1st Element ☲ Video

[actually112]

[It's helpful that so many people have been fiddling around with their lockets, and that Aang's given himself some time to try figuring the thing out. There are only three false starts before he manages to properly turn it to video.

A twelve-year-old bald boy with arrows tattooed on his head, arms, and legs sits in a lotus position. To those who would recognize it, his clothes seem similar to those of Tibetan monks.]

Is this thing on...?

[The locket's also upside-down as he works on it, his tongue sticking out with concentration, before he blinks.]

Oh! Hi!

[He puts the locket down upright and tries to look like he knows what he's doing, but the image is kind of ruined by his somewhat sheepish smile and the way he waves.]

I'm Aang! [He puts his hands in his lap, gray eyes bright and curious.] I don't really know many of you, but I'd like to! I kind of what to say something to everyone on both sides of this.

[The smile begins to fade.] In my world, there's been a war going on for a hundred years. I still don't know why it began. From what I hear, one nation attacked the others, and the others are now just trying to protect themselves. I've always wondered why that first nation attacked. [The smile's completely gone now. The eyes have lost some of their brightness.] But now... we have these lockets. So we can talk to each other, and we can find out why we're being told to fight each other.

So I came on here to ask... [He puts his palms together and closes his eyes. Just a twelve-year-old boy, trying to fulfill his duty to achieve peace and harmony.] that before we start fighting, that we talk first, and we compare what our separate sides have told us. That we try to learn about each other. I'll start.

[The boy unfolds his legs and picks up a wooden staff from the ground, using it to get to his feet and leaning on it while he speaks.] Like I said, I'm Aang. I'm an Air Nomad. That means I'm a monk, and I was taught to respect all life. [Perhaps conspicuously to those who know him, he doesn't mention his status as the Avatar. That seems like heavy stuff to tell people who don't even know what that is.] When I came here, I was told that I had to kill people who were chosen by the Unseelie to steal their Shards, and if we didn't do that, then everything I ever loved would be destroyed. They said that this is a kingdom that represents light in the world--things like honor, courage, love, justice... that kind of thing. And that the Unseelie are going to destroy all of it.

So... what about everyone else? Seelie and Unseelie? Who are you? Where are you from? Why did they tell to fight?

Comments

Video

[notpeterparker]

I was picked by the Seelie too, and was told I'd have to fight. But I don't want to hurt anyone either...

Oh, and I'm Carol, by the way! It's nice to meet you, Aang. I think trying to talk to each other is a good idea - hopefully this whole situation can be resolved peacefully.

Video

[actually112]

Hi, Carol! [Aang waves at her with a smaller smile than he had on before.]

If you don't want to hurt anyone, we can abstain from violence together. It's an Air Nomad philosophy to never use violence except for the defense of self or others. And you can try to talk to people brought by the Unseelie on the lockets, too!

video; locked

[dulledknife]

[ Congratulations Aang, you get this scarred bastard for your troubles. Daud is keeping the conversation locked, not wanting his monarchs (i.e. kidnappers) peering over his shoulder. ]

Trying to broker a peace already?

[ There might be a subtle note of amusement in there, but it's not the derisive kind. ]

video; locked

[actually112]

It's what I do.

[Aang gives a small, earnest smile.]

What court were you taken to?

video

[devotedqueen]

[It's almost a surprise to see such a young child speak so well and feel so much for the world. But hadn't Mist been like that three years ago? Elincia smiles warmly at the thought and when her feed turns on, Aang will find himself talking to a young woman clad in white and gold armor]

Aang, is it? [She dips her head in acknowledgement, still smiling fondly] I am--Elincia. [No need to reveal her title in this world. It did not amount to much in this world after all] I am too chosen for the Seelie and what they told you, they told me.

[The smile slips from her face as she continues on, looking thoughtful. There were a lot of terms Aang had used that she was not familiar with, but perhaps she would be able to ask about those later]

I cannot say I like the idea of fighting either. I have seen far too much bloodshed in the past three years and have very little desire to see more.

video

[actually112]

Nice to meet you, Elincia.

[What little smile was there at the greeting fades quickly.] Yeah. I think I've seen enough death this lifetime. So I think we should talk before we start fighting a war that isn't ours.

voice

[redsea]

[ Aang's clothes make him look like he hails from the Kou Empire. He reminds her a bit of Aladdin, too, with his age, the way he speaks and its content. Then again, Aladdin's friend almost killed her own. She's still bitter about that. ]

... Did you just expose your allegiance to everyone? If you get killed, that will be no one's fault but your own.

[ She's all for peace, but the difference between conflict of the kingdom of Sindria and the Kou empire and that of the Seelie and Unseelie is that she knows she has a chance at getting both sides to work something out. She isn't familiar with how this world works, so she has to change her perspective here.

Besides, it's not like she cares about anyone on the other side now anyway. ]

voice

[actually112]

Yup! Did it right on the locket!

[He has no problems with this. He can't very well ask that everyone get along if he's not ready to trust people to not hunt him down and murder him.]

But I trust that most people don't really want to fight here without understanding what's happening.

Locked

[whatthefoxsay]

[Aww, with his little bald head he's kind of adorable.]

Hi, Aang. My name is Kira. I'm also supposed to fight for the Seelie.

I get the impression that this war is not a new thing for them. The fairies are not human, they're like spirits with corporeal forms, and they don't think the same way we do. But I honestly hope you're able to have an effect on things.

[ooc: Aang may or may not be able to see her kitsune aura, I'll leave it up to you!]

Locked

[actually112]

[Through the filter of the locket, Aang can't pick up much. It seems a little like the image of this new woman is slightly blurred around the edges--probably nothing important, seeing as he has no idea how these things work and how often they have the sharp images he's seen thus far.]

Spirits don't usually think like humans do. I think it's just part of being immortal.

But humans think like humans. And I know how we think! [Ha ha ha Aang the Avatar's not quite as human as you think.] So I can try to talk the humans out of getting involved. [He shrugs with a small smile.] I don't think I can stop the fairies. They believe in their war, and they'll fight as long as they believe it. But we don't need to be part of that.

[oursavinggrace]

[he is indeed familiar with the image of tibetan monks. and between that, and what this kid's saying, jason can't help but wince at the seelie's choice of soldiers. whatever fighting ability there may or may not be is kind of a moot point if the person has a firm objection to fighting in the first place.

still, it's a least a nice idea in theory, talking it out. ]

Hi, Aang. I'm Jason, and I'm from the US. So what's an Air Nomad? Besides monks, I mean.

[actually112]

[Well, objection to fighting itself is pushing it. But unnecessary violence? Hell to the yeah, he's got objections.]

Well... [Aang starts to gesture with his arms, as he often does when talking about his (nearly extinct) people.] We're all airbenders, and we live on temples on mountains. Or, well, a lot of us live on mountains--a lot of nomads like to travel around on their flying bisons and don't try to earn their arrows. There's the Northern and Southern Air Temples for the monks, and the Eastern and Western Air Temples for the nuns. I'm from the Southern Air Temple, one of the most beautiful places in the world!

[Instinctively, he talks about the airbenders as if they're all around. He's just never gotten used to speaking about them in the past tense.]

What's US?

video;

[hermothersfire]

[ Oh look, someone had the same idea she had. ]

It is difficult to find out the true motives behind an age old battle. Legend says that the Unseelie are members of the Seelie court who were banished because they couldn't live up to the Seelie code. They aren't famous for being kind to humans.

video;

[actually112]

[Your hair is pink. That's so cool.]

Did you read all that in the library or something? I never heard of either of the courts before I got here.

video

[happilyevermore]

You sound young for a monk, Aang. But age and wisdom by no means go hand in hand. Conversation is the best first step to understanding.

Though, ah, I fear I can't offer any insights beyond your own.

video

[actually112]

I earned my arrows pretty early by Air Nomad standards. Most people my age would still be training. [Actually, most people his age would be well on their way to the grave. 112 years is a long time.]

You can still offer insight! Just tell us about you and your world. It feels like we're from all sorts of places. [He will, in fact, chinhands in anticipation.]

video;

[chiot]

[ Someone his age! Gavroche isn't bothered by the funny looking things, or the too-serious voice. He's sure he's just being brave, right? That's what he'd do, if he wanted to know about other people. Put on a brave, calm face. ]

'Ey! You ain't be a monk, you're an altar boy, huh? You got a lotta serious face.

video;

[actually112]

[Someone his age! (Actually, his biological age. Ish. He doubts this kid is his chronological age.)]

Nope, I'm a monk! [Excuse him while he smiles wide, because another kid!] I finished training and everything! What's an altar boy?

[voice]

[huge_egomd]

[House is going to keep this to voice only, because the last thing he needs is for any of the Seelie to be able to associate his face with the Unseelie court.

And geez...only a kid would think he could talk out all the world's--any world's--troubles.]

Are you familiar with the concept of yin and yang?

[voice]

[actually112]

Yep! [He'd be a piss-poor Avatar if he didn't.]

Yin and yang represent opposite forces in the world, pushing and pulling each other and maintaining balance through this process. One can't exist without the other, and you find it at all levels of the earth, from the smallest spider fly to the moon and ocean themselves.

Video

[gordianknots]

I think that you're right to turn to these lockets and try to determine what is the most correct information out there, across all lines. With that said, I think the first step is confirm that little point about the Unseelie and destruction - it would very well be misinformation in order to win you over to one side or the other.

In addition to getting a grip on what respective sides have told each other - have you considered trying to get information on both sides in regards to their history and why they're using proxies to fight their war? I can certainly buy the notion that the shards are the cause, but what's the logic for those being there in the first place?

I've likely answered you with more questions than answers, so please accept my apologies and at least one direct response to what you've put forth here: I'm Waver Velvet, and on the Unseelie side of this.

Video

[actually112]

I'm trying to get more information. That's why I've turned to the lockets--right now, only people who were taken here by the Unseelie can hear the Unseelie side of things, and only people who were taken by the Seelie can hear their side. We should compare what they told us, and maybe compare their history books?

Hi, Waver. [He waves with a tiny smile.] It's nice to meet you.

[Private Audio]

[13th_member]

[The idea that he's been accepted into the court associated with light is a little surprising. Humbling even, considering his association with Organization XIII.]

Hey Aang...I'm Roxas, from Seelie too. Sounds like we've been told the same thing, and I'm not planning on fighting unless I need to defend myself. [He's done working under other people's orders.]

This whole light versus darkness fighting isn't new to me. You can't have one without the other, right? 'Cause the closer you get to light, the greater your shadow becomes. So I'd rather not fight...I'll probably try figuring out a way to return to our original worlds. [He has to return to Sora anyways, and he can't risk the possibility that his Shard is actually Sora's heart.]

[Private Audio]

[actually112]

Likewise. Air Nomads are taught to only fight in the defense of self or others.

[He sits down slowly, needing to use his glider to ease downwards.]

I don't think this war is really ours. There's already a war back home that I need to help with, and this feels a little like it's beyond humans.

voice.

[sangilak]

[ well that's... more information than she got from the fairies that brought her here. maybe she really should start asking more questions before jumping the gun and agreeing to help.

still, she can't help but hear raava in her head, saying that darkness cannot defeat light any more than she can defeat darkness. it's all about maintaining a balance, something korra has to learn while learning how to balance herself as well. this world might work differently than hers, but the principle is the same, right?

thankfully some messing around with the locket as taught her more about operating it than a manual would have (and let's be honest, she would have just burned the manual). ]

Are you so sure you buy that? What they told you, I mean.

voice.

[actually112]

I think that the fairies who told me about it believe what they say.

[He slowly slides to the ground, using his staff to steady himself.]

I don't know if I really believe it all, though.

[voice]

[bythewaves]

And so they bring children here too, do they? [ bitter, angry ]

You ought be more careful of whom your voice reaches, young one. There are many here in your opposing court who would not be kind.

[voice]

[actually112]

Well... yeah, looks like it! I've only met one other person around my age, though. [He sees no problem with it. Probably because he and his similarly-aged friends are also fighting a war back home, and war doesn't differentiate between kids and adults.]

I'm sure there are a lot of people in my court who wouldn't be too happy either. There's always going to be people who won't be nice to me. That just means we should work harder for peace!

voice;

[concealingeyes]

[Information recon time. But like hell she's revealing who she is or what side she's on. The kid looks too nice to be doing anything manipulative on purpose but since they were given these lockets by the ones in charge, it doesn't seem safe.

She should order Kano to do this. She's too bad at lying to do much more than try to sound like a fellow Seelie.]

It's not like they were going to tell us the other side are nice people just doing their jobs. [She sighs.] So the other kingdom is supposed to be darkness? I heard from someone it's more about embracing change, following your heart, something like that.

voice;

[actually112]

Really? Who did you hear that from inside the Seelie court? All the fairies I talked to just talked about how they were representative of darkness.

[Aang clearly doesn't really buy that, since he hesitates to label any mortal creature incarnate of anything (that's more a spirit thing), but he knows that that's the line that the Seelie is towing.]

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[tiaraaction]

You can't trust chaos. The Unseelie - they're full of chaos, aren't they? But I definitely don't want to kill anyone either.

video »

[actually112]

That's what the fairies say, but they're at war with the Unseelie. The Unseelie who've been replying to me say that they just fight for change so the world doesn't stagnate.

It looks like the Seelie are looking to keep things orderly the way they are, and the Unseelie just want change.

voice

[duplicitoussight]

[After a brief discussion with Kido, he decides to chime in. Why not. Even if it's the opposing side, they might be able to gather some information. In any case, he wasn't too keen on making enemies, and if they managed to befriend someone on the Seelie side, it's all the better for them.]

Befriending people during a war, especially the other side? Ah... I can't say I'm against it! It's a lot more fun than fighting people, after all~

You can call me Maru! [Totally a BS name but who cares.] Honestly, I'm not sure if I'll be fighting just yet.

voice

[actually112]

I still don't feel like this is my war. I don't think I should stop myself from making friends just because someone told me I'm supposed to be on their side.

[In fact, he's a little miffed about that. The Avatar isn't supposed to be beholden to any particular ruler--the Avatar is meant to use their best judgement and maintain balance in the world. He most certainly doesn't feel the need to follow any orders from either monarchs here.]

It's nice to meet you, Maru!

video

[knightspirit]

... I can't really agree with killing each other, no matter what side we're on, or what those are supposed to represent. We're all still people. But if this really puts our homes in as much danger as they're saying, then I still have to protect mine.

video

[actually112]

I don't think it actually puts our homes in danger. What have they done to prove that they have that kind of power?

There are people from my world's future here. According to them, I was still there when I grew up. That means I came back, and that either means the Seelie win or they're wrong about us never going home and our worlds being destroyed.

voice;

[centurian]

[ Great, trust that there'd be kids here. He figures that it might be better to use "voice" for the time being, seeing as most people had been asking if he was some sort of monster.

Don't mind what sounds like a flanging effect as he speaks. It's probably just the connection. ]

My name's Garrus. I'm in the same ship as you. [ That's the human term right? When you're on the same side? ]

I'm not sure that we can fully trust little winged humans and the stories they tell us, but the fact is that sometimes you have to fight to survive. Where I come from, there's these creatures that are bent on wiping out all living things. They don't respond to reason, love, or anything else. All they care about is destruction.

I'm not saying that these "Unseelie" are like those creatures, but sometimes, the other side doesn't have a reason. All they want to do is "destroy".

[ Maybe that was a little too black and white. But then again, he'd always had trouble with grey. ]

voice;

[actually112]

Sometimes you do have to fight. No one should sit by and let their home and loved ones be destroyed.

But I don't think it's like that here. I've been talking to Seelie and Unseelie, and everyone seems just as confused as everyone else. No one's a monster here, and we shouldn't think about it like that, or we'll start hurting each other when there's no reason to.