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.]
action
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.
action
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.]
action
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.
action
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.
action
[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?
action
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.
action
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.
action
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.
action
[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.
action
...If you're afraid, you can sit like this and talk to her. Right? Is this okay now?
action
[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.]
action
action
action
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.]
action
[But he nods at that. He can feel it, that strength. He remembers that he already faced that fear. He not only faced Ozai, but he was able to resist the "easy" ways out. He didn't throw Ozai's lightning back at him. And he didn't let the Avatar spirit pass judgement on him. He took control and he defeated Ozai his own way. This fear could go down the same way.]
But you're right about that, too. I should have the strength to face it. I just... never thought about it before now. After all, saving a person's like saving a little world. [That's what makes other people so fascinating. They're all like worlds undo themselves. And no one, no world, was quite like Katara.]
action
Yeah. [He's not sure he gets it, but... At least Aang seems a little more confident and comfortable...]
action
Right. I - I think I can do this, Silver. I really think that I can.
action
He likes it. Of course, he also has to test Aang. ...Somehow.
...He holds out a fist. Can you bump it, Aang? That's your test.]
action
He recognizes that fist. It's the only kind of fist he likes - the fist of the bro code.
Determined, he stands up on his feet, hops forward, and he pounds that fist. Throughout it all, he feels the fear. But he's smiling.]
1/2
But Aang did it. And he can do this.
...And he helped him through it...]
action
action
So he leans down to give a bop to that Weavile fist.]
action
...But now that the excitement is over, Silver is left stifling a yawn and resisting the urge to try to stretch out.]
So you're gonna be okay? [Because he would like to go eat. And rest. And he's not sure what more he can do for Aang now that he's got a smile on his face.]
action
I think I will be. Or... I'm on my way to it. And Silver, I've got you to thank.
[He really is a good friend after all.]