Burnt Linens - Ch.1
Azula x Fem!reader Tags: lots of fluff, slice of life(ish), adult!azula, avatar: tloa, potential smut (i will read the room), goofy af Warnings: none :D Azula is bored. Sure, she's still the princess of the Fire Nation, but her duties to the throne haven't really changed since the end of the war. To keep his big sister from destroying any more training dummies, he decides to grant her an emotional support lady's maid... aka you.
โฆโขยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทโขโฆโขยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทโขโฆ "That's it! I have had enough of your attitude towards myself and this family! You are nothing but a pesky vermin meant to plague this household. You are FIRED!"
The door slams in your face as soon as your few belongings are tossed onto the street. You're left speechless on the steps of the Kuzu residence as you gather your things into a traveling pack. Madame Kuzu--the wonderful woman who just screamed in your face--was never that great of an employer anyway.
You were a housemaid in the home for about 4 years. You lived there, took care of her kids, cleaned, cooked, and did pretty much everything that the family didn't want to do themselves.
Fine, you thought to yourself as you marched down the street, her kids were little brats anyway.
You were completely lost in thought as you walked, not even thinking about where you were going next. It's not like you had a place to stay, really. Regardless, you were pretty caught off guard when you ran face first into the shoulder of somebody putting up posters on the side of a building.
"Sorry! I'm so sorry. I wasn't really watching where I was going," you say to the man you bumped into. He's a royal guard, and he seems to have a stack of flyers in the satchel on his hip. He grunts and continues his work.
You have a glance at what he's pasting to the wall, and it reads: "maids wanted. Arrive at the royal piers, 7AM tomorrow morning."
How convenient.
You glance into your pouch to see just how much money you had, and it seemed to be enough for dinner and a hotel room for the night. In the morning, you'd be rushing to the royal piers.
โโ โข ใปโธโธ
The next morning, you got up fairly early in order to prepare.
This call was obviously from within the palace, so you had to look nice in order to impress. You styled your hair just the way you liked it, freshened up your face, and added your favorite jewelry.
Looking into your outfits, you settled on a modest black robe. After slipping on your shoes, you make your way to the piers.
It's incredibly foggy this morning, much to your dismay. You attempt to light a flame at your fingertips to clear up your sight, but the intense moisture in the air dampens your already weak flame. Groaning, you try to make it to the piers by memory.
It works out in your favor, and when you arrive... you realize you are severely overdone. The girls around you are dressed in a modest and frugal fashion. You can only assume it's on purpose, though, as many of them still have flawless skin and primped hair. Others even wear subtle makeup.
A guard signals everyone down a small, slightly hidden path that leads to the palace walls. Your heart begins to beat quickly, as you've never really been inside the palace before. Sure, you toured the front gardens once Ozai fell from power and a peaceful nation was restored, but this seemed a lot more different.
Entering the palace felt exactly how you imagined it. Your shoes click softly on the marble floors, and large braziers burn with warm flames. You're led through many back hallways. Twists, turns, and doorways alike. Then, all of a sudden, you're in the throne room.
Much like the other girls, you bow deeply to the two siblings that sit at the front of the room. Fire Lord Zuko at the large throne, and Princess Azula to his right.
Something about her catches your eye in particular as you straighten from your bow. She lounges on her throne, scouring the crowd of girls that has arrived in the hall. When her eyes lock with yours, you could swear her smirk broadens a little more.
"Azula," the Firelord says, "I've decided to give you a lady's maid. You seem to be a little... bored around the palace, and I thought this would be a good fix. Have a look at them and decide."
Azula huffs softly and rises from her throne with a powerful elegance. She commands the room in a way the Firelord doesn't. As she approaches the group of girls, you all bow once more.
She prowls through the group, her eyes settling on each and every one of you. You do notice, however, how her gaze often flicks back to you.
Eventually, she stops in front of you. She gives you a long glance from the top of your head to the bottom of your skirts. Azula circles you, inspecting every aspect of your form before finally stopping just a little too close to your face. With the voice of a serpent, she speaks.
"This one will do. Come, servant. I shall acquaint you with how I do things here at the palace."
She grabs you by the wrist and drags you out of the room. As you walk down the hall, she tugs a bit too hard.
"Ow! Hey, that-!" you cut yourself off as soon as you remember who you're talking to. Before you can apologize, she snickers.
"So she speaks. Wonderful. I was beginning to think I picked a spineless bag of cabbages for a companion."
She takes you directly to her chambers. It's a series of three rooms: a sitting room, a bedroom, and a bathroom. It's more than enough for one person to be comfortable, and you have a hard time keeping your jaw in place. Azula can tell.
"Well?" she purrs, "what do you think? I've had it decorated like this for ages, you see. I needed a change of scenery, so I acquired a portrait of myself."
On the far wall opposite the main door, there's a large portrait of Azula. It's a bit egotistical.
"Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. My old friends no longer visit the palace, so I asked for a lady's maid," she crows as she walks to a chaise lounge. Flopping down on it, she gives you another once-over.
"Are you going to stare at me or are you going to have a seat?"
You blink a few times before having a seat across from her.
"Sorry, your highness," you mumble with a slight bow of your head. You're a bit unsure of what to think. She seems... sociable? In a way? But also a little venomous. It's hard to get a read on the princess.
She rolls her eyes, "if we're going to be friends, you needn't call me that. Azula will work just fine."
Your eyebrows furrow in confusion, "friend? I thought I was a lady's maid."
"Haven't you ever read a fairy tale? The lady's maid is always the princess's most trusted companion. Now, tell me about yourself. Do you have any hobbies? You seem like the type of girl to have a hobby."
You pause for a moment to process what's going on, then you nod.
"I used to dance. I was pretty talented, too. I had to stop once I moved out of my parent's house, though."
"Hm. Yes, I can see it. Your body is lean and agile like that of a starving wildcat who must hunt meticulously for its meal."
You freeze, "thank you?"
She smiles proudly and leans back, "you're very welcome. I have been told I am like no other in the art of complimentary language. Perhaps I should give you some pointers.
โโ โข ใปโธโธ
After a long day of making small talk with Azula, the moon has risen over the palace. You glance out the window, then back to her as she passionately recounts one of the many adventures she's been on in her life.
Azula was... interesting. She didn't hate you, not really, but it was hard to tell if she liked you, either. Everything she said was always slightly backhanded and usually followed by her praising herself. Yet, it always seemed like she wanted to get to know you, or tell you about herself. Considering she was the only person you knew in the palace, you'd have to get used to it.
"...and then my idiot brother went and got himself electrocuted saving a waterbender. I had thought he'd gone soft but.. he was in the right. Those people he befriended treated me better than most others in my life. I hear they are doing well." Azula looks at you, noticing how lost in thought you are. "Hello? Did you hear a single word I said?" You snap out of your daze and cast a sorry look in her direction.
"Sorry, Azula. I just noticed how late it was... plus the fact that I don't have my things. I left them in the throne room." Azula glances out the window herself, "ah. Yes. I forget some people have reasonable hours of rest. Your room is located directly next to mine. I believe the servants have taken care of your things."
Azula stands up and grabs you by the wrist once more, taking you out the door and into your room. It's nicer than anything you've ever had, and you can't really believe it's yours.
"Wow. Thank you. I might not ever get used to this..." You say incredulously.
"You will. I will make sure of it. Now, I believe most friends cordially depart with an embrace, yes?"
You turn to look at her, and she's already awkwardly crowding your space and giving you a hug. You can't help but notice how her hands loop around your waist and her fingers splay softly.
She lets you go, "goodnight. I hope you sleep enough," and exits your room.
โฆโขยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทโขโฆโขยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทโขโฆ
a/n: i hope you liked! first time writing for atloa/alta so im sorry if theyre ooc.