(no subject)

[alwaysroomforhope]

Chicago: still crumbled, still broken. Expedition Katara skirted it without needing to consult.

They've found a quiet field, sloping gently down to the shores of the lake. It's dry enough to set up camp again, all of them thankful to be finally out of the cars.

Katara is sitting by the water's edge, watching movement in the water, quiet and thoughtful. She hasn't said more than two words to anyone since the encounter with the cannibals, since healing Mel.

Steph, as per usual, is anything but quiet, chattering to Hana about everything and nothing as they set up the fire in preparation for roasting whatever the hunters find. Loo still won't leave Mel's side and Hana is grumpy about it, but willing to be distracted.

There's lots to be done now that they've finally reached their goal.

Comments

[runaway-bandit.livejournal.com]

Toph walks quietly down to the water's edge, walking into the cold that is Katara completely by accident.

She crouches, turned in on herself as she explores the vibrations under her feet.

[highrisktrader.livejournal.com]

Katara shifts aside, distracted from the giant things moving in the lake.

[runaway-bandit.livejournal.com]

"Not yet," Toph says, flexing her toes a little bit. "It's hard under all that water. Makes it difficult to see."

[highrisktrader.livejournal.com]

" Katara plops to a seat, frowning out at the water.

[runaway-bandit.livejournal.com]

Toph shrugs.

"I dunno they even know I'm here, except when they need Earthbending. You know how you only look for your bedroll when it's time to go to sleep?"

[highrisktrader.livejournal.com]

Katara says firmly.

[runaway-bandit.livejournal.com]

"No, Earthbending is very important," Toph corrects. "No one cares about the person doing it."

She doesn't get enough love, and is sick of it.

[notanoptimist.livejournal.com]

Later, after Katara has left, after the hunting is over and the meat handed over to Steph and Suki or-- whoever it is that wants to do the cooking, Sokka looks over at the small girl standing by the edge of the lake.

He hesitates but not for long. He might not think much of Suki, but Toph's been nothing but helpful (and silent) since they got on the road.

"Hey," he greets her quietly, coming up beside her. "How's it going?"

[runaway-bandit.livejournal.com]

Sokka's coming over to say hi and check on her! Oh happy happy joyous day, Sokka cares!

Or he just wants to check on her progress with Katara. Whatever.

Toph shrugs. "It's hard to tell under all the water. I've had a couple of false alarms."

[notanoptimist.livejournal.com]

Sokka nods, hands in pockets and looking out over the lake. "Let us know if you need anything?"

Preferably, let him know.

[runaway-bandit.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," Toph says. "All I need right now is something to eat."

[notanoptimist.livejournal.com]

He smiles a little, automatic. Food, he can take care of.

"There's some meat cooking, and we've still got those snack bars and some fruit. What do you want?"

[runaway-bandit.livejournal.com]

"Meat," Toph says promptly. "And fruit. I could eat an ostrichorse."

[slayer_fray]

Mel oversees setting up the camp with Loo on her hip, only ever smiling when the little girl starts complaining and needs the distraction. She has taken to carrying Penge around with her, only because Hana insists Mel take it everytime she finds it abandonned.

If she runs out of things to do, she'll find something else.

[fan-warrior.livejournal.com]

Suki is being her usual helpful self. Gear has been unloaded from the vehicles, sleeping bags have been laid out in the rock tents that comprise their shelter, and a healthy supply of firewood has already been collected. She's currently returning from her fourth gathering trip with her arms full of small logs, brushwood and branches.

The run-in with the cannibals didn't have any major ramifications for her. She realizes that it had an impact on others in the group though, and she's remained quiet and respectful ever since, just her doing her jobs.

Mel and Loo get a smile as the Kyoshi adds her wood to the growing pile by the side of the fire pit.

[slayer_fray]

"Probably enough."

Every second sentence out of Mel today has been an order of some sort. She's sorting through cooking pans with her spare hand, looking for something to heat up water with.

"You going to head out hunting?"

She forgets to return the smile.

[fan-warrior.livejournal.com]

"I can do," Suki replies, not fazed by the lack of good cheer. Even without the events that transpired on the road, the frigid temperatures and associated wind chills up here are enough to dampen anyone's spirits. The sooner they get a good roaring fire going and some food in their bellies, the better.

"I don't really have any hunting weapons," she then confesses.

"But I could make some traps, and maybe fashion a sling shot?"

[slayer_fray]

Mel just shakes her head. "Socks is probably on top of it. Don't worry about it."

She was just making conversation more than anything else. The thought of actually eating meat makes her distinctly not hungry.

[fan-warrior.livejournal.com]

"Oh. Okay."

She sounds a bit dejected. She knows how to hunt and she hates not being able to help. Ordinarily, she would offer to go out and collect wild edibles instead. But she lacks knowledge of this land and its botanical offerings. And it's winter; she doubts there would be much to gather anyway.

"Oh, I know!" she pipes up, grabbing a straight-ish branch from the firewood stack and drawing her knife. "I can make a spear."

[slayer_fray]

"Yeah."

Mel thinks this is a good idea. It's not one she can throw herself behind 100% enthusiastically, but it keeps Suki occupied.

"You think there's anything in the sea that we can eat"

[twiceahero.livejournal.com]

And now Mel's pocket is beeping at her.

[slayer_fray]

That at least is a distraction.

When she thinks they can spare her, Mel sits behind her tent, with Loo between her knees, and finally answers the beep.

"Hey, O."

[twiceahero.livejournal.com]

"Hey, Mel. Just checking in on you guys."

And she felt better calling Mel than Steph after that last disastrous discussion...

[slayer_fray]

A discussion of which Mel is completely unaware.

"All in the same pieces we left," she answers, blank rather than smiling. "How's the farm?"

[twiceahero.livejournal.com]

"Still here," Barbara snorts in amusement. "Quieter without the twins around."