[ Action, Voice ] .028

[markofthebrave]

[So today? Katara cuts short her usual routine with a cheerful wave and ducks out on her housemates. Aang showing up pushed so many things out of her mind, and now they were all crowding back in, along with the strangeness of Zuko's return.

She misses the Straw Hats. Going camping right now sounds wonderful. And she really wants Aang to meet them! She thought about trying to contact them over the journals, but... didn't really want to interrupt. Besides, it was better... to get used to people being gone.

She can handle this by herself. Katara is not given to introspection, but at her favorite spot by the South bridge, Katara has gathered a fair amount of smooth stones, and is alternating between stone-skipping and staring at her conversation with Nephry. She only knows one way to deal with this, and that's facing it straight on and adapting.

Water is the element of change. Water adapts.

And so, to find some way to remind herself of this and gather up the courage and mental clarity to sort things out, Katara will eventually step off the bridge and walk a ways beside the river. Once there, she closes her eyes and very slowly begins to practice basic forms, the water streaming about her in constant change and accompaniment to her thoughts, until she can almost see it in her mind's eye, overwhelming the flames.

Much, much later, she takes a seat, and makes a filter. She only hopes that she truly means what she says.]


Nephry, it's Katara. If you'd like to meet sometime today, or later this week... I'm ready now.

Comments

[bamfing]

[He's quiet at that.] That must be some war that someone your age would have to go fight in it.

[markofthebrave]

I don't see what my age has to do with it. There was something we could do to help, so, we did it. I mean, Aang is only twelve. And he's the one we're all depending on.

[bamfing]

Well, still! It's just... [Different in other worlds. He gives a defeated sigh.] It's just a shame, that's all.

[markofthebrave]

I agree. No one should have to fight, and the war has been terrible. [She closes her eyes with that, obviously personally affected, and then she opens them to continue.] But when you have the chance, the power to change something for the better... it doesn't matter what it costs you. You have to try.

The Fire Nation had been attacking the other nations for over a hundred years. They had to be stopped.

[bamfing]

[It's hard not to be stunned by all this. And a little humbled too. His own problems kind of pale against having to go fight in a war like that and his own accomplishment don't really compare.]

I hope you do.

[markofthebrave]

[She grins.] Thanks. But - one of the weirdest things about this place is that it takes us all from different times. My brother and our friend Zuko are both from after the war. So - I know we win. I just... have to get back there and finish the job.

[And yes, dude, that feels totally as bizarre as it sounds]

[bamfing]

Well, at least you know you win. That's good.

[He'd kind of like to know how things go with Apocalypse, actually. Especially since not even Magneto could stand up against him. Given that Magneto was still alive because of Kurt... and Apocalypse's guardian was defeated by Magneto, it was partially his fault.

But, he grins instead.] I just wish I knew how my exam would work out next week.

[markofthebrave]

[She returns his smile, her goal in questioning him momentarily forgotten.]

At least you'll have plenty of time to study for it? Oh hey, I wanted to ask you - how is Kitty settling in?

[bamfing]

You met Kitty? [Well, not surprising.] Not bad. It's a little hard for the both of us, but it helps having a friend. We even joined Haruki's special club.

[markofthebrave]

The SOS Brigade? [Blink, blink, blink. Well, to be honest, she's not opposed to the club as much as she is opposed to taking orders from Haruki.] Well, that could be fun. Just... don't take Haruki too seriously. He's not a bad guy but he is a little... strange.

[bamfing]

Aha, yeah, you're telling me. [And with a laugh he adds:] I think he takes himself seriously enough for everyone.

[markofthebrave]

Yeah, he's... something else. I'd probably join too, if I had time and thought I could stand letting him give me orders.

[bamfing]

[He can understand orders, but...] Time? How could you not have time? There's not a whole lot to do in this place.

[markofthebrave]

[Katara laughs.] I have plenty to do! This summer, I thought I'd have enough time to join the clinic, but... that didn't happen. Maybe I'll try to make time for it once school starts up again, even if it's just once or twice a week.

[bamfing]

[A fighter and an aspiring doctor? He was just trying to get through school!]

Ahh... yeah. I'll be going to school too.

[markofthebrave]

Really? That's great! I learned so much in the past few months. It's pretty amazing, isn't it, that even with so many different some things stay the same?

[bamfing]

It really is. Who knew that people from other worlds would be basically regular humans? So much for little green men, right?

[markofthebrave]

Little green men?

[bamfing]

Oh, well, that's just something from movies and stuff. Aliens from other worlds are always really weird looking. Sometimes they're just little green men with big eyes like this. [He uses his finger tips to widen his eyes.]

They fly around in big saucer-shaped ships. They usually want to take over Earth. Or to say 'take me to your leader'.

1/2

[markofthebrave]

Uh... okay.

[markofthebrave]

Wow, they have stories in your world about other planets? That's pretty cool.

[bamfing]

People back home have big imaginations. [... as this place likely proves.]

[markofthebrave]

I'll say! I never really thought about any other world back home... well, except for the spirit world.

[bamfing]

"Spirit world"? What's that like?

[markofthebrave]

It's the world where the spirits connected to our world live when they're not with us. I've never been there, but my brother has, and Aang has too. I... don't know what it's like, but I do know that bending doesn't work there.