[bendytimed before Visitation Plot] [what the hell, it's open]

[jesushasayak.livejournal.com]

The Southern Air Temple was pretty beautiful, architecturally speaking. With twisting spires and trees threaded into the framework of the temple itself, it looked half as if it'd grown out of the ground or been carved into it rather than that it had been built there.

The best part about it, though, was the sense of peace the place had. It was very easily the kind of thing that could draw people in and help them find calm, even if they weren't the religious type.

Comments

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

Asuka looked up, startled. Why had he just come out and said that? Why would he want to-?

Well, it was obvious why. She was pretty great. But... she didn't need him. She didn't want him to feel sorry for her. That was probably all it, was, anyway. How pathetic. She huffed and looked away after another moment.

"I don't want your pity."

[jesushasayak.livejournal.com]

"I don't pity people. Pity means you're disgusted or you're being kind because you think someone's weak or pathetic. I want to be your friend because I think you're brave, and strong to have had to deal with certain things in your life, and you always speak your mind, and you're someone I want to get to know better."

Easy as that.

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

Well, that disarmed her for a moment. He didn't seem like he was lying, but what if he was? What if he abandoned her, just like everyone else did? Just like Shinji and her mother and Arha? She grudgingly folded her arms. "Fine. But I don't want you feeling sorry for me, because I don't need it."

Just like she hadn't needed his help. He already knew what was wrong with her, in a way. Well, one of the many things. She scowled at her feet, at a loss for words for once.

[jesushasayak.livejournal.com]

He wasn't lying and he wouldn't abandon her unless Stacy or death ripped him away, because that's how he was with his friends.

But he knew the only thing that could reassure her of that was time.

"I don't."

Compassion and pity were two very different things.

"Do you want to see the rest of the temple with me?"

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

"I guess," Asuka ground out. He was not going to make her show any emotion. Not if she had anything to say about it.

[jesushasayak.livejournal.com]

He was certainly going to try!

Aang hopped to his feet, a gust of air helping propel him upward.

"C'mon!"

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

Asuka rolled her eyes and reluctantly clambered to her feet, hands jammed into her pockets. She didn't really want to go, but it wasn't like she had anything else to do, right?

At least that was what she told herself as she tromped after Aang.

"Where are we going?"

[jesushasayak.livejournal.com]

She got a good, solid, precise answer.

"Everywhere!"

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

"Everywhere? Really?"

Asuka sounded unimpressed as she trailed after him.

"You can't see everywhere. It's impossible!"