TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 4

[avalonmods]

{ QUICK NAV } Premise ⚔️️ Rules ⚔️️ FAQ ⚔️️ Taken ⚔️️ Reserves ⚔️️ Apply ⚔️️ Locations ⚔️️ Bestiary ⚔️️ Top-Levels Only ⚔️️ A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival KERPLUNK, SPLASH! Regardless of what you were in the middle of, you and your familiar have been magically pulled into the world of Avalon just above the Bay's chilly waters. After a brief plunge into the Bay, the rush of water filling your ears and soaking up into every creak and crevice of your body, you may need to cough to clear your airways when you rise above the surface. It's paralyzingly cold for a few seconds before you're approached by the Lady of the Lake beneath the water's surface. She puts a vial of a vibrant, glowing red Everwarm* potion to your character's lips. The icy water doesn't feel so icy once consumed and you'll be able to move your limbs enough to swim to shore on your own. She can't stick around to explain, she's got to get this to all the new arrivals! Many of which you'll see plopping in around you. If you can't swim, a handful of helpful ice turtles will scoop you up from beneath and drop you off at the shore. It's a fast process, as they no longer have to collect possessions and pets from drowning in the waters, so they're only needing to go around hitting the ice that keeps forming on the surface with their shells to keep the surface open for the falling arrivals. If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. If anyone with Animal Magic asks the turtles, they will give the full spiel, but very slowly, and they like to get off topic and gossip about other turtles you've never heard of. The shores themselves are littered with new arrivals complaining their way up a staircase carved into the walls of the White Cliffs. There is no railing, so be careful, but if you do fall, be prepared for a mysterious sand hand to reach out of the side of the cliffs to catch you. The hand will pat you atop the head twice before retreating back into the wall. This is the Cliff Beast; despite the name, he is quite friendly. B ⦿ The Caravan to Camelot Once everyone is wrangled up to the top of the White Cliffs, the handsome owner of the Rent-a-Ride, Archimedes, will distribute smart phones, a pair of earbuds, and a winter cloak** and tell them to "Check the Shit Box." The "Shit Box" refers to wardrobe more formally known as the Wardrobe of Finding, a hammerspace-like wardrobe that opens to each person's items and pets when the person touches the handle. It was recently enchanted by Merlin to prevent people from having to fish their waterlogged possessions and pets out of the water with them. From there, Archimedes directs everyone to settle in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and gives them a basic explanation of why and how they've been brought to Avalon: The rest of the universe is frozen in time and your character has been brought here by a familiar that was able to bond with them. They'll have to learn magic to help save their own world from destruction, but first they've got to get them to Camelot. It is here that you have the first opportunity to decide who they will be in their new home. You'll have about an hour to wander around here, meet and greet, and pet the horses before it's time to go. These carriages use fae technology that combats weight, so your character will be able to get in regardless of whether they're light as a feather or weigh two tons. The carts have air conditioning when it's hot, heating when it's cold, and a mystical shield to protect from bugs. There is also a mini-bar that pops out of the console with nip bottles. Characters can use their smartphones to connect to Camelot's internet service, avalononline (AOL), to chat with other characters, watch dumb videos, learn about the world, contact Camelot Support (they'll answer any questions they can for you, from how to use a smart phone to where to find quests and resources to learn more about your magic). Be careful if you decide to use your phones while in the caravan-- if you don't use those earbuds and start forcing everyone to listen to your nonsense, Archimedes may make you walk. C ⦿ The Red Spring The journey from the White Cliffs to the City of Camelot is a long one, and the first evening you arrive you'll end up spending at the Red Spring, a booming resort town. Because of the volume of new arrivals and vacationers, inn rooms are assigned two-to-a-room. The rooms have two twin beds, a bathroom, a mini-fridge and microwave, and a TV equipped with a couple of entertaining video games and a few free movies. For the month of February: there are complimentary chocolates placed on the pillows that make you feel warm and fuzzy when you eat them, all the rooms have been temporarily redecorated after hearing about Valentine's Day after an announcement about an upcoming Valentine's concert to be held by the off-worlders. They wanted to celebrate love too, and help the newcomers feel welcome! Unfortunately, this means that the two-person bedrooms only have one bed this month... maybe you can get a roll-away? If you don't want to relax in the room, try taking a dip in the spring for another chance to meet your fellow travelers. The waters have restorative properties that help horses and travelers recover quickly when drunk. It is known to relieve stress, improve energy levels, and mildly accelerate healing. It may be a little chilly when you get out though, so make sure you don't slip rushing back indoors when you get out! The springs are also home to a large training grounds just outside town limits, where there are teachers who will teach basic magic safety and help you discover what kind of magic you have together with other new arrivals. Try target practice, obstacle courses, meditation circles, and other ways to try to figure out just what you can do... if you didn't already have an accidental discovery on the ride there. As the snows give way to rain and the cold persists across Avalon, it may seem as if some of the local businesses are suddenly short-staffed. A favorite spot might have shorter hours, longer wait times. Whatever it is, it seems that there are fewer Avalonians as the days go on. It is not long before there are signs posted outside local businesses and every clinic, there is an illness striking the populace and adventurers seem to be immune. While the healers can cure this malady, they are short on supplies and some of them are not easy to obtain. All are urged to take up a task and gather these ingredients. Anyone who does obtain one or more of the required ingredients will be given a Fairy-blessed Tincture of Wellbeing from one of the faeries who stayed behind after the tournament. It is said to bring healing no matter where you are when you sprinkle it on the ground in front of you. (Note: The tincture will teleport the nearest healing mage to your location. This information is not included with the tincture... surprise!) A ⦿ Ingredient One: A Can of Sprite Sprites can be found in and around Avalon, and thankfully so. The first task is to obtain a small can of magic dust from a sprite's wings. Now an adventurer may think to capture and take this by force, but be wary: sprites always travel in packs and will be so inclined to curse any would-be attackers dance till they drop, literally. Sprites are mischievous sorts with a wry sense of humor and can be quite fond a flower which grows near the Red Springs called the Cinnabar Paper Bush. Bring them a bouquet and beg for their cooperation, but be cautious of breathing in the flower's pollen-- the sprites will not warn your character that it's a potent ingredient in probability spells, so breathing it in may cause sudden repeated visions of 15 seconds of a potential future based on every choice your character could make in a particular situation. Getting out of the pollen's effects takes a full day of going through visions of parallel possibilities if there's no one to help you, and the sprites will be long gone by then. You'll need another adventurer to use their magic to get you out of this or prevent the pollen from spreading... good luck. B ⦿ Ingredient Two: Deez Nuts Within the Brocéliande there grows a certain tree. Even in winter, this tree produces tiny star shaped nuts that when ground into a powder are a key ingredient in many healing tinctures. However, the nuts are coveted by the wildlife for they taste quite sweet when eaten straight from the tree. Adventurers are tasked with entering the woods and retrieving baskets full of these tiny nuts. A warning was given to not go unarmed, those animals can be very protective of their food supply and they are rumored to be coveted by the Bear Fir, who won't hesitate to come for you. A warning to the wise: do not eat them yourself. They can be quite tempting. A tiny call will induce the desire to devour all of them, burrowing deep within your conscious. Not only would an adventurer fail their task but they would fall gravely ill for a period of two days. With these obstacles in mind, it may be best to team up and go at this task together to make sure everyone comes out alive and well. C ⦿ Ingredient Three: Wait, isn't that a Pokémon? The hills to the south-east of the Red Spring are home to the elusive Hill Trolls, who never leave their hills, but like to engage with any traveler who does come through. Most try to avoid them as they are extremely rude in every way. However, for this particular remedy, there is special bluegrass known as poliwag grass, so named because the seer who discovered this unique grass had seen the creatures it is named for in an alternate world and found them endearing. The catch? Only the Hill Trolls know now wherein the hills the small patches of this grass can be found. Adventurers are tasked with entering the hills, engaging the Trolls, and requesting a guide to the grass. Avalonians will advise doing anything the troll asks of you, it’s the only way to appease them and get the prize. Characters will be set about various household and yard chores by the Hill Trolls, who will lead them to believe that this grass will take several days journey to reach and they simply can not leave their home and yard in such a state when on a long trip like that. Make sure to complete all your tasks, though, try not to be too angry when once their yard and home are spotless the Hill Troll produces a satchel of poliwag grass straight from their cupboard. They didn’t say you had to go on the trip with them and they will need to replenish their supply after, so they're not apologizing for anything. A video is sent to everyone's devices, a strong magic spell making certain that it opens. Morganna's face appears. Morganna, after all, is to be listened to when she speaks. She seems to be looking at her nails as the recording starts, not looking at her captive audience.

”"As infamous as Arthur and Merlin are, there are many magics they are unfamiliar with. They live in the realm of basic magics, the ones you all have touched and trifled with. But there are skills you will need in the future that require something a little stronger. Now if you came to me seeking spells, I would ask a fair price, dears... but it is my universe you are all saving too, so I will offer you a taste." She finally looks directly into the screen. Despite that it's just a recording, it looks as if she's looking directly into your soul. She sees you even without you responding. Her lips curl up in a little smile, friendly and yet mischievious. "Magic is stronger when more than one person performs it. Where you would be able to toss fire, you could create a fire tornado or rip the earth until it spits the fires of hell up as lava. To perform this kind of magic, you must be entirely in sync with your partners. Of one mind, of one movement. Open the attachment and it will place a memory of how to perform Synchronic Magic with a partner into your mind. It will still take practice, of course. Baby steps."

Magic-infused technology is a hell of a thing-- those who listen after the video ends and open up the attachment will find themselves rapidly flooded with what amounts to an instructional video and a visual sample of witches moving exactly in sync. After a little finger painting on each other's face and collar bones and some deep meditation while performing the spell, the caster of the spell will have complete control over the movements of the person the spell is cast upon. For the duration of the spell, the person who the spell was cast upon will mentally reside in the caster's head outside of their body. Their body will do anything the caster's does. For this particular version of the spell to work, it requires the consent of the person it's being cast upon, though there are other forms of the spell that do not that are not. With that knowledge, get practicing. A ⦿ We Succeed Together When a goddess gives instructions to learn something, you learn it, and so some of the locals have set up meditation tents at one of Camelot City's parks. The tents are filled with incense, steam, and have a spell cast on them to provide relaxing sounds-- babbling brook, yoga music, rain on the ocean, a crackling fireplace, the cries of your enemies, the relaxing sound of change falling from your favorite plinko machine... It will respond to your emotions and find the sound that's most relaxing to you to help you clear your mind. If you trust the person you're with, the spell will go smoothly and you'll be able to perform the much simpler practice spell provided in the tent: a shadow dance. Follow the dance steps around the circle on the floor of the tent; shadows will begin dancing along the walls of the tent outside of their light source. Your shadows will be able to separate from your feet and travel without you once the dance is completed. It will return after completing whatever task you need from it. If you need some help developing your trust in the other person, try playing a game of twenty questions or partaking in some of the sparkling ginger shots in front of you-- they've got a heated kick to them that's sure to warm you up and make you fire out a secret to the person you're sharing the tent with. B ⦿ We Fail Apart If you aren't perfectly in sync with your partner to cast Synchronic Magic, all kinds of things can go wrong. People who do not trust each other may end up accidentally sealing the tents shut and trapping themselves inside until they tell each other a secret they've told no one else, thus forcing them to trust each other. People believe the exact opposite at their core could end up temporarily body swapping with their partner until they wipe off the body paint and break the spell. And of course, even if you're completely on the same page and the person controlling both bodies has two left feet, a mistake in the shadow dance could cause the shadows to enter your eyes, turning both of your vision to complete darkness until you've been in sunlight for about 15 minutes straight. I hope you weren't practicing at night. C ⦿ Loss and Gain After performing the Synchronic Magic, magicians of all kinds are going to feel a little strange. It's a magic outside of their field of expertise used to perform further magics, after all, and they've shared their essence with another person to perform it. There's a chance that characters are going to feel very alone after being separated from the synchronic magic. Alone, tired, and wanting to feel connected again even if you're normally the lone wolf type. Synchronic magic makes you feel connected to others in a way that's hard to do otherwise, and without it it leaves a sense of loss and disconnect. It's not a side-effect that was discussed ahead of time, but the citizens of Camelot have prepared for it for anyone who wishes to stick around after their spellcasting. After the magic is done, at the center of the tented area, everyone is invited to gather around a huge, prismatic bonfire taking place in the center of the park that the tents had been set up in. The bonfire is filled with flames of all colors, like a prism reflecting light and warmth, and acts as a beacon for casters' shadows to find their owners and reconnect with them. It also is enchanted to encourage affectionate feelings. This may inspire people to be more... touch-friendly than normal, wanting to hug and hold onto or simple be shoulder-to-shoulder with the people around them. These feelings can easily be fought even if they're present, but fulfilling them will help to eliminate the sense of loss from the synchronic spell ending. At the end of the night, little rainbow fireflies will begin to fly away from the flames, having been hatched within them, and fly off into the night as the flames turn to embers, and then to charcoal. It is said that if you catch a rainbow firefly, you can make a wish on it, and when let go they will take those wishes to the heavens with them. Some wishes may actually be granted, so if your character has a wish, submit it here. MOD NOTES: • All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, but this post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads, but should not top-level comment on this post. • If your application is accepted, you may accept TDM threads as game canon as long as both players consent. Characters may begin threading as soon as their journal is accepted to the communities. • If nothing here tickles your fancy, try one of this month's Quests for your TDM prompt. • The first "Arrival" prompts are present on every TDM, but contain seasonal tweaks for flavor. All other prompts will change monthly. (This month, please check updated method of inventory collection at the Rent-a-Ride and the "February Special" rooms at the Red Spring.) • The Shadow Dance Ritual is a form of advanced dark magic; this means that yes, after significant practice, a dark magic user may be able to do this on their own with only their own shadow. Even if your character isn't a dark mage, they can do a ritual to perform out-of-discipline magic. More information on rituals and how to unlock them will come in the future! • Please comment with wishes regardless of new/current member status if you want to participate! :) • Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ. *This Everwarm does not count toward your potion collection for those who wish to take up potion brewing. You must obtain Everwarm from the Elphame Trader's to count. **Jackets come in a variety of neutral colors, enchanted with a fit-adjustment spell that will adjust to your character's size.

Comments

[airbendings]

That's okay if you -- huh?

[Wait. Wait, what? Aang wasn't. Expecting that. Zuko being that soft? That thoughtful about him? Helping? Asking around for someone to help Aang out and they hadn't yet even figured exactly on what abilities he had here yet? And the way Zuko seems all excited? It's a reminder the other isn't really all that much older than him. Well. Technically Aang was frozen for a while but still. He's unsure what to make of it, exactly. Who is this and where is Zuko, really. Or at least. It's certainly disorienting on his point of view, still adjusting to this truce? whatever it is between them yet.]

You....I just got here? You were asking around about someone to help me already? Or, wait, before I got here?

[rediscovering]

No, no, before you got here! I have a friend, he's amazing— it's hard to explain, but in his future, he taught himself almost all the elements in his world just on instinct, except for the one opposite to his nature and the one based in harmony. But he just figured it all out on his own because no one knows about the Avatar and never told him he's an Avatar, or maybe he's the first Avatar, I don't know— but he's unique. You can't mention his bending or being the Avatar to him here, okay, but— he can teach you light magic if that's what you have. He's already agreed to help you if he can. I fought him when I first got here. He's good. He's smart. Trust me.

[ "Trust me." A tall order, Zuko, even if colored by this sudden enthusiasm about his two best friends meeting at long last... however, neither of them remember being best friends with him. Doubly heartbreaking. But surreal to imagine getting them together anyway after all this. All three boys involved here are disoriented for sure. ]

[airbendings]

He -- really? That's amazing though! Usually it takes years for the Avatars back home.

[Aang would have taken his time too if he had a choice but. Well. Time was of the essence in his case in needing to deal with the Fire Lord and all, before the comet. He still even then had the ability to talk to the other previous Avatars to support him. Unlike this friend it seemed?

Though. Zuko asking him to trust him. That's new, still.]

Is the bending, the Avatar thing a....sore topic or something?

[rediscovering]

Usually...

[ But not for you.

But he can't say that, despite his wry, maybe slightly melancholy smile, just a hint. And perhaps a segue. ]

No, um— he can't know. In the other world where I first met him, he was older. Here, he's younger and doesn't know about his Avatar training yet — and even then, uh, he had— time traveled to get his powers, so he didn't even know how he got them because he got them in the future, but now he doesn't know that he gets them at all, so I— don't wanna fuck anything up for him...

[ Clearly also his language has been affected since whatever's happened in their time apart. Being away from his uncle, exposed to too much new media, and hanging out with, y'know, hitmen in the mafia, it's not exactly princely. But what he says also points to that he's probably taking a similar approach between him and Aang. He's not detailing what happens between them at home, in his past and Aang's future; he's staying focused in the present. ]

I know none of this makes sense and it's hard to believe on top of everything else, but— ...it's not all bad.

[ And that's saying something, even from Aang's time point, coming from Zuko. ]

[airbendings]

Usually? I thought that was the case for the previous Avatars though.

[Perhaps some took longer or picked it up quicker than others. Depending on when they were around things might have been calmer, easier in finding a Master of the other elements. Unlike Aang. Still, he gives a nod at the explanation of Zuko's friend.]

Oh. So it hasn't happened for him yet. Okay. That makes sense. I'll be quiet.

[He. Might raise an eyebrow but. Well. Zuko's older. The language probably isn't that much a surprise so much as that he hasn't heard it more given how rage fuelled Zuko was back home in his dogged, persistent, desperate attempts to capture him. Aang does frown at that though.]

Not all bad? But....everyone back home's counting on me. It still feels, hm, wrong. I guess that's cause I still feel like I have to be working on Mastering the others. Before the comet.

[Even if it's already been dealt with on Zuko and the other's side, Aang's still kind of feeling in limbo almost in what he last recalls and how much he still knows he has to do yet back home.]

[rediscovering]

I know what you're feeling. I felt that fear. It tortured me for so long when I first was spirited away— my imagination incapacitated me... But from everything I've learned, it seems that our destinies are frozen, not truncated. We are not missing from home. When we return, it will be as if we never left, and we'll have no memory of this place. Like a side life, living in a daydream. Even less than a dream. That's what I've been told.

[ He's not sure how personal to get. But— perhaps a little more openness is due, all things considered. ]

...I was so afraid of the possibility that you and my father might defeat each other and in my absence that Azula would become Fire Lord. I fell ill for over a week with existential panic, fever dreams, dissociation, the thought of what might happen physically crippled me... But— we can't be afraid in two places at once. You have to focus on being here now. You'll drive yourself crazy wondering what else might happen, now that our understanding of time and space itself has just been blown wide open. So just do your best here and it'll save our world, so we can all go home and save it ourselves for real.

[ That's a powerful revelation. Does this mean Zuko's on their side now? It sounds like it. He doesn't want to ruin the future for Aang, so he won't give details, decidedly, but if he stays in the present, in outer space, in alternate realities, instead of spilling the beans with what happens at home, then somehow that feels like safer footing to start out on even if he can allude to some alliance Aang doesn't understand yet. It's a start. ]

[airbendings]

They said that. We won't miss anything back home. It's still weird though. But I guess that's probably just me knowing there's a time limit and that I still have stuff to do back home. Maybe once I figure adjusting here and all I might relax more.

[But he does pause then with the other admitting the fear of Aang being defeated, that Azula would take over. It's odd to consider. Zuko is human too and of course has his own fears and everything. It's just that Aang hasn't seen as much evidence of that. Yet. That one time Zuko rescued him was probably more so he himself would get the credit for capturing the Avatar. At least, he figures. He's got no idea what Zuko had planned for him if Zuko hadn't passed out and all.]

You.....want to save it? You want me to win? Against your dad.....?

[rediscovering]

It doesn't matter. I'm saying I want to save our world — its whole existence. It's our planet... I still want to return someday. So until then, we have to work hard here with our magic to make sure we have a home to go back to, whatever our choices may be once we're there again. It's just as much home for me and as it is for you, isn't it?

[ It's a fair point. Whatever side they're on, it's still their only world. He could mention Sozin's Comet. Being yanked from the very morning of, no closure, no clue what happens in the war. But he doesn't want to give away too much... ]

[airbendings]

Well, yeah. It's our home. I just -- you seemed so keen on capturing me and bringing me back to the Fire Nation and all. That you didn't seem to care about what would happen if you did.

[That he didn't care about doing so would prevent Aang from mastering the other elements to be able to defend against the Fire Lord and stop his attempt to take over completely. All that had mattered to Zuko back then, from Aang's point of view, was that he captures Aang and regains his honor and gets to go back home to the Fire Nation. The consequences of doing so didn't seem to matter. That he hadn't thought that far ahead about it. That he hadn't cared what would happen to Aang as a result.]

But you're right. We just have to do our best. Figure things out here as best we can. Help however we can, whatever that ends up looking like.

[rediscovering]

[ The monk's words hurt more than he knows, and Zuko can't keep himself from glaring away from him with a vague scowl. In many regards, Aang's not wrong. Zuko's dogged pursuit of him was all but entirely self-serving. But Zuko's also someone extremely passionate, who does things with strong belief and conviction behind his power, whether he's aligning himself well or not. He'd certainly thought ahead while trying to capture the Avatar — about how this would bring pride and power and safety to his country. Like anyone else in the Fire Nation, if not far more so than anyone else in the Fire Nation, being the Fire Lord's son and crown prince, Zuko was of course indoctrinated in the legitimacy of the war, the need to conquest further, that their culture was the most advanced and thus justified their colonization over the Earth Kingdom. He'd been lied to. But he was proud to be Fire Prince at some point in his life — even if by now, it seemed a very, very long time ago...

He sighed, glancing back to the other boy with a short silence. He won't comment on the first remark. ]

...The more you use your magic, the more you can help. Just practice hard. Just like at home.

[airbendings]

Hm. I guess. I can do that much. I can try.

[He purses his lips, before glancing down and resting his chin in his palm as he considers what Zuko's said thus far. It's....a lot. Already, to get used to. Let alone everything he himself still doesn't recall that the others all did, apparently. He's not sure if he likes having that gap of knowledge, of memories between them. But he isn't sure he should press about it, least of all with Zuko.

But if he just has to practice. That's nothing new. He just has to figure things, here.]

[rediscovering]

[ Zuko knows it's a lot. Zuko feels a lot, too. He looks away, arms crossed over his chest, voice gravelly and gruff. The more his emotions stir, indeed, the more familiar Zuko may seem to the airbender despite the time gap. It felt wrong to act buddy buddy when they weren't buddies. He's still hurting, frankly. It's hard for him to mask his emotions. He's still determined to help, because they are buddies, but until they actually are, he's the same bad guy that had probably tried to hurt Aang like not very long ago... He doesn't mask his guilt or shame well, either. Even though all his ever-complex emotions seem to be funneled into what tends to look like anger... ]

What else do you want to ask?

[airbendings]

I dunno. I'm still kinda figuring this all out yet. Really, I'm just glad Sokka and the rest are here. And Appa!

[Even if Appa is smaller and won't necessarily be flying them all around everywhere as a result. He still at least has his bison buddy. And Momo. Which is clearly the important thing, that he isn't alone. He wouldn't have taken well to showing up and not finding the flying bison.]

But if I think of anything else there's these things?

[The phones. Which he is still figuring out but they seem important.]

[rediscovering]

[ It hurts so much to be excluded by Aang again. Of course he's not glad Zuko's here. But Zuko takes care not to show it too obviously, and merely nods, closing his eyes. ]

Yeah. My username is "fireprince." Text me or call me for anything...

[ He pauses, glancing back up to the Avatar before him, a soft steeliness in his voice. ]

Like I said— I want to help you.

[airbendings]

'fireprince'. So if I message that name it'll be you? Okay.

[He might need someone to go over this. But for now, he seems to be mostly adjusting well enough. As well as could be considered given the circumstances, given his confusion in everyone else recalling more and it evidently impacting his relationship with Zuko? He gives a nod in response to what Zuko says.]

You haven't attacked me yet or anything. Sorry. It's just -- gonna take a bit to adjust to all this.

[He says with an almost sheepish look. Not just regarding Zuko in adjusting to that change but in general in adjusting to this place. To everyone else remembering more than him.]

[rediscovering]

...Yeah. I know. ...I'm not going to attack you anymore.

[ There's an edge to his voice he can't disguise. It will take some getting used to for Zuko, too. ]

[airbendings]

No?

[Zuko hasn't so far. Aang respects and is grateful for that. He just. Obviously also knows the other has a temper and for him this is all kind of coming out of nowhere on his end to be working with the other. As much as at that one point after Zuko rescued him from the Fire Nation and he then in turn got Zuko out of there. It's still another to not have Zuko trying to burn him to a crisp.]

I mean. I'm not gonna complain on that. I just.....wasn't exactly expecting this. When you found me.

[rediscovering]

Yeah. I know.

[ He can't hide his melancholy, irritation, displacement. He has no idea how to handle this reunion. He's adamant that he doesn't want to reveal the future to Aang, much like Azula has refused to reveal their future together, too. But much the same as his reunion with his sister, having fully anticipated an attack, he's got to make sense of an alliance only one of them's aware of. It's beyond his social skill set, and Zuko's always been transparent, as terse as he is. ]

It is what it is. We're here now. The past is behind us. Okay?

[airbendings]

I guess. I mean. If you're not going to pick a fight, I won't.

[It's just going to take time to adjust to the idea is all. Of working with Zuko. Of him not trying to capture him or the others to get to him or anything. No fighting. None of that. It won't be something that magically comes to him overnight, but at least. Over time. He might get used to it. Probably, he will prefer it in not having to go out of his way to avoid Zuko or anything here. Even if he might be less sure on things with Azula.]

[rediscovering]

Heh... Hasn't that always been the case?

[ He says wryly. Is that a joke? Is that a dig? Who can say. But the fact of the matter is Zuko has always been the antagonist here, so... without that... and without alliance... what's left to joke about? That's not Zuko's expertise; he's even worse with chit-chat. Something he'd never imagined making with the Avatar, no matter what side he stood on. ]

[airbendings]

I mean. Usually it was you wanting to fight or kidnap me. But still....it isn't like I could leave you behind. When you saved me from Zhao and the rest. Or in that blizzard.

[Aang might frustrate Sokka with that sort of thing sometimes, Sokka definitely questioning 'sure, bring the guy trying to capture you with us!' but still. Aang still couldn't just leave Zuko to die. Even back then. Before their later alliance and tentative friendships they form later on. On Aang's end it's evident he at least never went into things wanting Zuko to get killed or anything. He'd even been the one to ask if they could have been friends, if things were different. He's just going to take a little bit to adjust is all.]