(Untitled)

[notanoptimist]

First, Sokka found Mel. Then Sokka bribed Mel with a few hours of watching Hana the-feverish-fire-breathing-baby so Mel could get some sleep. Then Mel went into the haunted kitchen and brought Sokka some soup. Sokka then exchanged the baby for soup and went to find Steph. Steph proceeded to thank him for his gift of sick-relieving soup and then

Comments

[i_spoiled_it]

Steph is basically the most helpful person ever, really.

"Is your hair too long, or did you have your eyes shut and just not see? That was terrible!"

It would be much harsher if she wasn't also giggling and looking like this is pretty much the perfect afternoon. But she looks like that a lot around Sokka, really, so it's not unusual.

[notanoptimist]

"You know," Sokka calls, glancing at her as he follows through with a punch and failing utterly to scowl, "when you're trying to help me, you could try to be, I don't know... helpful."

Yes, he's ignoring that he's been improving since they started.

[i_spoiled_it]

That's okay, Steph is too.

"I'm serious," she protests, Absolutely Innocent. "Your hair's getting long again. Obviously it's having a -- 'choo! -- detrimental effect on your abilities."

Giggles!

[notanoptimist]

Okay, that was totally cause for a pause in kata, especially if it includes glaring and hands-on-hips. "Hey, you're the one that cuts it," he points out. "If it's gotten long, it's your fault."

A short puff of air sends his new bangs flying and Sokka fails at not-laughing.

[lemur_sitter]

The younger Sokka appears to have turned up while the older is wrestling with his friend, judging by his bemused half-smirk and wide eyes. He waits till olderhim is back to doing those funny pattern things before commenting, though.

"-- That looks kind of Fire Nation." The kata, he means; the footing and stances. (For once, it isn't a disapproving remark.)

[notanoptimist]

He gets a short glance in return, a breathless half-grin as Sokka follows-through with a punch. "It is," he informs the younger boy, almost gasping as he moves into the next move.

Yes, that's right. He just admitted that he's trained in Fire Nation fighting styles.

[lemur_sitter]

"Huh," Sokka-the-younger says, tugging his shirt off and tying his hair back preparatory to joining in.

"Who did you train with? Was it Master Piandao, too? But I didn't think you'd stayed long enough."

Apparently his prejudices don't extend to learning how to fight.

[notanoptimist]

Well, of course not. He's a Sokka.

Pausing when he notices the other's preparation, Sokka drops his stance to breathe for a bit, reaching for a water bottle he'd set aside earlier. "I didn't - I don't know who that is. Zuko trained me for a while, and then his uncle after he got hurt."

It's not so hard to admit anymore. Certainly not after meeting the ghost of his sister.