[ Action, Voice ] .060

[markofthebrave]

[Katara hadn't been sleeping well to begin with, the moon was full and bright and her blood was restless - at least, that was her excuse. The truth of the matter was that ever since Masaomi, and then Aang had confessed, she hadn't known peace. It was manifesting in shallow sleep, in more determined than genuine cheer. So when the moon woke her - it was so bright tonight, like one of Luceti's streetlights - she tossed and turned futilely before getting up.

She dressed quietly, making sure to take the 'holy water' waterskin, and walked along the river. Though the way she was feeling, the holy water would be the last recourse if confronted with the vampire. She felt like unleashing the full power of the river on something. Her neck prickled, restless, tense, practically itching for the excuse to focus all her agitation into a fight, a sanctified, no holds barred clash of water and strength and agility, a focus, a clarity so that she wouldn't have to worry about her torn heart, or the hearts of those she loved anymore.

She'd go on a mission, if she thought it would help. But she didn't want to have to kill anyone. And Aang was here. ...and she especially didn't want to have to kill anyone while Aang was here.

Eventually, she reached the Southern Lake and stood, staring at the moon and its reflection for long moments. The serenity of the scene failed to soothe her and with a loud "HAH!" she shifted form and tore a burst of water straight through the surface of the lake until it towered as high as the trees before she abruptly pulled it back and up, catching it before it crested the edge of the lake and turning the raised water into a thousand smaller drops.

She felt a little better, until she noticed all the lakeside creatures she'd stirred to life with her childish display. Lightly ashamed of herself, she moved to sit by one of the slides she and the first Toph had constructed, contenting herself with shattering the lake's serenity with a handful of pebbles every now and again.]

[After a late night out, Katara slept in to nearly noon this Saturday... morningish. It felt good. She didn't have a shift in the Med Lab today, so today was a day for... errands. Study and maybe some time on the koto and running into town to make sure she had as much as she needed for dinner, but... she also had time to address the journal, if she wanted.]

Hey, Luceti - it's a lazy sort of Saturday. Now's a good time to share some famous stories from our worlds, don't you think? Does anyone know any famous adventures? ...or love stories?

[What is love? Baby don't hurt me...]

I know a pretty good one. It takes place in the Earth Kingdom, a long time ago, before there were earthbenders...

[She'll just leave that there, not wanting to spam in case of a lack of interest.

Of course, the chances are also good that one of her housemates or friends may decide to claim her attention for something else entirely. So if anyone wants to do that, or bump into her as she runs to the grocery store, or spy on her while she's playing music, this is a lazy Saturday, come as you are sort of deal.]

Comments

[markofthebrave]

[She smiles a little.] Me-me or her-me?

[generalflirt]

You-you. [And he folds his hands together, adopting a more serious and strong expression. It would be wrong for him to wish a happier fate on her. He killed her. He bears all of that responsibility and ultimately, it was for this woman in front of him. While it is a relief for him to be forgiven, it does not change he has never regretted that action.


...Even so, he wishes it on her as well]

[markofthebrave]

You don't have to worry about my fate, Masaomi. It's kind enough.

[Disturbingly... settled, but... it was kind. She was sure that there was love there, between them. There was love now - who could say how it would have changed?

And she had friends who cared for her, family who supported her, and in the end, she was going to get home and end the war. That was enough. It was more than enough.]

[generalflirt]

Ah, I haven't seen that.

[Lightly, but with a sharp edge]

[markofthebrave]

[She frowned, tempted to snap back at him all the reasons why she was fine, but then... that wouldn't really answer his accusation, would it.]

Why do you say that?

[generalflirt]

I won't say there haven't been pleasant moments, because after all of course there have been. But again and again, I've seen you suffering. [And it is so frustrating] That doesn't seem kind to me.

[markofthebrave]

[She blinked.]

We all have times of suffering here, Masaomi. The important thing is going through it without losing sight of who you are, or abandoning hope. And I haven't yet. And a large part of that is because of my friends here.

[She smiled a little.]

With my friends, I'd say fate has been very kind.

[generalflirt]

Friends aren't fate. Friendship isn't something so easy as that it falls in your lap... right?

[It has to be the case. It's been hard. It's natural, but it's not automatic]

But if that's the case, Katara, then why don't you let me in on the secret?

[markofthebrave]

No... friends aren't automatic. But neither is anything else that's happened here.

[Give her a chance to get her bearings, jeez.]

[generalflirt]

[...He cocks a smirk and actually spouts this out mock jovially] Except us aging.

[markofthebrave]

Well, that happens anywhere.

[And then she looks up at him.]

I really don't think telling you is a good idea. Are you sure you want to know?

1/2

[generalflirt]

With how much else that happens here? I wouuuld not be surprised if they can stall that.

[generalflirt]

[And then more seriously] Ah, I have a simple question then. Is my ignorance beneficial for you, or beneficial for me?

[markofthebrave]

[She looked down.]

...I'm not sure anymore. Both, I guess.

[generalflirt]

[He leans back in his chair some-] Because, if it's for me, I refuse. If it's for you, then I'll respect that because aaah~ I've made things hard enough for you with this life of mine. And if it's for someone else-

[Well, he just shrugs]

[markofthebrave]

You'll respect it - but you won't let it go. It will keep bothering you, and you'll keep trying to find out, is that right?

[generalflirt]

...Give me some credit, no means no!

[markofthebrave]

[She just looks at him. Whether or not she and Shikamaru broke up last night, she'll give his roommate credit for knowing him, at least.]

[generalflirt]

[...He tries to meet that gaze with an even one of his own. He won't push at least? Yeah, totally!]

[markofthebrave]

[She sighed. Yeah. She doesn't believe him.

Might as well get it over with where she can sport some damage control.]

In Aang's present and my future, we're dating.

1/2

[generalflirt]

[Oh, that's slightly more than expected, but ti fit within the pattern, didn't it? Hearing her say it really should prompt more of an emotional reaction out of him, shouldn't it? But all it really does is make him sit normally in the chair and lean in over the table. He keeps eye contact with her...]

[generalflirt]

Ah, so he is.

[He's smiling, isn't he? She finally trusted him with that much. Maybe he should be more hurt but for this moment, he isn't]

[markofthebrave]

[She blinks in surprise.]

That's it?

[That's all he has to say?]

[generalflirt]

Isn't that all there is to it?

[It's in the future. Irrelevant]

[markofthebrave]

Yes.

[Because she's made up her mind.]

I just thought you'd be more surprised.

[And the miscommunication begins.]