Carried over from the Test Drive, Open!

[motheroffaces]

[A pool has formed in the Spirit Wilds. Probably it used to be a fountain, but seems to have been taken over by something else, the center lopped off and away. The water is absolutely clear, but also absolutely deeper than it should be; one can no longer see the bottom of it. For anyone spiritually sensitive, the place is flush with spiritual energy.]

In the center of the pool stands a figure, body almost human, but not quite. Her body is gaunt, too long, wrapped in layer upon layer of vines and roots. Her arms and hands hang far longer than any human's, tipped with claws. And her head . . . a slim neck supports a head that is many-branched like the upended roots of a tree. Between and below each branch, there is a human face, exquisitely formed but blanched of all color.]

[No eyes are visible, hidden behind loops of vines and roots, but if anyone enters the clearing, they will find that immediately she is aware of their presence.]


((ooc: All other conversations that didn't happen on the Test Drive will take place after MoF meets with Aang.))

Comments

[motheroffaces]

[Bitterness, perhaps . . . or something akin to it. Yes, in this case, one could easily call her pessimistic. But it does not mean that she does not speak without insight or intelligence.]

Perhaps. [But in truth, she doubts it. To the Mother of Faces, choices are pebbles tossed into a pond. The pattern of ripples only emerge when they clash. What the Avatar has done will cause its own problems down the line, for its own reasons. Aang's mercy will have effects that will be felt for years to come, and not all of them will be good.]

[She became tired of watching the ripples so long ago.]

[She is silent for a moment, studying him.]

You have forgiven him.

[But whether this is a statement or a question is unknown.]

[restoredhonour]

...Yes. It was not forgiveness I gave easily, and it made little difference to my father, when he never believed he'd wronged me in the first place. But, eventually, I forgave him.

[Zuko pauses, watching the pool as if recalling long distant memories. It feels long ago now, even if to a spirit like the Mother of Faces, it would have been like the blink of an eye. Somehow, her timelessness makes this easier to discuss with her, compared to anyone else.]

I asked the world to forgive the Fire Nation for its crimes, so we could all begin to heal and move on from the war. Later, I realised I had to do the same for my family. So long as I clung to old hatreds, I would never find peace.

[motheroffaces]

[She considers him again for a long moment . . . and for the briefest of instants, if it can be believed, he might even catch her smile. She may not still agree with the choice, but . . . it's also not every human who can reach such a conclusion. It pleases her -- this peace in his face.]

Tell me of this family you have created with your peace.

[restoredhonour]

[He's flattered such an ageless spirit would approve, or would even take an interest in his family to this extent. He begins:]

I have a daughter now, Izumi. She is strong and unshakeable in her convictions, and though she has only been Fire Lord for four years, she has risen to the task admirably in my place.

She in turn has a son, Iroh. He is General of the United Forces, which means he commands the military of this city, and the United Republic beyond.

[And now, through a bizarre twist of fate, Zuko has become his grandson's commander-in-chief as the President of the Republic. What a strange situation they found themselves in.]

...Unfortunately, both are amongst those who have disappeared, owing to the same spiritual activity that brought you here. I can only hope that wherever they are, both of them are safe and well...

[motheroffaces]

[While the Mother would prefer to linger on the children, what Zuko drifts into next is concerning. There have been disappearances as well as appearances in this place?]

[Take enough supporting structures from a tower, and it will collapse. Humans and spirits plainly are living together in this city, each affected by the other. If one side collapses, the other side will likely follow.]

With all hope, the family you have built will return to you.

[She frowns.] From all that I can see in my brief time here, this world is sorely out of balance. Spirits living amongst people as has not occurred in ten thousand years, acting irrationally and without apparent cause.

I have spoken to the Avatar, but it seems it will take time before answers are known and sorted. Meanwhile, there are two fragile populations in this place, unaccustomed to one another. Such a situation breeds misunderstanding, fear, and often conflict. Both populations must be protected, or I am wary of what will result.

I will do what I can to assist the situation.

[restoredhonour]

I'm hopeful that humans and spirits can learn to live in peace. Unalaq and Harmonic Convergance may have turned the spirits against us, but that was no fault of theirs. And now many have chosen to make their home in Republic City, amongst humans.

[Excepting the Mother of Faces and any others that have been dragged here unwillingly by the spiritual interference. Even so, the peace has lasted. Learning to trust and understand one another will take longer, but gradually, he's confident it will happen.]

Thank you for the offer, Mother of Faces. Just as with the four nations, harmony can only be achieved through cooperation. Your help would be invaluable in that goal.