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Some time after talking with Steph, Zuko still has no idea how to go about approaching the many people who he should proably talk to.

Instead, he's focusing on something that puts it all off very nicely, and practicing firebending forms out in the training field. They really do make much more sense after visiting the Masters - without having to spend to much effort on brute force and anger to produce the flame, everything flows more, and that in turn is levelling out his thoughts.

So. Another version of him had children. And they're here. They also seem to think he's their father- at least, the version that they knew. He should talk to Mel first, then. He's not sure what she thinks, but he should ask, in any case. And Iroh should know.

Later. He finishes off a form, and moves onto the next.

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...Okay!

Zuko grits his teeth as he falls back, pulling in his arms just in time to get them under her, and pushes her up and away, both muscle and firepower fuelling the thrust.

Val oofs.

And falls. Again.

And doesn't get to her feet again, though she manages a sitting position.

Despite the lack of a visible face, her body language says I give up clear as day.

Zuko flips onto his feet, but doesn't attack again when he sees her not moving.

He stays in ready stance, though. The Fire Nation? Not full of entirely scrupulous people. Zhao.

She's leaning back on her hands and looking up at him. After a moment, her mask melts away, and she grins ruefully.

"All right, you kicked my ass. Now I know I need to learn from you."

...Okay, he'll take that as a sign of surrender.

He relaxes. "Your power is very useful," he says thoughtfully. "I think your problems are mostly stamina and balance. Does it take energy to maintain?"

"Not really. I just have to keep thinking about it."

Valerie lets the rest of the armour go.

"And the more I get used to something, the easier it is. The armour's easy by now."

Zuko nods.

"That's good, at least. Bending takes energy, you see. For the time being, maybe we should work on your strength and balance - technique will come with the right routines."

He pauses. "But once you've got the basics, I think you should learn some moves you can do without it. Back home-" Because the thread with Dinah has to be timed after this one, lalala, "One of my sister's friends practised a technique to block a Bender's qi. Most of them were completely helpless against her, even when they were still able to move. If someone worked out how to suppress yours..."

Well. No offense, Val, but you might get squished. A bit.

"Yeah. My twin hit me with a... thingy that blocks mutant abilities once." Cheerfully: "I chased him around the house with a frying pan for an hour until it wore off. But I get your point, yeah."

Zuko smiles slightly.

"Exactly. A serious attacker wouldn't be so easily put off. Let's see. Do you have any form of exercise regime already?"

If you don't, he will give you one, Val! If you do, he'll... um, give you more. Yeah.

"Uh... not so much."

Sheepish headscratch.

"That's not a problem. In fact, once you built up stamina, it means your muscles will already be used to the right kind of motion."

Here, have some homework!

"Cool."

Oh, great. Homework.

Well, if it stops her getting her ass kicked: :D!

Zuko nods, and starts describing exercises.

Lucky Val?

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