shatterverse | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Toph gives the question a moments thought.

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

Katara nods, and sighs.

"You will," Toph says. "You're the greatest Waterbender in the world."

It's matter of fact, not flattery. Toph knows these things.

Katara grins at her. she agrees comfortably.

"I could thump him on the arm," Toph suggests.

"I don't know, this Sokka doesn't seem to appreciate bending any more."

Katara insists, frowning.

"Don't, Katara," says Toph. "They've been really upset since coming back from killing those guys."

Katara sulks a little.

Toph shrugs.

"They're not being mean. They're not being anything."

Katara sighs, distressed.

"No."

And Toph's not happy about it either.

"Might take me a while. I need the time to really get a feel for the lake."

Katara sighs, sitting down in the mud next to Toph, a bit sadly.

"I don't know," Toph says patiently. "I might have something by tonight?"

Katara says, resting her chin on her hands and frowning out at the lake.

A THIS IS YOUR MOTHER SPEAKING, TOPH! would probably not be out of place tacked on the end there. Wrong, but not out of place.

Define 'wrong'.

Toph, against all stubbornness and superiority complexes, breaks into a fond smile.

"I miss you, Katara."

Katara eyes her suspiciously, and then realises she's not mocking.
she protests, but it's mild, and she's grinning, too.

"But you're out there, as well," Toph points out. "And I can't see you when you're all ghostly. And I know you don't remember, but you and Sokka and Twinkletoes - you're the best friends I ever had."

Katara smiles.

Well, this is true. Still, it's nice to hear it from her.

"I don't think I'm strong enough to lose you again," Toph admits.

Katara promises, and sighs.

"When I~ find the body, you can," Toph admits. "We're the gettest Benders in the world. If we can't do this, no one can."

Katara confides.

She grimaces, to show what she thinks of this, and then remembers Toph is blind and adds

"That's what I was going to say."

Toph suddenly raises a hand. She's found something.

Katara perks up, hopeful and bright-eyed.

"Maybe," Toph says.

She stands, bringing her hands up to herself, then pushes a foot back along the ground. A few, strong movements and the ground starts to move beneath her feet, as she pulls something from deep in the lake.