[ Action, Voice ] .024

[markofthebrave]

[Tomorrow. Tomorrow is tomorrow. Today, she has plans.]

Hey, Winry - do you still want to go get pizza today? I can make it for lunch, but... I can't hang out the whole day.

[She will also be making a point to visit her friends today, specifically the Straw Hat House. She wants to check in on Sanji, now that she knows what's happened to him, say goodbye to Nami... and she has a feeling Ginko will be there as well. If not, she'll try to contact him over the journal.

She also needs to stop in the item's shop. Being given a gift from the water of the river of light... Katara wants to find something similar to the container she used for the spirit oasis water so that if they get out there and she needs it, she'll have it.

The chances are good that she is also going to make a token effort to track down Buffy. She's heard enough about the last fight that she knows what happened there, and she wants to ask a few questions before heading out there - and she wants to hear about how this same mysterious Third Party General had died. It was the mystery that was bothering her - not knowing what they were really going up against or why they were really doing this. If she could talk to someone who'd fought them before, then maybe, maybe... the feeling of being used wouldn't be as strong and she'd be able to focus on what was really important.

She thinks about going over Caesar's house as well, but decides that a journal message will be good enough. He's probably busy preparing - or sleeping. And she had a feeling he wouldn't be able to do as much of that as he'd like, once they got out there.]

[Filtered Voice 90%]

Hey, Caesar. Ready for this?

[After her various conversations, she goes back home to make dinner and she, Sokka, and Toph have a surprisingly normal meal before slipping out a little earlier than normal for her accustomed practice time. She's not sure why they're going out to fight or why the 'why' bothers her so much - and she's a little scared, strung tense with nervous energy. The forms are soothing and precise and tonight there is just that extra edge, just that smallest bit of ruthless passion that gives away just how strongly the drums of her fathers beat within her - this is about war. And war is something Katara knows very well.

But when the sun starts to set she takes a break and takes a seat, watching it go down not thinking about very much at all. It's beautiful.]

Comments

[markofthebrave]

[And that earns him a startled glance. He never comments on her bending. Never. She can't decide if that's a compliment or an insult and there's a beat as she waits for the punch line. When it doesn't come she turns her attention back to the sunset, a funny lump in her throat.

Don't talk to her about her bending in order to stop her from being upset with you, Sokka. That's not fair, and it's a low blow.]

I've had a lot of time to practice.

[Back off.]

[markofthewise]

[It really wasn't his intention. He'd been watching for more practical reasons. After all, this was the first time they'd be fighting side by side in awhile.]

We both have. [...] Are you nervous? About tomorrow, I mean.

[markofthebrave]

[What was she supposed to say to that? Why was he out here asking her these questions? Did she look like she wanted her time with the sunset to be interrupted?

She sighs a little, and comes back to herself, patting the ground beside her. If he wants to talk, he might as well sit down.]

We're going to be fine, Sokka.

[markofthewise]

[He sits down, taking that as a good sign. Maybe not so much the sigh, though. Maybe this isn't the best time, but then, it's the night before a big battle. There might not be a better time for awhile.]

I didn't say it yesterday, but I should have. [...] I'm sorry. I should have talked to you and Toph first. [Especially you.]

[markofthebrave]

Yeah, you should have.

[The tone is hard, but not particularly judging. Even if just thinking about it is enough to make her angry, she already said her piece and she'll deal with her choice and its consequences. He will too. Placing the weight of her trust on the line was an act that she won't soon forget, but she doesn't regret giving it to him. She hadn't yet.

The apology is a bit mollifying, though, and they are going into battle tomorrow, so she lets herself soften. It's not all right, because she doesn't forgive that quickly, but she's halfway there and there will be a palatable lightening of the tension.]

[markofthewise]

[He spares a glance at her, noting that some of the tension in the air seems to lift. But he can still feel it's there. That things aren't quite as okay between them as it was mere days ago. His shoulders sag as he leans forward, not really paying attention to the sunset anymore.

He's not sure he did the right thing. Maybe it was the smart choice, but that really doesn't mean much when family is involved . So there's really nothing he can say to that. There's no need to try and prep her for battle. He can't think of anyone more ready for it than the two of them. War was... their entire life, really. So he remains silent.]

[markofthebrave]

[She lets the time pass, not in any particular hurry. The sun slowly sinks until it's about level with the horizon.

And then she leans to the side and bumps his shoulder with hers. Quietly:] It's all right.

[markofthewise]

[He smiles just a bit as he's knocked from his thoughts. It's a relief to hear that.]

Thanks.

[markofthebrave]

[A shrug. Water under the bridge.]

You should go get some rest.

[markofthewise]

You too. [He wasn't the one throwing water around everywhere. In fact, this is the first day since she was infected by the mushi that he didn't do any training at all.

Regardless, he stands up anyway.] I'll leave a light on.

[markofthebrave]

[A small, almost private smile.] I'm not tired.

[How many times had she said that as a kid? How many times had the night-time sung to her, the power of the moon in her blood... and how many times had they forced her to sleep anyway, and she'd found out that maybe she was tired after all.

Go on and take the bait. You know you want to.]

[markofthewise]

[He glances back and grins. Of course she's not tired.]

You say that now... but you're going to be cranky when I have to drag you out of bed early tomorrow. [He can already imagine how bad it will be with Toph.]

[markofthebrave]

Cranky? Me? Never. [Hmm. Maybe one more push would do it. Not that she knows exactly what she's pushing for but...]

But if you think I'll be that way, maybe I should just stay up all night.

[markofthewise]

[Given he's standing up, she may find herself in the wrong position for pushing.]

Yeah, no. You're going to bed. Even if I have to drag you in there.

[markofthebrave]

[He is, sadly, in the perfect position to grab hold of her and start her towards the house. So Katara wisely moves into a crouching position before responding with a mischievous grin.]

You have to catch me first!

[And off she gooooooooes!]

1/?

[markofthewise]

[And he watches with all the befuddlement of a teenage boy watching his fifteen year old sister running away from him.]

[markofthewise]

Katara! I'm not chasing you! We have to sleep. Katara. This isn't the time for games! KATARA!

[markofthewise]

[He is NOT chasing her.]

[markofthewise]

[... but she's getting away.]

[markofthewise]

[SHMACK.]

OH YEAH THIS IS THE LAST ONE HAHA

[markofthewise]

[Awwww here it goes!]

KATARA!

[markofthebrave]

[You can stand there all you want, she knows you're going to give in and she'll just be running down the riverbank now.]

You sound like you're ten!

[markofthewise]

Well you're acting like you're seven.

[Don't expect to outrun him for long. Derek has been putting him through his paces. This is easy, especially since he's not doing it with weights on.]

[markofthebrave]

Eight at least!

[But he is gaining on her. And she is tired. She's healed Sanji today and gone through a full practice regime. Not to mention that he's shot up since they've been in Luceti and he's always had the reach on her. But she's always been fast, and even though she knows all this she's still surprised at how quickly he's gaining on her.]

[markofthewise]

[This is actually invigorating having a target. Well, once that isn't an animal he's going to kill, anyway. He's just really hoping she won't get him wet. He doesn't want to be wet.]

Barely eight!