Book 11: Memories Down the Stream [Voice/Action]

[savedtheworld]

[By now, it almost seems like a way of Luceti - that whenever good news happens, it will be followed by bad before long. Just yesterday, Katara had come back to the house. As herself. But today? The house woke up to a different empty room. Toph's.

It seemed like so soon since she had given him his last metalebending lesson. He still had so much to learn. And he still remembered so clearly when she showed up, tunneling from the earth like the little badger mole she was. Her original presence in Luceti may have precluded his, but when she came back, she was from the same time as him. He know that aside from missing one of his best friends, he'd miss being able to relate to one of the few people from that time.

But in a way, Aang knew this could be for the best. He remembered how she had worried about her life, with everything the future had shown to them. The short time that her daughter was around. How Toph feared the possibility of having to live her life in Luceti without ever returning home, that she might not become the person she thought she was supposed to be. But now she didn't have to worry about that anymore. She could live that life for herself. And hopefully, she'd find peace and happiness in that life. They could all still be friends there, too, in that lifetime.

Aang spends a little time wallowing in his grief, first. After all, he misses her already. Then he remembers one of the first things she told him when arriving. "Missed me? After only a month? Come on, don't get sappy!" With a faint smile, he nodded before he rose to do what he had to do. Toph had put her hopes in him.

And he soon addressed the journals.]

Hi everyone. This is Aang. You should know that Toph Beifong is... She's gone back home. I guess our world can only go so long without its greatest Earthbender around. She left some letters to hand out, but everyone who knew her should know... She cared about you a lot more than she says. Even her punches had friendship in them.

[He grabbed the letters that she had left behind, knowing all too well what they all said. After all, he was the one who had to transcribe them for her.

And so, Aang starts to play the distribution game. He first gives out letters to those around the house. If there were any who did not find about Toph's absence at the same time as him, then he would give them the letter and the news prior to the journal announcement. Then, he seeks out Suki, Ion, Fenimore, Shikamaru, Masaomi and Saori to deliver their letters. If there's any he can't find, he'll leave the letter at the door of their house. Or in their mailbox. Do we have mailboxes?

He tries to go about his normal daily activities afterwards, showing few signs of anything wrong. Places to frequent include the Welcome Center, library, tea shop and item shop. And in the evening, after dinner, he takes some of the remaining metal sheets lying around the house out to the forest to do some metalbending practice on his own. Still, every time he messed up, he could almost feel the punches.]

Comments

[savedtheworld]

I guess it is kinda silly! [But bizarre's just another kind of interesting to Aang!] But I hop you can see it too. Maybe one of us can learn to make a hologram of one for the Battle Dome!

[acuity]

We could try that! A pity it wouldn't be ride-able, but I suppose that can't be helped.

[savedtheworld]

We'll see about that! If there's simyalations that can be fightable in the rooms, they should be able to be rideable too! [At least I think...] Either way, you'll at least get a good idea of what they're like. It'd be neat to do that for all kinds of neat animals from my world cuz they're never around here!

[acuity]

... You may have a point. And I don't think I've ever heard of the fauna of your world, even if I've mentioned pokemon from mine. How many species might there be?

[savedtheworld]

Um... a lot! Definitely more than ten, maybe even more than a hundred! They're really interesting. You already met Appa, he's a sky bison. And Momo's a flying lemur you should meet sometime. Plus there's fire ferrets and hog monkeys and rabbaroos and otter penguins!

[acuity]

Fascinating... so many different species of fauna. I'd love to study them all!

[acuity]

... But I suppose that wouldn't be possible.

[savedtheworld]

Because they're not here or because there'd be too much to fit in your head? I think that anything's possible, Platina!

[acuity]

The former, obviously. I have no doubt about my learning capabilities!

[ BIG NERD!! ]

[savedtheworld]

I see. Well I hope they show up here someday as long as they don't get hurt... or that we can make lots of them appear in the Battle Dome too! Masaomi made a bunch of Pokemons in there for the training lessons he gave to Ikki, so it's gotta be possible...

[acuity]

We may as well give it a try one day. Do let me know when!

How have things been, Aang?

[savedtheworld]

I definitely will!

[And there's a softening of his smile as he considers her question.]

I guess things have been kind of... a mix of things. Yesterday, someone really important remembered who she was and came back to us, and that made me happy. But today, one of our friends went home. That's good, but it also makes me sad. But- but it's all okay.

[acuity]

Yees, Luceti does seem to experiment with our memories at times, does it. But... one of your friends left?

I'm sorry to hear that.

[savedtheworld]

It was an experiment, yeah. I'm just glad it's over. [Katara not remembering Aang and living a life where she was tormented by the Fire Nation was like a nightmare come true. And Aang tries to brush past that subject quickly.]

It's okay, Platina. I- I kinda miss her already, but... she'll be okay back home. We kinda learned some things about her future, so it sounds like she'll be safe. And she's gonna make big things happen.

[acuity]

I'm glad it is, too, if it was really that terrible an experience. And timeline disparities, is it... it's still rather hard to believe Luceti is capable of that.

You'll see her again, I'm sure.

[savedtheworld]

Well, it is. Me and my friends... even though we're around the same ages, some of them were brought here from a year before me. And there's been people from our future, too. It's weird, and it's scary sometimes, but... It's a possibility people have gotta prepare for.

I know I will. I believe it. Maybe she'll get brought back here again someday, but even if not... we're all gonna go back home someday and be around each other again. I believe that with my heart.

[acuity]

... You're a remarkably strong person, Aang. I'm sure it's difficult, but I do hope things will get better for you. Knowledge of the future is a powerful tool, so please be reassured of that!

[savedtheworld]

Thank you, Platina. I'm glad you think that way, and I think you're really strong too. [He may not know much about her human friends, but he remembers and admires the determination she showed in seeking out her Pokemon.] And you're smart enough so I know you'd use knowledge of the future wisely if you had it.

[acuity]

... That's quite kind of you to say.

Of course, since I don't have that knowledge, the point is moot. But I still appreciate it.

[savedtheworld]

No problem, Platina. But in a place like this, it can't hurt to get yourself ready for the possibility, so it'd be less of a shock if it happens.

[acuity]

[ dodged a bullet there 8|a ]

The possibility... perhaps, that someone from my future might arrive, you mean?

[savedtheworld]

Yeah, that! Do you think you'll ever have grandchildren, Platina?

[acuity]

[ WHAT. ]

What!

... A question to ask a lady, Aang!

[savedtheworld]

Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude! I- I was just wondering if you had any idea... If you think you might, they could be here someday!

[acuity]

I... don't...

I'm not sure if I even want to consider the question right now! At all!