[Action, Voice] .011

[markofthebrave]

[Sometime early this afternoon, Katara escapes from the house with no particular destination in mind. All she knows is that Zuko is finally well enough to be left alone, and even if he's not Roku - Roku - is around so he's not exactly unprotected.

But between Zuko, Roku, Jet... and the imminent battle with Aku... Katara desperately needs some time to clear her head. And just as importantly - this is her first spring. When they'd left the South Pole with Aang, the world was already in bloom. This is the first time she's actually gotten to see blossoms on trees or fields of budding flowers, and even though the Easter Egg hunt gave her some time to explore, she just can't get enough of it. It's a thousand new sounds and smells, and the thunderstorm has left the sky freshly washed and the blossoms are bright against the green.

She is not headed anywhere in particular, although she has a vague notion of checking in on Tanyuu, she's not sure where Ginko's friend has settled. So after wandering around the borders of the forest and any other place where there may be flowers, and lying down in a field and staring up at the clouds for a while, Katara will head back into town. Once there, she'll poke around the town square for a bit... and decide to explore some of the community houses, because she's only been in there once before and they seem to have mysteriously... grown.

And this is how she ends up on the roof of Community Building 4, leaning on the edge with her journal in her lap and a smile on her face.]

Tanyuu, if you'd like to meet somewhere for tea or something, I'd like to see how you're settling in.



[Feel free to have bumped into her at any point!]

Comments

[Action] ...Hooo, crap, how's that icon get there? Supposed to be this.

[markofthebrave]

I know. [Pause.] Hopefully he's smarter than that. We have different worries here.

[Action]

[markofthewise]

Too many if you ask me. Remember the good old days when we only had one enemy?

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

Heh. You mean Zuko? Or Zhao? Or the entire Fire Nation Army? Or the pirates? Or Azula? Or anyone who could see Aang and report him?

It's bad, Sokka. But we've been through bad before. One day at a time.

[Action]

[markofthewise]

Yeah, but all of them were on the same side, mostly. Except the pirates, which was your fault.

[But that's not the point. Well, except bringing up the pirates thing. Never gonna let her forget that.] Yeah. Just sometimes they really seem to add up.

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

[She maintains that it was almost-totally worth it. Besides, there will be no pouting today. Today is a gorgeous day, and they could all be dead in a few days, so she's just going to enjoy it, thanks very much.]

That would be because you are so old. I'm going to have to get you a cane soon.

[Action]

[markofthewise]

You might be right. I'm thinking maybe I should go ahead and grow a nice beard before I pass away.

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

Right. Because that worked so well for Haru.

[Action]

[markofthewise]

I know! If you had told me that when I first met the guy, I would have laughed. But it made him very dignified.

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

[...Sometimes she wonders about you.] No.

[And she punches his shoulder again.] And no dying!

[Action]

[markofthewise]

Fine, fine. I'd want a better beard anyway.

Like this. [... does he always have this beard on hand? It would seem so.]

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

[She'd laugh, but... seriously?] Why are you carrying that beard around?

[Action]

[markofthewise]

You never know when people need advice, young lady.

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

Yeah? Well while you're giving out advice -- what are we going to do about Roku?

[Action]

[markofthewise]

He's going to find out eventually. I think it would be better if it came from one of us. [He strokes at his beard.] He's going to blame himself for the war.

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

If he even believes us at all. ['Cause. Let's face it. Stopping the war WAS his job.]

[Action]

[markofthewise]

Well, that's his choice. He deserves to know either way.

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

[She can't argue with that, but...] I don't like this. Why should he have to know something he hasn't even done yet?

[Action]

[markofthewise]

He shouldn't. But do you really think Jet is going to give him that option?

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

Maybe if we... no. I don't.

[Amazing how a few minutes in someone's company can remind you that they are kind of a jerk. Amazing how she still sort of feels weird about him anyway.]

[Action]

[markofthewise]

[Off comes the beard.]

And we have no idea who might show up afterward. Like I said. It's best he hears it from us. Zuko could tell him but... the guy isn't good at explaining things. At all.

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

Yeah. No kidding. [She watches where you put that beard. She still can't believe you carry that thing around.]

Maybe we should all talk to him. ...I don't think he needs to know that Sozin left him to die.

[Action]

[markofthewise]

There's some stuff that only you, me, and Toph know from what Aang told us, anyway. I doubt Jet or Zuko know anything about that stuff.

[And the beard? He just slips it in a pocket. Or does he?]

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

[She nods.] ...Sokka? ...what if - what if we tell him. And somehow when he goes back? He remembers?

[Action]

[markofthewise]

[He thinks about that.]

... I don't know. If he changed things... I think it would be better. The War would have never happened, the Air Nomads would still be around, and our village... [And our mom...]

We would have never met Aang. We wouldn't even be the same people.

[Action]

[markofthewise]

[But then he turns to look at her.]

... but I don't think that would happen. If that was possible, we would have already been affected by it. We are the same people, so clearly he hasn't done anything to the timeline.