markofthebrave | (no subject)

[Action: Locked to Nephry]
[It makes no sense for a known and proud waterbender to step out of the fountain in the middle of winter and remain soaking wet. But yet, that is exactly what she is doing: getting out of the fountain, her arms wrapped around herself, shivering, and looking both confused and frightened... and younger. About three years younger, to be exact.]

[Open action.]

Katara, properly attired to face the winter thanks to your friendly neighborhood Clothing Shop, can be seen:

a) Stopping and staring at the snow, as if she hasn't seen any in a very, very long time
b) Entering the Welcome Center to get the maps/layout of the place
c) Stalking House 56. She will not enter. She will likely not be seen, as she is administering a frightening amount of skill at sticking to the shadows, but you might catch her as she starts to walk away...
d) Checking out a Community Building for a spare room.

((Katara, returned from her mallynap, is experiencing this AU. Feel free to bump into her anywhere, but don't be too surprised if she doesn't respond to her name. It's been a long time since she's called herself anything Water Tribe.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You are in a village called Luceti. I imagine you probably haven't heard of it before. Will you come with me to the clothing shop? [It would be remiss of her to try to force Katara - or whoever this was that looked so much like her - but Nephry was worried.] You can warm up and dry off there.

I - I don't have any money.

[But she'd go with the lady with the strange colored hair anyway, if just to try off and figure out how to steal something.]

You won't need any. One of the strange quirks about this village is that nothing in the stores costs anything. [A quiet laugh.] I know it's hard to believe, but it's how we live.

Before I forget. [She extends a hand, without a whole lot of force behind it.] I'm Nephry.

[Katara carefully took the older woman's hand.]

Anji. And I'm sorry, the cold might be getting to me - did you say everything here was free?

It's a pleasure, Anji. [Finding her fingers ice-cold, Nephry tries to keep the girl's hand in hers for a moment longer, for warmth.] Yes, I did. You'll see when we get there, I'm sure. Shall we?

Ye-yes. Thank you.

[Hopefully she hasn't been exposed long enough to need a doctor. Nephry leads "Anji" along to the clothing shop, making sure to close the door firmly behind her to keep the warmth in.]

Why don't you sit down for now, and I'll bring over a few things you can change into when you've warmed up a little bit?

[Silently, Katara did as she was told - or near enough to it. She stayed standing, moving back and forth to keep her blood flowing. And her eyes darted all around, observing, remembering, calculating.]

[Winter clothes, winter clothes. Nephry pays special attention to a warm coat and boots, bringing over a few different outfits for Anji to consider.]

I'm sorry if I seemed like I was rushing you.

Na-not at all. You've been very kind.

[She wasn't sure she could trust it.]

I would not be less, to a New Feather. Besides, you remind me of a girl I know. [Nephry nods to a spot across the floor.] There is a room to change in over there, when you're ready.

[Basic survival needs first, questions later.]

Thank you.

[As Katara turns to go, under the curtain of long brown hair, Nephry may be able to make out faint patterns of scarring along her back. Stupid New Feather dresses.]

Of course. [She sees it just once, as Katara turns and her hair moves out of the way for a few seconds. Nephry's eyes narrow instantly at her back. Those burns...

But, no. The girl that happened to would have had more...problems than that, wouldn't she? Accessing the memories of her other self proves difficult, though she remembers some other burns on the child Katara's face.]

[Katara changed quickly and efficiently, though some of the new clothing proved challenging, she figured it out. She hadn't had to dress for the cold in a long time... but there were some things you didn't forget.

All right, Katara. Breathe.

Exiting the stall, she found Nephry again.]

Thank you again for all your help.

You're very welcome. There are some things you still need to hear, though, if you'll give me a little more of your time.

You brought me in from the cold and helped me get some clothes. I think the least I could do would be to give you a little more time, especially if you're going to tell me more about this place.

I will gladly tell you all I can about Luceti. Do you want to hear it here? We can go somewhere and get you something to eat first, if not.

I'm not really very hungry, thank you. I'd rather know about where we are.

Very well. The name of this village is Luceti. Is that familiar to you?

[She shook her head.] Should it be?

It is, sometimes, when people arrive here. [How was she ever going to explain all of this to...to this girl of whom she grew increasingly more suspicious?] Some of the things I have to tell you might scare or shock you, but please stay to listen to everything.

[Might as well begin with:] First of all, this is not your home, or anywhere near it. It is a world entirely separate from your own - but you may find some people you know living here as well.

[Katara absorbed this information silently. There would be time for questions later.]

An outside force brings us here...and then an organization called the Malnosso places us within villages like this one. For the most part, life here is peaceful and uncomplicated - for example, we don't use money or any other form of currency.

(no subject)

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