[Voice / Action]

[kyoshi]

We've been getting an awful lot of rain this month so far, haven't we? Was it this bad last year?

Speaking of "year"... getting pretty close to my first, now. A lot has happened to make it feel a lot shorter than it is. I guess it took me by surprise...

[Filtered to the Kyoshi Warriors]

Hey everyone, just a quick announcement:

Be sure to put in some extra practice today if you can, because tomorrow I plan on running a private tournament between you all to see how you're doing. It's hand-to-hand only, so you can use whatever techniques you've learned so far. Get a good night's sleep the night before, okay?

Next week I'd like to try some acrobatics, so we'll meet in the Battle Dome.

[Filtered to Toph]

Hey, Toph, if you're not busy today, want to work on some training? I have a few ideas I'd like to try.


[Suki is out and about today, picking some stuff up at the plaza, checking on the status of the uniforms, and hiding out in one of the shops when the rain hits. Otherwise, housemates can find her at home- probably soaked to the bone when she arrives, poor thing.]

Comments

[markofthewise]

Yeah, I can see how- oh hey, it'll be one year for you soon, won't it?

[Sokka hit a year and a half months ago. They should probably do something special for the day Sokka was reunited with his lady love.]

[kyoshi]

Two weeks, I think. [She gives her cheeks a light scratch, the smile fading a little. Not sure how she should feel about this, really.] It was getting to the end of August when I arrived.

[markofthewise]

[Oh yeah, he knows that feeling. He was mighty depressed when he hit his first year. It was a pretty big deal.]

Yeah, I remembered. Hard to believe, huh?

[kyoshi]

After everything that's happened, I thought it would feel longer. [Her fingers drift downwards unconsciously to toy with her necklace.] But now I look back and it doesn't really seem very long at all.

[markofthewise]

[It's a touchy subject, but he watches her touch the necklace and it brings a smile to his face.] You've made my last year here a lot better, you know. Even with all the bad stuff.

[kyoshi]

[Oh, well done, Sokka. You brought that smile back, and she does feel a little better. Still weirded out, but he's always good at cheering her up.] I can't say it was a bad year, either.

[markofthewise]

Sure, the fighting and the fake romances and the sudden addition of two daughters was a little crazy, but yeah. It was... I don't regret it.

[How could he regret the year he got engaged in? No matter how many bad things happened.]

[kyoshi]

I should hope not. That reminds me, someone warned me today that the second year is even worse than the first. What do you think about that?

[Educate her, o veteran of Luceti.]

[markofthewise]

[Worse, is it? He considers that carefully.]

Maybe that person didn't have a boyfriend. Or girlfriend. Whichever.

[kyoshi]

Oh, is that what made it better for you?

[He's as good at this as he ever is.]

[markofthewise]

Well, sure. But mostly it was getting Hawky.

[And then he has to be mean.]

[kyoshi]

[Oooh, you did that on purpose, you brat. Enjoy a punch on the shoulder as a reward.]

Oh, that cranky bird of yours who barely even looks at me on a good day? That was the best part?

[markofthewise]

[Always with the shoulder. One day he's going to start wearing a shoulder guard and then you'll all be sorry. And yet he ends up snickering anyway.]

Well Momo was a plus too.

[kyoshi]

[You should feel lucky she likes your face too much to punch it.]

And here I was happy to see you back, but now I'm not so sure... maybe you should go camping again.

[markofthewise]

[Oh Suki, don't be like that. He's just having fun.]

Hmmm. You know, you're pretty when you're mad.

[kyoshi]

[Oh, she knows. But sometimes it's good to make him suck up to her after teases like that.]

You're supposed to say something like, "you're always pretty" if you want to get back on my good side.

[markofthewise]

[It's true. But sometimes he doesn't know when to quit.]

No no, you're prettier when you'r not mad. I guess I should worker harder to stay on your good side.

[kyoshi]

That's right- I could refuse to kiss you until you shaved the beard or something.

[Two can play at this game, darling.]

[markofthewise]

Really? [He strokes his beard thoughtfully.] That's a tough choice.

[kyoshi]

I had no idea my kisses were so cheap to you. Is that why you get so many?

[markofthewise]

I haven't had many in a while. I may need to be reminded.

weird, I had no notif for this one

[kyoshi]

Try flattery again. You look too old for groveling now.

[markofthewise]

Hmmm. I spent all week in the wilderness, surrounded by lakes... trees... the occasional mountain. Clouds and stuff. A brief bit of rain. And fish, there were fish. [Oh wait, he's getting away from himself.]

But you're the prettiest thing I've seen all week. And um, that's not just because I was camping with another guy.

[kyoshi]

I'm prettier than trees and fish?

[Really, that's the best he could do?]

[markofthewise]

Hey, I mentioned lakes and clouds too! Those are very pretty!