Post by teashoppegirl on Feb 14, 2007 16:03:05 GMT -5
Happy V-Day. I hope you enjoy this one-shot, where Zhao attempts to court Azula.
Can’t Tame the Lion
Zhao had just returned from a failed mission. He had hoped that Azula had not yet heard of how a lone rouge, known only as “The Blue Spirit” had thwarted his victory. But she did agree to give him an audience, so he figured she must not have known or cared.
In two years she would be of marrying age, every male of any rank would give his eyetooth to get a chance to meet with her to try to court her. She was Ozai’s favor, and so everyone believed that she would have the final say in who she married.
When Zhao approached, Azula was sitting on her throne, looking almost bored. Her father had ordered her to start seeing people officially to get her used to what her role would become after she married.
“Your highness,” Zhao addressed Princess Azula, bowing lowly and carrying flowers.
“Are those are for me?” Azula said in a calculated tone, an unreadable smile gracing her face. “You shouldn’t have.”
“Nothing but the best for the princess of the mighty Fire Nation,” Zhao said sincerely.
“The best huh?” Azula said, her finger tracing her lower lip. “I guess we can agree on that.”
“I would like to announce my intentions to your father,” Zhao said quietly. “I think it’ll be advantageous to get him used to the idea early.”
Azula quickly stood up and turned around, so her back faced toward Zhao. A wily smile graced her face.
“I don’t think that’s necessary Admiral,” Azula said in a chilled tone.
Zhao wasn’t quite sure what to make of the princess’ tone and words. He decided to read it as a good sign. The princess was only a girl of fourteen after all.
“You don’t mean that you wish to elope?! Princess think of what others will say!”
“They’ll say, ‘The princess is wise, she made a good choice’ because I will not be marrying you, my dear Admiral.”
“What?!” Zhao exclaimed, more confused than angry.
“Well, let me put it this way, you remember the story parents tell their children about the lion and the mouse? How the mouse helps the lion and is rewarded with friendship. It’s just a story that parents tell children, real lions eat even helpful mice.”
“Excuse me, but I am an admiral!” Zhao shouted, unable to deal with being compared to a mouse.
“And that makes a difference?” Azula asked, her eyes flashing. “You may be good enough to please my father, but you’re nowhere good enough for me.”
Zhao was taken aback by the venom in the princess’ voice. No one had ever dared speak to him that harshly. What was worse was that he deserved it. He had lost the Avatar, and there was no excuse for it.
His eyes began to moisten as his mind began wheeling. “Princess,” he said breathlessly.
“Oh please,” Azula said, turning around with a frown adorning her face. “You’re pathetic. Leave. I refuse to entertain grown men who cry whatever their rank.”
Can’t Tame the Lion
Zhao had just returned from a failed mission. He had hoped that Azula had not yet heard of how a lone rouge, known only as “The Blue Spirit” had thwarted his victory. But she did agree to give him an audience, so he figured she must not have known or cared.
In two years she would be of marrying age, every male of any rank would give his eyetooth to get a chance to meet with her to try to court her. She was Ozai’s favor, and so everyone believed that she would have the final say in who she married.
When Zhao approached, Azula was sitting on her throne, looking almost bored. Her father had ordered her to start seeing people officially to get her used to what her role would become after she married.
“Your highness,” Zhao addressed Princess Azula, bowing lowly and carrying flowers.
“Are those are for me?” Azula said in a calculated tone, an unreadable smile gracing her face. “You shouldn’t have.”
“Nothing but the best for the princess of the mighty Fire Nation,” Zhao said sincerely.
“The best huh?” Azula said, her finger tracing her lower lip. “I guess we can agree on that.”
“I would like to announce my intentions to your father,” Zhao said quietly. “I think it’ll be advantageous to get him used to the idea early.”
Azula quickly stood up and turned around, so her back faced toward Zhao. A wily smile graced her face.
“I don’t think that’s necessary Admiral,” Azula said in a chilled tone.
Zhao wasn’t quite sure what to make of the princess’ tone and words. He decided to read it as a good sign. The princess was only a girl of fourteen after all.
“You don’t mean that you wish to elope?! Princess think of what others will say!”
“They’ll say, ‘The princess is wise, she made a good choice’ because I will not be marrying you, my dear Admiral.”
“What?!” Zhao exclaimed, more confused than angry.
“Well, let me put it this way, you remember the story parents tell their children about the lion and the mouse? How the mouse helps the lion and is rewarded with friendship. It’s just a story that parents tell children, real lions eat even helpful mice.”
“Excuse me, but I am an admiral!” Zhao shouted, unable to deal with being compared to a mouse.
“And that makes a difference?” Azula asked, her eyes flashing. “You may be good enough to please my father, but you’re nowhere good enough for me.”
Zhao was taken aback by the venom in the princess’ voice. No one had ever dared speak to him that harshly. What was worse was that he deserved it. He had lost the Avatar, and there was no excuse for it.
His eyes began to moisten as his mind began wheeling. “Princess,” he said breathlessly.
“Oh please,” Azula said, turning around with a frown adorning her face. “You’re pathetic. Leave. I refuse to entertain grown men who cry whatever their rank.”