Food {BACKDATED TO 4/12/09}

[bentflame]

As a princess, Azula was used to being respected-- worshipped, even. She was used to people doing things for her, often without her even needing to ask. What she was not used to, however was people doing things for her out of the kindness of their own hearts. So naturally, she was a bit suspicious when Kasumi-- a random community member; one who wasn't even from her world-- offered to cook an elaborate meal for her. Expecting respect from an acquaintance was one thing. Large favors, however, were an entirely different story. Off-worlders usually had to be threatened for those.

Despite her cynicism, Azula was in her room and waiting at the time she had told Kasumi to arrive. She was fully-dressed, and her hair set perfectly in its usual topknot, crown in place. Normally she wore her robe in the privacy of her own room, but when expecting a visitor-- any visitor-- there was no reason to be anything less than perfect.

Comments

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"My apologies. I was not aware of the situation." She bowed her head. "He is sick?"

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"You could say that." She took another chopstickful of rice.

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"I hope he gets better, then." She'd talked to him, once; he reminded her of father before mother had died.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

She waved a hand. "He will."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"I am sure he has the finest doctors."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Azula made an irritated noise in the back of her throat. "... It's not that sort of illness."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"No?" She hoped she wasn't pry, but Kasumi couldn't think of any other sort that could affect a ruler.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"No," she said firmly.

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

Nodding in acknowledgement, Kasumi shifted to the side, confused. "All right."

She let silence fill the room for a few minutes, then asked, "Would you like some more of anything?"

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"This is sufficient."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

Kasumi fell into silence again, allowing Azula-sama to eat her fill. There was still the next course, after all, and maybe her friend would show up for that.

Not bored very easily, she looked around the room for a while, but soon she had seen her fill. Closing her eyes instead, she took a moment to find her center and smiled. You could never out pratice meditation.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Now that Kasumi's eyes were closed, Azula watched her curiously.

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

Kasumi practiced a kind of ki control and clensing. She was very good; you had to be, to control your aura. Her face and body were completely relaxed, and there was no tension. It seemed the calmness was oozing out of her.

The books she had borrowed had taught her how; she began to count the steps in her head. Find the core, secure the center, and slowly look out side...

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"Are you meditating?" Azula interrupted.

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

Azula-sama startled her out of her trance. "Er, yes." After a moment, she bowed and said, fretting a bit, "I am sorry, I didn't think you'd mind, do you need something--?"

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"I don't mind. I was just curious."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

Kasumi tilted her head to the side, and asked, "Do you also, princess?"

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"At times. I don't need to as much anymore."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"Truly? I find it helps no matter what."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"When I was younger, I needed to meditate in order to form enough concentration to firebend. Now I still need to focus on my breathing, but it doesn't take as much base effort."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

Thoughtfully, Kasumi said, "Firebending is like ki, perhaps. You need concentration and will to bring it about."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

She nodded once. "It has a lot to do with chi, yes."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

Hopeful, fighting a grin, Kasumi asked causiously, "...you can control your ki?"

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"To an extent, yes. Why?"

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

Kasumi couldn't help herself, she was so excited. "Oh, that is wonderful! No one else here ever know what it is!"