16 - [voice] ....Why am I in the hospital again?

[forged_anew]

[Zuko's voice is weak and tired, but he's trying to sound casual anyway. He keeps it short, half because Muraki told him to and half because he can't breathe when his sentences get too long]

In the hospital now. Dr. Muraki's taking care of me.

Don't worry.

Comments

{ same filter; voice }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

Boy. I would suggest you watch over your apparent obsession of me. I am perfectly willing to leave you behind, like a broken toy with which I no longer have use of...

...and yet, you approach me, and purposely dance around my flames like a wanton moth.

It's flattering, but also exhausting. And utterly needless.

{ same filter; voice }

[refracted-green.livejournal.com]

Well, I certainly didn't mean to flatter you, doctor.

Returning to the subject at hand, if you're planning to use him the way you--[a pause.]--if you're planning to use him, you'll regret it.

{ same filter; voice }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

Is that an invitation from Tsuzuki?

{ same filter; voice }

[refracted-green.livejournal.com]

No. Leave him out of this.

{ same filter; voice }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

Even when you cannot do anything without him rushing to your aid, boy?

{ same filter; voice }

[refracted-green.livejournal.com]

I can fire a gun by myself, I think.

{ same filter; voice }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

And the master can pull the strings of even a retired puppet.

{ same filter; voice }

[refracted-green.livejournal.com]

I'm not your puppet.

{ same filter; voice }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

Your body would say otherwise.

{ same filter; voice }

[refracted-green.livejournal.com]

[This voice, here? It's not shaking in rage. That's your imagination.] Then it's a good thing my body can't talk.

{ same filter; voice }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

It would not speak. Instead, it would burn with yearning for the hands that wrought its servitude.

{ same filter; voice }

[refracted-green.livejournal.com]

[Not shaking more violently, not at all.]

Shut up.

{ same filter; voice }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

That duty belongs to you for disturbing my patient's rest to begin with.

{ same filter; voice }

[refracted-green.livejournal.com]

If you didn't treat people like--toys, I wouldn't have had to.

{ same filter; voice }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

If Tsuzuki-san belonged to me now, I would have no need for toys, as you put it.

{ same filter; voice }

[refracted-green.livejournal.com]

Tsuzuki will never belong to you.

{ same filter; voice }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

Then, by your own words, you've just damned countless people. How pitiful. You claim to wish save and yet you weigh your pillar's importance more than those in need of saving.

[ smiiileeess here ]

I understand your selfishness, however.

{ same filter; voice }

[refracted-green.livejournal.com]

You can't manipulate me like you do him, doctor.

{ same filter; voice }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

Of course, not. You're simpler.

{ same filter; voice }

[refracted-green.livejournal.com]

I'm not as kind.

{ same filter; voice }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

Your will would matter little.

{ same filter; voice }

[refracted-green.livejournal.com]

Try me.

{ same filter; voice }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

I'm not inclined to do so. I have better things to do than satisfy your need to be acknowledged.

{ same filter; voice }

[refracted-green.livejournal.com]

[A reprise of the angry shaking voice.] Then stop talking to me.

{ same filter; voice }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

I believe we've been through this before... [ pause and then chuckle... ]

But if you insist, I require some manners in your request before I consider doing so.