Black Tie Event
Stirring the same cup of iced tea over and over Azula stares at Suki who is enjoying a really strange sandwich and a scary large dill pickle. Suki looks up at Azula and at the iced tea "the purpose of the tea is to drink it you know" Suki says. Azula pauses and takes a tiny sip of the tea Oh that's actually really good. But she isn't here to drink tea with Suki. She is here because Suki said they had something important to talk about. So she waits and watches Suki much on the remainder of the pickle.
"I saw the messages I know you guys were placing bets on whatever was going on with me and Ty Lee, I'm not going to play your guys little games" Azula announces causing Suki to roll her eyes. How dare she be so rude when she is the one who wanted to make a mockery of me
"Azula don't you understand that friends make jokes about those kinds of things all the time, actually sorry I forgot you've never had any friends" Suki sighs. Azula frowns jokes?! I've never heard a joke like that...or many jokes in general Suki continues "We had no bad intentions you and Ty Lee were just hanging out a lot recently so we decided to place a bet to see how long it would take before you guys made out after what happened at the party" Suki explains. Azula stops stirring her tea and tries to read Suki's expression to detect a lie or something.
"How do I know you're not lying to me right now?" she asks glaring at Suki. Unfazed Suki takes another bite of her sandwich.
"Ty Lee has been crushing on you for a while, your Zuko's sister so we would see you around every time you and Zuko would get to school and Ty Lee would always talk about what you were wearing or what stupid shade of red your lipstick was" Suki takes another bite of the sandwich. Azula blushes slightly and decides to drink some of her tea.
"If what you're saying is true, why didn't she say anything to me beforehand?" Azula questions adding a packet of sugar to the tea. Suki shrugs "I guess she was too scared to talk to you, to be fair you're terrifying so I don't blame her" Suki says gesturing to Azula who is glaring at her from across the table.
"You don't seem to be very terrified of me right now" Azula says
"Well I am scared of you but Ty Lee said you're soft on the inside" Suki chuckles opening her can of soda. Azula turns red and points a finger at herself
"that is simply incorrect i'm not a soft" she growls.
Suki shrugs and carries on "So all she would do was talk about you and never actually approach you, so we dared her to try and talk to you about something and then the algebra test came up and she was eager to ask for your help. The entire history project thing was a lucky coincidence that the two of you were paired up" Suki leans back in her chair and waits for Azula to respond.
Staring into her cup of iced tea Azula is taken aback So it wasn't to get homework answers or use me for some silly game with her friends, everything was genuine. Azula watches an ice-cube begin to melt and she feels her heart swell a little every bit of that was real
"It's very rude of you to place bets though" Azula says dryly watching Suki in anticipation for whatever outburst she just triggered. Suki groans and shakes her head at Azula
"Honestly Azula you're thats what friends do to have some fun. Of course you wouldn't understand that cause your idea of fun is probably making little children cry, I don't know why Ty Lee was so infatuated with you" Suki says rolling her eyes. "Excuse me?" Azula snaps
"I don't understand how she enjoyed being around you, you're toxic and mean see how you made such a big deal about some messages you saw on her phone instead of talking about it with her?!" Suki says aggravated.
"I was upset-"Azula starts
"NO YOU WERE BEING WEIRD AND PARANOID, you had no right to snoop in her phone in the first place. You've created drama for nothing and you're just so draining to even have a conversation with" Suki says pointing her finger in Azula's face.
Azula's jaw sets and she feels her hands ball into fists. Suki's face relaxes a little and she starts cleaning up her area of the table. "I'm glad you know we weren't trying to mess with you, but stay away from Ty Lee and i mean it. She may like you but you need to fix yourself first, no offense but she deserves someone a little less toxic" Suki says coldly.
Azula maintains eye contact and watches Suki leave the little cafe. Once she's sure Suki is gone she puts her elbows on her table and rests her face in her hands.
She's right I messed something good up all because I couldn't just be civil and ask what was going on all because I once again pushed someone away with how awful I am Tears rim the edges of her eyes but she forces them to stay back. Azula puts thirty dollars on the table knowing it's more than enough needed to cover the cost of the food. She composes herself and walks out of the cafe into the cold afternoon air. The sun has begun to set and by the time Azula get's home the sky is dark blue.
Deciding to take a shower before she does anything else Azula can't help but notice her whiteboard in the corner of her room. She stares at it and all the scribbles and writings about whatever plan was being in motion against her. She reads over all of them and slowly realize none of these make any damn sense.
Upset Azula kicks the whiteboard but it hurts her toe more than it makes her feel any less angry. Cursing she hops on one foot to the bathroom and gets into the shower. I ruined something that was going so well, everything was fine.
She makes the water hotter desperate to just escape her inner thoughts. Why was I so desperate to find if Ty Lee was trying to hurt me? So I could push her away before she would get a chance to?
But who's to say Ty Lee wouldn't have gotten sick of her quickly, that she wouldn't let some random other teen catch her eye and leave Azula alone. Alone..just like how i feel now Every time Azula feels alone she remembers the first few times. When their mother would argue with Ozai and she'd go and scoop Zuko up and take him to the park or something.
And Azula would be left in her room to play with dolls that she hated, her mom would hug her and brush her hair but Zuko was always her top priority. In the end Azula was always alone in her room. Was that my fault too? Did I disgust her to the point where she couldn't even see me as a daughter?
These thoughts swell in her head and make her vision blur. Azula finishes showering and wraps a towel around herself quickly. Trying not to think about her mother or Ty Lee Azula comes to the conclusion that she needs to listen to Suki I need to leave Ty Lee alone. I've already hurt her enough and if i let her in, she might hurt me.
Still not sure if thats the best solution Azula tries to distract herself by working on schoolwork. Her inbox has a new email. She opens it expecting some random email from the principal about how "as a private school they need to have strong sports teams" and blah blah blah.
Dear BSS Honor students,
BSS High Is hosting a Gala/fundraiser to raise money for the renovation of our beloved gym! This event will be at the Tealrock Museum on Friday evening from 6-10:30pm. We will be selling artwork that our amazing AP Art students have made over the past few months and our wonderful orchestra will be performing. Many of our honor students and team captains will be at the event to give speeches and collect investments from potential supporters who want to buy art or invest in our lovely school. There will be a speech made by some of our sports captains explaining why we need a new gym to keep up our great sports reputation. Dinner will be provided and there will be a dance floor (with ballroom dancing of course). This is a BLACK TIE EVENT so GOWNS and TUXEDOS will be permitted. If you do not meet the dress code you will not be let inside.
Honored Students at the Gala and their positions:
Guides and donation collectors (interacting with guests, talking about our school, collecting bids for the artwork):
- Katara
-Aang
-Zuko
-Azula
-Ty Lee
-Suki
-Ron Jian
-Chan
-Sokka
Beverage Table (pouring refreshments for the guests and delivering them)
-Susan
-Haru
-Viola
Coat check
-Ming
-Rika
Speech Regarding the Gym Renovation
-Azula
-Ty Lee
-Yue
-Chan
Orchestra
(All orchestra students will be performing)
top flute player: Mai
BEST OF LUCK,
Principal Kato
Azula closes her computer, the gala is tomorrow. She'd think the principal would have given the children time to prepare but he didn't. Azula frantically walks to Zuko's room, opening the door. Mai and Zuko are reading the email on Zuko's laptop. Azula sighs and opens Zuko's closet
"Well I don't own a gown, and Zuko doesn't have a tux" she announces. Mai smiles slightly looking at the two very confused siblings.
Ozai lends Zuko one of his old tuxes so Zuko sleeps on a bench in the mall as Mai helps Azula get a dress. Azula groans in frustration when none of the dresses look right on her, the blue one had too many frills. The white one was
too droopy in the back, the black one was too tight in the chest. The red ones were all way too scratchy. Mai has found herself a sleek black gown that has a mesh cape in the back.
Azula screams as she trips over some bright orange dress that for some reason has tassels on the bottom. She hates the mall especially at night.
Sitting on the ground tired from all the dress trying, Mai hands Azula one last dress. A very plain lavender one that has no design and simply sticks to the skin. It's awfully plain and boring, skin tight and a regular square neckline. The skirt stops at the floor. It's much too long, but we can tailor it.
Azula slips back into the clothes that she came in and she and Mai buy the dresses. "Mine is quite underwhelming," Azula says as they leave the store. Mai shrugs her eyes scanning for Zuko.
The trip to the mall was boring and Mai and Zuko kept flirting the entire time. On the way home Azula stops by the tailors so she can get the dressed hemmed a little. Exhausted she pays no attention to the guy behind the register. He takes the dress from her and runs back to the storage to get it a hanger or something. "HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT HEMMED?" he shouts from the closet. Azula halfheartedly shouts back
"FIVE"
she turns to leave the tailoring shop so quickly that she doesn't hear the man call out saying he will have the dress hemmed five feet by tomorrow even though Azula meant five inches...
Later that night Azula walks to Ozai's office room where he's packing for his third work trip in the past two weeks. He looks down at Azula standing in the doorway "Hello daughter, now move I have to leave" he says moving past Azula. She stumbles after he bumps into her as he walks past.
Clearing her throat she fixes her posture "I was chosen to be a student of honor at the gala" she beamed. Ozai turned and nodded, "that's good I have many of my business clients going to that Gala do not embarrass me" he says his voice icy. Azula feels a shiver run up her spine as Ozai opens the door.
"Goodbye father! Have a safe trip!" the door shuts and Ozai is gone.
The next day at school everyone won't stop muttering about the gala. Despite dreading the event Azula can't help but feel proud to be a student of honor there, she did deserve it after all the hard work she puts in.
There is a meeting held for the students at lunch containing information that was meant to be in the email but the principal forgot. Spending lunch in my car is the only thing I want to do right now but noooo there is a meeting
Azula shoves the door open to Roku's classroom where the meeting is being held. All the guides and donation members are in there plus Mai, since she's the top flute player. Mai is leaning on Zuko's shoulder Azula rolls her eyes at the constant PDA between the two of them. Suki, Katara, and Ty Lee are all sitting on one desk Suki leaning back into Ty Lee's arms.
Azula looks away thats none of my business I have to leave her alone, before we both end up hurt. Mr. Roku informs the students that the students that will be honored at the Gala bring another one of the Honored students. It's a tradition that makes them appear more untied as a school.
Azula's stomach turns when she looks around at her options. Chan and Ron Jian are her only options..unless. Ty Lee giggles as Sokka grabs Suki and Katara and Aang hold hands. Azula watches her wondering If Ty Lee has the same idea she does. But Chan and Ron Jian do as well, Azula's eyes widen as Chan turns to her.
Ty Lee shifts, having heard Chang tell Ron Jian he wanted to ask Azula. Before he can approach her Azula takes a deep breath and slides over to where Ty Lee is sitting. She feels Suki's eyes burning into her. Ty Lee is a little stunned and sits there with an unreadable expression painted on her face. Azula reaches for Ty Lee's arm and Ty Lee gasps a little when Azula leans in to whisper in her ear.
"I know we both don't want to do this right now and this might be weird but you know I can't stand Chan, let's just go together" Azula says turning red from how awkward the situation in and because the last time she and Ty Lee were this close....Ty Lee looks at Azula and smiles "mhm sounds like a plan" she chirps slipping her hand into Azula's back pocket.
"What the hell-" Azula hisses
"Um Mr. Roku! We are going together!" Ty Lee advertises. Mr. Roku nods and looks at Chan and Ron Jian "alright boys now you two have to go together" he says writing the pairs down on his notepad. Azula pulls away so Ty Lee's hand falls out of her pocket. Ty Lee giggles and goes on her phone. Azula draws in a sharp breath "I'll be at your house at 4:45 do you understand?" she says dryly. Ty Lee nods "Mhm"
Mai is getting ready at Zuko's house so Azula drives them home in her car. Trying to ignore them kissing in the backseat she pulls into the parking lot of the tailor's shop. "OKAY GUYS I'M LEAVING" she shouts. Zuko and Mai don't look at her too busy making out with each other. "for Agnis sake" she groans, getting out of the car.
The tailor shop is surprisingly really busy Azula steps up to the register shoving a pack of middle school girls waiting for their ballet outfits.
The tailor rushes forward obviously overwhelmed by the rush of clients. He hands Azula her lavender dress, now five feet shorter. The dress looks like a tank top now. She gasps "WHAT I SAID FIVE INCHES?!?" she yells.
The tailor turns white and swears he heard five feet. Groaning Azula hands him some money since she's not in the mood to quarrel and she turns to leave the shop holding a dress that's so short a child could wear it.
Still grumbling as she gets in the car Azula throws the dress into the back. Zuko and Mai get hit by it and complain but Azula can't hear any of it, the ringing in her ears is getting louder.
"THEY RUINED MY DRESS AND NOW I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR" she yells slamming her head into the wheel of the car. Mai's eyes bulge and she grabs the dress off the car floor, she gasps and Zuko laughs loudly. Azula turns purple "YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY DON'T YOU" she yelled turning to punch her brother.
"YOU GUYS NEED TO STOP" Mai orders as Azula tries to tear her brother's hair out. Both siblings fall silent and watch Mai examine the dress "okay so I can't fix this-" Mai notes causing Azula to whimper in defeat
"BUT Azula Zuko and I were going through your mom's old stuff and she has some really gorgeous gowns" Mai says slowly. Azula's face hardens "no" she says as she turns the car on. Zuko rolls his eyes "grow up Azula it's either mom's gown or this purple one that will look like a tank top on you" he points out.
Azula mutters a "fine" but grabs the steering wheel so hard she thinks she just might finally break it. Mai was right, her mother did have beautiful dresses. They were all expensive and made for extravagant events, many of them had been custom made in different countries.
It was strange to know that despite how much Ozai spoiled his wife he was still an awful husband, and Ursa hated him. Zuko has grown quieter in the back too Azula knows it's because they brought up their mom. Zuko and Azula never liked to talk about her, but Zuko missed his mother. Azula didn't care for her at al.
To avoid going to get the dress Azula offers to help Mai get ready first, but Mai can see past Azula's tricks. She grabs Azula’s arm and leads Azula to her mother's old room. Trying not to let Mai see her weak Azula shoves through the door. Her brain feels like it's on fire and her chest feels tight.
The room was left untouched since their mother left so there's some stuff resting on the vanity. Azula yanks the closet open with very little care and starts going through the dresses as if she’s rummaging through garbage.
Mai winces as Azula tears through the clothing hanging in the closet. She finally pauses when she gets to the dresses.
A pink one made of velvet and decorative pearls around the waist no never that
the white empire cut one with long sleeves and a excessively ruffled maroon skirt yuck I hate this one
The silver ball gown one with rhinestones lined all over the dress too flashy I'm not a freak
then there's a mermaid dress in ruby red it's strapless and the fabric shimmers red and gold at the bottom of the skirt okay this one
Azula pulls it down from the hanger and shows it to Mai who nods in approval Mai helps her get into the dress Zipping the back up. Azula chokes at the sight of her reflection. She looks exactly like her mother except for her hair which is still in a topknot. Mai see’s it too and shakes her head and leaves the room.
Azula feels burning in her chest, the reflection staring back at her is a woman she couldn’t ever stand. A woman she had grown to resent. But she has Ozai’s eyes. Azula’s fingers trail up to her top knot. She undoes the elastic and feels her black hair pool around her shoulders.
She turns away from the mirror as quickly as she can eager to have a moment to look at anyone but her mother right now. But before she leaves she goes through her mother’s jewelry box If she’s already going to wear her dress then she’s going to accessorize.
Ursa’s golden earrings have rubies dangling from them and Azula layers some gold necklaces. Mai knocks on the door fully dressed Azula looks at Mai’s dress.
“You look gothic” she says smiling. Mai starts to do Azula’s hair putting it in a half up half down. Azula and paints on some red lipstick and golden eyeshadow to match her eyes. Mai’s black eyeshadow and lipstick suits her well. Azula looks fiercer now the blaze in her eyes accentuated and her lips ruby like her dress. Nothing like the makeup Ursa used to wear.
Zuko enters the room grinning in his tux. Azula pretends to vomit but Mai smirks and goes to kiss Zuko. Azula turns to hide her face “PLEASE CAN YOU TWO STOP KISSING IN FRONT OF ME!” she shrieks. The other two don’t stop kissing so Azula slides past them and heads down the stairs.
She finds a red mesh shawl to wrap around her exposed shoulders. She thinks about what Ty Lee will be wearing, probably something hot pink or revealing. Either way Azula knows she won’t be able to tear her eyes away. And this night may make it impossible to follow Suki’s advice.
When Mai and Zuko finally make their way down the stairs Azula has grown impatient. She wiggles her car keys in front of their faces “We gotta go now!” she orders. Zuko rolls his eyes and flicks the back of Azula’s head “she just wants to see Ty Lee again so she can gawk and pretend that she hasn’t fallen for her” he says looking at Mai who laughs under her breath.
Can we just go pick her up already?
The drive to Ty Lee’s house is so quick Azula almost passes the peach colored house. Ty Lee waits on her front porch in her light pink dress, it almost looks white. The white faux fur jacket she wears over it helps her stay warm against the cold weather. Tiny rhinestones are adorning her hair that’s in a high ponytail.
Azula pauses the car in front of the peach house. Ty Lee runs toward the car, her white heels clicking on the concrete as she runs towards the car squealing in excitement.
When she gets in the front seat Azula finally looks at her Ty Lee looks like an angel, but Azula can't tell her that.
“You look gorgeous,” Ty Lee gushes, touching Azula’s golden earrings. Azula gulps “You too” she mutters back putting the car in drive. Once the night is over she won’t have to worry about forcing herself to resist Ty Lee. Suki’s words are so clear in her mind
“Stay away from Ty Lee”
Ty Lee plugs her phone in, not even asking at this point. “Streets” By Doja Cat blares through Azula’s car speakers. She wonders what Ty Lee’s obsession with Doja cat is. Ty Lee sings and grazes her finger down Azula’s arm.
“O-OKAY someone pull up the address NOW” Azula says sharply as Ty Lee smiles and pulls her hand back. Ty Lee whispers something under her breath “I know you talked to Suki, she didn’t tell me everything but i'm happy you know i was genuine” Ty Lee says staring at Azula with big gray eyes.
Azula nods making Ty Lee smile. At least the two are on semi good terms now. Ty Lee ignores the fact that Zuko and Mai are in the back of the car and she starts trying to start up a conversation with Azula. “So where did we leave off?” she says, turning the volume on the music up. Azula feels Ty Lee’s hand creep onto her knee.
“What are you doing?” she hisses. Ty Lee shrugs “I really don’t know, since you know all I did was real you also know everything I want to do is real too” she informs a very flustered Azula. Azula remembers what Suki said and wants to move her knee but why can’t I just have this evening with her. Ty Lee moves her hand a little higher than Azula’s knee OKAY SO NOT IN THE CAR.
Azula moves her knee and Ty Lee laughs softly into her hands. Maybe if she let's herself enjoy this one night white Ty Lee as friends of course. But aren't we going as dates completely confused Azula listens to Ty Lee sing along to the music.
How am I going to handle this she looks so pretty too