"Out exploring again? This late?"

"Master Tenzin," said Pema cheerfully. She wasn't even surprised to see him anymore. "You know, I never ask what you're always doing up this late."

He shrugged. "Please, just Tenzin. Sometimes it's the only moments of peace I can get. I don't do this every night, I just always seem to run into you when I do."

"Me, too," said Pema. "Well. What can you tell me about the tower?"

"My father built it himself. Well, with help from Toph Beifong. The sky bison live on the top floors – see the big, open windows there? They love to be up high, feel the breeze, watch over everything. The rest of it houses relics… Some of the monks live there, too. It's beautiful on the inside. Simplistic, but finely done. Would you like to see? There shouldn't be anyone in there working now…"

But just as Pema was about to say yes, a low rumble from above them made them both look to the sky. A sky bison, holding his reins in his mouth, swooped down to the ground and bumped Tenzin with his nose, so strongly that the man almost fell over.

"Oogi!" he said sternly, but there was clear affection in his voice. "I know, I know. It's been a while. I've been busy… I'm sorry."

He patted the bison gently, and they rested their heads together, and Pema felt suddenly like she was intruding on something private, a powerful connection that she couldn't understand. It was a poignant moment. Their arrows touched, and their bodies were dark silhouettes backlit by the city lights.

"Pema," said Tenzin suddenly, "would you like to go for a ride?"

"Wh-what? Really?"

"Really."

"I'd love to," she gasped. "I mean – if it's not too much trouble - "

With a laugh, Tenzin rubbed Oogi's fur. "It's my pleasure, if you really want to. In fact, Oogi's angry with me because I haven't been flying with him enough. So why not now? If you're all right with it, we can fly without the saddle."

"I'm not scared," she said, looking up into Oogi's eyes, as deep as a pool of well-water. She gave a little squeak when a sudden gust of air materialized under her feet and bore her up onto the bison's head, setting her down on his soft fur very gently. Pema ran her hand through it, surprised.

Tenzin leapt up shortly afterwards and fixed the reins. "Are you ready?" he asked Pema, who nodded. "All right then – Oogi, yip yip!"

"Oh!"

She couldn't help the little exclamation of surprise; they were up and away so quickly, so smoothly! Throwing herself forward, Pema clung to Oogi's fur with a death grip, praying it wouldn't hurt him. Muffled because of the wind roaring in her ears, Tenzin's laugh made her look up and frown.

"It's so fast!" she said defensively. "I don't want to fall!"

"Don't worry. You can trust Oogi," Tenzin said. "He won't let you fall. Neither will I."

She looked down again so he wouldn't see her blush. Don't be a silly little girl now, of all times. Look around you.

The sights below were indeed marvelous. Over the island and across Yue Bay they flew, around the Avatar Aang Memorial Statue and then out into open sea. Every breath was exhilarating. She didn't even want to blink for fear of missing something special. Finally they rose so high they broke through the clouds. It was an entirely different world. Brighter, quieter, calmer.

Oogi glided at a slow pace now. Finally Pema sat up straight. Tenzin was still watching her with a knowing smile. "Not bad, for your first time. Flying… is disagreeable for some."

"I think it's wonderful," she said truthfully. "Who couldn't love this?"

"Lin, for one," Tenzin said, releasing the reins and stretching. "She can't stand flying. She's a woman of the earth, through and through. She doesn't mind sailing, especially if the ship's made of metal instead of wood, but she never lets me pick her up on Oogi to come here for a visit."

Perhaps she was inventing it – but she could have sworn she heard a hint of something unfamiliar in his voice. Bitterness, annoyance? But Tenzin was the epitome of calm acceptance; little ever bothered him. But Pema's curiosity was piqued. "How is Lin?" she asked. "I've never really met her, but she seems very… different than you."

"Very different indeed," he said gravely. "She's stubborn where I'm relaxed, she's unconcerned where I'm determined. She loves the city and its noise, I love the quiet of the island. She's sharp and aware and decisive, while I… Well. We're different." He paused, gazing up at the stars. "But I can't even remember not knowing her. Not being with her. Or loving her. So even when we argue… We work it out in the end. Eventually."

He gave a great sigh. Pema studied him carefully. "Eventually? Is that enough?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean…" Pema struggled to find words. "If you're arguing and making up, but it takes eventually before it works out again? Is it always going to be that way?"

"I – I don't know," Tenzin said, as if the thought had never crossed his mind. "But… it's Lin. Lin and I… we've always found our way. I've loved her for as long as I can remember."

"Forget I said anything then," said Pema quickly. Her cheeks burned; it was none of her business, really, his love life. She just hoped he was happy. They were silent for some time after that. But then both of them gasped as a shooting star soared across the sky.

"Did you see that?" Tenzin said excitedly.

"I did!" grinned Pema. They both looked at each other and smiled, and for a long time, they couldn't stop. Pema kept gazing at the sky, hoping to see another, but they had no luck. At last Tenzin tapped the reins and Oogi began to descend. They were miles away from Air Temple Island by now.

He glanced sidelong at Pema. "Holding on tight?"

Nodding, Pema leaned forward and securely gathered a few handfuls of fur. "Ready!"

"Yip yip!"

Like usual, they made it back just in time for morning meditation. Tenzin didn't need to walk around and correct the acolytes anymore, but when Pema snuck a glance at him, he happened to be watching her too, and they both had to smother grins.

She was sweeping the courtyard when a dry cough behind her made her turn around. To her surprise, it was Lin Beifong, fixing her with a gaze as hard as stone. Pema slowly stopped sweeping, and though the woman didn't speak a word, Pema knew she was being summoned. Hesitantly she approached the police chief, trying not to stare at the two neat scars on her cheek too much.

"You're Pema, aren't you?" she said shortly.

Pema nodded and bowed, unaccountably nervous. Why should I be nervous? I haven't done anything wrong. When she looked up, Beifong's face was uncomfortably close to hers, her eyes narrowed.

"Don't act so sweet and innocent, Acolyte Pema. I know you've been spending time with Tenzin." Beifong stuck out a threatening finger and poked Pema hard in the chest. "And you don't want to mess with something that's mine. Trust me. Good day."

And with that, she stormed away, marching in a straight line towards Tenzin's rooms. Pema stood frozen in the courtyard, her heart racing.

"Tashi," Pema whispered, leaning over the edge of her top bunk. "Tashi, wake up."

"Mhm?" Her friend grumbled, and an irritated face appeared from amongst the blankets. Quickly and quietly Pema scrambled down to the ladder and laid down in her friend's bunk. Tashi scooted over to give her enough room. They were a lot taller than they were the last time they had done this. "What's up, Pema?"

Pema bit her lip as she tried to figure out what, exactly, she wanted to say and not say. "I just wondering," she said cautiously. "How do you… how does someone know if they're in love?"

"In love?" Tashi said, a little too loud. She clamped a hand over her own mouth for a second, but her eyes grew very wide. "You're in love, Pema?" she whispered.

"No! Well, I mean… I don't know," Pema breathed. "That's why I'm asking."

"Well, don't look at me. I've never been in love."

"Thanks, Tashi."

"I'm just saying, I may not be much help. But what I would guess…" Tashi stared at the top of the bunk, her brow furrowed. "I guess it's more than just enjoying spending time with someone. More than just mutual enjoyment. It has to be, right? Lots of people enjoy spending time with each other. So once that's there, you'll know if it's love if you really care about that person too. What happens to them, how they feel. Even when you're not around them, you just can't help thinking about them. Then it's love, isn't it?"

Pema sighed. "Do you really think so?"

"It's my best guess. So… who's the lucky guy?"

"No one," Pema said defensively, and if it had been light, she would have been completely betrayed by the flush creeping across her cheeks. To her relief, Tashi didn't press. Once back in her own bunk, Pema stared at the ceiling all night, turning it all over in her head. She wished she could see the stars, but something kept her in bed. She didn't want to run into Tenzin right now. She just had too much to think about.

Every other afternoon, the Air Acolytes meditated with Tenzin a second time in the day, all the way up in the training area. Tenzin said even though they weren't airbenders, and shouldn't try navigating the panels, there was still value in learning to move like an airbender. Some acolytes took to the training quickly. Pema was struggling. For all that she was interested, she didn't seem to be able to get the hang of it. Standing and waiting for the breeze, whether natural or of Tenzin's creation, just wasn't doing it for her.

"Your eyes are closed, your body is relaxed," he said smoothly. "You are light on your feet, and the barest breath of wind turns you."

Pema felt the wind, and she felt relaxed, but whenever she tried to move, it was forced. It didn't just happen. She was no leaf to be blown where the wind willed.

"Hold out your hands," Tenzin said, a soft whisper just to her. Still with her eyes closed, Pema did so. She felt his large hands rest on top of hers, very lightly. "Follow me."

This time, when the breeze ruffled her hair and clothes, she felt the barest shift of Tenzin's palms, and without even thinking about it, she moved with him. Together they rotated with the air around them, slow and easy. Never before had Pema felt quite so calm.

"Being one with the wind sets you free," said Tenzin, and though he was speaking to the group, she heard the words as if they were only for her. "You are not at the wind's mercy, but part of it, and it is part of everything. You are everything."

Gradually the breeze died down, and Pema and Tenzin stopped moving. Pema blinked open her eyes. Tenzin was staring at her, his heavy brows drawn together slightly, and he dropped her hands.

"I think I understand now, Master Tenzin," she said quietly.

"I… I'm glad."

As he continued the lesson, Pema listened for the wind on her own. It whispered in her ear and confirmed her revelation, covered and comforted her, and she let a tiny smile touch her lips as she trained.