[ zuko was so sure -- there's a flash of mild irritation at the answer, not at soo-won, but just because he doesn't like the sharing rules and finds them to be a massive inconvenience ]
[ it's so fleeting, though, because what soo-won says next takes him by pretty strong surprise -- ]
[ -- and becomes relief. equally strong relief. and gratefulness? probably not the reaction he expected. ]
and those are emotions that soo-won can't catch quickly enough - because he is surprisingly honest, he's just also someone who would rather omit things to prevent them from coming to light. but this happens so fast that there's no way he could hide them.
the surprise and - despite zuko's own response, there is the twist of guilt. because he still stole a life, and so perhaps the relief fits oddly with him. he is still a killer, and he will not hide from that fact.
but more so there is -
remarkable fondness, the gentlest amusement, and the settling of his emotions into something pleasantly surprised, warm and kind]
.... she told me that someone was looking for me and I was hesitant, in truth, but -
.... you already defended me during the trial. I thought that letting you know this much was the least I could do.
I ask, of course, that you keep this knowledge to yourself.
[ it's not as though zuko enjoys killing, or that it's something he's willing to just overlook - but the longer he's been here, the more he's realized there's no right way out of this situation. sometimes, the hard decisions have to be made. and he would never begrudge anyone -- certainly not soo-won -- for defending themselves against an attempted murder. ]
It means a lot. And.... this is one secret I'll be glad to keep.
[ dancing around teams and rules is annoying, but he's genuine in his desire to protect soo-won. he never wanted a target on sharon's killer's back. he never had any intention of spreading it. he just wanted to know the truth ]
[ . . . . he just makes a motion then for them to keep walking - if only so that they can keep moving instead of remaining in one spot. once they're a bit further away from town, he'll explain.]
... everyone around me one by one fell asleep, Goat included. After ensuring that there was no way to wake them, Sharon came to approach me with some tea. I declined to take any, in case of poison.
... she explained to me what she'd lost as memory. She'd started telling me the beginning of a story on Monday - and then she finished it that evening. [there is the slightest test of sadness that escapes him - a grief. not for himself, but for sharon.] I believe she was under the impression that I would understand why she felt the need to take a life.
I did... and I do.
[even when he speaks, it's devoid of anger. there is no grudge, no ill will.]
... but you'd said it yourself. I'd already died twice that day. I didn't wish to make it a third. I told her my own reasons for why I can't die - oh, I'm a king, by the way - and she instead chose to challenge me to a duel.
[i will allow the story to pause bc he just dropped a lot of information all at once]
[ good instincts. zuko's already been looking around to make sure they're not being eavesdropped on, but as soon as soo-won gestures, he's walking along with no hesitation. ]
[ he listens quietly to this explanation -- though he didn't know sharon well, this all slots in with his initial thoughts. it's almost comforting to know that both of them acted with honor (tm) throughout this exchange, and -- ]
A king!?
[ he had the feeling soo-won was some kind of royalty just from the way he acted, but he didn't expect king. and soo-won certainly doesn't need to feel the shock to know it's there, as his face drops at this reveal. ]
reaction is great? soo-won seems deeply amused, like he thinks it's wonderful how surprised zuko is, and he just laughs a little bit at it.]
Currently serving as the king for the country of Kouka. A pleasure to make your proper acquaintance. So you can call me Soo-won, when it's just the two of us - Won is typically the merchant cover that I use when I'm inspecting the kingdom undercover.
[HE HAS A WHOLE SYSTEM FOR HOW TO HANDLE THE GOVERNANCE IN HIS OWN HANDS BUT.]
I'm still me - so you needn't treat me any differently.
[ he recovers pretty quickly, at least! aside from the lingering embarrassment from when soo-won laughs, but not in a bad way. ] ... I had a feeling you were royalty. But I didn't realize you were a king.
[ soo-won or won doesn't matter too much to him, honestly... it's whatever soo-won's most comfortable with. ]
It makes sense, though. You're just more in touch than most other royalty I know.
More in touch...? [he seems to wonder about that for a moment before he hums thoughtfully] .... I think I've always just been curious about the world. My mother said even when I was a child that she got used to me just wandering off the moment she took her eyes off me, not unlike a cat.
So my adventures led me to the streets, to the places where people who are normally called criminals and the like dwell - but I just think that all people are simply people, and I like all of them.
[and when he says that - there's a certain sincerity and fondness that bubbles up from him. a love of the world that doesn't flinch away from the darkest parts of it]
I make mistakes and difficult choices as much as anyone else but... well, I'm still just me.
You'd never catch my father or sister wandering around the public of their own will, that's for sure. [ there was that stint on ember island... but even that was a forced vacation, and kind of an experiment by azula. ] Or me, actually... before I was exiled.
Pretty much every other royal I type have never cared about mingling with their people. They always thought they were above it all.
[ while zuko himself wasn't that bad -- he certainly wasn't soo-won level. ]
.... well, people aren't faultless. Some royals will remain in their castles, whether it be out of arrogance or an attempt to protect their way of life - afraid that the common people might rebel against their rule. Even if it's not the way I think a kingdom should be run... it's not as though it's difficult to understand.
[at least - that's what he thinks. soo-won will ultimately try to understand others, at the end of the day - it's just. not how he would ever choose to govern.]
But ah, where was I... That's right - our duel. I told her that based on an answer I received earlier in the week, I did not so easily believe that the 'removed' were gone forever. As such, I told her that if that ends up being true.... the loser of our duel should act in the service of the winner, because ultimately we had no qualms with each other. Only the situation.
And so as she departed... she wished that I would live on - and I intend to do so.
[someone came to take soo-won's life and instead he brokered a contract with them and now he has a maid on the other side who's willing to do his bidding it is so fucking funny but also i hate him]
I'm glad you did. I'm sure you'll be an excellent leader - I often go visit towns myself in disguise, just to better assess the situation. I think there are things that simply cannot be perceived from the throne.
[but! zuko gets that! and for that much, soo-won is both proud of him and grateful. it's a type of ruling style that he doesn't have to challenge or disagree with.]
Hm....
It was perhaps an accident - but when I first asked my Leader about the removed, they weren't able to answer me immediately. It sounded as though it would be a complicated answer, and came with consequences.
You want to, don't you? I'm sure that you'll be able to gather allies to you - whose hearts are motivated by your form of rule rather than your family's.
That is ultimately the true mark of a leader.
[to have a message that can resonate with more people, who can bring them courage and hope.]
.... but yes, I did. My Leader also regained memories - both personal, and information about the Realm.
soo-won will reach out to rest a hand on zuko's shoulder.]
... have more faith. Either in yourself, or your comrades.
I want to believe that you will survive, so even if it's a lie - I hope that you'll tell me that you won't let yourself die. So that way you can't break your word to me.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[as for the next question there's the slightest sense of trepidation - hesitation, before he sighs and relents.]
.... Hilda told me that you were looking for me.
As the person who Sharon attacked last Thursday.
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[ it's so fleeting, though, because what soo-won says next takes him by pretty strong surprise -- ]
[ -- and becomes relief. equally strong relief. and gratefulness? probably not the reaction he expected. ]
Thank you for trusting me.
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and those are emotions that soo-won can't catch quickly enough - because he is surprisingly honest, he's just also someone who would rather omit things to prevent them from coming to light. but this happens so fast that there's no way he could hide them.
the surprise and - despite zuko's own response, there is the twist of guilt. because he still stole a life, and so perhaps the relief fits oddly with him. he is still a killer, and he will not hide from that fact.
but more so there is -
remarkable fondness, the gentlest amusement, and the settling of his emotions into something pleasantly surprised, warm and kind]
.... she told me that someone was looking for me and I was hesitant, in truth, but -
.... you already defended me during the trial. I thought that letting you know this much was the least I could do.
I ask, of course, that you keep this knowledge to yourself.
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[ also? it's selfish, but soo-won's alive. he's standing here. that, alone... ]
It means a lot. And.... this is one secret I'll be glad to keep.
[ dancing around teams and rules is annoying, but he's genuine in his desire to protect soo-won. he never wanted a target on sharon's killer's back. he never had any intention of spreading it. he just wanted to know the truth ]
What happened that night?
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... everyone around me one by one fell asleep, Goat included. After ensuring that there was no way to wake them, Sharon came to approach me with some tea. I declined to take any, in case of poison.
... she explained to me what she'd lost as memory. She'd started telling me the beginning of a story on Monday - and then she finished it that evening. [there is the slightest test of sadness that escapes him - a grief. not for himself, but for sharon.] I believe she was under the impression that I would understand why she felt the need to take a life.
I did... and I do.
[even when he speaks, it's devoid of anger. there is no grudge, no ill will.]
... but you'd said it yourself. I'd already died twice that day. I didn't wish to make it a third. I told her my own reasons for why I can't die - oh, I'm a king, by the way - and she instead chose to challenge me to a duel.
[i will allow the story to pause bc he just dropped a lot of information all at once]
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[ he listens quietly to this explanation -- though he didn't know sharon well, this all slots in with his initial thoughts. it's almost comforting to know that both of them acted with honor (tm) throughout this exchange, and -- ]
A king!?
[ he had the feeling soo-won was some kind of royalty just from the way he acted, but he didn't expect king. and soo-won certainly doesn't need to feel the shock to know it's there, as his face drops at this reveal. ]
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reaction is great? soo-won seems deeply amused, like he thinks it's wonderful how surprised zuko is, and he just laughs a little bit at it.]
Currently serving as the king for the country of Kouka. A pleasure to make your proper acquaintance. So you can call me Soo-won, when it's just the two of us - Won is typically the merchant cover that I use when I'm inspecting the kingdom undercover.
[HE HAS A WHOLE SYSTEM FOR HOW TO HANDLE THE GOVERNANCE IN HIS OWN HANDS BUT.]
I'm still me - so you needn't treat me any differently.
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[ soo-won or won doesn't matter too much to him, honestly... it's whatever soo-won's most comfortable with. ]
It makes sense, though. You're just more in touch than most other royalty I know.
[ including himself honestly ]
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More in touch...? [he seems to wonder about that for a moment before he hums thoughtfully] .... I think I've always just been curious about the world. My mother said even when I was a child that she got used to me just wandering off the moment she took her eyes off me, not unlike a cat.
So my adventures led me to the streets, to the places where people who are normally called criminals and the like dwell - but I just think that all people are simply people, and I like all of them.
[and when he says that - there's a certain sincerity and fondness that bubbles up from him. a love of the world that doesn't flinch away from the darkest parts of it]
I make mistakes and difficult choices as much as anyone else but... well, I'm still just me.
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Pretty much every other royal I type have never cared about mingling with their people. They always thought they were above it all.
[ while zuko himself wasn't that bad -- he certainly wasn't soo-won level. ]
.. Anyway, sorry. I distracted you.
[ from the moidah... ]
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[at least - that's what he thinks. soo-won will ultimately try to understand others, at the end of the day - it's just. not how he would ever choose to govern.]
But ah, where was I... That's right - our duel. I told her that based on an answer I received earlier in the week, I did not so easily believe that the 'removed' were gone forever. As such, I told her that if that ends up being true.... the loser of our duel should act in the service of the winner, because ultimately we had no qualms with each other. Only the situation.
And so as she departed... she wished that I would live on - and I intend to do so.
[someone came to take soo-won's life and instead he brokered a contract with them and now he has a maid on the other side who's willing to do his bidding it is so fucking funny but also i hate him]
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[ zuko is definitely not giving those kinds of royals the benefit of the doubt like soo-won is. he's more openly judgmental. ]
[ he kind of laughs, though? at the rest of that. ]
That's.... well, that's what I'd expect from you.
[ he really is a king. a good one, at that. ]
What made you think that...?
[ zuko himself had no such thoughts until recently. ]
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[but! zuko gets that! and for that much, soo-won is both proud of him and grateful. it's a type of ruling style that he doesn't have to challenge or disagree with.]
Hm....
It was perhaps an accident - but when I first asked my Leader about the removed, they weren't able to answer me immediately. It sounded as though it would be a complicated answer, and came with consequences.
Ultimately, I learned nothing -
Except that there was more to learn.
So I took a chance on that.
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[ but thanks for the vote of confident, soo-won. ]
... Well. I guess we'll see if it pays off. [ in like two threads..... ]
Did you... regain a memory, after that night?
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That is ultimately the true mark of a leader.
[to have a message that can resonate with more people, who can bring them courage and hope.]
.... but yes, I did. My Leader also regained memories - both personal, and information about the Realm.
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[ zuko's answer to everything: it's complicated. ]
.... Yeah, that makes sense. Thanks.
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soo-won will reach out to rest a hand on zuko's shoulder.]
... have more faith. Either in yourself, or your comrades.
I want to believe that you will survive, so even if it's a lie - I hope that you'll tell me that you won't let yourself die. So that way you can't break your word to me.
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I have no intention of dying. Here, or anywhere else. So don't worry.
[ reclaiming the throne, though... that would mean facing azula. at the very least. ]
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We're friends after all, aren't we?
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[ wow look at this fuckin nerd smile ]