ninth flame - [Action] - Backdated

[restoremyhonour]

[That night, after this fight with his housemates Zuko can be found in the barracks betting up things. He's radiating anger and annoyance for quite a while, but he slowly starts to calm down a bit. Feel fee to try to talk to him, or just stay out of his way

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[markofthebrave]

[And eventually, Katara appears, exhausted, and leans against the doorframe of the barracks. Sorry if the pose strikes trauma in you, Zuko, it's not like she remembers.]

Zuko.

[restoremyhonour]

[Zuko will take a few moments to respond to Katara as he finishes the set of moves he was doing. When he looks up at her he gets a momentary memory flash of the last time that he remembers that pose and expression. and then he pushes it aside.]

Yes.

[markofthebrave]

[She just... looks at him for a long moment. What is she going to say to him? 'You could have handled that better?' Or 'You idiot?' What's the point? One look at him tells her that he already knows...

...and she doesn't think he regrets it either. So she sighs.]

Come on back to the house. We could use some help getting it weather-proof for the night.

[restoremyhonour]

[How was he supposed to know how Roku would react to all that news. No he couldn't have done it any better, you're right there Katara.]

You sure you want my help? I might just cause more fire damage.

[Yes Zukos still having a bit of a hissy fit.]

[markofthebrave]

[Oh, this is not on. The kid gloves go off.]

Would I have come to get you if I didn't want your help? You helped burn it down, you help fix it! Unless you think you're too good for that.

'Oh no, I need to be as blunt as possible with the freaking past Avatar because he annoys me!' Well guess what, Zuko, he annoys me too! Do you think this is the first time my room has been burnt down?

He doesn't know any of that, but that's not his fault!

[restoremyhonour]

[You know the best response to a yelling Katara. It's a yelling Zuko.]

I don't know. How would I know what you are thinking?

I was trying to explain things to him. And I know it's his future, but it's our past, and he just wasn't listening. And I didn't know what you and Sokka had already told him.

And I don't deliberately burn down your room!

[markofthebrave]

I didn't say it was you! When you shot fire at that house, it barely touched it! I'm talking about my home!

[Deep breath. Level speaking. She can do this.] After the raids would come - we'd all pitch in to help. Not just because we needed it. But because we were all one tribe. You're our friend, and you should be helping us. Not because it's your fault, but because it's what friends do.