markofthebrave | [Action] .009

[Action] .009

[Due to Sokka's unexpected bout of sheer win, Katara has been given the gift of free time and she plans on making the most of it... after she was shooed back to bed due to threats from Sokka that made no sense at all.

First, she wants to check in on Sanji at the Strawhat's House. Then she wants to stop by the school and see if she can register to go once things are back to 'normal.' And... she has an idea that is going to lead her to the weapons shop. Finally, she'll go grocery shopping because they're running low on easy-to-cook things. Maybe she'll even get a chance to stand by the bridge and practice with real waterbending! ...although saving her strength to keep healing Zuko is probably a better idea. She'll probably just stare at the water wistfully and talk to Sona.

If you're around any of these places today, feel free to say 'Hey!' or give her hand, since she's not exactly sure how to do what she wants to do at the smithy or the school.]

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[Nash is in the weapons shop. He's looking at the bows, but he doesn't really seem to have any idea what he's looking for. Just that he's looking.]

[Katara doesn't really know what she's looking for... and it might have been better to wait for Sokka, but she's not sure she wants to explain this to him until she's made up her mind that she really wants to do it. When she sees Nash, she'll smile at him.]

Hi, Nash. Looking for something?

Sort of. I've been thinking of trying archery. I'm getting old, so if there was ever a fight, I'd want to be as far away from the danger as possible.

[She's been having such a good day, she actually feels like she can joke with him a little.] And how old is that?

[He laughs. He complains about being old regularly, but that's mostly for show.] Take your age, double it, and add half.

So, three times my age, huh? I guess you're right - that's practically ancient.

Two and a half times your age. I don't think I'm quite at three. But old enough to feel it.

Aaah. Sure, if you say so. [She could continue, but Katara was raised to be polite. She turns to look at the bows.] Have you used a bow before?

Once, about twenty years ago. But just as a part of basic training.

Training's different than when you're in a fight. [She casts him a sidelong glance.] What were you training for?

Didn't I already say, I was in the army once? It was mostly a ceremonial thing, though.

Did you? I don't remember. [Her voice turns a little bit wry.] It's been a busy month.

...but Nash, how can someone ceremonially be in an army? Didn't you have to fight?

A ceremonial division of the army. For parades, escorting dignitaries, that sort of thing. [He begins to count the functions on his fingers.] You have to wear a uniform.

[Katara will listen with this look on her face. For someone whose world has been at war for a hundred years, the idea of a purely ceremonial branch of the army seems about as probable as the wings on their backs.]

It's true! Armies are for more than just fighting wars, you know. They also keep the peace. [Also it was the rich kids division. And, uuuh, special forces.]

[Incredulous Katara is incredulous.] Armies keep the peace? You mean like magistrates? [Because any time she's ever seen that the soldiers are corrupt, incompetent, and cruel.]

Sure, like magistrates. Or police officers. In a city of a hundred thousand, there's bound to be a few thieves, right? You could also say it's easier to be at piece when you've got a large army, but that's a bit trickier.

...are the soldiers accountable to anyone? Or do they just get to do what they want?

[She really doesn't want to start thinking about this. Why get upset about something she can't change, in another world?]

No, of course not. Government is always accountable to the governed. The minute that stops, it ceases to be a government. [Not that Harmonia isn't a terrible place full of human rights atrocities, but...]

[She crosses her arms and looks steadily at the bows in front of her.] The only time I've ever seen soldiers 'enforcing the peace' is Fire Nation soldiers in occupied Earth Kingdom villages. They would march around and throw earthbenders in prison just for bending, threaten people with burning down their shops just to take whatever money they earned. They kept the village in a constant state of fear and hopelessness.

I'm glad it's not the same thing.

Do you think Fire Nation soldiers act the same in the Fire Nation?

[And a pause.]

But no, I'd never abuse a position of authority that way. If I had a position of authority. I was tried for treason, once, though. Except not so much with the trial part.

[Katara exhales sharply.] I know they do. I've seen it.

[A deep breath, and then she adds.] But not in every city. I've seen that too.

[And then she tilts her head to look at him and gives him a small smile.] But don't get me wrong - I wasn't accusing you. I was just surprised.

...so did you do it?

Commit treason? I guess it depends on your definition.

[Yay, a story!] What happened?

Sometimes I follow my conscience instead of my country. But in this case, it was just a political squabble. One faction rose to power, decided it didn't much like my family. Hence the treason.

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