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

You said that there used to be five kingdoms. What's the one that isn't there anymore?

Edited 2010-05-28 21:07 (UTC)

... Casandra, the onyx land. [He pauses, realizing that she won't have any idea which one that is.] The nation of water.

[Water. She feels a pang at that, even though it's not her world. After all, her own tribe had been completely decimated. The Northern Watertribe had almost been completely brought to ruin in front of her own eyes, even as she fought it.

To hear that it had happened, somewhere else...

...but maybe it wasn't the same thing. Her concern is evident in her voice.]

What happened?

[Now he's looking like he regrets this conversation, perhaps even a bit pained. He scowls at his reflection in the tiny pool of the fountain, but his voice is strangely dispassionate, like he's reciting a lesson.]

A prince was born, but he was unblessed - he had no gifts from Veros. He was... set afloat on the river, as the laws demanded. The queen died of grief, the king abandoned his throne shortly after and disappeared. The kingdom collapsed, and is no more.

[Oh that's... so sad. And stupid. And not as bad as it could have been.] That's terrible! What kind of laws would demand something so cruel? And who could follow them?

Edited 2010-05-29 00:43 (UTC)

[But... he's clearly disturbed by this - and he's already said that things are starting to change in his world. But no wonder he'd had questions about hers. She glances at his armor... and wonders.]

But at least... the people of that kingdom are still alive, even if the kingdom is gone.

...in my world, it's the Air Nomads who [she unconsciously borrows his phrase] are no more.

[He shakes his head sadly, still staring into the fountain.] After the king disappeared, other nations tore the country apart trying to claim the land for themselves. The people are dead, or worse. All for one cruel and foolish man.

...I'm sorry.

[That surprises him, and his head jerks up sharply. That closed off look is gone from his eyes now, he's behind them once more.]

You've nothing to apologize for.

Someone should. Sad memories... and the world shouldn't have been that way. And I know they're just words, and they're not enough, but I'm sorry that it happened. People can be terrible, and what happened to that kingdom was wrong.

But - even though you can never get back what was lost, I hope you hold on to hope. In my world, we were in a war that had lasted for a hundred years. The Fire Nation destroyed all the Air Nomads and had nearly destroyed my tribe. They were close to making the world completely theirs.

...but then the Avatar appeared. And things started to change. So as long as there's a hope of some of the people in that kingdom being alive... it's not over.

I- I am sorry to hear that you had such a devastating war, but- I am not the person that should be apologized to.

[She smiles a little.] Well. I'm not taking it back. So you'll just have to deal with it.

[His eyebrows crease... and then he tucks his chin to his shoulder, hiding his face. Although the wave motif on the medallion of his headband suggests that he might be lying about having nothing to do with Casandra.] You are... very kind.

[It's hard not to notice the water inscription there. A hand reaches up to touch her necklace, but then she just shakes her head.] Not really. But thank you.

[She seems to have worn him down from noble and knightly to awkward manchild. His social courage has definitely been used up for the day.] I've... bothered you enough, certainly.

[She can tell that he's uncomfortable about something, and figures that it's come from talking about his world.] It was no bother. I liked talking with you, Sigmund. And I don't think your world is boring at all.

[He stands, and gives her a tiny bow - just the barest bend of the waist.] I would like to hear more of your world later, if you will indulge me. For now, I must be on my way.

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