A Gaang Reunion

[lordhotman]

 Who: Anyone in the Avatar House.
What: Zuko and Toph's arrival. 
When: Around the 13th of March
Where: House Avatar
Summary: Toph and Zuko arrive at the house and information is shared.
Rating: PG, May contain spoilers from "The Search." 


Thanks to Appa, the journey to the village was significantly shorter than if he and Toph had walked. Which Zuko took note of as he watched the terrain pass beneath them while on the bison's back. 

Once they were in contact with the ground again, Zuko effortlessly slid off Appa's back and looked at the house that now stood before them. It was no palace, but it was certainly a decent size. 

"Hello?" he called out. Though Zuko was sure that Appa's arrival hadn't gone unnoticed. 

Comments

[savedtheworld]

[Aang stops by a little later, with a basket full of some goodies from the bakery, as he promised. And he keeps himself focused on how glad he is to be able to see his friends again, instead of the negative aspects of Luceti life. And as he enters, he looks around for both of them.]

[lordhotman]

[Despite the odd look to the house with the appliances and such that he's not use to, Zuko has started to make himself at home.

Still in new feather pants, he's sitting at the far end of the dining room table. His elbow on the table itself while he stares out the window in thought. Still processing everything that's happened.

Although he hears Aang come in, he doesn't respond right away.]

[savedtheworld]

Zuko? [He'd recognize that fiery grump anywhere. And he hastens his pace over towards the table, giving a quick formal bow. This Zuko is definitely the fire lord after all.]

Hey! It's great to see you, Your Fieriness!

[lordhotman]

[Broken out of his thoughts, Zuko looks up and stands.]

You don't have to do that. I'm not the Fire Lord here, and we're friends.

[savedtheworld]

You can be Your Fieriness and a friend! But I get what you mean. [He doesn't think he should be called an Avatar here, himself. Also, he's gleeful at Zuko openly calling him a friend.] It's still good to see you, Zuko.

[lordhotman]

[There's just a little smile from Zuko at that.]

Yeah, you too. But I just saw you a few days ago. I guess for you it's different.

[savedtheworld]

Yeah... For me it's been a few more months than that. So, how are things so far? Did you get here alright?

[lordhotman]

Yeah. Fine. For the circumstances.

[Wait. Months?]

How long have you been here?

[savedtheworld]

[He frowns as the amount of time hits him abruptly.]

It's - it's been about two years now.

[lordhotman]

[Two years... That's a long time. The thought of being here for that long is a little overwhelming.]

What is it like?

[savedtheworld]

It's like a lot of things. This world can be so new and so scary. And there's lots of bad things. But there's beautiful things, too. And... I've had my friends with me every step of the way. So - so it's been a lot of good and bad. And weird. [He shakes his head, with a sad smile.] I've never been in the same place for anywhere near as long before.

[Well, if you don't count 100 years in an iceberg.]

[lordhotman]

I see.

[Zuko isn't really sure what else to say to that, and Aang is starting to look depressed. Time for a subject change?]

Toph went into the village, but I don't think she will be long.

[His eyes then fall on the baked goods Aang brought.]

You made all of these?

[savedtheworld]

[He nods along with the explanation - he's eager to see Toph, too. He sets the basket down on the table so that it can be rifled through freely.]

Some of them! Ikki and some of the other bakery people helped too. I... I hope you like them!

[melon_lord]

[Toph had wandered off herself for a bit, looking for the Welcome Center, so it's a little later even when she finally makes it back. Thankfully, she had help on the way-- but even so.]

It's nice to know you're still light on your feet despite getting so much heavier, Aang.

[savedtheworld]

Toph! [He smiles at the sight of her and approaches, his basket since deposited on the table. But then he pauses insecurely.] I'm getting heavier...?

[melon_lord]

Well, yeah, of course. I mean, there's more of you to begin with.

[Huhuhu.]

You were a lot shorter.

[savedtheworld]

Oh. Right, that. [He rubs at his head with a nervous chuckle. He has probably put on more muscle, too.]

And you're shorter than I remember! But that's not the important part.

[The important part is scooping the little earthbender in a reunion hug.]

[melon_lord]

[He probably has! Comes with the territory, she supposes.]

Whoa--!

[Toph flails a bit in surprise at losing the ground so suddenly, but-- it's just Aang. Even if he's too tall and heavy and old to be the Aang she remembers.]

[So-- yeah, Toph's hug is a little more awkward, but the sentiment is there. Kind of.]

[savedtheworld]

[Any sentiment is good enough for Aang. He hugs her tight, but realizing it's probably a no-no to compromise Toph's footing like that, he quickly sets her down.]

Sorry Toph! I just... kinda missed you, I guess!

[melon_lord]

I couldn't tell.

[But she seems less annoyed and more giving Aang grief for the sake of giving him grief.]

Missed me, huh? ...How long've "I" been gone?

[savedtheworld]

Oh! Well... I'm sorry if this is weird, Toph. You haven't been gone that long... just a few months now! [The first time he saw Toph in Luceti, she had been from the same time as him. And the second time, she came from back in the Battle of Sozin's Comet. Now he faced a Toph who was somewhat in the middle.]

But you don't remember any of that. This place is weird like that.

really need to clean through Toph's icons

[melon_lord]

Yeah it's... pretty weird. I mean, you weren't that much taller than me just earlier today.

[And now you can up and pick her up without trying. What.]

Adding all that memory stuff is just icing on the cake.

they do the job!

[savedtheworld]

[He frowns.]

I guess I really am a growing monk... but I'm sorry, Toph. I didn't mean to upset you. At least you remember everything from home, right? And... we're still friends.

so far so good, it's true!

[melon_lord]

[Toph reaches out and punches Aang's arm. As much as it's weird, and uncomfortable, and she distinctly does not like it, she's already done trying to think about this time difference stuff. For now. Right now, a certain twinkle toes is a little too droopy.]

Well, of course we're still friends. That's not gonna change. You still have any of those pastries?

[savedtheworld]

[Way to go, Toph. He actually missed the punches in a sense. And he grins.]

I'm glad to hear that, Toph. [If Toph could still act like her normal self, then it's not so bad.] And don't worry, there's still plenty left!

[He indicates the basket, with what's left after Zuko had his pick.]