[VIDEO; an hour after dark]

[deformed]

[ A messy line of text streams across a rampant new post on the network, apparently something of an accidental keysmash that reads, IM~H W#RHR AH [KTRARRR[#'APAA??/ Moments later, the Video kicks in and shows someone upside-down in reds and golds, the bottom of a disapproving grimace visible over the edge of the screen. He doesn't look pleased, probably wouldn't even without half his face melted into a permanent squint, but there's something else wrong.

His shirt is burned through and one hand is clutching a nasty mess in the centre of his chest, trembling badly as blue sparks shiver through him at odd moments. ]

— ey! Can anyone hear me? Who are these guys? [ Standing some way from the Greeter unfortunate enough to find himself serving a shift with one very pissed off prince, he hoarsely tries to be heard. ] Don't they understand? I have to finish the — ungh! The Agni Kai, I can't go and hide in a house somewhere! I —

[ Coughing in pain, he turns over the NV to inspect it, fortunately righting the screen by accident as he pauses to catch his breath. ]

K-Katara, are you okay? Did she get you — huh? Who's there ... ?

[ It's dark outside, that much is apparent from the off. Throughout his heated rant, Zuko's wandering has taken him outside the baseball diamond and straight into the path of something that welcomes him the good old-fashioned Darkness way; the NV clatters with a tinkling of brass as he throws himself into a ferocious attack, flames flaring to scare off the moving shadows across the street.

Scooping up his communication device, huffing and pounding footsteps can be heard for a few seconds before his back hits a wall and he hisses urgently, golden eyes wide with alarm and pain. Slumping down to crumple over his knees, he gasps and fights for calming breaths, tiny electrical shocks zipping over his skin and the dao swords strapped over a shoulder. ]

Can't — Can't keep moving. [ Teeth grit against the sting of being forced into combat so soon after sustaining a blast of redirected lightning back home. To the normal eye, though, it looks like something tried to chew through his gut. ] That's it. I've had enough of these games, I want answers. Now!

Comments

[deformed]

I don't need to be told anything at all. Nngh.

[symmachy]

[ugh children. why does she have to go so easy on them]

What happened to you?

[deformed]

I was shot with lightning.

[symmachy]

[oh
well then]

You need medical attention. Where are you, exactly?

[deformed]

I don't know. Outside, near the field. [ Sighing, he steadies his breathing. ] My uncle's coming.

[symmachy]

[casually reads other replies to this post]

You're related to Iroh.

[deformed]

Yeah.

[symmachy]

[ugh now she automatically likes you even more.]

He's a good man. He will care for you.

[deformed]

I wasn't aware you knew him better than I do.

[symmachy]

[grumble grumble]

I wasn't aware that it was impolite to compliment someone.

[deformed]

Why are people here so intent on telling me about my own family?

[ He's in pain, he's grouchy and a little freaked out. ]

[symmachy]

Does it bother you that others know about your family?

[deformed]

It bothers me when strangers try and instruct my way of thinking, yes.

[symmachy]

I don't see how that counts as "instruction." I'm a teacher, I should know.

[deformed]

I don't care.

[ Heightened, stress flickers into a growl. ]

I have bigger things to worry about than a stupid bunch of people distracting me from saving a friend from my psychotic sister! There isn't time.

[symmachy]

[her expression and her words sharpen.]

You need to stop thinking about whatever was happening in your world. You've left it now, there is nothing you can do.

[deformed]

I have responsibilities! It might be easy for you to stop caring, but I can't.

[symmachy]

You're awfully good at jumping to conclusions.

[deformed]

[ Welcome to Zuko's life. ]

This is pointless.

[symmachy]

Your arguing? It is, yes.