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]

[ cracking open one eye from where she's trying to meditate right beside him, for some reason. ]

I know, right? I'm trying to concentrate here!

[savedtheworld]

It's okay Jinora, we can find a more quiet pla- [Double take. Jinora, didn't you go over there-] Jinora?!

[wafting]

Huh? What is it--

[ double-taking as she glances over and realizes... hey I don't recognize this air acolyte. WHO EVEN. ]

Um, how do you know my name?

[savedtheworld]

Uh- Did... Did you forget? [Today is weird.] It's me. Aang.

[wafting]

... Is that really your name?

[ people don't usually name their kids after past avatars. and especially her granddad... unsure whether to be offended or just suspicious for now. ]

[savedtheworld]

Y-yeah.

[It's kind of a weird reversal, with how the girls initially sprung their identities on him. Now he's not sure how to go about it for her.]

This is going to be hard to believe, but... I come from the past.

[wafting]

That... just sounds like a really bad plot device, Aang.

[ DO EXPLAIN. ]

[savedtheworld]

That- that's a book term, right? But I mean it! It's me, and I know about the future! I'm not your grandpa yet, but I'm gonna be! See?

[And he quickly produces an air scooter and hops up onto it, while bending up some rocks that he "juggles" via bending.]

[wafting]

Y... you mean you're really Avatar Aang? H-hey, wait--!

[ but then just staring at amazement at the bending. her family were the only live airbenders so... this really meant he was telling the truth, was he. ]

[savedtheworld]

[He descends from the air scooter with a sincere smile on his face.]

It's really me, Jinora. Really really. Sorry I had to surprise you like that.

[wafting]

I... what...

[ the stare of amazement turns into a kind of small, desperate hope. she'd always heard stories of him, but... ]

... Granddad?

[savedtheworld]

That's right. I'm sorry if I'm n-not like you imagined or anything... [But he holds out his arms for a hug.]

[wafting]

[ ... but he looks just like his statue and exactly like she imagined (only her age) and yeah, she's going in for a hug. ]

Maybe... just a little younger than I'd thought.

[savedtheworld]

[He gives a nervous laugh as he pull her into a nice guy.]

Well I'll try to work on the beard sometime, okay?

[wafting]

[ squeezing a little out of sheer disbelief that something like this was even happening. ]

S-sure. You have plenty of time. I never thought I'd meet you!

[savedtheworld]

Well... now you get that chance. [He says with a bit more seriousness as he gives another squeeze. After the last time she went home, he feared he may never have a chance to again.] I can't tell you how long it'll be for. But I promise to make the most of it.

[wafting]

Of course! Plot device or not, it's... incredible that I could meet you. I've heard so many stories!

[savedtheworld]

Yeah. Plot devices can be great! [Even if he's still not sure what it means.] Just be careful, okay? I haven't lived all those stories yet. Since I'm still just 14.

[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.