Peace or Not (Avatar Roleplay)

Toph was flustered. She blushed and did not know how to respond for a moment or two. But then she smirked too. "Picking me up isn't that big of a deal. Even I know I'm not as tall as most girls my age."

"You sure know how to build up my ego," Sokka told her sarcastically, plopping down next to her, "And you can pull metal apart. I have to get some credit for being able to pick you up without being harmed."

"Okay, then." Toph tapped her chin. "Well, I will admit. You're the only guy in the world I'd ever let carry me, or toss me around like that. How's that for ego building?"

"Excellent. It needs all the food it can get," he told her with a grin before kissing her cheek, "I know you're just as bad."

"Hmph. Not you too," she said, shaking her head. "I get enough of those kinds of lectures from your sister." She plopped back into the pillows of his bed.

"Hey, I didn't say it was a bad thing," Sokka told her with a shrug. He smiled a little, "You don't need to tell me about Katara's lectures."

She chuckled. "I guess not. You're usually the butt of those, aren't you? Poor Snoozles..." She patted his arm, before taking his hand with hers. "Still, you're pretty tough. Tougher than most people, if you can survive her during that special time."

"Yeah, well, I somehow go on," Sokka told her, squeezing her hand gently before kissing her on the cheek once again. He'd never let his sister be in this position with Aang, he knew. But that was a big brother thing so he'd overlook his own hypocrisy.

"And you say you have bad luck," she said, chuckling. "Guess that explains why you have to be so tough. The universe is out to get you."

She blushed. She found, much to her surprise, that she liked getting all these affectionate kisses. Sokka did not make a big deal out of it, either; he just made it show that he liked being with her, and that she loved the most.

She scooted closer to him, her free hand smoothing up and down his arm.

"Is that why you do what you do," Shizuka asked, looking back at the Blue Spirit. She remembered when she was younger how she didn't care if she died. She only wanted to change the way things were like everyone else in her village. But now things were different.
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"Yeah, but I guess it's hard not to worry. Every time I think about them I flash back to Lake Logai. I...I just want to be sure they can handle themselves without me."

"Pretty much. It's an addiction. I don't really have any choice but channel it into jobs like the one last night. I enjoy them, of course, but you can't really blame me," he told her, his voice light and jovial, though he frowned a little beneath his mask.

*

"I know what you mean. I hate leaving my girls alone too," Suki told Jet with an understanding look, "I just have to remind myself that they're skilled and strong."

*

Sokka smiled a little, surprised at her touch, but enjoying it. He closed his eyes and murmured, "You sure can be gentle when you want to be."

"You never feel guilty," Shizuka asked softly. She wished that he would take off his mask. She thought it would be easier to talk to him.
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"Well let's hope where ever Azula and her lackeys are they aren't near ours," Jet said. Then he nodded at Suki. "Well I guess I'll be going. See you later."

"No. Of course not. I'm a killer. Does the eagle-hawk feel guilt when it chases its prey?" the masked man asked, folding his arms.

*

"See you," she told him before entering her room.

"Who was that?" Ty Lee asked, plopped on her bed.

"Just Jet," Suki told her with a shrug, laying next to her, "He just wanted to talk about something."

"But you aren't an animal," Haru pointed out. He really didn't like this guy. The way he talked...it just unnerved the Earthbender.

"You never felt anything for the people you killed?"

"Sometimes. Usually only when it serves a purpose," said Toph. "Believe it or not, I like making you feel good. Am I right now?"

"I know," Sokka told her with a grin, "I like making you feel good too, just so you know."

*

"It is either that or I won't survive," the masked man told Haru, "There's an old Fire Nation proverb: I laugh because if I don't, I'd cry."

He crossed his arms and looked away.

"It was either I kill my spirit or I cease to exist in this world. I chose survival," he told him.

"But...don't you want something else. I know I can't understand what you feel and why you choose this, but don't you want more before you die," Shizuka asked.

Haru just nodded. He couldn't understand what he meant. He didn't like it, but he was less hostile towards him.

"I'm a killer. It's what I am, beautiful," the Blue Spirit told her with a shrug, "I've tried not killing, really tried, but it doesn't work that way. Sooner or later, I break. At least when I take assassination jobs, my victims probably have it coming. That and I get paid. A lot. Gold makes everything better."

"All I'm asking is that are you satisfied," Shizuka said, her own mind going to Zuko and her choice. She had choosen to separate herself from the Fire Nation after being sent away, getting way too involved in her village's protests. Now she was traveling with a troop and was happy, but at the same time she felt this feeling of regret.

"Maybe not," he admitted, frowning beneath his mask, "It's not that I have any choice. I can survive the way I am."

Haru was being to feel depressed. He walked off hoping he wasn't making a mistake in leaving Shizuka alone with him.

"OK. Enough of that subject. Are you planning on staying here until Azula's caught? You know since she probably wants to kill you now."

"That or help her get caught. Scratch that, I can't take the chance. I'll kill her," he told her with a shrug, "Just sneak into her cell and put her out of her misery."

"Good luck with that," Shizuka said. "I'll try and not cry at you're funeral," she joked, smiling slightly. "What flowers do you want again?"

"Fire Lilies," he told her with a shrug, "And you throwing yourself on my body would be nice."

"I'll be sure to remember to do that," she responded. "So why are you talking to me anyways. I'd assume you'd be all loner-y or something."