flickerflash | [Written/Action]

[Written/Action]

[Has everyone forgotten she's here? Assumed she's gone home?

Katie hopes so.

She's been hiding long enough.

She's also been out of touch. For the first time ever, she's making a locked post. But as she never really worked out how to use locks, it's pathetically easy to break. And given she's also directing it to Wolfwood, of all people...

...the writing is scratchy and awkward, because honestly she takes a few moments to remember how to write.]

[Written | Failed filter to Wolfwood]

The cremation of a fireman goes unremarked, but his remains remade remove the gremlin. This is my remedy, my ceremony, and there will be no rematch, but I had to remind you. It would be remiss if I didn't remark on the remnant that didn't remain.

I'm not sorry, preacherman.

[Katie doesn't want to be seen by anyone, and so she does the sensible thing. It's very late at night when she lets herself into the stores-- more early morning-- and makes off with a pair of scissors. And possibly a fireman's hat, if it exists. Just because. And then very briefly, she heads past Cullen House to leave what appears to be a ball of brightly, multi-coloured string in the kitchen.

She's not brave enough to head south until the sun is up, and so morning sees her heading through the forest for its southern edge, scissors in hand, where a collection of brightly coloured string still flutters in a breeze that doesn't exist.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Aang happens to be walking somewhere near that section of the forest on that day. A nice, solitary nature is helping him to clear his head with all that's happened recently. Katara's return, Toph's departure. And he saw that journal message the previous night, which disturbed him. He was wondering about Katie and why he had not seen her in so long.

But eventually, he stops when he notices some movement in the corner of his eye. And he moves to investigate.]

[Katie is stepping through the forest with a little more care than necessary. It's not that she's putting off getting to her destination, heck no. Not at all. Nor has her breath acquired that faint, shaky sound that comes from pure nervousness. It's like going to visit the dentist and knowing he's going to stick a drill in your mouth.

But forward she goes with her pair of scissors, and though Aang can't see it, one of her feline ears twitches back at the sound of someone following her. So she stops. Not that you're particularly loud, but she's a cat-- and you have echoes.]

Hello, Aang.

[He looks at Katie, an eyebrow raises at wondering what would need scissors for in a forest. He gives her a meek smile and a wave.]

Hello, Katie. How are you?

I think I'm doing quite well. Hard to say. [She's not turning around. And after a moment, she starts walking again.]

Shouldn't you be in school? Or reading comics. That sounds like fun.

Oh. I hope you do more well, than. [And he hastens his pace to try to catch up with her.]

They both sound like fun, but I could ask you the same question. You're littler, after all. But it doesn't matter anyway. There's no school on the weekend.

There is in Japan. And on the planet Arus. Defending planets takes lots of dedication.

Did you want something?

[As he gets closer, he might see the leather scabbard tied on one hip. Hi, Aang. I'm a nine year old carrying a sword. :|b]

[He does smile softly at what she says, but the laugh is halted by him noticing the scabbard. Sure, he'd saved the world when he was 12 and knew other youngsters who used weapons... but Katie was so close to Ikki's age that it definitely stuck out as unusual.]

Not really. I just... thought I'd spend some time with you. I haven't heard from you in a while, Katie. [And he knows so little about you - like if there are any caretakers.]

Oh. I went home for a while, so that's probably why.

What if I'm doing secret girl's business?

You did? How was it?

Oh! If it's- if it's that private, I should leave you alone, shouldn't I? I don't wanna... interrupt or anything...

It was on fire. I put it out again.

[She'd offer him a smile, but Katie is doing her best to make sure he can't see her face. So she looks at her feet instead.]

...would you mind? I could come by and visit you afterward.

That sounds very brave of you.

If - if that's what you want, Katie. As long as you're careful, and I can see you're okay later. It's just... it could be dangerous in this forest. [Word's surely spread by now that the local vampire is gone, but who knows what else could lurk in its depths?]

I'll make sure to come knocking so you know I'm okay. But really, there's no need to worry, Aang. I come down here all the time.

Thanks, Katie. That's very thoughtful of you. You really come here that often?

Lots. It's very quiet, because everyone else goes to the mountains or the beach or the lakes. So I come out here and pretend I'm Little Red Riding Hood.

I like Little Red Robin Hood. Ikki was her for Halloween and told me all about her story. She's real brave - Little Red that is. And Ikki. And you. I'm glad you've been safe, though. [He hesitates.] But... Isn't there anyone to look after you?

[It's been more than half a year now since Ikki first showed up - and since Katara and Aang had been taking care of her, aside from the brief periods where Tenzin showed up and Ikki spent some time back at home. Even if he was used to kids living on their own and being free - and while Katara had told him about the responsibilities that were assumed in her tribe from a young age - Aang still worried for Ikki, and he worried for Katie, too. He had to make sure the kids were alright.]

[Katie blinks at him.] Of course there is. You don't think adults would let a little girl run around by herself, do you?

It kinda depends, but the older people around here are mostly responsible people. But... You're still running around by yourself right now.

So are you.

But I'm older! I'm... I'm a teenager. [But he never really saw much of a difference between kids and teenagers. He realizes this and deflates in confusion. Was he thinking of himself as less like a kid now? He can't allow that. Whatever happened to the Aang who encouraged Toph leaving her parents] But I guess that's not much different. I just... the monk who raised me wasn't like parents in some ways, so I grew up with a lot of freedom. And back home, we weren't that old when we were traveling on our own.

Freedom is very important, wouldn't you say? There's nothing an adult can do that a child can't.

I agree that freedom is really important. B-but... only adults still can only shave their beards and other kinds of hairs they have. And even if they can do the same things as kids... they have lots of years more practice so they can do things safer.

Lots of practice makes a walk through the wood safer? I shouldn't think there's that much difference.

Well I mean in case danger appears, y'know? Otherwise walking's easy for everyone!

Tell that to a man in a wheelchair. [Oh that was a bit callous, Katie. She frowns.] Children just protect themselves in different ways, you know.

[He frowns quickly at the wheelchair comment. Although at least he remembers Teo, and he seemed to be doing good for himself.]

Y-yeah, I guess they do. What ways are you thinking of, Katie?

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