[ 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

[deathsdoctor]

Unwrap it and and take a look.

[markofthebrave]

[And so, she does so.]

Pemmican!

[deathsdoctor]

I thought you could use something that will keep out there. And will stay tasty.

[markofthebrave]

Oh, this is perfect. [Prepare for a brief hug.] Thank you.

[And she pulls back.] I didn't even think about it.

[deathsdoctor]

You're welcome.

[Katara hugs are the only hugs he'll accept. Along with Bepo hugs.]

You have a lot on your mind. They don't give much notice for these things. So... this is one less thing you have to worry about.

[markofthebrave]

[Between Toph - and Masaomi - and trying to make it so that everyone's taken care of - yeah, she hadn't even thought about food.]

I guess it was silly of me to assume that the Malnosso would have stuff we need.

[She says this slowly... she's obviously been getting far too used to the convenience of this cell, and it worries her.]

I'd much rather eat this anyway. Thank you.

[deathsdoctor]

[It's a danger they all face. And there's a lot of things he could choose to say at this juncture. He settles on this:]

So... where are you heading out to?

[markofthebrave]

[A quick glance at him, and then she looks down, mentally debating... she looks back up.]

The mountains.

[deathsdoctor]

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.

[markofthebrave]

Yeah. I was there on a draft once.

[A shadow enters her eyes for a moment.]

Don't worry, I'll be fine.

[deathsdoctor]

[He doesn't miss that. He does squeeze her shoulder.]

Can't help the worry, but I know you will be. [And you are stronger than you know. Strong enough for this.

And strong enough to get through everything here, coming at you now.]

[markofthebrave]

Well, try not to, anyway. [She smiles a bit.] I wouldn't have signed up for it - [if they hadn't kept taking Toph] - if I didn't know I could handle it.

[deathsdoctor]

[Mmmmm...]

Is there anything I can do for you while you're gone. Keep an eye on?

[markofthebrave]

[She thinks about it.]

No, I don't think so. Sokka's back and Zuko and I are making dinners for everyone, so... [She shrugs a little] Just take care of yourself.

[deathsdoctor]

Okay. That I can do.

[He is pretty good at the taking care of himself deal.]

Good luck out there. I'll see you when you get back.

[markofthebrave]

I should get back to cooking...

[She smiles a little.]

But thanks again.