17 [Action, backdated to afternoon.]

[flicker_flash]

[Sup, Luceti. Darth Vader is wandering your fine streets today

Comments

[markofthebrave]

[The only time she'd be able to catch Katara at home is when she is prepping for dinner. Despite everything, she still insists that they have one where all the remaining members of the house sit down together - even if they don't talk, they're at least together. It doesn't actually improve her mood, but it is one small act of defiance in the face of much larger pain and anger, and she's keeping it.

When Katara hears the knock on the door from the kitchen, she's shouting] Come in! [even as she's rushing over to it.

Is it news? Has someone found Sokka? Does someone need help?]

[markofthebrave]

[As often happens around Katie, Katara finds that her usual filters just don't... seem important. She ducks her head, feels hot tears in the corners of her eyes.]

It was pretty bad. But it wasn't the worst.

[After all... no one's died.]

[flicker_flash]

[...oh, Katara. She wasn't really expecting that.

You'll have a dark robed, de-helmeted Sith Lord appearing at your side, tugging gently on your sleeve, then.]

Can I beat anyone up for you?

[markofthebrave]

[Oh, Katie. Katara makes a strangled sound, half laugh, half sob, and bends down to plant an impulsive kiss on Katie's forehead. There's nothing patronizing about it, just honest affection because Katara, for all that she's strong, really needs to have people around that care about her too. And Luceti keeps taking them away.]

I wish it were that simple. If I thought it would help, I'd beat them up myself. But sometimes... there are problems you just can't fight, not like that.

[flicker_flash]

I know. [It's the sort of honesty that doesn't really get her into trouble-- a common, universal truth, isn't it? So she'll open her arms up to the older girl. Would you like a hug instead?]

[markofthebrave]

[This is Katara, and she will always take hugs.

/Hug.]

Thanks.

[flicker_flash]

You're welcome.

[But. She is worried. And Katie also knows what Katie is capable of. So she drops her hands after a good long while and gives Katara a big smile.] Can I help make the hot chocolate?

[markofthebrave]

Sure, if you want to. There are marshmallows over there. [Pointing to the cupboard. Sorry, you do not get to handle the pot and the stirring of the hot milk over the oven.]

[flicker_flash]

Okay. [Dutifully off to get marshmallows she goes! Katara doesn't mind if she swipes one or two for herself, does she? >_>] Do you need anything else?

[markofthebrave]

Not unless you want something else. [Stirring the hot milk now.

...there is still that faint desire to talk more, but right now Katara is trying very hard to shift her focus - being upset never does any good.]

[flicker_flash]

No. I think I'm okay with hot chocolate. [Here thar be marshmallows.] Are you the only one home right now?

[markofthebrave]

Yes. Suki's out, Zuko... [Has been mallynapped too? Returned home? Is out communing with the spirits? She doesn't know.] and Sokka's been taken by the Malnosso.

[Which hurts to say.]

[flicker_flash]

[Oh. Well... she's going to read that as two people taken by the Malnosso, and she frowns. That's not very nice, but...]

Is that all that's wrong? [She saw your face when she mentioned Sigmund. Besides helping Katara, that is relevant to her interests.]

[markofthebrave]

No, but... there are some things I said I wouldn't talk about.

[Even though she almost wants to tell you.

And she didn't promise. So if you push, something might come out.]

Katara's a pinata now? 8D

[flicker_flash]

[...it's the problem with holding all the known and stereotypical traits of a cat. And especially because this involves Sigmund.]

What kinds of things?

whatever that means?

[markofthebrave]

[Frowny face. Still being more free with information than she normally would be - even if it is not necessarily the information you want.]

Things I have to figure out, but I'm not sure if... there's anything I can do to make it better.