Sokka the 54th - [Voice/Action]

[markofthewise]

[Sokka's day will involve a few things. One of them won't include shoveling all the snow out of the way of his house. It's not that he's lazy, but when his sister can take care of that in less than a minute, why even bother? Later his day will involve working on important things at the smithy, like the metal casing for a certain teleporter. And maybe some weapons or the key-shaped variety. Or helping New Feathers find their weapons so they can go about being dangerous. He'll also do lunch in the plaza... maybe do some shopping.

But why dwell on the bad parts? Before his kidnapping, Sokka is available for running into. Also, in light of the fact the snow is coming down pretty hardcore today and is, frankly, almost a blizzard, he feels inclined to make a voice post in the middle of the day.]

You know, we had that big blizzard about the same time last year. Well, not big big. I've seen bigger. But we had a lot of people get stranded out in that stuff. Actually, I met a lot of people being stranded at the Straw Hat's place... Uh, anyway. Yeah, blizzards. Bad stuff. Better make sure you got a lot of food at home, just in case.

[Hours later, on his way home, he'll meet some delightful metal men who will proceed to knock him out and drag him off, being nice enough to leave his sword and boomerang in the snow.]

Comments

[fourteen]

I can't wait. There's no way I can go soon, but maybe once the weather warms up... [ hopeful face. man, they got totally sidetracked, huh. ]

[markofthewise]

Hey, I can make sure you get early dibs on the teleporter. [But yeah, he's starting to realize that.]

... anyway, the keyblade thing.

[fourteen]

... the Keyblade thing. [ crooked simle. she'd love dibs! ... but they can come back to that later.

she pulls out her journal, but ... doesn't immediately open it up. instead she hugs it to her chest, smiling uncertainly and looking away. ]

Maybe ... you were right about this whole thing. I'm not so sure it's a good idea...

[markofthewise]

[Oh boy, buyer's remorse already. And she's not even spending any money.]

Hey. I have nothing against the weapon thing. I'm glad Suki knows how to fight and take care of herself. I was just against, you know, the type of weapon. But if its a sentimental thing, I know exactly how you feel.

[fourteen]

... that's part of it. [ she opens up her journal -- to the self-filtered, locked post wherein she did a simple sketch of the Keyblade. it's a little rough -- none of Sora's various iterations are very good artists -- but it's passable. ]

I could fight when I had it. Really fight, not just use magic. I could even use my element... and light is pretty powerful, especially when you're always surrounded by darkness. But... without having the properties of a real Keyblade, I'm worried it might be useless.

[ a sigh. ] I liked my bow, but ... it was never the same.

[markofthewise]

[Hmmm... now he sees the problem. After getting a look at the sketch, he has an idea enough of what she wants. He reaches back and pulls out his own sword.]

This is a pretty special sword. Sure, it's not magic - we don't have weapons like that where I'm from. But it's made out of a special kind of metal, so it's probably the best weapon in my world.

[He sheathes it again.]

But it's not because I had a fancy sword that Master Piandao thought I had some great potential. That was all me. A special weapon doesn't make you great. A great person makes a weapon special. [He smirks and gives her shoulder a nudge.] And I happen to think you're pretty good, so you'll be fine.

[fourteen]

[ ... silent. and a little -- struck dumb, because...

the person, making the weapon. is that maybe why ... it was only really Sora and Roxas who could--?

and she couldn't....

that's a kind of depressing conclusion to draw from Sokka's pep talk, Xion. way to be.

still... now the wheels are turning in her mind. ] ... maybe what I really need is a weapon that fits me, instead of trying to make myself fit a weapon. But... how do I do something like that?

[markofthewise]

[A depressing one... but maybe the best one. The answer is obvious to him.]

When Master Piandao trained me, he said my weapon should be an extension of myself, with my own identity. And he didn't just forge it for me. I had to do it. I picked the material. I shoveled the coal. I kept the furnace running hot. I was there for every step.

[Even though at the time, he was still a serious novice...]

If you want this weapon to mean that much, maybe that's what we need to do.

[fourteen]

[ again, silent. more than anything else... that was probably the answer she most needed to hear.

not something borrowed, or taken, or given, but something created of her very own hands.

her breath catches, slightly, before she can force her way through the tight bubble of hope in her chest to address him, a little breathlessly ]

Could we really do that? I wouldn't know how to do any of those things.... would you -- would you show me?

[markofthewise]

Yeah, sure. We can even do it the old fashioned way, like I did. No machines.

[Which is way harder and not necessary. But probably wouldn't have meant much if Piandao had done it differently.]

But before we get that far, we should find something you're at least comfortable using. Get an idea for what you can handle, right?

[fourteen]

[ Xion's okay with harder. She's with Sokka -- it'll mean more, to her, if it's harder. ]

Right. That's probably a good idea. A sword is the closest, but ... I haven't found a sword I've ever really liked.

[markofthewise]

[And she'll get some REAL TIME MUSCLES. And um, experience.]

Well, fortunately, we happen to have a fine variety of swords here! Plenty for you to play around with and find one you like.

[fourteen]

I never know where to start, though! That katana I had a long time ago didn't fit... the balance felt totally off. [ headtilt, and a tiny, apologetic smile ] ... help me look?

[markofthewise]

Of course. Of course. I love weapon shopping.

[He steps on over to the swords they DO have available.]

Maybe what you need is something with a little more weight to it. Like a short sword. [He pulls one down and gives it an experimental thrust into open air and then turns back around, offering it to her hilt forward.]

[fourteen]

[ she looks at it curiously, then accepts it, taking a few steps back so she can give it her own experimental swing. then she simply holds the blade out straight, shifting her hand on the hilt. ]

This is a little better... I guess it's strange because the Keyblade had that crown at the end, so it always felt a little different. [ gives the sword a twirl, then another experimental swish. ] ... I like this more than the katana, though.

[markofthewise]

Good, it's a start, right?

[He considers though, maybe what she needs is something more ornamental and more weight to it. He looks over the swords and chooses one. A scimitar! He swings it in front of him in a quick cutting motion, then follows it with a vertical strike. Yeah, this is nice.]

Maybe this will feel better? Or we could always go the axe route. [Since that's... basically the keyblade shape.]

[fourteen]

A scimitar? No way! There were these Heartless in Agrabah that always used those... they were really annoying, too. [ makes a face. ] ... an axe, though? ... maybe. I'd have to hold one.

[markofthewise]

Okay, okay. No cutlass. But if it's axes you want, you're in the right place. I'm not called Thunderaxe for nothing!

[He finds a nice, sturdy one handed axe and hands it over.]

How's that?

[fourteen]

[ that makes her smile a little, and she takes the axe. the second she gives it a swing, her expression turns considering. ]

This actually feels a lot more like what I'm used to... I guess because of the shape. [ another swing. ] ... still, it's a little ... [ brutal? it's hard to imagine fighting with an axe. ]

[markofthewise]

[He gets the message. There's nothing elegant about an axe. It's brutal, bloody, and dangerous.]

What we need is something part sword... and part axe. Some kind of... Swaxe or something. [Is that name good? No, no. Not really.]

[fourteen]

[ ... oh god. starts to laugh. ] Whatever it is, just don't call it that! But could we really make something like that?

[markofthewise]

Fine, fine! I'll think of a better name. [He's already forming a picture of it in his head. If he had paper to put it on now, he could show it to Xion and shatter her confidence in him completely.]

Maybe I can come up with a mock up of something soon. Something to give you an idea of how it would look and handle.

[fourteen]

[ she'll always believe in him! .... totally! ... no matter how bad his plans are! ]

That would be great! Thank you so much, Sokka. I'm really excited to get started on this.

[markofthewise]

[THEY AREN'T BAD.]

I'll get something started today. In a few days, you'll already have something to work with.

[Except not. Cuz he'll be kidnapped.]

[fourteen]

[ come on man, "swaxe" is pretty bad. ]

I'll look forward to it! Does that mean I should leave you to your work, then? [ looking at the metal plate ..... obviously wondering if he's gonna end up hurting himself again. ]