Day 287 [Open]

[daughterofursa]

Who: Zuko and anyone
Open: Open!
When: Day 287
Where: Training building, donut tree
What: Sleep deprivation
Format: I'll match
Warnings: Honor

Between Zulf's revelation and Azula's arrival, Zuko hasn't been sleeping all that well the past few days. If she isn't up mulling over their situation, then she's startled awake by any sound as she approaches sleep, thinking of lightning.

She hasn't been at the pool lately either, though she's been sure to show up for her morning training regimen. Whichever of her students might show up have probably noticed the lack of sleep, and certainly by today. Her reaction time is slower and she loses focus at times. Still, she's determined to keep up with it.

It catches up with her by sometime in the afternoon. She just meant to sit down for a minute, and that donut tree is pleasantly shady and fragrant, in a way that doesn't remind her of home. And then, at some point, she drifted off, with Kizuna the baby dragon lying curled up on her stomach.

((Feel free to run into her either by the training building or while she's asleep!))

Comments

[daughterofursa]

What?

[Zuko stops to look over.]

Of course. I'm fine.

[findsrisks]

You sure? You look all...droopy. In the eyes, I mean.

[She draws her fingers along the skin under hew own eyes, like she's drawing bags under her eyes.]

[daughterofursa]

[Zuko's expression sours before she realizes this is probably not a comment about her bad eye.]

It's nothing. I just didn't sleep that well. [...for a few nights in a row.]

[findsrisks]

[It takes Nanaki a moment, but soon enough she realizes that her words may have been insensitive. Months ago it had been hard not to stare, but by now Nanaki was so used to Zuko's scar that she barely noticed it anymore.

In a panic, she was suddenly noticing it a lot more now.]

I-I didn't mean- I meant you looked sleepy! Like you hadn't been sleeping well or something and it's making bags under your eyes!

[And since Zuko just said that, then yeah, not sleeping would be the cause of said sleepiness.]

[daughterofursa]

[Nanaki's backpedalling may be making this worse because now Zuko knows she's thinking about it, even if she wasn't before.

If only she were as observant about... anything else that people do.]

Yeah. I figured that one out.

[findsrisks]

[Funny how that works.]

Yeah, I. Yeah.

[That sure is an awkward pause right there.]

But, uh, what I was going to say is. Maybe take a break if you're tired?

[daughterofursa]

I'm not tired enough I need a break.

[Yes you are.]

[findsrisks]

No offense, but you look like you're about to fall over.

[It may be a bit of an exaggeration, but.]

At least take a break for some coffee or tea or something?

[daughterofursa]

What's coffee?

[findsrisks]

It's ah...it's kind of like tea? But made from beans.

[daughterofursa]

Never had it.

[Obviously.]

...I guess I could make some tea.

[findsrisks]

Yeah, it might help you stay awake, if you're having trouble sleeping.

[A pause.]

Is it all the doom and gloom from Zulf and Nate? That's keeping you up, I mean.

[daughterofursa]

Yeah, sort of.

[That plus the probable impending doom due to her sister.

She looks around, then walks over to the corner where Kizuna is watching, having been taught to keep her distance from the training stuff. Zuko offers her arm for the little dragon to crawl up.]

C'mon. We're taking a break.