markofthewise | Sokka the 79th

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Sokka the 79th - [Action]

Over two months ago, Sokka died. His penalty was something incredibly intangible. It took from him his empathy, his ability to love, and so many other things. He didn't have a way of describing it, but he was empty. In truth, he wasn't sure he felt anything. There was nothing that truly touched him on the inside.

More than a week ago, Sokka left for a mission. A week and a half with the Depot where they instituted the kind of justice he could appreciate. He certainly felt no remorse when he shot a man for stealing water. When bandits attacked the depot, they rounded up most of them and then strung them up for their trouble. It was a simple morality and for a short while, things actually made sense. Not like the gray morality in Luceti, where people were stupid enough to think that sparing the lives of murderers and thieves meant anything.

And then he got his reward. Cashing in the bulk of mission points he'd accumulated for over a year, he was given what he really coveted the most. Power. And now he had it. As he walked into Luceti, he imagined that he could feel the difference. It was not quite so dramatic as what he had been given by the Rogue Malnosso, but he was content with the knowledge that he'd be keeping what he'd earned. There'd be no scientists taking it away from him this time.

It's mid-day when Sokka returns to town and he's still wearing the cowboy hat he took to the Depot with him. Maybe it doesn't exactly mesh with the Water Tribe clothes he's accustomed to, but he likes it. The hat makes him feel gritty and intimidating. He'll eventually get tired of hat hair, though. Just not today.

So today for his time spent back in Luceti, he heads home to greet whoever might be there. He checks in Foo Foo, the saber toothed moose lion he received from Christmas. It's getting quite big now, having reached the size of medium-sized dog. The tips of his antlers are even starting to become a bit more visible. Although the animal does seem quieter around Sokka, its at least obedient and follows him as he goes about Luceti. For today that includes the Smithy until evening, the Library for an hour, back at House 56 for dinner, and then out in the forest to try and teach Foo Foo to hunt.

The next morning, he makes sure that Okita Souji will meet him for their training session. Sokka is looking forward to seeing the results.

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[Sokka has just picked out a book. The subject? Geology. Heavy reading to be sure.]

I had to leave those back at the Depot. Though I was thinking of replacing the doors at the smithy. [Yes, he can see that she's not as happy as she could be. But there's a cloud of indifference there that means he can be his usual self, which is prone to frowning or wide eyed grinning.]

You'll regret it once it's winter again.

True. Maybe I should just replace the one at the bar instead. It's more fitting.

Touch my doors and you're a dead man, Sokka Thunderaxe. I've had it up to here with people thinking they can customize things without giving me a heads up.

"This was your heads up."

Ha-ha. What a funny joke Sokka was currently telling! Buffy laughed, because there was no way that he'd ever really consider tampering with her precious bar. Surely.

"Saloon doors, huh? All the better to kick you out on your ass through, I suppose."

He actually found himself considering that. Wondering what his chances would be against her now that he'd been 'upgraded'. She'd still be stronger and faster than he was. His only advantage was vague memories of how a slayer fights and those were mostly gone. Aside from being better equipped, he really had nothing to give him a significant advantage in a confrontation. He came to the conclusion that he had a ways to go yet.

But he taunted her anyway. "I'd like to see you try it."

Ignorant to all of these calculations: "Puh-lease. I'd have you over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes before you could say chili cheese fries."

"Shows what you know. I can say chili cheese fries surprisingly quickly."

"And I can toss sacks of potatoes surprisingly far."

"Sounds useful. So what are you doing here? No offense, but I don't see you in the library that often."

And Buffy didn't waste a breath or a heartbeat on taking offence.

"Actually? I kinda love libraries in a never-use-em-for-their-intended-purpose kinda way. But that doesn't usually go down well, here." She lifted her canvas bag. "I'm picking up a few things for Jack."

He gazed at her skeptically. Buffy coming into the library for a novel wasn't a big deal. Jack, on the other hand...

"No. Really."

Funnily enough, that insinuation is the one that finally managed to make her uncomfortable. Buffy's brows knit. "Y'know, he's actually pretty well-read. Weller-read than me."

"Really? Because he doesn't seem the type." If he hadn't seen Jack do written stuff, he'd assume Jack couldn't read at all.

"He's a lot of things he doesn't seem to be." Especially right now. "But who isn't, these days?"

"If no one is who they seem to be, then that makes things pretty confusing."

"Welcome to the human condition," she countered dryly and took a few steps back towards the main path. "Headed home? I'll walk you."

He looked towards the sky. It wasn't dark yet, but the sun wasn't long from setting.

"Worried I'll get attacked?"

"Hardly," she smiled as she argued -- and this smile was more genuine, "it's more like I miss you."

He hadn't missed her at all, when he thought about it. He was losing touch with how to play himself convincingly. He shrugged and smiled.

"Well in that case, tag along. Maybe we can take the scenic route."

As sincere as her missing of him had been, she did indeed have...motives involved in this co-stroll. After all, Suki had brought forth some disturbing charges and Buffy was interested in confirming or dispelling them with her own little grey cells.

So -- with a nod -- she kept walking. "Scenic route sounds perfect. You can tell me a little bit more about your mission...?"

He shrugged indifferently as he led them towards the western bridge. "I went back the Depot. Blistering heat, unattractive saloon girls, not-so-great rations, and bandits. There's not a whole lot to tell."

"Come on, they can't all of been that unattractive."

Yes. This was what mattered.

"Buffy, it was awful. The desert does horrible things to people."

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