winds_voice | 7

[Wherever Eley happens to be right now, it seems pretty windy. Whether it's because of his influence or just the natural way of the weather, you can't really be sure, but thankfully his voice carries loud enough not to be hindered by the wind.

Only... his tone might sound a little less curious than you're used to. Somewhat distant. Perhaps even a tiny bit sad?]

As I have recovered enough from my illness to venture out with no ill effects, and since the weather has improved, I have decided to take the opportunity to seek shelter in the mountains. While I would still prefer to refrain from keeping myself in confined spaces for too long, I am hoping I will be able to make use of any shelter I find in future to prevent myself from falling sick again.

I would like to take a moment to thank the people here for teaching me your ways and helping me to take better care of myself. It has been an... interesting experience.

However, I also must announce that I will be staying in these mountains for quite some time. I would... like to ask you not to seek me out.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Why? Are you trying to find secret tunnels?

Secret tunnels...?

[That makes him more than a little curious for a second. Could he try and find something like that while he's out here?]

Ah... no. I... just wished for some time and space to myself. There is much I must think about.

Oh. Like... to meditate and stuff. I think I understand what you mean by that. Lots of us need time to think and meditate by ourselves sometimes. Secret tunnels are better for when you're in love, but they could be a good place to hide if you want to. But... It can't be that hard to find an empty room or something to get privacy around the village, too.

Yes, meditation would be a good word for it.

[He pauses at the mention of love... It was still something he was having trouble grasping despite trying to look at it from many different angles. He almost comments on it but... seems to change his mind.]

I would prefer to avoid the village at this time. I... need to be away from others. Besides, I am not used to being confined to a room. It would make me uncomfortable to stay there for too long.

Well I know a lot about meditation, so I could give plenty of tips!

You do? [Aang has those moments himself. When he wants to be away, to detach himself. Especially after tragic events. Or when he reflects on his people. So he can understand Eley's thinking - but still feels concern.] I guess it is bad to be confining... and even in the forest there's a chance people'd find you. So maybe the mountains would be better! Being alone for a while can help you to clear things out. It's just bad to stay alone for too long!

[Normally, Eley would be a lot more receptive to the help. He thinks about asking for it but... stops himself in the end.]

Many people are telling me that to close myself off from others will do me harm in the end. Is that really true? If I stay away then neither one of us will get hurt.

That is true. Closing off... can be okay if you only do it a little. But it won't stop people from getting hurt. Because... sure, people can hurt each other, but they can help each other, too. You won't be able to help each other with any hurt either of you already have. And you can both still be hurt by others things. Like being without your friend. Then what if you're the only one who can help the person with that hurt, but you're too far away to know?

...it does seem to work both ways. Perhaps pain really does follow no matter where you go. Then is happiness worth trying to surpass it? Or should I give in and go back to what I was made to do? I was born in isolation. I was never supposed to know humans.

It does. Especially because being alone... that can be a pain, too. And happiness is always worth trying to surpass that. It's always better to feel good than bad, so that's worth working towards!

Even if you were never meant to know humans... you do now, right? Sure, knowing them must've given you both good and bad things. But isolating yourself too long without friends... I think in those cases it'll be easier for the bad things, the hurt, to be the ones that remain. You have to be able to see your friends and their smiles. That's the easiest way to know happiness is worth fighting for.

Yes... I suppose all humans strive for happiness. And if I am to live among them... perhaps I should too. As a Spirit however, I feel that I should maintain a distance between them. It is... difficult to forget what I was meant to do. All Spirits are born with an instinct, a purpose for which they were made. Adding more aspects to my life is bound to lead to confusion.

...perhaps I will not be gone for good. But I still must think about this.

That's a good point. Duties are important, too, especially for spirits. I'm not a spirit, but... it took me a while to realize how I could do my responsibilities while still having emotional attachments. [A slight pause as he worries for the kidnapped Katara.] And staing myself.

It's definitely something to think over. But I guess one other thing to think about is here? No matter what were at home... we're all brought to the same level here. So the more of us can work together because of that, the better things can be.

...but you were still able to do it?

[It was important for Eley to know. If someone has maintained both a level of responsibility for their duties as well as a certain attachment to others then... well, perhaps a Spirit could do the same thing.]

I suppose you are right in that we are all in this together. I have felt less and less like a Spirit when among friends... but it has shown me many new things. Not all of them bad.

Yeah, I was. The one time I tried to give up my earthly attachment to someone I love, it... it all went wrong, and she actually was the one to save me. I guess it helps to rely on people you can trust, who can understand you and help you work towards your goal. I still had to stand on my own at the end, but it was knowing my friends that helped me to get the courage I needed to do that.

That's true. It's not a bad thing to feel like a Spirit. And not bad to feel like a person either. Maybe feeling like both at the same time could help you.

Love is still something I am trying to understand... but I have come to realise it is something that must be experienced rather than explained. But I wonder if it is worth it... if it seems to lead to bad decisions. Still, I understand that need for support. To take on the world alone can be a huge task. [Though one he was used to for many years.]

Perhaps I should try to embrace both sides. I will contemplate this.

I hope you can understand it one day. Experiencing it is better than hearing about it, because it can lead to lots of really great decisions and happiness, too. I know that I think it's worth it. And... You're right. I wouldn't be able to do it alone.

Thanks. I hope you can come up with an answer that's good for you!

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