Chapter Text
Azula sighed as she buried herself deeper into the comfort of her bed. The mattress was soft and plush, the pillows felt like a cloud, and the blankets and sheets were light and silky. However, Azula's bed wasn't anything like this, at least not the one in her apartment. She shot up, panicking briefly before her brain caught up with her. She realized that she wasn't in her room in the palace.
Azula sighed, relaxing. She breathed in deeply. A slow, languid breath. Was that... coffee? Azula sat up slowly, stretching with a pleased groan. She looked around and there on a bedside table was a cappuccino. She reached over picking it up with all the grace that was drilled into her.
Upon imbibing the liquid gold, Azula hummed contentedly as the caffeine kickstarted her brain, perfecting the moment. She tilted her head back, savoring the sensation, and upon opening her eyes, she found herself momentarily disoriented, wondering when she had closed them and where she currently was.
Azula reflected on the occurrences of the previous day. From encountering the cultists and the children to interacting with the police and John, all while sipping coffee, even engaging in an uneasy conversation with John, which surprisingly left her feeling better. Later, John escorted her home, only to find her apartment ablaze. Fortunately, John extended temporary hospitality, welcoming her into the House of Mystery.
Azula recalled observing her meticulously constructed life engulfed in flames as her apartment burned to the ground. The sense of loss she experienced was reminiscent of the defeat she suffered in the agni kai. A weighty, constricting sensation gripped her chest and seemed to extend downwards through her torso. Grimacing, Azula removed the blankets, realizing that, aside from kicking off her shoes, she had not taken the time to change her clothes. Absolutely not, she thought firmly, as she made her way to the wardrobe in the corner of the room.
There was no need to change her undergarments but she did need a bath and a different outfit. Inside were two hangers one with a plain white button-up, the other a pair of light pink high-waisted slacks. Both ironed. Azula blinked. Oh right. John had said the House was sentient. And magic. It stood to reason then, that it could read minds to provide for those in the house properly. First things first,
"Good morning, house. I apologize for not expressing my gratitude yesterday, but I must say, thank you for accommodating me during my stay until I can find my own place. I appreciate your hospitality as well. I have never encountered a more remarkable host or hostess before."
There was a creaking noise as the floorboards near her shifted. Azula had never interacted with a magical sentient house before. Nor had she encountered any buildings like this, so she could only hope that the response she received was positive.
Azula took hold of the hangers from the wardrobe and traversed the room to reach the only available door. Upon opening it, she was taken aback by the sight that greeted her. The bathroom was spacious and featured an ornate tub at its center. The bath had been meticulously prepared with sprigs of lavender, rose petals, and bubbles. Steam filled the room, carrying a rich floral scent that permeated her senses. The opulence of the bathroom surpassed that of the bedroom in which she had been staying.
She believed so, at least. Azula had not given much regard to the room in which she had rested. After shutting the door to the bathroom, she hung her clothes on a hook by the door, undressed, and submerged herself in the bath. She let out a sigh. It was perfect. "Thank you," she whispered.
***
After an hour, Azula emerged from the bathroom in the attire the House had provided. To her surprise, she realized that she was in a different bedroom from the one she had originally occupied. Although she hadn't previously paid much attention to the room, she could discern that this new space was considerably more spacious. The walls and floor were adorned with white and gold marble, and there seemed to be a balcony within the vicinity. Additionally, she noticed that the previous bed had been substituted with an elaborate one featuring a laced canopy and floral bedding, all situated on a slightly elevated platform.
The room's wardrobe and a corresponding vanity remained consistent, accompanied by an exquisitely embroidered changing screen depicting a serene scene of a unicorn and dragon in a meadow. A vintage floor-length mirror stood adjacent to the screen. It seems Azula might have left a more positive impression on the House than she initially thought. She was not one to disregard such opportunities, as the expression goes, "Never look a gift horse in the mouth."
Upon taking a seat at the vanity, Azula proceeded to style her hair into a simple plait using a comb and a couple of pins to keep the stray strands in place. She considered applying makeup; however, she doubted there was any makeup available that wasn't expired.
Briefly, Azula wished she had her pumps. She slid her feet back her heel hitting... her pumps? Right. Magical sentient house. She slid them on her feet securing the ankle straps a little tighter than was strictly necessary.
She walked over to the floor-length mirror to assess her appearance. Not bad but it felt incomplete. The wardrobe rattled. Or would it be more accurate to think the House shook the wardrobe? Whatever, she could figure out the semantics later.
There was a light pink blazer in the wardrobe. It matched the slacks she was wearing so they were likely a set. She slid the blazer on before turning back to the mirror. Perfect.
Azula strode over to the only door in the room. So far, the House had taken her directly to a bathroom and then given her a different bedroom than the first. So, it was reasonable to assume that the House would simply direct her to where she needed to be.
The door opened directly to a dining room where John sat nursing a cup of might-be coffee, might-be alcohol. Shirtless. She ignored that, in favor of taking a seat at the table.
"Morning, Luv."
"Good Morning, Constantine."
He eyed her outfit but didn't otherwise say anything. There was what looked to be a case file on the table. "New job?"
"I live in the House of Mystery, Luv. But food still costs money."
And by food, he likely meant booze and cigarettes. Azula wouldn't judge though. She mostly sustained herself on coffee and, if she remembered to eat, the occasional pastry. On the subject of money.
"Right, well, I do believe we have business to attend to."
"Really? And what business would that be?"
"It's quite apparent, isn't it? While I may only be staying here temporarily, I understand that accommodations are not provided without cost. I fully recognize the need to contribute in some form during my stay."
John eyed her considering. Then he raked his gaze slowly up and down her frame.
"Not that."
He smirked, "Get your mind out of the gutter, Luv. I was only thinking you could pay me back by reorganizing my library."
Azula didn't react, though judging by his amusement he knew he had succeeded in embarrassing her. Well, two could play that game. She smiled angelically, "Alright, but I want to get this all down in writing. And it will be in writing."
Then, as though to prove her point, the house provided them with writing materials. John stared, stunned. "Alright." His voice was gruff and there was a look on his face that Azula didn't quite know what to do with. She chose to ignore it.
An hour later, Azula had a major headache. John had smoked through an entire pack of cigarettes, and she was wondering how the hell she was gonna put up with John Constantine.