Book 4: Winds from Tomorrow [Action: May 30th-June 1]

[savedtheworld]

[Action: Days 5-7]

[It's odd for Aang, waking up in House 56. What is this, some sort of bunked bed? He can't remember whatever led him to sleep there. Doesn't this violate his decision to maintain some distance from his younger friends? He slips out of the house early in the morning, or tries to. It's possible that anyone else in the household could have caught him before he was able to leave.

Aang spends the rest of the day and the next two days going back to his daily routine. He meditates in the forest near Avatar House. He goes through town, either casually strolling or zipping through on his Air Scooter, to stay social. On Day 5, he also has to set up his tent near his meditation spot again. Where could his old tent have gone?]

[ooc: Aang is aged up (kinda)-canonically to around his 40s. He also remembers Luceti in an alternate way where he was brought here at this age. The shift has also caused some memory fluctuations (who's that Yakone fellow again?), although the possibility always remains that he's actually from a somewhat alternate version of canon (aka my handwave if my few assumptions get jossed)

Replies come from beardofbalance.]

Comments

[markofthewise]

[No one wakes as early as Sokka does. So when Aang is trying to slip out, Sokka is just coming back. And hello, old guy?]

... uh. What are you doing here?

[... wait, bald? Arrow on his head? Tacky orange and yellow?]

[beardofbalance]

[He's flustered for a moment, but he quickly puts on a warm smile and waves. It's just adorable that Sokka's trying out the beard here.]

Good morning, Sokka. I was just wondering that, myself.

[markofthewise]

[Okay, so Sokka is pretty sure he's never met another airbender before, so this isn't anyone new. Which means...]

Aang? Is that you?

[beardofbalance]

[He'd reply with I sure ain't Tenzin!, but something tells him the reference would be lost on him. He just raises an eyebrow.]

Of course. Were you expecting someone else?

[markofthewise]

Well, I was expecting a shorter... less bearded Aang, sure.

[Wow, this is weird. They're basically the same height now.]

[beardofbalance]

[He strokes his beard in thought.]

I see. Do you not remember me being this age?

[markofthewise]

No. No I do not. [Arms crossed.] You're supposed to be... shorter. And younger.

[beardofbalance]

Then it appears that the Malnosso have pulled a switch of some sort on us. Or maybe you're just jealous.

[markofthewise]

I'm not jealous!

[... okay so maybe that's a cool beard, but Sokka has an awesome wolf tail.]

[beardofbalance]

[He laughs and gives Sokka a pat on the back.]

There's definitely some trickery afoot. I'll have to consult with the others later to make sure which of our memories have been changed.

[markofthewise]

Yeah? And how exactly do you remember the rest of us?

[beardofbalance]

You're as young as I remember you. Here, that is. You're all teenagers. It's why I opted out of living here - or so I recall. [Pause followed by a nod] I would be the most likely one to have been affected.

[markofthewise]

Yeah... probably. A teenage Roku and a not-so-teenage you? That would just be weird.

[beardofbalance]

Well, the Malnosso aren't know for their predictability. Except when they are. But if the rest of you haven't met me yet, it is for the best that I should make myself scarce as soon as possible.

[markofthewise]

There's really no point in hiding...

[This week is weird. Sokka is an experiment vet. He goes with it.]

[beardofbalance]

You might be right. You guys do always find your way to me. But I would like to avoid the awkwardness of crossing our different points in time if I can. [A shrug.] But I guess it is possible that my time isn't the same as your future. I'm no timebender.

[markofthewise]

Katara came from the future once. I have a feeling it's nothing like yours. And before Toph vanished last time, she came from a future where she grew up in Luceti. Frankly, I don't find the Malnosso's idea of what our futures are like to be very reliable. Especially when there are so many variables that can alter the outcome of events.

[beardofbalance]

It's a valid point. But I'd feel a bit better if you at least kinda considered my time could be the real deal. [A shrug.] But hey, why should I argue with the merciless logic of Wang Fire?

[markofthewise]

[That does earn a smirk.]

I can consider it. If you make it sound convincing enough.

[beardofbalance]

I can't do too well of a job. If this is the truth, I could tell you things you all shouldn't know yet.

[He absentmindedly makes a few strokes of his beard in thought. He would love to troll Sokka with fake spoilers, but only a Sokka who believed he was actually his Aang.]

Where would be the best place to start? We won the war, beat the Fire Lord and took his bending powers away, and with Zuko's help we started a new era of peace and balance. There was... an incident around the time Toph came from, and the peace was threatened for a while. But it was soon settled with the foundation of a new city. We have all taken on a variety of duties since then, including doing what we can to protect this city. [He sees a flash of some strange man's face, but he dismisses it.] While at the same time, we have all been prospering in our personal lives. [He smiles warmly.] Things do get rough in the city sometimes, but I otherwise remember things... being as close to perfect as can be.

[markofthewise]

[So very vague. He's not sure why they need some new city though. That's just weird.]

... right. So what about you? Any kids?

[beardofbalance]

[Uh-oh. Bros don't tell bros they've been married to their sister for decades. For now, Aang beams with pride.]

I've been doing quite well. Three wonderful children back home. The latest is an Airbender. I feel blessed by all of them.

[markofthewise]

An airbender, huh? That's great. So... who's the lucky mom?

[beardofbalance]

[He can't hold back a goofy grin and some blushing as he tries to be serious.]

I think it would be better off for everyone in this house if I don't disclose her name. Even if my timeline isn't real! The very idea could make things here very awkward. Rest assured, she is the most beautiful and supportive person I've known.

[markofthewise]

... you make it sound like someone here.

[... but the only one that would make sense is... TOPH!?]