Dream Post #2

[ischarming]

Warnings: Head canon stuff, questionable parenting from Valentine
Effects: None

Snow is falling out on the ground that a young boy with blond hair is playing in. He's laughing brightly and running around trying to catch the flakes. It's a beautiful sight to be sure. Anyone can see that just by looking at it. A closer look even reveals that this is a young Jace, golden eyes happy as he falls into a pile of the snow around him.

"Jonathan," a man's voice calls and the boy turns to a tall man with hair so blond it might as well be white. The smile on his face fades a bit. It's quite clear suddenly that he's not supposed to be out here playing.

"I don't believe that your reading is done for the day. So a certain son of mine shouldn't be out enjoying himself in the snow. But since you so intent on it, go stand by that tree."

Jace quickly nods then runs over, staring at his feet. But only for a moment. Then he's looking up at the man. "I am sorry, father. I just..."

"Your task will be to catch the snow I throw at you."

For the next fifteen minutes straight, the man throws balls of snow that splatter in the boy's hands, smashing into his face. It's not long before the little boy is crying and shivering from the cold. Yet he still tries to hold his hands to catch the snow. He clearly doesn't want to give up because there has to be a way. However, the next one hits him straight in the face and his head smacks the tree behind him. Letting out a yelp of pain and a little sob, he falls to his knees. Only then does the man walk up to him.

"There, there, Jonathan. This was just a lesson to show you that what can bring us pleasure can slip through our fingers and cause us pain. Never forget this lesson."

The little boy sobs and nods his head quickly to show that he's understood. "Y-y-y-yesss, f-f-f-father."

"Very good. Now go inside and get cleaned up before you go back to your reading. We don't want you to get our books wet." The man smiles as he brushes snow from Jace's hair then helps him up. It's like he's proud of the child as he watches him run back into the house...

---

Jace wakes up panting after the memory. He's distressed enough that he doesn't even notice the smell of peppermint in the air. Grabbing his hair, he stares off with wide eyes before he notices the Dreamberry on. With a snarl, he throws it against the wall.

Comments

[action]

[forged_anew]

[Zuko lets out a shaky breath]

I don't think my father's ever really loved anything. Except power, probably.

But I thought--

I still wanted--

[The very thing he's certain now Ozai had never given anyone, not even Azula despite all his fondness for her. A man like that wasn't capable. It was all in selfishness; all people were pawns, even his own family. Zuko knows that now, very well-- but it still hurts.

Sometimes, he still wishes Aang had killed him. But Aang could never do that. And, in the end, neither could Zuko.

He interrupts himself with a wordless, raw cry, and it's a good thing he had the sense to turn away from Jace because the wall in front of him is now adorned with a good-sized, blackened circle of burnt wood.]

[action]

[ischarming.livejournal.com]

[His first thought when he sees the burnt wood is really quite simple and probably not overly appropriate for the situation.

"I'm going to get blamed for that."

And then he moves on to what Zuko just said. Never loved anything except power. He doesn't like how close that hits to home. Still, he manages to push away from the wall he's against to go over to where Zuko is, studying the wood.]

And you've been keeping the fire away because...what? You think I can't handle it?

[Coping by going for a new topic? You got it.]

[action]

[forged_anew]

[Deep breaths, Zuko, deep breaths. He settles down slowly, focusing on his chi and on clearing away the anger and bitterness from his mind. He'd never been stellar at meditation, but he does manage to calm down enough, letting go of the fire still at his fingertips.

Another deep breath, and he turns to face Jace again at last with a half-hearted sound that's probably supposed to be an attempt at a laugh. He's completely for going along with this new topic.]

It just hasn't come up before, I guess. I haven't been keeping it away.

[action]

[ischarming.livejournal.com]

Fine then. Let's see what you can do with it.

[Jace goes into a defensive stance and indicates that Zuko should come at him. Right now.]

[action]

[forged_anew]

[Dropping talking in favor of beating the shit out of each other? Sure. In a friendly way, of course!]

I'm not in the mood to hold back, you know.

[So Zuko punches the air-- which, of course, results in a good-sized fireball hurtling at Jace's chest.]

[action]

[ischarming.livejournal.com]

[Somehow Jace manages to flatten himself to the ground in a graceful manner, letting the fire fly over him. Smirking, he rolls back to his feet and rushes at Zuko, kicking out at his ankles.]

[action]

[forged_anew]

[And Zuko jumps away quickly, aiming more fire at Jace while he's still in the air.]

[action]

[ischarming.livejournal.com]

[That's more like it. He jumps out of the way, rolling into a crouched position.]

[action]

[forged_anew]

[Zuko lands several feet away from him, and suddenly there's a whip in his hand, made entirely from flames.]

[action]

[ischarming.livejournal.com]

You know, it really hurts my feelings that you've kept this from me for this long.

[action]

[forged_anew]

It's not exactly a secret. [He points out with a smirk, flicking the fire whip at Jace's ankles. He's not holding back, per se, but he is making sure to have very careful control.]

[action]

[ischarming.livejournal.com]

It's not exactly advertised either. [And he flips backwards with the grace of an acrobat to keep his ankles out of reach.]