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WHO:

firebent and YOU!?
WHERE: open lot / sparring grounds
WHEN: TODAY?
WARNINGS: none? unless firebending and people getting their practice fight on is warning worthy.
SUMMARY: Zuko needs to work off some pent up aggression, feel free to join him.
FORMAT: actionspam?

[ Shutting off his comm, Zuko bows his head and keeps walking, dead set on his direction. He’d stumbled upon the place a few days ago, an open lot that was obviously still being used by people who could find a way to make use of such a thing. Charred and filled with energy, it was the perfect place for Zuko to let loose, to work off pent up anger and frustration and to firebend without threat of injuring someone.

Ignoring the strange looks he was getting, as he always did whenever he ventured down the main city streets, Zuko was far more focused on getting to his intended destination than he was at glowering at the people who couldn’t seem to mind their own business.

He was still up in arms about Azula’s death, unsure as to how exactly he was supposed to be feeling. Because just like Mai had said, Azula was supposed to be his “enemy”, and just because she’d been murdered, that hadn’t really changed anything. He didn’t feel any differently about her, but that didn’t mean that she deserved to be killed. She was still his sister, he still cared. He just didn’t know in what way he was supposed to.

Stepping off sidewalk and onto dirt compacted ground, Zuko lifted his face, glancing around to make sure nobody else was here. The last thing he needed was somebody popping up from behind a rock and getting caught in a wave of firebending. Exhaling slowly as he tried to relax, Zuko lifted a palm, igniting a small fire in the palm of his hand. Trying to restrain his emotions and contain them within bending was a constant battle, though it had grown easier in the past year. But now it was more imperative than ever than he make sure to keep his cool, focus on keeping control of himself when he knew he had none elsewhere. ]

[ ooc; Zuko's also got his swords with him if you're interested in sword fighting 8D ]

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[Alex has, mostly, been ignoring the network. He doesn't really know how to use his comm and with everyone who recognized him right off the bat, the mutant would rather just leave it be. Still, wandering around the City isn't the best idea either, but hey no one's here to yell at him right now. He just needs to make sure to keep his powers under wraps and there won't be anything to worry about, right?

Right. Sure. Because all he needs is a little control. Just a little more here, just a little more there.

He almost snorts as he slowly approaches the open lot, more than a little frustrated with his current situation, especially since he doesn't know exactly how to train more or try to gain that control without risking killing everything. He doesn't want to go back to prison, but when looking at his options, it's looking more and more viable than he'd like it to be. Still, upon seeing that flame in Zuko's hand, and recognizing Zuko himself, the mutant furrows his eyebrows. He didn't know that other people besides mutants had powers.

But Alex is at least smart enough to walk the long way around Zuko, making sure to walk in a path well out of the way of the firebender.]

[ Letting the small flame grow, Zuko was quick to slide into a stance, lifting his palm at the same time and popping off an intentionally small blast of fire before shifting and doing the same thing with the other hand. He was trying to keep control before he got extravagant, trying to make sure he could reign himself in when he needed to.

Which was exactly when Zuko spotted Alex, and for a second he almost looked sheepish, not having expected anybody to show up while he was in the middle of practicing. Standing back upright, he gaze Alex a questioning look before recognition finally settled into his features.

Granted, the other didn't really look like he wanted to have a conversation, but they might as well acknowledge the shared space, at the very least. ]

How much room do you need?

[Alex just shrugs at Zuko's sheepish look, not taking any real offense, considering if he got burned it'd be his own fault. The mutant moves around to just find a place to sit down, not at all taking the offer to use his powers in what Alex sees as too small of a space, even despite the fact that it's well-cleared and quite open. Instead, he finds an empty trash can to pull up and just sits down on it.]

I can't do it here.

[But he's still not moving and instead getting more comfortable just leaning forward on his knees, raising an eyebrow at Zuko.]

You're a mutant, too.

[ Folding his arms over his chest as he watches Alex settle into his makeshift seat, Zuko almost looks offended by the term, and then stops rather quickly, instead opting to look confused. He doesn't even know what a mutant's supposed to be, so it's kind of hard to actually be offended. ]

What's that supposed to mean?

[Alex furrows his eyebrows at Zuko, completely missing the fact that he might have said something offensive, as it's a term that's pretty regularly thrown around with people he's been talking to.]

You've got powers.

[He's never really met anyone who has powers that isn't a mutant. Not yet at least.]

[ And now he has... not that Alex really knows that just yet.

Zuko just gives him a fairly neutral look, considering it's obvious that he has powers. If he was inclined to, he'd be saying a big ol' duh right about now, but instead he shrugs it off like it's no big thang. ]

I can firebend. So can a lot of people from my nation.

[Wait, what the heck is firebending? Alex's expression loosens a little with confusion, his eyes opening a little wider.]

You're probably not from America or the USSR then. [Because the only person he could slightly consider as a firebender is Shaw, who's from Germany.]

[ Surprisingly enough, Zuko doesn't sound irritated, just.. closer to exasperated. He felt so out of the loop. ] I've never heard of either of those places.

[ All he'd heard about was the two-hundred some nations that existed in this world, and just that alone was enough to give him a headache. ]

[Geography, on a whole, gives Alex a headache, too, but he's aware of which countries are Communist and which ones aren't, mostly because there's news in the clink even if there's not much else. Impending nuclear war is something that the guards would talk about a lot.]

We're in America right now. [Pause. Actually he's not 100% sure of that because it's so far in the future.] I think. And the USSR is kind of our enemy.

[Now this was a familiar scene. Hellboy had noticed the light from the flame out of the corner of his eye as he walked along the sidewalk, and turned to see its source. Another pyrokinetic, bearing some resemblance to the other one he'd met a while back. He turned down the dusty path and stopped just out of range of Zuko and puffed on his cigarette silently as he watched him train. Once the cigarette was spent, he flicked it away and waited for a lull in the action.]

Those're some fancy moves, kid.

[ Turning to locate the source of the voice, Zuko stands straight again, exhaling and dusting himself off slightly, unconscious gestures. But as soon as he spots Hellboy, it takes Zuko a second or two to take in his.. unusual appearance.

But it only takes another second to get past -- he's gotten used to seeing weird things here, and all things considered, the ATM machines still confuse Zuko more than the way the other man looked. Not to mention, Zuko knows better than to stare; is well aware of just how unpleasant it is. ]

Thank you.. ? [ He doesn't even know if he should be saying thank you for that, but it seemed appropriate. ] I didn't know anyone was watching.

[Hellboy's used to the stares by now. It was a bit of a change from back home, but it could see why people would be a little taken aback and/or suspicious.]

Just curious, that's all. You're the third person I've met with pyrokinesis. Always thought it was pretty rare.

[ Aaaand now Zuko's just even more confused, brow furrowing. ]

Pyrokinesis?

[After spending most of his life with people who lived and breathed all kinds of supernatural terms, it was hard not to use them casually.]

Uh, controlling fire. Sorry, old habits.

[ He shakes his head, brushing off the apology. ]

It's fine, I don't know half the words anyone says here in the first place.

[Well, he was definitely kind of like that other pyrokinetic he'd met in that respect.]

Yeah. So. Workin' out some frustration?

Woahhh. Watch it there. [But he's grinning as he sidles up.] Is something wrong?

[ Sokka where did you come from :| Zuko just gives him a sidelong glance before sighing. ] Why would something be wrong?

I don't know, you took off without saying anything...now you're fire-bending... [He scratches the top of his own head, shrugging] What's up?

[ It takes him a second, just because he doesn't want to have one of those deep meaningful conversations right now. Because then he'll have to talk about his feelings. ]

Did you know that people can come back from the dead, here?

[Sokka holds his breath for a full beat, eyes widening a little.] Yeah, I...heard that.

[Geddoe had been thinking about hitting that lot to practice as well, but someone beat him to it. He's just going to stand off to the side to watch for a minute, arms folded, a very obvious big black-clad leather wall over here]

[ It takes Zuko a few long moments to recognize the feeling of being watched, too distracted to acknowledge it right away. But eventually he does, fussing absently with the swords attached to his back as he turns and faces the man that's so keen on staring at him. ]

Do you need something? [ Though he (sort of) maintains his manners, the words were spoken with more natural authority than most 16 year olds tend to have. ]

Just waiting for my turn to use the training grounds. So to speak.

[he notes that tone, very interesting young man]

...you control fire.

I do. [ It wasn't even a question, but he couldn't just leave it either. But he tips his head towards the rest of the lot, trying to be accommodating. ]

I don't need the whole space, I won't get in your way.

You would if I chose to unleash any spells. Though lightning won't strike an unintended target, I prefer to play it safe.

[eyeballing the swords at his back] Are you any good with those?

[it's not magic, so the only notion Zel gets of any of it is just the sound of shuffled stances against the ground. the automatic thought is intruder, but...it's not his lot. he just frequents. but man, if it's that Squall guy again...

he slows near the last building before the lot opens up and comes to a halt close enough to see just who...

he frowns. okay, maybe he's not the best at sensing magic energy (not by a long shot), but...fire from the hand? and not a notion at all? he wasn't sure if he liked that.

but this was that whiny kid. he couldn't be that threatening...]

[ He'll show you threatening, Zel. Except, y'know, not.

Pushing another blast of fire forward with his outstretched palm, Zuko came out of another stance and sighed, scuffing at the dirt beneath his feet while he breathed evenly. Trying to think calm.

For a few more seconds he was too busy keeping himself tightly contained to notice anything else, but Zuko had gotten good at noticing when other people were starting at him. Glancing over his shoulder, he spotted Zel, instantly recognizing the other from the network. ]

Bring any chickens with you? [ l-lol he sure was a funny one, made all the better by the slight grimace he directs towards the other. ]

[murder. he's bringing murder.

well no, but Zuko gets a withering look for the jab. Zel leans back before stepping into forward motion, walking near the edge of the lot. he stops parallel to the other, arms folded.]

Where was the source of that fire?

What do you mean?

[ He just looks confused for a second, watching Zel walk. Zuko just kind of feels like the answer to that should be obvious, but he'll answer anyway, the shrug obvious in the sound of his voice. ] I am.

[confusion right back.

he blinks, then squints.]

No, I meant...the source you summon. The spirit or demon. It has to come from somewhere.

It comes from the sun -- it's where all firebenders draw their energy from. Not any kind of demon. [ duh. ]

[his head tilts in a what, really? kind of way. blinkblink. he glances skyward just a second before it's back to Zuko.

huh.]

"Firebenders." [testing the word.] Your world's word for a sorcerer?

[ He sighs, almost exasperatedly, before giving his head a shake. ]

We're not sorcerer's. We're benders. It doesn't have to do with.. [ he has no idea what word to put here, considering he's not familiar with magic ] .. sorcering. [ Which is why he just made up that lovely word. ]

[...

Zuko you are weird...thinks the dude with blue rocks for skin. NOTHING LOOKED BENT TO HIM......

consider him skeptical. he starts advancing, off to one side, stopping to scuff at a carved mark on the ground - one of his astral breaks from weeks ago.]

Maybe not. Most magic I've come across before had a different sensation. Even the ones without words.

[ Zuko is just watching Zel OH SO CAREFULLY, but not moving from his spot. Because this is his spot.. or something, who knows.

Mostly he's still just trying to figure out what Zel's talking about because what even why does no one make sense here. ]

That's probably because it isn't magic. [ why aren't you listening, Zel. ]

[don't be silly OF COURSE IT'S MAGIC. zel can be sure of that...kind of! it makes him feel smart. on the higher ground.

but he'll play along. HE SUPPOSES. giving him a sideways glance:] Then it's what? [digging the toe of his shoe into one of the rock grooves.] What makes..."benders" work?

[Kiryu had a habit of checking his comm as he walked, especially if he wasn't walking anywhere in particular. It wasn't a particularly good habit, but when had that ever stopped him? It was certainly more interesting then just walking or just checking the network.

But it was about the same time that he finished watching the video of the boy asking about death in the City that he walked by an empty lot and...that boy was there. Playing with fire. In a way Kiryu had only known himself to be able to do (though he'd been sure there had to be someone else in the last two years; he wasn't quite arrogant enough to think he was the only one in a city like this).

As much as he liked keeping that power of his secret, to keep any enemies off balance, this was too good an opportunity to pass up. So he stuffed his comm back in his pocket and stepped off the sidewalk into the empty lot, heading over.]

[ It only took him a moment to notice the other heading in his direction and instead of extinguishing his fire completely, he simply let it dwindle down until it was once again palm sized and personally manageable.

That didn't make him look altogether very friendly, but Zuko wasn't trying to be Mr. Welcoming in this instance, simply trying to acknowledge the fact that the other was heading towards him. ]

I can make room if you need it.

[Kiryu smiled and shook his head as he stopped a short distance away. He wasn't looking at Zuko much; his attention was still on the fire in his hand and the ease with which he manipulated it.]

I wasn't here to practice. [He nods at the fire.] You're a... [god what was the word for this, he'd looked it up one day just to know...] ...pyrokinetic?

[There might be Larsa sitting in that same hall, staring at his sword - but for other reasons!

I suck at setting this up!]

[ Look that's more than enough set up okay. Because Zuko spots Larsa right around when he unlatches his own swords, eying the younger kid almost curiously.

Walking a bit closer, he's not entirely sure why the other is giving his sword the deep meaningful stare-down. And he's not really trying to find out either. ]

If you're waiting to use the space, I won't be here for that long.

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Early afternoon?

got it!

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