☀⛇ hope is something you give yourself

[flammatory]

[ Zuko occasionally needs to run off and be himself, alone, for a while. Needs to. It might seem overly dramatic, but he wouldn't characterize it as stress relief - it's more like keeping his sanity. Being Fire Lord is so much more than he'd ever expected, and honestly, Zuko hadn't tried to imagine actually being Fire Lord since before he was banished.

It was hard to imagine something he wasn't sure would ever be true. Now it's true, and it's... well. A lot.

By now, Iroh has convinced him to alert his staff to his sudden disappearances (he causes a mass panic one time!) and with this accommodation he's managed to wrangle a full week for himself through the simple expedient of bullishly refusing all attempts to talk him out of it. Or to schedule anything during that week. There has to be some kind of advantage to being an imperial dictator.

He does not need to have another formal dinner. Honestly. What he needs is some time alone practicing firebending and meditation and embarrassing himself without his crown, just so he can stay human.

As much as it riles his staff that Zuko doesn't feel like he needs personal bodyguards while he goes out, they can't exactly gainsay the Fire Lord, either, so he ignores the dangers and goes as incognito as it's possible for him, dressed in red so dark it's almost black and with his hair loose and without a crown or top knot. A simple pack is slung over his shoulder. After years of traveling on a ship and then meandering sullenly through the Earth Kingdom, then running around with Aang, Zuko travels extremely light.

Between his lack of physical burdens and his natural stealth, Zuko is fairly inconspicuous slinking through the woods. There's a lot of whispered rumors about this place, which just says to Zuko that no one else is going to be there. He isn't afraid of spirits after befriending the Avatar and meeting the dragons. If he meets one, fine. They seem more likely to leave him alone than people, these days...

Zuko goes deeper into the woods day by day, sleeping on a thin bedroll under a tiny pop-tent at night, largely scavenging for his own food and water. ]

Comments

[icebridge]

[ On his travels, the wind blows on occasion. It's normal enough for the setting, but sometimes, it's less natural than others. Gale -- spirit of the wind -- keeps an eye on the man and finally alerts Elsa once he's deep within the trees. Travelers and guests are welcome, but the spirits are weary after the last group of people had pretended to make friends, only to attack the people native to the forest.

The hoofs aren't as loud as they should be as they approach. Elsa doesn't bother trying to be very secretive, choosing instead to ride out to greet him in person.

When she's within view, it's easy to believe she's a spirit as well. Atop a frozen horse that's made of pure water most of the time, her white hair, pale skin, and long, shimmering dress, she brings to mind the very winter she represents.

Elsa stops riding once she's within natural speaking distance. With a bow of her head, she greets Zuko. ]

Hello. You're a new face around here.

apologies for the delay!! life is a little, you know, right now

[flammatory]

[ The wind almost makes Zuko thing Aang is following him to have a 'friendship field trip' or something equally ridiculous, but he doesn't think Aang, for all he's a monk, has the patience to silently follow him for that long.

It all makes sense when what is transparently a spirit - multiple spirits? - comes into view. Zuko's eyes widen, one more than the other, and he hastily puts his hands together at chest height in a formal bow. ]

I am. I apologize if I've disrupted your, uh, your forest. I didn't mean to intrude.

[ He's not scared, but Zuko has a more than healthy respect for anyone that visually represents winter. It's about as antithetical to being a firebender as you can get. He remembers the North Pole all too well. ]

yeah, it's a lot of something right now

[icebridge]

[ Elsa easily and gracefully leaps off the horse. The ice seems to fade away, revealing the purely water-like form beneath. In response to his bow, she bows his head. ]

All those who come in peace are welcome here.

[ Compared to the walls she once had, Elsa's voice is warmer, more welcoming. Being free here in the forest has done wonders for her. ]

But we don't get many visitors. I think a lot of people are still afraid of this place.

[flammatory]

[ Similarly, time spent on the run, reforming, and then leading his country has significantly changed Zuko for the better. He's no longer as defensive, and regularly manages to think before he speaks, now. Being a totalitarian dictator has forced him to be more careful with his words.

Elsa seems very physical and real compared to the spirits Zuko's encountered before, more like the dragons than something to do with Aang. The way the horse suddenly turns from ice to water leaves him convinced of his first impression, though: this isn't just a person, and the way she greets him cements it. ]

I'm not afraid, [ he says in a frank tone, without belligerence or pride. ] People who disrespect the spirits get what they deserve. [ Dragon hunting is definitely illegal now. ]

My name is Zuko. I was just looking to be alone for a while -- not, uh, not that that means I want you to leave! [ he fixes hurriedly. Super smooth, as always. ]

[icebridge]

[ The horse thrashes its head, as if agreeing. Elsa looks at it fondly and smiles before looking back to Zuko. ]

It seems like they agree.

[ As if on cue, another wave of wind moves over them. ]

I'm not the only person who lives in this forest, but they're friendly. If you want to be alone, they'll leave you alone.

[ For a moment, Elsa seems thoughtful before she adds: ]

But handling things alone can be hard, too.

[ It's a lesson she's had to learn more than once. ]