Dy (no_savior) wrote in parabolical, @ 2008-06-10 16:53:00 |
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The screen goes from black to reveal the up-close image of someone's shirt. A muffled voice filled with annoyance can be heard. "…yes, I'm certain I have it turned on. I just need to adjust it."Peter's breath hitched in his throat at the sound of that familiar voice, even the tones of gentle frustration.
Another voice joins the first. "Well if you adjust it standing in front of it, Zuko, then no one can see what's going on!"
There's a sigh - a heavy one - and at long last the shirt comes into focus, becoming smaller, until the person wearing it can also be seen. He's Oriental, with a large scar covering one eye. His hair is longer than most men wear it, but it's a good look for him. Barely brushing the shoulders. He's frowning slightly, staring into the camera lens, before he finally gives a nod and steps to the side, out of the view of the camera…He smiled at the screen, helpless not to, tears stinging at his eyes.
To reveal Katara sitting on the edge of her bed. Her hair is pulled back with long, thin braids holding her bangs in place on either side of her head. She's wearing a long t-shirt that comes to her knees that anyone who knew Zuko would recognize as belonging to him. She's smiling, her brilliant blue eyes glittering as she offers the camera a cheerful wave.
The camera shifts a bit and Zuko's voice, now closer, speaks. "Alright. I'll tape you, then you get to run this thing. Go."say!"He laughed, both at her words, and the sudden blank expression. Oh, it hurt to see her, but it felt so good at the same time.
She shoots him a stern sort of look that's ruined by the merriment still shining in her eyes. With a mild shake of her head, she looks to the camera. "Okay," she says with a nod. Her mouth opens, her eyes grow wide, and she looks above the lens of the camera.
"Zuko," she hisses in a panicked tone. "I don't even know what to
There's a brief pause, a heavy sigh, and he replies patiently, "It's just like we discussed, Katara. Tell them who you are, where you're from, whatever you want to say. It's not like anyone is ever going to see this."His smile faded a bit, understanding now why this video had been made. Holding back his tears, Peter nodded and unconsiously straightened, fully waiting to hear what Katara had to say.
"Unless we disappear."
"… right. Unless we disappear. If that happens, then at least we'll have something to give our friends to remember us by. Right?" Now he sounds uncertain and she smiles reassuringly.
"Exactly. Okay." Her gaze goes back to the camera and whatever shyness she first felt seems to melt away after a second of contemplative staring.
"My name is Katara," she begins. "And I'm a Waterbender. I was born in the Southern Water Tribe…" She sighs. "And I'm going to bore everyone to death with this. Zuko?"speak." His tone is becoming clearly annoyed and she scowls for a second at him before once more returning her attention to her audience.
"Katara, just
"Well?" she replies. "Don't interrupt." Clearing her throat, she looks back to the camera. "So where was I? Oh, right. So being a Waterbender means a lot of interesting things, but mostly it means respecting the element that I'm gifted with. Water is both powerful and gentle, caring yet harsh. It can heal you, cleanse you, keep you alive. It can also harm you, even kill you."Katara…"
She sighed. "And I really wish I could remember some of the things I'd wanted to say, but since I can't, I'll just continue with who I am. Aside from a Waterbender, that is. I'm also the younger sister of an annoying big brother named Sokka. Don't get me wrong. I love my brother. But he's very annoying at times."
Absently fiddling with her hair, she glances toward her lap. "I'm also friends with Aang. He's the Avatar where I'm from." She looks back to the camera. "That means he can control all four elements. He's also going to save our world and finally bring peace to it after over a hundred years of war." She smiles. "And then there's Toph. She's a blind Earthbender that I met on my travels with Aang and Sokka. She's a lot different than I am. She isn't very responsible, and she doesn't follow the rules very much, but she's also really loyal and very determined to help us win this war."
Almost shyly, she glances above the camera. "Now we come to Zuko." Her gaze locks on her audience again. "He's the Prince of the Firebending Nation. He used to be a really bad guy."
"
Peering into the lens, her eyes seeming even more blue at such a close proximity, she whispers quickly, "I think I may even be falling in love with him. And if being here means being able to be with him, then I'm fine being here. As long as I can keep helping people." She pauses, biting absently on her lip, then adds in a rush, "But if something does happen to me, and you are seeing this, don't be sad, okay? Just know that… I've gone home. Because the people there still need me, too."He didn't both trying to stop the tears this time. For the time being, Peter was glad he was alone. He wanted to savor these last moments with Katara. He'd thought he could find a way to apologize to her, a way to make up for not being able to save her. But instead, she'd gone and helped him. Again. Katara was gone, but... maybe that was okay. Maybe she was back where she needed to be, still fighting the good fight. And maybe she'd find Zuko again.
Then she smiles once more… and the camera goes black once again.