step one

[bolder]

Who: Toph and YOU!
Broadcast: Everyone ever
Action: That too-- Hospitality Deck!
When: Before the 6/14 shuffle

[ACTION AND VIDEO]

[For whatever reason, it's eerily quiet, and the sound of two bare feet hitting the metal floor of the hospitality deck can be heard. (it's really for dramatic effect, who are we kidding) The owner, a small girl of fourteen, stares into space (ha!) as she takes a few slow, deliberate steps. After a moment, she crouches down and places her hand on the floor, pauses, then speaks. Or yells. Whatever.]

Hey!! Someone tell me what's going on! This isn't another weirdo spirit thing is it? I'd hit my quota for the month already!

[She huffs in annoyance, straightening up. Now she's quieter, talking more to herself.] What's with this weird place?

Comments

[bolder]

[Woobie.]

No, you were just ridiculously early. It's not my fault you're bad at social engagements.

It's just like being on the ground. Except a little blurrier I guess? Not as bad as you'd think. [A dramatic sigh!!] Fine. But you better have something to entertain me if I get bored.

[alwayscomeback]

The correct turn of phrase is 'good timekeeping', thank you very much.

Well, that's good. [He's grinning, even if she can't see it. It's the nerdiest grin. ]

I did pick you up a clod of earth from the first planet we visited. Space dirt.

[bolder]

You're not welcome.

[She visibly perks up at the news, her own grin appearing too. Sokka you're secretly the best.]

Space dirt? Seriously?

[alwayscomeback]

[Secretly. Don't blow his cover.]

Space dirt. It doesn't look that different from regular dirt, but I'm sure if anyone finds weird stuff with it, it'll be you.

[He squints at the screen. ]

Looks like you're on the Marsiva right now, I can't get it to you until they shuffle you into another ship.

[bolder]

If it's just like regular dirt, I'll be disappointed in you, Sokka.

[She makes a show of looking around.] Really? How did I miss that? [Pause.] Shuffle?

[alwayscomeback]

I'll be disappointed in me.

Hah hah. You're hilarious. Anyway, yeah, shuffle. It's what they call it when they beam you people out of the mothership and into one of the little ones. Me, Katara and Aang are on the Blue Fish. Zuko's on the Bishop.

[bolder]

Welcome to the rest of the world.

More of this? Oh goo-- Katara and Zuko are here too? [Distractions from sarcasm!]

[alwayscomeback]

You know, I didn't realise how much I missed that voice berating my every move. It's like a hug with words.

Yeah, Suki was too but she... vanished. Last week. Iroh, too.

1/2

[bolder]

What can I say? It's what I do.

[bolder]

[But now she's dropping the humor.] I'm sorry, Sokka. Are they back home?

[alwayscomeback]

Other people seem to think so? I mean...time works weird here, and people remember seeing them at points I haven't got to, yet. So it looks like they were?

[bolder]

Huh. Weird. I mean, I was just with you guys before being yanked here, so they're probably back home like nothing happened. [She's trying to make him feel better. Maybe.]

[alwayscomeback]

[This is one of the many reasons she's his best friend. ]

That's what I'm hoping. It's better for them, anyway, this place can be pretty dumb.

[bolder]

[As it should be.]

Takes dumb to know dumb I guess. [And back to normal.]

[alwayscomeback]

And that is- HEY!

[He's missed this, though, really, he has. Maybe he's more masochistic than he realised.]

Moving on, do you know what augment they gave you? You'll suddenly know how to do a job you probably never knew how to do back home.

[bolder]

My point.

[A long, long pause. Then she breaks into a wide grin.] I'm a pilot. Sweet.

[alwayscomeback]

[The longest ass pause in the history of the universe. ]

It's official. Atroma are now actively trying to kill us.

[bolder]

Hey, don't be rude! I can totally do this!

[Still super psyched.]

[alwayscomeback]

What was it you said back home? Let me think-

Oh yeah. [Just gonna mimic her voice] "That's a great idea! Let the blind girl steer the giant airship".

[bolder]

It's not my fault they took me seriously!

[alwayscomeback]

So can you actually fly a ship? I mean, there's stuff that floats in the way, but most of it is rock? So maybe you can sense it.

[bolder]

Dunno yet! Guess we'll find out soon, huh? [Grinning again.]

[alwayscomeback]

I feel so safe and confident right now.

[bolder]

A nice change of pace, isn't it?

[alwayscomeback]

Oh yeah, I really missed the feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach.