Book 16: Drained [Voice/Action]

[savedtheworld]

[Voice]

[It had been easy enough to assume that Sokka had still been kidnapped - that he'd be back any day. It was worrying, but there was still the assurance of his eventual return. Except that eventually, his room was checked. And found empty. There wasn't even a sign of Foo Foo Cuddlypoops. It was hard to believe - when Aang had first gotten to Luceti, he had gotten used to Sokka being the man with the answers. And also a beard. He was like a big figure of the town. And now he was gone. Katara wasn't in a state to announce it herself, so Aang eventually did it. Making it quick and to the point.]

Hi everyone. This is Aang. I'm sorry to tell you all this, but Sokka has gone back home. I know we're all gonna miss him. I already do. But at least at home... the last time I saw him there, he was happy.

[Action]

[Aang spends some time over by the statue of Sokka's head located House 56, studying the image of his best friend. He tries to meditate and tries to imagine the inspiring words that Sokka would usually say. Because he's still afraid of being around other people. And right now, the people dear to him may need him more than ever.]

Comments

voice;

[savedtheworld]

Oh really? Sounds flaming! I can see why you picked it. But isn't that a little... far away?

voice

[savedtheworld]

When I say it like that, it makes sense. It's good to be prepared...

[savedtheworld]

Something that doesn't rock?

[action]

[savedtheworld]

[He does step back from Noishe and he watches as Raine gives the hug, with a warm smile.]

Thank you, Raine. You're... you're a big help. And Noise, too.

[written/private]

[savedtheworld]

That's right. It's only when people are actually there when I feel it. And I'm still okay around most animals.

action; sophie

[breezing]

Well...that's like you, right, grandpa?

[ You have a way with animals, too. ]

action; wait what

[savedtheworld]

Yeah. I... I guess you're right. [Thinking of it like that makes him proud.]

[generalflirt]

Oh come on, that one was bad.

[Action]

[installing]

[Winry has been mostly keeping to herself, and pretending to draw things on the table. However as chance has it she looks up to see Aang. The blonde forces a smile to try and be reassuring.]

voice

[twodragons]

I just don't want to get lazy here, you know? I want to be ready in case we find a way out.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

Well, I try anyway. Will you be all right, or would you like Noishe to hang around for a while longer? I know you must have a lot of others to talk to today.

[action]

[pendantry]

No.

[She wants-

She really doesn't know what she wants at all. To blame someone other than herself, for starters. Sokka back. Even when I'm there for someone no matter what, they leave.

She wants to stop needing to care, and to have others care back.]

[voice]

[wildlittlegirl]

It does! It's... it's the only thing I ever wanted to do. Without him, I... [ She sounds like she's about to cry. ]

[voice]

[savedtheworld]

[He's not sure how to tackle that. Not when she sounds so fragile.]

A-Arietta...

You sound like you need a hug.

[His current fear shift is just a bit of a detriment against delivering on that.]

[Action]

[savedtheworld]

[He feels some fear surging in him. But he manages a slight smile which looks strained against the rest of his face, as he goes to sit at the table.]

W- Winry. Hi...

[action]

[savedtheworld]

Alright. [He says quietly, considering. He's not sure himself what to do, or how to help her. He'd like to try to wrap her in a hug, but his fear is holding him back from it.]

If you need to say anything, or do anything... I'm here.

[savedtheworld]

Sorry, I thought it was what Sokka would have said. [Although even if so, that certainly doesn't necessarily make it good.]

[action]

[savedtheworld]

[He ponders for a moment.]

I'll be alright, Raine. I still have... Appa and Momo, and everyone to talk to. So you and Noishe, you can move on if you want to.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

If you're sure about that. I don't mind waiting around, you know.

[generalflirt]

Want to give it a second shot?

[Voice]

[blessingone]

More than I need, if she's let to. But she means well, and that's...nice on its own.

[...]

Are the other people you're living with...I guess they won't be okay. I don't know why I'm asking this. But...are they holding up?

[voice]

[wildlittlegirl]

I don't think so... I just want to be able to go home with him.

[voice]

[savedtheworld]

[He pauses for a moment - taking a few difficult, ragged breaths.

It's becoming harder to think that this could be referring to anyone other than Ion.]

I... I understand that feeling. [He feels somewhat similar regarding a different sort of conflict. He knows his granddaughter, Ikki, will be safer at home. But he also knows he'll have passed on by the time she's born. He may never get to meet her at home.] I wish it were possible for things like that to happen peacefully.

But... Have you thought about what he wants?

[savedtheworld]

Sure! How about... Wait, which ones did we already use?

[Voice]

[savedtheworld]

[He actually hesitates for a moment. As some faces come to mind.

Not really Zuko, Iroh, Mai, Bolin, or Asami. He felt like they'd be fine.

But he remembers Ikki's reaction and Suki's. And especially Katara's.

He responds quietly.]

It's... hard to say right now.

Everyone - everyone's taking it different.