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[ he's a little jealous he can't be simply left alone by the imps. but it's possibly due to how he had terrorised them first, burning them for throwing him in a sack just as toph had thrown rocks at them for the exact same reason that had them snickering and biting at him. ]
[ and in a very casual tone, ] I guess you could say that. Yue was a princess … and she did sacrifice herself for the Moon Spirit to pay it back for saving her life when she was younger. Sokka's always spoken about her as if she is the moon, and so did The Boy In the Iceberg.
[ he shrugs. ]
It might be Yue. Sokka would hate me if I didn't say hello from him.
[ and in a very casual tone, ] I guess you could say that. Yue was a princess … and she did sacrifice herself for the Moon Spirit to pay it back for saving her life when she was younger. Sokka's always spoken about her as if she is the moon, and so did The Boy In the Iceberg.
[ he shrugs. ]
It might be Yue. Sokka would hate me if I didn't say hello from him.
[ delivered by hawk is a package, wrapped in leather and tied off with twine. knotted within the twine is a woven tassel with lucky coins and a slip of paper with well wishes for the season written in atla-ese. within the box are two leather armbands lined with sheepskin on the inside, and metal on the outside. upon the metal is the fire nation symbol, obviously carved in with fire. ]
( cassie doesn't have the faintest clue what to get zuko for christmas. she'd been racking her brain for awhile, wondering what he might like, what he might appreciate. she doesn't know him as well as she wants to, but she knows him well enough. he left tea for her - tea that reminds him of home - and the most beautiful pair of gloves, and bangles... but what should she get for him? it takes her awhile to think of something. and when she does, it's not just anything ordinary. it takes time to procure, to conjure, the things she needs.
even if he refuses to take her with him wherever he goes, she will find a way to make sure he's safe. it isn't anywhere near as elaborate as leaving a hot cup of tea, and beautiful, so very well-thought-out gifts from the heart. but it is a necklace, spelled to protect him. it isn't entirely foolproof, of course, as she hasn't perfected her art yet. she'll be working on that soon... she hopes. but it will keep him from being killed. and it will also help protect him from himself - perhaps its most valuable aspect.
beneath the necklace, is a folded note. )
even if he refuses to take her with him wherever he goes, she will find a way to make sure he's safe. it isn't anywhere near as elaborate as leaving a hot cup of tea, and beautiful, so very well-thought-out gifts from the heart. but it is a necklace, spelled to protect him. it isn't entirely foolproof, of course, as she hasn't perfected her art yet. she'll be working on that soon... she hopes. but it will keep him from being killed. and it will also help protect him from himself - perhaps its most valuable aspect.
beneath the necklace, is a folded note. )
( that's the weirdest thing she's ever heard in her entire life. and she's heard a lot of exceedingly weird shit. cassie can't help but snort. )
That sounds like a fairytale. ( then she realizes how ridiculous that sounded given their current location. ) - No pun intended.
I'm not going to be able to convince you to stay, am I?
That sounds like a fairytale. ( then she realizes how ridiculous that sounded given their current location. ) - No pun intended.
I'm not going to be able to convince you to stay, am I?
I just wanted to let you know that I'm leaving Caer Scima. Tomorrow, once the sun's up. ( that's all the information she's allowed to give him, really. she might disclose that she's headed for the station, but she's been sworn to secrecy with her task otherwise. keep it quiet. keep it under wraps. and she has no idea what's going to face her when she gets there. she knows it involves learning, being taught, more about magic - her magic, and magic in general - but she doesn't know what, exactly, that's going to be. she wonders if he'll miss her. maybe she should write. )
[ though he isn't quite sure what a fairytale is, despite flicking through the grimms' book when at the station, he doesn't respond to her commentary on yue and sokka. it sounds a little … he doesn't want it to be him and mai, missing one another, being a one-time thing where he tears up and shushes those who talk when the play comes to perform the part where they say their final goodbyes. ]
[ but this feels like a goodbye, somewhat. he's quiet. ] No. [ he'd leave it at that, but it feels a little too sharp, even for him. it's easier for him to do tho at caer glaem, adding another location to his teleporting boon as he can easily move back and forth — and he's a little curious to see those from his future, too. often is he too disinterested in what is occurring around him that he can't quite pass put the opportunity to learn more about himself. ] There's something I have to do; I can't do it in Caer Scima.
[ but this feels like a goodbye, somewhat. he's quiet. ] No. [ he'd leave it at that, but it feels a little too sharp, even for him. it's easier for him to do tho at caer glaem, adding another location to his teleporting boon as he can easily move back and forth — and he's a little curious to see those from his future, too. often is he too disinterested in what is occurring around him that he can't quite pass put the opportunity to learn more about himself. ] There's something I have to do; I can't do it in Caer Scima.
[ this is … it's not really expected. it's quick and punctual and to the point. it's too concise for him to simply shrug it off and remain unaffected by the concern that swarms within him. she's usually babbling, like sokka — who he's grateful isn't as attentive toward him as he has been since he discovered zuko's bending is able to be stolen from him, as he's certain his presence would make this tense conversation even more awkward. his first thought is that she's mad — but he isn't as arrogant as to believe she's leaving caer scima because of him. considering he can barely fathom the idea, months after it's reveal, that he's a good fire lord, he isn't going to take a step into being unlike himself and believe she's wishing to leave her new home because of him. ]
[ it's something bigger than him, he supposes — though, he has never been able to truly glean what those are until someone's neck-deep in ostrich horse dung. ]
Oh. [ he's quiet; the pause is sharp. he isn't quite certain of what to say. ] Uh, be careful. It's not safe out there.
[ it's something bigger than him, he supposes — though, he has never been able to truly glean what those are until someone's neck-deep in ostrich horse dung. ]
Oh. [ he's quiet; the pause is sharp. he isn't quite certain of what to say. ] Uh, be careful. It's not safe out there.
( continuation of this thread )
[ normally, sokka doesn't let this kind of stuff get to him. maybe it's just being away from basically everyone he loves that has him on edge, and close enough to tipping over that the only thing keeping him from cliffdiving is zuko's voice, which, in this circumstance, is strangely calming. it's weird; zuko's supposed to be the angry one, not sokka, but here they are. ]
[ he grumbles loudly, throwing his hands in the air. ] Ugh! What was that guy's problem? [ folding his arms across his chest, he huffs indignantly, frowning so hard his eyebrows might actually connect. he's a furious pouter. ] And what's a shuck? And why did it spell my name Soccer? [ he doesn't even know what a soccer is. he also asks a lot of questions when he's mad. sorry, zuko. ]
[ where's katara when you need her? zuko doesn't have the right words for this. where aang would pat him on the back and toph would insult the guy, katara threatening to punch him in the throat if she wasn't already seething with a comment zuko knows was meant to be merely off-handed, he finds himself at a loss. he doesn't deal with this. he's been on the end of such barbs before, careless and flung with very little thought toward him with the expectation it wouldn't sear and shred his heart. ]
[ the best thing for sokka right now, in zuko's opinion, is to let him rant it out. he'll tire himself out eventually. he's sort of like a turtle duck like that. ] My locket doesn't like me. [ it's ceased in its fits lately, but he's anxious to know when it'll make a fool out of him again. he continues to walk, wanting to keep his gaze straight instead of peering at sokka like he's something breakable and delicate. ] Don't worry about that shuck. [ he'll have to ask thomas what that means, but in the meantime, it seems to fit. ] He doesn't know you — he didn't mean it.
[ the best thing for sokka right now, in zuko's opinion, is to let him rant it out. he'll tire himself out eventually. he's sort of like a turtle duck like that. ] My locket doesn't like me. [ it's ceased in its fits lately, but he's anxious to know when it'll make a fool out of him again. he continues to walk, wanting to keep his gaze straight instead of peering at sokka like he's something breakable and delicate. ] Don't worry about that shuck. [ he'll have to ask thomas what that means, but in the meantime, it seems to fit. ] He doesn't know you — he didn't mean it.
[ sokka stares at zuko, his brows still furiously pinched together, his jaw clenched tight. he's not mad at zuko, but it almost seems like he is. he still doesn't know what a shuck is, but it sounds like some kind of insult, except it doesn't sound nearly as strong as some of the things sokka would like to say. he's never been so mad over such a small exchange of words before and he almost wonders if this is how zuko always felt before he joined up with the gaang, every little thing setting him off into a blazing inferno. ]
[ but he knows if he keeps talking about that guy, he's just going to get more angry, so he focuses his attention on the part about zuko's locket malfunctioning. ] What do you mean it doesn't like you? I thought they all worked the same way.
[ but he knows if he keeps talking about that guy, he's just going to get more angry, so he focuses his attention on the part about zuko's locket malfunctioning. ] What do you mean it doesn't like you? I thought they all worked the same way.
( well, at least he's concerned. cassie doesn't want to worry him, and truthfully, she feels bad that she isn't able to tell him more. but... maybe after. when it's all said and done, maybe she can tell him all about how she learned. maybe not from who. but she'll have something to show for it. )
I think I can handle myself. I just didn't want to disappear without telling you.
I think I can handle myself. I just didn't want to disappear without telling you.
If you get into trouble or — [ it isn't that he doesn't think she can't handle herself. she's like mai — he doesn't need to worry. though mai may not possess the abilities of a witch or a bender, she's one of the strongest and most efficient people he knows. (he's not like sokka, thinking girls can't take care of themselves). she's better than him, at times. it'd been mai who had saved him from azula — and he's more than happy to boast about it, much to her chagrin. ]
[ but he isn't sure why this conversation is so tense. they've hardly hung out since he'd been tasked by morla and reynard to fetch certain items in order to restore his honour with them. it feels a little too awkward — perhaps it's due to him feeling as though this is partly a lesson. he wouldn't be surprised if mai turned around and wrote him a break-up letter just so he could understand just how upset she felt with him. but the awkwardness seems to disperse from his voice as he speaks about something he's looking forward to. ] I'm just training people. I'm sure Sokka can teach them something useful if you need me.
[ not that he thinks she will. she's right — she can handle herself. but isn't that what a friend offers? ]
[ but he isn't sure why this conversation is so tense. they've hardly hung out since he'd been tasked by morla and reynard to fetch certain items in order to restore his honour with them. it feels a little too awkward — perhaps it's due to him feeling as though this is partly a lesson. he wouldn't be surprised if mai turned around and wrote him a break-up letter just so he could understand just how upset she felt with him. but the awkwardness seems to disperse from his voice as he speaks about something he's looking forward to. ] I'm just training people. I'm sure Sokka can teach them something useful if you need me.
[ not that he thinks she will. she's right — she can handle herself. but isn't that what a friend offers? ]
[ this type of anger he can deal with. uncle had always taken it in stride, being the target for a lot of zuko's tantrums. sokka's aren't as fiery as his, but he understands he needs an outlet for his frustration and venting to him may give him that reprieve. ]
[ it's also a nice slice of karma coming back to bite zuko in the ass. ]
[ glancing down at his blackened locket, he turns it over in his hand. with a shrug, he continues to walk, ] I don't know. I'd set it to the word function, and it'd put me on the screen! [ he looks to sokka with his hands raised slightly. ] It's beginning to stop doing it, but it just — It messes up for me. The imps can't tell me why — they just say I'm dumb.
[ it's also a nice slice of karma coming back to bite zuko in the ass. ]
[ glancing down at his blackened locket, he turns it over in his hand. with a shrug, he continues to walk, ] I don't know. I'd set it to the word function, and it'd put me on the screen! [ he looks to sokka with his hands raised slightly. ] It's beginning to stop doing it, but it just — It messes up for me. The imps can't tell me why — they just say I'm dumb.
[It's always hard to gauge how people feel over text and while Kieren's usually good at reading people if he tries, he falls short here. ]
Oh -- alright. But you have one, right? That's all I really need to know if you don't want to talk any more than that.
Oh -- alright. But you have one, right? That's all I really need to know if you don't want to talk any more than that.
( well. cassie isn't expecting him to be so forthcoming as a volunteer to rescue her. she does tend to wind up in the damsel in distress position a great deal, doesn't she? but she has no intention of this journey or these lessons being dangerous, and she highly doubts they will be. still. it's sweet of him, and it reminds her of the fact that even when there are periods of time when they don't see or talk to each other much, they're still friends. )
You'll be the first to know if something happens. I promise.
You'll be the first to know if something happens. I promise.
Zuko. Do you have a minute?
[it's clear she's holding it close to her face -- her words are audible over the sounds of the battle, clanging steel, whinnying of horses, the general din is softer.]
[it's clear she's holding it close to her face -- her words are audible over the sounds of the battle, clanging steel, whinnying of horses, the general din is softer.]
[ with all that clanging in the background, he has several minutes. it's a little silent on zuko's end, save for the sound of fire crackling in the background. ]
Grell! [ the usual boyish happiness his voice often takes to when he's speaking to someone he knows isn't there. it's more worry, than anything. zuko may be oblivious, but he knows where she is — and, truthfully, he's been worried about all those he calls friends. ] Are you okay?
Grell! [ the usual boyish happiness his voice often takes to when he's speaking to someone he knows isn't there. it's more worry, than anything. zuko may be oblivious, but he knows where she is — and, truthfully, he's been worried about all those he calls friends. ] Are you okay?
I'm fine. Uninjured, even. [thanks to Lucifer and a bit more care on her part today.] I trust you're doing decently?
[though she didn't call to ask about that...]
[though she didn't call to ask about that...]
Uh, yeah. These things tried to attack me, but ... [ that isn't the point; they hadn't succeeded. ] I'm all right. [ if only a little singed, but that's the consequence of being a firebender. ] I'm just waiting to see if there'll be another attack on the castle. It doesn't feel right leaving it.
What things? What came after you?
[people, she expected, but...]
[people, she expected, but...]
These creature things attacked Caer Scima along with the Seelie. When they knocked down the big doors, Morla's voice was in my head. They were really big, like the size of an ostrich horse. And they had these claws ... [ he doesn't really know what a spider is. his voice shifts into uncertainty as he mulls it over aloud, ] It kind of looked like a spider cat? But it lacked the fur.
[ but he shrugs it off. it's neither here nor there as he doubts they're lingering within caer scima anymore. ] I was able to burn them and turn them against the Seelie, but I don't know what they are. I don't know if there's more to come.
[ but he shrugs it off. it's neither here nor there as he doubts they're lingering within caer scima anymore. ] I was able to burn them and turn them against the Seelie, but I don't know what they are. I don't know if there's more to come.
...Were they crystalline?
[spiders. don't tell her...]
[spiders. don't tell her...]
( there's a tight squeeze in her chest an an accompanying formation of stone in her stomach. she doesn't want him to leave. she doesn't want him to get hurt. she doesn't want to not be able to make sure these things don't happen. it really does feel like goodbye, and that scares her. it hurts her. she has like.. two friends here. he's one of them, and she doesn't want to let him go so easily. it hurts, the way he says no, like he's tired of her trying to keep him near her. but... )
Come back to visit, at least. At some point. For me?
Come back to visit, at least. At some point. For me?
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