savedtheworld | Book 12: Solid Foundations [Video/Action]

[Back home, Aang wasn't really one to pay much attention to individual dates of the month, aside from eventually looking out for his friend's birthdays and stuff, although he could barely remember his own. But in Luceti, it was a lot easier to keep track of time. After all, he could see what day it is right on the journal. It was a near part of every morning to check out what today's date was. Even though, as this month approached, he had begun to realize exactly how much time he was spending here. And it was today when he got the definite proof: for the first time, he saw a date in the journal he had seen before. March the 19th.

That confirmed it: he had already been here a whole year. To think he was technically 15 now, even though he didn't feel it (partly because his body is still 14 from the brief trip home he had several months back). It already felt like so long ago when first arrived and got used to the situation. To the fact that he and Katara weren't a couple in this world - and that Katara and Sokka had lived in this world for so long without him. He wanted to do what he could to make it up to them. And now, a year later, he wondered if he had. And if he could make any real differences here in this world, for the betterment of them all. And aside from that... He thought of how much things had changed over this whole year. How he learned his future and met his next life. Met Ikki, the airbending apple of his eye. All of the good, bad and ugly coming from knowing the future; and it was only possible here, in Luceti.]

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[Aang pops open the journal when he's home that afternoon, regarding it with a bright smile.]

Hey, everyone. It's Aang. [He almost wants to say, I've been here a year now. Isn't that weird?] Have any of you ever been able to do anything really neat with your wings? I know they can't fly, but still... between my wings, airbending and Kipinn, there's gotta be some kinda awesome trick I can pull off...

[It just feels important for today in particular to accomplish something. To feel like he's grown in some way.]

And by the way! If anyone wants to go on adventures with me and Appa while there's still snow around, feel free to let me know.

[And he goes through a variety of tasks throughout the day. Aside from spending the early part of the day at school. And after school, then he spends a few hours playing around in the snow and possibly taking Appa out on some journeys. He also slips in some time at the library before going home for dinner. No need to make a big deal of the day. And before he goes to the bed, he bundles up and goes over by the river to do some rare nighttime meditation. He hopes that maybe he'll stumble upon something, some way to advance peace in this world.]

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[He had been nice enough to offer her a ride on Appa without wanting anything in return. He had always been nice to her. Would she really be so selfish as to deny him his pet?

She shook her head even though she looked apprehensive.]

...I'm not very good with animals.

Oh. ...Sorry, then. It sounded like you liked Appa, so I thought you'd like meeting another animal too...

[She shrugged uncomfortably again. There was, in her opinion, something of a difference between a beast of burden and some sort of small house pet. Mostly, it came down to their usage. While she had tried to drown Buttercup as a kitten, she had happily brought Prim Lady the goat. Lady, at least, could be used as a source of otherwise too expensive dairy.

Appa definitely seemed to be of more use in Katniss' mind than something the size and shape of a flying lemur.

Awkwardly,] I liked flying.

Oh. [He tries to manage a smile - assure her that it's okay.] Well... that's okay! It's my mistake. Momo won't mind sitting this one out - won't you buddy? [He turns to look at Momo.] Why don't you go find Ikki?

[Momo tilted his head and made a few chittering noises, some mix of confused and offended, before he spread his bat wings and took off.]

[She flinches just a little when the lemur spreads its wings. Suddenly, she's so, so happy that the Capitol scientists never thought to add such a modification to the monkey mutts. It's terrifying. More than she cares to admit.

A small, grateful smile is forced on her face as she now steps closer to Aang and Appa.] Thanks.

Don't worry! [He steps alongside her with an understanding smile.] And hey... if you like doing things that're like flying, I think I can give you a lift onto Appa's back.

[She does her best to return the smile and push away any lingering guilt. This kindness really is undeserved. And yet, it doesn't seem to stop Aang at all.

However selfish her motivations are, she rather likes having the boy as a friend. Even when his words are just as confusing as his behavior.]

How?

[And Aang just dismisses disappointment as soon as he can - focuses on having fun with his friend.]

Well I'm an airbender. It can help me jump good enough to get us both up there. It'd be fun!

[She still looked somewhat doubtful. Aang was younger than her, not to mention much smaller. And she had since regained all the weight and muscle she had lost during her trial. Somehow, she doubted that he could lift them both on top of Aapa.

Still, he had seemed pretty confident.]

...okay.

[He's kind of stronger than he looks - although the airbending probably helps too. He has been able to lift Katara and others with airbending jumps in the past, and presumably this will go well as well. He puts an arm around her and then should be leaping up with her right up onto Appa's back with an airbending flourish, as if a whoosh of wind was pulling them up.]

[She glances at him when he wraps an arm around her, still looking doubtful about the whole idea. But the minute he leaps and she finds herself tugged along, her eyes go wide. She laughs a second later and, once they're settled on Aapa, really turns to look at him.]

That's incredible! And you can do that whenever you want?

Pretty much! [He says as he releases his hold and hops over to Appa's head gracefully to man the reins.] Airbending's one of the most fun things in the whole world.

[She laces her fingers into Aapa's fur, getting a firm grip before they take off. The weather's nice today. Much nicer than the last time she got to go for a flight. But still, a part of her feels better holding on. Just in case.

Her brow wrinkles a little as she considers the boy's response.] Can you fly?

[There is the whole saddle to sit on as well. Aang talks a little more, not taking off just yet.]

By myself, my airbending can only make me kinda fly. A little. But when I have my glider, then my airbending can help me fly all around!

[She smiles wistfully, imagining what that might be like. Even though they have wings here, they're of little use. At least when it comes to flying. She wishes it could be different. What she'd give for those mockingjay wings to actually allow her to fly.]

Lucky.

It is lucky. I wish it were easier to share it with everyone. [He didn't always realize it, of course, being raised alongside airbenders with all the same abilities as himself. But he gives her a cheery smile] But at least we can both ride Old Appa here! Are you ready for take-off?

[At least. And if she closed her eyes and pretended, just for a moment, she could picture flying on her own. Without any aid from the huge beast. How amazing that would be.

But he's right. At least they have Appa. And that flight with Sokka had been pretty damned amazing in its own right.]

Yeah. I'm ready.

Alright! [He beams at her before turning to face forward, grabbing onto the bison's reins, getting ready to say the immortal words.]

Appa... yip yip!

[And boosh! Appa is taking off!]

Book 12: Solid Foundations [Video/Action]

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