[Video]

[maddest]

I'm setting up communal clotheslines here, for anyone whose bedding is waterlogged. Bring as much strong wire or string as you can if you can find it.

We work best when we aid one another.

[x,y]

Comments

[Video | Private]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

We can eat them out here.

[Video | Private]

[waterbends]

I'll be out there in a minute. Have Emily ready, okay? I'll go ahead and dry her out.

[Video | Private]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

[He nods, and the feed clicks off.]

[Offline]

[waterbends]

[And Katara will show up a few minutes later outside, clandestine snacks tucked into the crook of her arm.]

Where's Emily?

[Offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

[He tosses her over. She is very damp, and has a torn seam from it, unfortunately.]

[Offline]

[waterbends]

[With a dragging wrist motion, she's able to pull the water out from the body of the doll, flinging it onto the ground at her feet.]

Do you want me to stitch her up, too?

[Offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

If you wouldn't mind.

[Offline]

[waterbends]

[She tosses the cookies to Break, before disappearing into the house for a few moments with Emily. When she comes back out, she immediately settles in the grass, beginning to stitch the doll up.]

[Offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Can I ask you something?

[Offline]

[waterbends]

Anything.

[She might actually be humming a bit as she begins to sew Emily up.]

[Offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Without Aang, who else does that leave here?

[Offline]

[waterbends]

[The humming stops.]

You, me, Jet, General Iroh, and Toph.

[Offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

This isn't right now-

[He braces her immediately]

-and I don't want you to get upset, but I'm getting sicker.

[Offline]

[waterbends]

[The needle stops, and she looks up at him.]

-- you haven't found someone who can heal you?

[Offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

The lady Unohana is helping a great deal.

[But.]

[Offline]

[waterbends]

[She hears the 'but.']

It's not enough.

[Offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Undertaker is helping me prepare a small apartment. Somewhere quiet.

I'd like it if I could still take meals here with you all. Days, weekends, even. But I think a quieter place to rest would be healthier, in the long run.

[Offline]

[waterbends]

Of course. That makes sense.

[She starts sewing again, in silence this time.]

.. can I sleep with you and Emily tonight? I promise I'll be quiet.

[Offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Absolutely.

I was hoping you'd help decorate the spare room. Since it's yours. Whenever you need a little peace and quiet yourself.

[Offline]

[waterbends]

Break --

[She looks at him, then stretches out the thread, breaking it with her teeth as she finishes sewing Emily up.]

You don't have to.

[Offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Katara, I do not make friends easily, or particularly comfortably. If you play the game where you make me push you to follow me, I'll fail. I won't be able to insist. But my door is open to you for a reason.

[Offline]

[waterbends]

[The frankness startles her, but she smiles after a moment.]

It's not that. If it's open to me because you want me to visit -- then good. I will, and happily. I just don't want you to feel like you've got an obligation to us just because you've lived here.

[She stands up, settling Emily in his lap.]

[Offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I have an obligation to you because you're as good as family.

[Holding the doll.]

And because I am not willing to lose you.

[Offline]

[waterbends]

[Leaning down, kissing the top of his head.]

I've always wanted a crazy tea-addicted uncle.

[Offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

[He grins up at her.]

And I've always wanted someone to help me fix my new floorboards.