Authors Note: This is going to be shorter then usual. Also noting that the newer chapters were written after a substantial gap of writers block for this story. So, I may be repeating stuff I already mentioned in previous chapters.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Avatar world, that is all owned by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko.
—
Chapter 12
Festival
Wikilow, Elsi, Arlo and Gale travelled through one of the many peaceful valleys in the Earth States. Under the sweet smell of conifers and shade of the leaves. Gentle rays of light caressed the rich ground. Small talk was made in the group about non sensical topics that Wikilow couldn't relate to, offering short direct retorts occasionally.
"Did you use to go penguin sledding?" Arlo cheerfully asked Elsi as they walked.
"Yeah, all the time when I was a little kid." Elsi answered with a laugh. "Some of the air benders even set a course to go through the air." She reminisced fondly. "Say, do you know what penguin sledding is, Wikilow?" Elsi asked the Avatar.
"I do not. Is it some sort of training exercise?" Wikilow asked, stone faced as a crisp leaf landed on his head.
"Training? It's definitely not training, right Elsi?" Arlo questioned as Wikilow removed the leaf.
"Of course not. It's just for fun!" Elsi answered.
"…Fun?" The Avatar asked, the word foreign on his tongue.
"Yeah for fun." She repeated, looking at him confused, "…Have you ever done something for fun, Wikilow?" Elsi asked. He in turn shook his head.
"The term 'fun' implies unneeded and unnecessary bias. 'Fun' is not an acceptable reason or cause for action." Wikilow coldly explained to his companions shock.
"Sheesh, not everything needs to be efficient you know." Arlo told him with a disapproving face.
"If it is not efficient or of use, then what is the purpose of doing it at all?" Wikilow blankly rebutted.
"What's the point of doing anything if nothing is enjoyable?" Arlo shot back. But the cirque continued before Wikilow could argue. "Anyways dude, we got to get you a laugh or do something fun." Arlo passionately decided.
"That is unnecessary." Wikilow dryly stated.
"No no Wikilow, he has a point." Elsi gently went. "There has to be something you enjoy." The air bender optimistically said.
"To enjoy is irrelevant…" Wikilow started before pausing when the sound of chopping was heard to the side. Him, Elsi with Gale on her shoulder, and Arlo stopped to listen.
"Wonder what that is?" Elsi went, voicing everyones thoughts. Arlo had already begun to approach.
"Lets go find out!" The fire bender happily cheered as he jogged ahead. Wikilow and a sighing Elsi followed behind. They found the ex cirque conversing with a lone burly man, using a short sword to chop wood to bits. The wood bits were piled away from the man, beside a small cart.
"These your friends kid?" The man asked when he saw Elsi and Wikilow, his gaze lingering slightly longer on the latter.
"Yeah! Wikilow! Elsi! Get over here!" Arlo called out to them to which they did. "This is Yu, he's a woodworker." The fire bender cheerfully introduced.
"Pleasure to meet you kids. You three from around here?" Yu asked while glancing at a perched Gale.
"We're only passing through actually." Elsi quietly informed as she motioned for Gale to come down from a branch.
"Oh, so you're here for the festival then." Yu concluded as he continued his work slicing wood apart.
"What festival?" Arlo asked, putting his hands on his hips.
"Xiào Lián's annual festival. It's pretty popular around these parts." Yu explained as he threw a batch of bits in the pile. "Even the good Dai Li ease up during the festivities." He continued, to Wikilow in particular with only a hint of forced pleasantry. "You'd fit right in with your get up, kid." Yu said to Arlo, gesturing to his clothing.
"Oh, thanks!" The fire bender went, seemingly oblivious to his meaning. "Hmm, you need to carry all this to town then?" Arlo asked, looking at the large pile of bits that would certainly be difficult to transport alone.
"Yes, we go through a lot of fuel." Yu informed, reaching for another log.
"We'll help you out then, old man!" Arlo offered with a large grin, bending down to carry some of the bits. Elsi stifled her laugh with her arm while Wikilow blankly blinked.
"I'm not old, clown." Yu shot back, indignant and raising his sword.
"Clown? Why… that's! I am not a clown! Very different from a clown, totally different jobs and everything!" Arlo bickered, getting into a verb argument with the woodworker. While this was going on, Elsi moved to carry some bits as well, using her air bending to bundle it up. Wikilow in turn, also decided to help the woodworker, grabbing an armful of bits and lifting the rest of the pile up on a raised earth platform. The two looked to the still feuding Arlo and Yu.
"Listen here clown, I, am, not, OLD!" Yu angrily reiterated, wildly swinging his sword though Arlo paid it no heed. Before the young man could respond though, he was interrupted.
"Yu is correct. He does not appear to be old enough to classify an elder." Wikilow noted, Arlo gaping at his friend while Yu chuckled.
"HA! The officer agrees with me!" The woodworker cheered, muttering a quiet "Good for something" in the process, which Wikilow didn't comment on. The Avatar moved to correct Yu, but Elsi silently gestured for him to remain quiet. Put into a good mood by Wikilow's comment, Yu hopped with a spring in his step forward to the trio. "Well, I suppose I could use the extra hands. Follow me!" Yu advised as he hulled the last pieces of wood onto his back and the cart.
"Dude…" A flustered Arlo whispered to Wikilow as they followed Yu.
—
"Thanks for the help kids! Stick around and enjoy the festival while you're here!" Yu yelled to them as he departed to finish his work elsewhere. It was evening by then, the sky darkening into blue, gold and black. The citizens of Xiào Lián were in a hurried rush around them. Carting goods and setting up stalls, lighting lamps and decorating houses. Elsi and Arlo waved back at Yu, a twitching smile on the latters face.
"We will, old man!" The fire bender called back, taking joy in the indignant yells sent his way.
"I disagree with that action, we should start moving." Wikilow disapproved from next to him, staring at the sky.
"What! No!" Arlo argued, downed at his remark. "It's only for tonight! Loosen up!" The ex cirque insistently pleaded, bunching his hands into fists.
"One night contains valuable time we shouldn't waste." Wikilow calmly explained.
"We won't be wasting time? We'll be having a fun night is all." Arlo remarked.
"Correct, a waste of time." The Avatar repeated apathetically, unmoved by his words.
"Wikilow, I think I can speak for all of us when I say we could all use a night to just have some fun and relax." Elsi said this time, and Wikilow listened to her to Arlo's concealed annoyance.
"…Yu mentioned many more people arrived for such an occasion. That would include an increase in Dai Li agents." Wikilow logically argued. Arlo huffed at his answer.
"We'll just have to be extra careful then." Elsi softly rebutted, Arlo cheering at her answer. "Got to take some sort of risk once and a while after all." She added with a small encouraging smile. Wikilow thought for a few minutes before answering his companions. Gale hopped on the ground beneath them, curiously looking up from time to time.
"I suppose… we can use one night… for… 'fun'…" Wikilow unsurely let out, the word didn't feel right. His companions lit up at his words, celebrating the news.
"Lets go! It'll be like a normal night as friends!" Arlo cheered, shoving his fist into the air as they ventured further into Xiào Lián.
"…Friends?" Wikilow went, tilting his head in confusion. "What do you mean by that term?" The Avatar continued at their puzzled expressions.
"Well, we're friends." Elsi replied.
"The term friends is synonymous with companions then?" Wikilow clarified.
"Not quite Buddy." Arlo retorted.
"It's different, more than that, Wikilow." Elsi explained with a soft smile.
"I don't understand." The Avatar stated, but his two companions had already started walking off. "Friends." Wikilow thought, going over the word in his head. There was a detached feeling that came with the term. Some sort of hazy mist enveloping it. Yet, there was a fondness that came with it, something he couldn't quite describe. Wikilow found himself liking the word he didn't quite understand, friends.
With that in mind, Wikilow ran ahead to a waiting Elsi and Arlo.
—
The festival started in full when the dark cover of the night completely blanketed the sky. Yu wasn't joking when he talked about the large crowd, the amount of people seemed to boom once it started. The group enjoyed the festivities. Well, Elsi and Arlo enjoyed the festivities. Wikilow watched on the side. At first the Avatar had made the usual commentary. But after receiving countless glares from the officials and fellow guests alike, he got the message that it wasn't appreciated and kept quiet.
Even then, it was…nice. Aside from every appearance of a Dai Li agent causing the trio to duck for cover. Which in turn renewed Wikilow's urgency to make a swift exit. It was oddly satisfying to view his companions…friends? In high spirits. It was the kind of moods he was beginning to see vary between people and what they indicated.
Regarding the Dai Li, the people of Xiào Lián were visibly wary of them, and by connection, Wikilow. Tensed movements and forced words were exchanged between them. Which by association though a lesser extent transferred to Elsi and Arlo. Though the two didn't seem to mind that much. If anything Arlo was slightly disheartened at the attitude but quickly got over it.
After some time maneuvering through activities and events, the trio and Gale ended up in a packed restaurant. Called the "Silver Dragon" it had a traditional exterior aesthetic about it. With wooden frames and stone support, red lanterns hung on the sides. Inside was more modern, two small floors with small booths with tables for guests. While Wikilow desired a crowded place to remain inconspicuous amongst the average goers.
The group seated themselves in a booth with no windows and a dark rectangle table. Gale having flown up to the roof to avoid the people. Elsi sneaked bits of food for the spirit bird later.
Their course choices were fairly small, but his two companions indulged all the same as they talked. A particular dish bearing sugared fruits gave both stars in their eyes. The fruit melting in their mouths and coating breaths with its sweet taste.
"Wikilow, aren't you gonna have some of this?" Arlo asked as he popped a bright mandarin in his mouth while pushing the plate over to him.
"Your offer is declined." Wikilow said in turn with a shake of his head. Having quickly eaten his own milk and simple dish of plain meat and vegetables.
"You really should give it a try. It taste amazing." Elsi happily suggested.
"I decline. This assortment of food is rather non beneficial and a waste of resources." The Avatar dryly replied, garnering odd looks from their neighbouring tables. He grabbed an apple from the standard basket and swiftly consumed it. "Taste is meaningless." Wikilow added with a blank face.
"…We really should've expected this." Arlo whispered to Elsi.
"It should not be surprising, both you and Elsi act illogically in every way possible." Wikilow stated, having heard anyway.
"That's like, the millionth time you've said that, dude." The fire bender tiredly sighed.
"That is an exaggeration on your part." Wikilow blandly noted.
"You know what? We're finding you something to do for fun while we're here!" Arlo passionately announced, standing up.
"That is not-" The Avatar tried to say but Elsi, interrupted him.
"You're right! This festival's the perfect opportunity to find something you enjoy!" She excitedly exclaimed.
"Then it's decided! We're going to make Wikilow have fun tonight!" Arlo shouted, determination sparkling in his eyes. "I want at least a smile or something." The fire bender clarified at the Avatar's objection. "Okay, wait here, I'm going to go pay and then we're getting a laugh outta Wikilow!" Arlo told the group before making his way to the register.
"This is completely unnecessary." Wikilow deadpanned to Elsi, who softly chuckled.
"We have an entire night ahead of us. Just try and live a little, Wikilow." She gently encouraged.
"I am alive." The Avatar literally stated, tilting his head at the remark.
"Not just physically you know? There's more to living than breathing and the bare necessities." The air bender explained.
"My duty does not require me having 'fun'." Wikilow blankly argued.
"The Avatar's a living person too, and should be treated as such." Elsi shot back.
—
Arlo quickly paid at the register and turned to head back to the group. However, in the corner of his eye he spotted the identical hats and uniform of four Dai Li agents and so ducked behind a plant as they stopped in front of his only route back. The agents were conversing with someone inside a booth, and looked to be staying there for a while. Arlo would've stayed hidden if one of the restaurants workers hadn't tapped him on the shoulder and told him to move. Acting on instinct, he left the restaurant to wait it out. Making sure his defining features were obscured by the crowd in case the agents took notice.
Now, the fire bender would've peacefully waited outside for the agents to leave. However, another group of agents approached the restaurant from his direction. Making him move further away from the restaurant. Before he knew it, it was like agents were everywhere and he had to keep moving farther and farther away.
Eventually, he leaned against the wall of a small building in an alley as agents passed by. Sighing, the fire bender tried to get back to Elsi and Wikilow.
But he was roughly spun around by the shoulder. Letting out a yelp of surprise, Arlo assumed he had been caught and started moving into a fighting stance. But it was a Dai Li agent who had grabbed him. But a middle aged woman who was quite clearly irritated.
"There you are you clown! We've been waiting for you for ages!" She angrily muttered to him while dragging the young man inside the building.
"Wait a second, Miss! You have the wrong person- hold on, did you CLOWN?" Arlo indignantly yelled as he was shoved into a room.
"Right I did cause that's what you are!" The old woman screeched. "Now shut your air hole and do the job we hired you for!" She loudly added before storming off.
"I…" Arlo mumbled as he looked around at his new surroundings. It was some sort of dressing room, with various costume and props haphazardly scattered throughout. He picked up a blonde wig, sniffing it before gagging and throwing it far away from him. One wall was covered completely by a dark red curtain. From the other side Arlo could hear the sound of a bustling crowd. Curiously, the fire bender peeked inside and a sweat appeared on his forehead.
What he saw was a very large crowd. But that wasn't what troubled the young man. What troubled him was the Dai Li agents watching front and centre.
"Monkey feathers!" Arlo cursed.
—
Back at the restaurant, Wikilow and Elsi continued to wait for Arlo. However, they grew concerned with the growing amount of time that passed.
"He's taking a little long to pay, don't you think?" Elsi nervously asked, lazily drawing circles on the table.
"I agree. He might have encountered a problem. We should look for him." Wikilow decided, getting up with Elsi and leaving the booth. The moment they exited, a new group of guests ushered inside in their place. The duo initially hurried down the quickest route to the exit. However, Wikilow pulled Elsi back.
"Other way." He whispered while turning around. Elsi glanced ahead, seeing the Dai Li agents roughly interrogating a guest. The people had formed a circle around them, apprehensively watching the scene. Suddenly one agent moved in and there was a scream. The people then exploded and it descended into chaos. "Don't get involved. They'll handle it." Wikilow told her as the agents violently contained the crowd's frenzy.
Wikilow and Elsi waited near the back of the restaurant before taking the long way out to avoid the agent's gaze. Afterwards, they quickly hurried off to put some distance between them and the restaurant. However, they still saw no sights of Arlo. And so wandered aimlessly to try and find the fire bender. Gale flew above them, perching on various roofs and ledges as they passed yet still in sight.
Wikilow was clearly unbothered by the previous scene. Contrasting a troubled Elsi next to him.
"You continue to be bothered by the Dai Li's methods of operation." The Avatar observed, to which she slowly nodded.
"I've told you before, Wikilow. It's wrong." The air bender quietly stated.
"I will repeat, that is your opinion." Wikilow blankly retorted.
"And there's nothing I can say to change yours." Elsi relented with sad eyes. Wikilow blinked, noting her posture.
"I apologize for lowering your spirits." He consulted in monotone.
"Don't, it's not your fault." The young woman reflected with a sigh. "Lets go find Arlo." She said instead, perking up. A boom in the distance, drew their attention to the fields. A burst of light following that lit up the sky in gold, orange and green. The duo went to investigate, and found a large celebration in order. "I don't see Arlo here!" Elsi shouted, standing up on her toes.
"We should go." Wikilow replied, as people weaved around them. However, a new wave of people pushed them forward. The duo just barely keeping track of each other in the swarm. They were soon surrounded on all sides with no clear way to get out. "We're stuck." The Avatar dryly commented.
"Well that's obvious. I guess we just wait for it to die down." Elsi said in turn. A loud drum was beat throughout the field, people gasping and cheering while the music flowed. After a few minutes, the majority of people were breaking out into sing-a-longs and dances. "Oh, that's nice. A dance." Elsi cheerfully stated while Wikilow apathetically looked on.
"The recreational activity?" He inquired.
"Yeah… I'm just going to assume you've never danced before, right?" Elsi asked.
"Correct, it's never been needed." Wikilow confirmed emotionlessly. She didn't respond at first, before shyly extending a hand to him.
"…Would you like to give it a try?" The young woman quietly offered.
"Apologies, I do not know how." The Avatar turned down, shaking his head.
"It's not complicated, Wikilow. It's like… like… bending with feeling, remember?" Elsi said with a chuckle.
"I do." He affirmed. And after thinking it over, took her hand. "I will try, dancing." Wikilow stated.
"Just don't think about it, and you'll be fine." Elsi softly told him in turn, leading him through the motions of a simple dance. The light lit up their faces as they maneuvered through the fields. Cool winds making time seem endless. Wikilow was slow at first, but soon got the hang of the movements. He spun Elsi around and brought her close to him. She took a step back, hand in his. He and her circled each other, she laughed.
And then with a steam of hot air Arlo ran into them.
"Arlo." Wikilow noted.
"Arlo?" Elsi said, gaping at the fire benders appearance. "Where were you? What are you-what is this?" She questioned, gesturing to his blonde wig, green poncho and dirty eye patch. All of which he frantically rid of, particularly stomping on the wig.
"I'll explain later! But we got to go!" Arlo shouted in a panic, glancing behind him as he ushered the two forward.
"Wait what?" Elsi yelled. But they all understood his urgency when a group of Dai Li agents began cutting through the crowd. "OH! Run!" She and Arlo echoed as the trio ran for it. Knocking people over in their haste out of Xiào Lián. Gale flew above the rooftops toward them.
"Ugh.. spirits!" Arlo cursed as they sprinted into the forests and off the path.
"I did warn of this possibility occurring." Wikilow stoically reported.
"I know that! Please do not remind me, dude!" Arlo comically snapped. "But that's not important! We didn't get to get a laugh outta you or have fun!" The fire bender complained with a frustrated sigh. Wikilow blinked in response.
"…I had fun." The Avatar stated.
"Eh?" The ex cirque went, surprised.
"Yes… I did have fun." Wikilow repeated, nodding to the group.
"You did? That's great! Mission accomplished!" Arlo cheered, before asking for more details.
"I'll explain later!" Elsi shouted as they hopped a ditch, and away into the night,
—
Authors Note: That was fun to write! Though I hope that the whole relationship between Elsi and Wikilow isn't too bad. But, after a couple more chapters a big event's coming up. On another note, my beta reader told me that the characters were a bit flat. Which I was afraid was going to happen. I'll try and add some more depth to them, but this is honestly only my second longish story. So, the success will vary. Until next time!
