It's a story about a princess. With hair as red and beautiful as the blush of dawn. A princess who - even when others in the halls would whisper about her vanity, about her foolishness, about her selfishness - expressed nothing but a sincere love for her people, and loved with the entirety of her heart.
They said that this princess was the reincarnation of King Hiryuu, the Crimson Dragon who founded the country. To protect this princess and her happiness, the rest of the country fell to ruin - but no one told the princess.
When she realized the state of the world around her.... everything seemed to ripple.
Every action, every sincere offer of her hand, every attempt she made to help others echoed through every corner of the land... far faster than anyone could anticipate.
[ . . . a longer pause and - when he speaks again, it is low, as if sharing a secret.]
he listens, without a word. when soo-won confesses his fear, he tilts his head, questioning, but without judgment. he doesn't know if soo-won intends to continue, or if he expects prompting from goat at this point. ]
.... her father always said - that the Avatar of King Hiryuu would bring about my downfall. That one day, Yona would cerainly lead to my death. At times I wonder if I... ever acted cruelly to her, because of that apprehension.
[but there's more to it than that. he's quiet for a few moments, in the silence that goat offers him before he continues.]
And there were days where... next to her and Hak, I -
I nearly wanted to give up on all my plans, and all my responsibilities, and everything I decided to do.
If it meant I could have just a few more days with them.
[he was afraid of the way that she sometimes made him feel like giving in, and running away from it all. like he too could enjoy that dream where nothing mattered except being with those he loved.]
[and everything that comes with them - soo-won is proud and happy to be a human, even if there are things about his existence that may seem otherwise... difficult. cursed.]
.... I won't tell you not to worry [almost teasingly] but - I'll be alright. With time.
[ he's silent for a few moments, before he speaks again. ]
The pathway has stabilized enough that items may be carried over, though still without guarantee. If there is anything you wish to give her--or anyone else--I can try and have it brought there, whether by my hands or through another Leader.
It is still unstable... but I was able to carry a gift over there a while ago and another one back here without issue, so I think it will be fine as long as we don't try pushing the limits.
[ ... ]
Well, you do not have to. But the offer is there, should you wish to take it.
Then... once everything is over... I'm not sure where her dolls will go to. The ones that look like me and... her attendant. If you could give them to her...
[and honestly soo-won might see if he can make a doll of zuko in that time, yona might like that better than a doll of him]
Mm.... then I'll keep that in mind, come tomorrow.
At the very least, I want Yona to be able to get the one of Hak to her again... She may not remember him, but I feel like it's the least I can do for her...
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It's a story about a princess. With hair as red and beautiful as the blush of dawn. A princess who - even when others in the halls would whisper about her vanity, about her foolishness, about her selfishness - expressed nothing but a sincere love for her people, and loved with the entirety of her heart.
They said that this princess was the reincarnation of King Hiryuu, the Crimson Dragon who founded the country. To protect this princess and her happiness, the rest of the country fell to ruin - but no one told the princess.
When she realized the state of the world around her.... everything seemed to ripple.
Every action, every sincere offer of her hand, every attempt she made to help others echoed through every corner of the land... far faster than anyone could anticipate.
[ . . . a longer pause and - when he speaks again, it is low, as if sharing a secret.]
.... her existence scared me, at times.
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he listens, without a word. when soo-won confesses his fear, he tilts his head, questioning, but without judgment. he doesn't know if soo-won intends to continue, or if he expects prompting from goat at this point. ]
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[but there's more to it than that. he's quiet for a few moments, in the silence that goat offers him before he continues.]
And there were days where... next to her and Hak, I -
I nearly wanted to give up on all my plans, and all my responsibilities, and everything I decided to do.
If it meant I could have just a few more days with them.
[he was afraid of the way that she sometimes made him feel like giving in, and running away from it all. like he too could enjoy that dream where nothing mattered except being with those he loved.]
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[ he looks up at the sky. ]
... It is difficult to let go of those you love, even if in the name of duty.
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but soo-won has made that choice every time. he can never say that he regrets it, but also, if it's just him and goat, maybe it's fine to admit - ]
... yes.
It is.
[ - just how badly it hurts, every time he has to do something that causes yona more pain.]
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... That is proof you have a human heart.
[ and all the love, and the pain, that comes with it. ]
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[and everything that comes with them - soo-won is proud and happy to be a human, even if there are things about his existence that may seem otherwise... difficult. cursed.]
.... I won't tell you not to worry [almost teasingly] but - I'll be alright. With time.
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[ he's silent for a few moments, before he speaks again. ]
The pathway has stabilized enough that items may be carried over, though still without guarantee. If there is anything you wish to give her--or anyone else--I can try and have it brought there, whether by my hands or through another Leader.
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What of your memories, when you travel there? Is it not still dangerous for each of you?
[a beat]
Depending on how her memories are once she's on that side.... I feel as though she may not wish to receive anything from me.
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[ ... ]
Well, you do not have to. But the offer is there, should you wish to take it.
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Then... once everything is over... I'm not sure where her dolls will go to. The ones that look like me and... her attendant. If you could give them to her...
[and honestly soo-won might see if he can make a doll of zuko in that time, yona might like that better than a doll of him]
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All right. [ ... ] Actually, where are they?
[ no one checked the kamidana during investigation ]
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[he icly would not have touched them but i wanted to leave them in a location for heartbreak okay]
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Ah... well, if they are not located, then you may have to ask her to retrieve them from their resting place, or to at least tell me where they are.
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Mm.... then I'll keep that in mind, come tomorrow.
At the very least, I want Yona to be able to get the one of Hak to her again... She may not remember him, but I feel like it's the least I can do for her...