A snippet from one of my Azula redemption stories, to see with eyes unclouded:
"You're up late," a voice rasps behind her. Azula starts for a moment, before she realizes who it is. (There was only one person on board who ever snuck up on her like that.) "Just...thinking," Azula responds. "About?" Min-ji rasps, leaning against the railing next to her. She, like always, was in her shirtsleeves and breeches - the cold never seemed to touch her. Azula can feel her sifu's eyes on her: harsh, cold, unyielding, but inquisitive, perceptive, and...open, Azula thinks. "My mission," Azula says quickly, and it's not a lie - at least, not entirely," and what will happen once we return." Min-ji stares at her for a long moment, and Azula can't help but swallow. (She knows Azula is lying. She has to.) "There is more on your mind - don't try to hide it, girl. I know." And a moment later, she adds," I will not ask if you wish to discuss it because I know your answer. But if you wish, I will listen." "No, thank you," Azula says cooly. She is steady, certain. She knows what she is, what he is, what is to do and why. She has no use for...sentiment, or nostalgia, or...any of this. (She is her father's best weapon. His favorite daughter.) Min-ji shrugs." As you wish," she says simply, falling silent. Azula closes her eyes as she takes another deep breath, and slowly lets it out as she counts to ten. She imagines herself as a candle, and feeds it all her emotion, all her anger, all her doubt - she is just the flame left behind, and nothing more. A comforting weight falls over her, and she feels...lighter. slightly. The exercise was old - one Min-ji taught her years ago - but it still helped. "It must be interesting, seeing your brother again," Min-ji says suddenly. Azula shoots her a glare, but her heart pounds in her ears." He is a traitor and a failure, nothing more." "And yet," Min-ji counters," he is still your brother."
