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]

Ugh, whatever. Who's the captain of your ship anyway?

[alwayscomeback]

That would be me. I'm the captain.

[He sounds so proud of himself. ]

[bolder]

[A long pause with this expression.]

Wow. Now I know how you feel. You're right, it's not fun.

[alwayscomeback]

You know. I'd be mad but I actually missed these periodic jabs to my ego.

Maybe that means I've finally gone space crazy.

[bolder]

It was only a matter of time when you think about it. [Toph shrugs, then becomes a little more serious.]

Aside from Iroh and Suki, is there anything else worth mentioning?

[alwayscomeback]

Okay, this part is weird. We're all from different points in time? Like, the last thing I remember from home is you and me hanging off the airship, surrounded by Fire Nation soldiers. Other people remember after the war. Zuko only remembers up to the whole Ember Island thing.

[bolder]

See, that was a couple years ago for me. Fun fact! I'm almost fifteen. [Really big grin. How's that for weird?]

[alwayscomeback]

Wow. That is...really, really weird. You're almost the same age as me.

[NOT FOR LONG.]

[bolder]

I know, it'll take you some getting used to. [Not her.]

[alwayscomeback]

[Sardonically:]

Yeah, I'm sure it will.

[bolder]

But that means I'm older than Katara now!

[alwayscomeback]

...

Nope, weirded out again.

[bolder]

Why? It's not as weird as Aang always being older than everyone else.

[alwayscomeback]

Okay, no I'll give you that one. That one will never not be weird.

[bolder]

Yeah it's kinda weird when you think about it too long. [She shrugs. Whatcha gonna do?]

So, any questions about the future or whatever?

[alwayscomeback]

I try not to think about it much at all if I can help it.

How are we all doing? And the answer better be 'awesome'. And-uh. Is Suki doing ok?

[bolder]

We are pretty awesome, actually. I've got a metalbending school, Aang's doing Avatar stuff, you and Katara are helping him, Zuko's fire lording it up. Oh, Suki's his body guard or something.

[alwayscomeback]

...Wait, she's Zuko's body guard?

Huh. But hey, props for the metalbending school, that's pretty neat.

[bolder]

Yup. There was an assassination attempt a while ago, so she and the Kyoshi Warriors stepped up. [A 'meh' noise.]

It's awesome, thanks. I need to expand the place, it's gotten so crowded.

[alwayscomeback]

Someone tried to assassinate Zuko? [Ugh, he can't even say he;s surprised. ] I guess some supporters of Ozai were still at large, huh?

Well, that's great! Look at you, creating and teaching a whole new way of metalbending.

[bolder]

Yup. He can handle it, though. [Because come on.]

Yeah, I'm awesome like that.

[alwayscomeback]

Well, yeah, but he'll probably brood about it for a while.

I am admitting nothing. [He so thinks she's awesome like that. ]

[bolder]

I don't think it was that long, actually. But I wasn't there.

[Toph makes a pfffft face and noise.] Liar.

[alwayscomeback]

Huh. Better not tell him that one, he won't want to go back home at all.

I. [He points a thumb to his chest.] Happen to be a very truthful guy.

[bolder]

And I'm the Queen of the Spirit World.