markofthewise | Sokka the 79th

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 accepts the weighted sword and notes with some satisfaction that it feels lighter in his hands now. He takes on a familiar defensive position and nods.]

I plan on getting in more than one today.

The fighting must have been very kind to you then.

[Souji bows to begin the match, then slides one foot back to take a defensive stance like he usually does.]

[Sokka returns the bow. And a moment later, he moves to strike. He's trying to hold himself back at first. Which is hard, because he's not used to doing so, which makes his first strike a little too weak and clumsy.]

[Too weak and clumsy for someone who has been training so hard. Souji parries the blow and slaps it away, but refuses to take a point for himself. Instead, he quick steps three paces to the left and raises an eyebrow.]

It isn't like you not to give it your all in the first strike.

My bad. I'll try again.

[Trying to adjust for his normal speed and strength is difficult. So he may have to go for everything. He swings again, a quick blow to the right shoulder. It's fast and it's powerful, but while he doesn't slow himself down, he does try to hold back on the strength. Don't show your hand all at once.]

[It's fast - faster than he had been before - and Souji dodges, bringing his sword up to block. The power behind it is something he's used to, but the speed is new. Just a step or two faster, but more than he would have imagined someone would learn just from going out onto the battlefield for awhile. The blow nearly touches his shoulder and he jumps back, adjusting his grip on sword.]

Better. That's more like you.

How was the time away from the village? Recently you've been having troubles, haven't you?

It was refreshing. It gave me time to think.

[Maybe Souji suspects. Maybe he doesn't. He wants to win, but he wants it to seem well earned. But he doesn't stop to talk, instead he continues the exchange of blows even as he answers, this time going for another blow, aimed in the same place, but with a bit more strength behind it.]

[The strength is more what he expected from someone who was training as hard as Sokka was, and so he fought back. Still weaker than he liked to be, but he met the attack from the inside and tried to push back.

For a moment they were locked together and Souji looked up into Sokka's eyes.]

About what has been happening? Or other things?

Other things.

[Sokka pushes his advantage. Even though he'd grown taller than Souji, he's never been really about to overpower the smaller samurai. His teacher just seemed to have that kind of reservoir of strength Sokka found hard to match.

At least until now. He wanted to make his teacher be the one to back off and give Sokka the opening to land a hit.]

Sokka the 79th - [Action]

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