idk I guess I still play this dumb asshole

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Tag me or something. Let me know if you have a preference for canon point (I usually default to post-show with some comics inspo). Also feel free to comment blank and I'll make a prompt.

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Another potentially blindingly obvious point Zuko will take a long time to realize: the masterful genius of making the next Fire Lord a Herald as a method of overturning Karse's current path, and the high likelihood that it was entirely, well, deliberate in a divine way. Zuko, at this point, has completely written off ever being the Fire Lord. Emotionally, it feels like it's been a long time coming rather than a surprise... and doesn't that just say everything. He fully expects to be in for a rough time, because he always is; he doesn't know if he even wants to have others understand just how fully he is unwanted in his own family. That would be horrible in a completely different, and more sharply personal, way.

In the present moment, he struggles to parse and accept the reality of Valdemar. "Don't worry, I'm used to drawing attention," he answers flatly, folding his arms. "Not like I can hide who I am with this scar." The Crown Prince, now an infamous traitor, having a giant burn scar on his face is certainly both memorable and identifiable even to those who've never met him.

Some of his floundering uncertainty becomes obvious, Zuko terrible as always at hiding his feelings. "... We can go to the temple if we want?" That seems obvious from the window, but Zuko is having a hard time figuring out what he has to let go of about Karse and what he can keep. He's never been an especially religious person, but the royal family, of course, knows every ritual and ceremony backwards and forwards and frequently has their own unique place in them. There's a comfort in that familiarity, and in knowing the rules.

Zuko slowly meanders over to a chair not next to Alberich and tentatively sits.

[exiled_honor]

Well, the boy likely needs to sit at this point, so Alberich will consider the test passed. He remembers how dizzying that revelation in particular had been for him. That it was possible to serve both Valdemar and his God. That generations of Karsite exiles had quietly found a home here, without sacrificing everything of what they were.

Alberich considers the prince's scar. It's true that even with expert makeup, Zuko's only chance to escape notice would be with a hood, very poor lighting, and luck (Alberich himself still can't manage to fully hide his scars in sunlight). But then, he suspects part of why the prince was Chosen was to be visible.

:I couldn't comment on that.: Kantor says, his mental voice the equivalent of an innocent whistle.

"Not yet. It will be some time before you can leave the Palace grounds." The distrust of some and the look of things still has weight. "But in time. And the priests may always visit us here."

how the fuck does mlackey manage convo vs. companion

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Zuko's not sure he can even picture what a Sunpriest is like outside of the political machinations of the capital. They're all corrupt, half of them are spying for his father, and maybe one of the reasons Zuko had never felt religious is that every religious experience has been overshadowed by their critical eyes. He's never been able to easily let go of anything, even things that aren't good for him - case in point: he still cares about Azula - so Zuko is nonetheless eager to retain whatever he can of Karse, however tainted or confusing the memories are.

It's going to be a lot of new experiences here, that's for sure.

"It doesn't matter," he replies, looking aside, inadvertently embodying a sullen teenager despite his very real reasons to feel morose and bitter. Zuko at least sounds subdued, hands gripping the cloth of his gray trainee pants. He still thinks they should be red; he's not hiding. "I know they didn't have to let me be here. I'm supposed to be a Herald-Trainee. What do I need to do?"

His language is more revealing than he intends: supposed to be. Zuko is still skeptical he won't be tossed out on his ear if he takes a single step out of line.

:You think that because your dad is a total dick. It won't be like that. I Chose you - they can't kick you out!:

:There's a first time for everything, and I'm really good at finding ways to fail.:

:I'm still not saying it'll happen, but you know I'd go with you, right? If you had to leave?:

Zuko, distracted in this conversation, stares down at his knees and lets his intense upswelling of gratitude answer for him. There aren't really words for how that makes him feel, anyway.