[ 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]

No! [But he knows that. And that was almost above conversational level on her part again.]

[generalflirt]

["Ssh"-ing her wouldn't be productive here, instead he just dramatically shrugs, shaking his head]

Why is that?

[markofthebrave]

Because! [And some part of her takes in just how far he'd jumped away in order to make these statements like... like what, he was afraid she'd attack him for them? And she finishes out her statement with a small frown and a low voice and her gaze drops just a little.]

That's not what friends do.

[generalflirt]

True~ But I also have special circumstances involved here, wouldn't you say?

[Yes, still over here. He notices the frown though. If this doesn't provoke her to pepping up and backfires, he'll... improvise or something]

[markofthebrave]

No. [Because it's not as if you've asked me out.

...but.] Maybe.

[She looks back up at him.] But that's all the more reason not to joke around about it.

[Because CLEARLY maintaining the LINE OF FRIENDSHIP that must NEVER BLUR is as important to him as it is to her, right?]

[generalflirt]

[ do do do do ]

2/2 woops

[generalflirt]

[AND THEN A MOCK GASP! He leans forward, his eyes wide and he hoarsely whispers]

I was joking?!

[With exaggerated surprise]

I was so confused!

[markofthebrave]

[Success!

How do you do this, Masaomi, her heart is broken because of Toph and she is full of dread because of the mission and now she is laughing.

Giggling, really. Actual girlish giggles.]

[generalflirt]

[And he smiles too. Because seeing a cute beautiful girl like her laughing like that makes his heart soar. He feels accomplished, and when he leans back up, he actually struts a step forward]

[markofthebrave]

[When she recovers she looks up at him with a wry and affectionate look. She shakes her head slightly, amusement still tilting up the corners of her mouth. She tries for a mild reprimand.]

I'm starting to think you like getting me all stirred up.

[generalflirt]

Katara- [THIS FACE] If that was the case, I'd just need a recording of that laugh and a picture of that smile and there isn't a court in the world who would convict me.

[markofthebrave]

Pfff. [She scoffs in reply, and again shakes her head in a clear 'You crazy boy' gesture.

And - that's where her response ends because she's caught up in wonder - when did this kind of conversation become almost... normal?]

1/2

[generalflirt]

[Thumbs up. Which is like this in the conversation's lull. He would allow her to pick the next topic, but this hasn't gone well for him when she has so far, so he'll... do it. ]

[generalflirt]

In fact, I could even cook you up a "Welcome Home, Brave Soldier" dinner.

[...Then he would really be a maiden though]

[markofthebrave]

[Eyebrow of skepticism.]

You cook?

[generalflirt]

...Yes?

[markofthebrave]

Really?

[Still skeptical.]

[generalflirt]

...Yes really! I'm good at it too!

[Oops, raised his voice]

[markofthebrave]

[She raises her hands in mock surrender.]

All right, I believe you.

[No she doesn't. But she'll try to be less skeptical. She drops her hands. Besides, it's not that important anyway.]

But I don't think that's a good idea.

[generalflirt]

[...Not sure if she believes him. In fact]

Are you hungry now?

[markofthebrave]

No. It's late.

[...she might be, now that he mentions it.

She almost follows this up with "Shouldn't you be getting home?" But doesn't want to so directly tell him to leave yet, either.]

[generalflirt]

Late enough for a second dinner, if you ask me.

[...he just wants to prove himself at this point. That he can cook. He senses her doubt]

[markofthebrave]

[She groans a little. She's been cooking all day. Their refrigerator is stuffed with mostly completed meals that the household can eat while she's gone.]

Masaomi, I have to be up early tomorrow.

[generalflirt]

All the more reason to fill up on my efforts to ensure sound sleep!

[markofthebrave]

[Short of outright telling him to leave, Katara senses giving in is the fastest way of stopping this.]

What's the fastest thing you can make? [...] And we might not have the ingredients for it. I did a lot of cooking today.