markofthebrave | [ Voice, Action ] .017

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[ 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

[Sorry, Katara, he's going to kneel. It might disrupt the shade a bit.]

Your work is impressive. Is everyone capable of bending, or is it a special talent?

[~~Aww, man. Shade!~~ Katara is taken aback. Your question is a good one, but first things first - what the heck?]

Uh - you can sit next to me by the fountain if you want.

Edited 2010-05-26 04:10 (UTC)

[...He was already standing there and the ground is just fine? This is some sort of weird social thing, isn't it? But she's looking at him funny, so he gets up and sits next to her. He looks defiantly unruffled about the misunderstanding.]

I didn't wish to intrude.

[...OK, now that was much less weird. She scoots over so he can have some more room.] It's a public fountain. And it feels good to have the ice at your back.

[Alright, the chill does feel good, even if he did grow up in a tropical forest. And she's being very kind to him, so he's somewhat encouraged.]

You don't mind my questions?

[Katara shrugs a little.] Not if you don't mind answering some back. We're all from so many different worlds - I think it's good to compare, and learn about each other.

Plus, it's interesting.

My world is [...profoundly messed up, for starters] uninteresting, but if you are curious, I will answer.

Heh - I'm sure your world probably only seems uninteresting to you. It's your home, after all.

[She reaches a hand down to where some of the ice has turned to water and starts idly playing with it, not quite bending, just making shapes with her fingers in the water. It's freezing cold and feels good.] You first. What were your questions?

[He watches her hand for a moment. There's something soothing about the fountain, even frozen over. He almost wants to dip his fingers in the water too, but... He looks at them. Gauntlets.]

Can everyone do this, or is it rare?

[A shadow crosses her face.] There used to be a lot more, before the war. But, no, even though it's not exactly rare, some people are benders and most aren't. And just having the ability isn't enough. You have to train in order to master the element.

[He looks a little surprised, before his expression turns neutral again.] How are they treated?

[She's surprised at the question, and it shows.]

Benders? Well, I guess. With respect - but also, it's just part of life. In the Earth Kingdom, earthbenders guard the walls and push along these giant boxes to make it so people can travel safely and quickly in the large cities. Benders are hunters and builders and soldiers, just like anyone else.

[Just like anyone else...? A pause, and then-] Those who cannot aren't looked down upon?

[She's surprised at this question too. But it brings to mind her brother's idiot insecurities and her own upbringing - the only bender in a village full of other, useful people - where her one special skill was worth nothing.]

No. They're not. There might be a couple of idiots who would think that way, but while benders might be more powerful, power isn't everything. A skilled warrior who gets close enough can do just as much harm as a bender - or more.

[He looks thoughtful now, like he's staring at the fountain and seeing something else entirely.]

But that is a good thing. [-wait. Not the harm, part. He rushes to clarify.] That both are treated equally.

[She nods a little at this.] It is - it wouldn't be right otherwise.

[There's a slight pause.] Why are you asking me these questions? Do you have problems like that on your world?

[Well it's not like it's a difficult conclusion to come to...]

Those without additional abilities are not looked kindly upon.

[She doesn't like the sound of that at all.]

That's stupid. People aren't important just because of what they can do - they're important because they're people. If you have power than you should be using it to help the people around you - what's the point of having it otherwise?

I would not argue otherwise; but changing the beliefs of an entire world is not a simple task.

[He looks uncomfortable for a moment, and then undoes the buckles on one of his gauntlets and tugs it off so that he can dip his fingers into the icy water.]

[Changing the beliefs of a whole world... changing the beliefs of a nation was daunting enough.]

No... I can't imagine it would be. But I hope that they do change. [She shakes her head.] Because that is just not right.

They have been taught that it is.

[Now he's the one tracing random shapes through the water, and not quite looking at her. Or at anything, for that matter.]

It's a change they will have to come to themselves, but I believe that time may be drawing near.

[Katara studies him for a long moment.]

...Good. It will be hard, but... most good things are.

And I honestly believe that most people can change. It's not easy, but... I've seen it happen.

[Sigmund doesn't say anything for a bit, but his expression softens. She's a kind girl.]

It will, in time. But I believe I owe you at least one more answer.

[She laughs a little, genuinely amused.] Is the trade going to be that exact?

[That's a surprise to him, he doesn't make people laugh very often.] It would be impolite not to offer.

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