[ 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]

[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.

[generalflirt]

Fastest...?

[Fastest... Fastest which is still impressive. He considers a moment and then nods to himself. Yes, let's do something like that]

Omurice. So I'll need rice, ketchup, eggs, and possibly chicken if you still have any of that. If you don't, I'll improvise.

[And he rolls his hoodie up over his head to toss it off. If he's going to cook he doesn't need more than just his undershirt! So his wings are on display and his hoodie is on the counter as he determinate like heads to the fridge

[markofthebrave]

[She is STILL SKEPTICAL. Dude, this is her kitchen.]

We've got eggs. There might be some chicken in the freezer.

[...he's shedding clothes now. Oh spirits.] ...how fast is fast?

[generalflirt]

Well if the chicken's frozen, enough time to dethaw it. If I forgo it, eeeeh, maybe twenty minutes at best.

[Oh, eggs. Okay that goes on the counter. What about the ketchup? And maybe some vegetable if any are in here. Going to check out the fridge for that before she decides if the chicken should be in. After that he'll look for rice (and if there is a rice cooker or not) before going to collect himself some pans, and maybe a little vegetable oil.

Not that he knows where all of this is, but]

[markofthebrave]

[She's cringing here. Loud, Masaomi. Loud.

As he's looking around he'll find pans in cabinets under the counter, a rice cooker on top of the counter, and the oils are under the sink.

Opening the refrigerator he will also find the evidence of the fruits of her and Zuko's labor - enough food to feed the Avatar house for a week.]

I'm not sure this is the best idea.

[generalflirt]

[Sweet, there's even Ketchup. That goes on the counter too. to be fair, he's trying to be quiet (when he finally finds the pans though that... doesn't go perfectly) and he takes notes of certain other oddities in the organization and contents... Before, well, putting the rice in the cooker and cracking two eggs into the pan. He doesn't bother to go bowl-> pen, just cracks them on the edge of the pan after turning the stove on.]

Eeeh, what are you talking about?

[markofthebrave]

[...okay, that was fast.

And the egg move was mildly impressive.

And no one's woken up yet, so... /sigh. Katara moves to sit on one of the stools. Normally, she'd ask if she could help, but 1) she doesn't really want to and 2) she has a feeling that would be defeating the purpose anyway.

She rests her chin on her hand.]

If anyone else wakes up, just don't be surprised if you have to cook for them too.

[She's not - exactly - pouting here. She's really just tired.]

[generalflirt]

I guess that's a risk I'll have to take. so I'd be cooking for... three?

[He knows there is Sokka here, and Sokka's girlfriend thing. He actually has never seen Zuko or Mai, so he doesn't know they are here. Meanwhile, he'll just be scrambling the eggs while he waits for the rice... it's really a shame that he didn't find non-frozen chicken though. At least he found some mixed vegetables to throw in which are on the counter too]

[markofthebrave]

[Six. Seven, counting him.

...heh. Five. Katara looks down.]

Depends on who wakes up - let's just hope they don't.

[Sigh. And then back up.] Do you want me to defrost the chicken?

[generalflirt]

Mm. [And then he looks at her, dully. He should put an apron on... but he doesn't want to do that in a house not his. So instead he just gives her a look] No, I got this.

[Oh, rice's done. Well then let's get to scooping some into this other pan (the eggs are mostly scrambled anyway) to mix it in with a bit of vegetable oil and some ketchup and some mixed vegetables. This is all heated/mixed in one go]