( CLOSED ) ໒꒱ a path not shown on the map

[lemoncandy]

Who: Shealtiel & Zuko
Which: Closed Log
Where: The middle of some street I guess
What: Shealtiel got beat up good! Zuko is great for hurt/comfort, right? Well, he's all this angel has right now.
Warnings: Descriptions of injuries, maybe some reference to child abuse history

( It's likely not a surprise that Azula has left damage in her wake. Shealtiel is left similarly, crumpled over himself on the ground, just below a wall with cracks subtly showing the impact his own body had left. He's beaten and burnt, and the smell of fire is probably still in the air and left in markings around them.

His angelic spear is on the ground next to him, just out of reach of his trembling fingers, and he currently seems to be in the process of trying to stand. He's dazed, clearly not in any state to follow her, but he still wants to—

And that's what leads to him pushing himself up only to stumble forward. He may very well stumble directly into Zuko, but his eyes are fixed on the distance, pained and shadowed with quiet guilt.

He wasn't good enough to stop her? He couldn't snap her out of it? He got too scrambled up to even follow? This isn't any good at all! Behind him, his spear fades away in blue shimmers. )

Comments

[lemoncandy]

...

( Shealtiel's expression is conflicted, to say the least. He's aware now, thanks to Azula, that this guy is her sibling. That human relationships like this are complicated and beyond his understanding. But that doesn't make him trust him at all, and he's not sure what to say or what to omit.

But he decides, at least, that he doesn't want to stay silent. His shaky steps slow to a stop only a few short strides from Zuko as he turns back. )

I don't know for sure, but I think something happened with her dreamotion magic, or... something. She's out of control. She wouldn't normally attack me like that.

( You think. You're not that special.

The isolating thought makes him frown to himself further, and his fingers curl into his palms. It's frustrating, but even staying steady is difficult, and he dips back to his knees. This time it's slow and not a fall, but he's clearly not steady, covered in burns like he is.

Damn it, think... What can he possibly do like this? There's got to be something. )

[rediscovering]

[ Zuko narrows his eyes when Shealtiel says she normally wouldn't attack him. He bites his tongue. But when Shealtiel drops to his knees, obviously overwrought with grief over this, not just battered and burned, Zuko approaches him again, though stays a step or two back. There's a tentative pause before he even attempts to find words. He knows they won't be the right ones — there's nothing he can say that will heal this guy's wounds. ]

...Azula is— unpredictable... But I had a strange feeling all this had something to do with her.

[ Both neutral statements, technically. He changes his tone, more sincere again, less taut with trepidation. ]

Are you okay? You can barely stand.

[ The original intent of his question. He can assume Azula is... not... But he's not gonna leave the guy to die in the streets, either, urgent as finding Azula certainly is. ]

[lemoncandy]

( Why does he feel defensive hearing something like that? "I had a feeling this all had something to do with her." It's understandable, considering the burns and fire left in her wake, but while Shealtiel can recognize that, there's still the emotional reaction beneath. He bites back any emotional retorts that would be out of line, at least, knowing that he's just upset.

That's growth of some sort for him, but it's still hard to stop the thoughts. )

I messed up, that's all.

( Guarded, but a little less so than before. This time, Shealtiel doesn't try to stand again. He turns his scarred hand over to stare at his left palm, now freshly burnt, and seems to be considering something for quite a long minute before speaking again. )

I can't go after her like this. ( Pathetic. Irritating. ...Depressing, too. )

Why do you care, anyway?

( Despite working so hard at holding back his harshness, he snaps out the question, finally looking back up at Zuko. He doesn't get it, after all. Why would someone concern themselves with him, injured or not? To laugh in his face?? It's where his mind automatically goes, despite everything. )

[rediscovering]

[ "I messed up, that's all."

Cryptic and concerning. Was this violent reaction somehow... his fault? He can ask questions in a moment. Because at least they've established this guy is in no condition to go chasing after a feral Azula. But when Shealtiel snaps at him in response to what is Zuko's natural basic human decency, it does twist his face into a slight scowl, serving back a snippier tone in turn. ]

I try not to pass by people collapsed in the street.

[ The absolute bare moral minimum, as he sees it. Even for all his worldliness and transformation, he still grossly underestimates the general population's tendency toward apathy... Unfathomable to him that he'd turn a blind eye to a body lying on the side of the road, but — well, many people probably would. ]

[lemoncandy]

I haven't done anything for you before.

( So why stop for him? Shealtiel is most certainly someone who wouldn't stop for just anyone in the street. Or... at least, that's how he used to be. Would he now? ... Maybe. It depends. On the day, the situation, what else he's dealing with...

Ugh. Forget all of this. Frowning grumpily, he reaches out to Zuko expectantly. Help him up!! )

Fine. If you're going to be so nosy, then help me get back to my place.

( Please... thanks! )

I can explain whatever I can on the way.

[rediscovering]

[ 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. ]

[lemoncandy]

I should've been able to stop her, or talk her out of it.

( The way Shealtiel answers is a little closed off, but still honest beneath that. His eyes always show how he's really feeling, even if his body language can be stiff and his words can be grumpy. Once he stands, he takes a moment before letting go of Zuko's hand. He needs the support, but he's hesitant towards physical contact for a variety of reasons.

Still, when he starts walking, he's slow, and he at least stays close to Zuko's side in the quiet admittance that he needs to be watched in case he gets exhausted again. )

But it didn't work, even though I've been practicing dreamotion for weeks now.