite girl attempting to snuggle her.
"Wakarimashita!" Elle cheered with a never waning smile as she set her wine cup down in favor of reaching for her neglected watermelon juice.
"It's good that you understand." Azula stated before swallowing the final drink of wine from her cup.
"Azula-sama…" Elle began once more with her mistress sighing while closing her eyes.
"Yes?" Azula inquired with an expression of astounding patience for her favorite servant.
"D-did you keep…the fire lily?" Elle pondered to the woman's surprise while Azula's eyes snapped open before glancing down at her with a guarded countenance.
"Perhaps…or perhaps I burned it to ashes." Azula commented casually with her eyes narrowing into her usual imposing stare.
The cruel words of mockery earned a stare of disapproval from Ty Lee but Elle didn't appear bothered in the least.
"I understand." Elle spoke with a soft smile rising onto her peaceful lips.
Her mistress kept the flower…she was just too proud to say as much.
"I am not quite certain what you mean to imply servant. But I will just chalk it up your usual silly babble." Azula snorted while glaring down at her giggling admirer as she watched the girl sip her juice.
"Would Her Highness care to hear about the story of how I gained the courage to deliver her fire lily?" Elle inquired with a hopeful look in her innocent eyes while the woman continued to gaze down at her.
Before Azula could even speak Ty Lee beat her to it.
"Of course, we would!" Ty Lee shouted while the princess glared at her through the corner of her vision.
"The question was directed at me, not you Ty Lee. But all the same…by all means why not? I am certain that it must be a riveting little peasant tale." Azula spoke with her hand waving lazily before her face with her words producing a beaming smile from her pet.
"It is very riveting Azula-sama! Full of suspense, intrigue and danger!" Elle chirped in a comical voice while sweeping her hand about in an animated manner.
"Hm? Is it now?" Azula responded while staring down at her little admirer with a flicker of amusement in her callous stare.
"Danger little sister?" Ty Lee asked in a tone of both worry and humor while they watched the petite girl puff out her chest in an adorable attempt to appear older.
"Mhm! I confess that I made two attempts to approach Azula-sama." Elle revealed while peering up at her princess's curious visage with a timid smile.
"You…tried to give me a fire lily twice?" Azula asked with evident intrigue in her voice while appraising her cheerful pet with surprised eyes.
"My first attempt ended in failure…I-I had found you on a bridge…but I-I was too afraid to speak to you." Elle stuttered while gulping as she fidgeted under the woman's stern stare.
In an instant Ty Lee connected the dots.
The painting of Azula walking over the bridge was inspired by Elle's first attempt to gift her a flower!
It was just so cute that she couldn't contain herself!
Given the look in Azula's eyes it seemed as if the princess herself connected the other painting with the bridge walk.
"And rightfully so. The great Princess Azula cannot be approached so casually." Azula snapped while pointing a domineering finger down at her little pet's intimidated face.
"O-oh Azula-sama…you are so strong…" Elle gushed with a hand on her heated cheek all the while enjoying how the arrogant woman spoke to her.
"There is no woman or man as strong as me. Don't you ever forget that…little admirer." Azula boasted with a conceited smile while glaring down at her swooning pet.
"Ugh. Azula can't you even go one minute without acting like a hormonal boy?" Mai questioned dryly while Azula spun around to glare back at her.
"You dare compare me to a man? I am perfectly feminine!" Azula retorted while narrowing her eyes in a dangerous manner with both of her friends coughing nervously.
"…R-right! Of course, you are Azula!" Ty Lee agreed with a wary smile while the princess scowled with her regal lips forming a thin line.
"Her Highness's beauty is so vast that I feared that she would grow wrathful with me and…possibly throw me in prison." Elle chimed in a comically happy voice while Ty Lee now gazed at the princess's icy face with chiding brown-gray eyes.
"Stop that Ty Lee. Quit looking at me like that." Azula grunted while folding her arms as she sighed while peering down at her lovely admirer.
She would never say so aloud but…she knew that she would never be able to throw Elle in prison.
"See…that's kind of what I was getting at earlier Azula…a young girl was fearful that she would go to prison for giving you a fire lily…" Ty Lee trailed off while the princess scanned her fingernails smugly.
"Elle isn't in prison…she is seated on a luxury cushion directly beside her mistress." Azula scoffed while glancing down at her pet when the girl leaned into her belly once more.
"Do you know something Azula-sama? I…was almost too intimidated to give you your fire lily but then a stranger encouraged me!" Elle admitted with her words earning her three intrigued glances while she peered up into piqued amber golden eyes.
"A stranger encouraged you?" Azula asked with curiosity lacing her harsh voice while she studied her little admirer's loyal face.
"Yep! I ran into a woman on the streets right after my first attempt and we talked for a while." Elle chirped while the princess's eyes continued to penetrate her soul.
"Another woman on the streets?" Azula almost growled while staring down at the girl with terrifyingly dominant amber golden eyes.
"Azula! Don't scare her! She said this woman encouraged her!" Ty Lee scolded with a smile while her friend still scowled in jealously over the unknown woman.
"I-I just talked with her Azula-sama…I didn't g-give her a fire lily." Elle stammered while quivering submissively under the spoiled woman's possessive glare.
"Hm. And that is how it shall remain. You are forbidden to gift anyone but myself. If you do…I will punish you severely." Azula remarked with her hands at her sides while she glared down at her adorably intimidated little pet.
"F-for Her Highness alone…no one but my mistress." Elle agreed with a warm smile on her naïve lips while she craned her neck to meet the imposing woman's gaze.
"Good. Very good. I now permit you to resume your tale." Azula commented while waving her hand before her with her lips beginning to smile once again.
"She chased off some people that were making fun of me. And she gave me a bag of coins for food…" Elle trailed off while the three women gazed at her with varying levels of pity.
It was a reminder that it was not long ago that she was wandering the streets without even a coin for a meal.
"I see. Well I suppose that it is good that you received a donation." Azula sighed while Ty Lee gazed at her with scolding brown-gray eyes.
"Yep! I owe it all to her Azula-sama! Had she not told me to go for it. I wouldn't be sitting here right now!" Elle exclaimed while peering up at the stoic woman's amused face with joyful amber eyes.
"Tell me servant. Before she said to 'go for it' did you disclose to her my identity?" Azula pondered with a victorious look in her eyes while watching her small admirer visibly deflate.
"N-no. I just said that you were the prettiest girl in the world…" Elle mumbled meekly while Azula's smooth voice flowed into her ears when the regal woman began to chuckle.
"Aww! Well I am glad that you decided to take her advice Elle. Regardless of if she knew it was Azula you were talking about." Ty Lee stated warmly while the gloomy noblewoman eyed their young companion.
"If she had known you were speaking about Azula. She would have advised you to run the opposite way." Mai snorted while the princess eyed her with icy amber golden eyes.
"Yes well…you belong to me now." Azula spoke in a controlling voice while staring down at Elle's overjoyed face leaning into her arm.
"I know…Azula-sama. I am so happy that I took Toph's advice…" Elle trailed off happily once to blink in puzzlement when all three women turned to her with startled faces.
The announcement of Toph's name was so profound that Azula almost choked on her wine.
"Toph?" Azula breathed with narrowing eyes while glaring down at the meek teenager once more.
"T-that was her name. W-why are you all looking at me like that? I-I didn't give her a flower I swear it!" Elle cried out while nodding all the while she adorably patted her chest in a childish display of honesty.
"What did this…Toph look like? Describe her to me." Azula demanded while sitting up above Elle's small frame with a hand curled up beneath her chin.
"Hm…let's see. She didn't wear shoes…she had dark hair…and I distinctly recall that she was blind." Elle murmured while holding a finger to her lips as she peered up into her mistress's widened eyes.
Ty Lee exchanged a worried glance with Mai all the while Azula's lips curled into a furious frown.
"The Avatar's friends must have been performing a recon of our defenses in preparation for the Day of the Black Sun! They will suffer for this arrogance!" Azula bellowed all the while breathing a plume of blue fire that nearly scorched the petite girl's little head.
"Azula!" Ty Lee shouted in horror while Elle fretfully ducked out of the way of the princess's dragon breath.
"E-eep!" Elle squeaked out pitifully just as Azula peered back down at her with a scowl that had her young heart racing.
All the while Azula silently scanned Elle's face searching for any signs of burns before visibly relaxing upon concluding that she was unharmed.
"Servant…how long ago was this?" Azula questioned with her palms folded in her lap while Elle still returned her stare with confused little eyes.
"Um…well Mistress…I would probably say that it was about…uh five days before the invasion." Elle responded in a dutiful voice while nodding up at her mistress's brooding visage.
"I see. Was anyone else with the earthbender?" Azula continued while looming over her small pet's contemplative face.
"N-no Mistress. I would have told you if there was right from the start. I would never lie to Her Highness." Elle spoke while inclining her head in reverence under the woman's demanding gaze.
"A-Azula you're not doubting Elle, are you?" Ty Lee pleaded while gazing at her friend's scowling lips with a sudden flash of fear in her eyes.
Azula can't possibly think that Elle was a spy!
She wouldn't…right?
"D-doubt me? I don't understand…have I done wrong? I am loyal to you and you alone Azula-sama, to my princess charming…to my mistress." Elle declared sweetly while meeting her princess's harsh amber golden eyes.
For the briefest of moments Azula seemed to be considering the possibility that Elle was a spy.
And then to the relief of both Mai and Ty Lee they watched in puzzlement when Azula lowered her palm into Elle's hair.
"Calm yourself servant. I do not doubt your loyalty." Azula assured at long last with her hand patting the petite girl's soft head all the while reclining in her seat.
"G-good. I am Princess Azula's most faithful servant…" Elle murmured while swooning underneath the woman's petting hand.
"Shorty is too obvious to be a spy." Mai remarked while gazing at the young girl with amused tawny eyes.
"Please! What sort of spy would be foolish enough to announce an association with their target's known enemy?" Azula scoffed while rolling her amber golden eyes down at her pet's still adorably bewildered face.
"Spy? Target? I am confused. I just want to hug Azula-sama all day! Everyday! For the rest of my life!" Elle cried out while the three highborn women gazed at her humorously in unison.
"Don't strain your little brain over it. This Toph…is the enemy and she will be eliminated. Understand now?" Azula explained with her eyes gazing down at Elle's pure hearted face while the girl began to nod somberly.
"Yes Azula-sama…I do." Elle answered while gazing down at the table with her mistress's hand still planted upon her scalp.
"Let's not worry about this tonight Azula…we're here to have fun remember? Not focus on the war." Ty Lee commented while smiling once more when Azula glance down at Elle with a sliver of fondness in her eyes.
"Indeed Ty Lee. I have yet to dominate this night…and I can only presume that if I did not…it would disappoint my little admirer." Azula stated with cold smile while staring down at the young girl's beaming face.
"Azula-sama you could never disappoint me. You are my idol…and I will always cherish you no matter what." Elle cooed while smiling radiantly up at the woman's lovely visage.
The young girl's words somehow struck a chord deep within Azula who was now glancing down at Elle with a marginally taken aback amber golden gaze.
"Aw…she's a real sweetheart isn't she Azula?" Ty Lee remarked while turning to gaze at the princess's furrowing countenance.
"Your idol huh?" Azula commented while holding a finger to her chin all the while musing that she rather liked the sound of that.
This young girl…pure of heart…is inspired by her strength and direction of leadership.
For even as callous a woman as she was. She was not the sort to forget such genuine words of devotion.
"T-that's so Your Highness. B-because you give me courage…I take comfort in your strength." Elle confessed while averting her eyes once more with her cheeks heating up under Azula's imposing stare.
It was completely and totally astounding to Mai to hear that this kind girl considered Azula her idol.
Because she finds her princess's might soothing.
If someone before today had told her that she would hear someone say these words before Azula herself she would have rolled her eyes.
But now…
"Oh, very well. I will be your idol Elle. In exchange for your loyalty…you may find comfort in my power if that is what you wish." Azula announced sternly while peering down at her small admirer's angelic face.
A face that was marred only by the sight of two bruises that she realized strongly displeased her.
"A-arigatou gozaimasu Azula-sama." Elle mumbled with a bashful stammer while finally gaining the courage to peer up into her mistress's harsh eyes.
"Now tell me my young companion…do you wish to see your princess dominate this night?" Azula inquired with her visage reflecting a stare of unfathomable dominance while she glared down at her trembling handmaid.
"Please Azula-sama! I really must see how Her Highness lays siege to the night!" Elle cheered while gazing up at Azula's callous face with a crimson blush overcoming her cheeks.
"I see! You won't be satisfied unless I give you yet another display of my divine right to rule! You require me to demonstrate my strength once more!" Azula announced while abruptly rising from her seat with her friends staring on humorously in their seats.
"Azula…I really think you're taking this too seriously. If you haven't noticed…Elle just says whatever she thinks will please you most." Ty Lee advised with a nervous smile on her lips only to gaze on unsurprised when her leader ignored her completely.
"Waste of breath." Mai stated once more before sighing in annoyance.
"My mighty princess charming! You captivate me with every word that you speak!" Elle gushed with her hands upon her cheeks while peering up at her princess standing above her with her lips curving into a refine smile.
"Marvelous. You find my power so charming that you can't even look away. It is painfully apparent to me that I am your ideal woman." Azula spoke with her fists planted on her shapely thighs while gazing down at Elle's adorably speechless little face.
"Azula-sama…my princess…will you guide me with your power?" Elle requested timidly while gazing up at Azula towering over her with a graceful smirk upon her red lips.
"Hm. So be it. Take my hand…and I will give you the rule that you so deeply desire." Azula declared in a strict voice while she extended her right hand before her petite servant's spellbound amber eyes.
"Yes, my princess…as you command." Elle agreed before reaching for the regal princess's outstretched hand.
And then just like that her wrist was grasped in an unyielding grip that pulled her onto her feet.
"Now that is what I like to hear. Come with me my little servant and I will crush all that oppose me on this night beneath my boot!" Azula called out with Elle standing before her belly with her eyes peering up at her in ever rising awe.
"Um…Azula…I really don't think any party goers are going to oppose you." Ty Lee offered while rising from her seat alongside her friend.
"Oh, Azula-sama…I just love listening to the sound of your voice…ooh it gets me so excited!" Elle exclaimed with an adorably passionate voice while cupping her hand to her cheek before sighing contently.
At this point her two adoptive big sisters were gazing at her oddly with their brows raised in a questioning manner.
But…they had already long since come to the conclusion that Elle was a bit of an eccentric.
"Then follow me my pet…and you will find that excitement you will not be lacking." Azula purred with a confident posture about her while holding her pet's backpack in one hand and the girl in the other.
"I-I will follow Her Highness for all of my days…until my last day." Elle chirped just as the much taller princess began to lead her alongside her.
She just barely had the time to quickly grab her shopping bags before she found herself being led away once more.
"Such a good girl…" Azula trailed off while she gazed down at Elle with domineering amber golden eyes that sent shivers down the girl's spine.
"Azula! Where are we going now!" Ty Lee yelled out while running a hand through her hair while watching the duo swiftly depart the private dining room.
"Can't forget this…" Mai trailed off while Ty Lee turned curiously to notice that Elle had forgotten her precious music player.
"Yeah. We can't." Ty Lee replied before grasping the device while the other woman eyed it thoughtfully.
"May as well check it out." Mai stated dryly before holding out her hand as it was dropped into her waiting palm.
"It really is quite pink!" Ty Lee piped while smiling at Mai while they two left to pursue Azula and their adopted little sister.
It wasn't too long afterward that Mai walked with the headphones on while gazing ahead with an unnaturally inquisitive countenance.
"Yes. It is." Mai agreed as she graced Ty Lee with a small smile that made her friend giggle.
If you asked Ty Lee.
Elle was a good thing for all of them.
A very good thing indeed.