5 - [voice] Mai, I'm sorry...

[forged_anew]

[Zuko's voice is soft, and for once there is no emotion in it. Blankly, he just states facts]

For anyone who was worrying, Mai and I are in the hospital now. I should be home soon, but... I don't know about Mai. We were attacked by something humanoid with long silver hair.

[There is a long pause, and it seems he forgot to turn the communicator off. When he continues, it's apparant he's talking to himself, tone pained]

Mai... She was right in front of me, less than a block away, just around the corner... Why couldn't I stop it? If I'd gone in front, or if I'd even had time to jump in front of her...

Dammmit all! If I had my Firebending, I might have at least had a chance to fight! But I couldn't do anything... Useless. So damn useless!

[He stops suddenly, coughing, and his voice sounds ragged and breathless, still thinking aloud] 

Why... couldn't I...do anything? I couldn't even get her to the hospital myself. She could have died and I couldn't do anything. I hate this place. I can't even protect the people I love.

[There is another pause, the sound of shifting blankets, quiet footsteps, and then a soft involuntary groan of pain before Zuko's voice is heard again, farther away (by Mai's bedside, actually)]

Mai... Mai, please... I'm sorry...


((OOC: For anyone who cares, Zuko's injuries, though they're all bandaged up now:  His left arm is pretty torn up and basically useless right now, there is a large gash across his back, and more minor claw wounds pretty much everywhere. ))

Comments

[voice]

[forged_anew]

What do you mean?

[voice]

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

[Voice lowers to a serious tone] When she needed me, I wasn't able to protect her. Right under my nose and I didn't even realize.

[voice] Hey I didn't know Haru had a serious tone! ;D

[forged_anew]

I see... [sighs]

I was right behind her, Haru. Steps away. And I couldn't...

[voice] Only sometimes :"> rest of it is deadpan

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

She'd probably call you stupid. Blaming yourself.

[voice]

[forged_anew]

[a pause, then a short, dry laugh]

Of course she will.

But even if it was out of my hands, I loathe being so useless. Maybe if I'd had my Firebending, I could have done something.

[voice]

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

It's not easy protecting the one you love. Sometimes it's better to think of what to do in the future instead of what could have been.

[voice]

[forged_anew]

[Zuko gives a half-hearted snort. Imagine that, getting serious advice from the neighborhood idiot who went around crashing into people's apartments. But, maybe he was right...]

Perhaps... But I'm getting my Bending back as soon as I can. I can't stand this. And now I can't even move my goddamn arm.

[voice]

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

You'll get a badass scar out of the deal.

[voice]

[forged_anew]

[The comment catches Zuko off guard and there is silence for a few moments]

...I think I've had enough of scars, actually.

[voice]

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Chicks dig them, you know.

[voice] - they haven't met in person, have they?

[forged_anew]

[His laugh is a little bitter]

Mai doesn't seem to mind. But it's earned me a fair share of unwanted pity and disgusted looks.

[voice] lol I dont think they have yet

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

People are kind of a drag anyway.

[voice] Ah, so none of that scar emoness made sense to him. lol

[forged_anew]

Tell me about it.

I've been trying to work on my people skills though, since becoming Fire Lord.

[voice] he probably pictures zuko as one of those sexy scar doods with chicks on their arms

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Lord of the flame?

[voice] He IS a sexy scar dude. LOL

[forged_anew]

Fire Lord. It means I'm the leader of my country, the Fire Nation. It's kind of like an emperor.

[voice] orite HE MUST BE PSYCHIC

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Whole country? That's pretty cool.

[voice]

[forged_anew]

I guess. I was the crown prince, but I didn't exactly inherit the throne.

There was a lot of war in my world, for a long time. All because of my country. I was trying to start an era of peace... but now I'm stuck here.

Re: [voice]

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

According to sensei, this is like some alternate dimensional wormhole and you are still there in this other world.

[voice]

[forged_anew]

Yeah, I heard about that. But it's still incredibly frustrating having a meeting with the Earth King one afternoon and then being thrown into this hellhole.

[more rustling of blankets as he moves, and a soft grunt of pain] Goddamn arm...

[voice]

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

You were doing something more important than me.

[voice]

[forged_anew]

[He's cheering up a tiny bit and actually has a hint of dry humor in his voice now. Good job, Haru!]

Well, I suppose you're not Fire Lord where you come from then.

[voice]

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

[Haru's wisdom worked in mysterious ways; He chuckles a little]

Unfortunately no.

[voice]

[forged_anew]

What's your world like? I don't think you've told me about it.

[voice]

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Buildings. Judge mental people. Streets and cars. Little children using you as a jungle gym. Just a normal place.

[voice]

[forged_anew]

Hmm... Doesn't sound too bad. Your world doesn't have things like Bending, does it?