It wasn't easy getting in to see Azula. First Ty Lee had to wait while several of the higher-ups were called to confirm her identity, then she was ushered into a small, secure room to wait some more while the former princess was brought out under guard. When Ty Lee finally saw her old friend, she wanted to cry.
The wretched, half-starved thing in front of her couldn't be the right person. Surely, even in chains, she would hold herself with the same dignity, the same bold, larger-than-life, egotistical majesty that Azula had always had. This girl was just ... empty. Defeated. Pathetic.
And then she raised her head, and Ty Lee recognized the rage and white-hot anger in her eyes. "You!" she snarled, straining at her restraints. "Filthy traitorous slattern! "
"Azula, I--"
Azula seemed to calm down. Her wild eyes faded, taking on a duller cast, and she laughed, two short, sharp barks.
"My, my, Ty Lee. Treachery agrees with you, it seems. You've gotten fat. Been gorging yourself at the royal trough?"
Reflexively, Ty Lee sucked in her belly, and Azula sneered.
"It's no use, you know, visiting me here. Lie all you want; I know who's the rightful Firelord and who's a sniveling usurper." She smiled. "Enjoy being Zuzu's lapdog while you can. I know about the resistance. I know my loyal subjects are even now fighting for the honor of the Fire Nation and their rightful ruler."
Oh, Azula, Ty Lee thought sadly. There was no resistance worth talking about. Most of her people already referred to her openly as 'Azula the Mad', or with other, cruder epithets.
"Azula," she said again, "please. We were friends once. I hope we can be friends again, some day."
"Unchain my hands, you slimy, ungrateful sow, and I'll show you just how friendly I feel towards you right now."
"I can't do that, Azula -- you're -- you're not well, and--"
"Lies," Azula moaned, "lies, lies, lies, lies!"
"--and please, please, Azula, won't you eat something? They said you haven't eaten since you arrived."
"I swore I would not eat until my rightful position was restored. I have faith in my people. It will not be long. Besides, the swill they serve is this rathole isn't fit for a pig." Azula smirked. "Perhaps they'll let you guzzle down a bucket or two on your way out, my dear little porker."
Ty Lee sniffed. "Maybe ... maybe you're right. But it might be longer than you think, if you'd only eat a little--"
"Never!' Azula spat. "I would rather starve and die as Firelord than live on Zuzu's scraps."
Ty Lee straightened her back. "Azula, if you'll only eat, then while I'm here, you can be my Firelord."
"Hmm?"
"I'll get you real food. From the palace. Food be-befitting your station. And I will do anything for you."
"Anything?" Azula asked. "Perhaps we could work something out, if you'll agree to..."
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