[ Oh thank goodness. This was not some new and unknown parental talk. Ikki pretty much just nods and goes to sit down, waiting patiently for whatever would come next. ]
We talked a lot about... about Loki and how you made him your brother. We think... [He has some slight hesitation. She was so little. But then... she wasn't that far from being of age for the Water Tribe, which helped them come to this decision.] We think we should let you decide for yourself what you want to be for Loki. But first, we want to make you understand who he is. At least from all that we know about him.
We can't pretend to know everything about him. But he told me himself that he's supposed to be the god of magic, but people call him the god of mischief and lies. So... not everything he says may be true. And... you know what Steve said, right? He helped space aliens to attack the planet Earth. I... I don't know if he's taken lives himself, but I know that he and the guy who attacked him... they both hurt each other really badly. There could still be other bad things he's done that we don't know about.
[Pause.]
Ikki... We want to trust you to make your own decision about him. But we also want you to make sure you know for sure. There are people who look good but either they're not good on the inside or not good all the time. We can't really know for sure what to make of him.
[Katara had been impressed by Aang's decision to take the lead in this, and had been willing to play back-up, but at this point she has to interject.]
I healed the man he hurt, Ikki. There weren't any defensive wounds. Think about what that means. If you still want to try to be his friend, you're going to have new rules, but we'll support your decision. It won't be a bad thing if you do and it won't be a bad thing if you don't. It will just be a choice.
[ We want to trust you to make your own decision about him. But we also want you to make sure you know for sure.
It will just be a choice.
They're telling her they're not going to stop her, but they're saying a lot more than that, and Ikki's eyes are wide, because she does sort of get it, although she's certain they're not done yet. She'd initially told Aang about things because she knew this was something they'd probably need to make a decision about. And now the decision is...hers, again. ]
Newish. We still want you to let us know what you're doing through the journals and everything. And... we'll want to be there whenever you choose to meet with Loki. But like Katara said... it'll be your choice. We're not gonna make you stop talking to him.
I'll always, always tell you those things. [ She's speaking in a more measured tone than usual, because she's trying to show she's listening. Ikki fiddles with the prayer beads at her wrist, spinning them around as she thinks. ]
[There's a brief smile at Ikki's assurance, and then he reaches to put a hand on her shoulder.]
We've said all we know about him. But we want you to keep in mind that it's not as simple as switching between good and bad. Remember the stories about your Uncle Zuko. How... he always had good in him, but it took him so long to realize that and to turn himself around to help us. And it didn't always work... l-like that one time, when Katara thought she was able to reach out to him... he turned on us anyway. That caused people to get hurt... and worse. [He doesn't think he needs to elaborate, blinking away a flash of electricity.] And even though he's one of my closest friends, in my time... he is almost like an enemy again.
So... even if someone's trying to be good, to change themselves... it can still be a difficult and dangerous road for them. And they can still make mistakes that can make it harder and harder for them to finish that road. [He pauses, glances at Katara before taking a breath.] If he really is sincere... I believe in your ability to help him. But it's a big responsibility.
[He didn't want to scare her, but he needed her to see what he learned. That even when redemption is possible, it is never easy and straightforward.]
[ She'd sort of hoped they'd known more. Loki's world is full of people who only give vague answers when asked about that particular event, as far as Ikki can see. It's...less than useful.
And listening, now, she doesn't know if she does or doesn't want to hear what went on in a world she doesn't understand. She's reminded of Smoker, talking about "Death Doctor" Trafalgar Law, and Katara introducing her to the same man. There are other examples, other people who have said don't trust this person because of things she'll never understand, and Ikki thinks that people are never, ever going to be easy to spread out and make sense of.
She's not sure what to say, but she does nod. ] ...I'd still like to talk to him.
[ right now, judged solely by their interactions, Ikki feels...confident in that statement.
[Aang wants more details himself, to get a better sense of what he's dealing with. He'll have to try to contact Steve again sometime. But for now... he was putting his faith in Ikki. There's a brief pause before he responds - he isn't smiling, but there's still warmth in his voice.]
I understand, Ikki. And there's nothing wrong with that.
[His heart never fails in being warmed by what this girl says. But that also makes him all the more scared of everything this place could do to her. Of failing her, of letting her down. Even though they had agreed to give her responsibility in the people she associates with, he can't help but feel the urge to cling onto her. She's endured some hardships so far, but she always came out smiling. Which increased his fear of that smile dying.
He glanced at Katara with his smile before looking back to Ikki.]
Thanks. I always have fun with you, too, Ikki. And... even if I'm unsure about things, I'm proud that you made a decision.
That sounds fair enough, Ikki. Taking in everything everyone has to say? It can be hard sometimes [Like at Yu Dao.], but it's... it's the best way to make responsible decisions.
[He goes right into the hug, holding her tightly. Aang will never forget how tiny, how precious she is. As surely as he knows she'll grow up one day. He only pulls his head back slightly and briefly to nod invitingly towards Katara.
They're going through tough decisions, but they still have their family hugs.]
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[Pause.]
Ikki... We want to trust you to make your own decision about him. But we also want you to make sure you know for sure. There are people who look good but either they're not good on the inside or not good all the time. We can't really know for sure what to make of him.
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I healed the man he hurt, Ikki. There weren't any defensive wounds. Think about what that means. If you still want to try to be his friend, you're going to have new rules, but we'll support your decision. It won't be a bad thing if you do and it won't be a bad thing if you don't. It will just be a choice.
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It will just be a choice.
They're telling her they're not going to stop her, but they're saying a lot more than that, and Ikki's eyes are wide, because she does sort of get it, although she's certain they're not done yet. She'd initially told Aang about things because she knew this was something they'd probably need to make a decision about. And now the decision is...hers, again. ]
...New rules?
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...Is there more stuff you haveta say about him?
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We've said all we know about him. But we want you to keep in mind that it's not as simple as switching between good and bad. Remember the stories about your Uncle Zuko. How... he always had good in him, but it took him so long to realize that and to turn himself around to help us. And it didn't always work... l-like that one time, when Katara thought she was able to reach out to him... he turned on us anyway. That caused people to get hurt... and worse. [He doesn't think he needs to elaborate, blinking away a flash of electricity.] And even though he's one of my closest friends, in my time... he is almost like an enemy again.
So... even if someone's trying to be good, to change themselves... it can still be a difficult and dangerous road for them. And they can still make mistakes that can make it harder and harder for them to finish that road. [He pauses, glances at Katara before taking a breath.] If he really is sincere... I believe in your ability to help him. But it's a big responsibility.
[He didn't want to scare her, but he needed her to see what he learned. That even when redemption is possible, it is never easy and straightforward.]
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And listening, now, she doesn't know if she does or doesn't want to hear what went on in a world she doesn't understand. She's reminded of Smoker, talking about "Death Doctor" Trafalgar Law, and Katara introducing her to the same man. There are other examples, other people who have said don't trust this person because of things she'll never understand, and Ikki thinks that people are never, ever going to be easy to spread out and make sense of.
She's not sure what to say, but she does nod. ] ...I'd still like to talk to him.
[ right now, judged solely by their interactions, Ikki feels...confident in that statement.
And if she's wrong? ]
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I understand, Ikki. And there's nothing wrong with that.
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Of course I will, princess. I gotta make sure you have fun.
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He glanced at Katara with his smile before looking back to Ikki.]
Thanks. I always have fun with you, too, Ikki. And... even if I'm unsure about things, I'm proud that you made a decision.
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I'll keep all of what you said and what everyone else says in mind, okay?
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...And then a hug. Just because. ]
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They're going through tough decisions, but they still have their family hugs.]
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She's proud of both of you, you know.]