Childhood!Azula
Title: Preparing For Flight
Day/Theme: February 21st, "Icarus Also Flew"
Series: Avatar
Character/Pairing: Azula, Ursa
Rating: PG
Summary: More and more did Azula see her mother as a hindrance.
There was once a man who brought his son along with him as they flew towards the sun. However, the closer they were, the more his son's wings melted under the intense heat. Soon, they flaked away, useless feathers, and down into the wide expanse of sea his son fell into. Yet the man remained prideful and dignified against the sun, his own brilliance rivaling that of the sun rays'.
What if it was the man's daughter, and not his son? Surely that would be a different story, as different as it was with the Fire Lord's daughter beside him, rather than the Fire Lord's useless son who would eventually be overshadowed by his own radiance.
However, no matter how the seed of malice had begun to take root within the fire princess, Azula had yet to harbour such sentiments. It would take a few more years for her to begin formulating plans to overthrow her brother and to overthrow kingdoms, all in her father's favor. Then, the young Fire Princess solely concentrated in perfecting her new firebending move, for her father expected a performance tonight.
"Azula, dear," her mother called, and she pretended not to hear anything. "Why don't you take a break and practice your calligraphy with your brother?"
Azula huffed, shaking her bangs out of her eyes. Practicing calligraphy? What a total waste of time-she knew how to write, wasn't it enough? Anyhow, she had no merit to gain from it, father never cared about calligraphy and she had no interest to gain mother's compliments. They were the same for Zuko's, and Azula wished her mother would not say anything if she had nothing to say.
"A princess does not only need to equip herself with skills in combat, you know," Ursa said, as she approached her daughter, who was shooting fine threads of fire from her fingertips in all four directions. "She also needs to learn the appreciation of arts and beauty."
Yeah right, since when did her mother possess combat skills? As far as she was concerned, Azula had never seen her participating in an Agni Kai, more so winning one. Her mother only sew flowers onto cloth and made tea all day. These activities did not involve any duels, how was one supposed to gain respect through them?
Suddenly, in a burst of inspiration, Azula drew herself a step backwards, and then thrust forward with a sharp jab in the air, successfully producing her cleanest, most concentrated attack. Unfortunately, she happened to aim it in the direction of her oncoming mother, who managed to dodge in the nick of time. A good thing Azula did not put a lot of strength into it, and the blade of fire dissolved into nothing within a second.
Ursa regained her composure, and in a flash, was by Azula's side, her hand closing over her daughter's smaller one. Azula winced at the firmness of her grip, a contrast against her gentle caresses the little girl was used to.
"That's enough," Ursa commanded in a tight voice. Her eyebrows were knitted, but her features betrayed no other signs of emotion, as if she was deliberately suppressing it. "We are going inside."
"But that was my best try!" Azula babbled, attempting to defend herself. It was an accident, and she missed, didn't she? If it was father, he would have just held up his palm and take the blow, then unwounded, praise her for her efforts.
"It's not a good try when you can hurt someone," Ursa corrected, and pulled her along as they headed for the library. "No more firebending today, young lady."
'Tell that to father!' Azula wanted to scream at her, but there seemed to be something blocking her throat, and all that came out was a muffled sob. Barely realizing the tears welling up at the rims of her small eyes, she decided that she would do it herself, tonight.
Day/Theme: February 21st, "Icarus Also Flew"
Series: Avatar
Character/Pairing: Azula, Ursa
Rating: PG
Summary: More and more did Azula see her mother as a hindrance.
There was once a man who brought his son along with him as they flew towards the sun. However, the closer they were, the more his son's wings melted under the intense heat. Soon, they flaked away, useless feathers, and down into the wide expanse of sea his son fell into. Yet the man remained prideful and dignified against the sun, his own brilliance rivaling that of the sun rays'.
What if it was the man's daughter, and not his son? Surely that would be a different story, as different as it was with the Fire Lord's daughter beside him, rather than the Fire Lord's useless son who would eventually be overshadowed by his own radiance.
However, no matter how the seed of malice had begun to take root within the fire princess, Azula had yet to harbour such sentiments. It would take a few more years for her to begin formulating plans to overthrow her brother and to overthrow kingdoms, all in her father's favor. Then, the young Fire Princess solely concentrated in perfecting her new firebending move, for her father expected a performance tonight.
"Azula, dear," her mother called, and she pretended not to hear anything. "Why don't you take a break and practice your calligraphy with your brother?"
Azula huffed, shaking her bangs out of her eyes. Practicing calligraphy? What a total waste of time-she knew how to write, wasn't it enough? Anyhow, she had no merit to gain from it, father never cared about calligraphy and she had no interest to gain mother's compliments. They were the same for Zuko's, and Azula wished her mother would not say anything if she had nothing to say.
"A princess does not only need to equip herself with skills in combat, you know," Ursa said, as she approached her daughter, who was shooting fine threads of fire from her fingertips in all four directions. "She also needs to learn the appreciation of arts and beauty."
Yeah right, since when did her mother possess combat skills? As far as she was concerned, Azula had never seen her participating in an Agni Kai, more so winning one. Her mother only sew flowers onto cloth and made tea all day. These activities did not involve any duels, how was one supposed to gain respect through them?
Suddenly, in a burst of inspiration, Azula drew herself a step backwards, and then thrust forward with a sharp jab in the air, successfully producing her cleanest, most concentrated attack. Unfortunately, she happened to aim it in the direction of her oncoming mother, who managed to dodge in the nick of time. A good thing Azula did not put a lot of strength into it, and the blade of fire dissolved into nothing within a second.
Ursa regained her composure, and in a flash, was by Azula's side, her hand closing over her daughter's smaller one. Azula winced at the firmness of her grip, a contrast against her gentle caresses the little girl was used to.
"That's enough," Ursa commanded in a tight voice. Her eyebrows were knitted, but her features betrayed no other signs of emotion, as if she was deliberately suppressing it. "We are going inside."
"But that was my best try!" Azula babbled, attempting to defend herself. It was an accident, and she missed, didn't she? If it was father, he would have just held up his palm and take the blow, then unwounded, praise her for her efforts.
"It's not a good try when you can hurt someone," Ursa corrected, and pulled her along as they headed for the library. "No more firebending today, young lady."
'Tell that to father!' Azula wanted to scream at her, but there seemed to be something blocking her throat, and all that came out was a muffled sob. Barely realizing the tears welling up at the rims of her small eyes, she decided that she would do it herself, tonight.