Azula felt dizzy as she made her way to breakfast.
She had woken with a slightly upset stomach but had gotten up to prepare for the day ahead of her. The feeling had only worsened since then, but she hoped that eating would offer her a slight reprieve.
She made her way into the dining area, absently noticing that her brother and uncle were both present. She ignored the jovial greeting from Iroh, as she went to her usual seat. She sighed in relief as the dizziness faded slightly as she sat, hoping the feeling would leave her completely soon. She snapped her head up as she realized Iroh was trying to get her attention.
"...ight Azula?" her uncle was looking at her with concern. "You look a little pale."
Azula nodded her head, but she found herself regretting the action when the dizziness returned with a vengeance. So much for the hope that it would vanish. "I am fine uncle, just tired."
Her uncle didn't seem to believe her, but she ignored him in favor of looking at the food she had been served. Normally she would find steamed buns to be appetizing, but the pleasant aroma they emitted made her stomach turn violently.
Azula did not feel like eating this at the moment, but when she glanced up and noticed Iroh was still watching her closely, she settled for very small bites. Her friends would be coming today and she would rather her uncle not be hovering near them.
The princess tuned out the conversation between Zuko and Iroh as she focused on her food, her mind still feeling fuzzy. She stood not long after, her food not even half eaten, intent on getting ready for her friend's arrival, which would likely happen soon.
Before she could leave her uncle's perturbed voice resounded through the room once more. "Are you sure you are alright Azula? Perhaps you should see the Royal Physician."
Azula shook her head, "I told you I am fine uncle. I need to get ready for May and Ty Lee." She didn't have the time to see the palace's head doctor. She was stronger than that. She continued her way to the room, ignoring the concerned gaze from her uncle and a similar feeling from Sora.
Line Break
Ty Lee was super excited for today! It was going to be so fun!
They were going to spend all day together, something that hadn't happened for months. Ty Lee had already planned out activities they could do! First, they would go to the garden to play (she had new tricks to show!), then they would go to Azula's room, then they would…
She skipped her way along the path that led to the palace with Mai following at a more sedate pace, completely lost in her excitement for the day. More than Ty Lee had been pulled to the side by Mai to avoid running into someone.
The gloomy girl had been sending her unimpressed looks, but the acrobat knew that Mai was just as excited! Ty Lee grinned to herself, as she looked at the tall girl from the corner of her eye, examining her aura. That would be the best part of the day for sure.
Mai's aura was almost always a deep blue, which had been the case since the day the three friends had met. The color matched her demeanor perfectly, which was, as much as she loved Mai, boring.
Ty Lee had made it her mission to get that to change, but she had been largely unsuccessful aside from causing it to become slightly brighter. Luckily though, someone else didn't have that same problem.
When Azula was around Mai's usually calm and steady aura changed. A slight brightness here or a new color there, the princess had a way of affecting Mai while being completely oblivious. Seriously, as smart as the princess was, she was not great at reading people unless she wanted something.
Yes, Azula was unaware of the changes she caused in Mai, which was terribly amusing to Ty Lee. Watching Mai fluster around the princess was hilarious, yesterday being a perfect example of that.
"Come on Mai, let's go faster!" Ty Lee wanted to be at the palace now. They were so close, so why was the other girl moving so slowly!?
Mai let out a long-suffering sigh, which caused Ty Lee to pout. "We don't need to hurry. We'll get there soon." Her tone was completely even, but Ty Lee didn't miss her exasperation.
"Oh? So you aren't excited to see Azula?" Ty Lee felt a grin on her face as she carefully watched for Mai's reaction.
"I never said that." The words were dull, as was normal, but they were slightly rushed.
Ty Lee felt her grin widen at what she saw.
Mai had her face slightly turned away from her, trying to hide the red tinge on her cheeks. That would be enough to make Ty Lee happy, but it was her aura that was truly special.
Ty Lee could see a slight tint of pink invading the dark blue.
Ty Lee had first noticed it a couple of months ago, shortly after her friend's reconciliation. While Mai's aura always changed around the princess, it was only then that the color had made its presence. It was what gave Ty Lee the incentive to tease Mai like she had the day before when the pink was clearer than it had ever been.
"In that case how about we move a bit faster?" Ty Lee faced forward to hide her smirk when Mai nodded quickly, letting the topic slide for now. She would never try to make her friends uncomfortable, at least too much.
Picking up their pace, they continued on their way. Soon enough they were in front of the large palace, with a familiar princess waiting outside.
As Ty Lee skipped forward, she had an odd feeling that today would be eventful.
Line Break
Azula gave her best smile as Mai and Ty Lee met her in the palace courtyard, despite how awful she was feeling at the moment.
It had been a couple of hours since breakfast and the aches and dizziness had only increased. The prodigy had reconsidered her uncle's suggestion to see the Royal Physician, but by then she realized that her friends would arrive at any moment.
She gave her best reassurance to Sora as she walked through the palace halls when she felt her dragon's anxiousness. Sora hadn't been very soothed but had quieted down for the moment. Really, she would be fine.
She was strong enough to get through this.
"You guys got here early," Azula said with a smile, halfway to being a grimace, in place of a standard greeting. Despite how she was feeling, the princess was happy to see her friends.
"Someone was very excited," Mai responded dryly, her eyes lazily drifting towards Ty Lee who was currently bouncing in place. Her quiet friend seemed to have dealt with too much of the excited girl's energy.
"Hey, you were eager too! Don't try to hide it now!" Ty Lee was pouting up at Mai, her cheeks puffed out. Azula quietly wished that she could feel that kind of energy. She felt like she could go for some more sleep.
"...I don't know what you're talking about." Mai slowly blinked in Ty Lee's direction, her expression as blank as always. Azula couldn't find any hint that Mai was 'eager' for anything.
Azula decided to cut into the discussion when she noticed the acrobat open her mouth, probably to retort with something nonsensical. "As funny as you two are, would you like to come inside?" While the prodigy typically enjoyed being outside under the sun, the chill in the air was killing her motivation. She did not want to add being cold to her current problems.
She received two nods with varying levels of enthusiasm, so she guided them through the ornate doors of the palace. Her friends had been here before on several occasions, so she decided to ask them what they would like to do first.
"Ooh ooh," Ty Lee was raising her hand as though she was trying to answer a question. "How about we go to the garden? I have some tricks I want to show you guys!" She was smiling so widely that Azula knew that's where they would be going. It was difficult to say 'no' to such joy.
The princess caught Mai's eye and received a shrug, indicating that she did not care where they went. Azula nodded in acceptance and turned away, not catching the intent look that her taller friend was sending her way.
"That sounds good. Let's go." Azula started leading the way, walking slowly so as not to worsen her condition. She could feel the dizziness increasing the longer she stood, so she was looking forward to sitting and watching Ty Lee's performance.
As they walked towards their location Mai, oddly enough, broke the silence between them. "Are you alright Azula? You look tired…" She trailed off, still analyzing the princess.
Azula was getting tired of that question quickly, but it seemed Ty Lee wanted to add her concern into the mix. "Yeah, your aura looks pretty dim! Maybe you should rest." It was sweet of the girl to offer that, but Azula wouldn't be the cause of their day being ruined if she could help it.
"I am fine guys, I promise," Of all the lies she had ever told, this may have been the worst. The grimace that overtook her face as her stomach panged painfully didn't help to sell it.
Her friend's doubt was clear, but they had thankfully reached the garden by then, which saved her from having to keep up the reassurances. She was finding it difficult to reassure herself at this point.
When they walked out they saw Zuko sitting at the turtle duck pond, a habit which had only increased since their mother's absence. He looked up when he heard their approach, and Azula's eyes narrowed slightly when he blushed in response to Mai's presence.
For some reason, she did not like that response at all.
Ignoring the unpleasant feelings that sprouted forward, separate from the ones that had been plaguing her physically, she led her friends forward. There was a bench near the pond and she wanted to rest on it, even if her brother would be present.
"Zuko, you remember Mai and Ty Lee right?" She watched as he nodded dumbly, feeling mildly amused at his less-than-suitable greeting. She sat on the sought-after bench and ever so slightly hunched over, which did wonders for soothing her stomach. "Will you not greet our guest?"
Zuko stared blankly for a moment longer, causing her friends to shift awkwardly, before leaping up to his feet and stumbling forward. "H-hey… been a while hasn't it?"
Azula tried very hard to suppress the laugh that bubbled up but judging by the glare she received from her brother, she wasn't very successful.
"Yeah, it has!" Ty Lee responded exuberantly as always, despite having not even caught Zuko's eye. That honor was given to Mai who simply nodded in response, her eyes drifting back to the pale princess.
"Too long," Mai said absently before she glanced back at Ty Lee. "Why don't you show us your new tricks?" Not waiting for a response, the tallest of the girls quickly joined Azula on the bench, sitting closely to its other occupant.
"Sure!" Ty Lee had a wide smile on her face as she looked at the two, but Azula couldn't figure out why. Before she could ponder it further, the pink-clad girl turned to her brother. "Do you want to watch too?"
Zuko hesitated for a moment before looking towards the fully occupied bench with distaste. He didn't say a word as he left the garden completely, the eyes of the girls following him curiously.
"I guess not…" Ty Lee mumbled before bouncing back and turning to her friends. "Okay guys, watch this!"
Azula had always thought Ty Lee's flexibility to be impressive. It was something that, despite her best efforts, the princess had never quite been able to replicate herself even if she was no slouch in the area.
Right now though, she found it hard to focus as her vision started swimming. She felt cold and hot at the same time, and the pain in her stomach reached a breaking point. She spent more time focussing on her breathing than her friend's performance.
As Ty Lee continued her act, Azula's eyes struggled to remain open. She felt herself slumping and subconsciously tried to find a comfortable position. She vaguely felt something encircling her waist before her head found support.
Before she realized it she was sound asleep.
Line Break
Mai was not freaking out. She was calm, composed, and steady at all times. She did not freak out.
She desperately tried to convince herself of that truth, but she was failing spectacularly.
She had noticed that her friend had been looking clammy and exhausted the moment she had laid eyes on her up close. She knew her friend well, and she knew that the usually pale princess was not supposed to be that pale.
Her concerns had only increased the longer she watched her friend, easily recognizing that her friend was only feeling worse. She had followed the princess closely with her observant gaze before her body followed suit by following Azula to the bench where she sat.
She hadn't watched much of Ty Lee's (probably) impressive performance, more focused on her friend who seemed to be struggling. She could see the princess sweating slightly, along with her breathing becoming more unsteady.
It all came to a head when Azula's head fell onto her shoulder, her body shivering as she went unconscious. Mai stared blankly for all of one second before she called for a servant to help her with the sleeping royal.
Now she sat in Azula's room by her bedside, watching closely as the palace doctor looked over the sleeping girl. Ty Lee was at her side, her worry much more physically apparent.
"Is she going to be alright sir?" Ty Lee asked worriedly. Her hands were fidgeting on her lap, unable to stay still as she stared forlornly at her friend. If Mai believed in aura she would assume that Ty Lee's was a dull gray.
The physician gave the two a kind smile. He seemed like a nice and caring man, but Mai hadn't bothered learning his name when he had introduced himself. Her gaze had been solely on the sleeping girl's pretty face.
Mai shook her head at the stray thought, trying to hold back the heat in her cheeks.
"You don't need to worry. It's just a passing sickness. With some luck, she will be up and moving in a day or two after she rests." Mai felt her tense shoulders relax slightly at his reassuring words.
"Phew," Ty Lee said, her relief apparent as she gave a small smile. "I bet she'll be good by tomorrow! Azula isn't the type to stay down!"
Mai allowed herself a tiny smile, agreeing with the notion. If there was one person who would refuse to stay in bed for long, it was Azula. She was too much of a workaholic to remain idle for any extended period.
Even if it were for her own good.
The doctor's smile widened at their encouraging actions. "In that case, I assume you two would assist in her recovery?" He seemed hopeful that was the case, likely not wanting to spend more time than necessary nursing her to health.
Mai and Ty Lee exchanged a look before they each nodded and Ty Lee whispered, "Of course!" Mai was thankful she had enough sense to keep her voice soft while Azula rested.
"Then let me write some instructions for you." The doctor took out a small scroll and started writing on it. It didn't take him long to finish, handing it to Mai as he took out supplies from the bag he had brought with him. "These are herbs that have been prepared beforehand. When she wakes, make sure she takes them. If there are any complications, send them to me immediately."
The doctor nodded once at them before exiting the room. Mai took a quick look at his notes which essentially boiled down to keeping her hydrated and regulating her temperature. She could do that.
She would ensure Azula got better.
"Ty Lee, watch her while I get a cool rag." Mai went out to do as she said, intent on doing whatever she could to help the princess.
It was a little less than after the doctor had that Mai noticed a slight movement from the bed. Snapping her gaze upwards, she saw Azula's eyelids twitching before they opened, revealing hazy but beautiful golden eyes.
Azula looked around for a second, confusion clear on her features. She started to sit up, but Mai quickly placed a hand on her shoulder to halt her. "You shouldn't get up, Azula."
The prodigy stared at the hand on her shoulder with puzzlement before her gaze connected with Mai's. "Wha-"
That was as far as she got before Ty Lee, who had just entered the room, rushed forward to give the princess a large hug.
Mai had to cover her mouth to hide the laugh that almost bubbled out at Azula's wide and baffled gaze. Considering Azula was still lying down, Ty Lee's hug looked more like she was lying horizontally across the princess. Said the princess was clearly not expecting the action and tried to push the excitable girl off.
"Wha-, Ty Lee get off!" She looked like she was struggling under the other girl's weight, which only added to Mai's mirth.
Ty Lee ignored the princess's words, only hugging tighter. "Azula I was so worried! You just fell asleep, and then you wouldn't wake up, and then the doctor s-said…" Her words cut off as she slightly hiccupped, evidence that the girl was close to tears.
Azula quickly stopped trying to push the girl off as she froze still, seemingly not knowing how to deal with the weeping girl. She had seen Ty Lee cry before, it wasn't very uncommon, but it had never been over her wellbeing. Azula's eyes shifted to Mai for help, but she just shrugged helplessly.
After a moment Azula's stupefied expression softened, and she returned the hug as best she could in her current position. "Come on Ty Lee, you don't need to cry." Her words came out awkwardly, even for Mai who hadn't been the one to receive them, but they seemed to reassure Ty Lee. "I'll be fine soon enough."
Mai withheld the urge she felt to point out that Azula had said those words earlier, knowing they wouldn't help anyone. The princess was prideful and admitting weakness was difficult for the girl. Slapping it in her face needlessly would only cause unnecessary drama.
Instead, she decided to aid the bedridden girl from her human burden. "We need you to take some medicine Azula." The simple words caused Ty Lee to jump off the princess as she ran to grab the tonic the physician had left.
"Right, the doctor said you need to drink this!" She presented the medicine to the princess with one hand while she wiped away her tears with her other. She smiled widely at Azula, despite the puffiness around her eyes, her positive energy seeming to come back to her.
"Thank you," Azula said while returning the smile with a smaller one of her own. Even in her sick state, Ty Lee's energy appeared to infect her.
That lasted until she took her first sip.
Mai had to clamp her jaw tightly at the sour look that sprang across Azula's face, barely managing to keep her amusement quiet. She had never seen the girl's normally composed face look like that.
The princess looked like she was about to spit the medicine, but Mai quickly put her hand on the girl's shoulder. She gave the smaller girl the sternest look she could, silently indicating for her to swallow the medicine.
Azula met her gaze with a defiant look of her own but didn't keep it up for long. Holding the liquid in her mouth as she had wasn't making things better. So, with scrunched eyes, she swallowed the drink, panting slightly as she did so.
She looked annoyed and her cheeks reddened at something that Mai wasn't privy to. Mai silently thought that the expression looked cute on the girl before she clamped down on the notion hard.
That was not what she should be thinking about right now!
She focused back in on the princess who was glaring at the medicine. "It won't disappear if you stare hard enough," Mai said dryly. She watched in amusement as the princess huffed before assuming a brave face. In one go she drank the rest of the tonic, her eyes closed tightly.
"See that wasn't so hard right?" Ty Lee said with an innocent grin that Mai didn't believe for a second. Judging by Azula's glare, it hadn't fooled her either.
"Please take this glass away from me before I burn it," She said, still sending the cup an intense and hateful look. Mai doubted the girl was lying about her threat so she grabbed the cup and set it out of Azula's reach. It was best not to test the girl's pyromania.
It was as she was setting the cup aside that she spotted the ornate dagger that Mai and Ty Lee had gifted the princess resting on her vanity. It looked deliberately positioned in the center so it would always be within her sight in the morning. Mai smiled to herself but did not comment.
She was content with how important the princess viewed their gift.
After they had all settled down Azula asked what had happened, which led to Ty Lee rambling about everything that occurred after Azula fell asleep, and quite a bit that had nothing to do with the incident.
Trying to keep Ty Lee on one subject for an extended period was a wonderful exercise of patience.
Just as Ty Lee wrapped up her explanation, which for some reason included purple komodo rhinos, the door to the room opened. Mai turned her head, her eyes slightly widening at the short man who entered.
Line Break
"Ah I see you are awake," Iroh said with a small, pleased smile on his face, "I had feared you would not be when I came." His smile grew as he noticed her friends next to her bed. "It is good to see you Mai, Ty Lee. I trust you remember me?"
"Uncle?" Azula asked as her friends nodded to his question, feeling slightly confused at his presence. "What are you doing here?" She hadn't expected any of her family to check in on her, and she felt slightly flat-footed that her uncle had.
Her father hadn't visited her and she held no hope that he would. He was still disappointed in her last session with him and had been more distant than normal.
"I wanted to check on you niece," The short man said genuinely, "I had heard you were sick from a servant and wanted to make sure you were alright."
Her perplexion slightly faded as she felt a little warmer, which had nothing to do with her current disposition. She smiled slightly at his sincere kindness.
"Thank you, uncle," She said before her smile turned slightly sheepish, "I suppose I should have listened to you earlier." Her pride was a little hurt at the concession, but the warm feeling she felt made it easy to ignore.
"Ah, what is past is past. Getting better now is all that matters." Her uncle smiled gently before he removed a small bag she hadn't noticed before.
He reached inside and took out what she recognized to be tea leaves, but of what kind she hadn't the slightest clue. He also took out a pot, before explaining his actions when he caught the three girl's curious looks. "These are isatis leaves that I found while in the Earth Kingdom. They are used to help reduce fevers."
Azula unconsciously looked towards the empty cup of medicine she had consumed and felt slightly queasy. "I appreciate the thought uncle, but I think I will pass." She would like to avoid any other 'helpful' remedies.
Her uncle looked confused at her words, but Azula saw her friends smirking. "Ignore her Prince Iroh," Mai said, her voice giving away her amusement, "She didn't much enjoy the last medicine she took."
Azula felt slightly green at the medicines mentioned and glared at Mai for her betrayal. The tall girl just returned the look with a small smile that showed she held no regret. She was broken out of her thoughts at her uncle's loud laughter.
"Ah do not worry Azula," He said, holding his belly after he had finished, "The tea tastes as good as any other. You have seemed to enjoy my other brews." His words were filled with mirth, but she did not feel he was lying.
She still felt hesitant, but she conceded with a nod. She had enjoyed most of the tea he had made since his return, which she had had on a few occasions. Azula had tried them while she had attempted to learn more about her Uncle's life to better gauge the man. While most of those attempts had been unsuccessful, their dinner last night had been massively helpful.
Azula still didn't know the exact details about his meetings with the dragon, if there had indeed been one. She assumed that he had considered his fire breathing and the unique feeling of his inner flame, but she doubted he had slain one as he had said.
His tone when speaking about the great reptiles had been reverent, which was understandable. Azula had also revered the first firebenders until she met Sora.
Really, she wondered if her dragon was unique in her silliness. She smirked slightly at the indignation that echoed through their bond.
Getting her thoughts back on track, she also thought of the validity of his story. Much of it had been exaggerated, likely for their entertainment, but some things didn't make sense. How long he had been gone was the most alarming. He had been missing for days before his return, with no one else to corroborate his story.
His only proof had been his words and injuries.
To most who hadn't seen a dragon the scars and injuries from his battle may have seemed genuine, but she knew better. The cut had been much too thin for a dragon, even a young one. Sora, at her current size, would be hard-pressed to leave a cut like that, let alone a fully grown dragon as Iroh had talked about.
Her final conclusion had been that he had lied. For what reason she did not know. From the little she knew of the man, he wasn't the type to seek the glory the title would bring. The only alternative she could think of was that he was trying to keep something secret.
She didn't know what or why, but that did not matter aside from poking at her curiosity. The important thing was that he had likely seen a dragon and had likely lied about killing or even fighting it. That would mean his title was false.
Which meant that he may not be a danger to Sora as she had feared.
The root of her curiosity towards the man had been about the threat he may pose to her dragon, whom she had sworn to protect. If her uncle truly hadn't killed a dragon as she now believed, then she could allow herself to be less weary towards him.
She could trust him, if only slightly.
She was snapped out of her thoughts when she saw a cup being held in front of her face by her uncle. He was sending a mildly concerned look her way, but she just smiled and accepted the cup with a quick "Thank you." Ironically she found herself thanking her sickness since no one questioned her absentmindedness.
She took a sip of the tea and sighed at the pleasant taste, letting it wash away what she had previously consumed. "You were right," She said with clear relief in her voice, "It is much better than the medicine."
Iroh laughed gently as he stood, his knees creaking slightly at the motion. "I would hope my tea would taste better." The older man said genially as he placed the items back into his bag.
"Are you leaving?" Azula asked curiously, feeling oddly downcast at his quick departure. She could admit he was good company, and he had lived an interesting life. She wouldn't mind learning more about it without ulterior motives.
"Unfortunately I have been invited to a meeting of generals," His tone was regretful, "Despite no longing to hold the position, I am still required to attend. I am most likely to be late already."
Azula nodded her head, the warm feeling returning at the knowledge that he had chosen to see her over punctuality. She gave a small smile and waved her hand imperiously, "Well then, don't let me stop you."
Her uncle smiled at her tone as he made his way to the door. Before he opened it he turned one last time, "I was wondering if you would like to have tea together sometime soon," He said with hope coloring his tone, "When you are better of course."
It was clear his offer was more than just tea. If it were someone else she may have assumed they had some other motive, but she could tell her uncle merely wanted to get to know her better. Her opinion of the man was still full of uncertainty, but she wouldn't mind becoming closer to someone in her family.
She would give him a chance.
With that decision made she nodded with a slight smile. "I would like that uncle."
Iroh's smile widened further than she had ever seen it, rivaling Ty Lee at her happiest. "Then I will see you soon. Rest well, and have a good night. It was a pleasure to see the two of you as well."
With that, he departed from the room, leaving the three in a comfortable silence. Absently, Azula looked through the window in her room, eyeing the darkening sky. "What time is it?"
Ty Lee rushed toward the clock in her room before exclaiming, "Oh wow!" Her eyes widened as she looked at the other two. "It's nearly six! I need to go soon, Ty Lao has a performance on her harp starting soon!"
Azula nodded at her words, with a growing feeling of dread of dread in her stomach. Ignoring that for now she said, "It's okay if you need to leave. I won't make you stay here while I'm confined." That would most likely drive the young acrobat to tears of boredom.
Mai nodded as well and Ty Lee smiled and gave them both hugs before they could respond. Quickly saying goodbye to the two, she rushed from the room at her fastest speed. Hopefully, she wouldn't fall on the way.
As she left, Azula took a moment to analyze the dread that had been building since she saw the time. It was getting late and, while she felt better, she knew that she was in no condition to travel very far.
She wouldn't be able to see Sora.
While the journey back and forth with the food basket had gotten easier since her first trip, it would be much too taxing as she was. She wouldn't be able to go tonight, and possibly even the day after. She wouldn't be able to feed her dragon.
While she knew logically that Sora would be fine in the long run, two days without food would be painful for the dragon, which Azula couldn't allow. She had sworn to protect Sora, hadn't she? Providing her food was definitely part of that and she would be failing that tonight.
Her thoughts were beginning to spiral before she felt a hand on her own, causing her to snap her gaze upwards. She saw Mai looking down at her worriedly.
"Are you alright? You seemed panicked over something."
Azula would have cursed herself for losing control of her thoughts like that, but then an idea hit her. It was stupid and dangerous, but it could work.
"Mai, do you need to go home tonight?" Azula asked hurriedly, needing to know the answer.
Mai raised an eyebrow at the question before shaking her head, "No, my parents didn't give me time to return by." That was to be expected. Mai's parents were ambitious and had pushed for her to stay in the princess's good graces. While that knowledge typically annoyed the princess, right now she found it very useful.
"In that case do you want to stay the night?" Azula asked, hoping that she would. It was the only solution she had.
She saw Mai's cheeks redden slightly, but she figured that didn't matter. She watched intently as Mai regained herself before asking, "Why? It's no problem but you seem desperate."
Azula knew there was no hiding it. Mai was observant and she was desperate. She wouldn't do this if there was another option, but there was no other person she would choose to entrust this secret to than the one in front of her.
After another moment of hesitation, Azula confessed. "Fine, I'll tell you but try not to freak out."
Line Break
Mai was not freaking out. She was calm, composed, and steady at all times. She did not freak out.
She desperately tried to convince herself of that truth, but she was failing spectacularly.
She felt deja vu, but she couldn't place why this seemed familiar. She was too focused on trying to convince herself that everything was fine. The princess's words were still vividly reverberating through her mind.
"I'm sorry," Mai had said, her face blank and unimpressed, "please repeat that again." Surely she had just heard the girl wrong right? There was no way that she really had a drag-
"I have a dragon," She said simply, her face looking sheepish at the stare she was receiving. She seemed more awkward at Mai's stare than the absurd words she was spewing! "Her name is Sora."
Mai had been sorely tempted to leave and bury her face in her pillows. She was entirely done with today.
It was as she got up to do just that that the princess had grabbed her hand, halting her retreat. "Wait, hear me out!"
Her desperate tone and contact caused Mai to remain in place, despite the mounting disbelief she was feeling. So she listened as the princess began her tale, starting from the first meeting she had with this dragon named 'Sora.'
She silently listened, withholding the countless questions that were building up, knowing that only one truly mattered right now. It was clear that Azula wanted Mai to do something, or else she wouldn't be telling her all of this.
When the princess finished her story, Mai decided to voice her thoughts. "What do you need me to do?" Mai watched as the bedridden girl shifted slightly as a guilty expression crossed her face.
"I need you to feed Sora," Her eyes were downcast, and it was easy for Mai to detect the shame in her voice. "I know it's a lot to ask, but I can't let her starve…" She trailed off at the thought, her eyes refusing to look up.
Mai had watched the girl for a few moments. It was rare that Azula expressed shame as clearly as she was now, though it wasn't hard to see why. This was a dangerous secret that Mai had been brought in on, which was made only more dangerous by the task the princess had asked her to do.
It was stupid and foolish and Mai should have just turned around but…
Azula needed help. The proud princess had set her pride aside and entrusted Mai with something she had not given to any other. So, despite the mountain of danger that she was facing, she decided she would help.
She had promised herself she would help the princess recover in any way she could. This was just an extension of that. A very large extension.
That was how she had found herself walking in the dead of night, struggling to carry the basket of food on her back after evading the palace guards. How had Azula, a girl smaller than herself, managed this every night for months? She begrudgingly gave her admiration, but the frustration overshadowed that.
She had been given clear instructions on where to go, with several landmarks in case she got lost. It attested to how much the princess had walked this path to know the way in such detail off the top of her head.
For not the first time since she had learned Mai thought about this outrageous secret and how several other things fell into place.
First Azula's change in mood and general increase in positivity. Mai clearly remembered the day Azula had burned her and the weeks preceding that. Her friend had been almost constantly frustrated and short-tempered until it had stopped the day she had apologized. The day after she had met her secret dragon.
Mai supposed she owed the reptile a thank you for that if she wasn't eaten first. She was not completely convinced this dragon would be friendly, despite her friend's assurance.
The next thing was Azula's increased tiredness. While Mai knew a large part of that had to do with the expectation placed on the princess, she did not doubt that spending several hours a night lent itself to a good sleep schedule.
Then there was the princess's sudden interest in crafting. Mai had always thought that odd and uncharacteristic of the girl, but she had brushed it aside out of a lack of curiosity. If her friend had wanted a hobby, albeit a weird one, who was she to judge? Still, it made much more sense now.
All of these changes have been caused by the presence of a fire-breathing lizard, whose current home was in sight. Her thoughts must have occupied her mind more than she thought, but thankfully(?), she had been on the right path. Not far ahead was one of the most dangerous creatures in known history.
And she was walking towards it with food on her back.
If she died she would be so haunting Azula!
Taking a deep breath to prepare herself she started walking forward with quick steps. If she was to be eaten, she would at least prefer to get this weight off her back as soon as possible. She walked into the forest and soon spotted a clearing up ahead. She increased her pace slightly, her breathing steadily increasing. Walking around the final tree she entered…
…And was immediately face-to-face with a black and blue dragon with an eerily familiar flame coating its maw.
Azula had better get used to ghosts.
Line Break
Sora stared down at the black-haired human who had taken her partner's place. She opened her maw and let more fire be released. The small human backed up, fear present in her widened eyes. The dragon growled, ready to…
'Sora, stop messing around!'
The dragon closed her jaw and whined, sending her displeasure at the absent rider. She just had to ruin her fun! Why couldn't she mess around with the girl? She wouldn't hurt her! Sora huffed and looked away, her head downcast.
If someone were to ask Azula what she was doing, the princess would say she was 'pouting.'
She lifted her eyes back up as the girl, who she knew was a 'friend' to her sister, started to speak.
"Um… Hi?" She looked nervous and more than a little unsure, though that didn't stop her from quickly dropping the basket she was carrying to the ground. She looked happy to be rid of the weight, despite her apparent fear.
Sora felt a growl build up, but the reprimand from Azula stopped her. She would have responded something defiant but she stopped herself short. Her partner felt weak and tired in a way she never was, so she would allow her to rest.
Even if it meant 'playing nice,' as Azula had called it, with this strange girl.
The dragon gave a glare and moved closer to the girl who seemed frozen in place. She inspected her closely, trying to gauge her worthiness. Her partner spent a lot of time with this human and this may be her only chance to understand why.
Why so much of her attention was spent on this human and the pink one.
Sora finished her observations with a huff before moving towards the basket. It was difficult to think on an empty stomach, and her sister had put a lot of trust into this one when she sent her. Sora could see in her rider's mind how bad the consequences of their relationship could be.
The thought of how much trust Azula showed the girl only upset the dragon more.
"...Can I sit here?" The girl asked, indicating towards the stump Azula would always sit at. Sora almost growled again but stopped herself with a huff, which the girl seemed to take as confirmation.
She sat down cautiously, still eyeing the fuming dragon. Sora met her gaze without flinching. She would not back down to this girl.
"Your name is Sora right?" The girl continued with an unsure face like she didn't expect her to understand her words.
The dragon grunted with a nod, a motion she had learned from Azula that meant understanding, feeling indignation at the other girl thinking she couldn't understand her. She was a dragon! Not some stupid lizard, like her rider loved to compare her to.
The girl sat silently for a minute as she watched the dragon eat. She seemed to be mulling something over in her mind before she opened her mouth. "I would like to thank you."
For the first time since the girl had arrived, Sora felt something other than anger. She gave the girl a confused look, blinking at her curiously. The dragon's head tilted in a way similar to how Azula's did when she was confused.
The girl gave a slight smile at the dragon's actions before continuing. "For helping Azula like you have. She's been much happier since she met you." She looked like she had held these words in for a long time, only now being able to express them. "She wasn't like that often, even around us. So thank you."
After getting the words off her chest, she relaxed in a way she hadn't been able to since her arrival here. Sora watched the girl for a second before she turned away pondering her words.
Sora knew more about Azula than anyone, just as the girl did her. She had witnessed her life while bonding and had seen her hardships and loneliness. It had been similar to her own in many ways.
Since they had found each other, Sora had been joyful in a way she didn't know was possible. It felt like she was complete, no longer an outsider because of her powerful flames. She had a partner through thick and thin, which made even the inability to fly bearable.
Even still, the dragon knew her rider got lonely, just as she did. It was difficult to watch Azula interact with others through their bond, especially with the people she was close with. Despite knowing deep in her heart that the fear was unfounded, she couldn't stop the thoughts that she would be replaced.
She felt memories that were not hers flash within her mind, most regarding an older human who looked much like her rider, which invoked similar feelings. Her partner had experienced the same feelings as she did, which calmed her slightly.
Perhaps this human was not so bad. She would not always be able to be at her sister's side, despite how she wished that was not the case, so having others may not be a bad thing. She had felt Azula's desire to protect her when she was informing Mai of their secret. She understood that feeling well.
All she wanted was to protect her sister.
Sora looked once more at the girl who sat upon the stump before coming to a decision. She moved closer to her, watching as she tensed, before stopping right in front of her. The dragon closed her eyes and moved her head forward slightly. She waited for a long moment before feeling Mai's hand rest on her snout.
She purred slightly as the girl rubbed it before opening her eyes and moving away. She nodded at the awe-struck girl, the dragon's pride flaring at stunning her as she had. She gave her one last nod before moving away to her usual resting spot, content on waiting for her partner's return.