[ 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

[generalflirt]

Ah, no, you don't need to.

[Really, he's got this. But okay, fork it is. Before he goes for it though force of habit sees him clapping his hands together to say "itadakimasu" and then waiting for her to take the first bite anyway]

[markofthebrave]

[That's not something she's completely unfamiliar with due to school lunch and World Sharing Class, but it still makes her blink a moment. Oh.

And as she's reminded of the differences in their world, she tugs on a strand of loose hair nervously. This isn't improper. They weren't doing anything wrong. But still, without her hair done and eating late at night together like this... it was maybe more casual than she should have allowed. But then, she thought he'd be stepping by for a few minutes. She had no idea it would have turned into... this. Maybe a walk would have been better--

--oh, he's waiting for her?

Digging in, then.]

It's... not bad. [Another bite.] I mean, it's a little sweet, but it's really very tasty!

[Genuine opinion. Not even trying to dress it up.]

[generalflirt]

Hah! See, and this is just some simple thing I made in twenty minute, time it.

[And he'll go for his might now too. Oh, good - it's lacking a little substance in his opinion from the lack of chicken, but the rice and egg combo works regardless really]

[markofthebrave]

[And taking another bite, she can't help but smile wryly at his bragging.]

Yes, very impressive. And you didn't even wake anyone up!

[generalflirt]

You can call me the Real Slim Shady.

[Complete with wiggling fingers on the hand which has the fork in it before he goes for another bite]

[markofthebrave]

The what?

[generalflirt]

Luceti's Most Wanted: Ladykiller Masa-Masa.

[markofthebrave]

[Katara's not certain if she wants to laugh, gape at him in horror, or check to see if her eggs somehow went bad and her face reflects her emotions clearly.]

What?

[generalflirt]

...It's a joke? Come on, my jokes are funny.

[markofthebrave]

[Now at that, she starts laughing. Just tired little near-soundless laughs.]

No, they're really not.

[generalflirt]

Haarsh. Haaaarsh.

[POUT. And he goes to eat some more]

[markofthebrave]

[Katara eyes his soda, momentarily considering stealing some of it. But then she talks the impulse up to a brief bout of insanity and vaguely wonders if his is contagious.]

All right. Sometimes you can be funny. But that really wasn't.

[She takes another bite of food.]

[generalflirt]

[He hasn't touched it yet himself. Mostly because... well. He's not sure it would be apt to drink the caffeine this late at night. But. He doesn't follow that look either, instead just laughing and taking another bite before-]

Oh, sometimes. I'm improving!

[markofthebrave]

Mmmm. [She smiles at him with tired sass.] Well, we can always hope.

[generalflirt]

True. I might even need to take up poetry.

1/2

[markofthebrave]

[Katara swallows that last bite of rice hard, her eyes going wide and wary as she remembers the last time he recited a poem.]

2/3

[markofthebrave]

[She starts to respond with something else, but then she suddenly remembers - Toph's not here to be your critic now.

And Katara lowers her head, frowning a little and trying to keep him from seeing the sorrow crossing her face.]

[markofthebrave]

[She looks up and tries to smile. It's a poor attempt.]

Sure. I mean. If you think it'll be funny.

[Because that is clearly what they were talking about, right?]

1/2

[generalflirt]

[That might have been a misfire. He nods, taking another bite. He looks her over, taking in how tired and vulnerable she is for perhaps the first time tonight altogether. He's trying to help her but... maybe he's pushing to hard. Well then-]

[generalflirt]

Tell you what? You can review my first official work when you're back.

[markofthebrave]

[Something like relief crosses her face.

Finally.]

That, I can do.

[Something he asked for that she can actually give him.]

[generalflirt]

I'll have to put all the effort into the work~

[He shrugs now, laughing to himself.]

[markofthebrave]

[Heh.] Then I'll look forward to it.

[Finished now with her impromptu second dinner, Katara slides off the stool and takes her plate with her to start cleaning up.]

[generalflirt]

[wHAT NO HE WAS SUPPOSED TO CLEAN. In fact, he leaps to his feet to try to play interception for it. He makes a sound of disagreement. He was pretty much done too, but]

[markofthebrave]

[She glances over at him in mild surprise. And then as he goes to intercept, she steps to the side.]

Are you done?