getting used to it, lit the fuse to it

[rediscovering]

🧙 WHO: Zuko & Co. (open to all)
⚔️️ WHAT: Sync or Swim TDM prompts: meditating, synchronized magic practice, brooding at bonfire
🕒 WHEN: February ???^th
🗺️ WHERE: Meditation area
⚠️ WARNINGS: Everything's kosher!



A. We Succeed Together

[ Zuko's not new to meditation. He's diligently forced himself into peaceful mindfulness — cuz that's how his mind works. With everything Zuko's been through, and his latent anger issues, despite whatever progress he's made, meditation comes hard for him — which is exactly why he meditates. By now, after years of using meditation to help bolster his firebending (or so he saw it at the time; in fact in hindsight, it was his uncle's sneaky way to encourage him to heal his traumatized young soul), Zuko's become a pro. Find him in his meditation tent, legs crossed, back straight, hands laid against his knees comfortably, as if he's been in this position for quite some time now. He has been; for hours. He has enough on his mind to work through since being in Avalon that several hours of meditation on end is... due.

Meditation and connection with others is different. He is curious about combining magics. He likes taking advantage of the nice environment in the tents, the familiar smell of incense, the warm steamy air a firebender loves most, a deep silence filling the tent most of the times, but occasionally, if he's in a more wistful way in his meditating at the moment, the sound of a somber, strange-sounding instrument drifts softly through the air. He enjoys the moments when no one comes in his for a while, but when people do, he's trying to be more forthcoming than usual, wanting to succeed at the magic training task... but forthcoming doesn't necessarily mean friendly. He's still a stick-in-the-mud. He'll take shots and play 20 questions with his partners without hesitation, but don't expect him to act happy about it. That's not the jive in this tent, okay.

However, once they've built more trust perhaps, a more vulnerable, awkward side of Zuko shows when trying to dance together. He's agile and nimble, with good footwork and coordination, but he's stiff and nervous dancing the whole time — no rhythm, no fun, no fluidity. He's going through the motions. There's no dancing in the Fire Nation. It's considered inelegant. And Zuko's least of all the type to cut a rug. But if it comes to a dancing emergency like this, he'll dance to save his life — cuz he did that once, y'know, danced with his friend to keep some dragons from eating them, then danced with the dragons... That has to count for something. ]

B. We Fail Apart
[ If it doesn't, and you end up trapped in the tent together... lord help you. You may both go blind. He's been here since shortly after dawn, so it could be literally any time of day, sun or moon. But if he doesn't loosen up with his dancing partners and open up more, he'll run into trouble for sure. Zuko's got a ton of secrets, and he's not keen to share them, so unsealing the tent is gonna take some time. Bodyswapping seems less intimidating than revealing certain things... But he has plenty of other secrets to divulge if it comes to it. ]


C. Loss and Gain
[ The bonfire is Zuko's scene, and he's had some peace of mind after all the meditating and magic-lacing all day. He's chewed over so much, revealed so much about himself, had a deeply pensive day, so it's left him rather quiet and ruminative, but still very much seeking company. He's struggling with some major feelings of loss and conflicts about connection since arriving in Avalon, his social life in shambles and yet absolutely blessed in other areas, his deep duality somehow always at play. He's gained old friends, lost new friends, been spirited away again... It's a lot. He's just come from another planet, apart from his home for half a year now, where he needed to depend on physical affection from others to survive, and that's very unnatural for the young fire prince, but it was easy to ask for it there, because everyone needed to touch, it was understood. Here... he doesn't know how to get so cozy with people like that easily; it's not his first inclination. He's been touch-starved for over five years now, even on that strange alien planet before he came to Avalon, but he's become more comfortable with it, enjoys it. Just doesn't know how to ask for it. He's fine without, as nice as it'd be, and it seems just as nice to simply sit beside someone. Conversation is welcome as well as silence. Just being near someone now seems... important.

He can't help but dwell on deeper, darker, lonelier thoughts, as he gazes into the flames. They burned colors he'd never seen but once — when dragons produced similarly rainbow flames, so hot and intense in a pillar of fire surrounding Zuko, overwhelming him to his very core. No other fires could ever compete. But this one was particularly entrancing, and he'll sit there for hours just staring at it until it's no more than embers. He's had a lot on his mind since coming here; more than usual, which is saying something. All this dwelling is definitely due; but good conversation, good company, good moods always make dwelling more productive. At the tail end of the night, as the embers die down, Zuko uncharacteristically catches one of the rainbow fireflies to make a wish. He tries to do it off away from what few other lingerers there are still, but wishing alone won't help wishes come true, whatever whim of a wish it was that he indulged. All good energy counts. ]

D. Wildcard!
Got another idea? Want to plot with me? Feeling the call of Destiny™ for our CR? hmu on plurk at summerdive or PM me! ♥

Comments

A.

[bakudan_bambino]

[Gokudera is looking to improve his magic, and especially so if this is more a type of dark magic, the opposite of his light magic. He's got to meet new people, form some relations that may help the Family. Most people on this world don't know about the Vongola and he's content to keep it that way. The Tenth doesn't want the mafia to be the focus, and he's happy with that. Gokudera's always wanted to be more than what that lifestyle pushed him into... to be normal to some extent. If everyone in this world has to know magic, to help their worlds, then what difference does it make that he's not a very strong hitman?

He's just going to set his sights for mastery of his magic, to see if he can master more than one. Learning dark magic sounds like an endeavor of balance. Most every opponent he's had has pushed him to improve, and for that he's grateful.

But then he's opening and walking into a tent that holds someone he's not sure he's ready to meet again. Gokudera stiffens like a board, breath catching as nerves take him, and he has to accept that this is not a fight.] Oh

[No, not] It's you.

[He takes dread with a deep breath in. This is a friend he failed, that he didn't know he even had. Zuko isn't going to attack him. Gokudera exhales slowly. This guy means him no harm. He's just meditating... it's okay. The Tenth said so.

Gokudera moves to sit across from him, just out of arms reach. They're supposed to trust each other.]

[rediscovering]

[ Zuko's eyes had been closed when Gokudera walked in, rather entranced in a certain zone mindfully, the mournful tsungi horn at play in the tent. His focus is broken when he hears someone approach, but he's not distracted or disturbed, doesn't even open his eyes — that is, until he hears Gokudera's voice. The calming tsungi horn is shattered by a sudden gong, its echoes hissing as Zuko's eyes meet Gokudera's. He's shocked to see him, conflicted, ill at ease — but always there's a natural gladness to see him and that's confusing and sad. He thought they were supposed to be avoiding each other; they'd agreed to. Yet, Gokudera sits. Zuko's expression softens as he does, and the whispers of the alarming gong melt back into the tsungi horn's mellow melody, quieter now. If Gokudera's choosing to sit with him in here instead of just turning tail out of the tent before it's too late... that must mean something. But he's no idea how to proceed except for with caution, voice smooth in its rasp, tempered, wry. ]

...Yes. It's me.

[bakudan_bambino]

[He has meant to avoid Zuko. Didn't know he would be in this tent, and realizes that they've both used magic against each other. That's a lot to show someone, especially with the way Zuko had referred to his elemental magic as firebending. He seems to be very well versed in his magic if Gokudera were willing to make assumptions. As for his own light magic, it won't be needed, and he doesn't want to come across as a threat.

So when he takes his seat, it's with the intent to do what he needs to in order to further his magical abilities. There'd been no intent to meet up with a former enemy, and he knows that Zuko's sister would be angry. But... this isn't about him seeking out to hurt her brother. This is just an odd coincidence, and Gokudera is no coward... isn't going to attempt to make matter worse.]

Do you want to ask me anything?

[Might as well invite questions. Seems Zuko knows plenty, if they had been best friends. Gokudera takes another deep breath, actively trying to put himself at ease.]

c;

[foeyay]

[If Zuko isn't sure how to physically connect with others here, he's in luck! Either that or extremely unfortunate.

Whatever Zuko's thoughts on the matter, they don't stop this complete stranger from sitting down next to him and promptly using his lap as a pillow.]

Don't move.

[No asking permission, no apologies or pardon mes. The stranger just dumps a "don't move" before squirming to get comfortable on someone else's thighs.

Perhaps Zuko isn't the only one who has issues with socializing.]

[rediscovering]

[ He has so many issues socializing. He shoves the strange man out of his lap harshly the moment contact is made. A younger Zuko would have reacted far quicker, and harsher. ]

What the hell?!

[foeyay]

[Kamui scowls as he's shoved away, but he doesn't push back. He just refuses to budge from his spot next to the guy.

Honestly, he's in the same boat as Zuko. After hours of being trapped in a tent before finally syncing with his partner, not only is he ready for a nap, he's craving the warmth of another body next to his. The difference is that Kamui is not someone who can admit, even to himself, that he doesn't want to be on his own tonight.]

The ground is hard, and you didn't look busy. [He spouts like it's a perfectly reasonable excuse for barging into a complete stranger's personal space.] What's the problem?

A.

[beautyrest]

Would it be alright if I joined you?

[Aurora's voice is soft, endeavoring not to disturb the young man who is already meditating. She hadn't meant to disturb him, of course, but she hadn't been aware of his actions inside. She lingers at the flap, her hands behind her back as she waits to be allowed in. She is not the sort to do something without an invitation.]

[rediscovering]

[ Zuko turns to face her, not startled, but focus broken. He's in this tent to connect with people, so he can't complain when he's disturbed; but it's nice to have the breaks, for someone not such a social butterfly. So it was also nice to have someone soft-spoken and considerate, polite enough to ask for an invitation, permission, consent. He skips a beat before responding, a bit taken by her beauty, being that he's never having seen anyone who looks anything like her in his own world, and being that... he's a sixteen-year-old boy and notices pretty girls and he's awkward enough as it is. He nods shortly, taking a few deep, tempered breaths to reorient him somewhat to being with people again. He bows his head respectfully as she sits, though he does not speak or smile. ]

[beautyrest]

[Aurora, unlike many of her extroverted Disney Princess counterparts, is an introvert herself.

When Zuko inclines her head in agreement, she smiles a bit wider, moving to sit down across from him but with still a comfortable amount of space between them.]

Thank you so much. I'm sorry if I was interrupting anything. My name is Aurora.

B

[whatsamada]

[Somehow Ken wasn't even sure how he ended up in this mess. All he wanted to do was get to know this strange boy more and now that things didn't go as well as he hoped? He was now faced with the dilemma of trying to get out of the tent. He couldn't see anything but hoped Zuko could still hear him!]

Zuko-san? Can you hear me? You're still here, aren't you?

[Ken needs your help!

ooc: If this isn't okay, let me know!]

a

[intrapid]

[ The flap to the tent opens silently, first a head of red hair poking through, taking a quick glance around, and then the rest of Karma's body slides inside, bringing the smell of a different type of incense, of sandalwood and star anise. He stands quiet at the entrance to the tent, taking his time taking things in, and then shrugs and takes a seat in front of Zuko.

He sits cross legged as well, but leaned over, elbows to his knees to prop up his chin as he stares at Zuko. A five hour one-way staring contest in which Karma stares intently at Zuko and says absolutely nothing. ]

[rediscovering]

[ Zuko's in a meditative mindset and has a deep focus on himself while alone, and enjoys that... But the point of this exercise is to connect to others, to build trust, and bad things happen if you can't, as he understands. He's at first naturally glad for the silence. Merely closes his eyes to avoid the other's stare. But after quite a while of this, the fire prince occasionally opens his good eye to check to see if Karma was still staring. Which he was. So after a few times of that, "quite a while" becoming too long finally, Zuko opens his eyes and looks him dead-on. He stares back for a tentative moment, trying to figure out how to deal with this... unusual social situation. His stare is hard, but not angry — just focused, conflicted, confused, earnest. But while he means no harm, and his face is just naturally grumpy even when he's feeling as softhearted as he is now, his wording... leaves something to be desired. ]

What?

[intrapid]

[ The corners of Karma's mouth twitches upwards at the gruff but not entirely unexpected question, stare no less intense now that the silence has been broken.

Then he leans back, bright smile on his face. ]

What happened to your face?

[ SORRY HE WOULD JUST ASK. Like he knows the vast majority of people would not, fearing social taboo, and that's specifically why he asks, direct and with all the airs of innocence. ]

A. The Stuckening 2: Electric Boogaloo

[irritated]

[A tent is much better than a bubble under the ocean. That much is for certain. This isn't even nearly as bad and at least there's enough space for both of them to be comfortable even if Hikaru still isn't entirely sure about this syncing crap. But with Zuko, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

And aren't they used to being stuck together like this anyway? Even if it isn't the same kind of stuck.

Unfortunately for Zuko, Hikaru doesn't do meditation. Really, he comes into the tent, sees Zuko, and immediately is making himself at home.] It's you. Good. Didn't want to be with some weirdo.

[As he sits down, the music hits him and he frowns.] What is this?

[Time to get to know each other even better, Zuko.]

gruihsjf the trappening is happening

[rediscovering]

Ah— Hikaru.

[ The nonchalant way Hikaru comes right in, doesn't miss a beat, breaks Zuko's own meditative focus, a sharp gong hissing as it shatters before melting back into the melodic, melancholy music Hikaru's frowning at. Zuko's pleased to see him, but his entrance was a bit brash, not that anything else is to be expected. Syncing with Hikaru would probably be easy, because he knows he already trusts him, but, uh, he's not sure if he trusts him magically yet...

Hikaru's question is met with a frown right back. What's he got to say? ]

The sound? It's a tsungi horn.

[irritated]

[Brash but just like Hikaru. At this point, what else would Hikaru

Oh, that's what it sounds like, huh?

[Now that he's listening to it, he thinks that yeah. Yeah this is what it would sound like.]

I'm not sure about this whole syncing thing. We're supposed to get in sync with our magic or something, yeah? And we learn all about each other but we've already gotten to know each other in that bubble, remember? [Like Zuko could forget.]

A

[kiss_it_better]

[A voice, calm and gentle speaks outside of the tent flap before entering.]

Pardon the intrusion.

[Chang Geng has gotten so used to seeing the clothes here he's a little surprised to see someone wearing clothes that, while obviously not from Great Liang is a lot more similar than anything else he's seen here. The surprise doesn't really make it into his expression however as he steps into the tent. Then he sits down, his every movement casual and easy (almost elegant).

He smiles. It's not a playful expression. Like the rest of him, it's mild and calm, like the surface of a still lake. At least, it's also not teasing.]

Ah, were you meditating? It's been a while since I've tried that myself.

[rediscovering]

No. No intrusion.

[ Indeed, Zuko's worn his funky Fire Nation get-up today because it's far more movable and breathable than wearing jeans and a pullover like usual these days. Knowing he'd be meditating all day, he wanted clothes he'll be fully comfortable in. He's not so unfamiliar with modern Earth clothing now, after six months on another planet, but it's still not entirely comfortable to him, and any hanfu or kimono he's seen has been a welcome sight, even if still alien. He's tired of being the "historical" odd guy out sometimes, compared to all his friends from Japan in the 2000s. Because... literally all of his friends are from Japan in the early 2000s... except his own friends from home. They didn't bat an eyelash at his funky Fire Nation get-up, even though they weren't from the Fire Nation; it wasn't so different. And Zuko didn't bat an eyelash at Chang Geng's get-up, either. His calm demeanor is even more a plus. That's Zuko's style — even if it's not, well, Zuko's style... It's still well appreciated. ]

Why did you stop meditating?

[ Wow, getting to the meat of it, huh? That's the point of the exercise, after all, isn't it? ]

[kiss_it_better]

[If anything, the blunt question only makes his smile widen a fraction.]

To the point, I see.

[But he doesn't hate it, to be honest.]

I needed a way to manage my emotions and remain calm. Meditation didn't work well enough for that so I stopped.

[Though he must have found someway that worked since he was chill as an ice-cube right now. Even as he admitted to such a thing, he doesn't seem self-conscious or all that rueful> He acts like it's not really that big a deal at all.]

Why did you take up meditating?

[He's not saying it's strange to see someone so young meditating but it's is a little different from what he knows most boys this age tended to prefer...except for those who were monks anyway.]

A. (Lucy)

[scarredhorns]

[Lucy has probably attempted meditation only once or twice in her now twenty-one years of life. It's not something she was ever taught or took interest in, not when most of her pre-teen and teenage years were focused almost entirely on revenge. Now that she knew for certain that she and Nyuu would rather not return to their world to live out the rest of their life, Lucy was more open to trying to shift away from a life of hatred. Though, if need be, she still wasn't against getting her hands dirty to defend herself and her loved ones. She'd use whatever means necessary, which is why she's here.

She's only been here for a month and she still feels very naked without her original powers. She needed everything this world's magic had to offer to make up for that deficit, so she was eager to experiment with anything that could give her an edge in dangerous situations. Working in teams, however, is still not something she's grown used to. Teaming up with friends is okay, but strangers... she is always wary of new people. And she's expected to play 20 questions with a stranger? The last time something similar happened back during her first year in Lunatia, it had not gone well for her. At the very least, it didn't seem like there were any random, single eyeballs staring at you here. Plus the music playing for the guy in here is soothing. Once Lucy steps in, the sound of gentle rolling waves mixes in with the tsungi horn. Not a bad combo in her mind.

A small part of herself feels bad to be interrupting the guy's concentration, but they're not supposed to be going at this alone. Unfortunately.]

Excuse me. [Just to formally announce her presence. At least she's polite enough to not move so fast, taking slow, calm steps until she's seated herself across from him.] Looks like we'll be paired together for this little activity.

[Although her voice is polite, she still doesn't sound too thrilled about this either.]

omg this took me 5 years im so sorry hi

[rediscovering]

[ Zuko may have his eyes closed, but he notices immediately when she enters, and a gong clashes in the air as his focus is shattered, its reverberating hiss drifting into the calming sounds of her waves as the tsungi horn continues its melancholy song. He’s relieved to hear the oceanic addition to the background noise, fond of the sea himself. In fact, he’d also once had an experience like this in Prismatica, where his own mind likewise produced oceanic noises that filled the air ethereally, trapped in a bubble suspended undersea while it played out the soundtrack of all their most painful memories, of which Zuko has plenty; so while a different one than hers, it was still nightmarish to the fire prince.

However traumatic, though, it turned out to be a life-changing and deeply bonding experience. Even that same day in Prismatica, he’d even found himself trapped in a magnetic hugging curse, which is maybe the secondmost worst way he could imagine meeting a stranger barring sadtimes radio hour in an undersea bubble. And that, too, ended up in fact being a wonderful experience, and created an obviously kismet connection with someone he’s still certain is tied to his destiny somehow. The fact is, Zuko’d made his two best friendships ever in his life by being physically forced together in magically cursed cosmic traps in an alternate plane of reality. So even if it’s absolutely not ideal, experience has taught Zuko that being trapped in a situation where you’re forced to get to know someone can… make it easier to get to know someone. Wow.

He only opens his eyes once he hears her speak, looking her straight-on as she sits. He’s more open than he might have been some time ago, but he’s learned from all the shenanigans being spirited away that he should be open to being a little bit more open. Here, his focus is primarily on his magic, regaining his fire power, and he’s not actively aiming to make friends; he has enough friends, he thinks. But when destiny offers you another cosmic trap with some other young, antisocial, rageful rebel bent on redemption and reinvention, which it’d already offered Zuko twice now in a bubble with Hitachiin Hikaru and a hug with Gokudera Hayato, both still his friends in Avalon (more or less)… well, who’s to say Lucy wasn’t destined to get trapped in this tent with him, too. Meditation is at least something much more comfortable and bonding. And twenty questions is an easy structure that takes a lot of conversational pressure off. The dancing, he’s less confident about, but if it helps him improve his magic here, he’s ready and willing to do whatever it takes. He’s apprehensive, but determined, as always. Zuko doesn’t back down from a challenge — even a social challenge these days, in a case like this. ]

Okay. Sure. …Uh— I’m Zuko.

[ That doesn’t mean he’s good at socializing, though. That just means he suffers through it until it works out all right. ]

C

[zunge]

[While Zuko's chilling on his own, some music can be heard playing a bit further away. Should he get up to investigate, he will find a familiar, heavily pierced blond sitting with his back against a log. The electronic sounds are coming from his right wrist, above which is a small translucent blue window hologram.]

omg i am so sorry this got swallowed in my deep dark taghole, but i'm back, hello

[rediscovering]

[ Zuko's walking back to his seat after sneaking off to relieve himself somewhere hidden in the trees; he may be a prince, but a medieval one who's spent plenty of time living as a homeless vagabond in the woods and countryside, all right. The music playing from Noiz's watch catch his attention as he passes nearby. The sounds are definitely unusual, like no music he'd ever heard before, no sounds he'd ever heard before really, and it pierces his concentration on his deep, tired thoughts, the music standing out amongst the casual chatting of the crowd and crackling of the bonfire, both slowly dying down now as the night's gone on — though still lively enough to wanna get away for a beat. Nearing the log, he does spy the source of the strange sounds, surprised to find it's someone he knows. He walks up with little hesitation, and, uncharacteristically forward due to the effects of the magic and the drain making him seek company more eagerly, takes a seat on Noiz's log above him, unannounced and uninvited. ]

Yo.

A

[arf]

Let's play 20 questions!

[ Once in the tent with Zuko, Taichi seems to be treating it more like a game than an act of serious magic. Come on, this whole thing sounds fun. And Taichi isn't much for the relaxing meditation aspect of this whole thing, and a tsungi horn is far from Taichi's fave genre of rock music. So he's happily leaning into the suggested game that some of the townspeople suggested when he very plainly asked for directions. Taichi's not good at academia, he needs it clear and plain. And that was about the only thing that made sense to him. ]

[rediscovering]

[ Zuko's weirdly refreshed to find himself in the tent with Taichi, already apprehensive of what kind of shenanigans are about to happen. He'd had such a bizarre bonding experience trapped in a bubble with Hikaru, but this warm, incense-filled, meditative environment was far more comfortable for the rather philosophical firebender than being suspended underwater in the middle of an endless ocean. Surely... he was about to have some other kind of bonding experience but oh boy, he has no idea what to expect. It was scary being trapped with Hikaru; being trapped with Taichi is a different kind of scary. He can't swallow a smirk at the suggestion, already bracing himself for the boy's enthusiasm. ]

Okay. You start.

[ Zuko has many questions about Taichi, but choosing just one off the cuff gives him pause. ]