Why did he think it was a good idea to cook? Let alone cook in an opera house. Why do they even have a kitchen in an opera house? And why would they let an animal cook? All of these questions ran through Pabu's mind as he scurried around, avoiding the flames that were licking everything in site.
Orange and yellow flames danced across the walls, burning everything they could reach. Sparks crackled and flew around in the air, rising up to the groaning rafters. Walls were scorched black and crumbled. This was nothing for Pabu. He can handle a small fire. Fire is his middle name! His master's brother is a firebender, and his best friend is the Avatar! He's a fire ferret!
...He is small.
And this building is huge... And on fire...
Looking around, he tried to formulate an escape route. The walls were crumbling, along with the rafters, and everything else holding this building up. If he didn't think of something soon, the fire ferret would get crushed under this building. And that would be most unfortunate. Oh how he wished he was a firebender. That would be immensely helpful in this situation right now.
Brown eyes darted all around the room, looking for a way out. Then he found it! All the way up there is an open window, and there's a few barrels and crates stacked up that lead up to some shelves, that lead up to the window! He could climb up to the window. Brilliant! And he did just that.
Once the mascot was perched on the window sill, he looked down and inwardly grimaced. The opera house was built right next to Yue Bay. And he was high up. And once again, he is small. The fire ferret was at least three stories up. Looking into the burning building, which was totally not his fault the humans were the ones who thought it would be just a spiffy idea to let an animal cook, he saw the roof sag as more rafters broke and fall. Looking back out, he decided that he had to take a leap of faith, and did just that.
Pabu braced himself and dove into the water, getting ready for a splash of cold. Paddling his little paws, Pabu swam as fast as he could to Air Temple Island, leaving behind the not his fault burning opera house.
Later that evening, the little critter was curled up by Bolin's side as the Krew listened to the news on the radio.
"Breaking news!" the radio guy announced. "The opera house was found in burning earlier this evening. Witnesses say that the start of the fire was in the kitchen, and was caused by burning food. Witnesses also say that the perpetrator who started the fire was a small critter." Pabu tensed as he heard that bit. "Police disregarded that information and are now investigating the whole ordeal, and will keep us updated as the investigation progresses. And now back to your regular programming."
Hoping that no one had noticed his reaction, he peeked one eye open and gauged what everyone was doing. It looks like no one was paying attention to the news cast. His master was too busy rubbing Naga's tummy. Naga was too wrapped up in the attention. His master's brother was sulking at the other end of the sofa they were sitting at, staring at the furthest wall away from the two girls. Said girls were too caught up in each other. The Avatar was glancing at the dark haired beauty, averting her eyes and smiling shyly when she was caught, and the heiress was smirking at the Avatar. Relived, Pabu closed his eye again and drifted off to sleep, leaving everyone to their devices.