#there’s another part that’s supposed to say Monk Gyatso
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But don’t worry guys they got Asian actors so it’s perfect :) :) :)
#atla#natla#avatar the last airbender#there’s another part that’s supposed to say Monk Gyatso#and it literally says Dalai Lama#the costuming/prop/makeup department is considerably worse than M Night’s
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H.H. TENZIN GYATSO, THE 14TH. DALAI LAMA
Lazy Dalai Lama! Lazy Tenzin Gyatso!
In my experience, training can change the harmful mind. In Tibet there is a saying, ‘People who come from Amdo are short-tempered.’ Losing one’s temper, therefore, is equivalent to saying one is showing signs of being an Amdo. And, you see, I come from that part of the world! Since being fifteen or twenty, my mood or mental function has obviously undergone some change. These days hardly any irritation comes, very little. Even if it does sometimes come, it quickly disappears. And that is due to my own effort and training. The result is a marvellous benefit — I’m always happy. I lost my country. As a human being, I rely on friends, but I have lost my mother and my tutors. I have some new tutors now, some new gurus. However, most of my old tutors are gone. Old faces disappear; new faces come. Yet I am always happy, without problems, because I can see the way life is.
As long as we are under the domination of ignorance, there is no permanent happiness; that’s natural. If we are really disturbed by the way life is, then our responsibility is to look for salvation, nirvana. Suppose a monk says our direction is towards nirvana, and that if we can, we should implement those methods that bring us towards nirvana. In my case there’s not a lot of time, so it is difficult. And another thing is my laziness! Lazy Dalai Lama! Lazy Tenzin Gyatso!
But thinking about these teachings or these advisors as much as possible, we can see that disturbances take the form of superficial phenomena. Things come like ripples on the water — something comes and then it passes, and then another trouble starts — comes, goes, comes, goes, comes, goes. Consciousness is beginningless and endless. And phenomena never change that basic nature. We should realise this and take it easy, and this will give us some peace; we shall get some peace. That is ‘Bishop’ Tenzin Gyatso’s way of thinking! My own experience is that the mind can be trained, can be changed — that is definite.
Shantideva explains in the text here [Bodhisattvacharyavatara| that, in order to over- come ordinary enemies, you need strength and weapons and so on, whereas in order to overcome the enemy. within, delusion, you need to develop wisdom and realise the nature of phenomena; then you don’t need any other weapon. or strength. This is very true. Actually, when I received the teaching, the oral transmission, from Khunu Lama Rinpoche, I remarked that the Bodhisattyacharyavatara says that delusion is humble and weak, ‘But,’ I said, ‘this is not true because it’s very forceful and strong.’ And Khunu Lama Rinpoche immediately responded by saying that we don’t need an atom bomb in order to overcome delusion. And that is the meaning here: in order to destroy the inner enemy, we don’t need weapons. We simply need to develop firm determination and wisdom, some realisation of the nature of mind, the nature of negative thought, the nature of phenomena.
Once we realise the nature of mind and concentrate on it, and once that knowledge, that wisdom, becomes part of us, then it works. So, in a way, it’s easy and very cheap! Unless you are a millionaire or billionaire, you can’t buy external weapons, can you? Shantideva spoke in this way.
**From; The Nature of Mind-
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So Zutara happens. Then what? War over, everyone else returns to their homes and loved ones while Aang wanders the world alone burying what's left of his culture before dying of depression next to Monk Gyatso's skeleton? Kataang's narrative purpose is to show that Aang can have belonging, bring back his people, have a life beyond being the Avatar. Without it, there's no happy ending. This could be avoided if they set up another romance for Aang after letting Katara go but they didnt.
Okay, so there is a lot to address here, and honestly, I had a hard time knowing where to begin because wow...
First of all, all I see here is how Aang feels. Why is it that whenever anyone discusses Kataang, it's all about Aang and his feelings? Even in the show, it's only ever really shown from his side and what he wants, not Katara. Does Katara have a say? Is Katara’s only purpose in life to be an airbending baby maker? Does Katara's very existence hinge on her being Aang's girlfriend? What about how she feels? What about what she wants? What about her happiness? Or is Aang's happiness all that matters, and Katara should just deal with it?
Now for the culture argument. I want to point out that no genocide is ever really successful in wiping out an entire group of people. Air nomads are literally nomads meaning they move around a lot. It's in the name. This means that there are most definitely other airbenders out there hiding too afraid to come out until after the war is over. But, let's say we go with all the airbenders are dead narrative, then it makes even less sense for Kataang to happen because that means the entirety of the future of one nation depends on how many airbending babies Katara pops out. So this plan is stupid. But Aang is 12, so this plan might make sense in his brain. However, as he grows up, he would come to the obvious realization that if he wants to bring back the airbenders he needs to make a lot of babies with a lot of different women, so monogamy makes no sense and Katara would likely not be down for her boyfriend/husband "planting his seed" in every willing woman given that she's from the water tribes where family units are central to her culture.
Another thing Aang is 12, he'll survive not getting his first crush to date him. We all have at some point or another experienced heartbreak over someone who didn't like us back. We get sad for a bit and then move on. That's life. I also speak from experience as someone who was in a relatioship at 12 that no one should date at that age, and it is extremely unlikely you will end up together in the end. My relationship lasted a grand total of three months, and it is by far the dumbest decision I ever made. I was an idiot, he was an idiot, we were both idiots not ready for a relationship like all 12-year-olds are. So the idea that Aang and Katara would even last beyond a few months is ridiculous and unrealistic. In fact, the idea of me still being with that same person makes me visibly cringe because it was very unhealthy for a multitude of reasons I am still recovering from emotionally. If I was still with him, I would not be in the amazing relationship I am in now. Every relationship contains lessons that help us grow, and we keep with us when entering another relatioship. Sometimes we grow in relationships, and we realize we aren't right for each other, and that's okay. That's life. It goes on. That said, I know some people do get together at that young age and end up happily married. I know two people from my high school personally who got together at 14, got married a year after high school, and just had their first baby. But, the likelihood of that happening is extremely slim. On that note, relationships are hard work and require a certain amount of maturity. The maturity gap between Katara and Aang is vast, with Katara having the mental age of at least 25 and Aang still having the mental age of 12. It's unbalanced.
Furthermore, the idea that Aang's happiness depends on Katara being with him means that his other relationships pale in comparison to his crush. It also makes him kind of pathetic if he's gonna end up "dying of depression next to Monk Gyatso's skeleton" as you so eloquently put it if he doesn't get with Katara. Also, it makes the connections he has with the others in the gaang worthless, especially his friendship with Katara. Because that means Aang doesn't really care about being in Katara's life if it isn't in the way, he wants it. It makes their friendship conditional, with no value because there was always an ulterior motive, and in his mind, it was always just a means to an end. That just makes him a selfish dick.
The argument that Aang is alone without Katara is dumb. He has Toph, Sokka, Suki, Katara, and Zuko. Plus, I don't know if you know this, but you can make more friends than the ones you made in your teens. You don't just stop making friends after a certain age. You continue to meet people and form connections. And given how charismatic Aang is, he's gonna make a ton of more friends and have the opportunity to form new bonds, including romantic ones as well. Furthermore, as a 12-year-old, Aang should be allowed to expand his circle around the world because he is the Avatar, and he is going to need to make new friends because his main ones aren't always gonna be available. Moreover, the idea of Aang being alone without Katara implies that Aang will only ever have katara at his side and cut ties with everyone else and expect her to do the same.
The idea that to have a happy ending Aang must get into a romantic relationship makes no sense. What about Toph? She didn't have a romantic relationship in the end, and she was perfectly happy. Because she's 12 and knows life doesn't depend on being in a romantic relationship all of the time. Furthermore, on the topic of Toph, I would like to bring up another argument you made about Aang not developing other potential love interests because he does. Toph is one of them. In season 2, we are introduced to Toph by way of a vision that is pretty romantic and used as a common trope in both modern and ancient literature. We also see their compatibility in the way they are naturally with each other. Aang wants to be a kid and have fun. With Toph, he can do that. But, he also has someone who won't let him shirk his responsibilities when they matter most. They match and balance each other in their personalities, and we see some possible romantic development in both seasons 2 and 3. Another potential love interest we are introduced to is On Ji in season 3, episode 2, "The Headband," where we see her have an obvious crush on "Kuzon" (Aang.) But what's appealing about this pairing is that she doesn't know he's the Avatar, meaning she genuinely likes him for who he is without the glitz and glamour. Which I personally find adorable. Side note, I am aware that "the headband" is supposed to be a hallmark "kataang" episode. However, I would be remiss if I did not point out that this episode actually proves the "Katara doesn't treat/see Aang as a son" argument wrong. Because in that same episode, before the dance scene, Katara literally pretends to be Aang's pregnant mother.
Moreover, Aang is not without purpose outside of being the Avatar. The very notion is ridiculous. Yes, he has to rebuild his nation, he's a symbol of peace, but he is also a person who wants friends and a family, which he has found in the gaang. He also has the purpose of being a kid, which now he can be contingent on him meeting his obligations as the Avatar.
Lastly, I would like to reiterate that not only is Aang 12 and a child, the rest of the gaang are too. Granted, Aang is by far the least mature as he grew up in a time without war and has not had to a childhood with the effects of war the other members of the gaang have throughout their lives. But, in regards to Zutara, I personally do not see them getting together immediately after the war, they both have responsibilities to their respective nations. Katara, in rebuilding her tribe and Zuko in redefining the Fire Nation. Therefore, it would take years just to find some stability. But that doesn't mean they don't keep in touch. We know out of everyone in the gang, Zuko and Katara are closest to each other. They both share a bond with each other no one can match. You might be tempted to argue that Aang is closest to Katara and her best friend, but that is pretty debatable because both Aang and Katara have more positive interactions with other gaang members than they do with each other. For instance, if I had to choose out of everyone in the Gaang who Katara's best friend was, aside from Zuko, I would be tied between Toph and Suki. But, given Suki is not part of the gaang long enough to really expand on her relationships with the others beside Sokka, Toph would be my answer. That said, after the war, everyone would keep in touch with each other. They are all friends for life regardless of romantic relationships. Therefore, the gaang would most definitely be keeping in touch with each other, not just Zuko and Katara. But over the years as they grow, I can see Zuko and Katara growing closer and building on that strong foundation to form a strong and healthy romantic relationship.
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family/gyatso
Written for Day 2 of @aangweek! Read here on AO3.
~*~
2. family/gyatso - live like there’s no tomorrow (‘cause all we have is here, right now) / love like it’s all that we know (the only chance that we ever found)
“Hey, Zuko,” Katara said as she gently pushed Mai’s bangs out of her sweat-ridden forehead, “can you step outside with Izumi for a moment? I’m going to heal Mai up a bit, but I’ll need it as quiet as possible to concentrate.”
Zuko nodded, panicked tears of relief still trickling down his face. “Right. Yes. I can - I can do that.”
Katara showed Zuko how to cradle the baby, shooting Aang a look over the firebender’s shoulder that said keep him distracted while she did so. Aang gave her a discreet nod before following Zuko out the room. He snagged a tissue from a table on his way - Aang had no doubt his friend would need it.
Mai’s labor had been unexpected. Early.
Dangerous.
It was sheer luck he and Katara were still in the Fire Nation. They were supposed to have left earlier that day - well, yesterday at this point - but had ultimately chosen to stay another night because of a bad thunderstorm rolling in. He and his wife were master waterbenders, yes, but that didn’t mean Aang would feel right forcing Appa to fly through such miserable, risky weather. So they’d stayed, and it was a good thing they had.
Without Katara’s healing abilities…
Aang didn’t want to think about what might have happened to the new mother and child if Katara hadn’t been there. He couldn’t begin to imagine how Zuko was feeling.
Aang closed the door behind him, joining his friend on a small, gold-adorned bench not far from the room they exited from. He left about a foot of space between them when he sat, and he watched Zuko cradle Izumi ever closer to his chest. The baby appeared so tiny and fragile and even sickly, yet all the same…
“She’s beautiful,” Aang murmured. He smiled down at Izumi, who was now sound asleep. Her first cry had been loud and healthy, much to everyone’s relief. Not all premature babies were so lucky. “She’s going to look so much like Mai, isn’t she?”
Zuko laughed, though the sound was still wet with tears. “Tell me about it.” He took a shuddering breath, and Aang offered him the tissue. Zuko accepted it, wiping his face before returning his hand beneath Izumi to support the newborn with both arms once more. “Better than her looking like me.”
Aang frowned, unsure what had provoked that particular line of thought from his friend. “What do you mean?”
Zuko shrugged, careful not to disturb Izumi. “My family’s genes are all but cursed.” He brushed his daughter’s dark hair out of her face. “Better for her not to bear that burden.”
Aang stared at his friend, probably more flabbergasted than he needed to be. He supposed his reaction could be attributed to the early hours of the morning. That and the fragile, weary relief still hanging over all four - five - of them. “Are you kidding me right now?” he at last managed to say.
Zuko gave him a dubious look, which was at least better than the terror that had been so prominent in his eyes only minutes earlier. “Aang. You know my family’s history.” He laughed. Tired. Bitter. “Can you blame me for wanting to spare her that?”
Aang hesitated. “Zuko… that’s not your legacy.” Confusion permeated his voice. “I mean, it’s part of it, yes, but… but that’s it. A part. Part of your family. Part of your history. Not the whole.” He paused before adding, “You… know there’s more to you and your decisions and - and what you leave behind than the choices your blood relatives made.”
Didn’t he?
Zuko frowned, carefully shifting Izumi in his arms. “The percentage doesn’t matter. They’re still my family and my mistakes to own.”
Aang pursed his lips. Zuko wasn’t wrong, per se, but… He was missing something. Even after so many years, he was still missing it. In all fairness to his friend, Aang supposed old, indoctrinated mentalities could be difficult to revise. “Zuko,” he continued after a beat had passed between them, “how do you define a family?”
Zuko raised an eyebrow at him. “Is this a trick question?”
It seemed Aang was transparent. He shrugged. “Maybe. But I won’t judge you when you get it wrong.”
Zuko snorted. “‘When.’ Your faith in me is comforting.” He slowly rocked Izumi. “Parents, I guess. Children. Grandparents. Aunts and uncles. Siblings.”
Not wrong. But not fully right, either. As expected.
Aang chuckled. “Then I guess I didn’t have a family.” He held up a hand before Zuko could speak, the panic written across his friend’s face causing him to bite back a louder laugh. “I didn’t live with my parents. If I had siblings, I didn’t know who they were.” He shrugged. “Guess my childhood was miserable and lonely.”
Zuko sighed, rolling his eyes. “Alright. I can tell you’re readying up some Avatar wisdom. Hit me with it. End my suffering.”
Aang laughed again. “Not Avatar wisdom, actually.” He reached across to adjust the crimson blanket Izumi was swaddled in before smiling at Zuko. Perhaps his expression was tinged with sorrow. “Air Nomad.”
Zuko’s eyes widened, but his gaze soon softened. “Of course.” He offered Aang a sorrowful smile of his own. “Even better for me to learn from.”
“You’re not wrong, per se, about what a family is,” Aang began. He noticed how Zuko’s hair hung limp across his shoulders, remnants of anxious sweat causing it to stick to the sides of his face. “Families do involve your parents and your ancestors.” He stood, moving around the bench to stand behind Zuko. “Ozai. Sozin.” Aang pulled his friend’s hair back from his face, gently combing through tangles with his fingers. “Roku, too.”
Zuko relaxed into Aang’s touch, though he kept his daughter cradled firmly to his chest. “Are you trying to remind me that not everyone I’m descended from did horrible things?”
“Mm, you can draw your own conclusions there.” Aang’s nails lightly scraped Zuko’s scalp, and his friend shivered. “But like I said - that’s only part of what a family is. The rest of it?” A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “They’re whoever you choose to welcome into your life.”
Zuko snorted. “I don’t think it’s that easy.”
“No?” Aang began coalescing Zuko’s hair into a low braid. “Monk Gyatso didn’t have to be related to me for him to be my family. I didn’t have to marry Katara for Sokka to start feeling like my brother.” He chuckled. “We had that relationship long before Katara and I were even dating.”
Aang finished his friend’s braid, tying it off with a ribbon he usually reserved for his wife. He spared Izumi another awestruck glance before sitting down next to Zuko once more. “And Iroh didn’t have to be your father to feel like your dad, did he?”
It was a question that required no answer. Zuko didn’t provide one, and Aang didn’t press him to, either.
“You’re not bound by the mistakes of your ancestors,” Aang continued, his voice soft, “and neither will your daughter be. Because family is everything more than the people you share a name with.” He hesitated. “Does that… make sense?”
There was a pause. Then Zuko exhaled slowly. “Yeah. It does.” He pressed a gentle kiss to Izumi’s forehead before offering his daughter to Aang. “Do you want to hold her?” A small smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. “Since you’re her family, too.”
“I suppose I am her great-great-grandfather,” Aang mused as he accepted the precious cargo, cradling her to his chest the way Katara had instructed Zuko.
“You know that’s not what I meant.”
Aang laughed, though he never took his eyes off the delicate new life in his arms. “Yeah. I know.”
~*~
aang with kids makes me SOFT. i hope to see you for day 3 - avatar state/cycle! thank you for reading!
#aang#aang week#atla#avatar the last airbender#aanglove#zuko#katara#mai#izumi#atla fanfic#atla fanfiction#amy writes
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um not to start anything “zuko had everything handed to him by the end of the show even though it took him until nearly the very end to realize he’s wrong: a country, a crown, his girlfriend that HE left behind, the love of his uncle that zuko spent most of the show yelling at and being a dick to, and that’s why he just doesn’t deserve ANYWAY I’M JOKING but this is how y’all be talking about aang” who even talks about aang this why????
It sounds to me like some Aang stans grossly misunderstand criticisms surrounding the writing of Aang’s arc in book 3, in particular during the finale.
This is actually a pattern I’ve noticed with distressing frequency, particularly of late: any criticism of Aang at all--of his actions, the narrative scaffolding surrounding them (never having to apologize for kissing Katara without her consent, for example), or of the failings in the way his narrative was handled (in book 3 especially)--is written off as hate and derided by stans who I can only assume believe that the writing of his character arc was perfect and he never did anything wrong that deserves fair criticism ever in his life.
To this, I can only state my firm disagreement.
The thing is, they don’t really have any counter arguments to refute the points that actually get made (which isn’t to say there aren’t bad faith criticisms of his character just like everyone else, but unlike most of the cast, ppl seem far more inclined to act like there are no valid criticisms of his character or his writing), which is likely why they just write it all off as unfounded hatred of their precious bean fave and ignore it accordingly. But that doesn’t, like, make the issues with his writing, or with book 3 as a whole, go away, and the fact that they refuse to engage with good faith criticism (and, in fact, often refuse to engage with criticism at all by pretending there’s no foundation for any of it--I’ve actually seen people try to justify Aang’s actions in, for example, Bato of the Water Tribe by insisting that Sokka and Katara were actually worse and that Aang lying to them shouldn’t be held against him because they were Mean About It which.... yeah I could go off for days about that alone) says more about their lack of actual engagement with the text of the show than it does about the people who are criticizing his character.
The things that we say were handed to Aang--the deus ex lionturtle (which gave him energybending), the Rock of Destiny (aka the thing that gave him back the Avatar State without having to even attempt to do the work to unblock his chakras again himself), and Katara, presented to him as the prize he’d won at the very end of the show--are things that he did not do the work to actually earn.
Which will probably get some peoples’ backs up, so let me rephrase--the narrative did not put in the work to show how he actually earned these things, preferring to waste time with pointless filler in the front half of the season and then only bring up problems and then solve them within the four episode finale because they left no more room for these very plot critical points earlier in the show. Take Aang’s unwillingness to kill Ozai, for example--this is something that absolutely should have come up far earlier in the season (prior to the invasion at least), and the fact that it didn’t says two things: one, that because the writers knew Aang wasn’t actually going to face Ozai during the eclipse, they didn’t think it mattered to follow through on what Aang planned to do if the invasion had been successful; and two, his sudden clinging to his people’s pacifism seems directly at odds with where the entire narrative of the show had been headed to that point. Why is he suddenly insisting he’s the consummate pacifist when we’ve seen evidence in the show of not only Aang reacting in violence and vengeance (towards the sandbenders, and that wasp he killed), but also evidence that Air Nomads were not the sort of pacifists who would roll over and just let someone commit genocide (the fire nation corpses surrounding Monk Gyatso, clear evidence [which Aang never seems to so much as consider at any point during the series, despite the fact that it could have been a point of much-needed growth and maturation, or at least examining his own people’s beliefs and realizing that, at twelve, he had a flawed and incomplete understanding of his own culture] that even Aang’s mentor was willing to kill in order to protect his home and his people)? Why, if he’s so damn pacifistic, did he never seem to consider with guilt any of the lives he took while in the Avatar state and fused with the Ocean Spirit?
And no, by the way, I’m not saying he’s to blame for the deaths Koizilla caused, but I am saying that it doesn’t make sense that he feels no remorse over all of that blood. Particularly since we see that he considers actions taken while in the Avatar State to be his own--he feels guilty when he goes into the AS and scares his friends, and he very specifically removes himself from the AS to avoid killing Ozai, which tells me that he does consider the AS’ actions to be his own. And if all life is sacred to him to the point where he won’t even eat meat (although Air Nomad vegetarianism makes no sense, but that’s another rant entirely) why doesn’t he so much as mourn for the lives lost during the attack?
These are all questions which the narrative itself never considered, and it’s frustrating because many of them are questions which should have been asked--and answered, or at least attempted--in the course of the final act of Aang’s character arc. He had a great set up going into the third book, with Monk Gyatso’s teachings filling in some of the blanks in Aang’s (again, flawed and incomplete--I challenge anyone to try telling me that if they were completely removed from their culture at age twelve, and it was subsequently wiped completely from the face of the earth, that they’d have anything close to a deep and nuanced understanding of it; twelve-year-olds don’t have a deep and nuanced understanding of anything, nevermind an entire culture and worldview, which is why Aang kept parroting soundbytes from the monks without actually understanding them) understanding of Air Nomad beliefs, but this thread was completely dropped in favor of... I’m still not sure, honestly.
Was Aang running away from his problems and effectively lying to his friends (does he ever actually come clean about being completely unable to access the Avatar State of his own volition?) more important than going back to the Guru, or at least his teachings, and coming to understand his own culture? Where was his arc of regaining the Avatar State because he worked for it, because he tried to re-open his chakras and, for example, came to understand what letting go of his attachment to Katara really means? (That’s actually one of the most frustrating bits, because a) he gets to have his possessive and unhealthy attachment to Katara and get the Avatar State back, despite paying lipservice to letting her go at the end of book 2; and b) he never seems to get what ‘attachment’ the Guru was actually referring to--letting go of Katara doesn’t mean he had to stop caring about or even loving her, but it does mean he was supposed to give up his selfish and possessive attachment to her, which means no nodding when some actor in a play calls fake!Katara ‘the Avatar’s girl’ and no assuming they were supposed to be in a romantic relationship despite never actually asking about her feelings and no kissing her without her consent just because he wanted her to feel the same way about him and didn’t care whether or not she actually did [otherwise he would have asked, and he never once even tried].)
Instead, rather than having a season-long arc of re-navigating his chakras, opening them, and regaining the Avatar State under his own power, he gets thrown against a well-placed rock which does all the work for him at the very last second. Energybending, which wasn’t even thought of as a possibility earlier in the season, rather than being a concept he comes to discover on his own as he navigates his chakras for a second time and comes to understand the how the energy flows between each one, is likewise just given to him by a third party, with no work necessary on his part. And as for Katara, well, I’ve ranted at length about that in the past, but their last one-on-one interaction before the epilogue is when Aang kisses her without her consent, and she gets pissed off about it and storms off. There is nothing to bridge the gap between that and make-out city, nothing at any point indicating Katara’s feelings (because, as far as Kataang was concerned, her feelings never mattered) and how they were changing, no apology from Aang for violating her boundaries, no understanding of what he did wrong and why it was wrong. Nothing. Not a single conversation.
That is why we say that Katara was handed to him like a trophy. Because she was. Kataang was endgame not because it made any sense for Katara, but because Aang was the hero, and he saved the day, and he deserved to get his forever girl on top of it. There was never any real attempt to broach Katara’s feelings on the matter--she’s never shown reflecting on their pre-invasion kiss (in fact, by all appearances she completely forgot it even happened), and she is never once asked what her feelings are, not by Aang or the narrative--because, at the end of the day, they didn’t matter. Aang was getting the girl he wanted, and that was that.
We say that Aang was handed these things without working for them because the entire narrative of book three seemed particularly engineered to making sure he didn’t have to. Zuko, meanwhile, had to work for everything he achieved--the gaang’s trust, Katara’s in particular, his crown and his kingdom. (No, he didn’t particularly work to get Mai back, but that’s a whole other discussion, and he would’ve been much better off if she never showed up again after TBR.) He didn’t get to take any shortcuts. Aang’s arc is all shortcuts, at least in book 3, and that’s when they attempted to show how he got from point a to point b at all.
Anyway, the situations couldn’t possibly be any more different, and idk who said that but whomever it is clearly does not understand where the criticisms about Aang and his hamstringed book 3 arc are coming from.
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Buddhism Anon: Forgot to mention that another part of a lot of Buddhism discussions regarding killing revolve not just around what doing so does to the victim, but also what doing so does to the perpetrators on an emotional/spiritual level. Not just in the traditionalcosmic sense, but just on a personal level (namely that a lot of monks were seeing soldiers coming back from wars suffering what we recognize as PTSD and thought "maybe killing people isn’t great for your mental health") so there’s another part to the nuance.
Which is part of what bugs me about The Promise: a lot the concerns about euthanasia in Buddhism revolve around the mental state of the person requesting it, and whether or not carrying out the action will traumatize the person being asked to perform the mercy kill - neither of which are addressed in the comic at all.
Very good to know. I like how rich this topic is, and how shallow the comic supposedly dealing with it is. XD This reminds of Katara’s talk with Aang in ‘The Avatar State,’ where the reason she gives for not supporting his purposeful invocation of the Avatar State is as follows:
Do you remember when we were at the air temple and you found Monk Gyatso's skeleton? It must have been so horrible and traumatic for you. I saw you get so upset that you weren't even you anymore. I'm not saying the Avatar state doesn't have incredible- and helpful power. But you have to understand, for the people who love you, watching you be in that much rage and pain is really scary.
And it would have been so easy to incorporate that into The Promise!
Aang is portrayed as wrong about wanting to kill Zuko, but the problem is that his reasons are just as unexamined as the effects it would have on him or whether it really would be a mercy to Zuko. We know Aang and the gAang started out thinking that Zuko was becoming like Ozai, but that was brushed away in the first volume as a kind of ‘wacky sitcom misunderstanding’ situation.
(That is honestly the best way I can describe and I’m crying inside.)
Aang nevertheless continues to want to kill Zuko purely because Roku says it has to be done for the greater good, so it’s not a matter of anything related to the Air Nomads. No one brings up the contradiction between Aang wanting to ice Zuko now after being so adamant about not killing Ozai. Katara makes one quick statement about how it’s against the Air Nomad ways, but there’s no talk of what that would do to Aang- even as he’s basically shown to be descending into a permanent rage that culminates in the very Avatar State she decried in the cartoon.
So what is it that Katara points out to change Aang’s mind? It’s that if Aang keeps the nations separate, they won’t be able to make babies together.
Which, I point out, really has nothing to do with the supposed topic at hand of merciful killing.
But of course The Promise isn’t really about the titular promise at all.
But let’s say the story didn’t even use Katara to touch on this stuff. We’re introduced to the future Air Acolytes in the second volume, where they help to put Aang in a good mood by giving him a theme park version of his culture (and, it’s implied, trying to seduce him, although he remains oblivious and Katara has to apologize for being upset that some girl outright says she’s going to steal Aang away). Then we meet another group in the third volume, where they get yelled at for cultural appropriation because they messed up the meaning of the arrows. But then they apologize and help prevent people from getting hurt in the big climactic battle, so Aang gives them permission to join up.
This is where the story could have addressed the matter of killing again, in either volume. Katara makes a quick statement that killing Zuko is against Air Nomad ways, but here we have a whole group claiming to have studied Air Nomad culture to the point of recreating it as closely as they can without Airbending. Aang’s conversation with either group could have started to get into the philosophy behind the no-killing rule and whether there’s room for nuance when a greater good is at stake. They even call themselves the “Official Avatar Aang Fan Club,” and they don’t have an opinion on Aang doing something out of character?!
No, they exist solely so that Aang can get upset about cultural appropriation so that the story can add another reason for him to buy into Roku’s racist philosophy of keeping the nations completely separate at all costs.
Which just reinforces that the Air Nomads and their Buddhist inspirations have nothing to do with The Promise at all. Despite Gene Yang’s continued claims to the contrary.
How is it that every time someone gives me new insight into The Promise, I hate it even more? XD
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Reuniting Strings (Zuko’s Scar oneshot)
Summary:
Toph asks, “What were you in for?”
“You can’t just ask that!”
“I just did, Sugar Queen.”
Chit Sang laughed over them, “Are you sure you all want to know? It’s a long story.”
An array of emotions is on everyone’s faces. Toph, Aang, The Duke, and Teo are genuinely curious. As fellow ex-prisoners, Hakoda, Haru, and Suki don’t seek an explanation but like Sokka and Katara, they want the topic to get away from Azula.
Zuko knows that the people who end up in the Boiling Rock are people the Fire Nation wants to ignore. It could be for any reason, politics or crime or revolts be it violently or nonviolently, he doesn’t know where Chit Sang categories into.
“Oh that sounds intriguing,” Toph answers for them, “Yes please.”
Chit Sang looks around the circle, mentally preparing his story. His eyes land on Zuko. The older man doesn’t appear nervous but there is something hesitant in the way he unlocks the tension in his jaw.
“I used to be a guard in the royal palace, tasked with escorting generals in and out of their meetings.”
Immediately, Zuko freezes.
Because they used a fishing trip as their cover story for doing a prison break, Toph bullied Zuko and Sokka into actually fishing for dinner.
Toph was craving fish.
She also punched both boys’ arms because she cares.
Fortunately they have Hakoda, an expert fisherman, to help. Unfortunately Katara tagged along because she wanted family bonding. She shooed Zuko away as the family headed to the nearest river.
He doesn’t complain about that so he reviews Aang on his homework.
Zuko never really imagined himself as a teacher, that was Uncle’s role and honestly Zuko was not the best student. While Aang would occasionally whine or stumble through a kata, the kid wasn’t as near temperamental as Zuko once was, thank the spirits.
It’s a bit relaxing to focus on Aang’s training after the adventure Zuko and Sokka just did. Zuko just needed to get his mind off of Azula. There was a lot to unpack there, especially her supposed case with Suki, but Zuko believes a good hour of not thinking about his sister is deserved.
The Water Tribe family gets to have time together, being happy that they’re all alive. Zuko can’t help but notice that only the siblings have ever talked about parents.
So after Zuko ends Aang’s bending review, the Avatar does his cool down stretches and says, “I wonder what number of prison breakouts this is. We did a lot.”
Zuko doesn’t blink at this fact, too used to the hectic stories they vaguely explained.
“Well, be prepared for Sokka to retell this break out or maybe the Chief will?”
“Yeah, Hakoda and also Bato are great storytellers,” Aang nods enthusiastically. As they leave the temple’s training grounds, Aang comments, “Gotta say, Sokka’s the last person I thought would spontaneously do a prison break.”
“What. Is Katara more revolutionary?” Aang just stares at Zuko. “Okay yeah, she is but Sokka really wanted to do this. He risked it all to save his dad.”
“Sokka really loves his dad, Katara too of course, but for him it was about proving himself as a warrior.”
“Yeah, he told me something similar,” Zuko said.
“They’d do anything for their family,” the young boy smiles. In the slow sunset, a shadow lingers over Aang as he glances over to a temple mural of nomads. “The first time I went into the Avatar State was back at the Southern Air Temple.”
A huge amount of dread burns low in Zuko’s gut.
“Oh Aang,” he trailed off, thinking of the century old skeletons.
Aang stood in front of the mural. It depicted monks shaping clouds. “Katara calmed me down, said that I was a part of their family now. And when we met Bato, he said I was a part of the Tribe too.”
Zuko moved to Aang’s right side, “The Water Tribe is all about community, right?”
He nodded, “Monk Gyatso and the others were my people but they taught me that anyone could be my family.” A conflicted expression flickers over Aang. “I met a guru. He said that in order for me to master the Avatar State I have to let go of my love. I couldn’t accept that. All I had was love and I don’t want to give that up.”
There is so much about the Avatar that people will never know. Their sacrifices and decisions and mistakes, it is influential to the world and the spirits. Only a selected few will be able to see how each Avatar lives and dies.
Zuko is lucky to know the depths of two Avatars.
“If there’s one thing I know,” Zuko places a hand on Aang’s shoulder, “is that the Avatar will always find love and family. Like Roku.”
Aang smiles brightly, “Yeah, like Roku. He showed me his past.” The smile dips into a loopy hopeful tone, “He got married to a girl he had a crush on.”
Zuko knows that he’s thinking about Katara but Zuko can’t help but latch onto something else, “Was that all of his family that you learned?”
“Pretty much, yeah,” Aang questioningly stares at Zuko with that Avatar wisdom, “Why, is there something you know, Zuko?”
Feeling targeted, Zuko quickly weighs the consequences of telling Aang.
Is he prepared for dealing with an energetic all-powerful kid?
In the corner of his eye, the sunset shines fading pinks and oranges on the faded murals of a nearly gone nation.
Yeah, there’s no harm in telling Aang he has a bigger family than he thought.
“So Roku is my mom’s grandfather.”
Immediately, Aang is hugging Zuko. No doubting, just clear acceptance and joy. In return, Zuko slowly hugs back, gently butting his head against Aang’s. Whatever is going on in that bald noggin, Zuko hopes that this helps him.
When they reach the main temple area, the sky is still that warm orange tone. Everyone has rounded up for the hefty amount of fish the Water Tribe has brought. A fire is already up with fish skewers roasting.
Sokka waves Zuko over for the empty spot next to him and Suki. As for Aang, he normally sits with Katara who has a vegetable meal readied but Aang takes his sweet time before that.
The Avatar’s super big grin is the only warning of Zuko’s misery.
“We have another family reunion!”
“I regret telling you.”
Zuko covers his eyes, not ready to see everyone’s confusion shift into amusement.
“What are you on about Twinkle Toes?”
“Aang stop.” Zuko is ignored.
“I’m Zuko’s great-grandfather!”
Unlike Aang, there is casted doubt and confusion so Zuko explains shortly, “Uncle told me that Avatar Roku is my ancestor.”
“The Dragon of the West?” Chit Sang, their impromptu prison break escapee, specified in the only context he knew.
“Yep.”
Back to the main topic, Sokka laughs, “So wait that means Aang has parental authority over you.”
“It does not.”
“Come on Zuko,” Aang elbows him jollily, “Learn to respect your elders.”
“Maybe after you master firebending I will,” he huffed, moving away to sit by Sokka.
“Don’t turn your back on me mister!” Aang poorly used an old man impersonation.
At least the jest ends there as dinner gets served.
That’s when Toph points out, “That also makes you Azula’s great-grandfather.”
Everyone gets quiet, preferring to chew on their fish kabobs.
“Huh,” Aang says around his fried eggplant, “I’m not ready for that family reunion.”
“I think she’d be elated,” Suki said, “Azula loves drama.”
“She loves reactions,” Zuko specified, “thrives off it really.”
“Oh and then she’ll do that scowl before forcing a smile.”
“It’s not forced. She’s just instantly thinking ten steps ahead where she’s winning.”
Suki taps her chin, “Okay, that makes a lot more sense.”
Being in the middle, Sokka was constantly whipping his head back and forth. Eventually a look of recognition passes through Sokka, Toph, and Aang. Yet out loud, someone else comments on this.
“It’s you who the Princess always visited,” Chit Sang concluded as if he solved a big mystery. “We heard rumors that she was interrogating a prisoner but no one really knew who.”
“Well she can’t visit me anymore,” Suki chirped and bit fiercely into her fish. She probably senses Sokka’s distress because she automatically leans into his side.
“What about you?” Toph asks, “What were you in for?”
It’s like Toph knows she’s the only one who can appall Katara without any consequences.
“You can’t just ask that!”
“I just did, Sugar Queen.”
Chit Sang laughed over them, “Are you sure you all want to know? It’s a long story.”
An array of emotions is on everyone’s faces. Toph, Aang, The Duke, and Teo are genuinely curious. As fellow ex-prisoners, Hakoda, Haru, and Suki don’t seek an explanation but like Sokka and Katara, they want the topic to get away from Azula.
Zuko knows that the people who end up in the Boiling Rock are people the Fire Nation wants to ignore. It could be for any reason, politics or crime or revolts be it violently or nonviolently, he doesn’t know where Chit Sang categories into.
“Oh that sounds intriguing,” Toph answers for them, “Yes please.”
Chit Sang looks around the circle, mentally preparing his story. His eyes land on Zuko. The older man doesn’t appear nervous but there is something hesitant in the way he unlocks the tension in his jaw.
“I used to be a guard in the royal palace, tasked with escorting generals in and out of their meetings.”
Immediately, Zuko freezes.
He escorted generals to war councils. That detail lights something on fire in Zuko as Chit Sang continues.
“These old generals get a little too comfortable in the palace, thinking that they’re rubbing elbows with the elites. One day I escorted a group of generals out. One starts badmouthing something that went down in the meeting, how his speech or whatever got interrupted.”
No…
Oh no.
Everyone around the campfire is quiet. Zuko can’t run off without any of them noticing. Spirits, Sokka is right next to him too. Zuko tries to ignore Sokka glancing at him, likely sensing the distress Zuko is keeping at bay.
“The general complained about the naivety of a kid. How if soldiers enlisted for war, they should be prepared to die for whatever plan they and the Fire Lord approves of.”
Subtly, Zuko takes a deep breath.
No, he decides, he has to stay seated. Zuko owes that to the victims of this story. He also ignores the numb feeling in his legs, shackles of shame rooting him.
Somehow Chit Sang is a part of this three year old tale. It feels alarmingly similar to another man Zuko knows.
“That’s when I recognized this general.” He rolled his eyes with fond amusement, “My brother complained all about him in his letters.”
Hakoda laughed, instantly getting it, “New warriors just love to rag on their captains, don’t they?”
“It’s the best way to make friends in your fraction,” agrees Chit Sang but his lighthearted tone is gone as he states, “My younger brother and cousin were of the 41st Division.”
(“I have a daughter, a little older than you. She joined the army and hoped to later transfer over to the navy unit. She really wanted to serve under my command but first she was sent off to with the other new recruits.”)
A weight drops in Zuko’s stomach as two conversations are overlapping, one around the temple’s fire and another from the past. It brings back cold sea air with its words.
“Anyway, the general keeps yapping. The interrupter is sentenced to fight for his honor. In my head I can’t understand why this went to such extremes. That is until the day of the Agni Kai match.”
“What’s an Agni Kai?” Teo asked.
“A traditional firebending duel of honor,” the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe answered much to everyone’s surprise. “I always heard stories but it’s usually about soldiers, not generals.”
“It used to be a just soldier thing,” Chit Sang nodded, “or maybe you’re thinking about something we called the Ten Duel Commandments. Anyway, Agni Kai fights eventually became a political power move. This one is different. Only the top elites and highest ranking officers were allowed access. But this was the royal arena, there were guards stationed at the doors outside.”
“Is this where you come in?” Aang leaned in, both impatient and eager to learn more. “You got arrested for stopping the fight?”
“No,” he said with shame, “I didn’t know who was up to fight. I’m not sure anyone really knew until it happened. Even then, I don’t know if anyone had the guts to stop this match.” Chit Sang drew in a deep breath and the campfire mirrored it. “How could a simple guard stop the Fire Lord from burning his… young subject.”
Zuko bit his lip. The need to plead and beg Chit Sang to stop talking is at the forefront of his mind.
Instead when Chit Sang meets his gaze, Zuko nods subtly.
He wants to hear the end of this.
“We all wondered why this happened, how something so disrespectful occurred in the front of the Fire Lord for this Agni Kai. The guards and I tried to piece it together the day after. One guard heard it was a dispute in the war meeting, I knew it was about a plan for the 41st, and another guy remembered how that general was notorious for losing his youngest troops.”
The firebenders could all see everyone trying to piece this together but they needed one last jigsaw to truly understand.
A part of Zuko wants them to never understand, to never know the end of this tale. He has a feeling if he asks Chit Sang to stop he will but Zuko actually prefers his narration over whatever Zuko could attempt.
Zuko nods again. He ignores Sokka’s inquisitive glance.
“Then two guards spoke up, said that General Iroh let the Crown Prince into the meeting.”
He had seconds to prepare himself so Zuko chose to stare at the fire and not the many eyes targeted on him.
“It wasn’t a pretty picture even with the scattered information I had,” Chit Sang filled up the silence, recounting the details, “The Prince spoke against a plan that would send the 41st Division to death. He participated in an Agni Kai for his beliefs but chose to not fight against his father.”
Zuko doesn’t look up, his eyes too captured by the bright whites and oranges dancing. He thinks his eyes are tearing up from the heat.
“I sent it all in a letter to my brother. I had no clue if it reached him.”
(“Months passed and I haven’t received any letters from my daughter. I got worried. She sent me so many letters during her basic training. I thought for sure I’d get a letter about her traveling through the Earth Kingdom.”)
“We don’t know what happened to them and it wasn’t long before I got arrested for leaking news about a royal scandal that could be detrimental for the Fire Lord’s image.”
“That’s why you were arrested?” Sokka barked with so much scorn, “You warned a troop that their general was sending them to die and Zuko, he…”
Zuko wills himself not to look at Sokka. He can’t imagine what is on everyone’s faces.
“Yep,” Chit Sang popped, “I got shoved into the next prison transport and haven’t heard any news of the outside world ever since.”
(“Instead I and other families got silence or were told to wait for any reports. I pulled some favors to get answers but it was unsuccessful.”)
In a small voice, Toph asks, “You don’t know what happened to the division?”
That fact has haunted the prince for years. It automatically had Zuko hopelessly say, “No one does.”
(“An official report said that the 41st Division reached the Earth Kingdom and that was it. Nothing else. No letters ever came back from the general in charge.”)
“Actually,” Chit Sang began and this time, Zuko tears his eyes away from the fire to meet the other bender, “My buddy landed in the Boiling Rock a year later and told me something. At some point, my mom got a letter. It was from my brother. The 41st didn’t believe my info and by then they were already docked at the Earth Kingdom, headed to secure a hill near Ba Sing Se.”
It’s like Zuko’s tongue can’t decide if it’s too heavy to move or impatient to spew words. “And then what?”
He meets Zuko’s eyes, a fateful determination flaring up, “My brother and cousin vowed to keep their division alive, whatever it takes. They didn’t write back what they planned to do. They did mention that they’ll do it for the Crown Prince because he saw honor in them.”
“I don’t, what I did,” the former prince shook his head, his voice raw and cracking, “Are they even alive?”
“I have hope,” he said, “That’s all I got left.”
There’s a heavy emptiness in the temple ruins. Zuko tries his mightiest to not make a noise as tears well up in his eyes.
After all these years, Zuko gets new information. It’s not the best one, a vague confirmation at best, but it’s still something. A burning part inside rip apart the hovering sentence of the 41st Division seeing honor in their Prince.
Now if only Zuko and the soldiers’ family knew if those kids are alive or not.
Sokka broke the solemn silence, “Hey Chit Sang, what did your brother looks like?”
The Water Tribe boy gets a lot of raised eyebrows but Chit Sang shrugs.
“He looks kind of like me but bigger eyebrows,” he described, “and my cousin, she has a mole under her nose.”
Now that sends an alarmed look between the original trio.
“Wait Sokka, you don’t think,” Katara trailed off.
“What,” Zuko rushed, his body shaking, “What are you talking about?”
“My first firebending teacher,” Aang answered with a peace that Zuko envies, “Jeong Jeong the Deserter. At his camp there were a lot of people, both young and old.”
“One of them, she had a mole right here,” Sokka tapped under his right nostril.
“That’s my cousin,” Chit Sang breathed out heavily. In fact his whole body nearly collapses with that breath.
This man got his resolution but others have not.
“Did you learn any of their names?” Zuko asked with an intensity he can’t contain.
Three heads shook no.
(“What’s your daughter’s name, Lieutenant?”)
(“Jiang.”)
“Jiang,” Zuko repeated, not that any of them knew he was repeating the name, “Did you hear that name at all at that camp?”
Again they shake their heads but Chit Sang tilts his.
“Jiang, right? Wong and Kari mentioned her in a letter,” the older firebender smiled reassuringly. “She’d be with them. They’re all good friends.”
Hope, it’s hard to believe in hope alone because most of the time it is shapeless. At this moment in a temple ruins, surrounded by people who were originally known as his enemies, they gave Zuko hope.
“They’re alive,” he utters between trembling lips.
“Because of you,” The former guardsman stood up and walked over to him. “You stood up for them, burned for them,” Chit Sang bowed to Zuko, his hands in form of the symbolic flame, “You have my gratitude, My Prince.”
(“Thank you for seeing the value in their lives, My Prince,” Lieutenant Jee bowed, his hands formed the symbolic flame.)
Around Zuko there are a million other conversations. Shocked and processing this all, appalment at the war council, disbelief the horrible reality of who the Fire Lord is, and how this is the life that shaped Zuko.
It all burns Zuko. The origin of his inferno was his honor, a subjective identity he burned into his soul. He may have regrets for speaking out of turn, for disobeying his father’s order to fight, and for a thousand other things but Zuko does not regret speaking against the planned death of the 41st Division.
The price of that was not the burn or the scar or the banishment but the unknown if his efforts meant anything.
Zuko stands with shaking knees, still registering the massive amount of information, and bows to Chit Sang, his hands formed as the respected flame.
“Thank you,” Zuko’s throat is beyond dry, his core knocked out of orbit only to rush back to into place.
The silence returned to hear his small words, vulnerable to their sudden new light of Zuko.
Now that Zuko is paying attention, most of his friends look sick as they stare at his scar. He doesn’t mean to avoid their eyes but he faces Toph, her blindness taking the edge away from all of this.
Yet again, Toph is the one to initial the heavy topic, “Your father and your scar…”
He doesn’t want to say it out loud, it would be easier to just nod or do nothing but it’s Toph, Zuko doesn’t want to leave her in silence. “Yes, he gave me my scar.”
That is the first time Zuko has ever verbally acknowledged the rawest truth of that event.
For years he worded around it with verbs of rightly punished, branded as dishonor, or a million other self-loathing ideologies that burned angry, pride, and shame throughout Zuko.
He takes a deep breath and on the exhale, Zuko feels a little lighter.
-
This is chapter ten of my fic Petals in a Storm. It is an abo au of Avatar and I know that isn’t really everyone’s cup of tea. But this chapter is one my favorite things I have ever written since it is my take on the whole Zuko’s scar trope. So I edited out the minor bits about abo and this could be read as just another oneshot about the scar.
Thanks for reading!
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The Legend of Avatar Katara:
Summary: Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, all of the nations lived together in harmony. But then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attcked. Only the Avatar, the master of all the elements, can stop them. But when the world needed him the most, he perished in a mysterious iceberg. A new Avatar, named Katara, a Southern Water Tribe member, has to master all of the elements and stop the war. But I believe, Katara can change the world.
This is an original story by me, and yes, I do also love Avatar. Probably one of the best shows I’ve watched. Sooo I hope you all like this Avatar fans :D
A/N: Timeline for now: The year is 1086 (This is my AU). Sokka is 2 yrs old, and Katara isn't born yet, but this is the year that she will be born. Hakoda and Kya are 38 yrs old in this, and Aang is 100 yrs old.
The 100 Year War in the show ends at the year 2000, and it started at the year 1000.
(I did so much fucking Math in this so now im tired af so if I have any mistakes pls tell me, I'm desperate.)
Summary: On a weirdly sunny day in the South Pole, a young couple discovered a mysterious object.
"Hakoda! Have you found any fish yet?" The woman asked.
"Yes..?" The man, Hakoda, answered.
"You're too busy looking at your muscles, are you?" The woman asked while doing air quotations.
"Kya, I don't think there is going to be any fish. It's so hot today, and plus, you're pregnant. You shouldn't be here anyways." Hakoda replied to his wife, ignoring what she just said.
The wife, Kya, made a pouty face, and looked to the distance, but she saw a humongous-spherical shaped iceberg. She tapped on Hakoda's shoulder, who was still listing reasons on why she was not supposed to be there with him.
"What is it?"
"What is that?!" She said while pointing to the iceberg.
Hakoda turned around and gasped a little. "Something we need to avoid. Come on, let's go back now, Kya."
"But I can see a person inside! It's really cold out here, so he or she can die!"
Hakoda sighed and said, "Then how do you suppose we can get them out?"
"Well, it is sunny today, so the ice will be weaker, and we can use your "mighty club" to destroy some pieces!"
"I can't argue with you, no?"
"A woman has her ways. Now, row faster so we can help them!"
"But-"
"No excuses."
Hakoda swerved through the chunks of ice that was on the water, and they finally arrived to where the 'thing' was. It was very clear that there was someone in there, as well as a big cow or something.
"Well? Start hitting it already!" Kya said.
"Okay, okay!"
After multiple hits and complaints, they finally penetrated some parts. A big blow of air rushed out of the iceberg, and a small boy with weird tattoos on his body appeared. He was wearing yellow and orange colored outfit that was way to thin for the weather. It may be sunny, but it was still very cold.
"Gah! What is a boy doing here? Wait, let me see his condition." Kya said while putting her hand on the boy's forehead.
"He's ice cold. He's going to die soon..."
"Being out here for so long with such thin clothes can do that to you. I wish we could've found him sooner. Plus, what are those weird blue tattoos he has?" Hakoda asked.
"Hakoda...I think he's an airbender."
"What?! Aren't they extinct?"
"Well, they are going to be soon. But yes, they are. The Fire Nation eradicated them, though they deny it and just say it was a fire that happened and burnt them all." Kya says sadly.
"Why would the Fire Nation do such a thing anyway? The Airbenders were pacifists, so they wouldn't attack them at anytime."
"I'm not sure, but their reason was because of the Avatar. The last Avatar, Avatar Roku, was a Firebender and the next Avatar was going to be an Airbender. They wanted to end the Avatar cycle so they killed every single Airbender, so that the Avatar would not get in their way. But apparently, one survived. This boy...could be the Avatar."
"FInally...after nearly a century of war, we have hope. We can defeat the Fire Nation." Hakoda says with a tinge of happiness in his voice.
"But...he's dying, Hakoda. This may be the last Avatar." Kya comments.
After a moment of silence, a new voice speaks.
"W-who...who are you? And where am I?"
"I am Hakoda, and this is my wife, Kya."
Suddenly, he sneezed and a large gust of wind came down.
Kya gasped and said, "Oh! You're an Airbender! What's your name?"
"My name is Aang. Anyways, where are the other Airbenders?"
After a look of sadness from the both of us, Hakoda broke the silence.
"The Airbenders all...died. I'm sorry."
"Hakoda!" Kya exclaimed.
"What? He has to know the truth!"
"..."
"O-oh. I'm the last one then?"
"Yes. We're sorry." Hakoda says sadly.
"It's fine...I'm just going to miss Monk Gyatso."
After another long silence, Kya continues the conversation.
"Are you the Avatar? You can trust us, I promise."
"Are you sure you aren't going to hurt me?" Aang said.
"Definitely." Hakoda says.
Aang takes a deep breath and starts explaining. "I ran away from my home because...because I was being sent away from my mentor and friends. And now, everyone is in danger because of me. I'm so so sorry."
"Well, if you didn't run away, the Avatar cycle would stop, and there wouldn't be anymore Avatar, and now, we have a chance to stop the war once and for all." Hakoda says.
"That's right! But, I don't really feel so good." Aang comments.
"I'm sure you're fine." Kya lies. We both know he's going to die soon. He looks so young too. "By the way, what is that giant cow-thing?" Kya finishes.
"Oh! That's my flying-bison, Appa! I don't really say he's my pet, because we're the best of friends. Isn't that right Appa?"
The bison licks Aang when he finishes, and then sniffs the both of us, and Appa also licks us. It's kind of disgusting, but cute at the same time.
"Well! I think we should go home now, right Kya? Let's let this little boy rest." Hakoda says excitedly.
——————————————————————————————————
The boy was getting paler when we arrived back at our village. We tried to help him to get better, but we aren't very skilled to treating people. We aren't used to this either. So, we put him in our hottest room, but it's not helping. I wish we could've helped this boy further, but there's not much we can do about it.
"I'm going to die soon, aren't I? I feel so sick too...I hope the next Avatar will be better than me." Aang says with a tinge of regret in his voice.
"You're doing the best you can, and I'm sure the next Avatar will appreciate that." Kya says.
"At least I can see Monk Gyatso now, as well as all my friends. I'm glad that I met you two!" Aang says and smiles brightly, before the light went away from his eyes. Kya put her hands on his eyelids and closed his eyes.
"I'm happy he had a peaceful death. I wonder who's the next Avatar is going to be." Hakoda says.
Then, a kick comes from Kya's baby, making Kya and Hakoda laugh.
"Whoever the next Avatar is going to be, I'm sure they'll be the ones to stop the war. And I have a feeling this little girl here in my belly will help with that cause." Kya comments.
"Girl? How are you so sure?" Hakoda asks while his eyebrow lifts up.
"Oh, call it a mother's sense." Kya answers happily.
"Dada! Dada!" A new voice that came from a toddler.
"Well, I hear a certain boy is going to play with you now, Hakoda." Kya exclaims.
"It is playtime now, after all. Have a nice rest sweetie."
Kya smiled at this as Hakoda left the tent to play with Sokka. The baby in the womb started kicking again.
"You're gonna be a real feisty one, aren't you?"
A/N: Ah, if only Kya knew. Anyways, thoughts for my story? I hope you guys are going to like it! I won't be updating consistenlty because I do have other stories, as well as (ugh) school.
Uh...bye?
(idk how to end these things okay-)
#avatar#avatar katara#atla#bruh idk why i love this concept#headcanon: kya is a badass#i choose to believe hakoda is like sokka#kya#hakoda#aang#katara#sokka
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Watching After Others | Self Para
“When watching after yourself, you watch after others. When watching after others, you watch after yourself.”
— Gautama Buddha
The monks used to say that there was a time for everything. Even anger. Aang sits beside Zuko in silence as his friend speaks, his hands in his lap, and watches everything. He’s proud of Zuko, of how calm he is, how much he sounds like the good leader Aang knows he will be. He wants to listen to everyone, to give the representatives the space to let their voices be heard. And, now, it’s his job to be quiet. Sometimes, all you have to do is listen. Sometimes, that’s all you can do.
Aang recognises Qin Lee, when the former soldier stands up. As Qin talks about the horrors he saw -- people’s homes incinerated, their lives destroyed, their injures -- Aang keeps himself totally still, and his face impassive. That’s the hardest part. He can’t speak, or offer pity, or any apologies, or anything. Not yet. It’s not his turn. But the words are already building in his throat, the unplanned, unscripted, words. I’m so sorry for their loss -- We’ll do what we can -- But what can they do? What can he do? Qin wants Zuko to fix this, to prove that can, and to earn the people’s trust. Aang looks around at the sea of faces. So many of them are old people, just like he should be. He should be a hundred and fifteen, but he’s still just a kid. He might be a fully realised Avatar, but he still feels so young right now.
Ming, who hugged him and said that the Air Nomads lived as long as he kept their memory alive, stands up. Aang smiles a little when he sees her. It’s weirdly comforting. Ming might have been at the protest, but she has a good heart. He knows that. And her ideas are good. They’re not inflammatory, they’re not calls for violence. A vote for the Fire Nation council is a good idea. That was how they decided the Council of Elders in the Air Nation -- those who had earned their arrow tattoos, and were masters, could be voted into the Council. Monk Gyatso told him that.
It’s hardest to keep his expression ethereal and patient when he sees Teo. He hadn’t seen him for months! Aang’s face brightens when his friend moves to the front, and he smiles excitedly, but he’s not Aang right now. He has to be the Avatar. He shifts a little in his seat, and picks some dirt out from under his nails, his hands still hidden under the table, and his smile fades. Teo isn’t here as his friend right now. He’s here as a representative. And what he says is so painful that it takes all of Aang’s self control not to speak.
These men are all traitors not only to the people of the Fire Nation, but the world as a whole. Aang blinks, and sits totally still in his chair. Teo pulls out a scroll, but all Aang can think is that there’s too much. How’s Zuko supposed to respond to everything? How is everyone going to feel like they were heard? Teo starts listing off the war crimes, and every single one is like a blow to Aang’s chest. There’s been so much pain, so much suffering at the hands of the Fire Nation.
He always knew that defeating Ozai wouldn’t be the end, but a new beginning. He always knew that everything was going to get a whole lot more complicated. It’s like what the monks used to say about suffering. It was there, it had a cause, and you had to fight it by living in harmony with everything, and working through and letting go of your pain. You had to acknowledge it, but you couldn’t let it consume you. Evil is like an Unagi, Monk Gyatso had told him. Aang hadn’t understood. You know it’s there, but you don’t let it swallow you, Monk Gyatso had said, with his patient smile.
And, as Aang sit there, listening to Teo speak, he understands. There’s so much pain and suffering caused by the Fire Nation. And it would be so easy to look at his friend’s evidence, and to listen to Qin’s horrible stories about the things the Fire Nation soldiers had done to innocent people. It would be so easy to let his guilt swallow him. The guilt that he wasn’t there to stop Azulon and Ozai, that he hadn’t stopped Ozai sooner. Or he could focus on the pain of the people, and tell himself that he was helping by listening. But just listening isn’t enough. They need action. Everyone who’s spoken today needs something to be done. They all need justice, and action.
I represent the freedom fighters, a civilian militia group that defended lands from the Fire Nation, and protected innocent people during the war.
Aang blinks, and stares at the speaker. Smellerbee? She sounds angry. As she speaks, Aang feels a fire light inside him, a fire he’s been keeping dim as everyone said their piece. Zuko wasn’t going to kick change down the road! He was going to change things now. He knows why Smellerbee’s angry, and she has a right to be angry, but everyone is looking for a scapegoat. Everyone wants to blame Zuko without any cause. Even Teo had smiled when he’d read the charges against the Fire Nation. Everyone wants to be heard, because everyone wants to stand up and say Look at me, I’ve been wronged! And it’s your fault! Aang grits his teeth, and just fights to keep his expression calm. He’ll have his turn to speak, any minute now.
The last speaker is Ukano, Mai’s father, a member of the council. Aang watches him bow at Zuko, and he tries to quell his irrational anger. Everyone has a right to speak. Everyone. Even him. Aang breathes out, and imagines his anger as a red cloud, exhaling from his mouth, blowing away.
But Ukano just wants to save his own skin. He just wants to blame everything on Ozai and Azula. It’s easy to do that. They aren’t here to defend themselves. As Ukano speak, Aang curls his hands into fists in his lap, and didn’t let his feelings show. Everyone wants to see the Avatar right now, someone who’s above emotions, above anger. But Ukano calls Teo a liar, and says that he, himself, and the council members were just following orders, and Aang remembers Qin saying that the soldiers had caused so much pain and suffering. They were just following orders too. And the Fire Nation soldiers who’d made their way to the Air Nomad temples and destroyed them were just following orders. Ukano say he’d done it to protect his family -- that they’d all done what Ozai said to protect their families -- but it sounds like a lie. It sounds like the words of a desperate man, hiding his desperation with silky words.
I propose that their anger be avenged through the proper punishment of the Fire Lord, the root of all this evil, Ukano says. It sounds impressive, when he says it like that. Ozai and Azula are the root of all the bad, and if they’re taken care of, then all the pain and suffering that everyone’s talked about today will be avenged, and everyone will be able to move on. Ukano is talking about revenge, the two-headed rat viper. But if everything else is ignored, and if Ozai and Azula are ‘punished’, it won’t stop. Suffering and anger will just cause more suffering and anger. The cause of some of the people’s pain will have been eradicated, but not all of it. Ozai and Azula aren’t the only cause.
It’s too complicated to think about now. And Aang doesn’t have time, because it’s his turn to speak.
He stands up, and his chair scrapes behind him. He’s wearing the dark yellow robes of the Air Nomad Council, carrying a piece of them with him. And he tries to imagine what Gyatso would say if, he were here. What he would say in the face of so much suffering, and so many people out for themselves, and so many people who want revenge and retribution and change. He tries to imagine what the monks would say to the crowd. Because, like Ming said, he has to speak for them. He represents them.
“I am Avatar Aang,” he says, and he feels older than fifteen years old. He feels so much older than fifteen. He looks at Qin and Ming, and Teo and Smellerbee, and finally, at Ukano. He can feel Zuko, his friend, right next to him. And he thinks about Katara, saying that a lot of healing needs to be done. She’s right, and it has to start here. So, as he looks at Ukano, he lets his anger go. Like a red cloud, blowing away. It’s replaced with the bright blue light he saw when he opened his Air Chakra, when the love he felt for his people, and the love they felt for him, flowed through him.
“There’s been so much said today,” he says, addressing the whole audience. “I don’t want anyone to think they haven’t been heard, so I’m not going to say that everything will be fixed by tomorrow, or next week. This is going to take time. This is going to take patience.” He looks at Smellerbee, who asked for radical change. “Everyone is going to need to give Fire Lord Zuko and me, and everyone else in leadership positions, a chance to make the changes that other people have asked for.” He look for Ming and Qin Lee in the crowd, who asked for immediate change. “Everyone is going to need to be patient, but all the ideas put forward today will be discussed. Nobody went unheard.” He looks at Teo, who wants them to acknowledge the Fire Nation Council’s history. “And we need to look at where the Fire Nation has been, and what it’s done, so that mistakes aren’t repeated in the future.” He looks at Unako. “Whether all of those mistakes, and the evidence of them, is true, we’ll have to see.”
He pauses, and feels a pain in his chest. None of this was written before. He had no idea what he was going to say. He’s speaking from the heart. That’s what the people want the Avatar to do, and that’s what he wants to do. “But there is one thing the Fire Nation did that no one can deny,” he says, his gaze flickering from one face to another. “I’m not just the Avatar. I’m the last Airbender.” It doesn’t matter how many times he says that, he’ll never get used to it. It always hurts. “And I’m not speaking as the Avatar right now. I’m speaking for my people.”
He breathes slowly and steadily. “I want to restore the Air Nation Temples,” he says. “The Northern Air Temple is being used already. That can stay.” He smiles a little at Teo. “But what remains of the Southern, Eastern, and Western Air Temples,” he continues, “Is going to be restored and preserved. I know that memories aren’t held in stone, and nothing will bring my people back, but I want to preserve our homes, so that they can stand as monuments to what the Fire Nation did, and what the cost of war is.” He looks around at everyone. They’re all staring at him. He figures that they didn’t expect this. They expected the Avatar, and he gave them the Avatar, but he has to speak as himself, as Aang, the last airbender.
“The war has caused unimaginable pain and loss to so many people,” He’s careful to say the war and not the Fire Nation. He pauses. Every time he teaches his people’s beliefs, or tries to act by them, the air nomads live again. “The air nomads taught, to overcome suffering, you have to know the cause of it. But this suffering, the suffering that this war caused, is like a many-headed viper. It doesn’t have one cause. It was caused by soldiers and greed and hatred and fear, and too many things to count.” He keeps looking around, trying to make sure that everyone is seen, that everyone feels seen. “And it doesn’t have one solution either. There are going to be a lot of steps taken to heal the rifts this war caused. But we’re going to take them. Today was the first step. And I hope it was a step towards peace, tolerance, and change.”
He doesn’t know what else to say. He feels like there’s something he’s missed, or forgotten to say, or not said properly, but he doesn’t know what it is. So, he bows his head in a solemn nod, and sits down slowly.
#self para#plot drop 2#death mention tw#genocide mention tw#murder mention tw#[i think i covered all the triggers!]
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Well my dumb butt apparently is back to write more fic ideas even tho I can’t write dialogue to save my life.
A song fic. I got the inspiration from a fic with the name(I don’t really remember so correct me if I’m wrong) Watching Avatar The Last Airbender. In this fic a spirit decides to mess with the main cast a while after recruiting Toph. I’d say the perfect slote would be after Zuko yells into the sky to strike him down like the theater kid he is. All the songs would be the kids singing towards at least one of their gardiens.
A spirit would bring them into a different plane. First we have Aang in from of Monk Gyatso. His song would be thanking him for all that he thought him and how much he misses him. I would say Gone To Soon would fit, but that’s just my opinion.
Sokka would have the next turn with a song to his father. Sokka arguably changed so much during ATLA. He had taken care of the village since his dad left and had to take care of not only his sister, but of a bunch of children. He had to be responsible while losing things about himself constantly like when he kept losing his boomerang. This is why I propose for his song to be On The Borderline.
Katara’s song would obviously be directed towards her mother. She lost her mother at such a young age and had to take on her responsibilities. Not only that but the Fire Nation came for their last waterbender, I have bets that she felt so guilty about that. Moreover, by the fact that Kya was still wearing her necklace in the flashback: it’s likely Katara saw her mother's corpse and took the necklace herself. I’m honestly not sure what her song would be; however, I’ve always believed Hey Little Girl would fit nicely with her. I’m not exactly sure why.
Toph. Now of course this has to do with both of her parents. Both of her parents cuddled her. Both of them underestimated her and believed her to be weak and essentially to a degree useless some might say. That doesn’t mean they didn’t care for her, simply that they didn’t treat her with any respect. Now this instantly had be thinking of Parents by YungBlood, but Bring Me To Life also for some reason scratches at me. However, I don’t think I have a suitable song for Toph, which is a shame since I really like her character.
Now, before I continue on I should say: during that characters are singing to their parents, the others can see them. Their sort of like ghost you could say. I’m not sure if I prefer the thought that every “ghost person” can see one another or if they can only see a few people. What I do now is that either way that it works: I want to keep Zuko isolated during this. He can’t witness the other ghost people, he is just witnessing the kids singing. You’re suppose to have good parents, and it’s okay that those parents aren’t always perfect(his mom). You can get mad at them for not taking care of you. They’re suppose to protect, love and encourage you. You have the right to your own voice. Now the part that inspired me the write this post. Zuko vs Ozai
A lot of people might have their own preference here, but my original thought had been Praying. Ozai standing their in the now empty stadium and big minisculing grin on his face and when it looks like he’s about that start taunting Zuko; he fucking tears into that horrible father of his. “I can thank you for how strong I have become” is directed towards his mother before he storms at Ozai with “you brought the flames and put me through hell”. Lu Ten could be there to manifest some swords of Zuko during “I had to learn how to fight for myself”
Zuko needed to learn how to love himself. I feel like all the images of their parents would be as if the parent is having a strange dream. Their not actually the parent, but their the same motivations and reactions.
The reason I say this is because we could have them fighting as Zuko still tears into him. I imagen Iroh would stand behind Zuko as he bellows “some say, in life your ganna get what you give, but some things only god can forgive”, Iroh's disappointed look screaming in rage at Ozai has him stop just enough for Zuko to get another kick in before they keep fighting.
I am starting to think all of these post are going to end up favoring Zuko in some way.....oops
#atla#Zuko#sokka#toph#toph beifong#karkat#avatar aang#aang#fanfic#ozai#fuck ozai#song#story songs#this was fun^^
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Day 17
“I think you are wise to choose happiness and love.” – Iroh
[Before reading this, please know that this is incredibly rough and at some points a little weird and mainly dialogue and cuts off very abruptly. It’s a very first, only almost finished draft of an OS, a dump of my thoughts on the matter, that I will almost certainly come back to in the future. Probably next month, when I’m done with all these prompts, because I like the premise, but this isn’t really it.
Toph also isn’t in it, this is a talk between Aang and his youngest kid, so the Taang is somewhat implied in that Kavi is Toph’s son as well.
Then, I just have to say that I really hate that quote. I hate that Iroh says it. I hate that Aang gets to live by it. I love that boy so much, but his character developement in Book 3? Shitty. Don’t like it. Writing AU-Fanfic, because they botched it.
Also, slight criticism of Kata*ng (specifically of Aang’s treatment, for lack of a better word, of her), because it’s one of my NOTPs and I couldn’t help myself. I almost could see it working, but, like Aang’s developement, they ruined it. Sunk their own ship. (In my opinion. Everybody’s entitled to their own. I’m just tired and therefore cranky.)
Draft under the cut.]
Aang lifted his gaze from the letters he'd began sorting through hours ago, and still the pile didn't appear to have shrunk at all – all enthusiasm to deal with his mail had left him quite a while ago, as it always did, and he mused once again that maybe, just maybe, a secretary wasn't such a bad idea, now that they didn't travel all the time anymore.
Now that they had chosen a home that wasn't Appa's back.
Kavi, leaning on the wall next to his desk, peaked at him from behind the book – The Extensive History of the Dai Li – he hadn't set down since Bumi had sent it to him last week, always scribbling in it and marking passages and making notes, a brush in hands, his fingers inky, and Aang quirked a brow.
"I can feel you staring. What is it, Kavi?"
The brush turned between the boy's nimble fingers.
"I don't wanna keep you from your ... correspondence", he said slowly.
"Keep me from my correspondence, please. I've had enough of it today; it's mostly just people telling me that it hasn't rained in too long or that it's been raining too much. Which I can do nothing about, anyway. What're you thinking about?"
He turned in his chair.
Kavi tilted his head, as if thinking it over again , before he asked: "What's the worst mistake you ever made? Like ... really the worst. I've been thinking about mistakes and regrets and all that a lot lately, 'cause, y'know, Avatar Kyoshi founded the Dai Li and that certainly wasn't a good decision. Obviously, they're not as bad anymore, but that's because they're back to what they were supposed to be. They're protectors again, instead of ... a weird, brainwash-y secret organisation."
He painted a wet, black line on his face while gesticulating and ignored it in favour of drawing his brows together and adding: "Though I think I already know what you think your biggest mistake is."
"Do you."
"Yeah. You ran away. When you were a kid. I know you regret that. I would. Even though I think I would've run, too, if someone threatened to take me away from you guys. I'd rather leave on my own terms."
The brush twirled around, around, around.
Aang fiddled with one of the letters.
"That was ... is ... indeed my greatest mistake. And I will never not regret that I ran, but ... I have come to accept it as a part of my past that I can't ever change. I will never quite make up for what my absence ... the Avatar's absence ... did to the world, but ... I can try, you know? Try to make this world better place, a more peaceful place, not because that's my job or because I feel guilty, but because that's what's right. Try to be a good friend and husband and father. So that's what I've been doing, every day for the past fourty years ... Well, I haven't been a dad or married for quite so long, but I think you get what I'm trying to say."
Kavi nodded pensively, brows still furrowed.
"I think I do."
He lifted his free hand and rubbed over the ink on his cheek, smudging it.
"Kinda. I don't know if I'll ever really ... understand understand. But I ... understand."
"Hmm", hummed Aang. "My journey to becoming a fully realized Avatar was ... a rather rocky one, I suppose. I was stubborn. And I couldn't've possibly comprehended what fighting a war would mean before I woke up at the South Pole and ... fought a war. So I wouldn't expect you to fully understand. I don't want you to. It's bad enough Bumi's joined the Air Force."
"I don't really remember him not being in the Air Force. How old was I when joined up? Five?"
"Just about, yes."
"He's a Captain now. Aren't you proud of him?"
Aang sighed deeply.
"I am. I'm incredibly proud of all of you. Tenzin's about to become a father, Asha's teaching with your mother, Norbu's an architect, which I know nothing about, but I'm glad he's enjoying doing what he does. You're on your best way to achieve mastery. And Bumi is a Captain. Of course I'm proud of him. I just wish he would've chosen a different career. Something safer, that wouldn't result in him being on the frontlines of a war, should there ever be another one."
He shook his head.
Kavi pulled his knees closer.
"I lived through barely the last year of one, and it was terrible. I don't want any of you to experience what I did. The same goes for your mother. But you're your own people, you make your own decisions. We can't stop you from doing that and we wouldn't want to, either. I can just ... try to lead you a bit as long as you'll let me. Give you some advice, if you ask for it. You want to know about the worst advice I ever got, if we're already talking about mistakes and regret?"
"Oh. Sure", Kavi said, hesitant for just a moment.
"I met Guru Pathik – I've told you about him?"
"Yeah. The guy who helped you master the Avatar State. An old friend of Monk Gyatso. He must've been ancient when you met."
"He was ... a very, very wise man. A mentor when I was in desperate need of someone to look up to and guide me. Unfortunately, when I first met him, I wasn't very ... accepting of everything he tried to teach me. In order to control the Avatar State, I needed to open my chakras. And there were some ... minor ... hiccups, I had to confront myself, my mistakes, my shame, the ... the guilt I felt, ... like I'd ... never had before. And I did it. The problem ... was the seventh chakra."
"The Thought Chakra", Kavi mumbled.
Aang brightened a little.
"That's right. Do you remember how to unlock it?"
"By ... letting go of ... of earthly attachments."
The boy's frown deepened and his hand closed tightly around the brush that had stopped wandering over his fingers when he'd tried to remove the ink from his face – it was still blotchily staining his pale skin.
"I never really thought about that. That's terrible. And you still have attachments. You've got Mom and us. So, ... you haven't mastered the Avatar State?"
"I have full control over the Avatar State, don't worry. Letting go of attachments ... that's not about not loving. It's not about detaching yourself completly from everything. It would be, if you tried to reach true enlightenment, but that wasn't my goal. My goal was to not be controlled by my emotions. You need to be the master of your emotions, not the other way around. With something like the Avatar State at your expense, you can't afford that. Rage can end in a massacre. Grief could as well. No."
He looked at the ceiling for a moment, thinking about how to best continue, then said: "In this case, letting go of attachments meant to learn to not depend. To stand on my own. My friendships with Mom and Sokka weren't a problem; my crush on Katara absolutely was, because I depended on her too much. I relied on her to pull me out of the Avatar State when I couldn't control myself. I wanted her to be my forever girl, because ... well, she was the first girl. She became my everything much too quickly when she should've never been that at all. And that just wasn't fair to her. I placed her on pedestal when I barely even knew her name, and wouldn't let her step down. And when it came to make the decision between her and controlling this ... great power, ... I chose her. And she wouldn't have wanted that, but I didn't understand that, then."
Kavi chewed on his lip.
"So, who gave you bad advice, then?"
"General Iroh."
"Uncle Zuko's Uncle? The guy Iroh's named after? He's supposed to have given the best advice, though! Mom always talks about that and his tea and how he was the original owner of the Jasmine Dragon and stuff. He's supposed to be this super wise guy", he said. "I don't understand."
"Nobody's infallible. Not even Uncle. When I told him of my dilemma – we were on our way to safe Katara and Zuko, right under Ba Sing Se, he told me ... he said that power was overrated. And that I was wise to chose happiness and love instead. And I'm sure he meant well ... and I don't remember how well I explained what I was trying to master. We were also on a rescue mission, and I wouldn't have listened had he told me to go back to the Guru anyway. But this wasn't about taking power, choosing it over love. It was about controlling something dangerous that I already possessed ... His advice was quite dangerous, in retrospect ..."
#Avatar: The Last Airbender#Aang#Implied Taang#Taang Month#Taang Month 2020#Avatar: The Legend of Aang#Kavi#tired ramblings#i don't know yet what i'll do for awkward#and i wanna write for kummi/taang but it'll just end like this#not enough time#at least i wrote something i guess#family's already safe though#it's just gonna be a sketch dump#and i like sketching them all
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What are the dynamics like between the water tribe trio? And what's their relationship with Aang like? Does Aang have a crush like he did with Katara?
I answered the crush question here.
~~~
“Oh no.”
Aang stopped petting Momo to look up at Kya. She’d paused in sharpening her hunting knife to squint across the campfire at Hakoda and Bato, who were chatting quietly and using a stick to draw in the dirt. Well, Hakoda was drawing in the dirt. Bato was tilting his head and staring at whatever Hakoda was doing.
“...What?” Aang asked.
Kya gestured with her knife. “They’re scheming.”
Aang blinked.
“Well, Hakoda’s scheming,” Kya amended. “Bato isn’t much of a schemer, but unfortunately he’s a good and loyal assistant.”
Aang blinked again. “And...why is that bad?”
“Well, it’s not always bad,” Kya backtracked. “I mean sometimes it’s good. Hakoda’s come up with lots of good ideas! Hunting traps, and better ways to train the dogs, and when he fights he can get...very imaginative.” She smiled fondly. “Also his ice dodging test was very impressive.”
“Okay,” said Aang, who still didn’t really understand what the big deal with ice dodging was. Momo made an annoyed chittering sound, and he scratched the lemur’s ears. “So what’s the bad part?”
Kya’s smile fell. “Nine times out of ten Hakoda’s planning is going towards a prank.”
“Oh, fun!”
“No, not fun. He’s a master, Aang. He tried to lasso an arctic hippo. He put an octopus on his head and convinced his mother he was a water spirit. One time he released an arctic hen in town hall right before my father’s State of the Tribal Union. Remember those blubber bombs we used back when we got you off that prince’s ship? We didn’t invent those for war, Aang.”
“I’m getting the feeling you invented those for a prank war,” Aang grinned.
Kya shuddered. “We do not speak of the Great Blubber Fiasco, Aang.”
Aang kicked his feet against the log they were sitting on. “It sounds like fun!”
“You would. You’re just an innocent kid. You haven’t been through the horrors that I’ve seen. The only people here for him to prank are you and me, Aang! I do not want to get caught up in” - she waved at Hakoda and Bato - “whatever this is!”
“Aw, c’mon Kya,” Aang wheedled, “you should have some fun. I bet you’re great at pranks.”
“I’m fantastic at pranks,” Kya said. “Unfortunately, someone has to be the responsible one around here, and no one else seems to be volunteering so it’s gotta be me.”
Aang kicked his feet again, but it was more contemplative this time. “You are really responsible,” he said quietly, in a way that sounded like he was saying too responsible.
Kya shrugged. “Someone has to be,” she said again.
“We all can be!” Aang insisted. “Hakoda and Bato might be a little rambunctious, yeah, but they’re smart and helpful too and - well, they went ice dodging, didn’t they?” He might not understand ice dodging, but it seemed to be a good argument. “And I’m...a goofy kid, yeah, but I’m learning!” Just the other day he’d remembered to not immediately blurt out that he was the Avatar to the first villager they met, that had to count for something, right? “You don’t have to feel like you’re the only responsible one here, Kya.”
She mulled it over. “You’re right,” she said after a moment, and she stood up.
“Uh...where are you going?”
“I’m going to see if the boys are coming up with anything useful in that dirt, and if they aren’t I’m going to remind them that it’s their turn to do the laundry. Thanks, Aang.”
“You’re welcome!”
~~~
“They are...probably going to ban me from cooking for a while,” Hakoda said gloomily.
Aang watched Kya and Bato on the other side of the smoking remains of the campfire. They were all covered in dirt and so was dinner, but at least nothing was on fire anymore. “You did kinda start a grease fire. And make it worse. And ruin dinner.”
“I tried to fix it,” Hakoda grumbled. “How was I supposed to know you don’t pour water on it? It’s fire. Water puts out fire!”
“Not a grease fire!” Aang said cheerfully, examining the mechanism in his glider staff. “Doesn’t the Water Tribe cook with oil?”
“I’ll be honest, Kya and Bato cook more than I do,” Hakoda admitted. “I’m more of a cured meat kind of guy.”
“So water and oil don’t mix,” Aang said, opening and closing the glider wings. They hadn’t been hit by the flames, thank the spirits. “And oil is lighter than water and floats on top. So when you pour water on burning oil…”
“It sinks to the bottom of the pot,” Hakoda surmised. “And...explodes, apparently.” He thought it over. “Wait, no - it flash boils, doesn’t it? It boils and the steam tries to escape through the oil and ends up flinging burning oil everywhere.”
“That’s pretty much what happened,” Aang nodded. “Bato had the right idea throwing dirt on it after it spread, but next time just smother it with the lid to the cooking pot. Fire can’t burn if it can’t breathe!”
Hakoda stared at him. “...Aang, when you use your airbending to put out fires, are you removing the oxygen from the air?”
“Sometimes!”
“Sometimes?”
“I mean it’s really tricky and removing oxygen from an area can be dangerous, we need that to breathe you know!”
Hakoda stared at him. Aang busied himself with his glider, carefully opening and closing it, and waited for the questions about airbending that he wasn’t sure how he could answer. The little wooden mechanism that made the wings work was holding up alright, but Monk Gyatso had impressed the importance of proper glider maintenance onto him. Aang doubted there was anyone in the world who could fix it if it broke.
Hakoda watched the glider wings fan in and out a few times while he digested what Aang had just told him. Across the dead campfire, Kya was griping at Bato while she piled up fresh, non-oily kindling. Bato was nodding along to whatever she was saying while doing his best to rescue dinner.
“Hey, Aang?”
Aang looked up. “Yeah?”
Hakoda hesitated, and then he said, “So, grease fires. If there was more grease...and I’d thrown on more water...it would’ve been a bigger fireball, right?”
“Uh...probably?” Aang said. “I’ve never really experimented with it. Actually that’s the first grease fire fireball I’ve ever seen! And it was pretty impressive as it was.” He gestured at their ruined campsite.
Hakoda eyed the circle of soot. “There has got to be a way to weaponize this.”
“NO!” Kya and Bato shouted, so loudly that Aang and Hakoda both jumped in their seats.
Aang recovered first. “They’re probably right,” he snickered, opening his glider wings again.
Hakoda sighed. “Yeah, probably.” On the other side of the campfire, Bato and Kya exchanged glances, rolled their eyes, and went back to their work, grumbling under their breath. Hakoda turned his attention back to Aang’s glider. “...So, have you ever taken that thing apart?”
Aang snapped the wings shut and held the staff close to his chest.
~~~
“And there they are, the future of my tribe,” Bato sighed. On the other side of the campfire, Hakoda and Kya were...sparring was too dignified a word for it. Kya had lost her club and Hakoda had strategically thrown his machete to knock her boomerang off course half a minute ago, and the whole affair had devolved into something more suited to five-year-olds than to great warriors of the Water Tribe. There was hair-pulling involved.
“You’re the future too,” Aang said, biting into a fruit Bato didn’t know the name of and enjoying the show.
“Yeah, but they’re the future politically,” Bato said, wincing when Hakoda dodged a punch Kya had aimed for his shoulder. That looked like it would’ve hurt had it landed.
“...What?” Aang asked.
“Kya’s dad is our tribe’s chief,” Bato said, watching said daughter of his chief practically flip Hakoda over her back. “And Hakoda is practically...his apprentice at this point. Kya’s got a head for leadership, but Hakoda has a passion for it. He’s been following Chief Oomailiq for years learning how to run a tribe.” Said political intern was desperately trying to get Kya in a headlock, to no avail.
“So...Hakoda’s gonna take over your tribe?” Aang asked.
“Well,” Bato said, “if he gets elected.”
“Is that hard?”
“It might be, but he’s getting plenty of experience under the chief, and he’s got a good track record on the few projects he’s helped with. Give him a few more years of leadership experience and I’d definitely feel confident voting for him.”
“Will Kya run for chief?” Aang asked. “Since her dad is and all. I bet she could give him some stiff competition.”
Kya had Hakoda in a headlock and was aggressively noogying him.
“She probably could, but she doesn’t want to,” Bato said. “She can take charge but she doesn’t want to be in charge. Does that make sense?”
“Yeah, it does,” Aang said. “Water Tribe politics sure are cool! I think it’s great you guys choose your own leaders. The Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation just kind of hand their thrones to whoever’s next.”
“That’s crazy,” Bato said. “What if the next person in line is an idiot? Or mean? Or just not a good leader?”
“You know, I asked Kuzon and Bumi that once, and they looked at me like I was the crazy one!”
There was a shout from their friends across the way - Hakoda had managed to catch Kya’s wrists in his hand, holding them up. She used the leverage he afforded her to kick him in the gut.
“How did the Air Nomads do it?” Bato asked. “If you don’t mind me asking.”
“Well, we had the councils,” Aang said. “Each temple had their own. They appointed their own members, but we could nominate people we wanted to see appointed.”
“Huh,” said Bato. He wasn’t sure if he liked the idea of that, but he wasn’t going to interrogate a 12-year-old genocide survivor on the intricacies of his people’s politics. Aang probably didn’t even fully understand his people’s government - and Bato didn’t want to remind the poor kid about yet another aspect of his culture he wouldn’t be able to resurrect. “That sounds interesting.”
“Yeah, I guess it’s probably closer to what the Northern Water Tribe does.”
“What the - what?”
“Uh...you know, how the Northern Water Tribe has their chief, who appoints his council members?”
“Wait, what - ?” Bato was only vaguely aware of Kya swiping Hakoda’s feet from under him. “What kind of a democracy is that?”
“Uh...I’m pretty sure chiefdom in the Northern Tribe is hereditary?” Aang said.
“What?” Miss Kanna had definitely left that part out when she’d regaled their tribe’s children with tales of her distant homeland. To be fair, they would’ve found politics to be boring bedtime stories.
“Oh, hey, look, I think Kya won!”
Bato glanced across the campfire and had to do a double-take. Kya had pinned Hakoda to the ground, and was smiling down at him fondly. Hakoda looked far too relaxed for a man whose wrists were in a deathgrip, gazing up at Kya with a goofy grin.
“Oh my moon,” Bato groaned, reaching out to cover Aang’s eyes.
The kid dodged his hand easily. “I’m not a baby, Bato, yeesh.”
“My tribe’s future power couple,” Bato sighed, gesturing at his dumb friends.
“I’m sure they’ll be great leaders,” Aang said.
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A Boy With An Arrow
I wrote this way back when for the headintheclouds Kataang zine but I’m under the impression that it’s not happening, so I just decided to post it lol.
Fantasy style AU: Aang is something called an Archer. He has never left the Air Temples before. He is sent on a journey of self discovery and meets a water nymph named Katara.
A boy with an arrow meets a girl with a shell by the seaside where the sand intermingles with foamy water. Perhaps it is wrong to say that the boy meets the girl, in truth she is more than that, like nothing he has ever seen before. And how he wants to stay with her forever. He, this boy, came to stand at that spot after a long journey. A journey that began with a simple request from his long time mentor, Gyatso; “Discover yourself, my boy. And discover that which makes you happy.”
The boy named Aang came from a humble little place, a place tucked away high in the mountains, where the monks still listen to the wind and how it calls when planning their days or embarking on quests. A place where all children must embark on ventures of self-discovery. Before Gyatso had instructed Aang to tackle his, the boy was an archer. Not an archer who hunts nor makes battle, no, that is an occupation from another world. In this one, an archer is a person tasked with firing a single arrow into the sky and seeing how the wind carries it; does it veer west or east? How long does it stay in the air? Is the sailing smooth? The archer will then report their findings to the elder monks and the elder monks plan accordingly. It was a simple life and a joyful one. But the time had come to set down his bow, pick up a pack, and take on the freedom that made an air nomad an air nomad. So on the night of his sixteenth birthday he heeded Gyatso’s gentle command. He filled his pack with nothing but fruits, a waterskin, a few changes of clothes, and his lucky arrow.
For the longest time he followed the wind south, enjoying all of life’s simple pleasures. Pleasures like a soft sprinkle of rain upon his skin and the sparkle of the raindrops that had settled on the tips of grass. He marveled at sunsets in watercolor shades of pink and purple and pastel oranges and yellows—not one looked the same as the one before it. At one point, a little over a week into his journey the wind called him slightly off course, taking him to a field of rolling meadow grasses. He thanked the wind profusely for showing him such a splendid and fresh sight. He’d seen fields from a distance, looking down upon them from the mountain. He always was fond of how alike the grasses were to waves, a sea of green that announced the movement of the wind. But he had never had the chance to find himself standing in such a meadow as he had never been outside the temple walls before. He quickly discovered that viewing a field and standing in one were different sensations that evoked different emotions altogether. From the mountainside he couldn’t smell the heather nor the daisy.
After that, the wind had called Aang again, and this time, quite a way from where he thought he was supposed to be headed. Eastbound, he had followed it to the ocean side.
For his obedience he stands now, before a vast body of water, the taste of salt tickling his tongue and nose. He knows nothing of the ocean at all, it is something he hadn’t spied even upon his majestic mountain. He sets his pack down and casts off his shirt. He is hesitant, he doesn’t know if it is safe to enter the waves. But they call to him, enticing him. He spreads his arms wide and feels the direction of the breeze. It whisks by in the direction of the ocean and he knows he must enter its vast liquidy expanse. He realizes much too late that the ocean is ferocious and merciless and that the current has no qualms about stealing his feet up from under him and pulling him further from the safety of the sand. His arms are much too weak to fight against the dangerous pull of the current, he feels helpless.
He doesn’t understand why the winds have lead him to his peril.
His lungs burn and cry. He thinks of monk Gyatso and his other friends expecting him back a few months from now. And his heart breaks, knowing that he won’t be returning. He squeezes his eyes shut even harder and he silently begs the wind to carry his apology to the air temple.
A feeling of calm overtakes Aang and he decides to let himself fall deeper and deeper still. He opens his eyes and the water burns them. But he is glad that he did, because he sees a face. The most beautiful face he has ever seen. She must be a specter. A spirit sent to ease the burden of death. Or mayhaps she is of his own imagination.
Either which way, he smiles and reaches out for her.
She swims passed his outstretched hand and grabs him under his arms. Through his oxygen deprived haze he scarcely notices how she gently kicks and sends them towards the surface. He doesn’t realize he is out of the water until she lays him on the rough sand and draws the water from his lungs.
A water nymph, he realizes. He has only heard of them in legend. They are said to be graceful and peaceful beings that dwell deep with in the ocean or at the bottom of a lake or even in the murky depths of a lagoon. He didn’t know that they were real. He must be imagining things.
Her hair tickles his face has she leans over him and he knows that he is not. This girl…this nymph, she is real and she is breathtaking.
He has never seen a girl like her before. A girl with vibrant sapphire eyes and skin of such a deep color. Her brown hair falls in ripples over her shoulders.
And he understands. The winds wanted him to meet her, this girl with her deep blue eyes and her dark skin and her soft lips and her long wavy hair.
She puts a hand over his heart as if to double check that he is still breathing before she brings a sweep of water over his chest. Such is the power of the water nymphs. They can wield the water they swim in with such mastery it’s a wonder that they haven’t conquered the world. No, the water nymphs—the nymphs in general—a often shy and tend to keep to themselves. Aang is rather surprised that she had approached him at all. He decides that it makes sense though—for as shy as the nymphs are, they have the gentlest hearts and couldn’t bear to see an innocent wither. Especially not at the hands of their sacred waters. It makes Aang wonder what would have happened if he came across a fire nymph instead. Or an earth nymph?
The girl holds a shell out to him.
When he doesn’t take it himself, without a word, she grabs his hand. Carefully, as if her were some delicate meadowsweet, she unfurls his fingers and sets the shell in his palm with a pat to his hands. And with a voice like sea spray she says. “Yours.”
He closes his fingers around the gift and replies, “mine.” He smiles to himself. She’s adorably charming and reminds him of himself, he was never one for words either. “Thanks.” He adds quickly.
She returns his smile cheerfully, it reaches those ocean blue eyes and adds an alluring sparkle to them. He looks at the arrow in his other palm. Surely Monk Gyatso wouldn’t mind if he gave her just one; he always did tell Aang that it was always better to bestow a gift than to take one. The monks believed in even exchange, when one receives a present it is only kind to offer one too. Aang has always felt more comfortable doing just that. So he takes his arrow and holds it out to her.
“Mine?” She asks.
He nods, “yours.”
She runs her fingers over the feathered end and is about to do the same along the tip.
Quickly Aang speaks up again, “That part is sharp!” She flinches, he hadn’t meant to be so loud. “I’m sorry,” he apologizes, “I didn’t want you to hurt yourself.”
“Sharp.” She repeats.
He holds up the jagged end of the shell and points to the sharper edges.
A look of understanding crosses her eyes. She nods at him and repeats the nymph word for sharp. She goes back to running her fingers over the feathers of the arrow. They are salmon in hue and tipped with gold glitter. “Beautiful.” She notes. She carefully inspects the stick of the arrow; it is also gold. Faux gold, the monks never saw a need for over-extravagance. Not like the fire sages—nice enough people they are, but they have an opulent flair that the monks disagree with. Etched into the ingenuine gold are the teeniest spirals and loops as well as the four elemental symbols. “Pretty.”
Aang thinks that the arrow isn’t the only pretty thing. He gives another lopsided smile, not really knowing what else to say he just utters, “yeah, pretty.” He almost…almost lets it slip that he thinks she’s prettier. He wonders how much of his language she speaks and if she has ever left the ocean before. “Thanks for saving me.” He finally remembers to say.
“It was easy to do. You are light. Like air.” She knows more of his words than he initially thought. But every other word she seems to pause to recall meaning for. Words like ‘light’ and ‘air’ are somewhat foreign to her. So when she say them she points at the sun and softly blows against his cheek.
“I’m from the southern air temple.” Aang says. “I’m Aang.”
The nymph extends her arm. “Katara. From southern ocean.”
“We’re both from the south.” He laughs. He immediately blushes, of course they’re both from the south. He has been traveling south-east the whole time. “I’ve never been to the north.” He adds.
“I haven’t either.” She replies. “I’ve been here forever.” She tries to elaborate but the numbers don’t come easy so she holds up her fingers. Ten of them and then after curling and uncurling them, another four.
“Fourteen.” He fills in. “You’re fourteen. I am twelve.” He mimics her hand gesture.
She stretches her arms and comes fully out of the water. “I like you Aang. I have never met a monk before.”
“I’ve never met a nymph.” He says.
“Have you ever seen a pingpeix?”
He furrowed his brows, having no clue at all what that could translate to. At his confusion she says, “let me show you.”
He adjusts his bang over his shoulder, eager to see what she has to show him. For a while they trek over sand dunes, listening to the water lap against the shore. “There she points.” Standing upon a miniature cliffside where the water smacks mercilessly, is a large penguin koi. He has seen them only in old air temple textbooks but never in person. He thinks that they are splendid, majestic even.
“I haven’t seen a real one.” He speaks.
“I like to catch them sometimes.” She says.
“I heard that they are good for sledding in the frost lands.” Aang notes. He has also never seen a flake of snow, but he doesn’t think that this is something she can introduce him to. “I’ve never been to the frost lands though, so I don’t know.”
“Do you want to see a frost?” She offers.
“You can show me snow?”
“Snow is made from water, komnoi.” It is another nymph word which he thinks may mean silly, but he can’t be sure and he doesn’t know how to ask her.
“I’d love to see snow.” He has heard that each flake is different from the next and wants to find out for sure.
“It will be…” she wraps her arms around herself and fakes a shiver.
“Cold.” He gives her the word.
She raises to her full height and holds her arms out, elegantly she sweeps down dips down and raises her arms slowly, following them with the rest of her body. Water droplets begin to gather around her, adorning the sky like liquid diamonds or tiny glass beads. Aang resists the urge to touch one. Katara smiles. “Now, watch.” The air around them seems to cool significantly and the drops of water begin to shrink. Shrink and freeze into a light fluff that rains down upon him. The young monk is amazed at the spectacle, but even more captured by the look of the water nymph. Up until then he has only ever heard tell of their ability to shift the tides. She looked so gently powerful, so marvelously magnificent. With the snow collecting in her thick lashes and spotting her deep brown hair. Majestic, is the word he was looking for—she looked majestic. The temperature rises again and the white flakes revert back to specks of water, a soft mist to moisten his skin. “Can monks control the wind?” Katara asks. It takes him a moment to fully translate the question.
“Only a few.” He replies. “We mostly listen to the wind, we can…” he thinks for a moment, “speak to it, kind of.” He points to his arrow. “We have air dancers, sort of like you but they live in the clouds and don’t come down often. The monks told me that if I listen to the wind close enough it might start to listen to me as well. So, maybe one day I will be able to move the wind.” He was hopeful but he hasn’t known anyone who had suddenly gained the ability. With Katara for company he didn’t need it—her water manipulation would be bending enough.
“My kin also can’t control water.” Katara nodded. Upon further inquiry, Aang learned that Katara has a brother named Sokka and a grandmother whom she refers to as ‘Gran’. They sound perfectly wonderful and he is all at once curious of the girl’s parents. So he asks.
It takes her a bit of time but she opens up. Her mother was claimed by the fire spirits and her father fled to fend them off. The Fire Nation, from what the monks told him had always been infested with lost spirts. The people of the Fire Nation themselves were mostly friendly or so he was told. But he has never met one. It was the spirits; creatures that lingered after the passing of a particularly spirited Fire Nation citizen. Aang couldn’t imagine going off to battle such a creature. “That sounds hard.” Aang vocalizes.
Katara nods in agreement. “It’s pretty…hard.” She tries the word.
The wind is calling to him again, tenderly requesting that he should follow the shoreline to the west. He doesn’t question its reason, but he faintly wonders what lies to the west. He points in the direction and asks Katara if she knows.
She says, “my home.” She is wearing a wide grin. “And the Earth Kingdoms too. I know some of the earth dryads.”
He thinks to himself, so the wind wants me to learn about the Water Tribes first. He is as eager as one young man could be about the prospect of learning a completely new way of life. And what luck! What luck is it that the breeze would be carrying him to meet Sokka and Gran. He would know more real Water Tribe people!
“Will you take me?” Aang asks Katara.
Katara speaks, “yes, Gran would love to meet you.” She adds, “Gran has always wanted to meet an air monk.” Again it takes him a few minutes to understand her in full, but eventually they comprend each other’s tongues.
She leads him quietly along the coast and he listens to the squawks of lizard-gulls as they swoop down to snatch up unsuspecting shrimp-crabs. The only sound that comes to overpower those victorious caws is that of ocean waves lapping against the sand. It is no wonder that the water nymph is such a serene being, she is surrounded by nirvana and blessed with such peacefulness. If Aang had known about the ocean before, he might have begged the monks for a trip or two years ago. Katara has taken to humming a charming little tune, Aang doesn’t recognize it in the slightest but chooses to hum along anyhow. Her expression is so light and joyful. So hopeful and filled with just as much innocent wonder as his own. He wonders if she has ever been in love before or if she is like him and still has to give it a try. He doesn’t know what has prompted this thinking, after all, he has just met her. Even so, without thinking, Aang takes the nymph’s hand. She jumps and he apologizes. He tries, red in the face, to explain that he was trying to be friendly. She nods and wraps slender fingers around his hand. He is delighted, he has never held a girl’s hand before. He is even more thrilled that her hand is his first experience with it. He decides that he likes holding a girl’s hand and he hopes that she likes holding a boy’s hand too. “How much further?” He questions.
She to a place that seems to rest just at the horizon. Off in the distance are a cluster of huts and bungalows crafted from driftwood, sandalwood, palm fronds, and other sea debris. This kind of architecture was, like most things, new to him.
Seeing them Aang realized just how much about the world he didn’t know. The monks had sent him to learn and learn he would. But he did know one thing. And that was that he loved Katara and that he wanted to learn about the world with her by his side.
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Sea of Chains - Ch. 28, Stars and Horizons
Rating: T
Summary:Years after the events of Anchor, Captain Kai and Jinora Gyatso remain famous names on the seas and their children are literally born pirates. Now, their daughter, Nima, is becoming a little too pirate for comfort. When trouble with Captain Quil of the Blood Moon Pirates turns tragic, Nima is viciously dragged into what can only be be described as every parent’s worst nightmare.
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--
The next morning felt like a well earned calm. A reprieve after a night of adrenaline and near death experiences. Nima woke up early that morning, but didn’t slip out of bed. Even Dan, normally an early riser, stayed in bed longer than usual.
“I washed my hands as best as I could,” came Dan’s drowsy voice. Nima picked up her head and looked over her shoulder in question. “You didn’t react. I assumed you were fine.”
Oh. The blood.
“No, I didn’t really smell it…” She had detected a bit of something metallic beneath the smell of lavender. “Where did you get that soap from? It smells nice.”
Dan grunted. “Saika had it.”
“And you asked him for it?”
He said nothing.
Nima smiled and laid her head back down on the pillow. She rolled over, coming face to face with Dan’s back, strong under the night shirt he’d been given. “Did you ask him for it?”
He hesitated to answer, but sighed. “We both needed sleep.”
“...thank you,” she said quietly. “I’ll… I’ll deal with it. I promise. It was probably a one time thing.”
The way he moved, he almost seemed like he was about to turn around, but paused halfway through. Still, he didn’t get up or move away from her. Neither of them seemed to be inclined to go anywhere anytime too soon. She shoved away the most unpleasant thoughts, forcing herself into the moment. Searching for a less nerve wracking though, she asked, “What did you tell that… ghost?”
“Vatqinokuro.”
“Yes, that.”
“I said something to it in my native tongue.”
“That much I kind of figured, but I meant what did you actually say? If I’m allowed to ask.”
He made a sound that sounded like half a growl. “I just told it to go away. Begone, more specifically.”
“Begone?”
“Kaonaine. Begone. Best translation for it in the common tongue.”
Nima settled her head more comfortably on the pillow and asked, “How did you know what to say?”
“I didn’t. I guessed.”
“You guessed? But I mean, why though?”
Dan sighed. “I grew up with stories of the vatqinokuro. In those stories, someone always told it to begone. Go away. They always listened. Don’t know why, but they did. I ventured on the chance that they would listen now.”
She was quiet for a long moment. “I never did thank you for that. So, um... thank you. We might be… not here if it weren’t for you. I mean that.”
He grunted, a noticeable shift in his shoulders. There was a silence between them before he said, “You let him live.”
“I’m sorry,” she said without missing a beat. “I know you wanted to do it. Maybe it should have been, but… it’s hard to explain. I guess I just didn’t want it to happen.”
“You’re never going to live out there if you can’t make hard decisions.”
Nima frowned and raised her head slightly. “But that wasn’t a hard decision. You weren’t doing it because it was hard, were you? It made you feel better. I’m not saying he didn’t deserve it, but you shouldn’t kill people just because you feel like it.”
“Yes, and you’re the authority on difficult decisions,” he snorted, sitting up.
Nima sat up, too. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He looked over his shoulder and she swore she saw a little bit of irritation in his eyes. “You were just betting on the fact possibility that the warden’s going to take care of him.”
“I’m not betting. I know. You didn’t meet the warden. He’s a good man. Do you even know why he pulled me out of the cell?” she demanded. “Because he didn’t want me to get hurt. Because he didn’t trust that all of his guards wouldn’t do something to hurt me. He even said he admired what my dad does.”
“So, that’s what you’re basing his moral standpoint on.”
Nima’s nose crinkled at that. “Yes, I am. It’s not my fault that you don’t trust anyone. If you hadn’t noticed, Koika and his entire crew basically almost got arrested trying to help us get the stone. And they’re still willing to do more. I don’t know if you know this, but people aren’t all bad.”
“And people aren’t always good.”
“Well, I’m pretty sure he’s at least going to get tried for insubordination. If that doesn’t ruin him, then nothing will.”
“Short of killing him.”
Nima shot a glare at his back as he slipped on he began brushing his hair. “What was that comment about anyway? Why would I not base my moral standpoint on that? You do realize what my dad does for a living right?”
“He captains a slave liberation ship. It doesn’t mean much.”
“Doesn’t mean-- How does that not mean much? Do you even know how much risk goes into that kind of thing?”
“A monk can still go to hell.”
“You don’t know anything about him.”
“Enough that you denied him being your father and it didn’t seem to me like you had much of a hard time with that. You didn’t hesitate. And, yet, when I talk about him, you get defensive.”
“Of course I do. He’s my dad. Just like I would defend my mom or my brother or sister or any of my uncles--”
Dan was putting his hair into his ponytail wraps and brushing them over his shoulder and down his chest. “I don’t know your father like you know him, but I do know he felt guilty. And I also know a reaction when I see one. Just make sure your issues with your father don’t get in the way of what we have to do.”
Wow, what a charmer.
“Has anybody ever told you that you’re an ass?” He ignored her. “What do you have against my father, anyway?”
“I’m not the person you should be asking that.”
“Oh, okay wise master. I’ll remember that the next time you want a question answered.”
“Let’s just say that for someone who’s supposed to be some feared captain, your father doesn’t handle things very well.”
“That’s not--” Nima had begun to argue. Then, the image of her father’s back to her in the cargo room that day she tried, again, to apologize came to mind. She took to glaring at Dan as he strapped up his boots and started to leave.
He took one last long, stony look at her from the doorway. She didn’t finish her sentence.
-:-:-:-
Stupid Dan.
He didn’t know what he was talking about. What did he know about her family anyway? Everybody had flaws. He did. She sure did.
A small voice inside of her pondered about the results of those flaws. Did someone having flaws excuse something? Of course not, but that didn’t mean it made them a bad person.
It also didn’t make them very forgivable…
Nima shook her head and just looked back out a the sea. After everything that had happened yesterday, Captain Koika wasn’t going to make her do any chores. Not that he ever made her do too many, but apparently he’d decided that a day of rest was in order. Normally, she’d love that, but for once she actually wished she had more to do.
She climbed up to the quarterdeck, a lounging Hyun leaning on the gunwales with an apple in his hand. “Mind if I join you?”
“Bored?” he drawled.
“A little,” she admitted. “Or, well, not bored exactly. I guess.”
Hyun chuckled. “Well, that clears up everything.” He pulled another apple out of his pocket. “Here. Didn’t see you at breakfast this morning. You must be starving.”
“Thank you,” she said, taking it. “How’s everyone… taking it? What I told them, I mean.”
Hyun shrugged. “Nobody disputed you, did they?”
Nima shook her head. “No, but nobody really asked too many questions either.”
“It’s not polite to ask too many questions, honestly. But I understand your misgivings,” Hyun said. “Well, Captain’s bound to believe you. As am I. I’ve been around enough sailing these seas to believe in magical swords, honestly. Ranaka probably isn’t sure about the sword, but she likes you well enough. As for the rest of the crew? They’ll help you no matter what, sword or no sword. Besides, it’s not the sword we have a hard time believing. Real question is, what does this witch have on you that you need it? You never quite elaborated on that part.”
Nima winced. She hadn’t. She’d stopped at the fact that she needed the sword of Kinguyakki for a witch she’d made a deal with. “Right.”
“You said you made a deal with a witch. I see what she gets on her part, but what about you? People don’t make deals with witches for nothing. So, what is it? Power? Money? Love?” He peered at her, but she said nothing. “From the looks of it, there’s a kernel of truth somewhere in there, but my question still stands. Kid, what happened to you? Why are you even here? That’s been an the elephant in the room for a while now. And I know I said we’d help you. We will. But I also want to know why my crew here might be risking their necks here.”
“You know, you guys don’t have to help us. Dan and I will do just fine. I don’t want anybody else getting hurt.”
Hyun shook his head and nudged her. “And let you guys go on some big quest all alone? You won’t survive.”
“We’re pretty resourceful,” she protested. “What I can’t really believe is that you’re just so willing to help us.”
“Sounds like the human icicle and you have been talking. Pretty hard to believe people just feel like lending a helping hand, isn’t it? Yeah, that’s the world we live in. Can’t blame you guys for not totally trusting us.”
“I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean it like that. I don’t know what came over me…”
Hyun smiled. “Don’t apologize. I’d feel the same way if I were you. Truth is, we have our own reasons for kind of going anywhere and everywhere for almost anyone. Here, I’ll share if you share, okay?”
Nima frowned and took a slow bite into her apple. “Are you sure you’re allowed to tell me that?”
“Sure, I am. Here, I’ll tell you what’s our deal if you tell me what’s yours. How about it?” Nima hesitated, then nodded. “Okay. Well, first... there’s business to consider. We always have to be on the move for new business opportunities. Some smuggling here, a little bit of stealing there. You know how it is, I’m sure. There’s also… well… Iluq.”
“The captain’s son?”
Hyun nodded. “I take it you’ve heard of him by now, then. Well, you know. There’s always the hope that someone’s seen him. Or heard from him. Or that we’ll just run into him one of these days if we keep moving. I think that’s how the captain deals with it. How we all kind of deal with it.”
“You loved him,” Nima said gently.
“Like he was my own. Basically was my own. Boy was mostly raised on this ship and then completely joined after his mother passed. None of us even remember what Koika and Iluq argued about but I’m pretty sure it had something to do with his mother. He took her death pretty hard.”
“And that’s when he ran away.”
Hyun nodded. “Captain hasn’t been the same since.”
“Is that why he just… stays in his room sometimes?”
“It’s where he is right now,” he said affirmatively. “And we leave him to it most of the time. Check in on him, of course. The man always feel like he failed as a father, but if you ask me, it was both of them. Koika had a hard time talking about Takara’s passing when that’s all Iluq wanted to do. Talk about it. I love them both. I do, but I also have to be honest. Koika really needed to talk to Iluq about Takara and her passing and Iluq needed to understand that it was hard for his father. Takara was the love of his life and now she was just gone. But the same could be said for Koika. Takara was Iluq’s mother and now she was just gone.”
“That’s…” Nima’s eyes focused on the horizon so far away. “That’s so sad…”
“It is. I guess… in a way, helping you is how we deal with Iluq being gone. Make up for all our failures where he was concerned. That’s the thing about family though, you know? Everybody feels like they played a part...” Hyun looked up at her, brown eyes solemn. “Feel like having a turn? I won’t make you, of course.”
Nima was quiet for a long time. Long enough that Hyun stopped looking at her and just stood next to her in content silence. Her heart pounded in her chest as the words rose in her throat. It came out in a breath. “I died.”
There was a long pause before Hyun uttered. “Begging a little pardon there? Did you just say that you died?”
Nima didn’t know when her eyes had begun to sting, but her hands were shaking as they burned the image of the far horizon in her mind. “My dad and I had an argument. A bad one. He didn’t talk to me-- wouldn’t… when we ported, I ran off to get away from the ship for a while and an old enemy of my dad’s found me. Captain Quil.”
“Captain Quil? Of the Blood Moon Pirates? That Quil?”
“It’s not the first time he’s tried to hurt me, but when he captured me, this time, he stabbed me in my stomach…. and I… I woke up in an underwater bubble. Magic. The witch says I’d been dead for a week, but she had put some magic on me so I didn’t… rot.” She almost choked on the word. “I guess.”
The long pause between them almost suffocated her. “...are you sure she was, um... telling the truth?”
“I had... blood. A lot of it. It was all over my dress. Too much. If I’d really lost that much blood then I was definitely gone. I’d also met her before. I kind of… stole money from her, but I didn’t know who she was. She wanted to get it back so she placed a spell on me and it did this binding my soul to the earth kind of thing so when my body died, it was basically frozen in the moment after it had happened because she didn’t get it all back. That’s why she was able to bring me back. Because she had never allowed me to cross over in the first place. As I understood it at least.”
“I see… you’ve, uh… you’ve thought about this. A lot, then. If you can summarize it like that. Kid, you don’t have to say anymo--”
“So, I had to make a deal for my life.” Nima was on automatic. If she stopped now, she’d never say it again. “She let me live. I get her sword pieces. Once I get them all and give them to her then I’m free to live my life. Until then, she owns it.” Another long silence. “I know you might not believe me. It’s hard-- too hard, to believe, really. But it’s the truth. If I don’t do all of this then I’m dead anyway.”
Hyun just stared at her. And stared and stared. “I, uh…” He shook his head and took a big bite into his apple. “Wow…”
She didn’t look at him. Whether he processed it or not, it was off her chest and she had told him the truth. Part of her wondered if he thought her crazy. Nima opened her mouth to say something -- anything just so it wasn’t quite so silent -- when Hyun put a hand over wrists she didn’t realize had been trembling so hard.
“Well, kid. I’m, uh-- I’m proud of you.”
“...you’re what?”
“I said that I’m proud of you,” he said, looking at her now. “That wasn’t easy to say.”
“I’m… not sure I follow. What’s there to be proud of exactly?”
“For starters, in the span of a couple minutes you just told me a couple of your most raw stories all while shaking so hard that you’ve almost dropped your apple.” Hyun put a hand under her apple and lifted it so it didn’t fall right from her hands. “Not everybody knows how to do that.”
Nima hunched her shoulders. “I don’t know. It was more that if I didn’t get it all out then I was never going to get it out ever again. Kind of an all or nothing thing, really. They’re not exactly stories I like to go over again and again.”
“Here’s a secret: most people keep their troubles close to them. For a lot of reasons, of course. A lot of times they just hurt too much to talk about, maybe they’re scared or just see it as nobody else’s business. Sometimes, it’s all of the above. You’ve just shared yours with someone that’s effectively a stranger to you. Good on you.”
Nima frowned. “You’re not a stranger. Not anymore, at least.”
Hyun smiled. “I’ll thank ya for such an honor, then, madam.” He took another bite into his apple. “EIther way, it’s good to talk about your troubles from time to time. It keeps them from eating you alive.”
“But do you believe me?”
He turned his head back and forth as if weighing his answer. “Yeah, I suppose. I’m definitely inclined to, at least.” Nima slumped slightly, but he nudged her. “What you’ve told me is a tall order in the believing side o’ things, but I also don’t think you’d have a reason to lie and I’m pretty sure you’re not crazy. It also… makes sense in an odd way, I guess. Why would you be out here otherwise? Daddy issues aren’t going to make you break into a world renowned gem fortress.”
Nima’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t have daddy issues.”
Hyun didn’t have a retort for that, but he didn’t take his eyes off her as he took another sizeable bite into his apple. His silence was enough of an answer.
“What? I don’t.”
Hyun shrugged. “Speaking of issues, I heard you and lone mountain this morning when I was passing by. Everything okay?”
Now, it was Nima’s turn to bite into her apple. “He’s such an ass, sometimes. He has a problem with the fact that I had him not kill that lieutenant--”
“The one who tried to cook you guys alive?”
“Yes, that one. Nevermind, that it was Dan’s decision not to do it. I think he thinks it’s a sign of weakness. And also he was kind of making jabs at my dad and told me to make sure my “issues” don’t get in the way of what we’re doing.”
“Ah. A man on a mission. I can see where he’s coming from. I know Ranaka probably wanted to take that guy’s eye out. You know, girlie, you can’t blame them, can you?”
Nima pursed her lips, took a smaller bite from her apple and sighed. “No,” she said, swallowing her bite. “I don’t blame them though. I get it. I’m not an idiot. I… I just--”
“Nobody said you were an idiot. At least, I’m not and I’m willing to bet Dan’s not. He’s just a pragmatist. You, on the other hand.” He gave her a sympathetic smile. “You’re just the type of person who doesn’t like to see people suffer.”
Maybe. Perhaps that’s how it could be described. She grumbled, “I’m not into killing. People like to talk about justice and getting what they deserve, but that’s not what everything’s always about, is it?”
“No, it’s not. But not everybody sees the world the way you do. Look at how quickly you took to us compared to Master Statue. You guys have different experiences. Do you even know where he comes from?”
Nima paused, then spoke slowly. “I… know he’s from the Water Tribe. But… I guess that’s it.”
“Right. You don’t know even which tribe he’s from and what his life was like there. Hell, you don’t even know if he’s from one of them. Just his heritage. His experiences have led him to be the way he is. Just as your led you to this moment. Don’t get me wrong, kid. I get it. It’s not your style.”
No, it really wasn’t. Her father had never prolonged killing. Avoided it when he could. And she’d only very recently started being allowed to participate in raids, but even then she had supervision.
“I’ve just kind of had enough death. I don’t want to see more blood and bodies and--” Nima closed her eyes and shuddered. “I’ve had enough.”
Hyun put a hand on her shoulder. “Hey, I agree. I can see it in your eyes. Like I said, you’re the type of person that just doesn’t like to watch people suffer. Even if they deserve it. And I get that. Honestly, if less people had to suffer then I think the world would be a better place. But we don’t live in a perfect world. And the idea of justice is actually a lot easier for most people to accept than compassion. The idea of what people deserve comes to mind much easier than the idea of what one should do.” He shrugged. “On the same token, you can feel compassion for someone and know you should do nothing to help them. Sometimes, nothing is the hardest thing. But I have a feeling you weren’t raised to do nothing. That being said, it’s ironic for that guy that he owes you his life. You were merciful.”
Nima shook her head. “I was afraid.”
“You were merciful and afraid.” Hyun pushed himself off the rail he’d been lounging on. “And that's alright. Either way, you might have served him the justice he truly deserved. Just remember, kid, you can’t save everyone. You’re not cruel, but everybody’s not redeemable, Nima. Where things get complicated is when you have to ask yourself, what should you do.”
“What I should do?”
“You have a good heart. And hearts like yours are easier to lead astray. So, no matter what you choose, compassion or justice, you need to be in control of what you become. Make your decision.” He levelled his gaze with her. “But make your own decision. Dan will come around. For one reason or another, he also made his choice by doing what you asked. He chose not to be the executioner.” Nima made a noise of affirmation and Hyun began walking down the stairs before stopping to look at her again. “But you get my point. Anyway... hey, I don’t know about you, but an apple’s not going to cut it for me. Want to go raid the pantry for a snack?”
She blinked, at first, then smiled. “Sure. Sounds good.” After all, she hadn’t had a proper breakfast. “Hey, Hyun?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
“My pleasure, girlie. I’m old. It’s my job.”
-:-:-:-
Thirty years on a pirate ship had Kai very well acquainted with stars. That didn’t mean he liked staring at them all night in the sky and all day on a map. But for Nima he’d do anything. If it meant bringing Nima home, he’d research every star in the sky.
A delicate hand placed a cup on the desk he had flooded with papers. Papers and books and more reading than he’d ever done in a lifetime. “Love, you need rest.” Jinora placed a soft hand on his shoulder as well. “You’ve been at this all day. Even Otaku’s in bed.”
“I’m usually the last one asleep,” he said, shrugging his shoulders, but her hand didn’t move. “It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. Everybody else is in bed. You should be, too. Nima’s not going to be found by morning.”
“She’s never going to be found if I stop, Gyatso.” He got out of his chair so abruptly that Jinora had to take several steps back. “Constellations. Which constellations? What about them? There are a dozen stories about each of the most famous ones and their individual stars. It could mean any of them.”
“Otaku thinks he’s made some progress…” Jinora said weakly. “He says Roku’s Flare has one fairly consistent story. There are a couple versions, but they’re all virtually the same. Perhaps you should talk to him tomorrow.”
Kai looked at her, then returned his attention to the map on the celestial map pinned to the wall. How long had he stared at it? How many stars had he burned into his mind in the past hours?
“Captain, you need to rest.”
“I don’t need anything, right now. I need some silence right now.” Kai bit his lip. He hadn’t meant it the way it came out. He sighed, running a hand through his hair and turned around. “Gyatso--”
“Do you think this is easy for the rest of us? For me?” she demanded. “Do you think I don’t lie awake at night? Thinking about how my daughter’s out there in the world and how scared she must be? I love her just like you do. I want to find her just like you do--”
“Gyatso, I’m--”
“ And I’m not going to make it if I feel like I have to deal with missing her by myself .”
“Gyatso, I’m sorry.” Kai walked up to her, felt the fire under her skin and kissed away the tears leaking from her eyes. “I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean what I said. Or the way I said it. I just…”
“Don’t know what else to do. I get it.” She grabbed the cup of tea from the desk and presented it to him again. “But I also need you to be here. In reality. Getting Nima back is going to be harder if you pass out from exhaustion.”
“You know, I’m actually pretty good at not passing out in general,” he said behind his cup, but winced at the look Jinora gave him. “Nevermind. What were you saying about Otaku?”
Jinora hooked a gentle hand around his elbow and led him out of his study. “Otaku thinks he might have a starting point. All the other major constellations have various versions of their stories that vary pretty differently. Except for Roku’s Flare.”
Kai took a sip of his cup and almost downed the entire thing in the next sip. When was the last time he drank something today? “He thinks it’s a good place to start our search?”
She nodded. “All the main versions of the story are essentially the same with a minor thing here or there. And they all end the same. He went to bed, but tomorrow I think he and I are going to look further into that.”
“You’ll need more material, then?” She nodded with a noise on her lips and opened the door to their bedroom. “We’ll port then. Maybe somewhere in Republic City? They have a lot of good places for that… and it’s probably high time we visited your parents. Especially now that they’ve probably gotten our letter…”
The idea of having to face Jinora’s family just… sickened him. He didn’t want to look at them and see what they saw. A father who messed up. A man they’d been right about in the beginning and made part of their family regardless. Given a chance.
A chance he’d completely tainted, now.
“I... “ Jinora pursed her lips as she took Kai’s clothes from him. “I actually think we should go see Kida.”
Kai frowned as he slipped on his night clothes. “Kida?”
“You know she’s in the black market. Who knows what she’s seen? What she’s heard? Maybe she could help us figure some stuff out? We need to know more about this sword. If we can figure more about this sword then we can have a more solid lead then just guessing about constellations.”
“What about the story? The one you used to always tell the kids?
“But I only know about the story,” Jinora said, climbing into bed with him. “I only know what the story tells me. I don’t know how many pieces the thing’s split into. I don’t know anything about the history of this sword. If it’s real then there has to be more information on it. And the more we know about then we can either help Nima or, at least, have a better path to find her.”
“...I wish I knew how to read before I met you.”
Kai stared at the ceiling, his heart dying a little in his chest with every beat. Or, at least, part of him wished it would. He could feel Jinora turn to look at him. “What?”
“If I’d been a bit more well read growing up. Maybe been more, you know, studious… maybe I’d know a little bit more about this thing. Who knows?”
Jinora sighed and laid her head on on his chest. He didn’t look at her, but she put her hands on his chin and made him. Her eyes bored into his. “Listen. I’m probably one of the most well read person you’re ever going to meet and even I don’t know anything about this. Not me, not Otaku… You can’t blame yourself for not knowing about it. You can’t blame yourself for any of this.”
Kai sat up. “That’s bullshit.”
“Captain--”
“Don’t Captain me, Gyatso. That’s bullshit and you know it. Nima wouldn’t even have… she wouldn’t be out there if I’d just talked to her. You know it. I know it. Everybody knows it. So, don’t patronize me about this.” When she didn’t say anything, he rubbed his face with a heavy hand and muttered. “Sorry… M’sorry…”
“I’m not trying to patronize you.” Jinora said gently. “I’m trying to keep you focused. I blame myself, too. Don’t say I shouldn’t because I’m her mother. I should have… I should have done more. But we won’t find her if we’re not focused. We won’t find her if--”
“If I got off this ship for too long and did something stupid, right?” More silence. “I’m not upset. It’s… just the truth. We both know how I am.”
“I can’t lose you. And your kids can’t lose you. Even Rama and Taani have been helping extra in anything they can. They’re scared. All of us are scared, but we can’t be scared to lose you, too. You understand?”
Kai laid back down. “I do. I do understand. I’m… I’ve been in my head so much lately.”
Jinora laid her head back down in the crook of his arm. “I know you have. That’s why I’m here.”
Kai almost smiled at that. “Yeah, I suppose you are.”
-:-:-:-
“I need to know something.”
Dan turned around from the desk, from the map he’d been looking at. Nima was leaning against the door, her hands still at her sides. He turned back to the map, his eyes trailing various constellations. “What is it?”
He didn’t hear her move any closer. “I need to know if you still want to do this.”
“You’re going to need to be more specific,” he said. “There are a lot of things I’m doing at the moment.”
She sighed. “Helping me. I want to know if you still want to keep doing this. You almost died back there… you almost went to prison, at least. You know you could leave. You could go back to living your life.”
Dan snorted. “No, I can’t. I can’t very well return you to your family if you’re not with me.”
“Then, I’ll send them a letter. I’ll visit my grandfather or something for proof and send a letter from there. I’ll have you released from whatever contract my dad has you in.”
Dan turned around and looked at her. Really looked at her. Her jaw was tight, her eyes slightly large and she clasped her hands in front of her. Not for a second did she look away at him, even if she seemed to want to cave in on herself just by looking at her. “It’s not that easy. Your father threatened to kill me if I didn’t bring you home.”
Her hands fell back to her side. “My dad wouldn’t do that... he’s not that type of person.”
“Well, he did,” he told her.
“Why?” Dan frowned in question, but she went on. “Why did he do that? How come you two didn’t get along?”
He went silent and almost opened his mouth, but the world weren’t quite on his tongue. What was he going to tell her? Telling her that he had helped hunt down her family was… less that great. She’d never trust him again and go her own way. Maybe they’d kick him off the ship and leave him stranded again. Captain Kai’s eyes flashed in his mind.
There was nothing in them that had given him the idea he’d made an idle threat.
Finally, Dan said, “You died. This may serve as a surprise to you, but he happened to care.”
Nima raised her chin and clenched her hands into fists. “I never said he didn’t.”
“Then stop asking questions like that,” he said quietly. “Your dad and I just didn’t get along. That’s all.”
He didn’t even have to look at her to see the skeptic in her eyes. The way she squinted at him slightly for a moment, but her hands relaxed and she took another step closer to him. “What are you doing?”
He put a blunt finger on the star map and traced the lines of a constellation. “Looking at these constellations. We need to know where to go first. Any idea?”
She blinked at him. “You want my help?”
He didn’t answer her and turned back to the map. She was at his side a moment later.
--
Finally, a new chapter. I've also got chapter 29 done so it shouldn't be too long till the next chapter drops. This chapter was definitely transitionary, but things roll more next chapter.
As always, guys, I love it when you leave those reviews! They really keep me motivated and keep me writing! Thanks for reading! Tune in for next chapter!
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Day 4, and the Dalai Lama
It’s Day 4 of Andy’s and my Whole30 lifestyle, and so far it seems to be going okay. I haven’t had any major cravings yet, although the mandate that I always drink my coffee black has taken me for a bit of a spin. But we grow, as humans, through tribulation as well as triumph- and I assume by Day 30 I will have grown a lot.
How do I feel? Tired. But it’s also been a deliriously cold weekend, and everyone I know has been scrambling for cuddly blankets and the comfort of their beds. It’s also been one of the busiest and most stressful weeks I’ve had in a while, so I’m tired. Carbo-flu or no, winter + stress = tired. It’s not a new equation. But what else is the diet doing to my body?
A few things. I’m not hurting in the same way- and this is important. While I still have aches pretty much everywhere, it’s kind of easier to tell where my muscle pain is coming from. I feel like my body parts are a little more independent, and my joints aren’t as sore as they used to be. My intestines seem to have the need to purge semi-hourly now, which is about as convenient as it sounds, but I’m dealing with that, too. They talked about that in the book (although it wasn’t supposed to happen until DAY 8, BOOK!), so I’m not too concerned. I’m crampy, and I have more gas than a weather balloon.
But I’m confident that this too (forgive the expression), shall pass. And, more importantly, other things have been going on this week.
In an effort to avoid defaulting to Candy Crush to kill time yesterday, I decided to read some news. Apparently, Trump is now using his twitter account to accuse Former Pres. Obama of wiretapping Trump Tower’s phones prior to the election. Awesome. THAT’s what we should be focusing intelligence investigations on right now. So, of course, a billion papers were jumping on the topic, declaring why or why not this should be news. And this morning, I remembered it was Monday- which means that HBO would have updated their youtube channel and I could see what John Oliver thought of all this crap.
Well, that wasn’t the first video that popped up. The video featuring last night’s 20-minute feature monologue was about the Dalai Lama.
Believe it or not, we actually have the North American seat of the Dalai Lama, the Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies, in Ithaca, NY. It was established in 1992. I can’t help but wonder if the choice in location contributes to the overall perception of Ithaca’s “Ten Square Miles Surrounded by Reality” mindset- it certainly helps demonstrate the point that this town is a special place... in a rather hard-to-pin-down, “je-ne-sais-quoi” kinda way. And while I don’t claim to know anything about Tibetan Monks or the practices of the Buddhist faith, several of the tenants of Buddhism, such as reincarnation and their overall sense that physical life consists of mainly temporary pleasures and pains, have been introduced to me from a very young age- and are ideas that I still hold to be true. Being raised in Christian Science, nirvana seems to be a pretty achievable thing when you’re learning in Sunday School that the physical realm is experienced only by perception, and we as spiritual beings are capable of choosing to perceive through spiritual understanding.
But then you get older, you have sex and try fondue and luxuriate in a hot bath every now and then, and you begin to think that maybe the physical realm has more to offer than you were initially led to believe. And the stress, and work, and arguments, and pain that accompany the acceptance of physical perceptions cause strife. So then you try to eliminate or ease the strife by resorting to physical comforts, and the cycle continues. When, if you had allowed yourself to strive towards Nirvana, you may have led a simpler, less complicated life, and risen yourself out of the cycle (which, in Buddhist theology, manifests itself time and time again through reincarnation).
So I’m cutting out sugar and alcohol and dairy and grains for 30 days. Lessening my dependence on physical pleasures. And though I had no spiritual goal in mind for this in the beginning, I’m starting to wonder if it’s coincidence after all that now I’m starting to be reminded of my spiritual roots. But back to John Oliver.
His feature was about the Dalai Lama and Tibet. How China has continued its oppression of the Tibetan people and the Buddhist faith, and how they’ve even gone so far as to kidnap the Panchen Lama (chosen by the current Dalai Lama to find the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, who would then find the next incarnation of the Panchen Lama, and so on) and his family, and even choose and present a NEW “Panchen Lama” to choose the next “Dalai Lama” - one no doubt, approved by the Chinese government.
The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is not liked by the Chinese government. Hence is exile from Tibet since 1959. He managed to still lead Tibet until 2011, but has since stepped down from leadership and now travels as a leader in other ways- spiritually, politically, but not officially in power.
The part of the story that grabbed me was the two figures- the Panchen Lama and the Dalai Lama, and how they’ve continued through generations and reincarnations, to find each other and acknowledge one another. How throughout centuries, their lives have remained intertwined. And it reminded me of the people I’ve met in my life that I feel I’ve known since before my life. The people whom I’ve wondered just how we knew each other in our last life. And seeing the simplicity of the two figures helped me realize that throughout reincarnations, we probably serve as mentors in THIS life for those who have been our mentors in lives previous.
And maybe at some point, you reach a time when you both reincarnate around the same time, and seek to find each other without either to serve as a mentor. I assume that would happen when the world is in a dangerous point- genocides, political upheaval, a large shift in spiritual awareness on a grand scale.
Like now.
I think we’ve all been concerned about the number of enlightened people that have passed away the past few years. And in my mind, this has meant that a large number of people are probably coming into a more enlightened period in their lives- a cosmic passing of the torch, as it were. Remember all those Indigo children people were yakkin’ about 25 years ago?
Well, they’re 25 now. They’re beginning to be the movers and shakers of society. They’re starting to shape the world, although not in a physical way just yet.
The Dalai Lama said in his interview with John Oliver that he might not come back this time around. That if this were his last reincarnation, he’d be okay with that. And given the fact that he’s a spiritual leader of such import, it makes me think that maybe he knows something we don’t. And that maybe he thinks he’s not NEEDED to come back this time around.
It also makes me wonder who my eventual children will be reincarnations of. And what they’ll have to teach me.
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