installing | ♨ 1 Apple Pie + Seventeen Apples and Cinnamon

♨ 1 Apple Pie + Seventeen Apples and Cinnamon | Voice+Action ♨

[Voice]
Hello? I'd like to personally speak with all the friends and "guardians" of Elicia Hughes. It's very important, and I would rather speak in person. Meet me on the bridge passed houses thirty one and thirty three.

Everyone else? What are your favorite dinner recipes? I need to spice up my cooking, and sometimes cookbooks just won't do it.

[Action]
[And those who will come to meet her shall see her standing in the middle of the bridge looking over the side. She's not alone, though. Not too far off will be one alchemist around to make sure everything is okay.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Do you know who he is at all? [Because Winry has no clue.]

I... I have some idea. Do you know Steve Rogers? He made put a warning over the journals that Loki... he tried to start a war on their world and enslave people. I don't know the full story, but... when I spoke to him myself, he told me that he was a god of magic, but others call him a god of mischief and lies. He... still acts friendly and I like to see the best in people, but I can't just overlook all the evidence otherwise.

I see... so I'll have to keep an eye on him.

[Aang gives a nod.]

That would be the best thing to do. He's friends with Ikki, too. And we didn't find out until after she started calling him brother. So Katara and me have to keep an eye on him, too.

Oh my- Ikki too? What is this guy, after children?

I don't know. Ikki seems convinced that he's good, in which case... maybe it's because kids are the easiest to make trust you. But that makes me afraid for he's not really good. And it's why we made new rules for Ikki. We sat her down and told her everything we know about him, so that she could make her own decision. And she can't see him without one of us nearby so we can make sure she's safe.

That's a good idea. I might have to do the same with Elicia.

It seemed like the best thing we could do. That way we can keep her safe not just from Loki, but if any of those people with grudges against him start something again. We also thought... it'd be important to help Ikki to be able to think and make decisions for herself, because of the way this place is.

Yeah, that's something I'll have to start with Elicia. Definitely.

[He offers her a faint smile with an encouraging nod, before he looks out over the river.]

We still have Ikki check in with us and the journals, too, and tell us about everyone she meets... [He trails off as he listens to himself, and he shakes his head.]

Isn't it weird, Winry? Just a few months ago... we were worried about the problems of being with the ones we love. But now... now, it's like we all skipped to being like parents.

Crazy, right? But we're all strong. I'm sure we can handle it. They need us.

[He looked back at her with a fond smile.]

You're right. They're tiny and we're big, so we gotta look out for them. I... I do believe in all of us. And I like to think we've been doing a good job so far already.

Yeah. I hope it's enough since their parents aren't here.

Me too. I know the usual thing you gotta say about Luceti is that everyone's better off back home. But the exception should be parents while their kids are here, so they can make sure they're the safest. Even though Ikki's still smiling... I worry sometimes, because I don't know if it's the same choices Ikki's dad [my son] would make. It makes me afraid that I'm messing up, and that he or her mom would be disappointed in me.

[Winry rests a hand on Aang's shoulder.]

All we can do is our best, and hopefully that's enough. You're still young after all.

Thanks, Winry. Maybe they won't be mad at me if I try my really really best. And I bet Elicia's parents would be proud of you, too.

Thanks, Aang.

No problem, Winry. [With a meek chuckle.] Maybe we can all do something together sometime. I know that Ikki and Elicia've already made friends with each other. [He might have heard something about a potential sleepover already.]

I've heard that too. You hear about the sleep over?

I did! Now that's a playdate that's a lot easier to approve of!

They can do it over our house since we have the extra room.

Really? Thanks! She'll be really happy to hear it. But then, she's the kind of kid to be really happy for everything.

Sounds like a handful and a half.

She kind of is, but in a good way! It means that she can have fun with me for longer than the rest of my friends. But as long as you keep her from getting too much sugar, it shouldn't be too hard to keep up with her.

Yeah, I can't imagine her on sweets.