Book 3: Fire of Rememory [Action / Accidental Voice]

[savedtheworld]

[Action 1 - for Robin]

[The morning. Aang woke up in bed slowly as every memory he ever had filled his head, feeling fresh and vivid yet as if he had lived through it so long ago. And everything from his other life followed by the past week started trickling away. He remembered Robin, pizza, faint memories of a Batman and a butler. What were their names? He felt like he knew so... less. But some memories from the week stuck out. His friends... his real friends, all worried and hurt. There was one particular face that he kept seeing over and over again, each time accompanied by a twinge of inner pain. Now that he was himself again, viewing his memories of their meetings through his own mind, he could see every instance of pain and anguish in her face.

Katara.

His eyes were open. He quickly examined his surroundings. ...This was not his room at the Avatar House. Not a good start. Was he himself...? Aang grabbed his head for confirmation. He was bald. He was himself. But he was not in his room. Still, he decided to test the waters, or maybe he just felt like saying the name aloud in his own voice.]

Katara!

[Action 2 - for Avatar House (plus Winry?) / Accidental Voice]

[Aang sprinted from the community building towards House 56, enhancing his speed by bending the air behind him despite the relatively short distance. He came to a stop outside the door and steeled himself. His excitement burst through his body in the form of a cry - one which was caught by the journal.]

Guys! It's me, Aang! ...Avatar Aang! I'm back!

Comments

[savedtheworld]

Thanks, Suki. It's good to be back. It's kind of a new experience for me.

[kyoshi]

I guess that means you've been properly introduced to Luceti, then. The first experiment is usually weird. I hate to say that you get used to it, but... you really do. At least, I have.

[savedtheworld]

I hate to live in a place where stuff like this is supposed to be ordinary. I guess they get to all of us eventually. [He's a bit cautious about possibly opening up old wounds.] You had an experiment too?

[kyoshi]

Actually... I've been here for almost two years now. I've been through a lot of experiments in all that time.

[It's hit and miss as far as how bad it's been, though.]

[savedtheworld]

That must not have been good. You guys have really been here for a long time.

[kyoshi]

Well... it's not as if it's all bad, either. Some good things have happened, too.

[Her smile is back as she thinks of it- and as she lifts a hand to her neck, where the choker is resting. Aside from a few differences in the emblem's design, it's very similar to Katara's.]

[savedtheworld]

[He was about to bring up Zuko's Frog Lord story when he noticed said choker.]

Whoa! Is that your betrothal necklace? It's beautiful!

[kyoshi]

Thank you! [She's so pleased and proud about it, so seeing him smile just makes her happier.] Sokka did a wonderful job of carving it. Actually, we're almost at the first anniversary of our engagement- just a few more days.

[It's... somewhat bittersweet news to convey, in her mind. She's happy about it, and she knows Sokka is, too. But waiting is the hard part.]

[savedtheworld]

I can't believe I didn't notice that before. Sokka must have put in a lot of hard work into it. I'm really excited for you guys... What's it like, to be engaged?

[kyoshi]

What's it like? [Suki blinks, surprised. She hadn't expected that question.] It's... not something I can describe easily, really. I mean... it's the most amazing promise that you make with the person you love and want to spend your life with. It's knowing that you're going to be with them, always, and they'll be with you. It's knowing that your future will have some kind of happiness in it, because they'll be standing beside you.

[She smiles wistfully, her gaze drifting towards the window.]

It's knowing that you'll never be alone again.

[savedtheworld]

[He had been silently nodding along and smiling until her last line punched him in the heart-gut. He tried to keep it invisible, but his smile fractured a bit.]

That sounds really great, Suki. I'm proud that you and Sokka are both at a point like that. ...The monks didn't really encourage getting that attached to others. But that sounds like the kind of thing I want someday.

[kyoshi]

I don't think there's anything wrong with getting attached, especially when you love someone and want to have a family. The other Avatars had families too, right? So it's okay.

i wonder if avatars can conduct marriages

[savedtheworld]

[There's just a slight blush after hearing the word "love".]

You're right. It's something more of an air nomad thing, but... well, they're not around to maintain it anymore. I guess I can pick my path in life, aside from being the Avatar. As happy as I was under Monk Gyatso... having a family like Katara and Sokka's might be better.

that would be kind of hilarious

[kyoshi]

That's the nice thing about family- it runs deeper than bloodlines. You can choose whoever you want to be your family. That's why gang was so strong, right?

[They were all much more than friends, by the end of it- they were a family. She'd seen it firsthand.]

'you may now kiss the forever girl'

[savedtheworld]

Right about that one too. [He feels a really warm feeling in his heart and remembers the words Katara used to comfort him after he found out Gyatso's skeleton. Sokka and I, we're your family now..] I guess I already live with a family here, in a way. [The most likely wife was just not exactly aware of her role yet.] And they're pretty great. [He smiles and quickly hugs Suki.]

sokka can't kiss her because she's too busy giggling about it

[kyoshi]

[Wow, he's so huggy. She's not used to this. Not that she's complaining, though.]

I felt the same way about the other Kyoshi Warriors, back on my island. Your family is who you love. That's what I've always believed.

[savedtheworld]

[His usual hugginess might be amped up due to the reunion-ish feelings.]

I see what you mean. I guess everyone in this house is my family in some way. I know we didn't really talk as much as we could have back home, but I'm glad to have you as part of our family.

[kyoshi]

Glad to be a part of it, then!

[She smiles brightly, giving Aang a little nudge.]

How about you? Any good news after the war? You must have had a lot of admirers.

[savedtheworld]

[An embarrassing grin crosses his face.]

...Yeah. You could say I have a girlfriend back home.

[kyoshi]

A girlfriend! That's pretty exciting news.

[She's itching to ask, but. Maybe she shouldn't.]

[savedtheworld]

Thanks! I had a great year once the war ended.

[kyoshi]

I hope the rest of the world is better off now that the fighting's over.

[She admittedly hadn't seen much of it.]

[savedtheworld]

Things have been getting better. For the most part. There have been some problems recently, but... it should settled soon.

[kyoshi]

...Well, whatever they are, I'm sure it's nothing the Avatar and his friends can't handle.

[They beat the Fire Lord! They saved the world! What's the worst that could happen?]

[savedtheworld]

That's what I think. And maybe you'll help again, too!