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[twinkle_toes]

username: FLAMEO HOTMAN!

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audio | un: lucina

[heritors]

[ And on the list of names that Lucina genuinely had to search for a while before ... eventually finding...

Anyway — the next free moment she gets, there's a small number of people she needs to make sure are okay. Of course, on that list is — ]

Aang. It's — Lucina. [ Because her username wasn't obvious enough.

And then, straight to the point: ] How are you faring?

[twinkle_toes]

[Look, go big or go home, and Aang's never been the type to go home. (Except for all the times when he has. But never mind those.) As with any person he deems a friend - which is any person he's met, really - Aang perks up at the sound of a familiar voice.]

Hey Lucina! It's freezing out here - if I didn't have Appa to snuggle with, I'd probably be a popsicle by now.

[That sure is a 12 year old boy saying the word 'snuggle'. Anyway.]

You okay? Did you need something?

[heritors]

Appa—? [ But nevermind that. ] I'm glad you're keeping warm. [ And safe, and alive. But it's probably a good idea she doesn't voice those. ]

I'm alright. I just wanted to check how you were doing.

[twinkle_toes]

I'm fine! Why wouldn't I be?

[Probably because she'd seen him nearly have a nervous breakdown the last time she'd seen him. But he's carefully repressed that memory, choosing instead to replace it with happier thoughts of happier times. (He'll deal with it later, later later later as he does with all things.)

Though, speaking of fine, and speaking of things that come with the cold—]

Did you want to come make snow angels with me later?

[heritors]

It's been ... hectic, the last few days. With the bandits, and the Deemers —

I wanted to check you were alright. [ Because while Aang's repressing those memories, Lucina isn't. She should talk to him about it, but...

Slow steps. They're still practically strangers, after all. ] Let me know if you're in need of anything.

Snow angels? [ Question of the day: does Lucina know what snow angels are? ] Are those like snowmen? [ Answer: no. ]

[twinkle_toes]

I—

[His voice stutters, fails. Her mention of the Deemers pulls his memories back to the surface, where they swirl in uncomfortable oily pools before he banishes them down below once again.

He's not fine, won't really be fine soon, but this isn't a burden he wants to put on her shoulders. So!]

I'm alright. But I'd be better if you made snow angels with me. [From any other person, this might be flirting, but it's a genuine request from him.] They're a lot easier than snowmen; all you have to die is lie down and move your arms and legs around.

[heritors]

[ She hears the catch in his voice, but doesn't quite voice it. It is technically her fault that he's like this, after all. Lucina's not insensitive enough to continue questioning him when he can't see her yet. Again — baby steps. ]

... I see. [ There's a small pause on the other line as she tries to imagine it, but all she's getting is ... well she's visualizing her arms and legs moving above the ground so this. Isn't working. ] If you'd like to, I'd be more than happy to join you.

Are you available now? We can meet by the camps.

why are you making this sad, shakes you

[twinkle_toes]

[Ah.....Lucina please, what kind of sad childhood did you live? (Don't answer that.) Luckily for her, the answer's immediate, said without so much as a second thought.]

Of course! I'll be right there.

[And indeed he is, loitering by the camps already by the time Lucina arrives. Look, you gotta be quick on your feet for these sorts of things.]

delivery; 12/25

[fateality]

[Late into the evening, a package is left out for Aang. Upon unwrapping it, he'll find that it's a humble supplies set for making sandcastles.

A note has been left for the young airbender:]

Aang,

No promises but I figured this might be a good start to whenever you find a decent beach.

Sincerely,
T.F.

video | un: aqua

[keeper]

[ She doesn't usually opt for the video function, but this time she'd like to catch a glimpse of Aang's bright smile! (...And maybe his disguise for Woodhurst LMAO...) ]

Hi Aang, this is Aqua. I just wanted to see how you're doing. [ She's curious what he's been up to in the 90s... (Gomen what a generic question, tries to throw in random tangents later...)

Also, ] How's Appa...? Is he back in Oska?

[twinkle_toes]

Hi Aqua!

[The upbeat reply comes only seconds later, accompanied by a bright smile and a shock of dark black hair. He doesn't look much different, grey eyes still wide and cheeks still round, but his blue airbending tattoos are noticeably absent thanks to ALASTAIR cloaking tech, and there's slightly spiky black hair atop his head.]

I'm doing great! I've been going to school and doing my homework and going shopping with Keith and Feferi and going to the mall. I couldn't bring Appa with me - Shiro said it would probably be better to leave him back in Oska - but he's probably happier there, since he wouldn't be able to fly or eat any of his favorite foods here.

[And since Appa's happiness = Aang's happiness, this is all for the best.]

What about you? Do you have a job here too?

[keeper]

[ Whoa! That all looks surprisingly normal on him?? ]

School, is it? What's your favorite subject so far? [ She's never experienced the public education system for herself... She's curious! ]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that about Appa, but I'm sure he's doing just fine.

[ As for her job... ] Well, not exactly... I'm training as a figure skater at the sports center. If you're ever free, you should come visit.

[twinkle_toes]

[Come to school with him Aqua, they can suffer together.....]

I guess art is okay since we don't get any homework in that class. [#priorities] Math is the worst class though, there're too many numbers everywhere.

[In comparison, the whole ice skating thing sounds wonderful and his look of disdain immediately disappears.]

A figure skater? Wow! Did you actually skate before this? What time do you practice? I'll definitely come watch.

[keeper]

[ visits him during lunch period...!! ]

You're a great artist. I still have that wonderful picture you made, you know. [ weh!! also everyone agrees, MATH SUX ]

Well, just at home on frozen ponds and such. This is quite different for me... But it's been fun to learn.

I practice very early in the morning, and through most of the afternoon. I'm supposed to be studying in the library for online courses, otherwise... [ the less-fun version of school... :T ]

[twinkle_toes]

That sounds like a lot of stuff to do at the same time.

[Ice skating practice and studying? If it were him, he'd just stick with the former. In fact, he's curious as to why she's doing both and he gives that question voice, eyes wide as he asks.]

How come you're doing both? Isn't just ice skating enough?

[If she practices enough, surely she'll be good enough to be a professional.]

[keeper]

It seems to be normal for females my age to be doing academic courses alongside athletics. It does get rather busy at times, but of course it's mostly just a cover story.

I don't mind the studying too much, though. There's a lot of interesting things to read in the library. This world is very different from the ones I've been to before. [ (neeeeerrrrdddd) ]

Have you found any new sports or games that you enjoy at school?

[twinkle_toes]

[Truly, what a nerd. Aang continues to wrinkle his nose at the mention of studying but doesn't comment this time around. If it makes her happy and if it helps keep up her cover story, he guesses it's fine.

Even if he'd rather be going out and experiencing those differences rather than read about them. One of those differences? Sports!]

There's a sport we play in gym class that's pretty cool. It's called dodgeball, and you're supposed to hit people on the other team with balls while trying not to get hit yourself. [Here, he puffs up a little.] I haven't gotten hit once.

[He may or may not be cheating with a very slight touch of airbending. No one's caught him yet, so it should be fine, right?]

Have you ever played it before?

gently backdates this to the riots

[racking]

Aang? Are you ok?

gently welcomes you into my arms

[twinkle_toes]

hey shiro, i'm fine! things are pretty crazy now, huh

what about you, you didn't get hurt did you?

nests there

[racking]

I think I did. Something bit me, Aang. While Rhys and I were gathering information.

[twinkle_toes]

[ no D: ]

when? how? [he already answered how] are you infected?

[racking]

I'm going to get tested. But I think so.

We'll have to be careful. I don't want to transmit anything to you or Keith.

[twinkle_toes]

are you still going to stay with us? you're not going to go off on your own are you?

[racking]

I'm gonna stay but we'll have to be very careful. I don't want anything to spread to you.

When it gets worse, I'll have to find somewhere else to stay. I'm working on that already.

I just wanted you to be prepared. So you aren't caught off guard.

[twinkle_toes]

[It's depressing news, to be sure, but he's learned over the course of Perdition's Rest and Woodhurst so far to keep his chin up. He's got friends here that care about him and friends he cares about, and he'll find some way to help them as best he can.]

what can we do to help?