A new hello

[jesushasayak.livejournal.com]

Hi everybody! To the people who know me already, I'm back. GLaDoS had me again and she still didn't give me cake.

To everyone else, I want to introduce myself. My name is Aang. I'm something called the Avatar, which means I can Bend all four elements, and it also means that back home, I was supposed to keep the peace between the Four Nations. That means I'm supposed to be a mediator, so I just want people to know I'm willing to do that here on the ship if anyone has problems with each other they need help working out. I'll be around a lot so you can meet me first.

I wanted especially to ask: is everyone okay after fighting the Ohm? I know how terrible they can be.

Comments

[jesushasayak.livejournal.com]

I don't mind nicknames, but technically, I'm older than you, and probably taller.

But also, when you talk to most people like that, it sounds like you're talking down to them, which isn't very nice. Even for those of us who are more than we appear to be, who are older than everyone else, it's not right for us to stand on our mountains talk to others as if they're 'little' people.

Sokka isn't a "little one." He's a grown warrior of his tribe, he fought in a war, and he helped bring balance back to his world. To call him "little one" like he's a child is disrespectful in his culture--in most of the cultures from back home.

[sanguineroyal.livejournal.com]

There is someone older than me on the ship! Well, I am rather surprised.

I apologize. It does not seem to be a well-accepted habit here on the ship, however I assure you it is merely a term of kindness and endearment. If you do not desire me to speak to you or Sokka so, than I shall refrain from such.

I do not doubt either of your skills. Our cultures are likely merely different. It is not uncommon for an older vampire to call all who they meet 'little one', and is not considered an insult if you are older, but considered to be a sign that the person views you as still being quite alive rather than getting close to a time where you are old and tired of life.

[jesushasayak.livejournal.com]

Where we come from, it's very different. Our elders are revered for their wisdom and experience, and many of them, despite their age, are still great masters, Benders, and warriors. While there's nothing wrong with being young, for a warrior, they want to be seen as older and more experienced.

A lot of the people on the ship are from different cultures. Before calling them nicknames, you might want to find out what their cultures are like first, to make sure what you're calling them isn't somehow offensive.

It'd probably be fun! You could learn about different cultures and make new friends in the process.

[sanguineroyal.livejournal.com]

Indeed it is, I have already learned of a few, however a habit is a habit. Sometimes the phrase falls from my lips even before I realize I have said it.

I suppose our view on age becomes complex after childhood. We stop ageing early in our lives and spend tens of thousands of years appearing to be the same age. The paleness of our skin is all that might offer an idea of age, and even that is very inaccurate. I would appear even paler if I had not nearly died a few thousand years ago.

Since we live so long, many vampires grow tired and will sleep for a hundred years or more. The older you are, the more likely you are to suffer from a "Little Death" as we call it. So of course, being seen as young while being older is viewed as a rather positive thing.

Perhaps we may meet some time to speak of our cultures. It sounds as if we may learn much from each other.