driftfleet | Video

Entry tags:

Video

Who: Zuko
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: SS Bishop
When: Now

[ When the video starts up the face on the screen sure doesn't look happy, but then again it so rarely does. ]

I've been here long enough to have gotten my bearings, so I won't waste time with that. Right now there's only one thing I want to know, and I refuse to believe no one can answer that for me.

[ His jaw sets. And he does his best to make sure it looks like he's standing up straight and means business here. Even over video he wants to come across as having a certain air of "no nonsense allowed". ]

I'll keep it short. Tell me who or what is Atroma, and where can I find them.

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Uncle?

[ Did his voice just crack? His voice just cracked a little. Sokka told him he was here, but he didn't expect to hear from him so soon. Not like this anyway, not... not in person. He wasn't ready. He hadn't braced himself, and he's having trouble replying to that comment.

He actually looks away from the video for a moment, because he's having trouble getting his feelings in order right now. ]

I know that, I just...

[ He doesn't want to have his first conversation with his uncle feel so impersonal. He has so much he wants to say to him, but he needs to catch up with his friends first. ]

Uncle, what ship are you on?

[ Now, Iroh knows Zuko well enough to know that something is -- well, wrong, when that's how he responds. He tries to think of what could be the cause. Zuko didn't look much older or much younger, so his point in time couldn't be too far off ...

There's a couple different possibilities, but honestly, Iroh is willing to take any of them in stride. Zuko is here now, and that's what matters. ]

I am on the Red Fish. Would you like me to come meet you? [ He'll try to crack a joke -- though Zuko never did much appreciate them ] I think I have started to get the hang of this "driving" thing.

No!

[ The idea is immediately horrifying, joke or not.

He calms himself down though, that... that sounded so bad. That sounded like he doesn't want to see his uncle. That's not what he wants him to think. And he immediately over corrects, trying to make up for how sudden and forceful that no was. ]

That's not what I--

I want to see you, uncle, but I need to meet with my friends on the Blue Fish first. I promise I'll come find you right after that.

[ Believe him, please. Stay there. Don't take this offer back. ]

[ He looks a bit surprised at the outburst, but he patiently waits as Zuko corrects himself.

Finally, he nods ]

All right. I will wait here for you, then.

[ He just wants him safe, and not lost in space. ]

I'll be there as soon as I can, uncle.

[ Hey now! He wasn't kidding about having gotten the hang of the shuttle! He wouldn't fly into the sun or anything ... !

But yeah, he will just be waiting here patiently. And of course he made tea. ... He might have also made it again, depending on how long it takes for Zuko to get his fire bending butt over there. It's no good if it's cold! ]

[ You don't know! He might! That'd be the worst way to lose an uncle! ... That wouldn't be the worst way, but it'd be pretty awful.

He'll probably have to do a double make. He's got a lot to catch up with with team Avatar. Sorry uncle! This is important world saving business! Even though the world has already been saved apparently?

He's on his way their way now though, so hopefully he won't be keeping Iroh waiting too long. You never know with kids these days though. ]

[ He might have fallen asleep in his chair by now. Dang it, Zuko, why you gotta take so long. ]

[ He had a lot to talk to his friends about, but we're pretending that all happened, and he's made his way to the Red Fish, and is currently standing by the shuttle not sure how to continue.

Not that he can't find his way around the ship, but he's just... he doesn't know where to even begin with talking to his uncle. ]

[ The sound of the shuttle docking does kind of startle him back awake, and he's shuffling over to the docking area there to see if it was Zuko that docked or someone else.

He's glad to see that it's who he was hoping for, and he starts to make his way over with a smile ]

It took you awhile. I hope you didn't get lost in space.

[ He stops where he is, still not sure how to take this all in. No one told him Iroh's time frame, and he doesn't know if his uncle knows everything he's done... will end up doing?

Whether Iroh knows or not, it still feels like he just got hit in the emotions with an especially large bolder the minute he sees Iroh smiling at him. It doesn't feel right for him to be treated like this. He doesn't deserve it.

He tries to keep his voice steady, and his expression smooth as he takes a slow step towards his uncle, but his eyebrows knit together. Well the one furrows, the other isn't really around anymore to do much with.

There's a tenseness in his body as well, a general air about him of unease. ]

I had a lot of things to talk about with my friends.

[ His voice sounds a lot quieter and meeker than he wants it to, and Zuko clears his throat, and tries speaking again. ]

I'm sorry to make you wait, uncle.

[ Iroh looks concerned, too. Normally this should be a happy reunion -- or at least, you know, not an upsetting one for Zuko.

He'll turn, beckoning for Zuko to follow ]

Come on. I will get you some tea, and you can tell me what is weighing so heavily on your mind.

[ He nods, following a small distance from his uncle. ]

Uncle, there are things I need to tell you. Things I've done, that I'm not sure you know about yet.

[ He pauses, just for a moment, at that. Sokka had mentioned that they came from different times -- was that possible here?

Either way, after a brief moment, he continues and gestures for Zuko to have a seat as he pours a cup of tea, expression fairly neutral ]

Go on.

[ He takes a seat slowly, watching the tea cup carefully. It's easier to stare at that than it is to look at Iroh right now. ]

Uncle... do you remember--

[ Pausing. ]

When we lived in Ba Sing Se together? Do you remember that?

Yes, of course I do.

[ He takes a sip of his tea ]

I remember many things after that, too.

[ Zuko tenses up, looking at Iroh with apprehension.

Then... does that mean...? ]

Then you've already know... you've already seen it.

[ His tone drops lower. It's hard for him to speak above what he is now, and even still his voice wavers. ]

The way I betrayed you.

[ And his head drops too. The shame and guilt feels suffocating, but it was his choice, his actions that led him to feeling this way. He has to accept it.

He looks up now, still nervous. ]

But uncle, you...

[ Iroh doesn't seem angry at him right now. He should be. After what Zuko did he has every right to be furious with him. ]

[ ... Oh, that's what this is. Zuko is from further behind than the rest of them. He stares Zuko down for a moment, stroking his beard, because -- how does he deal with this? He'd been through all kinds of crazy situations in his long life, but time travel shenanigans wasn't one of them.

He does know that Zuko needs to know exactly what he heard last time. Simply telling him that he already apologized and was already forgiven wouldn't actually help Zuko's guilt lessen. He was clearly from a point where he had found his way again -- and he didn't need Iroh to guide him down that path anymore. ]

You are worried that I was angry with you.

[ It's just an observation. He already knows it's true, but, you know. He'll let Zuko talk it out and get out what he needs to. ]

[ Zuko looks so confused. His uncle seems so calm. His uncle is offering him tea, and acting like Zuko is a welcome guest.

But he shouldn't. God knows that Zuko doesn't deserve any of it for all he's done. ]

Aren't you? You should be! After everything I've done...

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ACTION?!

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I'm not late! ... I'm super late...