[ Action ] .070

[markofthebrave]

[Katara is not doing well.

I know - I know I go back. I know I have something I need to finish. But how long is it going to be, Sokka? Other people, it seems like they go and come back all the time. And I can't help but wonder when it's going to be you and - and if it will ever be me."

"Sometimes I think it will never be me. But I can't do this without you."

But it had been him. It had been him, just like she'd been afraid it would be. And now the one person she had always known had her back was gone. She knew it wasn't fair, but she felt alone.

And angry. And helpless. And hurt. And angry.

"Sometimes I think it will never be me. But I can't do this without you."

She should have told him. She wasn't sure she could do this without him either.

Katara let Aang make the announcement. She didn't want to have to deal with his friends grief on top of her own. Maybe it was selfish, but maybe there was a time for that. There wasn't enough to do. She didn't really want to see anybody, but this wasn't like when she'd lost her mom. There were no emergencies. There was nothing to distract her.

But she couldn't stand being in the house Sokka had expanded, not after cleaning it from the second floor on down. If you're in the house, it's probably best not to get in her way.

Once that's done, there's still not enough to do. She goes out to practice bending by the river and takes her bo with her, just in case she wants to practice that too. But she mostly ends up sitting on a rock by the river, her feet dangling down and almost touching the water.]

Comments

[markofthebrave]

[There was no joy in Katara's practice, and it's a striking contrast. Waterbending was a practice depending on balance and fluidity, but there was a joy in Katara's movements that had always set them apart, made them art.

This is pain and anger. Raw emotions of grief and loneliness. And it's reflected in her bending.]

[savedtheworld]

[There is a fear that starts to creep in from approaching her, but beyond that, he's afraid just to see Katara bending like that. Without the art, without the life that he had been so used to seeing in her movements ever since they'd first met.

He stops some feet away and stiffens as he looks towards her. It hurts to see her like this. He's familiar with the value of letting things out and releasing pain, but there's still a line there. A line that once neared, you begin to lose yourself. Maybe she needed to release this pain, but maybe she also needed a reason not to give into it.

Aang manages to call to her in a soft tone.]

Katara.

[markofthebrave]

[Katara lets the water drop in a harsh motion that whips against the ground, cutting a gorge in it. She wants to snap at Aang, but he's been so terrified recently that she manages, just barely, not to do it.]

Yes, Aang?

[savedtheworld]

[He hesitates for a moment. He can feel the tension. Beyond the phobia that he's trying to resist, he's uncomfortably reminded of that night she went off to find her mother's killer. He looks towards her without flinching.]

I'm sorry if this is a bad time. I- I can leave if you want.

[And he remembers Silver's words to him on the matter:

'You misunderstood. I didn't say "you have to be there for everyone" or "you have to support everyone".

I said you can support each other. It's a two way street. Be there for her, listen to her, do your best for her, but open up to her, too. Tell her what you're telling me. The more you say, the better. Report, communicate, consult. '

It seems they've talked at this river many times about many sad things. Ever since he talked to the Katara who thought she was dying.]

But I felt like I couldn't rest until I've talked with you. And... this is the only time I could get myself to come here.

[He stands his ground and he tries to reword it.]

So I can leave if you want. And I can talk if you want. Or - or even just bend with you.

[markofthebrave]

[Katara listens to what Aang has to say. She doesn't really want to talk, but she recognizes that this was difficult for him. She considers for a moment.]

Would it help you if we walked while you talked?

[savedtheworld]

[He pauses for a moment and nods softly. He hoped he didn't sound too forceful, but he felt like he really had to speak his mind.]

I - I'd be fine with that, Katara. Walking's good.

[He's not sure if she has a specific direction in mind, so he waits to let her make the first move.]

[markofthebrave]

[She doesn't have a particular destination in mind. She just starts walking along the river, having some thought that being in motion will help Aang overcome his fear.]

[savedtheworld]

[And Aang walks quietly alongside her. It is helpful towards keeping his fear at bay - keeping in movement and not having to look at the other person. The vicinity was still enough to produce a nervousness and anxiety within him, but it was less overwhelming. After some moments of silence, he makes a brief glance towards Katara before speaking.]

It's still so hard to believe.

[Just like that, they were now in a Luceti without Sokka.]