She always was a prodigy.

As we sat in the kitchen drinking our tea (mine with a generous amount of rum added in) Azula thoroughly interrogated me on the basics of how a computer worked. Why I am no IT specialist myself I could at least answer her basic questions. She got really interested when I described that all information in a computer was stored as electrical charges.

"So, theoretically speaking, if a lightning bender could discharge lightning at the precisely correct intervals, they could **** the computer to show them whatever they want?" She asked. So that's where she was going with it.

"I suppose..." I slowly started. This was not something I had ever even considered. "Although I'm not sure how feasible that would be considering you would have to change between charge and discharge about 800 million times per second to match the computer."

I didn't like the contemplative look that crept over her face.

"Please at least promise me to not try it on any electronics that I own." But instead of an answer I got another question.

"And if two people in different parts of the world would own a computer, couldn't you use them to communicate at rather **** speeds."

"Of course, in fact this is already a reality. We could both be on opposite ends of the world and talk to each other, even see each other." For a moment she kept that inquisitive look she had displayed throughout our conversation but suddenly it turned into an expression of pure shock, and she very carefully continued asking.

"But... your computer can't do that. Right?" Uh-oh. I knew exactly where this conversation would lead. And I had to stop her right in her tracks.

"It can. I know what you're thinking, but I did not inform anyone of your presence here." Her face eased up at that, but she still looked suspicious.

"I can tell you're telling the truth but I still don't get why. You don't fear me and yet you make no move to sell me out."

"Oh I fear you plenty." I offered, as I suspected she wouldn't believe me that I genuinely liked her anyway.

"You told me to do your laundry." She deadpanned.

I never was a good liar.

"Okay, maybe I don't quite fear you. Actually, I like you."

"You like me?" Azula clearly meant to keep her face as unmoved as possible and her voice in a mocking disbelief but I could see the faintest smile on her face and hear the smallest glimmer of - was it hope - in her voice.

"Well, yeah. You're smart, talented, funny and you look absolutely gorgeous. What's not to like?" It felt like a cheesy movie quote but it was probably made effective by the fact that I actually meant it. It certainly didn't fail to elicit a strong response in Azula.

"Well thats just... nobody ever... how dare... an earth peasant..."

"Are you blushing?"

"Yes. Because I'm angry for this... insolence. Come on, I will use the computer now." Somehow she didn't sound so angry to me, as she stormed of towards my study. Looks like I had finally made a breakthrough.

As I sat next to her to explain to her the wonders of the internet again I noticed she still had rather tinted cheeks. She also made a conscious effort to not look at me instead focusing on the screen in front of her. Then again this might have just been legitimate fascination with the technology that must have felt extremely foreign to her. When I was done explaining the process and told her that she could ask me if any problems would arise she wordlessly shooed me away and I went back to my desk to continue my work.

The afternoon went similar to the morning. Azula sat with my old laptop and occasionally glanced over at me, only this time whenever I looked back, she would not only quickly turn her eyes to the screen again but also show the slightest rosy tint on her face. She still glared at me for smoking - something I still hadn't quite figured out - and she still would sporadically mutter some words of irritation to herself, but I couldn't quite make out what she was so irritated about.

After a few hours of this routine she finally went to ask me something.

"So, these bras you told me about, what size do I need to order them in?"

Good question. Since I hadn't modified her before ordering I did not get an estimate of her bust size. From looking at her in her current rather unflattering outfit I would've guessed a small C cup, but it would probably be best to measure.

"I'll print you an instruction for measuring." I expected a confused look on her because I didn't explain the printer yet, but she was currently looking at the corner of the room opposite to me. So I just printed her an instruction for measuring and gave her a tapeline and a pen, which she snatched from my hands still without looking at me and disappeared, probably towards the bathroom.

When she arrived five minutes later she was still noticeably flushed.

"And?" I asked, without really putting much thought into the question.

"Like I'm telling you savage." She angrily shouted, her face turning into the color of her national flag. I gave her a confused look before my eyes subconsciously moving to the paper she held in her hand upon which she had scribbled some numbers. Her eyes followed mine, and she quickly held her other hand under the paper and set it on fire.

"Hey, the parquet." I objected, but other than the ashes falling to the floor there wasn't any damage done. Azula continued her shopping while I continued working, although this time she noticeably didn't look over to me at all.

Around six in the evening I brought my work for the day to a finish and shut my laptop close. Azula had apparently also finished up.

"I'm done here, you can order now."

"Allright." I said as I plopped myself down next to her, and she all but threw the laptop at me before bringing some distance between us. I wondered what she might've bought.