Book 18: Ashes [Video/Action] Dated to the 19th

[savedtheworld]

[Today's the day that Aang had chosen to celebrate Yangchen's festival. And it wasn't until the day came that Aang realized the significance of this date that he hadn't considered: this date marked two years since he first arrived in Luceti. It was weird to think back to that day - especially now that his memories from home felt so much fainter in the wake of everything he's experienced and everyone he's known in these two years at Luceti.

So much has changed since that day. So used to being a wandering monk and traveling across the world, now he had been living in the same house for so long. His friends from home were one constant, but everyone except Katara had come and gone over time. Zuko and Toph were back, but without memories. And Korra had gone back home just as suddenly as she had appeared. It was a whirlwind of emotions. Yet, especially during times when Lucet was quiet and relatively peaceful, Aang can find some contentment in his daily life here. Especially when he had Ikki. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew, that if the time came for them to return home willingly, Ikki would be the hardest to let go of. Because... he knows he'll never get the chance to meet her back home.]

[Video]

[He's met so many people from so many different worlds. And lost many of them over time. It was thinking of this that sparked an idea when he came across all of the floating lanterns that were left over from the birthday party he threw for Rapunzel last year. And it was this which prompted him to make an address over the journals before he went to school that morning.]

Hey everyone! It's me... Aang! I just wanted to remind you guys that today's the day to have the festival for Avatar Yangchen. Nothing too big... there's gonna be kite flying and air nomad food. It'll be by the south lake, but anyone who doesn't want to walk can get a ride on Appa!

And... I got another idea for something to do later. [He holds up one of the lanterns.] I found these. Last year during this month, we set these lanterns that we made out as a special surprise for Rapunzel's birthday. She's... not here anymore, but I think that just gives us a new reason to do this.

[And he looks on solemnly.]

A lot of us here have been away from home a long time... and a lot of us have also had people dear to us go back home where they belong. Sometimes they leave behind letters... but we never get to say goodbye. That's why I thought of this. Whenever you get a lantern, and you're about to set it free... you can put notes on it. Your own messages for those people who aren't here anymore... or even for people you miss who never came here at all. It can be a way of remembering them and wishing them well. I think... Maybe it'd be a good idea!

[He smiles warmly.]

Even with all the people we've lost... I don't think that's a reason to stop hoping and to stop making new friends. Because... the best way to make it in this place is by having these people to hold onto. Because even if they're not always around... It's knowing and caring for other people that helps us to get even stronger. And I think it'll help us to keep moving forward. [He rubs at the back of his head nervously.] So, with all that said... I hope you guys have a good time with the festival! And I hope the ceremony helps.

[Action]

[There will be a log for the festival and stuff eventually! Otherwise, Aang is practicing bending by House 56 in the morning, at school until the afternoon and then hosting the festival/lantern ceremony until the evening.

Finally, at night, he spends some time at the river near his house, quietly meditating. He once more reflects back on everything - and about the future he's learned of. The adult him who he fears he'll never measure up to. The family whose potential existence feels him with hope, fear, joy and insecurity. And he tries to reach within himself as he meditates. He might not be able to reach the spirits of the past Avatars here in Luceti. But maybe, by digging deep enough, he can find one particular spirit...]

Comments

[Voice]

[goldenglasses]

[Vash can't help himself as he listens to what Aang has to say. Slowly his usual smile being over ridden by a much warmer one.]

I think that's a great idea Aang. I think I may write a few letters myself.

[He's lost so many people. There would be too many letters to write, but he could write one addressed to them all perhaps.]

[Voice]

[savedtheworld]

[Whatever works for you Vash.]

Thanks! I knew I could count on you, Vash. I bet you'll make the friendliest letters!

[Voice]

[winds_voice]

There is another Avatar besides yourself?

Hmm, I will be sure to attend this festival if you would not mind. It... reminds me a little of my own celebration. The people of Agkelos always held a competition for the most elaborate kites.

[Voice]

[savedtheworld]

That's right! There's... there's a whole cycle of Avatars. I'm just one of 'em. But... I'm the only one here in Luceti now. [Now that Korra's gone again.]

You're definitely welcome to come? How come you never told me about your word having kite contests? That sounds like one of the greatest things!

[Action]

[lordhotman]

[Zuko saw Aang's entry in the journal and considered it for some time. He was finally beginning to settle in and opted out of responding to it over his own journal. But he will show up for the festival.

Later that evening he decides to get some air too, and just happens upon where Aang is meditating. Dressed in his casual Fire Nation style clothes, and hair pulled into a top knot, his Fire Lord hairpiece purposely absent.

Zuko's footsteps would be heard, but he remains quiet, not having any desire to disturb Aang.]

[Action]

[savedtheworld]

[And so Aang remains meditating for a little longer. He's already in a deep meditative state, deep within himself. And he finds something there. A light that is radiant, warm and as familiar as his own self.

But so quickly, he finds his eyes snapping open with a quick gasp. He's conscious again.]

[sitalion]

[What a depressing topic. Still, Stefano can't ignore it. He misses his friends, too, and really wishes he could be with them. Either back home or in Luceti, it doesn't matter to him.]

So, we write-a the letters and send them to our friends?

[savedtheworld]

Yeah... It's like that! You send them on the lanterns, so that your wishes can reach them in spirit!

voice;

[cilantro]

[Cilan would be lying if he said that thinking about people from home or the friends that aren't here anymore wasn't depressing (it definitely feels that way sometimes, as of late), but he can't help but respond to this with his usual good cheer and praise.]

My, well said, and such a wonderful idea too! A ceremony with such a sweet taste to it like that could certainly lift everyone's spirits here, I'm sure! [Including his, too. There are things he wishes he could have said to the people that weren't here anymore, so it could be nice to do something like this, even if those words don't actually reach those people from here--it's the thought that counts?]

voice;

[savedtheworld]

I'm glad you think that way! The more spirits that are lifted, the better.

[It takes him a moment to place the voice; he was 12 the last time they spoke, after all.]

You're... Cilan, right?

[Video]

[thebellthatbinds]

[It took Sabriel a little while to switch on her journal's camera to reply but when the video feed clicks on she smiles. Her eyes are totally not red from tearing up whatchu talkin' bout.]

That lantern idea of yours sounds wonderful Aang. Can you tell me more about this festival?

[Video]

[savedtheworld]

[And he's looking on warmly. With everything he's lost, he's so glad that one of the first friends he's made in this world has returned. And what's more, she remembers him.]

I'm really glad to hear that, Sabriel. As for the festival? It's in honor of Avatar Yangchen. It had to do with a dark spirit she defeated. It involves fun stuff like bowing to a statue and eating air nomad food and flying kites!

[Action] sorry so late

[melon_lord]

[Toph's not usually one to interrupt somebody when they're clearly meditating, but... Well, she couldn't really think of anything to say in response to Aang's post earlier. It's weird, being one of those people Aang's lost. So when Toph finds him, she flops down nearby.]

...So... who's Rapunzel?

[Action] no worries!

[savedtheworld]

[He wouldn't count Toph as one of those lost. Now she's one of those found.

He's thinking of Avatar Kyoshi as he wanders through his meditative state, but he snaps out of it when he hears Toph's voice.]

Oh! Uh... [He frowns.] Rapunzel? She's... an old friend of mine, who's not here anymore. She used to run the bakery.

Action

[tea_lover64]

[Iroh rose with the sun as any proper fire bender should, when he heads outside he notices Aang practicing and stops and pauses to examine which forms he was practicing]

Action

[savedtheworld]

[Well Mr. Iroh, if you look directly in front of you, you'll see a teen airbender in the process of practicing some waterbending. He has a bucket of water set nearby that he's streaming the water from, and he's right now just moving the stream back and forth as a calming exercise. It's not too different from the motions used to deflect lightning.]

voice;

[fervidity]

[With Naruto missing, and her thinking he's gone home where he belongs, she needs to hear this.

Tears gather in her eyes and she has to set this on voice, so he doesn't see her crying.

'Thank you.']

Who's Avatar Yangchen?

voice;

[savedtheworld]

[No Kushina don't think that that's a horrible thing to think his stuff should still be around!]

Avatar Yangchen's one of my previous lives. She was the last airbending Avatar before me! She's very pretty and wise. [He can't remember offhand how many Avatar things he's explained to her, so he doesn't know which points may need elaboration.]

[Video]

[windandrain]

[Saori listens to this in silence, quietly pondering the young monk's words. It's remarkable, just how similar some ceremonies and festivals are, despite being created worlds apart. The lanterns, the memories, all of it reminds her of Tōrō nagashi, and it takes her a moment to collect herself enough to speak. Her words are somewhat strained, but she manages.]

That sounds very...good, Aang. I'd...like to help with that, if I can.

[Video]

[savedtheworld]

Thanks, Saori. You're welcome to lend a hand. [A lot of the lanterns are already made from last year, so at least there's not a whole lot of work to be done. He does know that Saori's lost people, too.] I hope it's helpful!

video;

[breezing]

I...think it's a really great idea, grandpa! We can make the lanterns at the club together, again. And anyone else who wants to help out.

[ Last year it'd been fun, with the hint of a surprise at the end and Rapunzel's happy face...

...but this year shouldn't be a bad one, either. ]

video;

[savedtheworld]

Thanks, Ikki! I'm glad you like it. We could make some more again... but we don't have to make that much! There's still plenty left from last year.

[dangerouswind]

Sounds like a good idea.

[savedtheworld]

I'm glad you think that, Temari! I hope you have a good time.

[frost_jewel]

[What brings Mia by Aang's house isn't important. When she sees him at work, bending practice, she is fascinated as always and draws closer, to watch, and waits for a break in his routine in order to speak.]

I always find myself wishing I could do such precise things with water.

[savedtheworld]

[Aang turns to her with a laugh, while he suspends a large bubble in the air.]

Hey Mia! You know, your own powers are still really neat.

[Voice]

[knightofratatosk]

I did something like that once too, only I put the letters in bottles and threw them into the stream. It's kind of the same idea, and I know I felt a lot better after I did it. Hopefully the lanterns will be able to help some other people too.

[Voice]

[savedtheworld]

Really? I didn't think of that, but bottles are really neat too! I'm sure that worked. I hope the lanterns work, too. They made Rapunzel smile, so maybe they'll make people smile in all other kinds of worlds too.

voice

[derpivity]

[Like Kushina, Minato's also thinking Naruto went home so with him gone, everything Aang just said is something very timely. It's been such a tough time for both he and Kushina but these words make him smile.]

That's a wonderful idea, Aang.

voice

[savedtheworld]

[And Aang is just pretty much clueless about the whole thing. But he figures Minato must have had some friends who have gone home.]

I'm glad you think that, Minato. And I'm sure Ikki'll be happy to see you again, too.