Book 17: Eroded [Video/Action]

[savedtheworld]

[Video]

[Aang appears on the video feed partway through his day, looking a little chipper while sitting at the bakery.]

Hey everyone! It's me, Aang. I just thought I'd talk about a few things. If anyone is looking for a way to spend their time here in Luceti, there's some job openings that could be for you! I'm here at the bakery right now, and there aren't many people here who help out. So if you want to try out, you're welcome to! Speaking of that word, the Welcome Center could also use more people to help manage it. [And maybe someone to actually run it.]

Just let me know if you're interested! In the meantime, I'm trying to make bonds with more of the filial spirits. [He already has Kipinn, who came naturally to him. And Nala, he sought after his second draft, so that he wouldn't be completely powerless when it comes to healing. Even if most of the other spirits overlap with his bending abilities, he still thinks that as the Avatar he should be trying to make pacts with them.] I think next, I'm gonna go for Sona. Anyone wanna come lend a hand?

I think that's it- oh! One other thing. Does anyone remember when Avatar Yangchen's festival is supposed to be? I can't believe I forgot about it for so long! It's the best air nomad holiday, and I only remembered it after I had a dream about it the other day! I should figure out when to celebrate it. The Malnosso don't seem to know about it, so it should be fun! Then people can get to see what one of our holidays are like.

[Action]

[And so, Aang buzzes between locations like a busy scorpion bee. Either working at the bakery - where he plays some of Rapunzel's old big band records, with a swing in his step. He also make stops at the Welcome Center and the library, sometimes accompanied by Momo.

Later in the day, he sets off on Appa's back, checking around the two lakes to try out connecting with Sona.]

Comments

[action]

[wise_maiden]

[With school back in session, Raine's hours at the flower shop are a little less than usual, but it doesn't stop her from peeking her head inside the bakery after heading over, given it's right next door. Without Rapunzel around, it really is a lot of work for just Aang. She knows that particular feeling quite well.

It's also vaguely nostalgic, since her brother and Regal once worked the usual bakery hours. It had taken her a while to warm up to it again after that.]

Are you all right there, Aang? I hope you'll have time for your homework.

[action]

[savedtheworld]

[He pops up, looking over some muffins he made. That's certainly one reason to look for more help - so he doesn't have to keep the bakery closed while he's at school He looks just vaguely nervous.]

Homework! Right. I'm saving that for when I'm on Appa later! Sometimes... being up high in the sky helps you feel all thinky, you know?

[Video]

[dealsinshipping]

[Hey Aang, guess who it is? Yyyup. Varrick is wearing what appears to be a neatly-folded, checkered red bandana around his forehead, unceremoniously flattening locks of his hair against the sides of his head. It clashes something awful with his Water Tribe attire, but he doesn't seem to notice or care one bit.]

Avatar Yangchen had a festival? You sure about that? [He knows the dates of most festivals by heart, because there's always a good target audience for his assorted merchandise to be found at festivals.]

[Video]

[savedtheworld]

[He's going to squint at the get-up for a moment. Because what is that even. But he still replies cheerily enough.]

Super sure! I celebrated a lot when I was young. I'd ask Yangchen myself for details, but she's out of my range here!

video;

[breezing]

I don't remember when it's s'posed to be 'cause usually we have a calendar for that, but we probably missed it once already, right? We should have it in the summer! Or the fall! Sometime when it's warm and sunny and the breezes are all super, super nice and happy and fun!

[ As she talks, Ikki's words run together more and more, as she gets faster and faster. ]

There aren't the places we'd go here, but we can have kites and maybe we can collect the instruments or maybe make them and we could teach people to play - except not the ones they can't play I guess 'cause of bending - and have a picnic and everything!

[ ...Well, someone's excited. ]

video;

[savedtheworld]

[Yep, Ikki sure is talking faster and faster. That's Ikki alright. While Aang's speeding up his listening to match. And feeling a bit heartwarmed. Of course he should have guessed it, but knowing that the festival will be remembered into Ikki's time just feels right.]

The summer and the fall both sound like great ideas! Spring might be great, too... Very spring-y!

I like all the ideas you have Ikki! They're very great. We can definitely have the kites. Maybe that can be an art club project sometime! I have been getting instruments that look air nomad whenever we find them, so let's see how much more turn up! Also, I love picnics! This is gonna be sooo fun, Ikki!

video;

[nosenobounds]

I'll leave all the spirit stuff to you. I'm pretty sure I don't need it to go with the skills I already have. [ He's waving his hand like it's a super fly mature decision, but mostly, the problem is that they are spirits, and that's way too creepy for his blood. That one pink-haired ghost girl flying around is hard enough to deal with, wow. ] But whenever you decide to celebrate your holiday, you should let me know! I'll help you get stuff together for it if I can.

video;

[savedtheworld]

[Whoa, an official declaration of the Usopp Pirates captain! Aang listens carefully.]

I guess you're right. I'll take care of the spirits for you Usopp. Maybe it'll be helpful for our pirates! And you'd really help me put things together for the festival? Thanks, Captain Usopp, that's really nice of you!

video;

[prims]

I'd offer to help out, but I...already have myself booked, really.

[ You know, with Seventh Heaven and learning to doctor and school. ]

I wouldn't mind helping with the filial spirits, though. Or hearing more about the festival. What's it in celebration of?

video;

[savedtheworld]

You're right, Prim. You are doing a lot of things. I'm surprised you aren't all thinged out by now!

I'd be glad for either. Have you met any of the spirits yet? And the festival... It celebrates Avatar Yangchen, for some time that she defeated a dark spirit!

written;

[reviling]

[even if he's gotten used to seeing the other functions (video, voice), Levi still prefers to write his responses, and then track down the person in question if possible. Using them himself still feels strange, and he probably won't ever use them regularly on his own.

So:]

How can other people help you bond with these spirits?

[savedtheworld]

[While Aang? He's not really a writer. And he doesn't see a problem with talking to the writing, so he uses voice.]

It always helps to have a friend's support. Even if a lot of the time bonding with the spirits is a private experience... it can't hurt to have someone nearby. If you need to be in a certain mindset to make contact, maybe they can help!

Video

[tea_lover64]

Well, from what I can recall, I believe it was done in the spring. I couldn't tell you the exact date here though.

Video

[savedtheworld]

Wow, Iroh, you really know everything! Spring does sound kind of familiar... Maybe you're right!

[Video]

[knightofratatosk]

I could help out at the Welcome Center more often if you need it. I mean, I already work at the tea shop, so it's not like I'd need to go far to get there.

I don't know about the bakery, though. That might be a little much even for me.

[Video]

[savedtheworld]

Right, I guess you can't be everywhere at once. But the more people at the Welcome Center, the better! It is really important to make everyone here feel welcome. Plus, that nice Pepper Potts lady who took care of most of the papers is gone.

[Video]

[clumsyduck]

Oh! Can I help out? That sounds like fun.

[Video]

[savedtheworld]

Sure thing, Duck! Do you wanna help at the bakery or the Welcome Center? Or... both?

[blessingone]

When you say "there aren't many people," how many do you mean, exactly?

[She's a little interested in the idea, now that Sophie's in school and she has a bit more free time, but, at the same time, she's suspicious. She doesn't want to end up in a job so understaffed that she'd be worked off her feet.]

[savedtheworld]

I mean there's just two other people right now. We're trying our best, but it's hard to keep the bakery open a lot. [Especially since Aang has school and other responsibilities like Ikki on his plate.]

[voice]

[mischiefbreeder]

The spirits? [Oh yeah, those things that gave them those big funky wings one time, and that let some people do magic.]

Man, I don't really know anything about those guys.

[voice]

[savedtheworld]

Really? Not even one or two things? [Aang always assumes everyone who's been here longer than him knows Everything.] Didn't you ever go to school?

[Voice]

[rutagraveolens]

Um, if you don't mind teaching me how to make things, I could help out at the bakery a bit!

[Granted, she'll be a bit busier once school begins, but as often as Rue visits the bakery, it couldn't hurt lending a hand.]

[Voice]

[savedtheworld]

I'm not the best teacher when it comes to this stuff. [He had been learning from Rapunzel before she left... but he has still been doing his best to improve ever since.] But I'll do my best for you, Rue! You're welcome to help out if you'd like.

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

I've spoken with Souji about checking on the new feather stations once a week, but if you guys need more help around the Welcome Center, I think I can fit in a few shifts.

[Written]

[savedtheworld]

You have? That's very nice of you! It takes a load off of us. You should feel free to help out whenever you can.

[written, camera obscured]

[readytobe]

[There are a couple of things that interest him about this post. First, he recognizes the young man as that one who said his granddaughter had a Swellow. (Still don't get that, but maybe we'll ask about it.) Second, filial spirits. Yes. These topics interest him. Please subscribe him to your newsletter.]

Who is this 'Sona'?

[Voice]

[savedtheworld]

[And Aang just gleefully replies.]

Sona's one of the filial spirits that live here! She's for water.