shatterverse | (no subject)

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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.

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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.

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

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

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

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?"

Katara says firmly.

"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.

Katara insists.

Toph doesn't believe her. Which is fair enough.

"It's OK. I don'tneed them to care about me. I canlook after myself."

She's a big tough Earthbender! And she misses Katara.

Katara doesn't try the sling-an-arm-over-Toph's-shoulders move again, but only because it didn't work the last time.

...

"A million what?"

Katara is obliging!

Toph gives the question a moments thought.

"I think I'd just like to have you back to life."

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?"

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."

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

Preferably, let him know.

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

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?"

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

"Low on ostrichorses, but I think I can steal you some of the deer meat," Sokka promises. "I'll be right back."

Not that anyone at the cooking fire would deny him food in the first place, much less if he's bringing it to Toph. The fruit is guarded slightly more carefully but Sokka manages to grab an apple without anyone glaring.

Toph's hand comes out just as he approaches, and she rocks back to sit, work abandoned in favour of food.

"Thanks Sokka. You're awesome."

He places everything carefully in her hands, not wanting her to drop it. The younger Sokka would have known he could just throw it and Toph would get it, but this particular Sokka doesn't know Toph - it's obvious from the way he treats her, talks to her, even if he's never actually insulting.

"I know."

Even if he answers her commentary with the same sort of mocking ego.

After a moment's hesitation, Sokka moves to sit beside her, a few feet between them. "Hey, um... thanks. For doing this."

Bah. Toph takes the food from him without any problem, though actually it's not insulting so much as hurtful that Sokka - Sokka - doesn't know her.

"Hey," Toph says, "it's for Katara. I'd do the same for you or Aang."

Sokka nods, his share of the meat speared on a stick he's working on slowly. "Yeah. But since your Sokka isn't me, I just..."

The Zuko at the farm, too young and too whole who doesn't know him, Sokka would do just about anything for him, too.

"Just thought you'd like to hear it."

"Yeah," says Toph, "but if you'd knew me, you'd know I don't need thanks for my awesomeness."