markofthebrave | [ Action, Voice ] .031

[If you are passing by the Southmost bridge at just the right time, you will find it hard not to notice the girl in an unusual dress and boots facedown on the ground. One shoulder is strangely disjointed, and there are bruises up and down her arms, particularly violent ones around her wrists. She looks like nothing more than a broken and discarded doll.

As the sun continues to set, the coolness in the ground will cause her to start to stir. When she sits up, she grimaces, moving as if there might be something wrong with her ribs. If you happen to be looking at her as she does, you'll notice the sickening blue and yellow bruise spread across her right collarbone, the lovely shiner on her eye.

The wonderful thing about Luceti? Sometimes there's a journal right where you need it. She barely has enough presence of mind to make sure the picture points away from her face, but her voice is very tired.]

Sokka, Aang - I'm back. [Sorry Suki, Zuko.] I'm okay.

[10 100 (thank you, Shikamaru) percent filter to Chopper, Raine]
Hey guys, if you're there - I could use a little help.

[She doesn't want her brother and Aang to see her like this.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's weird like that. If I move, I go through things. If I just stay very still - it's like I'm not there at all.

[And she quirks him a quick smile.] Thanks.

[For removing the threat of her immanent death by blanket.]

Yes, I'm the ultimate hero. All blankets beware.

[And Katara does laugh - briefly - at that. Because it's just so lame.

It feels strange to laugh - almost like laughing after a funeral. The echo rushes in immediately afterwards, and she speaks quickly to drown it out.]

I'll put the word out - those blankets won't know what hit 'em.

Hn. Give it a couple seconds and I'm sure you'll be more threatening to it than I am. [If that no-more-than-a-minute rule applies.]

Yeah, I can see it trembling now.

[But - true to form - she does solidify a few moments later. Shaking her head, she holds out her hand for the sling.]

Chopper's gonna be so mad if he finds out I keep having to redo this...

The reindeer? I met him once. [He moves to hand it over, then stops.] Want some help with that? It'll give him something to be less upset about if he does find out.

[Katara blinks at him. That offer was unexpected. But - it's a true pain to try to affix the sling by herself, so she gives him a genuine smile.]

That's really nice of you, Shikamaru. Thanks.

[And she scoots forward to make it easier for him to help.]

[Whut. It's not nice, just necessary. Really. His parents would somehow know what he did and lecture him about it when he got back or something.

There's a fraction of a second where something like embarrassment crosses his expression, but it's gone in an instant.] It'd be rude of me to just sit around and watch you do it.

[A medic-nin he is not, but any ninja that sees field duty knows basic first aid. Chances are that they'll have to use it on themselves or a teammate if there's no one else around, after all. Slings fall into that category, and he unfolds the bandage to find the corner.] Lean forward a little?

Edited 2010-11-09 01:51 (UTC)

[But not all that many people offered to help her with stuff before she came to Luceti.]

Sure.

[And she complies.]

[He goes about it without a word, a bit slower about it than an actual medic would be, making sure he's doing it right. He nudges her arm up just slightly to set it in place when he moves to tie the bandage off near her neck.]

There you go. All set.

[She manages not to wince as he sets the sling into place and when he's done Katara reaches up with her other hand to adjust the knot a little.]

That was a lot easier. Thanks. It's really annoying to redo that every time.

Hn. Hopefully you won't have to do it again too soon. [Or adjust it because he did it wrong or something.] That's probably as much of a pain to rest with as the phasing is.

It's not so bad. [...and then she grins.] OK, it's pretty bad.

Heh. All the more reason for why I should let you get back to resting. I've taken up a lot of your time as it is.

[Oh yay, more rest.]

That's all right. I needed to know and I appreciate you telling me.

[And you were looking for something else to think about too, weren't you? He shrugs, heading as if to go.] Don't mention it. Thanks for hearing me out.

Of course. [Pause.

She really... doesn't want to go back to just thinking.]

Hey, Shikamaru?

Yeah?

[...]

Feel like a game of Pai Sho?

[There's a pause. And then very slowly a grin. He rubs at the back of his head.]

I suppose I can be bothered for a round.

Edited 2010-11-09 05:16 (UTC)

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