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What I Learned at SRU -4-What I Learned at SRU -4-3 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
A/N: I know people have a lot of questions. Answers will come. I want this story to be a slow burn, with mysteries that get revealed over time - that's how my college experience was, after all. I want to express things that happened last school year via flashbacks as we go, out of order, piece by piece. I want to introduce more characters when I need to introduce them according to the plot I want to play out. I hope you stick with me, and I promise I'll work hard at keeping things interesting.
What I Learned at SRUChapter 4 - Special-August 28th, 2010-
"Mmrrrggmfff..."
"C'mon, Toph. Get up. Get up." Katara nudged her hand into Toph's arm a co
What I Learned at SRU -3-What I Learned at SRU -3-3 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
A/N: Words that are {written in these} represent something in print, like a book or a newspaper article/flier/poster, etc. Yes. I am using these to add a little visual flair but also because I want to use lots of other media through the story and am too lazy to go through the standard motions. Huzzah for the Internet. Also, the fact is that in The Last Airbender Katara is flustered and obviously attracted to Jet early on. I wanted to explore that a bit in this chapter.
What I Learned at SRUChapter 3- Easygoing
-August 28th, 2010-
Katara scuffed her socks against the drab carpet of her dorm room, back and forth, analyzing the pages of her fir
What I Learned at SRU -8-What I Learned at SRU -8-3 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
What I Learned at SRUChapter 8 - The Family Name
- Friday, September 3rd, 2010 -
"So! Mr. Kurosawa."
Zuko sighed and drank from his tall ceramic tea mug, his black hair slicked to the side, combed neatly.
"So," he replied simply, avoiding the interviewer's gaze.
The excitable girl tapped her chin thoughtfully with her pen, notepad in hand. Her face was riddled with small bouts of acne with messy, thin bangs hanging across her forehead. Her brisly hair was bunched into a short, spiky tail at the base of her neck. She wore a pair of thin, rectangular glasses, curious pale brown eyes staring inquisitively at him.
"Tell me, Mr. Kurosawa: why shou
What I Learned at SRU -9-What I Learned at SRU -9-3 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
What I Learned at SRUChapter 9 - Just Like That
- Saturday, September 4th, 2010 -
"She hasn't come back yet?"
"Sorry, Jane," Toph said apathetically, one earbud still tucked in as music trickled into her ear. "I dunno what's up."
"You don't think she's gonna chicken out, do you?"
"Nah," came Toph's confident reply. "She seemed pretty worked up about it."
"Guess you're right." Jane sighed and scratched her neck anxiously.
"Why? You worried about her or somethin'?" teased Toph with a grin, her arms folding behind her head on her pillow.
"Maybe," Jane laughed with a shrug that couldn't be seen. She sat herself down in Katara's desk chair, lazily
What I Learned at SRU -10-What I Learned at SRU -10-3 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
A/N: I know there's been a bit of a heavy emphasis on the female characters earlier on here, and this chapter continues that - honestly, this is partially because the girls have a bit more external drama but also because the plot just needs me to focus on them first.
What I Learned at SRUChapter 10 - Simple
[Boomerang Blog: Back At Ya!]
[About That...][Posted on September 7th at 11:46pm][by Noble Sir Kesuk Esquire]
[So ya know how my ex-girlfriend has been hanging out with us? Yea. About that...It's starting to get kinda weird. There's definitely something still there, ya know? Not surprising, really. The only reason we broke up Freshman year
What I Learned at SRU -6-What I Learned at SRU -6-3 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
What I Learned at SRUChapter 6 - Secure
-Tuesday, August 31st-
["YOU HAVE...TWO NEW MESSAGES. FIRST NEW MESSAGE."]
["Smellerbee, what the fuck is up with Katara? I thought you said she was fine. I just ran into her at the pub and she was not fine. She's acting fucking crazy. What did you say to her? I told you not to talk with her about anything. That's none of her business. That's our business. Freedom Fighter business. And she's not a Freedom Fighter - not yet."] There was a pause after a long, frustrated sigh. ["Anyway. Listen. I'm gonna take her out and hopefully she can chill the fuck out. I can't deal with this shit on top of everythin
What I Learned at SRU -7-What I Learned at SRU -7-3 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
A/N: After last chapter I know a lot of people are probably wondering, 'Wait, since when are Katara and Smellerbee friends?' Well, remember this is an alternate universe, for one. And for two, I'm taking an approach with this story where I show you how things are in the present and utilize flashbacks to establish certain ideas and let you fill in the less important blanks. Ideally, you should be comprehending how things are in the present but wondering why they are that way - and the flashbacks will help sort that out. =) This chapter is more experimental in its way of narration, so do pay attention to time stamps to help realize when things
What I Learned at SRU -22-What I Learned at SRU -22-2 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
A/N: Enjoy some more fluff before we get back on task with serious business. ;P Also, I have been writing a series of reflection articles about SRU that detail some "behind-the-scenes" stuff, if you will, and my intentions with how I am writing certain characters/aspects of the story. If you're interested, you can check that out here.
http:/destiny-smasher.deviantart.com/journal/
What I Learned at SRUChapter 22 - Dealing
- Saturday, October 16th, 2010 -
"Hey, Sokka."
"Yea, Toph?"
"You've, um...Ya got somethin' on your suit."
"Aw, crap," Sokka grumbled, fussing his hands at his chest. "When I saw that lasagna, ya know I got worried that-..." H
What I Learned at SRU -13-What I Learned at SRU -13-3 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
What I Learned at SRUChapter 13 - Gone
- Saturday, September 18th, 2010 -
[To: Jane][Hey, where are you guys? We're about to start things here but we haven't heard from you. Are you not coming?][Sent: 8:04pm]
"Katara, you playing?"
"Oh!" Katara slapped her phone shut and nodded. "Yea, yea. I am."
"Well, git over here, then!" Sokka insisted with a wave of the arm. Katara sighed deeply, her concern for her friend having been spiked up sharply since she had last seen Jane huddled on her bed the other day.
She sat down at the wooden table, Aang to her left, Sokka and Suki across from her, and Toph on the tables narrow side between Aang and Suki.
What I Learned at SRU -11-What I Learned at SRU -11-3 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
A/N: This chapter was originally going to be more Sokka heavy but somehow that changed along the way - but it's definitely got a more romantic skew to it. We'll see what happens next chapter, as I really do want to give some more attention to Sokka soon.
What I Learned at SRUChapter 11 - Comfort Zone
- Sunday, September 12th, 2010 -
"Why don't you do something with the other guys?"
["Oh. Because Toph and Aang had the same idea that you did. Ha."]
"Ah...Well, I'm sorry, Sis, but Suki and I haven't really spent a lot of time alone yet and she keeps trying to get me to go along with it...and...-"
["No, no! I understand. You really should, Sokka.
What I Learned at SRU -16-What I Learned at SRU -16-2 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
A/N: Sorry this took a while longer than usual. Holiday season is the cause. Have fun with this Aang-focused chapter. Enjoy. I decided not to reveal too much about Aang's history yet as I want to make sure I finalize the details first and introduce the more important elements later. But I'm sure there are still some surprises here.
Happy New Year!
What I Learned at SRUChapter 16 - Leaving the Nest
- Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 -
[Boomerang Blog: Back At Ya!]
[More Wheels][Posted on September 28th, 1:12am][by Noble Sir Kesuk Esquire]
[So my sister's gang member friend - not the one who died, the one who didn't die - has been kind of worming
What I Learned at SRU -17-What I Learned at SRU -17-2 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
A/N: Just to help avoid confusion, I realized that the past few chapters have had inconsistent dates. I've gone back and fixed that. Real sorry. This chapter has a more recent flashback where the date is important - but hopefully you'll be able to gather that on your own.
What I Learned at SRUChapter 17 - Pieces
[From: Suki Kyoshi][To: Katara Kesuk; Toph Beifong; Jane Fitzpatrick][Sent: October 1st, 3:12pm][Subject: curious..]
[hi, girls! i wanted to ask you something.. festivall is coming up in about a month so auditions will be soon. sokka told me you guys play music. why don't we start a band? think about it. an all girl band.. doesn't tha
What I Learned at SRU -14-What I Learned at SRU -14-3 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
A/N: I'm going to do something different with this chapter. Expect that kind of thing from time to time. ;) It would work better with visuals/audio, but I'm using the written word. So hopefully I can write this in a way you all can follow. I'm not laying out what times things happen at because it'd make this sequence too artificial, but I give you an idea as to when they take place. Enjoy.
What I Learned at SRUChapter 14 - Cursed
- Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 -
It didn't rain. It was clear and clean out that afternoon. Katara wished it rained. It didn't feel right. These were always supposed to dull and dreary and rainy, weren't they? Someh
What I Learned at SRU -12-What I Learned at SRU -12-3 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
What I Learned at SRU
Chapter 12 - Pessimistic
- Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 -
[Calling...][Jet]
"God damnit, Jet," Jane growled, stuffing her phone back into her pine green vest. She kicked her boot into the sidewalk impatiently as she waited for the vibrating to stop. Where was her boyfriend? He was way late, which wasn't like him. The phone rattled against her side again.
[Calling...][Jet]
"Argh, fuckin' eh," she huffed, tugging the phone back out in frustration and flipped it open. "What is it, Jet?"
["Christ, it's about time you picked up,"] Jet replied, his voice unnaturally panicked. ["Where the fuck are you, Smellerbee?"]
Jane groun
What I Learned at SRU -24-What I Learned at SRU -24-2 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
A/N: Yes, another Jane-focused chapter. Have to progress her plot a bit here before focusing on the other characters more. I also wanted to show more of day-to-day college life, I guess. Also. Profanity. That'll happen with Jane. Just want to comment that when I use profanity in excess it is intentional. Fact is, plenty of people in our society are lazy with their vocabulary and rely on such words to get their points across. =P
What I Learned at SRUChapter 24 - With a Little Help
- Sunday, October 24th, 2010 -
"Fuck," grunted Jane, hands dug deep in her wide cargo pants pockets. "Johnny, I don't wanna do this..." She shot a glare at her boyfr
What I Learned at SRU -27-What I Learned at SRU -27-2 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
A/N: This chapter took a bit longer because writing that focuses on Sokka is often inherently more difficult for me to write, and the past week has seen a lot of...craziness. Which my subconscious was already exploring through this story and will eventually live out later. Anyway. Enjoy the chapter or something.
What I Learned at SRUChapter 27- Big Bro
- Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 -
"She rubs me the wrong way, Sweetie. I don't appreciate her attitude."
Sokka rubbed his palm over his increasingly scruffy chin - he decided in that moment that he would shave that night - and contemplated his girlfriend's statement.
"Toph can be a little...diffi
What I Learned at SRU -19-What I Learned at SRU -19-2 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
What I Learned at SRUChapter 19 - A Formal Thing
- Monday, October 11th, 2010 -
"This weekend? How could I-...? How did I miss that?"
"It's just Homecoming, Kat, it's not like it's-"
"Exactly! It's Homecoming! I need to...I have to get ready for it."
"You're actually going?"
"Wh-? Of course we're going. You're not?"
Jane's eyes wandered to the side and she shrugged with apathy.
"Nah, I've, uhh...never been to somethin' like that..."
"Really?" Katara gasped as she tied her hair into a ponytail. "Are you serious?"
Jane's eyelids lowered as her olive orbs glared.
"Do I seem like the type who'd give a fuck about that kinda thing?" she grumbled.
"
What I Learned at SRU -2-What I Learned at SRU -2-3 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
A/N: Just to help clear up any confusion, anything written in brackets [like this] is something digital, like a phone or screen, and if it's in quotes ["like this"] then it's supposed to be audio coming from something digital. I just kind of like the visual effect and feel like it's a quick way to illustrate what is artificial or recorded/typed, or helping portray which perspective a phone conversation is happening from.What I Learned at SRUChapter 2 - Seeds of Doubt
-August 27, 2010-
"So...Tell me again: what's the point?" Sokka stared dully at the TV screen across the room, watching a pudgy boy with a horned hat scamper through oddly patter
What I Learned at SRU -18-What I Learned at SRU -18-2 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
What I Learned at SRUChapter 18 - The Fearsome Fivesome
- Friday, October 8th, 2010 -
"My turn?"
"Sure. Why not?"
"But..." Jane was confused. "Wh-...? I don't..."
"Pick a place to eat, Freckle-Face, it's not hard," Sokka chuckled.
"Some place cheap, please!" Aang piped up weakly. Toph knuckled him on the arm.
"Shut up, Twinkle-Toes, I'll cover you."
"No, you don't have to do-"
"I'll cover you," she insisted. "Not like I can't afford it, Twinkle-Toes."
"What are you in the mood for?" Katara wondered, her head tipped slightly to the side at Jane's crossed arms.
"I-I dunno," Jane grunted, popping up her shoulders. "Pizza...?"
"Pizza Hut?" Katara
What I Learned at SRU -15-What I Learned at SRU -15-3 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
A/N: This chapter definitely took more time and work than others up until now. I hope it was worth it.
What I Learned at SRUChapter 15 - An Angry Girl
- Saturday, September 25th -
"Nope. Not since Tuesday."
"You've just been...ignoring them?"
"Yep. I told them at the funeral: I'm done."
"Well, er..." Sokka shrugged, passing Jane her a white cup with a simplified dragon printed around its surface. "Good for you, eh?"
"Good for me," Jane dryly agreed, taking a sip of her coffee.
Ow. Fuck. Almost burned my tongue.
She popped off the lid to her cup and stared at the liquid for a moment, inspecting it. It looked like Sokka had administered enough
What I Learned at SRU -32-What I Learned at SRU -32-2 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
A/N: Depressed yet? ;D Last few chapters have been pretty high-tension, amirite? Such is the life of a college student. While it's not as if problems can magically disappear, Thanksgiving break is a vacation, isn't it? ^_^; We should try to relax here for a bit...
What I Learned at SRUChapter 32 - Family Blood
- Thursday, November 25th, 2010 - Thanksgiving
"I dunno, play something happy, Tophie!"
Toph struggled to keep her visage rigid and courteous so as not to let her disdain come through.
"I'm not really in the mood, Cousin..."
"Please? Pretty please? You're so gooood."
Dressed like a proper "lady," her hair forced into a tidy bun, and dec
What I Learned at SRU -35-What I Learned at SRU -35-2 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
A/N: Again, thanks for all your support. Please keep the feedback coming. Life has been very crazy as I get ready to move across the country and your guys' comments help motivate me to stay consistent with this story. Starting in May, the rest of this year is going to be very crazy, I imagine, but my goal is try and finish this story by Christmas. We'll see how that goes. I hope to get one more chapter done before the move.
What I Learned at SRUChapter 35 - Back Again
- Saturday, November 27th, 2010 -
The morning rays peeked in through Katara's bedroom shades, tickling at her eyes. Her right shoulder was heavy, pinned down. The weight, as it
What I Learned at SRU -30-What I Learned at SRU -30-2 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
A/N: Hey, DA readers, I have a contest going on, please feel free to check that out in my profile.
What I Learned at SRUChapter 30 - Baggage
- Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 -
"You're really OK with this, Dad?"
["I am, Katara. Really. Why are you so worried about it?"]
"N-nothing, it's fine," she assured with a hint of hesitation.
["In Woman-Speak that means there is something."] Her dad did know her well, and she realized with those exact words how much her brother sounded like him.
"Heh. Y-yea, I'm, um...-" She trailed off, collecting her thoughts. "Thanksgiving has just always been...just us. You know?"
["I understand,"] Hakoda sympathized.
What I Learned at SRU -31-What I Learned at SRU -31-2 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
What I Learned at SRUChapter 31 - Headache
- Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 -
Aang couldn't believe what he was reading. He rubbed his eyes, blinked rapidly for a second, then read again.
"Whhhhat is it, Aang?" wondered a dreary Katara from the backseat as Sokka pulled their car into the Aqua parking lot.
"It's Toph," he muttered, still staring at the phone from the passenger seat besides Sokka.
"What's up?" Sokka wondered. "Did she hurt herself trying to do things on her own?" he picked.
"She's not coming," Aang explained with some seriousness, tearing Sokka's veil of humor.
"What?" Katara gasped.
"I-I don't know!" Aang snapped, observing he
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