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June 23rd 2552
Fort Powell, California, United Republic of North America, Earth

Although she wouldn't admit it, Azula didn't mind her sessions with Lucy. Part of it was Lucy's demeanor, which is as threatening as a wounded kitten. Part of it was her association, or lack thereof, to Azula's past. Despite their best intentions, Azula refused to allow Zuko or his allies to heal her. Finally, Azula didn't mind Lucy because Lucy seemed to genuinely care about her. Yes, Lucy is programmed to care, but that didn't matter. To Azula, she is the closest thing to a mother figure she's ever known.

The projector glowed and a female figure, dressed in 13th century mid-wife dress appeared. Lucy's avatar always took this appearance. An air of worry surrounded her face. "You seem off" she said.

"I did have someone shoot at me," an annoyed Azula answered, "If I wasn't wearing the helmet, I wouldn't be here"

"That must have been terrifying," said Lucy, "If you are reluctant to say anything about the incident, I understand. We can always discuss something else."

"No, it's fine," said Azula, shaking her head. Taking a breath, she continued, "The emotions struck me more then the round. Fear, helplessness, anger, disbelief. I mean, it's not the first time that someone tried to kill me, but it was the first time where I felt like there was nothing that I could do about it. Even when I first entered this world, and the soldiers began to beat me, all I kept thinking was 'not a cell, please don't let them put me in a cell again'. Maybe they were going to kill me, but I could at least fight back. But there, I never saw the gunman. I only felt the effect."

Lucy waited as Azula paused. Smiling, she said, "Go on"

"Once I got back on my feet," answered Azula, "The only thing on my mind was revenge. I wanted to hear them wail as their skin melted off their flesh and their bones charred black. I wanted to burn the shooter and anyone and everyone associated with him. I wanted to see the mother scream twice, once as her child burned in front of them, and again when their own skin began to crackle under the flames. And for awhile, I lost myself as the crowd screamed and begged and turned to pools of flesh in front of me. It reminded me of the first time I burned a live turtle-duckling stupid enough to separate itself from the flock. I loved the thrill of being able to take lives at my own whims. I felt...powerful."

Lucy took in all that Azula said. "Do you still feel that way? Do your powers continue to make you feel above the rabble?"

"Sometimes," admitted Azula, "I like being the only firebender in your world. I like being...special. But that night also made me...not ashamed, I have no shame about anything I've done....but...leery...about my powers."

Lucy gestured her to continue.

"After I began to burn the crowd," continued Azula, "I lost myself. I had no sense of anything. All I cared about was fire and burning. I don't know how long I was burning, but it was a while before I gained control. And once I did, I saw what I had done and I did not like it."

"How so?" asked Lucy

"Whenever I'm in combat," explained Azula, "I prefer to enjoy the kill and be quick about. I still remember fondly the time I shot a bolt of lightening at the Avatar. But whether it's dealing with enemies or allies, I am always in control. I decide when and how they get to die. But this time, I wasn't. I lost it and just killed them all. No planning, no... refinement..of the kill. Just raw fire. Animals kill each other like that. I don't. I'm not an animal....I'm above that. I am a princess, not some backwater colonist that just discovered how to bend fire. That isn't me...that shouldn't be me...that shouldn't be me."

Azula waited for Lucy's response. For what seemed like a long time, Lucy looked at Azula with understanding eyes.

"You're right, Azula" said Lucy soothingly, "You are not an animal. You are a human being. Gifted, but human all the same. And what happened there was very simple. Someone tried to hurt you and you felt a very human emotion: fear. And you reacted accordingly. Does that make you less then human? No, it does not. You will need to keep an eye on that particular part of yourself, to be aware of it. But you are still human. Nothing less."

Lucy watched as Azula mulled over the words. She is doing better, thought Lucy. She didn't burn down the room when I mentioned that she felt fear. Still, she has a long way to go.

Description
June 23rd 2552
Fort Powell, California, United Republic of North America, Earth

Although she wouldn't admit it, Azula didn't mind her sessions with Lucy. Part of it was Lucy's demeanor, which is as threatening as a wounded kitten. Part of it was her association, or lack thereof, to Azula's past. Despite their best intentions, Azula refused to allow Zuko or his allies to heal her. Finally, Azula didn't mind Lucy because Lucy seemed to genuinely care about her. Yes, Lucy is programmed to care, but that didn't matter. To Azula, she is the closest thing to a mother figure she's ever known.

The projector glowed and a female figure, dressed in 13th century mid-wife dress appeared. Lucy's avatar always took this appearance. An air of worry surrounded her face. "You seem off" she said.

"I did have someone shoot at me," an annoyed Azula answered, "If I wasn't wearing the helmet, I wouldn't be here"

"That must have been terrifying," said Lucy, "If you are reluctant to say anything about the incident, I understand. We can always discuss something else."

"No, it's fine," said Azula, shaking her head. Taking a breath, she continued, "The emotions struck me more then the round. Fear, helplessness, anger, disbelief. I mean, it's not the first time that someone tried to kill me, but it was the first time where I felt like there was nothing that I could do about it. Even when I first entered this world, and the soldiers began to beat me, all I kept thinking was 'not a cell, please don't let them put me in a cell again'. Maybe they were going to kill me, but I could at least fight back. But there, I never saw the gunman. I only felt the effect."

Lucy waited as Azula paused. Smiling, she said, "Go on"

"Once I got back on my feet," answered Azula, "The only thing on my mind was revenge. I wanted to hear them wail as their skin melted off their flesh and their bones charred black. I wanted to burn the shooter and anyone and everyone associated with him. I wanted to see the mother scream twice, once as her child burned in front of them, and again when their own skin began to crackle under the flames. And for awhile, I lost myself as the crowd screamed and begged and turned to pools of flesh in front of me. It reminded me of the first time I burned a live turtle-duckling stupid enough to separate itself from the flock. I loved the thrill of being able to take lives at my own whims. I felt...powerful."

Lucy took in all that Azula said. "Do you still feel that way? Do your powers continue to make you feel above the rabble?"

"Sometimes," admitted Azula, "I like being the only firebender in your world. I like being...special. But that night also made me...not ashamed, I have no shame about anything I've done....but...leery...about my powers."

Lucy gestured her to continue.

"After I began to burn the crowd," continued Azula, "I lost myself. I had no sense of anything. All I cared about was fire and burning. I don't know how long I was burning, but it was a while before I gained control. And once I did, I saw what I had done and I did not like it."

"How so?" asked Lucy

"Whenever I'm in combat," explained Azula, "I prefer to enjoy the kill and be quick about. I still remember fondly the time I shot a bolt of lightening at the Avatar. But whether it's dealing with enemies or allies, I am always in control. I decide when and how they get to die. But this time, I wasn't. I lost it and just killed them all. No planning, no... refinement..of the kill. Just raw fire. Animals kill each other like that. I don't. I'm not an animal....I'm above that. I am a princess, not some backwater colonist that just discovered how to bend fire. That isn't me...that shouldn't be me...that shouldn't be me."

Azula waited for Lucy's response. For what seemed like a long time, Lucy looked at Azula with understanding eyes.

"You're right, Azula" said Lucy soothingly, "You are not an animal. You are a human being. Gifted, but human all the same. And what happened there was very simple. Someone tried to hurt you and you felt a very human emotion: fear. And you reacted accordingly. Does that make you less then human? No, it does not. You will need to keep an eye on that particular part of yourself, to be aware of it. But you are still human. Nothing less."

Lucy watched as Azula mulled over the words. She is doing better, thought Lucy. She didn't burn down the room when I mentioned that she felt fear. Still, she has a long way to go.