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[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]

"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.

[spiralmovements]

"It isn't all on the White Lotus, brother."

Which is a change - insinuating that some of it is.

"Multiple bending abilities sometimes do not manifest until much later than someone's primary bending. And then there have been those who have claimed their child is the Avatar."

Pretenders.

[abitofawildman]

"And yet father was discovered as an infant."

This is a loaded point, and he knows it. The Air Nomads were more in touch with the Spirit World than anyone today. Well...anyone not currently sitting across from him. Add to that the decimation of the Southern Water Tribe way of life, and the overall loss of culture during the 100 Years War.

Bumi's frustration is palpable.

"Just some peace and quiet. Is that too much to ask for? Let us grieve in peace."

[spiralmovements]

"I am sure somewhere in here I am supposed to say something magnanimous about how the whole City grieves with us."

Tenzin doesn't really feel like it, though. They grieve, and sincerely, but their grief is over when the Avatar returns.

It's not the same.

[abitofawildman]

No, it's really not.
Not one bit the same.

"Ever the politician," he sneers...but regrets it the moment he says it.

"That was out of line, I'm sorry."

[spiralmovements]

Tenzin actually flinches at the dig, but something relaxes in his shoulders when his brother apologizes.

"We all have our own methods of service," Tenzin returns noncommittally, looking out at the water.

[abitofawildman]

"There's service, and then there's servitude. You do enough, you shouldn't have had to do that too. Who put you up to it?"

[spiralmovements]

"Lin and Mom."

[abitofawildman]

Well that answers why Pema didn't know. Bumi flops backwards with a groan.

"Well that's just all kinds of unfair."

[spiralmovements]

"What is?"

Actually sort of honestly befuddled.

"They just...suggested. I'm the one that said yes."

Eventually.

[abitofawildman]

"Of course you did," he says from his flopped over position. "Because there's no possible way to say no to a Bei Fong for one, and for another it's MOM."

The only part of him that moves is the arm that comes up to count off the two obvious things that clearly Tenzin isn't seeing.

[spiralmovements]

"Did you bring me out to the middle of Yue Bay to dissect my relationships with my loved ones?"

Tenzin asks this with the genuine attitude of someone who is resigned to this particular fate.

[abitofawildman]

Bumi finally makes his way back to a seated position. Good thing too, because they'd somewhat drifted off course. Not that it matters much to Bumi, but he's not exactly making friends with how he's piloting right now.

"No, but if this is what it takes to ensure that you're acting as your own advocate, then so be it."

[spiralmovements]

"I'll keep that in mind."

There are times when having an older brother is fantastic, and others when it is difficult. Still others when it is both at the same time.

[abitofawildman]

"Do that. Especially next time you send me a letter."

The hard line of Bumi's jaw softens. This is not how he planned this day to go. Bumi doesn't want to be yet another talking head leveling more expectation at Tenzin.

"That way when we do get a chance to spend some time together, we'll already have this stuff hashed out, and we can focus on more important things."

He gently kicks the footlocker to Tenzin's right.

"Open it."

[spiralmovements]

And just like that, Tenzin's back to being suspicious.

But the clothes were okay - and smart. (And Pema helped with all this too? Tenzin's trying to not think too hard about that though.)

"A shoebox? I promise, there is nothing wrong with my boots."

[abitofawildman]

"No, just your head." He's smiling again. "I think all that time at high altitudes has damaged your sense of adventure. Or maybe it was all the times Kya and I dropped you on your head. Either way...open. The. Box."

Inside are a half dozen custard tarts. The kind Aang taught them to make when they were kids. Only...these are no where near as light and fluffy because a bellows is no substitute for actual Airbending.

[spiralmovements]

Tenzin reaches in and removes the shoebox from the footlocker before opening it.

Looking back up at Bumi, then back down.

He is stuck on whether to laugh and stuff his face, or just stare at them and keep the stinging in his eyes at bay.

"This is it," he decides. "Kya is now my least favorite."