03 | Video

[selfinteresting]

[Remember this picture, Ange? (doesn't Battler look like a dork (doesn't dad look as cool as ever)) Mom managed to find it.  And now it's being broadcast, isn't it great...

]

Happy birthday, Ange~ Will you come over for dinner tonight? We can have a little party just like we used to.  Well, not quite the same seeing as your father isn't around, but we all know the highlight is having Battler there anyway.
I want to make up for our absence, in some small way. 

[Locked from Ange]

I'm extending an open invitation to any of Ange's friends as well.  I'll be making dinner as well as dessert and you're welcome to stay as little or long as you like.  The only condition is, please keep it a secret from Ange, I want it to be a surprise.

Comments

[markofthewise]

... nope, haven't heard of him. But uh, I don't really know Ange anyway. [Just that one conversation abou ther love life.]

[selfinteresting]

Oh, is that so? I assumed you did, she goes off and makes friends without ever informing me, so I never do know.

[markofthewise]

Well no worries! No mystery friend here. I'm just... some guy. That's all.

[selfinteresting]

That's fine too. [She laughs lightly] You're just as welcome to come tonight, even if you're only interested in a meal.

[markofthewise]

I... don't know about that. Just showing up to someone's birthday like that would be weird.

[selfinteresting]

Well, it's clear you have at least spoken to her some, right? It's not that strange.

[markofthewise]

Getting invited by someone's mom when they barely know you? It's a little strange.

[selfinteresting]

[It's already meant to be as embarrassing as possible, so...]

I think she, at least, is used to it.

[markofthewise]

[He sighs.]

Maybe I'll uh. Poke my head in. For a little bit.

[selfinteresting]

[Get used to those strange Ushiromiyas...]

It's only an invitation, don't feel you have to. It would be rude not to offer, right?

[markofthewise]

Right. Well. Thanks for the invitation, uh, Miss Ange's mom.

woops

[selfinteresting]

It's Kyrie. And yourself?

[markofthewise]

Sokka. I run the smithy. [In case she had heard his name already.]

[selfinteresting]

Oh, is that so? And you're about Ange's age? I'm impressed, you must be very skilled.

[markofthewise]

Well... yeah, I guess so. I guess I'm just good with my hands. But I don't like to brag. [Except yes, he does.]

[selfinteresting]

Is that what you did back home as well?

[Resisting the urge to jump on that wording, already weirded him out enough, it's only funny to tease Battler.....]

[markofthewise]

Not a lot. Back home I was usually just hunting. Keep the village fed and that kind of stuff. Or saving the world. But mostly the first one.

[selfinteresting]

Ah, hunting with just a side of saving the world, I see.

[markofthewise]

Yeah. Typical teenager stuff, basically.

[selfinteresting]

Yes, I think I may have done that at summer camp once...

So, what did you do?

[markofthewise]

Fishing, mostly.

[selfinteresting]

Well now that's just strange.

[But more seriously...]

Do you find it relaxing? I've never been fishing, but it's something I like to cook.

[markofthewise]

Well it's relaxing here. Back home it was a matter of catching dinner. So I mostly had to spear fish. And that's not very relaxing.

[selfinteresting]

Well now that's a little different. On shore, or did you go out by boat?

[markofthewise]

By boat, usually. By ship when I was a kid. We'd cast out nets to catch more. Or we'd bring in a elephant whale late in the hunting season. That would keep the village fed during the winter months.