savedtheworld | Book 16: Drained [Voice/Action]

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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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[Oh.

So she only met him while he was...

oh. It's bad to remember that time.]

He wasn't feeling like himself for a long time. For... a big part of this year. It was only in the last few months that he got better again.

I'm... sorry you couldn't meet that Sokka.

[He knew what he did in that state must have weighed on him. Especially when he thinks of depressing factors - such as that it was the last impression that Hiccup had of Sokka.]

I...knew something like that had happened, but wasn't sure what it was, exactly.

I'm sorry I couldn't meet the Sokka you knew, too.

Well... It's all in the past now. [He'd really rather not tell her the whole story. At least not that story.] Now that Sokka's home... he's free from all of that.

I could tell you about him, at least. [He's not sure whether that will help him feel better or worse.]

...If you don't mind telling me about him, I'd be happy to hear it.

[ It's true, too. ]

Okay. Sokka's... he's my best friend. He's always been kind of funny and silly, but in a good way. At first I don't think he liked me very much. But he stopped not liking me and started liking me instead, so it's okay. He always knew how to make funny jokes and not funny jokes, and he also loved boomerangs. He loves his dad, too, and he wants to be just like him. He loves his sister Katara and wants to protect her. He's always been strongly connected with his tribe and that's why he does a lot of their traditions like hunting. I don't like hunting, but I do like that Sokka's good with his heritage.

He's really smart, too. He always made the best plans for us when we were traveling. A lot of the times he could be really serious, and he'd keep us from helping others to keep to our schedule. But... it was never too hard to win him over. Because in the end, he really did care. No matter how much he got beaten, no matter how much he struggled because he couldn't bend like the rest of us, and no matter how much he lost, he was always determined to go on and help us. Because he wanted that war to end as much as the rest of us. And it's because of all his clever plans that it was possible.

He was a lot like our leader. And I don't know what we'll do without him.

[ While Aang talks, Prim just listens, quietly. She doesn't interrupt, doesn't ask any questions. She just listens to the story of Sokka as he was meant to be. Not the man she'd met at her birthday, months ago, the one who'd been with Katniss.

This was a different Sokka, with people who were grieving the loss of him.

At the end, she's quiet for a moment.

If Katniss had gone away, how would she feel? And what could anyone say to make such a thing better? ]

...He sounds really amazing. I'm sorry I never got the chance to speak to that Sokka, the one you knew.

I'm sorry, too. The way Sokka was back then... it wasn't right. He deserves to be remembered the way he really was. Like that.

[He pauses.]

But thank you for listening.

...I'll remember the things you told me today when I think of him, then.

[ That he was important to someone like Aang, who she met the first day she'd come here, and who smiled almost all the time.

Who wasn't smiling now, she didn't think. ]

And I'll always listen. I mean - if you ever need to talk to someone about anything.

Thanks. You're a good friend, Prim. And... if there's anything you ever want to talk about things... I'll be glad to help you, too.

You are, too, Aang. And I...can't think of anything, right now.

[ The fact that she died, and how she died...while there might be nightmares sometimes, she's at peace with it. More or less.

And she hasn't lost Katniss. ]

...I've been learning to speak to Nala, lately.

[ That's pretty much her only news. ]

[He knows that she died. Katniss announced it to the entire journal system. So it's possible that she doesn't want to talk about it right now - or maybe that she really is very strong and doesn't need to.]

Nala, huh? [He says fondly. That was one he was sure to seek out - because healing was one of the few filial abilities not covered by his bending.] She's a good one. I already met her. Maybe I can help you two meet, too.

[ She's only brought it up twice, really. Chouji, and then Makie. Chouji who asked, and Makie who told her the story of her own home. ]

I wouldn't mind that. Before - you know the time we all had big wings? With the spirits? Before that, I never really considered talking to them, even though people told me about it. But then, when Nala was spending time with me...

...I just liked her voice. So I thought it'd be nice.

Is that so? That sounds like a good reason to me! And if she spent time with you then... I bet she'll wind up spending time with you again. I bet she likes you. So... getting a pact with her might not be so tough.

I'm hoping not. I heard she's really good with healing, and...well, I want to be a healer. A doctor. So, I think that'd help, right?

[ And it's not like she can fight, so... ]

What spirits can you talk to, Aang?

That sounds like a really good plan. So I bet that Nala'll be a big help!

I can only talk to Kipinn and Nala so far. I've gotta try to meet the others still!

Kipinn, that's...the wind spirit, right?

Yep, he's the windiest!

In that case, I guess it's not any surprise you contacted him.

[ Because airbender. ]

Yep! Me and him, we really get along well. Like two cat owls of a feather we flock together!

Two...cat owls?

[ W h a t. ]

Yep!

[A quick pause.]

Oh! Are you from one of those worlds that has the Zoobooks versions of animals?

Um...I'm not sure. What are Zoobooks?

Oh! Well the Zoobooks are the books that are about all the different half-animals that Earth has... like cats, or owls!

Oh! I know cats and owls, yes. I have a cat, even.

So you are from that Earth! What's your cat like?

Book 16: Drained [Voice/Action]

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