answers to reviewers questions or statements:

MCRasengan: Oh yeah.

Starlord Master: She's a mysterious thief and a possible Ghorala like Piteo and Yugito are, what else is there to tell?

Javier Amon Belmont: Funny you think that Ty Lee will be able to take her. I'm in still.

Takedo: I could, but knowing it's bothering you is enough for me to refuse.

Lilthug: With the Black Cat of any universe, who knows. And just wait until Azula finds out about this little encounter.

Disclaimer: I don't own any Marvel or Avatar the Last Airbender characters seen, mentioned or used.

The Royal Galas of the Fire Nation were often considered to be near legendary, almost up to par with the royal parties that were rumored to be hosted by the Earth King of Ba Sing Se. The Fire Nation's most elite, from the top commanders of it's army and navy, to the most influential businessmen, nobles and government officials, Royal Galas were to some, what made or broke the Nation's hierarchy in terms of political alliances and betrayals, until the next Gala that is. Food of the highest quality was served, the rarest and most expensive wines and various other liquors and even teas were offered and a wide assortment of entertainment from several well known acting troupe reenacted famous play scenes or events for the attending nobles.

And Azula, second born of Fire Lord Ozai, Crown Princess of the Fire Nation, hated every single Agni damned second of it.

She hated being dressed up in what her handmaidens assured her was the latest fashion of the court, even if it made Aula feel like some underage courtesan. The dress, which covered Azula head to toe and was the very definition of 'modest', 'sophisticated' and 'innocent'. The article itself was a deep scarlet red with golden edges along the sleeves and the hem of the dress while small red stones were embroidered into the fabric itself and made to look like fire. Azula would admit the dress was tasteful and she knew it made many women at this gala envious of her, but they'd be saying something differently if they had to wear it too.

'I feel like I'm in a fire with this thing' Azula thought as she tried to regulate her body's core temperature so she didn't start sweating and ruin her ridiculous makeup.

Another thing she hated was wearing so much makeup that the princess felt it was a artist that was painting her face to have hosted at some museum in the city. She hated the uncomfortable shoes she had to waltz around in that she knew would leave blisters in ways that her boots never would and she hated how her hair was weaved into some super intricate pattern that took hours to do and hours more to undo at the end of the night.

But worst of all, she hated the people she was forced to interact with.

Because of Ozai's status as Fire Lord, very, very few could approach him to speak with where's Azula was generally seen as the go between. Meaning if people wanted to curry favor with the Fire Lord, they'd speak with Azula and hope she relays their messages to her father when she eventually finds him.

She won't... ever. In fact, Azula will offer herself up to the fabled Kemurikage before that happens.

Partly because her father will have retired only a few hours into the gala with some woman that he's taken a liking to. Azula has slowly noticed that he's become far more 'active' with his sex life since her 'mother' had left all those years ago. Azula hoped that one of her father's new bed mates wont end up becoming some kind of new step mother, her own birth mother was bad enough at her job, she didn't need some random noblemen's daughter or now ex-wife trying her hand at it.

'Should Zuko somehow return and ascend to the title of Fire Lord, these galas and the women who attend them in the hopes of being the next Fire Lady are the first things he's getting rid of if he knows what's good for him' Azula thought as she stood before a merchant from Ember Island, a man named Bao she believed, her face perfectly blank as she nodded and blinked at the man's words while she cupped a small glass of water in her hands.

She had no idea what the man was going on about, she long since tuned his voice out and instead focused on her inner thoughts, her memories specifically.

Before Piteo left, he and Azula would stand on the very edge of the party and quietly provide commentary of the various nobles that passed them by and interacted with one another. They'd watch people talk to one another and she and Piteo would provide poor translations of what was being said or comment on certain people's sense of fashion. It certainly helped pass the time in her opinion and it made these dull affairs somewhat tolerable for the young royal. But since Piteo's deployment to the front lines, and with Mai's family now in the Fire Nation colonies and Ty Lee Agni knows where with her little circus troupe, Azula's been forced to brave these affairs on her own.

"Princess Azula how wonderful to see you here!"

'Well... not entirely alone' Azula thought as she and the man she was pretending to listen to both turned to see another young girl around Azula's age fast approaching them, dressed in a dress that was similar to Azula's but less... well made looking.

It took a second for the name to click in Azula's mind, Chen, the daughter of some General currently taking part in the planning for the upcoming siege of Omashu. She, like many girls Azula's age and within the nobility always took these galas as an opportunity to try and socialize with the Crown Princess. Some of them did it as a way to earn the princess's good graces like they believe Mai and Ty Lee have despite the fact that Azula has made it clear over the past few years she doesn't want any or need any new friends.

"Ah Chen, good evening" Azula said in a voice she's long held in reserve for dealing with her fellow 'socialites' "I was just speaking to mister Bao on-"

Chen didn't give Azula a chance to finish as she turned towards the old merchant and gave him a sweet smile "I'm sorry sir, but do you mind if I borrow the Princess for a few moments? Girl talk and all that, hehehe"

Bao blinked at the like girl before he nodded as he stepped away, believing that Azula would prefer speaking to people around her own age "Of course my dear..."

'Bao... fuck you. Fuck your family, and fuck your entire business empire into a fucking ditch' Azula thought dryly as she watched the man depart before she turned towards Chen and had to hold back a groan as more of Chen's friends converged on them.

They, like Chen were dressed in beautiful dresses and gowns that Azula wouldn't want her own servants caught dead in. Half of them were dressed with furs in their outfits that in the princess's mind looked like they were still alive, these girls just threw it on themselves and said 'fashion'. The thought almost caused a smile to break out on her face before she caught herself, less she give these girls the impression she enjoyed being in their company.

"Finally got you away from mister old and boring" Chen said with a giggle as she brought out a small fan and used it to help cool herself.

Another one of the girls nodded in agreement "Yeah, why can't old men realize that us girls don't care about whatever it is their talking about unless their complementing us!"

"Because their own daughters likely don't want to hear it so they assume we will" Azula said with a laugh that was so fake it was a wonder none of the girls around her noticed.

Though if they did, they were smart to keep their expressions schooled and their mouths shut.

Chen however seemed to believe Azula's laugh was genuine "I know! I swear I've heard my dad talk about his 'glory days' as a commander during the campaign to take Ba Sing Se to like ten people since we've gotten here!"

'That sounds better than listening to you idiots talk about whose sleeping with who, who has the best dress or makeup or who has more money and how they like to spend it' Azula thought as she sipped her water and listened to the girls prattle on about 'old men' talking about their 'boring pasts'.

Honestly, Azula's found speaking with the various military officers that attend these parties to be far better company, tales of bittersweet victories and horrific losses on the battlefield were infinitely more interesting. Her mother never liked them nor the men that talked about them, in fact she often stayed close to Azula at these mind numbing affairs when she was still around to make sure Azula didn't try to sneak away and listen to 'horrid war stories'. Even Uncle Iroh the few times he attended one of these Galas before his departure to the Earth Kingdom and eventually Ba Sing Se, was mindful to keep from speaking of his military exploits when Ursa was around.

Lu Ten didn't, possibly amused that his 'sweet little cousin' wanted to be like him and his uncle, a Royal on the front lines rather than a 'Dragon in the Royal Courts'.

It was than that Azula noticed a few girls were looking at her with curious looks on their faces, causing her to quirk a brow in response "I'm sorry? My mind was elsewhere..."

This caused one of the girls, Li Wei, to giggle as she fanned herself with a small personal fan like Chen was using "We asked if you've found a man worthy of your affections Princess"

Azula blinked at this, a man?

"A man?" Azula said, her voice just barely hiding the confusion she was feeling.

"You know, someone to one day become your prince!" Chen added as she glanced across the massive ball room to where a number of boys around their age were loitering "Someone to marry, share your life with. Maybe have a kid or two with him?"

"Oh... well, no I haven't given it much thought" Azula said as she took a sip of her water, being mindful to limit the amount she had each time. Having the glass maintain some liquid would keep any of the girls from offering her a drink similar to their own.

Ninety nine percent fruit juice, one percent some sort of liquor that Azula thought was nothing more than some kind of extremely watered down ale.

"Really?" Chen gasped dramatically, the manner reminded Azula of Ty Lee, that is, if Ty Lee was worthless and pathetic like Chen was "Well, what about those firebending lessons of yours? Surely you've seen someone at them that's caught your eye with their power and skill"

"My lessons are private, have been for years" Azula said, keeping annoyance out of her voice as she once again explained to these people that she hasn't had to train with anyone since her original master Yugito was sent to the Colonies along with her frequent sparring partner, Piteo.

"Well that just won't do" one of the girls said in a voice that made Azula want to strangle her "Keeping you away from others so they can't admire your beauty and power. How else will you get anyone's attention cooped up all by your lonesome?"

'Well I hate being around other people, especially ones like you, so I'm not exactly bothered by it' Azula thought as she stared at the girl with a blank look until the nameless noble turned away with a look of unease on her face.

Chen giggled at this "Perhaps the Princess is simply taking pity upon us. I mean, what boy in the world would ever give us the time off day if the Crown Princess herself was around to break men's hearts?"

Azula had to refrain from performing a very Mai like sigh of depression as the girls broke into fits of laughter. Times like this the princess couldn't help but envy her brother being banished. At the very least, he doesn't have to deal with the royal court like she has to day in and day out. It also made her long for Mai, Ty Lee and Piteo, her only actual friends and allies in this nest of vipers and backstabbers. They made interacting with these people tolerable, somewhat.

"Do you intend to court anyone Princess?" Chen asked as she glanced at Azula with a curious look on her face.

"Perhaps" Azula responded in a neutral tone, hoping it'd be clue enough for these girls to drop the subject of her seeking out some man 'If these girls wish for me to spread my legs and pump out babies for him after he pumps me full of his cum, they can gladly take my place'

The crude thought brought a faint grin to Azula's face as she imaged what her long departed mother would say or react if Azula had said such things aloud. She'd be mortified that a 'young lady' would use such filthy words while father... he'd likely be somewhat amused before he told her to watch herself. Iroh would likely give her one of his 'looks' and sprout off some kind of nonsense that sounded like a weird mixture of her parents reactions while Zuko would likely be seeing that as his cue to leave and seek out Mai's bland and depressing presence while Ty Lee would sputter and blush.

Piteo on the other hand...

'How would he react to that?' she thought with genuine curiosity as she excused herself from the gaggle of young nobles with the tried and true excuse of 'powder her nose'.

In the past, Piteo always gaped at the crude language she'd use, much like her mother would. Though given he's been serving on the front lines for almost a year and a half now, she hoped he developed thicker skin.

'It'd just be my luck that he gets even more sensitive' Azula thought with an amused eye roll at the prospect.

"Princess..."

Azula froze at the use of her title and turned on her heel to see a girl just a year or two older than herself standing a few feet away with a bemused look on her painted face.

"Jingfei" Azula said with a brow raised at the older girl's appearance.

Jingfei had attended the royal academy along with Azula and most of the girls born into the royal court of the Fire Nation, specifically around the capital. She was a talented enough firebender, Azula would admit, the daughter to a powerful merchant that had great influence in the various trade laws and regulations that are amended, replaced or created. She also came in second to just about every class that she and Azula attended together when they were younger. The only thing that Jingfei ever excelled at during their time as students in Azula's opinion was being considered 'the most beautiful girl' to attend the academy and seemed to have a new boyfriend every month.

Azula wasn't jealous, far from it, as Jingfei being distracted by boys is what led to her being only ever second best, and not the best.

'I wonder it it gulls her to know that I'll always be better than her' Azula thought privately while aloud she said "I'm surprised to see you here Jingfei, I was under the impression that your family had moved to the colonies"

"We have, but I'm here on holiday" Jingfei replied with a charming smile that often left others swooning.

Azula wanted to burn it off and see how she'd react "Well I hope all is well"

Jingfei hesitated a split second before responding "I do believe so Princess"

Azula's eyes narrowed at the pause "Your brief pause hints otherwise Jingfei"

For the briefest moments, Azula saw annoyance and frustration flash through the girl's amber colored eyes before she responded with a embarrassed smile "You caught me my lady, things aren't as good as I would like them to be"

"And why is that? Yu Dao is one of, if not our most prosperous colony" Azula stated.

"Oh no, the colony is fine" Jingfei assured the young firebending prodigy "It's just... well... it's just that recently someone broke into our estate and stole a number of valuable items from my family"

The response 'I'm sorry for your loss' was on the tip of Azula's tongue but she didn't like Jingfei enough to humor the girl with the belief that Azula actually cared. So a few fancy jewels were stolen, they could easily be replaced, Yu Dao had a number of mines close to it that supplied rare and expensive stones that Azula knows have made it to a number of high born women's necklaces and rings currently attending this gala.

"The thief's been identified, some Earth Kingdom rat!" Jingfei said with venom in her voice as her face contorted into one of righteous fury "It's believed she's a Ghorala"

Azula's eyes narrowed at this as she recalled a letter from Piteo explaining the illusive thief he's been chasing that may be a Ghorala. If this 'earth Kingdom rat' and that bitch who dared to kiss Piteo were one in the same, she supposed she could have Piteo relay a message to the peasant before she was executed.

Thank you for stealing from Jingfei and her family, now die horribly on orders from Princess Azula of the Fire Nation.

"I mean, what a damnable idiot" Jingfei said with a scoff.

Azula's eyes narrowed as Jingfei's outburst dragged Azula out of her thoughts "I'm sorry?"

"The Ghorala, what's his name..." Jingfei said as she tapped her chin in thought before snapping her fingers "The one you used to have following you around like a puppy when we attended the academy that's now chasing after the thief. The one that can make webs and crawl on walls"

"His name's Piteo..." Azula said, her voice taking on a cold edge.

"Yeah, that's him" Jingfei said with nod, seemingly oblivious to the anger that she was instilling into Azula "I mean he has to be an idiot if he keeps losing to some ill bred Earth Kingdom harlot. Than there's the story that he apparently lost to the Avatar and a pair of Water Tribe savages during a revolt by Earthbenders at one of our refineries along the southern coast of the Earth Kingdom. All that time put into making him a capable warrior to help lead our nation to glory and he's screwing it up at every opportunity he gets. I can see why you distanced yourself from him. Just imagine what still being associated with him would do to your reputation. And there's the fact he's apparently working with your exiled brother..."

As Jingfei continued to speak and her words and her voice slowly became muted, Azula's eyes grew colder and colder. Every ounce of self control Azula had learned over the years was put to the ultimate test as the young firebending prodigy resisted the urge to light Jingfei's clothes on fire and watch her writer on the ground in pain. Even now she could feel the water in her glass begin to boil from the heat pooling into her hands and fingers as if it were being held over an open flame.

Despite the wrath that was buidling with in Azula, despite the very vivid images she was having of slamming her glass into Jingfei's face before she proceeded to physically beat the girl to death with her bare hands, to feel her neck break as Azula choked the life out of her... her face remained perfectly blank as a statue.

'To show any ounce of emotion to this bitch's words is a sign that she's gotten to you. That she has power over you. That she can hurt you if she so wished' Azula thought darkly as she raised her glass to her lips and gently sipped the almost scolding hot water.

Jingfei's words no longer carried sound to Azula, the girl might as well have been mute as her lips moved but no sound was heard. All Azula could hear was the beating of her own heart that sounded like a thousand war drums being beat. Eventually something caught the young girl's attention and Jingfei offered a respectful bow to the crown princess before she backed away, still in a bowing position before she was far enough away to turn and resume her trek upright.

Azula's eyes burned with a dark flame as she watched the girl-... that bitch sashay away like some whore.

'How dare she insult him like that!' Azula thought darkly as Jingfei disappear into the crowd.

Piteo may not be as smart or as talented as Azula herself, no one would be, and true him being a non-bender was seen as a weakness and a sign of his inferiority by some within the Royal Court that were or known to produce powerful Firebenders, but above all else, Piteo was Azula's friend.

Her best!

And she will not let some bitch get away with speaking ill of him because her family felt slighted by the fact they were pathetic enough to not regain their lost honor when some random Earth Kingdom girl stole from them and made it look easy.

"Azula"

The princess stiffed at the use of her name, mainly because of the voice attached to it, and slowly turned to see her father, Fire Lord Ozai standing before her with a bemused smirk on his face.

"Father" Azula turned and bowed deeply to the man.

"I hope you've been enjoying the festivities daughter" Ozai said as he glanced around to see that the various party goers had backed farther away from both royals by a good several meters "I know how little you care for these events"

"I just dislike how little seems accomplished at the parties father" Azula answered carefully, doing her best to reign in the white hot rage Jingfei left her in.

"Agreed, but to ensure a smooth flow within the courts, we must cater to their egos and desires from time to time. Make them feel as if their being rewarded" Ozai said with a thoughtful look on his face before he turned back towards Azula and his eyes grew cold "And we must refrain from inflicting unnecessary violence on those we believe have slighted us"

Azula's expression was perfectly blank as she spoke in a calm and collected voice "What do you mean father?"

"Jingfei's words about Piteo have angered you" the Fire Lord stated in an unreadable tone.

"She spoke ill of her better" Azula claimed as she risked a glance over her shoulder and the direction Jingfei departed in, she knew trying to lie to her father was pointless.

"Is he her better my daughter?" Ozai asked with a small lifting of his brow.

'He's better than a thousand of her' Azula thought while outwardly she responded with a silent nod.

Ozai said nothing as he held Azula's gaze with an unfathomable expression on his face. Out of every person Azula's ever met, her father was the one person she could never fully understand. True, her mother was difficult to read but she was young than, and even than, Azula could read her enough to know that her mother did not love her, not like she loved Zuko. But Ozai was like the dark abyss of an ocean, no matter how hard or how long you looked, you'll never see what lurks below.

Finally Ozai hummed as his eyes narrowed slightly and he seemed to come to some sort of conclusion before turning to depart "You will join me tomorrow evening for dinner daughter"

"As you wish father" Azula said with a bow towards the departing monarch.

Once her father was out of sight, Azula slowly rose from her bow and noticed that the various nobles and high ranking military men and women of her nation had slowly began to move back towards her. Some of them looked as if they were building up the courage to approach and speak to her.

'Well they'll find their efforts in vain. I've had enough of these people to last me for the rest of my life' Azula thought as she turned to leave before stopping when a well dressed man around her age stepped in front of her and gave the princess a deep bow.

"Princess Azula"

'Agni... why?' Azula thought with a frown as she watched the teen straighten himself.

He was handsome Azula supposed, the kind of guy that she knew Ty Lee would be interested in. He almost seemed familiar, but considering this was the first time Azula's seen this boy, she concluded she met either his father or mother at some point. His clothes were well made, easily one of the finest that Azula's seen tonight and he had an air of confidence and assurance of himself that many of the boys that Azula's seen tonight lack.

"Oh, hello..." Azula trailed off and waited for the boy to introduce himself.

"My name is Chan" he said with a charming grin and a smaller but no less respectful bow.

"Chan, Chan, Chan... you wouldn't happen to be related to Admiral Chan would you?" Azula inquired.

"He's my father" the teen said with a nod as he pointed towards the esteemed military leader himself.

Azula followed his gaze and noticed how Chan seemed to be aware that her gaze was on him and promptly came to a attention as he stiffly looked around before catching her gaze. His eyes widened and his face lost a bit of its color as he noticed Azula's weighted gaze upon him and the fact his son was next to her.

"He seems-" Azula began before Chan interrupted her.

"Scared? Agitated?" Chan finished with a grin.

"Yes" Azula said with a nod, surprised that this boy was able to read that from his father, let alone vocalize it.

"I guess he's worried that I'll make a fool of myself and get him demoted or something along those lines" Chan said with a eye roll.

"Unsound fears as you've yet to give me a reason to be cross with you and by proxy him" Azula said as she folded her arms across her chest and narrowed her eyes at Chan who responded with that charming grin of his "Is there something you need Chan? Or did you simply wish to speak with me?"

"Would you be upset if I wanted to speak with you? No favors, no promises, just to opportunity to be in your company?" he asked.

"I wouldn't be against it" Azula remarked thoughtfully "Though I'm afraid you've caught me at a bad time. I was just about to leave for the evening"

"Already?" Chan said with obvious surprise "Forgive me Princess, but the Gala has only begun"

"Yes well you can thank several of these... people, for using up all of my patience for them" Azula gestured towards the crowd around them "And I have training early tomorrow morning and I don't wish to be exhausted for it"

Tomorrow was the first steps in her learning to channel lightning and Azula needed to be focused if she didn't wish to end up crippled or dead. To summon and control lightning was the second most dangerous form of Firebending known and Azula would prefer not to be another royal added to the list of previous princes and princesses that failed to master it.

Chan had a crestfallen look on his face "Oh, I see. Forgive me than princess, I didn't mean to keep yo-"

"But I suppose a few more minutes conversing wouldn't be horrible" Azula said as she adverted her gaze from the surprised expression on Chan's face "It'd be another hour until I have to be asleep anyway"

Chan's face seemed to brighten at this "Really? That's great!"

"I suppose" Azula said with a sigh as she and Chan made their way towards an open door that led to a balcony.

"Where are we going Princess?" Chan asked curiously.

"It's getting uncomfortably warm in here and I need the air" Azula replied.

She also didn't want any girls who were obviously watching her to see her speaking with Chan as a opportunity to speak with her more.

...

Two hours later the Princess silently made her way out of the ballroom to her chambers with sleep in mind. She heard Khan and Han fall into step behind her without a word after a few feet which in turn cased her to glance over her shoulder at them.

"Gentlemen, any news I should be made aware of?" Azula asked.

The past few times that Azula's been forced to attend these ridiculous Galas, she's tasked Khan and Han to observe the various party goers and their interactions as best they could. She couldn't meet with everyone at these things, and she had no intention to, but it'd be wise for her to at the very least keep some record of the comings and goings of the political landscape of her homeland.

"Aside from the usual court gossip, no my lady, nothing of actual worth" Khan answered with a shake of his head though Azula could detect a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Pity" Azula said with a frown before she sighed "I just know I'm going to regret asking, but what is the latest court gossip?"

It was Han who decided to answer and proceeded to reveal several nobles who felt slighted by one another this evening because they didn't speak to one another or because they spoke to one another at the wrong time. Azula found this to be so tediously boring she wasn't even going to bother remembering it by the time she reached the end of the hall she was in. A smirk did grow on her face when Han mentioned seeing a few ladies of the court who were supposedly 'respectable' sneaking away from their husbands with their chosen lover for the evening. When Azula inquired as to the names of the ladies lovers, she heard a sharp intake from Khan, causing her to stop and turn towards the man with actual surprise on her face, a rarity.

"Khan... you were one of them?" the Princess asked while Han shot his comrade a hidden smirk of amusement from under his helm.

"W-well I... I-I... I apologize princess" Khan said as he fell to a kneeling position.

Azula stared at Khan for several long moments before she broke into a fit of laughter "Just when I believe I know everything there is to know about you and Han, you go and surprise me"

"It will not happen again Princess. Upon my honor I will die before I let myself be swayed again like that" Khan said with conviction that Azula easily waved off.

"So long as it doesn't impede your duties to me, you can seduce as many of these women as you'd like" Azula said with mirth "Honestly, your probably the first real man they've ever had"

Han chuckled at this while Khan's covered face snapped up to look at Azula with obvious shock underneath. The crown Princess simply smirked in response as she turned on her heel and resumed her pace back to her rooms. Khan and Han easily resumed following all the while Azula considered the possibilities Khan's actions could open up to her.

Piteo and Mai were sure to get a laugh out of this when she wrote to them next.

...

And done.

Next chapter, Azula has dinner with the Fire Lord... Agni save her.