Drabble: Lake Laogai
My apologies for the vagueness and the uninteresting. It's been a long day/week/month and I've typed this up in the hope that I can help avatar_500. At least I've got an unexpected holiday next week.
Summary: A revolt is the perfect distraction for a break-in.
Lake Laogai
Sometimes, when he was just sitting in the shadows waiting for something to happen, Zuko would wonder how his life turned out like this. He could pick out the points in time that had led him down this path, but his thoughts still came to a screeching halt every time he remembered who he was fighting for and, more importantly, who he was fighting against.
Through the blue mask he could make out the dim, faraway glow of fires burning all over Ba Sing Se. While those in the Upper Ring had been content to let the Fire Nation conquer the city, the Lower Ring had been a completely different story.
“Lee.”
An urgent whisper from near his position snapped his attention towards Smellerbee, only visible because he was in the perfect position to see her silhouette against the thin moon. Silently, he leapt to her side. It was only there that he could see Longshot already on the top of the gate to the Upper Ring. Smellerbee gave him a nudge and Zuko felt a sinking feeling in his gut as they watched their distraction walk confidently up to the guards.
Jin looked carefree as she effortlessly talked to the guards. Her smile was invaluable in the teashop, and here she was just as influential. Even though the riots had made the guards tense, Zuko and Smellerbee didn’t have to wait long for an opening to appear.
A nudge to Smellerbee and the two were up and over the wall. Longshot let out one of his bird whistles letting Jin know they were safe as they ducked into the shadows of the Upper Ring.
Each Ring was more difficult to navigate than the last. While the Lower Ring houses were all crammed together, the Upper Ring was filled with houses surrounded by spacious courtyards. Also, private guards would sometimes patrol the streets. Zuko knew he could get past them alone, but neither Smellerbee or Longshot would allow that to happen.
By the time they reached Lake Laogai, it was only a couple of hours before sunrise. Fortunately, a Dai Li agent emerged just as Smellerbee was becoming impatient. He was on the ground before Zuko could blink.
The three peered into the dark abyss that contained the Old City. From behind the mask, Zuko wondered what he was doing. The Fire Nation had taken Ba Sing Se and the Avatar was most-likely dead. His father’s generals were in charge of the city, though Zuko wondered how much his father knew about their actions. There was no way he would allow the citizens to starve and still be brainwashed by the Dai Li. If only Zuko could speak to his father…
He shut down the impossible thought by jumping into the hole first. He barely registered Smellerbee’s startled shout. Zuko hit the ground and unsheathed his swords as the others joined him.
Until things made sense again, Zuko would just continue to take each day as it came.
“Let’s go.”
Summary: A revolt is the perfect distraction for a break-in.
Lake Laogai
Sometimes, when he was just sitting in the shadows waiting for something to happen, Zuko would wonder how his life turned out like this. He could pick out the points in time that had led him down this path, but his thoughts still came to a screeching halt every time he remembered who he was fighting for and, more importantly, who he was fighting against.
Through the blue mask he could make out the dim, faraway glow of fires burning all over Ba Sing Se. While those in the Upper Ring had been content to let the Fire Nation conquer the city, the Lower Ring had been a completely different story.
“Lee.”
An urgent whisper from near his position snapped his attention towards Smellerbee, only visible because he was in the perfect position to see her silhouette against the thin moon. Silently, he leapt to her side. It was only there that he could see Longshot already on the top of the gate to the Upper Ring. Smellerbee gave him a nudge and Zuko felt a sinking feeling in his gut as they watched their distraction walk confidently up to the guards.
Jin looked carefree as she effortlessly talked to the guards. Her smile was invaluable in the teashop, and here she was just as influential. Even though the riots had made the guards tense, Zuko and Smellerbee didn’t have to wait long for an opening to appear.
A nudge to Smellerbee and the two were up and over the wall. Longshot let out one of his bird whistles letting Jin know they were safe as they ducked into the shadows of the Upper Ring.
Each Ring was more difficult to navigate than the last. While the Lower Ring houses were all crammed together, the Upper Ring was filled with houses surrounded by spacious courtyards. Also, private guards would sometimes patrol the streets. Zuko knew he could get past them alone, but neither Smellerbee or Longshot would allow that to happen.
By the time they reached Lake Laogai, it was only a couple of hours before sunrise. Fortunately, a Dai Li agent emerged just as Smellerbee was becoming impatient. He was on the ground before Zuko could blink.
The three peered into the dark abyss that contained the Old City. From behind the mask, Zuko wondered what he was doing. The Fire Nation had taken Ba Sing Se and the Avatar was most-likely dead. His father’s generals were in charge of the city, though Zuko wondered how much his father knew about their actions. There was no way he would allow the citizens to starve and still be brainwashed by the Dai Li. If only Zuko could speak to his father…
He shut down the impossible thought by jumping into the hole first. He barely registered Smellerbee’s startled shout. Zuko hit the ground and unsheathed his swords as the others joined him.
Until things made sense again, Zuko would just continue to take each day as it came.
“Let’s go.”