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

[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. ))

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Uncle...?

[He'd promised himself he wasn't going to be weak, that he was going to suck it up and deal responsibly and calmly, but at the moment... Iroh's voice is so familiar and he is just so tired, in body and mind.

There is a long pause, and then Zuko's voice breaks a little when he tries to speak again]

I-I couldn't... help her. I couldn't do...a-anything...

Edited 2009-07-14 05:39 (UTC)

I know you are deeply sorry, and there is little in the world that can make you feel better. But you must not let yourself slide into despondency. Mai does not want that. And it will not help you at all.

You did what you could at the time. Some challenges are greater than we are.

[a soft scoff] Did what I could? Yeah, fat lot of good that did me. If I'd had my Firebending, maybe...at least...

[his voice breaks again] Mai, s-she's... Uncle, no one knows when she's going to wake up. I don't know what to do. I can't... help her.

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

[voice]

[Locked to Zuko]

[Locked to Zuko]