markofthebrave | [ Voice, Action ] .017

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[ Voice, Action ] .017

[It's the second day of a heatwave, and it's amazing how little things like weather can drive man-eating butterflies, flying trees of burning pointy doom, and missing friends from a Southern Watertibe girl's mind. ...OK, maybe not that last one, but she's feeling this heat in her bones, man, and it's driven her to put on her Fire Nation outfit and just lounge around, trying not to think about the horrible things she's seen week... which of course makes her think about the horrible things she's seen everywhere.

But the best way to get rid of bad memories is to think about good ones... and when that fails, make them.

And so, Katara Has An Idea. She grabs her brother, he agrees, and they make their way to the center of the square and set up a table. It's laden with fruits and sugars and stacks of glasses.

A little bit of waterbending later? And that fountain is now completely iced over, meant to resemble one of their 'Great Wonders of the World', an ice oasis in the middle of the desert.

When they're all set up, Katara makes a voice entry.]

Hey, everyone! Come on to the fountain for free fruit slushies!

[Feel free to come upon them on any part of the process, stop by for a slushie, or take a look at the pretty ice-fountain! Either Sokka, Katara or (eventually, as I have to run out right now) both will answer!]

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[Just like anyone else...? A pause, and then-] Those who cannot aren't looked down upon?

[She's surprised at this question too. But it brings to mind her brother's idiot insecurities and her own upbringing - the only bender in a village full of other, useful people - where her one special skill was worth nothing.]

No. They're not. There might be a couple of idiots who would think that way, but while benders might be more powerful, power isn't everything. A skilled warrior who gets close enough can do just as much harm as a bender - or more.

[He looks thoughtful now, like he's staring at the fountain and seeing something else entirely.]

But that is a good thing. [-wait. Not the harm, part. He rushes to clarify.] That both are treated equally.

[She nods a little at this.] It is - it wouldn't be right otherwise.

[There's a slight pause.] Why are you asking me these questions? Do you have problems like that on your world?

[Well it's not like it's a difficult conclusion to come to...]

Those without additional abilities are not looked kindly upon.

[She doesn't like the sound of that at all.]

That's stupid. People aren't important just because of what they can do - they're important because they're people. If you have power than you should be using it to help the people around you - what's the point of having it otherwise?

I would not argue otherwise; but changing the beliefs of an entire world is not a simple task.

[He looks uncomfortable for a moment, and then undoes the buckles on one of his gauntlets and tugs it off so that he can dip his fingers into the icy water.]

[Changing the beliefs of a whole world... changing the beliefs of a nation was daunting enough.]

No... I can't imagine it would be. But I hope that they do change. [She shakes her head.] Because that is just not right.

They have been taught that it is.

[Now he's the one tracing random shapes through the water, and not quite looking at her. Or at anything, for that matter.]

It's a change they will have to come to themselves, but I believe that time may be drawing near.

[Katara studies him for a long moment.]

...Good. It will be hard, but... most good things are.

And I honestly believe that most people can change. It's not easy, but... I've seen it happen.

[Sigmund doesn't say anything for a bit, but his expression softens. She's a kind girl.]

It will, in time. But I believe I owe you at least one more answer.

[She laughs a little, genuinely amused.] Is the trade going to be that exact?

[That's a surprise to him, he doesn't make people laugh very often.] It would be impolite not to offer.

Well, we can't have that. [So. Amused. What would it take to get some of the manners that she encounters in Luceti to rub off on her brother?]

What is your world like?

[That's a pretty broad question. He ponders it for a moment, lips slightly pursed. It makes his cheeks look especially rounded.]

We have four nations, each with their own rough elemental affinity. There were once five, but... that kingdom is no more. The people worship the moon god, Veros, who grants them magical ability. I imagine it is a world much like any other.

Really? That's the first time I've heard something so similar to mine... we used to have four nations, too.

What kind of elements are used in your world? I've heard of all different kinds here.

Earth. Air. Fire, aether... [He hesitates, glances down at the fountain uncertainly.] Water. Most can manage at least basic spells outside of the element they have an affinity with.

[She doesn't miss his uncertainty. And it's hard to forget what he's told her about what it's like between those with 'abilities' and those 'without.' So where her questions would normally be interested, eager, they're coming out much more cautiously.]

In my world, only the Avatar can master all four elements. It's the Avatar's job to preserve balance.

[She hesitates.] So you've just got one that's different from us - aether? I've never heard of anything like that before.

[Sigmund is naturally hesitant in conversations, so he doesn't really notice. Besides, he's focusing too hard on finding an explanation for something that he never really understood in the first place to pay that close of attention.]

Aether is... energy and nothingness. It is in the world, but it is not of the world in the way of the other elements. [He glances at her quizzically. Did that make any sense?]

[Not even a little bit, man.]

...So. It's...

[Wait. Searching... for some comparison... somehow.] Kind of like chi? A person's life force. Except it's not in the person, it's in the world?

[Well that's... kind of right. Maybe. He's not exactly a mage or a scholar.]

Yes. I think. ... I do not understand it well myself.

[Katara shakes her head.] Weird.

[A tiny shrug.] Every world has its mysteries. Is there anything else you'd like to know?

You said that there used to be five kingdoms. What's the one that isn't there anymore?

Edited 2010-05-28 21:07 (UTC)

... Casandra, the onyx land. [He pauses, realizing that she won't have any idea which one that is.] The nation of water.

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