witchesreign | 01 [action]

[Jet’s walking around, only half paying attention as he scans the letter in his one hand. It’s about the third time he’s done this now, and nothing seems to be registering. Which frustrates him more than worries him. They can’t explain how he got here or how he got back, but they could leave a letter just to inform him of it, huh? How convinient.

A little more aggressively than he intends to, he stuffs the paper into his pocket and lets his hand linger there. He lets his other hand find the other pocket as he quickens his pace. A thousand thoughts are racing through his mind, and by now he's practically jogging in hopes of a familiar face. Were the others here? He’d been fighting (with?) Aang, right? Maybe he got sucked into this place or whatever.

Walking along the Fisherman’s Horizon, Jet goes to call out the names of his friends but stops. What use would it be? What if it would endanger them or somehow lure them here or--

Temptation gets the better of him and he ventures out more, frowning and pursing his lips.]

Guess this is home.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[After one too many episodes of experiencing Rolo's ability and the toll it had taken on his health for a while weeks ago, Zuko's also out and about in Fisherman's Horizon. He just wants a bit of fresh air, to get out of the inn and his 'room'. It isn't like Zuko hasn't been out in the new town before but this time something tells him that he shouldn't be cooped up for the rest of the day. Call it a gut feeling.

Besides. Laying on his bed staring at the ceiling is probably one of the lamest things to do when he could be outside under the sun. Near the docks, the salt from the sea in the breeze.

So here is Zuko, out and about. And he's definitely not paying any attention to where he's going, his eyes up on the sky above. Partly cloud with a breeze that's neither warm or chilly. Zuko hears the footsteps of whoever else is approaching him but as he goes to look forward and step out of their way-- BAM --Zuko's bumped full-force into the other.]

S-sorry--!

[It's an immediate reaction, his apology. And it's repeated on a mutter as Zuko rubs at his cheek and jaw. Ouch. That hurt. It really had hurt! But then Zuko lifts his head and looks at the other person. And tenses.

Well shit.]

...Jet.

[Jet's muscles physically tense at the interaction, but the apology that follows it up makes him relax. It wasn't an assault or an attack, so he keeps his hands away from his swords and does his best to regain his footing, almost stumbling over and landing on the ground, but catching himself on a wall. He rubs his cheek and clears his throat, hoping he doesn't sound like he was too distracted, because he really was.]

Hey, don't worry about it. It was just--

[He was calm until he looked down to offer a hand to that familiar face. His jaw clenches and, if Zuko were looking close enough, he could see every tense muscle in the Freedom Fighter's body.

Shit doesn't even begin to describe it.

In the blink of an eye, Jet has his swords drawn and has one sharpened hooked pointed to Zuko.]

You.

[This shouldn't be too surprising to Zuko, but it is. He finds himself staring down at the pointed hook. Golden eyes narrow and the firebender goes to knock aside the blade.

Fuck his life-- this guy sure does have perfect timing.]

Yeah. Me. Should have known you would show up again.

Again? Stop flattering me. If I were here before, you'd be gone.

[Jet goes to catch his wrist in his attempt to slap it away. He doesn't move quick enough to draw blood, but he gives a tug to get Zuko to his feet. He wants to finish him. He wants to make it hurt and make him feel pain, but he wants to make him fight, too.

If it's possible.

Without those duo swords, Jet braces himself for fire, knowing full-well it's more likely to lead to his end than Zuko's.]

Get up. Let's go, firebender - where are your swords now?

[Scowling Zuko rises to his feet. He doesn't take his eyes off of the other boy, even if Jet still has his blades or blade pointed at him.]

My swords are back in our world. They're not here with me.

[A beat...]

I'm not going to fight you.

[He pauses, eying him and waiting for him to make a move. When he doesn't, Jet scoffs. Loudly. So Zuko can hear and because he's annoyed now. He takes a sloppy swing to the other boy's head, mostly to let out his frustration.]

Well that makes one of us.

[A sloppy swing that Zuko easily evades by taking a step back. He grits his teeth. Practice patience... practice patience...]

I mean it.

Like I said. That makes one of us.

[Because he charges again, swords aimed, this time coming at full-force with his legs.]

Are you deaf?!

[A small blip of panic races through Zuko. Katara once said the amount of determination he had was admirable. In Jet's case, trying to always fight him ... that determination isn't so admirable.

Zuko quickly backs up by hopping back several feet and then off to the side. A faint twinge in his chest has him wincing and he's mentally cursing Rolo and this world and Time Compression. It goes ignored as Zuko tries to keep distance between them, bringing his hands up in front of him-- a habit from firebending all his life.]

You're the one not doing anything!

[No, Zuko, Jet's determination is always admirable. In fact, instead of panicking, you should be admiring it right now.

Jet almost freezes, waiting for the fire he knows is there to come out and at him. He winces, expecting to burn, only...he doesn't. He lowers his swords, a little out of breath now.]

What? You're too scared to use it even in a place like this?

I'm not. Going to. FIGHT YOU! What part of that don't you understand?!

[A rare flare of temper ignites within him. Zuko breaks off from his defensive stance, his shoulders hunching forward. He presses a hand over his heart, digs his fingers in. His eyes squeeze shut and he shakes his head.

Not now- not now-- not now!]

I'm not... fighting- I can't--

~~[You will tempt the wrath of Katara, Jet, if this goes on!]~~

[Zuko hates this feeling. He hates feeling like he's ready to collapse. He hates feeling empty inside without his firebending, the heat and security. Zuko hates feeling this ability that doesn't belong to him and causes him nothing but grief and pain.

How does Rolo deal with this or even control it? Zuko can't bring himself to understand, not when he's trying to calm the rising panic and his racing heart and just breathe until there's no more stress to agitate him. His face is paler than usual and Zuko does look like he's struggling, somewhat, to keep his composure. Beads of perspiration collect along his brow, matting some of his bangs to his forehead-- yet throughout all of this, Zuko manages to continue glaring at the other boy.

Zuko's ready to walk away. Anytime now.]

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