005

[deathsdoctor]

[In light of recent developements... namely Mister Strawhat declaring war more or less on Yuber and Nu, the normal routine has been shaken up slightly.

He's up on the roof of CH2 for his morning warmup longer than usual... just concentrating on movement and manipulation of filial magic. The tenseness just doesn't leave... nor does the feeling of restlessness. Anyone coming to the roof will likely catch him there until a nagging sense of time compels him downstairs to make breakfast.

Breakfast and a meeting of sorts. Though it's entirely unsuprising to him this has happened (and would be to Bepo, as he informed him of what occured on the draft), still this is something that has to be discussed. He begins frying up steak and eggs, and puts the coffee on.

Today, like so many days, he's going to be living on it.

Then he sharpens his sword, and heads out to town to gauge the mood and learn what can be learned. Just hanging around, watching. For those of you who know he was in charge of the Medical center during the draft (and therefore probably knows something about what went on), feel free to bug him for details about the circumstances that lead to Nu being pummeled into the fountain. He will likely not give many, but, who knows?

Depending on who you are, you may end up with a better grasp on the events that led up to this.]

Comments

[deathsdoctor]

Katara!

[He's going to casually wave and smile. (There may be some quick assessing of the area for threats, but after yesterday, can you blame him?)

And then peek curiously at the bag in your arms.]

Been shopping?

[markofthebrave]

[She doesn't miss that assessment - but at this point, Katara has decided she's as safe as she's going to be right here, and it doesn't deter her from coming right over to him.]

Just picking up some dessert for tonight. We've got a pretty full house again.

[deathsdoctor]

[And since there are no detectable threats, he's going to relax a little more...]

Full house? Who arrived?

[markofthebrave]

Toph - I don't know if you ever met her - and Zuko. [Who had been taken shortly after that dinner he so rudely never attended.]

They don't remember anything about being here before, though.

[Barely a flicker at that. She's getting used to saying it. Kind of like walking with a broken toe.]

[deathsdoctor]

[He shakes his head briefly - no, never met her.]

And how are you holding up through all this?

[Not just having nakama who don't remember, but the aftermath of the draft, and now this declaration of war.

All of that is a lot.]

[markofthebrave]

[Has she mentioned the return of a certain ex-Something-or-Another whose wounds she has to tend? Or how the draft totally screwed over her plans for coping with the love experiment? Or even the return of a friend who confuses her?

No? Well, that probably won't change. >>]

I'm just taking one day at a time.

[What else can I do?

Although. Despite the fact that she's slept better since Sokka was returned, and returned to normal, if Law looks closely the lack of her regular and required amount of sleep shows in faint smudges under her eyes. She's been getting better. She really has. But her body doesn't seem to respect her privacy when it comes to displaying even the slightest disturbance of peace.] What about you?

[deathsdoctor]

[Nope, nope, and nope. Which is okay, since he hasn't been able to really speak of what happened during the love experiment even to Bepo. He notices though, (you're looking more like him with those matching shadows) but... he will not pry. Right now.]

The same. [There's nothing that can be done but that.] Just a day at a time. [Even if the day is helped along by alcohol.]






... Katara, yesterday...

[markofthebrave]

[Right. Yesterday. When she'd been too late to talk to Luffy and he'd put his plan into action regardless.

And then Yuber hadn't even fought him.]

What about it?

[deathsdoctor]

[Sigh. How is he going to say this...]

... I think things might get very bad. After yesterday. There's a good chance Yuber won't go after Mister Strawhat to retaliate.

[markofthebrave]

I know that. [And she knows that she and her housemates are targets - not only because they agreed to help, but because they're friends.]

But that doesn't really mean anything. Nami and Sayo weren't doing anything when they were attacked. I wasn't doing anything when Yuber set my house on fire with me trapped inside of it. If he decides to retaliate against someone else, it will still be on his head.

[Because as far as she's concerned, Nu deserved it and more.] Hopefully the Rogues and the League will have seen Luffy's post and be more on the alert for the sake of people who can't defend themselves.

[deathsdoctor]

[Nu did deserve it. He shakes his head. He wasn't disagreeing with Mister Strawhat's actions.]

Katara, I don't disagree with what Mister Strawhat did. I've been expecting it ever since the draft. [Wait, wait, set your house on fire with you inside? Anyway... nothing that's happened has been a surprise.] And what Yuber does... [You said it. On his head.] will catch up to him sooner or later.

... I'm just saying be careful. And call for help if you need it.

[markofthebrave]

[She was eight and... a different person at the time. Long story. But she nods.]

I will. [A quick grin.] I know I'm not fast enough to take down a teleporter on my own. If I have to call for help and run away, I will.

[Assuming, of course, that she's not trying to protect anyone.] Thank you for the head's up.

[deathsdoctor]

[A quiet smile.]

Think nothing of it, Katara.

[markofthebrave]

[That smile makes her feel like she should have something - be something - say something to return it. But she doesn't have anything to do or be or say.

Except a smile in return, however tinged with appreciation it is, and the bag in her hand. In fact, she brightens a little with a child-like excitement.]

Want to try a bear claw? [Shifting through the bag right now.] Temari just introduced me to them. They're really good! And... not actually bear claws at all.

[She finds what she's looking for and holds out the pastry, still wrapped in wax paper.]

[deathsdoctor]

Bear Cla--? [Breaking out into chuckles.] Oh. Oh. That's, heh, good. I was wondering for a moment.

[Silly of him. His mind had flown to actual bear claws for a moment.]

Sure.

[He takes it and takes a bite. Mmm... not too sweet this pastry. Yum.

But just one. He and bread products don't really mix.]

[markofthebrave]

[Well, what's she going to do with a partially eaten pastry?]

I like the almond flavor. I just got it so we could try something different.

[Super serious conversation to pastry, and they don't even blink.]

[deathsdoctor]

[Ah, he meant have only one pastry. Which he's going to finish neatly... but not neatly enough to escape crumbs stuck in his goatee...]

Mmm... it's very good.

[markofthebrave]

[Katara smiles and brushes at her chin a few times to give him a hint.]

They're from the bakery. Regal makes them! I think he did a really nice job. I'd never even seen half the stuff he makes.

[She doesn't really like most sweet things, herself, and so she'll walk in there and not even know where to start.]