[ i figure we can just use the events of the tdm? newcomers sprung from a cage and thrust into an undead battle in a big banquet seem pretty on-brand for the game at times! lmk if this doesn't work i'm happy to tweak or edit. i'm also good to switch to prose if that's your preference ]
[ The orange robes caught his eye in an instant and Zuko sprung into motion, using his swords to beat a path through the fray in the tower's corridor towards the wearer. He didn't want to get his hopes up, but they rose anyway.
Deflecting the clawed hands of one of the undead witches that pitted the landscape like angry obstacles, Zuko swung his swords, beating the witch back before he resumed the spring to the boy in orange. ]
Aang?
[ One hand took hold of both swords as he reached for the young monk's shoulder, the blue arrow tattoos on his head and limbs buoying his spirits in a way he hadn't felt since they had allowed him to join their group. ]
[Unlike Zuko, Aang's hopes are already up the second the strange and terrifying prison is breached by anyone, just as all the chaos is breaking loose after days spent trapped. Bouts of despair and panic aside, telepathically-induced or otherwise, he'd still had faith that his friends would find him and help him. And look, he was right!] Zuko!! [Despite the fact that Zuko was clearly trying for a nice, dignified hand on the shoulder, he is now getting a monk-shaped barnacle attached to his midsection as Aang clamps onto him for a hug instead. He clearly has no respect for the fact that Zuko is holding onto a pair of probably very sharp swords, and that now is maybe not the best time.
Minor details, surely!
Since Zuko has spent a lot of time in close proximity to him, he might notice how slow and clumsy Aang's movements are now compared to the distinctly weightless way he usually moves. He looks uncomfortable in his own skin, though he isn't injured or looking all that worse for wear despite being in a cage for days, because they'd been allowed to eat and bathe. There's just something off, regardless.] I don't know! [He at least has the sense to let go of Zuko, casting a sheepish glance around, grateful that conveniently none of the undead had run over to take advantage. Last thing he knew, he'd gone to sleep at the Western Air Temple. He doesn't even remember getting attacked—he's pretty sure he would have woken up for that.] Have you found anyone else?
[ The sudden embrace squeezed a startled 'oof' out of Zuko, who stood there, swords held out as he frowned down at Aang in a mixture of exasperation and concern. He had felt unmoored since arriving in this weird world, and while he did absolutely nothing to show it - the hug didn't go unappreciated. ]
Can you still bend? [ It was almost funny - not that long ago, hearing that Aang couldn't bend would have been the best news he could have hoped for, but things had changed, and they kept right on changing.
The grimace on his face deepened in severity when Aang asked about the others, and while Zuko wanted nothing more than to give the Avatar good news, he shook his head, obviously dismayed. ]
No, there's nothing familiar about this place. They don't even have benders here.
[ Once Aang detached himself Zuko finally got his hand on the Avatar's shoulder and pulled him forward - they weren't going to be without unwanted company for too long in this tower. He was certain he could hear another skirmish breaking out up ahead. ]
Edited 2021-10-14 01:00 (UTC)
no worries, I never mind waiting!! backtagging is my bread and butter anyway
[Like all other Air Nomads, Aang learned to airbend at the same time he learned to walk, and he is very off-kilter without it. Suddenly he can only move in half the dimensions he's accustomed to, which is unnerving enough but still something he'd been trying to avoid thinking about before Zuko asked him about it directly. He winces, almost guiltily, like he'd just misplaced his ability to bend somewhere in a messy room and now isn't sure where to look for it again.] No. Not since waking up here. [And unfortunately, unlike Zuko, Aang is not exactly formidable without his bending—never mind his general unwillingness to harm people with the degree of separation that the elements afford, in the first place. Even his ability to be evasive is diminished, and it's only going to get him so far in any situation where he's not just ducking away from the fists of a clumsy schoolyard bully.]
Wait, no benders? We're not where we're supposed to be... are we? [The strange dead-but-not creatures and their firestorm dreams had made him suspect, a little bit, but the idea of a place with no benders at all still draws him up short because the idea is so alien to him, even as they stumble forward towards— oh!! Just beyond the predictable skirmish up ahead, Aang spots his glider staff on the floor. Clearly the room where all their weapons got stored after confiscation is the source of the thickest fighting, as everyone tries to get back their things in the escape.] My glider! [Even without bending, having his staff on hand would make him a little better at defending himself... he tries to steer Zuko in that direction despite the danger.]
[ There's no time to let Aang's inability to bend really hit him - it was concerning in the here and now, they needed to get through this tower and up, presumably to safety - nevermind that the Avatar not being able to bend was its special sort of cosmic issue. That was a problem for later.
At present, there was also the matter of Aang's question making his stomach sink like a stone, and though he would have preferred not to have to - he nodded curtly in response. ]
No. There's a lot of people around here who aren't.
[ In fact, he was willing to bet the other people being held would have that in common with Aang and the rest of the group Zuko had found after his arrival, but before he can say anything more about it he's being pulled by Aang.
Without a doubt, it was a dangerous choice but Zuko understood how important the glider was, and if anything else, it was another tool to help get them out of the fray and into safety.
At the sound of a rasping groan coming from his left, Zuko stepped away from Aang enough to move his swords without fear of hitting his friend, fending off another charred-looking witch, trying to keep the space between Aang and his glider as clear as he could. ]
Should we try to find somewhere to hide? Maybe if you meditate your bending will come back?
[ He didn't know if it was a longshot or not, but the note of concern in his otherwise even voice was unmissable. It was better than running around trying not to die and hoping for the best, anyway. ]
[Aang dashes off after his glider before responding, because the opening Zuko made looks good and he knows how short windows of opportunity can be. It also gives him a moment to look inside himself to see if he even knows the answer, and by the time he comes sliding back (on his knees, so he's got a good angle to swipe his glider staff around the shin of another undead to hook its ankle and knock it down to the floor), he's decided that he feels the way Katara described feeling when her bending had been blocked by Ty Lee. It's not missing, he just can't reach it.
It's not gone, because it can't be gone.
And maybe that's wishful thinking, but surely it's better than catastrophizing. Aang is trying very, very hard not to spiral like he did before the Eclipse.] We should hide! I think, I just need time. [He scrambles up to his feet and lurches clumsily forward into Zuko's side when he finds himself unable to compensate and balance himself with the wind.] Sorry, [He puffs as he turns so they're back-to-back, and he finds himself standing a little bit taller now that he's got a stick that he can hold between himself and the groaning undead who have been swiping at him for the last few days, trying to get into his head at night.
Luckily Aang's head happens to be a very crowded place already, no room in there for anyone who isn't himself a thousand times over, but that doesn't mean it hadn't scared him.] Where did you come from? [Aang uses the end of his staff to sweep a discarded piece of clothing up from where it crumbled on the floor in all the chaos, nailing another undead across the face with it. A very short term solution.] Where do we go? [The more he settles into the plan the more confident Aang's voice sounds, to contrast Zuko's worry. Hey, it's not like they haven't pulled this sort of crazy escape from capture together before, and now they're even on the same side!]
We came from the aqueducts below the tower. There's an ice dragon between us and the way out.
[ Which was awe-inspiring in its own right. Zuko and Aang had met the dragons of their world, together. It was the last thing Zuko remembered before his arrival, and the experience had moved him to travel alongside some of the others in the group to this tower, his intention focused solely on seeing that dragon out of the moat that surrounded the tower, and to freedom. Dragons were not supposed to be used as gifts - it was a very black and white matter to him, and so he had come to do the right thing. ]
It doesn't like dancing. [ He added, a touch of understated sheepishness in his voice, as though he were speaking from an experience that made him feel fairly ridiculous to recall. ] Let's keep going up, there's got to be a door somewhere.
[ The rest of the group had gone that way anyway, and there was safety in numbers - especially if Aang's bending wasn't going to return to them anytime soon. He did his best to watch Aang's back as well as his own while moving through the tower, keeping the Avatar behind him as he sent broad sweeps of fire ahead, clearing their path. The dark metal glint of a door caught his attention as they reached the bottom of a stairway that curved upward along the side of the tower. ]
Come on!
[ He charged at it, swords brandished even as he reminded himself if that if knocked the door down the room behind it would be useless to hide in. Instead of rushing at it full-force, swords (literally) blazing he turned enough to ram it with his shoulder, mindful not to destroy the door, but unfortunately not yet good at thinking ahead enough to try the handle first. ]
[An ice dragon! That's so cool. Aang grins up at Zuko's back when he more-or-less admits to trying to dance with it, and barely resists the urge to rib him a little bit.] Maybe it just likes water tribe dances instead? [If Zuko doesn't stop him, Aang will try those. And feel not at all ridiculous about it when they don't work.
After Zuko's first shoulder-slam into the door, Aang glances up and down the hall before—] Hang on! [and, because he has absolutely no respect for personal space, he just reaches right around Zuko instead of getting him to move so he can try the doorknob. What do you know, it's open! He doesn't make a comment (because it's not like he hasn't also bent doors off their hinges for the drama when he could probably have tried the knobs before), but he can't stop the cheeky look he throws over his shoulder as he ducks into the room past the prince. Look, it's just fun to needle Zuko sometimes. He makes it so easy.]
Okay, I'm just gonna be a little while. [Aang hopes he sounds more confident than he feels, but either way he retreats to the center of the room and sinks down to the floor so he can tuck his legs into the lotus position and get to it. Luckily it's not so hard now: meditation had eluded him for his entire time in the cage, but the security of the silent room with Zuko guarding the door allows Aang to clear his mind and sink into a trance quickly. He closes his eyes and pictures the hypnotic flowing push and pull of the Ocean and Moon spirits circling each other in a small, crystal clear pond—and then he's gone.
It only feels like a few moments to him while he searches deep within, pulling at the strings of himself where he's tethered to the spirit world, but it's definitely closer to half an hour (sorry, Zuko) before he swims back into awareness and lets out a sigh. When he stands back up it's with the characteristic puff of air that billows out his clothes and makes the movement fluid and silent. Thank the spirits that worked.] I did it! [He whoops, before he can stop himself. Then his expression turns sheepish.] I mean, I knew it would work. Anyway, let's go! [He bounces towards the door and makes a grab for Zuko's arm so he can drag him along. No time to discuss anything, clearly.]
Well, I don't know any water tribe dances! [ Zuko huffed before nearly falling through the door as Aang twisted the knob and slipped past him with a grin. He caught himself and scowled at the Avatar before turning quickly to shut the door behind them, barring it with one of his swords.
As always Aang was a flurry of movement, already meditating by the time Zuko turned around.
Knowing better than to say anything Zuko let his shoulders slump, his hands hanging at his sides as he looked back to the door, listening and waiting for the first sign of someone, or something, trying to get inside.
As the minutes ticked by Zuko went from listening at the door to pacing in front of it, stopping now and again to cast a glance back in Aang's direction - as though he expected to be able to glean something about how it was going from the Avatar's outward appearance.
In another burst of motion, Aang returned to himself, bursting onto his feet with the airy lightness Zuko had come to know, first as a growing irritation, and now - as something more familiar. Almost a comfort - especially here, where nothing made sense. ]
You did it? What happened?
[ He pulled his sword free of the door Aang already seemed to be rushing through, leaving Zuko to fall into step behind him before quickly catching up as they turned to ascend the staircase. At least his bending was back. They didn't stand a chance in this place otherwise.
The staircase was empty, but the sounds of a fight just above them sounded through the corridors of the tower, and for a moment Zuko swore he heard the sound of the dragon groaning. ]
There's a banquet being held up there, I wonder if the undead made it that far yet.
[Listen. Don't question Avatar Things, Zuko, because 90% of the time Aang can't explain them. (Also he didn't actually do anything so much as his abilities were inevitably going to come back with time, but using those minutes to center himself certainly did wonders for him after the last few days.) He waves a hand like he's dispelling his own flimsy response, distracted only by the definitely-not-imagined faraway sound of a disgruntled ice dragon that probably neither of them should mess with, even while able to bend.
Aang swallows, hesitating in the middle of the stairway. With his glider and his bending back, he could whisk them both far away from this place as soon as they find a window high up enough on the building, and truly he doesn't want to stay here—there's relatively very few other places he's been more excited to leave behind forever—but he can't just ignore that. Even if he's pretty sure the people hosting the banquet would have been the same people who put him in a cage and (presumably) suppressed his ability to bend.
He waffles for a moment, glancing back over his shoulder where he's inconsiderately trapped Zuko on the steps behind him. They're not in the clear yet (no windows or rooftops in sight) but he feels like an entirely different person knowing that he can bend again. Braver. Maybe that will make enough of a difference.] Shouldn't we warn them? [Aang knows that they should, obviously, those undead were not playing around. But even with being the Avatar, he's never really been the leader of the group: decisions are up to everybody, even when "everybody" is just two people.]
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[ The orange robes caught his eye in an instant and Zuko sprung into motion, using his swords to beat a path through the fray in the tower's corridor towards the wearer. He didn't want to get his hopes up, but they rose anyway.
Deflecting the clawed hands of one of the undead witches that pitted the landscape like angry obstacles, Zuko swung his swords, beating the witch back before he resumed the spring to the boy in orange. ]
Aang?
[ One hand took hold of both swords as he reached for the young monk's shoulder, the blue arrow tattoos on his head and limbs buoying his spirits in a way he hadn't felt since they had allowed him to join their group. ]
Are you alright? How did you get here?
perfect ty!!
Minor details, surely!
Since Zuko has spent a lot of time in close proximity to him, he might notice how slow and clumsy Aang's movements are now compared to the distinctly weightless way he usually moves. He looks uncomfortable in his own skin, though he isn't injured or looking all that worse for wear despite being in a cage for days, because they'd been allowed to eat and bathe. There's just something off, regardless.] I don't know! [He at least has the sense to let go of Zuko, casting a sheepish glance around, grateful that conveniently none of the undead had run over to take advantage. Last thing he knew, he'd gone to sleep at the Western Air Temple. He doesn't even remember getting attacked—he's pretty sure he would have woken up for that.] Have you found anyone else?
sorry for the delay, yesterday was a beast!
Can you still bend? [ It was almost funny - not that long ago, hearing that Aang couldn't bend would have been the best news he could have hoped for, but things had changed, and they kept right on changing.
The grimace on his face deepened in severity when Aang asked about the others, and while Zuko wanted nothing more than to give the Avatar good news, he shook his head, obviously dismayed. ]
No, there's nothing familiar about this place. They don't even have benders here.
[ Once Aang detached himself Zuko finally got his hand on the Avatar's shoulder and pulled him forward - they weren't going to be without unwanted company for too long in this tower. He was certain he could hear another skirmish breaking out up ahead. ]
no worries, I never mind waiting!! backtagging is my bread and butter anyway
Wait, no benders? We're not where we're supposed to be... are we? [The strange dead-but-not creatures and their firestorm dreams had made him suspect, a little bit, but the idea of a place with no benders at all still draws him up short because the idea is so alien to him, even as they stumble forward towards— oh!! Just beyond the predictable skirmish up ahead, Aang spots his glider staff on the floor. Clearly the room where all their weapons got stored after confiscation is the source of the thickest fighting, as everyone tries to get back their things in the escape.] My glider! [Even without bending, having his staff on hand would make him a little better at defending himself... he tries to steer Zuko in that direction despite the danger.]
no subject
At present, there was also the matter of Aang's question making his stomach sink like a stone, and though he would have preferred not to have to - he nodded curtly in response. ]
No. There's a lot of people around here who aren't.
[ In fact, he was willing to bet the other people being held would have that in common with Aang and the rest of the group Zuko had found after his arrival, but before he can say anything more about it he's being pulled by Aang.
Without a doubt, it was a dangerous choice but Zuko understood how important the glider was, and if anything else, it was another tool to help get them out of the fray and into safety.
At the sound of a rasping groan coming from his left, Zuko stepped away from Aang enough to move his swords without fear of hitting his friend, fending off another charred-looking witch, trying to keep the space between Aang and his glider as clear as he could. ]
Should we try to find somewhere to hide? Maybe if you meditate your bending will come back?
[ He didn't know if it was a longshot or not, but the note of concern in his otherwise even voice was unmissable. It was better than running around trying not to die and hoping for the best, anyway. ]
no subject
It's not gone, because it can't be gone.
And maybe that's wishful thinking, but surely it's better than catastrophizing. Aang is trying very, very hard not to spiral like he did before the Eclipse.] We should hide! I think, I just need time. [He scrambles up to his feet and lurches clumsily forward into Zuko's side when he finds himself unable to compensate and balance himself with the wind.] Sorry, [He puffs as he turns so they're back-to-back, and he finds himself standing a little bit taller now that he's got a stick that he can hold between himself and the groaning undead who have been swiping at him for the last few days, trying to get into his head at night.
Luckily Aang's head happens to be a very crowded place already, no room in there for anyone who isn't himself a thousand times over, but that doesn't mean it hadn't scared him.] Where did you come from? [Aang uses the end of his staff to sweep a discarded piece of clothing up from where it crumbled on the floor in all the chaos, nailing another undead across the face with it. A very short term solution.] Where do we go? [The more he settles into the plan the more confident Aang's voice sounds, to contrast Zuko's worry. Hey, it's not like they haven't pulled this sort of crazy escape from capture together before, and now they're even on the same side!]
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[ Which was awe-inspiring in its own right. Zuko and Aang had met the dragons of their world, together. It was the last thing Zuko remembered before his arrival, and the experience had moved him to travel alongside some of the others in the group to this tower, his intention focused solely on seeing that dragon out of the moat that surrounded the tower, and to freedom. Dragons were not supposed to be used as gifts - it was a very black and white matter to him, and so he had come to do the right thing. ]
It doesn't like dancing. [ He added, a touch of understated sheepishness in his voice, as though he were speaking from an experience that made him feel fairly ridiculous to recall. ] Let's keep going up, there's got to be a door somewhere.
[ The rest of the group had gone that way anyway, and there was safety in numbers - especially if Aang's bending wasn't going to return to them anytime soon. He did his best to watch Aang's back as well as his own while moving through the tower, keeping the Avatar behind him as he sent broad sweeps of fire ahead, clearing their path. The dark metal glint of a door caught his attention as they reached the bottom of a stairway that curved upward along the side of the tower. ]
Come on!
[ He charged at it, swords brandished even as he reminded himself if that if knocked the door down the room behind it would be useless to hide in. Instead of rushing at it full-force, swords (literally) blazing he turned enough to ram it with his shoulder, mindful not to destroy the door, but unfortunately not yet good at thinking ahead enough to try the handle first. ]
no subject
After Zuko's first shoulder-slam into the door, Aang glances up and down the hall before—] Hang on! [and, because he has absolutely no respect for personal space, he just reaches right around Zuko instead of getting him to move so he can try the doorknob. What do you know, it's open! He doesn't make a comment (because it's not like he hasn't also bent doors off their hinges for the drama when he could probably have tried the knobs before), but he can't stop the cheeky look he throws over his shoulder as he ducks into the room past the prince. Look, it's just fun to needle Zuko sometimes. He makes it so easy.]
Okay, I'm just gonna be a little while. [Aang hopes he sounds more confident than he feels, but either way he retreats to the center of the room and sinks down to the floor so he can tuck his legs into the lotus position and get to it. Luckily it's not so hard now: meditation had eluded him for his entire time in the cage, but the security of the silent room with Zuko guarding the door allows Aang to clear his mind and sink into a trance quickly. He closes his eyes and pictures the hypnotic flowing push and pull of the Ocean and Moon spirits circling each other in a small, crystal clear pond—and then he's gone.
It only feels like a few moments to him while he searches deep within, pulling at the strings of himself where he's tethered to the spirit world, but it's definitely closer to half an hour (sorry, Zuko) before he swims back into awareness and lets out a sigh. When he stands back up it's with the characteristic puff of air that billows out his clothes and makes the movement fluid and silent. Thank the spirits that worked.] I did it! [He whoops, before he can stop himself. Then his expression turns sheepish.] I mean, I knew it would work. Anyway, let's go! [He bounces towards the door and makes a grab for Zuko's arm so he can drag him along. No time to discuss anything, clearly.]
no subject
As always Aang was a flurry of movement, already meditating by the time Zuko turned around.
Knowing better than to say anything Zuko let his shoulders slump, his hands hanging at his sides as he looked back to the door, listening and waiting for the first sign of someone, or something, trying to get inside.
As the minutes ticked by Zuko went from listening at the door to pacing in front of it, stopping now and again to cast a glance back in Aang's direction - as though he expected to be able to glean something about how it was going from the Avatar's outward appearance.
In another burst of motion, Aang returned to himself, bursting onto his feet with the airy lightness Zuko had come to know, first as a growing irritation, and now - as something more familiar. Almost a comfort - especially here, where nothing made sense. ]
You did it? What happened?
[ He pulled his sword free of the door Aang already seemed to be rushing through, leaving Zuko to fall into step behind him before quickly catching up as they turned to ascend the staircase. At least his bending was back. They didn't stand a chance in this place otherwise.
The staircase was empty, but the sounds of a fight just above them sounded through the corridors of the tower, and for a moment Zuko swore he heard the sound of the dragon groaning. ]
There's a banquet being held up there, I wonder if the undead made it that far yet.
no subject
[Listen. Don't question Avatar Things, Zuko, because 90% of the time Aang can't explain them. (Also he didn't actually do anything so much as his abilities were inevitably going to come back with time, but using those minutes to center himself certainly did wonders for him after the last few days.) He waves a hand like he's dispelling his own flimsy response, distracted only by the definitely-not-imagined faraway sound of a disgruntled ice dragon that probably neither of them should mess with, even while able to bend.
Aang swallows, hesitating in the middle of the stairway. With his glider and his bending back, he could whisk them both far away from this place as soon as they find a window high up enough on the building, and truly he doesn't want to stay here—there's relatively very few other places he's been more excited to leave behind forever—but he can't just ignore that. Even if he's pretty sure the people hosting the banquet would have been the same people who put him in a cage and (presumably) suppressed his ability to bend.
He waffles for a moment, glancing back over his shoulder where he's inconsiderately trapped Zuko on the steps behind him. They're not in the clear yet (no windows or rooftops in sight) but he feels like an entirely different person knowing that he can bend again. Braver. Maybe that will make enough of a difference.] Shouldn't we warn them? [Aang knows that they should, obviously, those undead were not playing around. But even with being the Avatar, he's never really been the leader of the group: decisions are up to everybody, even when "everybody" is just two people.]