[ SPLASH. That would be the sound of the water hitting the ground in surprise. ] Aang?! You're back? You're back! [ And Momo and Appa too what? Well that's strange, Johto didn't bring them last time, but WHO CARES she's going to enjoy this! So everyone, EVERYONE gets pulled into a hug! SOKKA WHERE ARE YOU sob ] Oh gosh, I've missed you guys...! [ She hasn't even SEEN Appa and Momo since March, and Aang it's been a few months. ]

[ Aaang smiles widely when Katara hugs them and squeezes everyone in return.

Katara's tears make him frown for half a second when pull out of the hug. She must have really missed them. ] Has it been that long since you've seen any of us? [ He's not frowning but he does look concerned. ]

[ She just smiles and quickly scrubs her eyes dry when she pulls back too. It's okay now! ] You've been gone since the end of summer, and I haven't seen Appa and Momo since I got here almost nine months ago.

Nine months? That's almost a whole year! [ Almost as long as they'd been friends. He is silent for a moment. ]

That was some nice bending. [ Abrupt subject change. ] It's at least fun around here, isn't it? [ He knows that's not much Katara, but he really hopes you've been able to stay happy even in different world. ] I bet here are a lot of those little guys running around! [ He's talking about the pokemon. ]

[ She's gotten used to it, Aang, she just is prone to emotional outbursts now and then is all, same as always. HAPPY TEARS OKAY NOT SAD ONES, and do you see the way her face is lighting up? ]

Thanks. [ Smiling. ] It's been a pretty long time, but I'm not really alone. And it's never dull, at least! [ Bug attacks, tournaments, Rapidash races, beauty pageants, soul snatching bugs, new arrivals, Pokemon breeding, new people, new friends, new enemies, all that! SPEAKING OF WHICH-- Nari has been watching the commotion from the window of her room at the inn avoiding the cold when her trainer went running outside, but screw that. NEW PEOPLE. NEW POKEMON.

So there's a little female Pikachu racing out the door past some surprised guest's foot to climb up onto Katara's shoulder. ] Oh! I almost forgot-- Nari!

Chaaaaa~!

Who is this, Katara?

Wow! Is that yours, Katara? [ Aang's face lights up like a Christmas tree when that Pikachu lands on Katara's shoulder. It's so cute! And it looks like it can do some cool stuff too! ]

Hey there, girl! [ He is floored. This might be the coolest animal in this world! ] My name's Aang! [ She can talk. This is too awesome. No wonder Katara says it's not dull here. ]

She's one of mine, I actually have around twenty three right now including yours, Toph's, and Zuko's. [
Reaching up with one hand to scratch Nari behind the ears briefly. Nari
seems more interested in hopping over to perch on Aang's shoulder
though. NEW PERSON UNDERSTANDS HER OMG, and sniffing time. ] Nari used to belong to a friend of a friend, I got her when she went home.

Nice to meet you, Aang! You were Char's trainer, right?

Twenty three?!? [ He thinks that is... marvelous. ] You must have a huge house here!

[ He copies Katara's ear scratching when Nari jumps on his shoulders. ] Nice to met you too, Nari! [ His smile fades a bit, but only because he doesn't know who she is talking about. ] Char's trainer? I don't think so... Unless I'm forgetting something--

You mean I was here before?!? And I had one? How many did I have Katara?! It must have been like fifty!

Edited 2011-12-12 07:18 am (UTC)

Not exactly. We're on the road a lot here, but the Pokemon are able to travel comfortably inside these. [ She smiles and holds out a few Pokeballs, Char's and Kishi's, Jet's too. She looks at Aang surprised though. ] What? I didn't say anything about Char, how did you...?

[ It seems like he's actually able to understand what Nari must be saying, which in and of itself is surprising. Nari closes her eyes with an appreciative sound, leaning into Aang's hand. ]

How many? Well, I think you had five when you left, but you were sent back not long after you got here. It was the same with Toph. [ She holds out Char's Pokeball for Aang to take, gesturing to the button on Kishi's to demonstrate how he could open Char's ball. ]

This is a Pokeball. That one was the Pokemon you started with when you came here. He's grown since then.

[ It doesn't sound too different from what he's used to. At least being on the road in all.

Aang smiles at Katara and then Nari. ] I like to think I have a way with animals. [ Five isn't bad, but compared to Katara's twenty three it's nothing. ]

I'm sorry I left you here. [ He's sure it was out of his control, but it's still makes him sad to think he couldn't be there for her.

Taking the pokeball excitedly he wastes no time in pressing the button. ] I can't believe these guys can fit in these little things.

[Just, there's an arm on your shoulder now, Aang.]

Yeah. It's really kind of amazing. I can't find any kind of machinery that actually does the shrinking.

[Hi.]

It wasn't your fault, Aang. [ Small smile.

OH HI SOKKA.

By now Katara is just grinning, heart swelling moar, because the family is a little more together now! It used to be just us threeeeee. I wish Toph were here but this is amazing and plz just let it stay this way.

Char emerges from the Pokeball with the familiar red flash of light and upon turning his head to see Aang-- GOES TO TACKLE-HUG HIM (and Sokka's gonna get it too since he's right there). TRAINER. TRAINER YOU'RE BACK. ]

[ Aang jumps before turning to beam at Sokka. ] Hey, Sokka! I see you've been working on your sneak attacks.

[ Even if it catches him off guard Aang welcomes the tackle hug from Char. ] Hey, there buddy. [ He just wishes he could remember the little guy. Still having Katara for an owner had to be great for these guys. ]

[ By the way Sokka MOMO is very happy to see you. So is Appa, he's hanging around too, and may be sending his tongue your way. ]

Edited 2011-12-13 10:29 am (UTC)

Well, I've got some good teachers here!

[Well... okay... maybe not. Empoleon and Gyarados do not do sneaky, but Mr. Poly-Rolls the Spheal is okay at it!]

[OMG MOMO. OMG APPA. Sokka laughs as there is a flying lemur on his shoulder now, and braces himself for Appa tongue.]

My other favorite speech impaired team! I wonder if they'd catch Pokemon, too? Or, or, hey! Katara! You think Appa would fit in a Pokeball?

Maybe a Heavy Ball?

[ For a giant dragon he's being pretty gentle. His trainer is smaller than him and all, he's not THAT much of a derp. And just look at how strong he's gotten! Yep yep. ]

[ Katara laughs, then shakes her head. ] I don't think it works on animals from other worlds, and knowing Appa he'd refuse anyway. [ He hates enclosed spaces-- she remembers Aang saying this when they were fleeing the air temple which hasn't happened for Sokka yet? ]

[ Appa roars in agreement. ] Yeah, there's no way he's fitting in that thing. Besides, it's not like he gets in the way or anything. He goes with everything! [ Aang is smiling brightly when he touches Appa's nose. ]

Hey, hey, I am inquiring in the name of science. Appa is totally down for science, right, pal?

...and if he isn't, there's always Momo!