Book 10.5: Aang Meets the Fourth Wall

[savedtheworld]

[Aang was not a happy nomad.

Actually he was feeling relatively in good spirits. His depression was curbed for the time being after drinking some unique mix of special calming teas which may or may not have somehow been spiked with just a hint of cactus juice.

It was when he was trying to meditate outside the back of House 56 when his frustrations began. There was just so much... noise. Noise, noise, noise. Like there was a party near his house. Where did all these people come from?

Eventually, Aang had enough. He rushed around to the front of the house and perched himself on the Sokka head statue to address the crowd.]

Hey! What's with all the noise?!

[The fourteen-year old monk clears his throat.]

Sorry. I mean.. Can you keep it down a little?

Comments

[wafting]

Y-you're right! I hadn't thought about that... what if I spoil you and ruin the future?

... What if I change it so papa and Ikki and Meelo and I weren't even born?!

[savedtheworld]

Don't forget Baby Rohan! [He adds quickly before backpedalling.] I mean... Don't worry about it like that! Time works weird in Luceti. When we go home... We don't remember anything. So history will still be the same! We already learned a lot about you guys and you're still around! It can just make things weird if, uh, have too many spoils.

[wafting]

Especially not him! But... if you put it that way, it seems awfully convenient, doesn't it?

I... I don't want to forget meeting you.

[savedtheworld]

I - I guess so? Even if being here can make things real inconvenient. It must have to do with all the mysteries of how this world works. Even if everything's still real here... It's like it's a dream to home, sometimes.

[Aang frowns a little. You already did.]

I don't wanna forget you either, Jinora. Any of you. Learning about you guys has... It's given me so much happiness. And I'm proud of you all.

[wafting]

[ ... is granddad disappointed in her, she feels vaguely guilty and isn't even sure why. ]

T-thanks. I'm trying my best to live up to your legacy. All of us are... even if it's a lot to live up to, we'll do it.

[savedtheworld]

You don't have to try, or put pressure on yourself. Just... just existing is enough for me. [If that hug was still going on, he pulls out of it now and leaves a hand on her shoulder.] I do still hope you all can do your best to maintain the legacy of our people, but that's something you guys do together. For now... let's relax. I'll show you around this place!

[wafting]

Relax? But it's a big responsibility...

[ still... if granddad says so, she'll try her best not to feel pressured. even if that was probably a total paradox. ]

But, sure. I'd like to learn more about this place, too. I've never read about anywhere like this before.

[savedtheworld]

It is! [He smirks.] And one of the biggest responsibilities of an airbender is making sure to relax a lot! But what I really meant is... it's not something you have to take on just on yourself. You share with the rest of your family!

This place really isn't like any place I heard of. And it's probably the same for you, too. I know you got lots more machines in your time, but the ones here? They're... even more machine-y!

[wafting]

Sure? Um, I'll take your word for it. Don't worry, I'll make sure Ikki and Meelo won't slack off.

[ not that she thinks they will, despite everything she says. she loves them :> ]

And even more machine-y? What do you mean by that?

[savedtheworld]

You're a good older sister. Just don't be too hard on them! I know Ikki's a real good girl already.

Well there's some machines around that got a lot more science! Ones that can teleport you and make food a lot easier! And... did you get a book? Everyone here has special books we can talk to!

[wafting]

I'm not going to be that hard. Just hard enough. But... special books, you say?

[ THAT'S THE MAGIC WORD. ]

[savedtheworld]

Yeah! You didn't find one yet? Everyone gets a journal when they arrive. [And he doesn't even notice the lack of wings yet, focusing on how exciting it is to see her again.] And they're either magic or science or both so that everyone can talk to each other through the books.

[He talks out his journal, nudges her over and flips through it while pointing out the controls.]

It doesn't just record words you write. You can also have it record your voices and your face!

[wafting]

I've never seen those before. But everyone gets one? Why don't I have one?

[ excitedly studying the book, reaching out to read a few pages in more detail. GRANDDAD AANG'S JOURNAL ENTRIES!! ]

[savedtheworld]

You didn't? Maybe you just didn't find it, Jinora.

[Watch out for that one from when Ikki briefly went home, don't want to depress the older granddaughter.]

[wafting]

You think so? Let's look for mine right away!

[ flipping through it, luckily enough, before pressing the book back into his hands and grabbing her glider. BOOKHUNT. ]

[savedtheworld]

[He gives a nostalgic smile as he sees her own glider, and quickly whips out his own.]

Don't worry, I'll help you find it, Jinora! Where's the first place you remember being around here?

[wafting]

The center of town. I was wondering if it was a part of Republic City I've never seen before, but...

[ well, it obviously isn't. bracing for takeoff! /o/ ]

1/2

[savedtheworld]

The middle of town, huh...

[He closes his eyes as if in concentration...]

[savedtheworld]

[...then snaps them back open.]

Race you there!

[And he quickly takes off on his glider - although even with the head start he'll stay at a speed to ensure Jinora is in his sight.]

[wafting]

Wha... r-right!

[ A RACE?? that's more Ikki's thing but she wanted to show granddad how great her airbending was, so she hurriedly takes off, too, trying her best to win. GOTTA IMPRESS GRANDDAD!! ]

[savedtheworld]

[All family's required to race with Grandad. And he gets giddy over seeing even minor airbending in action. So he quickly looks back towards her and laughs excitedly.]

That's a good start, Jinora! You're flying it well!

[wafting]

You really think so?

[ beaming in midair, aaand KEYWORDS, doing a little roll in midair out of glee. granddad liked her airbending!!... those years of practice and studying and meditation paid off after all. ]

[savedtheworld]

Yeah, nice roll!

[He doesn't focus too much on actual racing - because just gliding with his granddaughter is lots of fun! He somersaults backwards so he's right beside her.]

[wafting]

Thanks, granddad!

[ grinning at--okay, so she's a kid at heart after all, and doing a little loop-de-loop in the air out of sheer glee. WHOO! /o/ ]

[savedtheworld]

[It's hard not to be a kid at heart when spending this much time for Aang. And he feels another nostalgic smile at her referring to him as Granddad. Then he gives a whistle of approval at her trick.]

That was great too! Let's go faster!