[ Action, Voice ] .056

[markofthebrave]

[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.]

Comments

oh right - sleeping. >>

[markofthebrave]

[Her head snaps up.]

If I wanted something from the kitchen, I could get it myself.

[Because that's clearly all they're talking about here.]

what is sleep?

[burningdownfate]

[Well, yeah. She could. But he has other questions he's trying to ask and she's not cooperating here.]

You all right?

[So he'll just ask.]

something I miss more each minute, /sob

[markofthebrave]

[No, of course I'm not all right!]

Toph's gone. Two days of our memories are missing. And I'm going on a mission tomorrow.

[That last bit is probably news to him.]

I'm just peachy.

/patpat

[burningdownfate]

Yeah. I know. [Unimpressed, he is.

... Wait.] Mission?

[markofthebrave]

[In a gesture of both disgust and trust, Katara tosses her journal open to him. The page of her summons is marked.]

I leave tomorrow.

[burningdownfate]

[Zuko reads the summons quickly, frown hardening.]

Great. That's just... great.

1/2

[markofthebrave]

[Breathe.

Just breathe.]

[markofthebrave]

[She stands up.]

It'll be fine. I'll help you get everything ready for the house and cook as much as I can to last you all the week, and see you when I get back. The timing is lousy, but everyone will be okay.

[burningdownfate]

[...Uh. He blinks at her. The timing sucks but they can take care of themselves.]

We can cook, you know.

[markofthebrave]

[She gives him a look.] I've had your cooking. It's not bad, but do you really want to eat it for a week?

[Note how she graciously leaves Suki and Sokka out of this.]

[burningdownfate]

... I can help you with some stuff.

[markofthebrave]

That [And she gives him a smile, something fragile and real] would be good. Thanks, Zuko.

[burningdownfate]

[He shrugs.] Just let me know when you're ready.

[markofthebrave]

[Another breath and she sets her shoulders.]

Why don't you make a list of dishes that will keep well in advance and take a look at what we have so I know what to pick up at the store. I'll... make the announcement in the meantime. Then we can get started.

[burningdownfate]

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.

[markofthebrave]

[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.]

[burningdownfate]

Yeah.

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