4969/A simple request

A simple request
Date of Scene:	02 January 2017
Location:	Ad Coelum
Synopsis:	Sokka goes to Stadler about women troubles. Teenagers. Gosh darn teenagers.
Cast of Characters:	1076, 300

---

Sokka (1076) has posed:
Sokka took a deep breath as he walked to the office. It had been... a while since then. Since everything. He hadn't slept. He'd gotten a drink from the bar(just one. Despite his antics he actually WAS responsible and knew better than to get drunk).

Still, rumors were likely spreading. Sokka was... not the kind of guy who could be ignored. Chances were most the people here knew him. He was happy, charming, chipper.

He was none of those. and it was likely spreading. His mood was... un-typically dour. He hadn't made a pun in hours. NOT ONE! He'd let obvious ones just slip by. not to mention he was back from leave early. Considering the happy news about Tony's baby, well, rumors were probably starting to spread that maybe the baby hadn't made it after all...

So when sokka knocked on the door to Stadler's office, it likely wasn't that big a surprise.

Richard Stadler (300) has posed:
Stadler had noticed... something was amiss with Sokka. In passing. Normally he and Toph were thick as theives (and he wasn't going to rule out that being literal). He had to admit that the behavior was odd, given the news from Earth-19999. Healthy baby boy in that family, so he expected some contact happiness, or at the very least befuddled jokes, not... morosness. It was an issue. But thankfully, Sokka was one of Amalthea's charges. Training them was one thing, but being the /offical/ consueling resource for those two.

So he was in his office in the new tree (He'd never thought he'd have a weirder office than a giant tree, but a space ship was weirder). His uniform coat was neatly hanging on a hook to the side, with his cap on top of it, a cheap, well-made government pen scrawling across paper work (how the hell does he /print/ that fast). Scrawl scrawl, another one for the out box... Then the knock.

He looks up, and years of training has his face an impassive mask of stone at who it was. Oh, damn it. He was the /unoffical/ consueling resource. Well, calm down. Maybe it was something mundane. "Sokka. Come in, have a seat." He says, indicating the chair in front of him, hands lightly fiddling with the pen. "Something I can help you with?"

Sokka (1076) has posed:
Sokka nodded. "Yeah, Stadler, sir." Oh gosh. Not even a pun. Not calling him antlers. Nothing. Just...

Yup. Teenagers.

He moved to the chair across from him. "I... ummm... I'm back from leave early and I need to make a request. There's, err been a minor hiccup between Toph and I. So I need to request to... be moved to a different training group. For a little bit, until things calm down. To avoid causing any... problems with the group."

Richard Stadler (300) has posed:
Stadler paused for a moment. His first name, serious. Nothing good. For a moment, Stadler /hopes/ it's teenager trouble and not the fact that his world had just gotten occupied. Just for a moment though. Then the request, and the hiccup. And he actually had to admire the kid's professionalism. No drama, no badmouthing. Personal problem with someone, looking for a good way out. And it would be a simple issue of approving it and minding his own business.

An internal sigh. He could, but this wasn't an infantry company where you could take the easy way out and seperate two PFCs who coupled and found that decoupling was difficult. And he was a better officer than that.

"I should say that Amalthea is your direct superior. You really should be talking to her about any sort of transfer to a different training group... but we're a small organization this high up, Sokka. You'd still have to interact with her often... and I don't think your head would be in the game even if I did.

A direct glance. "Is there anything you'd like to... talk about?"

Sokka (1076) has posed:
Sokka blinked, then shook his head. "Err, no, sir. It's... personal." It looked like Richard was going to get away with it! No teenage drama dumped on his face! Just-- "It's just I kind of... messed things up with Toph."

Damnit.

"And I'm not sure how I'll be able to... focus around her. I think as long as I stay away from her and avoid the problem, I'll be able to keep my mind clear. But... if I... have to work with her, I'm not sure I'll be able to. My... emotions have cost me a lot before. Not just me." He gripped the edge of his chair. "I'm not sure I'll be able to control them now. And I don't want to end up reacting... badly when I need to have a clear head. And get someone else hurt. If... it's not possible, it may be best to suspend me from active duty for the time being."

Richard Stadler (300) has posed:
Oh, no, Stadler wasn't getting out of this. The minute he asked a mopey teenager to sit down he was trapped in this sort of thing. "I gathered it was a personal issue, but it's going to affect your professional work, which means it's less personal than you'd like." And when he says something about messing up with Toph, there's a simple, 'Uh-huh.'. As if there was anything else it could be. But Stadler's look grows more and more pained as Sokka goes on. hands moving to the bridge of his nose, pushing up his glasses. "Sokka, there are times to avoid a problem. Very few times, and I don't beleive this is one of them. I need you to be able to focus on your operation. I can't seperate you, not effectively, not in this small of an organization. And I can't suspend either of you, because we need every agent we can get."

A pause. "So. Did who turned who down?"

Sokka (1076) has posed:
Sokka sighed and glanced down. "Sir... I... maybe it'd be better if you just... removed me, then. Let's be honest, I was never really... worthy of being in the group. The only reason I even got allowed in was because you guys wanted Toph. which, I can't blame you. She's amazing and incredible. And I'm... well, not. I'm just... a guy with a sword."

Not even the boomerang. Ouch.

"There are countless people who'd be better at this than I am. Who wouldn't... screw up as much." He had a look in his eyes that... would have likely been all too familiar to Toph. If she could see.

He then cringed. "I didn't turn her down. I just... didn't... I don't know... how she even... why she'd even care about me like that! I mean, she's amazing and special and I'm... just not."

Richard Stadler (300) has posed:
And there it was. Someone was feeling down beacause he made a mistake. Goddamn teenagers. And as much as Stadler just wanted to tell Sokka to get a grip, he... was going to do /exactly/that.

"Sokka, do you think this organization runs on goddamn nepotism? Do you think we can burn time, training resources, and equipment on an extra? For fuck's sake, you have a badge and a /hell/ of a lot of authority in a hell of a lot of countries. What, we just handed that over because we need an Earth bender going on 16? You would not /be/ here if we didn't think you can make it. That sort of whining is unproductive, so /lock it down./ Are we clear?"

And he just continues on right past that. "You think none of us screwed up before? Christ, I yo-yo'd between officer and Sergeant back in the old Union, and I was in my 40s then. You're a goddamn teenager, so you have a hell of a lot to learn. Esspecially about woman. Another subject I shouldn't be lecturing about, but I'm going to give it a shot because like /hell/ if I'm sending this over to the Unicorn. So, let's stop asking ourselves 'why', and take it as a given. And then ask what you're going to do about it. You're /supposed/ to be good at plans."

Sokka (1076) has posed:
Sokka squeaked, leaning back in his chair. "I... w-what? You did? I... I do? I just thought, I-I mean, you came and got Toph and... and I hadn't really done anything by that point. I just thought you... chose me because I worked good with her. I mean, y-you've probably seen my reports, there's nothing really... special about..." Oh gosh he was squirming in his chair. It was like being scolded by Piandao. "you... really think I have a shot? Like... on my own? I thought you hated me!" ... Wait, was THAT why he went to Stadler? Because he thought he'd just kick him out?

He gulped and looked down. "I-I don't know. I mean... she's... toph. I mean, if she were any other girl I'd be 'yay' and... and go and buy her flowers. Or... or take her to dinner or try and sweep her off her feet. But... but this is Toph. She's..."

He groaned and buried his face in his hands. "She's smart and beautiful and high class, probably the strongest bender I've ever met and that's INCLUDING Aang and pre-lost bending fire lord! She's the kind of person who could change the world! I'm just... I'm a rube from the southern water nation. she deserves like... a general or like... someone who rules a town or something. Like a head of some council." He shakes his head. "Or even someone who has at least something about them! I mean, we spend every day around the most incredible people! People with machines and technology and magical powers and all kinds of weird things! How in the world can she even look at someone like me... like that?"

Richard Stadler (300) has posed:
"Sokka, you don't seem to be listening to the orders I'm giving you. I said lock it up. I don't have time to build you up right now; that's a job for your CO or an actual consuler. You're spending an awful lot of processing power trying to find the reason for all this. That's admirable, but you're getting locked up. YOu have a badge. You're drawing pay. We've got you with one of the longest serving officers I have had the pleasure of knowing. So. You have a shot." Another sigh. "Maybe this is my fault. A tiny bit. If at all. I don't hate you. I think you're like every other 19 year old with a modicum of talent. You think you're a cocky badass without there being much proof of it. That's every other 19 year old I've met. And I don't just toss those away because they /annoy me/."

He leans forward again. "Back on target. Spend the next few years puzzling this out if you want, when you have the luxury for it, but now is the time for action. The /reality/, inthis case, is that whatever you think, she thinks different. She thinks she deserves you. Now, you have a few options. You don't like her that way. Action is to tell her and see if you two can remain friends. Or you like her that way, but you're not ready for a relationship. Tell her that, let her know you both can come back to it in a couple months. Or you like her. In which case, so long as neither of you make officer and outrank the other on a permanent basis, go with my blessing and neck in the underdeck like every other young couple. Just do me a favor and wait until she's 16 so you don't have to report yourselves."

A shake of his head. "But none of that, 'I'm sure there's someone better for her' bullshit. She has her own goddamn metrics. Respect them and find an action plan."

Sokka (1076) has posed:
Sokka stared at him. What, cocky? Bad ass? Well, okay, he was cocky at times and... "Wait, what?" He cocked his head to the side. "What's an underdeck? And I-I'm not planning to ask her to marry me! W-why would her being sixteen matter?!" ... Right.Different culture. He then squeezed his legs and stared at the ground. Finally...

"You're right, sir. Toph... is an adult. Almost. In three months. She... can make her own decisions." He took a slow, deep breath. "And ummm... a year ago... I would have said no but ummmmm...." His cheeks burned redder. "I... I can't deny having noticed... things..." Oh gosh. No. No Sokka. Not here. Poor Stadler. "I... I remember when she was... well... so tiny and short. She's still pretty tiny and short but... she's also... ummmmm... I mean, I saw her in what they call a bikini and just, wow." OH MY GOSH!

"I-I don't know. I mean, I think... she'd be an amazing g-girl friend." Oh gosh he had to just stop there. His cheeks going red. He had to actually process that. You could almost seem the walls in his mind come crumbling down.

"... I... don't know... what would you do, sir? Ugh, it was times like this I wish I was irresponsible enough to get drunk..."

Richard Stadler (300) has posed:
"Ship. It has decks." He says, pointing down. "Bottom of the ship. Underdeck. Usually just maintaince areas down there. Not usually my thing, but I've been on a few Arleigh Burkes to see what the E-3s do down there. Again, back on target. I'm /certainly/ glad to hear that you're not asking her to marry you; at your ages, that is a recipe for disaster. But that doesn't mean you can't court. In three months." He makes sure to remind him. And then he just gets horomones /everywhere/.

"I do not need to hear this. I really don't. But I'll ask you to see if you can shut down those overactive glands and think, /think/ for a moment. Is she someone you like? Someone you like a lot? Someone you connect with? That's going to be more important than how she looks in swimwear."

At least he was coming to some decision that wasn't actively running from the problem. "First, no, you doubt. Alcohol creates more problems than it solves. Second, how the hell should I know, kid? When I was 19, I was a freshman in college, same age as Kathy, and there wasn't much friction between us then. And recent history had two very brief relationships with a detective with a symbiote on her arm and Yunomi's mom, who was pleasently free of bullshit. You need to concentrate on what /you're/ going to do."

Sokka (1076) has posed:
Sokka looked even more confused. "So... you're saying Toph and I are ships? Or... we need to be shipped? Or... we're... going to deck each other?" Okay, that metaphor was getting nowhere. And then he blinked. "Wait, what? There's laws against that? Err, hold on." He pulled out his tablet, did a quick look and... "Huh. Whaddaya know. Some of the multiverses are weirrrrrrd." Pause. "Oh, wait. Earth, earth... oh, dang. Wait, eighteen to get married? What kind of... Oh. Wait, that's just..." Pause. "How many countries does that world HAVE?! How does anyone manage those laws?!"

He then shook his head. "Like? Ofcourse! she's been my best friend since like... well, since we first met almost. That's why it's so hard! She's my best friend. If I mess this up..." He sighed again. "I've always had her to...talk with. She's always supported me after... and... I've always tried to be there for her. I don't know if... if I ruined it and lost that...."

"I don't know. I'd ask my dad what to do, but mom harpooned him to get him to go out with her! Or was that Gran Gran?"

Richard Stadler (300) has posed:
Richard Stadler /sighs/.

"Remind me to talk to Amalthea about working on that thick skull of yours. Forget that. Different places have different laws, too, but age is odd here. Worry about that, but do your own research. If you want to be safe, wait until she hits her next birthday. Doesn't solve the problem you have right now. About managing the laws, /defintitly/ work that out. You're a cop, for fuck's sake." Working past all of that and getting back on track. Damn, Sokka likes to overreact. But that was all teenagers.

His voice gets a bit quieter, as he gets to another root of the problem. "And where are you right now? You're in my office asking for a transfer because you can't be near her. You've hit a point where action is needed. But, if you want my opinion, not as an officer, but as a human being, do you think you could stay friends now? Knowing the way she feels about you, and you feel about her? Or do you think that would always be lurking below any friendship you two have from this point on? You can regret actions, but sometimes you regret the status quo even more. You get me?"

Sokka (1076) has posed:
Sokka nodded, looking down. "Right. And I can't help it. Some of these books are... huge." He gripped his knees, before getting up.

"Thank you, sir. You've given me a lot to think about. I... I guess I need to figure this out. I'll be in my room." And then reached out and patted his shoulder. "Thanks, Stadler. It's good to know that whenever I have a problem with anything, including women, I can come straight to you. I'll make sure I'll keep that in mind. Bye!" Before he walks out the door.

Wait, what just happened?

Richard Stadler (300) has posed:
Discretion is the better part of valor, which is true with Stadler after he get's shoulder patted, standing straight up and yelling out the door at a retreating Sokka. "No, you go to your CO first- /damn it/." He says, as Sokka's already gotten out of range. Back in his seat, now. At least this night couldn't get any more awkward, and the present crisis was over...

There's a trilling at his desk, eyes flicking down and looking at the caller ID. Thin lips. Another sigh. Then picking it up. Listening for a moment. "No, Beifong. I don't sleep. What's on your mind?"

/Goddamn teenagers/.