29 - [voice] Hospital time again

[forged_anew]

[There's a bit of silence, with just some quiet rustling for a few seconds, and then a soft sigh before Zuko speaks. He sounds somewhat resigned and really exhausted.]

I'm back. Sorry if I worried anyone. I'm fine.

[Another pause, and a muffled, strained cough. The next part is mumbled kind of quickly and sheepishly]

I... I'm... um, at the hospital. If anyone wanted to know.




Oh... Jackie, and Jackie's friends... Um, thanks.

Comments

[forged_anew]

You didn't respond to my first comment. What do you know, Yuuko?

I didn't know. I haven't been treated by her but she's kind enough to Elysia.

[dreamgranter]

The place where you were born, your family, who and what is important to you-- none of which I'd tell you or anybody else without proper compensation.

Oh, she's certainly very kind. But that doesn't mean she's not allowed a few odd quirks, does it?

[forged_anew]

[gritting his teeth a little now. This means you either know all his crappy life secrets or you're bluffing and screwing with him, and he doesn't like either option]

And what good does that information do you?

[dreamgranter]

[Awwh. ;; She really wouldn't harm anyone with what she knows, though!]

It doesn't do me any good, and it doesn't do me any harm, either. It's just something that comes naturally to me, like firebending to you.

[forged_anew]

[But Zuko is belligerent and paranoid. ^^; ]

...so you're not... looking to use it against people or anything?

[not that he'll really take your word for it until you actually earn his trust or something, but he at least would rather have you say it]

[dreamgranter]

[Yes, yes I know. >>;]

Not at all. I know better than that.

[forged_anew]

You know. Reading people's pasts and personal things like that is kind of rude.

[dreamgranter]

By that logic, I could say telling your real name to a complete stranger is kind of reckless. This sort of Sight is not quite like the ordinary type, you see; closing your eyes will not make the visions go.

[forged_anew]

Well, how was I supposed to know? People can't do that in my world and now one I knew of here could...

[sigh]

Is your name really Yuuko then, or are you going to be all vague about that too?

[dreamgranter]

Even so, there are plenty of reasons why a person wouldn't give their real name to a stranger. It's a very good way for an unwanted acquaintance to track you down, for instance.

You are right, though; Yuuko Ichihara is a fake alias. Then again, after so long, it almost feels like the real thing.

[forged_anew]

Hmph.

So you've been using it forever then? You must be pretty paranoid. Well, whatever makes you happy I guess, Yuuko.

[dreamgranter]

Not forever, as I've had different names before. I just got tired of the constant switching.

And it's not paranoia at all; people in my circle only give out their real names to those they absolutely trust.

[forged_anew]

Like I said, different culture apparently.

[dreamgranter]

And yet you called me paranoid.

[forged_anew]

Well, that's what it seems like to me!

[dreamgranter]

I should start calling you by childish names again, then. Because that's what you seem like to me. [Yes, she's a big kid.]

[forged_anew]

No, you really shouldn't.

[dreamgranter]

Then don't make hasty assumptions about me and we'll be even.