Book 5: Spirits of Adventure [Video/Action]

[savedtheworld]

[Video]

[The 14-year old monk looks into the video feed with a friendly smile during a break in the rainfall. He's standing on the lawn of House 57, and Appa is chewing down on some hay in the background.]

Hey, everyone! It's me, Aang. It's been a while since I really tried talking to everyone through the book, so I thought I'd give it another try. After all, I really like to make more friends, and it seems like something I should do more anyway now that I work at the Welcome Center! And... in case you only know me from during shifts or something, you should know that I'm not a crimefighter, a little kid or an old man, and right now I'm kinda sick of tea. I'm something that's called an Airbender and the Avatar.

I also want to introduce you to this guy, Appa. He's my sky bison. Say hello, Appa! [Aang moves to the side briefly while Appa gives a lazy bellow.] Isn't he great? So... this is what I have in mind. I wanna take Appa out more and do what I can to explore this place when I have time. And if any of you want, whether I already know you or not, you're free to join me and help me find places to explore. I think I'll do these kinds of adventures throughout the whole week, especially if the weather clears up, so if you wanna come, let me know when!

[There's some chittering noises as a lemur pops out of Aang's sleeve.] You can come too, Momo!

[Action]

[So throughout the week, Aang rides Appa around the enclosure in search of secrets, adventures and such. Before he sets off, Aang stops by the fountain in the plaza with Appa to wait for any traveling companion. He also could be found running random errands at the Welcome Center.

Also, Appa may be familiar to some because of his fur. Appa arrived back in May, and especially in the time following that, he would have been shedding some fur with the coming of summer. So characters are free to have recognize that fur having been dropped throughout Luceti during his flights.]

[ooc: Also, here's a link to his tree rumors if anyone wants their characters to have heard them.]

Comments

[mistlegacy]

Alright! I'll be careful.

[She doesn't want to accidentally hurt Appa, after all. Though not an airbender, Rydia's learned from Kipinn and will get the wind to help her a bit, if need be.]

[savedtheworld]

[It isn't such a hard feat to climb onto Appa - he's used to it, after all. As she makes her way up, Aang will have his hand out to help pull her up to the top if need be, where the large saddle is waiting.]

[mistlegacy]

[Rydia flops onto the saddle with less than her usual grace, but quickly straightens and brushes herself off. She nods to Aang cheerfully, not about to keep them waiting.]

I'm as ready as I'll ever be!

[savedtheworld]

[Aang has clambered over to Appa's head and grabbed the reins.]

Then we're set to go! Yip yip, Appa!

[Once he says that, Appa takes off.]

[mistlegacy]

[Rydia's flown before; on dragonback, on an airship, as a dragon...but never quite like this. She holds on tightly at first, but soon relaxes as Appa ascends, at first paying more attention to him and how he maneuvers in the air than the scenery below.]

Oh, wow. He's so graceful in the air! I've seen him fly before, but it's so different, being this close!

[savedtheworld]

[He looks back at her with a laugh.]

Yeah! It's great, isn't it? And Appa has lots of experience carrying people around so you don't have to worry too much about being safe.

[And soon, Appa will be leveling near the clouds of Luceti.]

[mistlegacy]

[Rydia nods eagerly to Aang's assessment, tilting her face upward as she enjoys the feel of the wind in her hair.]

I feel perfectly safe with you both. This is a wonderful way to travel!

[She glances back at Appa's tail-flapping.]

That's all it takes, huh? It's weird to think about being airborne without having wings in the package.

[savedtheworld]

Great, I'm glad you feel okay and are enjoying it.

[The mountains are in the distance and getting closer.]

Everyone always says that about wings, but now we all have wings and they don't do anything. I guess you just can't beat some old-fashioned sky bison Airbending.

[mistlegacy]

[She chuckles, conceding.]

Okay, point. Do sky bison just instinctively know how to airbend, or does it take them a while to learn?

[Please tell her the babies fly. That would make her heart melt.]

[savedtheworld]

I think it's by instinct! Appa was able to fly ever since he was really little. I guess animals are smart like that.

[mistlegacy]

[Yep, melting.]

Tiny flying sky bison? Oh, that sounds so adorable!

[savedtheworld]

It looked adorable, too! It's hard to believe Appa used to be so small - but he was still big enough to knock me over when he licked me!

[mistlegacy]

[D'awwww. Why so cute, Appa? Rydia leans over the saddle a bit, just enough to pat him.]

A gentle giant even then, huh? Somehow, I'm not surprised.

[And she stares at the mountains ahead, smiling.]

I remember when the only thing past those mountains were some ruins and a vast desert. I'm glad we have the ocean now....

[savedtheworld]

[He laughs at Rydia's description. And Appa gives a soft growl as an acknowledgement of the received affection.]

Oh yeah, Katara told me about how it used to be different. It's really weird to think of this place changing like that, but I'm kinda glad, too. The more breathing room that Appa has, the better.

[mistlegacy]

[She tilts her head, curious.]

Can he swim at all? Or can he only maneuver this well in the air?

[savedtheworld]

He can swim! He's just not as good as he is flying. But I can use Waterbending to let him go underwater for a while, too.

[mistlegacy]

[Ooh, the possibilities. She glances to Appa, then back at Aang.]

Can we? Even for a little while? That sounds so exciting.

[savedtheworld]

Yeah, sure! I'm sure Appa would like a nice relaxing swim once we get there. Won't you, buddy?

[Appa gives a growl in response. And around now they're passing through the mountains.]

[mistlegacy]

Glad to hear it.

[Rydia smiles as she peers below.]

Just a little further...though I love the mountains, too. They make a good getaway when you need a break from town, you know?

[savedtheworld]

They do seem really nice. I haven't really been up here that much before this week. Usually I just meditate when I feel like getting away or just use the forest. [But there's always been something so much more liberating about soaring by on Appa's back.]

[mistlegacy]

Not even to the hot springs?

[Which of course are the best thing about this area, according to her.]

[savedtheworld]

I haven't been there yet! The bath at the house seems relaxing enough.

[mistlegacy]

Oh, it is. Nothing like it after a long mission...or frustrating experiment.

[Yes, it's come in handy for her after both. She smiles, though, not about to let all that past crap weigh her down.]

[savedtheworld]

Yeah. Experiments really do great frustrating. But I'll have to try out the hot springs sometime to see how they compare.

[mistlegacy]

[She nods encouragingly.]

I think you'll love it there. But for now, the ocean it is.