flickerflash | [Accidental Voice -> Deliberate Voice]

[Accidental Voice -> Deliberate Voice]

[And this early evening, the journal will pick up the sound of one small British girl muttering to herself.]

Well, this is very rude. It didn't snow last autumn, you know. I think I ought to complain.

[Huff. Followed by a small ow, barely heard. And silence. Then finally:]

Oh! [And the journal is picked up finally. Because you, the townsfolk, should know the answer to this question. Clearly.] Did we get visited by aliens in the night? I think I've been experimented on. [Okay, that is totally the best thing ever.] I hope they looked like Elvis clones.

Has anyone seen my cat?

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[School is out, Katie, did you know? That means Katara is hard at work. Building. A sledding monstracity. She's already had Zuko test it out, and now she is adding another tunnel. Because that is what you do with left-over snow. Due to this intense work, you may see her before she sees you.]

[By the time Katie gets closer to the river, she is shivering mightily, her sleeves pulled over her hands and her hands tucked up under her arms. It's very rude, not being brought back with proper clothing on, and she's too low on glamour to go jumping about the place. Stupid dauntain.

Oh, but those tunnels certainly get her attention. She watches Katara make the second one curiously. (Shush, tunnel making of awesome trumps freezing to death, okay.)

To Katie, no time has passed at all... and so it's another minute, before Katara vanishes into the tunnel, that Katie remembers Katara hasn't seen her in months.

So she'll just pad up and in to the tunnel and ...see how good she is at sneaking up on you. >.>]

[Because sneaking up on busy waterbenders surrounded by snow is always the best idea.

Well, Katara is inside the tunnel, shoving against the walls to test out the structural integrity of the thing - so far, so good - when her light source is affected by one small form. She glances casually over to the entrance of the tunnel and freezes.]

Katie?

[But Katara, Katie has all the best ideas! Really! And oh, darn, she has been spotted. Katie pouts.]

You're not meant to turn around just yet.

[Well, too bad.]

Katie!

[Hug incoming.]

[That's rather a surprise. Katie sort of stands there blinking owlishly as she is enveloped by this person in a big furry warm coat. Then she smiles against the fabric and reaches up with little hands to cling.]

I think I was hibernating. [Seriously, she went to sleep and months went past. What's up with that.]

If you were hibernating, someone came by and took all your stuff while you were gone. [She steps back and immediately sheds her parka.]

Here, put this on. You must be freezing.

Well, that was very rude of them. [Her eyes go straight to the parka when Katara takes it off, all hopeful. Oh good. Gimme. She snuggles into it and gives a thankful smile.] They could at least have left me a blanket.

[They did leave her old clothes next to her, at least. A sweater is much warmer than those summer dresses, that's for sure.]

It was, it was very rude of them. [...and then Katara realizes that it's possible that Katie doesn't... really remember where they are. Since there's no definitive answer one way or the other.]

Come on, we're not too far from my house. We'll get you some hot cocoa and a chance to warm up.

[She hesitates.]

Katara. [Which should hopefully put that fear to rest, but Katie bites her lip.] Could you do something for me?

Edited 2012-01-12 08:12 (UTC)

What is it?

[Katie fumbles a bit under the big coat, but manages to produce her arm again-- and then after a bit more managing of extra coat, she pulls her sleeve up to show the angry-looking burn circling her wrist.]

[Katara remembers that burn.]

Oh, Katie...

[Again?

She streams some snow up from the floor of the tunnel, converting it into water as she does so.]

Hold out your hand.

[She holds out her hand obediently. And thinks about saying it doesn't hurt or The aliens made it come back but... well, she just feels a little guilty. So instead Katie just sort of eyes Katara shiftily and says nothing.]

[Is it just her, or does that look... worse.

A small, reassuring smile, even if there's tightness at the corners of her eyes. Those who wound and bind children are a particular sore spot for her.]

Don't worry. I'm even better at this than I was before.

[She has faith. It's been a while. She just doesn't want to go home with this so red and raw, and she knows at least that Katara dealt with it and didn't tell lots of people.

Katie smiles.]

I trust you.

[Worth the headache.]

[A startled smile and Katara puts her water-coated hand over Katie's burn. It's not long at all, now, before the burn is as healed as it can be.]

Thank you.

[She drops her hand, revealing the changed skin.] There you go.

[Katie sighs in relief. It's not just the hurt; the feeling of angry ants burrowing into her wrist. It's something she'd rather not explain to anyone who might ask after this, and Katara has just made it so much simpler.]

Thank you. Again.

[Katara gets rid of the water.]

Let's not make a habit of this.

[Who keeps hurting you when you go home, Katie?]

[People who don't believe you're allowed to have any fun.]

I promise not to.

Good. [She really can't help herself. She leans down and kisses Katie's forehead because... child, you worry her. And she's glad to see you. And really, really angry at whoever keeps hurting you.]

[For a moment, Katie looks plain uncertain. She wasn't expecting that. From anyone. But then she reaches up a hand and latches on to Katara's sleeve and smiles.]

Come on, let's go get you something warm to drink.

Okay! [Down with this idea.] Hot chocolate?

I think we can manage that.

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[Accidental Voice -> Deliberate Voice]

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