Kyshi stood at one of the counters in the main kitchen. She was constantly moving from one spot where she was chopping vegetables, to the stove where she was cooking rice, and to the steamer where she was prepping some type of leafy plant for a later dish. She had planned on making a small dinner, a casual meal for the family, but Metaang had asked her to prepare a feast. Although she didn't exactly want to cook such a large spread, nor was she able to prepare such a feast on her own, the excitement in Metaang's eyes and his sincere eagerness when he asked her made it impossible for her to refuse. She hadn't seen him that excited in months, and wasn't going to risk killing his good mood. Kyshi enlisted the help of Xing, the best cook in the temple, to prepare the feast.
"Kyshi, turn down the rice. Quickly, before it burns," Xing called out to her from across the kitchen.
"Got it," Kyshi responded, reaching for the temperature knob of the stove and adjusting the appropriate burner. "Now, what do you need done with this?" she asked, holding up a mess of large leaves to show Xing.
"I don't know what 'this' is," said Xing with a laugh before she turned to look. "Oh, those need to be chopped up and tossed into that," she said pointing at a large bowl by Kyshi.
"All right, I can do that," responded Kyshi with a smile. "You know, after living here for nineteen years, you'd think I'd be better at this whole cooking thing," she added with a laugh.
"Oh, stop it, Kyshi," said Xing. "So what if you struggle cooking air nomad cuisine? That doesn't make you any less of a woman." Kyshi stopped chopping and looked at Xing. She wasn't expecting the pep talk, but appreciated it regardless. "Besides," Xing continued, never looking up from stirring a large pot of soup. "I'm sure the food here is nothing like what you ate growing up."
Kyshi laughed and nodded her head. "You're right, Xing," she said. "The food here is nothing like what I grew up with." Her mind then played an old memory from her childhood, from a life far away from the Air Temple. A peaceful, mutual silence fell over the kitchen as the two women returned focus to cooking.
The family and a few air acolytes were gathered in the renovated parlor. When Meelo arrived at the Temple all those years ago to resettle it, this room had been bare and offered no purpose to him. It was Kyshi's idea to turn it into a sort of parlor; a kind of meeting room for conversation and gathering before a big meal. Nella and Oakrin arrived last. Oakrin was quietly and quickly talking his sister's ear off while she only pretended to listen. He was rambling on about some new book he found about forgotten parts of the spirit world. Initially Oakrin's story about the spirit world had held her attention, but her interest swiftly died when the subject shifted to his desire to find more scrolls to study.
"Good-evening, Father," Nella said, thrilled to start a fresh conversation.
"Good-evening, Nella," replied her father.
"Good-evening to you too, Uncle," said Nella, turning to face Tarrson.
"Good-evening to the both of you," replied her Uncle. "What were the two of you discussing?" he asked. Metaang walked away from the three, headed towards a lone air acolyte.
"We weren't discussing anything," Nella said quickly before her brother had a chance to resume his discussion. "This one's been rambling on and on about what scrolls look like."
"I knew you weren't listening!" exclaimed Oakrin, unintentionally cutting off Tarrson's attempt to say something.
"I listened to the interesting part!" Nella shot back at him.
"What did you find interesting Nel-" tried Tarrson, just to be cut off by his nephew.
"All of it was interesting!" asked Oakrin heatedly.
"No, Oakrin, it wasn't! Not everyone wants to hear about the physical description of scrolls!"
"I didn't even talk about that! Now you're just making stuff up!"
The parlor was quieter before the twins had arrived. Metaang, Meelo, and the air acolytes were going about their business, chatting amongst themselves. The twins always bickered, and all the inhabitants of the Air Temple were used to such shouts and were able to tune them out. Tarrson, on the other hand, wasn't used to such fighting and kept trying to insert himself into their argument in hopes of turning it into a peaceful discussion. After a minute or so such an opportunity arrived. "So, Nella," Tarrson said hurriedly, before the argument resumed, "what did you find interesting about Oakrin's research?"
"Nothing, probably," grumbled Oakrin. Nella halfheartedly backhanded his arm.
"Believe it or not, I actually found your theory of forgotten regions of the spirit world interesting," stated Nella. Oakrin didn't respond. He was genuinely surprised she had heard anything he had said earlier.
"What's this about forgotten regions of the spirit world?" Tarrson asked Oakrin, who readily answered.
"I found a really old scroll that mentions regions of the spirit world I can't find in other works. Normally I would just think them ancient myths, but this scroll seems legitimate," said Oakrin, thrilled that someone showed an interest in his research.
Tarrson was about to respond when Kyshi and Xing walked out of the dining room calling 'dinner is ready'. Everyone started filing into the room and sitting around the large table. Tarrson tried to tell Oakrin that he wanted to further discuss his theory, but was grabbed by Metaang.
"Sit here, cousin," said Metaang, pointing to the cushion at the head of the table. "This dinner is in honor of being chosen as the Avatar's airbending teacher!"
"Thank you, Metaang," said Tarrson flabbergasted. "I'm honored and truly surprised," he said, sitting down. Everyone else had seated themselves quickly. After a brief moment of silent prayer the room filled with the sounds of laughter, people asking someone to pass food down, and the occasional compliment on the food to Kyshi and Xing.
After dinner, Tarrson had requested that the family meet in a small study in the main building. Oakrin and Nella sat on a wide couch and the rest of the family sat in armchairs nearby. Tarrson remained standing and positioned himself so everyone could see him and hear him clearly.
"Before I begin, I would like to thank you, Kyshi, for cooking such a fine meal, and you, Metaang, for declaring me a guest of honor," Tarrson said, bowing to each as he thanked them.
"Thank-you, Tarrson, but I really only did what Xing told me to do," laughed Kyshi. The twins, very aware of their mother's cooking shortcomings, joined in her laughter.
Metaang, after chuckling at his wife's comment, said: "You are welcome, Tarrson. Being selected by the White Lotus is a great honor; one definitely worthy of a celebratory feast."
"Are we done thanking each other yet?" complained Meelo loudly from his armchair. "Don't waste my remaining hours with frivolous formalities."
"Father, please, quit complaining," said Metaang. "You aren't dying." The study erupted in laughter.
When the laughter died down, Tarrson began speaking again. "As you all know, Fire Master Sasim revealed that the White Lotus selected me to train the new Avatar the art of airbending. What you don't know is that he also informed me I can bring someone to help me."
"It's not exactly a big secret," whispered Nella to Oakrin, "everyone knows the chosen Masters can bring assistants." Oakrin nodded in agreement, this was common knowledge.
"I bet this is about formally asking Father or Granddad to go with him," Oakrin whispered back to Nella.
"My money's on Granddad," she responded.
Tarrson noticed that the twins were whispering back and forth, so he stretched out his speech. He needed Nella to be paying attention when he got to the big announcement. His met Oakrin's, who turned his head quickly out of embarrassment from being caught whispering. Tarrson grinned a little and launched into the main point of his little address. "I'd like to take this moment to formally ask Nella to help me train the next Avatar."
It took Nella a second to process what her Uncle had just asked, but when she did her jaw dropped. "Is this real life?" she mumbled to herself. She was just presented with an opportunity to not only meet, but train the new Avatar. She was being offered a chance to see the world. She had just been handed the keys to a future she had only ever dreamed of. Oakrin elbowed her in the ribs. While she was lost in thought, the rest of the family had been watching her, waiting for a reply. "Of course I want to go, but…" She turned to her father. "Is it all right with you, Father?" she asked.
"I've already given Tarrson my permission," he answered. She started to smile.
"What about you, Mom?" she asked Kyshi, trying her best to keep her voice level.
"I think it's a wonder idea and a great opportunity," Kyshi answered with a smile. "You have my permission, too." Nella's smile grew larger.
"I give you my permission, too, Nella, in case you want it," called Meelo from his armchair.
Nella laughed, turned to face him, and said: "Thank you, Granddad."
"So, Nella," said Tarrson, "we leave tomorrow afternoon."
She turned to face him again. "Well then I'll start packing now," she said excitedly. She then stood up, bowed to her family, and ran to her room to pack.
The family watched as Nella raced out of the room. Meelo stretched loudly, yawned, and then stood up. "Well, I guess the fun is over now," he said. "Good night." The four responded and a small chorus of 'good-nights' as he slowly walked out of the study.
