Book 1: Fresh Water [Video]

[savedtheworld]

[Aang is peering into the journal so his face takes up almost the entire screen. He begins shouting into the book as abruptly as his image appears]

Hey! What am I doing here? I'm Aang! I'm an Airbender. Does anyone know what's going on here? I can't find my friends, my clothes or any of my stuff! I thought I was on my sky bison with everyone else going to see the Earth King. Now I'm here. Have anyone of you book people seen anyone I know?

[Aang has pulled away from the journal but continues talking as he sits in a patch of grass.]

This is a really weird place. But kinda peaceful. Definitely not weird enough to be the Spirit World. What is going on here?? And... have I always had these wings?

[Aang lifts up the book with one hand, squinting and examining it like some foreign object. This results in the picture showing his quizzical face from a skewed angle.]

Comments

[Action]

[savedtheworld]

[He winced; all their time together had taught Aang the consequences of allowing Katara to be associated with the "n" word. Regardless, he saw it was time to step forward and work his Avatar magic.]

I think we need to calm down. Katara does not nag, she just... has a lot of ideas about what's best for us! And Sokka... does that mean you're Smithy?

[savedtheworld]

I didn't mean it as a bad thing. It'd good not to have to worry about things back home, right? This place does seem relaxing so far.

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

[NOT VERY CONVINCING, AANG.

But your interjection does serve to remind Katara that you're here, and so she calms down instead of storming off in a huff.]

He's not Smithy, he just works at the smithy. Which is where the weapons show up. So let's go.

[TURNING AND GOING.

And least, it's not much off a huff.]

[Action]

[markofthewise]

[Sokka shakes his head, shrugs dramatically, and mouths something like 'women huh?' as he starts to follow.]

I'm actually sort of in charge of the smithy. I make tons of stuff now.

[Action]

[savedtheworld]

[Katara's slight huff is enough to worry Aang. He hadn't considered that Pre-Sweetie Katara could get angry at him more easily, even if this case was just a minor one. Aang was snapped back to reality and stumbled after Sokka.]

That is pretty cool, Sokka. I guess you found your calling!

[burningdownfate]

There's that, I guess. Kind of important things need to be done, though. [Pause] Oh, yeah. It's a real vacation. Nice and relaxing in between periods of hair-raising terror and war. Good times.

[Action]

[markofthebrave]

[As if any Katara can really stay mad at Aang long.

In this case, she just walks slightly ahead of them for a little while, but after they leave the store she'll come alongside them again.]

[savedtheworld]

[Aang is reeeaaally having trouble not stepping on Zuko's toes.]

I'm sorry, I don't really know much about what's been going on here. I haven't seen anything evil yet. Some people have been saying bad things about those Malnossos... whatever they are. I didn't know there was a war here too.

[burningdownfate]

The Malnosso are fighting what they call the Third Party and sometimes we end up getting involved. It's not a constant threat or anything, but it's there.

[thebellthatbinds]

Well, I'm not sure if it's the same for every world but I can only go so far. That is to say... [Hm, how to put this.]

The Death I am familiar with is a river with nine Precincts and nine Gates. Once a spirit passes the Ninth Gate there is no returning. It is intimidating to think of but honestly? There's nothing to be afraid of.

[savedtheworld]

That doesn't sound good. [awkward pause] At least most of the gang's here now!

[savedtheworld]

Wow, that sounds really... death-y. Sounds a lot different from the Spirit World. And that's not... scary? It sounds a little scary to me.

[thebellthatbinds]

Maybe so but when you reach the final Gate it's like it calls out to you and welcomes you home. Like rushing into the arms of everyone you love.

[Sabriel knows not only from reading about the Gates in her book but from having walked in Death herself and looking upon the Gate. Her spirit had felt it then, that yearning to go and follow the calling but it would not take her because it wasn't her time.]

[savedtheworld]

Oh. That does... that sounds nice. [some sniffling sounds. More uncomfortable thoughts are raised as he considers his own ultimate and unchangeable fate.] It would be... it's just not for me.

[kyoshi]

Has it really been that long since we were all together?

[thebellthatbinds]

[That sniffle doesn't escape her and instantly she regrets saying so much.] I- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you.

[savedtheworld]

[Time to try and dance around canon!]

Yeah, sadly. We all went our separate ways after the war. You went back to Kyoshi Island, and me, Katara and Sokka have been busy helping with the peace effort. We've all been too busy to meet up that much. I can't remember the last time Sokka went to visit you.

[savedtheworld]

It's fine, really. It's fine. I just... I don't really think about it that much. It's always been obvious what will happen to me in the end. It's part of the duty of the Avatar. I just don't know what'll happen to everyone else.

[thebellthatbinds]

Well...I can't say for sure since I don't know your world but if they mean a lot to you then you'll always carry them with you no matter where you are.

[Sabriel's father had told her that much the last time she saw him and she truly believes it.

Now should she ask about what he means about his duty? She doesn't want to upset him again but she is curious...]

[savedtheworld]

Thanks, I understand. It's just something I'll have to deal with. I know I'll never forget any of my friends.

Sorry, Sabriel. I try not to get like this. Making people happy is a lot more fun!

[thebellthatbinds]

It's not your fault Aang, I should have been more sensitive about the topic. [A switch is in order here, although something he mentioned before in his entry catches her attention.]

You said you were an 'airbender', right? Is that a kind of magic?

[Action]

[markofthewise]

Yeah, I guess you could say that. [And now they're back outside, trotting on down to the smithy.] Actually, me and Suki are engaged now.

[Action]

[savedtheworld]

[Aang is quickly diverted by this news as he steps alongside Sokka.]

Engaged? ...To be married? Wow, congratulations!

[Mazeltov!]

[Action]

[markofthewise]

Yeah, it's pretty great. I'll have to give you the full story some other time.

[Action]

[savedtheworld]

[Marriage. It was something that was not part of air nomad culture, but anything like that excited Aang. This also caused a realization in Aang: what if Katara expects the same thing from him? He hadn't really considered their relationship beyond the simplicity of being together. Although, being back to square one with this Katara gave him much time to mull it over.]

Sure! Wow, you guys really have grown.