[ zuko's back in the kitchen..... but this time, he's actually eating something. he's just gnawing on some carrots with a can of tuna that looks like it's been punctured with a knife. ]
[ he's got his poor abused steak knife, so that'll do!! peeling potatoes is pretty straightforward, and he's clearly more comfortable to accept the food while contributing himself ]
Yeah. This is a pretty messed up way to meet people.
... Not that you're bad... just.. this situation is.
[ zuko's got a lil cut on his arm but it's more of a nick than anything. also shuffling awkwardly because he's an awkward boy!! ]
There's nothing to thank me for... and I'm fine. I just wish I was faster.
Yeah. Well. I just want to end this before anyone else gets hurt.
[ .... ]
Honestly, I doubt he's going to talk much to anyone, no matter how friendly he was with them before. The way he looked near the end.... it was like he was ready to tear us all to pieces.
but soo-won listens thoughtfully, and nods along, even as he incorporates the chopped veggies with the curry]
... it makes one wonder what he was playing for, doesn't it? To have a wish you want so fervently that it'd lead you to act so intensely, so violently.
[ zuko has defeated the vegetables at this point ]
Wishes are nice and all, but it takes more than just that to get things done. It takes hard work. I don't think there's an easy way to accomplish what I want done, or that I can just wish it into existence.
... But what I want an end to the war that's been tearing my world apart.
[ . . . that's a big wish, soo-won thinks. he can't imagine the scope of an entire world, when even he had to work so intensely, so restlessly for the sake of one country.
even so:]
... I think you'll be able to do it. [he smiles, with confidence] Keep up your strength, it sounds like they need you.
[as for his own wish...]
... I don't have one - not that this place can grant, anyway.
[ it's almost impossible, especially in current circumstances.... but zuko's going to try. no matter what. it's his responsibility, especially after everything his family has done. ]
... Thanks.
[ he sounds awkward about it, and he definitely doesn't have that kind of confidence. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 0, post-trial
[ he nods to soo-won when he sees him ]
Good work earlier.
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Same to you.
I think the person who helped deal with our offender should have a better dinner than this.
Do you like curry?
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You're really determined to cook for me, aren't you?
[ rubs his head.... ]
But yeah. Thanks.
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[but he'll go to start collecting the ingredients now, which i'm handwaving bc i still don't know how to cook]
Did we ever exchange names properly? I'm Won.
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[ zuko will help if he's instructed, he's not totally useless when it comes to cooking but he's no taako 1 or taako 2 ]
... Zuko. I would say nice to meet you, but.... [ vague murder gestures ]
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but he just manages a gently amused breath at that]
Nice to meet you - even if I wish it was under better circumstances.
I wanted to thank you as well, for assisting Chad Bartholomew Crash and Xie Lian in dealing with Virid. Were you hurt?
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Yeah. This is a pretty messed up way to meet people.
... Not that you're bad... just.. this situation is.
[ zuko's got a lil cut on his arm but it's more of a nick than anything. also shuffling awkwardly because he's an awkward boy!! ]
There's nothing to thank me for... and I'm fine. I just wish I was faster.
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[no he's teasing
the shuffling makes soo-won smile though, even as he idly stirs the curry]
... mm. I think that we all wish we were a bit faster, or quicker on the uptake. It doesn't feel much like a win, does it?
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No, not you! The murder!
[ murder is bad!!! soo won would never do such a thing ]
No, not really. We don't even know his reasons.
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Mm - I understood what you meant. I'm merely playing, I apologize if it went too far.
[the way he immediately eases off.... coward]
We don't... Do you think you'll talk to him?
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I just didn't want you to get the wrong idea.
[ zuko scoffs a little. ]
I think I'm the last person he'd want to talk to right now. What about you?
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[because zuko is an awkward wussbaby and it's endearing]
Hm.... I might. But it would be our first conversation. So that might strike a bit oddly.
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Yeah. Well. I just want to end this before anyone else gets hurt.
[ .... ]
Honestly, I doubt he's going to talk much to anyone, no matter how friendly he was with them before. The way he looked near the end.... it was like he was ready to tear us all to pieces.
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but soo-won listens thoughtfully, and nods along, even as he incorporates the chopped veggies with the curry]
... it makes one wonder what he was playing for, doesn't it? To have a wish you want so fervently that it'd lead you to act so intensely, so violently.
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[ zuko cants his head to the side, dramatically peeling a potato. ]
That's my guess.
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... mm.
That would do it.
[he looks up in thought]
... maybe I'll talk to him after all, then.
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Some people would sacrifice anything for someone they love.
[ zuko knows a bit about that. ]
.... Let me know what he says.
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[and he'll continue his cooking in a thoughtful silence before asking - ]
While I recognize this isn't exactly pre-dinner conversation...
Do you have a wish in mind? That you want to see granted from their prize.
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Wishes are nice and all, but it takes more than just that to get things done. It takes hard work. I don't think there's an easy way to accomplish what I want done, or that I can just wish it into existence.
... But what I want an end to the war that's been tearing my world apart.
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soo-won will let all the veggies stew with the curry and then go scoop some rice onto plates for them
as for his words... well, it's nothing he doesn't agree with.]
... it feels as though so many people I've met with here speak of war far too familiarly.
It's touched on your entire world?
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[ war.... what is good for, absolutely nothing. ]
[ zuko nods. ]
I have to help end it and bring balance to the world.
[ everything changed when the fire nation attacked.... ]
What about you? What's your wish?
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even so:]
... I think you'll be able to do it. [he smiles, with confidence] Keep up your strength, it sounds like they need you.
[as for his own wish...]
... I don't have one - not that this place can grant, anyway.
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... Thanks.
[ he sounds awkward about it, and he definitely doesn't have that kind of confidence. ]
Is it something you can grant?
[ through hard work ]
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as for the question, soo-won hums]
... maybe. It might be something that the people around me need to grant, by putting all their strength together. I'll do my part too, of course!
But... what I want is something where if I asked for it through a wish... It'd sort of defeat the purpose.
[and he'll turn to face zuko - ]
My home as a strong nation built on the power and will of its people, not gifts from gods or magic.
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[ zuko gives a nod at that. ]
If your people are a strong-willed and enduring as you are... I don't think you have anything to worry about. And it's more valuable than a wish.
[ it makes him think of the earth kingdom, a little. ]
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