He visits Azula

As Zuko awoke the next morning, his mind was made up: He was going to visit his sister, Azula. Truth be told, the last time he had seen her, she had been chained to a grate in the courtyard of the palace, spitting her blue fire in every direction as she bawled helplessly as she had been defeated, a far cry from the composed and seemingly invincible image she had projected all her life. He couldn't bear to see her like this, so after she had tired herself out and fallen ****, he had arranged for her to be transported to a mental facility on an island off the coast of the Fire Nation.

Since then, he had received weekly updates from the staff on her condition. So far, they hadn't been very optimistic. She had to be restrained, sometimes even gagged lest she burn the nurses and doctors. She had also initially refused any food, believing it to be poisoned. The reports said that she'd been heard mumbling to herself and often shocked the nurses with accusations that they were agent of 'her'. It appeared that Azulas mind was broken and only tenuously clinging together. Though trying to give his Fire Lord good news, the head of the facility had ended the most recent letter that he thought it would 'require a miracle' for the princess to recover fully.

A miracle, huh? Well, Zuko had seen more improbable things happen. So, he sent a messenger hawk to the island, informing them of his arrival and prepared a ship to take him there. By noon, Zuko was at sea, looking out towards the horizon were soon, he would spot the new, but hopefully only temporary home of his sister. He mentally braced himself for what awaited him there, but he couldn't deny himself a small amount of hope.

"I wish Azula is doing better, I wish she is healthier..."

Whether it was a wish, a prayer to whatever entity had visited him that night or simply a solemn wish of his own, he couldn't say for sure. He was still inclined to not trust the words of some vague, self-proclaimed god, but if there was even a grain of truth to it... well, now he could really use some of that power he'd been promised to have...

Stepping of the boat, Zuko was welcomed by the head doctor. After profusely apologizing for the hasty preparations for his visit, the man lead him to Azulas room, while informing him of his sisters progress. Like many other patients, she had good and bad days and luckily, it seemed today was one of her good days. She had been informed of her brothers arrival and unlike before, when any mention of her family would cause a psychotic episode, it looked like she took the news well. She had even allowed herself to be groomed a bit, though the doctor noted she had spitefully criticized the nurses skills all the while. Zuko smirked at that. That did sound like the Azula he knew...

As he was brought to Azulas room, he was dismayed to find it was more fitting to call it a cell. A heavy iron door with bars sealed it shut, trapping its inhabitant inside a padded cube. "For her own safety.", the doctor assured him. Zuko peeked inside and saw Azula there, sitting crosslegged against the wall opposite of the door, looking down at her lap. In spite of the doctors recommendations, Zuko entered the room, alone. He asked to be left alone with his sister... any other presence in the room surely would hinder more than help.

Entering Azulas cell, Zuko took a look at his sister before saying anything. She looked... good, considering the circumstances. Her hair had grown back from where she had cut it off at odd angles before, but from what he could see of her face and arms, she appeared to be thinner than before. No doubt refusing food hadn't done her any favors. The doctor had mentioned they managed to feed her every day, though it was a struggle and often dangerous. Still, he was grateful that they kept her alive. Otherwise, he wouldn't have this chance...

"Hello, Azula.", he called out to her. Though he had settled on visiting her and had had time enough to prepare, he couldn't really think of saying much more right now.

In response, Azula lifted her head, looking straight at him. "Why, if it isn't Fire Lord Zuko himself. What an honor, visiting a lowly prisoner such as myself. To what do I owe this rare occasion?", she greeted him, her sarcasm biting, even venomous. Her golden eyes had regained that cold edge to them that had been missing the last time they had seen each other. Then, Zuko knew he could defeat her. Now, he wasn't so sure.

"I wanted to see how you were doing. And you're not a prisoner.", Zuko replied calmly. Though truthfully, for her crimes, Azula should by all accounts have been imprisoned. It was only her sorry state that had allowed Zuko to successfully have her committed to this institution instead of a prison cell like his father.

Not that Azula seemed appreciative of that. "Oh, so they keep telling me here. But the bars on my door, this damnable jacket and the fact that I can't leave make me doubt that.", she said, her tone almost casual.

Yet Zuko almost winced at the implicit accusation. He couldn't imagine what the daily life was like here for Azula, but he figured it wasn't what she would consider luxurious. "It's not what I would have wanted for you, but it's what's best for you right now.", he assured her. He noticed then that he was standing tall over her and, deciding that if he was even to have a chance of reaching her, he'd have to speak to her on an even level. So, he sat down in front of her, Azula watching him carefully as he did so.

But Azula only scoffed at him. "What would be best for me is wearing that crown,", she began, nodding towards the ceremonial hairpiece of the Fire Lord that Zuka had fasted around his topknot, "like I deserve. Like I always deserved. But you took that away from me. And now you come in here, pretending to care when in reality, you're just here to mock me. Aren't you, Zuzu?", the princess hissed at her brother.

Zuko began to dislike the direction their talk was going. It became clear to him that Azula truly and deeply resented him. If only... maybe could just... he only wished that...