The Smoke That Consumes [Closed]

[oceanblue]

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.

Comments

[alphatar]

There wasn’t any hesitation from Korra when Katara sat up, she offered her should and put her free arm around her; both for comfort and to physically support her. Being on the other end, older, just became more odd. But she didn’t have time to take it all in, only time to give Katara what she needed.

Which was difficult given what she told Korra next.

"You.did?" Keeping the surprise out of her voice was impossible. Especially when it was Katara who had outlawed bloodbending in the first place, and that Korra had been on the receiving end of the waterbending technique; enough that even her bending was taken away by it.

Her healing slowed as she looked at the younger girl, but Korra got back on task and hugged Katara to her.

"Don’t, worry about that now." That could wait until later, she knew that Katara wouldn’t have just done the act recklessly. "He’ll be fine. Let’s make sure you are too, okay?"

quick little skip because no one wants another 5 posts of Katara crying :'D

[oceanblue]

The support Korra offered was well received, because as soon as she had pulled herself up, Katara realized she shouldn't have. Nevertheless, as the older girl let her cry, Katara let herself accept what little comfort the avatar could give. Korra's surprise, though masked rather well, still resonated with the young master; she had been expecting it, and despite that, still felt the full sting of it. The avatar would hear a shaken and muffled apology from her shoulder before she allowed her to work on healing her once more. Still, she turned her face away once lying down again, unable to come to terms with everything that had happened.

[alphatar]

Korra didn't interrupt or ask any more questions, letting Katara cry unrestrained was the best thing she could do. She knew because Korra usually saved her tears for when no one was around; how important it was to get all of it out. Healing through it all, Korra did as much as she could for now. Either time or spirit water was needed before she could heal more and by then Katara could probably do it herself. But she would insist on it later.

Sending the water back to the bottles with a wave of her hand, Korra put her other arm and hugged Katara to her when she heard the apology. Something she had done and all she wanted was just that, a hug without anything aside from solace attached to it. But she had to let Katara lay down, be in a more comfortable position while the body's natural healing process picked up where her healing left off.

She knew Aang was there. The spiritual presence, that tug, had been there since she came in.

"Want to sleep?" Korra shifted on the bed, ready to stay and keep vigil in case her waterbending would be needed again.

[oceanblue]

She hesitated at the suggestion, risking another look up at Korra from her pillow. Her gaze wavered a moment before "What about everyone else...? Aang and Akito and...Wan..." If she could have, she would have cringed openly. Wan had been the most forward, unintentionally or no, with his disapproval. The look on her already sorrowful face would surely be enough, though. "They're okay? You're sure Zuko is okay?"

Despite her obvious need for rest, Katara could not get her stubborn mind to leave thoughts of the others alone, and though deep down she knew there was little that could be resolved in the state she was in now, she couldn't make herself stop trying.

[alphatar]

"I'm sure of it." If there was one person Korra trusted, it was Wan. Seeing someone's life like that left an imprint on the most recent Avatar. "We'll see what we can do to get that poison out of him."

She glanced at the door and then back to Katara.

"Think you're up for a visitor?" She didn't want to push Katara, not after that healing session, and definitely not when she was in a state like this; but Aang was someone close to her. Or at least, he would be.

She wasn't sure how to treat them exactly, not after knowing her waterbending master had been married to him for so long.

[oceanblue]

Korra's reassurance, though Katara would not be put at ease until everything really was sorted out, seemed to outwardly placate the younger girl for the moment. She nodded, then gave a confused look when asked if she would see a visitor. Her eyes flitted to the door.

Torn, she hesitated, but finally acquiesced, giving another weak nod. There weren't too many people that even knew she was here--even less that would know of what had happened so soon. Likely, it was Aang or Akito…maybe Wan or Zuko….

She doubted it would be Zuko, and wondered if she'd even be able to get near to the boy again any time soon, despite her desperate wishes. Maybe that was for the best, for now; given how often he had apologized for simply snapping at her verbally, she wasn't sure she would be able to take an apology for this, though already she knew she would accept it immediately. She didn't want to see him in any more pain…

She needed to talk with Wan and Akito… She needed to talk with Aang most. Her closest friend had witnessed her do something powerful, and terrifying, and horrible… She had to explain it somehow, struggle to find some semblance of peace. Maybe another trip to the turtle's head, when she was strong enough, was in order.

[alphatar]

At the nod, Korra pulled the thin blanket back up, making sure to be gentle and careful so it didn't brush against the healed burns. This wasn't what Korra would recommend, but she knew Katara would have done the same if she was the one injured and insisting to see her friends.

She got up off the bed and made her way quietly to the door. After a moment, she opened it just crack. "I know you're there, Aang. Katara wants to see you." It wasn't loud or admonishing, just enough that he could hear and she went back around to the other side of the bed, zipping her bag and looking to see if Katara wanted her to leave.

[12goingon113]

There's a splash from the hallway. Aang wasn't expecting Korra, and so when he hears her voice invite him into the room he loses focus. When the door is pushed open wider a very sheepish and damp Aang enters.

[akito]

Akito hasn't been invited in, and while in normal circumstances he would probably follow despite that, this situation is delicate. He doesn't really know any of these people either.

He wrings any water out of the blanket he's brought for Katara, using Waterbending to get all of it out, then hands it over for Aang to take in, along with the jar of ointment meant to soothe wounds. "These are for Katara to use."

[oceanblue]

When Korra drew the blanket up, Katara tiredly shifted to have a better view of the door, though she remained reclined on her bed. She was exhausted and still shivering, but surely whoever it was would understand and not overstay their welcome.

She watched as Korra opened the door, barely reacting, though curious about, Aang appearing in her doorway in damp clothing. Unable to meet his eyes just yet, her gaze followed Korra as she packed her bag and hesitated.

Despite the female avatar's shock, it had been a comfort to feel as though Korra might have understood why she had done what she had done… even if she hadn't approved… and she couldn't deny the other girl's presence reassured her. However, she knew she needed to speak with Aang alone, and when Akito handed his items to the boy and appeared to take his leave, she sighed, then turned her head to properly look to Korra. "Thank you for your help…. Can you make sure Zuko is okay…?"

[alphatar]

Why Aang is sopping wet she's not even going to ask. It was a lot better than being on fire. But she did give a quick movement of her arm to draw off the water. Last thing she wanted was for Aang to get a cold, and/or worse: give it to Katara.

Once she pulled the strap of the bag over her head Korra gave Katara a nod. "I will. And I'll be back later to check up on you, so I'll tell you then, okay?" She gave a comforting smile before turning to climb back out the window. She'd talk to Aang later, but for right now she said "Not too long, she needs to rest." right before she closed the window behind her to jump down.

[12goingon113]

Aang stays rooted to the floor just inside the door. Just standing there, the blanket and ointment haphazardly in his grasp, just as Akito had shoved it into his arms.

He swallows hard, and offers her a small smile.

"Hi. How..." he stops mid-thought and kicks up one of his feet, which closes the door behind him with airbending.

"How are you feeling?"

He totally wasn't eavesdropping. Or water fighting in the hallway when he was caught eavesdropping. Nope. Not our Aang.

[oceanblue]

She nodded slowly at Korra's promise, attempting to return the smile. It was so nice having Korra around. Though she didn't know the girl well, it really did almost feel as though she was much more familiar than Katara had imagined when they had first met. Here. Not in the future. She'd have to repay her someday, somehow.

As Korra left, she allowed her head to fall back toward the airbender as he came into her room and shut the door. Still unable to look him in the eye, she instead set her gaze on the wall off to his side, too drained to wonder why exactly he had been wet. "I'm...I've been better," was all she quietly offered. Any hopeful or positive thought seemed to have evaporated from the waterbender for now, though for Aang's sake, she did finally force herself to bring her blue gaze up to him, though it wavered almost fearfully. "Are you okay?"

[12goingon113]

"Yeah, sure. Of course I am," he says in that overcompensating tone he uses when he tries to lie.

He just watched as one of his worst nightmares played out before his eyes, why wouldn't he be fine? And that's not even going anywhere near whatever it was that followed, because that didn't shake him to the very core of his being either.

Nope. Aang's just peachy.
As is evidenced by the fact that he bobbles both the blanket and the ointment during his master level attempt at aloofness

"Akito wanted me to give these to you."
Nice save, Avatar. Nice save.

[oceanblue]

She knows that tone far too well, and even drugged by the overwhelming need to rest, Katara gives him a hurt and knowing look. The state they're all in is bad enough without him lying to her. "You don't have to lie to me, Aang. I know you saw everything..." She's hesitant, clearly fearful, but she knows it'll have to be addressed one way or another, and after what she'd done, she knows she's in no position to just let him try and try to overlook it.

She watches him bounce before her eyes fall shut with a resigned sigh. "Akito is a good roommate...Is he okay?"

[12goingon113]

He looks down and away when she calls him out, and is quiet until she mentions Akito.

"I think so," he says sincerely. "I don't really know him well enough to know otherwise, but I think he's okay. His...his waterbending has really improved."

The last bit wasn't planned, but Aang couldn't stop himself from saying it anyway. He approaches the bed, having recovered control of the blanket and ointment.

"I'll be okay. Right now I'm kind of way more concerned about you, and you getting better."

*wraps them both in warm blankets and offers tea* ;__;

[oceanblue]

"Tell me about it..." she adds softly to his compliment toward her roommate. She would have been a lot worse off had Akito not been there to heal her after she collapsed. They'd have to train together more once she could move...

For now, however, the girl stayed still below the thin sheet, her eyes tired as she struggled with a response. "I'll be fine, Aang..." She looked almost guilty as the unspoken 'eventually' hung in the air and as Aang showered her with concern. She knew very well just how pathetic she looked there before him--she felt it, every bit of it-- but she was still more terrified of the shame she had brought upon herself: what she had put them through by bloodbending, by being unable to help Zuko, by getting herself nearly killed, by not reaching out for help when she should have...

An uneasy silence fell over her and again, she sought out the avatar's gaze, the blue of her eyes swimming with everything she needed to say to him. Tentatively, she finally began her disorganized apology. "I'm...so sorry, Aang... I never meant for ...for any this to happen..."

When I find myself in times of Trouble, Uncle Iroh comforts me. Singing words of wisdom: Jasmine tea

[12goingon113]

Aang is by her side at this point, where he will likely remain until she deems it otherwise. He reaches half way between them, offering her his hand.

"Katara, don't," he says quietly, never looking or shying away. There's nothing but love and compassion on his face. "Just...just rest."

oh my gosh Jasmine tea that's brilliant XD

[oceanblue]

Though her own hand shakes, burned and rough across its back, she reaches to him and lets her fingers wrap around his as her breathing races to catch up to the tears as they return and fall. Though they're quiet and she's trying her best to control them, the beginnings of her sobs are small and painful, and all she wants is to bury her face in her pillow and sink away into sleep, away from the shame and the stress and the pain the poison has caused, that its caused her friend to induce, that she's created. It had been hard enough to face Korra... But Aang...Aang is an entirely different story.

If only I could claim credit for that. Alas, 'tis fandom which deserves the praise.

[12goingon113]

He gently takes her hand in both of his. Aang knows all too well that there's precious little he can do to relieve her of this anguish she's experiencing. He can only be there for her, as she was so often there for him.

At the Southern Air Temple, when he fully realized the fate of his people.
In the Si Wong Desert when confronted with the men who took Appa.
Countless times when nightmares of The Storm would waking him screaming from a deep sleep.

He wants very much to crawl into the bed to rest her head against his shoulder the way she always did with him, but that's not really his place, is it? Not only does he know know the extent of her remaining injuries, but she's not really his Katara, is she. She belongs to some future version of himself. A version of himself that has experienced the months he has yet to live through.

Time is an illusion, he tries to remind himself, but this particular illusion is oh so very strong.

Nyyyeeehhhh too many sads

[oceanblue]

It wouldn't shake her in the slightest. Though Aang thinks it not his place, Katara very much wouldn't question it if the boy did decided to comfort her-- she's done it plenty in her past, and though, yes, the time difference between them is a little jarring, he's still Aang. She still worries for him, still cares, still longs to see him happy and this... this isn't happy. She may be the one physically wounded and out for the count, but she knows what he's seen now, what he still fears. At least when she's from, she understands a bit better, has seen more unfold.

She reasons through it all, jumbling her thoughts as they all come at once. He doesn't know that he and Zuko become close friends-- and now, despite the way he seemed to be trying to get along with the idea, he's seen Zuko attack her, bring her down to this. His reaction to her arrival was so sincere... She had brought about a new determination to be there for him--and the others--and now she's hurt. And she's dangerous, and he knows that now--what she can do, that she was willing to do the unthinkable to someone she holds dear.

As his hands close around hers, she does finally turn her face down, tears spilling freely into her pillow. She wants nothing more than to go home, to find Aang, to end at least one war. But now they're trapped in two, and in this moment, even Katara can't pull from the spring of hope inside her.

All the sads!

[12goingon113]

When she turns away in an attempt to physically close herself off from the world, from him, something in Aang cracks and his hands pull away from hers.

It's in this moment that Aang realizes that it's not just her injuries that are making Katara act this way, but...the combination of everything else that had happened. Everything else that he hasn't seen yet, and that people had neglected to tell him about, for what ever reason.

Though admittedly, "Oh Hey, by the way? Katara can control people with her bending now," is a bit harder to work into conversation when compared to, "You and Zuko are totally friends."

Aang would be lying if he said he was okay with this new ability Katara had apparently developed. It was horrifying, and he was equally as scared of her as he was for her.

This must be what it feels like to be Katara when he's in the Avatar State. And no matter how much destruction Aang had caused in that triggered state, Katara had stayed by his side. Often she was the only one able to talk him back to himself. If she was afraid of him, she hid it well. And its in that moment that Aang resolves to return the favor.

"When I was in the hospital Toph would tell me about the stuff I hadn't lived yet. About how I was in a coma for a long time after Ba Sing Se. And about how you stayed with me the whole time." His voice is quiet, but resolute.

The bed shifts slightly under his weight as he carefully airbends himself next to her on the mattress.

"If you want me to go, I'll go. But I promise you I won't go far."

The very air around them warms. It's the least he can do.

BLUH

[oceanblue]

Her heart leaps to her throat when he draws away and, drowning and overwhelmed by the new hopelessness suddenly crashing over her as his support is withdrawn, her eyes widen as if fearful he's going to lash out at her.

When he speaks, she clings to his quiet voice as if its her only chance of staying afloat. The memories aren't good ones, but before they can take her under, he's beside her. His promise makes something waver within her; hope flickers back into her eyes as her sudden fear of being abandoned by her best friend is aptly cast away by the avatar's loyalty.

"Aang…"

She know he's scared of her. Why wouldn't he be after what he had seen? She's a bloodbender, can manipulate people as she wills... friends with the boy the airbender recognizes only as an enemy, the boy who had brought her to this after she had assured Aang he was safe, an ally…she's kept secrets, telling no one how difficult life had become watching over Zuko, telling no one about the tempest building within the boy…She wasn't even sure anyone aside from her suite mate knew she had taken up the task...

Aang's willingness to put it all aside for now, his forgiveness, however, is the most reassuring thing she's met since coming to this awful place, and as the air warms, she finally lets go of the tension over her, relaxing as best she can under the blanket of his company. She's safe, here, and she's going to do her absolute best to explain anything he wants explained. Of all the people here she knows, he deserves it most.