Raging with Azula

[arrowed_monk]

Aang stormed down the halls, arms stiff at his sides.  He didn't want to think about the meeting.  About the war that was now looming, peering down at him, demanding more patience than he knew he could give it at the current time.  Why hadn't Zuko listened to him?  Why had he just jumped in, head first?  He was dragging his whole nation into this

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[iamfirelord]

There is a quick rap on the door, much too polite to be Zuko or Mai. They are much too important now. Azula looks at the door curiously, waiting for her visitor.

When the doors open to reveal the Avatar, she is taken back by shock but does not show it. Her eyebrow raises and she fixes a false-friendly smile. Part of her was thankful to have a visitor, even if it was Aang but she wouldn’t let it show aside from a mild look of amusement. He’s irritated. She smirked, glancing briefly to where her mother had been standing but now was filled with empty space. “Avatar. To what do I owe the honor this time?” Her voice was slow, drawling.

[arrowed_monk]

He faltered. Why was he here? After a moment, he caught himself and said, "Just a visit, like I promised."

In reality, he wanted to scream, to curse, to unleash a tornado of emotions. Everyone would tell him to calm down; and he knew he should do so. But Azula wouldn't judge him anymore than she normally would; he wondered, even, if she would find him at fault for his anger. In the end, he pushed the thought aside and sat before her. He offered her a slight bow; she would not return it.

"How is your hand?"

[iamfirelord]

Azula raises an eyebrow at his excuse. Just a visit. She doesn’t believe it but really, it doesn’t matter because she has someone to talk to. The Avatar…but he is someone, at least. And he isn’t likely to just leave because she had made a mess of things. When the Avatar bows and she holds back a chuckle. It is odd how he shows her respect though she knows he feels no respect…or fear, for her. “A man of your word.” The princess almost rolls her eyes but she could not hide a small smile that he had kept his word, for whatever reason.

Her look fell on the wrist that is quickly healing, a new bandage wrapped around it. She has been ignoring the itching and pain until then and she gingerly scratches at it. “It itches.” She mumbles, shrugging. “I’ll have a scar to match Zuko’s.” Azula moves closer to Aang and watches him curiously. “Havin trouble with the watertribe peasant?”

[arrowed_monk]

"The itching usually means it's healing," he said, voice quiet and slightly unstable. He was distracted, although he didn't want to show it. His mind was still taking in the fact that, despite fighting to end a war for so long, a new war was starting up. He felt like he was unable to do anything.

At the mention of Katara, his eyes glanced up at Azula, noticing she was a little closer. Was it due to curiosity, or was she trying to intimidate him? It didn't bother him, either way. "No troubles that I know of, at least not with her." He ended the sentence in a much harsher tone than he'd intended.

"Have you eaten?"

[iamfirelord]

“It is healing then.” Her tone is blank and she shrugs, still looking at her wrist. “I have never gotten injured from firebending…not enough to leave a scar. Even as a child.” Azula frowns and scratches the wrapped burn. She isn’t sure why she told him that but it bothers her enough that she let herself get hurt and she is letting the weakness and confusion show.

When he says there is no trouble with Katara her smile turns cruel and she raises an eyebrow. “No? Did you have an argument?” Her voice is not caring or curious, but it is good to have someone to play with. To taunt. He’s not afraid though, she knows. And that bothers her more than anything. Fear doesn’t work anymore. Not on anyone.

“I haven’t eaten recently, no.” Azula’s glance falls on the door and she scowls. “They’re trying to poison me. I know they’re still trying.”

[arrowed_monk]

"No accidents, even, while training?" he asked nonchalantly. He wasn't sure what kind of conversation he wanted to be having, so he just tried to keep her talking. To keep his mind off of things. "You're very lucky. Even I have a few scars from practicing."

Aang shifted slightly, a frown forming. "Not with Katara," he grumbled. He bit his tongue as the words, "Stupid Zuko," slipped through his lips. He let out a grunt and tried to compose himself.

He ignored the mention of poison; no matter what he said, she would still think they were out for her life. "Would you like me to get you something? I'm sure you're starving," he added, studying her slightly. She seemed like she was worn to the bone, and this worried him. She might have been a prisoner, but she should be treated better than that.

[iamfirelord]

“Accidents?” She shakes her head and laughs, high pitched and amused. “It wasn’t luck, I’m very good!” She bites back, giving him a fierce look. She is a prodigy! “I trained very hard. I was born skilled.” Azula had begun pacing when he continued to speak. Her her head snaps to look at him, smirking. “Oh, my brother. What has Zuzu done now?”

She smiled, stopping her pacing slowly. “He’s such an idiot sometimes.” It was quiet and just maybe a little fond if one really listened. She would deny it though. “Father was smart to send that disgrace away.”

The Avatar isn’t stupid but she hopes that he is as soft hearted as everyone says. Azula brushes her pants, they’re new but they already have dust. “I want to eat outside.” She frowns a little, tilting her head. “What time is it? Is the sun still out?”

[arrowed_monk]

He managed a smile. "I'm sure you were quite skilled, yes," Aang said, nodding. He wasn't going to argue with her, and part of him didn't doubt that she was a natural--but even he had a few slip-ups here and there.

Snorting, the Avatar narrowed his brows and glared at the floor. "Zuko doesn't think sometimes, doesn't listen, and that's the worst part about him. I just wish he--" He paused. No, no ranting. She almost had him ranting! Taking in a breath, he instead answered her last question:

"I'm... actually not sure. It shouldn't be too late, but the sun might be setting soon." Gaze heavy on her face, he added, "I'm not sure taking you outside would be for the best. Not right now." Regret was evident in his eyes. He hated denying someone freedom, even if they were a prisoner.

[iamfirelord]

“I am skilled.” Her voice is hard and her eyes glaring as she looks at the Avatar. They all thought she’d lost her skill but she hadn’t. She is still as good as she ever was!

Aang ranted and she lets him go, smiling. “He doesn’t listen, does he?” Her voice is calm and drawling. Yes, Zuko is an idiot. “I can’t believe my idiot brother is Firelord.” Her voice is still soft but it is now a little sad as she tried hard not to frown. Azula doesn’t understand how he got to be Firelord and not her, not really. Its lost somewhere in her mind.

No. She can’t go outside. Not near the sun again. She looks at the Avatar and shakes her head, giving him a sad smile. “Yeah, Zuko didn’t let me out for long either. He took me to eat but I didn’t really get anything.” It was true but he didn’t need to know she wanted him to think it had hurt her in some way. She chuckled to herself, seeming to speak to herself. “Figured he’d just follow my idiot brother’s orders.”

[arrowed_monk]

He brought his hands up in apology. He had meant when she was young--not that she wasn't now, but she was too unstable to show that same talent (it was a bit of a shame, really). "Zuko--" He let out a grunt as his nostrils flared. "--he's the biggest idiot, doing things without thinking, not even realizing what his choices are going to do, and--" Aang stopped. There he went again.

He noticed how... sad she suddenly looked. Somber? He wasn't sure, but it was something he hadn't expected to see from her.

"Who?" Aang asked quietly, not able to hide the curiousity. In the back of his mind, he knew he should be asking for some food for her, but he held that back for just a moment.

[iamfirelord]

Azula listens silently as he begins to rant about her brother, smirking that she got it out of him. Even if it is only for a moment. "He never has. Zuko has always spoken without thinking...rushed into things." She remembers when he'd been banished. He never thinks ahead. She smiles a little before the confusion sets in. He's an idiot.

He is watching her, she knows it and she isn't sure what he wants to see. How best to get her freedom from him. She scratches at her arm as she watches him, calculating though it is hard as her mind becomes fuzzy. She tries to hold on so hard but it just keeps getting all mixed up.

She blinks and smiles slowly. "You. You're just following Zuko's orders to keep me locked in here forever. I think he was just taunting me with the sunlight."

[arrowed_monk]

Aang studied her for a moment. She seemed... well, out of it. Was it hunger? Or something else? He glanced around for nothing in particular, but then stopped. Maybe he could sneak her something to eat, if she really didn't trust the guards and their meals....

"Do you think I like this idea?" he asked her, voice calm again. "I understand the consequences, and honestly, it is better than what the Earth Kingdom wants to do to you and your father." His hands were cold, for some reason; he wanted to use firebending to warm up, but refrained. "If everyone could trust you, Azula... but that's just not possible at the moment." He shook his head sadly.

[iamfirelord]

The hunger makes her stomach growl at the talk of food and she ignores it, tries to will it away. She is unwilling to eat anything the servants brought despite the unbearable hunger. She will not let them trick her.

Her pacing began again, as a way to calm her stomach and she keeps her eyes on the Avatar. "And that is why you want to take my bending, so they don't kill me." Her tone is accusing, she is sure eventually he would though he promised not. Even the Avatar can not be trusted. She tries not to think about her father. How he left her on her own. He'd betrayed her. The pain is evident on her face but she isn't aware of it.

And then, the confused thoughts float slowly away as his voice breaks through. She hides a smile. "And how will they trust me?"

[arrowed_monk]

Aang closed his eyes. She still believed he would take away her bending? Even though he was--and will always be--against it. Ozai, yes. That had to be done, there was no way around it. But Azula? He felt there was more of a chance for her. That, and he did not want to break her. Her bending was more to her than anything else. Aang would not take that away.

"I'm not sure how they'd trust you, honestly. There are many wounds," he whispered. "Even you have some wounds that make this all the more difficult."

Before saying anything else, he stood and brushed off his pants. "What kind of food have you been craving? I am a little hungry, myself."

[iamfirelord]

"They are right to fear me still." She smiles proudly, standing tall in front of the Avatar. He is weak. Stupid.

Even she isn't sure how to fool the people into trusting her. Zuko, he would be easy. Even the Avatar. NBut not the entire world. She looks thoughtful, about to respond when he continues. Her eyes become hard. "I have no wounds!" She shouts, sratching roughly at the bandage around her wrist. "Aside from my wrist."

His question confuses her, she hasn't been asked what she wanted in five years. Her eyes are still angry and filling with tears she refuses to let go. No wounds. She is not that weak.

[arrowed_monk]

"Maybe they do," he replied slowly. Aang saw how she was taking his suggestion to her having wounds, and he did not want to strain her too much. It was odd, he thought as she stared him down, how... small she seemed right now.

He offered her a sad smile. "Sure you're not craving any food in particular?" he asked again, trying to take her mind off the issues at hand. One step at a time, after all.