Azula burns bright (bornoffire) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2012-05-21 05:05:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, alma wade, azula |
"You didn't think I was doing this out of the goodness of my own heart, did you?"
Who: Alma and Azula
What: A random encounter leads to exploitation and then Azula makes an enemy.
Where: Somewhere in OC!
When: Sometime after Alma's last dream
Status: Complete
Rating: PG-13
trigger: bullying, probably.
Alma had taken the bus back north, then doubled back and taken another one. She didn't want to risk another attempt by the Illusive Man's thugs to reclaim her. She washed up in a restroom and then proceeded to walk down the street.
The address to the ranch that Roy had given her was still in her memory - she rarely forgot anything and thought she hadn't kept the napkin with it on there, she had gotten a good look. That was what she was thinking about when she ran smack into another woman.
Azula was on her way to the Black Thorn. As usual she parked several blocks away and went the rest of the way on foot. It wasn't that she was ashamed, its just that she didn't exactly need her father finding out what she did in her spare time. Or who she did them with. When someone ran into her, she whirled, grabbing the person and nearly lifting her into the air. The girl's weight was lower than she thought. That moment of surprise and a sharp barb died on her tongue.
Instead, she dropped Alma and brushed herself off, "Watch where you're going, not everyone is as nice as I am."
"I am sorry, I was not watching where I was going." Alma stared up at the taller woman, composing herself. She studied Azula, and concluded from her stance and posture that this was an Alpha personality. Curiosity and lack of sleep got the better of her, "I am Alma."
Azula regarded the girl like she was a speck of dust on the mite on the ass of the world, and sneered, "Why should I care? Look at you. You're filthy."
"I just washed," Alma corrected her, feeling a growing annoyance. Did she know who she was? No, of course not. Alma wasn't even sure who she was, or what she was. Just that she was dangerous. And for the moment she wished she knew how she was able to turn men's brains to slush. She's start with this girl, who didn't look that much older than her.
"And what are you wearing?" Azula threw her hands up in disgust, mostly to hide the way the girl's gaze was starting to unnerve her. No one got the upper hand on Azula! "I'm Azula. Come with me."
Alma started, blinking her eyes as the rage passed, "Why?"
"You've already been seen with me, so I need to clean you up."
"Thank you, but no," Alma replied, stubbornly. "I should go."
"That wasn't a request." Azula's tone was so final that the period was almost audible.
Alma simply sighed, and nodded her head, "Fine, where do we start?"
"I need to get to work," Azula complained. "How old are you?"
"Sixteen."
The older girl pursed her lips, then shook her head, "There's a room you can stay in. If you know what's good for you you won't open it for anyone but me. After I'm done we'll get you taken care of."
For the next several hours, Alma sat in a room and stared straight ahead as her ears were introduced to a variety of new sounds. She bolted to her feet and hugged Azula when the woman came to retrieve her, then almost immediately let go, "You are..wet!"
Azula pulled off her mask, and unzipped the red latex and leather she liked to wear here, and planted her hands on her now-naked hips, "That's sweat."
Alma stared at her incredulously, "The consistency is all wrong!" She looked more closely. Was that blood?
Laughing cruelly, Azula tossed the outfit into a bag, "There's a shower behind that door. Take your clothing off. You're lucky I have an extra change of clothing. We'll need to burn that horrible thing you're wearing." She didn't wait for a response, and walked into the private shower herself. It had been a satisfying day. She was even more satisfied when Alma joined her.
The girl looked disturbed, and Azula was enjoying making her twist in the wind, "Clean up. And hurry. The best stores will be closing soon."
"You do not need to do this," Alma replied quietly. "But thank you."
Azula reached over, and trailed a sharp nail down the other girl's spine, "No, save the thanks for after I'm finished with you."
Alma felt a shiver that had nothing to do with the fingernail, "I am not sexually attracted to women. I am sorry."
Breaking into laughter, Azula started washing her hair, turning her back to Alma, "You're too scrawny, I would never lower myself to sleep with you." She just wanted to mold Alma like clay, just because she had the power to do so.
Alma thought she should be more insulted than she was, but she just wanted to clean off the grime of her escapades and get out of here. Only the thought of clean clothing kept her from leaving after she was toweling off. Azula's extra clothing was a bit too large for her, but it would do.
For the moment, the socialite was entertained. As long as she was entertained, she'd continue lead Alma along, first to her car, and then to an upscale mall. There was nothing she could do about the girl's hair (she wasn't going to do a makeover, she had standards), but she could at least help her fashion sense.
Actually, there was something Azula could do about Alma's hair, when she almost hacked half of it off. Alma stopped her, gripping the other girl's wrist tightly, "No."
For a second, Azula was actually afraid. There was an endless nightmare in Alma's eyes and her voice had a powerful quality that she almost envied. She shrugged, "Fine. But shorter hair would look better on you."
"I will just get it braided," Alma replied, the moment passed.
Azula eyed her for several seconds, before her lips turned up in a cruel smile, "I think we have enough clothing. Model for everyone here and I'll consider it a debt paid."
Alma frowned, "That is exploitative."
"You didn't think I was doing this out of the goodness of my own heart, did you?" Azula laughed. Hers was an evil laugh, "You amused me. You were fun to play with."
"Are you going to urinate on me to prove your dominance like a dog?"
Azula's hand flew out so fast Alma didn't realize she'd been struck until after the slap echoed through the mall. The pain followed soon thereafter, and teary eyed, she lunged at Azula. The taller girl sidestepped her, grabbing her roughly by the arm and lifting her up, "I'm done with you."
Dropping Alma, Azula walked away, her footsteps clacking on the tile in almost utter silence. Alma breathed heavily, hyperventilating as hurt and anger welled up inside her and tears poured down her cheeks. People were so cruel. She should have realized this. People would always hurt her.
She would remember Azula's name.