silversnowfall

[69]

[It was almost a relief, to hear about so many people going home recently, even as more were due to arrive.

It was too sad to mention, knowing that one of those people was Professor Nebilim. That she wasn't really returning to anything. Just to the completion of a sad tale of a boy who thought he should be able to do everything.

And now Nephry is lonely. She has been, off and on, for a while; she feels it especially strongly today. At first she tried cleaning the kitchen but now she's sitting there, chin against her hands, staring at the table. With almost half of the house away or out of commission...things are quiet.

In the silence, she turns to her journal for a while.]

What do you believe happens...when you die?

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This doesn't seem to apply to everyone, though. What about the rest of your world - what do they believe?

...It must be...some sort of comfort, knowing you will live on and live again.

Sorry, it's... not really something I talk about with my friends. I don't... really know what they believe. But our world's really spiritual, so there's a chance of everyone living on in some way. I did once know someone who gave her life to become the new moon spirit. Becoming a spirit is kind of one option, but... I don't think there's many openings.

And... yeah, it is kinda comforting to know I'll always be around in some way. [And scary. Especially with no idea what will happen to his friends.]

[So in a spiritual world, people have...more living-on options?

That's interesting.]

The way you speak of it...you have met the "Avatars" of the past.

Yeah! It doesn't work here, but back home I could enter the Spirit World to talk to them. They give me advice for my own Avatar stuff and there were some times were I let them act through my body for a few minutes. My predecessor was even able to show me his life story.

Hmm. Part of me wishes we all were able to see something like that, about the people who mattered to us.

I know what you mean. I wish it would happen with non-Avatar people too. [Gyatso, Kuzon, Jet...] But I like to think there's still some way in which they live on. [pause] I'm sorry for... whoever it is you lost.

Oh-!

[Why are you surprised, Nephry? It's not like you're being subtle.]

Thank you. ...She died many years ago, but she had another chance here. For a little while.

Oh, she's... someone who was here? [Gelda's face does flash to mind, but only because she's the only person he knew to have been sent home recently. He quickly dismisses the notion out of fear.] Those Malnosso... can be really cruel.

[Aang had secretly hoped that any of his lost loved ones would show up here... any air nomad at all... but this was making him wonder if it would truly be worth it.

Some would say that even the chance to do something like this...would be worth it. I am trying hard to agree.

I... yeah, I see that. Your friend got some more time... and got to make more friends then she could've made back home. That's... it's better than nothing, it's... not all bad.

She wanted...to be able to return to a different world. To find a new life there.

I'm not sure if such a thing is really, permanently possible.

I don't know, either. I didn't even know about other worlds until I came here. Except for the Spirit World back home. I'm sorry that it... couldn't work out for her.

It's all right. She's been...gone for many years. Since I was a child.

Oh, she's... from your world? [This was even more personal than he realized. He pauses] I know how that is, when you lose someone like that as a kid. [He thinks of Gyatso. It's always weird to think that it was both 2 years and 102 years ago since he saw him.] I wish I knew an easier way to feel better.

Talking to most of these people has helped. It can't change what happened...but that's the way it is.

[He speaks very sincerely.]

I understand.

Yes, I really think you do. [He understands a lot for someone his mental age.]

Thank you for talking to me- ah. ...I didn't get your name.

Sorry - my name's Aang.

Mine is Nephry. It's nice to meet you, Aang.

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