Author's Note: Written for my good friend, gemsofformenos. When your world is crumbling around you, your friends are here to build it back up. "Don't forget, I'm with you in the dark." - Undertale
Chapter 1: Stranded
Lip gloss.
Unbelievable. Azula had done everything Ty Lee told her to do, and what did that leave her?! One measly tube of lip gloss.
"But you have to go! The ticket was a gift, the plane ticket is paid for, the hotel room is booked, all you need to do is get there."
Two days' notice. Ty Lee had only given her two days' notice. Azula usually planned meticulously for months for big trips.
"Besides, you owe it to yourself to cut loose and have fun for once in your life."
It was no secret that Azula had always prioritized her education and career prospects ahead of leisure. But even though Azula was feeling the burnout from her first year of law school, her immediate response was a resolute "No".
"Please! You can't let this ticket go to waste. Do you know how many people would kill to go to the Pro-bending Championship Tournament?! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
Ty Lee, being the quirky, charismatic, beautiful young woman that she was, had amassed quite the following as an influencer on YipYap, and with this influence came perks, such as lavish gifts from sponsors and fans. This was how she had come to secure a coveted ticket to the Pro-bending Championship Tournament, but as fate would have it, she contracted the flu just two days before the flight. Still, Azula voiced her reluctance to go alone.
"You'll make new friends there! And who knows, maybe you'll even meet someone…"
Thus, Azula found herself in Republic City. And meet someone she did. An attractive young man with strong arms. A tad too pompous. With frat bro energy. No one she would ever consider dating, but definite one-night stand material. Taking the advice of her friend and cutting loose for once, she had invited him back to her hotel room. And in the morning, he was gone. Gone with the contents of her clutch bag besides one freaking tube of lip gloss! And for what?! Some mediocre sex?!
Her phone… her credit card…
She had no way to tell anyone. She had no money. She had no friends in the area.
She should have known better. She had known better. Traveling to another continent with barely any time to prepare, attending a huge, rowdy event alone, bringing a total stranger home… she had fought against her instincts at every turn. This was supposed to be fun. This was supposed to be an adventure! Some adventure it was.
She threw her near-empty clutch on the floor and sobbed silently into her hands.