At the Jasmine Dragon 32

At The Jasmine Dragon
Chapter Thirty Two: Memory

Movie night had grown larger, Aang brought Angie and Zuko was coming more often. Sokka himself had invited Toph and nine times out of ten she came as well. It felt as though everyone was pairing up and moving forward, except him.

"Okay, so Zuko picked the movie last week," Katara said snapping him from his thoughts. "Looks like this week is Toph's turn."

"How do you keep track?" Aang asked while he and Angie set up snacks.

"I wrote it in my day planner. Next week is Sokka's turn, then Angie's, then yours, then mine and back to Zuko again," Katara proudly displayed her colour coded book.

"You have too much time on your hands," Zuko teased.

"So what movie did you pick Toph?" Angie asked.

Toph rummaged through the bag at their feet, there were so many people now that everyone needed to get real cuddly or sit on the floor. Toph chose to squeeze in next to Sokka in his favourite chair; it was the only way she'd be able to 'watch' the movie anyway.

"Meng actually suggested it and it sounded good," the Chinese girl explained pulling the case from her bag. "Daredevil, she said it was about a superhero who was blind."

Sokka began his narration, whispering in Toph's ear. He could tell from her Cheshire smile that she was pleased with her movie choice.

"That was great!" she exclaimed after it had finished. "I love superhero movies, so much action and fighting!"

"When I watch superhero movies all I can think about is the millions in property damage," Angie mused causing everyone to look at her with confusion. "What? Have you not seen all the damage guys like Iron Man and Superman do to a city? Daredevil was fine, but most of the heroes seem to destroy as much as they save. I wonder if cities with heroes have insurance against that..."

"And on that note, it's probably time for us to go," Zuko laughed. "You need a ride home Toph?"

"Nah, gonna chill here for a bit." Zuko and Angie got ready to go, saying their group goodbyes and then a more private goodbye with the person who had invited them.

"I've got some reading to catch up on," Katara said, tidying up a bit. "I'll be in my room if you need me."

"Same here," Aang added. Sunday was his day to catch up on his fanfiction.

"Just you and me, Meathead." Toph playfully punched him. "Man, I wish I could fight like Daredevil, imagine how it would be to use another sense to see the world. Like touch or sound, it might even be better."

"Well, I can't help you with seeing like Daredevil or actually fighting like him, but I can teach you how to make it look like you can."

"Bullshit! Really?"

"Yeah," Sokka nodded getting up and stretching as well. "It's called mock combat or stage fighting. I learned in theatre."

"Teach me."

"Okay, I'll go slow and you need to move with me. The key to mock combat is always remaining in contact, even if it's just a little. You'll always know where I am."

He taught her basic holds, how to fake punches and kicks and even taught her a short, six pose, fight in which they traded who the the dominated fighter back and forth.

"You're a fast learner, Toph," Sokka praised after an hour and a half of fake fighting. "Want me to walk you home?"

"Sure, and thanks," the petite woman slugged him in the shoulder with a broad smile. "You're a pretty good teacher."

"I hate that you can punch harder than me," Sokka whined picking up Toph's bag while she focused on putting Momo's harness on.

"Why?" Sokka shrugged and they walked down the stairs. "Sokka? I said 'why'." Oops. Forgot she was blind.

"It makes me feel like I can't protect you if something bad happens," he explained softly. The night air still retained some of the day's warmth but there was a definite crispness to it.

"I'm surprised you don't have a girlfriend. You're so protective."

"I had one but it didn't work out."

"Just one?" Toph teased.

"I've had more than that, but there was only one serious relationship and one semi-serious one."

"Yeah? So, what happened?"

"She died. I tried dating after that, a girl named Suki. She was an exchange student I met in school. We ran into each other again while we were backpacking. She traveled with us for a bit, but she wanted more commitment then I was ready to give." Sokka sighed and looked up at the moon. "I just wasn't ready to move on and Suki deserved better."

"You still haven't, have you?" Sokka glanced at his friend, there was something in her tone but in the dark and with her shades it was impossible to read her expression.

"All I have left is memories, and it's my memory of her that keeps her real. If I were to forget it would be like she never existed."

"Why do you do this to yourself? You're carrying her ghost." Toph sighed. "Go home, Sokka. Momo and I will be fine the rest of the way, Meng said she'd meet us." Sokka barely had time to register her words before she and her dog were walking again. Sokka knew she'd be okay, she had walked the same way with him countless times by now.

He also knew that she was being tough, showing that she didn't need his protection. Normally he'd argue and walk her home anyway, but right now he just wanted to be left alone.

Sokka put in his earbuds and started his music, giving a short laugh at which song was playing first. How appropriate.

All of my memories
Keep you near
In silent moments
Imagine you're here
All of my memories
Keep you near
The silent whispers, silent tears