shatterverse | (no subject)

Current Location: The Cooper Farm, Kansas

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Suki is sitting in the shade of a big beech tree, a little way removed from the buildings and goings on of the main farmstead. It's safe to say that her time at the Cooper Farm has not started very well, what with meeting Sokka and finding out that he's not the one that she left behind at the Western Air Temple, and having to swallow the fact that he's with some other girl here. Hence why she's distinctly unhappy right now.

There are other Sokkas here, allegedly, but she refuses to get her hopes up about that. Meditation hasn't helped at all. So she's just sitting there in her Earth clothes, brooding, and looking nothing like the proud Kyoshi warrior that some folk know her to be.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"...So it sounds," and is about to ask what about Mai?

He doesn't know if he wants to hear the answer.

"So you join up with us, then? Joined?"

It's a shame he doesn't ask about Mai really.

"I was planning on it, yes," Suki says. "I didn't really get a chance to do anything to help out though. I'd just gotten to the Western Air Temple when I was zapped to this world."

She guesses if he's saying 'us' then he'd already joined the Gaang, but she waits for him to confirm.

"Oh," Zuko says, thoughtfully.

"Yeah... we were there. The Avatar and I had just come back from going to find the Sun Warriors, to help with our bending, when I came here. It's a good base camp."

"Ooh, we're really close. Sokka told me about that. It was just a few days before you came to get me!"

Suki seems very excited about this. She's grinning, and very nearly bouncing up and down on the spot.

...She looks like she might hug him.

If she does, Zuko may panic.

Er, I mean, be manly and stoic and... panic. To himself. Nobly. Or something.

Meanwhile, he tilts his head at her, thinking. "Really? That is close. I wonder how we found that out." And a little bit of him is wondering if there's a Suki in his world stuck there still because he's here and can't help.

Yes. It takes talent to angst this constantly.

Aww, Zuko. Where's the synchronicity love?

Suki doesn't follow through with a full hug, but she does take hold of his arm for a few moments, such is her happiness.

"Oh, you didn't know I was there. You went to find Sokka's dad and break him out. It just so happened that I got sent there after me and my warriors lost our fight with Azula's team, because I was the leader."

He looks kind of surprised, but holds it together well enough, and nods.

"Oh. That makes sense." Beat. "Still, you must have put up quite a fight. Only really high-profile prisoners get sent to the Boiling Rock, even leaders."

It's a compliment of possibly the most backhanded kind possible.

It doesn't go unnoticed. Suki gives him a grim yet grateful nod.

"It wasn't long after we found Appa in the woods near the Serpent's Pass. He was all filthy and full of porcupine-boar spines. And he was very scared about something."

Sighing, she lets his arm go.

"We'd just coaxed him into trusting us and cleaned him up when Azula attacked. She wanted to hold him hostage in order to get to the Avatar, but I made sure he escaped." She wrinkles her nose unhappily. "My distraction with that job gave Azula the advantage, and the fight was lost once he'd flown away."

Zuko's expression goes very still and distant as she speaks.

"It was a good plan," he says flatly, then glances sideways at her, face still rigidly emotionless.

"I'm sorry you lost. But I'm glad you stopped her."

He gets a little smile in return. Suki knows it was also his plan, back then—Azula said as much. She also knows that he wouldn't dream of doing it now.

The smile becomes a cheeky smirk, and she reaches out again. This time to poke him teasingly in the ribs.

"I would have stopped you too. And I wouldn't have lost."

That gets a sideways smile, and he raises one eyebrow. (Not that he has much choice about that, but this time it's intentional.)

"Oh yeah? I got pretty far, you know."

Damn ~~Uncle's~~ his conscience.

"Not sure that's something you should be bragging about," Suki responds, with a scathing dryness that could rival Zuko's own. "Besides, if I wasn't in prison or helping other people, you probably wouldn't have."

Suki feels she's earned the right to tease him. He should be able to tell that's what she's doing by the mischievous glint in her eyes.

If not, the second gentle poke should clue him in.

Zuko rolls his eyes and submits to the poking.

(He isn't even thinking along the right lines, but it is because she's earned that right that he doesn't get angry, or retaliate.)

"Hey, just because it was wrong doesn't mean the plan wasn't a good one."

"It was okay," Suki admits, without much conviction.

More brightly, "but, hey... we're past all that now. I'm just glad you're here."

Zuko is rewarded with another smile for his troubles, and for suffering the mockery good-naturedly.

"Likewise," he says. "Although I really hope we get back at some point. No matter how many Four Nations there apparently are, I don't want any of them destroyed."

"Me neither," Suki agrees.

"Actually, Toph and I are planning on going out to try and find a way back at some point. I don't know where to look or who to talk to, it could be a complete waste of time, but you're welcome to come with us if you want. You never know..."

Zuko nods.

"I'd appreciate that."

Also, Tosh and Suki are actually two of the people who were easiest on his switching sides, even though he burned Toph's feet and Suki's entire village. That's always kind of touching.

Suki isn't one to hold a grudge. She understands that it was just a 'phase' he was going through. And it wasn't anything personal against her or her people.

"Count yourself in then," she returns. She's happy that he wants to tag along. A friendly Firebender is never a bad thing to have on your team.

Her eyes drift to his weapon.

"What's with the sword, by the way? I thought this place was supposed to be safe."

"Thanks," he says, then looks down at the swords in his hand.

"Oh," he says, taking one with his other hand. "I was just heading out to practise. It's as well to keep in training with something other than bending."

Also, Dinah figured out how to block his qi. If she could, then someone less friendly probably could, too.

"Ah. Right," she says, nodding. "I was going to say, I didn't have you pegged as the paranoid type."

That's possibly a compliment.

She cocks her head at him and offers a cuter smile.

"Need a partner?"

His gaze slides sideways at her, and he grins wider than before.

"If you're offering, definitely. You have any weapons here, or do you want to borrow one?"

Either way, he's interested.

She pulls out a K-Bar hunting knife from a leather sheath at her hip.

"This is all I've got."

"Dinah's trying to find me some fans," she explains. "I didn't have mine on me when I got zapped here. Until then though, I'm going to have to beg, steal and borrow."

She nods at the sword in his hand.

"Can I use one of those?"

Answer: yes. A lot more competently than he probably expects. But he'll have to wait until they spar to find that out.

Awesome.

"Sure."

He gets up and hands one over. The shape is slightly unusual, seeing as it's meant to be used dually, but when it comes down to it, it's a sword. It'll work.

Suki runs a keen eye over its form and then weighs it experimentally. Her analysis concludes with a nod of satisfaction.

"This'll work. Thanks."

She's grinning as well now, matching his enthusiasm.

"Is there a designated practice place, or can we do it anywhere?"

"There's no real rule, but mostly we stick to one of the fields," he says, nodding in the appropriate direction, and gesturing with his sword.

"Out this way, I'll show you."

(no subject)

fan-warrior.livejournal.com - 2008-10-09 23:34 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only