(no subject)
Zuko hates snow.
It's not even really the snow itself that he hates. Sure, it's more than a little annoying to have to bundle up with a bunch of layers like he's Water Tribe because he doesn't have his bending to keep himself warm, but even Zuko has to admit the snow is beautiful. He's not sure what to make of the rest of the change, though - all the buildings, the plants and animals, and people getting ready for something everyone's calling 'christmas' - but whatever it all means, it's not exactly bad.
He's outside now, and he's cold, having sacrificed warmth for ease of movement. The stuff apparently called thermal underwear he's got on beneath his clothes is helping some, plus he's got gloves on, and the boots he arrived in to keep his feet warm. Zuko thinks he's probably going to have to find a hat, because while having a full head of hair now helps, his head is still cold. He's also going to have to stay inside while there's snow on the ground, as opposed to sleeping on whatever patch of ground he happens to claim at night.
Staying alert and ready for action at all times is a habit long ingrained in Zuko, so he sees the bundle lying in the snow on the path when he's still quite a way back. He continues walking toward it, and once he's close enough to recognize the item on top, his neutral expression becomes a scowl. It's his mask - the mask of the Blue Spirit.
Zuko's so preoccupied with the mysterious appearance of a mask that should be at the bottom of Lake Laogai that he doesn't see what's beneath it until he's bending down to pick the mask up. There, sitting in the snow, are his broadswords, unmistakably his broadswords, sheathed and ready for him to hang across his back where they belong. He does just that, a smile creeping onto his face as he adjusts the strap and feels the familiar weight settle across his back.
He crouches briefly, having let the mask slip from his fingers and fall into the snow, and picks it up again, turning it over in his hands. The Blue Spirit isn't something Zuko needs anymore, but he can't help but think of his uncle, and of the last time they both saw this mask. He wonders if he'll ever get the chance to tell Iroh how sorry he is.
Letting the mask fall back into the snow - he'll deal with it in a minute - Zuko strips off his gloves and drops them as well before rising back to standing. He takes a second to make sure no one's close enough to be in his way. Then in one long, sweeping, graceful motion, he unsheathes and separates his swords, ending with one in each hand. He still practices every day, does his Firebending forms even though it's much less impressive without the actual fire, but it hasn't been the same without his swords.
It's a good feeling. He's missed this feeling. Now all he needs is someone to spar with.
[Timed to mid-late Thursday morning. Come to spar, or just to talk! The Blue Spirit mask can be seen in the icon on this post; Zuko's broadswords can be seen here, separated (they can also be combined to act as one sword). I wanted to get this up before I went to bed, so ST definitely fine, and late tags welcome through the weekend.]
It's not even really the snow itself that he hates. Sure, it's more than a little annoying to have to bundle up with a bunch of layers like he's Water Tribe because he doesn't have his bending to keep himself warm, but even Zuko has to admit the snow is beautiful. He's not sure what to make of the rest of the change, though - all the buildings, the plants and animals, and people getting ready for something everyone's calling 'christmas' - but whatever it all means, it's not exactly bad.
He's outside now, and he's cold, having sacrificed warmth for ease of movement. The stuff apparently called thermal underwear he's got on beneath his clothes is helping some, plus he's got gloves on, and the boots he arrived in to keep his feet warm. Zuko thinks he's probably going to have to find a hat, because while having a full head of hair now helps, his head is still cold. He's also going to have to stay inside while there's snow on the ground, as opposed to sleeping on whatever patch of ground he happens to claim at night.
Staying alert and ready for action at all times is a habit long ingrained in Zuko, so he sees the bundle lying in the snow on the path when he's still quite a way back. He continues walking toward it, and once he's close enough to recognize the item on top, his neutral expression becomes a scowl. It's his mask - the mask of the Blue Spirit.
Zuko's so preoccupied with the mysterious appearance of a mask that should be at the bottom of Lake Laogai that he doesn't see what's beneath it until he's bending down to pick the mask up. There, sitting in the snow, are his broadswords, unmistakably his broadswords, sheathed and ready for him to hang across his back where they belong. He does just that, a smile creeping onto his face as he adjusts the strap and feels the familiar weight settle across his back.
He crouches briefly, having let the mask slip from his fingers and fall into the snow, and picks it up again, turning it over in his hands. The Blue Spirit isn't something Zuko needs anymore, but he can't help but think of his uncle, and of the last time they both saw this mask. He wonders if he'll ever get the chance to tell Iroh how sorry he is.
Letting the mask fall back into the snow - he'll deal with it in a minute - Zuko strips off his gloves and drops them as well before rising back to standing. He takes a second to make sure no one's close enough to be in his way. Then in one long, sweeping, graceful motion, he unsheathes and separates his swords, ending with one in each hand. He still practices every day, does his Firebending forms even though it's much less impressive without the actual fire, but it hasn't been the same without his swords.
It's a good feeling. He's missed this feeling. Now all he needs is someone to spar with.
[Timed to mid-late Thursday morning. Come to spar, or just to talk! The Blue Spirit mask can be seen in the icon on this post; Zuko's broadswords can be seen here, separated (they can also be combined to act as one sword). I wanted to get this up before I went to bed, so ST definitely fine, and late tags welcome through the weekend.]
