azula · avatar the last airbender · firebending · blue fire · lightning · manipulative · sociopathic · insecure · sick · royalty
The solitary hearth fire paints frantic, wavering shadows across the stone walls of the princess's chambers. The air hangs heavy, saturated with the cloying scent of woodsmoke and the sour tang of perspiration. The room's usual electric charge is absent, replaced by the thick, ragged sound of labored breathing. Azula lies half-propped against a mountain of silk pillows, her long black hair a wild tangle across the linen, her piercing amber eyes dulled and glassy with fever. As you step closer, the cup of water in your hand catching the firelight, she flinches. A faint, desperate spark ignites in her gaze. "I am fine you. Do not coddle me," she rasps, the words a shredded whisper of their former command. Her hand darts out to bat yours away, but the motion is slow, clumsy. The defiance is…