InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "We'll find a way or make one."

Toph Bei Fong (rocksolid) wrote in mirage_rpg,
@ 2008-07-25 18:37:00

Entry tags:

arrival, complete, day 9, katara, toph bei fong

Day Nine
Who: Toph & Katara
When: Late-Afternoon
What: Toph's Arrival
Where: Just inside, by the courtyard to start
Rating: G
Status: Complete

“Let me have some of your clothes.”

Sokka turned from his place seated on the floor of his temporary room in the Bei Fong manor, and stared in awe at the sight in his door way. Now he’d seen her in a dress once before, but she had been twelve years old at the time, and the rest of their time together she could’ve easily passed for a young boy. In fact, he was sure that she often tried to hide the fact that she was a girl. Couldn’t be blind and a girl, those two things no doubt just screamed helpless in her mind. Especially when her parents treated her that way for the first dozen years of her life.

“Stop gawking, meat head, and let me have some of your clothes! They burned mine. Burned them and gave me a room full of this crap.”

Toph was the blind bandit, the runaway, an earth bending master, and a notorious tomboy. Never had she felt so decidedly unlike herself. That Toph was currently lost under layers of green and white silks, hugging curves she would insist she didn’t have. She pulled at the skirt in frustration, stomping her foot when Sokka just sat there.

While Aang and Katara had gone to the fire nation, Toph went (begrudgingly, mind you) home for her mother’s birthday, and Sokka had decided to tag along. She was beginning to wonder why she let Sokka convince her that this wouldn’t be so bad. So what if she hadn’t seen her parents in two years, and birthdays weren’t anything special -- her mother was getting older, what else was new?

“My clothes won’t fit you, Toph.” He offered sheepishly, not wanting to annoy the earth bender more then she already was. The dark haired girl threw her hands up, and stormed away grumbling something about him being useless.

Her hands rose up behind her, trying to unfasten the gown, never mind she was wandering the halls. Unfortunately, her mother was clever in an evil sort of way. It felt like hundreds of tiny buttons along her spine, some she‘d never be able to reach on her own, no wonder it had taken so long to get the thing on (her struggling against it aside).

Around the corner -- the rhythmic steps, not the light padding of her self important parents who insisted upon grace and being light on their feet not stomping about like peasants, but strong beats of a soldier or guard. Toph moved into his path, and he stopped instantly, bowing despite the fact that she couldn’t see it, and likely didn’t care for the display.

“The smallest guard. I want a set of his clothes.”

“I -- uh, we were told --”

“Now!” she had surprised him, and no doubt her parents had instructed the guards against things like this, wanting her too look like a proper lady during her time here. However, when it came to who was more intimidating, the aging Bei Fongs didn’t hold a candle to their angry daughter. The man gave another half bow, and led the way to the guards quarters. Toph left several minutes later with a set of pants, a man’s tunic, and a sash to make up for the fact that smallest guard or not it would still be too large for her slight form.

Pulling the barrettes holding her hair up in braids from their place, Toph left a trail of hair ties, ribbons, and bracelets in her wake. Now just to get out of this wretched outfit and find something to eat. Her fingers played over the screen door of her room, pushing it aside, brows furrowing in confusion as a gust of wind and rain blew into her. Had someone left the windows open?

Moving with the intention of closing said window, Toph found her toes curling into moist sand instead of the plush rug in the center of her room. Her ‘vision’ went fuzzy, but it was obvious she wasn’t home anymore. She hadn’t just got the doors mixed up, her entire house was gone, water lapped at her heels, and rain soaked through the material of her dress.

“What in the -- “ She moved away from the cool ocean water, towards more solid ground, and the feeling of trees, buildings, and people. Someone was in serious trouble when she found out who was responsible for this, though she did have to admit, at least it gave her a damn good excuse to be away from home. Toph started towards the building in the distance, soaked to the bone by the time she reached the courtyard (her change of clothes in the same state), passing by the tablet explaining where she was without realizing it, finally getting inside.

“Katara?” Her footing shifted, getting a better stance, but it had to be her. She’d traveled with the water bender long enough to recognize when she was around, especially when she was so close. Of course, Katara was supposed to be in the fire nation with twinkle toes. How she’d gotten transported to a fire nation beach was beyond her, but at least the other was around so Toph wouldn’t be completely lost.

“Hey sugar queen!” She called. “Want to give me a hand? Kinda freezing over here.”

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k_waterbender
2008-07-26 12:53 pm UTC (link)

Katara had awakened late in the morning to the sound of the wind howling and the rain beating violently outside. For obvious reasons, she loved the rain, but the storm seemed to be raging fairly hard outside. If she hadn’t felt the pangs of hunger and the settling of boredom, she might not have even ventured out of building E to the main one.

She’d used her waterbending to keep the rain off her, though she could feel the power having so much water brought- even if the power wasn’t as intense as when the moon was full. The storm was treacherous, though, so she hurried into the main building. Katara was very much dry when she entered. If she saw anyone that was soaked, if they even left their rooms at all, she would assist them in becoming dry just as a courtesy.

The waterbender entertained herself with a couple hours of yoga. It was a good workout, and it calmed her mind and relaxed her body. Even as she worked out, though, her mind was still on thoughts of escape; they simply came slower because her mind was calmer.

Before she knew it, lunch time had passed, and her stomach was growling. Katara left to eat a late meal in the kitchen, as she never liked having a big lunch after a good workout session. As she ate, she thought about places she could look to figure out some way to leave. What if the Planet wasn’t really even keeping them here forever? What if it only said they could never leave, so it could test who really had the will to escape and the intelligence to find a way? The thought was a strange one, but it gave her a sudden burst of hope. What if the answer was in the courtyard? The waterbender hadn’t been back there since Max showed her the plaque, but it might hold an important clue!

Katara hurriedly finished the rest of her lunch, and half jogged to the courtyard. A gasp stuck in her throat as she entered. The rain was pelting down into it, but that didn’t bother her. Toph Bei Fong was standing there, completely soaked, asking for her assistance. “Oh no. Toph, it took you, too!” Despite her anguish that another of her loved ones had been stolen, she couldn’t resist running up to the younger earthbender and embracing her. It was good to see another familiar face, one that was the same age as the last time she’d seen it, which indicated time was passing the same on their world as it was here.

The Water Tribe femme waved her left arm around, forming a dome to keep the rain out of the courtyard. With her free hand, she bent the water from Toph’s person. “You have no idea how horrible it is to see you, even while it’s good. We’re not on our own world any more. We’re on another Planet. There’s a plaque over here that says what we all apparently need to know.” Katara led her friend to the tablet mounted on the wall, and took the girl’s hand to place it on the words that were raised, so she would know what she meant. “It says, ‘Welcome to Mirage. This is your new home. Your every need will be fulfilled. You will have a place to live. You will have food and clothing. You will have entertainment. You will have company. You will not be able to leave. You will not kill. Ever. If you have questions, ask my assistants. Love, the Planet.” She knew Toph would be able to tell by her heart rate that the waterbender wasn’t lying.

“I think the assistants are these creatures called Golems. They’re made of different things, but they all have the exact same features. They’re made of stone, clay, wood, and other things. Even you would be amazed at the precision and detail they were made with. I’ve never known anyone who could bend wood until I came here.

“I’m sorry it kidnapped you, too. I’ve been trying to find a way out, but so far there’s no way.”

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rocksolid
2008-07-26 02:06 pm UTC (link)

"Took me? What --" She stopped upon being pulled into a hug by the water bender, standing there awkwardly, allowing the embrace, but making a face at the feel of the cold, wet clothes clinging more tightly to her because of it. You'd think it'd been ages since they'd seen each other or something. Sure they were friends and all, but hugs really weren't her thing.

"Jeeze. Get off me already." Toph shivered and pulled away, thankful when shortly after the rain stopped pelting the two of them, and the water was drawn out of her clothes and hair. "Thanks." Reaching up, she shook the black locks between her fingers, working the braids out of it before pulling it into a loose bun while her friend started to talk again.

She scowled, snide comment on the tip of her tongue at the mention of how horrible it was to see her, but not getting the chance to speak as Katara rambled on, dragging her off to feel the raised words on the tablet. She'd been taught a little about reading and writing a while ago, but never really bothered too much with it. So she felt the curves of a word or two then let her hands fall back to her side. It sounded ridiculous, but the girl wasn't lying so really, Toph had no idea what to think. How could she leave the planet without knowing it? She'd opened her bedroom door, and it was just gone. Nothing on their world was that powerful.

"I'm not. My parents were driving me nuts." She replied, shoulders rising in a light shrug at the apology. A light smirk played on her lips though at the thought of Sokka having to deal with her parents once they realized she'd disappeared. They were going to throw a fit.

As for the rest. It was a lot to take in all at once, and first and foremost -- she still wanted this damn dress off. She could ask questions later, and see those golem things that were supposedly so impressive. How hard could it be to make a realistic looking rock dude? Granted -- they had her at the wood thing. Whatever. A little fire could get rid of those, or she could just crush the wood ones with a big enough rock.

"You said food and clothing, yeah? I like the sound of that. Help me get this thing off, and find some new clothes." She said, motioning towards the direction Katara had come from. Warmth, and dry, and hopefully some clothes that weren't dresses. "Is twinkle toes here too?"

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k_waterbender
2008-07-29 10:11 pm UTC (link)

Katara felt the tension Toph created at the hug, but she just couldn’t help herself. It felt like it had been an eternity since she last saw anyone she knew and cared about, even though only eight days had passed. She supposed being told you’ll be somewhere for the rest of your life can take its toll. “Sorry.” She said sheepishly when the earthbender pulled away from her.

After the waterbender dumped all of that onto Toph, she felt bad. Maybe she should have let the other girl know in an easier way? Then again, Toph said she wasn’t sorry about it, and that reminded the Water Tribe femme just how tough this girl was. Puns aside, the girl was as hard as a rock.

Katara nearly chuckled at Toph’s comments. “Yeah. The food here is great, and this place gives you any clothing you want, along with any accommodations you want, so long as they’re in your room. Oh, I bet your room key is in the lobby. We should get that so I can take you to your room. Then I’ll take you to the kitchen and restaurant where we eat.” Her mood plummeted when asked about Aang. “No. You and I are the only ones here from our world.” In an attempt to lighten herself she asked, “How was Sokka before you left?”

Using her bending to get them dryly out of the courtyard, Katara led Toph to the lobby of the building. Her eyes were quickly drawn to the blinking light above a shiny new key that hadn’t been there before, so she assumed it was the earthbender’s and lifted it into her hand. A smile passed over her lips at the room number. “Your room is E103. That means it’s in building E on the first floor. It’s the second door on the left. It’s right across the hall from my room. I’ll keep the water off of us while we go to it, so you can change into something more suitable.” A smile formed on her lips. It was a rare occasion to see Toph dressed like this, but now that she’d pulled her hair loose and worked at some of the buttons, it wasn’t quite the same as the prim way the girl’s parents preferred.

Katara led Toph outside, sure to bend the heavy downpour so neither would be soaked. The wind was a greater problem here than in the courtyard, but the waterbender was a powerful bender, one of the best in her world in her expertise, so it wasn’t overly difficult to form a domed bubble of sorts around the two girls to walk the short distance to building E.

The distance to Toph’s room was even shorter as the number was low. Handing the earthbender the key, she said, “This is going to be where you sleep. It transforms into anything you want it to be.”

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rocksolid
2008-07-29 10:56 pm UTC (link)

"My kind of place." She grinned, pleased with the sound of things so far. Anything she wanted, good food, clothing she'd like. Granted, the last count wasn't really hard. Her usual clothing would do, and hopefully it would give her clothes that would match no matter what she chose as well so she didn't walk about looking like a mismatched fool.

Toph could hear the disappointment in Katara's voice at mention of Aang, and absently she wondered why whatever it was that brought her here chose her over twinkle toes. Surely the water bender would have preferred the avatar to keep her company? Not that it mattered, right? She was here now, and who knew -- maybe Aang or Sokka or some of their other friends would show up eventually as well. "He was good. We were going to go to an Earth Rumble competition tomorrow." She was almost disappointed, having looked forward to going -- maybe getting her title back.

She followed Katara outside, after her key was retrieved, and it was explained where the room was. While she tried to commit to memory where exactly the E building was compared to everything else around her, she also grew frustrated rather quickly with the wind, sending the dress and her hair in every which direction until two large slabs of stone rose on either side of them to stop the wind's assault, crumbling once they made it inside.

Taking the key, she held it for a moment, one hand reaching out in search of the handle (wondering why Katara couldn't have done this for her, or her door couldn't just slide open like her's at home ) unlocking it after a moment and stepping inside. For an instant she was worried she'd stepped off the planet again, as once more she passed through a door and her toes curled in earth instead of your typical floor. Everything was the same around her though. This place had just been kind enough to omit wood or stone, leaving the warm earth, soft grass tickling the soles of her feet. While she could see on those other surfaces, it was easier and she felt more comfortable this way.

The room was all the best parts of the outdoors brought inside. Plush green grass carpeting the floor, no real bed to speak of, just pillows and blankets stacked in one corner, a stone pool on the opposite side of the room like a bath sized hot spring (though there was a door to a proper bathroom to her right), the wall behind it made of similar stone with shelves carved into it, some holding towels, shirts, pants, and similar things all in shades of green and tan and browns.

"Very nice." Toph grinned and wriggled her toes, moving around the room curiously, eventually stopping to pull some clothes from their place on the shelves. Very nice. She usually wasn't one to be particular about clothes, but these were soft...light...perfect. "Want to give me a hand with these buttons?" She asked, pale eyes turned on Katara's general direction expectantly, eager to get out of the dress. Modesty clearly not a problem when it came to undressing around the water bender.

The way things were going -- If the planet could bring their friends here, Toph would be more then content to let this be her home. She'd traveled all over the nations back home (not the poles, but the ice wouldn't be good for her feet anyways so she wasn't too concerned with that) so a change might be nice. It's not like she was attached to any one place, it was the people around her that had been more important. If this sort of thing continued, and a few more people showed up, Toph had no objections to sticking around.

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k_waterbender
2008-07-31 12:28 am UTC (link)

A small smile passed over Katara’s lips at the thought of Sokka at the Earth Rumble competition. He loved those so much. His reactions were always so vivacious and spastic. It was sort of funny sometimes. The waterbender thought the competitions were quite boring, on the other hand. The only interesting one she’d ever seen was the one where she’d first seen Toph defeat the seemingly next champion without even trying. It had been amazing. The rest of it had been so silly, though. It wasn’t really interesting at all. “He would have enjoyed that.”

Katara felt mild embarrassment as she realized she’d just handed the key to someone who couldn’t see the lock to really put it into place. Sometimes she really just forgot Toph was blind at all because she moved so easily without aid. Then again, she realized she shouldn’t feel bad. The earthbender may be blind, but she wasn’t helpless. She wouldn’t be around every single time Toph wanted to get into her room, so she’d need to be able to do it herself now to save a hard time later. Besides, she did it right after a fashion and quicker than another person could have who didn’t have sight.

When the door opened, Katara really wasn’t surprised at the shapes the room took. It looked exactly like what would be convenient and easy for Toph. Earth and the outdoors. It was beautiful and simplistic at the same time. “I agree.” The Water Tribe femme said to the Earth Kingdom lady when she made her statement. “It’s great.”

When Toph stepped into the room, Katara didn’t, knowing she couldn’t enter another’s room. She’d discovered that when she’d leaned against Rusty’s doorway, and neither had discovered a way that day in which another person could access the inside of a room that wasn’t theirs, so when the earth bender requested help with her buttons the water bender began to reply, “I can’t go into someone else’s room,” while demonstrating by pushing on the air in the doorway. The strange thing was, though, that her hand went right through the air and into the room. It dawned on her suddenly that Toph had basically invited Katara into her room with that request. “Oh… I think if someone invites you into their room you can go inside, but otherwise you can’t. Planet rule I think.”

The waterbender moved swiftly inside, closing the door behind her, and began popping the numerous buttons out of their holders to release the dress Toph wore. “Even royalty in the Water Tribes don’t have this many buttons on their clothing.” She complained lightly.

“The kitchen and restaurant have anything you can think of to eat, but the restaurant is more for full meals made by the golems while the kitchen is for light meals or snacks you want to make yourself. When we’re finished getting you into something more fitting, which one do you want eat in?”

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rocksolid
2008-07-31 01:17 pm UTC (link)

Toph looked back, clearly a bit annoyed when Katara said she couldn't come in, but rolled her eyes a minute later at the realization. Of course, the invitation thing might come in handy. Who knew what other kind of wackos were brought here, and locks were only so effective. She turned her back again so the other could help with the buttons, snorting at the comment. "My mother made it. She's evil and knows I can't get all those buttons undone myself, then orders every body else not to help me with them." The earth bender explained.

"Lets do the restaurant." She said, not to fond of kitchens. Toph had tried cooking once or twice, but the first time she'd burned herself, and the second she'd cut herself. So she decided that making anything beyond the occasional sandwich could be left to other people.

Once she was done with the buttons, Toph shoved the gown off, kicking it aside uselessly as well as the slip dress she'd worn beneath it. "Finally." Getting dressed was always an interesting task, but she managed well enough, even if it did take her a bit longer then it would most. She had to make sure she wasn't putting things on backwards or inside out.

"Right! Let's go." The earth bender stood in tan slacks and a green tunic, and a sash tied around her waist. No shoes of course, and the only other thing she was the meteor bracelet that always hung around her wrist.

"How long have you been here then?" She asked, pocketing the key, and leaving the room, pausing just long enough to be sure that Katara was following. She had no idea where she was going, after all. Though she supposed that they'd probably end up going outside again, back to the building they'd come from.

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k_waterbender
2008-08-04 12:28 am UTC (link)

A light smile graced Katara’s lips as Toph complained about her mother. She knew the way the girl’s mother was from the few times she’d met the older woman, and she knew the way the woman’s daughter hated her prim and proper ways. “It’s a wonder you could even move wearing something like this.” She teased as she released the last few buttons.

“Sounds good.” Katara said, her gaze passing over the rest of the room as Toph changed into something more suitable. She felt no reason to help the girl dress, as her natural apparel had never been anything that needed the aid of someone with vision.

When Toph was ready, Katara walked to the door and opened it. As they walked toward the restaurant, she heard the question, and she had to think on it a moment. “I’ve been here for eight days. As far as I can see, there isn’t a way out. I’m trying, though.”

As soon as she opened the door, Katara began bending the water to keep the two women dry. She assumed Toph would put up the wind repellant as she had done earlier. Her arms swirled purposely around her as she concentrated on keeping the water from spraying them. The water wasn’t the real problem, though. It was heavy, but the wind was what drove it all about them wildly.

Making it within the walls of the main building, Katara led Toph to the restaurant. She sat down at a table, knowing Toph would earthbend-feel the other chair to sit. It never failed before when there was stable ground upon which something sat.

Immediately a clay golem moved to their table, unspeaking as usual. Katara ordered a stir fry with tea and a side of stewed sea prunes.

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rocksolid
2008-08-05 10:00 pm UTC (link)

"That was probably the point." She grumbled in response, the dress had been given to her as her mother pointed out all the bad habits she'd picked up on her travels with the avatar. Of course, there had been no mention of the fact that she helped stop the fire nation, and was trying to help restore peace. Her parents had been too occupied with the sorry state of her manners and appearance. They led sheltered lives though, more then happy to remain separate from the rest of the world. Toph knew better then to expect any different.

"Bout a week...Lots of people just turn up every day then?" She asked as they made their way out of her room and towards the door leading out of the dorm building.

Once outside she quickly threw up two large slabs of rock to shield them from the wind and help with the rain. She hated storms like this. Her hearing was almost as important as her 'earth sight' and with the noise the storm made it was hard to hear much of anything. It didn't help that she hated the cold too. They got back inside quickly enough though, and the promise of good food kept any complaints at bay.

Toph made her way to the table along with Katara, not sitting down immediately though. Instead she turned towards the golem as it came to them. Her way of seeing allowed her to get a general idea of what a person's physical build was like, but never specific details. This clay figure, however, was earth through and through. She could see almost visualize exactly what he looked like. Even more unusual was that for whatever reason she could not bend the creature. He was made of earth, but whatever -- whoever created it somehow made the thing virtually indestructible, at least as far her bending was concerned.

"Weird." She'd work on that later. Toph gave a shrug and sat down, making a face at the idea of sea prunes. "Stir fry sounds good. Some of that and orange juice, I guess." Worked for her. She really wasn't picky as long as it tasted good.

"So...Are we supposed to do something, or were we snatched up for no reason?"

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k_waterbender
2008-08-08 04:50 am UTC (link)

“Yes. There are so many more people here now than there were when I first arrived. It’s like the Planet isn’t satisfied with one or two toys; it wants an entire population. Everyone here is so strange, and they have technologies that surpass the ones in our world. A lot of people are from a place called Earth, but I’ve met another who was from another planet, though he couldn’t say what it was.” Katara explained before she and Toph used their bending to keep the storm at bay around them.

After the waterbender sat, she noticed Toph remain standing as she took an earthbending stance the elder knew was directed at the golem. Nothing at all happened, despite the movement the earthbender made. “Is it not actually made of earth?” She asked the younger girl, her brows creased together. The golem looked like clay, and that substance was most definitely earth, but maybe it was a false appearance.

“I don’t know what we’re supposed to do. There really aren’t instructions. It’s a resort, but the idea of vacationing in a prison isn’t my idea of fun when I was doing important things before I was sucked into this place. I think the Planet wants us to interact with each other. The second day I was here different people had to do certain activities. I had to go bowling. I was pretty good, but I bet you would be great at the game. Anyway, if someone didn’t go, a golem would force them. There hasn’t been anything like that in a while, though.” The golem soon returned with a tray upon which lay plates of food and drinks. It quickly set each item upon the table and promptly left.

“Did I mention the food is cooked impossibly fast?” Katara asked as she lifted her chopsticks.

“As I was saying, there aren’t jobs here or anything for us to really do that’s purposeful. There are all kinds of activities we can do. It’s almost how it was when you first joined the group, and we didn’t have adults to tell us what to do all of the time, except we don’t have to work at getting anything. It’s all here for us.

“I’ve been trying to find a way out, but so far there’s nothing. I searched the library. It’s packed with information on anything a person can think of, but there’s nothing on how to escape. There are things you can listen to, though, if you ever want to try them.” She offered. “But there really isn’t any real motive for bringing anyone here that I’ve found out so far.”

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rocksolid
2008-08-08 03:34 pm UTC (link)

She didn't get the chance to comment on how people were being constantly brought here before they went out into the storm. It was interesting though, and judging from the size of their dorm building, and the fact that there were more then one (because naturally you wouldn't start at E building.) the planet apparently had plans to bring loads of people.

Inside, Toph sat in her chair, tilted back and balancing on the two back legs casually. "It's earth." She stated. "Down to the very last eyelash. I just can't bend it for some reason. Bet I could make my own though." Making it move around like these did was another story. The earth bender could do it, but it would take some serious concentration to make them move with such ease as the golems. Not that she let it show that she was impressed.

Her seat clattered down back onto all four legs as their food was brought, the younger listening to Katara as she started eating, clearly pleased with the speedy cooks.

"So we've been dropped here, and expected to start our lives over." There were worse things that could have happened, but it seemed awfully pointless. She, and others no doubt, were going to get restless trapped on the resort with no real purpose. A vacation was all well and good, but if she'd wanted to sit around in some resort being catered to she would've just stayed home.

"Maybe if we cause enough trouble the planet will get annoyed an send us home. I'm sure I could manage an earthquake or two." She suggested.

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k_waterbender
2008-08-09 09:33 pm UTC (link)

“It’s probably another display of the Planet’s power. It doesn’t want it’s minions to be messed with for some reason, but it also wants to show its dominance over the residents.”

Katara shoveled a bit of food into her mouth with her chopsticks, chewing it slowly. What reason was there to eat quickly? It wasn’t as if she had pressing matters to which she must attend. Sure, she wanted a way off this rock, but she seemed to have all the time in the world in which to do that. Besides, eating too quickly was unhealthy and could make a person sick. She sipped her tea as Toph spoke.

“Yes, but I can’t live here happily. Maybe, if everyone else we know just happened to get sucked in, I would be able to do it, but I wouldn’t wish this life on anyone. It’s purposeless. I feel useless just sitting around here doing nothing. Sure, I’ve met a variety of interesting people, some of whom actually don’t mind it here, but I’m not helping anyone by being here. What’s the point of having this great ability if I can’t use it for anything other than exercise?” Anger and frustration leaked its way into her voice. She had never been any good at hiding her emotions.

A strained smile passed over her lips. “Yeah, right. Did you not notice the storm out there? I don’t think an earthquake is going to bother this place much if you had an earthquake if it’s willing to have a hurricane on itself. Besides, you could hurt one of the residents on accident. They’re all innocent. It’s not like they told the Planet to kidnap us. If it was just us, I wouldn’t mind trying your idea, but there are a lot of other people here.”

With a sigh she scooped more food into her mouth.

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rocksolid
2008-08-10 12:12 am UTC (link)

Toph ate slowly enough, more because she had to then an attempt to be neat. Even after years of practice, chopsticks were still kind of difficult to handle. It didn't take long for her to find the spoon that had also been given though resting beside her bowl, and she quickly switched, pleased with how much easier that made things. It was pretty good too, which was surprising considering how fast it had been cooked.

"So find something to do. How hard can it be? Set up shop as a healer or den mother or something..." Toph said, a little friendly teasing, rather then letting herself get frustrated as well and only make things worse. She understood what Katara meant, but it wasn't like they had the means of getting back home. Stuff like that was way beyond their league so they had to make do until someone else figured it out or they were sent back home.

"Bah. Fine -- No earthquakes." She grumbled, a little disappointed that she wouldn't get to at least try. "Have you met anyone with any better ideas?"

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k_waterbender
2008-08-10 02:27 am UTC (link)

“Right. Like the Planet is just bursting with sick or injured people and small children.” Katara sighed. It wasn’t that she wished they were there, but it would make her feel a lot more useful. In truth, she just wanted to go home, to be with her family and her other friends. Toph hardly seemed to mind at all that they were there, like this was going to be her permanent vacation spot without a worry. How could she feel that way? The Water Tribe femme knew for a fact that she would be last person around whom the earthbender would want to spend every single day of the rest of her life.

“I don’t know. I haven’t met any. Just people who said they’d help if I came up with something. I guess if you cause an earthquake, I could be in business and have something to do.” The waterbender said dryly. “I can’t wait until this storm is over. I hate being cooped up inside all the time. It’s really beautiful here if you don’t think of it as a prison. There’s a lot to do, but most of it isn’t anything useful. It’s just for fun, but that gets old fast when you don’t have anything to balance it with.”

Katara was silent for a moment as she ate her meal and drank her tea. “I met this guy who told me there’s a woman who has a lab in her room, and she’s trying to find a way to get out. Maybe she’s found something out that no one else has. I don’t exactly have a lab in my room.” She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m lost for ideas.”

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rocksolid
2008-08-11 05:13 pm UTC (link)

"They're bound to get sick or hurt each other sometime." She offered. "Until then you might as well enjoy the place while we're stuck here." Toph took a drink, teetering cheerfully in her seat again. "Or you can sulk, whatever." It wasn't like they had much choice in the matter, and honestly -- a break from the whole restoring peace to the nations back home would be nice. Not that she wanted to stay here forever, but sitting around all miserable wasn't going to help any.

"The storm might give people the flu." The teen added helpfully, but nodding slightly. She hated storms, and would like to take a walk around the place without having to deal with all the wind and rain.

"So what kind of stuff is there to do for fun around here? Any other benders? I could start up our very own Earth Rumble here." Toph smirked and pounded her fist into her palm, missing good old fashioned beating the crap out of people for titles and money. It was what kept her sane when she'd been isolated in the Bei Fong estates before.

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k_waterbender
2008-08-15 01:02 am UTC (link)

“I guess you’re right. I mean, I doubt the Planet would try very hard to keep every single person in peak condition. Getting hurt is part of living life.” Katara said thoughtfully. Maybe she could put up a notification or something for people who might need it. Maybe she could find other healers, and they could all join together to help heal people. She already knew Tyler was an aspiring healer- or rather, an aspiring doctor if she remembered the term correctly.

“It’s kind of hard to enjoy a place that’s keeping you prisoner.” Katara said bitterly, but she knew Toph was right in a sense. Sulking was doing about as much good as her searching for a way to get out of here seemed to accomplish. With a resigned sigh, she nodded. “I know. You’re right. I just miss everyone else. Seeing you here is amazing, but I’m sorry I’m seeing you here instead of back home. I haven’t been gone for long, but when you’re get into a mindset where you think you’ll never see anyone again, it starts taking its hold.”

A small smile lit Katara’s darkened face as Toph offered some slight reassurances. “Maybe. That’s easy enough to heal, but I would at least get to do something useful- something productive.”

What was there to do? Everything it seemed. “They have a lot here. I think the lobby has a list or a… map.” Katara hesitated at the end of her sentence, suddenly feeling stupid. Toph was blind. A map or a list of things to do here wasn’t going to help her at all. “It kind of depends on what kind of resort this place is. A couple days ago it was a farm resort, but now it’s a beach resort. I guess there are always a kitchen, a bar, a coffee bar, a sparring room, first aid, a library, a pool, a workout area, a spa, and other things. There’s a game room that seems fun if you can figure out how to play some of the games. I think you’d be the best there is at bowling.

“There aren’t any other benders here that I know about, but there are so many people here that it’s entirely possible. You’re the only person from our world that I’ve met, though. I haven’t met anyone else with abilities similar to ours, either. Everyone I’ve met was surprised and in awe of my bending. It’s weird.” She ate some more of her food, and she drank more of her tea.

“I’m sure there has to be someone around who could rumble with you. Maybe the Planet would allow you to rumble with a golem?” Katara offered when she’d swallowed her food and drink.

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rocksolid
2008-08-20 05:52 pm UTC (link)

"Of course I'm right." She smiled, speaking between bites. "Besides. You come from the south pole, how'd you keep busy down there in the frozen wasteland?" Toph asked, figuring there couldn't have been much to do there, and however Katara kept busy back home before the avatar showed up cou probably be done here.

She rolled her eyes at the list comment, used to that sort of thing by now. Sokka was the worst when it came to forgetting she was blind, but they all did it now and then. Usually she'd have a smart ass comment to follow it with, but she was hungry, and Katara kept talking. It was interesting too -- about the resort changing. She hoped it changed again soon, not being fond of beaches or this storm.

"Sucks that there aren't any benders, but that workout area -- maybe I can find someone there decent enough to fight." She could go easy on them, she figured. "The golems are no fun. Maybe I'll learn to fight with other weapons while I'm here. Then I can beat Sokka at sword fighting when we get back home or something." She said, not resigning herself to the idea of being trapped here forever.

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k_waterbender
2008-08-20 10:21 pm UTC (link)

Katara’s brow rose with irritation. “Wasteland? If it were a wasteland people couldn’t inhabit it.” She felt a bit offended at Toph’s use of terms. “Besides, there was plenty to do there. We didn’t exactly have guards and hired help to do our bidding. We had to take care of ourselves, make our own houses and clothing, and hunt our own food. There were plenty of chores for everyone. There was also penguin sledding. This place doesn’t have anything for me to do. It provides absolutely everything.”

The waterbender scoffed. “How would you know they aren’t any fun? They’re under the Planet’s control. Just because they don’t speak, doesn’t mean they couldn’t give you a run for your money.” Katara’s eyes lit up. “There’s this woman I met four days ago. Her name is Xena. She’s a warrior woman in her world, and she’s skilled with weapons. She’s been teaching me how to use a staff.” Her cheeks coloured lightly before she spoke again. “I was sort of wondering if knowing how to use another weapon wouldn’t be useful myself, and if there aren’t any other benders around to spar with bending, maybe I could at least find someone who could spar with weapons. “Maybe Xena would teach you how to use a sword. That’s what I saw her training with when I first met her. She said something about her friend knowing how to use weapons, too.” She wondered if maybe they could all get together- the four of them- and spar sometime if Katara and Toph ever became good enough with handheld weaponry.

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rocksolid
2008-08-20 11:43 pm UTC (link)

"Don't take it so personal, sweetness." She grumbled. Toph hadn't meant to insult her, she just didn't like the poles or snow. "I just meant you can do what you did there. You don't have to eat the food here or use the clothes they provide. It would probably give you animals or whatever to catch, stuff to make your own dinner and clothes." She suggested. How hard could it be to keep busy?

"It's a rock dummy, and being entirely made of earth they'd be too easy to anticipate their movements." Toph replied very matter-of-fact, mildly annoyed with Katara by now. She did smile though at the talk of this Xena woman. She sounded interesting, and it'd be nice to have someone train her to use a sword. Sokka had shown her a few things, but not much more then how to hold it and block a bit. Mostly in fun, a way to pass the time when they were held up in small earth kingdom town on the way to Gaoling. "Ask her for me, would ya? Or introduce us."

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k_waterbender
2008-08-21 01:17 am UTC (link)

“Sorry, Toph.” Katara apologized. “I’m just… less than happy being in this place. It’s getting to me.” She sighed.

“I can’t exactly go out and hunt with a storm raging around. Besides, the animals here are so weird. I’m afraid to mess with them. Also, I wasn’t exactly the hunter in the South Pole, and when we traveled around the Earth Kingdom Sokka hunted or we bought our food.” She admitted. “I’ll find something to do. Training with Xena is nice, and greeting people hasn’t been so bad so far.”

“Oh. Right… Good point. I’ll definitely ask Xena if she’ll train you, though. She’s incredibly skilled. I bet you two would get along well. She’s tough like you. I should be able to set up a time for you two to meet when I see her again. It isn’t like anyone here is busy with anything overly demanding.” Katara filled her mouth with the remainder of her stir fry, chewing slowly as she contemplated. “I bet she’d let me meet her friend when you two meet. That way, Xena could train you with a sword while Gabrielle- I think that was her name- trains me with a staff. Xena did say her friend was better with a staff than her, so it would probably work out perfectly.” A wide smile passed over her lips. She was looking forward to this. It was a small purpose, but it was something more than sitting around trying to figure out what to do while she was here.

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rocksolid
2008-08-21 12:56 pm UTC (link)

She shrugged and finished off her meal, not sure what else to suggest the other could do to keep herself busy. If there really was a list or map, then no doubt the water bender could find something. She'd kept herself busy a week or so now, and Toph was around so they could keep each other company sometimes too. She said sometimes because she could only handle Katara alone for so long. Nothing against her. They were good friends, but their personalities just clashed on most fronts.

"Awesome." She grinned at Katara offered to ask Xena to train her. "Could you show me where the training room is?" Toph asked, wanting to have an idea where the place was so she could find it on her own without going in every room to feel it out.

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k_waterbender
2008-08-23 03:38 pm UTC (link)

Katara finished off the last of her tea just as Toph proclaimed she’d like to be shown to the training room. “Of course.” She wanted to do whatever she could to help the young earthbender and to make it so she was as comfortable as a prisoner could be while in this falsely dubbed “resort.”

Noting Toph had finished her meal, Katara stood. “Let’s go then.” She said before walking to the door of the restaurant. “It’s on the opposite side of the building.” The waterbender explained as they entered the hallway and began weaving their way through the maze. She was infinitely happy that she’d had the good sense to explore the entirety of the main building over the course of the first week she’d been here. The femme knew her way around this building almost as well as a golem.

After a bit of walking and a couple turns, Katara found herself in front of the door that lead to the spacious training room. She opened the door quietly, so she didn’t disturb any who might be training within the room. Poking her head inside, she realized it was empty, and it looked much the same as it had when she found Xena training inside- save for the dummy which had disappeared.

Turning to Toph after she stepped inside, Katara smiled. “This is the training room.”

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rocksolid
2008-08-26 12:06 am UTC (link)

Toph strode along beside the waterbender, trying to get a good idea of how the resort was laid out, but it was kind of hard with so many different rooms and hallways. At this rate, she'd get lost trying to find anything. She'd have to have a nice long walk around the place to get a proper feel for it, go in the rooms, figure out what everything is as the lists and maps obviously would do her no good. It was lucky she had a good memory. It didn't take long for her to map things out in her head, something she'd pretty much forced herself to learn to do as otherwise she never would've been able to find her way around the Bei Fong manor without a constant guide.

"Pretty neat." Toph commented as they reached the room, more pleased by the simple idea that there was a training room and how big it was, as opposed to the stuff in it. Now she had an idea as to where it was too, though she'd have to make sue to pay attention on the way back. "Thanks for the tour. Now I am so ready to be getting back to my new room." She said, admittedly a bit tired. Being dragged to an alien plant took a lot out of her, what could she say?

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