Chapter 2
The palace was poppin. The benders were lockin. This was an Omashu party. It was the 900th anniversary of the city, and there was a grand gala at the palace, and festivals in the streets; cabbages abounded.
"Psst, Rafael" Bumi loudly shouted right in Rafael's ear.
"Yes?" asked Rafael.
"I need you to get everyone's attention so I can make my big toast". The toothy grin told Raf that Bumi had some wackiness up his sleeve, along with the drinks he'd stowed away up there too.
Rafael stepped up to the "stage", an earth bended square raised a little above floor level and said.
"Excuse me".
No one turned. He sighed, he was gonna have to get their attention some other way.
He threw his fists up in the air and two balls of fire came out, the air instantly heated up and everyone around him stopped to stare. A few more fireballs, and one long streak of beautiful firebending got the rest of the crowd's focus.
"Thank you for your attendance at this celebration for the 900th anniversary of this great city!"
Applause scattered throughout, when it finally died down Rafael continued "Now please welcome up" he let out a sigh before using the phrase Bumi instructed him to "your glorious leader, ultimate earth bender, and sexiest man in Omashu three years running…King Bumi!"
The crowd applauded and earth benders rhythmically pounded stones together to add to the noise.
Bumi was carried onto the stage by a few of his adoring fans. He stood to face the crowd. A hush fell over them as they waited to hear what their insane, adored Mayor had to say.
"When I came here to this place, it was hardly a city. And now look at what it's grown to! Nine hundred years of achievement. Nine hundred more to go!"
He looked over the crowd, his gaze fell near Rafael.
"This city, and this party, would be nothing without my dearest friend. He's been a confidant, an advisor,"
Rafi beamed up at this man he had grown to love.
"And most of all, a great snuggler."
What? Rafael's eyes widened in confusion. Just as quickly he realized who Bumi was actually talking about and laughed.
Flopsie, Bumi's pet goat-gorilla, bounded up to the stage.
People jumped out of the way, but a few unlucky partygoers got thwapped by a paw or tail.
Flashback
Flopsie bounded toward the hill that would become Omashu. But right now it was nearly desolate. A few earthbended lean-tos, a small group of pilgrims setting up camp in their future home.
At the camp they felt the quakes of Flopsie's huge leaps. A few looked scared. They took earth bending stances, a few lifted up boulders, prepared for the worst.
Flopsie came into view. Hulking, drooling, growling, Flopsie.
20 earthbenders all prepped to attack
"WAIT!" shouted a young, familiar looking boy who ran out in front of the group. Everyone froze, scared for the boy's life but not knowing if they could attack the creature without hurting one of their own.
"Bumi! Move out of the way!" shouted one of the elders.
"But Govo" a young Bumi whined, "he's friendly"
"How can you be sure?" she asked him.
Bumi snorted with laughter "His tail is wagging! And his ears are flopsy! Hey, that's what I'll call him, Flopsie."
The pilgrims all relaxed a bit.
The newly named Flopsie reared back, baring his teeth. Everyone tensed back up ready for an attack.
Flopsie sneezed.
Bumi, covered in goat-gorilla mucus, burst into laughter. Slowly everyone else did too.
"When he sneezes it sounds like he's saying 'oh ma shu' that's what we should call this place. Omashu"
An adult Bumi at the party, now full of bored looking citizens after what was an hours long tale perked up at his last line. "And so we called it Omashu."
He bowed. They cheered.
The end.