[Video]

[glowygreendeath]

[Ermac sits in the grass in the garden, looking calm but completely out of place in such a peaceful area.]

We are disappointed in the lack of discipline among our ranks here. A war cannot be won with untrained soldiers.

So we will gladly train all those who wish to become true warriors. Contact us or meet us in the garden at mid day.

[End video.]

Comments

[Video]

[daughterofursa]

[There are so many things about this post that irk her, but she's going to focus on the most important thing.]

Do you have to train in the garden? It upsets the turtle ducks.

[Video]

[glowygreendeath]

[He glances off-screen toward the pond. The well-being of ducks was of no concern to him, but apparently at least one person cared about them.]

Is there somewhere else you would prefer?

[Video]

[daughterofursa]

[Excuse you, the wellbeing of turtle ducks is super important!!]

A lot of us use the bridge already. The courtyard by the main gate is a good open space, too.

[glowygreendeath]

[As far as he's concerned, ducks are future dinners that happen to be relaxing to watch in the meantime.]

Then we will meet you in the courtyard.

[Less chance of someone needing to be rescued after losing their balance and falling off the edge.]

[daughterofursa]

What?

[Zuko wasn't responding to this as someone in need of training...]

[glowygreendeath]

We will meet you in the courtyard.

[He turns off the video.]

[Action]

[daughterofursa]

Hey-!

[Ughhh, she didn't agree to this, but now he's expecting her and she doesn't want any reputation for being unreliable. Zuko heads to the nearest couch, transports to the courtyard, and looks around for him. She'll just... quickly set him straight and then return to patrol.]

[Action]

[glowygreendeath]

[Ermac is waiting for her. He's even standing with his feet firmly on the ground, with no hint of any unearthly green glow around him. He almost looks normal.

He needed to take it easy on any new recruits, after all.

Ermac spots her, but just watches her approach.]

So it begins. Do you prefer armed or unarmed combat?

[Action]

[daughterofursa]

[Zuko is not a new recruit, and she's seen weirder than this guy.

There's clearly a sword(s?) of some kind strapped across her back, but she doesn't draw them.]

Look, I'm not here for your training. You stopped the phone before I could say anything.

[No, she doesn't know the proper terminology for ending a phone call.]

[glowygreendeath]

We...

[He trails off for a second, and appears to be listening to something. Just as suddenly, he snaps back to full attention.]

..."hung up," yes. There was nothing else we needed to say over the phone.

[He looks her over, gauging her probable combat ability.]

If you do not require further training, then prove it to us.

[daughterofursa]

[Seriously? She's not against sparring, but this is insulting.]

Why should I have to prove anything to you?

[glowygreendeath]

We wish to know what manner and level of training we can expect from our allies. And that, in our experience...

[He adopts a defensive fighting stance.]

...is best demonstrated with some friendly combat.

[daughterofursa]

Knowing your allies' strengths and weaknesses is important.

And so is respecting them.

I'm busy right now.