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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Raven...

[Hearing Raven sound like that is breaking his heart.]

I don't know what else could have happened.

He was kidnapped or went on a mission or-

He wouldn't go on another mission without us knowing. [He says that quickly and a bit sharply, even if that's besides the point. It's still scary to think of Sokka and missions together. But he goes in a more somber, vulnerable tone]

And he was already kidnapped until today. And his stuff was here before today. And... Foofoo Cuddlypoops was here before today. But today... It was all gone, Raven. I'm sorry.

Don't lie to me.

[The book slams closed. No, Aang does not get a chance to say anything else, at least not until Raven's done checking all through the smithy and denying every possibility that it might be the truth-

All the while thinking this is why you shouldn't try to have friends.]

I- I'm not-!

[He calls out, but the book is clearly closed. He stands there, staring at it vacantly for a while.

He does feel his fear being reinforced. Trying to contact someone didn't result in understanding, just in anger. Maybe he was better off avoiding.... no.

Aang stays there, his legs folded, with the book open in front of him. And he waits.]

[It takes quite a long time.]

He's really gone.

I'm sorry, Raven.

Do you... need company?

Edited 2013-12-04 17:30 (UTC)

[She doesn't want company. Not Aang. Not someone who knew Sokka but knew nothing of her, really, or of what he was to her or what it meant to stick with him even when he lost the part of himself that cared about other people.

But her fear makes her need it, almost.]

I don't know.

It's okay.

You can think about what you need. And... I'll wait by the fountain for a while, just in case... you wanna.

[He figures that moving away from the Sokka head statue would at least be a tactful move. He does have his own fear at play, but he knows he has to face it to be there for his loved ones. So he'll want to face it for Raven, too, even if he doesn't know her that well.]

[It's hard to decide. So hard. The smithy belongs to Sokka, it is Sokka and so much of him is in it that now, without him, she can hardly stand to be there. But to leave would be to abandon him, in weird and twisted ways she can't understand even though she came up with them.

Eventually she shuffles out to the fountain, looking everywhere but up at Aang.]

[He's there waiting, sitting along the rim of the fountain.

He only glances towards her to confirm her presence - and feels that sensation of fear. He then keeps his own eyes averted as well. And he replies just softly.]

Hey.

[Raven doesn't sit, and she doesn't look up, or even turn her head in Aang's direction. The first answer she tries sticks in her throat, so she has to try again.]

Hey.

[He shifts uncomfortably in his seat and looks down towards his feet.]

Do you want to sit?

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.]

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.

[A hug isn't going to solve anything. Aang's fear stepping in is saving him the grief of Raven's rejection. Even such touching words get a half-grunt and a shrug. Fine, he's here. For how long? There are no guarantees at all.]

[After another moment more, he offers quietly.]

He's gonna be happy now. And - he'll be safe.

I know better. Your world is no safer than mine.

I don't know about your world, Raven, but I don't think that's right. Maybe you know about the war... but that's over now. The world's entering a new era of peace and balance. It's been a whole year without war. There was only one battle that almost started, but we stopped it without bloodshed. I don't know everything about the future... but I really think things are gonna be okay for us.

[She's in no mood for a lecture, in Aang's gentle-offended voice especially. Raven turns her head and crosses her arms hard.

I want him back.

At least she manages not to say it out loud.]

Book 16: Drained [Voice/Action]

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