Day 295 [Open]

[daughterofursa]

Who: Zuko and anyone
Open: Open!
When: Day 295
Where: Dragonfield
What: Rejection hurts.
Format: I'll match
Warnings: Honor

When it comes to rejection and disappointment, Zuko's had years of practice. It should help that it wasn't really a rejection exactly, just nothing changing. Aoi didn't reject her as a person. They're still friends. Awkward friends, for the moment, as anyone who joins the morning swim lessons can probably attest to.

But this is the first time she's tried to handle it without getting angry. No one did anything wrong, so there's no one to be angry with, not even herself this time. She didn't do anything wrong, right? She doesn't think so, but there's still this feeling that won't go away, and maybe it is her fault.

What would Uncle tell her? It's hard to imagine. He only ever tried to talk to her about boys, and she always changed the subject.

She made tea for herself anyway to see if it would help, but in the end she just winds up sitting with the cup forgotten in her hands. Kizuna plays nearby, attacking various plants by the shore.

Comments

[daughterofursa]

[...well, at least she's not asking Zuko to play it.]

I guess so.

[scary_music]

[Ibuki carefully picks up the horn, looking it over. She plays a few test notes to get a feel for the instrument]

[After a bit, she starts playing some upbeat jazz-like music with it]

[daughterofursa]

[Zuko turns with the teapot in hand to stare at her a little.

She's definitely never heard it sound like that.]

[scary_music]

...

[She stops when she sees Zuko staring at her-]

Y-you don't like that kind of music, either, Zuko-chan...??

[daughterofursa]

... It's all right.

I've just never heard it played like that.

[scary_music]

...

[She offers the horn to Zuko]

Show Ibuki the music of your people, Zuko-chan!

... please?

[daughterofursa]

I don't really play for people.

[scary_music]

R-really?

But... but how is Ibuki supposed to play the music you like, then, Zuko-chan?! Maybe, maybe you can share the music notes at least???

[daughterofursa]

Music notes?

[Guess who wouldn't be able to read your musical notation.]

[scary_music]

... oooohhhh...

... so, so that's no go...

So the only way Ibuki can play Zuko-chan's music is if she hears Zuko-chan playing it...

[daughterofursa]

...

[Zuko brings the teapot over to the table so she can pour a cup for Ibuki.]

...maybe some other time.

[scary_music]

Right, maaaybe when you're feeling better, then? Ibuki will bother you about the horn music later.

[She carefully sets down the horn where it was at before going over to sit at the table]

[daughterofursa]

Yeah, maybe then.

[Zuko offers her the cup of tea. And Kizuna takes the opportunity to crawl off of her arm onto the table. Does she get tea, too? Please?? It's all nice and warm it must be good for dragons.]

[scary_music]

[Ibuki carefully sips her tea]

So, so, what's the matter, Zuko-chan??

[daughterofursa]

[While she's mulling over whether or not to even answer that question, Zuko does come to the conclusion that tea can't be that bad for dragons and pours just a little bit for Kizuna, whose head promptly disappears into the cup.]

It's just... You were wrong about Aoi.

[scary_music]

Huh?

... I... ... huh? You mean...? Really???

[daughterofursa]

Yeah.

[She's not sure what else to say about it.]

[scary_music]

Oooh...

...

I'm sorry...

[She feels a bit responsible, being one that pushed the ship, after all]

[daughterofursa]

It's no one's fault.

[Right? Certainly not Ibuki's.]

[scary_music]

Isn't it kind of Ibuki's fault?? For pushing you to do the thing?

...

... Ibuki's been rejected before, you know. W-well, uh, of course you don't know, Ibuki's never told you about that, but... back in Ibuki's world, she had a crush on a member of her old band... well, like... not rejected right away but... she sorta dumped me.

[daughterofursa]

Actually it was more Rin's idea.

..but I wouldn't have done it if I didn't want to.

[She hesitates. That was a "she" there, right?]

So you're...... bisexual?

[scary_music]

I still feel bad, though!

Ibuki's totally bi, yup!!

... So, so, is there anything Ibuki can do for you, Zuko-chan?? A hug, maybe??

[daughterofursa]

I don't know.

...what did you do when you got dumped?

[scary_music]

I pretended I was okay but... when I got home, I miiiight have cried a little.

... A lot.

[daughterofursa]

It was a few days ago. I don't think I need to cry.

[She already did that.]