one way or another

[computation]

Who: Closed event threads for Liv's characters -- Root and Toph.
Where: Various.
What: Root has a doppelganger and kills her repeatedly. Toph has a doppelganger and has to face some emotions. One of them is having a much better time than the other. Contact me if you're interested in a thread!
Warnings: All of the Root and Shaw threads will have direct discussion and sometimes depiction of suicide.

Comments

[baldrshand]

[It's no surprise to hear that Toph knows others who are in the same position as she is--being a disgrace to the family, yet constitutionally unable to be what they demand. People like that find another fight to fight, searching for the pride they'll never have at home.

The conclusion Toph is walking herself to is... sad. It's deeply sad and there's no way around it, and Ethlyn is selfishly a little glad she doesn't have to put on her doctorly neutral face. It's hard enough for grown men and women to deal with it, much less a child of thirteen.

She reaches out, putting a hand on Toph's shoulder.]

I have friends in your position too. It doesn't matter where you are, or how brave or respected or old you are. It's hard, no matter what.

[fieldtrip]

[ Toph realizes suddenly with the uncommon jolt of self-awareness that comes over teenagers occasionally that she really knows very little about Ethlyn. For once, she doesn't shrug off her hand on her shoulder, and she uncurls a bit, body language opening up and receptive. ]

What about you? Do you get along with your family?

[ It feels like she needs to detach herself from her own thoughts after being so mired in them. Toph isn't naturally introspective. ]

[baldrshand]

[It's good to see Toph starting to relax a little bit. And at least the question of Ethlyn's family is a little bit of a lighter subject.

Well, it sort of isn't, but talking about her upbringing is fine. The Chalphys had their issues but they did their earnest best to be good to each other.]

I'm lucky that my father was more concerned about being a good parent than having a good reputation. My biggest problem was usually my brother and his tendency to hurl himself headlong into a situation without taking even half a minute to think it over.

[It's a well-worn complaint, but one spoken with clear affection.]