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]

"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.

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"I just..." As much as she wanted to, Kasumi could not look away. "...was glad you have someone close to you."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

The look on Azula' face was less than impressed, or grateful. "... Right."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

Kasumi flushed scarlet and looked away. "...I'm sorry."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"For what, exactly?" Now she just sounded slightly irritated.

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"Being so presumptuous..."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Normally Azula would have found this sort of behavior very funny, but at the moment it was just annoying her. "You're forgiven. Now stop acting like an idiot."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

Happily, Kasumi looked up, smiling shyly. "My thanks, princess!"

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Azula leaned back. "It's hardly a problem."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"Still, I am glad."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"Fine."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

The other food was getting cold. "Would you like something else, princess?"

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"No, I'm fine. The rest of it should be saved, however. I can have it brought down to the palace kitchens, in case either of my friends wants it."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

Kasumi bowed. "Yes, princess. Is that all you need me for...?"

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"I didn't really need you for anything in the first place. You offered; I didn't ask."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"Ah, yes. I meant 'would you like me to do anything else for you today'?"

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Azula stifled a yawn. "No; that'll be all."

[heavenly-home.livejournal.com]

"I thank you for allowing me, princess." She bowed herself out.