Beneath the Surface

The soothing sounds of trickling water and soft murmurs filled the room, creating an atmosphere of serene tranquility. Kaiya and Azula lay face-down on adjacent massage tables, their bottom halves covered in towels, receiving gentle back massages from attentive female servants. The dim lighting and aromatic scents of jasmine and sandalwood wafted through the air, adding to the relaxation. The faint glow of lanterns bathed the room in a warm, golden light. They spoke through the face slots on the tables.

"Hostages, Master?" Kaiya's voice cut through the calm, her tone tinged with uncertainty.

Azula, her eyes closed and expression composed, replied with a calm but firm tone, "Of course. To make up for your lack of defense, we need to prevent the enemy from attacking you."

Kaiya furrowed her brows slightly, her voice hesitant, "But I don't think I could—"

Azula interrupted, her voice becoming more insistent, "You don't need to hurt them. It's just a ploy. We're in a war; nothing is off the table."

Later, Azula and Kaiya walked side-by-side towards the Turtle-Duck Pond. The pond's tranquil waters reflected the surrounding greenery, where turtle-ducks swam gracefully. The sun cast a soft, golden glow on the water, making the leaves of the nearby trees shimmer. Azula wore her red and brown outfit, an elegant yet practical ensemble, with a long red tunic, fitted brown pants, and matching armguards. Kaiya's elegant noble-girl robes flowed gracefully as she moved.

"Given our newfound understanding, might I impart a piece of advice?" Kaiya's voice held a note of cautious suggestion.

Azula scoffed, her eyes narrowing slightly. "And what advice could you possibly give me?"

Kaiya responded calmly, "Your skills and title demand respect, but they have dulled your subtlety."

"Why should I bother with subtlety? My commands are obeyed, or there are severe consequences," Azula retorted.

Kaiya's tone was measured as she responded, "Master, do you sleep soundly at night?"

Azula's brows furrowed, "What are you implying?"

Kaiya's tone was measured as she continued, "The subordinates you rule by fear—what's to stop them from killing you in your sleep? If fear is your only tactic, their priority will be to eliminate it."

They stopped walking, and Azula turned to face Kaiya, a challenge in her eyes. "Very well, let's see your subtlety in action. Say what you will."

Kaiya nodded thoughtfully, then stepped closer to Azula. "May I ask, what is your mother's name?"

Azula's eyes widened, her composure momentarily shaken. In her flustered state, she hadn't noticed Kaiya's movement. Kaiya was now standing beside her. Azula turned her head towards Kaiya, silent and still processing the question.

Kaiya spoke calmly, "I can perceive your inner turmoil, Master. Such a simple question has disturbed your equilibrium, revealing deeply buried emotions. That is the elegance of subtlety. Remember, in this, you are the pupil."

Kaiya walked ahead, her steps confident and assured. "Master, weren't you going to show me something at the turtle-duck pond?"

Azula took a deep breath, re-composing herself. Without a word, she began walking again, falling in step beside Kaiya.

They continued their walk and soon arrived at the serene Turtle-Duck Pond. Azula, her expression reflective, picked a vibrant red flower from a nearby bush and burned it in the palm of her hand. The flower's petals crumbled into ash, falling gently to the ground.

"My mother always got angry at me for burning the ugly ones," Azula said, her voice softer, almost wistful.

Kaiya's gaze remained fixed on the burning flower. Suddenly, her surroundings softened and shifted, and she hallucinated that everything around her was engulfed in flames. The trees, the pond, the sky—all were transformed into a fiery tableau. Azula appeared as a heap of charred bones on the ground. Kaiya bent over, gently picking up the skull, feeling its rough, blackened texture, her mind momentarily lost in the surreal vision.

With a blink, Kaiya snapped back to reality, her expression shifting back to normal. "Why stop at just one flower, Master?"

Raising her finger, Kaiya unleashed a stream of fire at the entire bush, setting it ablaze. She then turned her fiery wrath on a nearby tree, engulfing it in flames.

Azula's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "Are you crazy?!"

Kaiya's tone was dismissive, her gaze steady and unyielding. "Fire is prettier anyway."

Azula quickly used her bending to extinguish the flames, then approached Kaiya, her eyes blazing with anger. "Are you out of your mind?!" She grabbed Kaiya's collar, pulling her close. "You're out of control!"

Kaiya pulled herself away, calmly fixing her robes as she began to walk away. "I assure you, Master, I'm very much in control. Shall we continue on then?"

Azula stared after her, her thoughts churning. Kaiya's enigmatic behavior left her with an unfamiliar sense of uncertainty.