savedtheworld | Book 14: Autumn Breeze

[Action]

[The day is off to a normal start for Aang, starting with airbending practice. He also spends some of the morning using airbending to play around with the leaves on the front lawn of House 56.

After school, he then spends some time cooking at the bakery. He puts together a mix of cookies, cupcakes and some fruit pies of different flavors, and anyone can pop in while he's working on that. He leaves some at the bakery and takes the rest to the Welcome Center, where he sets them up as treats for visiting New Feathers. He spends some time lingering there to do what Welcome Center-ing work there is to be done. And before heading home for dinner, he takes Appa out for a ride flying in the air over Luceti.]

[Video]

[While Aang's at the Welcome Center, he sets up a video. The treats he prepared are visible on a table in the background. Those who met him during the last experiment can probably pick up over the video that he now looks 15-ish rather than 12, although it's easier to tell the difference in person.]

Hello. How is everyone? It's Aang here, and I've got a few things I wanted to say. First of all, isn't it great that it's autumn now? That's like the best time of the year! Does anyone know any fun things you like to do in autumn? I'd like to try out all kinds of new things.

I... also wanted to say something about the way I was a few weeks ago. When I was littler again. I lied and told some of you I wasn't the Avatar, but I really am. I'm sorry about that. [He pauses for a moment.] Other than that... I left some treats out in the Welcome Center to help greet any New Feathers! If you have any questions about this place, one of us there will do our best to help you. I know lots of things can be confusing and unfamiliar in this place. Come to think of it... Is it just me, or is this New Feather cycle going on longer than usual?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Aang doesn't really feel awkward himself - he's as friendly and cheery as ever as he pokes up from behind the counter.]

Hello, Eleytheria! How are you today?

[Oh... well he doesn't seem to be uncomfortable himself. Had he forgotten about what had happened or was he simply choosing not to let it bother him?]

Ah, I am... well. I wanted to apologise for what happened before... I was not myself. At least, not myself as I am now.

[The fact remained that everything he had said and done had happened already in his home world and he was still rather ashamed of it. The fact he'd tried to hurt friends because of it in Luceti just made the feeling worse.]

[Aang certainly won't let it bother him - in fact, he's more relieved to see Eley isn't in such a state any more.]

That's a silly way of saying things. You're still Eleytheria. But I know what you mean, and I don't think you need to apologize - at least not to me. You were just acting out because you were hurt. You needed to let your feelings out, and they didn't offend me. Honest.

[A moment while Eley lets that sink in. He was finding that more and more people thought nothing of what passed between them lately... that he often felt guilty for things that people had moved on from already. Should he really let it go that easily? He supposed so... Aang wasn't angry or afraid so why make the atmosphere any more sour?]

Then... thank you, for trying to talk to me regardless. I have calmed down now... and hope that it might stay that way.

I did not know that you had an interest in baking, Aang.

I hope it stays that way too, Eleytheria. And I'm honored by your gratitude. [His tone keeps wavering between the formality due to spirits and the casualness due to friends. He does give a quick Fire Nation-styled bow before continuing.]

Well I am very interested! I've been working here for a few months now. [He had started filling in after Rapunzel's hair had been cut.] My people, the air nomads, were actually great at baking pastries. Mostly fruit pies, but with what I was able to learn from them, it was a good starting point for learning other things!

[Eley gives a nod in response to that bow. While he felt familiar enough with Aang to treat him as a friend, he also appreciated the respect the boy showed towards him. It was something he missed, if he was being honest...]

Hmm, I see. I have also started trying to learn how to cook myself. While I do not normally eat, being human here has opened up many possibilities and I have begun to enjoy trying new things, including food.

...of course, I would say that I was only a beginner. I have helped others to make cakes and cookies, but that is all. Perhaps I could also learn from you and your people.

I see. There's no harm in trying! And I'd definitely be glad to help you. The only other person of my people who's here is my granddaughter, but she's very helpful with baking, too. I'm sure we can help you get on your feet in making some food. [He's not an expert at straight-up cooking, himself.]

Your granddaughter? [He queries, tilting his head a little as if waiting to hear just who that is. He also looks rather puzzled because... well Aang doesn't look that old.]

In that case I will learn what I can from you and if I succeed, I will be able to share my efforts.

[Let's just hope he knows how to define what a good effort actually is when it comes to food...]

Yep! She's from the future and she's Ikki! Didya meet her?

That sounds like a good plan, Eleytheria! I like it!