[ none of that is any surprise to him, and zuko is long since past the point of being hurt by such statements from his little sister. vaguely, it stings, but it's not like the news is anything new. ]

...she used to be different, but only when we were younger.

[ little. very little. ]

But once she started to learn, and master her abilities -- she's a genius. A prodigy. I think she learned how to bend lightning before I even mastered all of my firebending techniques. All firebenders need control, but she took it to a whole new level, and my father didn't help.

[ zuko has great sympathy for azula, now. but he's also most recently interacted with what she became, not what she is now. and even though that sympathy is there, and she's still his sister, zuko isn't fooled by what she is. azula would kill him for a nickle if it meant she'd be a step ahead. ]

She's used to being in charge. It wouldn't surprise me if she declared herself captain by tomorrow.