Sokka the 71st - [Action/Voice]

[markofthewise]

[Today, Sokka starts out with some simple messages for the journal.]

I know this is pretty late, but... Luceti has a way of causing delays. I got a lot of orders two months ago and they're all finally finished. If you haven't already picked them up, then... well, you should do that. I think you'll be pleased. [ooc: if you want to assume they already picked this stuff up a while ago, that's fine too!]

So, now that it's nice and warm these days, how do people feel about... fishing? I just made my own fishing rod, so I'm thinking tomorrow morning? Fishing time. On the river, maybe. Or I could bring out one of the boats and head to the lake. Some company wouldn't hurt. As long as you're not the noisy kind. I uh, actually want to catch some fish.

20th

[For today, Sokka works his regular shift at the smithy. From morning until the afternoon, he's at the smithy. There's not much to do now that he's done, so he straightens things out, hangs out on the couch with an alchemy book in his face, or if he gets bored with that... he reaches for his fishing rod under the couch and does a few practice casts. If he thinks no one will catch him doing it. Winry wouldn't approve. 8|

In the afternoon, he'll be around House 56 in the front and back yard, with a can of dirt and pushing over rocks and stones looking for worms underneath. A good fisherman needs his bait, after all! And he wants to be ready for tomorrow!]

21st

[As soon as his sparring practice is over, Sokka sets himself up on the southernmost bridge in town. Sure, it's a little gloomy today, but still time to fish. He has a chair, he has a fishing line, he has a cold box to put fish in, and he has not shortage of snacks and drinks. About ten minutes into his fishing, he gets drenched. Watch as poor Sokka has to gather up his stuff and flee back home. Later when he has an umbrella, he dejectedly heads to the smithy to put in a few hours. And then a few more hours later at the library to do alchemy research. No fishing today. :(]

22nd

[After a rainy day and rainy night, Sokka wakes up to A BIG BEAUTIFUL RAINBOW. He'll try to rush through his morning training, that way he can head to the river west of his house and ready a canoe. With a clear sky above, he's going out to the lake for fishing. There's room enough for two, for anyone eager to join. Following that, he'll be out on the southern lake fishing, cooking fish on the shore for lunch, and enjoying a good solid day off. STRESS FREE.]

Comments

[markofthewise]

Sokka was so used to this by now, he didn't so much as react to being suddenly dry. He just decided to go ahead and set the boots down by the door. So on with business it was. "Buffy needs some healing."

[markofthebrave]

Katara glanced up, instantly assessing Buffy. "Really? What's wrong?"

[herotypical]

"I don't...need the healing. It's not like it's imperative. It's just be very..."

She touched her ribs on her right sight. Gentle; ginger. "Nice."

[markofthewise]

"Yeah, she's pretty messed up. I thought I might have to carry her back."

Sorry Buffy, you aren't getting off lightly on his watch.

[markofthebrave]

Katara moved from the kitchen to where Sokka and Buffy were standing. "What's wrong?"

Sokka threatening to carry girls who weren't exactly forthcoming about their injuries wasn't exactly cause of concern in her mind. No one was bleeding out, there was no dying here, but clearly something was Up.

[herotypical]

"Nothing's wrong. I...took some damage on a mission and it's a little annoying. Nothing worthy of being treated like I need a visit to the hospital or something." She nudged Sokka with the back of a hand.

"But I hear your bending could help make it a little less...annoying."

[markofthewise]

Sokka crossed his arms, shaking his head. Stop being so macho Buffy and just accept the healing.

[markofthebrave]

Seriously, Buffy, that was the most non-helpful description of injuries ever. All right, fine. She'll find out what it is on her own. "Well, first I'll have to see what it is. But if it's something pretty normal, I should be able to help."

If it's something not normal she should be able to help too, but that's another story. And the way Buffy's handling this means that Katara's going to try not to boss her, and to allow her as much choice as she can.

"Would you mind laying down on the sofa? It's easier when your body is relaxed and everything flows in alignment. Sokka, I need some fresh water."

...clearly any moratoriums on bossing people around doesn't apply to Sokka. She might also be trying to get rid of him so it's a little less embarrassing for Buffy.

[herotypical]

She took a step or two. Cautious. Clearly, healing of any sort is a tough thing for her to accept. Or even to want.

"Bruised ribs," Buffy finally confessed in a sudden rush of syllables. With a single glance at Sokka (for support, perhaps?) she moved couchwards.

[markofthewise]

Sokka didn't interrupt when it came to healing, so he gave Buffy a nod as he went to go fill a bowl with some water. He returned to set it on a table and found a place where he could watch but be out of the way.

It's totally cool, okay. Sokka's seen this all before.

[markofthebrave]

Buffy, quit being such a boy.

"Oh, that can smart," Katara came forward and took Buffy's arm to help her along the way to the sofa. "It's good that you're letting me help you, that can really inhibit your movement in a fight - the sudden check of pain, not being able to extend all the way..."

Not that she knows from experience or anything. She'll just divert that attention.

"Sokka had to deal with a broken rib or two practically every week when he started his training."

[herotypical]

She didn't need the helping arm; however, she didn't protest quite as loudly, this time. "In a few days, it would've healed itself," she explained. "I'm very good at getting better. But if this is quicker..."

Buffy slid gingerly down onto the cushions. Grateful for the change in subject. "...Seriously? Rough training."

She remembered the girls breaking and bruising things when they were being trained. Before they were Slayers. But that had been for an impending apocalypse -- the costs were acceptable.

[markofthewise]

"Master Souji isn't exactly uh... gentle. I had to get some armor made before we could even start training. He doesn't hold back."

By now, Sokka was good enough that Souji never got to land hits like that on him anymore. And more than that, Sokka was tougher too. He'd worked hard for IMPENETRABLE ABS.

[markofthebrave]

Katara used her bending to coat her hands with the water Sokka had put on the table. "If you lay down, this will be less awkward."

The ribs were not exactly the easiest place on the body to reach.

[herotypical]

Less awkward. Boy, did she need some of that. Half-undressed and hobbling about in a strange home. Or...a slightly less strange home. She'd been by more and more often, lately. It helped. So with a sigh and a groan, Buffy stretched out across the couch cushions and finally lifted her palm off the still-discoloured skin.

"This so doesn't leave this house, got it?"

[markofthewise]

"Are you kidding? I'm making a message on the journal right now."

He pulls out his journal and pretends to do just that.

[markofthebrave]

She sighed and rolled her eyes, "Sokka."

And then she turned to Buffy. "This might feel a little strange."

She put her hands on Buffy's ribs, beginning to search out her chi. It will feel tingly, but not in an unpleasant way - it will feel cool and relaxing.

[herotypical]

Feeling weirdly as though she was at the dentist, Buffy closed her eyes. One always closed their eyes at the dentist, didn't one? It made it less strange.

"Check yourself before you wreck yourself, Thunderaxe." She murmured. "Don't think I won't...oh." Her warning snapped in half on the tip of her tongue as the strange sensation sank into her skin. Buffy had no notion of the fact that Katara would first have to scan her spiritual barcode; had she known, she might have refused. Buffy understood how broken she was, inside.

You came back wrong, Slayer.

[markofthewise]

At this point, Sokka was smart enough to shut up. Let Katara do her job. This kind of thing took concentration, after all.

[markofthebrave]

Buffy's chi did feel strange - slightly... luminescent, in a different way - crisp? But it was still functioning normally, and it was very alive - very easy to direct. She didn't even feel the need to use Nala along with her healing. It took a few minutes, during which her eyes were closed and placed softly against Buffy's side. She diverted the flow of her chi, intensified the body's natural inclination to heal, and soon enough... "There."

[herotypical]

In spite of it all, the Slayer smiled -- eyes crinkled shut. "That tickles..."

But once Katara gave the all clear signal, she was raring to sit up. While she expected pain, she experienced none. It was a relief.

[markofthewise]

"So what did I tell you, Buffy? She's good."

It sounded suspiciously like praise.

[markofthebrave]

It did sound suspiciously like praise. Suspiciously enough that she sent him a sidelong glance before returning her attention to Buffy. "How does it feel?"

[herotypical]

"Turns out your five-star review can be trusted, yeah."

Buffy smiled -- charmed by the siblings and their prickly not-banter. It reminded her of Dawn and that reminder wasn't wholly terrible. Just bittersweet. "I think I'm feeling much better, actually. Pain-free."

[markofthewise]

"Glad to hear it. So, about payment..." It was a joke. Really.