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

[beardofbalance]

That's true. It felt so fulfilling so shave my head when the time came. But it definitely was a time I would not want to live. For a while there, we had lost all hope. But as you say, yes... I did have a happy ending.

And that's a reasonable question. It's something that seems exclusive to my world. The Avatar is born to one of the four nations in a cycle of reincarnation and is supposed to act as a mediator to keep the four nations and their respective elements in balance. We also have more power than others in our world, such as the ability to bend all four elements. I was hunted back then, because of the threat my existence posed to the Fire Nation in their war.

[redjacketthief]

So...you're a very important spiritual figure meant to keep balance in a time of great political turmoil? [That really did sound like Luke.] I think I can understand that.

...what do you mean by 'bend the elements'?

[beardofbalance]

It's the ability to manipulate the four elements - water, earth, fire and wind. In my world, there is one nation for each element, and all benders save for the Avatar can bend only one of the elements.

[redjacketthief]

...Oh, so it's similar to being a Jedi then.

[It wasn't that Red didn't understand, but that was his best comparison. Working extensively with Luke to rebuild the Order left him with a variety of knowledge and understanding, but anything beyond the core information was beyond him.

He chuckles, mostly for himself.]

Didn't realize that similar positions existed across universes. It's pretty cool that it works out so well.

[beardofbalance]

They do have their similarities, yes. [This Aang still does recall a fond conversation with Luke regarding such. Just a different version, regarding a shared success in restoring lost orders.] I wouldn't be surprised if there were more similar stations in the various worlds collected here. I can't imagine a world that wouldn't need help with its balance, after all.

[redjacketthief]

Balance is everything, in governments and people. Some places just have different methods of maintaining it. Still, having a leader of sorts to help with that can only help.

[beardofbalance]

If it's something that the people can achieve for themselves, that's even better.

[redjacketthief]

Sometimes its hard finding the right path, though. Even having a person to be a guide in the beginning can be helpful--after that? If they're smart enough, following through shouldn't be hard.

[beardofbalance]

It's true. It is easy to for one to lose their way, even with one as the Avatar as a guide. [He's reminded of Zuko's mess-ups.] Of course, we all have the potential in ourselves to find the right path, even if it takes another to help us realize it.

[redjacketthief]

[Red nods in understanding, but can't help but chuckle to himself.]

I've heard these sentiments before--no wonder you and Luke get along!

[beardofbalance]

Of course. The two of us truly are sparrokeets of a feather.

[redjacketthief]

Sparrokeets.

[The word is unfamiliar, but Red can only assume that it's some kind of bird. He laughs--it makes sense.]

You two really are! You probably get along with everyone too.

[beardofbalance]

That's true. We both do try to optimize our openness towards others. The only true enemies in this place are the Malnosso and those Third Party guys, after all.

[redjacketthief]

That's right. The warmth is appreciated by everyone too. We all have our different stories and reasons, so an unbiased ear is helpful. That's doubly so if there's a smile involved.

[beardofbalance]

Definitely. That's why you can never have too many friends, especially in a place like this.