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]

[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?]

[gianthobo]

Well... like I said, I'd never force them to fight unless it was life or death or something like that. If she doesn't want to fight, I don't see why she should have to.

[Eevee bats at Zuko's hands. Yay!]

[daughterofursa]

[Zuko nods, and bats back at Eevee's paws.]

She's a firebender, but hopefully she won't have to use it against anyone.

[gianthobo]

It would be nice not to have to. That's always what people wish for the next generation, isn't it?

[daughterofursa]

[She frowns.]

I wouldn't say always.

But they do if they really have their best interests at heart.

[gianthobo]

... That's true. Though often even those who fight... or go to war... are doing it to try to protect people.

[Eevee rolls over and headbutts AZ gently in the leg. Papa AZ, no talking about sad things!]

[daughterofursa]

And some of them aren't.

[No need to get into it more than that, she's just stating a fact.]

[gianthobo]

... I know.

[He's not trying to start a fight, he's just... he's not even sure where he was going with that.]

All we can do is work towards peace.

[daughterofursa]

There's no war here. That's a start.

[Even if that's largely because the people who were fighting kind of destroyed themselves.]

[gianthobo]

That's true. I don't think there's really enough people for a war. It's debatable whether that's a good thing or not...

[daughterofursa]

Good or bad, it's the way things are.

There are still enough of us that we could be fighting.

[gianthobo]

True. At least most people seem to be getting along.

[He can't say anything about Zulf and Nathaniel, but. Yeah.]

[daughterofursa]

It's a lot different from back home, in that respect.

[gianthobo]

... I wish I could have shown you our world. I think you would have liked it.

[daughterofursa]

I liked my world. It had problems, but it was home.

[No offense, AZ, but no other world would measure up for her.]

[gianthobo]

I didn't mean for forever. Just for a visit.

[He smiles a little bit sheepishly.]

[daughterofursa]

W-well... Maybe.

[She'd probably still rather be home okay.]

[gianthobo]

And maybe Kizuna would like that too, hm?

[Tickle tickle the bitty wings!]

[daughterofursa]

[Noooo not the wings. Kizuna squirms around and then scurries off to hide behind Zuko.]

When she's a little older-- probably. She's never seen anywhere but the Bastion.

[gianthobo]

[Aw, okay.]

I've been... trying to take Eevee out more. I don't want her to get hurt... but she can't be stuck in the Bastion forever.

[daughterofursa]

Yeah. I guess not.

[Kizuna is still MUCH TOO YOUNG and that's not just Zuko being a protective parent, but maybe once she learns to fly and can get herself away from situations if need be...

Though she escaped the tickling well enough. Zuko looks down at her.]

You okay back there?

[gianthobo]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare her.

[Eevee yips encouragingly. It's okay, friend!]

[daughterofursa]

[Kizuna pokes her head up over Zuko's leg.]

I think she just doesn't like being touched there. She hasn't really figured out what her wings are for yet.

[gianthobo]

I see. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to annoy you.

[daughterofursa]

[Zuko gives Kizuna an encouraging nudge.]

Go on. He knows better now.