Lin searched for Tenzin everywhere. She searched his normal hiding spots high in the trees of airbender island, down by the caves where Oogi slept, but he was nowhere to be found. She ran into Kya though, practicing Tai chi in the large circular field.
"Kya!" she called, "I'm looking for Tenzin!"
"Where do you think he is? Down on the rocks by the water- meditating if I was to guess."
"Oh…I didn't think of that," Lin said, "thanks!"
"Even after all this time I still don't completely understand him," she mused as she ran off to find him.
The newly tattooed master airbender was indeed meditating, prayer beads in hand, breathing even.
"Hey! Tenzin!" she called when she was close enough. "I've been looking all over for you, I wanted to congratulate you."
He opened one eye and regarded her, "Lin, I'm in the middle of a meditation. You can join me if you wish."
"Ha! You know better," she said hugging him tightly.
"Ow! Still sore," he said, gingerly touching the still red skin around the tattoo on his forearm.
"Oh," she said embarrassed at her mistake, "I forgot- sorry…"
He sighed heavily and pulled himself out of the lotus position to kiss her forehead, "it's okay Lin. You've got my attention now, what is it?"
She smiled at him broadly, "I just wanted to see for myself the tattoos…all of them" she added slyly.
He half smiled at her boldness, but mostly blushed.
"Lin…I..."
She laughed, "oh stop you over holy monk! I was kidding. Well, how do you feel? Sixteen is quite young to be considered a master. I bet Avatar Aang was so proud."
"Father was 10 when he attained master's status; I doubt he's very impressed with someone 6 years older than him getting his tattoos," Tenzin said seriously.
"Please, you know better than that. He was very proud," she said grasping his hand, "Oh! Also he asked me to come and get you. There is a group of new air nomads joining up today to learn all about selflessness and detachment, you should be overjoyed."
"Lin, you shouldn't speak that way about the air acolytes, you forget my family and I are a part of them," he said raising an eyebrow at her.
"As usual you know exactly how to scold me and make me feel like a child," she pouted.
"Well you should learn to watch your tongue. Restraint is a very valuable virtue," he said.
Sighing she caused the rocks upon which he was sitting to crumble from underneath him, sending him into the waters below.
He came out of the water soaking wet, brow twitching at her indiscretion.
"That's not funny Lin," he said, accenting each word and stomping off towards the air temple.
"Patience is a very valuable virtue!" she called laughing at him, and throwing up a wall of earth to block the strong gust of air headed her way.
The new air acolyte recruits looked to be nothing special to Tenzin, he lazily pointed each one to the appropriate dormitory. Men to one side, women to the other, and families were sent to their own area of the island. His father clapped him on the back and happily bowed to the newest family that had entered.
They were a quiet man and woman, cleanly dressed and smiling.
"What a beautiful baby!" he exclaimed, "we're always happy to see new life here. This is my youngest son Tenzin. Sixteen already…time flies I suppose. What's her name?"
"Pema," the young woman replied, blushing under the attentions of the avatar himself.
"Lovely," he said smiling, "I hope you will like it here."
Tenzin watched the small family go and wondered if he and Lin would ever be able to happily live on the island.
Give us a minute on the next chapter- I have something absolutely fantastic coming, I can't wait to share it with you all. Get ready for a little test for our new master- and of course dear ol' Aang. Eek I'm excited! Until next time. Peace. -The evenstar