Wandering Firebender

Thirty Eight: Opposite Sides

"Just a little to the left...little more...stop! That's perfect." Sri smiled. Elio stepped away from the new dresser they had bought. He backed up next to Sri and looked it over; it was perfectly centered against the bedroom wall furthest away from Sri's bed.

"I never thought the day would come so soon where I would be buying furniture for a house." Elio laughed.

"You know, I was just thinking the same thing!" Sri agreed and laughed too. She looked at the new piece of furniture and smiled, "You know, I think next I'mma save up some money for Mom and Dad's room. I want them to be able to settle right in when they move." She decided.

"I think that would be nice. Let me know what you decide to get, I'll try to help you out." Elio offered. Sri nodded and leaned against him.

"Thanks, Elio. I appreciate how much you've helped me and my family. It really means so much." She thanked him.

"You're welcome," Elio replied, wrapping an arm around her. "You've been a big help for me too."

"Elio and Sri, the dynamic duo." She said lightly. Elio chuckled.

"Heheh, yeah... Hey, Sri?"

"Mhmm?"

"What are your plans for the future? Do you intend to always stay with your parents? Do you intend to always stay here in Ba Sing Se?" He asked curiously. Sri made a face and thought about it for a little bit.

"I don't know...I guess I haven't thought about it." She admitted.

"Yeah? Really? You seemed to me like someone who would have it all planned out."

"Haha, well I will take that as a compliment...but no. I mean, I obviously won't stay with my folks forever, but that seems like so far in the future, I just never thought about it. What about you?" Sri asked, looking up at him. Elio shrugged.

"I'm just trying to stay away from the Fire Nation and this messy war. Whatever form that takes, I'll just have to roll with it." He answered.

"Yeah, the quiet life, huh? Is that what you want?" She asked.

"Not really, but the life I wanted is out of the question; has been for a long time now." Elio answered honestly.

Before the conversation could continue any further, there was a knock on the door. Elio let go of Sri and they turned back towards it. They weren't expecting company. However, they didn't have to wait long to find out who was on the other side.

"Elio! It's Alger," He called through the door. "Come out! I have urgent news!" He knocked on the door again insistently.

"I'm coming!" Elio called back to him, glancing at Sri before making his way to the front door and opening it up for him, "What's up, Alger?" He asked.

"Rala is here in the city, Elio!" Alger informed him, stepping inside the house. Elio's eyes widened in surprise and he closed the door.

"Rala? As in Rala Rala? My master Rala?" Elio asked.

"Yes! One of my servants just informed me a little while ago. He's here in the Middle Ring giving lessons!"

"No way!" Elio exclaimed.

"Yeah, I was surprised too," Alger shared in Elio's shock. "We should go and see him!" Alger suggested. Elio hummed and nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I think we should. Didn't you say that you never had the chance to learn from him?" Elio asked.

"No," Alger shook his head. "But this is the perfect opportunity to change that, isn't it? What do you say?"

"I say we should get going soon so we don't miss him! Sri, you wanna come?" Elio offered. Sri shook her head.