markofthebrave | [ Action, Voice ] .056

[Okay, so waking up today was weird. She thought it was Saturday, but by the state of the house and where things were... it was actually Monday. Sokka was back - woke up in his own bed, and all, but when Katara went to check on Toph to see if she remembered what happened...

Her room was bare. There was nothing left. Toph was gone.

After stumbling to the wall and leaning on it a long moment to get herself together - is it going to hurt like this every time? - it was time to tell the household.

That accomplished, one of them had to let the town know... and Katara volunteered. She opened up her journal to find a mission summons from the Malnosso. She stared at it a long moment - now? When her housemates need her most they're calling for her now? She shut the journal. She needed a moment to process.

Eventually, she'll open up the journal again. Her voice is a little strained, but steady.]

I'm sorry I don't know any other way to say this but... Manliness Classes are going to have to be canceled again. Toph's gone home.

And... [hhhng, announcing this to the village is so weird, but...] Sokka's back. [There, that's better. Starting with him gives her someplace to stand on.] But I'll be leaving on a mission tomorrow, so... I'll see you all in a week or so.

[So after making this post mid-morning, Katara sets about doing what she needs to do. Sirry Crags, huh? She knows how to handle high altitudes and fighting in snow. She'll just... pop into the Item Shop to double check for a few things, and then hopefully bump into someone willing to help her carry groceries home. It looks like she's going to need to do a week's worth of cooking today.]

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[She waves a hand.]

If we don't remember it, it's like it didn't really happen. At least we can trust that we were ourselves and handled ourselves like we would have anyway. So it doesn't really matter.

[...sort of.]

[There's a really profound point about the nature of Luceti he could make. But there's an even better point he could be making instead:]

Well, whatever. Want help with breakfast?

Mm. [That time he got curtains.] Same as then.

I was just going to have cereal.

[But considering he's back, and she's already hopelessly late for school...]

But since you're back, do you want pancakes or something instead?

Yeah. [Hmmm.] So good luck trying to remember.

[This is the least concern on her mind.]

Right.

[They probably won't get far, but he doesn't care too much. It's just something to do. And something else to talk about, since they already discussed her mission. As for the other thing...]

You too, with the mission. Lemme know if you need anything.

[He'll offer that, but he won't say he's sorry about Toph. There's no way to say it without coming off sounding like a bad sympathy card, even if he means it.]

[He catches that. He doesn't connect it to anything, but he does catch that she had a reaction. He frowns to it. Somehow.... somehow, he expected to be more cool with this. More jovial, smile more, but as it is he can't help but feel his heart is up in his throat and he instead just shakes his head and-]

I wanted to see you before you were off.

Oh. [Pause. But... that's fair.

She steps back from the door.]

Come in, I guess? Do you want - [...] - tea? It's a cold night.

I will. [And she might have. But Sokka's back now, so she can get her refill of flash and other types of bombs from him, if she needs them.]

See you when I get back. [Toph.]

...and if not... [Well. They've had this conversation, but. If not...] Take care.

...That's really nice of you. [If he sounds a little astonished, it's not because he's surprised--it's just such a genuine answer. And a reason for going on a mission he hadn't thought of. Maybe he could help his friends, too, that way.]

I wonder if there are any I'd be good at--but I'd be too worried about leaving Toothless behind.

Eh? If you're... offering. I don't want to make a scene [again]

[Her lips twitch up a little.] I'm not just going to open up the door and say "There, now you've seen me."

[She opens the door wider.] It's late, but if we talk in the kitchen for a few minutes, that will be fine. I don't think we'll wake anyone up.

[She's not planning on yelling at you - and hopefully there won't be a reason for you to yell at her.]

Oh. Sirry Craigs. [Guerrilla warfare. That's going to be hard.] There's plenty of snow up there right now... lots to work with. Weren't too many avalanche zones either.

[...hm. He folds his arms behind his back and nods. If she'll have him, then he'll go for it. Into the house!

...and by habit he sort of kicks his shoes off at the entrance]

Yeah, I can do that. [And goes to do just as she asked.

He pauses in the doorway and glances at her.] About Toph. [Because they both need to hear something, but neither want to talk about it.] I'm sorry she's gone.

Guess it's better to just try and forget about it...

[Try being the key word. But whatever, it's early, and that means it's time for food.]

Want some help with breakfast this morning?

[Ohh, that's a rude word to use as far as Katie's concerned. Her face grows even more stubborn.]

Did I say it was going to be fun? What makes you think I'm too young for anything?

[This sounds less worldly and more sulky.]

[The side-effect of that truth-compelling feeling, I'm afraid.]

Because there are some things that everyone is too young for. Sometimes you can't help it, but that doesn't mean you reach an age where it's okay. I'm a woman now, and it's still not okay.

[Katara shuts the door after him and pads into the kitchen on slippered feet.]

What kind of tea would you like?

[...is it her, or is this conversation kind of surreal?]

You know, I was going to say bacon, but I kept having to do repairs next to a pig farm. I might have to swear off meat. Or at least, meats made from pig.

[She pauses and - heh, Zuko, you've come far, boy - lowers her head for a moment.]

Yeah. Me too.

[And then just turning, always turning, to do what she has to do regardless of anything else.]

Yeah.

[He nods and heads back into the kitchen. Apparently, he has lists to make.]

A-ah... honestly, I don't know tea types much. But I'm sure anything Katara would make proves delicious to me.

[It is a bit surreal, actually. He's amazed to be in here. He's amazed to be... inside]

[...he's not sure how to respond. Had he really done anything worthy of a compliment like that?]

[All I am to you is a teacher, then?]

[...]

...you're a friend of hers, aren't you? From back home?

[...that's a strange way of talking. She gives him an inquiring look and then moves into the kitchen. He can feel free to sit on one of the bar stools by the counter or at the dining room table nearby.

She goes to fill the kettle up with water.]

I think some chamomile and jasmine would be nice. [Chamomile in particular. It's a nice, calming tea.]

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