i. 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 ━━ ( azula. )

chapter three.

a roof that could never get her to the heavens.

"on the beach you said you didn't want me to remember you name," azula stated. etsuko's soft smile did not fade as the two sat on that roof, the stars shining more brilliantly than either of them ever would. far off azula could see the glare of the campfire from which her traitorous brother and her lowly friends sat. "why is that."

azula pretended to have no interest. she curled her fingers and looked at her manicured nails blankly.

"you know... it's so much easier when no one cares." etsuko paused in thought before correcting what she knew was foolish lies. "or at least, when you think no one cares. so i didn't want you to care." azula rolled her eyes to feign annoyance, but felt guilt creep at her toes as both of the girls' skirts shifted with the breeze. "i hope my mother doesn't cry. my sister should be there for her."

"you don't have to," azula finally spoke her mind. "you can come back to the palace with me. i can't promise you'll be treated as royalty, you definitely don't pass, but i can get you a job as a maid. my personal maid or something."

etsuko's eyes widened slightly in shock. "palace?"

"oh, for sozin's sake. i'm princess azula, you bumbling idiot. really, no wonder you feel so lost."

"princess azula?" the peasant girl seemed to hum in wonder, yet didn't move to bow or kiss up to the royal. instead she turned back to the stars slowly, the new revelation only solidifying that faraway look in her eyes. "so many people must love you."

"of course they do!" she scoffed in return, ignoring the voice in the back of her mind that screamed at her for lying. the voice that had ursa's face.

"then you can add me to the list." etsuko did not flinch as azula jumped to her feet. she peacefully basked in the moon's light as the princess beside her was filled with turmoil. "really, this night has helped me a lot."

"come with me, etsuko!" azula insisted. "i leave in the morning to go back to the mainland. come with me, and you will be revered as a goddess when i am fire lord."

the serene girl finally looked at from those stupid stars, her gaze settling on the teen whose hands shook and whose voice wavered with desperateness. the two were almost the same, both missing something so vital that had drove them to the edge.

she shook her head.

"i made up my mind before we met. i'm sorry, azula." a sadness filled the noble at the response, but she had learned sadness was a waste of her energy. so she let a false scowl cover her features.

"that's princess azula to you."

and princess azula was the one who walked away that time, sealing etsuko's fate.