savedtheworld | Book 16: Drained [Voice/Action]

[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.]

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[Aang is indeed outside, near the Sokka head statue, but he keeps quiet as he watches her approach. He does feel the anxiety start to come back to him as she comes closer. But he does manage to crack a slight smile at seeing Noise and raises his hand in a greeting wave.]

[Noishe slows down and then stops once they're close enough, allowing Raine to climb down.]

Aang...

Raine...

[He speaks with a quiver in his voice, unsure if it's dye to his fear or the weight of Sokka's absence. Maybe both. He struggles to maintain eye contact.]

H- Hi.

I brought this for Katara, but I wanted to see how you and the others were doing as well. [Especially since she remembered how his reaction had been when Toph had gone, as well as others in his group.]

[He glances towards it and gives a brief hint of a smile. But it's suppressed by the reminder of Katara and what she must be feeling right now.]

They're very pretty, Raine. I bet Katara would love them.

[A thoughtful pause, as he looks towards Noise instead. His fear doesn't really extend to animals, after all.]

We're... trying to get used to it. It's just so hard to imagine. Sokka was here the longest. He knew a lot about Luceti and he's done so much here. How could he just... be gone?

All things take time. He made an impact while he was here... and those can be felt throughout the village. From the hearts he touched in one way or another.

... And while many of us will not meet him again, you know where he's gone and you know that he'll be waiting for you, where that is. Even if it's without the experiences here. And you can still miss him.

[If he came back without warning, that would be another story... and that also had happened before. But that wasn't important, now.]

[He gives a slight sniff, wipes his sleeve across his nose and nods.]

I understand what you mean, Raine. Thank you. I do feel ad for everyone who won't be able to see him again while he's home. But... [He remembers what happened this year. Sokka's death, and the horrible things he did without his soul. How he thought he'd never recover.] Maybe it's better that he's back there and back to the way he was.

It's just gonna be... harder, here. He really was like our team leader here. And - and he's Katara's brother. [Not to mention being the closest thing he has to a brother of his own.]

I know. It'll be very rough for her, for a while. [It would have been easier for all of them to go together, not be torn apart bit by bit, even if at home, they didn't realize it.

Time, in this place. Guilt in this place. Gently, she'll place a hand on his shoulder - if he'll allow it. If he jumps, she'll pull back to herself.]

I don't know how-

[He does wind up wincing and pulling back from her touch, but he looks immediately apologetic.]

Sorry.

[His frown gets deeper.]

I don't know how to help her.

... All you can do is support one another, and try not to fall to complete despair.

[He closes his eyes as he takes it in and nods before he opens his eyes again.]

You're right, Raine. [For some reason, he remembers the desert. He remembers Katara holding them all together while they were falling to grief and anger and cactus juice. He remembers Katara holding him down and keeping him from falling to such a complete despair. He knows he has to at least try to do the same for her.]

Sometimes... that's the best you can try. Thank you.

[He starts to move towards Noise.]

[Noishe stands still, wagging his tail with a soft 'wuffing' sound. Raine stays put, not wanting to accidentally startle Aang again.]

Sometimes you just have to cut the part about thinking too much about it out of the way. I know you'll all endure, Aang.

I appreciate your faith. That does make sense. [Thinking too much could lead to darker thoughts - like what if Sokka was actually taken to another enclosure, or some other worse possibility? He can just think lightly of Sokka being able to be home and finally seeing his father again. And having a vaguely happy future.

He glances towards Raine before looking back towards Noishe with a soft smile.]

Raine... Pretend this is you.

[And he goes to give Noishe a soft hug.]

Edited 2013-12-01 05:35 (UTC)

... Thank you, Aang. And you too, Noishe.

[And when he finishes, she'll move to 'return' the hug, as the protozoan makes a sound of contentment at receiving two hugs. Even if they both weren't quite meant for him alone.]

[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.

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.

[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.

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

Book 16: Drained [Voice/Action]

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