003 . action

[seismicity]

[ It's early in the morning. And Toph Beifong is late for Luceti School! She woke up late because it was too freaking cold and the blankets were so warm. And when she finally got out of bed, the floor felt like ice to her bare feet and she couldn't get around properly. She pulled on some socks, but that just messed with her "sight" and, one thing led to another... ]

[ That's why, at some point in the morning, there is a little girl earthbending her way across the village and to school, complete with a half-eaten piece of toast hanging from her mouth. Now and then she calls back behind her - ]

Hey! I'll fix it later!

[ Because, well, she's kind of leaving a mess, tearing her way through the earth like that. ]

[ She's true to her word though, because one classes are done for the day, she heads back home the way she came, flattening the earth as she goes. It's tricky business, especially with the snow she has to bend around (plus the fact that these stupid shoes are making it hard to see!), so feel free to bother her! ]

Comments

[seismicity]

[ Fighting's fun..... But Toph's since realized that it isn't for everyone. So she just sighs. ]

Well, maybe find someone else to train with you, then? Like... bending isn't all about fighting. It's just the most fun thing about it. But you've still gotta practice with it.

[welnares]

That's true. What sort of things can you do with bending? Other than fighting.

[seismicity]

Oh. Well, a lot of earthbenders help build things, like walls or houses. I haven't tried that, though. I can do this, though...

[ Toph lifts one of her feet and slams it down on the ground extra hard (because ugh, boots. boots and shoes are the worst.) Then she moves her arms as if she's pulling something up - and the earth rises with the motion, snow falling off of it in chunks. If Oscar looks closely, it looks kind of like... Well, it looks like a puppy. A just-a-puppy. ]

[welnares]

[ Her movement is so rigid, so powerful. Not like the graceful wave of most crystal erens, resembling more a command or a sharp exchange of camaraderie. More than that, she's sculpted something, and Oscar stares in wonder. ]

. . . Were you trying to make Fluffles?

[seismicity]

[ Toph's cheeks turn a bit pink. (It's cold, okay?) ]

... Yeah. It's kinda harder with the shoes on. I hate snow.

[welnares]

I think it looks nice. [ He means that honestly. He takes a step forward, then glances down at Toph's feet. ] Are earthbenders supposed to bend barefooted?

[seismicity]

Nah. Well, some do it for show, or 'cause there's nothing like a healthy coating of earth between your toes. [ Toph grins. She knows how that sounds, and she's largely unapologetic about it. ]

I just can't see right unless I've got my feet on the ground.

[welnares]

[ Such an earth enthusiast. Oscar knows that he can't talk, being the swimmer that he is, like the rest of his kind. There's no need for shoes or boots in the water.

What she says is interesting, though. ]

Do you mean . . . just like then, you can't see now?

[seismicity]

I can see a bit, sort of. And my hearing's not too shabby, either! [ She shrugs. ] I'd rather just pass on the shoes, though.

[welnares]

. . . Mm. I see.

Do you want to show me more earthbending? When the snow's gone and you can take off the shoes, maybe.

[seismicity]

Sure. You could do your eres too, and we'd make it a party. [ Toph grins. ]

[welnares]

Eres tends to be more destructive than anything . . . but we can do that. [ He nods to himself. ] Then you can tell me more about your bending. It all sounds and looks really interesting.

[seismicity]

Doesn't the destructive thing make it more fun, though? [ It's kind of obvious that she doesn't do the whole subtle thing. ] But yeah, that sounds cool. Winter just needs to hurry up and be over, already.

[welnares]

You're right. [ Pity. He likes the cold, but not the overly cold. ] It gets too cold around this time. Sometimes, even the water begins to freeze over!

[seismicity]

[ Toph shudders. Bleh. ]

Ugh. Water's bad enough, it's gotta be ice, too? Winter's the worst season.

[welnares]

Water isn't that bad. [ He says, cheerfully. Water is home to him. ] But I agree; Winter can be nice, but it has its share of unpleasant things.

[seismicity]

I can't think of anything pleasant about winter. [ She makes a face. ] People say that snow's pretty to look at, but it's not like I can tell, or anything. [ As far as she's concerned, it's just cold and wet and kind of gross. ]

[welnares]

[ Taking everything into consideration . . . ] Does it get in the way of your bending?

[seismicity]

Kinda. I mean, I can't see as well with these stupid shoes on! And I can't really get around the snow if I don't wear any shoes. [ Life's so hard! ]

[welnares]

Can't you bend yourself a pair of shoes from the earth? Unless . . . that's not how bending works.

[seismicity]

[ She frowns thoughtfully. ]

No, but I bet I could bend some boots from metal... Though that'd still get cold and wet, wouldn't it?

[welnares]

Not as badly, though. And it would be flexible, at least.