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]

"It is your self-professed duty to keep balance in this world." There is an edge now to the Mother's voice. "Yet you are unaware of the reason for the spirit vines and what force has utilized the power to adjust time itself? Do you not believe that this is something that merits investigation?"

This Avatar is not quite as confident as the one she remembers. Not quite as bold. So far he is just a boy . . . and a lost one at that.

[savedtheworld]

"I- I do believe! Really! And... so does this era's Avatar, too. But we've tried, and we haven't been able to find any reasons so far." He pleads. He does almost feel like a lost boy right now, in a time that's not his own and separated from the two people who have been his anchor since the first time he woke up in another time.

"I'm so sorry, Mother of Faces... I promise I'm gonna try harder."

[motheroffaces]

"I am not your keeper, Avatar." The edge does not shift away from her voice; if anything, it sharpens. "You are beholden to the duty you chose; I merely remind you of it. Apologize to the spirits and the humans held here while they wait for your answers."

She is silent a moment after that as her mind trails another thought, hard and overpowering. Her lips press together briefly. "I do not know if my own duties will be met while I am away. Do you see what imbalance this creates?"

[savedtheworld]

He gives a quick bow of his head. "Then... thank you for your reminder, Mother of Faces. I'll work on those apologies instead..."

Aang scratches at his head. "I- I can only imagine the kind of imbalance that could create." It was bad enough remembering what had happened when the moon spirit 'died'. "Would it mess with... people's identities or something?"

[motheroffaces]

"I cannot say." The corners of the Mother's mouths are tight between words. "Such a thing has never occurred in all of Time. I can only guess what might transpire. Potentially all beings -- spirits, humans, animals -- born without faces. Eventually, memory might begin to slip away -- the things which allow spirits and humans to remember who and what they are. If beings such as spirits and Avatars no longer remember who they are, you could imagine the result."

[savedtheworld]

"That... that really does sound bad." He frowns as he thinks it over. "But... We're really far in the future now, and I haven't seen any signs of any of that yet. So... We might still have time."

[motheroffaces]

"In our time, it has only been hours. There is time yet for the world to fall apart."

She shook her head as though brushing the thought away. It's not something she can focus on too heavily, or she might fall apart herself -- unthinkable in front of this boy. She cannot give him that.

"Plainly I must assist in this situation. Though I cannot say where to begin. I know nothing of this city, or this time."

[savedtheworld]

"Well, what better way to start then... then trying to get to know people? Maybe make some friends! You might be a spirit, but I don't think that's against the rules. ...All due respect!"

[motheroffaces]

Wry, "Judging from my surroundings, Avatar, the humans left this place to the spirits some time ago. There is always this division between the two worlds, no matter how you pretend otherwise."

"Or can you tell me that in this time into which we both have been dragged, all things have changed?"

[savedtheworld]

"Maybe not all things... but some things, at least! From what I've learned, the worlds are connected again. Humans and spirits are learning to get along better. Sure, this place is left mostly to the spirits, but that's to respect them! And there's still some people around this area who're trying to live among them. People are trying their best, and I wouldn't be surprised if spirits are, too."

[motheroffaces]

Forgive her if she's a little skeptical of that, Aang. All of it. If her eyes were visible, he would have been met with an even stare.

"Fear is akin to respect, Avatar, but it is not the same. I will judge this for myself."

[savedtheworld]

"I think seeing for yourself's the best way to do it. ...But are you gonna do it like that?" Sure there were a lot of spirits roaming around, but it's a little different when a gigantic one is lurking over the everyday hustle and bustle.