markofthewise | Sokka the 78th

[After ditching Ed in the tunnels, Sokka has had some thinking to do. He's lost Suki and now he's lost Edward. His relationship with other people has seemed strained too. When it comes down to it, he doesn't particularly feel bad about this, but he is worried about ending up alone. Being alone is bad. But then, so is the life he had before. Well, if the journals are good for one thing, it's for sorting out dilemmas without giving yourself away. So he heads to the journal, disguises his handwriting, and asks:]

[Written (Disguised)]

If you were changed in a way that made you happier, but pushed other people away, would it be worth staying that way? I mean, it's not worth it to make yourself miserable just for the sake of other people, right? That'd be ridiculous.

[Yeah. Totally ridiculous. That was stupid of him to even ask. He stares at the page, shakes his head, and pushes it away. Later he'll reply to it, but for now, he decides to do work instead of wallowing in pointless contemplation.

For people who might want Sokka in person, he's up to his usual routine.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ ...Well that's a less concerned reaction than she was expecting, but Ikki promptly hands the journal over, sitting on the edge of Sokka's bed while she waits. ]

See? They asked a bunch of weird questions. I didn't say anything back though!

[ Which is proper protocol. Right? ]

[Sokka holds the journal up above him, traces his own words with his finger, then turns to Ikki.]

Yup, looks like a Grade A creep to me. You did the right thing, Ikki.

Why would someone say that? Are there people like that from the last batch of new feathers?

[ Or are there bad people who don't immediately get pointed out to her, because that idea is slightly more worrying. ]

Do we have to do anything about it? I dunno who that was.

It's hard saying. There's no picture and it looked like maybe they were just trying to get rid of you.

[Now he realizes it'd been easier to indulge her. Oh well.]

Some people are just jerks. You should leave the journals alone for a little bit. I'll set up a filter with whoever this is and tell 'em to back off.

They could have just asked.

[ But she brightens up at the bit about a filter. If Uncle Sokka says he's taking care of it, it'll be fine, right? ]

Okay! I'll just play with Soren or something. Or do homework. [ ...The second thing should probably come first, but. ] Thanks, Uncle Sokka!

[ Although actually. ] Hey, how do people write without pictures, anyway? [ It's never occurred to her to try, or to ask. ]

That's a mystery we may never solve, Ikki. Maybe they just don't have a face.

...How do they talk, then?

[ She looks a little bit disturbed by this idea. ...CREEPY... ]

Maybe they can't. Hence the writing.

Oh! That's too bad, then. ...I guess I'm used to people not writing out of school, 'cause most people use the video or voice options?

You make it sound like writing is a lost art, Ikki. Some people enjoy writing.

Yeah, but they're always the ones who use the reaaaaaally long words that I have to go get a dictionary or you for.

[ Or anyone else. Because looking stuff up takes more time than asking other people, apparently? ]

Although...some of them do have really pretty handwriting. Like, the calli...calligrawhatsits.

Calligraphy? Master Piandao was into that. He's the one that taught me swordplay. He said that it's a lot like swordplay. Once you place your stroke on the page, you can't take it back. So you have to carefully choose every move you make.

[Of course, Sokka never ended up doing any of that stuff. He got the idea, but he wasn't really interested in fancy writing.]

Yeah, that one! Jinora used to talk about learning it, but it sounded kinda boring to me. Although it's nice to look at. But you know, when everyone writes, they never use any pretty colors. Just plain ink!

[ She sounds fairly scandalized at that. Apparently that's all it takes to scandalize a seven-year-old - use boring ink. ]

What was Master Piandao like?

[Ink is pretty boring by itself, he's inclined to agree.]

Piandao was great. Even in Luceti, I haven't seen anyone as good or skilled as he is. The guy could sword fight with his eyes closed! Literally! I mean, I actually blinded him. And he was still kicking my butt!

You blinded him?? [ That sounds A BIT LIKE OVERKILL. ] Well, blindness doesn't mean not strong. I mean, look at Aunt Toph. You BASICALLY gave him a superpower!

"That's... not really how it works. He's not an earthbender."

"Did he bend anything?"

"No. That's what made him so impressive. He didn't need bending to be great."

"So he was like you!"

... yeah, I guess he kind of was. [... well, since she stroked his ego.] Hey, do you want a snack?

Yeah!! What are we going to have? Will it be chocolate?

If you want chocolate, it'll be chocolate!

[And thus Sokka bribed Ikki into ignorance by distracting her with candy. It was a good plan.]

[ it was the best plan because it worked. AND IKKI COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT THE ORIGINAL ISSUE WITH THE ANONYMOUS PERSON. ]

Sokka the 78th - [Action/Written]

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