abitofawildman | (no subject)

The weather is beautiful today. The sun is shining, the clouds are bright puffy white, and the waters of Yue Bay are nearly still. A beautiful day.

A great day for flying, his father would say.
Then, as if on cue, his mother would retort, You think everyday is a great day for flying.
Everyday IS a great day for flying, ... but especially today.

"Especially today," Bumi murmurs to himself as the memory of his father's laughter replays in his mind. The sound of the ceremonial horns bring him back to the here and now. Back to the assembled crowd that's come to bear witness and pay respect on this the fourth anniversary of the Avatar's passing. Back to watching his little brother hold court over the culture their father left in his care.

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From:

spiralmovements

The back room is very quiet, but he still allows Chong to go through the door first.

Not that there is much in the way of a threat (or dancing girls) there. Just a scattered number of older gentlemen, and --

"You brought me here to play Pai Sho?"

From:

abitofawildman

"If you've got something against Pai Sho, it might be best to keep it to yourself," he says to Tenzin with a smirk...and possibly a wink. "These guy do not mess around. Right, Guys?"

None of the men look up from their games, but there's a general consensus of Eh, kids about them.

Bumi heads over towards the back most table, the one with the biggest shadow in the corner. Big enough to conceal even a very tall man with bright blue tattoos. You know, should Tenzin feel up to removing his hat.

From:

spiralmovements

When Jin comes by with Bumi's order, Tenzin is already setting up his side of the board and contemplating strategy against his brother - someone who makes his way through the world based upon his capacity to plan ahead.

"Still cannot believe this was your plan," Tenzin's talking more to himself than Bumi, smile on his face.

From:

abitofawildman

Ah but there are many ways to win at Pai Sho, and often times it's the one with the most patience who ends up the victor.

Which might explain why it is that Bumi's overall lifetime win/loss breaks about even.

"We can always go find dancing girls, if you'd prefer," says Bumi as he takes the carafe and the two glasses that it came with, and begins pouring.

Hey, if Tenzin wanted something else to drink he should have said so.

From:

spiralmovements

"No, thank you."

They start to get into their game - Tenzin taking only a minute early lead - when Tenzin remembers and/or dares to take off the hat.

From:

abitofawildman

If Bumi's insulted by the rejection of his offer, he doesn't show it. He's far too absorbed with the game at hand.

Which is why he's surprised when he looks up from the board to see Tenzin's bold decision regarding his headgear.

Bumi smiles and pours himself another drink with one hand, with the other he's rolling a tile across his knuckles.

From:

spiralmovements

When the news report comes over the radio on the hour, all it is are updates with the day's festivities, and a couple of the men in the room groan.

"'S like they forgot who the Avatar was," someone says to grunts of agreement, and Tenzin's barely suppressed astonishment.

From:

abitofawildman

There's another grump of Idolatry from another corner. One of the men at their direct left agrees. "It's nice that the Fire Nation paid for that thing, but...the one time I seen the Avatar with my own eyes he never stood that still for long."

Bumi keeps a watchful eye on his brother's expression.

From:

spiralmovements

He doesn't want to be discovered. But drawing attention to himself might be just as bad.

And they're not saying anything he doesn't agree with - wholeheartedly.

Especially when someone brings up the construction of City Hall, and Aang teaching the children of the builders to juggle to keep them entertained while parents were working.

From:

abitofawildman

The stories continue, slowly at first, but as the time rolls on...and the drinking continues, they begin to pour out of every old man in the room.

Everyone has a good story to tell about Avatar Aang, and precious few of them have anything what so ever to do with the Avatar State.

"...taken from us too soon," says a voice far younger than the rest. When the room turns to look, they'll see ~~Bumi~~Chong with his glass raised in salute.

From:

spiralmovements

Tenzin just stares at his brother.

Then the glass of rice wine.

And in front of everyone focusing on 'Chong', Tenzin very distinctly does not hide himself, and takes a drink.

"To Aang," Tenzin whispers, "May he be happy in the Spirit World."

From:

abitofawildman

The room goes very quiet, and very very still.
Did they all see what they just thought they saw? There. In the corner. The flash of blue ink on pale skin.

"To Aang," says someone, breaking the silence. "To Aang," says another. Until finally everyone has spoken.

When Jin comes back for refills, Bumi slips him a couple of large Yuan notes. "They drink on me today, and anything left over goes to the charity box."

From:

spiralmovements

Tenzin finishes his glass, and doesn't protest when Jin refills it.

"To the game?"

From:

abitofawildman

"To the game," Bumi repeats with a voice no where near as solid as it was a moment ago talking to Jin. He takes a deep breath and clears his throat. Though it's doubtful that'll help with all the dust in the room which is surely the source of why his eyes have become so shiny.

From:

spiralmovements

They play the game for several more hours, and the only person that moves around the room is Jin, keeping the drinks going (and some dumplings and tea at some point for Tenzin).

One of the men from earlier walks past Bumi and Tenzin's table even though it is nowhere near the exit and leaves his lotus tile on the edge.

"Have a good rest o' your evenin', sirs."

From:

abitofawildman

Bumi looks at the tile, and is instantly reminded of his outbursts from earlier in the day. His head lowers like that of a child realizing he's done wrong.

"Thank you, to you as well."

From:

spiralmovements

Tenzin just looks up and smiles at the man briefly.

Before winning the game.

"Hmmph." Mildly smug.

From:

abitofawildman

Again. He's won...again. Bumi is shaking his head in disbelief as he cranes his neck to try and see the table from Tenzin's point of view. As if somehow their respective positions at the table have given his younger brother some sort of advantage.

"Maybe you should have gone into the military," he mutters. "I didn't even see that coming."

From:

spiralmovements

Tenzin is already shaking his head at that idea.

"I'd never be able to do what one must in the military."

From:

abitofawildman

"Here's to hoping we never have to find out either way," he picks up his glass again and drinks to his brother's pacifism.

Because if it ever came to that, it'd mean that Bumi had failed to protect Tenzin as he always promised he would.

From:

spiralmovements

It is when Jin starts to set out tealights that Tenzin comes back to himself.

"It's getting late."

And there are Duties.

From:

abitofawildman

"It is at that," he says with a sigh. Bumi slaps his hands down on the table as he rises to his feet. "And if I don't get you back home by nightfall, Koh will come and take you away."

Bumi reaches into his change purse again and peels off a couple more bills, which he throws down on the table.

From:

spiralmovements

Tenzin puts his hat back on and starts making his way out towards the main room, Jin, and the exit to the street.

"You comin' back?" Jin asks.

"...Probably." It's the best Tenzin knows how to offer, and it's a lot more than what he would have started with a few hours earlier.

Out in the street, Tenzin knocks awkwardly into Bumi's shoulder. Thank you, he thinks.

From:

abitofawildman

Bumi takes a step forward to compensate, but grins like mad when he sees his brother's face. He reaches up as if to touch his brother's face, but instead flicks him in the forehead, much the same way he used to when they were both smaller.

No, thank you.

"Come on, I've got one last job for you before get you home."