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]

It means I don't want to.

[gianthobo]

[He can't help but smile slightly. He remembers being young and stubborn.]

You can do as you want, then.

[Eevee looks up at him. What's going on?]

[daughterofursa]

I will.

[...although for some reason she doesn't feel like going anywhere probably because you're tired Zuko. Also Kizuna seems like she was enjoying herself.]

...

Who's your friend? [She means Eevee.]

[gianthobo]

This is Eevee. She's a Pokemon.

[Eevee trills happily. Hello, hello! She nuzzles at Zuko. Friend!]

[daughterofursa]

I thought she might be.

[Zuko gives her a nice pet on the head.]

Hello.

[gianthobo]

[She just snuggles into Zuko's hand. Eee headpets are the bestest!]

[daughterofursa]

[What what those pettings are supposed to be for Kizuna! She might like you Eevee but why are you taking Mommy pettings? The little dragon tries to shove her way under Zuko's hand, too.]

Uh-

[Welp.

She has two hands?]

[gianthobo]

[Eevee just rolls over and presents her tummy. Here, enjoy this soft and pettable fur.]

[AZ just watches, amused.]

[daughterofursa]

[Zuko doesn't really notice AZ watching, she is busy trying to coordinate petting two different animals.

It should be obvious by this point that animals are an enormous weakness for her.]

[gianthobo]

[He holds a hand out for Kizuna to sniff. He can take over petting duty for Zuko.]

[daughterofursa]

[Huh? Welllll, Kizuna doesn't know if you give as good pettings as Mommy, new person, but she can come over and investigate.]

[gianthobo]

[He reaches out with a giant finger, stroking her back lightly. She's so small... but she's adorable.]

[daughterofursa]

[Not too close to the wings, giant person, it makes her fidgetty. But yes she is 110% adorable.]

[gianthobo]

[Here come scritchings! Does bitty dragon-type like scritchings? Let's find out!]

[daughterofursa]

[Ohhhh, scritchings are the best. Kizuna arches her neck so he can get under there.]

[gianthobo]

There you go. You're such a good baby... yes you are.

[He has spent enough time around baby Pokemon to know the right tone to use.]

[daughterofursa]

[Zuko... hadn't really heard the baby talk tone before seeing people react to Kizuna. She just talks to her like normal.]

You have dragons where you're from?

[gianthobo]

... I've never seen one quite like her... or Paarthurnax, for that matter. We have a dragon type, so yes. Just not exactly dragon species like either of them.

[daughterofursa]

What are they like?

[gianthobo]

Well... that depends. They all have their own personalities, but they tend to be rarer and focus on attack and speed. The only types that resist them are steel and fairy, and there aren't a lot of powerful fairy-type moves.

... Floette happens to have two of those, but one is a move I've never seen on any other Pokemon.

[daughterofursa]

[Zuko looks a little lost at that explanation. Steel and fairy???]

You talk about them like they're... troops or something.

[gianthobo]

[Maybe he should back up a little.]

Pokemon are all over my world. Many people battle them - that's how a lot of people determine strength or settle arguments or just have fun. And before you ask, yes, the Pokemon enjoy it, too. Only a cruel trainer makes his Pokemon fight against their will.

Pokemon come in many different types. For example, Eevee here is a normal type, and will learn mostly normal type moves. Some people talk about Pokemon having different attributes - hit points or vitality, attack, defense, special attack, special defense, and speed. Each type has strengths and weaknesses - Eevee, as a pure normal type, is weak against fighting type attacks and immune to ghost type attacks. When she evolves - changes form - she'll turn into a different type, but that's not always the case.

Most trainers have a variety of types on their teams so that they can maximize their type coverage and not be stuck with a team that will fall to just one kind of attack. Some people specialize, but they're somewhat rarer. For example, in addition to Eevee I have Floette who's a fairy type, Golurk who's a ground and ghost type, Torkoal who's a fire type, and Sigilyph who's a psychic and flying type.

[daughterofursa]

[She knew a little bit about the fighting but.]

That's... really strange.

No offense.

[gianthobo]

It's strange to think of a world where that isn't the case... but no offense taken. It's hard to get me mad.

[Unless she's planning on taking Floette or any of his other Pokemon away from him, but that's highly unlikely.]

[daughterofursa]

[Zuko would never-- I mean, she only stole an animal THAT ONE TIME.]

Some animals got trained as war mounts, like the ostrich horses.. But I wouldn't want Kizuna to have to fight anyone.

[Still petting Eevee. Why would you expect something so adorable and fluffy to fight?]