driftfleet | mingle part deux

She isn't welcome here.

[ at once. ]

And even if I did want her here, that isn't my decision.

[ this is sokka's ship, not his. zuko wouldn't dare voice otherwise when sokka has already made it perfectly clear how he feels about the situation. ]

[She nods in understanding.]

Very well. I only wanted to know in case she does show up on the ship, for whatever reason.

[Riona has no idea what any of it is or what's going on but it sounds like a clusterfuck. She feels for you, Zuko.]

I don't want to pry too much here, but just so I know what we might be going up against. What exactly makes her so dangerous? Clearly she's not entirely stable. Does she wield magic of some sort? Some other power?

[Any person off their rocker is dangerous, but it's not like they're defenseless on this ship. Granted, she doesn't know the crew too well to judge whether or not they might just be overreacting, but it warrants asking what Azula is capable of.]

It's not prying; you have the right to know.

[ if she's staying here, anyway. and zuko draws in a breath before creating a ball of fire between his hands. ]

She's a firebender -- an elite firebender. Very fast, and very powerful. But that's not really what makes her dangerous. She's manipulative, a good liar, and cunning. She doesn't take prisoners, and when she decides she wants something, she usually gets it, no matter who's in her way.

[Riona leans in, not at all put off or surprised at the fire ball in his hands. The term "bender" is new to her, though.]

Is a firebender a mage who specializes in fire magic? I've never heard the word before. [But the question isn't terribly important to the subject at hand. And he's right: her personal qualities are way, way worse. Throwing around magic and fire, while dangerous, draws attention. People tend to, you know, notice that sort of thing. And it usually doesn't speak well about the person.]

She sounds like a lovely person. I can't imagine why she'd be a problem.

[Okay, she indulged in some sarcasm there because, coping mechanism. She gets serious again when she continues.]

And you have knowledge of things from your home that she does not know. Things that would result in her destabilizing and potentially putting lives in danger if she were to acquire said knowledge. Am I understanding this correctly?

Right.

[ he draws in a breath ]

It's not going to work forever, and she'll find out eventually. But the less she knows, the better. We have the advantage of information right now.

[ as for firebending... ]

I can explain firebending later, if you're interested.

Edited 2016-01-23 05:59 (UTC)

No, I suspect it won't. [Mental note: get a shield, ASAP.] So we're just buying time until then. Okay. And it sounds like you have dealt with her in the past. Is there a plan in place for once she does find out and, I assume, reacts violently?

I would be interested to learn about firebending, once things have calmed down a little. I understand you've got much bigger issues right now.

[And while she's thinking of it:]

Also, I was not aware you were someone of status. Is there a particular way I should address you in the future?

Sokka and I are trying to figure something out -- for now, I think we're installing locks on the doors in order to prevent her from coming here, and ... monitoring her. Hopefully she won't do anything stupid while she's here, but I can't rely on her to be reasonable.

[ and ah, the question he had been expecting, and zuko sighs. ]

Just Zuko is fine. You don't have to call me... anything special.

No, clearly not. [Her own mind is spinning, trying to come up with ideas.] I wonder if this is Atroma's way of generating entertainment. Nothing quite like the thrill of an imminent threat hanging over someone else's head.

[Assholes.

To his response, she nods.]

I understand completely. Zuko it is, then.

[Oh, Zuko, she understands. So. Damn. Much. And there's a heaviness to those words, the only thing that belies that she means more than she's letting on.]

It could be worse.

[ heavily. and it could. it could be so, so much worse. it could be azula after she snapped. it could be ozai. it could be both. ]

-- and thank you.

[Always, always be worse. She admires the bit of optimism. It's a good thing to have.]

Of course. I... don't know how much good it will do, but next time we dock someplace, I will look into getting gear that might help against her, should she snap and start throwing fireballs. We should be physically prepared, if nothing else.

[ there's a silence at that ]

-- avoid metal.

[ azula would probably delight in electrocuting someone and watching them sizzle, tbh ]

[Okay that's not what she was expecting.]

But would metal not be better against fire? I certainly cannot use wood.

[And that really doesn't leave a whole lot else, at least as far as she knows.]

Our military uniforms are a combination of metal and leather, but Azula can also use lightning in addition to fire.

[ so.

um.

well you can envision the metal image there. ]

I didn't wear any armor, the last time I fought her. It would've been pointless.

[Well.

Shit.]

Right then, I'll have to rethink that. Leather might work but... gah. I'm no armorer. I'll have to ask around carefully and see if anyone might have any ideas. Or perhaps the next place we stop at might have an armorer.

[She's thinking out loud a bit.]

There's probably something on planet, but -- she usually doesn't use lightning unless you've done something to ...

[ well. "deserve it" sounds wrong. ]

-- she usually only uses that when you've crossed the line. It's possible to redirect it, but I don't know how useful it would be to teach everyone who can't bend how to do that. Or if it'd work at all.

[ pause ]

... I use a lot of the same gifts that she has, when I fight. If you want to practice, I can volunteer. But I can't use lightning.

[ though zuko is sure he could bully sasuke into assisting with that. ]

[And there's no guarantee Riona won't do something that won't cross the line, even if she fully intends not to. She doesn't know Azula and what makes her tick. The only scenarios that would end with them squaring off would be a self-defense situation or if Azula tried to make her way onto the ship, both of which Riona would be on the defensive.]

I do not know myself, but I am willing to try and learn. While I don't intend to go after your sister, if she tries something to harm me, the crew or break onto the ship, I would like a way to be able to defend myself and those around me. I've dealt with fire and lightning magic, though I know it's not the same as your bending.

If she attacks anyone, I won't stop them from defending themselves.

[ that much is clear ]

But thank you, for not attacking her. And I can practice with you, if you need to get used to the difference. If that would make you more comfortable, anyway.

Of course. I defer to you and Sokka on this issue. Going after someone preemptively usually doesn't end well, anyway.

I'd like that, when you have the time.

I can always make time.

[ he's royalty remember he can do what he wants!!! ]

You let me know, and I'll accommodate you.

mingle part deux

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