tushanshu_logs | [EVENT] A NEW WORLD ORDER

[EVENT] A NEW WORLD ORDER

Characters: ALL!
Date: December 8, 2015 (with some starters for the following weeks)
Location: Keeliai, the Midnight Hotel, others
Situation: The Foreigners have awakened.
Warnings/Rating: Add warnings as needed.

They've been in the Dreaming for so long that when they wake up their bodies feel more like automatons, alien and ill-fitting. They haven’t atrophied, thanks to Milyn, but they’re stiff and a little bedsore, and the solidity of the Life Plane is jarring. Here, the surroundings don’t move on a whim. Here the world is more stable, almost harsh and unyielding in spite of the homey surrounds.

It’s been a year, says the clock on the mantle and on the second floor. Says Milyn, too, when she’s able to stop hugging them long enough to speak.

Nothing much has changed in the Midnight Hotel. There are dishes out of place, objects belonging to either Milyn or Eva in evidence, the diorama exactly where it had been but now brightly-painted thanks to Milyn's boredom. Milyn and Eva took a room each, in the time the Foreigners were sleeping, though neither used them much.

Eva’s upstairs, Milyn will tell anyone who asks. In her room.

Eva hasn't left that room in three days. She hasn't spoken in three days, either, or walked, or moved, or breathed. Her effects are neatly arranged around her bed, and the sheet has been pulled up. There is heavy incense in the room and Milyn has managed to preserve the body enough to remove the risk of too much mess (and other things). In a way, that makes it worse: as though Eva is sleeping. It’s difficult to tell whether Milyn is in denial or whether spending three days with no one to talk to other than sleeping Foreigners and a corpse has had its influence.

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[Wan woke up slowly. The ground was a little softer than he remembered going to sleep on, felt a little more covered in grass. He breathed in the air and it was cleaner, too. More comfortable. It made him smile in his half-awake state.

And then he had to laugh because Mula's familiar, rough tongue was raking across his cheek. In the next moment her head was butting hard up under his chin and she twisted her head until one antler struck his shoulder. Purring the whole time. Like she hadn't seen him in ages or something.

His eyes opened with the bleariness of those who hadn't quite left their dreams and reached up to give her a good scratch behind her ears.]

Hey. Good morning to you, too.

[He blinked at how high the sun was, confused.]

Or should I say, good afternoon? How did I sleep so long?

[Wan will probably notice that there's someone watching him. Sitting on a rock nearby with arms folded and a frown on his face.

Zuko is staring at Wan. It's like trying to remember something from a dream. He knew this guy, but his mind was struggling to keep up with all of the memories that were coming back to him.

He was a little older, a little taller, and wore a golden crown in his topnot. Mula had found him when he woke up, and since she seemed familiar, he had followed her. Here, to Wan.

For now he didn't say anything. He just waited until he was noticed.]

[It took Wan a little while to notice Zuko. He had to sit up, take in his surroundings with his eyes going back to the sky. Confusion set in quickly because he wasn't where he had fallen asleep, and he was certain this was not a place he'd ever seen before. And it wasn't the spirit world. But it was... familiar all the same.

When his eyes finally found Zuko, there was a clear pause. His body going still as he stared at the man. Mula's nuzzling was ignored in favor of the other man.]

I... know you.

I think I know you too.

[This is said with confusion and uncertainty, because he's not sure how or where they would have met. But there was definitely a strong tug at his heart when he had seen this man. Like they had known each other really well, and were close, but he'd forgotten.]

What's your name?

Wan.

[He answered quickly and simply as he stood up and studied the other man. Really studied him. His eyes following the lines of his body under his clothes as if he knew for certain that it hung in a way that left a one inch gap between cloth and skin on the left side of his waist. As if he'd seen it before.

...he had seen it before.

Wan's eyes widened and the memories that were fighting to get through the fog of his mind started getting clearer and clearer.]

Zuko.

[As Wan gives him the once over, Zuko does the same. Normally he might feel uncomfortable with the way he was being looked at, but not this time.

And his name... he had known that. Wan. A slow blink of golden eyes is given when his own name is said, and Zuko nods before standing up.]

Yeah.

[And now he moves towards Wan, the memories starting to come back the more he looked at him and spoke. Memories of hard times, and someone being there for him, helping him, and never giving up. It was him, it was Wan.]

We're friends. ... No, we're more than that.

[Zuko was... taller. He wasn't taller than Wan by much, but it was enough to be noticeably different from what he remembered. A small change that felt so big with eight years between when he'd last seen him.]

We're on the back of the turtle.

[He murmured, still studying Zuko. Trying to memorize the changes and reconcile them with what he remembered.]

We went home. We were supposed to go home for good. I didn't remember you...

[Wan frowned. He had wanted to remember and it hurt now to realize he hadn't.]

I'm sorry. I would have if I had a choice.

[The turtle... right. He remembers now. That big creature that was just a turtle. The creature they had fought to save.]

You're older.

[A lot older actually. Zuko could see how time and circumstances had worn on Wan. He wasn't old, but he wasn't as young as he used to be either. It was strange. There had always been a few years between them but now it felt more like a decade.]

It's okay. I... didn't remember you either.

[There's definite remorse for him too. It hurt him just as much that he had forgotten. It had only been a couple years, but it still felt like an eternity.]

[Wan's head dropped and he reached out tentatively with one hand to drag his fingers down the front seam of Zuko's shirt. A touch so light that even Wan could barely feel the cloth. He was afraid it was all just some odd dream his mind was inflicting on him to torture himself.]

...are you real?

[As he reached for him, Zuko's hands came up and clasped Wan's hand.]

I'm real.

[Zuko then stepped forward and now reached out to draw Wan into a hug. And it was there that he held him for several moments, as the memories continued to come back. Fuzzy and surreal at first, but becoming more vivid. They were very well, as were the feelings behind them. Eventually though, he let go and looked back at Wan with a warm smile.]

Your catdeer, Mula right? She found me and brought me to you. Something must have pulled us back.

[Wan didn't fight the embrace. He was too stunned at Zuko's hand holding his own to do anything but stand there as his breathing quickened and the odd feeling of tears threatening to burst came to him. He didn't know how to react anymore. But the feel of arms around him, that felt so good. Odd, but good. He started to relax into the hug and eventually his other arm came up to hold Zuko around the waist every so lightly while his head turned to lean into the man's neck.

When Zuko pulled back Wan felt reluctant to let him go. But he didn't feel like he had the strength to fight it. He actually felt really dizzy just then.]

She found you?

[He asked, voice echoing his state of mind. Half-there and a little distant. He was actually feeling very dizzy. There was so much that had happened. It was all coming back to him in a rush, toppling over the memories of the last eight years and cramming themselves into a time between bonding with Raava and Imprisoning Vaatu. Months he had spent on the turtle that had been nothing but seconds in their world. Fleeting moments that had meant so much. Emotions he had been forced to forget by the demands of time and space.

Wan took a step back, stumbling a little. But Mula was right there. Her back strong and unyielding. Giving him the support he needed even as he reached out to grab Zuko's shirt more firmly. To hold onto him while he worked through it.]

It looks different than it was... More green. More earth.

[The memories were indeed overwhelming, but not seemingly as much for Zuko. Probably because there hadn't been quite as much time between their last time here and what he last remembered from home. Still he was a different person back then, and it was strange to think how vulnerable he had been the last time they were here. He had since grown and matured, though his troubles were far from over.

The pain of what had happened, the poisoning and his suffering, was upsetting. But to see Wan again, to remember what they had been through together. What they meant to each other... that made it bearable.

Though there's a flash of concern as Wan stumbles and Zuko reaches out to catch and steady him.]

Are you okay?

[Zuko then paused to look around at his words.]

You're right. I wonder how long it's been.

Dizzy.

[He answered, still distracted. Still distant. His hand balled into a fist in Zuko's shirt and pulled on that. Pushed himself away from Mula and into Zuko. Let the man steady him. To hold him again. Contact he hadn't realized how much he wanted until it was done by someone he'd once felt so intensely for.

It was obvious why Mula had led Zuko to him, now. She remembered what they'd been for each other. Wan didn't realize that for her, she had never actually left the turtle. That she'd been waiting the whole time the were gone for him to get back. She knew he would. And when she'd found Zuko, she knew she'd be able to find Wan. They left together, they would come back together.

Wan took a deep breath. And another. A third finally started helping him feel steady on his feet but he didn't want to let go just yet.]

We should find out why we were brought back. What battle they need us to fight.

[It was better to focus on that than on how much he wanted to stay right where he was. He'd been fine without that kind of human contact for close to a decade. To have it again and to want it... it was frightening. But he couldn't push away.]

[And hold him he did. A little surprised when Wan pushed himself at him, but he caught him easily and clung to the other man. Closing his eyes, Zuko too realized how much he wanted and needed this contact.

It wasn't the same thing as Wan though. Ever since Mai had left him, he'd been without this sort of closeness with anyone. He was lonely. Mai had left a hole that was not easily filled. But now... now it was filled again.]

We should get back to the city first. ... Do you know the way?

[Zuko admittedly wasn't as familiar with the countryside as Wan probably was.]

Everything looks really different from what I remember it being.

[Wan admitted as he lifted his head to look around and really study their surroundings.]

But I think... it's northeast of us? That mountain to the northwest looks familiar. It might be a couple hours walk.

[Which he was okay with. It would give them time. To remember. To talk.]

[Zuko looked in the direction of the mountain and nodded.]

Then let's go.

[And with that Zuko pulled away, but not without taking Wan's hand in his own so they they didn't lose complete contact. He was okay with this too. They could use the time to talk. To catch up, as they walked. Which he started doing once Wan was ready.]

How long has it been? For you I mean.

How long...

[Wan's fingers curled around Zuko's slowly. A memory of something that had once been so much easier. He watched their hands for a few moments as they walked, his other drifting naturally to Mula's shoulder as she took up her place on the other side of him.]

Eight years. It's been eight eight years, Zuko. The world has changed a lot...

[For a moment, Zuko could only stare in stunned silence. Eight years. He couldn't even fathom that. It seemed like a small eternity. No wonder Wan looked so much older. Not that it mattered much, he still cared for him like he did before. Though it was strange, having these feelings thrust upon him again. After everything that happened back home. But it almost felt like he'd been left behind a bit, with Wan having lived more time than he had. It had only been two years for Zuko. But he didn't say anything about that now. Instead he focused on Wan.]

What happened?

[Wan's fingers squeezed Zuko's hand almost involuntarily. Like he was searching for reassurance as he spoke.]

I beat Vaatu. I sealed him in the Tree of Time, in the spirit world. But to keep other humans from making the mistake I did and setting him free, I had to close the portals to the spirit world. I sent as many spirits back there as were willing to leave the material plane and then I sealed them. After that, the Lion Turtles decided they didn't need to protect humanity anymore. Humans left their backs and started making new homes in the wilds.

[With a weary sigh, he murmured.]

They've started to make war on each other. So many people fighting and dying over land and perceived insults when they don't need to. I've been trying to teach them to live together in peace, but it's not going as well as I thought it would.

[Zuko's hand squeezed back, offering that reassurance. Though it was strange. Mai never needed that kind of reassurance from him, so this seemed somewhat foreign, yet familiar at the same time. Despite that, he listened attentively as Wan spoke.]

So the nations as I know them were starting to form.

[Zuko sighed quietly as well, turning his gaze away.]

The wars will continue for thousands of years. Sometimes there will be peace, but then war will break out again. The Avatars, your future lives, will strive for peace and balance.

I know.

[He couldn't help the sadness in his voice, but he was also... content? Yes. He felt content. Back home, he worried constantly. But here, with all the memories returning to him, he knew that even if peace didn't come in his lifetime, it would still come. In all the lives he had yet to live, he would strive to bring it.]

I remember what Korra told me. What Aang said. About the wars and about what will come. Korra is going to stop Vaatu at the next Harmonic Convergence. Peace and Balance will come. It will simply take longer than I thought.

[Wan's pace slowed as he realized he couldn't feel Aang or Korra. He could only feel the slight tug on his soul that he identified with the lantern and it was... on his hand? He turned his eyes to his hand and the jewelry there with the dark stone that seemed to pulse just slightly.]

They aren't here anymore.

[He murmured as he stared at the stone, then looked up at Zuko, searched him over with his eyes.]

Do you have a stone, too?

[At first there was a small smile of relief that Wan seemed to already know these things and was content with it. It was also good to know that he wouldn't have to tell him indepth about how his nation had played a huge role in creating strife in the world. What was important though was that he knew that peace would come. He and Aang were working hard to make that happen.

But there's a pause and his smile fades at what is said next. Aang and Korra aren't here? Zuko was relieved, but also concerned.]

Maybe we were the only ones that were brought back.

[He could hope that at least. They needed to be back home where they belonged. Though they still needed to figure out WHY they were brought back in the first place. But the attention to jewelry made him switch gears again. Zuko held up his hand, revealing a gold ring with a similar red stone on it.]

Yeah.

[Wan let go of Zuko's other hand to reach out and touch the ring. That was Zuko's soul. It seemed so... simple.]

You know... if I were to pick something to house your soul... it would be something a lot bigger than that.

[He moved his fingers lightly up Zuko's arm until they could rest ever so carefully against his collarbone. Close enough to ghost against his neck. His eyes shifted from the ring and to the side. Somewhere in the range of Zuko's hip but not quite.]

What I mean is, you have a bigger heart than that.

[At first, Zuko was confused by Wan's words. But as he explained, his eyes softened and there was a small smile on his face. Though his breath hitched in his throat at the gentle touch.

It was strange, coming back to this. He was hesitant and a bit unsure, having all these memories suddenly dumped on him. But now, as Wan touched his soul both physically and with his words, he came to remember why he cared so much about him. His feelings for this man rushing back.

He took a step closer and reached out to touch Wan's face.]

I've missed you. Even if I didn't realize it.

[Sure, it was weird that Wan was so much older than him now, but that didn't matter. This was still Wan, and Zuko still loved him.

With that thought in mind, Zuko leaned in to kiss him.]

[Wan lifted his eyes as Zuko leaned in, wondering if something was wrong. He was caught by surprise with the kiss despite the obvious telegraphing. It was confident, sure. Like Wan had been when he first kissed Zuko. But now Wan was the one who held still for a heartbeat as his mind blanked a bit before he managed to have enough sense to react. His eyes slid shut slowly and with a somewhat stilted tilt of his head, tried to push back. To remember what it was like to kiss Zuko with the assurance he used to have.]

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lordhotman - 2015-01-02 18:53 (UTC) - Expand

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raavashing - 2015-01-02 19:03 (UTC) - Expand

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[EVENT] A NEW WORLD ORDER

Canon Update | Dated to December 20th | Closed

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