17 - [voice] Return to the land of the living

[forged_anew]

[Zuko turns his communicator on, but there is only silence for a long time. He doesn't really know what to say. After a while, he speaks, voice quiet and flat.]


I'm... back.


[.......]



I apologize for having worried you.


[And that's it. The communicator shuts off with a soft click.]

Comments

[forged_anew]

[sigh]

Not really.

[beatsupboys.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's what I thought.

[forged_anew]

[Yeah, well, he knows he's being obvious, but he's not really in the mood to attempt faking it.]

I can't exactly be happy about not only hurting and worrying those I care about, but once again being utterly useless. Not to mention last week was... just a little traumatizing not fun.

[beatsupboys.livejournal.com]

I know.


[...]

Tora poked me about this. I hope you don't mind! /saves from awkwardness

[represses.livejournal.com]

[Mai quietly entered the apartment, her expression dour; she'd found her communicator, though it had taken a lot longer than she'd anticipated. It took her a moment to notice the room's new occupant - she WAS rather distracted - though, once she did...]

...hey.

Sorry this is so late! I've been sick and sleeping a lot ahhhhhh

[beatsupboys.livejournal.com]

Hi.

[Stands and shifts from one foot to the other]

Do you, um... do you want some company?

Awww! <3333 Get plenty of rest, bb

[forged_anew]

[Zuko also looks up as Mai enters, giving her a kind-of half hearted smile, but says nothing.]

Seconding that~

[represses.livejournal.com]

[She returned Zuko's half-smile with a similar one; it wasn't possible to overstate how awkward things had been since he'd returned. They shouldn't have been, but they were, and Mai was... just kind of at a loss.

Ty Lee's question drew a blank stare from her... until she realized how utterly palpable the awkward atmosphere was.]

Um... sure, yeah.

[She took a seat next to Zuko... but not actually AGAINST him, like usual. For some reason, she got the feeling - right or wrong - that he didn't really want to be touched at the moment. Frankly, she was surprised that he was alright with being SEEN, or SPOKEN TO. But, well, maybe it was a sign that he was cheering up? Maybe.]

Thank you! And aaaaack sorry this is so late; I forgot to track the post for replies *does that now*

[beatsupboys.livejournal.com]

[Still just standing there, really awkwardly-- for once, she's at a loss for what to do]

Do you want me to stay, or do you guys want to be alone?

np~ <3

[forged_anew]

[Zuko merely shrugs and turns to look back out the window again. He doesn't mind, if it helps Mai. He hopes it will.]

and you thought she was gonna save you from awkwardness. :|

[represses.livejournal.com]

[Mai was, oddly enough, thinking something along those same lines; Ty Lee's presence, always a fortifying force, might do Zuko some good. She tried to smile at the other girl... and failed, but not completely; at least, her expression was a LITTLE less sour than normal.]

It's fine... c'mon, sit.

sooooooob

[beatsupboys.livejournal.com]

[She sits, staring down at her feet]

So, um... you guys want to talk or something? Or...

Oh, God, the awkwaaaard! =A=

[forged_anew]

[Zuko looks over again as Ty Lee joins them, noticing how at a loss the poor girl looked.]

Uh...


[But he can't think of anything to say. Great job, Zuko. The awkward silence continues.]

/dies forever. QUICK, SOMEONE PULL OUT A GUN, THEY CAN PLAY RUSSIAN ROULETTE. ;~;

[represses.livejournal.com]

[Even Mai, accustomed to awkwardness, found this... unsettling. Talking about her or Zuko, though, would be... well. EVERYONE knew what had been happening to them. So... that only left one.]

...what have you been up?

[...a sad conversation-starter, but, considering that she'd never tried to do that before? Not a bad first try.]

TY LEE WOULD IF SHE KNEW WHAT A GUN WAS (except she really, really wouldn't XD)

[beatsupboys.livejournal.com]

[A shrug]

Not much, really! Just the usual stuff.

... You guys should come visit more often. Or I should visit you.

[forged_anew]

[Zuko manages a tiny smile. Ty Lee's trying, and he appreciates it.]

You're welcome here whenever.