AUDIENCE: ZUKO

[retellers]

Comments

[retellers]

You seem to be under the impression that I would withhold info just for giggles so I can watch you all suffer, but I'm afraid that's not the case.

[cuedoves]

..... You kind of act like you do.

[ that's the vibe..... ]

I thought the Realm would tell you something about this.

[retellers]

If that's what you think, then calling for me was an unwise decision from the beginning, hm?

[ as for the second part, they shrug. ]

[cuedoves]

No, I don't think that. I know you're just as bothered about all this as the rest of us, even if you don't always act it. And you're in a worse position than the rest of us. So I want to work together. That's why I came to you.

[retellers]

[ ... ]

For all of your temper and rough speaking, you're rather kind, aren't you?

[cuedoves]

... I don't know about that.

[ he doesn't really think he's kind!! ]

But I want to play my part in putting an end to all this death and suffering. That includes you.... furries?

[ is that what they're called ]

[retellers]

[ sorry, fox has to turn and cover their mouth as they attempt to stifle a laugh. ]

[cuedoves]

[ just giving fox just a flat look right now ]

[retellers]

Sorry, sorry--! It's just amusing to hear people call us that.

[cuedoves]

Why? Aren't you wearing animal masks?

[retellers]

From a modern perspective, that word carries certain... connotations.

[cuedoves]

.... Is it an insult?

[ did he roast them!!! ]

[retellers]

I imagine that people who consider themselves, ah, "furries" wear the label with pride, but others might look at you weirdly.

[cuedoves]

Well, I do already give you weird looks.

[ a joke??? ]

Which one are you?

[retellers]

[ cheerfully, ]

I wouldn't call myself a furry, no.

[cuedoves]

What about everyone else?

[ this convo got so derailed ]

[retellers]

[ they hold up a finger to their lips. ]

You'll have to ask them personally. ☆

[cuedoves]

Well, anyway.

[ sighing!!! but more in an exasperated way. ]

What can you tell me about this?

[ he'll show fox a copy of this ]

[retellers]

[ ...

they take a look at it, quiet for a while as they read it over. ]

I've never seen this before. Where did you find it?

[cuedoves]

You know the groups of people that got really injured Thursday night after going on some kind of messed up adventure?

One of them found this. I've been trying to figure out.... the way it's written, it makes me think it'd be one of you guys writing it, but something seems... off.

[retellers]

Off in what way?

[cuedoves]

Like, why is the date hidden when it's only been, what, two weeks? Have any of you removed your masks? And I don't think any of us have really adjusted or gotten a steady collection of Nova going.

This also doesn't really.... sound like any of you guys... though I guess I don't know you all that well.

[retellers]

[ they think for a few moments. ]

Well, I can't attest to whatever might've happened here before we--the Leaders--woke up. So you're right, in that it's certainly possible there might be more to this report than just saying that one of us wrote it.

[cuedoves]

[ it's kind of messed up to think this has happened before.... ]

Do you think any of you guys wrote it? Have any of you tried to remove your masks? I know it's against... protocol.... but could you, if you wanted to?

[retellers]

There isn't a strict rule about it... so I suppose I could if I really wanted to, except I don't.

[ which is to say that zuko's not getting an unmasking from fox, so don't even try ]