[Open] No Air

[savedtheworld]

[Open: November 7-10]

Today seems to start off as any normal day. Aang wakes up, talks up a number of friends and acolytes and does his morning meditation. He even makes a flawless run through the air gates, without having practiced any airbending yet for the day.

But then, he decides to glide over towards the caves where the sky bison stay. One second, he's standing atop a tree, with his trusty glider in hand; the next, he's sprawled down on the ground, clutching his ankle in pain.

The truth becomes apparent soon enough; somehow, he can't bend anymore. At all. It leaves an empty feeling inside of him, along with a number of worries and fears. What if it doesn't come back? What if he can't be the Avatar anymore... or even just an airbender?

Throughout the first day, he is confined to Air Temple Island, and he uses his staff as a walking stick to get around while his ankle is sprained. On the later days, he can also be found in Republic City. He takes a few trips into town on Appa just to check in on others and see if any other odd happenings have been going on.

Comments

[savedtheworld]

Now he strokes at his chin in thought.

"So it sounds like this happened... just recently. It looks like a lot of weird things have been happening with bending c-coming and going with people..." As seen in his now-lack of bending.

[abitofawildman]

"It's not as though we're having a drought of spiritual weirdness," he offers as an explanation. "It's just as well, really. I'm too old a polarbear dog to be learning new tricks."

[savedtheworld]

Aang nods at the explanation. He's still leaning on the older man's arm, but he also finds his hand and gives it a comforting squeeze.

"I don't know, Bumi. You seem really resourceful. I bet that you could still learn anything you put your mind to... no matter what kind of bending you do or don't have."

[abitofawildman]

Bumi is not bashful by nature. It takes quite a bit to get him to blush, but...apparently no matter how old and ornery he gets, praise from Aang will always have that affect on him.

"Thank you, Aang," he replies softly, giving the boy's hand a squeeze back in kind.

His big voice returns. "Of course it's not really me that I'm worried about right now."

[savedtheworld]

Now he manages to smile, lightly, at that. The confusion about Bumi is subsiding now, because of his words. Is he a nonbender or an airbender? It's clearer now from his words that he's someone who worries about others first. He looks up curiously.

"You're welcome, Bumi. But then, who're you worrying about?"

[abitofawildman]

"The airbender who gravity managed to get the drop on."

[savedtheworld]

"Right... That guy! Y-you don't have to worry about him. He's been in... plenty of sticky situations before! So I- I know he'll work this out."

[abitofawildman]

He chuckles.

"You know what's funny? I remember saying some very similar words when I was maybe about your age. Actually," he pauses to give Aang an appraising glance. "Strangely enough looked a whole lot like you, actually."

He winks at Aang.

"And I believe the response was: It's not a matter of have to, Bumi. I want to. I worry because I love you. And I will always do both."

[savedtheworld]

Yep, now he's getting misty at that. And practically hugging Bumi's arm now.

"You- you don't say." He tries to stay smooth and cool-sounding, but it's undermined by how choked up he is. "He l-looked a lot like me, huh? I guess it only m-makes sense... if I borrow those words, too!"

[abitofawildman]

Through a soft smirk, Bumi wrinkles his nose.

"I suppose that's fair. In the grand scheme of things. And even if it wasn't it'd still be my job to worry about you. Tenzin would feed me to Oogie if he came back and found out something happened to you on my watch."

[savedtheworld]

Aang laughs softly. "Who's Oogie...?"

[abitofawildman]

"Tenzin's Bison. The thing's almost as uptight as he is."

Almost.

[savedtheworld]

Another bison! That's exciting to hear about. "Hey, I bet he's really cool! And I'm sure he'd be very nice about eating you!"

[abitofawildman]

"He's cool because he's a bison, but he's got nothing on BumJu as animal companions go."

Also he's eight tons, and saying he wasn't cool could result in a sitting on at some later point.

[savedtheworld]

"Now now, Bumi. I'm sure that both Oogie and BumJu are the best animal companions, just in different ways." Mediating already...

[abitofawildman]

"Uh huh. Just wait until you meet Oogie. Then you'll see: he's the most boring bison flying the skies. He always does what he's told, doesn't beg for treats..."

Where, Bumi wonders, is the fun in that?

[savedtheworld]

That almost does sound boring. But Aang doesn't want to condemn a bison he hasn't met. "He could be fun in other ways, too! Don't worry, Bumi, I'm sure I'll love him, too." If he's Tenzin's bison, then he's one of the family too, like BumJu.

[abitofawildman]

I'm sure I'll love him, too.
Bumi smiles.
"I don't think anyone had a doubt about you loving him, Aang. It's kind of what you do."

[savedtheworld]

"I try!" He says with a soft smile. "It's the... me way, I guess!"

[abitofawildman]

"I can't think of a person here who'd have it any other way."

[savedtheworld]

"Then I know I'm in good company!" He beams up at Bumi before looking back ahead of him. Are they there yet?