TealRock
They near the museum Azula glances in the rearview mirror and catches a glimpse of Mai smoothing out Zuko’s suit and laughing softly about how he resembles a penguin. Azula smiles a little bit to herself after everything that happened honestly Mai’s presence in the sibling’s lives has been helpful. Despite how Ozai treats Zuko, Zuko has learned to ignore it because he has people who remind him that his father doesn’t rule his life. He has his friends and Mai, and of course their uncle.
Azula doesn’t have a relationship with their uncle but she does with Mai. They aren’t necessarily friends but Mai is always kind to Azula sometimes Azula will join Mai and Zuko on their movie nights. She will sit there quietly watching whatever silly film the two of them are enjoying. It’s nice to feel wanted even if it’s by her brother and his girlfriend.
Mai made Zuko feel wanted in a way he never felt at home and now Zuko’s fairly happy and sure of himself. But maybe Ty Lee can be the person who makes Azula feel wanted, someone who actually wants to be around her. But i’m not as good as Zuko. I don't have uncle to make me better or a group of friends. All I'd do is hurt Ty Lee, so Suki is right. But Mai was there when Zuko wasn’t his best self, she helped him grow. So what if Ty Lee could help Azula. I’m fine I don’t need help.
Tealrock museum can be clearly seen on top of a hill. Since it’s never open past four pm the museum looks strange all lit up in the night. Azula notices the red carpet leading up to the doors that are wide open that's awfully dramatic. “Why are they acting like this is the Oscars? It's just a school fundraising gala” Mai scoffs from the backseat. Ty Lee’s mouth hangs wide open in awe of course she’s loving this.
Finally finding a parking spot amongst the many cars in the lot the four get out of the car and make sure they look presentable. Mai looks beautiful her black lipstick matching her hair and dress, Zuko holds out his arm for his girlfriend awkwardly. Mai rolls her eyes and latches onto his arm. Azula watches them start walking towards the carpet and her eyes flit over to Ty Lee who is standing next to her.
They both hold out their arms for the other at the same time which causes their elbows to hit. “Let’s just link arms” Ty Lee giggles, slipping her arm through Azula’s. Azula nods leading the way until they catch up to Zuko and Mai. Spotting the other honor students getting out of their car Azula watches Sokka and Suki slip out of Katara’s minivan shit shit shit.
Azula links her arm into Ty Lee’s a little tighter. Ty Lee squeals at the sight of Suki, she removes her arm from Azula’s and runs towards the girl in green. The absence of Ty Lee’s arm is unsettling to Azula. Her hands fall down by her sides as Mai and Zuko approach Sokka. Great now I’ll just wait for the idiots to finish socializing
Suki and Ty Lee are hugging and Suki's green eyes meet Azula's gold ones as if warning her not to try anything tonight. Nodding to show Suki she understands Azula counts the seconds until Ty Lee breaks the hug and comes back to Azula’s side. A girl dressed in a muted yellow pantsuit runs up to the group It’s Ming she cleans up well. Ming is holding a tray of golden pins with a gold “H” in the center of each pin.
“Okay all honors students, fasten these onto your clothing so the guests know that they can approach you” she pants clearly out of breath from running around everywhere. They all take one and Ty Lee takes Azula’s pin and offers to fasten it on for her. She's making this whole “staying away” plan impossible. Ty Lee fiddles with the clasp and manages to get the clip onto Azula’s dress. Smiling she quickly kisses Azula’s cheek. Not this again, oh I loved that though Ty Lee puts her arm around Azula’s as if she didn’t even do anything.
From the look Suki is giving her Azula realizes the kiss didn’t go unnoticed. Once they are inside they walk down a large marble hallway, the walls floor and high ceilings are all made of stunning marble. There are also many smaller hallways on the sides giving Azula the chance she needs to pull Ty Lee away, somewhere where Suki can’t see. Once they walk by a dimly lit one Azula grabs Ty Lee’s arm and pulls her down the hallway. Ty Lee laughs and runs along into the hallway giving Azula no reason to pull her.
“OH I LIKE THIS ARE WE SNEAKING AWAY” Ty Lee smiles and cups Azula’s face trying to go in for a kiss Oh my Agni she thinks I've pulled her off to hook up. Azula pulls her hands away and tries not to look Ty Lee in the eyes “no I just need to tell you that you can’t act this way, not anymore” Azula says sternly. Ty Lee’s face falls “what do you mean? You're not mad at me anymore so why can’t we go back to how things were?” Ty Lee says confused at what she’s hearing.
“Azula if you want to start all over again I can’t do that I really don’t have the patience for your whole hard-to-get thing” Ty Lee whines. Azula shakes her head “No Ty Lee, I think we should be acquaintances because you saw what happened last time” Azula looks at her feet and before Ty Lee can respond Azula pulls them out of the hallway and they follow their friends who are now further down the hallway. Despite Azula's wishes Ty Lee speaks again.
“No sorry, because I know you like me just as much as I like you. You’ll crack soon enough” Ty Lee whispers next to Azula’s ear letting her lips brush Azula’s ear. She can’t be serious..Suki is going to kill me. The ballroom is already full of guests, many of whom Azula recognizes to be her father’s business partners. Coat check takes Azula’s shawl and Ty Lee’s fur jacket but Susan sitting behind the refreshment stand catches Azula’s eye. “Wow this ballroom is beautiful I know they only use it for weddings but I’m so happy we are in here right now it’s so stunning in here” Ty Lee gushes “Mhm that’s nice, Ty Lee?” Azula asks
“Yes”
“Are you thirsty? because I need a refreshment” Azula says, making a beeline for the refreshment table. Susan’s eyes widen in what seems like annoyance but is also clearly annoyance. Azula smiles enjoying how upset she’s making Susan simply by approaching her.
“Hello Susan, I’m so happy you’re working refreshments” Azula sneers as Susan pours colored sodas into delicate glass cups. Ty Lee frowns at Azula “Um okay...Susan I really like your dress” Ty Lee beams pointing to Susan’s blue gown. Susan grins “here Ty Lee, to match your dress’” Susan says handing Ty Lee a pink soda. Is she flirting with her?
Azula frowns and reaches for a cherry soda. “Hm it is a nice dress I could’ve sworn I saw it on sale Susan, I hope you didn’t spit in my drink” Azula stares at Susan who is turning a shade of red. Her hands ball into fists and she worries that she might have to throw a punch in the middle of a gala. Ty Lee looks frantically from Azula to Susan and back again. “ALRIGHT AZULA LET’S GO LOOK AT THE ART” Ty Lee says, slipping her hand into Azula’s and leading her towards the rows of paintings. Azula turns to shoot one last dirty look at Susan. Ty Lee keeps her hand in Azula’s rubbing the top of Azula’s palm with her thumb. Well Suki isn’t anywhere near so I guess I can let this slide.
The two admire the art but every time someone Ozai works with comes forward to place a bet or ask a question about the art Azula steps away from Ty Lee. I don’t want dad to hear about this Azula manages to charm the annoying rich men into buying many pieces of student made art. However pieces of art seem to be missing from the walls and Azula starts to stiffen up immediately suspecting foul play. Sabotage this has to be it Ty Lee notices the change in Azula’s demeanor “Azula are you alright?” she asks, trying to meet Azula’s eyes.
Azula pulls Ty Lee in very closely as if she’s giving her a hug “Okay I think someone stole some paintings, now pretend to hug me cause whoever did this is probably watching and we can’t look suspicious.” She hisses into Ty Lee’s ear.
“Alright I think you’re just being very paranoid” Ty Lee says as she pretends to hug Azula back. Azula scans the entire ballroom but can’t find anyone who actually looks questionable. I could always just blame this on Susan. Mai quickly approaches the two her brow furrowed in worry. This can’t be good “You guys I was in the back rooms with the rest of the orchestra and their instruments have been damaged. My flutes okay-"
“So it’s sabotage” Azula announces. Ty Lee frowns and looks around the ballroom concerned. “Alright all we can do is keep our eyes out for anyone who looks out of place, or someone who sneaks around a bunch” Azula orders. Mai nods and breaks away heading back to the orchestra room. Azula shakes Ty Lee hand off once Ty Lee tries to intertwine their fingers again. “We have to split up and look” she says dryly as she walks away. And I'm not just talking about catching the sabotagers.
Time passes and Azula has managed to sell a few more paintings to a few more old investors and talk about the school with some more. Her father’s colleagues recognized her as Ozai's daughter and tried to talk to her about when they would be able to meet with her dad so she quickly slipped away into a hallway filled with statues. Ty Lee’s luck isn’t any better; she dodges strangely personal questions from many men who aren’t as interested in the artwork as they are with her. She smiles and gently shoves them off as they try and get closer to her, giving up she starts searching for Azula because she sure as hell can’t catch anyone trying to sabotage anything.
“Azula! Did you find anything?” Ty Lee calls as she walks up to Azula who is straightening a slightly crooked painting on a wall. “I didn’t and neither did you from the looks of it” Azula sighs. Ming gets behind the microphone on the stage where the orchestra is seated and taps the mic softly. “GOOD EVENING- oh I’m yelling, sorry about that. Everyone please feel free to join our honor students on the dance floor where they will be ballroom dancing” Ming advertises to the crowd who shuffle onto the dance floor.
Mai and the rest of the orchestra start to play into their instruments, however those with broken instruments stand backstage awkwardly. Ty Lee looks at the now halfway full dance floor and then at Azula who is scowling. Despite getting dance lessons as a child, it's something she truly hates. “Cmon Azula it’s part of our job as honor students” Ty Lee cooes dragging Azula onto the dance floor. Azula sighs placing her hands on Ty Lee’s hips in response Ty Lee puts her hands on Azula’s shoulders. All I have to do is get through this dance and then I won’t have to be so close to her.
Ty Lee looks into Azula’s eyes as they wait for the music to start. “I’ll lead” Azula murmurs “Well I figured” Ty Lee giggles pressing herself up against Azula. Once the music starts the two start to dance Azula taking the lead, guiding Ty Lee through the other dancing pairs. Sokka and Suki whirl by them and Azula makes a point to avoid Suki’s eyes. Ty Lee beams and leans into Azula more I guess she really likes dancing. The two glide by the stage and Azula catches Mai’s eye, Mai winks at her from the orchestra as if congratulating Azula on dancing with Ty Lee.
If only Mai knew that this is the opposite of fun for me right now. “So are you going to tell me why you’re being so cold” Ty Lee asks as she wraps her arms around Azula’s neck. “What do you mean?” Azula replies cooly, spinning Ty Lee again as the music picks up tempo. “Oh come on you wanting to be acquaintances? There is no way that's truly how you feel”
“It is how I truly feel”
“So you don’t mind if I see if those statements are true?” Ty Lee says, bringing her hand up to caress Azula’s cheek. The second Azula feels Ty Lee’s hand on her face her cheeks turn scarlet.
“HA SEE” Ty Lee cheers bringing her hand back down around Azula’s neck. THIS IS THE MOST EMBARRASSING DAY OF MY LIFE The music is much faster now but it doesn't faze Azula, dancing isn't enjoyable but that doesn't mean it isn't easy.
Ty Lee falters a little at the sudden change of pace but tries to focus. Azula takes one of Ty Lee’s hands into her own. “Are you alright?” Azula says glancing at Ty Lee who has started panting. Ty Lee smiles “Yeah It’s just the dancing got so much faster” she says breathlessly. “Focus on the music, hum along and your dancing will stay on tempo” Azula suggests pulling Ty Lee in some more so she doesn’t trip Ty Lee starts to lightly hum along to the music as they whirl around the dance floor.
Zuko is filming Mai on his smartphone as she does her flute solo. “For someone who hates dancing you sure are good at it” Ty Lee says now able to keep up with the music and Azula’s dancing. Staring into gray eyes Azula smiles “Mhm i am good at dancing, I just hate doing it” she says. The music slows and Azula watches as Sokka moves his hand to Suki’s lower back. Oh there must be a dip coming up soon Azula moves her hand to the bottom of Ty Lee’s back ready to dip the girl when the music stops. But that's when she spots a group of teenagers in really cheap dresses and dress shirts sneaking through the hallways. The sabotagers.
The last count of the music comes up and Azula dips Ty Lee down quickly. Her hand supporting Ty Lee who has thrown her head back laughing. “That was smooth Azula” Ty Lee gasps as Azula pulls her back up. “I found the sabotagers,” Azula whispers, dragging Ty Lee off the dance floor. “ARE WE JUST GONNA CHASE THEM?!” Ty Lee says shocked “OBVIOUSLY” Azula hisses back as they follow the random teenagers down the hallway.
My heels are making too much noise Azula kicks her heels off and holds them in her left hand. Ty Lee frowns "for agnis sake Azula what are you doing?!" she says kicking off her own shoes anyways.
"We have to be quiet if we are going to catch these idiots" Azula whispers holding a finger up to Ty Lee's lips. Nodding Ty Lee follows Azula down the hallway.
The intruders seem to be heading to the kitchen, Azula pauses realizing there is a shorter way to get to the kitchen. Grabbing Ty Lee's wrist Azula ducks down another hallway. "AZULA THEY ARE GOING DOWN THE OTHER HALLWAY NOT THIS ONE-" Ty Lee says shaking Azula's shoulder frantically.
"Ty Lee they are going to the kitchen we need to get there first" Azula demands as she breaks into a sprint although the span of her strides is shortened because of her tight dress clinging her legs together.
I swear to Agni i'm burning this dress once this gala is over the back door of the kitchen comes into view. "COME ON" Azula shouts back to Ty Lee who sprints up to her the two girls shove through the kitchen doors and look around frantically. Luckily the random teenagers haven't made it yet but their footsteps are approaching.
"Shit where do we hide" Ty Lee whispers shaking Azula's arm. Looking around the kitchen Azula notices a broom closet, she holds the door open. Ty Lee takes the que and scurries into it. The closet is unreasonably small and honestly can only fit well...brooms. "Azula theres no space in here can't we just confront them when they come in here" Ty Lee frantically keeps her eyes on the kitchen door.
"NO I WANT TO CATCH THEM IN WHATEVER ACT OF SABATOGE THEY R PLANNING" Azula pushes into the broom closet and closes the door on her and Ty Lee. Since the broom closet was built to hold a broom and maybe a large bucket the two girls are packed in like two sardines. And the darkness in the closet doesn't really help either.
oh I seem to be pressed up against her Azula tries to shift so she's not crushing Ty Lee but then she's against the door and Ty Lee's pressed against her.
"oh I'm sorry" Ty Lee whispers. Azula shakes her head "It's fine now be quiet let's see what they are up to"
Azula starts audio recording on her phone when she hears the teens enter the kitchen she recognizes their voices these are kids from our rival school