tushanshu_logs | The Smoke That Consumes [Closed]

Characters: Zuko, Katara, [Ask before joining]
Date: 2 Weeks after Evandau
Location: Wood Sector, streets
Situation: Zuko, due to his infection, has snapped and is chasing Katara
Warnings/Rating: Possible Violence and much tearbending

She didn't know how long she had been running. The scenery had changed--that much, at least, she had been able to notice while dodging the continuous blasts of fire that lit up the night washed streets. Her lungs, already strained from her failing dash for escape from the Fire Sector now burned from the smoke as he got closer.

It never took much these days to set him off, thanks to the infection. His nightmares had grown more intense, and, helpless, Katara had watched him slip further and further into the madness. She had done her best, watching over him, helping soothe the pain when she could, offering as much support as she could provide. Some days had been good; others had been much more trying. His nights were always rough.

And tonight was clearly one of his worst.

What had set him off was still unclear, though she figured it didn't matter so much now, not when he had snapped like this. His fits so far hadn't been this violent; she had always been able to find a way to calm him one way or another. Something inside him must have snapped and was very much not on its way to being mended by the water bender any time soon.

And so she ran, hoping to take his target out of the picture, hoping that he would calm on his own, hoping in vain. Unable to escape, she had tried to fight, but his rage, and whatever was driving it, refused to be quenched by the little water she carried with her.

The edge of the turtle. If she could just reach its edge, she'd have enough water to bring him down, to at least slow his attack until this wave had passed. And so it was there she ran, dodging and sweeping, not daring to mourn just yet.

Once this was over, she would help repair what they had marred. But until then, her only focus was getting him away from everything, and closer to the water. Fear cackled in her ears as the trees around her burned, but she refused to listen.

The moon, full and bright, watched over the girl and her pursuer as they wove through the street.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Once they were outside, Wan created a cloud and put his arm around Zuko's waist to hold him while they traveled. He did so in silence and in silence they flew up and around the looming palace. Wan made sure to give it a very wide berth before coming down at the Turtle's Head. Once there and on the ground, he released Zuko to get his feet under him again.]

Pick a spot. I like that grassy place near the edge of the shell. The grass is soft.

[Putting his hand on Wan's shoulder to brace himself, Zuko was also silent as they flew to the head of the turtle. When they got there, he let go and stepped forward, looking around. The grassy place seems as good as any, so he walks over there and sits himself down. It's there he takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. Already he can feel the calming influence.]

[Wan sat down next to him and maintained the silence for a moment before giving a quick, soft cough.]

Do you normally sleep sitting up?

[Zuko opens his eyes again, looking annoyed.

How can I meditate if I'm sleeping!

[Didnt you tell him to meditate Wan?!]

Well, yeah, but... I thought this visit we were going to try and see if being here would help you sleep.

I thought you said I should meditate!

[Zuko huffs in frustration.]

Whatever, it doesn't matter.

[He doesn't know how this is supposed to work. So he flops back on the grass.]

If you want to meditate now, then meditate! I just thought we were going to try the sleeping thing first!

AAAGH!

[Zuko's hands go to his face in aggravation.]

Just forget it!

[He turns over on his side with his back to Wan, folding his arm under his head. He is pretty tired, so he's just going to sleep.]

[Wan made a face at Zuko rather than speak up. It made him feel better.]

[Zuko doesn't see the face. Which is probably a good thing. Eventually, he does drift off to sleep.]

[Wan's frustration drained out of him faster than normal. Being at the Turtle's Head had that effect. For the first few minutes of Zuko sleeping - being legitimately asleep - Wan just watched him. But after that he scooted in close and laid down next to the weary prince. He curled himself into a ball like he used to when he slept next to Jaya and Yao and the cold night wind would cut through the cracks of their treehouse. This time, though, he had the power of fire. Neither of them would be cold.]

[And Zuko sleeps like this for some time, until suddenly he jerks awake. At first with a paniced shout and then in agonizing screams of pain. While this had become a regular thing, it was never something he could get use to.

Being here wasn't helping at all. The nightmares are still just as vivid and the pain just as intense.]

[Wan sat up, a hand reaching out for Zuko, but not stopping before he touched him.]

Zuko?

[Zuko continues his moanings and groanings, almost writhing in his agony. Up until the point that Wan touches him. He then jerks away from him, and lashes out in his anger and pain with swing of his arm and a blast of fire.]

GET AWAY FROM ME!

[And with that he jumps to his feet and proceeds to run away. He has to get away. From everything and everyone. There's nothing that can be done for him, and he'll only end up hurting more people. Unless he can find a way to end this.]

Zuko! No!

[Wan deflected the fire, circling one arm to dissipate it with air before launching himself after the other man. His own steps were hastened by the air and he caught up, easily sliding in to block Zuko's path with his own body while he sent a blast of air directly at him to knock him down.]

Stay down!

[Despite his determination and speed, Wan ends up in front of him and blasts him with a strong gust of air. He's knocked flat on his back, the wind literally being knocked out of him. Though he manages to recover in a few moments and sits up to yell back at Wan.]

WHY?! This isn't helping!

Running away isn't going to help either!

[Wan countered, yelling equally as loud.]

You need help and if this isn't working then we'll just try something else out! But you need to stand down.

NO!

[Zuko screams back. He's not violent but he's definitely agitated. More out of desperation than anything.]

If I stay around people I'll just end up hurting someone again!

Then you'll stay around me.

[Wan straightened, his tone leaving no room for argument - though he expected Zuko to try.]

And I will stay around you. We will spend three days at my home and the next three days at your. We will continue this until we find a way to fight this that works. If I am called away, you will promise to stay where you are until I return. If you break that promise, any time I am called away, I will make you stay.

[Zuko sighs. Lost and unsure what to do, he's too tired to keep up arguing for much longer. Thus he's voice tones down a few notches.]

I can't make any promises. Even if I wanted to, I don't know if I could stop myself. I never wanted to hurt Katara.

[And at that last part his voice cracks a little. Well... he did and he didn't want to hurt her. It was those violent urges talking.]

You can try to keep them for as long as possible. If you break them... I won't hold it against you, because I know it's not your choice.

[Wan let his voice soften and it exposed how tired he was. Not as bad as Zuko, but all the same, he was feeling exhausted.]

Let's get you back to your house. I'll stay there with you while you get what sleep you can for as long as you can. Rio'era can come see me there. She says she and Yin are worried about us.

[Zuko sits there in silence for a few moments as he takes in Wan's words, and thinks them over. Eventually he stands up wearily.]

Okay.

[Once again, Wan got close enough he could grab Zuko around the waist and carry him off.

It was going to be along night.]

The Smoke That Consumes [Closed]

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