Blades and Fans

The Prisoner Part 1

Suki felt her head spinning as her almost limp body was dragged out of her cell. Ever since she was forced onto the ship and sailed—spirits know where—she had been interrogated and beaten almost daily. She could feel the fresh bruises on her stomach sting as she breathed in and out. She wanted this to be over with. But Azula would have other things in mind.

"Careful, we can't show her off if she's damaged goods," Azula mocked as the two Dai Li agents held Suki's arms, dragging her between them, scraping her knees along the iron floor panels.

"Yes, Princess," both guards immediately spoke out in unison as they held Suki still, allowing Azula to examine her.

"Why do you look so down?" Azula asked as she yanked the back of Suki's head, forcing the young woman to look up at her. Their eyes met, and Suki was greeted with a familiar golden gaze. But seeing those eyes and knowing who they belong to made Suki's blood boil. "We are practically sisters after all. Why not give me a little smile so I know you are glad to see me," Azula said as her fingers twisted in Suki's hair, locking her head in place.

Suki didn't answer, instead, she sucked up all the saliva she could muster and spat in Azula's face. Even though her throat was dry and raw, she felt satisfied watching the loogie hit the Princess's cheek.

Azula didn't even flinch, her eyes still locked on Suki's, before calmly wiping the saliva off her face. The guards glanced at each other before looking back down at their charge. They never knew which was scarier: an angry Azula or a calm Azula. Both had their downsides, but a calm Azula had an unnerving chill in her gaze that made everyone uneasy. And as if on cue, Azula grabbed Suki by the throat, her thumb digging into her neck, making the young woman gasp and choke, but still, that calm demeanor remained. "Come now, you shouldn't be so rude. I mean, I am your host after all. You should be thanking me for treating you so well," Azula retorted, almost strangling Suki.

"Princess Azula, your father is still expecting you."

"Do you wish to delay him further?" two voices cut through the wheezing sounds Suki made, making Azula groan in annoyance.

"Of course not," Azula groaned, hearing Lo and Li interrupting her. Azula's fingers remained around Suki's neck for a few seconds longer, watching the girl's face turn blue, before finally letting her go. Suki immediately coughed and struggled to catch her breath while Azula stood once more, towering over her. "Can't keep Father waiting, can we?" she said, turning on her heel. "Come now, we can't be late," she said as she stepped forward, ushering the guards to follow while joining the rest of her entourage.

"It's so good to be finally home," Azula smirked as she stepped out onto the deck of the ship. She watched as the massive metal vessel was pulled into port.

"Yeah, I haven't been home in years. I probably should pay my family a visit," Ty Lee answered as she walked across the railing, balancing skillfully on her tippy toes.

"Why would you do that? I thought you hated your family?" Mai asked, her stony expression remained unchanged as she cut into an apple with her knife, slicing a piece and slipping it into her mouth.

"I don't hate my family... I just... needed a break from them, that's all," Ty Lee replied as she flipped on the railing, now standing on her hands, holding herself upright majestically.

"Right... because people who need a break flee the country and join a traveling circus," Mai said sarcastically, not buying her excuse while dining on her apple and taking another slice from the juicy fruit. "So Azula, have you told your father yet about your brother?" Mai asked, a twinge of pain leaked from her tone, but she kept it bottled up. In truth, even though she wasn't open about it, she hated Azula. Ever so often, she felt like gutting her. Knowing she killed the only person she ever truly cared about made her eager to drive a knife into her. But she knew she'd just end up dead instead, and she might be in pain, but she wasn't suicidal.