markofthebrave | [ Action ] .036

[Grief is a part of life, and when it's something as serious as friends going away, never seeing them again, being left - Katara has learned that it's best to stitch it in to her days, to continue to live her life as she normally would but to take moments. Moments where she'll close her eyes in pain, moments where she'll pause to remember, moments to allow herself to be sad.

But as she desired to continue to live, Katara also knew it was important to intersperse those moments with moments of celebration - celebration for the joy there was in simply living. Aang had taught her that. And so this morning when her hands brushed the rest of the Malnosso present hanging in her wardrobe, Katara decided to put it on. Maybe it was just an impulse, a momentary whim brought on by shopping with Haruhi the other day. Maybe it was because she knew Nami would have liked to see her in it - a moment's pain and breathe - or maybe it was because today was January 7th, and if she was home and everything was normal, it would be her birthday today.

Regardless, the waterskin slides on over this dress just as well as it does her tunic, and in an impulsive moment, Katara decides to use the hair accessories as well. The outfit isn't quite as easy to move in as her regular tunic; hopefully her expertise as a warrior won't be called for as she is out and about in today's light snowfall. She'll make a point of stopping by to see her pirate friends and checking in on her ninja friends - recently returned from mallynappings and all.

Later, in her accustomed practicing hours, Katara decides to do something different. Half on impulse, she makes her way over to the main Square by the road between the Good Spirits and the Slash and Crash. It's quiet enough after dinner that she's able to get a good start, and the light dusting of large flat snowflakes only adds to the feeling of quiet, of almost home.

And so, by streetlight, by moonlight, Katara constructs something that might be in memory to her friends who've returned home, that might be simply because she wants to make something beautiful. She'll be there for some time, even after the bulk of the sculpture is completed, putting on the finishing touches... and debating whether or not to drop in to the Good Spirits. Feel free to come by at any point - even if you just want to note the statue after she's been long gone.]

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[Rydia is on her way home after a long day at the Welcome Center, when she passes through the main square. She's humming softly to herself, reaching out to touch the snowflakes that drift down towards her. Though she doesn't care that much for winter and its chill, right now it's...almost peaceful.

Upon turning her head, she catches sight of a familiar figure ahead. She's about to wave and say hello, but soon finds herself mesmerized by the sculpture. Not wanting to interrupt, she'll simply watch the process.]

[This is something very different than Katara's ever done before, and since she's not working with ice - which would make this easy - but snow itself, right now Rydia can see her working on growing one of the loops from the furthest base. It needs to be firm enough to not fall and it's slow going - almost like watching a flower bloom.]

[A knock on the door tends to echo easier in a house that's half empty. There's really too much quiet in this house - he's going to have to do something to fix that.

But since they appear to have company, he imagines answering the door would be most prudent. One skeletal doorman coming right up!]

[And on the other side of the door there is one (1) waterbender with her hands partially full.]

Hey, Brook.

Ah, greetings, Katara-san! Do come in; do come in. [He opens the door a little wider, making a sweeping gesture with one arm.]

[Entering, then - and it hurts more than she thought, because she wants to ask -

Who's here?

- and the answer to that is terrible.]

I just thought I'd come by and say hello.

[Shifting her bag in her hands.]

[ if katara does drop into the bar, there will be someone behind the counter willing to construct her a most magnificent (non alcoholic) concoction. but, equally, if she does not stop in? well, perhaps buffy will see her when she leaves for the evening. ]

[That is beautiful. Sheik watches from nearby as Katara puts on some of those finishing touches. He'd been on his way back home, but he'd be lying if he said he were very comfortable there anymore. His own fault, if blame were to be placed on any one source.]

[Either way, watching Katara work is pretty fascinating.]

[she'll show up when Katara is almost finished, much later on in the day when it's definitely all cold and snowy again.]

Good evening, Katara. You're quite the snow artist.

[ Smellerbee is...mostly skulking about town in the evening on the off-chance that Jet really will turn up- she's figuring she'll have to just start combing the forest sooner or later. Probably gonna be a lot of work, but, well.

It's Jet. So it's fine.

She'd have to be pretty off her game not to recognize the only waterbender she's ever met, too. And unlike if she were to find Sokka in the middle of something, Smellerbee won't interrupt fancy sculpting time; Katara merits some iota of respect for Lake Laogai at the end of the day. Wasn't her fault that nobody had any time. So tl;dr, she's gonna be over here sharpening weaponry until those finishing touches are taken care of. ]

[ Do stop by your Ninja Community Building!

You'll get the one who doesn't think that door-answering is troublesome right now. ]

[Snow sculpture completed, Katara's a bit hesistant to just return home - so in to the bar she goes.

And closes her eyes for a moment. The only times she'd ever really been in here were with Nami. Opening her eyes, the moment passes and Katara makes her way over to the bar.]

Hey, Buffy.

[Katara's just passing her hands over the bottom to create some of the detail work. When she becomes aware of someone staring at her, she glances up.

She doesn't really recognize Sheik, having only seen him in journals until now and - it is New Feather season, apparently.]

Oh, hello.

[ she is mopping up a corner of the bar when she sees katara. ]

Oh, hey! What's up?

[Her eyes widen as she observes the snow taking shape, thanks to Katara's molding. It's definitely worth lingering in the cold, and puts her in mind of Shiva and her creations.]

...beautiful....

[Katara glances up from some of the detail work, brushing the snow out of her hair. It's good to see Nephry - returned from the draft and seemingly well.]

Thank you, Nephry. It is pretty, isn't it.

[Oh good, just the one she was looking for! Hopefully his perception!jutsu will be down for the day. Katara smiles at him when he opens the door.]

Hi, Chouji!

[...and depending on how perceptive he is, he might note that her hair and dress is different today.]

[Her cheeks are a little flushed from the cold, and she hasn't changed back to her regular clothes yet, but that won't be immediately apparent due to her parka. What might be is that her hair is subtly different today, and adorned with two blue stones.

...and her heart is heavy.]

Not much. Could I get a hot chocolate, please?

You're looking flash today. [ she nods at katara's hair. ] Special occasion? Also -- whipped cream?

[Katara looks up and when she sees who it is she stops what she's doing and rushes over to hug the other girl.]

Rydia! Welcome back.

Not really. [Which is true enough.] And no, thank you. But I'll take some cinnamon in it if you have it.

[ Noted indeed. He'll step back and hold the door open for you. Perhaps lucky for her right now, it's difficult to get a gauge on two words :|a ] You look really nice today.

[ Not like he's gonna lie, jeez. ]

How have you been?

Very. Is this a hobby at the south pole?

[Rydia's a little surprised at such an enthusiastic welcome and then it hits her; well yes, this is the first time since she died. Feeling guilty for that, gives her an extra squeeze.]

Thank you, Katara. I'm glad to be back.

[He's far from a New Feather. But it isn't really surprising she doesn't know him. He offers a wave, since speaking still isn't on the list of things he can do easily.]

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[ Action ] .036

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8| /piles on

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/squished

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it's good for you >3>

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