avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 6

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 6

Check out the OOC intro meme for this month to say hi to new players/characters!

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⚔️️ 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 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 still chilly, but not enough that you can't manage on your own. The Lady of the Lake is swimming around under the water, but seems to be focusing on coordinating a band of mossatees to help rescue any wayward new arrivals. Mossatees are a special Avalonian manatee that is green in color and has what appears to be a patches of grass or other short plant life growing on its back. While some are fully green, many sport blooming flowers or fairy circles of mushrooms.

If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. Those with animal magic may get their info from the manatees, though may notice that they're really overly friendly and have zero concept of personal boundaries. Everyone may notice they have no concept of personal space, as they will happily run right into someone's belly for a snoot squishing. 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.

*Reminder: Your character's familiar may or may not be with your character in their initial plunge. If the familiar isn't partial to water, it may meet your character on the beach or sit atop their head while they swim. Or if they are, they might splash about and swim alongside your character. Familiars have different personalities and body specs and we leave those up to the players.

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 animal-themed ponchos 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. Which given the fact that it's pouring down rain in April? Not ideal. You were only given ponchos, not rain boots.

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.

Unfortunately, due to a bee infestation and massive amounts of rain, the hot springs of the Red Springs are not available this month! Instead, an underground salt cave is offered as a way to relax and unwind. Gather around in the rejuvenating, dimly lit caves and breathe in the relaxing effects of salt crystals. Feel the sand between your toes, or if you don't like sand, try one of the many pools with tiny garra rufa for a fish pedicure. Or, lie down in a recliner and stare up at the "stars"-- magic sparkles in the ceiling that move to spell out single-word concepts you may be experiencing. (Maybe you're relaxed? You might get something like "Chill." Find your relaxation buddy hot? Just be careful to look away before the stars spell "Thirsty" to the whole room.)

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 it turns out, a mythical land that's been around for a few centuries has a few things in common with many modern worlds. It's got the internet, and games have evolved a little bit past hoop trundling and draughts. April, being the traditional month of mirth and games and lots of rain making it hard to have fun outdoors, is the time for Camelot City Gaming Convention, affectionately shortened to CameCon. Come into the large convention center located in the south part of town, get dry, and check out some of the awesome things to do.

A ⦿ Couchless Co-Op

Fighting games

NASTAR Racing Game

rhythm dance game

Grand Theft Automation

really

B ⦿ Arthurian RP in your Arthurian RP

LARP as their favorite Knight of the Round Table

rock-paper-scissors-magic

dress-up

props that will magically give you sword skills

picnic on the concrete floor

C ⦿ It Figures...

A convention isn't a convention without a little shopping. Come check out what cool games are upcoming in the exhibit hall, buy figurines of your favorite game characters (or.. new ones you've never heard of since this is a new world, but are still cute and/or kick-ass), and most importantly, check out the cool magic you can apply to them. A spell available for purchase in the convention hall that's popular this year is Recipe: Figure Anima, which makes your figures move in place and say popular lines as if they're an actual, miniature version of the character. It's recommended you practice while you're in the convention hall though so figure experts can help if things go.. awry. People have been known to have their own emotions influence the spell, and sometimes toys have started taking on the attitude of the caster. There's nothing quite as tragic as your favorite angelic game character telling you they're gonna kick your ass because you were in a fighting mood. So OOC. Maybe you can find someone who's a little better at magic to fix the problem?

Of course, when the rain breaks through and floods the exhibition room, there's a lot of mass hysteria as people scream and climb up onto tables, trying to protect their merch above all else. Hurry, help someone else up onto your table before their ent dakimakura they just purchased gets wet! Only you can save the gamers from water! ..Or that's what you thought, until a second later the electricity goes out and you're left in a total electricity blackout in the convention hall. It may be a good idea to use some magic to try to light the way and find a way out of the flooded hall...

A ⦿ Keep Your Vines to Yourselves

overgrowth of prehensile, very friendly vines

destructive magic

without

tickle the person the vines have captured

B ⦿ Selfies with Selkies

very, very large flower

Take a trip up to the Archivist

Cereus de Anima

the Silent Shore

shirtless selkie

take a selfie

eventually

a cottage on the other side of the Pure of Heart Bridge

old man that Morganna tried to kill and save in a quest a couple of months ago

C ⦿ The Answer is No

Back in Camelot City, it seems that anyone who's been touched by the vines has been replaced by a doppelganger in their lives. They're just barely off from the original- they have all the memories, but may be slightly more skilled at things they didn't used to be, or may seem to make less ethical choices than they might otherwise. There's just something slightly off. But when people start using AOL to contact their friends and let them know they've been gone.. well, it may seem like the jig is up, or at least in question.

Those who find out they've been replaced may want to return to Camelot quickly to try to reclaim their lives. Doppelgangers will attempt to kill their original if they come into contact with them when they aren't around other people, so you may need to flee for your life if you haven't gotten good enough at magic to defend yourself yet. Around other people, the doppelgangers will do their best to try to prove themselves the real person and since they were made from the original, will have the same memories as the original character so asking questions that "only ___ would know" may not work. Eventually it will come out that the doppelgangers have occasionally wriggling vines instead of spines underneath their clothing, if you're willing to check that to see who's real, but that won't be common knowledge.

What can be found out from the old man at the Pure of Heart bridge if you choose to leave your doppelganger alone is that Cereus de anima doppelgangers can only live for a month without killing their original and absorbing the rest of their essence. However, if the original plant isn't taken care of with a special venom you can only obtain from certain creatures in the Forest of the Fisher King, the problem will just keep happening over and over until the city is overrun and becomes nothing but a breeding ground for the flower and its replicas.

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.
• You can have any animal-style poncho you want! They are themed, not made from actual animals. No animals have been harmed in the making of these ponchos!!
• TIMELINE: The resolution to the third prompt will be in April's event! The first two prompt sets will be during the first week of the month. The doppelganger problem and obnoxious traveling and research will be occurring for the second and third weeks of the month.
• People with green magic may be able to fill something off about the doppelgangers, but may not be able to identify what it is right away. Blood mages will be able to feel that their blood feels the same as the original as they are essentially copies. Cognitive people will be able to use their magic normally except for hypnotic suggestion- the doppelgangers are immune to it, so while you may be able to find other ways to out them, hypnotizing people to tell the truth won't work this time. Doppelgangers are made from the essence of the person, so they will be able to access their phones and accounts. Note that the Cereus de Anima and doppelgangers are not fairies and cannot be contracted with. If a Death Mage attempts to possess a doppelganger, it will technically come in contact with the doppelganger's vine and may end up with more than one doppelganger depending on how many times they try it. Siphon magic can be used to destroy a doppelganger easily, however, the essence that was stolen from the original's soul may be destroyed in the process so it is not recommended as the original may start to feel as though they are no longer a whole person.
• 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. Make sure to read the Red Spring section on this month's even if you're normally familiar-- the springs are closed this month, check out the alternate prompts!
• Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"...We've missed you," he says plainly, almost bashfully, avoiding eye contact once more. He can safely speak for the others on this, he feels. And it's a lot easier including himself in the group than just admitting Zuko's missed Aang himself, long before even coming to Avalon and rejoining the others, whom he's missed almost as much as he's missed Aang. Any friends he's made abroad, of the few people he's become close to, all know plenty about the Avatar by now — and not just Avatar stuff. His friends know Aang's a goofy kid, a pacifist, someone who likes to play games more than fight. If only his friends knew how highly he speaks of them behind their backs. Zuko may not express his affections so openly as others, but it's not for lack of affection — it's just for lack of example how.

He can't help but blush a little bit at that. It's an odd feeling, to be missed. One he isn't fully understanding, in the moment.

"Thanks, Zuko," he manages, after a long second. "I'm glad I can be here. For all of you."

"Yeah... I'm sure Momo will be happy to see you, too," he trails off as his gaze meets the little Appa's. Animals are an easy way to deflect, right? They can't talk. But it puts an idea in his head which is a great segue away from all these Feelings™ potentially.

"Oh! Have you found your familiar yet?!"

"I'm sure he'll be happy for someone else to give him treats, at least," he responded with a laugh.

But as for the rest, his brow furrows.

"People keep talking about that, but...not yet."

"Hm. I'm sure it'll find you. If you try to call it, it can kind of— not exactly read your mind, but... You share a connection," he explains, brow furrowing in turn. His face lights up a bit, another demonstration occurring to him.

"Do you wanna meet my familiar?" A hint of a smirk grows on his face at the idea. This would be exciting to introduce Aang to Zunyan... The two boys share their own special connection that will surely make Zuko's familiar all the more impressive, after all.

He can't help but grin at that.

"Sure, Zuko," he replies, "but only so long as you make it a big reveal."

"Oh, he will..."

He rolls his eyes some, his voice dripping in dismissive sarcasm. As much as he's come to love his familiar, it sure is goofy. It has embarrassed him on numerous occasions — probably not excluding this one.

He gets up from his seat, crouching over toward the window of the entrance and peering out before he makes any moves, watching the scenery roll by. They're in a horsedrawn carriage so it's not going all that fast, but still, worth being cautious before being reckless.

"So— I sorta just... think about it? Focus my energy on wanting him? They come when you need them, even if you don't think about it sometimes, but if your bond is strong— you can just call them and they'll come," he explains, recalling his first encounter with his familiar arriving of its own accord. It wasn't pleasant, but it was necessary, and indeed for Zuko's own good. The familiars have a deep wisdom within their spiritual bonds and know what's best for their partners — at least, Zuko's seems to. Sort of. When it's not giving him a headache acting out like a naughty puppy.

He takes a moment, closing his eyes with a deep breath, then leans over and opens the door of the moving vehicle, a cold gust of wind rushing in as he does. Safe. Sound logic. Sure. Yup. Let's do this...

"Close your eyes. And no peeking," he warns, scowling, not fully trusting Aang not to ruin the big reveal he himself had requested. "His name is Zunyan... Or Zun for short. Spelled like 'Honor.' He doesn't talk— that's just what I've called him..."

And on cue, there is a scraping sound outside the carriage, and then a thud inside. The creature Zuko had so respectfully named 'Dignity' in their home's language has arrived none too gracefully. It seldom does. If Aang's closed his eyes as told, he'll hear Zuko sigh, grumbling as he shifts back to his seat beside the Avatar. Then... something small pressing light pressure against the boy's lap, the feel of two tiny feet with sharp little claws crawling gingerly across his legs, then two more after a beat; it must be long despite its small size, like a fire ferret... but somehow, it doesn't seem furry, even without touching it. It's warm, radiates some heat naturally just being near it, and clearly nimble, as it takes to crawling up Aang's arm already, ready to find a perch on his shoulders.

"Zun..." Zuko scolds, narrowing his eyes at his familiar as it scales his friend. It was a rude, misbehaving creature with no consideration or cares at all for other people's comfort. Ahem. Zuko's spiritual animal companion.

When Aang opens his eyes, he'll be greeted up close and personal by the fanged face of a dragon, as majestic as it is terrifying to find oneself face-to-face with a dragon by surprise. But thankfully, this dragon is a lot smaller than the last dragons they found themselves staring down. Travel-friendly.

He arches an eyebrow at all the build up, but rolls his eyes and covers them when Zuko asks.

"Ok, ok, fine," he responds with a smile. And how weird was it that this was a thing? Just a few years ago, this would have been a quick way to die.

And for a split second, he remembers that when he opens them, exclaiming a "woah!" and reeling back a little, wide-eyed quickly becoming wide-eyed and smiling.

"Wow!"

"Right?!"

Seeing Aang's smile at his dragon, it's contagious, and Zuko's beaming back at them. How wild to be sharing this with Aang after their downright spiritual experience with the dragons; of all his interdimensional travel, somehow having a little dragon of his own feels the most miraculous and fantastical to Zuko. He's excited about it literally every day, even when he's mad at Zun for misbehaving. It's like a dream. A pet dragon. Sharing this with Aang is even more surreal, but Zuko's visible excitement and bright smile is definitely very real.

He leans back, staring at the dragon.

"Zuko! They're amazing!"

He tentatively reaches out a hand for the dragon to sniff. That's what you do, right? Oh, and show respect, which he does, by bowing his head.

Zunyan cranes its long neck to sniff at Aang's offered hand, its whiskers flicking curiously. Happy with what it smells and with the respect it's served (it eats up how much sheer reverence Zuko shows it, prideful little thing), it warms up to the boy in an instant; knowing of Aang just from his mysterious semi-telepathic magical bond with Zuko, and from eavesdropping on the prince generally, the dragon already knows Aang is to be trusted. He's a friend. A special friend. And if Zuko's destiny is tied to the Avatar, then Zunyan's must be, too. The dragon can't speak, but that doesn't mean it's not thinking all the time.

Even if it's a little goofy... After a beat, it nudges Aang's fingers with the tip of its snout, then zips up his shoulders to wrap itself around his neck comfortably, claws clenched to his shirt on each shoulder, wings folded against its back as it cozies up to him. Clearly Zuko lets it crawl all over him like this... The prince is still grinning, watching the pair. Magical moment for Zuko.

"He gets big, too. Not as big as the dragons we met, but — big enough to ride on. Like a little bigger than an eelhound or a tigerdillo? He's only done it a couple times so far. He likes staying small, I guess..."

He laughs as the dragon runs up to his neck.

"Woah, that tickles," he replies. He watches the entire thing in wonder for some time.

As for the saying small..."Well, wouldn't you? I mean, this way he can curl up on a warm Zuko whenever he wants, right? He's a reptile, after all."

"He's pretty warm, actually — he has fire magic and all," he replies, smirking at the little ferrety lizard. "He likes to curl up with Azula's dragon, too. They're buddies."

That is an unusual piece of information, however, which Zuko rattles off seemingly without the bat of an eyelash, reaching out to stroke the side of Zunyan's face on Aang's shoulder gingerly with the backs of his forefingers. Does that imply Zuko and Azula are now 'buddies' as well? And if so, what does that mean, then? Uh oh.

And that makes his blood run cold.

"Wait, Azula's here? And...wait..."

He looks shocked at that. The last time he'd seen Azula she had been...well. Certifiably insane. And hardly a friend to either of them.

Zuko’s blood runs cold himself at Aang’s reaction. It was only a matter of time. A scowl draws itself slowly across his face as he deliberates on his own response to this unfinished question.

“...Yes, she’s here. And she’s changed,” he stresses, feeling almost as if this line is defending himself more than he’s defending her, for as many times as he’s repeated it to their friends from home. Iroh, for one, wasn’t buying it.

“She doesn’t have fire magic here and she hasn’t attacked any of my friends— well, one, but you don’t know him and that situation was different, okay? She’s different...! And— she’s older than me now, too. She’s from my future; so things must get better between us after I’m Fire Lord, I guess...”

His tone darkens and trails off toward the end of his nervous ramble, and a vague expression searches Aang up and down, gaze drifting to the tiny Appa in thought. An important question of his own remains that’s absolutely relevant to Azula problems but potentially a good segue to escape talking about her, too, if Aang vehemently disbelieves in her more than Iroh had.

“When are you from...? You’re obviously older, too...” he asks with narrowed eyes, dubious. Zuko’s already casually revealed a bit about his own timeline just in that remark; he’s not yet Fire Lord, from the sounds of it. So his future is vast and unknown. Maybe Aang has insight into the future Azula refuses to give Zuko. He doesn’t want to know too much, but— hearing it from Aang rather than Azula, it’s a different creed of credibility.

If anything, the look on his face is...weary. He hunches a bit, conscious of the scar he'll forever wear on his back where she'd...well, killed him, for lack of a better word. Had it not been for Katara...

He sighs, shaking his head and looking back up at Zuko.

"Zuko, if I'm honest...I don't know if she can change, not really. I mean, I'd hope, but..." He pauses, collecting his thoughts. "Time and place can change people, I accept that readily - but with Azula...I'd need to see it. Really see it."

He pointedly doesn't answer the last question - mainly because Zuko can probably read the answer on his face. He's from further down the line, as it were - and things do not get better.

The airbender's response takes the wind out from Zuko's sails just by the first look. He feels his heart clench and drop into his stomach at the following words, as a dark expression sets in over his face. He'd gotten the same response from Iroh. Has he been a fool under her thumb all this time? Had he deluded himself into thinking he was being wise to be kindhearted, when he was being just as thick as usual, Azula four steps ahead as usual? He looks weary, himself.

"I understand," he says softly, eyes downcast in his lap. "I wish I could explain— I know what you're saying, what you must feel... And I can't prove anything for her. But— it was you and Uncle who taught me to believe in the power of second chances. Third chances. Even Azula deserves redemption; she's a person, not a monster... But I know that's hard to believe for anyone who doesn't know her that closely. Even for Uncle. It used to be even for me. It's just— it's different, being spirited away. What's there to fight over here, away from everything else that matters? It's just us now, just us as people..."

This was the most honest case he's made in her favor so far. He'd been convicted in defending her against their uncle, feeling more gusto there, leaning on family ties. But Aang? There was nothing but Zuko's honesty to defend Azula.

"Zuko, I'd hope that were true, it's just..." How to explain things he wasn't there for? It wasn't even that she'd be enacting some evil scheme, just that the last time he met her - well after Zuko's timeframe, it seemed - she was...well. It had likely been better when she was categorically insane.

Who knew what waters she had found on the other side of seeing their mother again?

"I want to believe that, Zuko. I really do. But after all the times I've dealt with Azula..."

"I know, Aang — and... if something happens, I'll never turn against you, just know that," he promises, eyes fixed on the floor between his feet beneath a tightly knotted brow. It's still telling that the words 'if something happens' left his mouth, even while he's trying to defend her being 'changed' and all. He can't promise he won't defend Azula 'if something happens,' the same way he wouldn't promise Azula that he won't 'abandon' her for Iroh. But he knows he can promise that he won't betray Aang, whatever finding that middleground will entail. He has to.

"It's just— Someone needs to be there for her, Aang," he continues after a beat, and looks up with a soft sigh. "She needs me. She's all alone without me here. And I think that'd be worse for everyone — but especially for her..."

"Why would I even be afraid of that?" he asks. He trusts Zuko, and it worries him he feels he eve has to mention it.

He closes his eyes, breathing deeply to move back towards calm. This isn't his world. He doesn't know it. And he has to accept that.

"Ok. But if I'm here and she starts hurting people..."

"I don't know— you shouldn't be! Uncle just arrived recently, and when I told Azula, she accused me of wanting to abandon her for him, and I—" He grumbles, leaning forward a little to hang his head in his hands in some obviously pent up frustration.

"I don't wanna have to pick sides. We're all in this together now. I don't think she's gonna hurt anyone... But if she does, then I'll want to stop her, too. Just— without hurting her. But I don't think anything will happen. She doesn't have any motivation here — there's no reason to fight. She accepts that."

That's about as close to an 'alliance' as he's managed to get her to agree to.

What it sounds like is that she's still, emotionally, tremendously unstable. He also doubts that Azula, of all people, will lack motivation or a plan for long. Things change. For one, he's here.

Minds like Azula's...they tend to think in balances of power and in plans to achieve more of it. Seeing a tipping point could by itself prompt a change.

"I guess we'll see then," he responds, carefully.

There's so much weight in those five words, and Zuko can tell that for all their vagueness, they were carefully chosen, indeed. It hurts. His uncle's reaction was just as carefully articulated. That hurt, too. It's a tall order he's making, asking for anyone to understand his position with Azula. But Zuko's not expected anyone to readily accept and say 'Yeah, Zuko, that makes sense, take the high road!' Which is a testament to that he hangs out with sensible people who care about him, probably. But— Azula cares about him, too. Even if they can't translate that twisted love language these kids grew up learning together, suffering alone together in a palace, now suffering alone together in poverty, Zuko knows he understands things about her that no one else can... even if he can't understand her all that well, himself. Someone has to want to try, though.

"Yeah. I guess we'll see," he parrots darkly, casting his eyes aside with torn emotion. He had no expectations on how this might go, though he knew it wouldn't go over well; he'd not exactly imagined Aang's reaction. He doesn't imagine these things clearly quite as well as he speaks his mind clearly. And with years ahead of him still unknown, Azula and Aang together hold a delicate balance between them now more than ever.

He frowned a little.

"Zuko, she killed me. If it weren't for Katara, I'd have been dead. Or remained dead. She's tried to kill you, Katara...practically everyone I've ever cared about."

He closes his eyes, head dropping.

"Maybe it's true. You've been here longer. But can you understand why I'll have to see it with my own eyes?"

"Aang... I understand. I really do. I wouldn't ask you to change your perspective. It's only sensible. I need you to see her with your own eyes. Maybe you can see things more clearly than me, I dunno," he says, his gaze fixed to the floor between his feet, an almost pleading tone in his voice. "I— worry sometimes that I can't trust my own eyes fully, to be honest. But I need to try. I don't expect you guys to be best buddies with Azula all of a sudden, but— just understand... she needs me now."

His voice is softer, ruminative, dripping in uncertainty and conviction at once. No matter how far apart, when or where or why, that much is still consistently true of Zuko, how he can hold both these opposites in some unique delicate balance he tightropes like a trapeze through life. He will always have some duality to make sense of. And being so close to Azula now, more than ever before in their lives, definitely guarantees that.

"And I know it sounds crazy, but... I need her, too."

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