"Oh, Aang. It's good to see you. You haven't changed a bit. Literally."
"I haven't changed at all."
"You make it sound like it's a bad thing. I find myself envious."
"I missed a lot, have I?" his childhood friend asked him, as they watched the city of Omashu from the highest part of the city after they tired themselves watching the people's activities, waiting for his Water Tribe friends to finish checking up their supplies so they could return to the road again.
"Considering what happened for the past hundred years… I can say it's a good thing you did." He answered, he felt his eyes moistening as he recalled that sad memory. "My predecessor was a wise ruler… but I'm afraid not as compassionate. He made sure that Omashu would not be one of the cities the firebenders would attack, and drive away any airbender seeking asylum in our walls." Seeing his friend's sad face he added, "But I wish your safety ever since you've disappeared."
His friend smiled, "Thanks, Bumi." It was nice talking to the airbender like this, catching up on old times, just like they used to.
And so they talked their other friends who grew up and change in time. Aang showed surprise when he heard the story about their childhood playmates Chan and Mia, who would always argue wherever they go and whatever they were doing, married and settled out in the North, but died many years later when the Fire Nation attacked their province.
"Their eldest child is now a grandfather living in Ba Sing Se with his own family, last I heard." He said. "Most of our peers here have also passed the mortal coil. I'm planning to head there myself…"
"BUMI!"
"But have to change my mind… now that you're here to make things interesting again." He smiled, seeing that his friend does not think that it was a particularly funny joke. "Promise you won't go anywhere again without telling me, Aang."
"I won't."
It was strange that he found himself remembering this as he watched the festivities going on below. The Governor of New Ozai and his troops were putting up a grand feast celebrating the fall of the Avatar, confident of the Fire Nation's victory. However, he did not share their opinion on the matter. He knew his friend would not leave. He won't go without him.
And so he closed his eyes, smiling. He thought that Aang would have definitely liked the party.