[ 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

[markofthebrave]

I see. [Blink blink blink.] You mean you fight... for fun? Like... sparring or to actually hurt your opponent?

[wildconqueror.livejournal.com]

Well, ya're not supposed ta hurt for the sake of hurtin' someone in League battles. Ya fight until a forfeit, or until one team is disabled.

...It's good ta be prepared for people who don't play by the rules, though.

[markofthebrave]

[Katara nods solemnly.] It's always good to be prepared for people who don't play by the rules.

[And then she processes the rest of what Sapphire was saying to her. At first it sounds... almost barbaric. But then she remembers her many sparring sessions in the North Pole, and the earthbending tournament where they found Toph.]

I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to practice here, too - you said your partners were here, right? Are your partners those... Pokedex?

[wildconqueror.livejournal.com]

"Pokemon", yup! It took a while...but three have shown up!

[markofthebrave]

Pokemon. [It's an unfamiliar word to her, and she nods as she says it, committing it to memory.] That's great! I'd love to meet them sometime.

[wildconqueror.livejournal.com]

They're hangin' around somewhere, but when we see ya again I'll introduce ya!

[....so]

Ya were askin' me if I was "new"...how long have ya been here, Katara?

[markofthebrave]

Since winter. [She shrugs.] It's not as long as some people, but it feels plenty long enough. So if you have any questions about this place, I'm a pretty good person to ask.

[wildconqueror.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a long time, though!

[Sapph hadn't really considered the possibility of staying that long - she looks vaguely worried.]

[markofthebrave]

It is a long time. [Katara wishes she could say something to make it better. But she kind of hates it right now, so...]

But we're all working to get home with everything that we can. They can't keep us here forever.

[wildconqueror.livejournal.com]

....Right!

[Pokedex Holder: eternal optimist. The worry is quickly replaced by a confident grin.]

If even humans have incredible powers here - an' a village full of us, there's nothing we can't get done if we try!

[markofthebrave]

That's a really good way of looking at it. [A quick smile. And a change of subject. Because right now, Katara's hope level is dangerously low.]

Anyway. Did you want to see some more bending?

[wildconqueror.livejournal.com]

[Hope is contagious. Obviously what you need is some serious exposure to Shounen Spirit, girl.]

Of 'coz!

[8DDDD]