[ 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

[markofthebrave]

[Frown. And she is practically convinced that she should just move on from this conversation. But... but...

But they lose people so easily here.]

If I give you a compliment, will you promise to take it as it is and not let it go to your head too much?

[She said, without turning around.]

[generalflirt]

Depends... Will you believe me if I give you one in return?

[...Okay that's cruel. He bites his lip as soon as he says it, immediately regretting it. That's too harsh and too direct. He shakes his head.]

-But ah... no. I'll promise either way.

[markofthebrave]

[She lets out an exasperated sigh at his initial response, and when she turns she crosses her arms under her chest and looks at him flatly. It's about the least complimentary way to give a compliment now, her tone is completely matter of fact. She hadn't intended to deliver it this way until his other statement exasperated her.]

I like your hair like this a lot. I think it brings out your eyes.

[generalflirt]

[...Pff he lightly cocks his head to the side]

My eyes? See, I'd've never thought of that.

[markofthebrave]

Well, there you have it.

[Conveniently, the kettle whistles. Katara quickly moves to remove it from the flame.

The exasperation she feels highlights her tiredness and stress, and Katara tries to put a damper on it - but she doesn't understand why he has to come around now and poke at things. See her, yeah, she could understand that, but...]

[generalflirt]

Well, then in return...

[He shifts here, forcing a smile to be on and remain on his face. This is something better said with a smile, all things considered. Much better like that]

You know, they aren't always obvious through the hair, but I like those earrings. Ah, it's a shame you don't wear mine as much I think, but those ones are cute.

1/2

[markofthebrave]

[Breathe.]

[markofthebrave]

[And then she turns around and looks at him.]

Thank you. Nami gave them to me when she pierced my ears. And you're being mean to me again. I don't need this right now, Masaomi.

[The corners of her eyes tighten.] I don't need you trying to hurt me at all.

1/3

[generalflirt]

[He looks at her, curiously, for a moment.]

2/3

[generalflirt]

[Mean? How on Earth is he being mean?]

[generalflirt]

I... I'm not trying anything, Katara. I genuinely think those are cute earrings, and I'm genuinely glad that you think my eyes are nice.

[He says this awkward. It leaves a weird taste in his mouth. As if he should be saying "sorry" but he's not quite sure why. Yes, he's being direct, but how on Earth was that mean?]

But ah... alright. The tea's done anyway.

[markofthebrave]

I meant the jab about me not wearing yours. [One hand goes up to her forehead in a very tired motion.

She sighs a little.]

But if you didn't mean anything by it, then I'm sorry.

[And she drops her hand and moves to pour him his tea and hand it to him.]

1/2

[generalflirt]

[He nods. and he takes it. The sour taste remains in his mouth, but he shakes that out. Dismisses it. No, he didn't do anything wrong]

[generalflirt]

[...He doesn't take a sip though. He just sets it down and sort of looks at it. And then he looks at her more seriously] So, a mission, is it?

[markofthebrave]

Mmm, yeah. [She leans against the counter and pours herself a cup of tea.] I'll be back in a week or so.

[generalflirt]

I see.

[A week? Well, that's... he can survive that...]

[markofthebrave]

[...well, if he's not going to ask, she's not going to offer. She stirs herself up to smile at him.]

I'll be fine. How's your tea?

[And she starts moving to exit the kitchen area and come to sit down beside him.]

[generalflirt]

[So she's not going to tell me what? He can't decide if that is or isn't fair. He shifts, and then goes to take a sip]

Ah. Good.

[markofthebrave]

Good.

[And she takes a seat, leaning her elbows on the counter with her tea untouched between her arms.

Moon and stars, she's tired. She still doesn't completely know how to deal with him. She's trying not to hold back, but being around him causes a strain on her heart, a demand she can't meet, and she doesn't know what to do.]

[generalflirt]

[Is it fair or not fair to ask? He sort of falls into a thoughtful expression, putting his elbows on the counter and narrowing his eyes. He takes a few sips - mostly to try to not portray how much thought is going into this - but...]

[markofthebrave]

[And right now, her thoughts are drifting to Toph, so... she glances at Masaomi curiously. He's not usually so quiet.]

What are you thinking about?

1/2

[generalflirt]

[...Ah. He shifts, and then goes for a sip of the tea to buy him time. He sniffs it afterwards, keeping an eye on her. But in the end, he sets it down. Asking... would be too much, so he needs to derail-]

Well I was thinking- [He has a smirk on as he says this, a forced one-] well more I was-

[...And then he catches what he was doing. About to do. He bites his lip, frowns, sighs]

[generalflirt]

--Bah.

[Ugh. why did it have to play out like this. Toph's gone (which is cool and all but he knows this is upsetting to her) and... now she's going to be missing. All right after he did that on Friday. Ugh]

[markofthebrave]

[That actually... wins possibly his first completely real smile of the night. It's small, but it's genuine.]

You were thinking "bah?"

[And the tone of her voice suggests laughter.]

1/2

[generalflirt]

[ ... His heart skips a beat ]