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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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Katara complains, stretching her arms out towards the lake and looking satisfied when the water ripples in response.

"Rocks are not just rocks," Toph argues. "There's glassy volcanic rock and grainy sand rocks, and squished up rock, and there's earth and metal and space rock. And I can bend it all."

So there.

Interested Katara is interested!

"Am not!"

Honestly, Katara!

Toph places her hand over the black band on her arm, and it melts off into her palm.

"Sokka gave it to me."

HER BROTHER IS NOT THAT COOL.

LIES. HE TOTALLY IS.

"It fell to Earth when we were in the Fire Nation. Sokka made a sword out of it and gave me the rest."

And it's awesome. In Toph's outstretched palm, it writhes like living tissue, jumping up into shapes: a sphere, a cube, a cartoon representation of Katara, complete with hair danglies.

OMG!

Katara is wide-eyed and amazed.

"I know."

Earth is awesome. Earthbenders are awesome. Trufax.

"Sokka's sword is cooler."

Katara admits.

"Yeah."

It's no big deal, though. "Like Aang's protective over his glider, and you're protective of that necklace of your Mom's. It means a lot to him."

Katara says, wistfully.

This is the conclusion of the train of thought that goes: why would Sokka need to be protective of his sword? → I guess he needs to be a warrior → Why would he think he isn't a warrior without a sword when he never had one before? → Sokka is silly.

"I worry about him, too," Toph admits. "But he's got Claire and things to do around the farm. And Claire."

Katara looks carefully at Toph.
she says firmly.

After all, Toph's Toph. And who's Claire, really?

"He needs you more," Toph says. "You're his sister."

Katara agrees, a little bit proud.

"Which is why we need you back," Toph says firmly.

Katara says, and wrinkles her nose.

"OK," Toph says, and smiles warmly.

"Thanks, Katara."

Katara leans over to intangibly hug her.

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