004 [BBS]

[watertides.livejournal.com]

Guessing by all the BBS posts up today, I think most of you have seen the new issue of the newsletter. With that said, I'd like to state a formal apology addressed to the Cadets, SeeDs and Faculty in Garden.

I was the one that was caught waterbending by a native down at the beach in Dollet. I know, I know-- It was a stupid thing for me to do. I was overeager at the chance of being surrounded by my element and I made a bad judgment call. I should have been more mindful of my actions, as now my carelessness has caused for the natives to become wary of Garden.

But at the same time, I don't regret having exposed this sort of prejudice that the natives hold against us off-worlders. We're here because we don't have a choice-- if I had my way, I would be home where I wouldn't be ostracized for a natural ability that isn't viewed as a curse by the people of my world. Bending is an art form, a rare gift that only the few and proud possess. I shouldn't have to be ashamed of it or live in fear because of my ability.

Even if I do have the gift to manipulate water, I know better than to use it against innocent people. What's to say that everyone who has a unique ability immediately has ill intentions? Their ignorance isn't going to make our lives any easier during our stay in this world. There has to be a way to make them see us in a different light.

- Katara

Comments

[fierybluebird]

Correct, eh. You shouldn't be ashamed of it at all.

[watertides.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the support-- I'm glad someone agrees.

- Katara

[derped.livejournal.com]

I wonder what they'd do if they saw someone's Limit Breaks, like Miss Trepe's, and didn't know what they were. Would they get the same reaction?

I don't know if it is all that different. Just because it's not what this world uses doesn't mean it's bad. I know my opinion isn't really ... normal around here, though.

- Rion Lyon

[watertides.livejournal.com]

It sounds like they're just really scared of the unusual-- but then again, considering how civilians aren't able to use para-magic either, wouldn't all the SeeDs' abilities be something for them to fear, too?

- Katara

/doesn't sign a single thing in this entire topic ...and I'm just going to use this icon for kicks

[rebellingheart]

Anyone who confuses waterbending or a limit break for a sorceress's magic clearly hasn't ever actually seen a sorceress.

[busies.livejournal.com]

[watertides.livejournal.com]

We can only hope they're willing to be so diplomatic. Judging by their reaction, I can't really imagine any of the civilians letting any one of us approach them for a civilized talk, but we can try.

- Katara

[bitterfire.livejournal.com]

You're so pathetic.

[cadetshota.livejournal.com]

[bendthis.livejournal.com]

Shut up!

[fierybluebird]

To quote a certain friend of mine, "Re-ject-ed."

[watertides.livejournal.com]

Says the person who didn't even sign this message.

- Katara

Strikes = deleted and there's a lot of them too so I apologize in advance

[rebellingheart]

You're not from here, you wouldn't understand. [No, way too harsh.]
It's more complicated than that, you just don't understand. [That wasn't any better.]
If only it were that easy. [Not quite right.]
I wish things could work out the way you said, but they can't. [Still so off!]
Some things just can't change. [Next.]
I wish things could work out the way you think they would. I'm tired of hiding. [She'd been sworn to silence, so that certainly wasn't a good choice.]
I wish... [No, not that either.]
I'm still so scared. [Definitely not the way to go about this.]
I'm sorry our world isn't living up to your standards. [Now that was just entirely too mean and entirely fueled by the fact that she was more than a little worried all over again. What would people do if they found out that the Garden really was harboring an actual, for real sorceress? It was something she tried not to think about, but it was still fresh on her mind from some of the nightmares she'd had lately.]

It would be nice, but there are some things, some beliefs, that I'm not sure can change. [Which was rather depressing and overly much coming from her, but it was a rather sensitive subject as of late.]

[fierybluebird]

Says who? Call me whatever you want, but I've seen the impossible happen. Yeah, some people will always be assholes, and progress doesn't usually happen in a day, but you'd be amazed what one single person can do in just a year. So just imagine if that many incredible people banded together. Is that you think it can't be changed or that you don't think it should be?

EDIT 2 ( I apologize...)

[eggplantallergy]

If people had your mentality all the time, this world, and even our home worlds, would be a lot worse. People are prone to change for the better or worse (I'm supporting the former), not overnight and definitely not always quickly, and because of that the possibilities are endless.

-Gakupo

[eggplantallergy]

It's saddening that people are still so doubtful of what they choose not to know more about. We're putting in the effort, but the same cannot be said for them. I do hope they realize we aren't monsters.

You're a very brave person, and deserve much respect for this post to us. I'm glad you didn't apologize for what you are.

-Gakupo

[watertides.livejournal.com]

I hope so, too. I just wish they weren't so scared to consider us as good people-- not everyone who possesses powers is evil.

And thank you very much! I knew if I attempted to hide, it would be a disgrace to the waterbenders of my world. I'm proud of who I am.

- Katara

[tardytardis.livejournal.com]

[watertides.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your encouraging words, Dr. Smith. And I couldn't agree with you more-- Time Compression brought us here whether they like it or not, whether we like it or not. If they keep trying to outcast us, it'll only create more tension in the world. We should try our best to work together with the natives-- I'm sure that us off-worlders are more than willing to. We can only hope that the natives are willing to open their minds, though.

- Katara

[xiiicard.livejournal.com]

If it's any consolation, I'd love to see your art form in action sometime.

Though I think I qualify as an 'off-worlder' like yourself.

[watertides.livejournal.com]

If you're interested, I'd be more than happy to show you! Even if you aren't a native, it's comforting to know that not everyone fears the kind of abilities that foreigners possess.

- Katara

[willnotsubmit.livejournal.com]

[Tut, tut Mitsuru. You told Marco that you'd practice an extreme amount of politeness and courtesy if you encountered this person. Better dial both of those things up a bit.]

[watertides.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it might have been a bad way for them to find out about us and for their attitudes to be revealed, but it's better that it was uncovered sooner than later, right? I think it'd be worse if they discovered much later on that some of us possess powers unfamiliar to this world-- they might get the wrong idea and think that Garden using us to their advantage.

But I get what you mean-- what's done has been done. I just hope that it doesn't cause too much of a rift in Garden's relationship with the other countries.

- Katara

[birdwhoseeks.livejournal.com]

I understand the need to make the best of your element - doubtless the Garden pool is no more fullfilling to you than the admittedly spacious interior of this building is to the flyer in me. When seen from such an angle, 'tis my good fortune that no native caught me indulging.

Though you will no doubt be penalized for your error in judgement, I am aware that you merely unearthed a lingering suspicion and prejudice that already existed. No doubt this will cause much struggle and strife, yet all changes carry such things.

Fair fortune,

- Gwendolyn

[watertides.livejournal.com]

Exactly-- the Garden pool's water is weighed down for some reason, unnatural and a bit unusual for my bending practice. I was just too excited to find a natural source of water for me to practice with.

Thank you for being understanding.

- Katara

[shops-a-lot.livejournal.com]

I guess the best thing you can do is show people you don't mean any harm and do your best to ignore any mean comments. At the same time, I think some people are bothered by...well. Abilities that can't be taught. If you couldn't waterbend and had never heard of people being able to control elements, maybe you'd be scared at first, too.

But you're welcome to waterbend at Fight Club anytime you want.

~Bulla

[watertides.livejournal.com]

I wish I could show these people that waterbending isn't always dangerous-- while it can be used for offensive and defensive purposes, it also has healing properties. But I have a feeling even that wouldn't be too well received in this world.

Thank you for the welcome! What exactly is the Fight Club, though?

- Katara

[dangerousthings.livejournal.com]

[Yeah, she totally did not understand most of what was said or why Katara would worry about what other people think. But that's Luki.]

It's okay, Katara! I'll still play with you!

~Luki

[watertides.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Luki. I hope we can play together sometime soon!

- Katara

[sharp]

Hey Katara, I would have done the same thing. Don't beat yourself up, yeah?

-Amy

[watertides.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the comforting words, Amy. I'm glad I'm not the only one who would have reacted this way.

- Katara