19. Belated Celebration [video/offline] [backdated]

[angle_on_it]

[Sokka's been feeling down, despite the cheer brought on by all these holidays. He knows it's important to reconnect with his family and friends, but it hasn't been easy to find a way. Fortunately, Animus provides him the perfect excuse.]

[The familiar tents and igloos cropped up near the frozen lake early in the week, but Sokka's preparations take

Comments

[eternally17]

[[Offline; Open to all]]

[Armand doesn't show up until about two hours after sundown wearing a fine velvet jacket, silk white shirt, and silk black slacks. His fingers were covered in jewelled rings. He wandered over to the lake and igloos, looking around for Sokka while smiling at the others at the party.]

[offline]

[angle_on_it]

[Sokka is busy buzzing around when he notices Armand and waves.] Hey, you made it! Welcome to the party, man.

[eternally17]

[Armand smiled, waving back.] Thanks. I have not been to a holiday celebration in a while.

[angle_on_it]

No? Well, let's hope this one really makes a good impression on you. Are you interested in being shown around, or do you just want to mingle?

[eternally17]

I would be glad to be shown around. It looks like it's promising to be a good party.

[angle_on_it]

Don't know about that, but I appreciate the sentiment. [Sokka chuckles and gestures Armand along as he walks.] There's a tent for food, a tent for clothing, a tent for some ceremonial meditation... pretty much anything you can think of in a small village like this.

[eternally17]

[Armand followed Sokka, peering briefly into each tent. He paused at the last one.] Ceremonial meditation? What would that be?

[angle_on_it]

You know... chanting to the moon and stuff like that. [He's... not a real traditionalist, so most of his chants to the moon are in a totally different fashion.] It's supposed to put you in touch with the Moon and Ocean Spirits.

[eternally17]

Interesting! I haven't been in a small village like this for a long, long time. It's odd to see one here, even if mine was rather different.

Is this much like where you are from?

[angle_on_it]

It's exactly like this, actually! What was your village like?

[eternally17]

It was once a large and proud city, but it wasn't more than a village in a land where is was always cold, and where the snows lasted most of the year. They were little wooden and clay houses, all with fireplaces. It would be hard to survive the cold without the fires. My father was wealthy thanks to his skill in hunting, but even then we starved in the winters when there was no food that could even be bought.

It was not a cheerful place, but I wish that while I was there I had been able to actually appreciate my father's music, but that was a dark land far away, and not where I truly grew up.

[angle_on_it]

It doesn't sound too different from where I come from. Where'd you truly grow up, then?

[eternally17]

A city called Venice. It is a city built on water, with canals instead of streets. It was a centre for art and learning. Master's halls were always filled with paintings that he and the other boys were working on, and we could learn anything we cared for.

There I lived in riches, and never went hungry. [He showed Sokka his fingers, decorated with fine jewelled rings that sparkled even in the starlight.] I'll admit, I was a bit spoiled. I have ever since had a certain weakness for the way rings look on my fingers.

[angle_on_it]

That's-- oh, those are shiny. I just wear gloves on my hands. [But Sokka is indeed impressed by Armand's story.] A city built on water sounds really neat. We didn't have a lot of riches or finery, but we did have arts and lots of traditions to learn.

Hey, I know what you can do -- you can try on some of the clothes we use for formal ceremonies. They're not as fancy as your rings, but they've got ornate carvings and stitching and stuff like that. [He's trying to be a good host, attentive to his guests' wants... which is a change, sure, but it's a holiday in a terrible place and he's really trying.]

[eternally17]

If I ever recognize a part of Venice here, I'll be sure to show you. Art and tradition are their own fineries.

Don't underestimate the power of any art. It can be the simple things that bring you to tears.

I'll be glad to see whatever you have to show.

[angle_on_it]

[And he doesn't mind showing it off. Sokka points off at a tent across the way and gestures meaninglessly as he walks that direction.] I'm glad I could share what's important to me, you know? I didn't think the Animus would let us be this fortunate.