𝓐𝓬𝓬𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓒𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓷 {𝓐𝓣𝓛𝓐}

Part 15: Thief

One thing Azula hated most were thieves.

Unfortunate souls who could not get a proper grasp on life, stealing from others around them. The scum of the world, pathetic weaklings deserving nothing but waste and scrap.

As a princess, she had her fair share of encounters with thieves. Petty little servants worming their way through the cracks and ending up in her chambers. Not knowing that they will soon be caught red handed when they're elbow deep in her treasury. They even had the gall to wear her jewelry, parading around as if they stumbled up to a gold mine.

She has no tolerance for those who steal. Especially if they take what is hers.

Especially if they are some petty brat from a primitive nation that still uses huts and wooden boats. No engineers, no notable achievements, no nothing. Beggars who survive off of what little they manage to hunt and bits of ice.

Scavengers, that's what they are.

From the moment she got word that those water fleas would be coming to their palace, she was against it. Honestly, what was her grandfather thinking? Letting these peasants inside their palace. Allowing their poor polished floors be sullied by the mud and grime they track in.

She burned those lowlives who stole from her, at least they made some nice dummies for her to blow off some steam. A healthy way for her to manage her anger.

A productive way for her to channel her emotions to make sure she's under control.

For the past month or so, it was a great way for her to train and maintain peace within her mind. Though, as she looked at the low life carelessly touching you.

Oh if she could treat her like how she treated those who stole from her, it would have been grand. Those filthy hands that grab at her belongings should burn like the cinders. Cracked, smoking, and hot.

'Having a proper outlet for strong emotions will help you in maintaining a cool head in battle'

Your word rang in her head like a mantra. She couldn't possibly attack her without repercussions, Yue may be from a back wash nation but she is a princess nonetheless. Maybe challenge her to an Agni Kai? No, she's not fire nation nor is she worth such an honour.

Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes.

Yue currently had her hands placed over your cheek and neck, where the most notable of scars lay. One from the brand and one from the very first offence Princess Ursa had committed where you had to burn off.

A ball of blue danced on the palm of her hands when she took aim.

Azula knows she can't possibly harm the great Northern Tribe's little Princess, so she curls her finger just so her fire would graze ever so slightly against Yue.

An audible click of the tongue was heard when you dove to save the water girl. Your hand on the back of her head, protectively pulling her closer to your chest to better dodge any more possible "attacks."

Deducting that her acting skills might need a bit more work, she clasped her hands together. "Oops, I'm sorry, my hand slipped." Azula tilted her head ever so cutely, feigning innocence.

Her eyes remained on Yue. If she has a working brain, she should know to play along. An open hostility towards their host nation won't bode too well, especially if they want their negotiations to go well.

She unclasped her hands when she saw you help the water girl up. When she got a closer look at you, she noticed that your skin seemed to be looser? Walking up to you, she got a better look. The branded scar on your cheek was healed, the skin looked even and smooth. That's a first. Though the tattooed number remained intact. And that large scar in your neck was also missing, replaced by smooth skin. The hands that released Yue were quick to be snatched by her, she inspected your palms and only then did she notice the lack of those signature calluses and wounds that littered your hands. The very wounds she used to trace and play with when she was younger.

She let go of your hands before dismissing you, sending you off to fetch beverages for their esteemed guest. How dare she modify you without informing her. Just because you're a princess doesn't mean you can do whatever you want.

She watched Yue fidget under her gaze, although she's taller and older than her, nothing but a simple angling of the head can't fix.

"I don't know about you but I'm famished." When you came back with a tray in hand, she smiled at the girl, "Well? The tea isn't going to pour itself now is it?"

Yue wouldn't be able to defy her. They are in their territory and they are the ones looking for appeasement, they are the ones who are looking for financial stability. When she saw Yue nod, she couldn't help but smile as if a weight had been taken off of her.

Good. The water tribe's princess wasn't a fool.

Though, she wasn't the wisest. One should never try to appease the aggressor. But she doesn't need to know that.

Yue kept her head down as she raised the cup to her, offering the tea. Keeping her smile on, she brought her hand to raise it, only for glass to shatter and hot tea to spill.

"Oops, my hand seemed to have slipped once more." The rich brown stained the white and blue of the princess's dress. "Pour me another." Lifting her empty —waiting hand— she smiled.

The grimace she was rewarded with was quite satisfactory. She waited for the second pour and like before, her hand "slipped." She heard the lid of the teapot rattle from how her hands shook. Despite being able to follow her father around for political affairs, she's no good at masking her emotions it seems.

The corner of her mouth twitched. She was enjoying this.

Though, sparing you a glance, she lets out a huff. "Geez, you're no good at this at all, Princess Yue. In any case, why don't you use your bending to clean this mess." She lazily gestured to the spilled tea and shards of glass littered across the grounds.

"But, since my purpose wasn't to come here to humiliate you–" at first, "It appears that your father's plea may come to fruition—" there was a hopeful gleam in her eyes at her words, and she was about to crush it. "If he manages to win the duel to show his worth."

She watches Yue try to suppress her tears, her lips trembling and brows furrowed.

From what her father had told her, the water tribesman would be going against Zhao. Although he is the lowest ranking soldier that is within her circle, he did manage to land a position as their trainer. He must have some skill if he can, allegedly, fill your position. And your position is nothing to scoff at, rumoured to have royal blood, a young powerful soon to be general, the youngest and fastest to have risen up the ranks, and someone who has survived and thrived within the child officer program that had the mortality rate of sixty nine. *HAH.

Though, even if he did lose, it simply means that there will be a job opening for one fortunate soul. There will be no true losses on their part, a lousy lieutenant is hardly worth anything, besides, it's a small price to pay for the entertainment that they get to have.

Before she could taunt her more, Yue sped past her towards the direction she came from, the glass teapot shattering upon impact.

A second passed in silence before she crossed her arms, clicking her tongue, "That girl, she could have at least made herself useful and cleaned up this mess." She then looked at you, you were still holding the tray. "Does she even know where the arena is?"

You stayed silent.

Grumbling, she looked down at the spilled tea and porcelain.

"What a waste."

Sorry, I had to ...