(no subject)

[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]

"That, my dear brother, makes two of us. Apparently, I have leave that the higher ups are quite keen on me using."

It's here that he turns and looks at Tenzin.

"I'm sure it has nothing what so ever with my outburst at the information bureau. Or my debriefing."

[spiralmovements]

"Of course," Tenzin agrees in that way where he Gets It.

"Well, you are obviously welcome here as long as you would like to be. Pema will be thrilled to see you."

Unless there is no candy in that package from Uncle Zuko. That might pose a problem.

[abitofawildman]

"Well that's a very welcome change of pace, to be sure."

No one is happy to see the man in dress uniform when he arrives in a black Satomobile. Especially when he comes carrying a flag and a letter.

"I'm sure there's something in one of these for her somewhere, but for the life of me I can't remember which one."

[spiralmovements]

"I think we can figure that out. We are very capable people. But I think refreshments first."

[abitofawildman]

"Refreshments would be nice," he agrees as he follows his brother out of the room.

"I tried to tell your friends that I was more than capable of finding my way here, but...they weren't having it. You sir, run a tight ship."

[spiralmovements]

"There are only so many people who come here that are not an acolyte themselves," Tenzin explains. "Most are civilians who do not have a working knowledge of what is considered appropriate on the island.

"Then of course there were the gossipers, for a time. But that's over."

The main hall on the first floor of the dormitory building has a small cooking fire going, but it is plenty big enough to support heating water.

[abitofawildman]

"Really? And I missed it? That's too bad. There go my hopes and dreams of getting some hand-to-hand practice in during my stay."

Bumi takes and occupies an empty chair close to the fire.

[spiralmovements]

Tenzin rolls his eyes, but doesn't comment on Bumi's feigned sadness.

Starting the tea service is a quiet affair, even though there are plenty of acolytes that come in and out of the room - only the newest ones gawk at Master Tenzin making his own tea in the dormitory fire instead of someone making it for him. He could ask the acolytes to do anything, but he just...doesn't.

Tenzin smiles at the gawkers when they pass. It makes them walk faster.

[abitofawildman]

Bumi does his best to restrain his laughter until the Acolytes are at least out of ear shot, but he doesn't always succeed.

"They scurry like spider-roaches when you turn on a light," he comments after a pair of younger monks nearly trip over their robes in their efforts to flee.

[spiralmovements]

Tenzin shrugs. "They are new; they don't know what to expect of me yet."

And he may take a slight amusement out of keeping them on their toes. Only a little.

"I can't wait for all the stories about you I'll hear before morning."

[abitofawildman]

"That, dear brother of mine, sounds like a dare."

Bumi then decides to make himself more comfortable, and this means propping his boots up on the nearest table and leaning far back on his chair.

"They don't realize that there was a time when I lived here longer than you, do they?"

[spiralmovements]

"I do not think so."

Tenzin makes a mild face at the boots on the table, but doesn't move to knock them off.

Tenzin pours both of them their cups, adding a little rock sugar to his and leaving out the sugar and honey for Bumi if he wants any.