(Untitled)

[i_spoiled_it]

It's the third night of what Steph had hoped would be a two-day trip, and it's been a long, long three days. Steph is grumpy.

Comments

[runaway_bandit]

The campsite in question was mostly made by Toph. She gets a rocktent to herself for that. And now: she's quiet.

She's been quiet most of the trip, as it happens. Katara doesn't know her and Suki's not really family and she doesn't know Steph and...

...and she's going back to the place where she buried her best friend. She's quiet.

[i_spoiled_it]

Eventually there is stew. It's a little burned at the bottom, but it's hot and food and that's good, right? Steph has a bowl of it which she's bringing over to Toph, careful on the uneven ground; Hana is Helping by hanging on to Steph's knee as they walk.

"Hey, Toph. Food?"

[runaway_bandit]

"Thanks."

Toph puts out a hand for the bowl, head not turning towards Steph.

"How's it going?"

[i_spoiled_it]

"We should make it there tomorrow," Steph says brightly, putting it in Toph's hand. "If we keep making this good time."

[runaway_bandit]

There is stew.

Yum.

Feel Toph's enthusiasm?

"Oh," says she. "Good."

[i_spoiled_it]

Oh yeah. Toph's kind of got an investment, huh.

Steph hadn't really thought about anyone beyond herself and Sokka so much. She helps herself to a seat beside Toph, flopping down quietly.

"Yup. Peachy. You doing okay?"

[runaway_bandit]

Of course Steph hasn't. The only person to ever care about Toph is - well, Katara. But the Katara that Toph thought she was burying. Not this one.

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

[i_spoiled_it]

"Oh, I dunno."

Steph cares about Toph - but only in the same way that she cares about everyone on the farm. A soft of generalised optimistic goodwill. Toph is special for being friends with Younger Sokka and keeping him happy, but Steph really doesn't know her at all.

"'cause we're off to find your friend's body?"

[runaway_bandit]

"She wasn't my friend."

Toph can't see. But she gives the impression that she wouildn't turn her head to look at Steph if she could. She just takes a mouthful of stew.

"She was the nearest thing I had to a sister."

[i_spoiled_it]

"Right. Even more reason for you to be not so okay." Steph rests her chin on her knees, looking at Toph worriedly.

"I didn't thank you for coming, even, did I? Thank you."

[runaway_bandit]

"I didn't do it for you."

There's a shrug, though. That's in lieu of accepting the thanks.

[i_spoiled_it]

"I know." Steph smiles at the younger girl. "We'd still be stuffed without you. Wouldn't have even got past the first massive pothole."

They need Toph.

[runaway_bandit]

"Yeah."

Nothing makes Toph smile better than acknowledging her awesome.

"You pretty much need me."

[i_spoiled_it]

Steph grins, pleased with this result.

"No pretty much about it - we definitely need you. You're kickass, Toph."

"Ass!" agrees Hana.

Steph gulps audibly. "I hope Mel didn't hear that."

[runaway_bandit]

"I won't tell her if you don't," Toph assures her.

[i_spoiled_it]

Steph grins at her. "She's got super-Mom skills. She'll find out.

"... I'll just tell her Sokka taught her it."

Hana giggles, very pleased with Steph's reaction, and repeats "Assssssss!"