(no subject)

[markofthebrave]

Who: Korra, Asami, Jinora, Ikki, Aang, Roku, Sokka, Zuko, Toph, and Katara
What: There's a new Avatar in town!
When: July 9th
Where: House Avatar
Summary: Just your average worlds colliding.
Rating: G for "greet?"

So... meanwhile, back at the ranch, there were opportunities for those who have caught their journals to know who's coming, and those who have not caught their journals to be taken by surprise at the new Water Tribe member in the house.

Comments

[savedtheworld]

Maybe you're right, Katara. If I was a good Avatar, I should have already been thinking about that and trying to train myself like that since the war ended. I guess I was just convincing myself that our problems were over and I wouldn't have to be in the Avatar State again. Maybe... maybe that's why it's seemed easier for me to lose control, too.

[He readies himself to disclose the one Avatar State she hadn't been told about.]

[markofthebrave]

What are you talking about, Aang?

[savedtheworld]

I'm sorry. I didn't tell you, but... when Zuko tried to fight us at Yu Dao... I panicked. I was afraid that this was the time. That he really forgot what we were fighting for and that it was time to live up to my promise. I... I entered the Avatar State. But it only lasted a few minutes.

[He looks back at Katara, but now with a face full of shame.]

You were right there. You calmed me down again.

["Please, Sweetie. For me."]

[markofthebrave]

[She turns him to face her by the shoulders.]

Aang, you don't have anything to be ashamed of - you felt threatened and you entered the Avatar State. And when you realized you were okay, you got out of it. That's all. But maybe now is the time for you to work on controlling that trigger. If anything happens here that genuinely threatens us, this is a part of who you are. You just need to learn to control it.

[savedtheworld]

[He's silent for a moment, feeling the burden of this weighing down on him. It seems like an impossible task, and his instinct to retreat begins sounding off in his brain. He's afraid, he doesn't know where to start.

But he makes himself look up into Katara's eyes once more. And he can see her looking at him the same way when he's in the Avatar State - always ready to bring him back, no matter what the cost or danger. Aang sees the end goal: to stop this from having to happen.

He'll have to be brave, like Katara. He swallows.]

You're right, Katara. I'm gonna do my best to find a way to control it. I don't want to let anyone down or take any lives again. So I'll concentrate as much as I can on finding a way. Maybe I can even try to find someone in the village who can help. Anything that can stop me from becoming like that again without losing... me.

[markofthebrave]

Good. [And she moves to hug him again, briefly.] I'm proud of you, Aang.

[savedtheworld]

[The hug and the praise manage to cause some flitterings of joy within Aang, while he tries to remain focused.]

T-thank you, Katara. That really means a lot to me. And if I was able to stop Ozai while being me... [Some determination builds in his eyes.] I can survive this place while being me, too. For all of you.

[markofthebrave]

[She tightens the hug briefly and then pulls back.]

You definitely can.

[I believe in you.]

[savedtheworld]

[He feels that extra burst of warmth before letting the hug withdraw. It helps Aang to feel better, more put together. Even if he hasn't really done anything, just made a declaration, he feels a lot more like the Avatar he was back home. Aang smiles at her.]

If you think so, than I believe you. I'll just make sure to train myself and Avatar Korra at the same time.... which is kinda training two mes when you think about it. [He chuckles lightly.]

1/3

[markofthebrave]

[She shrugs a little wryly and spreads her hands.]

Why not bring Roku into it too? With three Avatars trying to reach the Avatar State, what could go wrong?

[markofthebrave]

[...]

[markofthebrave]

...on second thought, maybe the other two ought to stick to mastering the elements for now.

1/2

[savedtheworld]

[Would there even be a village left?]

[savedtheworld]

[He spares a laugh.] Yeah, one step at a time. Korra can't even access her spiritual side or the Avatar State at all yet, from what she's told me. [Pause, then with a slight frown] But Roku did tell me about the time he entered it... while he was here. I'm glad you were able to help him, too.

[markofthebrave]

[Her eyes go wide with remembering that - he was destroying their house - that was such a difficult time. She shifts a little uncomfortably.]

Oh - well. That was a long time ago. He was really upset, but it turned out all right.

[savedtheworld]

[He feels a bit guilty for bringing it up, despite the relevance to their conversation. And he also feels a little sad that it's been enough time that some things are said to be "a long time ago".]

I'm sorry to remind you of that. At least he seems a lot better now.

[markofthebrave]

Well, Azula's not around anymore, so he's not trying to - be friends with all of us, I guess. That made it pretty awkward.

[savedtheworld]

I'm not sure what that means, except that Azula not being around definitely means better.

[markofthebrave]

Well... he's Azula's family too.

[Not just Zuko's. Now imagine how awkward it was between them all with Azula being Azula and Roku trying to make them all friends.]

[savedtheworld]

[Now he's imagining it and nods in understanding.]

Oh... now I get it. Thinking of it that way, his coming back here is almost like a fresh start. As long as this place doesn't bring her back too. [On one hand he feels grateful to have missed out on her. But the larger part of him still wishes he was there to look out for the others' wellbeing.]

[markofthebrave]

[It's not really a fresh start. When we go home, we make all the same choices that have already been recorded.]

Well... you never know who's going to come here.

[savedtheworld]

[He tries a meek chuckle.]

I guess that's the lesson of this month. [Pause] Hopefully this is it for this cycle. [Before that Amon guy appears. Or any of their children or grandchildren who could be endangered.]

[markofthebrave]

[Gently:] We're hardly even halfway through. We have to try to be prepared for anything.

[Like Amon.]

[savedtheworld]

[He looks down and slowly looks up, starting to remember flashes of the last time his body wasn't acting like his body at all.]

Like... Amon?

[markofthebrave]

Yeah. Like Amon.