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

[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!

[wafting]

Sure...!

[ trying to catch a tailwind and speed up, nearly forgetting all about their destination for once and giving the journey her all. ]

[savedtheworld]

[And Aang similarly taps some tailwind action to boost himself, then looks to Jinora again.]

I hope you're having fun, Jinora!

[wafting]

I am!

[ ... the answer was surprising even to her. but she grins, and can't help but laugh even at herself. ]

[savedtheworld]

[He giggles back. And... oh right they have a destination.]

Then let's try to do the fanciest landings that we can - okay?

[wafting]

Of course. Watch this--!

[ aand she pulls down into a steep dive, probably a more reckless move than she'd normally do but this is granddad, she has to impress!! ]

[savedtheworld]

[Buuut that makes his protective grandpa instincts kick in, and he starts diving down even steeper to try to outpace her and do what he can to prevent anything other than a smooth landing.]

Be careful!

[wafting]

[ just making her more determined to show her skills. for a moment it looks like she might crash-land, but... at the last minute she pulls sharply out of the dive and sticks a perfect landing, only with a mild bit of stumbling from momentum, and turns shakily around to beam at granddad. ]

H... how was that?

[savedtheworld]

[Aang gets himself to a landing first, less smooth then intended due to his rush and frets as she almost crashes, quickly moving to help her. But the landing and her smile is enough to make him smile back, as he puts his arms on her to help her regain her balance.]

That was wonderful, Jinora. Except you should be more careful. You coulda got hurt.

[wafting]

I... I was being careful.

[ but maybe realizing that it was a little reckless in rush to impress. she folds in her glider a little sheepishly, glances down before trying to bow in apology. ]

Were you that worried?

[savedtheworld]

Of course I was, Jinora. [He puts a hand on her shoulder to guide her out of the bow; not necessary, granddaughter.]

I... I might not've known you that long... [Or well he kind of knew her the first time around but that's too complicated to detail.] but you're my family and my people and Jinora and you're still important to me. I couldn't bear it if something bad happened to you.

[wafting]

[ slowly letting herself go upright again, but still a little humbled. feels bad, man. ]

I guess I understand. Sorry, I just wanted to...

I'll be more careful next time.

[savedtheworld]

To... to impress me? You don't have to try so hard, Jinora. I'm already super impressed just that... that you exist. That you're an airbender at all and with a family who can do it, too.

That's good enough for me. And I hope you do be more careful.

[wafting]

[ ... well Tenzin said that he was proud of her, too. but it's something else when the granddad she never thought she'd meet said it.

so she just stops resisting what she had wanted to do since she found out who he was just clings to him in a hug.

it did mean a lot. ]

[savedtheworld]

[And he takes her into the hug tightly, warm tears forming in his eyes.]

I'm gonna take care of you, Jinora. However long we have together, here... It'll be good.

[wafting]

However long, huh...

[ it sounds a little scary if he puts it like that, but she just hugs back a little awkwardly. then relaxes a little into it. this is granddad after all 8( ]

[savedtheworld]

Y-yeah. We won't be able to always be here, together. [He confesses; Jinora's a big girl.] But that just makes this time more valuable. We gotta live in the present. And there's so much fun I wanna have with you!