AUDIENCE: ZUKO

[retellers]

Comments

[retellers]

Is there something wrong with that?

[cuedoves]

Normally people say something.

[ sighs!! ]

... Don't worry about it. Can I ask you some questions?

[retellers]

... Is your Leader not available?

[cuedoves]

I like to ask around.

[retellers]

I don't think I'll know any more than them, though...

[cuedoves]

.... Still. Whatever you can tell me.

You can talk about your personal memories, too. I don't know how often you guys get a chance to talk about them.

[retellers]

My team members ask about them.

[cuedoves]

Oh. That's good.

[ awkward....... ]

I don't know anyone on your team, so I don't know if they're jerks. But you can still tell me, if you want?

[ he is so awkward ]

[retellers]

They are not things I would wish to share with a stranger.

[ your social rank isn't high enough for this, zuko ]

[cuedoves]

[ he gave a coloring book!!!! and tea!! does that mean nothing to you, goat? ]

Y-Yeah... my bad. I haven't really gotten to know you too well.

[ the neglected npc.... ]

But I want to get to know you better? If you... want. I can tell you things about me, too.

[retellers]

[ goat doesn't even know what a colouring book ]

If that is what you want.

[cuedoves]

[ it's for colouring!! ]

Yeah, it is.

Do you want me to start? So you get an idea of who I am.

[retellers]

[ well, now they just look confused. ]

I was under the impression you wished to talk about yourself...?

[cuedoves]

Well.. not exactly... I just thought that if I was going to ask you personal stuff, it might help if I also told you personal stuff about myself? So it's.. equal.

But if you don't want that, it's fine.

[retellers]

As I have said, there is nothing about me worth being heard by a stranger's ears.

[cuedoves]

.... Wouldn't us sharing things about each other make me not.. a stranger?

[retellers]

That's not how it works.

[ please do not underestimate goat just because they seem like the baby of the npcs ]

[cuedoves]

[ there's no underestimating!! he's making an actual attempt here i'm crying. ]

Okay, so what can I do?

[retellers]

[ ...

well, now goat is just starting to sound suspicious. ]

Why are you so persistent on this...?

[ GOAT SAID THEY DIDN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT ]

[cuedoves]

I'm not saying you have to share your memories! [ he gets it!! ]

But I do want to get to know you better. Since we haven't talked much. Is that bad?

[retellers]

It is suspiciously late for that... but I suppose, if you wish. I am here to assist you, after all.

[cuedoves]

It's not s-- I've just been dealing with a lot, okay?

[ and goat is harder to talk to!!! at least for zuko. ]

Look, if you don't want to, that's fine. I'm not going to force you to be friends with me.

[retellers]

There are many who are only interested in us for the potential information we can provide. I do not mind friendship... but if pragmatism is your ultimate goal, I would rather you state that clearly now.

[cuedoves]

[ it's time for a zuko speech ]

... Honestly, I do want to know what you know about the Realm. I won't lie about that. I'm trying to get as much information as I can, because I want to end all of this.

But it's not just that. You leaders.... you're all people too, and you sacrificed your memories for our sake. I can't repay that directly, but I want to get to know you as a person. Not just as a leader. I'm not good with... this kind of thing, [ vague gestures ] and I know I haven't proven myself to you, but if you give me a chance, I won't let you down.

[retellers]

I do not mind being used... I'm aware that I'm not here to be a "person".

[ they seem fairly okay with that, actually. ]

You do not need to ask me for a chance--you will always have it. All I ask is that you be straightforward in your intentions, with no deception.

[ one might get the impression that goat is kind of used to people taking advantage of their trust. ]