The Fire Lord left his latest war meeting with barely competent generals and found that he did not have anything better to do. His wife Illah was visiting her parents and there were surprisingly little paperwork to do. Sighing, Azulon moved from his desk to the window, hoping that the gardens would be more entertaining.

What he found was his eight-year-old granddaughter practicing her firebending against one of his wife's prized firelily bushes. He found himself in the garden a few moments later.

"Azula."

He watched as the young princess snapped to attention and bowed deeply, her manners as perfect as could be. "Good morning, Fire Lord"

"Did that bush anger you in some way?"

"No, Fire Lord."

"Then why are you attacking it?"

"It is a good target, Fire Lord."

"It is also the Fire Lady's favorite. Come." He held his hand out to the little girl. This was probably one of the first times he has ever spoken to Azula without her parents present. Ozai was protective of the girl and Ursa had never warmed up to him. But now, Azula was alone and he could get to know his namesake better.

Azulon smiled at the girl when she took his hand and he lead her to his private practice area. It had been some time since he brought anyone here. Not since Ozai was young. "Now. Show me your forms." He let go of the princess's hand and she obediently moved to the center of the practice area and began.

The girl was impressive. She was much better than students twice her age. So the prophecy was true. He raised a hand to stop her bending. "Are you bored with forms, Azula?"

She seemed to hesitate, as if struggling between truth and etiquette. "Yes."

"Good. Forms are boring. Useless if you don't know how to use them properly."

The girl looked up at him in awe and surprise, as if not expecting that answer. He chuckled, and then sat on the ground next to her. "Sit with me and show me how you breathe."

It was an old exercise, but the younger generation of benders were starting to forget the Old Ways. The dragons may be extinct, but their teachings need not be. He reached over and corrected her posture, then nodded.

"Fire Lord?" she asked, her tone unsure.

"Yes, Azula?"

"Why are we breathing? It is... more boring than forms."

That brought a laugh from the Fire Lord's lips. It reminded him so much of when Iroh was a child. Ozai never complained, but then again, he struggled with bending as a child. "Patience. Make a flame in your hand." He took her hand and held it out between them.

The princess obeyed and a healthy flame grew from her palm.

"Good, now, make it hot."

She looked at him strangely and then looked at her hand. "How?"

"Deep within you is that emotion that makes your fire burn. Think about it. Rein it inside of you and feed it to your fire. I find that different emotions burn at different temperatures."

She seems to consider this and her flames took on a greenish hue. "Oh!"

"See? There is more to learn than just forms. You usually have to figure it out on your own though."

"Fire Lord?"

"Yes, Azula?"

"Can I call you 'Grandfather'?"

Azulon smiles. "Of course you can, Azula. It is who I am to you."

She smiled again and her flames turned a pinkish color.