Azula: the New Avatar

6 - Variables

Azula really did want to meet the mind behind this plan, and his acting like an idiot in person just made her more anxious. Idiots usually drove her insane, but if he was an idiot with this kind of tactical ability... Those two things didn't fit together in her head. She needed to see it in person.

Even more than she wanted to meet him, though, she wanted to prove that as bright as he was, she could out-play him. He was a water tribe peasant that used his resources skillfully, but she had tools he'd never imagined—namely, Ty Lee. Chi-blockers were so rare that it would be wonder if he'd ever even heard of them, much less come across one. In order to make an effective plan, you need to take into account every variable. Ty Lee was a variable he'd never see coming.

She strolled through the circus, still confused at how all of this head-ache inducing nonsense could appeal to her friend. It was all so fake, so frilly and so pretentious... a lot like the Fire Nation capital, actually.

Azula finally reached Ty Lee's tent, peaking inside. Her make-up was set up by her mirror and everything was just as pretty and decorated as she'd expected, but Ty Lee was nowhere to be found. Azula frowned, pulling away from the tent and wondering where she could be.

"Was she not inside?" Zuko asked from behind her. Azula shook her head absentmindedly, trying to imagine where else her friend might be right before a show.

"I'm sorry, but I'll have to pass," came Ty Lee's voice from around a corner. Azula perked up, heading in that direction.

"Come on, it'll be fun," said a male's voice. "You'll enjoy it, I promise."

"I don't think I will," Ty Lee disagreed with her usual bubbly cheerfulness. 

"You don't know that," the voice said, lower. Azula guessed it was trying to be seductive—and it sounded years older than she and Ty Lee. Azula made a face, but made no effort to speed up. She'd rather see the aftermath of whatever Ty Lee did to him than intervene.

"Sir, if you would back away, I'd appreciate it," Ty Lee said, sounding weirded out, but not even close to scared—or even worried.

"Baby, you and I are going to—" His voice cut off abruptly with a choking sound, and a heavy thud suggested his body was on the floor.

"Sorry sir, but not actually," Ty Lee said with a giggle.

Azula finally rounded the corner, glaring disgustedly at the bearded man in an uncomfortable position on the floor, his limbs twitching. "I still don't know why you put up with this rabble," Azula said, getting Ty Lee's attention.

"Azula!" she yelled in excitement, immediately running forward and throwing her arms around the princess.

"Ty Lee," she greeted with a smile.

"Hey Ty Lee," Zuko said as he rounded the corner. "It's been a while."

"Zuko!" she squealed, breaking her embrace with Azula to run over to him. Her brother looked to her uncomfortably, completely unused to the feeling of an embrace. Especially from a girl—one he's not even related to, Azula thought, snickering.

"So," Azula interrupted, sparing Zuko as Ty Lee untangled herself from him and turned back to her. "Why is he still breathing? Someone as worthless as this filthy cretin doesn't deserve to be able to do that to anyone else."

"I know you you would've killed him," Ty Lee giggled. "So do the men. That's why they're so terrified of you, silly! Boys can tell that I won't kill them, so they come and talk to me! And, when they're not so old, and little better looking, it's not so bad. Some of them are even nice and respectful!"