fourth flame [these miles have torn us worlds apart]

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

[Zuko is back! Not that he ever really went anywhere. He's been training pretty hard on and off the Plane recently, but royal life has picked up a bit too. Plans for an epic garrison battle are being set in motion, at least in the purchase of supplies and heightened activity around the palace. It's made him antsy, and Azula isn't helping. Recently, he found himself unable to resist an old pastime, especially since he needs a break.

This pastime involves something so simple, it might go unnoticed. He made sure to place himself somewhere adjacent to Ammy's forest so that it doesn't seem so out of place... and it's good cover, too. Zuko crouches at the edge of a small, man-made pond lined with round stones and filled with lilypads, as well as turtleducks. They're small and cute and ducky, except their middles are ... turtleshells. A shady tree suited for sub-tropic regions stretches out over it, shading the pond halfway. Zuko himself is wearing some variation of his royal robes, but it completely clashes with his shaggy (yet newly trimmed!) hair.

He tosses bits of bread into the water every once in a while, causing a frenzy of quacks as the baby turtleducks scramble for food. However, his mind is elsewhere right now.]

Comments

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

... I guess.

[contract_star]

[After awhile,] Did you ever figure out what you were going to do?

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

[a veeeeeery long pause]

... yeah.

[contract_star]

Good.

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

I still don't know if it'll work.

[contract_star]

No one ever does. You just have to do what you can.

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

... Yeah.

[contract_star]

The important thing is that you chose for yourself. At least...that's what I think.

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I know that now. I know everything I'm going to do and say.

But I still don't know if I'll make it.

[contract_star]

...Yeah. I understand.

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

... I've never met anyone in the same position I am. [So pardon his disbelief.]

[contract_star]

It probably wasn't the exact same.

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

... Enough to understand that my situation isn't all that great.

[contract_star]

[Smiles.] I understand that much, yeah.

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

[He pulls his knees closer to himself.]

... But you made it?

[contract_star]

...Barely. But yes.

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

Barely is good enough for me. I'm used to it. [If the scar is anything to go by.]

[contract_star]

[Nostalgic little smile.] I think we have that in common.

[firedprince.livejournal.com]

... hm. [Aaaand he lapses into thought.]