markofthewise | Sokka the 76th

It was an adjustment. He didn't much like that he was now single. He hated even more the circumstances that led to it. But after this long, Sokka owed it to himself to put himself back together and make some sense of his life. Or at the very least, try and be a little upright for the sake of his friends. After burying himself in work for the past few weeks, it was time for some sunshine. As sunny as it could be in January, anyway. So while he's out, he's not exactly chipper. But he's trying his best to not look as somber and cranky as he has the last few weeks.

Today, he's out with Foo Foo Cuddly Poops, the tiny Saber Toothed Moose-Lion cub he received for Christmas. The little beast is getting a bit bigger now. His little horns are protruding more and he was growing consistently. The little thing could fit on Sokka's head before, but not anymore. He was just shy of being the size of a beagle now. He'd already been bigger than Sokka remembered when he received him on Christmas. Having seen the mother, he knew Foo Foo would only get bigger. He also couldn't leave Foo Foo at home, since his teeth were coming in. Which meant he was chewing up anything he could get his paws on. Not to mention he was hardly housebroken. So this is why today, Sokka was going to the grocery to explore the diet of moose-lions so he could carry it all back in bulk. Which is why he also had an unseemly large bag. He suspected, before long, he'd have to start using a wheel barrow.

At the grocery store, the two explore a variety of foods they both like. Fruits and meat. It seems Foo Foo has a similar appetite to Sokka.

While he's off in one corner letting Foo Foo got to town on a basket of apples, he hits up the journals.

[Voice]

So. How exactly do you teach an animal not only to stop chewing on your valuables, but also to do their business outside? You know, without actually keeping them outside all the time. [A pause as he looks over at Foo Foo.] At least while they'll still fit in the house.

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"I don't know. Paint a picture?"

"Of what - a rainbow?"

That's what the artist she knew did.

'Yeah. Maybe. You have something against rainbows?"

"No. That's all Daria ever wants to paint too."

Something led her to turn her head away. "Sorry."

Raven. Raven Raven Raven. Sokka stared at her as if her head was on fire.

"You don't have to apologize."

Of course she did. She made him mad, somehow.

"You sounded upset."

Someday - perhaps some near day - he wouldn't have to keep confirming for her that things were okay between them.

"I always sound upset, except when I'm being funny. And sometimes even then." It was his way.

"That's not true." She still wasn't looking. "Sometimes you sound like you're trying to make friends."

"That must be the problem. We're already friends."

To her earned credit, she didn't stop walking when he said it.

"You think so?"

"Well, you're carrying my stuff. I have no trouble remembering your name. And you know one of my biggest secrets. So either we're friends or you're a really helpful blackmailer."

Raven snorted. "What secret? Most things about you are obvious."

Like how obvious it was that she was pleased by the things he said.

"The first-day-we-met-secret?" That which could not be comfortably named?

It took her a minute. When he died. She could see why he might want that to stay quiet.

"I wouldn't tell anybody. It's not my business." A shrug. "You know my secret too."

"We're keeping each other's secrets. So. That's gotta mean something."

The sound she made could almost be called a laugh.

"I guess I could call that friends."

It was better than other sounds she could make. So in spite of not being in such a good place himself, he could smile. Sort of.

"Right now, I can use as many of those as I can get."

Huh? Sokka always seemed to be surrounded by people who had an easy friendship with him. "Why? What happened?"

He looked at her, surprised she needed to ask. Had he really not mentioned anything to her?

"Me and Suki broke up."

"Oh." His girlfriend. Raven felt for him, but could not think of very much to say. It was his problem and his feelings about it. "Are...you okay?"

"I'd be lying if I said I was." It probably put his attitude this past while into perspective. He was miserable. "But I'm making it."

She wasn't very good at making others feel better, either. If anything, she often made it worse. But Sokka had the nerve to call her friend and mean it and damn if that wasn't more important than her social failings. He was so absent lately, even when he was standing there making weapons.

"Sorry to hear about it."

"It's my fault." He looked away, trying to hide the frustration and pain in his face. "I lied to her and pretended to be someone I'm not."

Lying was bad. ...Pretending, she couldn't really fault him for.

"So tell her you'll be yourself now."

"We already talked." Just a bit ago, in fact. "Being myself is the problem."

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