lordhotman | 02 ~ Taken Away [Action/Voice]

[Action]

[That morning Zuko had been walking with his uncle to the tea shop. He hadn't bothered to go with him before, but he'd finally been convinced to. Things were pleasant enough as they walked and talked. That is until they were suddenly ambushed by the Malnosso's drones. Zuko had never encountered these things before, and soon enough it was clear what their target was, his uncle.

He tried to fight back, not about to let them take his uncle without a fight. There was plenty of shouting and fireballs, certainly enough to get anyone's attention that was nearby. At first they ignored him, and his efforts didn't seem to do any good. But he was persistent, and he was hindering them enough to get the attention of one of the robots. Much to his dismay, the droid quickly and efficiently incapacitated him, leaving Zuko unconscious in the middle of the street as they took Iroh away.]

[Voice]

[Later, during a visit to the clinic, a distressed Zuko pulls out his journal.]

They took my uncle. What are they going to do with him?

[OOC: Feel free to find Zuko in the middle of the street or on his way to or at the clinic. He's going to look a little beat up.]

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[That sounds familiar. She's frowning at the journal, almost sad as she sighs and gives him a reply.]

I do not remember what they do specifically while they take you, but you have my sympathies. I can tell you that they can leave you altered from how you arrived, but such effects are normally temporary.

[A beat, and she reluctantly adds some more for Zuko to take in.] I was transformed to be the size of a mouse for a fortnight, but I did change back. It would be best to keep a watchful eye for your uncle, in case he is in need of help upon his return.

[There's a stunned silence for a bit as he takes this all in.]

Edited 2014-04-07 17:53 (UTC)

What is the point to all of this!

[Why in the world would you even want to make someone the size of a mouse?! Its all pretty stupid to him.]

I can only assume that it is their own twisted amusement. I would not know, I simply had to go through it.

[Hey don't yell at her, it's not her fault your uncle got kidnapped. And the annoyance at him is a little too obvious in her tone - goodness, does she ever stink at this comforting people thing.]

[He's not yelling at her, he's yelling to yell for his own frustration's sake, and he's worried. But he apparently catches the annoyance and stews silently for a minute before speaking in a calmer tone after a sigh.]

All right. I'll watch for him.

... I could watch for him as well, if you like. And inform you if I should see his return.

I would like that. Thanks.

Think nothing of it. I know what it is like to be lost after returning. [Though it goes unsaid, it's enough for her if she can stop it from happening as badly to someone else.]

Can you tell me what he looks like, so that I know who to look for?

He's short and a little... [fat] overweight. His hair and beard are gray, and he's half bald.

[She's a little stiff, because that sounds like someone she knows. But... There's no way, is there?]

... And his name?

[It couldn't be that nice man she met in February, could it...?]

Iroh.

Iroh was -- [She chokes off her words, remaining very very still before letting out her breath to try and calm down. She knows it's a normal thing for people to get kidnapped, at least by this point. But for it to happen with Iroh...]

... I-I am sorry. I will be certain to keep watch for him. You have my word.

[He's just a little bit surprised by her reaction.]

Do you know him?

I... I have met with him before. He was very kind to me, and served tea as I worked on a commission for him. If it is not too bold to say... He reminds me greatly of my own uncle, so I cannot say I am glad to hear that this happened to him.

[Again there's a moment of silence, but a more solemn one. That definitely sounded like his uncle and again he inwardly beat himself up for not being able to stop this from happening.]

I see.

[He didn't know what else to say.]

He will return.

[She nods, pausing for a moment.] My apologies, I should give you my name. I am Adela.

[Everyone has been saying he would return, all in one piece more or less... and while he's still not happy about it, it eases his worries if only a little. Thus he now tries to speak with a little more dignity.]

My name is Zuko.

'tis good to meet you, Zuko, if only over the journals.

[Though now it feels like their conversation is going to fall into uncomfortable silence, and as much as she wants to break it... Well, she can't think of any way to break it. In fact she's half tempted to just close the book but even she knows that doing so would just be too rude.]

Yeah... you too.

[And yes the awkward. He'll be fine with not saying anything else if she is.]

... Your uncle... He is precious to you, then? [It's an obvious question, but with how worried Zuko is about him she can't put it past him. In a strange way, it makes them the same - or at least it does in her eyes. And, although she vows to hide it the best she can, a familiar pang of jealousy begins to surface as she allows herself to think about it more.]

He's like a father to me.

[Pretty much literally. Iroh was more of a father to him than his own father was.]

As mine is to me... I see. [She nods, though Zuko can't see her expression becoming much softer - likely for the best that he can't.]

... Should I see him, I will tell you immediately. Until then, farewell I suppose.

02 ~ Taken Away [Action/Voice]

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