five ➢ voice

[restoringhonor]

[Private to the Admiral]

I need copies of Vanessa's usual daggers, but blunted. Preferably something that can't be sharpened easily, if at all. I want her to have some kind of protection when she's attacked, but not something she can use to murder anyone.

Also, please return her stealth abilities, with the condition that I can see her when she's

Comments

Private

[grand_lotus]

No, not at all. Is something wrong, Zuko?

Private

[restoringhonor]

Not exactly. Can I come see you?

Private

[grand_lotus]

Of course! You know you are always welcome, nephew. [And safe to assume Iroh's told him where he lives by now. :|a]

Private

[restoringhonor]

Thank you.

[And he is dropping by shortly to knock on your door.]

Spam

[grand_lotus]

[Iroh answers the door a few moments later - his rooms are the private quarters above his tea shop in Ba Sing Se, although the windows now look out onto the black space around the Barge. He smiles broadly at his nephew and steps back to let him in.]

Zuko! I made tea.

[Of course you did, Iroh.]

Spam

[restoringhonor]

[Zuko smiles slightly and steps into the room, taking a few seconds to appreciate the familiar architecture and layout from back home.] Thank you.

How are you?

Re: Spam

[grand_lotus]

I'm well, and yourself? You sound a little out of sorts, nephew.

[Iroh closes the door behind them, going over to the little stove where he has an iron tea kettle brewing.]

Spam

[restoringhonor]

[Zuko lingers sort of out of the way, trying to figure out how to explain what's bothering him, and when he speaks, it's clear just how frustrated he is with everything.] It's Vanessa. She hates me.

... And I think I might have made a mistake in telling the other wardens about her two identities.

Spam

[grand_lotus]

[Iroh glances back at him, inclining his head in concern.] What makes you think that?

Spam

[restoringhonor]

She says she's defenseless without it. I requested the Admiral give her some of her abilities back, but she still doesn't trust me.

Spam

[grand_lotus]

That will not be an easy thing. I know you have a mind to return home as soon as you can, Zuko, but it will take time for her to allow you to help.

Spam

[restoringhonor]

I know. I didn't expect this to be easy. But I didn't think I'd suddenly have to be convincing my inmate I'm not my sister, either.

Spam

[grand_lotus]

[He brings the tea set over to the round table where he usually takes tea with visitors - the markings of a pai sho board are painted under a pane of glass.]

Anyone assigned to her would have a similar problem. She resents all authority, and being her warden gives you precisely that over her. Your position at home only enforces that.

Spam

[restoringhonor]

I wish Azula hadn't been here. Then at least I could have figured out a way to tell her without he just knowing about it. [He pauses for a moment and lets out a short, frustrated sigh and walks over to the table, still fidgety and irritated, and fighting the urge to just pace around the room.]

Spam

[grand_lotus]

She could perhaps have discovered your heritage through me, if she was patient enough. There was a flood some time ago which turned many of us to children, and I was...not reluctant to conceal who I was, as a boy. [A small, self-effacing smile.]

Spam

[restoringhonor]

Really? I... hadn't heard about that one.