[ Zuko has come so far in learning to control his temper and keep his mouth shut. Being called nosy for checking on a body on the ground — while the town is being set on fire! Seems like it should be everybody's business to find out why. His tone is gruff, challenging, narrowing his eyes at him for his morally 'tit-for-tat' remark. ]
And? Sometimes people are kind for the sake of it.
[ He doesn't want to say "for no reason;" but he once would have perceived this similarly as Shealtiel is — though Zuko learned the hard way how much altruism there really is in the world... All the same, he takes Shealtiel's hand to help pull him to his feet, even keeping hold of it longer to be sure the man's steady. He'll let him let go. But how Zuko stands with his frame open, the way he's eyeing Shealtiel's movements, just something subtle in his body language seems to promise he'd even help the guy walk if he needs to — something about the way he stands still waiting, ginger and expectant despite the scowl on his face deepening. He doesn't say anything right away, instead waiting until they set off. But once they take their first steps, he's cuts to the chase. ]
Tell me everything that happened. What did you mean when you said "you messed up?"
[ He lets the tone hang indistinctly, not meaning to sound accusatory but also unsure whether to trust this person, either... He's not automatically writing off anyone who hangs out with Azula — he fell in love with her best friend, after all, it's not a dealbreaker — but it is... a little sus. At least while the sky is raining lightning. ]
no subject
And? Sometimes people are kind for the sake of it.
[ He doesn't want to say "for no reason;" but he once would have perceived this similarly as Shealtiel is — though Zuko learned the hard way how much altruism there really is in the world... All the same, he takes Shealtiel's hand to help pull him to his feet, even keeping hold of it longer to be sure the man's steady. He'll let him let go. But how Zuko stands with his frame open, the way he's eyeing Shealtiel's movements, just something subtle in his body language seems to promise he'd even help the guy walk if he needs to — something about the way he stands still waiting, ginger and expectant despite the scowl on his face deepening. He doesn't say anything right away, instead waiting until they set off. But once they take their first steps, he's cuts to the chase. ]
Tell me everything that happened. What did you mean when you said "you messed up?"
[ He lets the tone hang indistinctly, not meaning to sound accusatory but also unsure whether to trust this person, either... He's not automatically writing off anyone who hangs out with Azula — he fell in love with her best friend, after all, it's not a dealbreaker — but it is... a little sus. At least while the sky is raining lightning. ]