Azula watched the large ship from the skies as it departed from Caldera's dock, her uncle and brother leaving their home for the foreseeable future.
She was too far away to see any individuals but could feel their unique signatures through her resonance. While they would normally be far out of her range, she found that was not the case if she and Sora used the ability together to extend their range.
It hadn't taken all that long for said dragon to learn the technique, especially with Azula being able to convey the information directly through their bond. If anything, Sora had taken to it with more proficiency than she had.
Still, the two could only follow the ship for so long before they had to return to the clearing. Before she knew it, her two family members were out of range of the shared sensing technique and soon would leave the nation altogether.
This would be the last time she would see them for… a while.
The princess felt an ache in her chest at the thought but did not let a tear shed. She had done enough of that earlier and knew she would see them again. Crying would not do her any good now.
Before long the two touched down in the clearing and Azula got off, quickly undoing the saddle. Sora let out a groan as the last of the straps came off, causing Azula to chuckle slightly. "I know girl. We'll have to get a new one made soon. Maybe I'll even make additions to it."
There were several ideas for improvement circulating through her mind, but she would consider it more once she actually started…
Which she was not looking forward to. Sora had grown considerably since she and Huang had created the first saddle, which had already been awkward enough to begin with. Her excuse had been faulty enough the first time, and any she gave now would be laughably terrible with Sora's current size. Still, it was a necessary burden.
Sora's comfort was of the utmost importance if they were to fly, which the princess had no plans of stopping. The joy and tranquility the activity offered was a balm to the newly found sorrow she was feeling.
The girl looked up as she was nudged gently, easily reading the concern present in her dragon's eyes even without the bond. At times, it felt like she knew Sora better than she did herself. "I'm…" Azula trailed off slightly as she patted her dragon's mane, adjusting her answer to be more truthful, "I will be fine Sora. I'll miss them, but I still have you."
The words would have been embarrassing had she said them to anyone else, but that was not the case with her dragon. She was essentially her other half, her 'sister' as she had declared during their first singing lesson. There was no one else, dragon or otherwise, to whom she would entrust her vulnerabilities as she did Sora.
However, that thought did give her an idea that would bring her mind to less dreary places. She glanced up at the sky, smiling slightly when she realized that they still had a bit of time left.
"Hey, it's been a while since we had a singing lesson hasn't it?" Sora perked up excitedly at her words, literally bouncing around her in joy. Azula laughed as she casually dodged a swipe from Sora's tail as the dragon did a spin. Learning to react quickly was a necessity when around such a clumsy giant. "How about we pick up where we did last time?"
It took a few minutes for the hyperactive dragon to settle down (she rivaled Ty Lee in her excitement), and Azula started singing various pitches for the dragon to imitate as much as their differing biology would allow.
The princess found herself, for not the first time, amazed at Sora's ability to improve at this art. When she had first started teaching the dragon, it had been to appease her companion and to amuse herself.
Once the dragon had gotten past her unpleasant howling phase though, she managed a smoother and oddly delightful sound. It had given the young prodigy hope that the situation was salvageable, which prompted her to give Sora more attention than she had originally intended.
The dragon's singing, while very different from that of a human's, was enjoyable, and almost felt like… more than it was. Azula didn't know if it was the bond or if she was going crazy to think like that, but that was how she felt.
Regardless, all of this was to say that Sora had improved significantly, enough that she was even able to hold a simple tune.
Azula led with a simple rhythm in a clear voice, which Sora roughly mimicked. Azula smiled at the success as she stood, rubbing at the dragon's black snout affectionately. "Congratulations Sora, you are now an amateur singer."
The princess was almost completely sure that the dragon had no idea what that meant, but she happily danced regardless. Azula found herself laughing at the odd, squiggling motions, especially when Sora's whiskers (face noodles) joined in the motion.
It was with a brighter spirit than when she had arrived that Azula left the clearing, a melancholic smile on her face. Yes, her uncle and brother may be gone, but she was not alone. At the end of the day her silly, singing, draconic partner would be there for her.
What more could a girl ask for?
Line Break
Azula breathed in deeply as she went through her kata once more, her focus solely dedicated to the flame dancing along her palms.
It had been two days since the departure of her family members and she was free from school on account of it being the weekend. She had little to do, her extra lessons having been slowly tapering off as she was declared 'accomplished.' While she had initially been grateful for the cleared spaces in her once-busy schedule, lazing around was not something she ever enjoyed.
Certainly not with the negative thoughts that were eating away at her lately.
Thus she committed herself to her favorite pastime (aside from being with Sora): Firebending. Despite being declared a master, there was still much she could improve on, though right now she was content to merely bathe in the comfort it brought her.
Regulating her breathing as she continued her movements, she guided her flame with a gracefulness her old tutors would be unfamiliar with. Where they encouraged powerful and quick motions, which would not be out of place in battle, she was merely guiding the flame smoothly, allowing it to mimic her actions not unlike that of a dance.
The prodigy's mind drifted as she continued the motions, her movement becoming more improvised as she went on. In truth, her progress with bending was becoming a little irksome. At this point, she knew more forms than most masters on account of her royal upbringing, and accounting for her resonance and lightning capabilities, she held an even greater edge. While she took pride in the thought, it brought with it a large issue.
There was little else for her to learn.
Azula flared her flames as she quickened her motions, letting her frustration at the cynical thought out through her bending.
The last year had been a steep incline for her already rapid growth in the art, but she had plateaued roughly after getting over the hiccup that was lightning generation/redirection. Beyond that, all she could do now was refine her skill set as she searched for more.
The princess had always enjoyed learning, whether about bending, dragons, artisanry, strategy, or even history. She had been teased by her friends for this before (she was not a nerd!), but it was an integral part of her. She would be the first to admit that she was a greedy person, and knowledge was her favorite collection.
It made her stagnation all the more maddening.
She had scoured the library several times in the past few weeks, consulted with her uncle (when he was present), and even brainstormed ideas into the scroll she used for notes in the clearing. The prodigious girl had only been met with dead ends as her resources failed her.
Feeling her irritation grow once more, Azula inhaled and, rather petulantly, decided to release a large gout of flame from her mouth. Her fire breathing had improved by leaps in bounds since her first attempts, just like Sora's singing, and the large stream of her intense blue fire was evidence of that.
She continued until she was out of breath, the fire fading before her eyes. It may have been childish, but releasing such a powerful onslaught like that felt good. It was euphoric and brought a smile to her face, even as her panting echoed throughout the silent room.
Silent, until she heard footsteps approaching.
The princess turned swiftly, but she already knew who the other occupant was. She instantly recognized the fierce and powerful inner flame that was unique to her father. Sure enough, as she turned around she saw her fath… she saw Ozai stroking his goatee while nodding approvingly to the wall which had taken the brunt of her final move.
"Most impressive Azula," He praised, his eyes alight with a cold satisfaction that set off the girl's warning signs. "I had not known you were capable of such a technique."
The princess, not oblivious to his unasked question, responded diligently. "It was a project I have been working on since my mastery. I had hoped to surprise you father." The quickly thought-out lie came out easily, her voice adopting a contrite tone to make it seem more believable. Judging by her father's pleased nod, she had been successful.
Azula would have sighed in relief at passing the first hurdle, had the danger not still be present in the room. Her face remained steady and blank, perfectly covering up the weariness she felt by being in such close proximity to her father.
It had been the first time since that cursed Agni Kai that she had seen him, and she had to actively restrain herself from presenting any of the fear that was festering inside of her. Why was he here? She hoped it was something good because the alternative was…
A flash of bright fire and agonized screams played through her mind before she ruthlessly stomped the thought out. It took her a second to reorient herself, but when she did Azula realized Ozai had started talking once more. She quickly focused on his words, hoping that her moment of inattentiveness had gone unnoticed.
"...eaps in your bending are nothing less than I expected. Your potential is too high to settle for such mediocrity." The man said, seemingly finished observing the result of her fire breathing as he turned to look at her with a stern expression.
The princess nodded her understanding, silent relief flooding her body at her slip-up going unseen. "Of course, father." She would need to be more mindful in the future to limit the amount of possible mistakes. She was simply hiding too much to risk any blunder. "I will continue my training diligently."
She had no intention of stopping anyway, so this was an easy promise to make. Truly, she knew she would go insane if she were to stop bending.
Ozai gave an approving smile as he turned towards the door, inclining his head in a motion that indicated she was meant to follow. Not wanting to give the man any cause for ire she moved to do so, wiping the sweat that had gathered with a small cloth she had brought.
They walked sedately through the dark halls in silence, a wide berth given to them by any passing servants. Azula held her head up high as she trailed behind the man, projecting an image of strength she didn't really feel at the moment.
Had she always been this nervous when with Ozai? The princess couldn't attribute it only to the Agni Kai, though that certainly made the feeling more apparent. No, the edge she felt when around Ozai had been growing for a while now, though when the feeling originated she did not know.
She supposed it didn't matter much either way, but maybe she should act more on the discomfort. With her resonance, she could avoid uncomfortable situations like this, though that would require maintaining it more often than she usually would. Still, it was an idea to play along with.
They took another turn, and Azula absently realized that they were heading towards the Throne Room. Her brows furrowed minutely at that realization, her sharp mind racing to figure out why they were heading there.
Ozai had come to collect her himself when he could have easily sent a servant to inform her. Whatever he wanted was personal, and most likely secret if their destination was any indication. Of all the rooms in the Royal Palace, the Throne Room was the most secure, hidden passageways aside.
The buzzing in her stomach increased at the thought, but her face remained impassive. Soon enough they arrived, striding along the wooden floors. Azula stopped before the stairs that led to the throne, kneeling as was expected of her.
She felt the heat in the room increase as Ozai took his seat, the room becoming illuminated by the flames he controlled. Azula remembered when she had first seen her father take his seat, the awe she had felt as she stared at him through the wall of flame. She had aspired to take the seat for herself one day, to take control of her nation and lead it to greatness.
Now, she just felt revulsion coiling within as she stared at the man, trying to find what had been so captivating. What made this man so impressive? Why had she wanted to be just like him?
…What if she had succeeded in doing so?
Unpleasant thoughts once again replayed through her mind, her brother's scream overlapping with the pain of lightning as it ran through her again and again. Would she do the same if she were to have a child, to make them feel as she did in her father's presence?
The closest she could imagine to that was if Sora felt that way towards her. The thought of her dragon looking at her with such fear was as unimaginable as it was terrible, and she took a moment to even out her rapidly increasing breathing.
She felt Sora attempt to comfort her, almost snorting as she felt the dragon's reaction to her thoughts. The prodigy didn't know how to feel as the word "idiot," reverberated through the bond, but she couldn't deny how much lighter she felt at her dragon's fierce retort to the path her mind had gone.
She was her own person, independent of Ozai and she had her partner to set her straight if she ever doubted that.
It was as Azula regained her composure and felt her breathing even out that Ozai began speaking, his strong voice echoing throughout the empty room. "I apologize for my absence these last few days Azula. There was much to do after recent events."
The princess's eyes widened minutely at his words, struggling to comprehend them. Ozai had… apologized? She could not recall the last time he had done that if he ever had. "It is… fine, father. I understand the duties of the Firelord are demanding." Azula said, unable to keep some of the shock from her voice.
Ozai nodded at her words, though she only saw the motion from his shadow as she remained in her bowed position. "Indeed it is." He continued quickly, seemingly eager to move past his apology. "Which is something you are likely to experience one day."
Azula's eyebrows creased at his words and, taking a chance, she raised her head to look at Ozai's face through the flames. She could see the small curve of a smile, his expression distinctly pleased. He said nothing about her obvious confusion, seemingly amused by her reaction.
"...What do you mean by that father?" Azula bit the inside of her cheek as she realized how blunt that had come out. 'And just after I said I would be more careful…' Her bout of self-deprecation was cut off as Ozai suddenly began laughing, the sound loud and clear. In the quiet room, the noise resounded ominously.
"Why so surprised my daughter? I had thought it obvious." Ozai went on as his laughter faded, once more stroking his beard. "Who else would take the Dragon's Throne after me?"
Azula blinked at the rhetorical question, her mind blanking out at the unexpected turn this conversation had taken. "But Zuko is still-"
"Zuko's is gone." Ozai cut her off as he waved his hand imperiously, the fire around him moving with the motion, which gave the girl a clear view of his face. Even from this far away, she could easily make out the satisfaction on his face along with the humorous glint in his eyes.
"The avatar is nothing more than legend, and even if they were to return, do you think such a failure could actually capture them?" Ozai shook his head with a snort, a wry grin on his face. "No. You, my daughter, are my true heir."
His words hit the princess like a boulder launched from an angry earthbender, her mind flashing back to the day she had become a master. 'They will be invaluable as a true heir to this Nation' Were Ozai's words. She recalled the confusion she had felt at the time but ultimately ignored. Now though…
Ozai was unofficially declaring her his heir, the next in line for Firelord, something which he had apparently been planning for months. Having Zuko disgraced and banished… was that for her? Had that accursed Agni Kai been nothing more than a scheme to elevate her position in the line of ascension!?
"Why do you seem so shocked, Azula?" Ozai asked amusedly, parting the flames aside as he stood up. "Surely you realized what Zuko's banishment meant for you?"
She hadn't. The princess had been too caught up in her grief at her family's departure, just as things were getting better between them. Zuko… was banished because of her. Because their father could not bear to have a 'failure' on the throne.
"No, it had not crossed my mind, Father." She said tonlessly, as she eyed his approaching form. The girl attempted a smile but knew it did not reach her eyes. Ozai seemed not to notice either way, blinded by his self-satisfaction. That was good because Azula was doubting her ability to lie at the moment.
She felt ill and just wanted -needed- to leave.
She wanted to go into the clearing with Sora, to fly farther than ever, to get away from this man. Azula could absently feel Sora's worry, but it felt muddled. Everything felt so far away, but still too close.
"Not too surprising. It has been an eventful few days, hasn't it?" Ozai continued his voice damnably understanding. He was in front of her now with his hand resting on her arm, though Azula could barely register it through the numbness enveloping her. "Either way, know that I am proud of how far you have come, Azula. You are the perfect heir and encompass all that makes our Nation superior."
Azula could only nod at his words, distant as they seemed. Being this close to Ozai felt so constricting, and she wasn't sure she was even breathing. She desperately prayed to Agni to just let this be over soon.
Fortunately, her prayers were seemingly answered as Ozai took her speechlessness as needing time to process all that had been said, which was entirely true. "You will have much to do in the future Azula, but for now take some time to rest."
"Thank you, Father," Azula said in an uncharacteristically faint voice. Not wasting any time, she turned tail and left the room at a hurried pace. She couldn't even bother to scold herself for the hasty retreat, knowing her actions would be received negatively. Hopefully, Ozai was too busy feeling satisfied with himself to notice.
'I shouldn't even be surprised,' She thought humourlessly as she made her way to her room, letting her feet guide her automatically. 'Grandfather died 'mysteriously' before her father ascended to the throne. What's one more family member?'
Azula laughed to herself almost hysterically at the thought as a feeling she recognized as guilt festered within her. She paid no mind to the odd looks she received from the palace help, focused as she was on returning to the safety of her room.
Somewhere between a second and an eternity, she reached the door, not wasting a moment to enter and move to her bed. In the quiet solitude her room offered, she felt herself breathe easier, the uncomfortable feeling in her chest fading ever so slightly.
That didn't remove the sharp sting of guilt she felt bubbling up.
Logically, she recognized that there was nothing she had done wrong. The girl had been oblivious to the Firelord's machinations until they had been pushed upon her. The fault with her brother's injury and banishment, and her uncle's coinciding departure lay with Ozai. She knew that.
…So why did she feel such regret?
She and Zuzu hadn't been close for years if they ever could be considered as such. There had been too much grief and envy on both sides, but that could have changed. This last year, while sparse, their interactions had been much more agreeable than prior. Even on the eve of the Agni Kai, they'd had a definitively positive moment together. That could have been the first step to something better like she had done with Iroh. And even if it hadn't…
She wouldn't have wanted Zuko to go through that.
The fear she saw in his eyes, the burn that could possibly take his eyesight, the pain her uncle felt - all so she could reach a higher status?
Azula leaped off her bed quickly and rushed to the toilet as the sickly feeling within her peaked. She panted after she had finished, resting her back on the wall in an effort to relieve the remaining queasiness she felt.
She closed her eyes and focused on evening out her breathing, running through basic exercises she learned from her early firebending teachers. After several moments, the overwhelming uneasiness faded, and she registered the frantic, muffled calls Sora was sending her. In her anxious state, she had unconsciously muted their bond.
It took only a second of concentration to reopen it, and the onslaught of concern and comfort she felt was almost too much. The lingering discomfort seemed to vanish under the powerful affection she received, which she embraced unhesitantly.
'I'm sorry I cut you off' She thought softly, smiling at the huff she received in return. Once again Sora seemed to be calling her an idiot, but she welcomed the endearment with a choked laugh. Her dragon always seemed to be able to bring her out of these sorts of depressions. She did not know how she would go on without the undying support.
Ozai would call it a weakness to rely on another but at this point? 'He can shove it,' She thought scornfully to Sora's agreement.
Azula remained in her seated position for a while longer, simply conversing with Sora as Agni's light faded from the sky. She had missed dinner, but the girl couldn't find it in her to care. She glanced out of her bathroom doorway towards one of her windows, rising with a sudden burst of energy.
It was earlier than she would normally leave, and relatively bright out for the night, but Azula didn't care. She wanted to spend time with her sister, and hadn't she wanted to fly farther than they had ever gone before? She could think of no better time than the present to realize that idea.
'Get ready, Sora.' She thought through the bond as she redid her hair, picking out one of her darker outfits. 'We have a long flight ahead of us.'
The princess smiled to herself as she felt her companion's elation. Finishing her preparation in record time, she took a glance in her full-body mirror. She was pale, and in need of a shower, but overall… she was okay.
Today had been rough, and it was unlikely to be the only one going forward, but she was strong. She could take this pain as long as she had Sora beside her to help support the weight of these burdens.
Line Break
Mai was concerned about Azula.
For the past week, she had been discreetly observing Azula, worried for the wellbeing of her friend after Zuko's… banishment. Even after several days, she could hardly believe it had happened. Despite the explanation she received from her parents, as well as the rumors circulating throughout the Nation, it still did not feel real.
Even though their interactions were scarce, she had considered Zuko a friend. Hearing what happened to the prince had been… unpleasant to say the least. The gloomy girl pushed the thoughts away as she continued walking, redirecting her thoughts back to her still-present …friend.
Somehow that word did not feel quite right, but that was not important right now.
The princess had acted normal at first glance. She went about her school work diligently, conversed with her usual- if more subdued- intensity, and carried herself as confidently as ever. To an outside eye, she was completely unaffected by recent events.
To her friends though, the cracks in her mask were clear.
Even without Ty Lee's questionable ability to read auras, the signs were obvious. Azula's smiles were forced in a way they had not been for months, and the girl's face was dour when she thought no one was looking. No, Mai did not need Ty Lee to describe the princess's gray aura to know that her friend was struggling. And so, Mai decided that she would do her best to help her best friend.
That was why she was silently walking under the moonlight, her mind set on the distant location.
Mai hadn't visited Sora's clearing much since she was let in on the secret, despite her desire to do so. While she found flying to be a terrifying experience, it had also been exhilarating in a way the girl had never experienced. Being above the clouds so far from the expectations and disappointment of her parents had been incredible. But the best part…
The best part was Azula's smile.
Mai had never seen her friend as joyous as she was at that moment. The sight of the princess's wide smile and windswept hair, as she looked over the world, had been burned into the silent girl's mind. In her opinion, the majesty of the earth had paled in comparison to the awe Azula inspired at that moment. She could vividly remember the pounding in her heart and the urge to reach out and…
Mai shook her head, forcibly clearing her mind of the memory that had plagued her for weeks. She felt her face burning and almost missed the turn she needed to take to reach the clearing before she mastered herself as she normally would.
The point was that as much as she wanted to go to the clearing more often (every night) she could not. Her house was far away, and the risk of being caught was high. The consequences of the secret being discovered were unconscionable, and would likely make Zuko's punishment look like a slap on the wrist. The thought of Azula facing such a punishment because of her mistake was enough to keep her away for the most part.
Until now that is.
The distant and sorrowful look in her friend's eyes when she believed no one was looking made the noble girl's heart clench painfully. It was clear that she had been deeply affected by the incident the week prior, more than she wanted anyone to know. The fact that she was subject to the stares and whispers of their peers, despite Mai's best threatening glares, was like adding salt to her wounds.
Mai knew her friend, likely better than anyone else, excluding Sora of course. Even though she could not compete with the (odd) bond that those two shared, she understood how the princess processed things. Azula would keep these burdens locked away and present a strong image, even as her emotions ate away at her. She hated appearing weak, and she would avoid exhibiting it at any cost, especially when in public.
So, if trying to help her friend at school was out, along with the Royal Palace for… obvious reasons, then that only left the clearing. With that in mind, Mai decided that tonight was worth the risk and promptly snuck out the moment she was sure her parents were asleep. Dressed in her, usual, dark clothing she kept close to shadows as she made her way to her destination.
After a further few minutes of walking, she came across the easily recognizable wooded area that hid the thought-to-be extinct creature. The girl crept forward as quietly as she could manage, soon coming upon the clearing perimeter. She entered the area without hesitation and looked around for the two occupants, but was met with nothing.
No one was in the clearing.
Mai huffed to herself, feeling her irritation welling up as she ventured further in, moving to the designated sitting rock. Of course, the one night she decided to disregard the risk and make the journey, the princess was gone. Azula was likely above the clouds, wearing that same euphoric smile that was permanently etched into her mind. All she could do was wait here for who knows how long, which defeated the whole purpose of-
"Hello there."
Mai jumped at the sudden voice that came from behind her, quickly whirling around to find the source. She came face to face with Azula, the shorter girl wearing a cheshire grin that was matched by the large dragon watching from the treeline. Mai could only stare blankly before her mind caught up with her eyes.
"You tricked me," She accused as her heart rate slowed down once more. The princess's widening grin made the answer all the more clear, especially when her friend broke out into laughter that was mirrored by the large beast behind her.
"Real mature," Mai said with a dry glare, though she was visibly fighting back the twitching of her lips. "How did you know I was here?"
Azula stifled her laughter, a smirk growing on her (pretty) face. Bringing a finger up to her lips she simply said, "That's a secret."
Mai rolled her eyes at the unhelpful answer but gave up trying to hold back her smile any longer. Well, it wasn't how she planned for this meeting to start, but she welcomed Azula's laughter. Even if it was at her expense.
She would have to get her back for that…
Mai shelved that thought for later as Azula calmed down and beckoned for Sora to join them. The dragon moved forward happily, gracelessly knocking down a small tree on the way. Was it just her, or had the dragon gotten noticeably bigger since her last visit?
Azula smiled at the excited dragon, clearly amused by the dragon's clumsiness. Mai did not know if she shared the same sentiment as she stared at the fallen tree, her mind replaying how easily the tree had been toppled over. She would think about that more later though, right now her attention was centered on her friend.
While the smile on her face was genuine in a way it had not been for most of the week, Mai could see the tension it held along with the disheartened look in her eyes. If Mai had any doubts about what she was doing, then they vanished in that instant. Now she just needed to figure out how to broach the topic…
"So, what are you doing here?" Azula asked curiously, her eyes roaming over Mai's taller form. "You said you weren't going to come around often right? You didn't want to risk us being caught."
Mai nodded in response to her friend's words, silently thanking Agni for making this so easy. "It is risky, we both know that." There was no point denying that obvious fact, especially when Mai had gone through the effort to get here. She deserved credit for that. "I came here to see you."
The taller girl paused as she replayed those words in her mind, her pale face reddening as she did so. Why had she said it like that!? There were so many ways to take such a vague sentence, most of them not good! At that moment, she cursed her habit of speaking as little as possible.
Mercifully, Azula only seemed confused, her eyebrows furrowing (cutely) as she slightly tilted her head. "What do you mean by that?"
Mai's face reddened even more, and she briefly turned away to hide her face. She needed to focus. She wouldn't be able to help Azula if she kept getting distracted like this. Taking another second to gather herself, the gloomy girl met the princess's eyes once more.
"I came here to make sure you were alright," Mai amended slightly, withholding a wince when she saw the princess's lips tighten slightly, her face growing more stoic.
"I'm fine Mai," Azula said tightly, her voice conveying her obvious annoyance at the question.
Mai had to focus on holding her smile back at the predictable response, settling for raising an eyebrow at the younger girl. "Really? So I was imagining the signs that stated otherwise all along?" Her voice was dry and unimpressed, perfectly paired with her deadpan expression.
The princess's irritation seemed to grow at her sarcasm, but she turned towards her dragon in lieu of responding. The knife enthusiast watched curiously as a silent conversation seemed to pass between the two, before Azula seemingly conceded with a slight huff. She glanced at Mai for a moment before turning envious eyes towards the cloudy sky.
"Hey," She began, a slightly more genuine smile blossoming on her lips, her previous vexation gone, "You want to go flying?"
Mai was slightly thrown for a loop at the question, but she nodded nonetheless, her attention captivated by the princess's smile. Well, the whole point of coming here was making sure the girl was happy right? This seemed like an easy way to do so.
Getting to see more of that smile surely had nothing to do with her instant agreement.
"Sure." She said simply, watching as the other girl began setting things up with practiced ease.
Before long the dragon was ready to go, though she looked slightly uncomfortable wearing the noticeably tight saddle. The loud groans she produced seemed dramatic even to Mai, who had only seen the dragon twice. Surely the saddle was not that unbearable, right?
Azula, in response, merely rolled her eyes, a grin on her face. "I know Sora, it must be so difficult to wear that." She said faux-sympathetically.
The dragon nodded, and, with a pathetic whimper, collapsed heavily onto the earth. Mai could feel the reverberations the action caused, once more getting the girl to silently question the dragon's size. How big was she going to get?
Azula gave the dragon a consoling pat, though her amused smirk compromised her sincerity. "It looks like you won't be able to fly anymore." She gave the dragon a forlorn look and sighed, "I suppose it's time to put her down."
The dragon sprung up with a sudden burst of energy, giving the laughing princess a rather funny look of disbelief and betrayal. The dragon growled, the sound reverberating through the clearing, before leaping towards the princess…
And licking her across the face.
Azula sputtered at the sudden action, rapidly wiping away the dragon's slobber as she sent a fierce glare. She looked about ready to pounce on the dragon, which is what finally broke the dam for Mai.
She laughed loudly, louder than she probably ever had before, drawing twin looks of embarrassment from the bonded duo. The girl quickly covered her mouth to stifle her sudden laughter, but the damage had already been done. The two partners looked at each other before turning away in sync, both looking sheepish.
After a moment, Mai's laughter petered off, leaving her to stare at the two with mirth. "I never would have thought you would lose an argument with a dragon."
Azula puffed up indignantly, turning her red face towards Mai. "I did not lose!" She said peevishly, though it was hard to take her seriously with the spot of drool on her cheek that she had missed.
The taller girl strolled up to the princess, dabbing away at her cheek with the sleeve of her shirt and causing the royal's face to darken a further shade of red. The situation was beyond entertaining, and Azula's red face was cute, but Mai decided to take mercy on the girl.
"Why don't we take that flight now?"
Azula needed no more convincing, graciously taking the opportunity to stabilize herself as she checked over Sora once more. Noticing everything was in place, she hopped onto the saddle, gesturing for Mai to do the same. She lent the taller girl her hand to help her up, allowing Mai to settle behind her on the saddle.
"You ready?" Azula asked with a level voice, though her eyes gave away the excitement she was feeling. It seemed that even after countless flights, the princess was still just as thrilled to take off.
Not wanting to hold her friend back any further, Mai simply nodded, her arms moving to encircle the other girl's waist for stability. Without any obvious prodding from the prodigy aside from a nod, the dragon took off at a swift pace. Mai tightened her arms' hold as she felt the harsh wind buffeting her from their steep climb, her eyes closing instinctively.
Fortunately, within no time at all they started to level out, the wind no longer quite so harsh, though it was noticeably more chilly. She shivered slightly, silently lamenting not having worn thicker clothing, before she felt a sudden warming heat. Opening her eyes, she felt her breathing cut off at the sight before her.
They were above the clouds, with the moonlight blanketing them, creating an almost dreamlike scene. The centerpiece of the delightful view was the girl in front of her. Azula's hair was being swept by the wind, a content smile adorning her lips as she held a blue flame within her palm. She looked almost ethereal as she gazed at the world below her.
Mai found herself unable to speak as she admired the sight before her, relaxing her grip as she felt any lingering discomfort or fear of flying fade. It was a wonder that she had been able to go so long without this sight. It was quite addicting.
The easy silence lasted for several minutes before Azula sighed softly, her eyes shining as she rested a hand on Sora's mane. Any hint of the negativity that had plagued the girl for the past week seemed to vanish as she allowed herself to relax in a way Mai rarely saw her do. After a moment longer she broke the silence.
"I like flying." She said simply, a blissful smile on her face.
Mai looked at the girl for a moment, deciding to remain silent for the moment. Her friend seemed like she had more to say, so she would give her time to elaborate.
"Everything feels so much smaller from up here. Like your problems can't catch up with you, no matter how big they are." Azula almost seemed to be talking to herself, her gaze locked on some far-off sight that Mai was not privy to. "It feels like I'm free from everything when I do this with Sora."
The dragon roared her agreement, though it was subdued enough that anyone on the ground would remain oblivious to what flew above.
Mai hoped that was the case at least.
Focusing back on her friend who had fallen silent, Mai decided to revoice the question that the girl had never answered. "Are you alright alright Azula?"
The prodigy rolled her eyes at the question, making it clear that she was tired of it, but she gave a nod regardless. "I miss them." She said simply, her smile more melancholic than prior. "It felt like we were a family for the first time in… ever."
Mai nodded as she squeezed her friend around the waist, understanding where she was coming from. She had a basic idea of the workings of the Royal Family from the time she had spent in the palace over the years, and it was far from ideal. Though Azula was not one to disclose her burdens easily, even she was not able to hide how she felt completely.
Seeing Azula's growing closeness with Iroh had been nice, even if it had caused some unwanted envy to well up in her. Having experienced her own fair share of family drama and tension, Mai had been happy that her friend had connected with her uncle.
It made their departure all the more upsetting.
"I'll be fine. It will just take some time." Her words held a vulnerable edge, but Mai believed them wholeheartedly.
Azula was too strong to let something hold her back for long, especially if she had someone to share her burdens with. Mai may not have a bond with the princess as Sora did, but she would be there for her regardless. To that end, she offered her unspoken comfort as they flew in silence.
"Have you ever thought about leaving?" Azula asked after a while, breaking the comfortable silence as her eyes remained fixed forward on the world below her.
It took Mai a moment for the question to register, her eyebrows crinkling when it did. "What do you mean?" This had not been how she imagined their conversation to start, and it threw her for a loop.
"Leaving the Nation I mean." She said as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "To leave everything behind and go."
Mai stared at the girl's contemplative expression with a blank face, her confusion started to give way to skepticism. "I would be lying if I said I didn't."
In truth, it was an idea Mai had thought about often, though never with much sincerity. While the idea of getting away from her parents and their conformist ideals was tempting, she was, if nothing else, a practical girl. Even if she ran away, she was a girl of noble birth and would undoubtedly be found. The stigma and consequences that would follow were wholly unwelcome.
Besides, the thought of leaving Azula and Ty Lee was unthinkable. She cared for the two more than she did herself, and she would not forsake that for a moment of defiance.
"It's not something I could do." She concluded after her brief introspection, eyeing her friend once again. "That either of us could do."
Azula snorted in a distinctly unprincess-like manner, a wry grin on her face. "I know," She agreed easily, turning her head slightly to catch Mai's eyes. "But then again, I also can't hide a dragon."
Her joke fell flat, but it set Mai's mind racing at its implications. What did Azula mean by that? Was she actually thinking of running away? Surely she knew that she would never get away with that. She was one of the highest-profile individuals in the Fire Nation, second only behind her father. It would be impossible for her to leave…
The older girl's thoughts were cut off as Azula turned her eyes forward once more, her gaze locked on the moon above them. "I've been thinking about it for a while," She confessed, patting Sora's fur once more. "This week especially. It just keeps coming back no matter how I push it away."
The prodigy was smiling, though Mai didn't get the same joy she had before as she looked at it. Her heart was thumping loudly, almost painfully in her chest as her friend's words washed over her. Azula was really considering leaving. Abandoning her role as a princess, becoming a fugitive… and leaving her behind.
She tightened her hold on the smaller girl's waist as the ache in her chest grew more profound. "Why?" Her words were quiet, barely even audible to her own ears, but Azula somehow seemed to catch them.
The princess brought her own hand up to Mai's, gripping them as she took a moment to gather her answer. "I'm… afraid." She said hesitantly, before swiftly moving past that admission. "Hiding Sora was already risky enough, and she is only getting bigger. It's more of a 'when' than an 'if' I'll get caught with Sora." her dragon groaned forlornly at her words, but Azula only smiled at her large companion. "With everything that happened with Zuko… it has been crossing my mind more frequently."
Mai caught an odd emotion in her voice at the end, almost like guilt. Or was it remorse? It was hard to tell, especially with the sudden moisture that filled her eyes. She couldn't find a retort to her friend's words, despite her best efforts, and her throat felt uncomfortably choked up.
They flew in silence for a long while after that, eventually turning around when it was getting closer to their self-imposed deadline. Despite not having school the next day, they would both need to be awake early tomorrow, and Mai would have to walk a non-insignificant distance. Because of that, when Sora touched down in the clearing it was still relatively early in the night.
Early enough for Mai to ask the question that had plagued her since their conversation had drifted off.
The silent girl watched as Azula went about removing the saddle, placing it in the thick foliage to hide it from plain sight. It was after she did this that Mai found the courage to speak for the first time in hours.
"Would you take me with you?" She asked suddenly, her face stern.
Azula paused at the abrupt question, turning to meet her friend's unflinching gaze as she looked at Mai curiously.
Mai looked abnormally determined, her gaze intense as it bored into the princess. "If you left, would you let me come too?" She watched as Azula seemed to think the question over, her heart pounding faster as she waited for the girl's answer with bated breath.
Finally, after a long moment, Azula nodded, though she still looked uncertain. "I wouldn't want you at risk but," She stopped for a moment, taking in a deep breath as she affirmed her decision, "I would if you wanted to come with me."
The noble's daughter stared at the other girl for a long moment before her built-up tension faded, her heart settling back into a more sedate pace. For the first time since the discussion had been brought up, she felt like she could breathe easily again.
They stood in the clearing for a while, absently watching as Sora chased an unfortunate butterfly. It was a comical sight, but Mai found herself thankful for the energetic dragon as it provided her a reason to stay a little longer.
Eventually, she knew that her time was up if she wanted to get back without being caught. Still, she couldn't help but stall for a little longer, something that Azula noticed.
"You have to go soon, don't you?" The princess said with a reluctant smile, also not wanting her friend to leave at the moment. Even so, they couldn't draw this out much longer.
Mai nodded her agreement but found herself rooted in place at the moment. She didn't know what it was, but she felt a pull towards the shorter girl, an urge she didn't have the will to fight. Before she knew what she was doing, she strode up to the confused girl, looking her over before she was suddenly leaning forward.
She placed a kiss on the girl's cheek, as she had seen her father do with her mother countless times, and offered a soft, "Goodnight Azula."
Mai strode towards the edge of the clearing with a racing heart, her mind not having caught up with her actions as she hastily made her way to her house.
Line Break
Azula watched blankly as her friend disappeared into the trees, her hand resting on her cheek where she had been… kissed.
Mai had kissed her.
Her mind felt like it was moving at lightning speed, but that was the only thought that seemed to make it through the strange buzzing in her head. It took her a few minutes to snap out of her funk, still not quite sure that it had been real.
Not sure until she saw her confused dragon, who was asking through the bond why it was ok for the 'silent one' to lick her face but not her.
Azula promptly left the clearing, deciding that she was in desperate need of sleep.
