Homeplot, Part Two: Journey to the Capital City

[irisewiththesun]

It's still a little surreal, having four people from the island there with Zuko as he heads into days that could change everything for the world he knows, and for his nation. It’s surreal just being home again, even though he knows that it’s not real - it feels real, not like a dream at all, and that makes Zuko want to keep from screwing anything

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Sparring

[irisewiththesun]

One thing Zuko's sure of is that he's got four very competent fighters with him from the island. He's got no doubt of their abilities. The problem, though, is that none of them have encountered benders before. That's something he needs to prepare them for, because as much as they might hope for it, it's pretty unlikely they'll make it all the way to the capital city without encountering Fire Nation soldiers.

That's why he's taking some time to spar with them, to give them a chance to see what they're going to be up against. He's set his broadswords aside - Firebenders using weapons is the exception, rather than the norm - and he's ready to show them why he doesn't actually need them here.

Re: Sparring

[noblerworld]

It wasn't exactly a secret that Seifer loved to fight. Oh, he especially loved to win but, even beyond that, he just enjoyed fighting. And the idea of testing his wits against a different kind of fighter excited him. It was that as much as the training element that had caused him to suggest this.

He smirked at Zuko, as he drew his blade and then charged, swinging the sword, two handed, from one end of his body to the other.

[irisewiththesun]

As Seifer charges, Zuko is already in his stance, ready for him. He twists his body and brings his foot around in a complete, sweeping arc, a large plume of fire blossoming from the bottom and giving Seifer a strong enough blast to push him backwards.

[noblerworld]

Seifer flew backwards from the blast but scrambled to his feet as soon as he landed, moving again immediately.

Only this time, he wasn't charging but circling, waiting for Zuko to attack with another blast.

Group Traveling on the Ground

[irisewiththesun]

Appa's big, sure, but now that there are nine of them, he can't be expected to carry all of them all the way to the capital city. That's why they've split up, and the half of them on the ground are being led by Zuko, making their way steadily, all of them alert to their surroundings and periodically checking for the white dot in the sky that is Appa carrying the rest. They've tried to make themselves blend in as much as possible, but Zuko doesn't doubt there will be some kind of trouble on the way.

Re: Group Traveling on the Ground

[noblerworld]

Seifer wasn't quite a liability, but he couldn't say he was particularly concerned about being stealthy. He wasn't built for it, really, with his bright hair and white clothes he stood out and he wouldn't really mind too much if they did get discovered, on the contrary he would love a chance to bust some heads.

Still he was at least making a bit of an effort, if only for the show of things, letting Zuko take the lead, ducking when asked and not talking to anyone they passed.

Still he was hoping things would get more interesting sooner rather than later.

[runaway_bender]

Toph is glad for once that there's a group of people heading on the ground, mostly because it means she doesn't have to fly on Appa. She hates not being able to see where she's going, and mostly flying just makes her feel sick.

She's mostly been keeping to the back of the group, making sure that they're not being followed. After a while though, she gets bored and catches up to Zuko.

"So what's with all the new people?" she asks.

[irisewiththesun]

"Like I told Aang and Katara, they're here to help," Zuko says, glancing over at Toph as she comes up alongside him. He's glad to see her, and she can probably hear his smile in his voice. "They're friends of mine."

Group Traveling on Appa

[unbendable_air]

As far as the new additions were concerned, Aang figured if Zuko could trust them, then so could he. Zuko didn't have to teach him firebending, didn't have to go with him to see the dragons, didn't have to do a lot of things that he had done since they'd found him at the air temple. But he had and Aang was willing to bet his life on the fact that Zuko was now a firm member of their team.

So Aang definitely didn't mind letting some of them ride on Appa as they started their journey into the Fire Nation and towards the eventual battle with Lord Ozai. He could tell the yellow haired girl was enjoying it particularly, though the sad look he often caught in her eyes worried him. How could anybody be sad flying? It was the best feeling in the world!

Re: Group Traveling on Appa

[giftless]

Flying was the best feeling in the world. Edmund would agree with that statement whole-heartedly. He had happily taken the chance to ride the giant bison, amused by its size and docile nature. They didn't even have elephants this large in Narnia and it seemed wrong to miss out on a chance for something fun and magical. If living on the island had taught Edmund one thing, it was to take advantage of the good while you had it.

So he settled back into the large, odd saddle with Cassie and the others, one arm outstretched to feel the currents of air pass over and under, his eyes shut as he enjoyed the feeling of the wind beating at his face.

[giftless]

"So," Edmund replied, opening his eyes. It didn't take a master detective to see that the girl had not really taken to the new additions. Compared to Aang, her reticence stood out like a sore thumb. That, Edmund thought, had more to do with Aang's personality than the girl's, so he didn't take it as a bad sign. Just an indication that he should try harder with her, if she wanted.

Starting a conversation was a sign of something, to be sure. He smiled at her as the wind whipped up his hair and let his hand drop. "Never been on a flying bison before myself. This must be old hat for you."

Iroh

[irisewiththesun]

It isn't until they've left the Fire Nation soldiers far behind that Zuko starts to relax a little, though he stays on his guard. They've kept to the more untraveled roads along the way, trying to stay out of sight as much as possible. Now, as they're getting close to the point where they ought to stop and camp for the night, Zuko can't help but think for the millionth time since he woke up back home of his uncle.

He isn't sure where Iroh is; the last news he'd had of him was that he'd broken out of prison on the Day of Black Sun. Zuko figures he's out there somewhere, gathering forces maybe, or knowing his uncle, maybe he's just running a tea shop. All Zuko knows for sure is that he'd give anything to see him one more time, even if all of this is just a dream.

Re: Iroh

[drinkspoison]

Iroh had set up a little campsite, just a little off the road ahead. He knew about the coming comet and he had his own plans in place. For the time being though, he was keeping his head down, dressed in commoners clothing, drinking tea in a little stove and watching the road.

[irisewiththesun]

It seems like almost too much of a coincidence, that Zuko's thinking about Iroh and all of a sudden he appears like he's been sitting there, just waiting for Zuko to come along.

Then again, this is Iroh. Maybe it's not that much of a surprise.

Zuko's suddenly terrified, unsure of what to do now that the moment he's longed for all the time he's been stuck on the island is finally here. He stops in his tracks several feet away from his uncle, and there's so much he wants to say, but he can't get his voice to work. How can he expect to be forgiven for what he's done?

[drinkspoison]

Iroh held no such hesitation. He got up and walked straight over to him.

"Prince Zuko," he greeted him in an impassive voice, clearly waiting for Zuko to say something.

Re: Azula's Attack

[thethirdwonder]

Appa was still in the air when Cassie looked down and saw the group of Fire Nation soldiers attacking the group on the ground. This had occurred a few times during their trek through the Fire Nation, but this time there was something different about this group. Or more, about the women flanking them who was definitely different then the soldiers and the fire bending she used was much different then Zuko's

[irisewiththesun]

He's there before his sister can finish her sentence, springing between her and Cassie and blocking Azula's flame with a sweeping chop with both hands. Anger flares up in him, hot and bright, at her mention of Mai, but he fights to keep himself in check, knowing he can't afford to lose control.

"Don't call me that," he growls, sending a flame back at Azula with a 360 degree spin and a sweeping kick of one leg. "You're after me, Azula. Leave them out of this."