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

[flameoroku]

[...]

My time has ended in our world. The responsibilities of the Avatar have already been passed onto you.

[beardofbalance]

[He nods solemnly.]

I see. They... did not take you from into your... spirithood?

[flameoroku]

Oh I have already traveled into the Spirit World, but we have not spoken yet.

[Won't be for another hundred years] I imagine times must be far different for you now than what I was told when you were younger.

[beardofbalance]

I see. Yes, it has been many years since the fall of Ozai. But you should be pleased to know that there have been many advances in the name of peace. The world has gone through some changes, but they are changes that have all been done to prevent war.

[flameoroku]

[A small smile] I am pleased to hear the world's balance is restoring in your time. It must be difficult for the world to experience such peace though. The war, as I'm aware lasted through many generations.

[A frown, as he glances down at the ground]

Had I been more decisive, I could have prevented that terrible war. [It hasn't been that long since Sozin had abandoned him. The feelings of betrayal, confusion, and guilt was still fresh in his mind]

[beardofbalance]

[He places his hand on Roku's shoulder.]

Roku. I can't blame you for what Sozin did, even if... even if you could have stopped... everything. [Gyatso, the air nomads, an imagining of Katara's mother and Jet flash through his mind, and he looks away] I know how hard it is. I've lived through... similar situations. And I've seen that the way you trusted Sozin... it could have turned out well. For myself and Zuko, it did. [Give or take a brief small-scale war]

[flameoroku]

[He doesn't say anything for a while.]

There is nothing I can do about what has already been placed down as history. It is something I need to accept, something I could not have possibly done when I was younger. [He looks to Aang]

I look forward to one day seeing the future you've forged, Aang. Something to ease this mind.

[beardofbalance]

You will, Roku. And I hope you'll be proud of it. [He points to his head with a sheepish grin.] You have the best seat, after all.

[flameoroku]

I am already proud of what you've already done, what you will achieve. But yes...[A small chuckle] it will be a nice view from there.

[Really Aang, Roku sometimes doesn't feel like he deserves to be given such high regards from you. Especially at his point right now where he hasn't properly met you...technically.]

[beardofbalance]

[Too bad that Aang can't help it - since he's already lived a rich and full life with the guidance of Roku.]

I'm glad of that, Roku. Some of your decisions in life might have been mistakes. But as a spirit... I couldn't have asked for a better guide in learning how to be the Avatar and stop the war.

[flameoroku]

[Because telling Jeong Jeong to teach him firebending out of sequence was a great idea]

...Then I have at least redeem myself as your guide. It is...a comforting thought to know. Thank you, Aang.

[beardofbalance]

You're welcome, old friend. It just seemed like something you should know.

[We don't talk about Jeong-Jeong. He smiles warmly at his past life.]