Two weeks had gone by since Aang and Gyatso's stop at Kyoshi Island. Gyatso had told Aang his soundbending training was going swimmingly; everyday Aang felt himself hold greater control and flow. Aang had gotten much better at producing loud sounds on a consistent basis with a simple snap. He still couldn't control its direction with precision as of yet; Aang could only make sounds he produced louder. Though, like Gyatso had said 'Progress is progress, Aang' and he was confident Aang would get better.
Soon they would reach Omashu and Bumi. Aang's mind began to fill with images of mail shute riding and the boundless fun that awaited him. Aang was certain that- no matter how much he traveled and how much he saw -the Omashu delivery system would be among the few wonders of the world and a bottomless wellspring of enjoyment. Aang would always have a reason to thank Bumi for his magnificent idea.
Gyatso brought Aang out of his musings saying "Aang, we have arrived. The great city of Omashu is before us." He gestured with his hand to the city from his location atop Appa's head. Aang almost instantly was at his mentor's side, hanging off of Appa's left horn looking down at the city with a complete lack of fear of falling. He wanted to just jump and fly down with his glider ahead of Appa and Gyatso, but when he was with his mentor he had a much better sense of self control. Gyatso looked over to Aang with a knowing grin "Excited to have fun with Bumi I see." At this Aang flinched and he became self aware of his eagerness. He pulled back from his place hanging on Appa's horn and settled himself next to Gyatso. His mentor pulled Aang in into a side hug chuckling. "Ohh Aang, there's no need to be embarrassed at wanting to see your friends. We're air nomads, eagerness is something that is a part of all of us!" He gave Aang a few pats on the shoulder in reassurance and his common smile adorned his lips.
Aang turned to Gyatso and gave him a big hug. "Thank you Gyatso!" Aang all but beamed; his mentor always understood and Aang would remember to thank the spirits for blessing him with Gyatso as his teacher and mentor. Turning back to looking over Appa's head, Aang peared down at the rapidly approaching city of Omashu. It's mountainous appearance growing in size as they neared the earth.
The first sign that his best friend was arriving came in the form of a loud bellow. Having met three years ago and becoming instant friends Bumi knew what that sound was. Much of the uptight palace staff flinched at the sound, while their young prince stood tall and began his dash for the entrance. Appa's bellow meant Aang was here and his favorite airbender brought endless fun with him.
With a little earthbended enhanced run, that undoubtedly would ruin the carpet, Bumi made it the entrance and walked out. He stood tall and confidently while he looked up into the sky, monitoring for Appa and the airbenders that rode him. The task took him a few moments and soon he spotted the big furry sky bison descending towards the garden with speed. Bumi also spotted a speck to orange and yellow moving about on the sky bison's left horn; with simple deduction he instantly knew that was Aang. Monk Gyatso was fun and always understood how to have a great time, but he could never match Aang's boundless energy. 'Your friend burns like a flame with no end, my boy.' His father once said; it was a remarkably true statement that Bumi had to agree with. Once Bumi could make out both monks that were atop Appa's head he began to wave his hand enthusiastically. Making his location obvious drew the trio of airbenders to him, made evident by Appa moving to face him and descending sharply. The sky bison gave a greeting roar as they landed which was promptly followed up by Aang jumping off the bison. As he neared the earth Bumi gave it a little heel kick which generated a bump in the floor and sent Aang toppling over head first into it. Aang was saved by simple muscle memory and breathed out a stream of air that flipped him over; finally landing lightly on two feet.
Saying he was startled would be an understatement. The shifting in the ground made him panic and only a timely burst of air saved him. As soon as he recovered Aang turned to Gyatso with a shocked face. "Gyatso, I think the earth is trying to kill me." Aang said nervously.
Gyatso chuckled and pointed over to Bumi, who Aang hadn't noticed yet, saying "I believe that was made by our friend and I'm sure he wasn't trying to harm you."
Aang whipped his head around to where Gyatso directed and saw Bumi. As soon as he saw his earthbending friend Aang took off at an air enhanced run, slamming into Bumi and knocking him over. Both benders embraced in a tight hug, Aang had not seen Bumi in ages and was excited to see him again. When they both got up they exchanged a bow, Bumi releashed a laugh that cascaded into snorts.
"Well how 'you doin Aang?" Bumi asked.
"I am doing okay, a lot has happened recently." Aang replied and before Bumi could question his answer he continued, "How's being a prince going for you?"
Bumi perked up at that wide grin adorning his face. "Well you are looking at the maddest of geniuses. I've done a little of this, a little of that, and a whole lot of mail system riding!" Bumi exclaimed, waving his arms about animatedly. Another laugh escaped from the mad prince and like always a series of snorts followed. "Dad wants me to focus on my studies more, but that's something I'll have time to do when I'm older. Right now it's all about the fun and earthbending. So what do you say Aang, wanna go slide on the Biggest Super Slide in The WORLD!" Once again Bumi punctuated his sentence with a swing of his arms and a thundering snort.
Before Aang could agree and both kids could run off Gyatso interjected. "I am afraid that will have to wait children. Aang and I must unpack for the night, though it should not take long we will only be staying for a day or two." Both kids deflated at this news; both at the necessity to wait for just a little bit longer and at the news Aang would only be there for two days. Both airbender and earthbender looked at each other and gave nods that confirmed the other ones thoughts and ideas; they would spend every possible second of those two days getting into as much trouble as possible.
Directing them to follow, Bumi began leading the monk duo and sky bison to the stables. Aang was thankful for Bumi's thoughtfulness, very few people understood the importance of the sky bison to air nomads. Falling back, Aang moved to Appa's side and petted him near his ear while whispering "We'll get you to the stables and then you can sleep all you want. Bumi and I will be riding the mail systems." Punctuating with a final soft pat and a smile directed to Appa's left eye.
Finally after a few minutes of peaceful and content silence the foursome made it to the stables. Bumi earth bended the gate open giving Appa an entrance; once his saddle was removed the sky bison waddled his way into the pen and turned around a bit, giving the ground a few stops to soften the hay. Once content with the flooring, Appa plopped down, all six legs fanning out to his sides, and gave Aang a roar of approval and thanks. Bounding over to his best friend Aang gave Appa a hug to his forehead and said a goodbye before turning and moving back into the yard they had entered. He saw Gyatso holding a small pack out to him that he knew to be his own bag of scrolls Gyatso had assigned him. Aang released a groan, but a smile graced his lips nonetheless because his recent stint with reading had been pleasant. Aang took the bag from Gyatso and followed Bumi who would be leading them to their rooms.
Once Aang had set down his bag by the provided bed he turned to Gyatso. His mentor understood the unspoken request and nodded "You may go Aang. Be careful and have fun." Instantly both kids made their way to the door, one's speed enhanced by airbending, the other one enhanced by earthbending. It quickly escalated into a race between both preteens. Both airbender and earthbender fighting to get to the nearest schute faster. Their race through the halls left a wake of chaos; palace servants startled, ministers shocked, and not so surprised King at seeing his son and the airbender race through his palace. With a quick wave and bow both Aang and Bumi said their hello's to King Arn before resuming with their race.
In an attempt to stop Aang, Bumi kicked the ground hard and erected a small slab of stone that Aang simply dodged. Running along the wall then moving to the roof which completely threw off Bumi; causing him to be thrown off in turn.
After a few more minutes Aang finally reached the agreed upon mail schute. He had to wait even longer for Bumi to catch up- his friend panting -obviously exhausted from his own run while Aang hadn't even broken a sweat. "Aang one, Bumi zeroooo!" Aang yelled bringing his hand together and forming an 'o.' Bumi mocked anger, but quickly both young benders dissolved into fits of laughter and snorts.
"Well let's hop in, no need to waste time when it's fun on the line!" Bumi exclaimed, bending a cart into existence from the floor. Both benders promptly hopped in and with a wave of Aang's hands they were off. They propelled down the mail system with blinding speed and enjoying their time having fun. Bliss over took both and the rest of the day passed in all consuming fun.
The sun was getting low and soon both Aang and Bumi would be expected back at the palace. Seeing this Aang signaled to Bumi to bend them back up the mail system. Reaching the location they had started this day of fun both preteens began walking back to the palace's dining room. Jokes were shared between both and their loud laughing attracted more than one judging look be it from servants or from ministers, but Aang and Bumi gave them not attention or acknowledgement. When they reached the dining room they were met with a disgruntled woman in the form of Bumi's older sister, Princess Liau. "What took both of you so long, I'm starving!" She all but yelled; pointing an accusatory finger at them.
Aang saw Gyatso flinch at that show of rudeness and he was about to intercede before Arn beat him to it. "Liau, calm down. Bumi was simply enjoying the limited time he has with the boy before they continue on with their journey."
King Arn seemed to curtail most of the young woman's anger as she responded with a simple "Fine." An anger filled glare never leaving her face.
All members sat down and dinner was brought out. Gyatso recited an old prayer to the spirits in thanks for their dinner. Aang had a platter of steamed rice that was seasoned with moon peaches and grilled ash bananas. The fruity based dinner was practically inhaled by Aang and Gyatso had to remind Aang to slow down more than once. 'Too good' is all Aang would answer him with. This display of delight garnered him a disgusted look from Princess Liau.
Dinner came to an end with dessert, Aang enjoyed his moon peach pie; a fine example of air nomad cuisine and a rarely made delight. When that was finished Aang and Gyatso decided to call it a night. Both monks made off to their provided chambers.
Laying in bed Aang had a candle lit and was using it to see the scroll out in front of him. It was a soundbending scroll Gyatso had given to him to read and help advance his own soundbending and continue improving on it. He was absentmindedly snapping his ears, each sound he made Aang focused on directing it, hoping for a breakthrough. He was doing as the scroll suggested and snapped his fingers directing the strike using a familiar form; thrusting his arm out and rotating his hand, pushing the air with a simple air blast. After a numerous many tries Aang finally got the sound directed. He was about to hollar in excitement, but as soon as he had his arms in the air they moved down to his month. After a few moments he pulled his hands away and squeaked out a string of happy noises. IDidItIDidItIDidIt was all his brain could manage thinking.
With a series of calming breaths Aang was able to hem in his excitement. Finally after about an hour of calming breaths Aang came down from a high and managed to close his eyes. Sleep eluded him, his brain filled with bliss. Only when he started his meditation exercise did he manage to clear his mind. Sleep was simple bliss to the young Avatar and the world grew closer to having its savior.