[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

Action

[deformed]

I've fought firebenders plenty of times without my bending, and I've won. It's useful, but it shouldn't define you at your core. If it does, you're fighting wrong.

[ As stern as he sounds, he's just trying to help. ]

Let's just worry about right now, okay?

Action

[benditlikekorra]

[Aw Zuko. Now you're starting to sound like... well, you, but seventy years from now. Korra nods.]

Worrying about now is definitely in our best interest. Seems that there's kind of a lot to worry about in this place, anyway. You met the monsters firsthand, and, from some of what I've heard, there are people here who aren't much better.

Action

[deformed]

Great. Who should I be watching out for?

Action

[benditlikekorra]

There are people here who don't like the 'newcomers.' Just before I got here a handful of us were hunted down and brutalized by some of the natives. I'm still a little unclear on a lot of the details because I've only been here a few days, myself, but it seems like there's a lot of tension.

Action

[deformed]

I don't plan on making a name for myself.

[ If anything, he'll stick close to Iroh like they did in Ba Sing Se. ]

Action

[benditlikekorra]

I don't think it really matters. People who aren't from here are targets, regardless.

I don't think it's all bad, though. There seem to be a lot of good people here, too.

Action

[tea_lover64]

[Korra is handed a cup of tea, along with Zuko after Unohana has completed her work. Iroh had decided to brew some tea after he had seen Zuko get more involved in the conversation. They were of an age, so it would be easier to converse]

Enjoy.

Action

[deformed]

Thank you.

[ Sitting up, he slouches over his knees to cradle the warm cup between both palms. As weary as he is, Zuko's not about to laze about and get the lion-turtle's share of rest.]

Uncle, did you know about Korra's bending?

Action

[tea_lover64]

[His nephew did not liked being fussed over too much, but he had gotten better at accepting others help]

Your welcome. Yes, she informed me when she first arrived.