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

[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."

[in_silk]

Spider slumps, covering his face with his hands.

[thinklikethis]

Dao hugs him protectively.

[roc_on]

"And what is my boyfriend doing here?"

[thinklikethis]

"Making friends in unexpected places?" he suggests, then sighs. "Oh man... look, can I just tell them?" This last to Spider.

[in_silk]

"I—I—"

He shrinks fearfully in Dao's arms.

[roc_on]

"Was my boyfriend by any chance kidnapped and then capture-bonded."

[thinklikethis]

"No! I mean - that is - technically a possible interpretation of events, but like - you know I have some pretty legitimate reasons to sympathize here, all right?"

[roc_on]

"Crossed my mind."

Among other things.

[thinklikethis]

Dao sighs.

"Jun, you seem like you're the least freaked-out person here for some reason, anything to say?"

[fiery_delights]

"I'm starting to get the feeling that there's a story here and it's about highly inappropriate coping mechanisms," he says.

[thinklikethis]

"Um. Yeah," says Dao. "Yeah, that's pretty much... that's pretty much the story. And I was trying to help him find better coping mechanisms, and it was working really well, and then suddenly you're here and also his brother? I'm very confused about that part."

[roc_on]

"It's a heck of a series of coincidences. Are we sure it is not time to award you your first 'congratulations, you have got caught up in dangerous shenanigans because you're the Avatar's boyfriend' badge?"

[thinklikethis]

"I am pretty sure that if he'd known I was your boyfriend he wouldn't have kidnapped me because he is not super super dumb," says Dao.

[roc_on]

"Being super dumb is not the only reason to kidnap my boyfriend."

[thinklikethis]

Dao makes a frustrated sound and hugs Spider, who has been remaining small and scared and miserable this whole time.

[fiery_delights]

"The coping mechanisms thing sounds pretty reasonable to me. 'Nothing else is helping my emotional state, why not try murder?' is the kind of thought process being raised by that man will tend to give you. I was lucky enough to find out how much I liked performance art long before I was pushed that far, but I did my share of stupid, destructive things as a teenager."

[thinklikethis]

"The picture I'm getting of your dad from the things you guys say about him is really unpleasant," says Dao.

[fiery_delights]

"He was a really unpleasant person."

[roc_on]

Beila can't think of anything helpful to say.