20. [mostly action]

[frost_jewel]

[Mia has been through a lot recently. The invasion wasn't so terrible, but its aftermath and the information surrounding it dealt a blow she still hasn't been able to face properly. Then, some of her dearest people went on a mission that continues to tear them apart inside - and may do a similar thing to all of them in due time, depending on what happens as a result. Then she became, briefly, herself but a few years younger, which might sound like a reprieve but was really just a way of delaying the inevitable backlash. Mia knows better than to think that that might be the 'punishment' coming to them after aiding in the implementation of a shift explosive.

In all that time, the way she interacts with people shifted, too. She is as friendly and welcoming as ever, but in some places more...distracted-seeming, perhaps, or carrying an air of professional civility instead of closeness. If anything, her tenure as pre-adventure Mia only reinforced her ability to stand at that distance.

Things haven't much calmed down, but she can't think of a time better than the present to take care of some things she's put off since the invasion happened. Shuffling them all around her work schedule means it happens at odd hours, but that's just how things have to be. She seeks out specific friends of hers, and stops by the plaza clinic to see who might be around. It isn't her usual routine, but she also goes to the cafe - though hardly a coffee drinker - for a change of pace. The gallery too.

Sometime in the afternoon, she finds a quiet corner to attempt to send a filtered message to Luceti's newest in-world resident, without knowing exactly how:]

Could we speak about a few things in person?

[It might work, it might not.

No matter how that turns out, as night falls she'll skip training, opting to visit the beach instead. To walk along the water with her bare feet in the sand and...hope that helps, somehow.]

[[ooc: Building walls with lego-bricks made of words, around here. Go nuts! Just not totally nuts.]]

Comments

[savedtheworld]

I'm sorry. [He holds his arms out widely.] You can get a free shot, Mia.

[frost_jewel]

No, that's all right. You are able to just dry yourself off, no matter how much I splash, aren't you?

[savedtheworld]

That's right! And I can dry you off, too! See? [And he bends the water off from her skirt, and then he splashes himself with it.]

[frost_jewel]

Oh, no, don't- I wasn't trying to get you all wet like that.

[savedtheworld]

I know you weren't. But I was! It's refreshing.

[frost_jewel]

[Shaking her head, Mia moves closer to him, marveling at what he can do for her mood just by being his usual self.]

Did I interrupt you?

[savedtheworld]

[He shakes his head innocently.]

Nope! Well, I was doing something, but it wasn't anything important. I'd rather hang out with you!

[frost_jewel]

It must have been important, to bring you all the way out here by yourself. Or- unless Katara or Ikki is here with you?

[savedtheworld]

Close. [He points up above to where a bison drifting about.] Sometimes... it's nice to head out for a while, just the two of us.

[frost_jewel]

Ah. So I did interrupt, a little bit.

[savedtheworld]

Only a little bit! We had a good amount of alone time before you showed up, Mia. And I always have time for a friend. How have you been?

[frost_jewel]

I've been fine. How have you been?

[savedtheworld]

I've been well. Aside from that last experiment, things have been... quiet, I guess. [Well, that and Korra's been away on missions. It is kind of worrying.]

[frost_jewel]

It's hard to imagine you and all of your friends being quiet.

[savedtheworld]

Really? It looks a lot like this.

[He inhales and shuts his mouth for a whole half a minute.

While puffing up his cheeks and exaggerating his face.]

[frost_jewel]

Oh- no, don't do that!

[It doesn't look fun or comfortable and isn't necessary.]

[savedtheworld]

[He lets out the air with a weak chuckle.]

Sorry! It was just a joke. But I- I guess I mostly mean quiet in that nothing other than normal's happened. Not much bad. We're all getting along well.

[frost_jewel]

Sometimes just that is what you really need.

[All other words failing her, she sits on the sand beside him.]

[savedtheworld]

It... it is. [He nods, ever grateful for times of relative peace, as he settles into a sitting position. He twirls a finger around, moving some particles of sand at the same time.]

Do you have any requests for me to make from the sand?

[frost_jewel]

Make from the sand? Oh, like a sandcastle? [She's done such with her hands, but watching him do it with magic is different.]

[savedtheworld]

Yep! It could be a sand-anything! It'll be good sandbending practice.

[frost_jewel]

Is there any element you can't play with? [Sand would fall under Venus. They rode through an entire sand waterfall under the sand and she is not eager to repeat the experience.]

[savedtheworld]

[A thoughtful pause.]

Wood! I guess it's 'cuz it comes from trees, and trees are alive so they don't count as elements. But really in our world we only call bendable things elements. If I had to count ones from other worlds? ...Well I guess meeting Pokemons has made me realize that I can't bend ghosts, or psychics, or poison...

[frost_jewel]

Some Venus Adepts can use their Psynergy to bring forth plants. I wonder what makes that so different.

[savedtheworld]

I'm not sure. I don't know a lot about Psynergy, so it's hard to tell. I mean, waterbenders can control the water that's inside plants, but it's not the same thing.