(no subject)

[slayer_fray]

The sun's going down, so there were no problems putting the girls to bed.

Still, Mel's not inside. She's squatting on the edge of the bunker, with the shared bassinet right next to her, her axe the only thing between them, staring out in the direction her brother left in.

Keeping vigils for the Sokkas probably isn't the healthiest thing to do, especially as she left him herself for her sisterly "road"trip. But this is different. She's worried.

Comments

[dragonreturned.livejournal.com]

"Good evening," Iroh's voice is soft as he approaches. "Are you waiting for anyone in particular, or will any visitor do?"

[slayer_fray]

"Hey, - Iroh."

It may sound like Mel was about to call him something else, but whatever it was, it also started with a vowel, so maybe she didn't.

"Keep me company?"

[dragonreturned.livejournal.com]

"I would be delighted," he smiles as he moves to sit down beside her, making a fuss about folding his old knees.

[slayer_fray]

Mel smirks quietly at his old knees.

"How's it going?"

[dragonreturned.livejournal.com]

"As well as can be expected, I suppose. Though I find I miss speaking with my nephew, even if we were having some... difficulties." He smiles gently, "And how are you?"

[slayer_fray]

"Missing people's pretty standard around here," Mel remarks, referring, naturally, to Iroh's nephew.

"My brother's gone on a roadtrip." This is less related to the previous statement than it sounds, and is accompanied by a head jerk down the road.

"Due back soon, I think."

[dragonreturned.livejournal.com]

"So you are waiting for someone in particular," Iroh nods. "I'm sure he'll be fine."

[runaway-bandit.livejournal.com]

"Hey."

This is the sound of one blind girl, moving much more quietly than usual, approaching from behind.

Toph and Claire haven't been staying in the bunker, but you can see their rock tent from here, so Toph's not breaking her promise to look after Sokka's girlfriend by coming here.

She just wants to talk to other Sokka's other sister.

"Are they asleep?"

[slayer_fray]

"Yeah."

Mel glances over her shoulder, and smiles to see Toph. She knew the girl was here, but it isn't the one she knew, so she hasn't actively sought her out, anymore than she has Claire.

"Hey, it's Toph, right?"

[runaway-bandit.livejournal.com]

"That's me."

Toph takes the lack of 'go away' as an invitation to join Mel, and squats next to her in an unconscious mirror of her position.

"And you're Mel. Sokka's sister."

[slayer_fray]

"Yeah," Mel confirms, and tilts her head to glance at Toph.

"Someone filled you in."

[runaway-bandit.livejournal.com]

"I met Steph." Which should, of course, explain everything.

[slayer_fray]

Mel barks out a quick laugh, because it kind of does.

"So of course you now know everything there is to know about me, Eden, and possibly the workings of Gotham."

[lastblackhawk.livejournal.com]

Zinda is pokin' about, curious as all hell. Oooh, it's the boss lady.

"You worryin' about somethin'? Anythin' a fast plane would fix?"

[slayer_fray]

"Actually? Yeah," Mel says, and grins up. "'Scept I don't really need it yet. Just wanting for someone to come home. Hey."

[lastblackhawk.livejournal.com]

Zinda grins, waves, and hops up on the edge of the bunker to sit, peering out at the horizon.

"I don't know 'bout the others, but it's been a while since I had a good rescue run. Just give us a yell if ya reckon it's needed."

[slayer_fray]

"I will," Mel confirms, smiling her gratitude.

A beat later, "who are you?"

[lastblackhawk.livejournal.com]

"I'm Zinda. Pilot the Aerie One, over there."

Mel has her babies, and Zinda has her baby.

[slayer_fray]

"Oh."

Mel grins suddenly. "Hey, you're with Babs, right?"

[alwaysroomforhope]

Steph has batarangs again. She's incredibly excited about this, and has spent most of the day filing and polishing the ones Babs gave her.

Except it doesn't help with the worrying, does it?

"He'll be fine." It's almost sort of a question, except where she's trying very hard to sound convincing and authoritative, hopping up to sit next to Mel on the edge of the bunker. "He'll totally be fine."

... she thinks he should be back by now.

[slayer_fray]

"I know."

Mel's convincing comes easily. She's not worried, she just misses him.

"I just want him fine here."

[alwaysroomforhope]

Steph's still worried. But Mel's not-worried-ness helps. She leans back on the roof to look up at the stars, wrinkling her nose.

"Yeah. Me too."

Back here as soon as possible please. Steph would -- well, okay, this is Steph, she'd probably admit everything with enough encouragement, but she'd prefer not to admit just how much she misses him.

"Plus, then someone else can take babysitting duty."

[slayer_fray]

"You can quit any time you want," Mel points out. She leans back too, tilted a little towards the babies.

"I can handle two sleepy bundles of smoke."

[alwaysroomforhope]

"But then I wouldn't get to play with them." Steph smiles down at the girls, because they're particularly adorable when they're asleep.

"I'm trying to teach Hana to say "Sokka smells," but she's not biting."

[slayer_fray]

"Hana? Better make sure she doesn't end up saying Steph smells."