Katara and Sokka had come down with fevers, so Aang had had to go all the way up a mountain to fetch a remedy whilst Thyra took care of them. He'd come back exhausted with some frozen frogs and collapsed after, instantly arousing suspicion in Thyra but she let him sleep and looked after the others until they were completely better before demanding the truth.
There had been an incident where Aang had been captured by Admiral Zhou and taken away but then a blue spirit had rescued him, who actually turned out to be Zuko. At first Thyra was in shock, staring at Aang who had looked up at her with wide innocent blue eyes.
"You idiot! Why did you let yourself get captured? This is the last time I let you go anywhere on your own!" Thyra had yelled in the loudest voice Katara or Sokka had ever heard from her before she dragged Aang into a tight hug. "I'm just glad you're okay." From then on, she was extra cautious.
They continued their journey and when they were settled at a lake with Thyra cooking over a fire, Katara suddenly pointed. "Look!" Everyone looked up to see a green catfish leaping out of the water, fins wiggling before it dove back down into the water.
"It's taunting us." Sokka growled hungrily then leaped up. "You're so going to be for dinner!" He ran back to the tent that he had put up by himself then returned with his fishing pole, racing to the water's edge then flicked it forwards. When nothing, he blinked dumbly then flicked it again. "Hey! Where's the fishing line?" He demanded, looking pointedly at Aang who looked at him a little sheepishly.
"Oh, I didn't think you'd need it Sokka." He answered then held up a woven necklace with a pink flower in the middle and Thyra smiled secretly, glancing from her brother to Katara as Sokka gaped in shock at his beloved pole line.
"Agh! It's all tangled!"
"Not tangled, woven." Aang corrected diplomatically then leaped to his feet with a gust of wind, turning himself to face Katara. "I made you a necklace Katara. I thought since you lost your other one…" He looked aside with a slight flush of embarrassment as Katara blinked before smiling and walking over to him, leaving Thyra's side at the cooking post to take the necklace delicately from Aang.
"Thanks Aang, I love it." Thyra noted how happy her brother looked as she took the necklace and fastened it around her neck. Glancing between them she sensed a great wave of attachment from Aang towards the young waterbender girl, which seemed to only grow with each passing day.
"Stop taunting me!" Sokka yelled at the leaping fish, launching the pole at it with a grumble so Thyra chuckled.
"Sokka, if you're hungry then the soup is ready." She informed him and Sokka came speeding over with a trail of dust behind him, holing up his bowl with a ravenous look on his face. She poured some of the soup into his bowl and he instantly began to shovel it into his mouth, ignoring how hot it was as his stomach rumbled for more.
"So how do I look?" Thyra glanced up to Katara and gave her a smile and a nod to signal she thought the necklace suited her, though her brother was now doe eyed and completely head over heels as he looked at Katara, who was blushing slightly.
"You mean all of you or just your neck?" Her brother babbled uselessly before blushing bright scarlet. "I mean uh, both look great." Sokka arched an eyebrow and went to say something stupid but Thyra whacked his face with her spoon, shooting him a look.
"Don't you dare." She warned him so he gulped and nodded his head.
"Alright! I won't say anything." He assured her before smirking. "Only if you give me thirds and fourths." With a long sigh Thyra gave him another helping then set out bowls for the other two also, letting them come and claim them in their own time.
They had just finished eating and were in the process of putting everything away when a spine tingling scream erupted from the forest, making birds fly away with squawks as Momo pricked up his large ears then flew towards it, everyone whirling around. "What was that?" Aang asked with an intrigued yet slightly nervous look on his face. Nevertheless he flew up into the air and followed after Momo, disappearing into the brush.
"Come on! Let's go check it out!" Sokka yelled and Thyra leaped to her feet, racing after her brother who was perched on a rock, staring ahead with wide eyes.
"Someone's being attacked by a platypus bear!" Everyone looked and Katara gasped, seeing the red eyed beast as it swiped at a man, who smiled weirdly with his hands clapped behind his back, casually dancing backwards from foot to foot, avoiding the massive beast with apparent calm ease.
"Why hello there!" He called, ducking under another swing. "Nice day isn't it?"
"Make noise! It'll run off!" Aang yelled in suggestion but the man simply continued to prance around the bear.
"No play dead, he'll lose interest!" Thyra clenched her fists then tore herself away from the rock, running back to the camp silently until Appa was in sight. The great flying bison lifted his head from his evening meal and greeted her with a low rumbling growl.
"Easy boy, let's go help that man." Thyra said, leaping up into the air then landed on his head. "Yip yip!" Appa surged forwards, rising up and skimming over the ground as Thyra directed him back to the others where the platypus bear had cornered the man against a tree, continuing to roar rabidly as Aang tried to push it back with a wall of air.
The bear roared once more but Appa landed with a large thud, lifting himself up and roared also, overwhelming the much smaller bear who whirled around then whimpered, dropping an egg in its fear then raced away with lolloping movement, whining in fright as Appa then snorted, dropping down again with Thyra sitting calmly on his back.
"Good boy Appa." She praised him gently, rubbing her hand into his bushy fur as Sokka ran to the egg and picked it up, his mouth beginning to water at it hungrily. How could he still be hungry?
"Hmm…lunch." He murmured then turned a dry look to the man who was now whistling merrily. "Lucky for you we came along."
"Thanks, but everything was already under control. Not to worry, Aunt Wu predicted I'd have a safe journey." He bowed, hands clapped together and Thyra arched an eyebrow with intrigue. Who was Aunt Wu and how come she predicted that the man would have a safe journey?
"Aunt who?" Aang questioned and the man laughed.
"No, Aunt Wu. She's the fortune teller from my village. Awful nice knowing your future." He answered and Katara's eyes widened with interest.
"Wow, it must be. That explains why you were so calm." She said, looking rather impressed however Sokka scoffed at the information, hoarding his egg protectively.
"But the fortune teller was wrong! You didn't have a safe journey, you were almost killed!" The man suddenly rushed up to Sokka with a grin, waggling his finger in Sokka's face who blinked and stared at him in slight fear.
"But I wasn't. Alright, have a good one!" He waved in farewell and Thyra stood on Appa's head, bowing to him in the traditional way though she had since learned that this gesture was very much outdated, however she continued to use it as a force of habit. "Oh, and Aunt Wu said if I met any travellers to give them this." With a flourish he produced a tightly wrapped thin object and handed it to Aang who took it with a questioning gaze.
"Maybe we should go see Aunt Wu and learn our fortunes. It could be fun." Katara suggested, looking around to everyone but Sokka snorted.
"Oh come on, fortune telling is nonsense." He told her as Aang shredded the wrapping from the gift to reveal an umbrella. He blinked then opened it up with a laugh, twirling it around as he faced everyone with a childish grin.
"What do ya know, an umbrella!" He proclaimed and the sky suddenly darkened and thunder rumbled within its depths, making Thyra turn her face up to the sky just as the rain began to pour down upon them all, spattering against her face so she closed her eyes against it as Katara ran for cover under the umbrella with Aang, calling as she went.
"That proves it!" Sokka lifted the egg over his head to try and shield himself, though it did a rather poor job.
"No it doesn't, you can't really predict the future." Because of the rain the egg slipped, making Sokka yell and lunge for it but in his clumsy haste, Thyra watched with a satisfied smirk as it rose up into the air then smashed on his head, covering him in a sticky gunk.
"I guess you're not really getting wet then." Katara mused with a snicker, looking at her brother as he struggled to his feet, soaked to the bone.
"Of course she predicted it was gonna rain. The sky's been grey all day." Sokka argued, folding his arms across his chest and pouting.
"Just admit you might be wrong and you can come under the umbrella." Katara yelled over the rain at her brother who glared at her, stubbornly not budging an inch though it was obvious he was tempted and not too overjoyed at being completely waterlogged.
"Look, I'm going to predict the future now." He announced, making weird hand movements then spoke in a ridiculous voice. "It's going to keep drizzling!" Then he folded his arms, looking at his sister with a defiant and smug expression. Just then, the rain stopped.
Thyra gave a little chuckle, looking up towards the bright sunlight then smoothed her hands back over her hair, pushing the wet strands out of her face. Katara and Aang laughed behind their hands, putting down the umbrella as Aang said to Sokka in a teasing tone.
"Not everyone has the gift, Sokka." With that, they both turned and began to follow after the man to find Aunt Wu. Thyra herself was rather interested to see this woman, as it seemed possible she may have a gift.
The four of them and Appa head towards the village, however as Appa passed Sokka he shook out his fur, making Thyra leap up high into the air with a powerful spring, rising up and holding down her hands to guard her face from the spray before landing evenly on Appa's back again, laughing as Sokka stood drenched once more. "Come on Sokka, or we'll leave you behind." She told him playfully, jumping down from Appa's back then followed after her brother and Katara.
It wasn't long until they had found the village as it was just down the main path. Aang went first, looking around over his head at the large sweeping gateway before heading inside. Katara fidgeted excitedly, looking around before pointing.
"I think that may be the place!" She called then raced forwards, Aang quickly following with haste and Sokka blinked.
"Hey! Wait for me!" Thyra rolled her eyes with a shake of her head and continued at a much slower pace, still twisting her long plait to wring it out from the rainwater. She looked up to the herald at the door, dressed in black and he bowed slightly to them.
"Aunt Wu is expecting you."
"Really?" Katara almost squealed, looking up hopefully then did not hesitate to follow inside after the herald. Thyra paused at the door, turning to Appa then rubbed his nose.
"How about you go and find somewhere nice and quiet to eat some dinner?" She suggested to him softly. "This shouldn't take long." Appa made a long sound of agreement then turned away, his large flat tail sweeping along the ground and sending a spray of wind up into Thyra's face, making her smile as it washed over her before she turned and entered the house.
She was led to a cluster of pillows where the others all sat, Aang and Katara in eager anticipation though Sokka sulked slightly in the corner. Suddenly a girl in a bright pink kimono appeared, her pigtails sticking straight up as she beamed.
"My name is Meng and I'm Wu's assistant." She announced as she stepped forwards. However the moment she saw Aang, her eyes went wide and began to sparkle slightly, a soft gasp leaving her lips and Thyra arched an eyebrow at her, watching the love struck child before sighing and shaking her head. Children.
"Why hello there." She said sweetly to Aang who sniffed then rubbed his nose with the back of his hand.
"Hello." He replied and she giggled behind her hand, blushing slightly before continuing
"Can I get you some tea, or some of Aunt Wu's special bean curd puffs?" Sokka lifted his hand.
"I'll try a curd puff!" He said but Meng flicked her hand dismissively at Sokka.
"Just a second." She then turned her full attention back to Aang who blinked slightly. "So what's your name?" Thyra watched the interaction with silent amusement, noticing how uncomfortable her brother was becoming and rather enjoyed watching him squirm as Meng shifted closer.
"Aang."
"That rhymes with Meng! And you've got some pretty big ears, don't you?" She said and instantly Aang blushed, looking down with a confused look on his face.
"I... guess..." But Sokka merely snorted and gestured with his hands to make a large size.
"Oh, don't be modest. They're huge!" In answer Aang glared at Sokka then clapped his hands down over his ears, covering them from view so that no one would notice how big they were. Meng giggled then stood up, blushing shyly at Aang.
"Well Aang, it is very nice to meet you. Very nice." She added and Aang nodded to her once.
"Likewise." She giggled then moved away, pausing only to look back but noticed Thyra watching her carefully, so she quickly disappeared.
"I can't believe we're here in the house of nonsense." Sokka grumbled but Katara merely sighed and looked at her brother with a forced optimistic expression.
"Try to keep an open mind, Sokka. There are things in this world that just can't be explained." She answered rather wisely and Thyra agreed with her. "Wouldn't it be nice to have some insight into your future?"
"It would be nice to have some bean curd puffs." Everyone glared at him at this but when beads rustled and a woman in green came out, waving goodbye over her shoulder as Meng appeared with snacks also, everyone save Sokka looked up with intrigue.
"Welcome young travellers." A voice said serenely and a woman in gold and yellow slowly moved into view, looking down with a wise and kind face upon the children. "Now who is first? Come now, don't be shy." Both the boys looked away but Katara looked to Thyra, biting her lip hopefully.
"It's alright, you go first." Thyra assured her and Katara leaped up with a broad smile.
"Thanks! I guess it's me, Aunt Wu." She said then quickly followed after the fortune teller. Aang leaned forwards and worry creased his brow, drawing Thyra's attention as Sokka began to stuff his face with curd puffs, mumbling through mouthfuls.
"Hmm, this is good. This is really good." He said as Aang continued to watch the space where Katara had disappeared through.
"What do you think they're talking about?" He asked but Sokka didn't look too interested.
"Boring stuff, I'm sure. Love. Who she's going to marry. How many babies she's gonna have." Aang looked up in alarm before his face fell sadly.
"Yeah…dumb stuff…"
"You can't know for sure, Aang." Thyra told him, deciding to become the wise soothsayer for a few moments. "Although the future may be predictable, it is always changeable." She informed him, legs crossed in a meditational way as she focused on her brother with a soft, comforting smile. "You have the power to change the course of events through every action and decision that you make. Its simple cause and effect. You pluck a leaf and let it go, the wind will carry it without truly knowing its path. It will flow and ride with the wind in whatever path it maps." Aang suddenly smiled.
"I'm glad you actually listened to all those classes Thyra." He said to her and she chuckled. "You would have made a great airbending master, you know." She nodded her head.
"Perhaps, but I am not. That is one thing that I can be certain of. I shall never be a master of airbending." Just then Aang leaped up with an uneasy laugh.
"I gotta go bathroom!" He announced then sped away with a gust of wind which whipped into Thyra's face, making her face fall with an unimpressed look as Sokka continued to shovel the last of the puffs into his face.
Aang was gone just over a few minutes but when he returned, he looked rather satisfied. "Someone looks like they've had a good bathroom break." Sokka said and Aang nodded his head.
"Yeah, it was-"
"That doesn't mean we need to know." Thyra cut him off, lifting a hand then looked up as Katara and Aunt Wu came through.
"Now, who is next?" Thyra stood up, suddenly feeling a little nervous.
"I am." To hide her nerves she glared slightly, hardening her lips into a thin line and Wu arched a wizened eyebrow at her before chuckling.
"Alright, come on through." She said and turned around slowly but gracefully, walking away so Thyra followed, inhaling and exhaling rhythmically to calm herself. She entered into a room scented with burning incense, candles flickering in the corners and pillows filling the floor. "Sit down little one." Thyra wrinkled her nose at being spoken as 'little' but did as she was told, sitting down then crossed her legs.
Wu held out her hands and Thyra gave them to the woman who hummed and began to read them, glancing over to some burning bones. "What does my future say about Aang?" Thyra asked quietly, drawing the woman's attention to her. "Will my brother be alright in the future?" In answer she laughed.
"I can only predict your future, not someone else's." She hummed again, leaning a little closer. "Strange, every girl I have met so far has asked about their future lover, their husband to be, wanting to know how far into the future they will meet them, how many children they will have but you…you take no interest in such things." Her finger traced down a line then nodded her head. "You are trapped in your concern for your brother, it is all that has ever worried you and will continue to do so."
Thyra listened politely, rarely blinking as she looked at the woman with a serious expression. "Such a shame, there is so much power within you. Yes, a power that is dormant, unawake because of your rooted ground." Thyra frowned slightly in confusion. "Airbender…and a powerful one too. Greater even than your brother, for your spirit is far more tuned to that around you than his ever will be. You will be a renowned master of the element of air. I see it."
"I am not an airbender." Thyra said to her quietly. "I have never been able to bend, not even with my spirit so in tune." Wu nodded her head again.
"Yes, because you are grounded. You do not let your soul take flight, which is why your power is locked away within you. You must learn to let it go. Let him go." Slowly Thyra's eyes widened. She couldn't mean her brother, could she?
"Not Aang, he needs me." Thyra argued quickly but Wu chuckled.
"He is a child, but will soon grow to be a boy, then a man and then he will be a fully recognised Avatar. You are not necessary to be there holding his hand all the way. If you truly wish for him to grow, you must let him learn and experience things on his own. Once you have let him go, your own power will be fully unlocked." But then Wu frowned, looking down further into Thyra's palms. "I foresee a time of great sadness and pain for you, you will be cut off without any knowledge, however someone will come, someone who is destined to be yours forever. Ahh…I see you have already met him. This is good. Tall…handsome…a powerful bender of his element…" She chuckled then looked up at me. "Know this, the one who will take your hand and lift you from the ashes will also be the one to take your hand forever along with your heart."
"I have no interest nor time for romance." Thyra answered slowly, watching the woman carefully. "My duty is to my brother, the Avatar. I must help him learn all four elements and then liberate this world from the fire nation."
"Yes, but you cannot truly help your brother until you let him go. Your time is running out, a great sadness is coming." Thyra looked down, thinking over her words carefully. "You will feel pain, loss, anger, even hate, but just remember, it will all pass the moment you open your eyes." Thyra's eyes darted to meet hers, wondering what she could mean.
Just then there was a chime, signalling that the session had ended however Thyra did not move. "How could I have met him already?" She answered finally in a quiet whisper. "The only boys I know are Aang and Sokka and I seriously doubt I could ever fall in love with him. He's a good friend, but many times I wish I could strangle him. Plus he's not a bender."
"Not the hungry boy, no." Wu said as she stood, lacing her fingers together under her long sleeves and Thyra stood also. "I don't think I should spoil the surprise, all I know is that you and this boy will change your hearts to fit one another." Arching an eyebrow Thyra placed a hand on her hip, leaning into it.
"Do you ever speak sense or is it always in riddles?" Thyra questioned and Aunt Wu laughed.
"Riddles keep them guessing. You'll figure them out, I don't need to be a fortune teller to see that you are a smart girl." Thyra nodded her head then clasped a flat hand to her fist, bowing to the woman in thanks, making her blink in surprise before she bowed back.
"Thank you for your time and your wisdom." Thyra said to her in a calm voice. "I shall meditate and reflect on all that you have said." Aunt Wu nodded her head.
"I wish you well." So Thyra left, Aunt Wu following then took Aang away after cutting Sokka down to size, foretelling him a future of self-inflicted anguish which made Thyra chuckle to herself as she stepped back outside, inhaling the fresh air but then Katara ran after her.
"So? What did she say? Did she say anything about your future love life?" She questioned eagerly and Thyra gave her a smile.
"Perhaps. Go on Katara, I know you are bursting to tell me." Katara grinned then blushed a little, looking down at her feet as they walked.
"Well, Aunt Wu told me that I would marry a powerful bender and I just can't wait to find out who it will be, I just can't contain it! I want to have children and be married, I hope he's handsome, do you think he'll be handsome?" Thyra gave her another knowing smile.
"Of course he will, because you will only marry someone you are in love with, and to you, that person will be the most beautiful person alive." Thyra then frowned. Thinking on what Wu had said to her. He will lift her up from the ashes. What could that mean?
"So what about you? What did Wu say?"
"She told me that I am destined to be a master of the air element." She answered with a soft sigh. "But it is impossible. I have never been able to bend air, not even with all the masters of the temples trying to help me. I was just not born with the ability." Katara nodded her head, quickly dismissing it as she wanted to discuss the topic of romance.
"Yes, but what about love? What did she say about that for you?" Glancing down at the smaller girl, Thyra gave in.
"Tall, handsome and a powerful bender of his element." Thyra recited simply. "She said he would take my hand and lift me from the ashes, and from then on he would hold my heart." Katara sighed dreamily, clasping her hands to her cheek.
"That's so romantic, I wonder who it is?"
"She also said that I have already met him." Thyra added and Katara blinked in surprise. "But I can think of none that I ever even gave a second thought about. Except maybe Zuko, but that is simply because he is constantly on our tail." Katara gave a little giggle.
"That would be weird if you fell in love with him. Not to mention it'll probably make Sokka your enemy for the rest of your life!" Thyra nodded her head in agreement, smiling softly before turning her face to the sunset. The sky filled with radiant fire and both girls turned to watch as the colours darkened, though for a long time they were blazing and bright, proudly displaying its colours to the world as Wu looked at them from her doorway with a secret smile.
"Yes. Love shall save you both."