(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

[abitofawildman]

He laughs as he rummages in one of the lock boxes. "You couldn't truly expect me to say no to that, could you? It squeaks when you squeeze it." Bumi is king of the impulse buy.

Ah HAH
A package efficiently wrapped in canvas is retrieved.
"For you," he says before he unceremoniously tosses the parcel his brother's way.

[spiralmovements]

The knots untie seemingly of their own accord when Tenzin reaches over them, and he pulls the canvas open to reveal plain brown slacks and a linen shirt.

"A disguise?" Even as Tenzin questions it, he is removing his boots to change his pants. "I hope you have a -- "

A hat is under the shirt.

"How long were you planning this? Did someone tell you?"

[abitofawildman]

"A gentleman does not reveal his secrets," he says primly. Or...as primly as Bumi is capable of being.

There's a second parcel next to him, but he hasn't opened it yet. From the look of it it's probably an equally inconspicuous change of clothing for him as well. It...almost appears as though he's considering whether to change.

[spiralmovements]

Tenzin takes off his cloak and tunic next, kissing the back of the cloak's collar before folding up his clothing neatly and setting it behind him. In the light reflecting off the water, the long stripe of tattooed blue on Tenzin's back gives its own (less powerful by far) glowing effect.

He's pulled on his shirt and the hat (which annoys, but is sensible) before Tenzin notices Bumi's not changed. "You won't have a problem staying in your uniform?"

[abitofawildman]

"The kind of attention I get is never a problem," he says with a positively wicked grin. In all the ways that Tenzin stands out, Bumi blends in. With limited exception, most people know Bumi by name and reputation than by sight.

He looks at his brother, really looks at him, and smiles. Today isn't about impressing ladies. It's about taking his brother away from his world for a day. And besides...it's not like Bumi needs a uniform to impress a woman.

"Pema was right, you look good brother."

[spiralmovements]

"What? Pema? How did Pema - why was she talking to you?"

Tenzin has to shut this down right away. Or at least try.

"Do you two...speak often?"

[abitofawildman]

"Often enough." He winks. It's a trustworthy wink though, so it's okay.

Bumi's boots come off, as does his jacket, shirt and tie.

"It's your own fault, really."

[spiralmovements]

"What exactly is my fault now?"

Tenzin has been far too busy to do anything that he could be blamed for.

[abitofawildman]

"Your letters read like a Council meeting minutes," he says dropping trou.

[spiralmovements]

"I bore you then. So you ... what. Gossip?"

Tenzin rolls his eyes even though a smile still hasn't totally disappeared from his face.

Until: "Not about me though."

[abitofawildman]

"I didn't say bore..." he says in his own defense.

Bumi's face scrunches up, and he shakes his head.
"Oh no no no, we don't gossip about you. We restrict our discussion to the weather, how the bison are doing, and this year's annual yield from the gardens."

And just as he's pulling a shirt over his head, he adds.

"Also, your pants."

[spiralmovements]

"What?"

[abitofawildman]

"Your pants," he repeats. Only this time he points to the ones that Tenzin is actually wearing at this moment.

"It would have been a rather poor surprise if I asked you what size to pick up. And what with the Temple being all self-sufficient, I figured it was easier to ask the people who do the laundry."

See? Totes innocent.

[spiralmovements]

"One of these days, you are going to give me a heart attack."

Very very seriously.

"I hope you did not..." He has to figure out what to say here, and Tenzin's not usually the one who struggles for words. "...bother her."

[abitofawildman]

"Nahh, you don't give yourself enough credit, Tenzin. You're made of far sterner stuff than you think you are. If you weren't, surely I'd have killed long before now."

See? Isn't that reassuring? Bumi has faith in you!

"Bother her? Why...it's just the opposite, I think she's grown quite fond of me."
And now comes the point where Bumi watches his brother's reaction very, very closely."

[spiralmovements]

Wait.

"Like...friendly fond." More of a question than Tenzin would like.

"Of course she's fond of you. She's a very amiable person."

As though this is supposed to make Tenzin feel better.

[abitofawildman]

"And I am amazing."

Let's not forget that.

[spiralmovements]

"Ugh."

[abitofawildman]

Oh how the laughter that follows resonates.

There's far less reverence paid to Bumi's dress uniform as he stows it in the canvas bag that once held his disguise.
The boat rocks as Bumi pulls on his boots, and prepares to take them out and into the harbor. Now that they're just humble fisherman and all.

Once they're underway Bumi settles and a sigh of happiness escapes him. This is his element, and he revels being in it.

"The bay is like glass today."

[spiralmovements]

Tenzin usually flies over the water. He looks over the side of the boat as though he doesn't see the bay every day and nods in agreement.

"Dad would have approved."

[abitofawildman]

"Yeah, he really would have."
Of the weather. Of their escape. Of the disguises.
Especially the disguises.
"You did good today. Proud of you."
Just because something can go without saying, doesn't mean it has to.

[spiralmovements]

"Thank you."

It does Tenzin good to hear it, really. And from someone who doesn't see someone else when they look at the tattoos or the robes.

"I do not mind the idea of today, but - it is supposed to be different."

[abitofawildman]

"Oh yes, you not minding was exactly the vibe I was getting off of you."
He smirks.

[spiralmovements]

Tenzin huffs lightly, slumping into placing his chin in the palm of his hand as the boat moves.

"You do realize I fool most people."

[abitofawildman]

"Realize it? I take pride in it!"
Bumi considers himself instrumental in his brother's ability to tell the truth and lie at the same time.

"But you're not wrong, this is supposed to be different. If the White Lotus would only work faster..." The sentence trails off into a grumble.