Just Like the Good Old Days
[Please read introduction and footnotes]
Redbayly: Thank you all for your patience. Now, it's time to begin Just Like the Good Old Days, Book 2: Spirits. Remember, I don't own Legend of Korra. And now, if my dear friends will be so kind as to begin the intro…
Toph: Earth.
Iroh: Fire.
Aang: Air.
Sokka: Water.
Redbayly: Only the Avatar can master all four elements and bring balance to the world.
Sokka: Last time on "Just Like the Good Old Days," Korra and her friends defeated Amon who fled with his brother, seemingly never to return. Noak finally revealed the truth about himself and Tarro, and Korra not only forgave him for his past but the two are now engaged.
Aang: Upon their return to Republic City, Korra and Noak decided to start working on a way to resolve the issue of the Equalists. As a result, the Republic City Council was deemed incompetent and was disbanded. Seeing as how it was the previous Avatar (a.k.a. Me!) who instituted the government of Republic City in the first place, Korra, following her fiancé's advice, laid out plans for a new council made up of elected officials from Republic City itself, comprised of both Benders and Non-Benders; the decision was passed. To promote world peace, the Four Nations Diplomatic Center was established so that ambassadors from each nation would still have some say in the lives of their citizens living in Republic City. Korra also restored the Bending of everyone who deserved to have it back; as in the White Lotus sentries, the Metalbending cops who'd been captured, the Wolfbats, and a number of innocent civilians who'd been abducted by the Equalists; only the triad members were denied having their Bending restored.
Toph: And the reforms didn't stop with just a new council. Noak also decided to speak with my daughter Lin about new police practices so that instead of just having Metalbending cops, anyone with the right skills can now join the police force. Amon's former Lieutenant was acquitted of his Equalist activities through the intercession of Avatar Korra; the Lieutenant was soon put in charge of the Non-Bender Defense League, a government-sponsored organization that instructs Non-Benders in self-defense and works with the police to fight triad activity.
Redbayly: Korra's engagement has certainly turned a few heads. Magazines and tabloids feature the young couple at least weekly. Upon being interviewed about her upcoming wedding, Korra responded that it would be a traditional ceremony in the Southern Water Tribe. Southern Water Tribe weddings are open events which means the press will be allowed access when the date of the wedding arrives.
Iroh: However, danger lurks on the horizon. Strange dark spirits have begun attacking ships near the Southern Water Tribe while Korra, unaware of these events, continues her Airbending training with Tenzin in Republic City. Soon, however, Korra will know of what is happening, for the Winter Solstice is drawing ever closer.
Family Reunion
Korra's POV:
It's been six months since the battle with Amon and a great deal has changed. Asami has taken control of Future Industries, though I am worried her father's involvement with the Equalists has damaged the company's reputation. Mako got a job on the police force and has been out there kicking bad-guy butts. Bolin has taken charge of the Fire Ferrets; of course, without me and Mako there he hasn't really been having such a great go of it.
Despite what I learned six months ago about Noak and Tarro, I haven't thought of them as Noatak and Tarrlok. I still call them by the names I have always called them, even if there isn't anyone around to hear us talking.
Tarro has actually taken over my place as Waterbender on the Fire Ferrets; though I think he only agreed to it because he felt bad for Bolin.
As for me and Noak… I'd say we're closer than ever. It's been wonderful to finally get to spend time with him, just the two of us, without any of the old awkwardness or tension we had before we admitted how we felt for each other. However, I can't help but feel like he still has a great deal of insecurity; he's told me, quite clearly, that he doesn't really believe he's worthy of me. Personally, I think that's stupid; just because he's made huge mistakes in the past it doesn't mean he should keep beating himself up over it.
Noak's also been a huge help in reforming the system in Republic City. He's outlined the major areas for concern and has drawn up plans for how to address the problems, which I happily presented to the new council for their approval. The new Republic City Council is ten times as effective as the old one, mostly because they were actually chosen by the citizens themselves. There are ten delegates in total, five Benders and five Non-Benders, and they all seem quite eager to work towards fixing the problems that sparked the Anti-Bending Revolution in the first place.
I think, if anything, I'm the lucky one to have Noak there to help me. Without him, I probably would've just backed off from the political aspect of the problem and just had the United Republic sort things out themselves. Who knows what would have been decided then?
Noatak's POV:
We were all meeting at Narook's tonight. The others had mostly been leaving me and Korra to ourselves, so it was only right that we take a night off to talk about how things are going. As soon as Korra and I joined the others at the restaurant, I could practically feel the tension and anxiety coming off of almost everyone.
"So, how's Pro-Bending going?" Korra asked once we were all seated.
"It's been…really, really…" Bolin attempted to say enthusiastically before dropping his entire charade. "It sucks."
"That's putting it mildly," Tarrlok added. "We beat the record for fastest knockout in the history of the game. Unfortunately, it was us that got knocked out."
"Looks like we're out for the season."
"Suck it up, guys," Mako said. "All you have to do is work hard in practice and I'm sure you'll get better."
"Easy for you to say," I heard Bolin mutter.
"My company's in real trouble," Asami spoke up. "Thanks to my dad, no one wants to work with us. At this rate, I won't be able to get an endorsement from the Flameo Instant Noodle Company."
"Does anyone have any news that's not depressing?" I asked.
"I got a promotion at work today," said Mako. "Bei Fong says that I'm close to making detective soon."
"Congratulations," said Korra. "From what you've told us, it sounds like you've earned it."
"We have a little announcement of our own," I said. "You're all invited to the Glacier Spirits Festival with us."
"It's going to be amazing, guys. The Glacier Spirits Festival is one of the best celebrations in the south."
"That sounds great, Korra," said Bolin. "Is there fried food?"
"Just about everything they serve at the fair is fried," I answered.
"It would work out nicely," Asami agreed. "I was planning to go to the south anyway to meet with a business tycoon who might be able to help save Future Industries." She then turned to smile at Mako. "And, of course, I wouldn't go without my boyfriend."
I had to look away when Mako and Asami began to make lovey-dovey expressions at each other; I thank the spirits that Korra isn't interested in that type of romance.
"Well, this all certainly works out," Tarrlok conceded. "And we'll get to see everyone back home again."
"Of course," Korra agreed. "Mom gave me a call and said that the whole family is coming down for the festival. I think she's secretly plotting to have my aunts and cousins help her force me to go dress-shopping." She cringed at the thought.
"Don't worry too much about them," I said. "I'd be more worried about your uncle Paytah. Knowing him he's bound to get into trouble, especially since Tenzin's brother Bumi is going to be there."
"You're lucky that you have such a big family, Korra," Asami said, and I detected a hint of sadness in her voice. "You have so many people to care for you. All I have left of my family is an empty old mansion and a failing business."
"Hey, that's not true, Asami," Korra reassured her. "You have us. We care about you."
Asami seemed to brighten at that statement. Asami had told us some time ago that she wasn't used to having friends; she'd been sheltered for most of her childhood and she had trouble getting close to people as she was never sure if they liked her for her or her money.
"This vacation is going to be awesome!" Bolin suddenly declared.
Korra's POV:
We were currently sitting around on the front deck of the ship taking us to the Southern Water Tribe, the sun had already set off to the west and the salty ocean breeze rustled our hair.
"Oooh, look!" Bolin suddenly shouted. "A shooting star!" He pointed up into the dark blue stretch of sky above us.
Sure enough, there was a bright flash of bluish-white light.
"Everyone, make a wish," I said.
"I wish that I can save my business," said Asami.
"I wish that I'll get the chance to earn that promotion," said Mako.
"I wish that I'll finally be able to get a girlfriend," said Bolin. "What do you wish for, Korra?"
I exchanged a look with Noak and a smile crossed my lips.
"I think all my wishes have already come true," I said.
"Come on, there has to be something," Bolin persisted.
"Well, maybe, I dunno," I fumbled.
"Come on, anything!"
"Well, I guess I wish that I'll be the best Avatar ever." I started to blush. It was a childish sort of thing to say and I felt embarrassed admitting it. Of course, that feeling faded when Noak took my hand in his and smiled.
"There's nothing wrong with wanting to do the best you can at your responsibilities," he said. "In fact, I'd say it's very noble of you."
"And what do you wish for, Noak?" I asked.
"Well, my biggest wish, like yours, has already come true. But, I suppose it would be nice to know what I'm going to do for a living. Everyone else seems to have a job and I'm feeling kind of left out."
"I just wish that nothing goes horribly wrong for once," Tarro suddenly spoke up.
"What are you talking about?" I asked. "There's nothing-"
"No, but there will be something. And when said thing does happen, I'd prefer not to be killed, maimed, or eaten by it."
"Now you're just being negative," said Asami.
"No, I'm not being negative, I'm being realistic. Literally, every time we think things are going to be normal, something or someone has tried to kill us. So, I think I'm justified in a little bit of trepidation regarding our latest venture."
"Yeah, well, we're due for some normalcy for once," Noak protested. "I don't see how a trip home for a festival is any grounds to warrant your sudden paranoia. Where is this coming from, anyway?"
Tarro became quiet for a few moments, as if lost in thought.
"I don't know," he answered. "The idea was fine when it was first brought up, but the more I've thought about it, the more I've had this sort of ominous feeling. I can't really explain it."
"It's probably just your imagination," Mako said. "What could possibly go wrong?"
Noak suddenly slapped a hand to his face and I could just see what he was thinking. Mako just jinxed us, didn't he?
Tarrlok's POV:
If Mako had jinxed us, which I am almost certain he did, it didn't take effect for a good amount of time. We made it into port by the next morning without the slightest thing going wrong and were greeted by a large crowd. Standing amongst those present at the docks were Tonraq and Senna, whom Korra ran straight over to while Noatak and I followed. I was quite taken by surprise when Tonraq suddenly hugged both of us in welcome.
"Hope you three have been keeping out of trouble," he said.
"As much as we ever will," I said.
"Korra!" came a sudden exclamation before a flash of blue suddenly rushed in and grabbed Korra in a hug.
"Lomasi!" Korra said in surprise.
Lomasi was one of our friends from childhood, though she was certainly no child now. She was now about as tall as Korra, though dressed in far more feminine attire. She had also started wearing four braids in her long black hair that had been decorated with beads.
"I've missed you so much," Lomasi said. "Noak, Tarro, it's great to see you guys again."
I found myself pulled into another hug, this time actually being lifted off the ground by the sixteen-year-old Shaman's daughter. Despite her rather skinny appearance, Lomasi was very strong; in fact, it was quickly becoming hard for me to breathe.
"Lomasi. Air," I gasped.
"Oops, sorry," she said, releasing me. "I forgot; you have the endurance of a baby otter-penguin."
"What? I do not!"
"Now, now, Lomasi, play nice," said Shaman Guyapi, who had decided to make himself known. He then turned and gave a bow to Korra. "Avatar Korra, a pleasure to see you as always."
"Nice to see you, too," Korra replied.
"My apologies that my wife could not accompany me to greet you. Honovi said she had important business to see to and would be unable to attend."
"That's okay."
It didn't take long before other familiar faces appeared. Chief Kaliska, accompanied by her son, Ciqala, was there to see us. Ciqala was a young man, only in his twenties, and bore very little resemblance to his mother except for his dark blue eyes; in every other aspect, he looked like his late father, Ahote.
"Have you three been getting into mischief without inviting me?" Ciqala said. "Mom told me that you took out some big bad in Republic City."
"It was a little more complicated than that…" Noatak said.
"You've gotta tell me all about it."
"Wow," said Bolin, "look at all these people that came out to greet us."
"I think you mean 'to greet Korra,'" I corrected.
"Of course there would be lots of people here," said Shaman Guyapi. "Why wouldn't the Southern Water Tribe wish to give the Avatar and her friends, the heroes of Republic City, their due welcome?"
"Huh, and I thought the excitement was for them," Korra said, pointing towards a very ostentatious-looking ship.
"The great chief of the Northern Water Tribe comes to grace us with his presence; hooray," Tonraq said sarcastically.
"Why did he have to come here?" Chief Kaliska said, though I could tell it was a rhetorical question. "Every time Unalaq shows up for one of our festivals, all he does is complain."
"Calm down, you two," said Senna. "He'll be gone soon enough. You could at least try to be civil with him for once."
"I will if he does," Chief Kaliska muttered.
"Ituha has everything for the Peace Ceremony ready at the meeting hall, Chief Kaliska," said Shaman Guyapi.
"Oh joy," she replied unenthusiastically.
"Peace Ceremony?" Bolin whispered.
"You'll see," Korra replied.
Chief Unalaq was just as I remembered him, both from when I worked for him in my other life and from the encounters I had with him in this one. Throughout much of the past thirteen years, Chief Unalaq had made attempts to become Korra's spiritual mentor; however, every attempt had been thwarted by both Tonraq and Chief Kaliska. I knew why they would feel so inclined; I had worked for Unalaq before and the man was certainly the type you should be cautious around. Coming from me that is definitely saying something.
Along with Chief Unalaq were his two children; I found myself subconsciously attempting to hide behind Lomasi in order to escape their notice. Eska and Desna, for some reason, had always terrified me; both in this life and my previous one. Bolin, however, did not seem to share my sympathies.
"Whoa, who are the lovely ladies?" he asked, and I had to bite back a laugh.
"That's Eska and Desna, Chief Unalaq's children," Korra answered. "Desna is a guy."
Bolin then attempted to laugh off his mistake before asking which one was Desna.
"The one who isn't wearing makeup," I said.
Chief Unalaq suddenly came to a stop a few feet away from where we were standing, directly across from both Chief Kaliska and Tonraq.
"Greetings, Chief Kaliska," he said in a formal tone.
"Tunngahugit," she replied in the old language. "Welcome to our tribe, Chief Unalaq."
He then turned to Korra.
"Good to see you again, Avatar Korra."
"Good to see you, too."
He then faced Tonraq and I knew there was going to be trouble from how the two men were glaring at each other.
"Tonraq."
"Brother."
There was an extended and awkward silence before I noticed Senna give her husband a slight jab with her elbow.
"Good to see you again," Tonraq said, though he sounded as though he didn't mean it. Which he most probably didn't.
Unalaq gave him a short nod before moving on.
"Nice to see you again, Senna; I hope you've not had too much trouble keeping my brother from causing trouble."
"Thank you," she replied, clearly very uncomfortable with the whole situation but obviously trying to be polite.
"Shaman Guyapi, seasonal blessings on you."
"And to you, Chief Unalaq," he replied.
His attention then turned to me and my brother; he clearly noticed the way Noatak was holding Korra's hand as well as the betrothal necklace she was wearing.
"I had heard that my niece was getting married," he said. "Now I can see it with my own eyes."
"The wedding is in six months," Noatak responded.
"Can I assume that I will be invited to attend?"
Tonraq looked about to protest before being silenced by a glare from his wife.
"I guess so," Tonraq said grudgingly.
Chief Kaliska suddenly pulled a watch out of her pocket.
"It's getting kind of late," she said. "But we're still missing a couple people."
"That reminds me," Unalaq said. "Someone asked to accompany us down here. I believe you know her."
Our attention turned up to the royal barge where a figure was descending the gangplank. The person was a woman, middle-aged, and dressed in very expensive-looking clothing; her brown hair, that had a few lines of grey in it, was styled in a similar way to Master Katara's.
"Yue!" both Chief Kaliska and Senna declared.
"Kaliska, Senna, it's so good to see you," Yue said as the two other women rushed to greet her.
"You allowed my sister-in-law to join you on your journey down here?" Tonraq asked skeptically. "That's oddly generous of you."
"Not at all," Unalaq retorted. "The Southern Ambassador to the Northern Water Tribe is always welcome."
While another glaring contest started between the two men, the three sisters were gladly catching up with each other.
"It's been far too long," said Senna.
"Where's your husband and those sons of yours?" asked Chief Kaliska.
"They decided to stay up north for the solstice," Yue answered, almost sadly. "None of them seemed interested in coming down here with me."
"That's what you get for marrying a reprobate like Kohana. I warned you it wouldn't turn out well."
"I…he's not. We're fine, Kaliska."
Chief Kaliska did not look convinced, but did not press the subject. Suddenly, the tense atmosphere was shattered by a distant roar of an engine and someone shouting gleefully at the top of his lungs.
"I love waterskiing!"
A man was holding on to a rope that was attached to the back of an incoming motorboat. In the boat were a woman and two teenage girls.
"Look out!"
"We're headed straight for the-!"
Whatever was about to be said was cut off by the boat's sudden impact with the dock that sent the man flying towards the crowd.
"AHHHHH! Ooomf!" He collided, headfirst, with Chief Kaliska. "Hey, big sis."
"Paytah, unless you want to end up as bait for the tiger-sharks, I suggest you get off me," Chief Kaliska responded in a low growl.
Paytah straightened up and helped his sister to her feet.
"Sorry about that." He turned towards the boat. "Hien, I told you we need to get that boat inspected!" he called out.
"Sorry, sweetie!" the woman called back. "I'll get it to the shop tomorrow morning!"
Paytah brushed himself off before facing everyone with a big grin on his face. He was a tall, lanky man with reddish-brown hair that was cut diagonally at chin-length, tan skin, and icy blue eyes. While his clothing was Water Tribe blue, it was of a more Earth Kingdom style.
"Hey, folks," Paytah said cheerfully, as though he had not just had a sudden collision-course with Chief Kaliska.
"Paytah, a little help here!" Hien called out again.
He then turned to help Hien and the two girls out of the boat. Hien is Paytah's wife; a tall, black-haired woman from the Earth Kingdom. The two girls, Adsila and Hachi, are their daughters. Adsila, the eldest, looks a great deal like her father only with fair skin; from what I could remember of the times I have met her, I know Adsila is an Earthbender like her mother. Hachi, on the other hand, looks like Hien except for the light blue eye color that both she and Adsila got from their father.
"Paytah, what was that?" Senna asked.
"Senna, my dear baby sister, that was my latest discovery," he said. "I call it water-skiing. Got the idea from some people in the Foggy Swamp. I'm hoping it will catch on. Anyway! How are you, sis? And Tonraq, my favorite brother-in-law! You haven't been sneaking in to spy on the women's Waterbending class without me, have you?"
"Wait, you did what now?" Senna said sharply as Tonraq attempted to signal Paytah to stop talking.
"And Korra! My favorite niece!" He pulled Korra into a one-armed hug. "Heard you caused quite the stir in the big RC."
"Nice to see you, too, Uncle Paytah," she said.
Paytah's attention then got caught by the others.
"Aunt Katara, lovely as ever."
Master Katara simply smiled and shook her head.
"Kya, still a strong and independent woman who doesn't take crap from anyone, I trust?"
"Still an incessant chatterbox with complete social ineptitude?" she retorted with a smirk.
He grinned at her and the two shared a fistbump.
"Tenzy! I see your family's gotten bigger. Either that or I'm getting smaller."
"Hello, Paytah," Tenzin said with a clearly frustrated sigh. "How are you and your family doing?"
"We're just fine. My little Adsila recently graduated at the top of her Earthbending class."
"Dad, you're embarrassing me, again," said the girl in question.
"Bumi!" Paytah suddenly exclaimed.
"Paytah!" Bumi shouted back.
"Headbutt!" the two men shouted before ramming their heads together, causing them to fall backwards
"And not a brain cell between them," I heard Chief Kaliska mutter bemusedly.
"Why exactly did you marry him?" Yue asked Hien.
"Unfortunately, by the time I realized he was a moron, it was too late; I was already in love," Hien replied with a smirk.
"I hate to break up this little reunion," said Shaman Guyapi, "but we do have to be at the Meeting Hall before it gets too late. The Peace Ceremony must take place before midday or it will be invalid."
Noatak's POV:
The Meeting Hall is one of the only structures in the Southern Water Tribe that has remained intact since before the Hundred Year War; the only other such structure is the Great Southern Ice Temple, which was only rediscovered about forty years ago. Due to its significance to Southern Water Tribe heritage, it was only natural that important ceremonies would be held there; the Peace Ceremony is one of the prime examples of this.
We were met at the Meeting Hall by Prophetess Ituha and her young apprentice Lenmana. Lenmana is a skinny, bespectacled girl, about the same age as Ciqala, who has never struck me as the type of person suited to the vocation of a Prophetess; however, from what I have heard, Lenmana received visions when she was sixteen that made it quite clear that she had been chosen as the next Prophetess.
"Greetings, honored gentlemen and ladies," said Ituha with a reverent bow. "Noble chieftains, Avatar Korra." She bowed to each in turn with Lenmana mimicking her as best she could.
"Esteemed Prophetess," Chief Kaliska said, returning the bow.
"Everything is ready for the Peace Ceremony. Please, come inside."
Inside the Meeting Hall, a group of old men and women had clearly been waiting for us; this was the Council of Elders, the people responsible for the dispensing of justice and the law. All of them had lived in the Southern Water Tribe since before the arrival of the Northern immigrants; all of them were Non-Benders. There were six men and five women, not including Prophetess Ituha; the men seemed to be clustered together in towards the back of the room while the women were more spread out.
I took in the interior of the Meeting Hall. It was circular, as is the case with most igloos, and in the center was a fire pit. The walls, I noticed, had inscriptions in the ancient Water Tribe alphabet of phrases such as "The strength of the wolf is the pack" and "Come with peace and take happiness home; come with deceit and you shall be struck down"; in addition to the inscriptions, there were a number of artifacts such as warrior armor and battle pennants around the room.
Chief Kaliska sat cross-legged across from Chief Unalaq, who chose the 'more dignified' pose of kneeling, on the floor of the Meeting Hall. You could practically see the flashes of dislike in the eyes of the two chieftains as they stared each other down. I noticed Shaman Guyapi exchange a look with Prophetess Ituha and the two rolled their eyes in obvious frustration with the two chieftains.
With trembling hands, Lenmana handed a ceremonial pipe to Chief Kaliska; the pipe was an old relic that had been rediscovered thirty years earlier and was brought out for the Peace Ceremony between the Southern Chief and any visiting dignitary as a sign that neither meant the other any harm.
Chief Kaliska inhaled deeply from the pipe and then blew the smoke up into the air before passing it across to Chief Unalaq. Chief Unalaq eyed the pipe with distaste before putting it to his lips and inhaling, causing him to cough out the pipe-smoke much to the amusement of those assembled. After returning the pipe to Ituha, Chief Kaliska began recited a welcome; though it was clear to everyone she was forcing herself to be polite.
"I, Chief Kaliska, eldest child of Chief Sokka and the honorable lady Suki, and female Head of the Wolf Clan, offer welcome to you, Chief Unalaq of the Northern Water Tribe, and to your children, Princess Eska and Prince Desna. I hope your stay here will be beneficial to you and to the strengthening of ties between our two tribes."
There were a few more technicalities of the ceremony, but the main point of was made. The Peace Ceremony, from what I have heard of it, is an ancient Southern Water Tribe tradition that is so sacred that anyone who violates the act of trust is liable to having his scalp cut off as punishment.
I noticed that Korra was uneasy with the obvious tension between the different members of her family. I'd seen the way Chief Unalaq was practically always at odds with Tonraq and Chief Kaliska in the past; it often culminated into a shouting match that Tarrlok and I were, thankfully, able to keep Korra from hearing. I could only hope that, this year, things wouldn't get too out of hand.
Redbayly: Finally, I managed to get this chapter done.
Sokka: About time. Why did you take so long, anyway?
Redbayly: I had to write a paper for my Archaeological Laws and Ethics course. You see, I had to choose a book to read from a list (I went with Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology) and use what I learned from the book to come up with a particular argument related to an issue in archaeology.
Sokka: And what did you come up with?
Redbayly: I decided to write about why people create archaeological hoaxes and how they affect the integrity of archaeology as a profession. I really enjoyed the book; it had a lot of information about particular frauds like the Cardiff Giant and Piltdown Man that I liked. Oh, and it convinced me, once and for all, that Atlantis does not and never has existed.
Sokka: Finally! You've finally seen reason.
Redbayly: Yep. Apparently, the original idea for Atlantis came from a guy named Criterias, who was a student of Socrates. Socrates had basically given his students an assignment to create a story based on his model for a perfect society and explain how that society would respond to a war.
Toph: Bwahaha! That's hysterical. One of the biggest urban legends is nothing more than a homework assignment!
Redbayly: Yeah, I can just imagine Criterias handing in his Atlantis story to Socrates, and Socrates sits there for a few minutes reading over it and then going "Beta minus. It's a nice try, Mr. Criterias, but there's no way this will ever convince anyone." And then Plato comes by, likes the story, and decides to 'appropriate' it.
Sokka: Man, I bet a lot of people feel like idiots right now if they ever believed Atlantis could ever have possibly existed.
Redbayly: Uh, Sokka, you do realize that the word "idiot" is not actually all that insulting, right? It comes from a Greek word that refers to someone who doesn't get involved in the political process. More specifically, a person who doesn't vote.
Toph: Guess it's one of those words where the meaning changed over time and misuse. Like how the word "gay" used to just mean someone or something was happy and cheerful and now it means someone is, well, we won't go into that discussion now.
Redbayly: Yeah, I think we've drawn out this topic far enough. Oh, before I leave for the night, I just want to wish everyone a happy Native American Heritage Month. My mom sent me an email about it a couple days ago. November 29th is the official Native American Heritage Day. If you don't believe me then just look up Native American Heritage Month
Anyway, thanks for reading. Please review.