[ The fact that Ethlyn keeps trying no matter how annoying Toph is about it actually gets her some respect from the girl. She doesn't like it, and she doesn't make it easier on her, but the persistence itself is worth acknowledging. ]
I won't say no to free food, [ she never does, which is probably half the reason she puts up with Ethlyn at all, ] but you can stop insulting the way I want to live my life any time now.
[ She's not about to admit what she's doing that readily, so she dodges the real question Ethlyn asks. Sure, it's odd to be standing around 'staring' at nothing, especially as a blind person who can't possibly be watching anything. Though she is watching, in essence -- she's listening, trying to use her feet alone to sense things through the earth like her memories say she should be able to. The perpetually lovely weather in Aldrip at least means she doesn't miss her shoes at all. ]
Fortunately, the food is not tied to your acceptance.
[She can't quite say it cheerfully; it comes out flat instead. Toph is just a child and Ethlyn does her best to give some allowance for that fact.
But she's twelve, whispers a part of her--the part of her that seems to whisper after having tried to handle that sword. Twelve is hardly a child, it's someone who is getting very close to adulthood indeed, to the time they'll have to conduct themselves as a full member of society, it's time to start doing that now...
Well, maybe that's just her own fussiness. It isn't like she has any children herself to judge by.]
It's all food that should keep outdoors, since you don't have an icebox--I assume. [She steps closer, shuffling through the dirt a bit for the sake of Toph's hearing to hand over the basket.] But I do hope you like pickles--I don't know why, but there's always an overabundance of pickled food in town.
[She did notice you not answering that question Toph, but she's biding her time.]
[ Hearing her flat tone, Toph actually feels a little bad. Just a little. She wishes Ethlyn would give it up, but at the same time, if she ever did then she would maybe be kinda sad about it. It's hard to refute how obvious it is that Ethlyn cares about her.
Toph just wishes she respected her as well as she cared about her. ]
I don't mind pickled things, [ she relents, reaching out to take the basket without a trace of her usual fumbling. ] ... Thanks.
[ Then she just stands there awkwardly, hoping she'll leave. ]
You're welcome. Eggs, cucumber, and artichoke hearts. There's some bread and clean napkins in there too.
[Ethlyn raises her eyebrows at how assuredly Toph takes hold of the basket, as though she knew exactly where it was and how much it would weigh in her hands. That's different. It could just be a one-off, but it's also a second odd thing about her today.]
I hope I'm not intruding on anything... you did look as though you might be waiting for something.
[is it one of those Wayward Youths™ that hang around town because if it is Ethlyn is, in fact, definitely going to stick around.]
[ The overt reminder that Ethlyn came here just to be nice, if condescendingly nice, makes Toph feel uncomfortable, simultaneously annoyed and guilty. It reminds her of how she feels about her mom, which she doesn't like.
But Ethlyn's not her mom. Toph's never had the courage to be rude to her own mother, for one thing. So, reluctantly, she persuades herself not to treat her like she is. Not that she'll be totally forthcoming, of course. ]
... I'm not waiting, I'm practicing. I'm learning how to get around by listening.
[ Toph's immediately frustrated again by the implication that Ethlyn's casting judgment on what she's doing. On top of which, practicing this makes her feel vulnerable, not physically but emotionally. It's just too important to her, and too new, to feel like she can fail at it in front of someone she isn't close to. ]
I wasn't asking for your approval, okay? [ she snaps. ] I live here -- of course I'm going to practice here.
All right, all right. [Instinctively, Ethlyn holds her hands up placatingly before she remembers that placating visual gestures are not much use.] I'm just trying to talk to you, not insult your pride.
[Ugh. It's so difficult to talk to Toph. And Ethlyn understands pride, and hating pity.]
...I know how old it gets when all people do is feel bad for you.
[ This response has the intended effect of making Toph simmer down, though she folds her arms and turns her face away. It's not like she's about to make eye contact, anyway. ]
... You don't need anyone to feel bad for you, and neither do I. If you want to help me, fine, but I don't need it.
[ The distinction is incredibly important to Toph, who indeed has a considerable depth to her pride. ]
[At least Toph being blind means that Ethlyn gets to indulge in an urge that she knows is very adolescent herself: rolling her eyes. If stubbornness was electricity, Aldrip would be lit up all day and night just from this girl.]
Fine. It's just me being the town busybody, if you can't keep me out of your business, it's not because of any failing on your part.
[...god, she knows that if she tries to say this next thing, she might get shouted out of the forest and perhaps into a forest on a different isle, but... surely... there is some kind of tactful way to say this....]
...And if you want to grow up to be one of the hunters or the mercenaries who like to live rough, that's your prerogative [it's nooot, you're the daughter of a respectable family in town, but just for the sake of argument] but... you still have a few years before you could be considered old enough to really make that choice. Regardless of anything else.
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expiationlogs2024-03-09 08:37 am
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I won't say no to free food, [ she never does, which is probably half the reason she puts up with Ethlyn at all, ] but you can stop insulting the way I want to live my life any time now.
[ She's not about to admit what she's doing that readily, so she dodges the real question Ethlyn asks. Sure, it's odd to be standing around 'staring' at nothing, especially as a blind person who can't possibly be watching anything. Though she is watching, in essence -- she's listening, trying to use her feet alone to sense things through the earth like her memories say she should be able to. The perpetually lovely weather in Aldrip at least means she doesn't miss her shoes at all. ]
no subject
[She can't quite say it cheerfully; it comes out flat instead. Toph is just a child and Ethlyn does her best to give some allowance for that fact.
But she's twelve, whispers a part of her--the part of her that seems to whisper after having tried to handle that sword. Twelve is hardly a child, it's someone who is getting very close to adulthood indeed, to the time they'll have to conduct themselves as a full member of society, it's time to start doing that now...
Well, maybe that's just her own fussiness. It isn't like she has any children herself to judge by.]
It's all food that should keep outdoors, since you don't have an icebox--I assume. [She steps closer, shuffling through the dirt a bit for the sake of Toph's hearing to hand over the basket.] But I do hope you like pickles--I don't know why, but there's always an overabundance of pickled food in town.
[She did notice you not answering that question Toph, but she's biding her time.]
no subject
Toph just wishes she respected her as well as she cared about her. ]
I don't mind pickled things, [ she relents, reaching out to take the basket without a trace of her usual fumbling. ] ... Thanks.
[ Then she just stands there awkwardly, hoping she'll leave. ]
no subject
[Ethlyn raises her eyebrows at how assuredly Toph takes hold of the basket, as though she knew exactly where it was and how much it would weigh in her hands. That's different. It could just be a one-off, but it's also a second odd thing about her today.]
I hope I'm not intruding on anything... you did look as though you might be waiting for something.
[is it one of those Wayward Youths™ that hang around town because if it is Ethlyn is, in fact, definitely going to stick around.]
no subject
But Ethlyn's not her mom. Toph's never had the courage to be rude to her own mother, for one thing. So, reluctantly, she persuades herself not to treat her like she is. Not that she'll be totally forthcoming, of course. ]
... I'm not waiting, I'm practicing. I'm learning how to get around by listening.
no subject
[That does explain why Toph seems different today. And it's definitely a relief that she's not waiting to meet up with some kind of partner-in-crime.]
I guess I can't quite fault a forest as a place to practice that. There are plenty of sounds to hear, but it's less hectic than the town square.
no subject
I wasn't asking for your approval, okay? [ she snaps. ] I live here -- of course I'm going to practice here.
no subject
[Ugh. It's so difficult to talk to Toph. And Ethlyn understands pride, and hating pity.]
...I know how old it gets when all people do is feel bad for you.
no subject
... You don't need anyone to feel bad for you, and neither do I. If you want to help me, fine, but I don't need it.
[ The distinction is incredibly important to Toph, who indeed has a considerable depth to her pride. ]
no subject
Fine. It's just me being the town busybody, if you can't keep me out of your business, it's not because of any failing on your part.
[...god, she knows that if she tries to say this next thing, she might get shouted out of the forest and perhaps into a forest on a different isle, but... surely... there is some kind of tactful way to say this....]
...And if you want to grow up to be one of the hunters or the mercenaries who like to live rough, that's your prerogative [it's nooot, you're the daughter of a respectable family in town, but just for the sake of argument] but... you still have a few years before you could be considered old enough to really make that choice. Regardless of anything else.