Wandering Firebender
Eighty Three: Patterns Of Thought
Azula was woken up by the strange feeling of the ship slightly bouncing and lurching as it landed on the ground. Her eyes opened up and she looked forward, but no one was there. She sighed and rubbed her eyes, scowling a little to herself as she absently stared off to the side.
She was not happy to be back home.
"Attention all passengers. We have now arrived at the Fire Nation capitol."
Azula slowly drew in a breath and let it out through her nose. She waited for the moment when Elio would come down to open her cell doors. However, when he did come, he didn't come alone. He had a few royal attendants with him.
"Hello, Elio. What is this?" She asked, glancing at the attendants, some of whom she recognized. Elio walked up to the cell door and unlocked it. He opened the door and let the attendants enter.
"Please prepare the princess for her return to the royal palace."
Under Elio's oversight, the attendants took care of Azula: she was properly fed and dressed with her hair and makeup done. Once they were finished, they bowed to her and nodded to Elio before leaving the two of them alone.
"Ah," Elio looked up at the royal headdress she was given in disappointment. "I was going to give you this back." He said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the one that she had given him.
"I wouldn't have accepted it and you know it."
"Yeah yeah 'cause it was a gift, I know. I just thought maybe it would be nice to return it and you would consider as a gift from me when you wear it." He said with some ironic humor.
"What a surprisingly considerate from thought. Unfortunately, you'll just have to hold onto it." Azula teased with a scoff. Elio scoffed too and stuck it back in his pocket.
"Are you ready to go?" He asked.
"Does it matter?"
"Fair enough." Elio shrugged.
With her arms hands still bound in front of her, Elio led her by the arm up from the brig and out of the airship. When they stepped out, Elio's men as well as his friends were all lined up waiting for them. Elio put his hand on her back and walked her down the ramp and towards the royal palace.
"Ah, home sweet home. I see Zuzu is making good use of the new airstrip. We were supposed to do quite a bit of expansion after we won the war." She said, looking at him with a sideways smile.
"I promise you we're still using it plenty, just not for that."
Elio escorted Azula straight to the throne room. A few royal guardsmen followed just a short distance behind them. Elio kept a hand on Azula's arm as they reached the doors to the throne room. Two guards held the doors open for them, and they went in.
Fire Lord Zuko was inside waiting for them.
"Don't make this any harder than it needs to be, princess, please. This is your chance to plead your case." Elio said quietly to her as they walked up in front of the throne area.
"And here I thought you were here to plead it for me." Azula teased in response, tilting her head towards him with a sly smile on her face.
"Guards, leave us. Wait outside the doors while I speak with my sister." Zuko commanded.
The guards all bowed to Zuko and left the room, leaving Elio and Azula standing alone before the Fire Lord. Once they were gone, the flames in front of the throne disappeared, and Zuko could be seen clearly now. He stood up to address them.
"Thank you for bringing her back, Elio. You're free to go as well." Zuko said.
"With all due respect, Zuko, I think it might be better that I stay – with your permission, of course." Elio requested.
Zuko granted this request with a nod of his head before his eyes fell on his sister. She looked up at him with another smirk.
"Well well well, I never thought I'd see you up there, Zuzu. You look so much like father now." She commented ironically. Zuko chose to ignore this.
"I hope you know that we went through a lot of trouble to bring you back." He said.
"Well, yes, of course. You couldn't have your only sister, the princess of the Fire Nation, running free. How embarrassing that would be for you." Azula said sarcastically.
"Right now, here is where you're safest. It's where you can get the help you need." Zuko said in turn.
"I wonder, brother, how does it fare for your political career that you can't even keep your sister in the mental institution you have her imprisoned in?" She continued to try and prod him.
"Call it what you want, Azula. You're the one that got yourself in there." Zuko responded bitterly.
"Azula," Elio spoke up. "He's trying to give you a chance to live your normal life again. What are you acting like this for?" He asked her directly.
"You really don't see it? You think I don't know my brother? He's a liar and a traitor, just like mother," She argued to Elio. "If you think that I'll just lie down and let him silence me, you are both sorely mistaken." She stated firmly.
"In other words, you'll sacrifice everything else so you can keep your stubborn pride." Zuko summarized.
"What do you know about sacrifice, Zuzu?" Azula asked, turning to look at him again. "War demands sacrifice, and I gave everything I had and then more." She said.
"The war is over, Azula," Zuko declared in response. "You're still holding onto the way things were when my father was in control. I don't know what he promised you, but I know you're smart enough to see that things are changing."
"Oh I see it. I'm also smart enough to know that you're not equipped to handle what's about to come your way. You were exiled for so long that I'm surprised you know how things work around here at all." She mocked him.
"Then why not show that you can still be of use?" Elio asked her, "Don't you think that maybe it would be better if-"
"The fact of the matter, Elio, is that you refuse to give me what I want, and you won't let me go unless I do what you want. So why keep going this conversation going in circles?" Azula argued.
"I agree," Zuko spoke up. "In which case, you're going back to the institution under stricter watch this time with more guards. Until you learn that your pride isn't worth it, it'll be the only possession you have," Zuko decided. He clapped his hands twice, and the royal guards came back in.
"Return my sister to her cell." Zuko commanded the guards.
"You see, Elio?! This isn't help! It's imprisonment!" Azula said to him as the guards grabbed hold of her and began to take her away, "The doctors won't do anything for me, brother! They just treat me like I'm crazy!" She shouted to him just before she was taken out of the throne room.
"Yeah...maybe they're right." Zuko said bitterly to himself, letting out a tired sigh.
Elio swallowed, his eyebrows furrowing; he was extremely disturbed by what he had just witnessed. However, there wasn't much that he could do about it. Still, he felt the need to try and assist as much as possible for both of their sakes – Zuko's and Azula's.
"Sir, with your permission, I will also accompany Princess Azula back to where she's being held." Elio requested. Zuko looked down at him with a strange expression.
"Your mission is over, Elio. You don't need to." He pointed out.
"I know, but I'd like to. Since she isn't cooperating, maybe going there myself will help shed some light on why she's acting this way." He suggested.
"I don't believe that has anything to do with it, but if you have any findings, please let me know when you return." Zuko requested.
"Yes, my lord." Elio bowed and quickly exited the room.
As Elio hurried to catch up with Azula and her escorts, he passed by his friends, who all fell right in step with him when they saw that he was in a hurry.
"Where are we going?" Sri asked.
"The princess is being escorted back to her room in the mental institution. I'll be accompanying them." Elio answered succinctly.
"That is probably wise considering how she has been acting," Alger commented. "We'll come with you just in case." He offered.
"No. I need to take this one alone." Elio said, holding his hand out to signal them to stop.
"Why?" Cindra asked, "Does Zuko want you to go alone?"
"I'm going alone because it's the only way to get Azula to talk. He wants me to report back to him on what's going on with her in the institution." Elio said.
"Are you sure you don't want us close by?" Alger asked.
"Don't worry about it. I'll be back soon." Elio said, doing his best to sound reassuring before stepping outside and joining up with the guards and Azula. Cindra and the others stopped there.
"Man...she's really got his head messed up. You were right, Cindra." Sri said to her.
Cindra didn't say anything. She just shook her head disapprovingly and made her way back to her room...
Elio sat by Azula on the ride back to the mental institution. Two more guards sat on the other side of them. Azula stared down at her feet with a scowling expression. Elio kept an eye on her, trying to read into her expression. No one said anything.
When they arrived, the guards stepped out first. Elio stepped out next and offered his hand to help her out of the chariot. She brushed his hand aside, coming down by herself. Then the two of them entered through the front doors, where they were greeted by the head of the facility.
"Welcome back, princess. We've kept your accommodations neat and clean for your return," He said with a smile. Then he turned his head to look at Elio. "I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting yet. I am Headmaster Choi – the one in charge here." He introduced himself, shaking hands with Elio.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Choi."
"Doctor, please." Choi specified.
"Doctor. Fire Lord Zuko has asked me to come and gain some further insight on how his sister is being cared for." Elio explained his reason for being there plainly.
"Ah, I see. Well, we aren't accustomed to visitation, but you're welcome to accompany us as we bring the princess back to her room. If you would come to me." Headmaster Choi gestured for them to follow.
Elio and Azula made eye contact as they walked between all the guards. She was being uncharacteristically silent. He wasn't sure whether that was good or a cause for concern.
Finally, they reached her room. Elio looked inside to see that it was a padded cell with the only furniture being a bed, a nightstand, and a table with two chairs. The two guards took hold of Azula's arms and led her inside.
"Azula, please don't forget what we-" Elio started to say as the guards stepped back out. However, the door was shut in front of him before he could finish.
Azula turned around, looking at him through the glass for a few seconds before going to the bed and sitting down on it. Elio swallowed and turned to the headmaster.
"Can I speak with her?" Elio asked.
"Not in this area, I'm afraid. There is a proper process to go through when requesting visitation. I'll be sure to provide you with the proper request form before you leave. Why don't we step into my office to talk?" The headmaster suggested.
"Alright...lead the way." Elio agreed.
Elio followed Headmaster Choi to his office, walking through several hallways lined with other patient rooms. Elio noticed a contained outdoor area too. The facility was well kept and clean, and yet, foreign and unsettling for him. He didn't like being here.
He couldn't imagine what it would feel like to be forced to stay here like Azula was.
"Come on in, Elio, was it? Have a seat. Would you like a drink?" Headmaster Choi offered. Elio shook his head and sat down on the other side of his desk.
"No, thank you." He answered politely, taking a moment to look around the headmaster's well-decorated office. Among the numerous books and records on the shelves, he noticed some war memorabilia and medals that reminded him of his father's.
"Of course. You're on duty, right? You're not permitted to drink right now." Choi recalled. He sat down and poured two glasses of water for them.
"No. I've never been a big of the taste."
"It's an acquired taste, true. Maybe it'll grow on you when you're older." He commented with a chuckle before passing one of the glasses of water to Elio.
"Thank you," Elio said, taking it from his hand and taking a sip. "I see you served?" He pointed out some of the medals hanging on the wall.
"Oh yes, retired honorably. I opened this institution at the permission of Fire Lord Azulon. I've taken great care to keep it functional and exceptional in the services it provides." Choi said proudly.
"And what sort of services does it provide?" Elio inquired. Choi scoffed in amusement at this question.
"Let me answer your question with a question, Elio. How familiar are you with the thoughts inside your head?" Choi asked.
"Uhh...I mean, they're my thoughts." Elio answered slowly.
"Of course. But there's a number of factors that go into the way you think: your upbringing, your experiences, mistakes, regrets," Choi listed off. "And all of these things create a series of patterns in your mind that result in you being what you are now.
"That is what we study here: patterns of thought and how they influence people. Knowing how a person functions is essential to treating their ailments whether physical or mental. This place houses troubled minds, Elio, and I have made it my goal to heal the ones I can and regulate the behavior of those I can't." Choi summarized.
"You're very passionate about this, I can see that," Elio observed, taking another sip of his water. "What made you get into this field?" He asked curiously. The headmaster took a few moments to think before answering this question.
"Do you believe in the Spirit World, Elio?" He asked.
"Oh yeah, I've seen my fair share of spirit creatures." Elio answered with a nod.
"My men and I were camped in the Earth Kingdom, this was decades ago, and one night we were attacked by a spirit creature. I watched as it influenced my men, causing them to see things. It had the power to change thoughts...
"I came to realize that there is still so little that we know about ourselves. Our minds are our greatest tool, and a mind fortified is not so easily broken. That is our saying here." Choi said, pointing behind Elio.
Elio turned in his chair to look behind him. He saw a plaque hanging above the door into his office. Engraved into the plaque was the phrase, "A mind fortified is not so easily broken."
"I see. And what about Azula? What is involved in your treatment plan for 'fortifying' her mind?" Elio asked.
"Currently, there isn't a definitive one." The headmaster answered honestly.
"Why not?"
"The princess is a curious case, you see. Progress has been slow because she is...resistant to treatment, and certain patterns that tend to work on most patients have little effect on her. Then, of course, she escaped and that has halted things.
"Now I have to ensure the safety of my staff before treatment can continue." He explained.
"You'll have to more guards around and inside the facility. Fire Lord Zuko has already stated that." Elio informed him.
"Well that is good to hear. It'll be important that they don't disturb my patients, but I welcome the extra help. I will take more time to personally oversee how the princess is being treated. I sat in a few times while she was here...
"Permission to speak candidly, Elio?"
"Please." Elio nodded.
"Princess Azula doesn't seem interested in changing her ways. Whatever it is she has set in her mind, she's holding onto it. I will do what I can, but it would be unethical to try to force her. I certainly wouldn't want to incur the wrath of Fire Lord Zuko by mistreating his family."
"I understand. I will be sure to pass this along to Zuko." Elio said, beginning to stand.
"If you intend on reporting everything you've seen and heard to the Fire Lord then please inform him that there hasn't been no progress at all." Headmaster Choi said, standing up quickly.
"Oh?" Elio looked at him curiously. Headmaster Choi took in a breath before speaking again.
"The princess has indicated only once or twice that she is quote unquote 'a monster'. I would venture to say that she has a lack of love and reinforcement in her life. I would suspect this is from early on. The former Fire Lord Ozai was a great man, but hardly a perfect one.
"It is my theory that her status and now her current predicament has warped her perception of herself. That would explain why she is acting this way." Choi spoke quickly. Elio paused and considered this before answering.
"Then I guess you know where to start. Thank you for your time, doctor." Elio responded politely before stepping out of his office and making his way out of the facility...
After relaying everything to Zuko, he wanted to take the rest of the day off, but he still had a few things to take care of. That evening, he was sitting alone eating dinner in the dining hall when Alger came and sat down next to him.
"Hi, Elio."
"Hey, Alger. What's up?" Elio greeted him normally, looking over at him.
"Can we talk for a few minutes?" He requested.
"Of course." Elio nodded.
"I've been speaking with Cindra and Sri, and we're all concerned about you. This situation with the princess has affected you." He said.
"I'm alright, Alger. Don't worry. It's just an awkward situation to be in, is all." Elio tried to brush it off. However, Alger shook his head at him.
"You and I both know that there's more to it than that." Alger brought up.
"Sorry?" Elio looked at him strangely.
"Elio, I saw the two of you in that cave. I mean, it wasn't fully clear to me what I was seeing, but I could tell the two of you were close in there," Alger said before leaning in closer and whispering. "Your history with the princess wasn't just violent, was it?
"There were...intimate feelings involved." He presumed.
"No! Not exactly," Elio said, leaning away from him. "That was the first time that we ever...I was trying to appeal to her in the only way I could, because she doesn't listen to anyone else the way she listens to me."
"But now your own feelings have gotten involved. I don't think I have to explain to you why that is an unwise course of action." Alger said.
"It's not like I'm trying to get something out of this, Alger. But do you see anyone else trying to do something? Honestly? It's not about anything other than just I'm trying to do the right thing here." Elio defended himself. Alger just listened and nodded.
"I'm not accusing you of anything, Elio. I just wanted to understand. And I can't say I do. I'm just not used to seeing you like this. As your friend, I just want to help. I would recommend you take some time to think about why this is affecting you so much." He suggested.
"Yeah...I will. Thanks, Alger." Elio nodded appreciatively before finishing his food and standing. He patted Alger on the back before making his way back to his room.
When he got there, Cindra was standing there knocking on his door.
"Looking for me?" He asked as he approached.
"Oh!" Cindra quickly turned to face him, "I thought you were in your room already." She said with an embarrassed chuckle.
"Haha, well I'm about to be. You need something?" Elio asked.
"Yeah. I mean no. I just wanted to see how you were doing." She answered.
"Oh yeah, I just got done talking to Alger too. You wanna come in?" He offered, opening his door up for her.
"Sure. I mean I'm not planning on talking your ear off or anything." Cindra said with an awkward chuckle before entering his quarters. He followed her in, letting the door close behind her.
"It's alright. It's just more comfortable. I take it you're also here to ask about the whole Azula thing?" He presumed, sitting down backwards on his chair and resting his arms on the backrest. Cindra nodded and sat down on the edge of his bed.
"Kinda, yeah. I mean...I guess what we all observed just caught me off guard. I mean, I know that you're a very caring person, and you've told me before that you and Azula have worked together, but...what more is there to it, if you don't mind me asking?" Cindra inquired.
"Uh...I mean I've told you before: we worked together once and we've always been on opposite side since then. We've just done a lot of talking every time we've run into each other." Elio summarized simply.
"Come on, Elio. You care about her. You carried her back to the ship and practically banned anyone else from talking to her. And I know you still keep that little crown thing she gave you." Cindra pointed out. Elio shook his head a little bit.
"Yeah...alright, it's complicated. It's nothing crazy, I just...it isn't right seeing her like that. She's got a lot of potential to help our cause if she would just stop being so stubborn about it, and yet it feels like Zuko is just dismissing her. So who does that leave to help her?" He explained his thinking.
"You think she could? You really think she would?" Cindra asked.
"I don't know," Elio shrugged and shook his head. "But who am I if I don't try?" He asked. Cindra started to think back to what Azula had said to her before, and it made her very nervous.
"I think right now, you should let things play out. It would be a dangerous mistake to get more involved than you are right now. I know your intentions are good, but I don't trust her at all." Cindra said with a shake of her head.
"Yeah, you're probably right," Elio's lips tugged to one side and he nodded slowly. "Thanks for looking out for me." He said appreciatively.
"It's what I'm here for, Elio. Anytime you need me, I'll be here." Cindra promised.
Elio managed a small smile. He stood up and walked over to her. She rose to meet him, and the two shared a hug.
"Same goes for you. Thanks again." He replied.
"Of course," Cindra nodded, letting him go. "I'll let you get your rest now."
"Yeah. I'mma need it. Goodnight, Cindra." Elio said, walking her to the door and opening it up for her.
"Goodnight, Elio." She said, looking back at him with a meaningful smile before returning to her own room. Elio shut the door behind her.
Elio sat down on his bed and rubbed his face with his hands tiredly. It was clear to him now that he had gone too far with that kiss...