winds_voice | [LUCETI] APPOINTMENTS

[Eley spent much of his time guarding his tree by the river, but he also had a good view of the blossoming cherry trees up on the hill. The scent of the flowers wafted down towards him as well, calling him over there. He wasn't sure if his tree would be quite ready to bloom this year, but he couldn't wait to see the glowing flowers that should sprout forth, thanks to Helios' enchantment.

For now, he'll head up the hill to the trees of pink. He was expecting it to be devoid of people, or at least for it to contain only a few, sitting up there to relax, but instead he spots something far different. Far more dangerous. There were flames flaring in the air nearby and as he came closer to the source, he recognised a familiar face...

He stepped forward, though kept his distance from the dancing flames, watching them warily.]

Zuko? What are you doing here? You should not play with fire, especially so close to the trees.

[Zuko pauses in his exercises when he hears a familiar voice. The words might have annoyed him if they had come from most anyone else. Instead he looks to Eley and explains.]

I'm not playing, I'm practicing my forms. This is firebending and I have it completely under control. What are you doing here, Eley?

[Firebending... Now that he mentioned it, Eley realised that it had been mentioned before. He knew about Aang's airbending and the way the Avatar could manipulate the elements, but seeing this firebending first-hand wss a little alarming, he had to say.

Particularly with it being so close to his home...

Still, he listened and was willing to give Zuko a chance to perhaps teach him what it meant to control fire.]

I guard a tree near this place. I caught the scent of the blossoms here and thought I would take a walk. I admit that I did not expect anyone to be here... especially not someone practicing with fire.

You are certain that you can control it? I am... rather wary of flames of late.

[Is... Eley afraid of fire? It certainly almost sounded that way. Thus Zuko stood up straighter and let out a long breath to cool down from his exercises. He wouldn't practice here if it made Eley uncomfortable.]

Why? What happened?

[Honestly, Eley was only starting to notice his distaste for it more recently and was still trying to come to terms with it himself. At his question he visibly tenses, recalling the event that had most likely set it off. He's no longer meeting Zuko's eyes, instead looking down at a patch on the ground.]

Some time ago, a stranger came into Luceti. He was a rude and cruel man with no respect for others. Many places were attacked and vandalised. He came to my tree and ridiculed me. Angry, I tried to drive him away, but my peaceful nature meant that I held back. As a consequence, the man laughed off my attempts and threw an explosive device at my tree, which shattered and burned both it and myself.

Fire is a destructive force. Seeing it only reminds me of what he did that day.

[Zuko listens quietly, his eyes turning downward Eley explains what had happened. He understands more than the spirit could possibly realize.]

I see. Fire is the element of power, and if used in the wrong way, it is destructive. My very nation used that power to start a war that lasted a hundred years. Many people suffered because of it.

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<small[The word 'war' sat heavy in Eley's mind, though it did get his attention at least as he looks up at Zuko with a rather pained look in his eyes. His own world had seen war and he was sure it would not be long before another broke out. It left him feeling conflicted. Here was a man who could use fire in any way he chose, whose nation had inflicted a war on others for a hundred years. Yet he seemed remorseful for it and so far, had not shown any indication of using his power to harm.]</small>

I despise violence in all of its forms, even if recently I have come to understand that it may be necessary in order to protect what is important. Still, I am not sure if I can ever accept something as damaging as war.

...but you are not your nation. And I can see that you have also suffered from it.

That may be, but as it's leader it's my responsibility to fix it. To restore my country's honor and bring peace back to my world.

[He had suffered from it sure, but he was also responsible.]

I've also made my own mistakes, and I'm not sure I can fully make things right. My anger use to fuel my bending and it was destructive. But when I joined Aang I lost my bending because I let go of that anger. I only got it back when I realized the true nature of firebending.

Aang is certainly a good companion. He has taught me some things as well.

[Helped to pull him out of his own clouded, angry mind and helped him to trust others again for one.]

Hmm, but your words make me curious. If anger can be used as a fuel for fire-bending then what else? What is the secret?

Yeah, he's good at that.

[Zuko says this with a smile. Eley's question causes him to pause and think for a moment.]

I use to think that fire was just power and destruction, like you. But the original masters, the dragons, taught me its true meaning. Fire is energy, and life, just like the sun.

The sun?

[Something that was often attributed to life, yes... Aether had its own Sun Spirit who people would revere for that very reason. Fire though, he had never thought of it in relation to the sun despite its obviously intense heat.]

That is an interesting way to look at it, though I am still not sure I entirely understand. Still, I will take those words to heart.

...you spoke to dragons about this, though? I had thought that they were all hunted down in your world.

[There's a pause. He did tell Eley that didn't he? He'd almost forgotten.]

That's what everyone thinks. When I was looking for a way to get my bending back, Aang and I found the last two dragons. My uncle had found them before and told everyone that he had killed the last one in order to protect them.

[A noble cause for sure and one that Eley could admire should he not have already heard something to the contrary about Zuko's uncle.]

I am not sure I understand... was your uncle not the one who hunted the dragons in the first place? Why would he suddenly change his mind and protect them? And... how could the dragons let him go so easily after what he had done?

[He wouldn't have trusted him... in fact he probably would have tried to eradicate him. Was that right though?]

Actually, my great grandfather Sozin was responsible for starting the dragon hunt. Anyone who wanted to prove their skill as a firebender would hunt a dragon and get the honorary title of dragon. Instead of killing them, he wanted to learn from them. He was judged and found worthy.

Aang and I met the same dragons. They live with an ancient firebending clan known as the Sun Warriors.

[They said never to tell anyone, but in a place like this, it hardly mattered.]

I see. Then... it seems I was wrong to judge your uncle so harshly.

[Then Iroh really wasn't the one to blame for the demise of the dragons. It was all starting to make sense to him now. And these Sun Warriors? He wondered if he could ask Aang about them as well at some point in the future. ]

I see that you must have learned a lot after walking the path of life. It is only natural that a child should learn and grow as he ages, yet you are not especially old, yes? Even so you have had to learn harsh truths... to grow stronger than many children I have watched over the years.

I am curious about you, Zuko. I hope that we will learn more about one another during our stay here.

[Zuko smiles faintly, glad that he was able to redeem his uncle in Eley's eyes. He hadn't realized that the spirit held anything against him. Though he couldn't blame him after what he'd said while he was a child that one day.]

I'm eighteen, and yes I have learned a lot. Most of it didn't come easily.

[That was a long story in and of itself. His smile warms though as Eley goes on.]

I hope so too.

[He wasn't sure why, but... of all the people he'd met in Luceti so far, he felt the strongest connection with Eley. There's a pause as he thinks about something and then speaks again.]

I learned an ancient firebending form from the Sun Warriors. It was part of the ritual with the dragons, Ran and Shaw, and played a key role in helping my understanding of fire. I could teach it to you.

Edited 2014-05-13 20:36 (UTC)

[Despite the strange beginnings of their meeting, Eley felt that he had already learned a lot about Zuko because of it. Yet there was still more he didn't know. He meant it when he said he was curious about him, and felt that even though he had reservations about his powers in the past, perhaps he really could come to some understanding.

In answer to his offer, Eley gives a firm nod.]

If I can come to understand the element of fire then perhaps I will grow to be more at ease around it. Perhaps I will also learn how to combat it effectively. I would be honoured to learn that which has been bestowed upon you.

[Zuko really didn't know that much about Eley either, but he was sure that over time they would get to know each other better. He certainly didn't have anything to hide from the spirit, so his own story was likely to come out at some point.]

It's called the Dancing Dragon. You can do it in either of your forms. Whichever you're most comfortable with.

Dancing Dragon... Then I really cannot imagine learning such a thing in a form other than that of a dragon. Besides, it is the body I feel most comfortable in.

...do you intend to teach it here? Is there some kind of preparation I should know about?

[Not that there was a problem with it but if he was going to change then he might as well do it at an appropriate location, when everything was ready.]

This place should be fine. Just as long as the trees are not in the way.

[It was a hill though, so this was probably the best place for it nearby.]

No, nothing like that. Just watch how I move and try to copy it when you're ready.

[With that Zuko takes the first stance. He will move slowly the first time so that Eley can watch and commit the movements to memory.]

[As Zuko assumes his position, Eley gives a not of understanding and closes his eyes to concentrate. A blue light seems to gather around the Spirit's body until it can no longer be seen, but instead it forms itself into a large serpentine dragon instead. Much larger than the form he was in before in any case.

The dragon steps up beside Zuko and tries to take a similar stance, watching him intently.]

I will follow. Let us dance together.

[Zuko watches as Eley transforms, waiting patiently as the dragon steps up beside him. When he's ready, the boy nods and begins.

He goes slow, doing each of the steps in succession. It is indeed like a dance, using the entirety of his body as he goes from one form to the the next.]

[Eley watches him carefully and attempts to mirror his movements and his stance, though it is perhaps more difficult being of such a great size. He follows Zuko, taking his steps as slowly as he does and trying to memorise them at the same time.

The dragon had danced before but not like this. He had to admit that he was tather satisfied about the significance of the motion.]

[Yeah, this isn't exactly your casual dance for fun and parties. This is something that is deep with meaning and history. Its a more ancient form than even Zuko realizes.

However, he's obviously practiced this and while he's taking it slow to make sure Eley memorizes the it, its still quite graceful. And it ends with his arms outstretched. He then stands up fully and looks to Eley.]

Did you get it?

[Cause if he did, they can then do it for real. Or he can show him again if necessary.]

[Eley relaxes from the final position as Zuko asks his question, seemingly thoughtful. He looks back to try to mentally re-trace their steps.]

I believe I can recall most of it. Let us try again, to be sure.

[Something this important is something he doesn't particularly want to mess up when it comes to the real thing...]

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lordhotman - 2014-05-21 20:13 (UTC) - Expand