[ Mako heaves a very deep sigh. ] It's there because it was on my wall when I was a kid, probably. This place is creepy like that. No idea how it got here.
[ Is he, uh, turning a bit to show off the jacket? He'll never say. ]
Why are you so interested in this? It's more like a combination of our first apartment and the suite, anyway. Just with some things from when I was a kid. I haven't thought about them in years.
[ Mako huffs, his cheeks flushed, and picks up the Fluid again anyway, flipping it around so the jacket and him are out of view. ] It's stiff, and I don't know what it thinks I'm going to wear it for, but.
Okay, see? That's a picture of my family. The only one. My grandmother should have it or it should be in the room you're in, but it's here.
Because I'm bored. Everyone is gone! I'm here all alone and all the animals are asleep. Show me your fancy hotel room, Mako.
[ That's as close to an order as Wu's given him since he's been here.
His eyes light up ] Maybe there's a party! Mako, if there's a party, I have to be there.
Ah, you mean this picture? [ Wu shifts up off of Naga, pointing the Fluid to the same picture that's still on Mako's nightstand. ] You were a very cute child, Mako.
If there is a party, I've been informed that we shouldn't trust any party this town throws. It'll probably ruin parties for you.
[ Please, Wu. For the sake of Mako's own sanity. Stay put. He is begging you, even as he begrudgingly pans the Fluid around the room for Wu to see.
In addition to the poster of Firelord Zuko looking fancy, there are a few pro-bending posters up. Some teams that don't exist anymore and haven't for a while, and one of the Fire Ferrets in their first season with Korra. A few photos of Korra and Asami and Bolin, clearly from the last few months, and one at the wedding with the four of them together.
There's even a picture from the wedding with Wu in it, one they'd all had taken together where Wu is pressed up against his good shoulder, and Mako is looking sideways at him with a quiet smile on his face. He was so glad to see Wu alive and well after the chaos of everything, proud of how far he'd come and everything he'd heard. ]
Are you happy now?
I was probably 7 or something in that picture. They died not long after it was taken.
[ Wu groans, and drops down onto Mako's bed. ] This town wants to ruin everything I love.
[ He smiles at the photos. All the parts of Mako's life he's only heard about. It's strange, that Mako is so important to him, but they've only know each other for just over two years. They were two very strange, important years. He flushes happily, to see that picture of them. He hadn't seen it before. ]
Yes, I'm happy. That must be nice, to be surrounded by those things.
Oh. I, it makes sense, why you would treasure that picture, then.
[ His voice is soft, suddenly, the picture mostly in frame on his end, too. ] My father must have sent it to our grandmother, in Ba Sing Se. We had no idea. That any of them existed.
[ A small, soft silence, before Mako coughs and shows Wu the massive bed. ]
But yeah, that's what this town does. It ruins things. Trust me, you're better off where you are.
I... I don't know. I'm glad you did find them. Eventually. [ And... he doesn't really know how that came about, but it doesn't feel like the moment to ask.
He squints at it, reading over the text with a frown. ]
If anyone can figure a way out, it's you. [ Wu sighs, picking at a thread on his jacket. ] Alright, I stay here, I'm careful on the 22nd, and you don't let anything get you either. I don't want you to die again, Mako.
[ Wu's faith in him makes Mako oddly warm, and certainly makes him smile a little. ] Thank you. That's all I'm asking. Stay safe, okay? If you want to. You know, talk on these things.
[ Because for some reason, Mako doesn't like the thought, either. Probably, he reasons, because he doesn't want to be out of touch with Wu, because checking in every day means that he'll know if something is off or something has happened. At least if they talk, he'll be sure Wu and the animals are okay.
He hangs up with a small wave, but follows up with instructions for Naga shortly after.
And then sends a picture of one of the more ridiculous outfits in his closet for Wu to make fun of or admire. ]
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[ Is he, uh, turning a bit to show off the jacket? He'll never say. ]
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[ He bites his lip against a smile. ] Very fine. It shows off your shoulders.
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[ Mako huffs, his cheeks flushed, and picks up the Fluid again anyway, flipping it around so the jacket and him are out of view. ] It's stiff, and I don't know what it thinks I'm going to wear it for, but.
Okay, see? That's a picture of my family. The only one. My grandmother should have it or it should be in the room you're in, but it's here.
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[ That's as close to an order as Wu's given him since he's been here.
His eyes light up ] Maybe there's a party! Mako, if there's a party, I have to be there.
Ah, you mean this picture? [ Wu shifts up off of Naga, pointing the Fluid to the same picture that's still on Mako's nightstand. ] You were a very cute child, Mako.
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[ Please, Wu. For the sake of Mako's own sanity. Stay put. He is begging you, even as he begrudgingly pans the Fluid around the room for Wu to see.
In addition to the poster of Firelord Zuko looking fancy, there are a few pro-bending posters up. Some teams that don't exist anymore and haven't for a while, and one of the Fire Ferrets in their first season with Korra. A few photos of Korra and Asami and Bolin, clearly from the last few months, and one at the wedding with the four of them together.
There's even a picture from the wedding with Wu in it, one they'd all had taken together where Wu is pressed up against his good shoulder, and Mako is looking sideways at him with a quiet smile on his face. He was so glad to see Wu alive and well after the chaos of everything, proud of how far he'd come and everything he'd heard. ]
Are you happy now?
I was probably 7 or something in that picture. They died not long after it was taken.
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[ He smiles at the photos. All the parts of Mako's life he's only heard about. It's strange, that Mako is so important to him, but they've only know each other for just over two years. They were two very strange, important years. He flushes happily, to see that picture of them. He hadn't seen it before. ]
Yes, I'm happy. That must be nice, to be surrounded by those things.
Oh. I, it makes sense, why you would treasure that picture, then.
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[ His voice is soft, suddenly, the picture mostly in frame on his end, too. ] My father must have sent it to our grandmother, in Ba Sing Se. We had no idea. That any of them existed.
[ A small, soft silence, before Mako coughs and shows Wu the massive bed. ]
But yeah, that's what this town does. It ruins things. Trust me, you're better off where you are.
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Then, another jealous groan ]
Mako. Please. It feels like I'm being, being gaslighted! You show me this grandeur and tell me I can't have any of it for my own safety!
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[ It's a sad thing to talk about, but Mako just snorts, flipping the camera back around to show his face again. ]
I'm so sorry that you're not also trapped here in the death hotel. Look. I found this, too.
[ He holds up Wu's own funeral program. ]
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He squints at it, reading over the text with a frown. ]
That is... not very kind.
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[ Mako drops it again, focusing back on his face. ] Which is all the more reason not to trust it. I don't think she has the right idea even now.
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I'll be careful, especially on the 22nd. Hopefully... hopefully nothing terrible will happen.
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Definitely be careful. I'm planning to stay in my room on the date on mine. Or figure out a way out of here before then.
But my point is, this place obviously has it out for you too, and it doesn't matter how nice it is. The fact that it's so nice is suspicious.
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I'm not going to have anything else to do.
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[ He wants to say more, but presses his lips together. Nope, don't ruin this, Wu. ]
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[ Mako, tentatively, smiles right back. ]
I'll write you her food instructions. Stay safe, Wu.
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[ Because for some reason, Mako doesn't like the thought, either. Probably, he reasons, because he doesn't want to be out of touch with Wu, because checking in every day means that he'll know if something is off or something has happened. At least if they talk, he'll be sure Wu and the animals are okay.
He hangs up with a small wave, but follows up with instructions for Naga shortly after.
And then sends a picture of one of the more ridiculous outfits in his closet for Wu to make fun of or admire. ]