On Dropping Adstringendum (AKA Muse is Yet Again Unhappy)

[angle_on_it]

Would another week have killed you? At least then I could have said goodbye a little better than half-finished letters and memories of my exceptional ability to be a jerk. [Arms crossed. Sokka is not happy. Leaving during an event is not his idea of fair or right.]

O-okay, so I wouldn't have had a heads-up then, either, but still! There are people there I will never stop caring about -- people I would give anything not to forget or leave.

[Sarcasm mode engaged.] Thanks a lot. No, really, I mean it. This was just sooo kind of you, mun. A real class act. Oh, and by the way, this isn't the kind of wound you just slap a bandage on and hope for the best, so good luck making that work.

Comments

[memoriaflame]

Oh, Sokka. [Her eyes are full of sorrow, she misses her big brother already]

We'll always remember you, no matter how you disappeared.

[spats]

[ Suddenly the ceiling is a lot closer and one very enthusiastic firebender is hugging you, Sokka. HE'S SNEAKY AS HELL LIKE THAT, enjoy being scooped up as easily as ice cream from the pot. ]

[angle_on_it]

[The sentiment is much appreciated, Ginny. He offers a thin smile.]

Thanks, that-- that means a lot. That place was-- is like one big, extended family, y'know? I'm really going to miss it.

[angle_on_it]

[What the--?! Oh, okay, so he doesn't really need to keep his head out of the clouds and his feet planted firmly on the ground when it's you, Mako.]

[Despite aching inside, he can't help but laugh, obviously surprised.]

Hey now, c'mon! This is like rubbing it it that you're so much taller, Mako...

[memoriaflame]

It really is.

I'm going to miss you a lot, you know. I have Ron back now, but you'll still always be my big brother. I promise I'll look after Katara, too, in your absence.

[spats]

[ Squeezes, then plants him back on his feet. ]

Just making sure it's you, bro.

[angle_on_it]

I'll miss you, too. I already am, actually. But I know I've got good people there taking care of each other and... --and that's the best I can ask for.

[angle_on_it]

[He returns the squeeze with a hug even after the fact, because he feels they both need it.]

It's me. Me-me, not some... IDiotic version of me. Sorry about that, by the way.

[spats]

Your jokes are still terrible. [ Patting him on the arm. ] Don't worry about that event, by the way. Everyone was acting completely crazy, picking up the pieces is like trying to put together a broken mirror without letting your reflection catch in it.

I know it wasn't you that said those things.

[angle_on_it]

I still feel awful, but... [He sighs and scratches his cheek.] I've got to believe that you guys understand that. Sometimes I'm just not as lucky as I'd like when it comes to those stupid events. Don't have to worry about it now, though.

Would you keep an eye on everyone? I-I mean, I know you will anyway, and that it's a lot to ask with me not being there, but... [He purses his lips.] I have to. You get it, I'm sure.

[spats]

Me? [ Raising a brow. ] You're late to the party; Zuko already decided the entire world rests on his shoulders. He won't be alone as he deals with it, though.

[ He nods understandingly. ]

Everyone is dealing with it differently, but I think they'll be okay. We all miss you, Sokka.

[memoriaflame]

I'm going to go and put your name on the tree and maybe plant one in my new garden for you as well. The cottage is nearly finished, I wish you could see it.

[moonpowers]

Perhaps I am not understanding correctly... but this does not seem like the thing you should thank your mun for.

[angle_on_it]

Me, too. I'm sure it's perfect. [warmly] You've managed to do so well there, Ginny. It's a credit to you.

[angle_on_it]

Knowing that place, you probably won't have to live without me for long. [Just the nature of the beast, right?]

Anyway, don't let Zuko take all the credit, okay? We all do our part, and I didn't tell him to take care of everyone because he's the only one that can; there's a reason we're one big family.

[There's actually a letter for Mako somewhere in Sokka's things, but he's not sure there's enough there to mention that fact, so he'll just bypass it for now.]

[angle_on_it]

[Oh, Yue, why are you so adorable? Sokka smiles, but it's not the full grin he's known for.]

I wasn't really thanking my mun. It's pretty much the opposite, to be honest.

[moonpowers]

Is this another form of your humor?

[fashionista_monk]

Someone from the Water Tribe? Are you from the Northern or Southern tribe?

[While she was glad to see something somewhat familiar she was rather aware of the Northern tribe's view on women so she wanted to be sure what she was getting herself into with this conversation.]

[memoriaflame]

And to you, you kept me going when I was down.

[spats]

[ At some point, he might just discover that letter and keep it to himself. ]

It might be you, but it wouldn't be the same. Unless you came back to us. [ Hopeful, but realistic. ] I mean, you'd probably have to share my tree-pod until we got all your stuff back, but it'd get done eventually.

[angle_on_it]

It's the least I could do. You're important to me, to Harry, to everyone we both care about. [Hermione and Ron included.]

[angle_on_it]

I wouldn't call it humor, but it could be funny under the right circumstances. [ruefully] This isn't one of those circumstances, unfortunately.

[angle_on_it]

[Is that--? Sokka blinks, squints, sure he's seeing an arrow, but...]

Um. Southern. Are you an... airbender? [One of Aang's grandbabies, maybe?]

[memoriaflame]

You're important to us, too. [Why do people she loves keep getting taken from her? It was depressing.]

[fashionista_monk]

[Well that was certainly a relief.]

Yes I am from the Northern temple. I'm surprised I have never seen you during my visits there before. Do you know a woman about your age named Rose?