frost_jewel | 18. [voice/action]

[There's a chill in the air and a smile on Mia's face as she gets herself ready for the day. For once, she isn't headed straight to work at the crack of wintry dawn; instead, she bundles up and puts a set of skates into her shoulder bag. Before she ducks out the door, she flips her journal open to leave the world a message.]

As Captain Sparrow has so generously provided a skating area in the village to use, I will be there this afternoon if anyone would like to learn how to skate. The weather is perfect for it today. [There's a break in the clouds - for a while - and a peek at the sun they haven't seen in days.] It's only a little tricky to learn, but I'm sure anyone can get the hang of it with a little practice.

[And off she goes! The morning is for Caius and Seto - one after the other - since she did promise them individually and neither is quite the type to learn while others are watching.]

[[ooc: This is set on the 18th, before the truly heavy snow sets in for the event!]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's okay, Mia. It must have been different from what you know. Almost everyone I've met who's not an air nomad has been part of a family.

It sounds like the air nomads were your family, Aang.

[He comes to a halt on the ice as he considers this.]

In a way they were. They were like that. Monk Gyatso always cared for me, and the way he was... it's hard to wonder if he was like a father or a mother or a grandad or a friend or all of them. I really loved him. And... and I like to think of the other nomads like that, too.

[He frowns as he continues.]

But they didn't want to play with me anymore once they knew I was the Avatar. [And he remembers when Sokka tried his non-bending darndest to play airball with him.] And all the elders except Gyatso... They only wanted me to train instead of being a kid. And- and I ran away, and I don't know what they thought of me in the end.

[It's hard to grow up fast. Mia stops, too, looking away slightly with a distant smile.]

I think they would be proud of you now.

[He almost smiles, but he still feels conflicted.]

Even though... even though I left them?

Even adults don't always make the right decisions, Aang. I think that if they saw you now, someone they knew as a young child and grew up with, taking the responsibilities they hoped for and trying as hard as you could to make the right decisions...well, I don't see how it could be otherwise.

[Now there's the warm smile.]

Thanks, Mia. I... I like to think that, too.

[Now feels like the great time for a hug. Realizing quickly that stepping on the ice is awkward, he tries to skate forward with his arms extended.

...And he winds up smoothly sliding right past Mia.]

[She can't help a little giggle at the expense of his desire to show appreciation. Turning with him, she skates fast enough to catch up and gently grab one of his coat sleeves.]

I suppose you need to learn how to stop.

[The tug helps him to stop; then he turns to at least hug an arm around her with a sheepish smile.]

Thanks. That might make a good next lesson.

If you don't learn how to stop on your own, you will always have to use another person or a nearby snowbank instead. That isn't very fair, is it?

You're right. It's especially not fair to my really nice teacher! So what kinds of tips do you got now?

To remember to wear a hat next time. [How does he not freeze? Grinning, she takes his wrist and starts to pull him across the ice for a stopping lesson.]

[He chuckles and lets himself be guided along.]

I will! [He does have at least a goofy hoody-hat around the house and would later wind up with several hats as Christmas presents.]

Does being the Avatar mean you don't get cold as quickly?

Maybe? I never really thought about it before. Or maybe it's an air nomad thing.

[Since, you know, they all lived on top of mountains and flew through the skies with just uncapped bald heads and loose robes.]

You've never been any other way, so perhaps you wouldn't know.

[Now, time to learn to stop and not to fall on your face while doing it.]

[A small laugh.] I guess I wouldn't!

[And he remains attentive for the impending lesson.]

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