Simple Things

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

OK, so things were at least shaping up pretty good. The Outsiders were making progress and so far, she had to admit that she was generally happy. Sure, there were a few lingering things on her mind (her brother, Mai, Marco) but overall she figured letting them deal with things without her involved. Nura and her and Reimi got to bond, she had help on the ship, and there were people looking out for her on the ship: she had nothing to complain about.

So she took this moment to unwind near the Outsider's pool, not IN the pool but beside it, legs crossed, taking in the air and doing breathing exercises for relaxation.

Comments

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae was passing by the pool. She had taken to visit the Outsiders HQ every now and then after the meeting in case there was something that needed her attention. She noticed Katara and offered a friendly waved. "Heya."

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara's eyes fluttered open slowly, and then she saw the girl from the meeting, Ronnae. She had previously wondered why she had the hood and all, but figured if she wanted to talk about it, she would when she was ready.

"Hello, Ronnae!" She greeted, bringing herself to her feet. "What brings you here? Did you want to swim a few laps by yourself, or did you have some questions?"

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae blushed at the thought of going in for a swim. As nice as the water looked... She shook her head after eying the water for a few moments. "I ah... n-no it's fine. Actually I was just walking around in case anyone needed anything." She smiled, "I like it here, specially after your talk at the meeting." She took her hood down, letting her face be more visible, a friendly gesture that's for sure.

[morphitudinous]

With all the thoughts reeling about in his head, Billy knew that he needed some grounding. Katara, he knew, was one of the best people to go to for a fresh perspective.

Logic took him to the Outsiders' hotel, where he soon found her sitting beside her element. She looked peaceful enough that he didn't want to disturb her, so he quickly glanced away and took another seat, mimicking her.

The relaxation technique did work rather well when he concentrated on it.

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara didn't have to open her eyes to tell that Billy was here: by now his presence was familiar enough to her, his scent something she knew by heart at this point. She smiled but continued breathing in and out, waiting until she and Billy were both in sync.

She did this daily, to prepare her for the day, and it helped: it was a time of reflection, a time to relax, quiet oneself and set goals for the day. She could also tell, without getting up, that Billy had something on his mind, so she figured she could set it aside a moment.

"Hi Billy," she said, her eyes still closed. "What brings you here?"

[morphitudinous]

And he was promptly found out, as always. Billy settled in beside her, a distant look on his face.

"It's just been a while since we've talked," he started. "I'm glad to hear that your Outsiders are doing well."

No, that wasn't quite it, but she'd dig it out of him soon enough.

THE PICNIC

[morphitudinous]

((continued from above thread to stop the pagestretching))

"A picnic? Well I suppose it's a nice idea. Are you okay with it, Ronnie?"

The smile stayed on Billy's face. It actually sounded like a lovely afternoon.

Re: THE PICNIC

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae nodded. "Sounds great, I'd love to go on a picnic."
She moved her hand to his and held it lightly. She felt the warmth of her cheeks but she was ok with it, it was just them three.

"So where are we headed to then?"

[badassfreakingoverlord]

That sound?

A distant rumbling. Getting closer.

No, it's not ominous -- it quickly resolves into a horde of swimsuited minions of the Overlord racing en masse into the pool like a bunch of kids let out for the summer. One of them distractedly pitched a book in Katara's general direction; it landed with a heavy thump nearby.

"I don't get the appeal," Zetta said to Katara, "but if it keeps them doing their loyal duty, whatever. I got nothin' else going on." For a change, he didn't even seem too annoyed. "How'd your whole Outsider thing go?"

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara opened one eye when she heard the rumbling, getting ready to defend herself if needed until she realized these were all of the Overlord's minions, apparently inviting themselves over to the Outsider's pool. She sighed, but when she heard the thump she made sure to right the Overlord back up.

"Water is awesome is the appeal," she said, "and besides I guess even minion kids need to play. The Outsider's meeting went pretty well actually: we got a few ideas out there, new things to think about. I'm going to try and see if I can branch us out a bit, get them more involved with the crew if I can. Overall, I think it went pretty well!"

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"The green chick with the big hooters show up?" Zetta had clearly forgotten Katara was also a girl. "I'll kick her ass if she didn't, she seemed like she'd get along with you like Prinnies and fish heads."

[hack-rat.livejournal.com]

Alex rushed up to the pool and cannonballed into the pool right in front of Katara yelling "CANNONBALL!"

Alice wasn't far behind, running a little funny as she tried to shake the water off her paws with each step. She climbed up Katara's back, onto her shoulder and playfully pulled a little at her hair.

[dhianeila.livejournal.com]

Another familiar face. Dhianeila couldn't help but laugh, she'd never seen Alex act like ... well, like somebody their own age when it came to the simply pleasure of enjoying himself. She waited for him to surface before her projection leaned down toward the water some. "Hello Alex!"

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara was also just as flabbergasted. The change in Alex over the last few months had actually really impressed her though, and she smiled. She would have floated him on the wave, but seeing as Alice was now on her back, she decided against, just watching him have fun.

[dhianeila.livejournal.com]

Near Katara floated a curious, but smiling projection at both her and the others who had gathered around the pool. "Hello, Katara," Dhianeila greeted her kindly with a nod of her head.

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara looked up, not expecting someone to appear out of nowhere, and then saw the familiar face. It had been awhile!"

"Dhianelia!" She said. "Hey! How have youi been?"

[dhianeila.livejournal.com]

"I've been well," she responded. "And yourself?"

She turned to look at the water. "It's very nice here!"

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

A form slid through the water, unseen for the moment as Matt swam at the bottom of the pool, having ducked in with a bit of an air cloak around him. He wanted to surprise Katara and he made his way stealthily towards her.

Now.

And he popped up right in front of her -- and planted a kiss on her lips quick as a flash. "Surprise!"

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

And it was a surprise: she guessed this was probably what it was like when Toph first fought Aang. One moment she was relaxing, taking in the sun, the next she was being kissed. Unaware who it was, she caught the perpetrator and gave them a hip toss: and saw who it was.

"Oh, Matt! Matt!" She exclaimed, reddening. "Are you all right?! I'm so sorry!"

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

"Haha, ow!" he laughed despite himself, laying on the floor. "Oh peachy, I love it when girls get rough."

He was joking of course but still grinning. "Sorry, I wanted to surprise you."

[seraphicthunder.livejournal.com]

Reimi had come to the pool and entered from the other end. Noticing Katara there, she smiled as she began to strip down. Already wearing a nice bikini under her skin-tight outfit, she leaped into the water and came up. "Hey!"

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

"Oh, hi!" Katara said, waking up slowly. "Oh wow, you look great! I didn't know you knew about the Outsiders!"

Well, Nura probably told her of course. Duh.

[dhianeila.livejournal.com]

Dhianeila's familiar projection was standing outside the water, though she lingered around the edges of the pool.

"Reimi!" she called to the girl in the water. "How is it in there?"

[riseupnchargem.livejournal.com]

Samson had ordered him to give the Outsiders an honest effort, and Jamie supposed part of that would involve spending time at HQ with the others in the group. So, during one of the scraps of free time in his day, he'd come down to the hotel and eventually made his way out beside the pool, where Katara was quietly doing...something by herself. He staked out a pool chair, opened the book on spellcraft he'd brought with him, and resumed his reading.

They could totally have wholesome Outsiders bonding time without actually interacting, right? Right.

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Well, that was possible, but Katara was going to be roused eventually, and it wasn't as if she didn't know that there was somebody on one of the chairs. She opened her eyes, and saw it was Jamie from the meeting.

"Oh, hi Jamie! What can I do for you?"