Red String (Blue Fire)

A Princess Comes to the Circus

The circus was nice.

After leaving the Fire Nation, the circus had become Ty Lee's home. She had friends there, had an audience that couldn't stop watching her every move, and she was appreciated. She was a unique piece, something that a crowd of people could focus on with bated breath; watching as she did spins in the air, as she balanced precariously on a tightrope, as she mesmerized and astounded. The ringmaster had often told her after shows that she was the reason so many people came, that so many continued to come. Ty Lee thought it was a nice sentiment.

Then Azula came.

"Ty Lee, could that possibly be you?"

Ty Lee perked up immediately, thanking the spirits that she hadn't lost her balance at the surprise visit of her childhood friend. Or were they more back then? She had been balancing her entire weight on her index fingers, a masterful trick that she had learned to handle with ease but still practiced thoroughly. It was essential in most of her performances, so it wouldn't do to get rusty.

"Azula!" Ty Lee completed the move by letting down her right leg first and then using the momentum to stand. She completed the action with a small spin once she was upright -- a little flair never hurt anyone -- before finishing with a bow fit for Azula's royal status. She kept this position for a respectable time before standing and rushing over to Azula, enveloping the princess in a warm hug. "It is so good to see you!"

Ty Lee positively beamed with happiness upon feeling Azula's arms wrap loosely around her, returning the hug. Not wanting to make a scene, even though her heart yearned to keep touching the princess, Ty Lee pulled away. She didn't fail to notice how Azula managed to capture her hands, holding onto them for a brief time.

"Please, don't let me interrupt your-" Azula paused. "-Whatever it is you were doing."

Ty Lee grinned, unable to resist doing so when in front of Azula. It had been so long since they last saw each other. The performer rolled backward, quickly assuming a position on the ground that helped with flexibility. Her belly was to the ground, her left leg sticking straight up in the air while her right was planted next to her face. Ty Lee kept her eyes trained on Azula.

"Tell me," Azula began, watching Ty Lee's every move with distant interest. "What is the daughter of a nobleman doing here?"

Azula let slip a smile. When was the last time Ty Lee had seen that smile?

"Certainly our parents didn't send us to the Royal Fire Academy for Girls to end up in places like this." Her tone held visible disgust as Azula watched some nearby workers try to move a platypus bear. She cringed at seeing the bear produce a fresh egg.

"I have a proposition for you."

Ty Lee, who had been watching the bear upon noticing Azula's eyes shift over, looked back up at her friend. Her smile faded in favor of a serious look as she listened to what Azula had to say.

"I'm hunting a traitor," Azula lifted her hand, checking her fingernails as she spoke. "You remember my old fuddy-duddy uncle, don't you?"

"Oh, yeah. He was so funny." Ty Lee's smile returned at the memory of Iroh.

"I would be honored if you would join me on my mission." Azula continued, her gaze returning to Ty Lee.

"Oh, I, uh- would love to," Ty Lee responded, getting to her feet with the use of a handstand. "But the truth is...I'm really happy here. I mean, my aura has never been pinker."

Azula held out her hand as if physically stopping Ty Lee's words of explanation.

"I'll take your word for it," She let out a soft sigh, crossing her arms over her chest. "Well, I wouldn't want you to give up the life you love just to please me."