unfringed | File#001 :audio:

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File#001 :audio:

H-hello? Hello. Hello, my name is Walter Bishop. Dr. Walter Bishop. I-I-I was just in my lab, you see, and now it seems I'm wandering around your town. I've lost my cellphone - and my coat. I don't have...I don't have his numbers. I can't--

Oh my. This book is fascinating, isn't it? Like a tablet computer, intranet only. Lacking in a few necessary functions, but it is certainly interesting.

...

I'd thought the LSD had worn off, but I suppose perhaps it had not after all. How quaint a hallucination this all is. I'm rather proud of thinking it all up. Even a bakery. Wonderful.

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A mutation tied to the soil...No, genetics. It must be in the genetics. Tell me, are these-- what do you call them -- nonbenders more prevalent or less? Is it more likely that two nonbender parents would have a nonbender child?

A-- [And he was about to ask another question, but what she said next worried him. Airbenders were down to a single family?]

Was there some sort of extinction event for airbenders?

Ummmm, I dunno. There are probably more nonbenders than benders, I guess. I dunno if having bender parents makes it more or less likely. My Uncle Bumi isn't a bender and my Aunt Kya is a waterbender and my daddy is an airbender, and my grandpa was an airbender and my grandma was a waterbender.

A long time ago all the air nomads were airbenders, every one of us, but that's not it any longer.

And yeah. A long time before I was born, the Fire Nation killed all the air nomads. Except one.

[While she's talking, he takes out a pad of paper and starts writing, the pen moving quickly as he listens.

Her father took after the paternal line, but the aunt took after the maternal. A third child, however, was a nonbender...

It had to be genetics that determined such things. He'd need more data to be certain.]

Do you have siblings? Are they also-- also airbenders? Can you tell me--

[Wait, no. He was getting this wrong. Her people were all killed. She was the last of a nearly extinct 'species.' He should say something. After a somewhat long pause, he says.]

...I. I'm sorry. A-about the nomads.

I have three siblings! Jinora's my older sister and she's an airbender, and Meelo's my younger brother and he's an airbender, and I dunno if Rohan is because he's just my baby brother right now but GranGran said he'd probably be an airbender 'cause he had a strong kick when he was in Mommy's tummy.

[ Ikki answers the questions straight off. ]

It's okay. ...It was a long time ago, and I don't remember it. And I like where I live now. I mean, at home. If it were like it was when grandpa was an airbender, I never would have gotten to meet my daddy or my brothers like this.

And Mommy's not a bender. I dunno if that helps.

[ She's not sure why he's making notes but... ]

[He's distracted as he works out the genetic sequence in his head.

Siblings all possibly benders, taking strongly after that of the father - the lone airbender. A non-bender parent, despite being the more predominant half of the population... The genes must be recessive, excepting that non-benders tend to marry other non-benders. Grandfather was an airbender, grandmother was a waterbender... Definitely a recessive gene then. It was fascinating, if it wasn't also so sad.

This was how species became extinct - an entire genetic line disappearing, if it weren't for this little girl and his family. He looks up at the journal suddenly, as if just now remembering that it existed.]

You're a very strong little girl. [Whatever her name is. ...He heard it earlier. He can't remember it.] Tell me, child, have you ever had a licorice?

Licorice? I don't think so. Is it candy?

[ the important questions in life. ]

The very best candy. I have yet to find some in the village, but perhaps you would like to accompany me in searching?

Sure, I don't mind!! If there is any, it's probably at the grocery store or the convenience store. Or maybe the vending machines at the battle dome would have some?

A...what? Why would a village this size need a battle arena?

...

O-ooh! Are you all gladiators? I heard their matches were full of unbridled brutality. Can I watch?

You can, but I don't think we are. I mean, there are viewing rooms...but we're not gladiators. I'm a pacifist. All air nomads are. I mean, we fight stuff, but only if it attacks us first.

Anyway, it's there for...training, I guess. People can make all sorts of simulations there - I've been to a party that was inside the Dome.

Simulati-- It's a holographic projection chamber? T-tell me, do the projections also have physical presence?

[Because if so, he might just move into the Battle Dome, reconstruct his lab, and never leave.]

Yep! I mean, people do battle training there, and everything. Oh, but you can't make like, food that you can eat. At least I don't think you can. I'm not that good at programming the things yet but I know lots of people who do it for me.

D-does anyone live in these rooms? Perhaps one could be taken over permanently?

Oh! And the licorice, yes. I'll get you the licorice in exchange.

I don't think so? I know that three of the doctors work at the clinic there, but I dunno what else goes on. I don't spend a lot of time there.

In exchange? You mean you want me to take you there?

As a pacifist...I imagine not.

But yes! If you can find me lodgings in this holographic projection, then I will find you licorice! It's the most delightful treat.

I- I...can't go on my own. I often get lost. Peter gave me numbers to call, but I no longer have a phone.

Well, I can show you to them. I dunno about living in them - we can always find you a house or something, and I dunno about asking people about living there. I mean, I don't know who's in charge except maybe the doctors.

But it's okay. If you just show me around where you are, I can come and get you.

Doctors...No, no doctors. Medical? Psychiatric? [he sounds angry at that last one] Damn medical professionals always poking and prodding where they don't belong.

[He stops, realising his anger is misdirected.]

S-sorry... I. I'm. [he's not sure. He looks around and turns the book, showing the camera around his area - a small bed in the Welcome Centre]

Someone brought me here, but I don't like it. It's too cramped, not the right conditions.

I think they're just medical. They patch people up after they're done training, and when stuff happens. Doctor Law's a pirate, and he works at that clinic.

[ That's...not information that was asked for, but she shares it regardless, and nods immediately at the sight of the Welcome Center. ]

Oh, the Center! Sure, I can find you. It won't take more than a few minutes to get there. Soren and I'll just fly.

[He frowns, disdain evident in his voice.] Many doctors hide behind their medical licenses. Say it's for your own good - shove probes up into your brain and wiggle them around as if it'll make you better. All the cold and damp, the sterility... It's like the soul of the place has been sapped away by them.

[He's tangenting again. He clears his throat.]

I-I'll wait on the step.

I don't think our doctors are like that...or if they have licenses. I think half of 'em are "healers". [ at least she likes her grandmother. ]

'Kay! I'll meet you there, then.

[ And when she comes, it'll be with her bird pokemon/keeper, dressed in her usual air nomad clothes. ]

["Healers." Like shaman priests? Maybe he could procure some peyote from them. That had always been a good deal of fun.

When she arrives, there's an older man sitting hunched on the porch of the Centre, plaid shirt and beige cardigan wrapped around him, even though he's still wearing the new feather pants. He looks rather sour to be out waiting until he notices her and the giant bird.]

O-oh! Native fauna!

[He jumps up, barefoot, and takes a few steps closer, attention focused on the bird.]

Tell me, child, what is that?

That? [ Ikki looks confused, until she realizes he means Soren, after which she brightens almost instantly. ] Oh, this is Soren! He's my pokemon partner. He's a Swellow, which is a flying-type pokemon. Um, also a normal type. Pokemon are from a world where they're all the animals, but Soren was born here.

[Pokemon??? Where had he heard that before?

Oh well.

He moves forward quickly, hands up as if he wants to touch Soren, but isn't sure if it's alright.]

Fascinating. A species of bird that grows to this size....? The world is lives in must be rich in nutrients and prey for a creature this big...

[ Soren just glances at Ikki, who nods; the old man is apparently okay.

...Besides, he never turns down a chance to be admired. ]

He'll let you pet him if he wants. And he normally eats, like, seed and vegetables and stuff. He'll eat mostly anything.

[Walter stands and reaches out to the bird tentatively.]

He must eat at least his own weight, if not more to acquire the energy needed to grow so large... Are these native to your world?

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