action - quad

[pyromatics.livejournal.com]

[Standing at the edge of the Quad garden Zuko's eying the strawberry bushes his previous Home Economics class had planted weeks ago. He's got his arms folded over his chest and a confused glare on his face as he stares down at the plants.

It's been bugging him for a while now... what could he get Katara? What would she like? Flowers seemed too... fast, too soon, he wasn't sure about the flowers. Not right now. And so here he was glowering at the strawberry bushes as though that alone would change his mind.

Were they ripe enough to pick? Could he even use his fingers to pick them? What if he squished them from plucking them too hard off the stems? What if Katara had an allergy to strawberries? What if he brought her a basket of them and he ended up putting her in a hospital bed?!

All sorts of negative thoughts were running through his mind, he's that distracted that if anyone came by he might not notice them at first.]

Comments

[neutralchaotic]

[Notices Zuko not so far away, staring at those strawberries in confusion. Most wouldn't glance twice at the garden the Home Economics class had planted, but, obviously, this cadet isn't most people.

Strides over, stopping at a close enough distance away to be heard.]

Did you plant these?

'Why else would he care?'

[pyromatics.livejournal.com]

[The voice comes as a bit of a surprise and Zuko jerks upright and throws a glance back over his shoulder to Shadow. Guilty, caught. He grimaces and nods, awkwardly rubbing at the back of his head as he looks back down at the lush strawberry plants.]

...yeah. Or my last Home Economics class did.

[neutralchaotic]

[The patch of strawberries seems ripe and healthy. Red eyes sweep over them with quiet scrutiny.]

Nice job.

[pyromatics.livejournal.com]

...thanks.

[Agreed, the berries do look ready for the picking, which is exactly why Zuko's standing there and contemplating which section to start with.]

[neutralchaotic]

Are you thinking of picking them?

[pyromatics.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Might as well.

[watertides.livejournal.com]

[Katara had been in the courtyard, sitting beneath the tree with a book when she had noticed Zuko walking up to the Garden to stare intently. At first she wasn't sure whether or not to approach him-- even though they were technically in the stage of courting now, Katara had to admit she didn't really know what she was supposed to be doing. She'd never had a... boyfriend before, after all. Shrinking back into the shadows of the tree, Katara lifts the book to cover her face as though that would be enough to hide herself from Zuko as she peers over the top, watching him. He seems to be rather concentrated on the bush of strawberries, and after several moments of watching him, she finally decides to go ahead and approach him.

Standing up from her spot beneath the tree, she brushes the bottom of her pants off free of grass and dirt, unconsciously fixing her hair a bit as well before walking up to him.]

Hi.

[Her blue eyes then glance over to the bush of strawberries he had been looking at, then back up to Zuko.]

What are you looking at?

[pyromatics.livejournal.com]

[AUGH. Caught. Cat's out of the bag.

Zuko jumps as soon as she speaks, looking over at her and meeting her gaze. He hadn't been expecting her to BE RIGHT THERE. Why hadn't he noticed her earlier?!

Automatically Zuko kicks away the basket that had been sitting at his feet, kicks it into some of the bushes and cringes on the inside. Crap.]

Uh- Katara, hi.

I was just... [Frowns to himself. Dammit.] I was looking at the strawberries...

[watertides.livejournal.com]

[Her eyes, however, immediately draw to the basket he had just kicked so carelessly into the plants and she immediately lifts her gaze back to him, a scowl on her lips.]

Zuko! You have to be careful, it takes a lot of work to take care of those plants!

[pyromatics.livejournal.com]

[Scolded like a child. Zuko tries to mask up the flare of irritation by scowling back at her and going to pick up the basket.]

You don't think I know that? I was in your class, remember?

[Brushes off the basket.]

[watertides.livejournal.com]

[Of course she remembers-- she still cares after the flower plant that he had given her, the one he had potted in that very class.]

Right. Why were you looking at the strawberry bush?

[werepanther]

[Gently taps Zuko on the shoulder as he stands and looks at the plants too] You know, plants don't grow by staring alone.

[pyromatics.livejournal.com]

[Somewhat jumps. Ah!] I wasn't trying to make them grow, they've already grown enough.

[werepanther]

Yeah? I wouldn't know, I'm not much of a gardener. Are you?

[pyromatics.livejournal.com]

No. Only what I know from Home Ec.

[werepanther]

Better than me. [manages a sheepish smile] I never took the class.

[betwixttocks.livejournal.com]

[Reaches over to pluck one of the strawberries off.] If you keep glaring at them like that they'll burst into flames.

[pyromatics.livejournal.com]

Hey! [>8|||||||]

What are you doing? Is this even your strawberry patch?

AW MAN THIS IS LATE, I'M SORRY ;;

[betwixttocks.livejournal.com]

Does that matter? [Takes a bite, smiiiiiiiiling.]

lmfao it's okay :)

[pyromatics.livejournal.com]

Of course it matters.

[Glarrrrrrrrrring.]

You didn't plant it. You didn't even ask to have one.

[dumpsterdives.livejournal.com]

You look like you're thinking way too hard about something.

[ Oh look, it's a girl. ]

[pyromatics.livejournal.com]

[Zuko and girls never mesh well.]

...is it that obvious?

[dumpsterdives.livejournal.com]

You're staring down those fruits like they beat you up and stole your lunch money.

[pyromatics.livejournal.com]

I am not. I'm just looking at them.

[dumpsterdives.livejournal.com]

Right.

[ There is an unspoken '--like they mugged you in a back alley' that can be tacked on there, but Kiden just rolls her eyes. ]

What's got you so pissed off, anyway?