Spirit Wilds Vagabond Catch-All

[raavashing]

Who: Anyone that's taken up residence near Wan's abandoned apartment in the Spirit Wilds + their friends
What: Catch-all for threads happening in that general living area
When: Oct 4th-Oct31
Where: The Spirit Wilds Vagabond Hippie Commune (not actual name of neighborhood)
Warnings: None!

Post a Top Level for people who are living or temporarily crashing here to tag your character for any reason. It's open to all, not just people wanting to punch/arrest/visit Wan.

Comments

[lordhotman]

"I think we can manage," Zuko replied with a stubborn edge to his voice. "But... thanks." If things got too rough, especially for Uncle, he might take his older self up on that offer. But two firebenders should be able to make it through the cold months just fine.

"Spirits are actually what make up the barrier around the city. Some of them have been coming off and merging with people. Doing strange things to their bodies."

That's about all he could tell him for now.

[restoredhonour]

Lord Zuko isn't surprised by the stubbornness. He and his uncle had toughed out so many hardships together, and as a young man he'd been proud of that. But in this case, they don't need to. They aren't exiles or fugitives in Republic City, after all. Even if their situation warrants some secrecy, there are people here more than willing to help them get by.

"One good turn of fortune seems to be followed by a bad turn... Still, if the spirits continue to leave the barrier, maybe it will recede soon."

[lordhotman]

"Yeah... maybe."

Forgive him if he doesn't sound all that optimistic. Even with the barrier gone, that won't really change much for him. He'll probably still be stuck here in a time he doesn't belong and have to stay in hiding. Even if they aren't fugitives or exiles, they might as well be. Laying low meant hiding from something, and he can't really look upon that positively.

[restoredhonour]

Lord Zuko doesn't need to be a mind reader to know what's on his mind, although it doesn't hurt that he knows his younger self's way of thinking better than anyone. "Trust me when I say things should become easier for you, if the barrier does disappear. You can go wherever you want, then. You could even return to the Fire Nation."

He has no idea how his daughter would take his younger self showing up at the palace, but... well. He has just as much a right to be there as anyone.

[lordhotman]

Zuko's brows furrowed and his fists clenched. He had a hard time believing that, and resorted to snapping.

"And then what? Just hide some more? What's the difference?! Here or there, I'm still living in your shadow!"

Perhaps he shouldn't get so angry, especially at his older self. But he can't help it. The frustration is starting to bubble over.

"And I'm sick of it! There are statues of me, and everyone talks about how great I am, or rather, you are! About things I haven't even done yet! Do you know what that's like?!"

[restoredhonour]

"I do know what it's like," Lord Zuko says quietly. "For how many years did you and I live in Father's shadow?"

He doesn't meet his younger self's response with the same anger. If anything, he's glad he's airing his grievances now, instead of sitting and fuming on them, only to have them explode into something worse later on.

"I also know just as well as you do what it's like to have everything you've known stripped away from you. That's why I'm offering you my help."

1/2

[lordhotman]

Zuko is stunned into silence at that.

Of course, he should have known that. He is taking to himself here, after all. Is it really the same thing? No. But... it wasn't right for him to get angry and take this out on his older self. He knew that.

2/2

[lordhotman]

He then sighs and looks away shamefully. Zuko is quiet, which means he's listening.

[restoredhonour]

Taking that as indication to continue, the elder Zuko goes on. "I can't offer any immediate solutions, but I have faith in Korra and Aang. Until they find a way out of this mess, we need to be there to support them, just as we have before."

Aang must be thrown off about this whole situation just as much as any of them; he's just a little better at hiding it. As for Korra, with the disappearance of a lot of people like Lin and Tenzin, who she'd come to rely on, she'd need the help more than ever.

"As for our own situation... The offer of shelter still stands. And, if and when the spirit barrier disperses, I can offer you the Fire Nation's full protection. Being careful about your identity is important, but there's no reason you or Uncle should need to live on the streets."

[lordhotman]

"I haven't even met Korra," he admits quietly, a thoughtful frown on his face. "But they will have my support. ... Whatever support I can give."

There was obvious doubt in his voice. He felt useless, like he couldn't do anything. Being in practical hiding limited what he could do, and he knew it.

To his older counterpart's repeated offer, Zuko just nodded, a bit disheartened. "I'll think about it."

[restoredhonour]

"Whenever the best opportunity arises, I can introduce you to Korra." He pauses, and quirks a smile. "You'll see she's quite different from Aang, but I'm sure you'll get along with her well." She might not be a gentle monk, but she's every bit as kind and selfless as her past life... Hopefully his younger self will see that easily enough.

Lord Zuko nods. He knows himself better than anyone, and knows what bad habits he's had at refusing help when he needs it, so he says simply, "Take as much time as you need to think. Just remember that you don't have to do everything on your own."