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[abitofawildman]

It doesn't matter that the leave is much deserved, or far too long in coming, he still feels horrid for taking it. His place was with his men, and so he was less than pleased to be ordered to take R&R after returning from his funerary tour.

Who could kick back and relax after that?
Who would want to?

A United Forces meant that there was a whole lot more travel involved when it came to visiting the grieving. He'd stopped in to see Kya during the Norther Tribe leg of his journey, and his mother as they passed the Southern Tribe. Bumi was ever careful to steer as clear of the White Lotus Compound as possible. His Uncle Zuko suggested Ember Island as a place to spend his leave, but Bumi knew there was only one place he could go.

He arrived in Republic City with absolutely no fanfare, and remained at the bar for the entirety of the ferry trip across Yue Bay. The last thing he needed was to see that statue right now.

Comments

[spiralmovements]

Tenzin always likes to work with the young children in the mornings to get them accustomed to rising early, and the older acolytes in the afternoons to work on endurance throughout the day.

"Master Tenzin, you have a visitor."

He opens one eye from meditation to look at the messenger from the ferry-dock and stands to follow.

[abitofawildman]

It's hard to miss the hub-bub once the dock comes into view. There are at least half a dozen Acolytes standing in a semi-circle watching...something. As one gets closer that something is easier to spot from amidst the crowd.

Bumi.
He's in civilian clothes and he's moving his own luggage from the ferry to the dock. Anyone who even THINKS about helping him is greeted with a withering glare.

[spiralmovements]

Bumi in civilian clothing is odd enough, but at the Temple unannounced? Not even unofficially via a letter or a phone call?

"Leave us, please everyone," Tenzin calls from behind the onlookers, who immediately disperse as though they were never there to begin with. That handled, Tenzin strides up to Bumi and reaches out for his arm.

"Bumi! A great pleasure it is to see you!"

[abitofawildman]

It's only after everyone leaves that Bumi flops his seabag back on the dock. He reaches out and takes his brother's arm, clasping it firmly.

"Tenzin," he says with a nod. That smile of his doesn't reach his eyes. "You have room for one more?" Bumi nods up towards the men's dormitory.

[spiralmovements]

"Of course. We've got a cow-pig stall just for you," Tenzin jokes.

A swift motion of hands and Bumi's other bag float through the air behind them as Tenzin walks back to the men's dormitory.

"What are all these things?"

[abitofawildman]

Okay, that laugh is well earned, and the smile that comes with it is a true one. Nicely done, Tenzin.
"So nice that you keep my old room for me. I appreciate that."

"Oh these? Presents mostly. Mom, Kya, Uncle Zuko. I've been busy."

[spiralmovements]

"So you have! I haven't heard from Uncle Zuko in quite some time."

So far to travel. Tenzin is holding out less and less hope that Bumi just wanted to come by for a casual visit.

"Do you want to find your room and relax for a bit, or should we find something to drink?"

[abitofawildman]

"He sends his love," says Bumi as he shifts the weight of his bag slightly on his shoulder.

His nose wrinkles at the word relax.

"I would not frown at a drink."

[spiralmovements]

"Tea it is."

Tea takes time. Tea means you usually fill that time with conversation, whereas it is easier to drift off into silence at liquor.

"Around others, or quiet?"

[abitofawildman]

"Tea," he repeats sardonically. "Of course."

"Oh others, please. Any more quiet and I'll just be forced to fill it."

[spiralmovements]

Tenzin just eyes his brother before they reach the spare room in the dormitory to drop off Bumi's things.

"Tell me." Then after a second, standing in the empty sleeping room, "Please?"

[abitofawildman]

Bumi drops the seabag from his shoulder with a whumph and stands, his back and shoulders cracking as he does so. His attention is on the window when he sighs.

"Lost seventeen good men and women in what they're calling a minor skirmish in the papers. Weapons dealers. Our intel was outdated."

[spiralmovements]

"Spirits," Tenzin mumbles. "I am so sorry, brother."

This explains a lot of the travel - there is no way that Bumi would have not personally seen to the families of the lost soldiers.

But.

"Forgive me, but...I am surprised you are not back on your ship, now that you've completed your task."

[abitofawildman]

Eventually the fleeing from the enraged Airbender stopped, potatoes were picked, breakfast was eaten, and the day continued on as it usually did.

Well...for everyone other than Bumi.
He wandered the island of his youth trying his best to stay out of everyone's way, something that became more difficult as the day wore on. Familiar faces greeted him with smiles, and not-so-familiar ones looked around windows to catch a glimpse of Master Tenzin's Mad Brother.

He was visiting the bison stalls when Pema found him, a bushel of moonpeaches balanced on one hip.

They spent the rest of the dwindling afternoon talking in person about things they only ever discussed in letters.

[spiralmovements]

Tenzin was uncharacteristically bored in the Council meeting, and he couldn't have been happier to take off for home - literally, with a glider instead of taking a Satomobile to the ferry.

He lands in between the women's dormitory and the north gardens, wondering where to start first in looking for his family.

[abitofawildman]

If the laughter is any indication, chances are good that Pema and Bumi can both be found nearby.

"Then what happened?"

"Well...that's about the time I had the bartender pour the next round as water for me, and wine for him. Did I say next round? I meant the next four rounds," Bumi says chuckling.

"That...that's horrible!" But Pema continues to laugh none the less.

[spiralmovements]

Tenzin coughs loudly when he starts to walk towards them. (He knows that Bumi will have heard him land, but -- still.)

"It sounds like you two are having fun maligning me in my absence."

[abitofawildman]

The two turn to smile at Tenzin, but only Bumi rolls his eyes.

"As I try to keep reminding you, baby brother: the world does not actually revolve around you."

"Bumi was telling me about a drinking contest he had with one of his subordinates."

"The lad needed to learn the sort of manners that can only be taught while hugging a toilet."

[spiralmovements]

Bumi just gets a rote disapproving glance at the idea that that sort of thing is ever necessary, and settles by Pema after propping his glider up against a wall.

"Don't let me interrupt then."

[abitofawildman]

"Oh don't give me that look, Tenzin. Anyone crazy enough to enlist in the Forces and be vocal about Bender superiority has it coming. To say something within earshot of me is just begging for a lesson is equality.

And from a Firebender, no less. The kid deserved being knocked down a few pegs for being a stereotype."

[spiralmovements]

"...I missed that part of the story then, didn't I."

Tenzin may be a bender, but between Pema and Bumi -- Tenzin has very strong convictions about non-bender/bender relations and equality.

"Is he still on the ship?"

[abitofawildman]

"Well that's what you get for coming in at the end," Pema playfully chides.

"Of course, one of my best men to be honest. Just young, is all. Young and full of fight. His liver bounced back faster than his pride, but then...that was kind of the point.

Speaking of the further adventures in public displays of excessive pride, how is the dear Councilman Tarrlok doing these days?"

[spiralmovements]

"He seems to be healthy and in good spirits," Tenzin intones flatly, the picture of restrained distaste for the man. "I will be sure to pass along your asking of him."

Or not.

Tarrlok is not Tenzin's favorite person.

[abitofawildman]

"Please do, I'm certain he'll love to hear how much I care about his well being. It does sadden me that my efforts to cripple him using own the power of my mind have failed. Well...that's no great shock."

Bumi sighs. "I'll never understand why the Northern Tribe is so prissy, or why Kya chooses to live there."

[spiralmovements]

Deflecting onto lighter fare, Pema offers, "To escape her two brothers, most likely."