Conversations here have led to great headcanon bits.

[qaunak]

I don't see why you're laughing so hard, mun. Plenty of boys in the Northern Water Tribe had stuffed toys. Just because my boys had a few narwhalmice doesn't mean they deserve to be laughed at. And I'll have you know they played very nicely with each other, too. I barely had to patch Tarrlok's little doll up at all before sending it on to Republic City...

...why are you laughing again?

Comments

[assholekinesis]

I bet it was a real hit with his friends.

[qaunak]

It was when he was a child. I'm a fair hand at sewing. It's why all the blankets he took with him overseas were of my making. [Yes, her son took his dolls and his blankie. Like a real man.]

[assholekinesis]

[He likes you, Quanak. That's why his giggles are being suppressed.]

Be sure to send him a few recipes. Home cooking can definitely cure some loneliness. Ooh! And a phone call letting him know you love him.

[qaunak]

Ah, phones in my world can't yet get a message across the Earth that far, but I really should send him some recipes. Unless a miracle happens and he finally finds a nice girl to settle down with, I suspect he lives off of vendors and delivery foods more than he admits to. He never could cook, though if he had the patience for it he would've been very good at sewing. He did more than a few repairs to his outfits over the years to demonstrate skill at it.

[assholekinesis]

That sounds unfortunate. Ever think of paying a visit?

[qaunak]

It would be awfully expensive, and I just don't have the funds since my husband died... I could sell the house off and go to Tarrlok, but that's not fair for him. I suppose I'll have to content myself with messages when I can.

[assholekinesis]

Isn't that supposed to be his job, though? Take care of your elders, and such.

[qaunak]

He's representing our nation, our people, to the other nations and taking care of those of us that moved off continent. That's far more important than looking after one woman. I understand that, and I'm proud of him and the job he's chosen.

...I do miss him, though.

[moonpowers]

I find it a bit charming that your children had such cherished items.

[qaunak]

Tarrlok still has his, as far as I know. Little things like that can make moving, even moving off continent, much easier to bear. People need reminders of where they're from and how their families love them.

[moonpowers]

I completely agree with you. To have something from home, especially from one's own loving mother... it feels as if she is right there beside you.

[qaunak]

It's a shame how many people are too proud to admit they need a piece of home with them. Or worse, how many people have no homes to be reminded of. Life is hard without the love and support of other people. It barely qualifies as life.

[moonpowers]

[ She nods her head in agreement and places a gentle hand on her shoulder. ]

I know... I often miss my home.. my family... my people, but I know that while I think of them, they are thinking of me as well. Because of kind hearts like yours, those of us who have left, can always feel peace of mind, even if it seems to far away.

[qaunak]

We are never gone from each other's hearts, not even in death. My mother taught me that, and, I hope, I've taught my sons that as well. [Qaunak smiles, briefly.] I never realized how fortunate I was to be able to stay home until my sons left and I realized how hard it must be on them. It makes my own problems seem smaller by comparison.

[moonpowers]

[ She can't help but giggle a little. ]

They are very lucky to have a mother like you. I am certain they feel similar.

[qaunak]

Well, the second I posted here my first time, they rushed to my side, so I can safely say yes, though time and eventually death seperates us, our family bond is strong and eternal. At least with my children. My husband... well, he never really had it easy. His own parents abandoned him at a young age, and when our eldest son died, he simply quit trying to connect to anyone.

I'm hoping that with time here, where even the dead can speak to the living, I can break through to my husband. No one deserves to be as alone as he feels he is.

[moonpowers]

I am certain you will find a way. From my time spent here I have realized that this place... it's almost like a second chance, to what that is, is something you decide, but the second chance is still there. Though at times I feel a bit guilty, I am using this opportunity to live once more...

[qaunak]

There's nothing to feel guilty about. This is a gift we've been given, and to use it to help soothe the hearts of others is not an abuse of that gift. It's love. And there's nothing wrong with love.

[moonpowers]

Talking to you feels as if I am talking to my own mother...

[qaunak]

[That gets a big smile out of Qaunak, and she wraps an arm around Yue's shoulders.] You are an intelligent and noble young woman. I'm not your mother, but I would have been honoured to have a daughter like you.

[moonpowers]

If you continue to talk like that I'm going to blush.

[qaunak]

There's nothing wrong with that. A few compliments and acts of random kindness could've saved the world a lot of heartache in the long run.

[moonpowers]

If only everyone could realize this sooner.

[qaunak]

That's why we're here. So people who never knew kindness in life can feel it here, when they're given a second chance to live.

No one is ever truly left alone, when all this is said and done. That's the beauty in it.

[moonpowers]

[ She smiles and leans into her arms more, wrapping her own arms around her in a big warm squishy watertribe hug. ]

[qaunak]

[Qaunak sighs, smiling and hugging Yue back. It doesn't hurt that Yue is about the same age her boys were when they left home...] It's a shame more of the Tribe isn't here. People from other lands can be so hesitant to even hug... but I know they'll get better as time goes on. In a place like this, with so many people, it's hard to feel anything but hope.

[moonpowers]

It is a shame... I know when I am pulled into a warm embrace I feel much happier. Perhaps it is just that people have grown too shy of such. But we are all family, that is how I feel.

[qaunak]

Yes, we are. All human beings are one people, are people, deep down. People should never forget that. You're a wise young woman.

[moonpowers]

I have had plenty of time to think about such things.

[qaunak]

It's not the time we're given, it's what we do with it. Even the oldest and most experienced people can be fools. You have to choose to see the truth.

[moonpowers]

You are right.. No one can just have all the knowledge they do... they have to live through it... they have to accept it.

[qaunak]

That's why people get to reincarnate, I think. So they have all the lifetimes in the world to accept it.

[posturing]

You're...you're Tarrlok and Noatak's mother, aren't you?

[qaunak]

Yes, those are my sons. [She looks up at Korra with a sad smile.] Believe it or not, they were very good kids. I'd like to believe a part of them is still good. They've made some poor decisions, but I still love them regardless.