driftfleet | mingle part deux

[Allen sees that it's an attack from both sides. There's no real time to deflect both with his sword and that sure is a bit of fire, so while Zuko is swinging? He turns to face Zuko and then leaps back in a backflip, hoping to give another kick as he moves away- though it's not the main priority so much as just getting away from those swords. One of the blades manages to cut skin on his leg as he goes]

[When he lands again on his feet, he winces at his cut leg but that doesn't stop him from being quick to move again into a battle stance so he's not caught off guard]

[ now.

zuko immediately darts forward to continue his offense, taking advantage of the need to resettle allen's stance. and he draws in a breath, spinning his right sword in order to create a wall of flames between allen and zuko, which would create the perfect barrier for zuko to cut through in order to knock allen backwards --

but as zuko swings his right arm forward to do just that, there is no flame. just a strike with his sword, which leaves him open, and once zuko realizes what didn't happen, he sucks in a breath and immediately attempts to dart backwards, pulling back from the strike with a hissed -- ]

What --

[ -- underneath his breath.

today is just not a good day. ]

Edited 2016-01-23 21:02 (UTC)

[By pure happenstance, Zuko swings as one of the cats wail loudly from the top of one of the crates as he tries to pounce on Timcanpy only to get nipped back at- distracting Allen. And such it hits- slashing him at his side. He fumbles back, swearing at his lack of attention- and doesn't at all notice Zuko's withdrawal or failbending.]

Shit-

[He activates his powers just enough to make ribbons that immediately wrap around the two injuries to stop the bleeding for the duration of the fight. Ugh. He's going to have to see Ino after this.]

[But like hell is he going to give up. He notices Zuko's own distraction and chooses to go on the offensive- striking at him with his blade]

[ why isn't his firebending working, why isn't his firebending working, why isn't his firebending working --

but once he sees allen is launching forward, to take control of the situation, he immediately shoves that aside in order to block allen's blow by crossing his swords, locking up his arm before delivering his own kick to allen's stomach to shove him backwards.

how do you like it, bastard. and zuko swings his arm backwards (a basic firebending motion), and when nothing happens, it only confirms what he thought, but he plays it off as readjusting his stance.

of all times for this stupidity to happen. ]

[The kick lands, and he does fall back some. Ow, that was not pleasant. But it lands where the ribbons had been wrapped and there was padding- so it doesn't quite knock the wind out of him.]

[Allen still doesn't notice the failed firebending moment, more assuming that he was just trying to return stance from that kick. He moves at him again, this time feinting- he swings his sword first, then swings his body in a half turn so he can throw a punch at Zuko with his free hand.]

[ metal crashes against metal as zuko blocks the sword neatly, but completely misses the punch -- it connects, and causes zuko to stumble backwards half a step.

there's some amount of blood in his mouth (annoying), but zuko ignores it to draw in a deep breath.

fuck the firebending. he doesn't need it.

he spins the left sword, but zuko steps to the right -- circling, gauging for the best opening, and swings -- but instead of following through, he uses the right to take a swipe at allen's feet, in an attempt to break his stance and balance. ]

[The sword swipe makes Allen jump- but instead of making him lose his balance, he does an air somersault over Zuko's blade, landing on his feet again and moving back into position.]

[Goddamn Acrobats, am I right]

[With that evasion successful, he goes in for another swing- picking up speed as he moves]

[ zuko immediately jumps backwards at the swing, but unfortunately for zuko (and for the cat), he treads on the tail of said cat. The cat yowls, zuko immediately whips his head around to see where the stupid animal went, and by the time he realizes what's happened --

that is a sword striking against his arm.

the cut isn't deep, as zuko manages to drop underneath allen's arm and duck out of the way before proper damage hits, but it's enough to make him utter a string of swears that nobody knew zuko knew underneath his breath. the feeling of blood against his clothes and dripping down his arm is uncomfortable, and the pain is irritating enough, but zuko ignores it to launch another quick attack, swinging his still good arm, sword whistling. ]

[Allen sees a flash of blood on his arm- as well as on the edge of the sword. But before Allen can really react to it, Zuko is attacking. Shit-]

Zuko!

[Out of reflex, he moves to block the weapon. As it collides against his sword, Allen moves to Zuko's side of bodycheck him- in hopes of knocking him to the ground. Maybe if he can get this over quickly...]

[ it's not the blood, or the sudden strike, but the sound of his name that causes zuko to give pause -- and the lack of balance, along with the distraction, causes zuko to trip and land quite flatly on his back.

which knocks the wind out of him.

which, if his firebending wasn't working before, it's definitely not going to work now.

one sword is scattered, but the other is still in his hand -- and zuko considers spinning, jumping up and forcing allen back, but something is off. and so zuko relaxes his grip on his sword, instead pushing himself up to sit with a cough.

he's furious, and scattered, but he's not stupid enough to press something when it clearly is not in his favor. ]

Edited 2016-01-23 22:27 (UTC)

[Allen isn't someone who attacks a person when they are on the ground, so he'll stand over, his sword still out...just in case (what? If he was in Zuko's shoes, no saying he wouldn't be dishonorable enough to use this a feint)]

Had enough?

Continuing is a disservice to you.

[ a series of stupid mistakes unbecoming of someone who had to take his throne back by force, and zuko inhales before exhaling slowly, intent on blowing flames into his hand -- but nothing happens.

great.

he pushes himself up, leaving his swords on the ground for now, a hand going to roll up his sleeve, checking the gash. something katara will have to heal later, he's sure. ]

Mm...you seemed a little off. Maybe we should've done this another time.

[He tilts his head a little as he watches him get up. He was going to offer his hand, but...okay.]

I'll call Ino. She'll be able to treat these wounds easily.

I am off.

[ allen may as well know, and it's not like zuko is expecting allen to kill him or anything. so he rolls his wrist, which is what he usually does to create a ball of fire -- but nothing really happens.

zuko sighs, not looking all that bothered by it, and moves to collect his swords. ]

And I'll go to Katara.

[ tiredly. if she's speaking to him, anyway. though katara should heal him regardless. it'd trap zuko in a room to talk, certainly. ]

Even though she's pissed at you? That won't go over well, you know.

[She might beat you up more than he did. Allen sheathes his own weapon. He'll have to clean it later, but oh well.]

[There's a pause]

[...]

You're not the Zuko I knew. He's gone. So is the Allen you knew. They're both...gone.

I think....Somewhere along the way, I let myself forget that. Because I was so happy about being remembered by someone.

[But it wasn't real. It never had been.]

[ ugh, talking.

there's a silence as allen speaks, and zuko sheaths his own swords as he does so before drawing in a breath. it's blunt, but true, and zuko purses his lips together before sighing. ]

-- how much do you know about me?

[ it's said suddenly, and zuko turns to face him fully, his lips twisting into a frown. ]

And don't spare my feelings.

[...]

You were the prince of the Fire Nation. You were exiled, so you went to hunt the Avatar to restore your honour. Along the way you eventually realised you were in the wrong, and turned sides to help the Avatar and stop the war. After you won the war, you became the new Fire Lord- a position you're extremely unsure about being able to do, but I think you'll do better than you believe.

Your group of friends mean a lot to you, especially Aang. You have a sister who unstable and vicious, and your father sounds worse. You have your Uncle Iroh, and you love him. You remember his proverbs better than you'll admit, and drinking tea reminds you of him. And...you both hate and love your father and sister. That's why you're always so conflicted when Azula shows up.

...Probably part of why you're so off right now.

[ aha. more detail than zuko expects, and the small beliefs of confidence spread throughout the story certainly do not go unnoticed by zuko. and he's quiet, letting that settle in the air for a minute before speaking. ]

My father is worse.

[ just to confirm that ]

... I betrayed my uncle and Katara, the Avatar, in Ba Sing Se. I went with Azula when she offered me a place back home. I left Katara, Aang, and the others for dead.

[ which is stupid. so stupid. and while zuko has since been forgiven, he still carries that burden. ]

But I eventually betrayed my family and left, after confronting my father and telling him that I was going to help the Avatar end the war. And... I first got to Adstringendum right after I defected. But before my uncle had forgiven me. No one else from my world was there.

[ he was lost, and lonely, and vulnerable, and he had no idea what he was doing. there was no one else there, just zuko. ]

Sasuke was the first person to find me. I was there for almost three years.

[ and losing that has been immensely... difficult. ]

[Allen listens to those details, quietly]

And...you were friends all that time. But now...

[It was...just like how it was with all his friends in Paradisa. They were gone. They had forgotten him. Maybe sometimes you see them again...but it wasn't the same. The memories were gone.]

He's gone.

[ zuko finishes the statement, drawing in a breath. ]

And I don't deal with loss very well.

[ fire lord zuko: understater of the century ]

I didn't mean to take that out on you.

[ allen is just an easy, safe target, because allen knows him, and isn't related to the mess -- but that's a level of familiarity that they don't have. which he can see now. ]

[He crosses his arms, giving a slight huff]

Yeah well, taking it to the network was a bit far.

[Seriously, he wasn't even mad at that point]

But...I can get it. You were dealing with a lot.

It was stupid.

[ zuko can be childish, but he can also admit when he's wrong. ]

I'm always dealing with a lot. It's still not an excuse.

Hmm... [He gives a nod. Okay, it's good you admit that, +2 approval]

Well...I guess if you do it again, I can always punch you harder?

[ his next sigh turns into something of a groan, and he shoulders his swords. ]

Katara is already mad at me.

[ let's not have another fight for like at least two months okay ]

I don't need to go to her with a broken jaw.

Ah....right. Good point. I'll stay clear of her for awhile.

[Could so go without Katara's wraith.]

Anyway... [He steps back and takes a polite bow] Thank you, for agreeing to fight. I think I can put the matter behind me now.

[AKA YOU'RE FORGIVEN ZUKO]

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honorbends - 2016-01-24 22:06 (UTC) - Expand

mingle part deux

he was my favorite zoidberg (9)

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(1) i give up zuko is the the worst hello from the other side

it's okay Zuko you tried

an attempt was made

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