A Siblings’ Conversation
~with Rohan and older!Jinora~
Rohan
He walked outside to see Jinora reading and took the book before leaping into the tree. he read a page out loud of a heart filled story of two lovers in a cave. he stopped as he then read on and set down on the branch seeing as it was a really good story. “Wow ,you always get the best books why don’t you read them to us anymore?” he said handing her back the book with a frown.
Jinora
Jinora rolled her eyes, smiling as her youngest brother snatched her book before settling in the tree. She sat quietly beneath the tree, knowing he’d hand it back eventually. “You know why. Ikki hates being silent for so long, and Meelo can’t stay still for so long. Plus, we all got really busy with our studies, so reading time was cut. Glad you like my selections though. How was your meditation, Rohan?” She responded, chuckling as she explained. She took her book back, noting the page before closing it and looking up.
Rohan
He got down and smiled to her “Jinora, your stories about grandfather are one of the reasons why I try so hard. I want to be one of the best if not then THE BEST air bender ever” he said raising his hands but serious about every word “I train harder I study harder and father still wont let me get my arrows even though I am a master already he says my attitude is bad and not the image a airbender should carry. I just dont have patience for stupidity is that such a bad thing” he said venting
Jinora
“We’re all the best, Rohan. Not too many to compete for the title, really,” she said, looking down at her book for a second, regretting bringing the mood even lower. Pushing those thoughts away, she looked at him, pondering his words. “It’s not a bad thing, but it is very helpful. Some people need more time to learn something, that doesn’t make them stupid. Not everyone can be prodigies, you know,” she said, nudging him and giving a smile. “And Father has a reason for not permitting you to get your tattoos. Patience is a necessary thing, for so many reasons. Perhaps you’re trying too hard for your tattoos and that’s why Father won’t allow it.” It was certainly a possible reasoning their father was using. It made sense to Jinora, though she couldn’t be certain. She had never been as much of a hothead as Rohan, though she had never had to fight for her tattoos either.
Rohan
He frowned as he listened to his sister “but If I do not train hard then how will I ever get anywhere I mean …ehh forget it I knew you wouldn’t understand” he said with a huff blowing the hair from his face.
Jinora
Her smile faltered at this. At ten years apart, there was no doubt they were different in many ways, but they were siblings. She had to earn her tattoos as well, though she didn’t have to fight for them like Rohan was doing. Still, she had earned her tattoos, and it was essentially her job to teach and advise.
“I may not understand immediately, but I am trying. I want you to get your tattoos, you’re incredibly talented, Rohan. But you have to think like Father as well, to understand why he won’t let you have them.” She paused for a second, carefully selecting her next words.
“Everyone knows that you are continuing to train and study as hard as you can. But by working so hard, you could easily be overlooking the solution. Take Meelo’s favorite advice, and be like the leaf.”
She smiled at the thought of her loud and hyperactive brother. He would always say “be the leaf” whenever something wasn’t working. His favorite advice, ever since he was little and Jinora had told him those very words herself. Bringing herself back to the present, she slung an arm around Rohan’s shoulders.
“Your current method to earn your arrows isn’t working, so find a new method. Find the path of least resistance, and earn your arrows. Be the leaf, Rohan.”
Rohan
He listened before hearing her words as his voice then hit a very high tone as he tried to get his words out
“WHAT!!!!..you have to….are you serious…OH-MY-DEAR-FU…….I mean spirits!”
He began to bang his head on the tree as that was what his mother said and his father and other sibling it was so easy for them. he cursed under his breath as he then stopped beating his head sitting down as he now had a headache and rubbed his head
“Gee thanks a lot”
he said as he laid back being he was dizzy now and closed his eyes trying to calm down. he brought his hands to his face actually wanting to cry he was so frustrated and even let a tear fall as he remained silent laying in the warm grass. He was known for his temper tantrums and many times it would amuse his mother but this one was because he didn’t know how else to react.
Jinora
Jinora quickly retracted her arm, surprised at Rohan’s reaction. Obviously that was not the advice he was seeking, and she could guess why. She frowned as he made to curse, and proceeded to bang his head against the tree. She stayed silent as he muttered to himself, waiting for him to calm down some.
She shifted closer to him, giving him a moment’s peace before speaking. “Guess you got the same advice from the others,” she said softly. Searching her mind, she thought for another way to help him. He really was talented, and Jinora wanted her brother to have his markings, he was so talented.
“It’s not bad advice, though. You just have to replace the variables. You are the leaf, and Dad’s the spinning gates. You don’t force yourself against the gates, you go around them with their guidance,” she said, reaching a hand out to smooth his hair. “Do you want to know what I would do, if I were in your position?”
Rohan
He grumbled as she spoke. his eyes shifting back to her before he stood and plucked her robes.
“Well yea, you can speak as if it is so easy sister you have your arrows”
He spoke thumping her on the head as he turned to walk away with his hands in the air as he was very angry right now before listening to the rest of her words and flipping onto his hands walking a bit then hooking his feet over a branch and hanging up-side-down glaring at her.
He knew he shouldn’t be upset with Jinora and sighed as she said her last bit.
“Well father is the spinning gates that wont spin no matter how hard i push it with air so there is no point. Fact is, I am not good enough I could out do Aang with airbending and I will still not BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR SIFU”
he said before flipping down approaching her
“What would you do Jinora. Please tell me would you stop your entire personality and change everything that you are do get by orrrr even better would you become buddy buddy with a man who thinks you are a failure? because that’s how I feel Father looks at me. Intrigue me sister exactly what would you do.”
he said inches from her with a frown a he then took a breath
“I am sorry Jinora you don’t deserve my anger it isn’t even suppose to be directed at you , your just trying to help me”
Jinora
She shook her head, shaking off his apology. “It’s fine, I know you’re frustrated by all this. And don’t forget that I did earn my tattoos. I didn’t have the same problems you face now, but I had some too. So did Ikki and Meelo when they earned theirs, and so did Dad. Yours just happen to be the most prominent because you’ve got the most talent, Rohan.”
She flashed him a quick smile before shifting her position a bit and giving him a moment. As she settled against the tree again, she thought of a way to continue the analogy they had picked up to explain her thoughts and suggestions.
“You’re right that Dad is the spinning gates, but you’re wrong when you say that they aren’t spinning with the air you send at them. The gates are already spinning, so you don’t have to send anymore at them. You just have to make your way through them now. Focus your energy, clear your mind, and make your way through the gates. Anger, determination, and force won’t get you through, but will only hinder your progress.”
She paused, looking at Rohan, searching his eyes for some sign that he had understood what she was trying to say. She didn’t want to hand him the answer, but for him to find the answer himself. “Do you understand what I’m trying to say, Rohan?”
Rohan
Rohan frowned as he laid back down on the grass and thought about their words. he held his quick tongue and finally set up Gazing to Jinora before standing and hugging her speaking now only in a soft voice.
“Sister I am going to go take a nap its exhausting being angry”
he said before walking away being he really intended to meditate but did not say it to her for now she should know his words. Since he was young he would when angry call it napping as he only did it so not to do something stupid or irrational.
Rohan walked down the halls and pushed the door open seeing his father having fallen asleep once more at his desk and giving a sigh before walking in and moving the paper pin away from him so if he shifted he wouldn’t hurt himself and gripping the quilted blanket Pema had made and throwing it over him.
“Thank you Pema”
he heard his father mumble still sleep causing the boy to sigh but it also brought a smile to his face for it proved he held the same heart as his mother and the same caring soul and spirit.
Rohan turned and shut the office door walking past Ikki’s room placing a finger to his lips telling her and Meelo to be silent for reasoning they understood. Rohan only interfered with them in their own space when it was crucial for the cause for Rohan’s attention.
Rohan made his way to his own room and set down closing his eyes and with ease he entered a state of peace but somehow had managed to have actually exhausted himself and fell back against the floor sleeping. his chest rose and fell slowly as he slept peacefully under the soft breeze coming in through the window he never shut even during the storms. he preferred to be able to hear the wind.
Jinora
Jinora nodded, accepting Rohan’s hug and patting his back lightly. “Don’t stress too much about this, Rohan. You’ll get your tattoos, I’m sure of it. Rest well,” she said, a small and knowing smile on her face.
She watched him leave, heading towards the family’s quarters for his “nap”, and thought of his youth. There had been obvious problems and issues, more than she had ever had, but she could follow his thoughts well enough to know that he would figure everything out eventually. He was smart like that, and a prodigy. He’d figure it all out.
Straightening her spine, she blew softly into the wind, directing a soft and calm wind towards Rohan’s constantly open window. Still smiling, she settled back against the tree, opening her book to dive back into words.
