third flame [have you got it in you?]

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

[Zuko sits on the top of the theater with his uneven gold gaze trained on the stars. Most of him has disappeared beneath a floor-length red robe with gold lining the hood. His knees are pulled to his chest, hands cradling some small, ornamental object. He doesn't know what the constellations mean. He doesn't care. All he knows is that his destiny is coming fast upon him, and he can't run anymore. Didn't he say he was going to stop running?

A soft sigh, and he draws into himself more, just pale skin and robe and frown.]

How can he tell me that and expect me to just... I can't... I'm not...

... Uncle... why does it have to be me?

Comments

[immortalmistake.livejournal.com]

[Is just wandering, until he hears someone talk. And then he glances over, frowning.] You all right?

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

[Zuko is silent for a long moment in hopes that whoever is asking will go away.]




... I'm fine.

[immortalmistake.livejournal.com]

Really? 'cause part of the reason I dragged this place here was so I could think. Nice view. Can almost pretend this whole thing isn't bent as hell. [Shoves his hands into his pockets]

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

[Have a bottle of liquid dangling in front of your face, Zuko.] Strawberry cordial. Just the thing on a cold night, which it looks like you've come from.

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

[Zuko barely reacts. He simply stares blankly from under the hood.]

... It's summer.

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

Summers can be cold. [Settles herself, uncorks the bottle and takes a swig.]

[marthajonesmd.livejournal.com]

[sitting down next to him] You all right there?

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

[Zuko doesn't move.]

... I'm fine.

[marthajonesmd.livejournal.com]

[unconvinced] You don't look terribly happy.

[allstrings.livejournal.com]

Problems?

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

... It's complicated.

[allstrings.livejournal.com]

It wouldn't really be a problem if it was simple, now would it! ...so how complicated are we talking?

[swanseer.livejournal.com]

[Dumps herself down besides him] Not what?

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

... [He pulls his knees a little closer.] ... it doesn't matter.

[swanseer.livejournal.com]

When people say that it usually does.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[quietly approaches, and just stands there, looking concerned]

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

[Zuko spots him, then looks away.]

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[silently sits down next to him]

[shunofandromeda.livejournal.com]

[Concerned little Saint here] Are you all right?

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

... I'm fine.

[shunofandromeda.livejournal.com]

[Does not believe you Zuko, so is sitting down next to you just in case you want to say something.]

[contract_star]

[Lurking and watching, because Zuko looks like Hei felt before he went into the Gate.]

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

[Yyyyep, you got it. Zuko can feel Hei's eyes on him, but he doesn't care at this point. He just turns the little crown over and over in his hand as if it'd speak to him, comfort him in the voice of an ancestor he never wanted.]

[got-the-stones.livejournal.com]

[She's lurking down on the ground, listening to him talk to himself.]

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

[So, for Toph's listening pleasure, Zuko talks to himself some more!]

If this... if that's what I was supposed to do all along, why wait until now? Why didn't he tell me all of this while it mattered the most?

[He buries his face in his arms, but can still be heard mumbling. He's sitting on a high place, after all, and sound carries.]

Stupid!