tushanshu | [Video]

Entry tags:

[Video]

[To say things had been weird since Wan arrived would be a massive, massive, massive understatement. Several hours of just plain weird. He was finally at the house he'd apparently been assigned and it was nice.

...really nice. Nicest place he'd ever had a chance to sleep in.

But that wasn't why he was at the terminal, using it for the first time. No. He had weird things to ask about.]

H-hello.

[Wan gave an awkward wave.]

I'm new here and I was told I could use this to find out information if I had any questions. I have a few. They're about the turtle that found me and this strange feeling I've been having since I woke up. They're unrelated. The turtle was giving me a strange feeling, but I got that one sorted out.

Anyway, first about the turtle. Her name is Rio'era. She wanted to come home with me, but the home I was given was not the home she wanted to go back to. I mean, I can find her anywhere with the spiritual connection she's given me, but I- I'm not getting to the point. I just wanted to know if that was normal?

A turtle the size of a small house calling out to you when you get here and all that. The people that introduced me to the computers didn't mention anything about smaller turtle spirits doing that. They only mentioned the giant turtle spirit we're all living on right now.

The other question I have is about this strange feeling of... well, I'm not sure. It's like I can feel myself in two other places, but I can't pinpoint those places. I can just feel them. Out there.

Floating around.

...Somewhere.

[Wan quieted, trying to remember if there was anything else.]

Oh! I'm supposed to find a job! I've never had one in a human city before! So that's pretty exciting. If I can get one. How do I get one? Is there a place I can volunteer to go hunting outside the city or something? Cause I've done that before... sort of.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Easy. [She said it with a smile, though it wasn't out of amusement. More from that he was just as compassionate as Korra remembered seeing him and she gripped his hand when she felt him slip ever so slightly.]

It's okay, I managed to defeat Vaatu. You see, I'm the current Avatar. When the Avatar dies, they become reincarnated and Raava bonds with them when they're born into the next nation.

[May as well do proper introductions now.]

I'm Avatar Korra of the Southern Water Tribe. That's why you have that feeling...

[That was a lot to take in. Wan steadied himself in the doorway with his other hand, then used it to help as he lowered himself to the floor. His breathing was heavy, his mind racing.

He'd only just bonded permanently with Raava earlier that day - from his perspective. They'd been ripped away from the fight with Vaatu before they could finish it. He hadn't given any thought to how being 'bonded forever' would work. He hadn't had the time. And for ten thousand years to have passed...]

I'm sorry, Raava. I didn't mean to trap you.

[He shut his eyes and leaned his head back against the wall.

Do not be sorry, Wan. I am not.

Wan opened his eyes and stared up at Korra.]

Ten thousand years...

[She messed up. Korra had no idea how she did it, but she messed up telling Wan how things worked and she had a briefest instant of panic as he lowered onto the floor. There was no getting around the amount of time that passed, so Korra could only nod down.]

Wan, you didn't trap Raava. [Folding her knees, Korra got into seiza so she was able to look at him evenly.] She chose to stay with me- I mean, with the Avatar. Keeping peace and balance in the world is what she's been doing all those years. If it weren't for you, our world would have been utter chaos.

[Wan stared at her for a long moment, his eyes searching hers, trying to make sense of it all. Raava's own words of consolation didn't help much only because of the enormity of the new knowledge. He trusted her and if she said she was not sorry, then he didn't need to be sorry either. It was just hard to accept. With all they'd been through he hadn't wanted to hurt Raava more. Giving up his own life was fine, but hers...

I will live on in you, Wan. My life is as I have chosen it to be.]

But it only just happened... What if you regret it?

[He was speaking to Raava, inside his head. Korra couldn't know that, of course.

She is proof that I will not.

Wan reached his hand out to touch Korra's cheek, still searching her eyes.]

I don't know what to think right now.

[It was just so much to take in at once.]

[Korra's only spoken to Raava once, so she instantly assumed he was talking to her. And she opened her mouth, only to close it again. What did she regret? Even though it hadn't happened yet, Korra already felt fear and regret at losing all of her past lives.

No wisdom to guide her, no past Avatar to help her when she needed it the most.

And she felt guilty for it when she felt his hand on her cheek. Wan had no past lives, only Raava. Just like she would be.]

I know. It's- not easy. [Bringing her hand up to his, Korra looked down sadly. This turned out to be another failure.] I shouldn't have told you until later.

I'm not sure that would have made it any easier.

[He rubbed a thumb over her cheek, taking comfort in the touch. It was unusual for him to seek it out. Touching others didn't happen much unless it was a Catdeer named Mula. Or Raava.

Wan took a deep breath and sighed.]

It's just a lot. And Raava...

[His hand twisted to take Korra's and then dropped so he was holding it between them. He smiled, unsure if he was feeling more rueful or more sad.]

She says she's not mad.

[Consoling others had become a valuable learned lesson since she arrived on Tu Vishan, and she was already becoming accustomed to the tug that Wan had on her spirit; which made things easier. His smile was a lot like hers and Aang's, down to the point where she could see right through it. But she offered her own comforting smile and covered his hand with both of hers.]

No, she's not. I've never really tried talking to her before, but I know. Avatars have to trust they're doing the right thing. It's what you did, and every one after you did that. World's still standing, so that's something, right?

[That legitimately made him feel a little better. But it was followed by a self-depreciating laugh.]

Trusting that I was doing the right thing was what got Raava into this mess. Or didn't you hear about that?

[Wan's eyes drifted to their hands. It felt so natural. She felt natural. Just another part of him. It would have scared him if not for all the times he'd had Raava merge with him. Korra felt the same as Raava without the soul-rending pain. It was a pleasant experience now that he was letting himself relax and get used to it.]

If I hadn't separated Raava and Vaatu, she wouldn't have needed me to help her fight at Harmonic Convergence.

[Korra would have felt more awkward were she not trying to make him feel better; that and he was familiar to her. And not just because he had shown her his life.]

I know, but you were only trying to help. You didn't know what Vaatu was, firebending them apart isn't something anyone should hold against you.

[She started to stand up, offering her other hand to his help him up.]

I hold it against myself.

[Wan let her help him up only because she looked ready to get standing again. He would have been content to stay against the doorframe for a good few hours just thinking about things. But she wanted up, so he stood.]

I know I didn't know better, but it's still my responsibility. That's why fighting Vaatu is- was- so important. With Raava as a part of me now...

[Wan hadn't quite registered that Korra had already said he'd done this, but the decision was quickly made all the same.]

Then it becomes my responsibility to help her perform her duties to the world. To maintain the balance and guide the world toward peace.

[He put his free hand over Korra's, adding to the pile as he smiled fully. Acceptance of his own actions, his own responsibility, came very easily to Wan. This was something he could do. If he could not give Raava her autonomy back, then he would act on her behalf instead. He would not allow her to give all of herself without giving something back.]

You said you defeated Vaatu at the next Harmonic Convergence. What role have you chosen to take after that as the bearer of Raava's Light Spirit?

[Korra couldn't help but smile at that statement, and it was somewhat nervous because she wasn't expecting him to end up holding her hand in turn. But it only lasted until he asked his question, then Korra's smile faded and her hands went a little limp.]

Well, I can tell you what role the Emperor let me see in my future. It hasn't happened yet, not for me anyway. [Korra took in a deep breath and let her hands slide out from underneath his, her tone lowering as she looked down.]

After I vanquished Vaatu, I chose to leave the spirit portals opened. [And she immediately looked back up at him, her voice taking an upswing.] I'm sorry! I know it's not what you wanted; but I just felt it was the right thing to do I guess. I could only see my future, not actually live it.

What are you talking about? Why wouldn't I want to leave the portals-

[His confused questioning was cut off by Raava's voice in his head.

We cannot destroy Darkness. Had we stayed, the Tree of Time would have been a fine prison.]

And closing the portals would prevent any human from making the same mistake of releasing him that I made.

[It was fairly obvious that he was having a seemingly one-sided conversation with himself. His eyes going down and away before returning to Korra.]

You didn't imprison Vaatu in the tree? Where did you put him?

[Now that Korra knew he was talking to Raava, she listened to the one sided conversation and bit her lower lip guiltily. A human was able to release Vaatu, and it was Korra's fault for opening that spirit portal in the first place.]

I, didn't imprison him anywhere. When I say I vanquished Vaatu, I mean I purified him and let him go in peace. [Maybe it was nicer than he deserved, but Korra was thankful to be able to do so. She shrugged her shoulders and that smile came back just a little.] I actually save the world.

Darkness can no more be destroyed than Light. Purifying him will only vanquish him for a time. He will eventually return.

[Wan repeated Raava's words, both concerned at this knowledge. But it did mean that for the time being the world was saved. Perhaps that was a better solution that whatever he chose to do. Better for her time and the people that lived in it.]

But it won't be for a long time. Not until the sometime before the next Harmonic Convergence.

[He smiled, shrugging.]

Time enough for the world to prepare. Just as long as his threat isn't forgotten, I think that it will be fine. I don't mind the portals being open. If the portals were closed, then the spirits of the Spirit World would have had to return or be trapped outside their home. Does that mean humans aren't living separate from each other anymore?

[That was a relief, especially since it came from Wan himself. There was no greater validation in her future actions than having the okay from the person who's work she would be undoing. Korra nodded remembering the speech she heard herself give to the Southern Water Tribe.]

Yeah, they're going to have to learn to live together. It's going to be a new age.

[Then she took a deep breath and raised her eyebrows slightly cheerlessly.]

But that's back home. I wish I could say the same for here.

[That look didn't bode well for things.]

What's wrong here?

You haven't seen the palace? That's where the great evil we're supposed to fight is hanging out.

[Despite Korra's personal ongoings, she never lost sight of why she was brought her and it's a constant in the back of her mind.]

He's right on our doorstep.

Oh. Yeah. I was told about it and told to stay away for now.

[He thought she meant the local populace wasn't getting along with each other. That they were fighting and attacking each other when there was a greater problem to deal with.]

I thought you mean the people around here had problems with each other. Not... not that. I want to go face that evil, but I've been told that they don't think I could. Even with Raava's Light Spirit to aid me.

We tried an attack recently. [She shrugged while raising a single eyebrow.] We didn't break the barrier, so yeah, it's going to take some doing.

[Giving a breath of a laugh, Korra lets her hands slip away from his.]

You just got here, you should go out and see the big city. It's a lot to take in at once, but it's worth it. Trust me. [She could have easily been referring to both Keeliai and Republic City.]

[Though he did not fight her when she pulled away, Wan found himself reluctant to let go. It was a very unusual feeling for him and his hands dropped slowly back to his side.]

Yeah. Sure. I was already planning on that. Mostly tomorrow. I was told I should sleep in the house I was given because of the lanterns there. It's kind of hard to believe that's my... our... soul. Not when I feel it inside me, and inside you.

[And speaking of feeling himself in other places.]

Who's the third?

Tell me about it. [Korra's still trying to wrap her head around her soul being in a lantern, her past lives being with her still, Aang living in another part of the city, and now Wan as well. They all shared the same soul...]

Aang. [Korra placed held the bicep of her folded arm and flexed, giving a grin.] He was the Avatar before I was born.

[Beat.]

Annnd he's twelve.

He's young. Is he ready to fight?

[Not could he fight. Not would he fight. Was he ready to fight. Because if he held Raava inside him, Wan had no doubt about the answer to the other two.]

Not really. [That somehow came out of her teeth before her grin faded and she looked concerned.]

He hasn't learned to firebend yet, and he's blocked off from the Avatar State; and he's got his own fight back home that he's been trying to be ready for. It's not easy for him.

[Fire bend was an odd way to put using the elements, but he was more interested in the other part of that.]

What's the Avatar state?

[And why is it important?]

[Whoops. Korra mentally scolded herself for forgetting that just the term Avatar was foreign to him.]

The Avatar State, it's the glow. [She closed her eyes, only to reopen them to show him what she meant. After a few seconds, the light faded so it was just her blue eyes again.]

Looks like I still have a lot to tell you about the Avatar.

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Re: Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;