tushanshu | [Console/Video] He's back? Kind of?

[When the video feed starts, a few might recognize the young man who appears. Though there's something a little off about him. He looks a little older, his hair is a little longer and...what is that he's wearing? Instead of his usual Fire Nation garb that he arrived with yesterday, he's now wearing something very different. A black shirt with a flame pattern, and while it's not really seen in the video, also black jeans and sneakers. Plus there's a pair of sunglasses perched on his head since it's sunny today, and a Water Tribe style bear claw necklace around his neck. His hair though is pulled back into the traditional Fire Nation top knot and that scar is still the same.]

Hello, Zuko here. So I'm kind of new, but this isn't where I'm supposed to be. I was supposed to go home. I mean, this place doesn't seem all that bad but there really has to be some kind of mistake.

[Yeah, sure, he's been to the welcome center. He's gotten the whole introduction, but Zuko is still in a bit of shock here. This wasn't where he was expecting to end up after taking the trial.]

Maybe this is some kind of trick, or another experiment. I don't know. I'm just so confused. Does Luceti even mean anything to anyone? Or is there anyone else around here who has wings?

[And with that, Zuko turns around. There's a couple slits in the back of his shirt, from which a pair of wings is sticking out. They don't reach much farther than his elbows, certainly not big enough to fly with, and they're red with black tips on the primaries. He hasn't seen anyone else with wings yet, but if he's here, then maybe someone else from Luceti is here too? ]

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Story of my life I guess. I've seen worse.

[There is a melancholy sound to his voice that indicates he's been through and seen much. Things that no one should have to experience. Things that would always haunt him.]

[It was a sound that...to a degree...she recognized all too well. Which is precisely why she didn't ask further about it. Yet.]

Well, for what it's worth...you actually picked a decent time to show up. Comparatively speaking. There's always stuff going on around here, but these days, we've got some good mixed in with the not-so-great.

Yeah, This place doesn't seem so bad.

[But it's still not home. As long as this place isn't just plain awful though, he can handle it.]

It has its ups and downs.

[That was a pun, but she wasn't going to explain it to him right then. No point in bringing up a sinking turtle when he's already got so much on his mind.]

Have you settled in anywhere yet? It is technically the Welcome Center's job to make sure all newcomers can get off to a decent start, if they need or want the help.

[Yeah that... goes right over his head.]

Not yet. The Midnight Hotel is a place, right?

It is a place. It also happens to be a Hotel, as the name would indicate.

[He kind of walked right into that one.]

Have you been there yet?

[There's a distinct look on Zuko's face that he knew he'd fallen into that. Ugh.]

Yeah, I checked it out. It made me realize I'm going to have to get used to using money again.

Did they not have currency in Luceti?

No. The Malnosso provided pretty much everything we needed. Even though some of us opened restaurants and shops, there was no need for currency. Everything was free.

Huh.

[Money hadn't necessarily been an issue for her for quite some time, thanks to several secure jobs and...multiple inheritances. But to not have to think of it at all?]

Sounds nice. One of the biggest issues a lot of people have starting off--especially these days--is trying to get settled in the money department. Since people tend to show up with none, let alone in the local currency.

I think I can manage. As long as there's enough game to hunt around here, I can use that.

[Pretty much everyone will trade for or buy food, especially fresh food.]

[She made a face at the thought of having to kill wild animals, even if it was for food.]

Not in the city, there's not.

You might have luck in some of the outer areas of the shell. I wouldn't know, though. I don't hunt.

[The face doesn't bother him. It wouldn't be the first time he's gotten a look like that. Especially from his vegetarian friends. But his ravenous meat eating friends had wanted it... so. Zuko was appointed meat provider.]

I'll check it out. Thanks.

[Oh and that bear claw necklace he's wearing? Yeah, he killed that thing.]

[~~BRB, mourning the poor bear.~~]

Anything else you need right now?

[You should definitely not feel sorry for that bear. It chased him up a tree. It was sweet revenge. Plus they had fresh meat for weeks. Oh and Sokka got a ridiculous hat, and a new rug for the living room.]

I think I'm okay. Thanks for your help.

[That bear could have had a family, okay? She read Goldilocks as a kid.]

Anytime.

Like I mentioned before, I'm over at the Welcome Center. Pretty literal name, I know, but it does the trick. Questions, little bit of extra cash to get you through the first few weeks before you find a job--

Oh, yeah! That's right. We also have a job bulletin board post just outside the building now. A few people I know're looking to hire.

[Well then that family is short one Papa Bear. Oops.]

Okay, I'll go take a look. Thanks.

[Plus you really can't say no to a little extra money to get on your feet.]

Oh yeah, what was your name?

[Papa Bear, noooo]

Zatanna Zatara.

I'm Zuko... Just Zuko. ... but I guess I already said that.

Yes. You did. I remember.

[From the last time as well, though they hadn't really been close enough for her to comment much on his previous self's presence here. Besides...she was sure he would find out eventually, and if he had more questions on that, she did tell him where to find her.]

Anyways, for what it's worth, I really am sorry that you didn't end up home yet and I wish you luck in trying to settle in. It's hard enough without all that weighing on your mind.

[Excuse his awkwardness. It is just part of Zuko. At her sympathetic words though, he isn't sure what to say, and it shows on his face.]

Thanks.

[It was going to be hard. In more ways than one. He's in a new place and doesn't know a single person here. He's going to miss his friends, especially those that he'll probably never see again. Like Eleytheria. But that will be something to dwell on later.]

[Awkwardness was forgiven. He was off to a good enough start.]

You're welcome.

[And, since her business was conducted, her job done, and there was little else left to say for the moment:]

I'll leave you to it, then. See you around.

Alright, see ya.

[And with that he will cut off the feed and go about his merry way. At the very least he feels welcomed here.]

[Console/Video] He's back? Kind of?

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