Aang (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
savedtheworld) wrote2013-11-24 09:52 pm
savedtheworld) wrote2013-11-24 09:52 pm
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.]
[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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Are you okay?
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[This... this is what Gold was going through, wasn't it?] Are you afraid?
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Crys likes to eat sweets when she's upset. [Which used to result in Gold teasing about her weight. Which is an adventure for another time.] Sorry your friend went home.
[He's got a hard time being too emotional about his concern, but the sentiment is there.] I can go if you'd like.
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Thank you, Silver. That's very kind and thoughtful of you. [It did hurt still. Just thinking about Sokka's absence. But he was glad to hear from Silver, really.] You don't have to go. Unless you want to. I... I'll be okay.
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Only if you need someone to talk to. [Kind and thoughtful. It's almost embarrassing to hear for some reason, but he swallows it down. He] I... I can listen. [And not much else. He's no good at this comfort thing...]
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Aang looks up towards him, anxiety and all.]
You can? Silver, if you'd truly like to do that... than I think that can help. But I don't wanna make you.
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So he sits down right where he is and sets Weavile in his lap, making his intentions pretty clear. It's okay. He's got nowhere better to be.]
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so bro
such friendship
Aang gives a quiet smile as he looks down towards the ground and folds his legs into a sitting position.]
I don't know where to start. I was trying to talk to the statue of Sokka's head over there to try to figure things out, but... he didn't talk back. But maybe... it'll be easier with you.
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But he nods. Go on. Or take your time. ...He's keeping quiet and letting Aang speak on his own terms.]
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You know... When I first came to Luceti, that statue was already there. And so was Sokka. It was so weird, because I hadn't been apart from Sokka or Katara for long ever since I met them, but in this world they'd been here without me for years. Sokka even had a beard. He taught me so much about this place and helped me with a lot of the problems that I had. I always thought that when we found a way back home... he'd still be there, leading us.
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But now Aang's friend isn't here anymore. He doesn't have that kind of leader anymore. So what is he planning to do now?
Silver nods in acknowledgement. Go ahead, Aang. Continue.]
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But now, he's gone. I'm glad he found a way out. He managed to get back home. But... without the rest of us. Without him, I feel kind of - abandoned, and lost. And I know it can only be worse for the others... especially Katara. She's been here almost as long as him. And she's been around him for most of her whole life. They're brother and sister, after all. I... I'm not sure I can really imagine how bad it must feel for her now. And I don't know what I should do.
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He's not gone forever, Aang. [But there's something important that he wants- no, needs to add.] You'll see him again one day, even if that day might not come as fast as you want it to.
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[Sokka's back home. Sokka never died. Sokka never had to lose his soul. Sokka never lied to his friends and committed horrible deeds out of soullessness. Sokka never had to face the consequences of that upon regaining his soul. Sokka was free of all that now.]
So you think we should just... get used to that?
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You're not alone. You've got Katara with you. You've got your other friends from home and the friends you've made here. You guys can support each other.
That's the best you can do when you're split from someone you care about.
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That makes sense, Silver. Thank you. I'm gonna do my best for him then. And... I do still have everyone else. I know that they might need me, too.
I guess that now, I'm worried... about this fear I have. I want to be able to be there for them. Katara must be hurting the most. But this fear, it gets in the way so much. I need to find a way through it.
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I said you can support each other. It's a two way street. Be there for her, listen to her, do your best for her, but open up to her, too. Tell her what you're telling me. The more you say, the better. Report, communicate, consult.
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[He looks up at him blankly - but with warmth in his eyes.]
You really are good at this stuff. I guess it's just that I keep thinking of all the times in the past that she's been there for me, when I really needed it. And so I focus on trying to repay that. But... you're right. I've been letting go of what I need in the process. And, I need her to be there for me, too.
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...If you're afraid, you can sit like this and talk to her. Right? Is this okay now?
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[He can't tell for sure. And that gives him concern that trying any specific one thing when talking to her when he is uncertain could blow up in his face.]
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If you can face a big fear that got in the way of saving the world, I believe that you can face a fear like this one. [...Yes. Yes, he believes that.]
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1/2
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