Best Friends Forever?[SPORATIC UPDATES]

12: Azula's Gift

We've been walking for 5 minutes.

In silence.

I.

Am.

Freaking.

Out.

What does she want with me? What did I do?

I start to think. I've only been around for a few days. Maybe a week at most, time gets lost when you're not doing anything. What could this possibly be about?

"You're wondering why I've called you to join me." It wasn't a question. More like an observation.

"Yes..." Is that a good response? Should I have said something else? What else could I have said?

More silence... why is she doing this to me?

Maybe she's going to kick me out? Maybe she... she... yah, can't really think of anything else she'd want to tell me. Alone.

I put my hand on my chin as I think about it.

"I want you to do something for me." She says.

I glance at her from the side of my eye, but don't say anything. Getting the feeling that she'll continue.

"I want you to put on a performance."

"A performance?" Well that's a surprise.

"You'll have three days to prepare. A little tight, but Ty Lee tells me you're a professional. I'm sure you'll manage."

A show? For what? Why? I have so many questions and no eloquent way to ask them.

She wants ME to preform... for who? The Nation!?

Please don't be the Nation.

"This is your stage." Azula says, sweeping her arm towards an area where people are setting up a tightrope and set pieces.

I've been so lost in my confused thoughts, I didn't even realize we walked outside.

"Right... forgive me Princess, but, why am I performing? Is Ty Lee performing as well?"

She raised a perfect eyebrow. "And here I thought you'd be excited to perform again. What with all the acrobatics you've been doing through the halls." She sighs. "Guess I'll just tell them to take it all down. And they've been working so tirelessly on it."

"No no wait!" Well that was loud. "I mean, I'm just a little confused as to why you want me to perform. Are we celebrating something?"

She smirks. "The concurring of Ba Sing Se. And, of course, the death of the Avatar."

Right. The poor kid.

"You don't look happy. This will be good for you. Maybe you'll get into a a better Circus than that... tent you were with before." She begins to walk away. "Maybe you'll have a permanent place in this palace."

"I just don't... understand." I say, mostly to myself. I didn't really help much in the taking of The Impenetrable City. Once Impenetrable City. Why would I be rewarded? Was Ty Lee rewarded? Was Mai?

I roll my shoulders as I start to feel them tense. Don't think about it too much Zea. You're gonna be fine.

I wonder what Ty's up to.

------------

On my search for my best friend, who I haven't seen in a LONG while, I run into Mai as she's about to turn a corner.

"Mai!" She seems to stop for a second, then picks up her pace. Rounding the corner. Maybe she didn't hear me.

I call her name again, this time louder, and speed up. When I make it around the corner however, she's no where to be found.

"Dang she walks fast." I say to myself. "Guess I'll catch up with her some other time."

Suppose I'll just come up with a routine for my performance. I wonder if it'll be for the whole capital... or if it's just for the Nobles.

I stretch my shoulders and arms as I think about it.

I wonder if my parents will show?

------------

Okay. Okay.  Today, is the day. I bounce on my toes and shake my arms. 

I actually got a new outfit for this. Planned out a new routine too. I WAS going to use an old one, but I didn't want to chance being called out on it. Not that I think of of these people have been to Kapuco's. 

And I think my first, probably only, performance back home should be a little special. Especially since it's within the palace walls. At the request of the Princess. 

"3 minutes, Zea." comes a sweet voice from behind me. I turn to find the person I haven't seen all week.

"TY!" I grab my friend and pull her into a big hug. "Oh Ty, I am so glad to see you." I release her. "I am... kinda freaking out."

She smiles brightly. "Wow Azeala, never thought I'd see you nervous."

"Oh I am incredibly nervous." I laugh and she giggles along with me. I'm already starting to feel better. "Where have you been hiding? I haven't seen you since we got here."

Her smile slips a little before coming back stronger than before. "I haven't been hiding anywhere. I've been looking for you too." She leans closer to me. "This place is SO BIG!"

I laugh at her enthusiasm. "It sure is. I didn't get to see much of it last time I was here.  Though, I have managed to run into Zuko and Azula quite a bit." Strange how I run into the royalty more than I do the guests. "Oh! And I saw Mai the other day. Though she seemed like she was in a hurry. So I didn't really get to talk to her." Yah. She was in a rush.

"Don't worry about it." She gives me another one of her gleaming smiles, "I'm sure you'll get to hang out with her soon."

"I sure hope so."

"1 minute Azeala." One of the helpers tells me. Popping their head from  behind the curtain for a second. 

"I should go now.  I'll see you out there." Ty gave me one last smile and hug before leaving me to myself. 

I take a deep breath. Releasing it through my lips slowly. I hop on my toes and shke my arms again, for good measure.

You've got this Zea. Just another show. No big deal.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Fire Nation," the announcer starts, "please join me in welcoming The Amazing Azeala!"

Here we go.

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So...

LOTS has happened since my last update. 

To sum it up: I got a job, Left said job (was sucking the ever loving life out of me), Got hit with some massive isolation necessity, My mom got... sick (she's good now for those wondering), My brother IS sick (I'm sure he'll be fine by the end of the week), and I have been cleaning up my life.

Words of encouragement are always accepted and don't forget to let me know what you think.