paradisa | (no subject)

[Katara has never had issue with the beds in Paradisa. They were warm, comfortable, but as snug and content as she is in the blankets, she can sense that there’s something maybe just a little off. There’s pressure against her arm and side - something is cuddling her.

Momo isn’t in Paradisa. So what in the world —

She shifts just a little, groggily opening her eyes and looking to the side.

Oh. It was Joshua.

Joshua was cuddling her. Of course.]

[Katara flings herself back, knocking her journal off of the bedside table — and this is where it begins transmitting. She screams.]

What are you doing in my room? What are you doing in my bed? [Her voice just gets shriller and shriller.] Out, out, out, out, out!

[ And while anyone listening might expect just as loud of a reaction (After all this is a rather commonplace scenario here, isn't it?) from whoever is invading the poor girl's bed, instead there's just a soft grunt of irritation. He's half-asleep and not placing the voice, but the shriek sure sounds familiar. He mutters groggily, ]

Huh, Langley...?

Joshua?!

[Another shuffling sound, and the sound abruptly stops as Katara scoops the journal off the floor.]

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Yes, but I have the unfortunate advantage of having to tolerate your noise.

[ It's an edge he could do without... ]

I was fifteen when I came here.

[Get over it, Joshua.]

My birthday's next month, but I don't think I'll really be sixteen yet.

What do you mean? If it's your birthday, you'll be sixteen. Don't worry about details. The castle doesn't.

[She rubs the back of her head with her nails, groaning.]

I really wish that didn't make so much sense.

The problem with most humans is that they over-analyze things that don't need it, and end up creating an unnecessary stressful environment, when they could simply be experiencing and enjoying the moment.

It's more beneficial to direct your detective work towards ventures that will actually produce results.

[She just fixes him with this look for a long moment, before offering:]

I'm teaching myself piano.

...I was talking about the bigger picture.

[ Stupid broad. ]

But I can play piano.

We could be jerked home at any time with no memory of this place. There's not a bigger picture in Paradisa.

-- you can?

But that's exactly what it is, you dimwitted girl. We know there's a way to return. And many people never come back.

The world is large, with lots to explore, and who knows how many mysteries. Eventually, someone will unlock the secret to being able to go home at will and never return.

[ He already said he did, so he's not going to repeat himself gosh. ]

[She quiets a little at that, shrugging her shoulders back and leaning against the wall again. She'd start in on how it's hard to do things like that without Aang or Toph or especially Sokka, but that would be inviting ridicule.

So, instead, she watches her own ceiling.]

How well do you play?

Well enough. I played casually as a child, and started training when I was eleven.

[ 'Training' may sound like an odd word for a music lesson, but Joshua has a reason for doing everything. ]

It's difficult. Rewarding too, though.

[An abrupt pause.

Why is she trying to make smalltalk with him.

Aghh.]

I suppose it will be, yes.