(no subject)

[abitofawildman]

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.

Comments

[spiralmovements]

And there is nothing more to say at that point, is there?

Tenzin sets himself in front of the altar, setting the elements out in front of him.

Whispering, "Pema, we are...you don't have to stay. But you can."

[abitofawildman]

Pema looks from Tenzin to Bumi.

The older man, having made the appropriate adjustments to his uniform, is now standing at attention with his eyes focused on the middle-ground.

She says nothing, but bows to the altar and settles into what would be her proper place during such a ritual.

[spiralmovements]

Prayer does not have to take a long time. Prayer does not have to be complicated.

Especially for something like this.

Tenzin falls into a focused meditative pose, maintaining a light smile on his face. (That's important here.)





The offerings start to tremble of their own accord and Tenzin holds out a palm that pieces of each offering bend into a cloud above his fingers.

When they start to turn, it looks very much like Avatar Aang's very favorite marble trick.

[abitofawildman]

When it's clear to Bumi that no one will be looking in his direction, he let's his view shift from nowhere, to Tenzin's hands.

Of course.

There isn't a whole lot of family resemblance between the sons of Aang and Katara, but if someone were to take a picture of the two of them at this moment, that same light smile would be found on both.

[spiralmovements]

Pema is not a bender, but she is an Air Acolyte - one of the most talented on the island. Tenzin uses the rhythm she sets with her breathing.

The gentlest of metronomes.

The circle above Tenzin's palm slows eventually to floating. Tenzin's eyes open.

And then the offerings (except for the tart) fly up into the air when Tenzin bends them. Bringing his hands back down, Tenzin touches his forehead to the ground in front of the altar.

Hi Dad.

[abitofawildman]

Bumi's posture straightens, his shoulder's go back, and he salutes just as the sun completely disappears from view.

[spiralmovements]

Tenzin stands, turning to help Pema stand from her position.

"Thank you."

Pema looks up to Tenzin. Even not understanding all of the context, "Certainly. I am glad I could help."

[abitofawildman]

Interesting. Very interesting.

"So," Bumi says shattering the moment. He's already unbuttoning his jacket and loosening his scarf. "What time to you all eat dinner again? And what are the chances of there being actual food this time?"

And not say, what food eats.

With filial obligations fulfilled, Bumi's shamelessness appears to have returned...in full force.

[spiralmovements]

"I am sure we could get you something more preferable to you on such an important day, Commander," Pema smiles at him. "If -- If you and Master Tenzin do not have plans?"

[abitofawildman]

"Well," he says moving to put himself between the Master and his Acolyte. He offers Pema his arm, while Tenzin gets a firm clap on the shoulder. "I can't speak for the Junior Councilman here, but I don't have to report back from leave until tomorrow morning."

[spiralmovements]

"I."

There are things that Tenzin should be doing! There is a face to present to the City!

Lin isn't here though. Maybe won't be; being chief of police is unpredictable at the best of times.

"I am available?"

[abitofawildman]

"I can understand if you'd like some time to catch up on the day's events, Tenzin. I have kept you from your obligations for most of the day, and I'd hate to be a further burden on your precious time."

He turns towards Pema and mouths the words, He knows, and then shoots her a conspiratorial wink.

The young woman does her best to school her reaction, but there's only so much one can do to contain a blush.

"I'm sure that I can find something around here to keep me entertained until your To Do list has been sufficiently cleared."

[spiralmovements]

"I, uh -- "

Tenzin falls into silence, looking at Pema, then his brother, then back again.

Then he literally throws his hands up in the air in helpful amounts of resignation.

"To-dos can wait until tomorrow I think."

[abitofawildman]

Bumi doesn't laugh at his brother's wild gesticulations, though from the look on his face he very much wants to. A flustered Tenzin is an entertaining Tenzin.

"So long as you're sure," he says tossing an arm around his brother's shoulders. "Well then, what sort of shenanigans shall we get up to tonight, hmm? Oh! I wonder, did you ever find that cask of wine that Uncle Sokka stashed under the..."

Before Bumi can continue, an Acolyte runs from the main temple building towards them.

"Master Tenzin! Master Tenzin! A message has come for you!"

[spiralmovements]

Pema takes a half-step away from Tenzin, and Bumi drops his arm as the acolyte approaches. He doesn't like either of these things at all, which may cause Tenzin to give the acolyte a bit of a scowl when he holds out the paper with the message for Tenzin to read.

And read again.

"Bumi, it's from Lin." Tenzin is never one to mumble (at least in front of acolytes) but he's hard to follow here. "About the White Lotus."

[abitofawildman]

"Let me guess," he says in his best deadpan. "They've narrowed down their search to the Water Tribes."

[spiralmovements]

Tenzin is already shaking his head.

"They found the Avatar. She's apparently already fire-, water-, and earthbending, but Bumi."

Wide-eyed astonishment, and in front of Pema and the other acolyte, he clenches the paper in one hand and hugs his brother.

"They found him."