markofthebrave | [ Action, Voice ] .043

[All right, enough of this. It's Spring and she still loves Spring (only her third Spring ever!) and Katara has decided she is going to enjoy it. No school today, so in the late morning to mid afternoon, if you are by the paths along the river you will see one (1) Katara, with a basket and her knife, taking cuttings of wildflowers. She's careful not to take too much from any one tree or bush, and she's clearly enjoying herself.]

[General Voice]
I think my favorite part about Spring is the flowers. We just didn't have anything like this where I grew up. Although in the summers I'd go on a hunt for Mouse Ears. [She pauses, remembering the last time she'd done that...] Or at least I did when I was a kid. I even found one once!

But for all you people who grew up with flowers like this - what was it like, in your Springs? Did you have any fun flower traditions?

[And after the wildflowers have been turned into bouquets, it's time to go visiting! If she hasn't seen you or heard from you in a while, and she knows where you live, your house/apartment is Fair Game.

There are, however, a few people she needs to speak with about a few specific things, so it's time for some courtesy filters! These are not very strong and mostly to prevent your journals from spam]

[Filtered to Shikamaru]
Hey - you up for a spar later?

[Filtered to Nami]
...are those mikans still up for grabs?

[Filtered to Trafalgar Law]
...would you mind if I stopped by?

[Filtered to Zoro]
...hey. I haven't seen you, and I think we should talk.

[Hmm. That was everyone she needed to talk to, right? Hopefully that was it. If it wasn't, she hopes she'll bump into people during the day. Like Sokka - an idea has occurred to her which needs discussing.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Thanks. [She sighs a little.] I think it'll be all right.

[It's just her not!father and her not!daughter in law and her not!son. Totally reasonable, of course.]

Mmm. You adapt. [She takes another sip.]

[Water adapts.]

As best we can, anyway. I know this last one really... hurt a lot of people. [You were married.] ...so we have to find a way to keep going.

... indeed.

[Oh how she knows.] Getting held back won't do anyone any good in the long run, after all.

[She sighs.]

I really wish... that there was some way to stop all this from happening.

We can't give up on the possibility of it existing. It's just the factors to get there... that's what we stumble over. When there's no immediate means. ... But it would be nice.

[The hopeful note in that - the fact that Raine's been here for so long and been through so much and still hasn't given up - makes Katara smile and some of the jagged edges caused by the breaks of this last experiment smooth a little.]

Yeah, you're right.

...Raine?

[She smiles a little again, taking another small sip, before setting it back down and tilting her head.] Hm?

What do you think about what Catherine said? About him moving here...

He's said a lot of things. ... Although, It probably was only a matter of time before something like this happened.

You think so? Why?

The Organization itself has a history of turnovers, if what we've been led to believe is true, and Bil himself was only recently appointed into that top position. We're already aware of one faction that has been working against him--the ones who organize the kidnappings. Whether or not that's a part of the Military faction he's spoken of, or separate entirely is another question.

[Katara nods, slowly.]

You'd think that after being here so long, they'd have a better idea of what they're doing. Who do you think is in charge now? The same people who... keep on taking us?

From what's already been said, it seems like the Military has the upper hand for the moment--the ones who have been pulling people into the war despite their lack of combat ability... or even compatibility with the shifts in the designated area. We probably won't have much warning, when the time comes, though we have reason to expect to be called back in soon.

[Another draft...]

You really think so?

In the previous draft, the mention of a larger battle was mentioned, even though we were only sent to defend the farmlands and make a "key victory". Also, we were informed that this last experiment was meant to make us more pliable for the drafts... and that it originally was supposed to last for a month.

That's true... that makes a lot of sense.

[She takes a sip of her lemonade, thinking about their new arrivals...]

I don't know what's worse - going on the draft, or being left behind.

Edited 2011-05-28 00:23 (UTC)

I suppose it would depend on your perspective about it. Perhaps it's... not exactly relishing the idea of fighting in a war we know only the bare basics of--but wanting to be there to help protect those sent out, and to see everything first hand.

Not being involved means that there's time to make sure things remain stable here, but it's a lot of waiting, and worrying.

[...] Heh. You're right. Even with the killing - it's definitely better to go.

[She knows she'd rather go than a lot of other people she knows. At least Katara's no stranger to war.]

Right now it's kill or be killed. Hopefully someday that will change, but we can only work with what's in front of us for now.

I know. [She sighs and then... takes another sip of her lemonade.]

It's... fine to be frustrated with it. It's important that we don't become apathetic toward it.

[Heh.] I know that too - otherwise you might miss an opportunity that's right in front of you to change things.

[And she thinks of earthbenders, ships of iron, and weapons of coal...]

Have you ever explored the tunnels, Raine?

Good.

[She tilts her head at the next question.] Hm? Yes, I have, on a few different occasions. Why do you ask?

I've only been down there once. What were they like?

[ action ]

wise_maiden - 2011-05-29 05:10 (UTC) - Expand