Book 17.5: Fourth Wall

[savedtheworld]

[Behold Aang, the young air nomad. Physically 15 and now mentally about 16, he's grown quite a bit from his time in the Hundred Year War.

Today seemed like a good day to visit the library. He found out from Duck that there were stories out there where the characters came to life and left the story. So now he's checking around to see if he can find any books like this. Only to find unexpected visitors of a different variety...

Alternately? He can be found out in front of House 56, deep in meditation, trying to see if he can reach his past lives...]

Comments

[savedtheworld]

I'm really glad to hear that. Did they live happily ever after?

[telltalecommander]

[Uhm...]

Sure, sure! Pretty positive they did!

[savedtheworld]

[Aang claps his hands energetically.]

That was great story, Bumi! I loved it!

[telltalecommander]

[Success! He's gained kid!dad's approval! It's not the same as his real dad's approval, but it's a start.]

You did, huh? Well, I got plenty more where that came from! [He grabs a nearby chair and pulls it towards him, sitting down on it backwards so he can rest his arms on the back as he watches Aang.] But how about you, huh? How about you share some of your stories?

[Aang used to, a long time ago, when Bumi was just a wee little toddler. Bedtime stories about Kyoshi warriors and past Avatars and nasty old Fire Lord Ozai... Until the life of the 'last airbender' got far too busy for such things.]

[savedtheworld]

Really? You wanna hear a story from me? [He asks as he points to himself.] What kind would you want - you haven't heard them all already?

[telltalecommander]

Heh. Last time I heard 'm, I was five. So it's about time to hear 'm again, wouldn't you say?

[savedtheworld]

[That long, huh? He does wonder why he wouldn't keep telling stories until his kids were at least Ikki's age. But that's nothing to worry over now. He gives a challenging smile as he leans forward in his chair.]

Alright, then. I'll tell you one! Do you have anything special you wanna hear? I could always tell a story about Bumi... the first one! You know, you're almost as silly as him.

[telltalecommander]

Sounds perfect! [He leans his head down, chin resting atop his arms as he makes himself more comfortable.]

[savedtheworld]

Okay! Let's see... I'll tell you about the time we tried to save him from Omashu! That's when we were traveling through the Earth Kingdom - Sokka and Katara and me. We hadn't met Toph yet, and we were looking for an Eartbending teacher for me. And Bumi? He seemed like the best choice, because he was my best friend!

[telltalecommander]

Mmhmm, mmhmmm!

[His full attention is on Aang now. He'd heard this story before, of course, but hearing it again after so many years is like hearing it in a whole new light. He's been to Omashu and seen it with his own eyes.]

[savedtheworld]

[And so, sometimes using pencils and whatever other materials are at hand as props accompanied by making noises with his mouth for sound effects, he covers most of the episode: learning of Bumi's capture, helping the resistance force, escaping the city. Playing with the Fire Nation baby. The first fight with Azula's team... and finally he reaches the moment when he was reunited with Bumi.]

I was really confused by Bumi when he said he'd given up. Isn't that the bad thing to do? But then he taught me about jings. And that one important thing to try was to wait and listen. He looked like he'd given up on the outside, but really on the inside he was just waiting for the right chance! I learned I'd need to find someone else other than that silly old man to teach me. And I also learned that even on the outside, it looks like someone might have given up, on the inside? They can still care!