Lai focused on training for the next week. She made progress – expect that each time they sparred, Akmei would make her realised how much there was to know. Still, Tiku said some more advanced techniques could be learned next week.
Lai decided to spend her day off making amends with Akmei. So they sat in the garden, looking at the view. And frankly, she needed a rest from being beaten up for the last week.
Liko sat a bit away reading a book. It occurred to Lai she hadn't heard him talk all weak.
'He doesn't talk much does he?' Lai asked Akmei.
'He doesn't feel the need I guess. I met his brother once, and they barely said anything to each other. They just kind of understand each other, and that's enough.'
'Huh.' Lai stood up then. 'Alright then. You wanted to see some Earthbending?'
'Yes!'
'Why?' Lai asked.
'Well, um, I've a had an interest in learning new techniques and fighting styles-'
'Sure, but if you wanted to look at them, you could just find videos of it on the internet. It's not like they're that applicable.'
'Well..' Akmei sighed. 'I want to learn how to lavabending.'
Lai paused. 'Akmei, lavabending is an earthbending technique.'
'It's close enough to firebending. It might be able to be done. Besides, my grandfather was an earthbender. And if anyone knew how to it, you would – you're a firebender and a lavabender.'
'But why do you even want to learn how to lavabend? Not exactly vital for diplomat.'
'Well – look I guess I want to do something that's never been done before. Besides, the Fire Nation is basically built on a series of volcano's. Having firebenders who can effectively control lava would save many people's lives from eruptions.'
Lai sighed. 'Look, I lavabend by moving the earth extremely quickly, causing it to heat up. I then move the earth as normal. I don't know if you'd be able to do anything apart from heat up the lava – would you be able to move it.'
Akmei didn't looked depressed. 'What if someone encased earth in fire, so it got molten, and the moved the fire, and this moved the earth with it?'
Lai didn't think it was likely. 'I guess it's worth a try.'
Lai braced herself, and started to stretch out her hands. Earth in front of her turned into lava, swirling slowly in front of her. Akmei looked on, fascinated.
'Try putting fire inside.' Akmei nodded, then stood up, and slammed fire into the lava. The heat was incredibly intense, and Lai was forced back by it.
'Now try moving it.' Akmei started to move her arms in a circular motion. The lava didn't seem to budge, despite struggling. Eventually she stopped, and Lai drew her hands together, causing the lava to solidify.
They continued for about an hour, but they didn't get anyway. They went away annoyed, and decided to go put the kettle on. 'There was one thing though.' Lai said, as she got a teapot. 'My lavabending seems to have improved. It used to take me loads more time to get lavs up hot enough to be molten. Now it took barely any time.'
'Probably because you've been learning firebending.' Akmei said. 'There is a link between the two. I'm not sure it's impossible – I just need to find a different technique.'
'Good luck with that.' Lai put the water in the teapot. 'Oh, I said I'd contact my friend Lee today. You want to meet him?'
'Sure!' Akmei said. 'I'd love too.'
'Great then.' Lai ran up to her room, and grabbed her labtop, and brought it back down. She set it up as Akmei poured the tea, and phoned Lee on her labtop. After about a minute, Lee came online.
'Hey there Lai.' He looked a tired.
'Hey Lee. How's it going?'
'Alright. A lot of work at the moment. Had to stay up last night getting an essay done.'
'Really?' Lai hadn't missed that. 'What was it on?'
'The history of Kyoshi island. I know Ki hasn't left the library for the last few days.'
'Sucks.' She sipped her tea, smiling. She gestured to Akmei. 'Lee, meet Princess Akmei. Akmei, meet Lee.'
'Nice to meet you!' Akmei smiled happily.
'Hi there.' Lee yawned. 'So how's the training going?'
'Alright.' Lai said. 'It's not exactly rocket science. Progress is coming.'
'With all that fire being thrown around? And there I thought it was rocket science.' Lee said, which Lai groaned at.
'So, did you have a look at that thing I asked about?' Lai asked about.
'Er yeah, but I hate to say it, it's kindda hard to find obscure Fire Nation news here in Gaoling. So took me a lot of time – you owe me one.'
'Sure, Lee.'
'What is this about?' Akmei asked. She was a tad puzzled.
'Well, I asked Lee to have a look at what that guy told us about last week.' She looked a bit guilty. 'Cause he's got more free time.'
'Yeah and you pick the one week I'm incredibly busy. Thanks, Lai.' Lee stuck out his tongue.
'Why are you looking into this? This isn't what you're here to do!' Akmei said.
'Look, Akmei, I'm not going to drag you into anything. But I am the Avatar, and if I can find out something is going wrong, I need to try. I'll tell someone else about once I know what's going on, but I need to try.'
Akmei didn't look very happy about it. Lee continued 'If you've finished, I found some things of interest.'
'Firstly, there's a lot accidents here, but I've no idea what that really means. This area ewas just in the top 5 highest per capita for the Fire Nation. But that could mean anything. Low for most crime. A few robberies, but not many murders.'
'So conclusive.' Akmei said.
'Hey, I'm coming to the interesting bit.' Lee clicked on something. 'Yeah here we go. Occasionally there are lights up on one of the mountains – called Heto's peak?'
'And why is that interesting?'
'Listen, I've looked around at this area, and it's pretty boring. I mention it because it's only happened twice, in different places on the mountain. The second time was in a valley – the picture looks a lot smaller than the others. Maybe they were trying to hide themselves this time?'
'Then why the lights? That's kind of weird, Lee.' Lai said.
'Lai, I think that it's more interesting than the ongoing disagreements about a new housing developments, or the rebuilding of the powerplant.'
'What happened to the powerplant?' Lai asked.
'It got hit by a small earth quake. Pipes had a crack, so the plant broke down. 3 people were injured.' Akmei said.
'See Lee, I would have started with that.' Lai said.
'That didn't happen in the last 6 months – I've only been looking through the last few months of news. I've been busy.' Lee looked mock hurt.
'Ah well. How's Ki?' They chatted for a while. Akmei asked a lot of questions, which Lee responded in kind with. Lai heard the details from home, but mostly just relaxed and listened.
Eventually, a sound came from outside Lee's room. 'I should go have dinner.' He stood up. 'See you Lai. Nice to meet you, Akmei.'
'Bye Lee.' She closed the computer. Lai turned to Akmei. 'Look, I'm not saying we go randomly punching people. Just if we see a light on the mountain, we go have a look.'
Akmei didn't say anything. She then said 'Food? We should probably have something.'
'Definitely. I'll get out onions.' They started cooking, which caused only a minor amount of tearbending.
