Life in the Apocalypse

[markofthewise]

Characters: Sokka, Azula
Setting: Post-apocalyptic Fire Nation Capital City
Summary: Continuation from this meme. After seeing Katara killed, Aang went into an unstoppable Avatar State that devastated the world. Two survivors, once enemies, have put their past behind them to fight off loneliness in a sparsely populated world.

Comments

[markofthewise]

You'd be surprised at what I've eaten to satisfy my hunger pangs. Sometimes if we couldn't get a fire going, we didn't even get to cook the meat.

[So perhaps he could distract her by simply grossing her out.]

[unstable]

[ The princess shakes her head. ]

That is completely disgusting. You shouldn't ever behave like a wild animal, no matter how hungry you are.

[markofthewise]

It's called the choice between eating and starvation. You've just never been there, princess.

[The meat is sizzling. Some of it free of the spice. Mission accomplished.]

[unstable]

And if I ever catch you eating raw meat for whatever reason, you're out of here.

[ Because that is just gross. ]

[markofthewise]

Now why would I do that when I have a firebender nearby?

[unstable]

Maybe you've developed a taste for it, I don't know. I just can't get the mental image out of my head.

[markofthewise]

You know, there used to be legends of Water Tribe warriors who ate raw meat for strength and vitality.

[unstable]

Used to be is the keyword. They probably all got sick and died.

[markofthewise]

Whatever. You probably just find it incredibly manly. I can't blame you.

[unstable]

Manly? It's stupid and disgusting. I am probably stronger than all of your little Water Tribe warriors ever have been and I didn't get this way by consuming raw meat.

[markofthewise]

[Sokka was not bothered and merely shrugged at her implication.] That's just bending. It doesn't count.

[unstable]

I could probably take every single one of them without bending.

[markofthewise]

Sure you could.

[Sure, he knew she could pull off some amazing moves and flips and stuff without her bending. But so could non-benders. And he wasn't even sure why they were talking about this.]

[unstable]

[ Because it makes her feel better, remembering the days when there were still people around she could crush. And not just Sokka. Sokka who she tolerates because no one else is around, so she can't abuse him too terribly.

The princess slides off the counter, leaning against it. Grinning at him. ]

You keep forgetting how amazing I am.

[markofthewise]

No, I'm pretty sure I didn't forget it. I still haven't acknowledged it, remember?

[Part of it is just teasing her, because he knows how much she soaks up praise. The other part is... well, actually that's all of it. He can't have her getting a big head on him. A bigger one anyway.

He takes the meat off the stove to let it cool. Time to get some plates. Sure, they're just having a plate of cooked meat, but it's better than nothing.]

[unstable]

Ah.

[ She clicks her tongue against her teeth, fetching utensils for the both of them. Winter was hard on the taste buds, sure, but it made the rest of the years food even more delicious when they were able to have more variety with what they ate. Plus, eating so plainly made her feel as if she could endure anything. ]

Just because you haven't acknowledged it openly doesn't stop the both of us from knowing it's fact.

sorry for letting this sit so long

[markofthewise]

[It reminded him of home. He hadn't seen it in a full year now. Sometimes he wondered if he ever would.

He wears a wry sort of grin as he starts to distribute the portions.]

I can be a slow learner sometimes.

:) it's no problem take your time always

[unstable]

[ The princess takes her plate and moves to sit on the counter once more, cutting up her meat with a knife. ]

An incredibly slow learner, then. But that is something I've realized already, too. [ She lets out a little laugh, lifting her foot to poke his side. ] This looks good.

[markofthewise]

[Sometimes Sokka worries that Azula is a little too comfortable with him. He worries, maybe, he's a little too comfortable with her. Because he takes the poking in stride, even if he swats her foot away.]

Of course it's good. If there's anything I know how to do right, it's meat.

[Voila. He sets two dishes at the table. Pointedly taking a seat with his less spicy plate.]

[unstable]

Mm, I see.

[ She's quick to slide off the counter and swap plates with him, giving him a look. Oh yeah, Sokka. Did you think you'd get away with this? She sees all. ]

I changed my mind, I want a smaller portion instead.

[markofthewise]

[Oh. Oh you are evil. Sokka is quick to object.]

They were both the same size!

[unstable]

[ The princess takes a bite of her new portion and shakes her head in disagreement as she chews. ]

There was definitely another inch or so of meat on the piece you gave me.

[markofthewise]

[HMPH. Sokka takes a bit of his. And though it is as spicy as hell, he grits his teeth and takes it. Doing his best not to betray how ridiculously hot it is.]

Really. Well. Thank you.

[unstable]

I thought you'd appreciate it, since you're a growing boy and all.

[ She takes another bite of her sadly seasoned piece of meat, watching him as if she doesn't want to break out into a fit of giggles. Because she totally does. ]

Is everything alright?

[markofthewise]

[His eyes are the slightest bit damp. But he's chewing it. Swallowing. And glaring.]

It's. Delicious.