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[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]

[Katara is sitting on a stone by the river. She has a knife in her hand, and her thumb is tracing the pommel in slow movements. She doesn't look up as Law approaches, doesn't say anything.]

[deathsdoctor]

[He purposely makes noise as he walks, stones clacking underfoot. He doesn't see the knife at first, not until he gets closer. Once he does, however, he frowns deeper, brow creasing. It looks from this angle like the knife he's seen her often carrying and he's doubly glad he's making his presence obvious now.

There's a rock next to hers and that's where he chooses to sit, looking at her before glancing out over the water. There's no good thing to say. I'm sorry seems trite. So does half a dozen other things. This was nothing to be glad over even if it was supposed to be a good thing.

There's no way to make it better. But he can be there. So he'll stay by her side as long as it's needed. Trying to break the ice might come later. But not now. Right now he'll let things simply be.]

[markofthebrave]

[For all the response Katara gives, she might not be aware that Law is even there. In fact, it's a very good bet that she isn't.]

[deathsdoctor]

Katara...

[It comes out almost like a sigh. It's clear by now that she's so lost in her head that she likely wouldn't even look up for something like a rampaging bull. It's painful in itself.

It worries him a little as well. Luceti isn't what it was - the days of Yuber and the like long past - but still. One never knew what Luceti could decide to unleash on a whim.]