Contact

[deconflagration]

"Hey, this is Zuko, which you... hopefully already know if you're trying to contact me. Anyway, I'm not here right now, so... well, if you've got something important to say, leave a message and I'll get back to you."

Comments

[deconflagration]

[ . . . ]

Now?

[hairraisingly]

Sure! I don't see why not.

[ She slowly crawls over to his side of the bed and makes herself comfortable at his side. ]

[deconflagration]

Maybe not this one.

[ Putting the book in his lap now. ]

[hairraisingly]

Okay, what story would you rather read?

[deconflagration]

[ Looking at his stack of books. He'd requested them to improve his vocabulary, not practice what he already knew. So he reaches for the smallest book. It's not that he's afraid to try, but he doesn't feel like looking like an idiot right now. ]

How about this one?

[hairraisingly]

[ She looks at his lap and sees the title. She looks a little excited and yet a little sad as well. Rapunzel]

That's a good choice Zuko.

[deconflagration]

It is?

[ Getting a good look at the cover. ]

...Did you write your name on this...?

[hairraisingly]

[ She shakes her head no and gives him a sheepish smile. ]

Nu-uh. That's... the title of it. It's one of my favorites.

[deconflagration]

Is... it about you?

[hairraisingly]

Yes and no?

[deconflagration]

How can it be both yes and no?

[hairraisingly]

Because it is about me... but... some details aren't exactly the same. Kinda like.. Oh! Kind of like that play we went to!

[deconflagration]

Don't mention that play!

[ BLOOD PRESSURE THROUGH THE ROOF. ]

[hairraisingly]

[ She jumps a little at his tone. ]

S-Sorry! I forgot!

[deconflagration]

[ FORCEFULLY OPENS UP THE BOOK TO PAGE ONE OF THE STORY AND STARES DOWN AT IT. At least it has pictures. ]

Rapunzel....

[hairraisingly]

Yes?

[ She squeaks and clamps her hands over her mouth. Duh, he's reading it not calling to her. ]

[deconflagration]

I was reading the title.

[ Pointing at the title in big bolt. ]

"There... were... once... a man and... a woman who... had long, in... in... in v... vain...? Vain... wished... for a... child. At len..."

[ WHAT IS THIS WORD WITH ITS SILENT G AND T? ]

[hairraisingly]

[ She sits there in silence as she looks over his shoulder at the book. She smiles and squeezes his arm a little. Should she help? Maybe she'll let him try a little more.]

[deconflagration]

[ An incredibly deep frown is slowly making itself home on his face. His finger is underlining the word as he silently tries to sound it out, but from the frustrated look of his brow, it's not going so well. ]

[hairraisingly]

It sometimes helps when you try to sound it out out-loud. Hearing it helps, at least it helps me anyway.

[deconflagration]

I don't get it, though. I can't think of a way to pronounce it that doesn't sound like I have a mouthful of rice. Or is that how it's supposed to sound?

[hairraisingly]

That's how it's suppose to sound. [ She smiles and points to the last two letters. ]

That makes a "Thah" sound.

[deconflagration]

Len-thah?

[hairraisingly]

Close! You're really close! It's pronounced length.

[deconflagration]

...What's it mean?

[ English. What is it?! ]