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( AUDIO | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION | ETC )
( AUDIO | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION | ETC )
I've already been. They burned my name into a rock. [ and he sounds perplexed by it, for he is. what will they do with it? will they even remember him? he doesn't think too much on what she's said. he's heard whispers of how the jabberwock was taken down, but he doesn't wish to think on it, given how he feels simultaneously remorseful and relived. ]
[ they're his connection to fire. they had been his only connection to the originators of firebending until druk had been dropped into his lap. ]
If the spirit doesn't go away, I can just ask them for a favour.
[ they're his connection to fire. they had been his only connection to the originators of firebending until druk had been dropped into his lap. ]
If the spirit doesn't go away, I can just ask them for a favour.
They burned a man alive, you know.
[ Poor Faolan; she couldn't see it in him, but surely the poor man must be a wreck. No one can forget burns. Alice takes a shaky breath. ]
I'd rather avoid them, to be honest.
[ Poor Faolan; she couldn't see it in him, but surely the poor man must be a wreck. No one can forget burns. Alice takes a shaky breath. ]
I'd rather avoid them, to be honest.
... No.
[ he sounds uneasy. his voice drifts off. ]
They can be a last resort. I'm sure the spirit will listen if we make it.
[ and if not, he doesn't particularly wish to think of what they will need to do then to make sure it stops lighting fires near these people. ]
[ he sounds uneasy. his voice drifts off. ]
They can be a last resort. I'm sure the spirit will listen if we make it.
[ and if not, he doesn't particularly wish to think of what they will need to do then to make sure it stops lighting fires near these people. ]
[ Thank god.
Alice breathes a sigh of relief. ]
If we make it -- well, I certainly hope so, it doesn't sound very benevolent.
Alice breathes a sigh of relief. ]
If we make it -- well, I certainly hope so, it doesn't sound very benevolent.
The sooner, the better. For them.
[ She will face her fears for the sake of others; she has to do that, at least. ]
[ She will face her fears for the sake of others; she has to do that, at least. ]
( at least he'll be here again. and the way he says he might not have a place to come back to is ominous enough that she can't argue with him. but she wishes she could help him, or be more than just the person he checks in with sometimes. cassie concedes, slowly. ) Please travel safely, then. And if you need anything -- you'll call. Right? Or if something happens, I can -- probably be wherever you're going pretty quick.
Yeah. [ it's simply an exhale. ]
[ zuko won't call, even when he's in dire need of help. a part of him wishes to be self-punishing. a part of him simply doesn't know how to accept it. three years spent in exile, refusing to depend on anyone else as it had been his task to ensnare the avatar, hasn't taught him how to rely on others. it's a lesson he's beginning to learn, albeit slowly. ]
I'll be fine, though. I've been through worse. [ but the admission doesn't make him feel any better. ]
[ zuko won't call, even when he's in dire need of help. a part of him wishes to be self-punishing. a part of him simply doesn't know how to accept it. three years spent in exile, refusing to depend on anyone else as it had been his task to ensnare the avatar, hasn't taught him how to rely on others. it's a lesson he's beginning to learn, albeit slowly. ]
I'll be fine, though. I've been through worse. [ but the admission doesn't make him feel any better. ]
[a messenger bird finds its way to Azure, with a letter for Zuko. the handwriting is neat, and the cadence of the words should be familiar.]
Zuko,
Forgive the informality by which I start this letter, but I am sending it to you not in any official capacity but merely as myself, and so it felt best to forgo titles.
Back after the battles, I was given a task in the wake of the Jabberwock's death -- to collect something of what she left behind, and bring it to Caer Scima when I could so that she could have a burial, as much as any of us. I have some of her ashes, yet after the chaos I became occupied with a task that took me a great deal of time, and so you could say that she has traveled with me since then.
Now that I am back and settled, I wish to complete this task. And I would like to ask you, as you were there with me -- when it takes place, when she is buried, would you want to attend?
All my best wishes,
Grell
Zuko,
Forgive the informality by which I start this letter, but I am sending it to you not in any official capacity but merely as myself, and so it felt best to forgo titles.
Back after the battles, I was given a task in the wake of the Jabberwock's death -- to collect something of what she left behind, and bring it to Caer Scima when I could so that she could have a burial, as much as any of us. I have some of her ashes, yet after the chaos I became occupied with a task that took me a great deal of time, and so you could say that she has traveled with me since then.
Now that I am back and settled, I wish to complete this task. And I would like to ask you, as you were there with me -- when it takes place, when she is buried, would you want to attend?
All my best wishes,
Grell
[ Awkward turtle. ]
Hello, Zuko. Mister Wan told me that the both of you are heading to Mt. Verla to save the Pyrii and the mountain.
[ He'll understand she's terrified of it. ]
I, ah- he has instructed me to bring supplies and water. I'm bringing them to Azure for the both of you.
Hello, Zuko. Mister Wan told me that the both of you are heading to Mt. Verla to save the Pyrii and the mountain.
[ He'll understand she's terrified of it. ]
I, ah- he has instructed me to bring supplies and water. I'm bringing them to Azure for the both of you.
Edited (Wan mun pointed out I got my dates mixed up when the call went out. sorry about that.) 2015-05-14 15:05 (UTC)
Uh —
[ it takes zuko a moment to, you know, listen. it's a little strange, anyone being surprised prince zuko has a sister. but, then again, zuko hasn't really spoken about azula in the drabwurld. it had made his heart ache, thinking about her. ]
[ he thinks to ask how do you know? before he remembers azula's here. that hadn't been a dream, but a confusing and overwhelming reality. so, he swallows that down, rendering himself looking a little less stupid than usual. (he's so glad this is audio.) ]
[ he sounds ... uncertain. ] … Yes?
[ it takes zuko a moment to, you know, listen. it's a little strange, anyone being surprised prince zuko has a sister. but, then again, zuko hasn't really spoken about azula in the drabwurld. it had made his heart ache, thinking about her. ]
[ he thinks to ask how do you know? before he remembers azula's here. that hadn't been a dream, but a confusing and overwhelming reality. so, he swallows that down, rendering himself looking a little less stupid than usual. (he's so glad this is audio.) ]
[ he sounds ... uncertain. ] … Yes?
Unbelievable.
[ Okay, it's not the fact of sister-having that's necessarily so unbelievable. It's just that Katsa's still recovering a little from the surprise of learning this, and she doesn't really do well with surprises. ]
I talked to her. She's here. She said she can't firebend, either. I didn't know. What should I know? Any other surprise siblings or family members? [ And without a pause for a transition in the questions: ] And how are her fighting skills?
[ There's a reason for asking, she promises ]
[ Okay, it's not the fact of sister-having that's necessarily so unbelievable. It's just that Katsa's still recovering a little from the surprise of learning this, and she doesn't really do well with surprises. ]
I talked to her. She's here. She said she can't firebend, either. I didn't know. What should I know? Any other surprise siblings or family members? [ And without a pause for a transition in the questions: ] And how are her fighting skills?
[ There's a reason for asking, she promises ]
[ zuko doesn't know what to say. he doesn't know what to make of katsa speaking to azula. he doesn't know what to say to her questions. azula's dangerous. azula's not the same. azula hates me. azula always lies. ]
[ he opts for the truth, or as much of it he feels like giving. it's not like he doesn't trust katsa. he's simply never been a fan of airing his dirty fire nation robes to anyone. ]
She's ... [ zuko sounds stressed, unsure. ] She's a firebending prodigy. She can generate lightning, I can't. She's quick and smart and ruthless. She doesn't ... She only knows how to firebend well. It's all Father wanted from her. He looked down on me when I learned how to use a sword, because I wasn't good enough. [ a sharpness seeps into his voice that he makes the point of removing. ]
She's my only sister. But sometimes ... [ he isn't so sure if she's exiled him from her life, too. sometimes he hates her, because she doesn't act like his sister. sometimes he wants to hate her so much he can say he no longer has one. sometimes, he just wants things to go back to the way they used to be. ]
[ he pauses for a long time. he doesn't know why katsa is asking, but he has a feeling maybe she would be a better teacher than him. he's never been good enough, not when it comes to azula. ]
[ his voice is quieter but tense. ] You need to be careful, Katsa.
[ he opts for the truth, or as much of it he feels like giving. it's not like he doesn't trust katsa. he's simply never been a fan of airing his dirty fire nation robes to anyone. ]
She's ... [ zuko sounds stressed, unsure. ] She's a firebending prodigy. She can generate lightning, I can't. She's quick and smart and ruthless. She doesn't ... She only knows how to firebend well. It's all Father wanted from her. He looked down on me when I learned how to use a sword, because I wasn't good enough. [ a sharpness seeps into his voice that he makes the point of removing. ]
She's my only sister. But sometimes ... [ he isn't so sure if she's exiled him from her life, too. sometimes he hates her, because she doesn't act like his sister. sometimes he wants to hate her so much he can say he no longer has one. sometimes, he just wants things to go back to the way they used to be. ]
[ he pauses for a long time. he doesn't know why katsa is asking, but he has a feeling maybe she would be a better teacher than him. he's never been good enough, not when it comes to azula. ]
[ his voice is quieter but tense. ] You need to be careful, Katsa.
[ Katsa doesn't know what to make of all this pausing and uncertainty. She's already unfamiliar with reading people and their relationships; it's even worse that she can't see Zuko's face through all of this. It's obvious that there's something Zuko's not saying or doesn't want to say; but how much does she want to press the point? ]
Zuko. Why? Of course I'm careful. No matter how much she tries to tell me she's a "liability" without firebending, she's your sister. There'd be far more to her than that.
[ And she is Katsa. That speaks to an assurance of itself in her confidence. ]
Zuko. Why? Of course I'm careful. No matter how much she tries to tell me she's a "liability" without firebending, she's your sister. There'd be far more to her than that.
[ And she is Katsa. That speaks to an assurance of itself in her confidence. ]
[ zuko's grateful she can't see his face. it's bad enough she can hear his voice. he's always been so poor at masking it. ]
We were on opposite sides of the war. The one back home ... She was with Father and I aligned myself with the Avatar, who was my father's enemy. She was about to take the throne before I stopped her. [ he thinks to tell her about the lightning, of how he'd prepared himself to redirect it because of her. she'd seen him at the tournament redirect it, but he hadn't been practicing on the off chance someone would be able to wield it as an ability. ]
She hates me. She's always hated me. [ it's easier to believe that than it is to think she actually loves him. ] She's one of the best firebenders I know, and she's also one of the most dangerous.
We were on opposite sides of the war. The one back home ... She was with Father and I aligned myself with the Avatar, who was my father's enemy. She was about to take the throne before I stopped her. [ he thinks to tell her about the lightning, of how he'd prepared himself to redirect it because of her. she'd seen him at the tournament redirect it, but he hadn't been practicing on the off chance someone would be able to wield it as an ability. ]
She hates me. She's always hated me. [ it's easier to believe that than it is to think she actually loves him. ] She's one of the best firebenders I know, and she's also one of the most dangerous.
[ well. that's. a little awkward. and all katsa can muster to say is: ]
Oh.
[ katsa's had uncles who hate her, who hate their own sons—seen kings who murdered their wives and abused their daughters. knowing that zuko fought against his family, if he's from a royal one, is almost non-news to her and only confirms her trust in him, because kings rarely do what is right.
it makes her suddenly angry, thinking about it, but she reins it in. ]
Will you be all right with her here?
If she dares to try to hurt you, I'll hurt her first.
Oh.
[ katsa's had uncles who hate her, who hate their own sons—seen kings who murdered their wives and abused their daughters. knowing that zuko fought against his family, if he's from a royal one, is almost non-news to her and only confirms her trust in him, because kings rarely do what is right.
it makes her suddenly angry, thinking about it, but she reins it in. ]
Will you be all right with her here?
If she dares to try to hurt you, I'll hurt her first.
[ it's soft: ] I don't know. You don't have to. I've been living like this for years now. You don't have to worry about me.
[ it's the truth. zuko knows how to survive azula. what he knows he can't survive if not knowing if he needs to watch out for her. zuko just doesn't know. he doesn't know if she'll be the one to try and put a sword in his back. ]
[ but he does. he does. ]
[ his gut's telling him she may be unravelling, but she's more hesitant to slice into him, less intent and intense to strike out at him as though he's the enemy. they'd gotten along upon his return to the fire nation, but his own anger at himself had ruined the ease in which they could've properly returned to. she'd allowed it to, almost nurturing his self-loathing. but zuko knows he won't encourage what upsets her to blossom into a monster that eats away at her like fire. ]
Azula's ... [ he scratches the back of his neck. ] I think I know why you're asking me about her. Something happened to her at the very end of the war. She ... She was different. She wasn't as put together as she usually is. She was slipping. I put her in an institution so she could get better, because I couldn't help her.
[ it's the only reason why he had. if zuko knew how to help his sister, he never would've entrusted any medical practitioners to take care of her. but he's been poor at doing so for years now. he thinks she must see it, too. ]
I don't know why she gets upset sometimes, but she does. She starts yelling and — [ she starts saying things he doesn't understand, referring to people who aren't there, confusing him even more. ] just don't mention Mother. Don't mention any mothers. Something happened that I haven't experienced yet, and I think she's hurt.
[ it's the truth. zuko knows how to survive azula. what he knows he can't survive if not knowing if he needs to watch out for her. zuko just doesn't know. he doesn't know if she'll be the one to try and put a sword in his back. ]
[ but he does. he does. ]
[ his gut's telling him she may be unravelling, but she's more hesitant to slice into him, less intent and intense to strike out at him as though he's the enemy. they'd gotten along upon his return to the fire nation, but his own anger at himself had ruined the ease in which they could've properly returned to. she'd allowed it to, almost nurturing his self-loathing. but zuko knows he won't encourage what upsets her to blossom into a monster that eats away at her like fire. ]
Azula's ... [ he scratches the back of his neck. ] I think I know why you're asking me about her. Something happened to her at the very end of the war. She ... She was different. She wasn't as put together as she usually is. She was slipping. I put her in an institution so she could get better, because I couldn't help her.
[ it's the only reason why he had. if zuko knew how to help his sister, he never would've entrusted any medical practitioners to take care of her. but he's been poor at doing so for years now. he thinks she must see it, too. ]
I don't know why she gets upset sometimes, but she does. She starts yelling and — [ she starts saying things he doesn't understand, referring to people who aren't there, confusing him even more. ] just don't mention Mother. Don't mention any mothers. Something happened that I haven't experienced yet, and I think she's hurt.
[ That earns a frown. No, she doesn't have to worry, and yes, he might already know what he's doing, but that doesn't mean that Katsa's going to rescind her offer. She means it. Now that she knows, she can look after Zuko if necessary. ]
It doesn't matter whether or not you need me to. It's because you're a friend and I'd watch your back, as you'd watch mine without humiliating me.
[ She's learning. She's trying.
Katsa pulls at her hair and shudders. Slipping... She's heard Bitterblue talk about the last days with Ashen, who under Leck's influence struggled to retain her own mind. Katsa's had trouble with her own mind at times, too. And it makes her uncomfortable to think about, either with herself or other people. ]
I don't have a mother. I've no reason to mention one, anyway.
It doesn't matter whether or not you need me to. It's because you're a friend and I'd watch your back, as you'd watch mine without humiliating me.
[ She's learning. She's trying.
Katsa pulls at her hair and shudders. Slipping... She's heard Bitterblue talk about the last days with Ashen, who under Leck's influence struggled to retain her own mind. Katsa's had trouble with her own mind at times, too. And it makes her uncomfortable to think about, either with herself or other people. ]
I don't have a mother. I've no reason to mention one, anyway.
I'm sorry.
[ it's instinctual to say it. he'd said so to katara, about hers. he'd said so to sokka, about his. he'd believed for so long ursa was dead, but even though he finds her, he'd been without his mother when he needed her most. he thinks he can understand it, to some degree, anyway. ]
[ but he appreciates having a friend who will look out for him. he knows it's confusing, telling katsa to watch out for azula in terms of ensuring her back is never shown to his sister and then in the same breath speak of wanting to protect her. but the relationship he has with his sister is more complex than he'd even like to think. ]
Maybe you can help her more than I can. I don't know what's happened to her, and I don't — I do something to her that I haven't done yet, and I ... I don't know how to make up for it.
[ zuko shakes his head. it'd been easier when he didn't need to confront this, the horrid state of his relationship with her. without azula in the drabwurld, it'd been easy to ignore it. but with her here now ... zuko isn't sure how to fix it. he can fix a village, but he can't fix this. ]
[ it's instinctual to say it. he'd said so to katara, about hers. he'd said so to sokka, about his. he'd believed for so long ursa was dead, but even though he finds her, he'd been without his mother when he needed her most. he thinks he can understand it, to some degree, anyway. ]
[ but he appreciates having a friend who will look out for him. he knows it's confusing, telling katsa to watch out for azula in terms of ensuring her back is never shown to his sister and then in the same breath speak of wanting to protect her. but the relationship he has with his sister is more complex than he'd even like to think. ]
Maybe you can help her more than I can. I don't know what's happened to her, and I don't — I do something to her that I haven't done yet, and I ... I don't know how to make up for it.
[ zuko shakes his head. it'd been easier when he didn't need to confront this, the horrid state of his relationship with her. without azula in the drabwurld, it'd been easy to ignore it. but with her here now ... zuko isn't sure how to fix it. he can fix a village, but he can't fix this. ]
[ Zuko's condolences are met with a genuinely unconcerned shrug (that she forgets he can't see). Katsa simply doesn't even know what it is either to have or to lose a mother: both her mother and her cousin's died of the same sickness very soon after Katsa was born. Not that she's incapable of being sympathetic toward others on the issue of mothers, but it doesn't affect her personally. ]
I don't know if I can help any better than you, when I certainly don't know more than you do. But I could try...
[ It strikes her suddenly that this is just a very odd conversation. ]
Zuko. Do you mean that she remembers things that you don't? Something about you?
I don't know if I can help any better than you, when I certainly don't know more than you do. But I could try...
[ It strikes her suddenly that this is just a very odd conversation. ]
Zuko. Do you mean that she remembers things that you don't? Something about you?
[ he hesitates, and scolds himself for doing so. he feels like he's done something wrong, not being able to remember. with toph, he'd only felt stupid, but she had filled him in on what she knew, building him up to be her friend who hadn't changed at all. it's those from the future who see him flustered most, speaking of fire lord zuko, republic city, and all the great things he apparently does. ]
[ azula's different. azula's always been different. and he doesn't trust azula to not use what she knows and he doesn't to her advantage. ]
[ his voice is quiet. ] Yes.
[ it grows louder, but not into a fit of rage or even berating at himself. it's simply a slow ascend in pitch, as zuko finds all his anxieties he's been successful in pushing down deep inside of himself have only erupted once more. ] When Toph was here, she told me I find my mother. Azula confirmed it. But I haven't experienced it yet. I just became Fire Lord before I came here! I don't remember anything.
[ azula's different. azula's always been different. and he doesn't trust azula to not use what she knows and he doesn't to her advantage. ]
[ his voice is quiet. ] Yes.
[ it grows louder, but not into a fit of rage or even berating at himself. it's simply a slow ascend in pitch, as zuko finds all his anxieties he's been successful in pushing down deep inside of himself have only erupted once more. ] When Toph was here, she told me I find my mother. Azula confirmed it. But I haven't experienced it yet. I just became Fire Lord before I came here! I don't remember anything.
[Whether or not he answers is difficult to say, but she'll have her say nonetheless.]
She's not helping them, you know. Not by keeping them ignorant about the way the war's going.
She's not helping them, you know. Not by keeping them ignorant about the way the war's going.
[ he should've been expecting this. although he suspected azula had only replied to alice to stir her up, to somehow be unfair and unkind, he wonders, by her message now, if she had gone about expressing her own concern all wrong. still, he isn't so sure of her motivations. zuko isn't so sure if he ever has been. ]
[ zuko sighs. ] Why do you care, Azula? You don't even know Alice. You don't even know those children.
[ zuko sighs. ] Why do you care, Azula? You don't even know Alice. You don't even know those children.
How would you feel?
[Sure. She'd partly wanted to just cause trouble. But there was also... something she couldn't quite name. Something strange that had just made her angry. Made her want a fight.]
Think about it--
Father and Mother die in a war. We're removed from a ruined home. And put under a stranger's care. Even if we're well taken care of.
No news about the war. No sign anyone's doing anything.
How would you feel?
I'd be angry at everyone. The idea that no one cares.
[It's strange. Because there's so much about her that she can't put a word to. That she can't express.]
And what if the war comes to them?
War doesn't care if you're a child or not. And they won't know a thing about what's going on. Can't prepare. Can't even plan to run.
[She doesn't like it. Being this angry over something she can't name. Maybe it's the idea of no one caring. Or having ignorance forced upon you. She took Ba Sing-Se with little bloodshed and few causalities. But that isn't the normal Fire Nation way.
Even if she didn't disapprove, there's something that makes her sick about not knowing. About it being kept from them. But if the Fire Nation had broken through the walls? They wouldn't have spared children just because they were young.
Or the idea that no one cared. Letting children think they weren't noticed outside of this one woman. Maybe a few others if she let them visit. But to hear nothing of the war that had killed their families? She'd have been furious at the world. And, upon learning that she'd been lied to for her own "protection"? Furious at the woman.
That others might think differently...
Well, 'other people' is never something she's been good at.]
How would you have reacted? If you were one of these children?
[Sure. She'd partly wanted to just cause trouble. But there was also... something she couldn't quite name. Something strange that had just made her angry. Made her want a fight.]
Think about it--
Father and Mother die in a war. We're removed from a ruined home. And put under a stranger's care. Even if we're well taken care of.
No news about the war. No sign anyone's doing anything.
How would you feel?
I'd be angry at everyone. The idea that no one cares.
[It's strange. Because there's so much about her that she can't put a word to. That she can't express.]
And what if the war comes to them?
War doesn't care if you're a child or not. And they won't know a thing about what's going on. Can't prepare. Can't even plan to run.
[She doesn't like it. Being this angry over something she can't name. Maybe it's the idea of no one caring. Or having ignorance forced upon you. She took Ba Sing-Se with little bloodshed and few causalities. But that isn't the normal Fire Nation way.
Even if she didn't disapprove, there's something that makes her sick about not knowing. About it being kept from them. But if the Fire Nation had broken through the walls? They wouldn't have spared children just because they were young.
Or the idea that no one cared. Letting children think they weren't noticed outside of this one woman. Maybe a few others if she let them visit. But to hear nothing of the war that had killed their families? She'd have been furious at the world. And, upon learning that she'd been lied to for her own "protection"? Furious at the woman.
That others might think differently...
Well, 'other people' is never something she's been good at.]
How would you have reacted? If you were one of these children?
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