A. N. : I am back, babeyyyyy ! Short chapter for today, as a mise en bouche of sorts for what should be the last stretch of the story. By which I mean, I don't think I'll take another break until we're done. I mean, we are slowly (very slowly) reaching the end too in terms of plot and just, things I want to say in this fic, but given the time it takes me to get anywhere... yeah, I can't see myself finishing this story in say, less than a year. You guys still have to bear with me until then haha !

Firebenders wake at dawn.

It's in their nature, and she is no exception. She wakes up at dawn, feeling numb and heavy and sore. The sea breeze is cold on her face.

Sea breeze ? How odd. Salt sticks to her skin, like she's been bathed in the ocean for days on end, even though she barely just woke up. Why would she be sleeping outside ?

The wet thing on her forehead is replaced by another, colder one. How unpleasant. She tries to bat it away, but only manages to slowly raise a hand to her face and push off the rag.

She hates being this weak. Can't remember falling ill, but surely she must have, to be in this state.

An unfamiliar voice tells her softly not to strain herself, and she wants to tell off the impertinent Doctor – or servant ? No, no servant would dare talk to her so patronizingly – but her voice can only produce a rasp that hurts the back of her throat.

She grinds her teeth. How humiliating.

A liquid-filled sponge is pressed to her lips, and she nearly refuses it, out of disdain for the weakened state forcing her into this situation, but her thirst wins over her bruised ego. She needs to recover, and to that end, she needs to ensure her body's needs are met.

Self-pity and misplaced arrogance are unbecoming of her status.

Pain stabs through her throat, making her wince, entire body tensing as the sensation courses through it like lightning. She breathes, one, two, in and out, the familiar exercise forcing the pain out of her mind.

She shivers under the cold breeze.

Cold.

Why is she outside ? When did she fall ill ?

Her stomach hurts, empty and cold. She feels like the exhausted machinery of a ship run out of coal. Steamless and rusted and –

She hears slow steps coming closer from one direction, hears Ty Lee's tired mumblings and Mai's low grunts as they wake up on the other side, like they would after a sleepover.

She doesn't want them here, she thinks. Doesn't want them to look at her with pity, doesn't want Mai's sympathy, doesn't want the fake friendship that Ty Lee tried to sell her when they all –

When they –

In the corner of her eye she sees Ty Lee stretching, short hair looking like a brown koala-sheep's wool. Right, Mai cut their hair when they –

She feels cold. Feels the way Father wanted her to feel, surely, if he didn't want her dead instead. She has nothing. She is nothing.

Unable to scream, Azula just laughs silently.