#warriorled

@warriorled ➔ "I'm not gonna make it. I failed."

the urge to disagree is nigh overpowering , clawing at something deep in his soul that hates to see sokka like this : dejected and carrying so much burden. it's a potentially debilitating feeling that aang knows well and one he wouldn't wish on anyone. but that urge has to be suppressed for now is not the time for faux platitudes. he won't do that to a friend. instead the boy searches for a different route , a constructive solution —-- and it's hard to come up with a better idea than the idea guy himself . . . so why try to ?

❝ sokka , i've never seen you fail at anything. i don't think you can fail. ❞ though serious , there's a hint of levity to his voice aiming to lift spirits , redirect dark thoughts. the airbender resolutely refuses let his friend wallow.

she watches from a palace window as soot continues blanketing the north. it's not unlike snow, save for its color, scent, and omen. if she shuts her eyes to escape the tableau, another equally harrowing one replaces it: the sight of her father painting a warrior's mark onto sokka's forehead. and so the princess goes back and forth from one unrest to another, unable to do anything but sit and wait and worry.

there's a slight note of agitation laced within his words. (probably because of the lack of sleep.) he catches onto it the moment the words are spoken -- mostly because of the looks thrown his way from the others. jaw clenches before relaxing as zuko murmurs, ❝ sorry ... i'll look around for some berries. ❞

"if you sleep any longer, we're going to miss it!"

there was a part of suki that debated letting him have his few minutes of rest. sokka had earned as much saeep as he needed in these last few weeks. compassion for sokka nearly brought her excitement to a grinding halt. she almost liked him enough to allow it.

almost.

⁽ ᴿᴼᴳᴱᴿ ⁾       . . .     ‘    requested by @warriorled :       still accepting !    ⁽ ᴼᵁᵀ ⁾

the entertainment had been abysmal that night , but suki had found such great joy in it . seeing the avatar's journey mapped out in a play was beyond entertaining , and she couldn't help but find the humour in it ; especially considering she'd been absent for so much of it . that was until the moment suki realised sokka had loved another , and that the love he'd shared was taken away . she wasn't irked by the fact itself , but it's timing . as well as the fact that this was the first she knew of it . it plagued her mind with so many questions , most of which had terrible implications , and stopped her from truly enjoying the rest of the play . she laughed it off in the moment , but even his reaction to little joke was enough to spur on more and more questions .

suki wasn't one to depict unhappiness in public . she continued to laugh and joke throughout , whether to enjoy it or make the other's burden less was up for debate . but she did so sat just a little further away from him .

the walk home was quiet , woman walking at a slower pace than normal . the others strode on as she meandered , feet seemingly heavier than before . it's then she finally speaks up , voice soft against the roar of the sea . " you didn't tell me . about yue . "

❝ tell me then. what does she look like ? ❞ nonchalant. as though she could never understand what the fuss is about – and maybe she doesn't. but the earthbender's heard stories. the moon was a beloved spirit, specially to him. and sokka... well. he means a lot to her.

“hey sokka, i got you something!” there was nothing inconspicuous about the box in suki’s hand, its length and shape giving away its contents before sokka could even open his gift. but she supposed the surprise was not the what, but the why and how. holding up the long box, suki’s smile grew with every passing moment.

🔥 THE POPPY WAR. ( always accepting! )

The  air  has  gone  thick  with  apprehension.    Every  soldier  posted  guard  at  a  door  is  half  in  motion  as  if  unconvinced  that  coming  to  their  aid  is  an  order  they  ought  not  execute.    They  are  wary  and  it  only  makes  sense  that  they  weave  caution  into  each  decision  they  make.    What  of  their  old  Fire  Lord  exists  in  his  heir?    Is  it  temper  that  will  meet  their  every  movement?    Is  it  violence  or  rage  or  ash  before  even  a  flame  might  light  with  how  quickly  it  all  could  go  poorly?

There  is  tea  splashed  across  the  table.    The  steam  curls  leisurely  from  the  mess,    as  unaware  as  @warriorled  is  by  the  tension  stiffening  Zuko’s  shoulders.    Around  them,    the  guards  are  still  trying  to  guage  the  right  move;    Zuko,    too,    doesn’t  know  how  to  proceed  for  a  moment  too  long.    Is  it  weakness  they  will  see  if  he  does  not  urge  them  to  do  something?    Is  it  fear  he  will  instill  in  them  if  he  gives  an  order  at  all?    What  would  his  Uncle  do?    Make  a  joke,    probably.