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

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"That's what they are where you come from. But what makes you think they even exist here? Can you 'see' mine?"

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

Kasumi blinked, confused. "But if there is ki here, it is possible."

Perhaps she should explain? "You are a controlled person, Princess Azula. Your aura would not leak out unless you willed it."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"I see. Then the 'auras' you talk about are different than the ones I'm thinking of."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"Then, what do you mean by 'aura'?"

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

She leaned back in her chair, setting her nearly-empty bowl aside. "Ty Lee's always claiming to be able to tell what mood I'm in because she can 'see my aura'."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"Oh, that sort of aura~" Kasumi suppressed a laugh, terribly amused. "She is one who knows you well, so perhaps your barriers are lower for her."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

She didn't look pleased about that. "Don't be ridiculous. My barriers are not low for anyone."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"Of course not, princess, my mistake." She was still fighting a grin.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"What's so funny?"

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"Nothing's funny, Azula-sama."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Azula let out an irritated breath. "It's Princess Azula. You never remember.

"... So. There are two different types of auras. The real ones and the imaginary ones, I expect?"

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

Kasumi bowed her head and apologized before answering her question. "Yes. 'Aura' can be used in another way besides that of the ki you exude."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"And do you believe in that?"

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"In a way."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"Explain the difference between them."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

After a moment of thought, Kasumi tried, "They are similar in the sense that they are both a sort of 'light' around the body. One, as ki, can be turned to other things, but the other is simply assumed. More that one is physcial and one in mental..." She laughed selconsciously. "Am I making any sense?

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

She raised an eyebrow. "I suppose."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"Ah, I am not explaining well...It is such that one is purly 'energy' and the other can be turned into 'matter'...um. One exists on a personal plane and the other can be accessed by anyone?"

Flustered, Kasumi burst out, "One exists only for yourself and people you are connected to, and the other is indestriminate-Oh! The aura I showed you is on the 'outside', the one your friend means is on the 'inside'!"

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"Hm." She paused. "And you believe one has to be weak for this... "inner aura" to be visible? You said I was too strong of a person for others to see it."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"You control your emotions," she explained, "which the aura is fueled by. As I do, in quite a different way than you. Unless you are focussed on your feels, and do not have a clear head, ones aura is visible to those who can see. If the emotion is very strong, it may also be clear to ones who would not see it otherwise.

"My earlier practice was a control dispertion. Without control, the aura is 'wild', and this lack may be viewed as 'weakness'."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

She frowned. "I always have a clear head, and yet Ty Lee claims to be able to see my aura. She claims she can see everyone's auras, actually. Would you say that she's lying?"

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

Uncertainly, Kasumi replied, "Perhaps it is a special sight? This may not exist in my world."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"I don't really believe it exists in my world, either." Azula sat up straighter, looking Kasumi in the eye.

"Before, when I told you that she said she could see my aura, you started grinning like an idiot. If you were under the impression that this indicated a clouded, weak mind, you were mistaken."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"A-ah, Princess, that is not what I meant! I didn't mean to--" She flailed her hands a little. "Only that--for someone to see your inner aura clearly, they must know you well, I think, and..."

Kasumi was at a loss for what to say.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"And...?" she prompted, not breaking the gaze.