witchesreign | 012 - training center [open]

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012 - training center [open]

[Katara is in the Training Center, sitting next to the creek running down the middle of the facility. One would think that it isn't particularly safe to be just sitting in a jungle-like setting populated with monsters and fiends, but Katara seems to hardly take in her surroundings. In fact, she's blankly looking into the water, knees drawn up to her chest and chin resting on her arms which are folded on top, her expression mostly expressionless with just the smallest hint of a furrow in her brow.

Needless to say, there's a lot on her mind.]

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[That she's deep in thought is obvious. However, she also seems a bit troubled; Maria eventually makes her way over and gently taps Katara's shoulder.]

Are you all right?

[The light tap has Katara breaking away from her thoughts as she looks up to the girl. She blinks owlishly for a few spare seconds, before finally realizing that she's been asked a question.]

Oh-- yeah, I'm fine. [But Katara has never been a very good liar-- in fact, she's a horrible one.]

[And even Maria can see it. She gives Katara a look that says so, then sits down beside her.]

Do you feel like talking about it?

[Katara is silent for a few more moments after Maria sits down beside her. Finally, she lowers her chin back onto her knees.]

My friend, Toph-- she's gone. This is the second time she's disappeared.

Oh...

[She puts her hand gently on Katara's shoulder, trying to offer some form of comfort.]

I'm so sorry. Do you know where she was last?

[Katara offers a small smile of thanks.]

She told me she went back home when she first disappeared, but now she's gone again. [Her eyes drop down to the dirt near her feet.]

I guess I was hoping if she had come back, then my brother would too.

[Maria gives the best comforting smile she can manage.]

At least you know they're safe at home. It wouldn't be better if they were lost somewhere here, would it?

[Pause.]

...I know how you feel, though. Loneliness never gets easier, does it?

Home isn't really that safe right now, though-- at least, it wasn't when I came here. Toph told me everything was okay where she came from when she came back here, but if Time Compression can take us from our homes from any time then can't it put us back at any point, too? [Needless to say, Katara worries a lot about this.]

It doesn't, but I'm not completely alone-- I have Aang and... and Zuko here. They're both from my world, too. I just kind of wish my brother and Toph were here, too, so I know that they're safe as well.

Oh... That's true, it could.

[She feels for you, Katara. The only reason she doesn't worry a lot is because.... well, everyone she knows is dead.]

But if Time Compression brought us here, if it sends us back, shouldn't it be at the same point we arrived?

[Behind comes the sound of a grat getting an ice-elemental fist to the face; then, a moment later, the heavy footprints of a large man who'd never had much use for or aptitude with stealth.]

I'd tell you you're crazy for sitting out here in the middle of all these things, but considering how the free spars have been going I don't think I need to worry.

You're looking way too serious, though.

[It's easy for Katara to recognize that voice-- she's taking his class after all, and it's one of her favorites. His words has her looking up at him (Man he is tall, even more so with how she's sitting on the ground!) and she gives a small nonchalant shrug, failing at an attempt to smile.]

I was just... coming out here to train. [Which is exactly why she's sitting on the ground, not actively chasing down Grats or even attempting to fight a T-Rexaur.]

[That earns her a wry look somewhere between amused and 'really?'. Did she honestly think he'd believe that? Snow may not be a genius of the highest order, but come on.]

[Her poor excuse of a smile falters.]

That wasn't really convincing, was it?

No, that was pretty terrible.

[Cheerful enough about the fact, as he moves to sit down nearby. He isn't really afraid of anything in here, either.]

[She lets a couple moments of silence pass before she finally breaks it. She likes Snow, thinks he's a nice guy. That, and she's never really been one to hold back what she's thinking or feeling.]

I went looking for my friend, but I couldn't find her. This is the second time she's disappeared...

Which friend?

[Just in case Katara had simply missed her and he knew about it, though honestly he thought the chances of that were quite slim. Time Compression, in whatever form it took, was rough and merciless.]

Her name is Toph. She's kind of short, with milky eyes because she's blind. But she packs a mean punch, literally. I think you'd like her-- she's tough as rocks.

Sounds like the sort I'd like. Someday I may even get a handle on the idea that girls half my size are twice my strength around here.

[Not quite literally. He could take a full-strength punch from Bulla, after all. Still, he's seen Katara in action too, in class. What did they put in the water on these kids' worlds anyway?!]

[Still, that pretty much answers the underlying question, and leaves Snow a bit regretful that he has to help confirm Katara's suspicions.]

I haven't seen her around, then.

[Bulla's about to start her training routine when she comes across Katara.]

Hey...what's up? This isn't exactly the best place to sit down for a little bit of peace and quiet.

[Katara looks up at Bulla having recognized her voice and tries to give her friend a small smile.]

Just wanted a place to think, I guess. The creek helps a little.

So, what's on your mind?

[Bulla decides to keep an eye out for any grats or T-rexaurs that might come their way so that Katara won't have to get up.]

Toph's gone again. [Her chin returns to the top of her knees.] I was really excited that she came back-- I was so worried about her! And I kind of thought that since she came back, maybe Sokka would, too.

I'm sorry to hear that. Time Compression really sucks.

Katara?

[Katara looks up and attempts a smile.]

Hi, Ms. Olafsdotter.

Please, call me Tora, Katara. [She relaxes her arms at her sides from where she stands near the door.] Are you all right?

[Katara goes quiet at the question. Her eyes return to the creek, and her shoulders slump.]

Yeah, I'm just... this Time Compression stuff really isn't fair.

No. It isn't. [She comes over.] Did something happen?

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012 - training center [open]

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Aww man, I hadn't broken my HTML in a while.

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