(Untitled)

[grabber_fray]

In a field by a lake so big it looks like an ocean, a short blind girl is very close to finding a coffin

Comments

[notanoptimist]

Four. Sokka leaves Toph's side, more hopeful for speaking with her, but tired all the same.

He wants this, he does, he promised, he's going to take care of her. Its just...

He flops down beside Mel and the girls, settling a hand softly on Loo's hair. He's frowning, concerned at the way she wriggles in her sleep and looks up at Mel questioningly.

[grabber_fray]

"She's not sleeping well," Mel says, looking at Loo, not Sokka, but leaning towards him. "Not waking well, either, much."

[notanoptimist]

Sokka's frown doesn't lighten any for this information, giving Loo another worried glance. He's caught up enough in it that he doesn't notice the lean right away, though once he does, he scoots over to offer Mel a shoulder.

"Sick?" he asks quietly, stretching to keep a hand on Loo's head, petting her silky hair.

[grabber_fray]

"Seems like."

Hana crawls into Mel's lap, smiling fondly and looking for cuddles. She at least, isn't as sick.

"Not running a fever. Not coughing. Just fretting a lot. She won't tell me what's wrong."

[notanoptimist]

Like they needed more to worry about.

It isn't a nice or good thing to think right off the bat, but it's in Sokka's mind all the same. He sighs softly and pets his little niece's hair, giving Hana a small smile when she looks to him. "Han's all right, though?"

[grabber_fray]

"Yeah," Mel says, smiling at the girl in question and tucking her growing hair behind her ears. "She's worried about her sister, though, aren't you, Han?"

Hana respondes by picking up Penge and pressing it into Mel's hand as a gift.

[notanoptimist]

They're very giving girls. Sokka smiles at her without lifting his hand from Loo. "Anxious to get back to the farm, huh? We'll be done soon."

He hopes.

[grabber_fray]

Mel smirks a little bit, still leaning on him.

"How're you doing?"

'Cause Sokka's the one they need to worry about.

[notanoptimist]

So far, it seems like everyone needs to worry about everyone.

Sokka shrugs, leaning back against her. "Toph thinks she'll be done soon."

[grabber_fray]

"That's a good thing, right? You still want this?"

[notanoptimist]

Sokka looks over at her sharply.

Very sharply.

"Yes. I do."

[grabber_fray]

Mel doesn't react to the look; she barely even registers it. Instead, she nods, accepting the answer.

"Good. Then we'll get it done - tomorrow?"

[notanoptimist]

It's not the first time Mel's asked him that question and, honestly, it's not the first time Sokka's hesitated in answering.

He looks away from her and takes his hand from Loo's head to pick at the grass.

"Whenever Toph's ready."

[grabber_fray]

"OK."

Mel replaces his hand with one of her own, stroking the heads of both her daughters. She fails to find any more words.

[notanoptimist]

There's not much else to say. But the atmosphere around the small family isn't nearly as comfortable now as it was a moment ago.

Sokka hesitates and then gets to his feet. "I'm gonna go for a walk."

[grabber_fray]

Mel winces when he stands; imperceptably, with little more than a closing of her eyes.

For a second, she nearly asks him to stay, but instead she looks down again.

"Right. Not too far."