the avatar state / implies emotional pain / or perfect control

[roc_on]

Jun did a show last night, so maybe he's holding it together well enough to do a lesson today. It'd sure help take Beila's mind off things; maybe it'd do the same for him. She can always fly away again if he's not feeling it.

Knock knock?

Comments

[fiery_delights]

"Pure coincidence. Ran into the old lady on the street, just like she said."

[thinklikethis]

Dao is a little concerned - Spider seemed very nervous when he went to answer the door, and it's been a while.

He comes up to the front of the house to see what's taking so long.



He sees Jun.

"...What."

[in_silk]

Spider glances back fearfully. "Dao! Go back inside—he's dangerous—"

[roc_on]

- At that Beila steps around the corner of Meng's bean trellis.

[in_silk]

Spider catches sight of her and freezes again.

[thinklikethis]

"He's—is he? Are you? What is going on?" says Dao. He doesn't have clear line-of-sight to Beila, so he doesn't notice her stepping into view of the door.

[roc_on]

"Dao?"

[thinklikethis]

"Beila?"

[in_silk]

"You know the Avatar?"

[thinklikethis]

"I - I'm - what - okay," says Dao. "One thing at a time. Can we please not have this conversation shouting through a doorway."

[in_silk]

Spider looks warily at Jun and Beila.

"It's not - not safe to let them in," he says softly.

[thinklikethis]

"Is it really that much safer at this point for us all to stand around confusing each other in public?" he asks. "Come on. I know these people. Beila's my girlfriend," he emphasizes, hoping Spider will remember that Dao's girlfriend knows things about him, hoping this will be at least a tiny bit reassuring. "Please?"

[fiery_delights]

Jun tries to look nonthreatening.

[in_silk]

He hesitates over this decision, glancing back and forth between Dao and Beila.

"...okay," he says at last. "Okay. You can come in. I'll. I'll make tea."

[roc_on]

Dubious as all get out, Beila edges doorward.

She is looking very concerned at Dao.

[fiery_delights]

Jun steps inside. More curious than dubious, really.

[thinklikethis]

"Spirits, what a clusterfuck," Dao mutters, as Spider retreats to the kitchen to put the kettle on. "Look. Can I. Can I just. Everyone here is an okay person that I know and like, please stop looking like you're expecting each other to start shit at any moment, I think that is the kind of thing that ends up being self-fulfilling?"

[roc_on]

Dubiousness. So much of it. "When exactly did you make friends?"

[thinklikethis]

"Thiiiiis morning look it's complicated."

[roc_on]

"I'm getting that. So, explain, and maybe if the explanation is super good I can calm down."

[thinklikethis]

"I'm not sure I'm that good at explanations!"

[roc_on]

"Then you might have to settle for me being kind of on edge, but I'm not attacking anyone or glowing, see?"

[thinklikethis]

"You are totally not attacking anyone or glowing and I respect and appreciate that," says Dao.

[in_silk]

Spider comes back from the kitchen with a tea-tray holding a large teapot and four cups. He sets it down on the table and perches uncomfortably on the couch next to Dao, then looks up at Jun.

"You explain first," he says.

[fiery_delights]

"Running into your neighbour was honestly a coincidence and I wasn't expecting it at all, but before that... I'm a firebending instructor, among other things. I recognized Dad's bending style, clear as day. I—I didn't know I had a younger brother, until I saw the video."