"I guess so." Jin did her best to smile wider even if it felt a bit strange. Nora already had her gestures down. It was the actress in her, she swore. But Jin was always one for a challenge so she was determined to do this. Maybe it would change things in general. It would be good for them both really. Starting to act like Nora now would be helpful. Answering to the other name was never a problem. Personality would be the difficult part. She was afraid she’d burst.
Laughs. The little things just made her smile and laugh as Nora bounced off and bounced back. Handwriting, she thought as she read Nora’s list, was another difference. That was more a dig at her sister but she usually made a point to be neater with her pen strokes. "So lists. With yours, it sounds self-explanatory I guess. But um, you visit Skoochy a lot? Of course I remember him. I’m not stupid." She blushed, snapped, trying not to show herself but knew Nora’d see right through her. “Would he be able to tell the difference do you think? Should I bother pretending if I, ya know, meet up or run into him?"
I guess I should start with wake up. I wake up around the same time as you but I wake up without a fuss. I get up and I move. I know that’s hard for you but don’t seem like you take a long time. Bathe
I get dressed in the robes. At least this part is simple enough.
I go to meditation and sit quietly. Do NOT squirm or Dad will know something is up. Stay. Still. Breathe deeply, calmly, if you squirm you’re going to have to come up with a good reason. I don’t make excuses and I don’t generally admit when something’s up, but if something were bothering me, and I was caught, I
Feed Unni before breakfast. Yes, she eats early and she is a slow eater so you’ll be fine. She likes company so feel free to visit her later in the day too. She likes the nuts and oats and berries (like you, funny, isn’t it?). Fruits always win. Talk to her. She enjoys it. She’ll know it’s not me instantly so just explain to her what’s going on and she’ll be patient. She might nip at you but she knows who you are and what you look like (because please, the bison are intelligent animals).
If you have to ride her, saddle is centered. I don’t ever need reigns generally unless she’s in a mood but they’re there. I trust her completely and she’ll go at whatever pace we’re both in the mood for. Yes, sometimes I can go awfully fast on Unni because it’s just me, her, and the sky. So don’t be afraid to be yourself on her because I’d act a little more carefree.
I eat slower than you at breakfast and all meals. And neater. Be clean with your eating. Quiet and respectful, but talkative if there’s a reason or a subject of interest. Speak respectfully. Do not sass them or they will think you’re sick or realize we’ve traded. IF you do feel sick or something and don’t want to keep it up, tell them. It’s fine. Really. Health first sister dear.
Airbending practice when it’s joint I try to help our siblings, guide them if they have issues. I generally end up trying to offset you, help Ikki with any issues,she’s gotten a lot better. She might get her tattoos soon too. But we beat her. Definitely beat her so no fears on that front. ;) I help Meelo turn that energy into focus. You know how reckless he can be. Rohan’s still a little one but he just needs you to smile and play with him and encourage him to use it at all. He’s great though and super sweet. He’ll know. He won’t say it necessarily, but I think he’s the best to tell.
Be careful how you are with Ikki and Meelo. They’ll know. I’m the doting older sister but if they piss me off I end up, as you all have put it “So done with them". But my tolerance levels are higher than yours.
Even when practices becomes separate I’m compliant. Do your best, nothing less than 110% on a bad day. It’s going to be a little easier for you because of what I’m working on lately, but just be careful. Slow and steady wins the race. Graceful. If you slip up, yes I mess up sometimes, get right back up and do it again. Don’t make a show or a fuss, just get up and keep going. Apologize maybe. I feel bad when I get things wrong because Dad wants me to get it right so badly.
He tells me to do it I do it, even if I’m frustrated. I do sometimes politely express concern if there’s a question or an issue. But I don’t sass back. I don’t yell. It would have to be huge to yell.
Lessons are also something where I’m quiet and polite. I do read fast, it’s not uncommon for me to re-read things I enjoy. I will correct the teachers if I think they’re wrong. You’ll have fun there. I’m sure you’re not an angel always either. Rarely do I find studies boring, but if I would, then you’ll know based on the teacher’s reaction.
Plan. Planning is good. If you do something, make it seem like it’s planned even if it’s not. I’m not as spontaneous as you. I tend to set things up in advance, though I’m prepared to face new challenges as they come.
More studying and practice. Most of my day is filled with lessons of some sort always. Proper accents, proper posture, proper everything. It can be exhausting. I usually sit through it and smile all the while but it’s pressure.
I work as long as possible but if an opportunity arises to slip away, and it seems logical, and I’ve practiced enough, I’ll do it. Trust me, I will.
If and when I manage to sneak away. because I hope I can every day, I may not be that interesting. Sometimes I doodle, I write, or I’ll go sing a song. I have a favorite tree I hide in. The tall one on the far side of things, in the forest. You’ll know it when you see it. It’s actually the one with the mark we made when we were practicing our bending there as kids? Yea that one.
If I’m feeling really adventurous I go to the LIbrary in the city. They know me by name and sight there. So does the council building if I go to try and help out around there. Ok, spirits! I’m lame I know. Maybe this day as you will help liven me up. If I just plan on going to the library then I don’t really have much with me other than a satchel at best. I try to take the glider or the ferry because Unni’s so big that she’d be noticeable and there’s not really a parking for sky bison anywhere except by the Council Hall since Dad takes Oogi sometimes.
I have wandered around before elsewhere. If you plan to do more than the ‘boring’, ‘expected’ things, then bring a change of clothes so you’re not going to stick out as much. Tattoos mean long sleeves Nora. You flaunt it, you risk identifying yourself. It’s not bad always, but it depends on just what you want to do and who you want to be seen
DO NOT ARGUE with Mom and Dad. DO what they say, when they say it. If you have an issue, express cautious concern IF you think it’s absolutely necessary (it’s usually not). This goes for other adults too. Be respectful. If it’s knowledge based, it’s ok to get into an intense, yet calmly spoken, discussion.
You’re my big sister, my twin, my other half Nora. Even when we argue I love you. I hope this helps us too because I know I want to understand you better like we used to.
I don’t actually talk bad about you most of the time. I can be childish if you, or one of our other siblings does something immature and frustrates me so if you need to whine, that’s why you’d do it.
I bathe whenever it’s convenient. Funny enough I don’t have a set time. I don’t like bathing in the morning because I’ll be filthy from practicing so hard at the end of the day. With most things, just calmly, quietly slip in and out. I’ve been known to sing on occasion but the type of song depends on my mood I guess.
Bed time isn’t a fuss. I go to read also and sometimes I help mom out later with the kids if she needs it. She won’t always ask but you can usually tell if she does. This includes, but is not limited to, putting them to bed, making sure they eat dinner (earlier at dinner I suppose or later if they’re fussy), bathing them, getting them changed for bed, putting them to bed (stories and lullabies, Rohan loves lullabies the most.). Comforting them if they wake up.
They might come into my room at night so if we switch rooms during this whole situation keep that in mind. They come here if they don’t go to Mom and Dad. If they don’t feel good (because really, they don’t get sick as much as we did/even do, but Rohan’s still little and so little kids catch colds and have runny noses and all that. Sometimes he’s cranky when that’s the case. Just being around other kids does it Nora, it’s normal.)
Bed time is a guideline. I try to go wind down around the same time but as I said, helping mom and dad is important. If Dad needs help with paperwork, he’ll call me in or I’ll pass by it and see that he’s working himself to death. Sometimes mom does this and I do the kids night routine all together.
If I’m tired then I try not to show it because I feel bad if they need something. If they catch me yawning they’ll send me to bed. I don’t sleep as much some nights. Others I sleep more. Same goes for in the morning Nora. I’m not always as awake as I seem. Looks like I got some acting ability.
I suppose this is the end (I like the benchmark number) but just ask if there’s anything else. Long days are long. Short days are non-existent but if I had one it’d be sneaking off early enough, mom and dad not needing help (if they do throughout the day then just say yes).
"Sound good?" Jin questioned, handing it over. “I know I wrote more than you but I’m just a very detailed person. Handwriting is neater too. You can write better I’ve seen it, you just don’t seem to bother. It’s actually hard sometimes to write neatly so remember that too. I’ve had to work at that part. You’re more naturally gifted with it funny enough. Did I forget anything? Any questions?" It was going to be one tricky but good challenging type of day.
