( 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

[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.