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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Well...she really does love Sokka. That's not in question any more than her affection for Aang or Katara or anyone else in their family.

And there seem to be a lot of disappearances just now, close on the heels of one another, and it's...a lot.

But Aang's still there. Katara is. Soren, Soren will never not be there, because he was born here. And so many of her other friends.

...Sokka's not, though. ]

I'm...okay. Jinora and Daddy left too.

[ But she never thought Sokka would leave, because he'd always been there. But...it's Aang and Katara she's worried about, even at eight. ]

...What about you, Grandpa?

[Jinora and Daddy left too.

He thinks of the hurt that must have come from that. And now she's lost another older figure. Possibly someone who was better suited to child care than him. Sokka had a beard and was more mature, after all. Part of him was afraid. He didn't want Ikki to be left without even him or Katara.

And with Sokka gone... he didn't want to be a bad dad.]

Me?

[Oh right, him. Aang tries to be careful with his words.]

Sokka... He's my best friend. I know I'm gonna miss him a lot. And... Katara'll miss him even more. But I know that... he's where he belongs. And he'll be happy.

[ Everyone would miss him, but...Katara and Aang knew Sokka best, had known him longest. Though Aunt Suki, too...she'd definitely not be okay.

...the time here had been a lot more than she'd ever gotten back home, though, hadn't it?

Saying "he could come back" wouldn't help. When people left, it didn't seem like there was anything to say that could help... ]

...GranGran used to tell us lots of stories about him. He'll be happy, for sure.

[ "GranGran" because she's not speaking about the Katara here, but the grandmother she knows back home. And that's rare, because she doesn't do it often. ]

["Grangran". He remembers that at first it was easy to accept that as what Katara would become. He was glad they'd have a family together. But now he'd come to think differently after his time in Luceti. He'd accepted this Katara as someone different from the Katara who would become Grangran. She was the one awaiting him back home. And she still brought a smile to his face.]

I'm glad to hear that Ikki. That GranGran of yours sounds like a very trustworhy source, so I believe it. Thank you.

She is! She knows lots of stuff, too.

[ Like...well, the whole Zuko's Mom thing and lots of other stuff Ikki never properly listened to. ]

We used to hear lots of stories about Uncle Sokka. And about you.

I bet she does. The one here already knows loads.

[Hearing about him... Korra had mentioned that, in her previous stay. Hearing what she said had given him hope for his relationship with Katara here. But that was before he realized that it was wrong to use things from Katara's path at home to influence his feelings for Katara here. He had to build hopes and a bond with her anew.]

They must all be pretty great stories, huh?

Yeah! I mean...I like the ones I hear, but sometimes I want to go and do other stuff, you know? Jinora always wanted to hear more about stuff but sometimes I just wanted to go and play.

[ Although she wouldn't mind sitting through any long boring story Jinora wanted to hear, now. It'd be worth it to sit through something with Jinora right there.

It was sort of funny how time and distance changed things. ]

I liked Uncle Bumi's stories best. He told the funniest ones.

I know what you mean. You're a playing kid, Ikki, and that's one thing I love about you. And Jinora's a hearing kid, and that's one thing I love about her.

U- Uncle Bumi, huh? [The Bumi that isn't his Bumi. But still is his Bumi in a different way. His son.] Is there... any you can tell?

A story to tell...

Ummmmmmm, let's see. [ She has to think about this. ] Well, once he told us about a cool battle he had on his ship!! He fought a huuuuuuuge sea monster.

[ sure he did ]

He did? [Aang looks very concerned about this.] A sea monster?! Was he okay?

Well, yeah! Uncle Bumi's the best captain ever!! He said he made friends with it after the battle and it became his pet!!

But then it ran away when he left the door open...

[ this is a legit and believable tale ]

[He breathes a sigh of relief.]

I'm really glad to hear that. He- he must really have a way with animals... [He finds himself smiling fondly on the thought. Thinking about people who aren't here - that's relatively easy. It doesn't invoke his phobia, at least.]

I bet they'll find each other again someday.

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

[ You have a way with animals, too. ]

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

And me!! Because of Soren.

Of course! It really runs in the family, huh, sweetheart?

[He starts to reach to put a hand on her, but he stops halfway there, when his hand trembles with fear.]

Yeah!! Meelo likes animals too, like Naga and Oogi...

[ ...He gets a curious look for the stopping, there. ]

Book 16: Drained [Voice/Action]

action; i hadn't guessed that thnx for the update lmao bffs 4ever WHY THE TEXT SPEAK DORK

action; jk lol wtf BECAUSE YOU'RE LIKE AN EPICENTER OF DORK THAT MAGNETIZES OTEHR DORKINESS

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action; sophie hatter from howl's moving castle

action; christian bale from howl's moving castle

action; have you never seen that movie