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

[savedtheworld]

That's great, then! We can head off whenever you're ready, Mia.

[frost_jewel]

Are we not waiting for anyone else?

[savedtheworld]

Nope! You're the only one I have for this time.

[frost_jewel]

All right then. ...Do we ride him like a horse?

[savedtheworld]

I don't know much about horses or ostrich horses so I'm not sure! You just get on his back and sit in the saddle. You can stand too when he's in the air because he stays steady once he's done ascending. I just have to direct him when we're taking off and at some other times with the reins around his horns.

[frost_jewel]

I think I will take that one thing at a time.

[First, trying to get into that very large round saddle basket thing. Mia's become an adept climber (ha ha ha) but has zero practice with flying bison.]

[savedtheworld]

Yeah, one thing at a time! That's the way to do it.

[He uses airbending to hop his way up onto Appa's back.]

I'll help you up if you need any.

[frost_jewel]

[That's right. Aang is rather like Ivan, without the lightning or - hopefully - the mind reading.]

I'm all right, thank you. [See? She made it, sort of thwumping into the saddle but victorious nonetheless.]

[savedtheworld]

[Aang does see and gives some light applause.]

Good job. Once you're nice and comfortable, we can lift off.

[frost_jewel]

This is good, I think. [No, let's think again. That second thought tells her to hold on.]

[savedtheworld]

Great!

[There is no time for another thought Mia. There. IS NO. TIME.]

Yip yip!

[And they're off!]

[frost_jewel]

[That takeoff is abrupt! Mia bounces a little and looks surprised in the bad way, but once they're airborne she slowly peeks over the side of the saddle.

Really flying - much higher than the winged ship can go. Or it feels that way, at least.]

Oh my.

[savedtheworld]

[Aang looks back at her, beaming.]

Enjoy the view?

[frost_jewel]

[Actually.]

Yes! It's a little strange to think that we can't go past a certain distance in any direction, though.

[savedtheworld]

It really is. Appa feels pretty cramped by this place. But at least we go up to a really good height.

i laughed

[frost_jewel]

Does he accompany you if you go on a mission?

oh good

[savedtheworld]

I haven't been on any missions yet. But... but I've been thinking about it. [One thing that has been spurred on by the presence of his grandchildren.] I just don't want to endanger Appa.

[frost_jewel]

Of course you don't. Especially if he does not do well in small spaces as it is.

...Some missions would likely not require anything this large.

[savedtheworld]

Yeah, he really hates caves.

I see. I do know that not all missions involve fighting. But I'd still rather Appa be safe than sorry.

[frost_jewel]

I would rather we all be safe, if the choice comes up.

[savedtheworld]

You're right about that. I wish choices were as simple as that all the time. Some missions sound dangerous, but... I have to try to earn points and protect people from being drafted.

[frost_jewel]

[He speaks of it like it's...like it's his duty. Like he won't be who he should be otherwise.]

Do your friends feel the same way about you?

[savedtheworld]

Of course. We're all doing our best to look out for each other. That's how we made it during the war back home and that's how we'll make it here. And now we have to look out for the kids, too.

[frost_jewel]

It's wonderful to have such close companions, is it not? [Somewhere in the universe, Mia has a set of those too.]

[savedtheworld]

It really is. I wouldn't have been able to do any of the great things I did back home without them. And I don't think be able to hold onto myself here if most of my friends weren't already here. ...But with the friends I've been making here already, maybe I would've been okay. Do you have friends like that too, Mia?