markofthebrave | [ Voice, Action ] .017

[It's the second day of a heatwave, and it's amazing how little things like weather can drive man-eating butterflies, flying trees of burning pointy doom, and missing friends from a Southern Watertibe girl's mind. ...OK, maybe not that last one, but she's feeling this heat in her bones, man, and it's driven her to put on her Fire Nation outfit and just lounge around, trying not to think about the horrible things she's seen week... which of course makes her think about the horrible things she's seen everywhere.

But the best way to get rid of bad memories is to think about good ones... and when that fails, make them.

And so, Katara Has An Idea. She grabs her brother, he agrees, and they make their way to the center of the square and set up a table. It's laden with fruits and sugars and stacks of glasses.

A little bit of waterbending later? And that fountain is now completely iced over, meant to resemble one of their 'Great Wonders of the World', an ice oasis in the middle of the desert.

When they're all set up, Katara makes a voice entry.]

Hey, everyone! Come on to the fountain for free fruit slushies!

[Feel free to come upon them on any part of the process, stop by for a slushie, or take a look at the pretty ice-fountain! Either Sokka, Katara or (eventually, as I have to run out right now) both will answer!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Richard. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Katara.

You said this wasn't magic, but bending... may I ask what this 'bending' is?

Oh - you don't need to call me Miss. Katara is fine.

And bending, well... [She really needs to think of a nice condensed way to say this.] In my world, there are four elements. Water, earth, air, and fire. There are people from each nation that can learn to 'bend' an element - but it's not with spells or anything like that.

What kind of magic do you do?

So in other words, it's a means of controlling the elements using some sort of innate power instead of magic? That's amazing; I've never heard of anything quite like that.

As for my own magic, I'm only capable of offensive spells, not healing or anything of that sort. I'd show you, but I don't want to risk casting in such a populated area.

Yeah - that's OK. I think the square's seen enough of that for a while. [But she's still interested. Katara really wants to learn how to fight against magic, since so many people here seem to have it.]

And I guess you're right about it being some kind of power that comes from inside of us, but if we're going to be any good at it, we have to learn the forms. We bend through movement, like this.

[And she steps towards the statue, raises her arms, and causes part of the ice on the top of it to curl around, simulating a frozen wave, and then leaves it there.] See?

The movement channels the power, and the element follows suit... [Out of curiosity, he leans over to touch the ice. Yeah, that's very much real ice there.]

Simple, yet perfectly logical.

That's.... actually a really good way of putting it. I've never really thought of it like that before.

Do you have a lot to do with magic in your world?

Me personally or my world in general?

Either?

There are many people in my world who use magic in various capacities. I wouldn't consider myself to be especially skilled in it, though it isn't something the average person is capable of using without proper training.

What is the magic like? Is it all for war?

No, there's healing and support magic as well, but most of it does get used for combat.

Is there a lot of war where you're from, then?

Thankfully not... for the most part, my world is peaceful. That's not to say that there isn't the occasional conflict, however.

[She nods.] And you come from a time where there's conflict? That's why you know combat magic?

Edited 2010-05-26 01:28 (UTC)

My father considered it a worthwhile skill to have despite the lack of conflict while I was growing up. He felt that I should at least know how to defend myself if the need arose, though he hoped it would not. It was the same as the reason behind my training in swordsmanship.

[She nods again.] I think your dad was right. It's important to know how to defend yourself, and protect the people that you care about.

[And he shakes his head.]

I'm afraid I haven't been doing a very good job of that so far.

[...oh.] I'm sorry.

[A wry chuckle.]

Why are you apologizing? It's hardly your fault.

[She laughs a little.] I know - but I also know what it's like not to be strong enough yet. To be able to protect the people you care about. I thought I was getting there, but in this place... [She shakes her head.]

There might only be so much we can do, but that doesn't mean we stop trying. So don't give up, Richard. Sometimes, even when it doesn't seem like anything can change what's happened... something does.

Thank you, Katara. As strange as it sounds, this place may be the best chance I have of becoming stronger. I'm not going to waste the opportunity I've been given here, not when there are people depending on me back in my world. I'll fight to protect them as well.

[...she... tactfully decides not to mention that people don't remember what happened here when they go home. Today is a day for slushies and fun.]

Well. I hope it works out for you that way.

Did you want a slushie?

As do I.

[Fortunately, slushies provide enough of a distraction for him at the moment, so he'll be examining the fruit she has available.]

I would, thank you... could you make a strawberry one?

Sure! [And assuming Sokka went off somewhere, Katara gets out a knife and puts the mixture of strawberries, sugar, and ice in the blender. A few moments later, they're all set. She pours him the glass and hands it to him.]

There you go.

[Richard accepts the glass with a smile and takes a sip.]

Thank you, Katara, for the slushie and for the support. I truly appreciate your kindness.

[ Voice, Action ] .017

[Action] my kingdom for an edit button

[Action] I know that feeling

[Action] Richard is my only non-paid character, I've gotten so spoiled

[Action] Aaaah, I know what you mean! It's hard to go back to not having it.

[Action] He'll probably end up with one too once I scan the hell out of the doujinshi I have XD

[Action] Oh-ho~ Welcome back to the dark side.

[Action] Back on the dark side thanks to some kind anon!

[Action] Cool!

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