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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"Maybe not. But you might remember that Fenimore of the Water Tribe wasn't a blonde."

Fenimore of the Water Tribe? She gives him an odd look for a moment before a look of understanding crosses her face. Ah, right. Luceti Valley.

"Well -- that wasn't exactly the same thing as learning about your world, really."

"It was a start. You can learn a lot about a place by thinking you're from it." A pause and then he had a good example. "Like Winry. She thought she was from my world. She dyed her hair so she'd fit in."

"I guess so. I don't really remember much from those kinds of Shifts, though. It's mostly just whatever happens to come up that week." She still can't really get how her alternate self had managed to make that cell phone thing work. "I guess Winry would at least remember the blond thing, though, if she had to worry about it while she was there."

He shrugged. "Fair enough. So what's up? Are you here to get something."

She shakes her head. "No, I was just stopping by. I've been busy lately, so it's been a while since we last talked."

"The hectic life of parenthood, huh?" Sokka could relate. While Ikki was primarily looked after by Aang and Katara, it wasn't like Sokka didn't have his share or responsibilities with her too.

"Well, not exactly -- but something like that." She doesn't like to think of herself as a single mom. "But...well, at least I don't have too much work other than that and the housework. I guess that's one good thing about Luceti."

"If you say so. I'd go out of my mind if that was all I was doing." There was a reason Sokka clocked in between twenty to thirty hours a week at the smithy. More if he had a big project.

"Well, it's not all I do. But this way, my free time is my own." She sometimes does feel a bit frustrated that she doesn't really do anything with a larger goal, like how Sokka works in the smithy, but she tries to ignore that feeling usually.

"Which you spend doing what exactly?" It came across more condescending than he intended it to. But frankly he wasn't sure how she went each day without something to keep her busy.

"W...well -- whatever I want to do, I guess." She sounds somewhat defensive. Honestly, she doesn't have too many things that she does in her free time that sound worthwhile to describe. "I mean...I swim, and I, um...."

"... sounds like a really exciting day, Fen."

She makes a face. "I don't see how banging on metal all day is supposed to be any more exciting!"

"Well it's more productive, for one. In more than one way." He not so subtly patted his bicep.

She crosses her arms. "I'm not really looking to work on my biceps." Well, she has ended up doing so to an extent from her Kyoshi Warrior lessons, but it doesn't show through her loose sleeves.

"Besides," she continues in a matter-of-fact tone, looking away, "it's not like I have any skills like that."

"I barely did when I came to Luceti. I spent a lot of time working on them."

There was an implication there, of course. I spent my time learning and becoming better. What have you done?

"Yeah, well --" She doesn't really have an answer to that. "Well, whatever. I should leave you to your work. Besides, I need to get going, anyway."

Fenimore is using the tried-and-true method for dealing with a losing argument: refusing to acknowledge it and attempting to run.

Sokka shrugged. "Suit yourself. Seeya later."

If he had offended or hurt Fenimore, he didn't particularly care. That's how heartless Sokka rolled.

Sokka the 79th - [Action]

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