the train to the afterlife meme.

[bottecellie]

The Train to the Afterlife Meme

Congratulations: You are dead.

 

Maybe you know how, maybe you don't. Perhaps the memory is fuzzy, or perhaps it's crystal clear down to the look in your comrades' eyes. Maybe it was your time; you've done all you wanted to. Or maybe you weren't at all ready to go, maybe you went out kicking and screaming - but none of it matters. You know you're dead, and the train is taking you to an afterlife. Perhaps an afterlife of your choice; you might've earned that heaven. Or perhaps you've earned something else entirely.

 

It'll be a bit of a journey, though, so you might as well take your time and talk to the other people in your coach. Death knows no place: most of them are strangers, even from faraway worlds. But death knows no time either, so who knows, some of them may be people you know, even if last you knew, they were alive - or long gone.

 

Oh look, here comes the snack cart.

 

All the usual:

 

• Post with your character's name and canon in the subject line.

• Said character is now dead for whatever reason - canon, AU, what have you. They are on a train with other dead people from many other times, places and worlds.

• Characters don't know for a fact where they're headed - just a general awareness that they're going to some kind of afterlife. Whatever they think it is is up to the player.

• This meme is built especially for cross-canon interaction, and potentially for threadjacking and group threading - if you're interested, may be a good idea to state as much in your subject line.

• Tag around and play nice!

• TRIGGER WARNING: Meme obviously deals with death and may deal with other unpleasant themes as a result. Please be cautious.

Comments

[flameoroku]

[Aang will be having some company soon in the form of his old Avatar mentor. Though he knew what it meant for Aang to be here, he kept a comforting smile on his face when he greets him.]

Hello, Aang.

[savedtheworld]

[There Aang was, quietly and diligently sitting in his seat. He had lived a life longer and happier than he could have imagined. And now he was looking forward to being a spirit at last and waiting to help the next Avatar. His excitement was reflected in the youthful shape he took on.

He looked at Roku with a strong fondness. They were finally on the same page.]

Hello, old friend.

[flameoroku]

[He will come and sit down beside Aang.]

It is good to see you again after such a long journey. I'm sure you would like to rest, but perhaps you can still spare one more trip with me.

[savedtheworld]

Of course, Roku. I have all the time in the world.

It's a little different than I'm used to traveling with you, but the seats are a lot more comfortable. [The lack of scales help.]

[flameoroku]

[Fang might have gotten a little upset by that but Roku merely chuckles at his comment.]

I'm sure Fang will not mind a change in transport this one time.

Tell me, how do you feel now that you are here?

[savedtheworld]

I feel... content in a way. I didn't really live as long as I hoped to, but I never really considered all those things that would bite into my lifespan. And... Tenzin hasn't had any kids. But I'm still proud of him, and of everything I was able to accomplish. With only... a few exceptions. [He hopes that's the only acknowledgment of the Yakone incient he'll have to make.]

I think I feel comfortable. It was just the right time to go.

[flameoroku]

Every Avatar's lifetime has it's challenges. Though we have been given incredible power, we are still human and carry their strengths and their flaws. We cannot always foresee how our actions will effect the world, but as you have shown me and many others in your time, there is always another way to approach any challenge that may come of our actions.

[A beat]

I believe you should be proud of what you have managed to achieve in such a short time. You've ended the hundred year war and brought back peace to the world. Although it will take much time for the world to recover after such an event and accept the changes you and Firelord Zuko have brought, you have already planted the seeds for peace. It is now the next Avatar's duty to ensure that the seeds will grow.

[savedtheworld]

[He missed a good old-fashioned Roku monologue.]

I believe that the next Avatar can make it happen. And Zuko's still around. I'm sure he'll make certain that everything stays well. I'm glad that you approve, though, Roku. I tried my best to learn from all of you, to be the best and fairest Avatar that I could be.

[flameoroku]

[He rests a hand on Aang's shoulder] The best you can do is all that anyone can ask of you. I'm sure there are others in your time that shared the same sentiment, that you've at least brought some good back to the world.

[He frowns slightly, as he looks ahead and out the window of the train. The scenary was just a flurry of colors.] I am sorry to have placed such a difficult tasks onto you. No child should have gone through what you had to endure.

[Even after all this time, he still feels guilty over that. It wasn't just the next Avatar he doomed, it was the entire world that suffered as well afterall, all because he couldn't do one thing.]

[savedtheworld]

[He looks up at Roku's face. It's weird to actually be on the same plane as him, even if it feels familiar in some way. He felt conflicted, because... it's hard for Aang to unconditionally forgive Roku, as he usually does, when he considers all the after-effects it had on the world. And he can't say he had a good childhood.]

Roku, I can't... completely blame you. You had your duty, but Sozin and his successors were the ones who crossed the line. They're the ones who actually... did those things. And I understand. I do understand what you were thinking. I almost made the same mistake with Zuko, after all. We were all just lucky that Zuko turned out to be one of the greatest guys I've known. And I admit, it did end up being one of the worst childhoods ever. But I survived, and was able to make such great friends. And a sweetie and children.

[flameoroku]

[He quietly listens to what Aang has to say. He was never looking for forgiveness, no. Just...a peace of mind.]

I am happy to see that you were able to find such joy in your life before it was your time to leave, and I thank you for ending the mistakes brought on by myself and from my own nation.

[savedtheworld]

Thank you, Roku. I did what I felt was right. And I guess that's why I feel so content with this now.

And I'm glad that you're the first one to greet me here, too. It feels like we've known each other for so long.

[flameoroku]

I was always with you, Aang. I was happy to offer my guidance to you when I could. [...]

And under different circumstances, friendship.

[savedtheworld]

[He blinks at the second sentence, which stir up half-forgotten memories.]

I know you when you were younger, didn't I, Roku? Not just through your memories. We actually spent time together, in... in... It was like another kind of life.

[flameoroku]

[A smile] Almost like a dream we both shared together. For a short time, yes. A memory like that would be hard to forget, but strangely I didn't quite recall it until now.

[He simply thought he was imagining it at first but...Aang basically confirmed it.]

[savedtheworld]

Yeah, a dream is like the best way to describe it. Something we shouldn't have remembered. I think I even... met Fang's egg? I remember a lot of good times, and only a few bad ones.

[flameoroku]

You did. [and all the times Fang nearly scorched the house]

What transpired may as well not have happened. It was certainly beyond normal circumstances, impossible even. [who ever heard of two Avatar co-existing afterall?] Evenso, it is difficult to forget the strong bonds we've made. I'm glad I was given the opportunity to get acquainted with you and your friends.

[savedtheworld]

I'm glad, too. I had thought that I had known you as well as I could after I saw your memories. But the truth is, I came to understand you much more deeply in that other place. It makes me feel a lot better about this reunion too, knowing that my dear, goofy Avatar friend is somewhere under all that beard.

[flameoroku]

[He strokes his beard at that remark, but then he chuckles.]

No matter how much you've grown over the years, Aang, you haven't lost that youthful spirit that brings joy and laughter to others. The Spirit World could use a little more of that.

[savedtheworld]

[He laughs back fondly, recognizing his friend's chuckle.]

I would never want to, Roku. It's who I am. I agree. I look forward to a lot of good times in the Spirit World. [With a mischievous grin.] It's like a whole new world of animals to ride.

[flameoroku]

[Well there's a knowing grin on his face]

That will be quite an interesting challenge. Some of the residents are... rather sensitive about that. [They just like their peace and quiet]

Though you must remember, to prepare yourself when the time comes for you to guide the next Avatar.

[savedtheworld]

Don't worry, Roku. I will. I'll make sure to sharpen my will and meditate on ideas while making time for the fun stuff. I have pretty much all the time in the world here.